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Audi has announced that as of summer 2023 it will be bringing a store to selected models which will allow them to integrate third-party apps directly into their infotainment system with the third-generation modular infotainment toolkit (MIB 3). An Audi hardware module around the size of a USB flash drive is loaded with open-source operating which allows the access of the third-party apps in the vehicle and was jointly developed with Volkswagen subsidiary CARIAD.
Customers will gain access to a wide selection of apps that they will be able to download directly or independently from a smartphone to the MMI. Initial categories will include Music, Video, Gaming, Navigation, Parking & Charging, Productivity, Weather, and News and the store will continuously have new apps added. For example, the Music category will include apps such as Amazon Music and Spotify.
Audi have been testing the waters with third-party integration since 2019 when it introduced Amazon Alexa Built-in to offer integrated AI voice experiences to users to make it easier to listen to music, manage smart home devices, and add items to shopping lists on the go. Audi customers will have access to the latest version of Amazon Alexa from this summer too.
In order to take advantage of the system a data link is required which is created via an “embedded SIM” which is a sim card that is permanently installed into the vehicle. In Europe the costs from using the cellular network are billed via data volume with Cubic Telecom and the first 25 gigabytes are free of charge. Your Audi will still support smartphone interface with Apple Carplay and Android Auto.
Audi will make this available from June in selected models which are equipped with the latest MIB 3 software including the Audi A3, A4/A5, Q5, A6/A7, A8, Q8 e-tron, and Audi e-tron GT.
Oliver Hoffman, CTO of Audi, added “Audi is the first brand within the Volkswagen Group to introduce the new store for third party applications. Developed by CARIAD, this scalable solution is a proof point for our strategy to offer a highly attractive ecosystem for our customers. With this solution, Audi drivers will not only enjoy regular software updates but also an even more personalized infotainment system”.
