Audi unveiled a tablet at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas with aims of using it to bring the world of in-car entertainment to a new level.
It's called the Audi Smart Display and uses a combination of the Android operating system and a WLAN interface to connect the 10.2-inch device to the Audi owner's infotainment system. From here, users can control things like the radio, satnav and other media options; and can also call up information on the operation of the car. Furthermore, the device can be used to stream high-quality audio and video to the MMI Navigation Plus system, meaning that, for example, users can buy and download a movie, watch it in the car on a long journey, and then finish the rest of the movie once they've arrived back home.
As well as the vast array of movies, music and eBooks available, users will be able to download more than 950,000 apps to their device via Google Play - not all at once, of course - which will in no doubt feature Audi-specific apps once the device hits the market. When it comes to downloading apps and accessing the internet, the Audi Smart Display uses Long Term Evolution (LTE) speeds that are said to be much faster than traditional mobile broadband connections.
In terms of connectivity, the tablet is fitted with Bluetooth and NFC technology, making connecting things such as wireless headphones and other devices an easy prospect. The Smart Display should be a fairly sturdy device too, as it has been designed to withstand life inside a car from the outset. With this in mind, Audi has made the tablet crash-proof and has ensured that the device still functions in extremes of temperature.
Anything else?
Audi has yet to give word as to when the Smart Display might go on sale; however we'd expect a price tag somewhere near the €700 mark when it eventually does.