Innovation In Infotainment Technology

Innovation In Infotainment Technology

Long gone are the days in which all you were looking for in car entertainment was a CD player with a decent amount of wattage going to four speakers. Modern infotainments systems have gained an immense amount of utility and connectivity in the last few years, mirroring the capabilities of smart phone technology. They are so intertwined that we have begun looking for the same basic features in infotainment systems that we look for in our phones. 

While it may have placed low on the list of priorities in years past, what features you'll want and need definitely play into your decision making when car shopping in 2018. With more and more time being spent in vehicles, people have begun to rely more and more on their infotainment systems to make the driving experience tolerable if not enjoyable. If you're constantly frustrated by the glitches or limitations of your infotainment system, it may be a deal breaker no matter how much you enjoy the rest of the vehicle.

Most stock infotainment systems have at least some features in common. Touchscreens, the ability to interface with your smart phone to play music, make calls, and receive messages, and give information on the status of various aspects of your vehicle are a few. Some do these things better than others, and most have expanded sets of features.

One feature to take into account is the responsiveness of the unit. When you touch the screen, is the result immediate or is there a frustrating delay before execution? Another feature to take into account is how deeply your system can integrate with your smart phone.

While basic Bluetooth features may be available, can it connect via Apple CarPlay or Android Auto to your navigation app and display it on the infotainment screen? Does the system have its own navigation? Wi-Fi hotspotting? 

The aesthetics of the unit are also important. Can you adjust the brightness to a level you like? The graphical representation on the screen is also important. Overall, how does everything look? A crisp and clean display is a must. The display's placement is also important. Do you like where it sits? Can you access it easily without taking your eyes off the road? Some manufacturers like Audi have started placing a second touchscreen with additional features as well.

There are a ton of factors to consider when making the decision of what you'll drive for the next several years. While some might not consider it important, the small things really do add up fast. While it may not matter today whether or not your display pulls the album art from your iPod, one day it may make the difference between your next automotive purchase.

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Written By: Todd Hendrickson
Source: cnet.com