The Los Angeles show held its first connected car expo, attracting dozens of exhibits showing the latest automotive technology.
Audi is introducing its first 4G LTE-equipped vehicles, A3 and S3 sedans, out in the US next spring.
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Features include picture navigation, voiced Facebook and Twitter alerts, access to more than 3,000 internet radio stations worldwide, personalised RSS news feeds and a new mobile app that allows advanced functionality between a smartphone and the car’s MMI infotainment system.
Other exhibitors showing off their latest advancements in the connected car world included Airbiquity, Covisint, Hertz Never Lost, Hyundai, Nokia Here, Onstar, QNX, Qualcomm, Sprint, Telenav, Verizon, Volkswagen, Livio, Parkopedia, Clip Interactive, and Productification.
Amid all the hype came a caution from a leading buyers’ guide website. Edmunds.com consumer advice editor Ronald Montoya said he was intrigued by automakers’ eagerness to offer connected features to their new products but there was a cost caveat: “There’s been a lot of buzz at the auto show about connected cars, and it’s exciting to see vehicles move in this direction. But one point that’s often overlooked is that consumers will have to buy new data plans for their cars, on top of their cell phone data plans and their home internet access.
“All those bills can quickly add up and it could become a pain in the wallet for some.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if some day soon data providers start marketing all-encompassing plans that combine online access from all of your home, mobile and automotive devices.”
