Jaguar, Land Rover Up Cabin Tech For 2014 With InControl Apps
Smartphones play an important role in our daily lives, but to drivers they are just as distracting as they are useful. Many automakers have begun integrating smartphone apps into the infotainment systems, and Jaguar and Land Rover will join these ranks with its new built-in suite of apps called InControl Apps.
Starting sometime this year, Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles will begin offering InControl Apps, but it isn’t clear when the platform will launch or in which vehicles. When it does come out, InControl Apps will bring a deeper level of connectivity that combines the convenience of smartphone apps with the benefit of in-car development.
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The apps will require the pairing of smartphones, but all of the controls, functions and features are fully integrated into the vehicle’s infotainment system. At launch, InControl Apps will have 11 apps, but Jaguar and Land Rover will be adding more as it gains traction.
Separately, Jaguar Land Rover says it also will implement Apple CarPlay device mirroring, but hasn't said when it will become available.
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For now, InControl will include the following:
iHeart Radio for Auto
A customizable radio experience
INRIX
A crowd-sourced traffic information app
Stitcher
An app that brings your favorite talk radio show or podcast to your car
Glympse
A location-sharing app that gives authorized viewers information the location of your vehicle and estimated time of arrival
Sygic
Using the navigation of your smartphone to provide directions through the vehicle
Parkopedia
Helping drivers find available parking locations and providing information as to how much parking will cost
Hotelseeker
Locate, shop and book hotels from inside your car
Cityseeker
An online travel guide
Airmotion
A worldwide news app
Winston
A personal assistant app that can read news updates or social media feeds
Mobile Day
Making it easier to join call-in conference calls without having to remember phone numbers or PINs
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