Volkswagen’s Cariad unit has unveiled a new app store for the manufacturer’s brands, including Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini, Bentley, Seat, Cupra and Skoda.
Until now, Volkswagen group cars were missing an important element that often forces users to go through Android Auto or CarPlay: an application store. Fortunately, Cariad, Volkswagen’s IT company, has just introduced a brand new application store that should arrive in all the brands of the group.
The applications available in VW group cars will be very varied: music, podcasts, video conferencing, weather, games, news, etc. They will all be optimized for in-car use and designed to operate from an infotainment system screen.
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Audi will be the first manufacturer to take advantage of the app store
The store’s first set of apps includes Amazon Music, Spotify, The Weather Channel, Tidal Music, TikTok, Vivaldi and Yelp. We know that the Volkswagen Group is in talks with Google to introduce native navigation in Google Maps, but it is not known if Google will accept or promote Android Automotive, its new independent operating system.
” It’s a new level of digital experiences that we want to show said Dirk Hilgenberg, the CEO of Cariad, the VW Group’s in-house software division, in a call with The Verge. ” We can combine and take advantage of [sociétés d’applications tierces] by creating an immersive experience, especially with regard to games, relaxation “.
In addition to exclusive apps from Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen and other group brands, the store will offer vehicle customers access to content from third-party providers. Cariad is working with Samsung’s Harman company to create this open system. The Volkswagen app store thus gives developers access to a market estimated at around 40 million VW group vehicles.
It looks like the app store will launch this summer on several Audi models (including electric vehicles like the E-Tron GT and Q8 E-Tron) for European and North American customers. Unfortunately, you don’t have to not expect an update on your current caras the Volkswagen Group has warned that the app store will only be available on vehicles produced from the second half of 2023.