On board Apps to create new revenue streams for European Vehicle Manufacturers

New analysis from Frost & Sullivan (Connectivity, App Stores, and Cloud-based Delivery Platforms: Future of Connected Infotainment and Telematics Market), finds almost every OEM is developing and hosting apps on popular application stores in the next year.
Most of them have already flooded the market with free apps focusing on areas such as customer relationship management (CRM) and breakdown assistance, while others have created value-added apps such as remote start/stop. But, new developments such as the Nokia MirrorLink, using which Alpine has already created an aftermarket head unit, are also opening up new revenue opportunities for VMs to enable smartphone apps inside the car in a complete remote terminal fashion with controls using vehicle human machine interface (HMI). This, in turn, is creating a massive interest in HMI elements as both revenue generator as well as brand differentiator. Concepts such as Chevrolet MyLink, GMC Intellilink are examples of this HMI response by automakers.
Interest from handset makers such as HTC, Samsung, LG and Sony in the Nokia MirrorLink standard underscores its potential of becoming an industry standard, allowing VMs to standardise and make revenues out of apps.

Link : http://www.frost.com/prod/servlet/press-release.pag?docid=252936144&ctxixpLink=FcmCtx1&ctxixpLabel=FcmCtx2

Connectivity trends @ Geneva

Cars are more and more connected. At Geneva Motor Show, OEMs unveiled new services, such as Renault with R-Link system in the new Zoé. This embedded tablet PC gives access to a world of connected services. By downloading applications from a R-Link store, users will get car oriented services (navigation, location based services). Fifty applications will be available at the launch of R-Link in october. HMI is a state of the art, with voice recognition, touch screen and remote controls on the steering wheel.

Peugeot is offering connected services too on the 208. Thanks to the customer's smartphone, used a modem, and a touch screen, ten applications are available in the car for traffic, gas prices, parking lots and so on. At Geneva Motor Show, some other OEMs (BMW with BMW Apps and BMW Live, Mercedes with COMAND on line) were offering the same connectivity in 3 G.

4 G, also known as LTE (Long Term Evolution) is arriving in the car. This technology was displayed by Delphi Automotive and Sbarro on the F1 for 3 (an astonishing Formula 1 car with three seats). The connectivity on board is as fast as the car itself, with digital content on personal passengers devices. A special antenna is carrying all the services (GPS, GSM, TV) inside.

To conclude, connectivity means personalized services too. Harman was showing NFC applications in Rinspeed' Dock & Go Concept. With a compliant mobile phone, a driver can be recognized by the car and finds his personal settings (seats, radio, navigation, apps) when he gets on board.
Welcome to the connected car...