The CD player is going the way of the tape deck in Hyundai Vehicles. The Korean automaker announced today that its new infotainment unit will eschew the compact disk reader, choosing instead to embrace smartphone connectivity. The system will be optimized for use with Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto, software that carries some apps from your mobile OS of choice over to the car’s center console.
The Display Audio system will be centered around a seven-inch touch screen that Hyundai wishes to make the head unit for all its cars, even the entry-level volume cars. “As affordable car buyers are often younger, Hyundai aims to provide what they want most in their car – all the latest smartphone-enabled technologies at a lower price,” said Cason Grover, senior group manager, cross-carline planning of Hyundai Motor America.
Those smartphone technologies include text messaging via voice commands, accessing navigation via a phone connection, and making calls, naturally.
With Apple CarPlay, drivers will be able to use Siri “eyes-free” mode, giving them the ability to use a compatible vehicle’s steering-wheel-mounted voice command button and call up driving directions, compose texts, and access any notifications they may have received. Android Auto will offer the use of many apps like TextMe and WhatsApp to do something similar.
If drivers happen to be sans smartphone, the Hyundai Display Audio system will still have basic HD radio station access as well as SiriusXM satellite radio, but you’ll be missing out on the Blue Link connectivity that lets Hyundai owners monitor overall car health and access certain functions via a downloadable app.
Hyundai will be demonstrating all the available functions on its new Display Audio system next week at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
