Welcome to the first installment of a new series from GearBrain, where we accept a deep dive into the connected features of today's biggest auto companies.

Starting with Audi in this article, we will look at the internet-continued features of diverse cars, plus how your smartphone works with them. This isn't only a example of using Bluetooth for streaming calls and music, only likewise addresses Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and digs deep into the car'southward own applications, connected services, and smartphone apps.

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Without further ado, here is everything yous need to know well-nigh Audi's connected car and infotainment systems, including Audi Connect and the visitor'southward 'MMI' system.

What is Audi Connect and what can it exercise?

As tempting as it is to claw up a smartphone and exclusively utilize Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, nosotros're going to park those for at present and focus on Audi's own system, called Audi Connect.

Primarily a system for accessing the automobile's navigation, plus your phone's contacts and agenda events, Audi Connect has iii primary components, chosen Connect Care, Connect Prime and Connect Plus.

The first is designed for emergency situations, allowing y'all to make an SOS call through the car if y'all take an accident, or call upward roadside assistance. Unlike some SOS systems from other manufacturers, this is available at no additional toll for the lifetime of the vehicle.

Audi Connect Care Audi Connect Intendance includes free SOS emergency calling Audi

Connect Care too includes remote locking and unlocking of the car, via the free myAudi app for iPhone and Android. The app contains a automobile-finder feature for locating your motorcar if you tin't remember where you parked, and Care also helps law enforcement locate your vehicle if it is stolen.

Owners of the electrical Audi E-Tron gain boosted Connect Intendance features, including trip planning with accuse stops taken into consideration, remote control of the interior temperature from your telephone, and control over how the machine charges its battery, also via the app.

Connect Prime and Connect Plus both come with a free half-dozen-month trial with all new Audis, afterwards which you tin can stop using them, or pay for a subscription.

These are not particularly inexpensive. Connect Prime is priced at $199 for vi months or $499 for 18 months. Connect Plus is a more reasonable $x per month if using your smartphone's data connection, or $25 a month for the car's own unlimited data service.

Prime features include Google Earth mapping imagery in the automobile'due south navigation organization, a vocalization assistant that uses natural linguistic communication to command things like the motel temperature, and Amazon Alexa integration for asking questions, playing music and controlling your smart home devices.

Audi Connect Prime with Amazon Alexa Audi

Finally in that location is Connect Plus, which creates a Wi-Fi network in your car, to which y'all can connect devices similar smartphones and tablets. Connect Plus also includes internet radio streaming, and access to Amazon Music.

Information for the entire Connect system is received via the machine'due south own SIM card, which is either embedded and hidden from sight, or constitute in a slot in the glove box.

What is Audi MMI?

Audi MMI display The lower touchscreen is used for climate control Audi

Continuing for human and machine interface, MMI is the user interface of Audi's infotainment organization. This is carve up across 3 digital displays; 1 acting equally an instrument panel behind the steering wheel, one in the center of the dashboard for maps and amusement, and a screen below this for controlling the climate, heated seats, and other key systems. The latter is pictured in a higher place.

This lower screen can besides be used to write on with your finger to enter information, like a destination for the navigation organisation. In some models this display is replaced past a more traditional scroll cycle that can be rotated, pressed, tapped and swiped across to navigate around the interface. This is pictured below.

Audi infotainment system Scroll wheel control for navigating the Audi Connect arrangement Audi

The instrument display behind the steering bicycle can show a traditional speedometer and rev counter, with temperature and fuel gauges either side. Or these can exist made smaller, giving way to a large map brandish taking up most of the screen.

Do Audis have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?

For the 2020 model year onwards, all Audi vehicles are equipped with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay as standard. Wireless CarPlay is also on some models, but as with most manufacturers this is even so somewhat express in its availability for now.

Is in that location a smartphone app available for Audi cars?

The myAudi app for iPhone and Android Audi

As we mentioned before, the free myAudi app for iOS and Android lets you lock and unlock the motorcar remotely. Yous can besides check the windows, hood, tailgate and sunroof are closed, and that the lights are off. The app shows how much fuel or bombardment charge is remaining, along with the expected range, the electric current mileage of your automobile, and any warnings that its computer is currently displaying (such as low oil or incorrect tire force per unit area).

The app tells you how many miles or days to go until your next service and oil change, and helps locate your nearest dealer. Alerts tin exist fix up for if your car leaves a certain geofenced area (so y'all know if your children have driven somewhere they shouldn't), or breaches a certain speed.

Finally, valet mode can be enabled in the app to restrict the car's functioning and functionality while someone else, similar the hotel valet, is driving it.

There is also an Apple Sentry app to bear witness your remaining range, total mileage, if any windows are open, and the location of your auto.

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