Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Audi updates MMI system for 2010 A3, TT and R8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/audi-updates-mmi-system-for-2010-a3-tt-and-r8/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/audi-updates-mmi-system-for-2010-a3-tt-and-r8/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/06/30/audi-updates-mmi-system-for-2010-a3-tt-and-r8/#commentsFiled under: ,



Audi's Multi-Media Interface, which is arguably the best of the various all-in-one graphical user interface systems favored, has just got better.

According to Audi, resolution on the system's 6.5-inch screen is getting bumped up to 800 x 480, route calculation will happen faster with a 600 MHz processor, and you can scroll along the route - not just vertically and horizontally - and get speed limit data on highways.

Additionally, the system will also finally charge external MP3 players that are plugged in to the system, song titles will be displayed,

The new A3, TT, and R8 will be the first to benefit from next-step MMI when they arrive in Stateside dealerships in the autumn. U.S. pricing hasn't been announced yet, but you can read about all of the next-gen system's new bells and whistles in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi updates MMI system for 2010 A3, TT and R8

Audi updates MMI system for 2010 A3, TT and R8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a3audiaudi a3audi mmiaudi r8audi ttAudiA3AudiMmiAudiR8AudiTtGUImmimulti media interfacemultimedia interfaceMultimediaInterfacer8techtechnologyttTue, 30 Jun 2009 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Audi details new MMI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/29/audi-details-new-mmi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/29/audi-details-new-mmi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/29/audi-details-new-mmi/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Audi's MMI in-car command system is one of the most intuitive offered by an OEM, but that isn't stopping Audi from piling on the improvements. The screen is now a seven-inch, 800x400 TFT display, being fed info from a high-capacity hard disk, a DVD drive, and an NVIDIA graphics chip. It also gets an eight-way joystick on the central knob, which means you can make mouse-like movements on the screen for point-and-click ease. In addition to all that, there are simpler vocal inputs, 3-D maps, a 10,000-number phone book, and two processors so that everything can run at the same time. It will arrive in the U.S. with the Q5 later this year, but in the mean time, you can get all the details in the lengthy press release after the jump.

Continue reading Audi details new MMI

Audi details new MMI originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi mmiaudi q5AudiMmiAudiQ5gadgetsmmiq5techThu, 29 Jan 2009 16:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Third-gen Audi A8 to be "stronger, sharper, more precise"]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/31/third-gen-a8-will-be-stronger-sharper-more-precise/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/31/third-gen-a8-will-be-stronger-sharper-more-precise/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/31/third-gen-a8-will-be-stronger-sharper-more-precise/#commentsFiled under: ,



From the first lozenge-shaped A8 that hit American shores in 1997, Audi's flagship sedan has slowly been asserting itself more and more. The current A8 W12 is almost always given credit for its beautiful-yet-subtle design and a glorious interior. American buyers, however, haven't thrown money at it like they do the BMW 7 Series and Mercedes-Benz S Class. Audi is out to change that with the 2011 A8.

Among the changes, Audi is trumpeting improvements to the car's handling, the area in which it has traditionally lost ground to its European luxo-sedan brethren. The rear-biased quattro system will also be enhanced with Audi's "sport differential" torque-vectoring system, and if other markets clamors for it, Audi will offer the front-drive A8 outside of Europe. Inside, expect a raft of changes to the interior and a "more innovative" MMI system.

As before, the A8 will come in regular and long wheelbase versions, and provide a wide range of engines for world markets, from a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel through to the S8's V10. The transmission will be the same 8-speed ZF unit used by the 2009 BMW 7 Series.

All of it will be wrapped in sheetmetal that Audi says will be "stronger, shaper, more precise," a design that will make efforts to highlight the car's aluminum build technology. Said head designer Stefan Sielaff, the car will present "a strong three-dimensional theme," and be "the first of a new styling language at Audi." We can't wait to see it. Thanks for the tip, Other Man!

[Source: Car and Driver]

Third-gen Audi A8 to be "stronger, sharper, more precise" originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a8audiaudi a8AudiA8BMWdesignLexusMercedes-Benzmmirs6saloonsedanv10w12Wed, 31 Dec 2008 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Audi introduces the next MMI]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/audi-introduces-the-next-mmi/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/audi-introduces-the-next-mmi/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/21/audi-introduces-the-next-mmi/#commentsFiled under: , ,



If you're buying an A8 this year, prepare to spend a lot of time getting to know your new MMI system. We have consistently thought that Audi's buttons-and-knob interface is the best, and it looks like they've put an entire NASA team on the job of making it better. A seven-inch TFT screen with 800x400 resolution is now controlled by an 8-position joystick. Moving from one screen to another is done via "elegant crossfades," which sounds a bit PowerPoint-ish, but we'll wait until we see it to judge. And among other improvements, navigational maps can be rendered in "birds-eye perspective" 3D, with topographical map coloration. The only thing missing is the Encyclopedia Britanica. You can check out the exhaustive press release after the jump.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi introduces the next MMI

Audi introduces the next MMI originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a8audiaudi a8audi mmiAudiA8AudiMmicar audioCarAudioelectronicsmminavinavigationsatnavMon, 21 Jul 2008 13:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Audi's new MMI system will debut in Q5]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/05/audis-new-mmi-system-will-debut-in-q5/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/05/audis-new-mmi-system-will-debut-in-q5/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/05/audis-new-mmi-system-will-debut-in-q5/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click on image above for a high-res photo gallery of the Audi Q5

Audi's next-gen Multi-Media Interface (MMI) technology will debut in the new Audi Q5 compact crossover arriving later this year. Built by Harmon/Becker Automotive Systems, it is reportedly going to set benchmarks for automotive navigation, communication, and wide-screen entertainment. (We'll just pretend we've never heard that before.)

In any case, the system utilizes a high-performance NVIDIA(R) graphics processor for smooth map transitions, even while underway. Vehicle orientation is enhanced by a three-dimensional view with true-to-scale terrain, and photorealistic depictions of key landmarks. They've even gone so far (too far?) as to include commercial points of interest complete with brand logos for easier driver identification. The new MMI will include support for external USB storage media (iPod or MP3), satellite radio, and it contains an integral four-band GSM cell phone (SIM card ready) with Bluetooth connectivity. While we welcome a faster processor, let's hope the additional complexity comes with a simplified interface. Having spent hours futzing with the current-gen MMI, and the competition's COMAND and iDrive infotainment systems... we are crossing our fingers, but still reserving judgment until we actually use it.

Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: Beijing '08: 2009 Audi Q5

Continue reading Audi's new MMI system will debut in Q5

Audi's new MMI system will debut in Q5 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jun 2008 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AudiBluetoothgenerationGSM Cell PhoneGsmCellPhoneInfotainmentMMINext-genThu, 05 Jun 2008 09:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Updates on Audi: A1 coming, Tokyo concept, A8/Bentley diet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/updates-on-audi-a1-coming-tokyo-concept-a8-bentley-diet/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/updates-on-audi-a1-coming-tokyo-concept-a8-bentley-diet/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/18/updates-on-audi-a1-coming-tokyo-concept-a8-bentley-diet/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

4Car sat down with Michael Dick, a member of Audi's board who heads up the product engineering side of things, and came away with new insights on the MINI-fighting A1, the future of Bentley and what products are waiting in the wings.

Starting small, Audi's new A1 will not share the all-aluminum construction of the less-than-popular A2, instead using the steel PQ24 platform that underpins the VW Polo and Skoda Fabia. It will be distinctly Audi in its design, albeit in a small package, and will feature a number of technologies - specifically the MMI setup - that's found in the quad-ring's luxury offerings. Don't expect Quattro in the beginning, nor will a three-door body be offered at first, but Dick confirmed that there would be a concept debuting in Tokyo next month that hints at the A1's styling.

Audi is also developing a new alloy structure for the A8 that will underpin the next generation of Bentleys, and will likely reduce the overall weight of both models by over 300 pounds. Also, the reworked A3 is coming next year, along with a convertible version, while the Q5 will arrive in 2008 complete with either a hybrid drivetrain or a diesel engine - both slated for sales in the U.S.

[Source: 4Car]

Updates on Audi: A1 coming, Tokyo concept, A8/Bentley diet originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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With both Audi and Apple's minimalist design ethos, it was simply a matter of time before they joined forces and offered a way to integrate the new iPhone across the four-ringed lineup. Any Audi model equipped with Bluetooth will allow the iPhone to be paired with the vehicle, giving users the ability to make and receive hands-free phone calls, as well as providing a signal strength indicator, assigning specific names to numbers (Work, Home, etc.) and allowing access to call lists.

On the music front, the addition of the Audi Music Interface will give the vehicles MMI system direct control of all the iPod capabilities of the iPhone, allowing users to navigate everything from playlists to albums. The AMI is available as an optional extra on the A5, A6, A8 and Q7, although we'd expect the full line of Audi vehicles to allow integration sooner rather than later.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Meant to be: Audi integrates the iPhone

Meant to be: Audi integrates the iPhone originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>a5a6a8amiaudiaudi music interfaceAudiMusicInterfaceintegrateintegrationiphoneipodmmiq7Tue, 14 Aug 2007 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Audi developing audible news reader for your auto]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/audi-developing-audible-news-reader-for-your-auto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/audi-developing-audible-news-reader-for-your-auto/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/28/audi-developing-audible-news-reader-for-your-auto/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Audi is pushing the envelope in audio entertainment with a new research project that aims to deliver news reports audibly that are custom configured by the driver. Audi says the system, known as MACS My News, allows the driver to become "editor-in-chief" by choosing what type of content to hear and for how long. World news, sports and weather are a few types of content the system will be able to deliver, and it will all be controlled via spoken commands or Audi's MMI (Multi Media Interface).

Foursprung has what appears to be an official release, though it doesn't touch on what type of voice will be "reading" the content to be delivered. We assume it will be digital and synthetic, which we fear would be entirely too annoying to listen to at length. That is, unless it's a cool digital voice like that of Johnny 5 or the supercomputer named Joshua from War Games.

[Source: Foursprung]

Audi developing audible news reader for your auto originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Apr 2006 15:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car stereoCarStereohead unitHeadUnitMMInews readerNewsReaderstereoFri, 28 Apr 2006 15:56:00 EST