| Luxury carmaker Audi AG recently unleashed a smart | | | | be boosting its in-car information and entertainment |
| phone for cars. This Sony Ericsson-made device | | | | features. |
| takes car/phone integration to deliver utmost | | | | The "Metro Project Quattro" plug-in hybrid concept car |
| information and entertainment. | | | | that the automaker unveiled for the first time at the |
| The device offers a mobile phone, car navigation | | | | 40th Tokyo Motor Show is equipped with the said |
| system and video player, as well as being a | | | | "Audi mobile device," a dedicated detachable terminal, |
| verification system when starting the car and a | | | | at the vehicle's center console. |
| remote device for air-conditioning and music selection. | | | | The terminal works as a verification system when |
| According to the automaker, the device also works | | | | starting the engine and supports mobile phone, car |
| outside the car. Matter of fact, a 3G module inside the | | | | navigation system and video player capabilities, said |
| vehicle can send location details to the phone if it is | | | | Tech-on. These capabilities can also be operated from |
| stolen. If the owner is within a hotspot, he can access | | | | outside the car. With a port located at the center |
| all in-car functions outside. | | | | console inside the car, the terminal can be fit in there. |
| If the car is stolen, for instance, and goes outside of | | | | The Audi mobile device can render images shot with |
| the WLAN connection area, a 3G mobile phone | | | | the camera set inside the car, as well as letting users |
| access module equipped with the car will automatically | | | | remotely set automobile air conditioner and music |
| turn on and inform the car's present location to the | | | | programs playback from outside the car. |
| terminal. | | | | Communications between the car and the terminal |
| Users can maneuver the terminal using its touch panel | | | | uses wireless LAN (WLAN). |
| screen and the attached stylus pen. Given the audio | | | | Audi's adverts often boast of the number of patents |
| player capability displayed as "Walkman," the | | | | clocked up by the German automaker. Innovations and |
| showcased terminal is a product of Sony Ericsson | | | | milestones are continuous. And more are expected to |
| Mobile Communications AB of the United Kingdom. | | | | come. As the competition in the automotive industry |
| This time around, the German automaker is not just | | | | gets tougher and tougher, automakers in partnership |
| focusing on improving the Audi coupe radiator, engine, | | | | with significant companies are expected to produce |
| styling and ergonomics of its lineup; the company will | | | | quality and fresh features to win back aficionados. |