Auto biz tunes up branding engine

Audi MMIBMW ConnectedDriveToyota EntuneChevrolet MyLinkCadillac CueFord Sync/MyFord TouchBuick IntelliLinkKia UVOWith infotainment systems growing popular, car manufacturers hope branding them can make their cars more appealing the way in which Vehicle marketed OnStar (which faces competish from BMW's BMW Assist, Hyundai's Blue Link, Lexus' Enform and Mercedes' mbrace). Listed here are a couple of and the things they offer:Audi MMIThe German automaker's Multi Media Interface seems on the 5-inch black and red-colored or 7-inch full-color screen, the second which shows all entertainment options, Google Earth navigation (in three dimensional), Sirius Traffic updates and native sights accessible via buttons around a control dial and pad that reads handwriting. T-Mobile provides Audi Connect's high-speed Wi-Fi web service accessible via mobile products for example Apple's iPad.BMW ConnectedDriveA advanced version was proven off in "Mission: Impossible -- Ghost Protocol," but BMW's infotainment system features all of the expected features and connects to the web through BMW Online, a $99 annually service that has Wiki Local, Wikipedia records on area locations and Yelp restaurant reviews read aloud through text-to-speech functionality. Applications are just compatible through Apple's apple iphone and can soon expand to Android.Toyota EntuneEntune controls media, navigation and mobile phones, in addition to applications for example iHeartRadio, Bing, The planet pandora, OpenTable and MovieTickets.com and info like realtime traffic, weather, sports scores and stock values. Also provides voice controls. Released with Prius V.Chevrolet MyLinkSystem connects to phones while offering voice instructions to manage media and the like applications as The planet pandora and Stitcher.Cadillac CueThe Linux-based Cadillac Consumer Experience sports an 8-inch Liquid crystal display to showcase applications, three dimensional navigation and offers tactile feedback when scrolling, choosing and swiping, and multi-touch gesturing, much like a smarphone. It supports two Bluetooth connections and 10 products. Voice controls enable natural language usage. Internet browsing can be obtained when parked. Bows with new XTS and ATS sedans and SRX crossover.Ford Sync/MyFord TouchThe Touch system, available too in Lincoln's luxury cars, will get a needed update to supply faster response occasions, better voice recognition, compatibility with increased mobile products, Audible.com's e-books, and clearer telephone calls. Fonts are bigger and simpler to see, as the overall design now is easier and fewer cluttered. Navigation includes three dimensional maps, and photorealistic road signs and information on nearby landmarks.Buick IntelliLinkSimilar to Chevy's MyLink infotainment system, IntelliLink can also be on GMC automobiles with similar functionality however with fancy graphics.Mercedes-Benz ComandMercedes is adopting Siri-like voice controls available on Apple's apple iphone 4s to energy its Comand system, that will utilize natural language dictation for text texting, emails and web surfing while driving and control applications like Twitter, Facebook, The planet pandora and Google Street View navigation. Handwriting recognition and gesture controls for interior lights are also within the works. Kia UVOPowered by Microsoft, the machine means "Your Voice," and shows on the 4.3-inch screen for connecting to some phone and media files. Also provides voice controls. Contact Marc Graser at marc.graser@variety.com