The new Audi A3 will be the first car in the world to sport a high-speed 4G LTE service, with speeds said to be around seven times faster than currently available 3G services. Audi presented the new service at the Connected Car Expo, an event just prior to the Los Angeles Auto Show. The new service will improve Google Earth and Google Street View, and a new feature called Picture Navigation will allow drivers to locate their destination through presentation of a photo of said destination. Real-time news headlines and Facebook or Twitter alerts will be given through an advanced version of Audi Connect. Drivers will also be able to connect to over 7,000 radio stations, and can stream high-definition movies on up to eight devices. Audi is also focusing on its long-standing relationship with Google by considering the integration of Glass into the new system.
The new service emphasizes Audi’s aim to facilitate a safer way for clients to use the internet whilst driving. This lessens the need for drivers to be distracted by their smartphones, and thereby ups safety. Audi dismissed naysayers as claiming that inter-vehicle internet provision was unnecessary, suggesting that the car company would rather evolve with customer needs rather than ignore them.
