It’s an era when most carmakers are offering several tech features, applications and comfort-enhancing car accessories in India and elsewhere. Talking about the in-car systems that the carmakers today are offering, help a driver control his/her smartphone on the go.
While other car manufacturers are working to deploy Andorid Auto and Apple CarPlay applications in their vehicles, the British auto maker - Jaguar Land Rover - took a leap ahead and introduced justDrive app. The company also announced opening of its first overseas Research & Development facility, focusing on future car infotainment and in-car connectivity technologies, in Portland, Oregon.
The just Drive app, that made its debut at the 2014 LA Auto Show, is based on the company’s new InControl infotainment platform and is available on all 2015 model year Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles. This in-car connectivity technology will help the company rival against the German trios - Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW.
This app technology relies on driver’s smartphone and transfers data to the vehicle through a USB. It plays calls sound and audio through a Bluetooth connection. It supports both Apple iOS8 and Android phones. This app is free to download, and it will be constantly updated by the company. Once the app connects with the vehicle, it displays a screen with some relevant information such as commute information, weather updates, news etc.
The app interface divides the middle and shows map data and navigation on the on right side and text shortcuts for three major functions (Go, Talk and Playing) on the left side. The dedicated control buttons, for voice input and settings, are placed at the bottom. The interface can divide the existing audio source information and the map. Just like Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, the Jaguar Land Rover’s app has a touch-screen integrated voice command system.
The justDrive app, developed by Silicon Valley-based CloudCar, is boosted with one of the most advanced plain speech recognition packages in the world. The driver can send a text message, while driving the vehicle. The driver simply needs to make a command “Text Mike” followed by “I will get late” to deliver the message on a contact number saved on his/ her smartphone. Driver can also command “Text Mike my location” to deliver a link to map existing location of the vehicle. Accessing audio sources are voice controls that enable to play MP3s in the smartphone’s storage.
This free app offers various other hands-free apps control such as Pandora, Spotify, Parkopedia, Stitcher, Twitter, IheartRadio, Yelp and many more. Officials claim that the app offers unparalleled level of connectivity for social interaction, media, navigation, information services and voice search, while reducing driver distraction.
