CES 2017 is set to be a technological extravaganza, and you can be sure that many major companies out here would be willing to put their best foot forward in order to wow the masses. Having said that, there are plenty of booths to look out for, but which particular one is able to stand out from the rest of the crowd? Google and Fiat Chrysler might have something that could tickle your fancy, integrating a full blown version of Android 7.0 Nougat into one of Fiat Chrysler’s cars, merging Nougat goodness with Uconnect functionality. What can we say? This new integration will be demonstrated as CES 2017 kicks off later this week.
It will not just be some corporate bigwig pacing around on stage to deliver this vision to the crowd, there will be a hands-on section that will let the average Joe and Jane get their hands around this new system. To bring together Fiat Chrysler’s Uconnect system alongside Google’s Android 7.0 Nougat is no mean feat at all, as it does offer quite a number of advantages compared to a mere and far simpler implementation of an infotainment or entertainment system that has Android Auto or Apple CarPlay in tow. One of the big kickers would be this: vehicle manufacturers do not need to compromise their vision for whatever system that they are using in order to cram in some Android goodness, which should certainly be an eye-opening experience.
Chris Barman, Head of Electrical Engineering for FCA, shared, “With Android, we are able to maintain our unique and intuitive Uconnect user interface, all while integrating our easy-to-use systems with Android’s features and ecosystem of applications.”
As for Google’s Director of Android Engineering, Patrick Brady, he mentioned that Android 7.0 Nougat is able to deliver an additional punch unlike any other, “This collaboration with FCA brings together the industry standard for connected car systems with Android to create powerful infotainment systems designed for the digital age.”,
Such a deep level of integration that delivers baked-in support for a wide range of Android apps that are in existence would certainly bring your in-vehicle infotainment experience to a whole new level. We should be treated to integration with apps such as Google Assistant and Google Maps in addition to content streaming apps in the vein of NPR One and Pandora later this week on the CES 2017 showfloor. Still, if this takes off, it is but one step to a possible invasion of full-scale Android implementation in other vehicles down the road.
If you see a Chrysler 300 sedan at CES 2017, make a beeline for it, as that is the ride of choice that showcases Android 7.0 Nougat running on an 8.4-inch Uconnect system. Those who make their way there in Las Vegas will be treated to one-on-one demonstrations of the Uconnect system with Android, 7.0 Nougat integrated, and this would normally mean extra long lines that add to the overall festivities. Apart from core infotainment features, there will also be comfort controls that can be manipulated.
