Category Archives: Audi

Audi teams up with NVIDIA for next-gen MMI replete with Google Earth, Vibrante entertainment system

By Joseph L. Flatley | Published: January 8, 2010
As if NVIDIA hasn’t been busy enough this year, what with its next generation Tegra chips and all, looks like the kids have inked a deal with Audi to supply the GPU for its new in-dash navigation and entertainment system. The 3G MMI system sports something called the Vibrante engine for dual zone entertainment (allowing different media on dash and backseat monitors), as well as Google Earth, 3D topography, real-time traffic reporting and navigation, iPod, SD card, USB memory stick support, and online video via the optional EDGE modem (funny, mums the word on handwriting recognition). This bad boy starts shipping with the Audi A8 in 2011, and moves on to all of the manufacturer’s cars in the model year 2012. PR after the break.

Continue reading Audi teams up with NVIDIA for next-gen MMI replete with Google Earth, Vibrante entertainment system

Audi teams up with NVIDIA for next-gen MMI replete with Google Earth, Vibrante entertainment system originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jan 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Audi A8 packs optional EDGE, Google Earth

By Donald Melanson | Published: December 17, 2009

We’re guessing it won’t be the tipping point that finally convinces you to buy an Audi A8, but it looks like those in the market for the car will be able to add a nice little option to the 2011 model: a built-in nav system complete with Google Earth and a GPRS / EDGE modem. Yeah, so it’s not 3G, but it is apparently the first time that Google Earth has been made available in a production vehicle, which certainly counts for something. In addition to serving up various Google-sourced points of interest, that modem will also let you download a range of other up-to-date information to the nav unit, although it’s not clear exactly what that will entail. No word on how much it’ll add to the cost of the A8, but it looks like it won’t be available right when the car rolls out early next year — Audi is only saying “mid 2010″ at the moment.

Update: As some commenters have helpfully noted, it seems that while the A8 won’t initially roll out with 3G, it will be getting a UMTS modem in mid 2010, which should provide the bandwidth necessary for Google Earth and allow for simultaneous voice and data connections.

2011 Audi A8 packs optional EDGE, Google Earth originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi New MMI Touch Input System Makes Perfect Sense [Cars]

By Jesus Diaz | Published: December 2, 2009

At last, someone in the auto industry gets it right. Instead of using awkward wheels or joysticks, like the Mercedes’s MyCommand or the BMW iDrive, the new Audi MMI touch system just uses a touchpad for some direct finger-drawing action.

While other systems require the driver to focus away from the road—either by selecting letters from endless menus or on a touchscreen keyboard—the new Audi MMI touch allows for blind typing: The driver just writes naturally with a finger on the touchpad. The pad is strategically located next to the steering wheel and in front of the gear shift, so the writing can be done in a comfortable position, without having to focus on any screen.

The MMI system—which recognizes Latin, Cyrillic, Chinese, Cantonese, Japanese, and Korean characters—also has a rotary pushbutton for old school people, as well as voice control, but only the touch system allows the driver to enter commands while talking on the cellphone or playing music. You gotta love those Audi smartypants. [Autospies and Jalopnik]


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