The convenience of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto has been delighting smartphone-carrying drivers for the last 18 months so, but if you don’t want to buy a new car or throw down for an aftermarket head unit, you’re still pretty much out of luck. Thankfully, Hyundai has you covered … if you own a Hyundai.
The Korean brand has released a software update that allows certain existing vehicles to add smartphone integration into their infotainment systems. The do-it-yourself upgrade is available at no cost on MyHyundai.com, but dealerships nationwide will install it for a fee starting in June.
“Launching smartphone integrations on these existing models through MyHyundai will enhance the overall ownership experience,” said Barry Ratzlaff, executive director of digital business planning at Hyundai. “Existing owners can now get the most out of their smartphones, by simply loading new software into their cars’ infotainment systems. Just a few years ago, they would have had to buy a new car to get such a powerful upgrade.”
Select model years of the Hyundai Sonata, Genesis, Elantra GT, Tucson, Santa Fe, and Santa Fe Sport are all compatible will the update, and for a full list of vehicles, check out the automaker’s press release. Coming soon, the brand will launch do-it-yourself instruction videos on the MyHyundai site as well as the Hyundai USA YouTube page.
Read more: MyHyundai could be the first carmaker-specific Android Auto app
Smartphone integration is one of the biggest stories in the auto industry right now, but an even bigger one is the increased proliferation of electric vehicles. On Tuesday, we reported that Hyundai plans to launch a number of emissions-free vehicles in the next four years, including the Ioniq Electric this fall and a 250-mile pure EV by 2020. For more on Hyundai’s battery-powered future, click here.
BYD has launched the third-generation Qin Plus DM-i in China, and the first thing that caught my eye is its price. According to CarNewsChina, the plug-in hybrid sedan starts at 79,900 yuan, which is about $11,980. That’s an incredibly low price for a brand-new car, especially by US standards.
What’s even more impressive is the range. The Qin Plus DM-i can drive up to 137 miles on electricity alone, which should cover most people’s daily commutes without using a drop of gas. Once the battery runs out, the 1.5-liter engine takes over. Thanks to its 17-gallon tank and roughly 91 mpg with a drained battery, the combined range reaches up to 1,423 miles.
Apple won the PC market’s worst quarter, but that’s not the entire story. It won the race by stumbling less than everyone else.
PC makers shipped just 57 million computers worldwide in Q3, which might look good, but it’s a 21% year-over-year plunge (via Counterpoint Research). And despite Apple’s Mac shipments falling by 11%, to 5.6 million, its market share rose from 8.7% to 9.8%. How did that happen?
Update (October 22 23:54 PT): In response to our query, GM clarified that offline recording support is already available on eligible vehicles. Like Tesla's Sentry Mode, it requires owners to connect a USB drive to save incident recordings, which can be viewed on the vehicle's infotainment screen. The upcoming Connected Cameras feature will build on this by giving owners remote access to these recordings via the revamped OnStar app, allowing them to check footage without walking out to their car.
General Motors has announced plans to add a new Connected Cameras feature to its OnStar service starting next year, giving drivers a way to monitor parked vehicles remotely and capture footage of certain incidents.