Audi has announced the introduction of a new app store that will allow customers to download third-party apps directly onto their vehicle’s MMI. The app store was developed in collaboration with Volkswagen subsidiary, Cariad, and is aimed at increasing the digitalization of Audi vehicles.
The new app store will eliminate the need for a smartphone by allowing customers to download apps directly onto the MMI. The store uses an Audi hardware module the size of a USB flash drive, loaded with an open-source operating system that allows access to the third-party apps in the vehicle. The selected apps can be installed seamlessly in the MMI system without the need for a smartphone.
At launch, the store will feature apps such as Amazon Music and Spotify, and the app portfolio will be adapted to the various markets. New apps will also be added regularly. The store can be accessed via a separate MMI tile, and the additional apps will be implemented seamlessly in the MMI and can be used safely and reliably even while driving.
Audi will bring a store for apps to selected models with the third-generation modular infotainment toolkit (MIB 3) from summer 2023.
The third-party apps will require a data link established via an embedded SIM, a sim card permanently installed in the vehicle. For Audi owners in Europe, the costs that accrue from using the cellular network will be billed conveniently via data volume with Cubic Telecom, with the first 25 gigabytes being free of charge.
The new app store will be available from June in selected models equipped with the latest MIB 3 software cluster, including the Audi A3, A4/A5, Q5, A6/A7, A8, Q8 E-Tron, and Audi E-Tron GT. The functionality will be expanded to additional models in 2023. It is important to note that third-party apps will not be available on older Audi models.
Despite the introduction of the new app store, Audi models will continue to support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay with the option "smartphone interface."
Source: Audi
