What Can My Volkswagen Infotainment System Do?

Feb 10, 2016

Our smartphones are an integral part of our lives. From holding our music, memories, and calendars to their original purpose of actually calling people, we rely on our phones now more than ever. But, when we are behind the wheel of our cars, our phones can prove to be a distraction that puts our safety at risk. This is why the engineers at Volkswagen have to integrate the technology we depend on with the vehicles we drive in the safest way possible. Midway through 2015, Volkswagen announced that most of their 2016 models would include their latest modular infotainment platform (MIBII), which not only integrates your smartphone, but does so much more.

According to Volkswagen’s website, “The all-new infotainment system not only creates the foundation for the next generation of Volkswagen’s Car-Net connected vehicle services platform, but also offers one of the most comprehensive suites of connected vehicle services and features available in the automotive industry today. The new technology will provide consumers access to information, right at their fingertips, available across nearly the entire Volkswagen range.”

What can my Volkswagen infotainment system do?

Under the VW Car-Net connected vehicle services umbrella, features are divided into three key areas, each offering a unique set of customer benefits—“Security & Service” includes connected car services and advanced telematics, “Guide & Inform” enhances the navigation and advanced infotainment systems, and “App-Connect” provides seamless smartphone integration through three interfaces: Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and MirrorLink®.

Security and service

Volkswagen has built a reputation over the years of putting their customers’ safety and security first. Volkswagen’s Car-Net technology offers many features that serve this need. Drivers have the ability to access the Car-Net Security & Service suite through the innovative online Customer Web Portal as well as an advanced app for smartphones, providing access to all the features available from virtually anywhere your mobile device is connected to wireless internet. Available security related features include automatic crash notification, manual emergency call, roadside assistance, stolen vehicle location assistance, which uses Car-Net Security & Service to assist law enforcement with locating your vehicle in the event that it is stolen, remote vehicle access, remote door lock and unlock, remote honk and flash (of lights), last parked location information, and remote status check (doors and windows).

The Car-Net Security & Service also offers Family Guardian, a suite of features that help families. Features including speed alert, which notifies the owner of the vehicle when the pre-determined maximum speed limit is exceeded; and boundary alert, which lets you know when the vehicle has traveled outside of a pre-set virtual boundary.

Guide and inform

Just about everyone has a navigation system now, so Volkswagen is bringing the experience to the next level by “incorporating several layers of information right onto the screen. MIB II-equipped Volkswagen models with in-vehicle navigation systems will now feature real-time fuel prices, sports scores, movie information and weather data as part of the three month SiriusXM Travel Link trial. VW customers will also enjoy real-time traffic information and a complimentary four-year SiriusXM Traffic trial.”

App-Connect

App-Connect is the next level of infotainment for drivers as it offers three of the dominant technology standards available for in-vehicle smartphone integration. The new App-Connect system creates seamless smartphone integration across smartphone brands utilizing three options— Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and MirrorLink®.

CarPlay allows you to send and receive messages, listen to audiobooks or music, through the vehicle’s touchscreen, steering wheel controls or Siri®, or access third party apps like Spotify while allowing you to stay focused on the road ahead.

Android Auto will also be available, offering a simple and intuitive interface that enables users to access the same features as CarPlay through existing vehicle controls, touchscreen and voice actions for compatible Volkswagen models.

Another interface available through App-Connect is MirrorLink®. MirrorLink® technology integrates select apps and operating layouts of numerous smartphones (including select phones from Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony) into Volkswagen products.