snagitseven

I responded to some Nav/Audi Connect Google Earth questions from a member on another forum and thought it might be useful to to repeat it here for those who may also have questions on how the two work together in the MMI Nav Plus.

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<table border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0" width="100%"><tbody><tr><td class="alt2" style="border:1px inset"> Originally Posted by Timmay
I'm still a new owner and under a free 6 month trial of Audi Connect. Haven't really messed with it too much but like having the up-to-date information about weather, news, events, etc. I have a question about the Google Earth aspect of the navigation system. I'm assuming the bandwidth or strength of the data signal will impact the imagery on the mapping, no? Just curious. Or is that simply the Nvidia(?)graphics chip set with respect to rendering?

I'm still head over heels about having Google Maps rendering the satellite imagery on the screen! Having Google Earth for the mapping would also ensure the maps and locations are pretty up to date too or is that not correct? I'm just wondering whether it's ever necessary to pay for the navigation map update anymore, especially in light of these new technologies.

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For the Google Earth overlay, yes, the speed of the overlay downloads to the screen are dependent on the the data connection. I suspect the refresh rate of the Nvidia chipset exceeds the online cellular data transfer rates.

Regarding your question on the built-in NavTeq sourced map data and the Google Earth overlay, it can be a bit confusing so it's important to understand the differences in capabilities and design between the two.

The Google Earth overlay is not a "map" as found in the car's base nav data - it simply overlays the existing NavTeq map from online data. While the Google Earth images are dynamically updated from Google (as well as the Online Destination POIs), the underlying roads and addresses in the car's nav database are static.

Therefore, if you input an address in the nav on a new street that isn't in the car's internal NavTeq database, the Nav will not see it or allow you to navigate to that location, even if the new street is showing on the Earth overlay. The only way to register and navigate to that new address or street would be to update the Nav at the dealer (providing the update map data includes the new info).

Nevertheless, assuming Google had updated their data, new streets would show in the Earth image on your screen and updated POIs would be visible and navigable via Online Destinations (though you would get the "destination is not on a digitized street" message). Note that Google Online destinations do not allow for searching by address alone, just POIs; only the car's built-in destination search supports entering a specific address. (Addresses using the "Send to Car" from Google Maps, myAudi or the "Send to Car" and new MMI apps would be online exceptions for entering specific addresses).

DennisMitchell

Good summary. Thanks

Tman007

Thanks! Now I better understand the "destination is not on a digitized street" message that I occasionally get.

snagitseven

The message will also be announced if the destination is on private property, i.e. a shopping center where the center's "streets" are not actually in the database.

Steve247

snagitseven

This thread is over 4 years old and Audi has evolved to different MMI systems and subscription plans since then. Without your car's year, location, and more details, it's not possible to answer your question.

Steve247

2018 Audi S6 C7.5

snagitseven

Google Earth is dependent on subscribing to an Audi Connect Prime cellular plan (not wifi and is significantly more than $10 per month). I have no idea why your Earth is still working if your trial has ended and you have not subscribed to Connect Prime.

Steve247

Well if that's the case I'm going shut up and just be happy that it's working ! Thanks for the reply, I appreciate it - Steve

gguy