Emauss

From what I have gleaned from other sites, it seems the D4 can use your smarphone's internet connection to access Google Earth maps and that will be ported to the MMI NAV system.

Anyone have any information on this?

derfA8L

I posted this some time ago from an AoA press release.

I've copied the full text below, but here's the most relevant part: "The A8 can retrieve up-to-date information from the internet through the rooftop antenna via the car’s own UMTS module. The user can search online with Google Local Search for points-of-interest directly from within the MMI. The versatile search engine accepts such free text search queries as “delicatessen” or “shoe boutique”. The results are then displayed on the onboard map or used as destinations for route calculation."

Google Earth Technology available in new A8 starting early 2011

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This press release was just sent out from Audi of America. It seems they will incorporate Google Earth features into the MMI search function in A8s built starting early 2011, not immediately available in early production runs. Wonder if this can be added after the fact as a dealer software download? Anyway, here's the press release...


Audi and Google are winning combination at Telematics Awards 2010
- Recognition for “Best Embedded Telematics Navigation Product”
- Audi A8 navigation system available with Google functionality
- Integration of Google Earth is a world first


HERNDON, Va., Jun 16, 2010 - Audi and Google have been named as the winners of the “Best Embedded Telematics Navigation Product” award at the Telematics Awards 2010. The MMI navigation system in the new Audi A8 luxury sedan is available in selected markets with a variety of Google services and information via the internet. These include Google Earth, which has been integrated into an automotive navigation system as a world first.

The Telematics Awards, which are now in their ninth year, were organized by Telematics Update and were determined by an independent jury of experts. In the “Best Embedded Telematics Navigation Product” category there were ten products competing for the award.

The awards were announced and presented yesterday at a ceremony in the Ford Rouge Plant in Dearborn, Mich.

"We are very pleased to be recognized for our joint efforts in what we believe to be the leading edge of the infotainment arena,“ said Mathias Halliger, chief MMI architect, AUDI AG.

“This recognition is an excellent example of the close cooperation between Audi and Google teams in Silicon Valley and Germany,” said Daniel Rosario, project leader, connected vehicle architecture, AUDI AG. “We are convinced that this feature not only introduces a new, progressive experience to our customers, but also presents a paradigm shift in this category."

The new Audi A8, which celebrated its launch in Europe and other global markets in the first quarter of 2010, set the bar at new heights with regard to multimedia technology. Its multimedia interface (MMI) navigation plus features a highly evolved operating concept incorporating a touchpad – known as MMI touch. Also included are an integrated hard disk for navigation, phone and audio data and a graphics processor capable of generating high-quality, three dimensional images.

The all-new Audi A8 will arrive in U.S. showrooms by the end of this year, with Google Earth technology available in early 2011.

First shown as a prototype with Google in January 2006 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, the online services in the new Audi A8 are the result of a close collaboration between Audi and Google development teams worldwide.

"We sincerely appreciate the acknowledgement from Telematic Update and the support and partnership with Audi,” said Jens Redmer, Principal, New Business Development, Google Inc. “These products show the power of making rich web content, particularly through Google's geographic tools, available across more platforms. We look forward to continuing to explore ways to work with automakers to bring more connectivity to drivers worldwide."

The A8 can retrieve up-to-date information from the internet through the rooftop antenna via the car’s own UMTS module. The user can search online with Google Local Search for points-of-interest directly from within the MMI. The versatile search engine accepts such free text search queries as “delicatessen” or “shoe boutique”. The results are then displayed on the onboard map or used as destinations for route calculation.

The fast data transfer of the UMTS module has allowed Audi to set a world first with the integration of Google Earth in the MMI navigation plus. Google Earth imagery and a 3D terrain model are combined with the detailed street network from the onboard navigation database as well as calculated routes in a seamless integration of online and offline content.

Emauss

That is the question. From what I read, the system "may' come with a few month's free access and then a monthly charge will follow...unless you use your data line from your 3G connection. BUT...will that go with the existing data package or will it require a modem access?

My blackberry under ATT has unlimitted data (soon to go bye-bye) but if I want to use a computer with it, there is a 39.95/month charge.
(and no, it cannot be a blind porting.,..wish it could!)

jetinder

I've currently got a problem with even the basic online services (no Google Earth pics overlayed until Q4 for Europe I believe). I put my SIM card in the car which has a data plan (took it out of my work blackberry) and it won't connect to the internet. I tried with my personal SIM and it still won't go online.

We tried it with one of the tech's SIM and it worked. I've since ordered a new card for my personal phone hoping it's something in there. I guess it could be a pairing issue with the IMEI number.

So, my advice, check your phone/SIM in a car first.

Jet

jksmth2008

Hey jetinder,
Your sim didn't work because BlackBerries don't use standard internet, and connect to RIM's servers. Thats why you need a separate internet package for BlackBerry devices. Hope I helped!

jetinder

Thanks. I realised a couple of weeks ago that because it's a work blackberry, they haven't enabled the "data" functions. So when I changed my personnal line to include 1GB per month of internet, the SIM worked as soon as I hung up to Vodafone and they applied the change.

A good thing about my new phone plan is that they said that Google Maps downloads are not taken from my monthly limit - and is set to unlimited. So when they finally do enable the Google Maps function, it won't cost me an arm and a leg everytime I drive around the country to new places i.e the maps that aren't cached on the 40GB of disk.

I'm going to be cheeky next week and log the fact that Google Maps doesn't work as a defect (I'm sure it's a not too difficult job with Vagcom and the training the techs have been on). Let's see what happens.

Jetinder

qecko

Greetings from a newcomer here. Just quickly typing in some experiences.. I thought to register and report that my new A8 built in july indeed came with Google earth and wlan hotspot. They werent available at the time of order earlier but the car was delayed to model 2011 and silently came with the extras since I had ordered the SAP phone option. MMI and car manual versions are dated june and july so very recent changes indeed. well Audi in Germany said production would start midyear so clearly it did

I just popped in a normal sim card that I removed from my phone in the dash and Google earth and wlan work over 3G.
this is an european market car, no idea about rest of world. Google earth also works offline once you first used it online but needs to go back online when you exceed cached map area which seems large though. you have to use it online first though, the satellite images are not preloaded. It is also integrated to wikipedia and other services to load photos and text on map locations when online.

of course the standard offline navigation is also there. very beautiful car inside out.