CD players will be a thing of the past in Hyundai Cars in the United States starting with the 2016 model year. Hyundai will offer music playing smartphone connected digital music features. Smartwatch Android Wear Blue Link apps will be working with Hyundai cars in the near future.
Hyundai’s CD-based audio infotainment units will be replaced by smarpthone connections, USB and Bluetooth functionality. Cason Grover of Hyundai Motor American noted that Hyundai caters to younger car buyers who want smartphone enabled technology at a lower price.
CD players will still be available in China and India.
Below you can see a demonstration of Android Auto at the LA Auto Show in an Hyundai Sonata. CarPlay and Android Auto software updates will be available for Sonata models by the end of the 2015 model year. Hyundai Genesis and Azera models will also the receive the update. It will be available for Hyundai cars that have the 7″ display navigation system packages.
At CES Hyundai demonstrated the use of smartwatches with their Hyundai Link Smartwatch app. Covisint provided the support for Hyundai’s newly released Hyundai Blue Link smartwatch application. Covisint reported it took only two weeks to develop the app.
The Blue Link smartwatch app works with first and next generation Blue Link equipped Hyundai models. The first generation Blue Link system launched on the 2012 Sonata and expanded to other models in 2013. Next generation Blue Link equipped models include the 2015 Genesis, Sonata and Azera. The smartwatch app provides first and second generation Blue Link users voice activated features including remote engine start, remote engine stop (only available when vehicle is in remote engine start mode), remote door lock/unlock, remote flash lights/horn, call roadside assistance, call Blue Link and car finder.
The Blue Link smartwatch app must be paired via Bluetooth to an owner’s smartphone with Blue Link mobile app installed as well as have a cellular data connection. The Blue Link smartwatch app works on Samsung, Motorola, Sony and LG smartwatches. Android Wear users can download the app from Google Play for free starting in the first quarter of 2015.
Hyundai Blue Link was recognized by TechRadar at the 2015 International CES as the Best Car Tech.
Reviewed.com/USA TODAY selected the all-new Display Audio System as a 2015 CES Editors’ Choice Award for Hyundai’s innovation, use of technology, design and value. Display Audio is a high resolution seven-inch color touch-screen display that has been optimized specifically for enhanced smartphone integrations and the latest generation Blue Link system.
New Hyundai Blue Link features coming in 2016 include maintenance alerts and the Hyundai Assurance Car Care in-vehicle app will debut on the 2016 Hyundai Elantra GT and Hyundai Veloster in 2015.