Automobile Blog

Audi gets iPhone addition

Audi and Apple’s modest design ethos, it was simply a matter of time before they joined forces and offered a way to integrate the new iPhone across the four-ringed lineup. Any Audi model equipped with Bluetooth will allow the iPhone to be paired with the vehicle, giving users the ability to make and receive hands-free phone calls, as well as providing a signal strength indicator, assigning specific names to numbers (Work, Home, etc.) and allowing access to call lists.

Even at the time of its launch, the first mobile phone from Apple can be used in all Audi models. The big seller in the U.S. (more than 270,000 phones sold in the first 30 hours) is eagerly awaited in this country too. According to a survey, every third Apple fan would definitely like to buy the phone and, what is more, “right away".

Audi and Apple have been working closely to ensure that the full functionality of the iPhone is available in most Audi models. The only requirement is the mobile phone preparation with the Bluetooth interface, optionally available in all Audi model lines. Alongside the standard hands-free functions (accept/reject call/hands-free), the mobile phone preparation supports the display of the signal strength and the provider’s name, in addition to the transfer of the telephone directory including the icons “Work", “Home", “Mobile” and the call lists.

With the adding of the Audi music interface (available as an optional extra for the A5, A6, A8 and Q7) users will gain music playback capabilities and the ability to navigate through music compilations by artist, track title, playlists and genre on the Audi interface. As of yet, it’s not clear whether this option will be available to current Audi owners, and what the upgrade process will require. It’s also not clear when Audi plans to start building this functionality into newly shipping vehicles.