Analysts: Continental’s New In-Vehicle Infotainment System is ‘Revolutionary

The analysts observe that Continental’s new model draws “much inspiration from Apple, focusing on recurring revenue-creating applications rather than on the device itself.” Apparently, by using certified applications developed by third party developers on Google Android, the company is planning to allow vehicle manufacturers to customize their platforms and establish brand differentiation. And what’s more Web 2.0 technologies will enable a host of car-specific Internet-based applications.

Despite important differences surrounding certification and safety questions, this move “clearly confirms the intention of automotive suppliers to embrace consumer electronics business models by shifting the focus from developing devices toward creating open ecosystems, whereby user experience, recurring revenues and type of applications receive more importance,” states Frost & Sullivan’s automotive & transportation program manager, N. Praveen Chandrasekar in a new Market Insight entitled Continental AutolinQ Platform Announced – Will this Apple App Store Type Concept Succeed in the Automotive Environment? By launching the Apple app store type AutolinQ platform, Continental took a big leap toward dramatically changing the automotive telematics segment. “Though this platform is still in the development stage, and there are missing links in terms of the entire model, the fact remains that it is a progressive development for a traditional automotive telematics community,” says Chandrasekar.