Android Goes On a Road Trip With Saab Integration

Saab will be using the Android operating system to power the company’s infotainment systems in its cars. The touchscreen-based console in Saab automobiles will now allow drivers–and passengers–not only control car settings like climate control, but will bring the power of Android’s apps to the automobile. Tweeting, checking in with Facebook, updating your WordPress blog, and looking up new local points of interests on Google Maps will be just as easy as changing the radio station on your Saab.

The car-maker will be using Android on its IQon system. We’ve been seeing the lines blurred between tablets/smartphones and in-car infotainment systems more recently. With Research in Motion tapping QNX to power its BlackBerry Tablet OS, we’re beginning to see some crossover between smartphone OSes and car controls.

Whether Android is a good thing or a bad thing on a car is yet to be determined. Given recent talks about malware associated with the Android OS, and Google having to remotely wipe 58 apps in 260,000 affected Android devices, perhaps it may be advisable for Saab drivers to download only trusted apps from trusted developers.

Via: IntoMobile