Audi Q8 Sport shows off new Android O/S as Audi join Volvo's Google route

Audi Q8 Sport shows off new Android O/S

The upcoming Audi Q8 Sport has been revealed at the Google I/O Tech Show complete with a new Infotainment system based on Google’s Android OS.

It’s just a few days since Volvo revealed they have partnered with Google to build the next generation operating system for their Sensus infotainment, and now Audi has turned up at the Google I/O Show with the exact same plan.

Audi has taken the Q8 Sport Concept, which previews the upcoming Q8 range-topping SUV, to the show, complete with an Android technology platform with new functions including Spotify, Google Play Music and Google Assistant, all displayed on the Q8’s big MMI screen.

It’s the first time we’ve seen these integrated in to Audi’s own system, and although the new system still relies on Audi’s own mapping you can choose to use Google maps instead too.

As we said when we reported on Volvo’s plans for Android, with the vast majority of new Smartphones coming with Android O/S, moving cars in the same direction is a very sensible way to go.

It means quicker development time, far greater compatibility and a much more diverse range of applications available to Audi owners.

It’s starting to look like Google is infiltrating cars in the same way it now dominates search and Smartphones. Depending on your point of view that’s either very good, or very bad.

But at least Android is flexible, robust and clever, which is more than can be said for some car makers’ own systems.