by Roger B Rueda
Automotive technology is indeed blowing up for 2014. Automakers are taking part to be number-one in car technology, for they know that today's car owners expect all-in-one technology integration on the road. To help you keep all the hottest technology features straight, we've drawn up our essential technology features for 2014, with a straightforward value assessment for each gadget.
BLUETOOTH AUDIO
Bluetooth Audio lets you play music from your phone. You can keep all your familiar playlists and enjoy them on your car's speakers, without having to plug anything into or transfer your songs to a different device or medium. It's truly an essential feature in our time.
Bluetooth audio in expensive options packages is hither and thither. But for the most part, it's widely available for 2014 and well worth stipulating.
SMARTPHONE APP INTEGRATION
While Bluetooth Audio allows you to wirelessly listen to music from your device, App integration adjusts the interface to your car. For instance, Bluetooth Audio allows you to hear to Pandora, App integration allows you to control Pandora from the car's radio or navigation screen.
App integration is increasingly predominant even in price-conscious segments (for instance, the new 2014 Toyota Corolla offers it), and for rationalisation. Today's car shoppers are keen on their smartphones, and they don't want to lay those handy apps by while they're on the road. Since so many apps are useful for drivers, it just makes sense to integrate them directly into a car's central display screen, often with boosted features. There's also a safety angle here; the 2014 Honda Accord, for instance, will let you thumb-up/down a Pandora song without taking your eyes off the road.
TEXT-TO-SPEECH READING TECHNOLOGY
It lets drivers stay connected in real time without having to look down at their phones.If you receive frequent correspondence via phone, this is potentially a very handy addition, and it usually comes bundled with other desirable features that you want anyway. But keep in mind that there are also third-party solutions such as the DriveSafe.ly app that provides similar functionality in cars with Bluetooth audio.
UPMARKET SEATS
Many previously high-end seat functions have trickled down to inexpensive segments: Heated front seats are common, heated rear seats aren't unheard of and features such as aeration, power adjustments, memory and even massage functions are also gradually available. You can get heated rear seats in the compact Hyundai Elantra sedan.
The technology revolution has brought such niceties into reach for everyday car shoppers, and that means real progress in driving comfort.
That depends on personal preference, of course, but we expect features such as height and lumbar adjustments in any modern car. Massage functions are a different story, but heated seats are definitely a must-have for people in colder zones.
PORTABLE WI-FI
Automakers such as Audi and Chrysler are leading the way with infotainment systems that include Wi-Fi hotspot functionality, allowing Internet access for several devices from the road.
This is a great way to get it done without having to stop at a teashop if you need to do work on the move. As long as you've got service, you can just pull over wherever you are, bust out your notebook or tablet and start reeling. It's great for travellers, too, mainly on a road trip. Once-a-month data charges apply, naturally.
If you don't already have a mobile data plan for that iPad or what have you, then, this is a brilliant way out to the problem of working from the road. And even if you do, the ability to provide a hot spot for many devices could be an advantage for family road trips and the like.
ACTIVE DRIVING AIDS
You may be aware of perceptible alerts that warn you of cars in your blind spot and such. But for 2014, more cars than ever with ‘active’ driving aids can automatically apply steering, throttle and/or brake inputs to keep you in your lane and out of trouble.
Because given that these systems work as intended, accidents will certainly be minimised. Though a driver is fully focused on the road ahead, mistakes can still happen, and today's numerous distracted-driver issues only put up the problem.
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