Google and Apple to go head to head in smart dashboards battle
Not content with slugging it out in the battle for desktops, Google and Apple are now competing to win your car dashboards.
The two tech giants are each developing rival technology which would turn the humble car dashboard into a smart device powered by an operating system and apps, according to reports.
It is no secret that Apple has been working in the automotive market, having already announced deals with BMW, Daimler, Mercedes and Honda to put a version of its operating system iOS onto their dashes.
And now the Wall Street Journal claims Google is on the verge of announcing a tie-in with car marque Audi which would introduce an in-car entertainment system based around Android.
The 'infotainment' system is expected to grant access to maps, music and apps similar to those found in Android-powered phones.
Thilo Koslowski, an analyst at Gartner, told the Wall Street Journal: "The car is becoming the ultimate mobile device. Apple and Google see that and are trying to line up allies to bring their technology into the vehicle."
The WSJ reports that Google's dashboard-mounted device will be unveiled at next week's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.