Honda unveiled HondaLink, a new in-vehicle connectivity system that will debut this fall on the ninth-generation 2013 Honda Accord. Featuring the first automotive OEM application of Aha by Harman, HondaLink will provide a personalized experience connecting drivers to thousands of cloud-based news, information and media feeds from around the world, using an intuitive, audio-system based interface.
The HondaLink smartphone application allows owners to preset content on their phone. Once in the car, consumers can enjoy personalized content accessible via voice recognition, steering-wheel mounted controls and in-dash audio system controls. The tethered smartphone serves as a conduit to cloud-based media.
Through the Aha service, for example, HondaLink users can listen to Facebook and Twitter audio newsfeeds, podcasts from NPR, location-based personalized restaurant listings from Yelp!, and access internet music services such as Slacker. The service is free and instantly accessible from the cloud.
HondaLink will also incorporate Pandora internet radio and voice-to-text SMS text services with pre-programmed responses, which Honda introduced on the 2012 CR-V.
HondaLink EV.
The HondaLink family also includes HondaLink EV, specifically designed for the all-new Fit EV all-electric vehicle and the upcoming Accord Plug-In Hybrid. Owners of these electric vehicles will have access to applications designed specifically to maintain connectivity to their vehicle.
The HondaLink EV application will allow the user to remotely view the state of charge, initiate charging, and activate the air conditioning and heater to pre-condition the vehicle while connected to the grid to maximize battery range on start-up. HondaLink EV will launch with the Fit EV, which will be available for lease in California and Oregon beginning on 20 July 2012.