Looks like our humble Bolero and Columbus units are going to get a very nice upgrade once the Golf VII is out:

From: http://www.autoblog.com/2012/02/01/next-volkswagen-infotainment-system-to-use-capacitive-touchscree/

The next Volkswagen Golf will be chock-full of standard and optional technology features, but its all-new Modular Infotainment System has the potential to set a new benchmark for both high-end and entry-level navigation, entertainment and connectivity.

Three new systems will be available when the 2013 Golf goes on sale in Europe towards the end of this year, starting with a five-inch touchscreen and moving up to a 5.8-inch unit and finally a range-topping eight-inch system. Each unit will be equipped with a capacitive touchscreen, with the eight-inch version packing an 800x450 resolution screen, multitouch functionality and the same NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor set to debut in future Audi models, including the next A3. Making use of that high-powered chipset will be revamped 3D graphics for menus and mapping, with free nav updates available for three years and the ability to activate additional features after the initial vehicle purchase.

Handwriting recognition will also be included in the system, much like the system already offered by Audi, which will allow users to skip the soft keyboard and write out destinations and point-of-interest searches. Additionally, VW is looking to include MirrorLink functionality (which essentially mirrors your phone's screen on the navigation display), as expected, Internet-connectivity through smartphone tethering will be an option, along with the ability to create a WLAN hotspot.

Finally, VW tells Autoblog it plans to integrate proximity sensors into the head unit – similar to Cadillac's CUE system – switching over from "display mode" to "operating mode" when it detects the driver or passenger's hand moving towards the screen. The proximity sensors could also detect which side of the screen your hand is placed and then highlight specific features for easier selection.

Naturally, pricing for each system won't be released until the Golf goes on sale in Europe this fall and hits the U.S. sometime in 2013, but VW representatives made it clear that these systems will be priced aggressively in order to compete with other feature-rich competitors.

Nice bit of info

Certainly some things to look forward to :yes:

Are these available on ebay yet?

Are these available on ebay yet?

As soon as they appear in cars then they'll be on EBay - once there have been a few stolen units available.

Then everyone who "asks no questions" can go and buy one, convincing themselves in the process they are buying a legitimate unit for a tiny % cost of the original OEM part...

....well that's how it works with the Columbus units right now, so assuming the same will happen again.

Best get practicing writing left handed for the recognition to work properly.

iPhone using Tapatalk

Good point. I have a clear advantage there

Anyone planning to buy the new 3rd Party MirrorLink (http://www.terminalmode.org/) multimedia players? The first ones are: Sony XAV-601BT, Sony XAV-701BT and Alpine ICS-X8. Are those CanBus capable in VAG-based cars? Nokia, Sony and Volkswagen has tested the new system in Berlin laboratory using a VW Passat. :wonder:

Will they have a Siri button?

Will they have a Siri button?

The columbus already has voice control, and a Siri system will never happen since Apple own the patent. Siri also requires a live data connection, without it Siri does not work.

The columbus already has voice control, and a Siri system will never happen since Apple own the patent. Siri also requires a live data connection, without it Siri does not work.

The launch of iOS 6 will bring greater automobile integration to the iPhone with "Eyes Free," a new feature that will allow a car to bring up Siri voice control.

The Eyes Free component of iOS 6 was unveiled by Scott Forstall, Apple's senior vice president of iOS Software, at Monday's Worldwide Developers Conference keynote.

"You've heard of hands free before," Forstall said. "Hands free allows you to keep your ands on the steering wheel while you use your phone.

"Well, we want to integrate Siri even better with the car. And so we're working with a number of car manufacturers to enable you to use a button right on the steering wheel to bring up Siri."

With Hands Free, the iPhone screen stays off, so it will not distract the driver. Since Siri talks back to a user out loud, drivers can control many functions on their iPhone with just the press of a button and the use of their voice, allowing them to keep their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road.

Forstall revealed that a number of manufacturers have committed to Eyes Free Siri integration in the next 12 months. The full list of auto makers shown by Apple at Monday's keynote is:

BMW

General Motors

Mercedes-Benz

Land Rover

Jaguar

Audi

Toyota

Chrysler

Honda

Apple's official product page for Siri functions in iOS 6 notes that Eyes Free will allow users to call people, select and play music, hear and compose text messages, use Maps and get directions, read notifications, find calendar information, add reminders and more.

Even before iOS 6 and Eyes Free were announced, some auto makers were working to offer Siri integration with their vehicles. For example, in February Mercedes-Benz announced that its in-house "Digital DriveStyle App" would make it the first automative manufacturer to offer built-in Siri support.