New Honda Accord Will Come With Cloud-Based Features

Honda has announced that its redesigned ninth-generation Accord will be the first car to feature HondaLink – a cloud-based system that “streams the world of information and entertainment directly to your dashboard”.

Similar to Ford Sync and GM’s MyLink, HondaLink will enable users to download apps, chat on social networks and view YouTube videos right on the car’s computer screen.

The system will be launched in the US this autumn, with the UK release coming at some point in the foreseeable future.

Cloud control

The Accord, which was launched in 1976, is Honda’s all-time best-selling car. The previous models have built the Japanese automaker’s reputation for easy-to-drive, smartly engineered vehicles with good fuel mileage. Now, the company wants to update the classic for the digital age and is doing so with some clever cloud features.

At the centre of HondaLink is the smartphone app that serves as a “conduit to a wealth of cloud-based media”. The app is available to both Android and iPhone devices and connects to the car over Bluetooth.

The app allows the driver to customise the cloud content on their smartphone. Once they enter the car, it automatically syncs the changes with the dashboard computer. After that, HondaLink can display selected news feeds, read out user’s Facebook and Twitter messages and send voice-to-text SMS.

The entertainment is provided by the personalised Aha Radio, made by car audio experts Haman. The software can play audiobooks and podcasts, and even read out eBooks.

It is also voice controlled, but for people who are not comfortable speaking to their car, there are also steering-wheel mounted and in-dash controls.

And here are the pictures of the new car, released on Wednesday:

“HondaLink will enable customers to put away their phone and still stay connected to the people, music and media they love,” said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of product planning for Honda US, in July.

“Honda’s strategy is about leveraging the cloud to bring a wealth of new information and services to Honda owners,” added Charles Koch, manager of new business development at Honda US. “This is the next evolution of the connected car and the connected customer.”

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