Peter Williams

Is it the virtual cockpit using Google Earth?

DirkM

Yes

BananSWE

It uses both google and normal gps map. If you have mobile connection you can choose between google maps and normal map in 2d, 3d, overview and what not.

Peter Williams

You mean you have to supply your own connection or is it included?

DirkM

In the US 2017 Audi A4 you have to subscribe to Audi Connect to get online data and services. In ROW you can provide (for now at least) your own data SIM for internet access.

drbooya

My understanding is that you can use Apple CarPlay or Android Auto by plugging in your phone, and this will use your existing phone data plan to display map information.

I have an iPhone, and I think the current version of CarPlay will not let me display Google Maps through the CarPlay system; that leaves me with Apple Maps as my navigation system.

Does anyone know if the maps pulled from the CarPlay system will display on the Virtual Cockpit display?

I have a sinking feeling that if I don't want to pay for Audi Connect I won't be looking at maps on the VC.

Peter Williams

Oh... looks like Audi Connect is not available in Canada. Which means no Google Earth/Maps for the virtual cockpit.

Well virtual cockpit is completely useless in Canada then.

DirkM

Think of CarPlay and AndroidAuto as Virtual Machine that runs on top of the MMI, there is no direct data exchange. The VC doesn't do CarPlay but CarPlay can be shown on the MMI center screen. The VC can show the MMI Nav while the MMI is in CarPlay mode (confusing but possible if I'm not mistaken). If you activate MMI route guidance on the VC (via steering wheel or before switching the MMI to CarPlay) you can still use CarPlay on the MMI screen.

The MMI allows in the US version to tether to a phone to get/share data instead of using the data from AudiConnect. However, Google Earth view is only mentioned as part of AudiConnect (free for 6 months, then $33/month or $199 for 18 months), the manual does not specify if AudiConnect features like GoogleEarth view are usable if the MMI is tethered to a phone. While the MMI head unit has a SIM card slot, there is no option mentioned in the US A4 manual to use a separate data SIM for AudiConnect - this option exists in ROW for now though, so it might be a coding that can be changed.

Even with AudiConnect, navigation will remain fully functional. You may just not get the pretty Google Earth view without AudiConnect.

DirkM

Try to take a look at the Canadian user manual, there may be the option to tether the MMI to a phone and get data and some services that way.

mlavio829

Does anyone know the status of this in Canada? Does it tether to an iphone or android to get the google earth interface?