Kia Sorento CUV, GPS with Google Maps

As automobile owners, we always try to look for innovations being undertaken in the industry and one good thing to look forward to this year is the joint partnership recently forged between Google and Korean car manufacturer Kia. The venture between these two (2) companies paves the way for having Google Maps and Place embedded in Kia’s new UVO eServices telematics system. To stress the point, new Kia car models to come out this year will be having such system. Special mention goes to Kia’s new 2014 Sorento CUV since it will have Google’s API powering its systems. Having such will enable would be owners to have turn-by-turn directions and they will be provided with locations of nearby points-of-interest. 

Kia’s UVO system enables hands-free phone connectivity as well as options to connect to various devices such as USB and media players. It also has maintenance and infotainment functions (e.g. roadside assistance and maintenance services). A corresponding application (app) was also designed by Kia though it only works with the iPhone at the moment. The app enables the phone to connect to the Sorento’s telematic system through the new Send-To-Car feature. Said function sends mapping data from phone directly to the car. The android app is expected to be launched sometime in the second quarter. The Kia Sorento goes on sale in the first quarter of 2013.