JLR announces justDrive in-car connectivity app

Jaguar Land Rover has announced a new in-car smartphone connectivity platform called JustDrive. This new app integrates multiple smartphone apps into a single, voice-activated in-car experience. Developed by Silicon Valley-based CloudCar, this new system will be used as part of JLR’s InControl infotainment system which was revealed in the new Jaguar XE sedan a couple of months back.

JLR’s InControl system already enables drivers to plug smartphones directly into their vehicles and control many apps through the vehicle’s touchscreen. justDrive takes things a step further. Instead of just relying on touch controls, the new software allows plain natural speech to be used to control various InControl Apps.

According to Wolfgang Epple, Head, R&D, Jaguar-Land Rover, JLR is advancing its InControl system a stage further with the launch of justDrive. He states that this app will move the driver from the task-oriented, app-specific touch-based use of individual apps, and enable him to take full control of all aggregated app content through plain natural speech or a common touch interface.

The justDrive in-car connectivity app allows voice integration into apps such as Spotify, Twitter, Yelp and Pandora, by connecting a smartphone via USB. Currently this app is available to Apple users only, but this system will be made available to android users in early 2015. The company has further stated that the InControl system will be part of its entire portfolio of cars by 2016.