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RealVNC brings smartphone display mirroring to Panasonic's in-car system

Panasonic's automotive division, also known as the Automotive Systems Company, has just announced a collaboration with RealVNC to replicate your smartphone screen for control on your car's dashboard. The two firms have already worked together on the project for the past year, but have recently stepped it up to include integration of additional technologies like MirrorLink into Panasonic's Display-Audio infotainment system. According to RealVNC's press release, the system has "already been adopted by a major automotive manufacturer" and is currently available as a dealer option, though we're not sure which automaker that is. This isn't the first time RealVNC has explored its automotive potential -- it's partnered with Sony in the past, for example -- but it's certainly a sign that the tech is getting more mainstream. For more on the RealVNC and Panasonic partnership, take a peek at the press release after the break.

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RealVNC delivers MirrorLink™ capabilities to Automotive Systems Company, a division of Panasonic Corporation

Panasonic and RealVNC join forces to bring smartphone to vehicle connectivity to market

19th February 2013: Automotive Systems Company, a division of Panasonic Corporation selects RealVNC to deliver the next generation of in-car entertainment and driving experience. RealVNC's VNC® Automotive technology has been integrated in Panasonic's Display-Audio infotainment system to enable the screen of a smartphone to be replicated and controlled from the touchscreen display on the vehicle head unit. This provides drivers and passengers with seamless access to a wide range of smartphone content such as maps, music and internet radio.

As a leader in mobile to vehicle integration and cloud connectivity, and a core member of the international Car Connectivity Consortium, RealVNC provides Panasonic with advanced features and functionality that supports the Consortium's MirrorLink™ industry standard. Panasonic's Display-Audio system, has already been adopted by a major automotive manufacturer, is in production and is currently available to drivers as a dealer option.

"The smartphone is the content hub of this generation and users want access to their content and applications wherever they are, including in vehicle. We faced the challenge of meeting these needs in a way that was safe but where the experience was seamless," said Kenki Matsuda, Manager, Automotive Systems Company, a division of Panasonic Corporation. "RealVNC offers the most robust and advanced solution for connecting smartphone and vehicle with its VNC Automotive solution, whilst also providing MirrorLink support. Our Display-Audio infotainment system has been available in vehicles since last year enabling drivers to access the applications on their smartphones safely from the head unit."

Tom Blackie, Vice President Mobile of RealVNC added, "We are honoured to be working with Panasonic's Automotive Division, one of the leading global suppliers of automotive systems and components, to build VNC Automotive and MirrorLink support into its Display-Audio system. Panasonic's decision to use our technology ensures that they can offer advanced mobile to vehicle connectivity for the widest range of smartphone devices including support for legacy handsets."

VNC Automotive has been widely adopted by the automotive industry as the standard for integrating mobile and vehicle, with partners including the world's largest automotive, infotainment, OEM and Tier 1 manufacturers. VNC Automotive provides a seamless experience enabling smartphone connections via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB, the technology also supports other connectivity protocols such as MirrorLink and iPod Out.