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USB ports a common theme at auto show
USB ports a common theme at auto show
Wayne Cunningham Managing Editor / Roadshow
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
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Auto makers seem to be adopting USB as a portable storage standard interface for cars en masse, as revealed by both concept and production cars at the Frankfurt auto show. Not only do concepts such as the Mazda Sassou and Smart Crosstown sport USB ports, so does the new model from Volkswagen, the Eos. In general, the ports tie in to the entertainment system, letting you plug in a memory stick full of music. Audi has already released similar technology in its A4, although using SD cards instead. USB drives are probably a better way to go, as they are more universal. The Eos will probably be the first production car launched with the ports. It's scheduled for a Spring 2006 launch in Europe, with North America to follow. Volkswagen plans on putting USB ports into its other models, as well.