Google is teaming up with car manufacturers including Audi, Honda and Hyundai to integrate its Android operating system into their dashboards.  It would allow Android smartphones and tablets to work better with onboard car systems.  Rival Apple has already signed similar deals with BMW, GM and Honda. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-25619723

In a blogpost, Google announced that, along with GM and Nvidia, it would form the Open Automotive Alliance to “speed up innovation” in the car industry.

It is expected that Audi and Google will show off some of the systems at the CES show in Las Vegas this week.

The car was fast becoming the next battleground for technology firms, said Ovum analyst Jeremy Green.

“From car makers to the makers of car components, from the big software names to the telecoms players, everyone is piling into this market,” he said.

“People spend a lot of time in their cars and Google wants people to use its services wherever they are. Searching is something you do a lot of in the car,” he added.

Google already has its eyes set on drivers and is developing a self-drive car.

Connected cars is likely to be a big theme at this week’s CES tech show in Las Vegas.

But he added that other apps were also beginning to launch – such as systems that sent diagnostic information directly to garages to allow mechanics to prepare for car services.