LOS ANGELES, June 1, 2016 – Abalta Technologies, Inc. today announced that it is extending its WebLink smartphone platform to interface with the SmartDeviceLink (SDL) standard, the automaker’s solution for running smartphone applications in the car. Currently supported by both Ford and Toyota, SDL allows automakers to customize the user interface, critical for OEM differentiation and brand loyalty. With the Abalta announcement, consumers can now benefit from an increase in the number of apps and the capability of SDL-enabled vehicles.
“SDL works very well very alongside other smartphone-focused solutions,” said Michael O’Shea, Abalta’s CEO. “We’re very excited to join the SDL community, giving both automakers and consumers more flexibility in their in-car apps, especially navigation.” According to Pew Research Center, 67% of smartphone owners still use their phones for navigation while driving. Added O’Shea: “This technology will allow people to use their smartphone apps within the car but in a safe manner.”
Applications within SDL must conform to simple fixed templates. While this approach works quite well for many types of apps, it doesn’t work well for complex apps like navigation. Abalta’s WebLink with SDL fills this gap by allowing all map applications and any other complex apps to easily work with SDL systems.
Abalta’s new technology will also make all existing WebLink applications automatically SDL compliant. “WebLink’s ability for navigation apps to use SDL in a straightforward way is a huge benefit,” said Paul Elsila, CEO of Livio, the project maintainers of SDL . “But also, it opens up SDL to a completely new set of app developers and considerably expands the app ecosystem with quality apps for owners of SDL-capable cars.”
Due to the relative ease of integrating WebLink into an existing smartphone app, WebLink with SDL will streamline the inclusion of apps into the SDL ecosystem. App makers that want to make their apps SDL compliant may now do so without creating a brand-new user interface. This can be crucial for international audiences that need specialized local apps that are not well serviced by other, more traditional approaches. WebLink’s ability to be quickly retrofitted also gives app makers instant access to a large existing population of drivers with SDL-enabled vehicles.
This new development is part of Abalta’s ongoing work with automakers and their suppliers to integrate advanced smartphone technologies into cars. The company will be showcasing their latest technology at Telematics Update Detroit 2016 on June 8 in Novi, Michigan.
About Abalta
Abalta Technologies, Inc. is an emerging leader in the connected car landscape. Abalta has developed an innovative platform to enable car companies, automotive electronic firms and tier 1 suppliers to bridge the gap between the smartphone and the car’s infotainment system. Abalta’s platform enables unique branded experiences to be delivered from the smartphone to the car’s infotainment system over USB, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Abalta has unrivaled expertise across mobile platforms and maintains long-standing relationships with a portfolio of over 60 of the most recognized brands in the world. Abalta has helped these leading brands transform their mobile product visions into meaningful experiences for businesses and consumers alike. Abalta Technologies is headquartered in Torrance, California and has development centers in San Diego, California and Sofia, Bulgaria. For more information, visit https://abaltatech.com/.
