More car manufacturers are starting to offer their clients the possibility to integrate their iPhone into their driving experience. Audi has just unveiled its new optional Music Interface that makes full iPhone integration with the car's MMI possible.

Any Audi model equipped with Bluetooth will work with the iPhone, giving users the ability to make and receive hands-free phone calls, as well as providing a signal strength indicator, assigning specific names to numbers (Work, Home, etc.) and allowing access to call lists. On the musical side of things, the introduction of the Audi Music Interface will give the vehicles MMI system direct control of all the iPod capabilities of the iPhone. The Audi Music Interface lets customers enjoy the iPhone's music playback function in supreme quality via the in-car sound system. Although the Audi Music Interface is only available for its A5, A6, A8, and Q7 cars, it supports music playback on the go, letting users navigate their song collection by artist, track title, playlist and genre.

Audi and Apple have been working closely to ensure that the full functionality of the iPhone is available in most Audi models. Audi is not the first car manufacturer to offer iPhone integration and it will undoubtedly not be the last, but while it is unlikely that full iPhone integration will become as widespread as the iPod one in a very short time, the device is gaining footing.
It took the iPod many years to get where the iPhone is now, but there is still much room for improvement. The iPhone's ability to interact with Google Maps and the possibility of future options such as built-in GPS will make iPhone integration important beyond simply navigating your music collection by genre and playlist.
The iPhone goes beyond device to become a platform, and as it evolves, so will integration, and not just with cars.