#automotive infotainment

So, to help you navigate the fun-filled world of automotive tech, I’ve assembled a list of 5 tech features cars should have in 2026. While I appreciate the effort of many manufacturers to streamline the user interface (UI) of their infotainment systems, functionality remains lacking. Of course, various settings and vehicle modes are more often than not behind several menus in the infotainment screen, but their usefulness only lasts a moment before you click “home.” There’s nothing worse than a car that has a 12-plus-inch touch screen infotainment system with no smartphone pairing functions whatsoever. Now, it’s standard in every Android OS device, so why isn’t it standard in most infotainment systems now? If you’re the driver, you’ll also need these ports to connect to the infotainment system and charge your phone. Again, we go back to that infotainment screen. In fact, retrofitting a backup-cam-ready infotainment system with a reverse camera is a common practice among car owners in the Philippines, with some companies coming out with a 360-degree kit, even. Google is extending its Android Automotive OS (AAOS) beyond infotainment systems, introducing a new platform aimed at powering the next generation of software-defined vehicles (SDVs). Read more in our articles including "5 Tech Features Cars Should Have in 2026" and "How to Maintain Your Car During Lockdown".