Audi, Porsche and VW have joined the Mercedes car app store

More and more automakers are adding software that allows users to find and download apps, giving them direct access to third-party apps in their vehicles.

Cariad, Volkswagen Group's in-house software developer, announced at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain this week its own app store that will be rolled out across various Volkswagen brands beginning in July.

Audi will be the first VW Group brand to receive the app store, followed by Porsche and Volkswagen. Specifically, this includes the A4, A5, Q5, A6, A7, A8, Q8 E-Tron, and E-Tron GT.

Mercedes-Benz recently announced that the 2024 E-Class, due to go on sale later this year, will include similar features.

Cariad has worked with Samsung-owned automotive supplier Harman to enable several third-party apps to work with the infotainment systems in VW Group vehicles; specific apps mentioned by Cariad include Spotify, TikTok, Yelp, Webex, The Weather Channel, ParkWhiz, and Vivaldi, and the company said that more apps will be ready when the app store is rolled out.

Downloading and using the apps requires a data link, which is established via the built-in SIM card.

The advantage over smartphone mirroring systems such as Apple CarPlay or Android Auto is that apps must meet automotive industry safety requirements before being made available through the app store. In addition, third-party developers can seamlessly update and upgrade their various apps at any time.