Samsung to supply connected car solution to AT&T from August

[THE INVESTOR] Samsung Electronics will supply its own connected-car solution Samsung Connect Auto to US telecom behemoth AT&T from August in its latest push to make inroads into the futuristic car market.

According to news reports on July 18, AT&T will offer the service based on a monthly payment plan. After gauging market reactions, Samsung aims to diversify corporate clients in the coming months. 

The Korean tech giant first unveiled the Connect Auto solution during the Mobile World Congress trade show held in Barcelona in February, hinting at its US launch in the second quarter.

The solution is a little plastic box powered by Samsung’s own Tizen OS that plugs directly into a vehicle’s on-board diagnostics to monitor the car’s operation, provide updates on eco driving efficiency and offer Internet connections for entertainment.

In June 2015, Samsung invested US$6.5 million into US connected-car start-up Vinli.

By Lee Ji-yoon (jylee@heraldcorp.com)