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" The screens in our cars can be frustrating\u2014slow, confusing, hard to read, impossible to sync with our phone. Infotainment systems definitely have plenty of room for improvement, but as any software engineer will happily reminder you, they are unbelievably complex. From controlling the car&amp;#039;s many functions to smartphone compatibility and ensuring all of the various applications can run concurrently, the displays in our dash are much more complicated than the phones in our pockets.  (Illustration by Jack Dylan) User Interface The top layer, the user interface, or UI, is what you see on the screen and interact with either by touch or with knobs and dials. Poor design by carmakers here can create a confusing user experience, or UX, and is often the source of your frustration.  Application Framework This module manages everything from your Pandora app to navigation and interactions with the system, such as text-to-speech and voice command. It controls all application functions and which apps can appear in the head unit. Sorry, but no Candy Crush in the car.  Mobile Integration Enables the car to connect with various smartphones and devices. Supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and plug-and-play programs such as Mirror-Link, which imports a modified version of the phone&amp;#039;s media and apps to the car screen. This is how Apple&amp;#039;s CarPlay connects. Car Platforms The software bridge between the application framework and the operating system to support multimedia, video, navigation, audio, radio, acoustics, software updates, coud services, and more. A very important layer. Operating System The core of the infotainment system, the OS controls access to pretty much everything\u2014processor, memory, storage, the display\u2014in the head unit. Common automotive operating systems include QNX, Linux, Windows, and, soon, Android. Head Unit Includes the display, housing, circuit board, CD/DVD player, radio, and multiple processors\u2014collectively called the car&amp;#039;s head unit. Also interface with all of the cars physical inputs, such as the sound system or external cameras. This hardware must be able to withstand all of the shock, vibration, temperature, and humidity extremes that an average car encounters. "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.popularmechanics.com/cars/a10110/the-anatomy-of-your-cars-infotainment-system-16565375/>