Automotive infotainment specialist Alpine Electronics announced today a strategic partnership with Nokia and NAVTEQ to connect smartphones with car infotainment systems.

By integrating the smartphone handset seamlessly with in-car electronics, this technology - called Terminal Mode - is able to bring smartphone widget-based services like navigation (Nokia’s Ovi Maps), music, weather reports and application stores into the car environment.

Connectivity between the smartphone and the car is working both sides which allows for information such as fuel levels and engine status to be combined with GPS information from the smartphone. Connection from the mobile device to the infotainment system is made either via Bluetooth or USB cable, in order to preserve the smartphone battery.

"The infotainment system of a modern car is a natural extension for the capabilities of smartphones. Not only will it simplify the use of turn-by-turn voice guidance from Ovi Maps, but also provide a new and easy way of accessing other content on the smartphone, such as music, and delivering automotive specific widgets from the Ovi Store," said Vishal Chatrath, Head of Product Development for Nokia Automotive.

The technology specification known as "Terminal Mode" is close to release and was developed in collaboration between Nokia and CE4A, a working group of car manufacturers promoting an active standardisation of mobile device interfaces.