AT&T (T +0.99%) announced today it has partnered with three more companies through its Drive Studio -- its car innovation center focused on creating and developing the future of connected cars. The companies are Qualcomm (QCOM +0.26%), Red Bend, and QuickPlay.
"This is an exciting ecosystem and we are committed to leading the way to take the connected car to the next level for auto manufacturers and their drivers," said the president of AT&T Emerging Enterprises and Partnerships, AT&T Mobility, Glenn Lurie, in the company press release. "That's the essence of the AT&T Drive Studio, to bring together the best players in the auto industry ecosystem to collaborate and create the future faster."
Through the AT&T Drive Studio, Qualcomm will showcase its infotainment and telematics product known as Snapdragon Automotive Solutions. Qualcomm first announced the infotainment applications processor in January of this year at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), and it plans to integrate the technology into AT&T's Drive portfolio.
"As the industry ushers in the 4G LTE connected car, Qualcomm Technologies and AT&T are focused on bringing their best-in-class solutions to consumers," said the senior vice president of business development for Qualcomm Technologies, Kanwalinder Singh, in the press release.
In addition to the partnership with Qualcomm, AT&T also noted it has chosen automotive software management company Red Bend to be one of the providers for remotely managed solutions. Through its software management center that is hosted in the cloud by AT&T, Red Bend allows manufactures to manage their software applications and software through the cloud. This service in turn allows vehicle manufacturers to manage the life-cycle of vehicle software in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Lastly AT&T noted it has chosen QuickPlay for the development of its streaming in-vehicle video service, which will provide access to streaming TV and video services to automotive manufacturers using the Drive Studio.
"As the next big growth opportunity for multiscreen entertainment, connected cars are strategically important for the automotive industry," said CEO of QuickPlay Media Wayne Purboo.
The AT&T Drive Studio opened in Atlanta during January of 2014 and seeks to be at the center of "creating the future of connected cars."
