According to BBC News in-car technology is expected to become an incredibly competitive arena, with various companies wanting to reign supreme in this niche not-yet-mastered area.

‘Now, amid rising consumer interest and falling costs, start-ups and automotive giants are trying to exploit a potentially lucrative market.’

Vinli is the latest start-up promising an in-car app store for its £64 device, providing internet connected apps as well as advanced diagnostics about the car it is connected to.

How does it work? 

A USB is plugged into a car’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) port, and using Bluetooth and 4G LTE it connects to the car’s internal electronics.

Once the device has been plugged in drivers can enjoy:

• Fast speed internet (thanks to a formed partnership with T Mobile)
• An app store for the car
• Vinli Services which include accident response, roadside assistance and the mechanical advice.

Who is behind Vinli? 

Vinli was created by a Lebanese man called Haidar, a high achiever who by the age of 21 had created Lebanon’s first fully integrated web-based university management system. Other accomplishments include creating the country’s first 3D game and building a web solution for a village called Lwaiza, digitalisng the town’s paper records.

After being given a scholarship to study at a Masters level the opportunity arose for Haidar to work with cars, a job he was initially reluctant to do. Wanting to work more within his niche the tech-genius proposed a new project.

Haidar then won a grant to “put tech in cars and sensors on soldiers”, becoming the lead researcher on the project for the US army’s Tank Automotive Research Development Engineering Center (TARDEC) connected car project.

From here he moved to Dallas where Vinli was finally perfected, launching immediately into the realms of success.

Let us know what you think, will you be using Vinli?