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Volkswagen's Media Control app puts children in control of the car's infotainment system with the hopes that turning back-seat drivers into back-seat DJs will help parents cope with restless children on longer drives.

For many parents undertaking a family road trip, having to put up with their children's choice of music can be as frustrating as the constant complaints about how long they've been in the car and inquiries on the progress made concerning arrival time -- "are we there yet?".

A new Volkswagen app aims to consign shouts of the latter to the past, however, unless parents lay down some serious ground rules before each journey, it could end up seriously ratcheting up tension caused by differing tastes when it comes to the music of Taylor Swift, Drake or Ed Sheeran.

The Media Control app essentially turns a smartphone into an in-car entertainment system remote control. It lets users retune the radio, stream songs straight from their handset to the car stereo, adjust the volume, fade and balance and view current navigation information, such as the car's position in relation to the final destination, straight on the screen.

The new app is a free download for either Apple or Android handsets and it will work automatically with any current generation VW with the Discover Navigation or Discover Navigation Pro infotainment systems, and wireless hot spot fitted.

As such, Volkswagen is taking a very different approach to that of BMW when it comes to keeping back-seat passengers engaged and entertained. When BMW launched the 2-Series Gran Tourer, its first ever MPV, it did so alongside a new infotainment system that allowed children to stream content to tablets and phones via the car's internal internet connection. However, all content that arrives on those back-seat screens has been pre-screened by the front passengers with settings to block or restrict content or amount of time that kids have access.

This doesn't mean that VW's idea isn't a novel or welcome approach to keeping the kids quiet. But for many road-weary parents, the Media Control app's best feature could be that they can disable it by shutting off the car's WLAN system.

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Volkswagen's Media Control App Turns Back-seat Drivers Into Djs - News18

Flipper, zapper, doo-dad or just plain remote whatever you choose to call your remote control, passengers in many new Volkswagen cars can now use their smartphone to switch between music tracks being played in the car, turn the volume up and do a host of other things.

Cars factory ordered from today (3 May) that have the latest Discover Navigation or Discover Navigation Pro infotainment systems included as standard, or as an option, will be compatible with Volkswagens innovative Media Control app.

The app gives passengers the power to choose the music that accompanies their journey, including playing tracks stored on their own smartphone through the cars infotainment system. Whether they are sitting in the front or the back of the car they can adjust the system volume, as well as the speaker balance and fade, via a WLAN connection.

An end to are we there yet?Media Control gives passengers access to many of the infotainment systems features. From viewing the current position of the car to seeing how long the remaining journey will be, plus entering a destination into the navigation program, it is all covered.

Flicking between radio stations via the smartphone screen is now possible, and dialling a contact from the passengers smartphone will result, if selected, in the call being made via the speakers and microphone built-in to the car.

Putting control in the palm of front- or rear-seat passengers hands is another example of how Volkswagen is developing a suite of user-friendly systems via its Car-Net infotainment offering.

Ease of use of all elements of Car-Net is a cornerstone of Volkswagens connected car programme and Media Control opens up the power of the Discover Navigation and Discover Navigation Pro infotainment systems to everyone in the car.

Volkswagens Media Control app is compatible with smartphones and tablets that have Apple or Android operating systems and the WLAN connection to the car can be switched on or off at any time.

Latest generation infotainment rolled outThe 2018 Model Year enhancements to Volkswagens infotainment systems continue with an increase in screen size for the Golf SV, Touran and Passat Saloon and Estate models, factory ordered from today, too. In these models, the Composition Media and Discover Navigation systems are upgraded to the latest generation units with an eight-inch display screen, up from 6.5 inches previously. And the latest range-topping Discover Navigation Pro unit now boasts a 9.2-inch display, increased from eight inches. All of these screens are colour and feature touchscreen technology, bringing them in line with the systems first seen recently in the updated Golf range.

Continuing the theme, the entry-level Volkswagen Beetle trim will now include the Composition Media system as standard, rather than Composition Colour. Composition Media, previously available from the Beetle Design trim upwards, adds the ability to pair two smartphones, via Bluetooth, to the Beetle. It includes an AUX-in socket for an external media source such as an iPod or an MP3 player, and two extra speakers to bring the total of sound sources in the car to eight.

A new range of vibrant colours is debuting on a selection of Volkswagens models from today. The Tiguan, Volkswagens third-best seller in the UK, has a new Crimson Red option. The Golf SV benefits from the colours that were first seen on the updated Golf: Peacock Green, White Silver, Black Rubin and Turmeric Yellow. The sporty Scirocco now has the choice of Atlantic Blue and White Silver, too.

The Golf range has just been comprehensively updated with new bodywork and enhanced technology coming to Volkswagens best-seller. The enhancements keep on coming though: the iconic Golf GTI is now available with 18-inch Seville alloy wheels that feature an eye-catching red pinstripe finish. The Golf and Golf Estate in SE and SE Navigation trims can now be ordered with the smart 17-inch Madrid alloy wheel, previously only available on the GT trim.

Further technological updates have also arrived. The entry-level Golf S now has Front Assist fitted as standard for no extra cost to the customer.

Meanwhile the latest petrol-electric hybrid Golf GTE has extra driving modes in the form of Battery Hold and Battery Charge. Battery Hold maintains the level of charge in the battery, for example so that the driver can use all-electric drive through a town to their final destination. Battery Charge increases the level of regenerative braking to more quickly replenish the cars batteries on the move.

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In-car entertainment is in everyone's hands with volkswagen's media control app - Automotive World (press release)

Trump Praises Fox News Ratings, Trashes Out of Control Media

President Trump took to Twitter early Thursday morning to bash the out of control news media while praising the Trump-friendly Fox News morning show Fox & Friends.

The Fake News media is officially out of control. They will do or say anything in order to get attention never been a time like this!

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 4, 2017

Congratulations to @foxandfriends on its unbelievable ratings hike.

Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 4, 2017

Also Read: Fox News Dominates April Ratings Despite Network Shakeup

Its unclear what particular news organization Trump was referring to this time around, but usual targets include CNN and the New York Times.The president also re-tweeted a Fox & Friends clip confirming that he will sign an executive order on religious liberty on Thursday, which many feel is designed to legalize anti-LGBT discrimination.

The executive order will likely cause an uproar, but regardless of how you feel about his politics, he was accurate when it comes tothe ratings success of his favorite morning show.

Fox & Friendsis on pace for its most-watched year in network history and just wrapped up April with an average viewership of 1.6 million total viewers and 383,000 among the key demo of adults age 25-54. The program grew 54 percent in total viewers and a whopping 76 percent among the demo compared to April 2016.

Meanwhile, Trump has not publically congratulated friends-turned criticsJoe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski on their engagement. The Fox & Friends rival, MSNBCs Morning Joe, wascriticized for being too friendly to Trump last year, but the duo has turned on him since Election Day, recently comparing Trump to someone with dementia.

Read original story Trump Praises Fox News Ratings, Trashes Out of Control Media At TheWrap

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Trump Praises Fox News Ratings, Trashes 'Out of Control' Media - SFGate

Tradition dictates that the person seated shotgun is in control of the car's music. But thanks to a new app and Volkswagen's new infotainment system, that's about to change.

Volkswagen models equipped with the two most expensive iterations of Volkswagen's new infotainment system, Discover Navigation or Discover Navigation Pro, can be used with VW's also-new Volkswagen Media Control app. Available for both iOS and Android, it allows users to connect to the infotainment system using its built-in WLAN connection.

In reality, the WLAN signals are not visible. But I sincerely hope you knew that already.

Once a passenger connects with the infotainment system, they can control the music, volume, speaker balance and fade. Not only can backseat passengers flip through radio stations, they can play music off their devices and even make calls using the car's built-in speakers and microphone. App users can also input destinations and set the navigation system.

In essence, it provides nearly full control of the infotainment system to every passenger. If your friends are nice, and have good taste in music, that's great! If your friends are trolls who like to crank the volume at inappropriate times or call up someone's mom "for fun," then perhaps you shouldn't tell them about this app.

Thankfully, the driver can disable the nav system's WLAN connection at any time, preventing young children or the aforementioned terrible friends from hijacking the infotainment controls.

The most notable vehicle to include VW's new infotainment system (in the US, at least) is the refreshed-for-2018 Volkswagen Golf. The mid-range screens are now 8.0 inches, up from 6.5. The range-topping Discover Navigation Pro measures a whopping 9.2 inches.

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The 2018 Volkswagen Golf lineup is one big, happy family

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Volkswagen Media Control app lets the back seat choose the tunes ... - CNET

BANGKOK Thirty media bodies in Thailand marked World Press Freedom day on Wednesday by calling on the military government to scrap legislation that seeks to tighten control of news reporting in the Southeast Asian country.

The call came days after a junta-appointed reform panel approved a bill to regulate the media that has drawn opposition from rights groups who say it is designed to boost state interference and curb independent reporting.

If adopted, the bill could establish a regulatory panel of 15 people, including two state officials and seven media representatives, to oversee all media platforms in Thailand, whether print, broadcast or online.

"The bill is essentially designed to facilitate political interference in the media and restrict press freedom," the Thai media organizations said in a joint statement.

The military government on Wednesday called off an event hosted by the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand (FCCT) focusing on the as yet unsolved disappearance of a revolution plaque commemorating the end of absolute monarchy in 1932 - a subject on which the junta has largely evaded questions.

In a statement, the FCCT said, "(The club) stands by its colleagues in Thailand's domestic media as they struggle to maintain professional standards and editorial independence in particularly challenging times."

Thailand's military government, which took power in a bloodless 2014 coup, has attracted international criticism for curbing free speech and threatening press freedom.

Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said the government had no intention to silence media with the bill, but regulations were needed to push up the quality of the media.

The media is "an important part of the government's work", Prayuth told reporters at an event to mark World Press Freedom Day. "So I want the press to be balanced while working with the government for the people."

The government will now review the draft bill, before it goes to the National Legislative Assembly, a parliamentary body appointed by the military, for approval and passage into law, he added.

Thailand fell six places this year to rank 142 out of 180 countries on the World Press Freedom Index of the Paris-based group, Reporters Without Borders.

(Reporting by Patpicha Tanakasempipat; Additional reporting by Aukkarapon Niyomyat and Panarat Thepgumpanat; Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Clarence Fernandez)

PARIS Independent centrist French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron extended his lead in the polls over his far-right rival Marine Le Pen on Friday, the final day of a tumultuous election campaign that has turned the country's politics upside down.

CARACAS Supporters of jailed Venezuelan opposition leader Leopoldo Lopez held a vigil outside his prison demanding to see him on Thursday after rumors about his health rattled the protest-hit country where the death toll from anti-government unrest rose to 36.

WASHINGTON U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday he will travel to Saudi Arabia and Israel this month, kicking off his first foreign trip, where he will work to reinvigorate traditional alliances in the region.

Read more:
Thai news organizations urge government to scrap media control bill - Reuters