Mediaboss Marketing

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.

Read more:
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

See more here:
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

National Legislative Assembly member ACM Chalee Chanruang will handle the media-control bill when it reaches the NLA, and says it will face strong opposition. (Photo via PRD)

The chairman of a National Legislative Assembly (NLA) subcommittee on media reforms has conceded it will not be an easy task to roll out the controversial law regulating the media.

ACM Chalee Chanruang said the bill has still not undergone public hearings.

This process is needed to comply with Section 77 of the new charter.

There is a strong possibility the Protection of Media Rights and Freedom and the Promotion of Ethics and Professional Standards Bill will be amended before going to the NLA, he said.

The bill was endorsed by the National Reform Steering Assembly on Monday amid opposition by members of the media.

It needs to go before the cabinet for consideration and then the NLA.

Deputy Prime Minister Wissanu Krea-Ngam said that as the draft legislation is yet to undergo public hearings in line with the new constitution, the government will proceed by gauging opinions from all sides including those of the media.

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, on World Press Freedom Day Wednesday, said the media should find a balance when working with the government. The press should support good things done by the government and criticise bad things, although there should be mutual respect, he said.

The Thai Journalists Association (TJA) and 29 other media bodies released a joint statement to mark the day.

The TJA demanded the bill be suspended and regime orders limiting press freedom be revoked.

Speaking at the TJA seminar, Supinya Klangnarong, an ex-member of the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission, said the bill is an attempt to expand state power and limit that of the people.

National human rights commissioner Angkhana Neelapaijit said the government should guarantee that the media will not face threats.

NLA member Somchai Sawaengkan said he disagreed with the bill.

Talking to the Bangkok Post, Swedish ambassador to Thailand Staffan Herrstrom said freedom of the press contributes enormously to democracy, transparency and innovation.

"You need that kind of wide space for different views just to encourage people to think outside the box," he said.

Finnish ambassador Satu Suikkari-Kleven said Finnish journalists adhere strictly to ethical guidelines while people are active in monitoring the conduct of the media and discussing social issues openly.

In a separate development, the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand received a letter from police at Lumpini station asking it to cancel its discussion on "Memories of 1932: The Mystery of Thailand's Missing Plaque", scheduled to be held at 7pm Wednesday at its office in Bangkok. The FCCT changed the topic to one on world press freedom instead.

Finnish Ambassador Satu Suikkari-Kleven shares experience from Finland where freedom of the press strongly connects with democracy, transparency and innovation. She also said Finnish journalists adhere strictly to ethical guidelines while people are active in monitoring the conduct of the media and discussing social issues openly. (Video byKornchanok Raksaseri)

Continued here:
Media-control bill 'faces tough legal passage' - Bangkok Post