Porsche is once again reaching for pole position. This time not with the engine or chassis, but also in the area of infotainment technology. At the model year change, extensive digital upgrades were made to the 911, Taycan, Panamera and Cayenne series, fundamentally revamping Porsche Communication Management (PCM). The new hardware ensures faster response times, while the expanded App Center and new digital functions such as Amazon Alexa and Dolby Atmos significantly increase convenience and interactivity within the vehicle.
More power in the PCM
With the optimized hardware, the updated PCM is now significantly more responsive than its predecessor. The improved computing power enables seamless access to a wide range of third-party apps that can be integrated directly into the system. This not only ensures a smoother user experience, but also offers numerous new functions that are individually tailored to the driver’s needs. As a special highlight, the Porsche Connect package – which is included as standard in all new vehicles for ten years – is a key component in sustainably strengthening the Porsche digital ecosystem.
New App Center – a digital marketplace
The new Porsche App Center, which was first introduced with the all-electric Macan, is now also available in the 911, Taycan, Panamera and Cayenne models. The App Center works in a similar way to the familiar app stores for smartphones and tablets and offers access to a wide range of apps. Whether music streaming, video-on-demand, podcasts, news, weather or even applications for navigating to places of interest and charging points – the choice is huge. Gaming and karaoke apps as well as smart home applications also find their place in this digital marketplace. Porsche is continuously expanding the range so that the App Center is always at the cutting edge of technology.
Amazon Alexa as a digital co-pilot
For the first time, Porsche is integrating Amazon Alexa into its infotainment system alongside the Porsche Voice Pilot. Alexa can be used to perform a wide range of tasks by voice command – from controlling smart home functions such as garage doors and lighting to calling up news, weather reports or playing music and podcasts. Alexa can be activated either by the keyword “Alexa” or via a dedicated button in the PCM.
Immersive sound experience thanks to Dolby Atmos
For hi-fi fans and movie connoisseurs, Porsche has also integrated Dolby Atmos with the PCM update. Vehicles equipped with premium or high-end audio systems from partners Bose and Burmester now offer a three-dimensional surround sound experience – whether listening to music or watching a movie. (Until now, we thought driving a Porsche was thrill enough). The surround sound technology familiar from cinemas places individual sound elements precisely around the listener, creating an immersive 3D sound experience. This feature is designed to make vehicle occupants feel as if they are sitting in the middle of a live concert.
The update boosts Bose and Burmester
In various models such as the Panamera (which I reviewed for LowBeats a few years ago) or Taycan (click here for my review on LowBeats under the meaningful title: “Burmester alleviates charging frustration”), Porsche already offered remarkably good 3D surround sound with height speakers in the A-pillars years ago. However, the corresponding Auro-3D technology was reserved for Burmester’s high-end sound systems. With Dolby Atmos, immersive audio is also moving into the more affordable Bose systems. But that’s not the only advantage.
For the Dolby Atmos process, which is equally popular in the film and music sector, proper multi-channel recordings with discrete signals for the treble and surround speakers are available on streaming services such as Apple Music or Amazon Music Unlimited. With Porsche’s previous technology, on the other hand, normal stereo recordings had to be converted into 3D audio using an algorithm. And 3D sound was also reserved for the Burmester systems in the large SUVs and saloons. With Dolby Atmos productions, on the other hand, sound engineers can specify exactly which direction certain instruments, sound effects or reverberation should come from when mixing in the studio. The arrangement in three-dimensional space takes place on the screen with freely movable objects to which sound tracks can be assigned (see photo). It’s obviously time to test a Porsche on STEREO GUIDE.
