42dot Expands Pleos Connect App Market: “Melon and Kakao Navi Join”

[Financial News] 42dot has significantly expanded the lineup of apps available on Hyundai Motor Group’s next-generation infotainment system, ‘Pleos Connect.’
42dot announced on the 7th that it had added seven new apps to its open app ecosystem, the ‘App Market.’
Pleos Connect’s App Market is an open platform that allows users to access external services, such as navigation, media streaming and information searches, directly inside the vehicle, beyond the functions provided by automakers. Users can download their preferred apps from the App Market and use them on the vehicle’s large display without connecting a smartphone to the vehicle.
The update focuses on creating a seamless experience between mobile devices and vehicles. Seven new apps were added, mainly in categories frequently used in cars, including navigation and music streaming, bringing the total number of domestic apps to 18. The aim is to let users access services they normally use on their phones in the vehicle without having to learn how to use them separately.
The most notable new additions are Melon and Kakao Navi, both widely used in South Korea. Melon offers personalized music recommendations and a variety of playlists, while Kakao Navi provides navigation services through a user interface optimized for the in-vehicle environment. Several other apps were also added in the radio and audio platform categories.
The App Market is currently available in Hyundai Motor Group vehicles launched in South Korea that are equipped with Pleos Connect, including ‘The New Grandeur’ and ‘the all-new AVANTE.’ As more vehicle models adopt Pleos Connect, the number of vehicles that can use the App Market is also expected to grow.
42dot plans to continue expanding the App Market’s app lineup. The company said it would increase cooperation with various domestic and international partners and gradually expand its service offerings into areas such as gaming, vehicle management and lifestyle services in line with user preferences and market trends.
A 42dot official explained, "The expansion of the open ecosystem is being carried out based on ‘Pleos Playground,’ a platform dedicated to external developers," adding, "We provide external developers using this platform with vehicle APIs and development tools so they can adapt existing services to the in-vehicle environment or develop new services."

[email protected] Kim Dong-chan Reporter