Remember how cool it was the first time you made a phone call through your car's audio system via Bluetooth? That was only the beginning, and that integration has been taken to a whole new level with Volkswagen's->ke94 second-generation Modular Infotainment platform. There are four different head units available for 2016 Volkswagen models -- all of which include a touchscreen display and smartphone integration via Apply CarPlay, Android Auto or Mirrorlink.

Apple CarPlay works with the iPhone 5 or newer with at least iOS 7.1. Android Auto will work with any Android phone that runs Android 5.0 – codenamed Lollipop – or higher. Most newer Samsung and HTC phones have MirrorLink capability along with Sony’s Xperia Z3 and Fujitsu’s Arrows NX handset. Android Auto and MirrorLink also have support for some third-party apps like Spotify and Skype. MirrorLink has its own list of apps that can be integrated, including WeatherPro, Parkopedia and Glympse, among others.

All models include standard features like an auxiliary input, USB interface, SD card slots, Bluetooth and a reverse camera display. Entry-level models have a 5-inch screen, while most mid-level trims have a 6.3-inch screen. The 2016 VW Golf stands by itself with a 6.5-inch screen, and the 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf has an 8.0-inch screen with 3D Navigation, nearly 10 gigabytes of storage and a wireless hotspot. All other premium models include the Discover Pro, which has SSD Navigation and other features not found in the sub-premium systems.

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Why it matters

While the seamless phone integration with support for third-party apps is awesome, I don’t think that is the most noteworthy part of the MIB II platform. Integration of advanced computing systems into our vehicles also brings the potential for security vulnerabilities like those recently found in the Tesla Model S. Volkswagen, like Tesla->ke1842, kept this in mind and included over-the-air update technology that allows quick over-the-air updates without the need for a major recall like we saw with Chrysler->ke21 a while back.

Hopefully, as more manufacturers include smartphone integration at this level, we’ll begin to see a drop in distraction caused by smartphone use when driving. I do have one question, though: When will device integration reach the point that it is just as distracting to use the built-in infotainment system as it is to pick up the smartphone while driving? It seems to me that all these features may be approaching that limit, if It hasn’t been crossed already. What do you think? Is it getting to be a little too much, or do you want more?

Volkswagen Golf R

Read our full review of the 2016 Golf R here.