CES 2013: Hyundai, Kia add Google search to their navigation

Hyundai and sister carmaker Kia both announced partnerships with Google at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) this week that will bring Internet search functions on the road.

The new arrangement will bring the search engine's mighty voice-activated point-of-interest (POI) and local search functionality into their vehicles, and it will allow users to send searches from another device to their car.

Google turn-by-turn directions will not be part of the package, but the new functionality will give users access to Google's continuously updated database, rather than a fixed database as used in traditional portable navigators. Plus, it will work in concert with the optional navigation and telematics services offered by both carmakers, Hyundai Blue Link and Kia UVO.