Audi's new apps seamlessly handle parking, charging, and washing

Audi has added two new apps to its app store that's accessible in the cars' infotainment systems: EasyPark and ryd.

EasyPark automatically detects a parking spot and pays the appropriate fee at more than 60,000 parking locations in around 1,300 European cities, including public parking spots, private parking lots, and parking garages.

As soon as your Audi is in a supported area and you put it into the parking position, a pop-up window will open in the infotainment display letting you know that you can use EasyPark.

If you choose to do so, then you can start the parking payment process with one tap. Payment will be made automatically, and as the end of the pre-paid time nears, you'll get a notification on your smartphone. This will let you extend the time limit (which you can also do via the infotainment screen). The system will automatically terminate parking as soon as the Audi exits the parking spot and accelerates to more than 9 mph.

The ryd app incorporates contactless fueling, charging, and washing, with a "convenient payment process in a single app", according to Audi's official press release. In Germany it works at established chains like Aral and Esso, but also at many "local purveyors", as well as at 90% of all charging points.

It covers more than 10,000 fuel stations and more than a million charging points in Europe. It's integrated with the built-in ride planner, and automatically opens when you approach a charging station, letting you select and activate the charging station, after which you connect the plug.

You can end the charging process by pulling the plug or via the infotainment screen in the car. You then wait for a confirmation of the payment process, and drive on. You don't need a charging card or a QR code. You can also easily book a wash at participating stations through ryd.