Hasta La Gadget!

It’s no secret that Google has been slowly but surely finding its way into the automotive industry, as it’s already been working with manufacturers to build self-driving cars for quite some time. However, according to Amir Efrati, a former star reporter for the Wall Street Journal, the software giant is looking to drive a few extra miles down that road by designing and building cars of its own. The company has been in talks with component suppliers like Continental AG and Magna International in the hopes that it could put together an entire car under Google’s command. The idea, Efrati says, is to put more pressure on car brands to develop autonomous driving tech, regardless of if Google is directly involved or not.

So what would Google do with such a vehicle built under its direct supervision and brand? One idea on the drawing board is a “robo-taxi” service, which is exactly how it sounds: a self-driving car would come and pick you up and drop you off at your destination; at first, a human would need to be behind the wheel just in case, but that could easily change as the tech progresses and becomes more reliable. Steer toward the source link for a few more details about the thought process behind Google’s efforts.

Filed under: Google

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Source: Jessica Lessin

It surely isn’t the first time we’ve seen a quirky automaker look to the smartphone in order to add a bit of pizazz to the morning drive — Mini owners far and wide have plenty of inside jokes when it comes to the Mini Connected app. That being said, SmileDrive might just have the market cornered when it comes to all-out joviality. The free app, which was launched today by Volkswagen of America and Google, is presently only available for Android devices. (And yes, it’s a result of Google’s Art, Copy & Code project.) In a nutshell, it connects to any vehicle via Bluetooth (yes, Fiats and Ferraris as well) and runs in the background while a drive is ongoing. Once the wheels have stopped and the ignition has been switched off, it uses factors like location, distance, time and weather to deliver users their Smile Score and awards them with stickers — think of ’em as Foursquare badges for motorists.

On a longer road trip, SmileDrive offers the ability to create a Smilecast: a dynamic travelogue filled with the captured photos, maps of the trip, status updates, as well as other memories that are collected on a single URL. It all sounds pretty fantastic, if we’re honest, but allow us to offer up a tip: make sure you phone’s plugged into a charger. Wouldn’t want that background action to drain too much of your battery, now would you?

Filed under: Transportation, Software, Google

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Via: The Verge

Source: Volkswagen, Google Play Store

It’s not like Toyota hasn’t already faced its fair share of Prius braking issues, but it appears that even more headaches are headed its way at Defcon this week. Famed white hats Charlie Miller and Chris Valasek are preparing to unleash a 100-page paper at the annual hacker conference in Las Vegas, and notably, hacks that overtake both Toyota and Ford automotive systems will be positioned front and center. The information was gathered as part of a multi-month project that was funded by the US government, so it’s important to note that the specifics of the exploits will not be revealed to the masses; they’ll be given to the automakers so that they can patch things up before any ill-willed individuals discover it on their own.

Using laptops patched into vehicular systems, the two were able to force a Prius to “brake suddenly at 80 miles an hour, jerk its steering wheel, and accelerate the engine,” while they were also able to “disable the brakes of a Ford Escape traveling at very slow speeds.” Of course, given just how computerized vehicles have become, it’s hardly shocking to hear that they’re now easier than ever to hack into. And look, if you’re really freaked out, you could just invest in Google Glass and walk everywhere.

Filed under: Transportation, Software

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Source: Reuters

Corning’s Gorilla Glass might soon step out of its phone- and tablet-filled lifestyle to explore a bigger part of the jungle. The material — used thus far to make a plethora of scratch-resistant mobile device screens — could replace some of the standard glass on car windows, according to company Senior VP Jeffrey Evenson. Speaking at MIT Technology Review’s Mobile Summit, Evenson says Gorilla Glass will reduce a vehicle’s weight and lower its center of mass. Theoretically, that means you could get better gas mileage than you would with a ride outfitted with run-of-the-mill glass. In addition, the material also acts as a noise filter, making car cabins quieter. Considering that auto manufacturers are striving to push the fuel-efficiency envelope, these claims sound like they could pan out. If you’re a see-it-to-believe-it type though, you can always wait for the first cars with Gorilla Glass windows. Evenson didn’t name a particular client, but he expects at least one high-end auto maker to start selling them within the next year.

Filed under: Cellphones, Misc, Tablets

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Source: MIT Technology Review

Telenav has long been a purveyor of navigation apps for phones, browsers, and cars, but today the company’s revealed Scout for Cars: Built In to bring those platforms together. It’s an in-dash system that provides both the form factor and UX optimized for autos and all the features of the Scout for Phones app. It works using Bluetooth to connect to iOS, Android, or Windows Phone devices to sync your info and let you access the mobile app’s current map info. It also borrows your phone’s data connection, which gives users access to voice control and search and discovery features, plus real-time weather and traffic updates using the in-dash touchscreen.

Scout for Cars: Built In can also seamlessly hand off navigation duties to the phone when you exit your car — a convenient feature for folks as directionally challenged on foot as they are behind the wheel. And, if you’re worried about getting lost should you forget to bring your phone, fear not, for Scout for Cars: Built In uses your handset to provide a better experience, but it’s not dependent upon it, so it still gets you where you need to go on its own. The system is currently available to automakers right now, so the system should be finding its way into dealerships sometime soon.

Filed under: GPS, Transportation

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