Mar 20
This is Texas Motor Speedway’s recently-unveiled "Big Hoss." At some 12 stories tall, it’s the world’s largest HD TV, so large that you could fit nine Alamos on its surface.
     |
Feb 27
Volvo Brags About New In-Car Experience Using a Large Touchscreen in the Dash
Posted in: Today's ChiliVolvo is a car company that has built its reputation around on safety for the most part. The company is talking a bit about its new in-car experience and that experience revolves around a big touchscreen. I happen to think this is a bad idea for safety.
While touchscreens look cool and modern, anyone who has driven in a vehicle where the physical buttons have been replaced with touch will tell you that touch is not as easy to use while driving as old-fashioned buttons and knobs. With a touch system, you have to take your eyes off the road and look at what you are pressing.
Stealing a page from Tesla, Volvo is using a big tablet-like touchscreen in the center console to replace the buttons and switches we are used to. The screen is in portrait mode and each section has its own theme with navigation at the top. While the new UI certainly makes for a clean look, usability might suffer.
Perhaps Volvo has figured out how to make its system easy to use without constantly looking at it, we will have to wait and see.
Nov 26
Honda Accord, Acura RDX and ILX get Siri Eyes Free as a dealer-installed option
Posted in: Today's Chili
We first got word that Siri Eyes Free was coming to the 2013 Honda Accord back in January, but now the auto maker is rolling out the feature to vehicles. Owners of either the aforementioned model, 2014 Accord and both the 2013 Acura RDX and ILX can get the dealer-installed accessory by visiting their local dealer. Through a software update, Apple’s hands-free feature works in tandem with HondaLink and AcuraLink to complete tasks with the vehicles’ built-in microphone and speaker set. There’s still no word on exactly how much the upgrade will cost, but Honda has scheduled a Hangout for December 3rd to make a proper announcement, so perhaps we’ll learn the sticker price then.
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Honda
Sep 26
Ford was quick to embrace in-car mobile app integration through its AppLink technology, but it wants a true industry standard to boost adoption. The company is tackling this problem this today by acquiring Livio, best-known for its Livio Connect in-car app gateway. Valued at under $10 million, the buyout will help Ford create a single app interface that any automaker could use. Mobile developers would only have to support one format to reach many infotainment units — as long as Ford’s rivals are willing to set aside their own platforms, of course. In the meantime, Ford is being cautious. It intends to keep Livio as a separate brand that will serve GM and other existing customers for the foreseeable future.
Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation, Mobile
Aug 26
AT&T opens latest Foundry facility in Atlanta, focusing on the connected car, home automation and emerging devices
Posted in: Today's Chili
If you haven’t been paying attention, here’s the skinny: US carriers are doing everything they can to expand their horizons, and in the case of Verizon and AT&T, this sense of urgency has led to the creation of numerous innovation labs. In a nutshell, these facilities serve as incubation centers for startups and well-positioned outfits alike that are looking to add cellular connectivity to whatever it is they’re hawking.
AT&T’s latest facility — its fourth in total — will open its doors later today, with the Atlanta-based Foundry focusing on innovation in the connected car and emerging devices sectors. Moreover, it’ll be used to further AT&T’s own U-verse and Digital Life platforms, though specifics of what exactly engineers will be toiling on remain under wraps. For an idea of what all goes down at places like this, have a look at a tour we took through one of Verizon’s Innovation Centers right here; we’re hoping to get a similar look at AT&T’s lairs when time allows.
Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation, Mobile, AT&T
Source: AT&T
Aug 13
QNX and Panasonic link up to bring fancy in-car infotainment systems to more showrooms
Posted in: Today's Chili
For those who can’t quite handle the down payment on a Bentley, there’s a Porsche. For those who can’t quite handle the down payment on a Porsche, there’s… well, about to be something else to covet. QNX — the same software outfit responsible for sprucing up the in-car infotainment systems in the aforesaid brands — has just inked a deal with Panasonic Automotive Systems Company of America, which should deliver QNX CAR-based systems to vehicles sold in North America, Europe, and Japan. Sadly, neither company is coming clean on which automakers are lined up (if any) to swap their ho hum systems out for something a bit more modern, but we’re certainly hoping that it’s more than just a handful. Oh, and if any of the motorcar makers in attendance need any ideas for implementation….
Filed under: Transportation, Software, Blackberry
Via: TechCrunch
Source: QNX
Aug 05
NVIDIA’s no stranger to in-car technology, and the company is increasing its commitment to four-wheeled transportation by opening a dedicated automotive office in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The just-opened NVIDIA Technology Center will design driver aids and infotainment systems with the help of car makers that are just a stone’s throw away — the company mentions Mercedes-Benz, Toyota and others as potential clients. We’ll likely have to wait a few years to see the new facility bear fruit, but it’s already clear that NVIDIA wants to become an integral part of the motoring landscape.
Filed under: Transportation, NVIDIA
Via: Forbes
Source: NVIDIA Blog
Jul 31
Audi was late to the party with an in-car hotspot, but it may have beaten the competition to built-in LTE. High-speed mobile broadband is now a feature available to S3 Sportbacks from July (you’ll need to provide your own SIM), with other A3 variants catching up in November. The company’s Audi Connect infotainment system benefits from this boost, and that LTE connection can be shared with passengers looking to stay under their data caps. No matter what kind of speed freak you are, you’ve now got a data connection to match the car’s quarter-mile prowess.
Filed under: Cellphones, Transportation
Via: Autoblog
Jul 17
AT&T wants every car to be connected, but it needs help; thankfully, Sirius XM is on the same wavelength. The two have reached a deal that will have AT&T supply mobile data for Sirius XM telematics systems in Nissan’s North American vehicle lineup. So far, the partnership includes OnStar-like basics such as emergency assistance and theft tracking, although there are hints of “additional services” that’ll be unveiled later. We don’t yet know when this technology will reach shipping cars, but don’t be surprised if the next Altima or Leaf is a little bit smarter in the not-so-distant future.
Filed under: Transportation, Wireless, AT&T
Source: AT&T
Jun 10
Apple has been teasing an extra level of integration with cars beyond the likes of iPod Out or Siri Eyes Free, and it just gave us substantially more today. A new iOS in the Car feature will directly link iOS 7 with cars’ infotainment systems, giving drivers an optimized interface for maps, messages and music. They’ll be waiting awhile to plug in, however, as a number of automakers (including Ferrari) only expect to implement iOS in the Car sometime in 2014.
Follow all of our WWDC 2013 coverage at our event hub.
Gallery: WWDC 2013: iOS in the Car
Filed under: Transportation, Apple
Who's in charge here?
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.