Tech : Never lose your keys again with the Hone Bluetooth keychain for iPhone and iPad

The Hone us keychain accessory for iPhone and iPad, now on Kickstarter, that aims to eliminate the problem of losing car, house or any other type of keys. Everyone has experienced the panic -- you're running late, searching for your keys, can’t find them anywhere, time is ticking away... Well, instead of checking and re-checking the same places, over and over again, desperately hoping you somehow missed your keys the first ten times around, the Hone offers a better, more technological solution.
A small Bluetooth device for your keychain, the Hone connects to your iPhone 4S or new iPad via the latest Bluetooth 4.0 low energy protocols. When you lose your keys you just simply fire up the companion app and it will trigger an audible alarm and flashing lights. Even better, it has a built in proximity sensor so if you can’t see you keys, walking around and getting nearer to them will change the way the Hone alerts you too.
The Hone runs for up to six months on one replaceable battery and has a range of up to 150 feet. The makers of Hone will also make the device hackable in the future by releasing the devices UDID and Bluetooth profile. This means that you could hack it and use it for a different solution if you wanted a low energy Bluetooth device for something else.
If you want to get on board with this project, you can be an early adopter with a pledge of $40. The Hone still has 22 days left to run but has already reached its fundng target of $46,000.



Credit : iMore

German researchers developing electronic tires that adapt to weather conditions

Even tires considered basic are the results of massive engineering and financial investments – a single tire can include up to 20 different kinds of rubber compounds and their constructions and build techniques are so mysterious that it's easier to get a tour of the White House than a tire factory. A new tire being worked on by a team of German engineers at the University of Leipzig, however, would be a Buck Rodgers-like leap in tire tech by incorporating changeable elements to alter the shape of the tire as you drive.

The recipe for such a hoop includes "flexible actuators, piezo-ceramic actuators, shape memory alloys and 'smart materials'" that gather and process information on the road surface and weather conditions. That info would then be used to reshape the tread to optimize performance on the fly, which can mean altering groove patters and expanding and raising tread blocks. As the professor in charge said, "The driver no longer has to think about adapting their tires. The tire itself 'thinks' too."

For millions of drivers, a world in which the single word "tire" automatically means "all-terrain, all-season, high-performance tire" would be a good one. The engineers have patented their work and are showing a prototype at the Hanover Fair in Germany, yet it should come as no surprise that such a world is a long, long way off.

Rides : QNX guts a Porsche 911 to show off next-gen infotainment

QNX – now owned by Blackberry – ripped the guts out of a 997 Porsche 911 Cabrio to showcase its latest blend of infotainment, navigation and connectivity solutions. If nothing else, it's one of the better looking interfaces we found at CES.

The system integrates the standard music, nav and telephony functionality with one-touch Bluetooth pairing over NFC, a sweet-sounding VOIP system and the potential – in theory, at least – to run Android apps thanks to its Blackberry Playbook roots.

Tech : Renault debuts R-Link, an in-dash Android system with app market

 

Renault is taking app development to its lineup of vehicles with a new integrated system that's based on Android. The product, known as R-Link, is essentially a seven-inch touchscreen computer that's very much akin to CUE, an infotainment system that was recently announced by Cadillac at CTIA. Unlike CUE, however, Renault is opening its platform to independent developers and will host an app store, which it hopes will create a new source of revenue for the company. The French automaker plans to launch R-Link with nearly 50 apps, which will appear first in the Clio 4 and Zoe, and eventually spread across the Renault's entire product range. Whether app developers simply choose to flood the marketplace with countless gas mileage and location-sharing apps is yet to be seen, although we have a great idea for one that shares contact details simply by "bumping" your car into the one in front of you. Hey, it's a nice way to exchange insurance information, anyway.

 

Press Release

R-Link, the integrated, connected tablet

As a partner of the LeWeb'11 exhibition, Europe's number one showcase for digital entrepreneurs, Renault has chosen the Parisian show to reveal R-LINK, the tactile, integrated, connected tablet that is poised to equip its forthcoming models.

R-LINK will provide future Renault vehicles with affordable, intuitive multimedia connectivity, both with the outside world and with its users.

R-LINK is a scalable tablet thanks to the input of application developers who will progressively upgrade its content.

Renault will profit from the LeWeb'11 show to invite app developers to play a part in this adventure thanks to the establishment of a partnership with Paris Incubateur.


R-LINK, AN INTEGRATED, CONNECTED, MULTIMEDIA SYSTEM THOUGHT THROUGH FOR IN-VEHICLE USE

To enable drivers to control its functions without taking their eyes off the road, R-LINK features a large 18cm tactile display, steering wheel-mounted controls and speech recognition. R-LINK also delivers comprehensive connectivity for automotive services and applications in an AppStore (R-LINK Store).

R-LINK is a straightforward, user-friendly interface that covers all the car's functions and data. The menu provides access to the world of in-car multimedia, GPS TomTom LIVE navigation, the R-LINK Store, etc. Users will also be able to customize both their homepage and access to their favorite applications.

At the time of its release, R-LINK Store will pack more than 50 existing useful and community smartphone applications adapted to use on the move. They will be downloadable directly to the tablet inside the car or via the My Renault account.

R-LINK will equip ZOE and New Clio. In keeping with its determination to make access to innovations an affordable reality for all, R-LINK will be available for all forthcoming Renault models at an unrivaled low price.

After becoming the first brand to propose steering wheel-mounted fingertip remote audio controls and in-car navigation, after making the hands-free card, high-res displays and GPS navigation (Carminat TomTom for €490) affordable, readily available features, and after launching connected navigation (Carminat TomTom LIVE), Renault continues to innovate with R-LINK.


RENAULT LAUNCHES A CAMPAIGN TO BRING DEVELOPERS ON-BOARD

Like Renault, developers and start-up businesses are actively exploring technologies and services that address the problems associated with automotive mobility (navigation aids, infomobility applications, in-car entertainment, etc.).

Renault and Laboratoire Paris Région Innovation wish to encourage the creation of a start-up ecosystem to focus on the issue of mobility-related connected services and TICs. A new start-up incubator specializing in this field is due to be inaugurated in March 2012.

Renault is looking to build relationships with young, innovative businesses (less than four years' existence) which are either in the process of developing or which have already released their first product or service. The objective of these partnerships is to enable such companies to complete their research in ideal conditions (private offices, personalized individual guidance, finance, etc.).

The forms and list of documents it is necessary to provide when applying to be taken on-board by the 'Connected Services and TIC for Mobility' incubator can be downloaded from www.paris.fr/pro until January 31, 2012.

Tech : Garmin StreetPilot app updated with live traffic cams

Garmin has pushed out an update to its StreetPilot app for iOS, and the available traffic information just got a lot more detailed.

The free update includes live weather and forecasts, but if you shell out for an additional $9.99 in-app purchase you get access to 10,000 live traffic cameras. The traffic cam functionality works in both the U.S. and Canada and makes a nice addition to the live traffic already included in the app. And you can create a list of favorite cameras in your area to check known trouble spots before you leave.

If you haven't downloaded the StreetPilot app yet, be advised that it'll set you back $59.99.

Rides : CSR sharpens indoor and in-car navigation with SiRFstarV, SiRFusion and SiRFprimaII

It's been a while since we last heard from CSR, but that changed earlier this week, when the company unveiled its new SiRFprimaII and SiRFusion platforms, alongside its SiRFstarV architecture. According to the UK-based firm, both SiRFstarV and SiRFusion are designed to provide more accurate geographic data and enhanced indoor navigation capabilities across PNDs and other mobile devices. SiRFstarV, the logical follow-up to CSR's SiRFstarIV architecture, culls location data not only from GPS, but from Galileo, Glonass and Compass satellites, as well as a range of radio signals, accelerometers, gyros and compasses. All this information is fed to the user via the SiRFusion platform, which combines data from radio systems and sensors to provide constantly updated location graphics. Together, both SiRFstarV and SiRFusion promise to help users find their way around both indoor and outdoor locales, within an accuracy range of ten to 15 meters.

The SiRFprimaII platform, displayed above, is strictly geared toward in-car navigation and infotainment systems. This system combines a SiRFprimaII SoC and TriG RF multi-GNSS radio with CSR's Bluetooth and WiFi technologies to create a multimedia rich, touchscreen-based in-car environment. Geared toward both ODMs and OEMs, this hardware-software combo enables drivers to get more reliable navigation data, while allowing passengers to stream video, surf the web and manipulate everything via remote control. As for that SoC, it's powered by a 1GHz ARM Cortex A9 app processor, features an LCD controller for displays of up to 1280 x 720 resolution, and boasts a pair of 3D graphics and video accelerators.

 

Press Release

CSR Takes Location to the Next Level with SiRFstarV(TM), SiRFusion(TM) and SiRFprimaII(TM)

Seamless Indoor and Outdoor Navigation for Mobile Devices; Premium In-Vehicle Infotainment Features for Mainstream Auto Markets

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov 01, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Locations & Beyond Summit -- CSR plc today strengthened its leadership in the mobile and automotive location markets, announcing the launch of its next-generation SiRFstarV architecture, the SiRFprimaII SoC auto infotainment platform and the SiRFusion end-to-end location platform. Introduced to top industry executives at the annual Locations & Beyond Summit, the new CSR offerings take location to the next level, with SiRFstarV and SiRFusion enabling exciting new products that significantly improve the user experience for a broad range of location applications used indoors and outdoors on mobile devices and SiRFprimaII significantly improving the auto navigation experience for mainstream consumers.

"Whether it's localised search, social networking, mobile promotions or an intelligent mobile assistant, location is rapidly becoming a fundamental contextual element for delivering relevant information from the cloud to people on the go. Regardless of where people are, indoors or outdoors, in their cars or walking about, more accurate and reliable location is essential to enhance the consumer experience with a broad range of applications," said Kanwar Chadha, Chief Marketing Officer for CSR and founder of SiRF. "Since 1995, our vision has been to deliver innovations that bring the benefits of location to mainstream consumers. With our SiRFstarV architecture and SiRFusion platform, we are breaking the barrier to providing a seamless location and navigation experience to consumers, both indoors and outdoors. Our SiRFprimaII auto infotainment platform is designed to enable a premium automotive navigation, entertainment and augmented reality experience that is affordable for everyone."

SiRFstarV Architecture

The SiRFstarV architecture introduces a new approach to location and navigation. Instead of relying solely on GPS to determine position, the SiRFstarV architecture gathers real-time information from GPS, Galileo, Glonass and Compass (when operational) satellites, multiple radio systems, such as cellular and Wi-Fi(R), and multiple MEMS sensors, like accelerometers, gyros and compasses. It then combines this real-time information with ephemeris data, mapping, cellular base station and Wi-Fi access point database information, and other cloud-based aiding information using the SiRFusion platform. By fusing all this data, the SiRFstarV architecture is able to take location and navigation to the next level, providing precise location and navigation indoors as well as outdoors.

CSR is demonstrating the SiRFusion platform on an early implementation of the SiRFstarV architecture at the Summit.

SiRFusion

A breakthrough innovation to enhance the consumer experience with indoor and outdoor location- and navigation-enabled applications, the SiRFusion self-learning, end-to-end location platform "fuses" multiple radio signals and sensor inputs to constantly provide extremely reliable and accurate location. Mobile products using SiRFstarV and SiRFusion will be able to make a seamless transition between outdoor and indoor navigation as people make their way through countries, cities, neighbourhoods, parks, shopping malls, convention centres, airports, train stations or other large structures while continuing to utilise a variety of location-enabled services and applications. Unlike other systems that require costly manual surveys to build and maintain a database of indoor Wi-Fi radio locations, the SiRFusion platform constantly updates its database automatically using crowdsourcing techniques.

"Our research clearly indicates that location has quickly gained traction with consumers as an essential contextual component for many of the applications they use and depend upon with their mobile devices," said Tim Bajarin President of Creative Strategies, Inc. "The SiRFusion platform will shine a bright light into what until now has been a location dead zone, and should attract a lot of attention from mobile device makers as a way to extend the usefulness of location into any indoor setting for the first time."

SiRFprimaII

The SiRFPrimaII auto infotainment platform brings the features of premium, location-aware in-vehicle infotainment systems to the mainstream market. It integrates a multi-GNSS location engine supporting GPS, Galileo, Glonass and Compass satellites to improve the navigation system performance in obstructed environments, Combined with SiRFDRive(R) dead reckoning software, the SiRFprimaII delivers seamless navigation experience whether driving in dense urban canyons or through tunnels or multistory parking lots. Its powerful new 3D graphics and video accelerators, ARM Cortex(TM) -A9 application processor and other key components bring the ultimate in navigation and entertainment experiences to mainstream consumers. Its graphics and multimedia capabilities are also designed to make new concepts like augmented reality practical for the mainstream automotive market. In-dash or on-dash, the rich multimedia, touch user interface and powerful computing capabilities of the SiRFprimaII SoC combined with CSR connectivity and audio technologies enable OEMs and ODMs to focus their limited resources on creating highly differentiated, feature-rich navigation and entertainment systems at competitive price points.

 

Press Release

CSR SiRFprimaII™ Platform Brings Premium Navigation and Infotainment System Features to the Mainstream Auto Market

Innovative Platform Supports Worldwide Satellite Systems, Robust Connectivity and Rich Visualisation

Locations & Beyond Summit, San Francisco, CA – 1 November 2011 – CSR plc (LSE: CSR; NASDAQ; CSRE) today introduced the SiRFprimaII auto infotainment platform, a comprehensive solution that raises the bar for the next generation of connected, location-aware in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) systems. The SiRFprimaII platform helps IVI makers reduce their product development, manufacturing and BOM costs and quickly bring the features of premium navigation- infotainment systems to the mainstream automotive market.

"Our vision is to enrich the mainstream consumer auto navigation experience, in-dash or on-dash. With its support for all global navigation satellite systems, robust connectivity capabilities and next-generation applications like augmented reality, the SiRFprimaII platform is a great step forward in that direction," said Kanwar Chadha, Chief Marketing Officer for CSR and founder of SiRF. "With today's simultaneous launch of the SiRFprimaII platform for the automotive market and the SiRFstarV™ and SiRFusion™ platforms for mobile devices, we are taking the mainstream consumer location experience to the next level."

The SiRFprimaII platform launch includes the SiRFprimaII SoC and TriG RF multi-GNSS (global navigation satellite system) radio, which together can support all global navigation satellite systems. As part of its system platform strategy, CSR is offering a comprehensive solution of pre-integrated and validated hardware and software that provides all the infrastructure necessary to bring navigation and a modern family room infotainment experience into the car. This comprehensive platform solution combines the CSR SiRFprimaII SoC and the TriG RF radio with the CSR8311™ Bluetooth® and CSR6031™ Wi-Fi® solutions and CSR Synergy™ integrating software to form the heart of a robust, touchscreen-based system that lets drivers navigate reliably and passengers entertain themselves with DVDs or streaming video, enjoy hi-fi stereo audio through speakers or wireless headsets, use a remote to control everything, connect their laptops via Wi-Fi and much more.

"The second-generation SiRFprimaII SoC and the new TriG RF front end form the nucleus of a pre-integrated hardware and software platform solution that embodies all our core competencies in location, connectivity and multimedia technologies and is designed to support the features and quality needs of our automotive customers," said Charlie Lesko, General Manager of the Automotive Business Area at CSR. "Our comprehensive platform reference design helps our customers reduce their product development time and cost and enables them to quickly bring innovative auto navigation and infotainment systems to market that are affordable for mainstream consumers everywhere."

The complete CSR platform solution is also supported by all the CSR location, connectivity and audio enhancement software, including aptX® high-fidelity wireless audio technology, CVC™ noise reduction and echo cancellation, SiRFInstantFix® and SiRFDRive® location advances and more.

SiRFprimaII SoC

Utilising 40nm CMOS process technology, the CSR SiRFprimaII SoC combines a powerful application processor, multi-GNSS baseband location processor, DDR3 and NAND flash memory controllers, analog power management functions, superior audio codec, hardware accelerated full 1080p HD multimedia decoding, hardware 3D graphics acceleration, LCD touchscreen controller for displays up to 1280 by 720, PHY/UART/GPIO interfaces and more in a single package.

The powerful ARM Cortex™-A9 application processor, running at speeds up to 1GHz, delivers more than twice the throughput of the original SiRFprima device, providing plenty of muscle to run the latest navigation, entertainment, communication and information apps. And with three to four times more powerful graphics and multimedia acceleration compared to the first generation, the SiRFprimaII SoC delivers crisper, smoother operation for a more pleasing user experience and enables emerging technologies like augmented reality.
TriG RF Multi-GNSS Radio

Utilising 40nm CMOS process technology, the TriG RF front-end global navigation satellite system (GNSS) radio is an advanced multi-GNSS solution that improves the location and navigation performance of SiRFprimaII and other CSR auto navigation SoCs. Supporting all currently planned global navigation satellite systems, including GPS, Glonass, Galileo and Compass (when operational), the TriG RF radio's multiple GNSS positioning technology is designed to take advantage of these satellite systems to improve position availability and accuracy at low cost.

Availability and Pricing

The industrial-grade SiRFprimaII SoC and TriG RF radio devices are available now for products slated for manufacturing starting in 2012, and auto-qualified parts are planned for 2013. An evaluation board and form-factor reference design are available, including board-support packages, for the Android™, Microsoft® Windows® CE and Linux GENIVI operating systems. Please contact CSR for pricing information.

Rides : Check out BMW's car-to-x communication

What good is an Ultimate Driving Machine if it can't get a little help from its friends? A new hazard-dodging system from BMW could help these Bavarian autos get a bit more chatty, each vehicle talking to nearby traffic across long-range wireless networks. In a series of video demonstrations, the car maker shows how the car-to-x system could give advance warnings of traffic, emergency vehicles and weather hazards by enabling one car to beam warnings directly to others. BMW hopes to connect the system to mobile phone networks as latency times improve and possibly even access data from traffic light systems.

 

 

Press Release 

When cars talk to each other.

21.10.2011

The key to intelligent driving, which is synonymous with energy-efficient and safe driving, is forward thinking. To help drivers plan ahead, vehicles from the BMW Group are already fitted with a large number of sensors designed to improve safety, comfort and efficiency. Often, however, these sensors have only a limited predictive capability or "horizon". "Car-to-x" communication extends this horizon significantly, and will in future allow drivers to "see" long distances ahead, into areas currently hidden from view, and even around not just one but many corners.

Car-to-x communication means electronic networking of vehicles and roadside infrastructure, with the aim of exchanging information directly both between road users and between road users and roadside infrastructure such as traffic lights. Car-to-x communication is a comprehensive communication network which any road user can take part in.

Car-to-x communication usually operates via WLAN or mobile phone connections. For standard automotive application, car-to-x communication at present uses high-speed WLAN networking based on the high-frequency WLAN IEEE802.11p/ G5A standard, which is designed to allow real-time communication. The protocol allows large numbers of participants to communicate simultaneously without interference. At the same time the performance of mobile phone networks is improving steadily, with an increase in bandwidth and a reduction in data lag – the so-called latency times. Therefore, this type of medium, too, is becoming increasingly important for car-to-car communication, for example as a complement to direct communication via WLAN.

Connectivity brings added value.

Integrated and connected vehicle functions are nothing new within the BMW Group. Connectivity for infotainment applications already made its debut in the 1990s with BMW ConnectedDrive. For some years, the focus of development work in the BMW Group has been shifting increasingly towards integrated and connected comfort and, in particular, safety functions. Here, car-to-x communication opens up completely new potential. In the event of a hazard, extensive connectivity between vehicles allows oncoming and following traffic to be given advance warning of potential dangers, and therefore to react appropriately and in good time. But warnings are only one possible use of this communication platform. Since infrastructure data, too – for example about traffic light phases – can be integrated into this communication system, information is available which allows drivers to easily adapt their driving style for even greater efficiency, thereby significantly reducing vehicle emissions. This technology therefore offers new solutions not only for proactive safety and accident prevention but also for intelligent energy management.

"The more information I have about the rest of my journey – for example, if I know in advance when traffic lights will change, or if I know that an accident has just happened further along the route – the more promptly I can react, which means I have less stress and can either avoid hazardous situations altogether or at least reduce the risk." (Karl-Ernst Steinberg, Head of Information and Communication Technologies at BMW Group Research and Technology).

In combination with existing vehicle sensors, car-to-x communication provides a valuable starting point or enhancement for a wide range of BMW ConnectedDrive driver assistance and information systems of the future. These technologies, combined with the driver's own input, create an extremely high-performance macrosystem capable of ensuring a safe and efficient journey from start to finish.

Rides : Ford brings Bluetooth text message readouts to more SYNC vehicles

Got a SYNC-tastic Ford from 2011 onwards? Then you'll find that the latest update (G1 V3.2.2) to the dash software will let you listen to your smartphone's incoming emails and SMS messages via the car's audio system, thanks to the inclusion of Bluetooth MAP (Message Access Profile). We've already seen the tech running in BMW's iDrive dash system and in MyFord Touch-equipped cars too, so the news here is just a wider roll-out to a bigger range of vehicles -- but we'll welcome anything that keeps more eyes on the prize. Read the full PR after the break and then enter your VIN at the More Coverage link below to see if you're eligible.

Press Release

New SYNC Software Update Adds Bluetooth MAP Standard; Ford Poised to Give More Drivers Safer Texting Alternatives

- Latest Ford SYNC® software updates will give owners of select SYNC Generation 1-equipped 2011 and 2012 vehicles access to the emerging Bluetooth® standard – Message Access Profile (MAP) – so SYNC can stream and read text messages aloud from compatible smartphones

- Ford elected to voluntarily adopt MAP in an aggressive effort to improve the number of phones that will work with the hands-free text message readback feature of SYNC

- Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) sees growing MAP adoption among leading cell phone manufacturers


DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 18, 2011 – Ford has released its latest free SYNC® software update, G1 V3.2.2, to give more SYNC users the ability to have text messages read aloud to them while driving.

Tailored for owners of select SYNC-equipped 2011 and early-release 2012 vehicles, the update includes the emerging Message Access Profile (MAP) Bluetooth® standard, which is custom-made for the automotive hands-free environment and outlines a set of features and procedures used to exchange email, SMS and MMS between devices – in this case SYNC and the smartphone.

Last year, Ford announced it was voluntarily integrating MAP into SYNC for all 2011 MyFord Touch®-equipped vehicles and is now extending the capability to the broader SYNC user community – with thousands of 2011 and 2012 vehicles equipped with the first generation SYNC system.

A limited population of phones has the capability to work with the text message readback feature of SYNC," said Mark Porter, supervisor of SYNC Product Development. "With our initial adoption of MAP for our latest generation of SYNC and our recent efforts to integrate it into our previous variations of the system, we hope we are setting an example that encourages more collaboration between Ford, the phonemakers and the wireless industry to help drivers find smarter alternatives to hand-held texting while on the road."

According to Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), MAP adoption by mobile device manufacturers is still in its infancy but the growth needle is starting to quiver.

Texting is becoming a ubiquitous part of our day, so it stands to reason the remote message access profile is an essential addition for handsets, automobiles, headsets and aftermarket car kits," said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director Bluetooth SIG. "The Bluetooth MAP standard gives users the ability to simply and smartly manage incoming text messages from their vehicle while keeping their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. We are seeing significant uptake in MAP adoption among phonemakers, in particular with recent qualifications from manufacturers such as HTC, RIM, Samsung and LG."

Ready for an update
Since SYNC launched in 2007, Ford has offered several significant and simple software-based updates. And owners are taking advantage, with software downloads recorded on www.syncmyride.com ranging up to nearly 14,000 each month in 2011.

Major SYNC updates that have been released to date include:
- G1 V2.0 – availability of 911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Report for 2008 SYNC-equipped vehicles (dealership installation required) (December 2008)
- G1 V3.0/V3.1 – availability of SYNC Services for Traffic, Directions and Information services for 2010 SYNC-equipped vehicles (June 2009)
- G1 V3.2 – improved voice command structure, constant display of turn-by-turn directions and GPS coordinates for 911 Assist for 2011 SYNC-equipped vehicles (April 2010)
- G1 V4.0 – AppLink™ software application for hands-free voice control of smartphone apps for the 2011 Ford Fiesta only (December 2010)
- G1 V3.2.2 (non-AppLink)/V4.0.2 (AppLink-equipped) – increased MAP support for select 2011 and early-release 2012 SYNC-equipped vehicles with AppLink such as Ford Mustang (May 2011)


Ford owners interested in finding out if their SYNC-equipped vehicle is eligible for any of the available SYNC updates can visit www.syncmyride.com and enter their Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

Rides : Google exec praises "magical software" working in his Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz would love for you to consider its technology akin to magical software. When Google senior vice president Vic Gundotra is the one using those words, however, they might hold a bit more weight. The executive for Skynet Google feels that way because of a close-call he had while driving his S-Class.

Traffic had stopped in front of him, but Gundotra didn't notice. His Mercedes did, however, and the electronic nannies brought the car to a complete stop without a lick of input from Vic. He was so impressed with the technology that he decided to write the automaker a letter to thank them for installing the system into its cars.

That thank you comes from a source that understands software, so Mercedes decided to reach out to Gundotra. The Google exec agreed to appear in a commercial for Benz, and he wasn't paid for his participation.

 

Rides : Kia working on next-gen telematics system that doesn't require smartphone

Kia's UVO has been rolled out to generally appreciative audiences, the head-unit system combining with your smartphone to provide a wide range of voice-command operation. Kia boffins have returned to the lab, though, to develop a second-gen UVO interface that doesn't require your phone to be fully functional.

Sounding like an extension of Windows Phone 7 (UVO uses Windows software as a base), Ward's Auto described its preview of UVO's next-gen as featuring "a screen that, like a tablet computer, lets the user choose from a series of icons and change screens by swiping a fingertip." The system will be fully voice controlled, and will able to download applications. A Kia rep said that UVO could access the information on a paired phone, but the smartphone connection would be optional.

The next generation is meant to be viable for all of Kia's international markets, whereas this first generation was developed specifically for the United States. From this initial report it sounds like it will provide a more comprehensive experience, which is good for everyone – but we wonder if it will still force you to choose between UVO and in-dash nav.

Rides : BMW working on laser beams for headlights

Are you bored with the recent rash of LED headlights, tailights and daytime running lamps? BMW might just have something for you, then, because it's working on a new way to illuminate your commute. We're talking about lasers here people... the future is (almost) now!

BMW believes that, just as halogen beget LED, LED begets laser lights. If true, laser technology will allow its cars to utilize lighting systems that are more efficient than current setups while also allowing for light patterns that are more consistent and brighter. In addition to the greater illumination possibilities, the diodes used would be significantly smaller than LED units.

 

Press Release

BMW develops laser light for the car.

01.09.2011
Following the introduction of the full LED headlight, laser light is the next logical step in the development of vehicle headlight technology. BMW is planning this step, thus further expanding its lead in innovative light technology.

Munich. As a globally successful carmaker within the premium segment, the BMW Group attaches the utmost importance to advanced technology in all sectors of automotive manufacturing. Exclusive innovations and technological leaps secure BMW's lead amongst the competition. In the field of exterior vehicle lights, BMW also leads the way for example with full LED headlamps for the BMW 6 Series and with new developments such as the "Anti-dazzle High- Beam Assistant", as well as with "Dynamic Light Spot". The term "Dynamic Light Spot" stands for a marker light system that automatically illuminates pedestrians in good time, thereby guiding the driver's attention.

After LED technology, laser light is the next logical step in car light development. BMW engineers are currently already working on the introduction of laser light as a further pioneering technology for series production within a few years. Laser light could then facilitate entirely new light functions for even more safety and comfort and at the same time contribute significantly through its higher degree of efficiency towards a saving in energy and fuel respectively.

Laser light produces virtually parallel light beams.
By definition, laser lighting is radically different from sunlight, and also from the various types of artificial lighting in common use today. For a start, laser lighting is monochromatic, which means that the light waves all have the same length. And it is also what is known as a "coherent" light source, which means that its waves have a constant phase difference. As a result, laser lighting can produce a near-parallel beam with an intensity a thousand times greater than that of conventional LEDs. In vehicle headlights, these characteristics can be used to implement entirely new functions. Also, the high inherent efficiency of laser lighting means that laser headlights have less than half the energy consumption of LED headlights. Simply put, laser headlights save fuel.

The intensity of laser light poses no possible risks to humans, animals or wildlife when used in car lighting. Amongst other things, this is because the light is not emitted directly, but is first converted into a form that is suitable for use in road traffic. The resulting light is very bright and white. It is also very pleasant to the eye and has a very low energy consumption.

Laser diodes are already in use today in the consumer sector.
Completely safe laser lighting technology is already in use in a variety of consumer products, though in many cases this is a product feature that goes unnoticed by the customer. That won't be the case when this technology is used in cars, however, as planned by BMW. Here the whole point is that the advantages should be noticeable and visible. A further feature of laser technology, which has important implications, is the size of the individual diodes. With a length of just ten microns (µm), laser diodes are one hundred times smaller even than the small, square-shaped cells used in conventional LED lighting, which have a side length of one millimetre. This opens up all sorts of new possibilities when integrating the light source into the vehicle. The BMW engineers have no plans to radically reduce the size of the headlights however, although that would be theoretically possible. Instead, the thinking is that the headlights would retain their conventional surface area dimensions and so continue to play an important role in the styling of a BMW, while the size advantages could be used to reduce the depth of the headlight unit, and so open up new possibilities for headlight positioning and body styling.

A further advantage of laser lighting technology, and one which the BMW engineers intend to use to full effect, is its high inherent efficiency. A single statistic will make this clear: whereas LED lighting generates only around 100 lumens (a photometric unit of light output) per watt, laser lighting generates approximately 170 lumens. With statistics like this, it is not surprising that BMW is also planning to take advantage of laser lighting technology to increase the efficiency of the overall vehicle. And appropriately enough it is in a concept vehicle from the new BMW i sub-brand, the BMW i8 Concept, that laser lighting will get its first airing. After all, BMW i stands for a new premium concept that is strongly oriented towards sustainability.

Laser lighting: high efficiency and safety.
Safety is a key consideration in the development of laser lighting for use in passenger cars. For BMW, the complete eye safety of this technology for all road users and its complete reliability in day-to-day use have top priority. Importantly, therefore, before the light from the tiny laser diodes is emitted onto the road, the originally bluish laser light beam is first of all converted by means of a fluorescent phosphor material inside the headlight into a pure white light which is very bright and pleasant to the eye. As a result, in future it will be possible to use laser light to implement all the familiar – including more recent – BMW lighting functions such as Adaptive Headlights, the "Dynamic Light Spot" spotlighting system and the "Anti-Dazzle High-Beam Assist". It will also be possible to use BMW laser lighting to implement completely new functions, which will have only minimal power consumption.

 

Rides : 2014 Porsche ACC InnoDrive tested...

2014 Porsche ACC InnoDrive - Click above for high-res image gallery

We have to remind ourselves to breath deeply at these high-tech junctures in the road. Porsche is still first and foremost a remarkable sports car company that we all love and adore for so many reasons. In recent years, yes, Porsche has challenged all of us with some product and tech moves that have caused a groundswell of debate. But the Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen based company still continually makes the lion's share of enthusiasts dream big.

We have just been brought to the company's hardcore research & design center in Weissach in the verdant farm country just outside of Stuttgart to drive special Panamera S test mules equipped with the most recent iteration of an ECU-software development that Porsche knows is going to make people like us fret. Until we actually experience it first hand.

Adaptive Cruise Control is a pretty quotidian option these days, especially on larger Porsches that get driven regularly in busy highway traffic. It's a good idea that's been serving owners faithfully since its introduction.

But we've just tried the next phase in ACC development, called ACC InnoDrive, short for Innovative Drive. It's officially part of the Intelligent Drive Strategy sub-group within the Porsche Intelligent Performance umbrella. The InnoDrive system takes ACC into areas of our driving lives that a Porsche shopper would never have imagined from the brand just 10 years ago. Mercedes-Benz, Audi, maybe BMW, you bet. But the winningest company in racing?

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Porsche AG has clearly changed and broadened its set of objectives. Over 70 percent of Porsches sold today are not the low-lying sports cars we fell in love with years ago. Most are larger, taller, heavier cruisers and commuters, and they are full of high-tech aides. Soon, the Cajun small crossover will arrive (pronounced by the Germans as "KA-yoon"), which will knock Porsche's sports car sales percentage down to 15 percent or, eventually, just 10 percent of the annual total.

No sense whining about the new Porsche AG then; that train has long since left the station. ACC InnoDrive is just the next big step in embracing this reality.



Instead of simply gauging distances between cars in highway traffic and thereby being an active safety feature, ACC InnoDrive bridges the gap between leaving it at that and brainstorming your entire mapped-out route – including those pesky elevation changes and curve radii – in order to ensure optimized fuel usage. This goes way beyond cleverly dealing with the risk of rear-ending the Chevrolet in front of you.

The day's program had us drive our Panamera S – with an additional 16-megabit ECU bolted into the cargo floor – over a typically varied 15-mile loop of two-lanes starting and ending at Weissach. We took three stabs at it, all the while a flash card absorbing how we were doing and graphing it. The first loop was normal with no ACC help, a mode the team refers to as "manual" (indicated as such also in the two PowerPoint screen grabs in the gallery for this story). Loop Two was with ACC InnoDrive in default Comfort mode, and the third loop was using the program's Dynamic and/or Dynamic Plus modes. If you look at those graphs and charts, our particular test car is represented by the dark blue symbols.



The normal "manual" first loop was quite.... err... normal, and we didn't work every moment to milk all the efficiency from the fuel supply that we could have. The second loop was destined to produce the greatest savings if we were to believe what the engineering team on the project was telling us. On this go-round, we pushed the lower-left stalk on the steering column forward and awaited the "ACC" acronym to light up and the graphics to go orange. Then we summoned Comfort mode on the test mule's added touchscreen and removed our feet from the pedals. Off we went and, yes, it was eerie at first.

The chief challenge to writing the algorithms for such automated sat-nav integrated features on any car is that the vast amounts of digital mapping and detail needed often doesn't exist or the data isn't readily available for any but the largest multi-lane roadways. In fact, for this set loop in Germany, the system carried the data only for this loop's two-lane roads. The basic ACC continues its task, while InnoDrive uses the historic and very detailed data from the test route, anticipating all speed limits along the way, as well as anticipating all elevation changes and curves en route.



ACC InnoDrive essentially treats your whole planned route as a set drive corridor to be optimized in order to maximize all efficiencies. The basic sensation in full-automatic mode with the PDK transmission is that your path is as smoothly executed as possible. Via engine, transmission, and brakes, it always knows when to decouple from the engine and leave it to idle while cruising, thus sapping less power. It engages and disengages the clutch seamlessly, monitors acceptable lateral acceleration for your chosen driving style, and uses the throttle with far more subtle variations than humans are capable. We felt all of this going on during loops two and three, and, at the very least, it was fascinating. A chief additional objective here, besides efficiencies in general, is to finally be able to regularly meet all of the EPA numbers publicized on any car's Monroney sticker.

It all takes a lot of getting used to, but the gains in efficiency (and thus drops in emissions) in our case were at least 10 percent better versus the so-called manual mode, whether we were in Comfort or Dynamic modes. Engineering team leader Tobias Radke tells us, "Besides more widespread and available digital mapping and a more detailed GPS feed, cars that opt for ACC InnoDrive will need an additional camera/sensor up behind the rearview mirror to complement the main unit in the grille." In short, there's a lot of software activity going on with the added ECU at every instant along our drive.



How did it make us feel? The six-member project team overseen by Matthias Lederer and Martin Roth insist that Porsche sportiness will not be sacrificed in the search for better energy management. This effort started back in 2007 and will not be made available on any Porsche until at least 2014 (probably for the next Panamera), so there is time to perfect the technology and get the message out. It all sounds wonderful and functioned as planned, and it is optional equipment not standard, but we nonetheless had to ask that spiritual burning question: How far will Porsche go in taking the driving decisions out of our hands (and feet)?

If our third Dynamic/Dynamic+ loop is any indication, ACC InnoDrive presents potentially huge possibilities for the everyday Porsche driver. Keeping our feet off the pedals was heart-stopping at moments, but the system worked remarkably well – right down to a full stop in busy traffic – and after a while, we got more in sync with it all. Porsche has tested ACC InnoDrive on a 911 Carrera already, too, so how this would be suitably folded into the marque's sports cars is definitely being scrutinized heavily. Believe us: Porsche made it clear that it knows the delicate frontier it is exploring here.



Once ACC InnoDrive is fully refined, your feet will be able to stay off the pedals nearly completely whenever you so choose, particularly over your regular everyday routes in the system's memory. And the entire setup can be overridden at any time, of course, so it's not witless driving per se. It's just difficult for us to know exactly how to quantify it right away, as it might well become available on Porsche's entire line of vehicles. But we have three years until we start finding out.

As a side observation, ACC InnoDrive would surely be an excellent match for maximizing and perfectly calculating any route and the exact range possible for an electric vehicle, as it would put a quicker end to range anxiety fever.

And fear not; as engineer Roth said to us, "We will not touch the steering, trust us. That hands-on aspect is key to the Porsche experience."

Expect more debates over this.

Car tech : Pioneer unveils its AppRadio, integrates iOS into your automobile

Rumors regarding Pioneer's AppRadio hit the web last month, promising unparalleled iDevice integration for our automobiles. Pioneer has finally unleashed the double-DIN device, and it's everything we thought it would be -- namely a big car stereo that plays nice with iOS. There's an 800 x 400 6.1-inch multitouch capacitive display, Bluetooth connectivity, and it teams up with your iPhone or iPod touch (running iOS 4.2) via a 30-pin connector and Pioneer's AppRadio app. There's also an external mic and GPS antenna, full iPod music control and Google Maps integration, and specially formatted apps from Rdio and Pandora. Pioneer suggests a price "below $500" when it goes on sale June 22nd. We're going hands-on with the new stereo as we speak, so peruse the PR after the break and stay tuned for pics and impressions.

 

Pioneers AppRadio Provides a Revolutionary Way to Use Apps in the Car

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc., the leader in aftermarket car electronics technology, today unveiled its latest innovation, the game-changing AppRadio™. Drawing upon Pioneer's technology integration expertise and following its "Rethinking Connectivity" strategy, AppRadio is the first in-vehicle product designed to utilize the processing power, storage capacity, network connectivity and apps of the iPhone and iPod touch (4th generation) as the primary source for its information and entertainment capabilities. Pioneer's AppRadio also features the industry's first capacitive touchscreen that enables control of most functions using similar touch and motion gestures as many of today's most popular smartphones, but in a larger 6.1-inch screen designed specifically for safer in-vehicle operation. For safety and convenience, AppRadio features built-in Bluetooth1 for hands-free calling and an input for an optional vehicle mounted rear facing back-up camera.

"Pioneer is rethinking connectivity by tapping into the power of the smartphone, while simultaneously providing a solution that safely merges the consumer's connected lifestyle into the vehicle," said Ted Cardenas, director of marketing for the car electronics division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. "AppRadio fully embraces the iPhone, which has become the window to our mobile connectivity and provides a comprehensive and safer way to use apps in the car."

The power of AppRadio comes from the ability to simply and easily update its software, similar to many of today's most powerful mobile devices. The front of the unit features a clean and simple aesthetic with only three physical buttons; a home button, a volume up button and a volume down button combined with a high resolution WVGA (800 x 480) 6.1-inch capacitive touchscreen display. This capacitive touch panel requires less pressure, responds faster and can recognize multiple touch points simultaneously, advantages when compared to traditional resistive touchscreen displays. Touchscreen control is used for all functions including the app interface, iPod control/playback, AM/FM radio, and Bluetooth hands-free calling features.

Pioneer Centric Apps
When connected to an iPhone and iPod touch (4th generation) with the Pioneer AppRadio application and compatible third-party apps, the full potential of the AppRadio is unleashed, bringing an ever-expanding world of convenience and connectivity directly into the dash. The Pioneer AppRadio application, available free in the App Store, enables access to the data and connectivity of the iPhone 4, providing users the ability to access Google Maps and stay current with recommended compatible third-party apps.

Google Maps appears on the AppRadio screen with the same mapping information and features that consumers are familiar with. The system enables users to search2, route to locations, view route directions and create bookmarks with the ability to drop pins directly on the map.

Pioneer has initially partnered with several app providers to integrate AppRadio compatibility into a few of today's most popular apps, formatted specifically for safe use and access in the vehicle. AppRadio compatible apps are now available including INRIX, MotionX-GPS Drive, Rdio, and Pandora Radio.

With the vehicle parked and the parking brake fully engaged, additional apps featuring second screen video output can be viewed on the AppRadio screen.

Access to the Future
As the library of AppRadio compatible applications grows, users will be automatically notified via Pioneer's AppRadio iPhone application, with a link to the respective app(s) page within the App Store. Additionally, the AppRadio software itself is updatable offering the potential for future hardware, software and app compatibility changes.

Music and Communication
AppRadio continues Pioneer's strong audio heritage, with a built-in AM/FM tuner with RDS text information display (when available) and full iPod audio control/playback. Pioneer employs Apple's iPod Out feature enabling the AppRadio system to display the familiar iPod navigation menu, displaying album art, song title and artist. This promotes a safer driving experience, as all of AppRadio's controls have been designed specifically for in-vehicle operation. This newly developed interface technology supports iPhone 4 and iPod touch (4th generation) running iOS 4.2 or later. In addition, AppRadio enables direct access to the latest iPod functions, such as custom playlists and Genius Mixes, which let users automatically create playlists of music with similarities from their music library.

Safe, in-vehicle phone functionality is simple with built-in Bluetooth, enabling hands-free cellular phone operation using the car's speakers and the included external microphone to turn the car into a rolling speakerphone. Access to the user's phonebook is provided via Bluetooth phonebook transfer, with browsing and searching available by touchscreen controls.

The AppRadio includes a 30-pin connector, external GPS antenna, external microphone for hands-free calling and input/output connections to support the addition of an optional rear view camera, wired remote steering wheel control adapter and an external amplifier via one set of preamp outputs.

Pioneer's AppRadio will be available in late June with a suggested retail price below $500.

Tech : MVS California's Volumetric Head Up Display is a 3D laser show for your car's windshield (video)

Your windshield is good for more than just keeping bugs out of your mouth. It's also a big blank canvas waiting to display helpful info like directions, traffic notifications, and safety information. A number big name manufacturers like GM and Pioneer have offered up heads-up display concepts over the past few years, but what makes MVS California's Volumetric Head Up Display really neat is its impressive implementation of the volumetric aspect, using lasers to project images on the windshield in a such a way that gives the illusion of depth. So, if the system is being used to give driving direction via GPS -- its main application, at present -- it can make a turn arrow appear lined up with an exit half a mile down the road. The prototype showcased at this week's Augmented Reality Event 2011 projected in red only, though the company says it's capable of full color. How long do we have to wait for the future? MVS is hoping to get the thing into cars as a premium option in the next few years for around the same price of current high-end navigation systems. Surprisingly dull video of reality augmenting 3D lasers after the break. 

 

Rides - Tech : Microsoft partners with Vw for multimedia solutions

Microsoft said it had signed a patent licensing agreement with e.solutions, giving the Volkswagen group software supplier access to its new Extended File Allocation Table (exFAT) technology.

exFAT delivers a significant leap forward in the size of media files that can be stored on a broad range of consumer electronic devices and increases the speed with which they can be accessed. exFAT will give car owners additional and reliable resources for bringing multimedia content into their vehicles.
The agreement is the first of its kind that Microsoft has forged within the automotive sector. The company is developing technologies for a new multimedia platform that will reportedly provide a longer menu of infotainment options while reducing drivers’ distraction.
Using exFAT technology will help e.solutions follow future consumer electronics developments while delivering an outstanding multimedia experience.

“In-vehicle electronics breakthroughs have continued at an accelerated pace, opening the door for new opportunities,” said Uwe Reder, managing director at e.solutions. “exFAT gives us the opportunity to functionally integrate and innovate, providing our customers with a full-featured driving experience.”

Rides : With Apple recently updating its iPad to version 2.0, German tuning specialist Brabus has taken the opportunity to update its iBusiness to version 2.0.

The tablet computer, integrated into the rear compartment of the Mercedes S-Class, controls on-board entertainment and the high-speed Internet connection via UMTS and HDSPA. Moreover, you can also control all functions of the S-Class COMMAND system from the rear seats including radio, navigation and phone, right from the comfort of your rear seat like any self-respecting and indulgent tycoon would love to do.

A special BRABUS App for iPad, iPad 2 and iPhone is also part of the state-of-the-art communication concept of the luxury sedan.
The BRABUS all-leather interior creates an exclusive ambiance. It is crafted with utmost precision in the company upholstery shop. The two-tone combination is made from high quality BRABUS leather, which is not only very soft and breathable but also extremely durable. Two individual power seats in the rear provide maximum seating comfort.

According to the company, “iBusiness 2.0” multimedia system with Apple iPad 2 can be installed in any current S-Class model from the S 350 to the S 65. The twelve-cylinder models S 600 and S 65 can be upgraded by the BRABUS 800 V12 Biturbo engine and thus become BRABUS 800 “iBusiness 2.0″ models, the world’s fastest office on wheels.

Car Tech : Car Connectivity Consortium forms to bring more smartphones to more interiors

Though Terminal Mode has always been an open standard we've never really seen any tech companies outside of Espoo show much interest in the stuff, which lets a car mirror a phone's display. When Nokia sort of shifted gears and signed on with Microsoft that left us wondering what would be next for the company's infotainment efforts. Good things, as it turns out. The Car Connectivity Consortium has been founded to drive "global innovation for in-vehicle connectivity," and both Terminal Mode and Nokia will play a big part -- though a bigger part will be played by Daimler, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, and VW. They're joined by electronics companies Alpine, LG, Panasonic, and Samsung, making us think that maybe Terminal Mode's time has properly come. Also on the docket for the CCC is study of NFC, which will hopefully standardize the sort of awesome key interactivity BMW recently showed off.

Show full PR text

New Car Connectivity Consortium aims to put in-vehicle infotainment into high gear

Published March 16, 2011

Cross industry initiative: Leading automotive mobile communications and consumer electronics companies join a new consortium for in-vehicle connectivity solutions in standards such as Terminal Mode, NFC and more.

Espoo, Finland - The Car Connectivity Consortium was launched today by eleven companies across several industries, driving global innovation for in-vehicle connectivity, including the "Terminal Mode" standard.

Founding members include vehicle manufacturers Daimler, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Toyota, and Volkswagen; system suppliers Alpine and Panasonic; and consumer electronics makers LG Electronics, Nokia and Samsung.

With the Terminal Mode standard, the connection of high-performing mobile devices to vehicle-based systems opens up a host of new opportunities for business and a world of innovative applications for consumers. Mobile devices could be tightly connected with in-car systems such as digital displays, steering wheel buttons, rotary knobs and car audio systems. Consumers could use a mobile device via the car controls, as if the device and its apps were integrated into the car itself Terminal Mode is built upon a set of established standards such as Internet Protocol, Universal Serial Bus and Bluetooth.

The Car Connectivity Consortium will focus on further developing the Terminal Mode standard, address certification and branding, and start looking at new promising opportunities for the automotive environment, including NFC and wireless charging. The Car Connectivity Consortium is an open alliance focusing on cross industry contribution. It is anticipated that further leading industry players will join over the coming weeks.

The Car Connectivity Consortium will release its first specification version within the next few months. Several consortium members are expected to present their first commercial products supporting the new standard later this year.

Quotes

"Integrating smartphones in vehicles gives drivers a seamless connected lifestyle experience," said Thilo Koslowski, Vice President Automotive at Gartner. "The automotive industry will benefit from automotive-grade integration solutions that provide robust plug-and-play device connectivity across various brands, hardware and software, while offering safe and differentiated user experiences."

"Vehicles are evolving to be a 'living space,' with cutting-edge technology applied. But the life-cycle of built-in car AV system is difficult to match with such fast moving trends and developments in CE/IT products. As we all recognize, the latest mobile devices are equipped with fast internet access, smart features, and more content. And as 'Car Connectivity' technology has now emerged, we clearly see the customers' demands to use the features in Vehicles. LGE expects that the Car Connectivity Consortium can lead future Automotive and IT convergence technology," Said SeungHoon Lee, Vice President, Convergence Lab. at LG Electronics CTO Division.

"Nokia, together with NAVTEQ, understands that people want to use their smartphones everywhere including in their cars," said Floris van de Klashorst, Director and Head of Nokia Automotive at Nokia. "The Car Connectivity Consortium now has the power to turn Terminal Mode into the global standard for the integration of smartphones into vehicles, bringing together the exciting and innovating worlds of mobile ecosystems and applications and with the automotive industry. The industry support we received through the members has been excellent and makes Terminal Mode a truly global effort."

"Due to the wide consumer acceptance of smartphone and apps, Samsung expects that the smartphone will be the dominant hub for in-vehicle infotainment and connectivity. We believe that the smartphone, when connected with an in-car device, will play an important role in providing users with multimedia experience in the vehicle, and that Terminal Mode will be one of the key enabling technologies," said Dokyun Kim, Director, Product Strategy Team at Samsung Mobile Division.

About the Car Connectivity Consortium:

The Car Connectivity Consortium was founded under U.S. law as a limited liability corporation. Founding members are vehicle manufactures Daimler, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai Motor Company, Toyota, Volkswagen; system suppliers Alpine and Panasonic; and consumer electronics makers LG Electronics, Nokia and Samsung. The Car Connectivity Consortium is open for any industry member to join as a charter member, a core member or on one of two lower levels. For further information, please visit: http://www.terminalmode.org/en/agenda/consortium/

About Nokia

Nokia is committed to connecting people to what matters to them by combining advanced mobile technology with personalized services. More than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a Nokia, from our most affordable voice-optimized mobile phones to advanced Internet-connected smartphones sold in virtually every market in the world. Through Ovi (www.ovi.com), people also enjoy access to maps and navigation on mobile, a rapidly expanding applications store, a growing catalog of digital music, free email and more. Nokia's NAVTEQ is a leader in comprehensive digital mapping and navigation services, and Nokia Siemens Networks is one of the leading providers of telecommunications infrastructure hardware, software and professional services globally.

Tech : iPad 2 in Car, Ford F150, First ever, @SoundManCA Facetime in your dash

SoundMan Car Audio's done it again, and this time on day one -- they've stuffed an iPad 2 into the dashboard of an unsuspecting vehicle, in this case a 2010 Ford F-150 pickup. While that doesn't sound like the most exciting hack in the world, we have to give credit where it's due -- Doug and company now have a truck that can make FaceTime video calls, browse to world-class technology websites (we're blushing) and play Pandora too. 

tech : Transportation secretary Ray LaHood: no restrictions (yet) on in-car information

Worried that the fancy-schmancy SYNC system you just ordered up in your Mustang will soon be outlawed? Fret not, speed demon. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will reportedly not push for restrictions on handsfree phones or in-car technology until "the government conducts further research." There are generally two prevailing trains of thought: one feels that any type of calling -- be it handsfree or otherwise -- is a terrible distraction to the driver, while the other feels that properly integrated technology is safe enough for use on the road. As the story goes, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is currently investigating whether systems like SYNC post a "cognitive distraction," while some automakers suggest that motorists are going to goof off with their phone anyway -- might as well make it as safe as possible for 'em. Of course, things could change in short order once this so-called "research" gets finalized, but for now, feel free to request that your OnStar system read on to the next post. 

Car Tech : VIC Ltd NaviSurfer II UBU-3G in-car PC gets built-in GPS

It's been a while since we've heard anything about the NaviSurfer II, but for those patiently awaiting the update of this commuter computer, VIC Ltd. has just given the thing a pretty hefty overhaul. The new NaviSurfer II UBU-3G runs on an auto-specific Ubuntu 10.10 and sports a 7-inch touchscreen, 250GB hard drive, 2GB DDR2 RAM, 3G HSDPA modem, and three USB 2.0 ports. Possibly the most useful upgrade of all, however, is the inclusion of a built-in GPS receiver, rocking a Navit navigation system. Unfortunately for those lacking in the dashboard department, this sucker's Double DIN, or about twice the size of the standard car radio, but if you've got room for the thing, the NaviSurfer runs €300 (about $400).

Update: The VIC Ltd website is currently down -- looks like someone might be throwing a little too much traffic their way.