Would You Want Your Vehicle's Computer To Run On Android, Apple, Or Even Microsoft Technology?

There’s not much in common between a car and a smartphone at first glance. You sit in one, you put the other in your pocket.

Yet more carmakers are starting to see important similarities between the two, and they’re putting more money into developing the wireless capabilities of these machines that are essentially becoming “mobile devices” that move at speed.

At CES 2013 next week, more than 100 technology companies will present services related to “smart cars.” And at least half a dozen carmakers like  Ford , General Motors and  Hyundai , will exhibit at the show, the world’s largest devoted to technology and gadgetry that’s held every year in Las Vegas.

Among the trends they are embracing: self-driving technology, parking guidance and better entertainment and information systems.

Apps like Waze might feature decent GPS navigation services on your smartphone, but carmakers want to integrate their own software services to get an edge on competitors when you’re peeking through the windows of new cars on the lot.

 

joecamel - 1/4/2013 12:21:18 PM

0 Boost

Pretty soon there will be laws that force you to pull off the road in order to adjust your climate control or stereo because of the dozen menus you have to tap through. People in self-driving cars will be immune to these laws, but they might as well be on the bus anyway.

Agent009 - 1/4/2013 12:37:51 PM

0 Boost

not sure if self driving cars are the solution to that. there are already laws on the books against making your self driving car the designated driver.

You can get a DUI and never touch the wheel.

Yonder7 - 1/4/2013 12:45:46 PM

+3 Boost

Microsoft ?...Niet...I hate blue screens of death...

commander104 - 1/4/2013 2:20:55 PM

+3 Boost

only after they test it in airplanes first :P

pepito66 - 1/4/2013 4:47:43 PM

+2 Boost

I would like mine to use Apple system of course.

t_bone - 1/4/2013 8:23:22 PM

+2 Boost

Apple...best reliability and ease of use.

Steve - 1/4/2013 10:40:34 PM

+2 Boost

There are "best of breed" products. In terms of user interface (UI) and functionality, I'd love to see Garmin teaming with auto makers to create built-in navigation systems instead of the monstrosities that are offered now, even in premium cars.

Apple excels at UIs, so I'd like to see that type of usability in car entertainment and other screen-based systems. Today we have BMW's iDrive (mega yuck, thanks to Microsoft), and Audi's MMI (better, but still crummy) as "showcases." It's a sad state of affairs.

Of course, a great UI isn't so great if it's not reliable. That has to be a given, without aircraft component pricing!

EnvyofyouRS5 - 1/5/2013 1:03:10 AM

+1 Boost

i believe that tesla has the right initiative. I mean displaying a cars specs are the most important thing, HP, Torque, Lap times, everything that requires wheel to engine data recovery, I mean what else are big screens for, TEXT, FUCK THAT. haha