GM To Intro V2V “Talking Cars” in 2 Years

AMY GILROY SEPTEMBER 8, 2014 0

General Motors will introduce in 2016 what may be the first car that can talk to other cars to prevent accidents, it announced Sunday.

In addition GM will start rolling out semi-self-driving technology to cars as an option, also in 2016.

The first car to receive vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) car to car communication will be the 2017 model year Cadillac CTS sedan (to be sold in 2016).  It can only communicate with other cars that have the same technology, however, so its use will be limited initially.  GM said the Fed also has to finalize requirements for this V2V technology before it can be deployed. Also, the new technology will allow cars to communicate with road infrastructure or V2I technology to help reduce traffic.

Also in 2016, GM will start rolling out handsfree driving (or semi-autonomous driving) that uses lane following and speed control. GM calls this “Super Cruise” technology.

GM CEO Mary Barra, told attendees of the Intelligent Transportation Society’s World Congress Sunday that this type of technology is now “imperative,” to prevent accidents and the environment.

Traffic jams cause urban Americans to travel 5.5 billion more hours and purchase an extra 2.9 billion gallons of fuel each year, according to the Texas Transportation Research Institute.

Barra also announced that GM will help create 120 miles of V2I enabled roads in metro Detroit, which when complete, will be the largest use of V2I tech in the US.  It is joining forces with other automakers and the Michigan DOT and University of Michigan on the project.

“The sooner the industry puts a critical mass of V2V-equipped vehicles on the road, the more accidents we’ll prevent… and the more society – and individual drivers – will benefit. The same holds true for V2I,” she said.

Car Tablet-In-A-Box

Car Tablet-In-A-Box Ships for GM

AMY GILROY AUGUST 29, 2014 0

Intraphex’s tablet-in-a-box that you add to a car radio is now it’s finally shipping.

After two years of previews, Intraphex, now part of AAMP of America, is shipping the Prodigy Pro for GM cars that turns GM 7-inch MyLink radios into Android tablets with touch screen control.

The device is a black box with a 1.2GHz Cortex A9 processor running Android 4.3 with WiFi capability; so if you use your smartphone as a hotspot, you get an Internet connection.  Users can download apps directly to the radio from GooglePlay and get any feature offered by Android. And as OnStar is rolling out 4G to its cars, soon Prodigy Pro will offer Internet without a smartphone or personal hotspot.

“GM doesn’t support Spotify but there’s a ton of Spotify users in the market. With this you can download the Spotify app and play it in the car,” said Senior Product Manager for Intraphex, Don Zaney.    He added, “You can turn your radio into one of the most advanced on the market.”

While you can get YouTube and Netflix on the unit, it has a safety feature, so that at about 3 mph, only safe apps are permitted such as navigation, music, weather and news.  Called the PPN-GM11 Prodigy Pro, it also has a digital video recorder (DVR) function and, it also connects to the car’s OBD2 port over Bluetooth so it has access to the car’s on board computer and engine data.  It is shipping now at $1,299.95.

Also, Intraphex says it also now the only company offering an aftermarket add-on navigation/backup camera interface for GM MyLink factory radios with 4.2 inch screens.  The P1N-GM13, now shipping, has an overlay to convert the factory screen to touch controls. The plug and play interface works with separate backup cameras.  It uses iGO Primo navigation and Nuance voice recognition with features including Google search and 3D building imagery and terrain.

Smartphone Mirroring on the Factory Radio

CRUX Interfacing Solutions has begun shipping two new WiFi audio/video integration kits that allow smartphone mirroring on the factory radio.

The kits work with Ford/Lincoln vehicles with MyFord Touch radios and with General Motors LAN 29-Bit vehicles from 2007 to 2013.

The CRUX kits WVIFD-02 and WVIGM-04 allow video streaming from a smartphone onto the car radio screen while the car is in motion for both Android and Apple iOS devices.  Users may deactivate the video-in-motion feature through their radio control buttons.  The kits  also permit audio streaming.

'iPhone 6' rumors

Apple has reportedly asked partner suppliers in Asia to ramp up mass production of expected 4.7- and 5.5-inch "iPhone 6" models, with combined orders for both versions amounting to between 70 million and 80 million units.

"iPhone 6" and "iPhone 6c" concepts by Martin Hajek.

What to expect:
'iPhone 6' rumors

• Larger screen, thinner design
• Two new sizes: 4.7" & 5.5"
• Faster next-gen 'A8' CPU
• Fall 2014 launch

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Citing sources familiar with the matter, The Wall Street Journal reports Apple is asking suppliers to produce between 70 million and 80 million 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6 models by the end of December, the biggest initial handset order in company history. 

As noted by the publication, the supposed order is much larger than the initial production run for combined iPhone 5s and 5c models, which came out to between 50 million and 60 million units in 2013. 

In addition to the expectedly large launch offering, or offerings, Apple is reportedly asking suppliers to ready components for up to 120 million iPhones by the end of 2014 to compensate for possible display failures. With larger 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch screens, display makers are said to be seeing yield issues due to the inclusion of advanced in-cell touch technology. The overall figure is huge compared to last year, which saw Apple prepare parts for 90 million iPhones for its supply chain, sources said. 

It appears Apple may already be experiencing manufacturing delays, however, as the people said Foxconn and Pegatron are expected to start production of the 4.7-inch version in August. Foxconn is supposedly responsible for all 5.5-inch iPhone 6 orders and will begin manufacturing the "phablet" in September, suggesting the handset will not see release until October at the soonest. 

The report contrasts a recent rumor that pegged iPhone 6 production to begin this week for the smaller version, while the larger next-gen model would hit the assembly line in August.

Remote Start From a Watch Coming Soon

AMY GILROY JULY 16, 2014 0

The ability to remote start cars from a smartwatch will be available by the end of the year from General Motors. And Hyundai is planning to let you remote start a car from Google Glass.

Aftermarket suppliers say they are watching the trend.

Tom Malone of VOXX (Audiovox) said once a smartwatch develops a large market share, it would consider providing an app for it.   “It would have to be something of the scale where a company made a watch that sold in the millions and we’d look at apps that would talk to our remote starters.” VOXX has no plans, however, to offer a smartwatch under its own brand for the purpose of remote starting a car.

But that million-unit selling watch could happen soon with Apple expected to launch an “iWatch” this fall. Also, we’re starting to see smartwatches using Android Wear hitting the market.

GM’s planned app will work with the Samsung Galaxy Gear 2 that launched in April.  The app is is essentially a scaled down version of its current remote-start-from-a-phone RemoteLink app, already in use for Android, iOS and other smartphones. It will also lock and unlock doors from the watch and flash your lights to find your parked car.

Hyundai demonstrated remote start from Google Glass back in January, in its 2015 Genesis.  The Genesis is now in showrooms but the app for Glass is not yet live.

A spokesman said, “Our announcement showed our initial exploration into wearable technologies.  We have not yet made a Blue Link app available to all Google Glass explorers.  Hyundai is continuing to study the quickly evolving wearable tech space and working on solutions that will support these new devices within our Blue Link ecosystem.”

Other companies who have shown wearables working with cars include Volvo, Nissan, Mercedes, BMW, Harman and INRIX.

Garmin also offers a navigation app for the Sony’s SmartWatch 2.

Custom In-Car Wireless Phone Chargers

First Custom In-Car Wireless Phone Chargers

AMY GILROY JULY 8, 2014 0

Brandmotion is shipping the first aftermarket line of in-car wireless phone chargers that are customized for many vehicles.

It is offering a small wireless charging panel that connects to the car’s electrical system (so no wires are seen).  Users just place a phone on the pad while driving, and the phone charges.

Brandmotion is using the popular Qi wireless standard for its device.

The catch is that both the phone and charging pad must be Qi-capable, so Brandmotion offers adapter sleeves to slide over an iPhone 4 or iPhone 5.

The Toyota Camry will soon  join the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, 2014 Toyota Avalon and a handful of other vehicles as the only new cars with built-in wireless charging.  Brandmotion says it will cover just about every other vehicle with a custom charging kit under its FreedomCharge line.  The first four of these kits are now shipping.

“We anticipate the car makers will be the catalyst for a major marketing push outlining the benefits of wireless charging in the car,” said Jeff Varick, Brandmotion President.  “Our message on top of that is simple – you can get the same benefit they are offering in new cars, in a kit that’s made specifically for your car – today. And for a whole lot less than buying a new car.”

Charging kits for the 2013-2014 Ford Fusion;  2011-2014 Toyota Camry;  and 2009-2014 Ram trucks with bucket seats are now available. A universal kits is also now shipping: the installer may cut the pad to fit any console tray up to 10.5 by 7.5 inches and then hard wire it to the car.

Kits for other car models should become available each month.

'iPhone 6' to launch on Sept. 25, larger 5.5" version dubbed 'iPhone Air'

Rumor: Apple's 'iPhone 6' to launch on Sept. 25, larger 5.5" version dubbed 'iPhone Air'

By AppleInsider Staff

Another questionable rumor out of China on Thursday claims Apple will announce its next-gen iPhone on Sept. 15 ahead of a Sept. 25 launch date, while mention is made of a 16GB 5.5-inch version that will supposedly be called "iPhone Air."

"iPhone 6" and "iPhone 6c" concepts by Martin Hajek.

What to expect:
'iPhone 6' rumors

• Larger screen, thinner design
• Two new sizes: 4.7" & 5.5"
• Faster next-gen 'A8' CPU
• Fall 2014 launch

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➤ Learn more

According to Chinese language website China.com, industry sources are telling various media outlets in the region that Apple is planning to start sales of its next iPhone on Sept. 25, with China expected to be in the first group of countries to get the device.

The report, spotted by GforGames is highly suspect, as Apple historically starts sales of new iPhone models on Fridays, and Sept. 25 is a Thursday. Last year, Apple performed a simultaneous launch with the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c on Friday, Sept. 20.

Perhaps more believable, though by no means verifiable, is a rumor from May saying that Apple plans to launch the device or devices on Sept. 19, a date echoed in a follow-up report last week.

Insiders also said a 5.5-inch "phablet" version of the next-gen "iPhone 6" will be called "iPhone Air," though such a move would likely confuse the "Air" naming convention. As it stands, the MacBook Air represents the Apple's smallest and lightest laptops, while the "Air" moniker is assigned to the company's largest iPad.

As for pricing, Thursday's report is exactly in line with prior claims that the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will cost 5,288 yuan (about $850) when it hits store shelves. While last week's rumor failed to mention a 16GB variant of an anticipated 5.5-inch iPhone, today's report cites insiders as saying the device does exist and expects it to run 5,998 yuan (about $965).

Finally, sources claim Apple's partner carriers in the region, China Mobile and China Unicom, are already testing prototype iPhone 6 units on their respective 4G networks.

When the next-gen iPhone lineup does launch sometime this fall, many expect the handset to feature a complete redesign relocated sleep/wake button, slimmed-down profile and advanced innards like an "A8" processor. Some analysts believe Apple plans to differentiate the purported 5.5-inch version from its smaller siblings by adding on features like optical image stabilization and higher storage capacities.

Completely redesigned iPhone 6 housing revealed in huge leak

MOBILE

Image Source: Nowhereelse.fr

By Chris Smith on Jun 9, 2014 at 9:30 AM

Email @chris_writes

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A new set of high-resolution images have hit the web in China, showing what is believed to be an authentic metal housing from Apple’s upcoming iPhone 6. The case has been photographed from all possible angles, likely providing further confirmation of Apple’s huge new design revamp for the handset.

This purported iPhone 6 component suggests the next-gen iPhone will be significantly thinner than its predecessors, and feature more curved lines, including curved corners and edges. Furthermore, the metal frame has slimmer volume rockers, similar to what’s already available on iPod touch and iPad models, and a relocated power button, which is now placed on the right side of the handset above the SIM tray, rather than on the top side.

Antenna bands, rear camera, flash and Apple logo cutouts are also present on the metal case, which are all consistent with what dummy units and similar leaks have recently revealed.

The Chinese publication that posted the images wondered whether the cutout Apple logo has anything to do with possible NFC- or wireless charging features the iPhone 6 may have to offer. Coincidentally or not, a recent report suggested that the iPhone 6 will indeed support NFC connectivity as well as wireless charging, although obviously nothing is confirmed that this point.

For what its worth though, both the iPad Air and Retina iPad mini have similar cutouts in their respective rear metal covers, without offering NFC or wireless charging support.

Some images showing the rumored iPhone 6 rear case follow below, with more available by following the link in our source section.

View the full Completely redesigned iPhone 6 housing revealed in huge leak gallery

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Google Unveils Car of the Future

AMY GILROY MAY 28, 2014 0

Google is now building high tech cars.

In the past, the technology giant stuffed electronics in an existing car model to create an autonomous car, but now, Google is entering the car making business, at least in prototypes, by building a fleet of up to 200 self-driving car prototypes.

Gone is the steering wheel, accelerator and brake pedal, now unnecessary technology. Instead you just push a button to get to where you want to go.

“We took a look from the ground up as to what it would be like if we had self-driving cars in the world,” announced Google co-founder Sergey Brin Monday. “We’ve worked with partners in the Detroit area, Germany and California,” he said.

The cars will be very basic initially with two seats and some storage space and a maximum speed capability of 25 mph.  The windshield is plastic. They have a stop/start button and a screen to display your travel route.  The car lets you ask for a destination address and then it will drive you to it, said Brin, according to Bloomberg News.

Google said it is not aiming to get rid of traditional cars but that “some features we’ve developed may be useful for those cars,” said Brin, according to Yahoo News.

“I expect people will use a mix – some will want their own car to drive, and sometimes they’ll choose to use a self-driving car,” he said.

Until now Google has been using modified Prius, Lexus and other cars for its autonomous prototypes.

By 2050 almost all cars will be self-driving predicts IHS Automotive.  And nearly 12 million autonomous cars will be on the road by 2035.  IHS expects that autonomous cars will cost an additional $7-$10,000 over standard cars by the year 2025, said Bloomberg.

Aftermarket Vehicle-Specific Blind Spot Detectors on Way

AMY GILROY MAY 20, 2014 0

Morlin Group, which began offering an aftermarket blindspot detector a couple of months ago, is planning car specific models as early as the third quarter this year.

The company hopes to offer camera-based blind spot detectors that can tie in with the navigation or information system on certain vehicles.  In addition, it is looking at offering a camera-based blind spot detector that would work with a more universal aftermarket rear view mirror.

Morlin, based in Perkasie, PA,  entered the aftermarket blind spot detector market under its iCar-Link brand about two months ago with two-sensor units—the BS-100 and step up BS-200. Both models use OEM grade sensors, but the step up model uses a slightly better sensor.  Suggested retail prices are about $249 and $279, respectively. The systems’ two sensors install on either side of the rear bumper and the driver gets a warning from an LED and/buzzer.  The warnings may be set to activate only when a turn signal is on (preferably) or they may be set to alert any time there is an object in the blind spot.

Morlin is sourcing its product from a “design and supply team in China,” said President Bob Morgan.

Huge leak may show us exactly what the iPhone 6 looks like

MOBILE

Image Source: Martin Hajek

By Chris Smith on Apr 30, 2014 at 9:54 AM

Email @chris_writes

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After numerous reports claimed the iPhone 6 will have a completely new design featuring curved edges and an extremely thin profile, Nowhereelse has foundimages showing a mockup iPhone 6 model that seems to match the recent leaks – the dummy iPhone has reportedly been photographed in China, although it’s not clear who made it and for what purpose. The publication says the images have been posted on a Chinese forum well known for Apple leaks.

This purported iPhone 6 dummy model features the same design lines mentioned in many reports including round corners and edges, a protruding rear camera, a thin profile, and redesigned volume buttons that look more like the iPhone’s 5c buttons than the traditional volume rockers found the iPhone 5s and older iPhone models.

The power button doesn’t appear to be placed on top of the handset, in traditional iPhone fashion, but an image showing the phone’s right hand side edge – where the button is believed to have been relocated – isn’t available.

However, the size of this iPhone mockup was not mentioned. The phone is expected to pack a 4.7-inch display, and be just 6.1mm thick. Photos showing a purported iPhone 6 manufacturing mold indicated the phone could be 138mm long and 64mm wide. The current iPhone 5s measures 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6mm.

An iPhone 6 case has already been obtained by an insider, with a YouTube channelusing it to compare the iPhone 6’s size to the iPhone 5s and current iPod touch model, but also to many Android flagship devices. Leaked schematics showing alleged iPhone 6 components also featured the same design elements featured in this iPhone 6 dummy unit.

The leaked images showing this iPhone 6 mockup follow below.

View the full Huge leak may show us exactly what the iPhone 6 looks like gallery

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The 2 Most Used Apps While Driving

AMY GILROY APRIL 23, 2014 0

The two most often used apps while driving are Google Search and Google Navigation, according to a recent Strategy Analytics survey.

Facebook is also frequently used while driving, as is Pandora.

And drivers prefer to use these apps through their dashboard rather than directly through their smartphone. “Consumers tell us they want to access these apps through the in-vehicle controls to minimize driver distraction, but current connected car implementations leave much to be desired,” said Chris Schreiner of Strategy Analytics.

The study also found that 48 percent of smartphone owners in the US report using apps while driving. This is in comparison to 37 percent in Europe and a whopping 78 percent in China.

For more information see the report: “The Connected Car: Consumer Interest and Current User Experience.”

Pioneer Announces CarPlay For Summer

AMY GILROY APRIL 15, 2014 0

Starting early summer, five of Pioneer’s new NEX car radios will work with Apple’s CarPlay, which would make Pioneer the first aftermarket company to come to market with Apple’s new easy software for the car.

Pioneer will offer a firmware update to render the NEX radios compatible with CarPlay, it announced this morning.

CarPlay gives drivers  the familiar screen views of the iPhone on the car radio screen and lets the radio control their phone.   There’s a simple screen for iTunes Radio, for maps, music and phone, and users get voice control through Siri so that texts may be read aloud and you can send responses.  You can scroll through all the functions here or see it in action in a Ferrari here.

A report Monday said Alpine will offer aftermarket radios with CarPlay this fall.  About 5 car makers will offer CarPlay in new cars this year including Mercedes-Benz, Ferrari, Volvo, Honda and Hyundai.

“Pioneer’s years of expertise integrating smartphone connectivity into the automotive environment has provided us the opportunity to be among the first to offer CarPlay to drivers,” said Ted Cardenas, VP of marketing for the Car Electronics Division of Pioneer.  “By providing an aftermarket option, Pioneer’s 2014 in-dash multimedia systems give many iPhone owners the ability to add CarPlay to their current vehicles.”

For more information regarding CarPlay compatible product, visit www.pioneer-carglobal.com/CarPlay.

Pioneer’s NEX radios include the AVIC-8000NEX ($1400 SRP), AVIC-7000NEX ($1200 SRP), AVIC-6000NEX ($900 SRP), AVIC-5000NEX ($750 SRP) and AVH-4000NEX ($700 SRP) are currently available at authorized Pioneer Car Electronics dealers nationwide

Alpine to Sell First Aftermarket Car Play Radio

AMY GILROY APRIL 14, 2014 0

Alpine Electronics will start selling the first aftermarket car radio using Apple’s CarPlay system starting this fall, according to Japanese news outlet Nikkei.

The car radio will connect by cable to an iPhone 5 or later smartphone and allow drivers to view maps on the radio screen, and use voice commands to hear their messages, as well as make calls and play music, said the report.

The Alpine radio is expected to use a 7-inch screen and it may sell in the U.S. and Europe at about $500 to $700.

CarPlay is Apple’s new software for car radios that acts like MirrorLink for iPhone, giving you the familiar screen views of the iPhone on the car radio screen and letting the radio control your phone.   There’s a simple, elegant screen for iTunes Radio, for maps, music and phone, and users get voice control through Siri so that texts may be read aloud and you can send responses.  You can scroll through all the functions here or see it in action in a Ferrari here.

While car makers announced in March they would begin offering radios with CarPlay, no suppliers have yet announced an aftermarket car radio with CarPlay.

Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Ferrari, and Honda all showed CarPlay prototypes recently and are expected to offer CarPlay in new cars this year. Hyundai is also expected to offer CarPlay this year and about 13 additional car makers will offer it in the future, according to Apple.

Alpine could not immediately be reached for comment.

Backup Cameras Now Mandatory

Breaking News: Backup Cameras Now Mandatory

AMY GILROY MARCH 31, 2014 0

A ruling Monday by the government makes inclusion of backup cameras in new vehicles mandatory by the year 2018.

After years of delays, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) finally issued a ruling saying that a rear view system must show the driver a view of the area 10 feet by 20 feet directly behind the car.  These rear view systems must be included in cars by May 1, 2018.

About 73 percent of cars are already on track to include backup cameras by 2018, but by making the systems mandatory on all cars and light trucks, an estimated 13 to 15 deaths and 1,300 injuries a year may be prevented.

The backup camera systems must also meet other requirements for image size, linger time, response time, durability, and deactivation.

“Rear visibility requirements will save lives, and will save many families from the heartache suffered after these tragic incidents occur,” said NHTSA Acting Administrator David Friedman.

The ruling by the fed came the day before a lawsuit was to be heard in court against the government for delaying a law passed in 2008 to make backup cameras mandatory.  The suit was filed in September.

The original law, called the  Cameron Gulbransen Kids Transportation Safety Act, directed the DOT to issue within three years a safety standard requiring improved rear visibility in new consumer vehicles. But the government on four separate occasions from 2011 to 2013 delayed the ruling.

Car Maker Delivers 4G This Month

AMY GILROY MARCH 10, 2014 1

Audi will be the first to deliver a car with a built-in 4G LTE in a car radio when it ships this month an all-new 2015 A3 sedan with a 4G data connection from AT&T, it said.

Data charges will be offered in two plans:  $99 for 6 month plan limited to 5 Gigabytes of data and $499 for a 30-month plan with a 30GB data cap.

The new A3 will also give the driver a free 6 month trial of the high speed service.

Audi plans to offer 4G LTE in all its vehicles as new or updated models come to market.

With the service, drivers may get Facebook and Twitter alerts and hear news headlines read aloud.  They get access to more than 7,000 Internet radio stations, “picture navigation” and personal RSS feeds.

General Motors is expected to offer factory radios with built-in 4G starting this summer on 8 Chevy models, also using at AT&T data plan.

As announced at CES in January, 4G will be offered on models including the Spark, Silverado, Equinox, Corvette Stingray, Volt, and Orlando.  GM announced last year it plans to roll out 4G to many car models.