Alpine have announced plans to partner with Nokia to integrate Ovi Maps in to their in-car head units. The new “connected technology” is being called Terminal Mode and will bring navigation that uses NAVTEQ maps in to cars.
As well as bringing free satellite navigation in to vehicles the new systems also make use of widget-based services that also bring entertainment such as movies and MP3 audio to cars. Other features include weather reports as well as being able to use the phone within as an actual phone to make and receive calls.
The possibilities don’t end there either as the device will have a GPS for tracking purposes along with data connectivity the system will be able to keep track of fuel stations near by allowing you to quickly find the cheapest place to fill up. Also by interfacing the car with the computer the fuel levels and engine status can also be tracked allowing you to have all details of your car in the one location. Other features could see you receiving vouchers for discounts on local stores as you pass by them. [Read more…]
Google Street View has caused a bit of a stir from time to time as some users feel it’s a little intrusive having a camera capture pictures of your home. Generally though it seems like most people actually think it’s a cool service to use.
The Unifeye Mobile Augmented Reality SDK has been launched that allows iPhone and Android developers to more easily create augmented reality applications on smartphones.
TomTom uses a system called IQ Routes that uses real time and historical data to calculate the optimal route to your destination. By recording speeds of traffic at all times of the day the system knows which roads are slow and which route will get you to your destination the quickest. Two years worth of data has been collected with average speeds being calculated on free flowing highways in the US and the data reveals that people in the US don’t speed in general.
The Parking Pilot is a device that assists people to park their cars more easily. It uses the traditional ultrasonic sensors that you see on the back of a number of cars, but inside it uses a few more graphics to help you judge the distances more easily.
Audi are about to introduce a Google Earth based sat nav system in to their A8 Saloon cars. This will be the first time Google Earth has been installed in to a production car officially.
Augmented Reality is a way of overlaying information on a computer screen on top of real time images. A company in Amsterdam have just released the latest version of Layar called Layar 3.0 that ads more data on to real-world images giving a unique experience when using the software.
The thumb-sized Lamborghini is the perfect gift idea for a guy who works in an office. The RC Lamborghini measures just 2.75″ in length allowing it to be driven around an office desk.
Augmented Reality has a number of uses related to vehicles such as 
The common slot cars are controlled by a single button that can variablly control the speed of the car dependend on how hard you press it. The aim is to get around the track repeatidly as fast as you can without being thrown off on a corner.
