Archive for the ‘Entertainment’ category

My Mobile Daydream

October 10th, 2009

I am sitting in my office with 3 computers and a netbook, a gps plugged in to make sure it is up to date, an mp3 player syncing my latest songs and podcasts for the next drive, and six thumbdrives to carry files around.  My cellphone is in my pocket, waiting to beep at me for the next text message.  I am armed to the teeth with gadgets, getting them ready for when I need them.  Sometimes I feel like Batman with all this junk.  It is definitely time for some simplification and elegance.

I often daydream about outfitting my car with it’s own computer, complete with the ability to sync audio with a home server over wifi.  This would get rid of several devices that I carry with me on any given day.  “Why not hook up the netbook or cellphone to the car stereo?”, one might ask.  It’s real simple: POWER.  I want the audio in my car to sound like I am in a symphony, just like it does when I take the time to burn a cd.  I want to have a nice soundcard pushing the audio to an amplifier.  I want it fixed in my vehicle and not as an accessory.

I have found several articles about this topic from a few years ago, but I think the state of the economy has hindered projects such as these.  For reference, I will leave you with a couple that I found interesting and keep everyone posted if I decide to proceed on the endeavour.

Computerize your car – CNET 2005
Put A PC In Your Car – InformationWeek 2006

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Posted in Communication, Entertainment, Navigation, Safety

What Exactly is SYNC?

September 9th, 2009

It has been almost 3 years since Ford and Microsoft announced the release of the in-car entertainment system known as SYNC in Ford Lincoln and Mercury vehicles.  This system incorporates as many features as a swiss-army knife, and perhaps that is why it can be confusing to understand.  Perhaps thinking of it more as a standard or certification that a vehicle has certain components will help.  I will outline some of the components here:

Connections: Bluetooth (for cell phones), USB 2.0 (for MP3 players)

Interfaces: Voice-commands, Car Stereo Interface, Steering Wheel Controls

In-vehicle Computer: ARM 11 Processor, 256MB of RAM, 2GBFlash Memory running  Microsoft Auto Operating System

Features: Turn-by-turn directions, Integration of controls and audio for mobile devices, Traffic alerts, etc.  The features are rapidly expanding.

In effect, Ford is putting a computer in your car that is as upgradeable and flexible as the one in your home.  The added benefit of this kind of system is that applications can be improved regularly.

I will leave you with a youtube video that quickly explains two of the main features of SYNC without all the forward-looking statements that usually turn consumers off to products such as this.

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Posted in Communication, Entertainment, Navigation