Ugh, I am being inundated with comment spam.
I am tightening the policy for comments, from now on, only users with an OpenID or other form that Blogger accepts can comment.
HTML5 and the software engineer
Andy Gryc and Sheridan Ethier, manager of the automotive development team at QNX, pair up for a technical discussion on HTML5. They explore whether this new technology can support rich user interfaces, how HTML5 apps can be blended with apps written in OpenGL, and if interprocess communication can be implemented between native and web-based applications.
So without further ado, here’s the latest in the educational series of HTML5 videos from QNX.
This interview of Sheridan Ethier is the third in a series from QNX on HTML5.
SOLD - JZX 90 - Mark II - Half Cut
SOLD To Local Customer
This Half Cut Model is JZX 90 - Mark II - Engine 1JZ - GTE - Auto , Selling Together With Long Shaft , Petrol Tank With Fuel Pump Attached And Rear Axle With Complete Frame
Selling As Is Where Is Basis
To View Engine Revving, Click Video Below :-
General View Of The Half Cut
General View Of The Speedometer
Mileage Reading :- 132027 Kilometers Or 82037 Miles
Engine Tag Information
Chassis Number
Front View Of The Engine Bay
Side View Of The Engine Bay
Side View of The Engine Bay
Inner Part Of The Engine
Front Turbo
Rear Turbo
Front View Of The Undercarriage
Side View Of The Auto Gear Box
Side View Of The Auto Gear Box
Rear View Of The Undercarriage
Boonet - Good Condition
Driver Side - HeadLamp With Signal Lamp - Good Condition
Driver Side - Fender - Good Condition
Passenger Side - HeadLamp With Signal Lamp - Good Condition
Passenger Side - Fender - Good Condition
Petrol Tank / Long Shaft And Rear Axle
Long Shaft
Petrol Tank With Fuel Pump Attached
Rear Axle With Complete Frame
General View Of The Half Cut
This Half Cut Model is JZX 90 - Mark II - Engine 1JZ - GTE - Auto , Selling Together With Long Shaft , Petrol Tank With Fuel Pump Attached And Rear Axle With Complete Frame
Selling As Is Where Is Basis
To View Engine Revving, Click Video Below :-
General View Of The Half Cut
General View Of The Speedometer
Mileage Reading :- 132027 Kilometers Or 82037 Miles
Engine Tag Information
Chassis Number
Front View Of The Engine Bay
Side View Of The Engine Bay
Side View of The Engine Bay
Inner Part Of The Engine
Front Turbo
Rear Turbo
Front View Of The Undercarriage
Side View Of The Auto Gear Box
Side View Of The Auto Gear Box
Rear View Of The Undercarriage
Boonet - Good Condition
Driver Side - HeadLamp With Signal Lamp - Good Condition
Driver Side - Fender - Good Condition
Passenger Side - HeadLamp With Signal Lamp - Good Condition
Passenger Side - Fender - Good Condition
Petrol Tank / Long Shaft And Rear Axle
Long Shaft
Petrol Tank With Fuel Pump Attached
Rear Axle With Complete Frame
General View Of The Half Cut
Is HTML5 a good gamble?
As the consumer and automotive worlds continue to collide, HTML5 looks like a good bet. And not a long shot either. In fact, the odds are all automakers will eventually use it. But since the standard won’t be mature for some time yet, should you take a chance on it now?
To answer this, Andy Gryc talks to Matthew Staikos of RIM. Matthew is the manager of the browser and web platform group at RIM, and has over 10 years of software development experience with a strong focus on WebKit for mobile and embedded systems. Matthew co-founded Torch Mobile, which was acquired by RIM for their browser technology.
Andy’s conversation with Matthew is the subject of the following video, the second in an educational series designed to get an industry-wide perspective on HTML5.
This interview of Matthew Staikos is the second in a series from QNX on HTML5.
Fisker Suspension
Edmunds has a very nice photo review of the Fisker Karma suspension.
My takeaway: heavy car, expensive chassis, very complex. But also very impressive, considering the complexity of the machine. Tesla, for its Roadster, let Lotus take care of the chassis and suspension design and had to focus mostly on the powertrain.
I will be amazed if Fisker makes enough money to stay in business with this model.
Cadillac 4 Cylinder
This is what the world has come to. GM is putting a four-banger in a Cadillac.
But this isn't the I4 of old, this is a modern, direct injected turbo with variable cam timing. The GM 2.0L Ecotech makes 270HP and 260lb-ft of torque. It is a similar engine to the Ford 2.0L Ecoboost which is now the fuel economy option for the Explorer.
By comparison, the FWD versions of the famed Northstar engine family (LD8) made 275HP and 300ft-lbs, out of a whopping 4.6L of displacement.
More at GM's web site.
What’s HTML5 got to do with automotive?
It won’t be long before HTML5 is ubiquitous. We think automakers should (and will) use it.
To elucidate the technology and its relevance, we’ve created a series of educational videos on the topic. Here is the first in that series. Interviews with partners, customers, and industry gurus will soon follow.
This simple overview is the first in a series from QNX on HTML5. (Personally I like the ending the best.)
iDrive Prank Box
I was sent this prank gift box, which is hilarious.
It is designed to look like a believable (but crazy) product, the iDrive, which is a suction cup and claw mount to mount iPads and other devices on your steering wheel or other unsafe places. Photos on the back show it being used in cars, on a factory runabout and also on a jet ski. I wonder, though, how the box maker gets away with using "iDrive", which is a real trademark for a number of different types of products, including data storage and surgical staplers.
The actual product is the prank box itself, one of many that are sold by Prank Pack.
I am going to use it on a friend, who is both a car nut and a Apple cultist.
It is designed to look like a believable (but crazy) product, the iDrive, which is a suction cup and claw mount to mount iPads and other devices on your steering wheel or other unsafe places. Photos on the back show it being used in cars, on a factory runabout and also on a jet ski. I wonder, though, how the box maker gets away with using "iDrive", which is a real trademark for a number of different types of products, including data storage and surgical staplers.
The actual product is the prank box itself, one of many that are sold by Prank Pack.
I am going to use it on a friend, who is both a car nut and a Apple cultist.
Seamless connectivity is for more than online junkies
- You know you’re an online junkie when you:
- wake up at 3:00 am to go to the bathroom and stop to check your email on the way back to bed
- rarely communicate with your mother because she doesn’t have email
- check your inbox. It says ‘no new messages,’ so you check it again
Even though this joke circulated several years ago, it still strikes a chord. The big difference now is that there’s no longer a subculture of ‘online junkies.’ From the time we wake up in the morning to the time we go to bed, we all want to be connected — and that includes when we get behind the wheel. So to this joke I would add:
- resent driving because it means going off the grid
At QNX, we’re working toward a seamless experience where people can enjoy the same connectivity whether they’re texting their spouse from the mall or checking traffic reports while driving down the highway. See what I mean:
For more information about the technology described in this video, visit the QNX website.
Old People Cars
According to the Detroit News, this is the list of most popular vehicles for senior citizens. I have added additional information: which models are discontinued.
The interesting question to me is, what will the old folks buy now that the softly spring boats have mostly gone extinct?
1. Lincoln Town Car, 90%
2. Buick Lucerne, 87%
3. Cadillac DTS, 85%
4. Cadillac CTS, 74%
5. Cadillac STS, 71%
6. Hyundai Azera, 25%
7. Chevrolet Impala, 51%
8. Buick LaCrosse, 59%
9. Lincoln MKZ, 54%
10. Toyota Avalon, 54%
The interesting question to me is, what will the old folks buy now that the softly spring boats have mostly gone extinct?
Video: The secret to making hands-free noise-free
Case in point: The QNX Acoustic Processing Suite. This software runs in millions of cars and offers a benefit that everyone can relate to: clear, rich, easy-to-understand hands-free calls. But once you start explaining how the suite does this, it's easy to get mired in technical jargon and to forget the bigger picture — something that even a technical audience wants to see.
So we dropped the jargon and opted for a creative approach. It involves a marching band, a rock guitarist, and, for good measure, an electric fan with a really long extension cord. Seriously.
Intrigued yet? Well, then, grab some popcorn and dim the lights:
Interested in learning more about this technology? Check out the acoustic processing page on the QNX website.
BTW, companies that use the QNX Acoustic Processing Suite in their products include OnStar, whose FMV aftermarket mirror recently won a CES Innovations Design and Engineering Award.
Posted by Paul Leroux
Brand exposure
QNX has a knack for turning up where I least expect it. Sometimes, I'm even surprised by how our technology partners use it — and I head up strategic alliances at QNX Software Systems. In this case, at least, I can claim ignorance based on distance. Last week, Tokyo Weekender published a story on Freescale Japan from the perspective of David Uze, the company’s president. Anyone who has had the pleasure of meeting David knows he’s super passionate about his mission. And arguably, it must be a challenging one, for the market in Japan has a long history of being dominated by national silicon suppliers. But, from an automotive perspective, recent consolidations of some of those suppliers, along with the trend towards standardized architectures, have opened the door for companies like Freescale.
The article talks about Freescale’s planned expansion in Japan, recovery from the earthquake, the advantages of being a global company, and the Freescale Cup, a robotics competition for university students that will be launched in Japan next year.
This, for me, is David’s most interesting comment:
- “The reason I believe we must focus on Japan is because it is the most macro-economically focused culture in the world. Japan is the only country I know of where companies routinely create 50 -year plans to ensure they are a strong economic force in the long term.”
I find this incredible, especially if it applies to high-tech companies. Most would struggle with a concise 5-year plan, let alone 50!
But back to QNX. If you look at the article's opening photo (see below), you'll a car emblazoned with the logos of several Freescale suppliers, including a QNX logo that appears right below the Freescale wordmark. The QNX logo also appears in another photo, on a banner hanging above the head of Freescale CEO Rich Breyers, as he addresses the crowd at an FTF event.
Talk about international brand exposure! Thanks, David!
Bridgestone Airless Tire Concept
Cool. From PhysOrg.com.
Michelin has also been working on the Tweel airless tire for some time now, but it isn't ready for civilian commercial sale, yet.
Volt Battery Fires NBD
The blogosphere and news media have become somewhat excited about the Chevy Volt battery fires, and GM has been very defensive, going so far as to offer to buy back Volts from any skittish customers.
I don't see what the big deal is.
There zero cases of Volts having battery thermal issues after getting in an accident in the real world. There have been a couple of cases of garage fires, however the causes are not yet known and it is quite possible that the fault lies in poorly done 240V wiring, and not with the Volt.
There are four cases of Volt batteries having thermal reactions after being first disconnected from their liquid coolant supply, then damaged, and then overturned by NHTSA. This is like sideswiping a pole at high speed, at exactly the point where the battery extends out towards the sides of the car, then rolling over, and then letting the battery sit damaged for several days without being discharged.
Here's an experiment: smash a gasoline car in such a way as to rupture the gas tank. Then turn the car over and let the fuel run where it will.
Also, consider the number of gasoline vehicle fires that occur every year. In 1999, there were 288,000 highway vehicle fires, due to all causes (accident and otherwise), according to the NFPA. According to a 1990 study by NHTSA, motor vehicle fires due to accidents occurred at a rate of 2.86/1000 vehicles.
So if Volts had the same rate of accident caused fires as gasoline vehicles, we would expect to see about 14 Volt fires this year. But we haven't, even though Volts do carry gasoline on-board.
Aptera Dead!
I have been watching with morbid fascination the death spiral of Aptera, the designer of the electric trike that looks like a big spermatozoan, which didn't do well in the Progressive Automotive X-prize competition. To stave off death, Aptera was working on a traditional 4-wheel vehicle concept which they hoped would attract new investors and help them qualify for a DOE AVTM loan. Aptera stated that they needed $150 million in new money to start work on the new vehicle, but investors did not come to the table.
To date, there are still no production-ready enclosed 3-wheelers for sale in the U.S. and I doubt there will ever be. The inherent safety and comfort trade-offs are too great for more than a few novelty-loving customers.
And that was a wise decision. Despite an interesting and aerodynamic design, the Aptera 3-wheel concept was not practical for any large market, and would have been very expensive to produce in small volumes. Like the other X-prize finalists running 3-wheel designs, Aptera was more of a design study than a marketable product.
To date, there are still no production-ready enclosed 3-wheelers for sale in the U.S. and I doubt there will ever be. The inherent safety and comfort trade-offs are too great for more than a few novelty-loving customers.
The question in my mind is, who is next to fold? Up-start auto companies funded by venture capital don't have a shining history (DeLorean, Bricklin...). Will Tesla and Fisker make it, financially, or will they burn through their cash before catching on?
How To Reset Your Garmin
I needed to reset my Garmin 1390 GPS unit, before giving it to a friend, to erase all of my personal data. I found out there is a nice factory reset function which will clear all user data.
To factory reset your Garmin:
I also found that if you do the same thing but press and hold the upper left of the touch screen, it will re-calibrate the touchscreen.
To factory reset your Garmin:
- Power off the unit
- Press and hold the lower right corner of the screen
- Power on the unit.
I also found that if you do the same thing but press and hold the upper left of the touch screen, it will re-calibrate the touchscreen.
Pimp your ride with augmented reality — Part II
Last week, I introduced you to some cool examples of augmented reality, or AR, and stated that AR can help drivers deal with the burgeoning amount of information in the car. Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s look at some use-cases for both drivers and passengers. Remember, though, that these examples are just a taste — the possibilities for integrating AR into the car are virtually endless.
AR for the driver
When it comes to drivers, AR will focus on providing information while reducing distraction. Already, some vehicles use AR to overlay the vehicle trajectory onto a backup camera display, allowing the driver to gauge where the car is headed. Some luxury cars go one step further and overlay lane markings or hazards in the vehicle display.
Expect even more functionality in the future. In the case of a backup camera, the display might take advantage of 3D technology, allowing you to see, for example, that a skateboard is closer than the post you are backing towards. And then there is GM's prototype heads-up system, which, in dark or foggy conditions, can project lane edges onto the windshield or highlight people crossing the road up ahead:
AR can be extremely powerful while keeping distraction to a minimum. Take destination search, for example. You could issue the verbal command, “Take me to a Starbucks on my route. I want to see their cool AR cups”. The nav system could then overlay a subtle route guidance over the road with a small Starbucks logo that gets bigger as you approach your destination. The logo could then hover over the building when you arrive.
You'll no longer have to wonder if your destination is on the right or left, or if your nav system is correct when it says, “You have arrived at your destination.” The answer will be right in front of you.
AR for the passenger
So what about the passenger? Well, you could easily apply AR to side windows and allow passengers to learn more about the world around them, a la Wikitude. Take, for example, this recent video from Toyota, which represents one of the best examples of how AR could make long road trips less tedious and more enjoyable:
QNX-based nav system helps Ford SUVs stay on course down under
 |
| Paul Leroux |
To reduce driver distraction, the system offers a simplified user interface and feature set. And, to provide accurate route guidance, the system uses data from an internal gyroscope and an external traffic message channel, as well as standard GPS signals. Taking the conditions of local roads into account, the software provides a variety of alerts and speed-camera warnings; it also offers route guidance in Australian English.
The navigation system is based on the iGO My way Engine, which runs in millions of navigation devices worldwide. To read NNG's press release, click here.
SWSA's new nav system for the Ford Territory is based on the Freescale
i.MX31L processor, QNX Neutrino RTOS, and iGO My way Engine.
NHTSA: Volt Battery Pack Post Crash Risks
NHTSA posted a press release on its web site which explains its recent test results with Chevy Volt batteries.
In an effort to recreate the May test, NHTSA conducted three tests last week on the Volt's lithium-ion battery packs that intentionally damaged the battery compartment and ruptured the vehicle's coolant line. Following a test on November 16 that did not result in a fire, a temporary increase in temperature was recorded in a test on November 17. During the test conducted on November 18 using similar protocols, the battery pack was rotated within hours after it was impacted and began to smoke and emit sparks shortly after rotation to 180 degrees. NHTSA's forensic analysis of the November 18 fire incident is continuing this week. Yesterday, the battery pack that was tested on November 17 and that had been continually monitored since the test caught fire at the testing facility. The agency is currently working with DOE, DOD, and GM to assess the cause and implications of yesterday's fire. In each of the battery tests conducted in the past two weeks, the Volt's battery was impacted and rotated to simulate a real-world, side-impact collision into a narrow object such as a tree or a pole followed by a rollover.
So in short, NHTSA is crashing Volts with very specific protocol--a narrow pole, which will cause severe deformation/penetration of the body structure, followed by a rotation to simulate a rollover.
The batteries aren't catching on fire right away, rather they seem to take some time to build up heat.
I don't think there is anything to worry about, yet. First, this is a very specific and severe type of crash, and second, it takes hours or days before the battery self-heats to the point of fire. As NHTSA and GM both point out, no on-the-road accidents are known to have caused battery fires.
However, GM apparently was late to the game, by not developing beforehand a procedure to discharge (and render safer) the Volt battery. They are now rolling this procedure out to first responders, who need to know how to neutralize a charged lithium ion battery after a severe accident.
QNX-powered OnStar FMV drives home with CES Innovation award
|
| Paul Leroux |
To clinch this award, a product must impress an independent panel of industrial designers, engineers, and trade journalists. Speaking of impressions, it seems that OnStar FMV also made a hit with the folks at CNET, because they've chosen it as one of their Top Holiday Shopping Picks for 2011.
As you may have guessed, OnStar FMV uses QNX Neutrino as its OS platform. It also uses the QNX acoustic processing suite, which filters out noise and echo to make hands-free conversations clear and easy to follow. The suite includes cool features like bandwidth extension, which extends the narrow-band hands-free signal frequency range to deliver speech that is warm and natural, as well as intelligible.
Have time for a video? If so, here's a fun look at FMV's features, including stolen vehicle recovery, automatic crash response, turn-by-turn navigation, hands-free calling, and one-touch emergency calling:
Review: Davis CarChip Pro
This is a review of the Davis Industires CarChip Pro .
The CarChip is a small device which plugs into your vehicle's OBD-II port, and acts as a datalogger. It can record vehicle speed every second, and up to 4 other items at a slower rate of one sample every 5 seconds. Retail prices are around $80.
The device is simple to configure. Once you install the software (which worked fine on Windows 7), and plug the CarChip in with a mini-USB cable (included), a step-by-step configuration walks you through the initial setup.
For example, you can choose to record 4 parameters at every 5s, from a choice of several standard OBD-II parameters, including engine speed, throttle position, engine coolant temp, engine load, air flow rate, spark timing, air/fuel ratio, battery voltage, and oxygen sensor voltage. You can also set audible alarms, to have the device beep at you if you exceed a top speed, or a max accel/decel rate.
For my testing, I plugged it into my 2007 (which would be using CAN OBD-II), and drove a few trips. I also induced two powertrain diagnostic faults: I loosened my fuel cap, and for a short time, disconnected my intake air temp sensor (IAT).
After removing the device and downloading the data to my PC, I was able to use the software to plot the recorded channels, and the device properly logged two DTCs, one for evaporative emissions (P0456) and one for the IAT circuit test failure (P0113). By clicking on a menu choice, you can tell the CarChip to clear the codes next time you plug it into your vehicle.
Overall, I liked the CarChip, and I would recommended for several use cases. A hobbyist or fleet owner who wants a low-cost way to log mileage, driving style, fuel economy, etc. would do well with a CarChip if they don't mind plugging into it every so often to download the data. It could also be useful to someone who wanted to program it as a "trainer", to teach themselves (or their kids) not to accelerate too hard or brake too abruptly, to teach a high fuel economy driving style.
However, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this as a primary diagnosis tool, for example to debug DTCs or do performance tuning, because of its offline nature. Someone who wanted to quickly determine why they have a Check Engine lamp, and perhaps check some of their engine control sensor values as part of the debug would be better off with an interactive scan tool. Also, the relatively slow 5s sampling rate may cause users to miss some aspects of the engine performance, such as sudden lean fuel excursions or speed fluctuations.
My advice to Davis, to improve this product, would be to add a "live mode" which pulls the OBD data in real-time via the USB, and to add some sort of wireless interface so that the data can be monitored and downloaded via bluetooth without having to plug into the unit directly.
Pros:
The CarChip is a small device which plugs into your vehicle's OBD-II port, and acts as a datalogger. It can record vehicle speed every second, and up to 4 other items at a slower rate of one sample every 5 seconds. Retail prices are around $80.
The device is simple to configure. Once you install the software (which worked fine on Windows 7), and plug the CarChip in with a mini-USB cable (included), a step-by-step configuration walks you through the initial setup.
For example, you can choose to record 4 parameters at every 5s, from a choice of several standard OBD-II parameters, including engine speed, throttle position, engine coolant temp, engine load, air flow rate, spark timing, air/fuel ratio, battery voltage, and oxygen sensor voltage. You can also set audible alarms, to have the device beep at you if you exceed a top speed, or a max accel/decel rate.
For my testing, I plugged it into my 2007 (which would be using CAN OBD-II), and drove a few trips. I also induced two powertrain diagnostic faults: I loosened my fuel cap, and for a short time, disconnected my intake air temp sensor (IAT).
After removing the device and downloading the data to my PC, I was able to use the software to plot the recorded channels, and the device properly logged two DTCs, one for evaporative emissions (P0456) and one for the IAT circuit test failure (P0113). By clicking on a menu choice, you can tell the CarChip to clear the codes next time you plug it into your vehicle.
Overall, I liked the CarChip, and I would recommended for several use cases. A hobbyist or fleet owner who wants a low-cost way to log mileage, driving style, fuel economy, etc. would do well with a CarChip if they don't mind plugging into it every so often to download the data. It could also be useful to someone who wanted to program it as a "trainer", to teach themselves (or their kids) not to accelerate too hard or brake too abruptly, to teach a high fuel economy driving style.
However, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this as a primary diagnosis tool, for example to debug DTCs or do performance tuning, because of its offline nature. Someone who wanted to quickly determine why they have a Check Engine lamp, and perhaps check some of their engine control sensor values as part of the debug would be better off with an interactive scan tool. Also, the relatively slow 5s sampling rate may cause users to miss some aspects of the engine performance, such as sudden lean fuel excursions or speed fluctuations.
My advice to Davis, to improve this product, would be to add a "live mode" which pulls the OBD data in real-time via the USB, and to add some sort of wireless interface so that the data can be monitored and downloaded via bluetooth without having to plug into the unit directly.
Pros:
- Simple to use software, easy setup
- Ability to set speed/accel/decel alarms
- Fault code logging and clearing
- Small, unobtrusive
- Data can be easily exported
- Slow sampling rate (5s) on user-configured data channels
- No apparent "live mode" to look at data interactively, while connected
- No wireless transfer mode (bluetooth or wifi).
Predatory Lexus Face
When I saw the new design for the 2013 Lexus GS 350, I was reminded of something...
Or perhaps
Listen to the music
The audio CD is on its last track... Internet radio, anyone?
I don’t think anyone will disagree with me when I say that music still represents the most important element in an infotainment system. Just look at the sound system capabilities in new cars. Base systems today have at least 6 speakers, while systems from luxury brands like Audi and BMW boast up to 16 speakers and almost 1000 watts of amplification.
For nearly as long as I can remember, cars have come with CD players. For many years they’ve provided a simple way to take your music on the road. But nothing lasts forever.
Earlier this year, Ford announced it would discontinue CD players in many of its vehicle models. Some industry pundits have predicted that CD players will have no place in cars in model year 2015 and beyond. A few weeks ago, Side-Line Music Magazine reported that major labels plan to abandon the CD format as early as 2012. This revelation has created a flurry of activity on the Net, but the labels have yet to confirm it’s true.
Steady decline
The fact is, CD sales have declined steadily for the last several years, down 16 percent in 2010 alone. Digital downloads (the legal kind), on the other hand, have been growing quickly and are expected to exceed CD sales for the first time in 2012.
Where does that leave us in the car? Obviously, media device integration will be key in the coming years. QNX Software Systems has long supported Apple iPod integration and supported Microsoft’s ill-fated Zune for a while. USB connectivity is a given, and soon you’ll be able to stream music from your phone.
Radio redefined
But what’s more exciting is how radio is evolving in the vehicle. Along with the steering wheel, radio has been a staple of car pretty much since day one. As the connected vehicle moves to the mainstream, internet radio will become a huge part of the automotive experience.
Companies like Slacker extend the concept of radio beyond audio to include artist bios, album art, photos, reviews, and more. Pandora, through its work with the Music Genome Project, expands the musical experience by playing songs it predicts you will appreciate. iHeartRadio aggregates American radio stations for replay throughout the US. TuneIn takes it one further with a global view. Driving down highway 101 in California, you’ll be able to tune in all your favorites from around the world.
Beyond entertainment
These services are changing the way people consume music. Today, I rely on my car radio not only to entertain but also to educate by constantly exposing me to new artists and content. Internet radio in the car will expand my horizons even further. And as online music stores like 7Digital integrate their service with the internet radio stations, I’ll be able to download the song I just heard at the push of a button. Not good for CD sales, but it seems that’s the way of the future anyway.
We are, of course, working with the leaders in internet radio and online music services to bring them to a car near you.
For nearly as long as I can remember, cars have come with CD players. For many years they’ve provided a simple way to take your music on the road. But nothing lasts forever.
Earlier this year, Ford announced it would discontinue CD players in many of its vehicle models. Some industry pundits have predicted that CD players will have no place in cars in model year 2015 and beyond. A few weeks ago, Side-Line Music Magazine reported that major labels plan to abandon the CD format as early as 2012. This revelation has created a flurry of activity on the Net, but the labels have yet to confirm it’s true.
Steady decline
The fact is, CD sales have declined steadily for the last several years, down 16 percent in 2010 alone. Digital downloads (the legal kind), on the other hand, have been growing quickly and are expected to exceed CD sales for the first time in 2012.
Where does that leave us in the car? Obviously, media device integration will be key in the coming years. QNX Software Systems has long supported Apple iPod integration and supported Microsoft’s ill-fated Zune for a while. USB connectivity is a given, and soon you’ll be able to stream music from your phone.
Radio redefined
 |
Companies like Slacker extend the concept of radio beyond audio to include artist bios, album art, photos, reviews, and more. Pandora, through its work with the Music Genome Project, expands the musical experience by playing songs it predicts you will appreciate. iHeartRadio aggregates American radio stations for replay throughout the US. TuneIn takes it one further with a global view. Driving down highway 101 in California, you’ll be able to tune in all your favorites from around the world.
Beyond entertainment
These services are changing the way people consume music. Today, I rely on my car radio not only to entertain but also to educate by constantly exposing me to new artists and content. Internet radio in the car will expand my horizons even further. And as online music stores like 7Digital integrate their service with the internet radio stations, I’ll be able to download the song I just heard at the push of a button. Not good for CD sales, but it seems that’s the way of the future anyway.
We are, of course, working with the leaders in internet radio and online music services to bring them to a car near you.
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