carputer
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Centrafuse offers iPhone control via touchscreen
We know what you're thinking. "I've always wanted to crash my car, but only if I can blame it on a hilarious YouTube video." Well gas up the Civic and put some fresh Ace Wrap in the glove box, because your chance is nearly upon you. YouTube user Mister Romin has demonstrated how he used an iPhone, a Lilliput FA1042 touchpanel, a Belkin AV dock adapter cable and Centrafuse to control an iPhone via an external display. Centrafuse is a framework for creating touch-enabled, in-vehicle solutions. Aside from entertainment applications, developers can use Centrafuse to create GPS navigation solutions, voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity and more. It sure looks cool, and suggests what can be done with an iPhone as a "carputer." Just keep an eye out for stray deer while playing Plants vs. Zombies. Check out the video after the break. [Via Engadget]
Centrafuse leads to iPhone control via touchscreen, carputer dreams come to life (video)
We've seen countless individuals integrate their phone, PMP or tablet into their whip, but for years, we've all been thinking the same thing: "There has to be an easier way." Turns out, there is. One Mr. Romin has seemingly unearthed the solution, which involves a Lilliput FA1042 touchpanel, a Belkin AV dock adapter cable and a critical piece of software by the name of Centrafuse. Working in conjunction, he has enabled his monitor to actually control the iPhone, and when firing up a YouTube video, the content plays back on the big screen while the controls remain visible on the handset. It's a nifty setup, for sure, and we're downright excited to see this rig get installed in a vehicle far too small for American roads in a fortnight or so. For now, catch it working in action just past the break.
Touchscreen-based CUPC-P80 UMPC just might double as a carputer
Comfile Technology's CUPC-P80 isn't quite a full-fledged UMPC, though it could definitely get away with posing as one. Realistically though, we suspect this one was engineered to control media and such within your vehicle. The 12v power system and the 10.2-inch display sure make it an ideal candidate for replacing that stock radio in your '87 Taurus, and while the 500MHz AMD Geode LX800 isn't potent enough to stream YouTube videos in high-def, it should be plenty to spin your latest Tears For Fears-filled playlist. Other specs include 512MB of RAM, an Ethernet port, 4GB of flash storage, three USB sockets and an SD card slot. The rig can be purchased now for $699 without an OS, or for $849 with Windows XP embedded.[Via Zedomax, thanks Max]
Dashboard Devices to debut ENV line of in-car computers at CES
While we can't quite decide whether the carputer is a dying breed or simply a niche that never really took off, Dashboard Devices is hoping to revive it either way come January. The outfit will reportedly debut its ENV (Entertainment and Navigation for Vehicles) line as a two-part system. First comes the ENV-XC, which houses the main processor, graphics unit and other basic functionality; said brain can be paired with a choice of head units, including the double-DIN ENV-100 or the single-DIN ENV-50. Word has it that the double-DIN package will ring up at a staggeringly high $2,700, but we're also hearing that it'll offer "true dual zone" control, meaning that your robustious youngsters can have their own set of preferences in the rear while the grown-ups keep things comfortable up front. It'll also pack a WiFi module, voice activated functions, navigation, DVD playback, a 160GB hard drive, iPod compatibility, satellite radio support, Windows XP, a 7-inch touchscreen and optional WWAN. We'll be keeping an eye out for this one at CES -- but for $2,700, we're totally not going to be satisfied without a bona fide autopilot system.[Via Yahoo! Tech]
Custom Toyota MR2 carputer presents the ultimate distraction for drivers
This insanely kitted out Toyota MR2 is being put up for sale by its owner somewhere in Germany -- he's a highly motivated seller, provided you have the prerequisite electronics and programming (especially Visual Basic) skills. The standard gauges and indicators in the car have been removed, replaced with touch screens and a console mounted iDrive knob, offering the pilot of this machine control over almost every aspect of its operation: climate control, GPS, fuel consumption, mirrors, radar/laser, wireless transfer of music from a home computer, lights, fog lights... and the all-important VCD playback. Also listed on the original posting is something called the "police button" which "virtually controls the police." This might have been something that Google mistranslated, but we prefer to think otherwise.[Via Autoblog]
KNGT offers up Windows XP-powered icom MK1 carputer
We genuinely hope you don't value your dash very much, because a great deal of it will vanish if you opt to install KNGT's icom MK1.The full-fledged car computer wows passengers and drivers alike with its 6.95-inch 800 x 480 resolution display, on-screen QWERTY keyboard, wireless connectivity and mobile TV (T-DMB) tuner. Furthermore, you'll find a 40GB / 80GB hard drive, upwards of 2GB of RAM, a few USB 2.0 ports, a 1.6GHz Intel CPU and Windows XP running the show. You know all those threats you made when you were younger about heading out and just living in your '79 Riviera? Following through just got a whole lot easier.[Via Coolest-Gadgets]
Intel working on Linux car-computing initiative
We've been hearing about in-car computing forever, it seems, but it looks like the concept might finally be taking off: Microsoft is busy with Auto, there's a proposed .car TLD, BMW is working on in-car internet access, and now Intel is looking to smart up your ride with a vehicle-oriented version of its Moblin OS. The Linux-based system will run on -- what else? -- Atom processors, and carmakers are expected to use it to control everything from in-car systems to nav and multimedia functions. What's more, third-party developers will be able to build apps and services for the platform, in contrast to the mostly-closed systems being proffered by competitors. That's pretty cool, but let's hope there's some virtualization going on between the userspace and the in-car systems controller -- we're not exactly ready to run Firefox on the same machine that's in charge of the brakes.[Image is of that Atari-fied 1979 Buick Riveria]
Road Trip GPS plugin for Apple TV
A little while back, Apple TV Hacks posted on a great idea: one of their readers, Brandon Holland, is using an Apple TV as a carputer. He chiefly uses it as an in-car entertainment center, but it also does double duty as a GPS system using the Road Trip plugin which he has now released over at AwkwardTV. It can read GPS data from "any NMEA enabled GPS via a serial connection such as a USB to Serial adapter or a Builtin Serial Port. Map Quest maps are obtained via expedia.com and both USA and Europe maps are availiable and working!" Unfortunately, it doesn't yet store the maps locally so it presently depends a network connection, but Brandon says he's working on it, and soon expects to have it "so that map packs or trips can be cached for a trip."Obviously you'll have to hack your Apple TV to make this work, but given its small size and power requirements, the Apple TV seems like a great foundation for a carputer. [via Apple TV Hacks]
1979 Buick Riviera gets pimped, Atari-style
Predating the carputer by easily two decades (not counting KITT, of course), this '79 Buick Riviera would have clearly elevated you to alpha status in your elementary school. Featuring what appears to be a Sears Atari 2600 clone and a 13-inch CRT with a custom fake-ice RIVIERA logo, there's no wonder Kevin, the owner, says this whip is his "absolute pride and joy." Check a couple more shots after the break.[Via CarDomain Blog]
RouteBuddy 1.3 adds turn-by-turn routing and voice prompts
I admit it - I have an almost irrational fascination with carputers, particularly Mac mini-based ones. I've always wanted to build one myself, but have been stopped by: A) The lack of time and money, and B) The fact that a carputer would probably be worth more than my jalopy. While we've mentioned a few nice examples here on TUAW, one of the biggest problems has always been the relative paucity of GPS mapping applications for Mac OS X. RouteBuddy has been the leading GPS solution on the Mac in the Intel age, but it was lacking some important features. Fortunately, version 1.3 adds two biggies: turn-by-turn routing and voice prompts. RouteBuddy supports a variety of GPS devices and map data from Tele Atlas.Unfortunately, it's not cheap. RouteBuddy itself is $99.50US, not including maps. Maps for a variety of countries are available, with US-only maps costing $49.50. A demo is available which includes a street level map of Sante Fe for testing.[via MacVroom]
Current Intel Macs already support EVDO PCI Express Mini card
The guys over at EVDOinfo.com have discovered that current Intel Macs already support 3G EVDO cards. Basically what they did is rip the PCI Express Mini Airport wireless card out of a Mac mini and replace it with a previously activated EVDO PCI Express Mini card taken from a Novatel U720 USB EVDO modem. After installing the recent WWAN update (by bypassing the hardware check), the Mac mini recognized the card and established a connection to the Sprint network. They note that this makes the Mac mini an absolutely perfect carputer (except for some antenna issues).They speculate that this should work on the MacBook (Pro) as well, but obviously nobody wants to lose Airport connectivity to gain WWAN support. However, this does seem to show that there's no technical limitation to adding EVDO connectivity to next generation Mac portables.[via Digg]
HiPE intros voice-operated Drive-N car PCs with Vista MCE
People have been cramming PC's of all kinds into cars ever since LCD screens became ubiquitous, and even a little before that. HiPE's new Drive-N series of car PCs is designed to ease the usual DIY-grind by sporting a laundry list of features and interface possibilities. The units, ranging in price from $799 for a barebones Via C7 in an amp-style chassis up to $2199 for a tricked-out double-DIN touchscreen monster, all run Windows Vista MCE with the One Voice command system, and can be outfitted with GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, XM, and even a rearview camera. The machines can also interface with your car's OBD II unit to let you monitor vehicle diagnostics, as well as clear out some of those annoying error messages you usually have to let the dealer handle. All these features are nice, but nothing can excuse HiPE's lame-o tagline: "Why drive when you can be Drive-N?" Yeah, and why hire a marketing firm when you can just ask your 12-year-old niece?
AMP: Front Row-like Touchscreen Interface
In preparing our recent carputer post, I came across AMP, the Front Row-like touchscreen interface Sam used for his car based Mac. Designed by author Aychamo with an extensible plugin architecture AMP already has plugins allowing you to import and access your iTunes library, movies, and photos. It even sports a mini-web browser and a war driving interface which lists detected Wireless Access Points. The interface seems to be optimized for a 800 x 480 touchscreen display which is common on the 7" LCDs that are often used in carputers. Aychamo already appears to be hard at work on version 2.0 of AMP and more information can be found on the AMP forum at MP3Car.com
Found Footage: Subaru carputer
I admit it: I'm a sucker for car computers. The mini just makes so much sense for getting your Mac on while cruising down the highway. Sam Garfield has a beautiful take on the mini based carputer in his Subaru WRX. He's using a touch-sensitive 7" LCD with a Front Row like interface called AMP. It really is a professional looking mod; I think my family may need to keep me away from the car for a while so I don't tear it up. [Via Powerpage]
Apple wants more iPod ready cars
Bob Borchers, who is the senior director of iPod worldwide product marketing, told CNET that Apple is interested in making the use of iPods in cars much easier. Apple thinks that the mess of cables and such that accompany current solutions can be done better with factory installed iPod option in cars. He did make clear that Apple has no interest in entering the market of iPod car accessories but that Apple is working with third party vendors to make the experience better.Also of note is Borchers' statement that Apple is very happy that people are turning their Mac minis into carputers.No word if the Aero 8 will have an iPod dock or built in Mac mini anytime soon.[via iLounge]
Mac mini in a Prius
I'm not much of a car guy, in fact I don't even have a drivers license (hey, I live in downtown Philly so I don't need a car), so it takes a lot to get me excited about cars.This Prius has overcome my apathy towards cars. A clever person has loaded their Prius with a Mac mini. We have seen such carputers before, but this is a particularly slick integration. A touch screen and Front Row work side by side to impress even the most jaded of passengers.Best of all? There are videos of it in action on the owner's website. Almost makes me want to get a car. Almost.Thanks to everyone who sent this in.
DeLorean + Mac mini equals ?
I have no idea what it equals but this guy wants to find out. Many people put Macs in their cars, for a number of reasons (though mostly it boils down to: because I can), the DeLorean Mac mini integration has one unique aspect to it: the screen. Actually, there is no screen, but rather a projector that projects the image from the Mac mini to the underside of the hood. A clever way to make sure that you never operate the computer while driving (that isn't safe for anyone, especially not in a car that can time travel).Check out the pictures, and the podcast and rejoice in the fact that this post contains only one lame 'Back to the Future' joke.Thanks, starlightmica.
