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Visualized: the HP Slate's new job
Wondering where your HP Slate has been all these weeks since you ordered it? Well, at least one of those precious Windows 7 tablets has taken a little detour from its supposedly enterprise-centric destiny to make a cameo appearance... as a dashboard infotainment system. HP, in its inimitable wisdom, has decided to grace the opening of its Vancouver store last month with a customized GMC Yukon Denali truck, which is where we find the company's Slate casually showing off its Acrobat Reader and other big boy OS advantages. We wouldn't really say embedding the Slate into your dash is the worst idea in the world, though the rest of the characterful customizations to this Denali just might be. [Thanks, lmwong]
Oxygen Audio's O Car deck turns your iPhone into a car stereo
Like the idea of having your iPhone with you in your car, but looking for an alternative to a Bluetooth transmitter or cabled hook-ups? You may want to check out the Oxygen Audio O Car stereo deck, which basically turns your iPhone itself into your car stereo. Brought to our attention by Gizmodo, the O Car deck allows users to control all the regular car stereo functions, like volume and tuning, along with their iTunes library, internet radio station apps, GPS navigation, Google maps -- and anything else one uses their iPhone for. By clicking the iPhone into the dock/charger (for both landscape and portrait use), it becomes a slick part of your car's dashboard. Sure beats the look of your regular old standard car stereo deck, that's for sure. Priced at US$349, the O Car has pre-amp outputs and FM/AM preset station options, it puts out 4 X 55 watts of power (max), and it supports the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and iPhone 4. While it is seemingly a little pricey, it's a neat implementation for in-car iPhone use. I have been using my iPhone to listen to Pandora streaming in the car via a wired connection, but my phone always ends up somewhere on the passenger-side floor when I take a corner too fast. Having the ability to click it in place right on the dash would be a welcome addition to my car. Of course, I could just install an in-dash iPad for even more features, but my Mini Cooper doesn't really have that kind of space. [via Gizmodo]
Control a car's interior via a dashboard-mounted iPad from Visteon
Visteon doesn't have the first idea for integrating an iPad into an automobile in some way, but it has arguably the most ambitious one so far. At this year's CES, Visteon brought forth their iPad dash product which not only integrates into an auto's audio controls, but it has the ability to handle all interior electronic controls. The iPad communicates via Bluetooth with the box pictured to the right of the iPad, above. That device is installed in the car, in place of controls for climate, seat positioning, and engine information, among other things. There's also weather information displayed within the interface, access to a GPS, and more. There is a dock connector for the iPad, at the bottom of the iPad holder, but it's to provide power only. Obviously you're going to need a 3G-enabled device and a data plan to go along with it, in order to take advantage of the weather and GPS. It's not clear what cars this device is planned to be compatible with, but from the placement and size of the iPad holder, I have a feeling compatibility will be limited. Engadget also has a nifty hands-on video of some of the iPad app's functionality.
Visteon puts an iPad in a car dashboard, we go hands-on (video)
We happen to think the future of the car dashboard is a gradual path to obsolescence, dying and getting replaced by a mobile device. Visteon also think there's a future for mobile devices in a dash -- but not for actually replacing the car stereo. Visteon showed off its Consumer Electronics Device to Vehicle HMI (human/machine interface), which is basically a stupidly long name for a system enabling device integration of the sort we haven't seen yet. Yes, you can stream tunes through the car's stereo but, more impressively, actually change the channel that it is tuned to. That's just the beginning, with a navigation display and even simplified web browsing, but most impressive is the ability to manage the rest of the car's interior. You can change seat positions, adjust climate controls, and probably much, much more than the semi-functional demo unit we got our hands on can do. There is a dock connector for the iPad but that's just for providing power: the connectivity is entirely wireless, meaning people in the back seat can change the channel -- or push up the seat of the person in front of them. The box that handles all this is going into production soon and so should start showing up in cars sometime over the next year. Which cars? Your guess is as good as ours, as Visteon works with more car marques than it doesn't. %Gallery-113075%
Tesla Model S to have 17-inch infotainment console powered by Tegra; BMW using NVIDIA tech too
Tesla is touting the world's biggest center console for its upcoming Model S today: a titanic 17-inch touchscreen display powered by NVIDIA's Tegra chip. Infotainment, climate control and navigation will all be managed using the vast dashboard dominator, while NVIDIA's hardware will also take responsibility for keeping the 12.3-inch instrument cluster LCD updated. Considering the Model S, like the Roadster before it, is an all-electric vehicle, you'd expect energy efficiency to be a pretty important consideration in the choice of infotainment system and Tesla points that out as a key advantage of Tegra, describing it as "power-stingy." Another motor company hooking up with NVIDIA is BMW, who promises that all of its upcoming models for 2011 will benefit from Green Team GPUs powering their iDrive navigation and information systems. We don't know what exact GPUs will be used, but a "visually rich" next-gen UI is being promised, stretching out to a 1280 x 600 resolution. You'll find both press releases after the break.
Solved: The case of the missing .Mac widgets
Back in April of 2005, Apple released the much-awaited Mac OS X 10.4 "Tiger" OS. One of the big new features of Tiger was Dashboard. The overlay feature supported Widgets, mini-apps that were the descendants of Mac OS 9 Desk Accessories, and that some might consider the precursors to modern iOS apps. Dashboard widgets were (and still are) fairly useful tools, and some pretty cool eye candy to boot. But the number of widgets that shipped with Tiger were limited, and many hoped Apple would quickly release additional widgets. Apple eventually did add more widgets with the release of Mac OS X 10.4.4, but that release didn't happen until January 2006. Apple did, however, plan to release some additional widgets to select Mac users before 10.4.4 shipped... If you were a .Mac member (now known as MobileMe) in mid-2005, you may recall a certain call-out on the .Mac Member's Central page that stated "Members Exclusive Widgets - Coming Soon!" The promise of additional Apple-made widgets set Dashboard fanboys drooling. Months passed, however, as the message remained on the .Mac Members Central site, but the widgets had yet to appear. And they never would. In the end the member exclusive .Mac widgets failed to materialize without any explanation from Apple; eventually all mention of the member-exclusive widgets was removed from the .Mac page. Many wondered just what had happened to the elusive exclusive widgets, but no answers ever materialized...until now. I thought I'd finally take the time to close this small chapter of in the book of Apple mysteries.
Xbox Live Indie Games store now falls under Games & Demos section
In a remarkably quick 180 (for the 360), Microsoft has moved its Xbox Live Indie Games channel back into the "Games & Demos" section of Xbox Live Marketplace. When the fall Dashboard update hit Xbox 360 last week, the Indie Games channel was swept into the "Specialty Shops" section, alongside Avatar clothing items rather than other video games. The folks most affected by the change -- Xbox Live Indie Game developers -- have taken to the Microsoft forums to celebrate the change, saying, "Microsoft ARE LISTENING! Indie Games are back in the games section! We ARE having an effect. The new placement isnt PERFECT - but its a huge step in the right direction. The icon feels very out of place being such a different style -- and in searches etc. it doesnt look like indie games are included - but we ARE in the games section." The original complaint forum thread has even been changed from "xbligs are not 'games' any longer" to "mourning is over!", giving an indication of just how important the re-categorization was to the XBLIG development community.
MeLLmo's Roambi delivers business intelligence on the go
When talking iPad with enterprise users, one of my favorite show-off apps for the iPad is MeLLmo's Roambi. It's a little hard to explain what it does, but once they see it in action, they know they want it. Roambi (free on the App Store, pro/enterprise plans available) gives you instant, easy dashboards for your data on your iPad, and it lets you share your numbers in striking visual form. With the free Roambi plan, you can quickly import your Excel or CSV data into the app and pick from four dashboard displays: CataList, PieView, SuperList, and Trends. In the pro version (US$99/user per year via the Google Apps Marketplace) you can add connections to Salesforce CRM and Google Docs for live online updating; the ES3 enterprise version gives access to high-end business intelligence systems from SAP and IBM, along with device-lock security and remote data wipe options to protect your key info. The enterprise version also provides access to Flash/browser versions of the same dashboard displays, in case you need to show your stuff sans iPad. The graphs and dashboards themselves are a visual treat. You can easily drill down into your data with a few touches, or bring up a trendline or sparkline to make a clear point. If you've got a view you want to return to quickly, you can bookmark it for instant access; you can also easily send screenshots of a particular view. It's not an app for everyone, but if your day includes explaining numbers to others, you need to give Roambi a shot. It's also available in a free iPhone edition.
Xbox 360 Dashboard update is out!
It's out, right on schedule and it's a biggie. The new Fall 2010 Xbox Live Dashboad update is being rolled out right now in preparation for Kinect to hit shelves on November 4th (or November 10th in Europe). The update includes Netflix search, Zune music, an ESPN entertainment hub, and much much more. Since you probably overslept anyway and don't have time to do the update before heading into the coal mines, why not check out our in depth preview of the update from a few weeks ago. Go ahead, don't cost nothin'. Otherwise, Major Nelson has the full breakdown in the link below. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Xbox Live Fall Dashboard update coming November 1
Looks like the handful of folks with early Kinect games who're locked out of Xbox Live won't have too much longer to wait -- Microsoft emailed fall Dashboard preview users last night with the announcement that the forthcoming Xbox Live update will go public on November 1. "On November 1, 2010, there will be a mandatory service update to Xbox Live. This update will both add new features to your service and also enhance the interface, navigation, and responsiveness of Xbox Live," the email reads. Beyond Kinect functionality, the fall Dashboard update will add ESPN3, refreshed Avatars, and a new voice codec for chat (among other things). This means, besides all that stuff, you'll finally be able to chat with your friends in the Dashboard preview once more. It's been so long, friends! [Thanks to everyone who sent this in!]
Xbox Live mandatory update coming November 1st, all hands on board
Dashboard, that is. You've already seen the new Xbox 360 dashboard update right here and thousands of you have tried its flatter, faster interface for yourselves, but if you've missed out, it's looking like your Halloween candy bag may include a full-scale rollout. Xbox Live subscribers are getting the above message in their inboxes right now, indicating that November 1st will bring a service update of some sort, after which point "You will notice a change to the layout of the Xbox LIVE Dashboard, a new color scheme, and new fonts being used." That doesn't necessarily sound like a cornucopia of Netflix Search, ESPN, Kinect and Zune Music to us, but it's not like you have a choice -- it's mandatory, and you'll lose all Xbox Live functionality unless you comply. We for one welcome our new gaming software overlords. Unlike some of the competition's updates, these at least add functionality. [Thanks, Timothy C.]
Calculator's currency calculations currently kaput
OS X's built-in Calculator.app has built-in support for currency conversions. To get accurate results, you have to update the currency exchange rates from inside the application. This feature is currently broken for many users, as I discovered after it wouldn't work for me. Several threads on the Apple Discussion forums show this is a "known issue" with no known fix at this time. This seems to be happening to users of both Leopard and Snow Leopard. In the meantime, you can use the "Unit Converter" widget which is still working and updates successfully. You can add the widget by clicking on the "+" in Dashboard, or by double-clicking on it from /Library/Widgets/. Some users are reporting that other conversions are not working either. I did not have that problem, but if you do you can try deleting the ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.Calculator.plist file (where ~ means your Home folder). If you need to do currency conversions but don't want to use Dashboard, you can use Google instead; it will accept plain language conversions such as "20 euro to us dollars" and will offer other currency conversions as well.
Attempts to play Kinect early can result in headaches, nausea, and an acute lack of Xbox Live
Our friends at Joystiq are reporting that receiving an early Kinect unit or a Kinect title is cause for caution and adult supervision, not celebration. Turns out if you attempt to play the game, the Xbox will offer you an update, and if you accept, you'll get pushed an early version of the new Dashboard that not only won't work with Kinect, but also won't let you sign into Xbox Live. Want to update again or revert? Sorry, smart guy, you're stuck. Of course, Microsoft will no doubt be rescuing you on or before November 4th, when Kinect is officially released to the public and it has to push the new Dashboard to everyone, but until then you'll probably be stuck trying to remember what game consoles did before they connected to the internet. We vaguely recall something about gathering stars...
Ford looks to 'interaction design' for future dashboards
Ever heard of Ideo? Chances are you haven't (unless you're a hardcore designer), but that very design consultancy is credited with the development of the original Apple mouse and for crafting interfaces for Palm. And now, they'll be credited with helping Ford advance its dashboards for the next generation. A long-winded report over at the New York Times details how the Fiesta's T9-inspired dash looked antediluvian by the time it hit American shores, but a company initiative (codenamed HAL) sought to dramatically improve the "cabin experience." In order to do so, Ford has latched onto "interactive design," a concept conjured up by Ideo's co-founder, Bill Moggridge. Specific guidelines were created in order to generate "a sort of universal logic for all the cars' switches and systems," and we're told that it'll apply to all future Ford models around the globe. Hit the source link for the whole shebang.
Microsoft outlines changes and improvements coming in dashboard update
A few of the upcoming Xbox 360 Dashboard update's biggest changes have been heavily touted by Microsoft over the past few months: Things like a redesigned Zune Marketplace, ESPN streaming video and the power to control things with your mind gestures. However, a few of the update's lesser known functions were recently explained by Microsoft -- for instance, did you know that the update will improve voice chat quality, a more streamlined approach to connecting to wireless hotspots, and also, sometimes, your 360's disc tray will produce sizzling strips of hickory-smoked bacon? To find out which one of those things we said was a bold-faced lie, check out the full list of changes coming in the next Dashboard update after the jump.
Xbox Live Fall 2010 Dashboard Update preview: ESPN, Netflix search, Kinect, and more! (Update)
Shortly before Kinect hits store shelves on November 4th, Microsoft plans on rolling out the Fall Update to Xbox Live -- even sooner for those who signed up for the preview program. That shouldn't come as much of a surprise, really: even without the numerous leaks, the fall update is a longstanding tradition for the almost five-year-old console, and the company devoted a large chunk of its E3 2010 presentation to talk about the biggest additions. That includes Netflix search (finally!), Zune music, and an entertainment hub for a certain worldwide sports broadcaster... ESPN. We've had a chance to spend some time at home with the Fall Update, follow us after the break for our full impressions! Update: As both Joystiq and a number of tipsters have alerted us, Microsoft has pulled the large, wooden lever in its dark underground lair that allows for the Fall Update to trickle out and assimilate itself into the consoles of those smart enough to sign up for the preview program. If you receive a prompt upon signing in, rejoice! If not, well, have patience! P.S. - Looking for more? Our BFFs at Joystiq have compiled a series of exhaustive videos chronicling the Fall Update. Check it out! %Gallery-103613%
Video tour: Xbox 360 Fall 2010 Dashboard update
Join us in our video preview of the upcoming Xbox 360 Dashboard update. While Microsoft keeps the Kinect component under wraps, we've got plenty to show you: there's the promised ESPN content, updated Netflix functionality (now featuring "search") and, of course, the new Dashboard UI. Oh, and Avatars are looking a bit different and sporting some new features. Hit a link below to jump to the corresponding video or watch them all after the break. Dashboard and Family Settings | ESPN | Netflix Search | Avatars %Gallery-103626%
Xbox Live Update Preview Program sign-up sheet now accepting gamertags
Want an early glimpse of ESPN for Xbox Live? How about an upgraded Netflix, Zune music, or some shiny new visuals? Just like last year, Microsoft's resident Xbox 360 spokesman Major Nelson has made the call for sign-ups in the Update Preview Progam, which as the name suggests will get you on the list for potentially some early playtime with the upcoming Dashboard update. Just follow the instructions to get in the virtual queue, and sorry, this isn't gonna get you any closer to Kinect. Productivity notwithstanding, what do you have to lose?
Leaked Xbox 360 dashboard gets demonstrated on video
(function() { var s = document.createElement('SCRIPT'), s1 = document.getElementsByTagName('SCRIPT')[0]; s.type = 'text/javascript'; s.async = true; s.src = 'http://widgets.digg.com/buttons.js'; s1.parentNode.insertBefore(s, s1); })(); Digg We've already gotten a brief look at the new Xbox 360 Dashboard that's leaked out courtesy of the Kinect beta program, but now that it's well and truly leaked across the internet, we're getting a much better picture of what's in store for the rest of us later this fall. As you can see above and in the pair of videos after the break, the new Dashboard is decidedly squarer than the current one, and contains few elements that haven't gone untouched. You can also now even try out the new Dashboard yourself relatively easily, though you may run into a bit of trouble if you actually want to do thing like play games online.
Kinect beta Dashboard update gets leaked as soon as it arrives, hardware kits are 'being packed'
Man, leakers don't sleep! That hush-hush Kinect beta program is indeed in full effect, and while hardware is en route to giddy testers, the accompanying Xbox 360 Dashboard update has already been distributed -- and promptly leaked. Joystiq has a gallery of screenshots from the new interface, including a revamped Avatar editor and some navigational alterations to account for using your body as the controller. We like this just for the humor value, including the note above instructing you to take a break if you get "sore" and the full-page list of prohibitions against talking about or showing the beta program's interface. Ah well.