Filed under: Audio, Gadgets, CES
CES 2007: Fill that void in your dash with GPS
From our viewpoint here at CES, it looks like automotive electronics manufacturers want nothing more than to fill that gaping hole where your 8-track once was with anything but an 8-track.
So far, Pioneer, Eclipse, TomTom, and even Microsoft are among those introducing all-in-one navigation-giving, MP3-playing, iPod-connecting, Bluetooth-equipped, satellite radio-lovin', in-car entertainment systems. All are the same, in that they take a bunch of those gadgets off the top of your dash and squash 'em into a box in the dash.
Microsoft CEO Bill Gates gave his 10th keynote address at CES Sunday night, where he talked about Vista and how it would unify communication in and outside the home. Your car too. Ford's Executive Vice President Mark Fields flew in from Detroit to join Gates in announcing Sync to a huge CES crowd. Gates started the Sync introduction by saying Microsoft wants to give drivers a safer, "single command" automotive interface that combines all elements of vehicle electronics.
Fields said Sync would be available on a dozen models of early 2008 Fords, Lincolns and Mercurys, including the Edge and the new Focus. Sync will bring together man, machine, mp3 player and mobile phone, allowing drivers to integrate all those devices with their cars. Sync will download, via Bluetooth, all address books and personal ringtones from mobile phones. The system can even be set up to read text messages to drivers, and will translate shorthand like LOL and emoticons. Somehow. But we don't see how that could be a good thing. Remember the loathed talking cars of the 80s? Ugh.
Descriptions of Pioneer's and Eclipe's all-in-ones, and a few more CES keynote photos after the jump.
The Eclipse AVN2210p puts GPS, Bluetooth, CD, MP3-player connectivity, Sirius, XM and Internet capability in their in-dash unit, but then give you the ability to load your 'Pods straight from space using TomTom's mobile Internet service. Set the 2210 to fetch "War and Peace" while driving, then, use the device's navigation to drive to your family reunion. Once there, dump the novel to your 'Pod and crazy Uncle Teddy is no longer an issue.
The 2210 goes one step further, giving you the option of not only having navigation in your ride, but also in your pocket. The TomTom GPS disconnects from the head unit to give full, touchscreen GPS usability in the palm of your hand. Useful, perhaps, when you need an escape route from the previously mentioned reunion.
Eclipse says their AVN2210P will go on sale this spring by your usual electronic retail suspects for a targeted retail price of $899. Professional installation will probably push that price closer to the budget of some smaller South American nations, but still remains cheaper than some factory-installed options.
Pioneer's AVIC-Z2 has iPod compatibility, Bluetooth connections to mobile phones, a CD player and some other cool things. But it's neatest trick is how it studies how you drive. And we all know how you drive. Seriously. But the AVIC-Z2 can learn your driving habits and learn your favorite routes. Next time you ask for directions, based on your history of choices (bad or good), the Z2 suggests the roads it thinks you'll like. And, as far as we know, it doesn't "suggest" them the way your spouse does. "Honey, regardless what you THINK you shoud do, I SUGGEST you take the next right."
More Bill Gates keynote speech photos:
Bill practices some road racing in his on-stage bedroom. Then CANNOT drive, by the way.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
CJ 10:22AM (1/08/2007)
I'm really tired of Bill Gates being put into the "visionary" role. I don't think he (or his company) really push anything innovative. And until I can ask the GPS systems the shortest route between a Home Depot, Target, Best Buy and the local pub, I won't be impressed.
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Braden 10:39AM (1/08/2007)
It's too bad none of the announcements are partnered with Garmin. Their standalone units are second to none - TomTom is a weak competitor.
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G. Snyder 11:40AM (1/08/2007)
Braden - please elaborate on how Garmin is stronger than TomTom? Sales? Functionality?
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Greg 3:35PM (1/08/2007)
Yes, this is what we need for drivers to play with while they ARE SUPPOSED TO BE F*CKING DRIVING.
I swear, the simplicity of today's populations is absolutely pathetic.
Ever here of MAPS?
For Christs sake, in the matter of time it takes to enter the information from your starting point to you destination point, a MAP will tell you pretty much the same damm thing, and at the same time, it's a neccessary skill in my opinion that everyone needs to fully understand.
How many people reading this blog has had the unpleasent experience of some *sshole driving into your lane as the road bends because the driver was putzing around with his 'OnBoard' navigation system?
For me, it has happened at least 6 times, and every single time it was someone driving an 'Infinite' or an 'Acura'.
If you can't drive with a cell phone to your ear, why in the world should you be allowed to drive with one of these computers on your dashboard?
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Greg 3:43PM (1/08/2007)
'Tom Tom'...
LOL - oh man, ever notice how each driver in those 'Tom Tom' commercials are portraying some poor slob who looks like he has to wear on slip on shoes because he never mastered the skill of tying his shoelaces?
I am no old fart - but this computer screen crap taking place of windshields and having computers tell you how to get to your mothers home is the worst thing in the world that the USA population needs at this point.
Back in 1975, my 5th grade school teacher, and old battle axe whose father probably fought in the civil war, warned everyone in the class that if they rely on the newest gadget that was out there, their brains would go numb, not getting the essential excersise it needs to mature and be healthy. It would 'dull' your brain so you couldn't figure out simple equations, and you would lose your ability of perception.
What was that gadget she was referring too?
The Calculator... and you know what, here I stand 32 years later and Dammit she was right!
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G. Snyder 4:39PM (1/08/2007)
Greg...you should just slip into a comma and pass into the beyond. Your time has passed (and shame on you if you are not 80, because that is how you sound).
Bad drivers will always be bad drivers. When radios were added to cars, someone like you said the exact same thing you typed above. Seriously. Have you ever even used a navigation device? Do you think that reading a map while driving is BETTER? Jesus - wake up man.
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Greg 9:26PM (1/08/2007)
#6..
Yes, I have used a navigation system, numerous times to see if I could appreciate it, it came in my Aunt's Acura.
One prime example of it being useless: While in Pennsylvania it advised me to get off an exit while traveling the PA turnpike, which then led me down a 2 lane road for about 14 miles, and then instructed me to get back on the PA turnpike.
Another example of it being useless: My Aunt called me, while stuck in Brookyln, turned out the Belt PKWY was closed for some unearthly reason... she failed to check shadow traffic and had no idea of an alternative.. I guided her, it was a pain but I did get her onto an alternative road. HAD SHE HAD A MAP in the car she could have done it herself.
There have been a few other times, but honestly, the last time I was in the car I just kept my mouth shut as she drove, I stayed in the backseat, and it did work ok, but the point is if you depend on this system, you have no idea of where you are going and where you really are.... and in turn, it exactly proved the point taught to me 30 years ago, you lose 'perception'.
Your rant against my comments proves that very point.
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Brian M 10:00PM (1/08/2007)
My wife and I call our navigation units "The Marraige Counsler" We have Garmin and Tom Tom units, and love both equally. Seriously though greg you should really try a voice navigation unit and tell me if that is safer than trying to read a map while driving. I just hope someone in the aftermarket picks up the Microsoft Sync and stuffs it into an aftermarket head unit complete with navigation. Single DIN unit, 3.5" screen complete with flash memory storage of the navigation data (SD card is fine) and all of the sync features would be my ideal unit, as well as a DVD-R DL reader where I can stuff 9 GB of music on a single disc and let it play in random mode and HD Radio support (the last 2 items will keep me from having to pay for XM or Sirius).
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Greg 10:53PM (1/08/2007)
#8 - So let me get this right... you think it is ok for someone to 'watch a computer screen' on the dashboard.. rather than know where he or she should be going in the first place?
Well let me tell you something... I see both looking at a computer screen and reading a map while driving without prior knowledge to where you are supposed to go as 100 TIMES MORE DANGEROUS THAN TALKING ON A MOBILE TELEPHONE.
Both are wrong... Reading Maps and playing around with a digital readout / computer screen on your cars dash.
But the navigation system is worse.. because without it you are 100% lost, and depending on a signal to get you to and from home is ridiculous, that is how I see it.
Maybe you and your wife should try pulling out a map or even on your computer at your home and 'map out your trip' before you leave the house.. have an idea of where you are going .. how long each road should be in miles, etc... it's more healthy for your brain than sitting like monkey waiting for a command.
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shrapnel 11:34PM (1/08/2007)
Greg is hopeless. Let's go with the map theory...did you know that WORST CASE SCENARIO you could look at the goddamned nav screen on the side of the road and use it like a map (vs. using the guidance). In addition, most nav systems have options for alternate routes, quickest vs. shortest, surface streets vs. highways, etc. Your statements demonstrate lack or your (or your aunt's I guess) knowledge of how do use the device. I guess you can read a map but not a manual.
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G. Snyder 9:39AM (1/09/2007)
Wow Greg. Wow.
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Greg 9:39AM (1/09/2007)
#12 - Again - you will wind up depending on a 'signal' to get you from point 'A' to point 'B'.
But I tell you what, there are plenty of people buying them and using them. I wonder how many of them wind up wrecking their cars or will wreck their cars using them in years to come, but not to worry, with the little black boxes that are being installed in all new cars, insurance industries and the police will be able to trace up to the last nano second of what the driver was doing leading up to an accident.
My bet... in 10 years these things will be either outlawed or banned from operating unless someone is doing it from the passenger seat while the car is moving.
But within that 10 years... countless people will be killed by those playing with their little gizmo's when they are supposed to be paying attention to the road in front of them.
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Greg 9:46AM (1/09/2007)
# 7... No.. people like me years ago said outsourcing jobs will lead to an entire class of working families that would have to work 2 jobs in order to get by.
Funny, today new car sales suck... why? Because most working families cannot afford to buy a new car, and when they do, it is taking them 6 years to pay it off versus the 3 years it took just 15 years ago.
But you go ahead and ridicule the valid points I have stated.... god forbid, if some jerk ever drives into the side of your car one day and as he/she does you see it coming, and also notice he/she was pushing buttons on the little computer in the center of his dash rather than paying attention to the road.... don't have a flashback to this message board... it might make you feel like a fool.
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Joe 7:29PM (2/01/2007)
I am happy to see so many companies rolling up their sleeves and trying to offer something really cutting edge. So far no one offers what I want. I want a standard DIN radio with satellite radio and navigation without one of those stupid flip up screens that blocks my vents and hits my wiper stalk.
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Barbara 1:40PM (5/29/2007)
im a new mom and my husband got me a tomtom so i wouldnt have to worry about missing my turns/exits because i have a screaming baby in the back seat. i also have a atlas in my car in case i need it...my tomtom isnt always accurate but maps arent always correct either, especially in PA where they are constantly working on the roads...also the manufacturers are starting to make the in dash navigation systems with an integrated feature that disables you from changing your route unless your vehicle is in park.
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