Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[VIDEO: First footage of BMW Product Navigator using Microsoft Surface]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/30/video-first-footage-of-bmw-product-navigator-using-microsoft-su/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/30/video-first-footage-of-bmw-product-navigator-using-microsoft-su/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/30/video-first-footage-of-bmw-product-navigator-using-microsoft-su/#commentsFiled under: , ,



We can think of worse things to do than spend a day at a BMW dealership configuring the vehicle of our choice. To make the experience of selecting the Ultimate Driving Machine even more engaging, BMW and Microsoft have teamed up on futuristic touchscreen tech. BMW's Product Navigator is like the iPhone, only supersized and on steroids, and it proves that the inventive types at Microsoft are alive and well. Hit the jump to view BMW's new Product Navigator in action. The tabletop touchscreen interface enables users to pick a BMW, modify colors and content, and even save the finished project to a thumb drive to take home with them. As customers configure their vehicle on the Product Navigator, a plasma TV on the wall displays video and specs of that exact vehicle. Neat. Thanks for the tip, Markus!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading VIDEO: First footage of BMW Product Navigator using Microsoft Surface

VIDEO: First footage of BMW Product Navigator using Microsoft Surface originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Nov 2008 09:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMWBMW Product ManagerBmwProductManagerMicrosofttouch screenTouchScreenSun, 30 Nov 2008 09:04:00 EST<![CDATA[SEMA 2007 Spotlight: Magden M.1 Performance Computer]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/03/sema-2007-spotlight-magden-m-1-performance-computer/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/03/sema-2007-spotlight-magden-m-1-performance-computer/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/11/03/sema-2007-spotlight-magden-m-1-performance-computer/#commentsFiled under: , ,



Since 1996 all vehicles sold in the United States have been equipped with an OBD-II system, also known as On Board Diagnostics. The reasoning behind requiring the system has a lot to do with the EPA and emissions, but it just so happens to also be a great tool for tuning. You may have noticed the required connector hiding around the dash in the vicinity of the driver's seat. Over time, various companies have developed OBD scanners and data loggers, but there were two of particular interest to us at the 2007 SEMA Show (we're covering the other later).

Magden Technologies brought out their M.1 Performance Computer, a compact box capable of logging the user's choice of OBD channels. The data is saved spreadsheet style and can be transferred via a USB dongle and the box also has the ability to log from user added sensors. The most interesting feature though, is the computer's ability to output video display. Combined with Magden's own touch-screen it makes for a pretty impressive interactive light show.

Gallery: Magden M.1 Performance Computer

SEMA 2007 Spotlight: Magden M.1 Performance Computer originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 03 Nov 2007 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Can BusCanBusM.1 Performance ComputerM.1PerformanceComputerMagdenOBDOBD-IITouch ScreenTouchScreenSat, 03 Nov 2007 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW: The Ultimate Selling Machine]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/bmw-the-ultimate-selling-machine/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/bmw-the-ultimate-selling-machine/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/14/bmw-the-ultimate-selling-machine/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Wow, this is pretty cool. If you happen to wander into a BMW dealer and see a huge flat-panel in the corner, it's likely not a TV on which owners can watch CNN while waiting for their Bimmer to be serviced. It's more likely one of these high-tech sales tools for the Bavarian motor company. Powered by software made by Innotive, these touch-screen information displays allow a sales consultant to point out design features and even call up comparisons to competitive models. It's kind of like having the company's build-a-car websites open and active, but at a much higher level of interaction. And with the ability to telestrate and customize a sales pitch to the individual, it should be the ultimate selling machine for these ultimate driving machines.

Follow the jump to see a YouTube video of a salesperson using the system to compare features of a BMW to those of an Audi. You'll also see a customer using the system to customize his car with a few taps of the glass.

[Source: Fresh Creation]

Continue reading BMW: The Ultimate Selling Machine

BMW: The Ultimate Selling Machine originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Mar 2007 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BMW dealerBmwDealerinformation kioskInformationKioskInnotivesales toolSalesTooltouchscreenWed, 14 Mar 2007 18:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Man mates Mac Mini with Toyota Prius]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/20/man-mates-mac-mini-with-toyota-prius/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/20/man-mates-mac-mini-with-toyota-prius/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/20/man-mates-mac-mini-with-toyota-prius/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We've reported in the past about hacking one's Prius in the search for higher mileage, but what about what about diving into the hybrid's matrix of bits and bytes in search of a more enlightening computing experience? (In the interest of full disclosure, I'm blogging this on a Powerbook G4, have an iMac G5 in the other room and am at the mercy of no less than three iPods.)

Regardless of your operating system preference, one has to appreciate the hack job of Jeremy Kusnetz, a systems architect from Leesburg, VA. Kusnets states his original motivation was to devise a way to take his entire iTunes library on the road with him and have and also for his young daughter to watch DVDs on long trips. I won't embarrass myself by attempting to explain how he did it, but the result is a Mac Mini installed in a cubbyhole of the Prius's center console. Not content using the Apple Remote to control the interface of Front Row on the Mac, Kusnetz programmed the Prius's touchscreen to handle commands for the computer.

You can check out a video of the MacPrius in action here on the designer's website.

[Source: Kusnetz.net]

Man mates Mac Mini with Toyota Prius originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jun 2006 19:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>apple computerAppleComputerhackmacmac miniMacMinipriustouchscreenTue, 20 Jun 2006 19:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Volkswagen gets all touchy-feely with screens]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2005/12/27/volkswagen-gets-all-touchy-feely-with-screens/http://www.autoblog.com/2005/12/27/volkswagen-gets-all-touchy-feely-with-screens/http://www.autoblog.com/2005/12/27/volkswagen-gets-all-touchy-feely-with-screens/#commentsFiled under:

VW has made a move to acquire licensing for a new technology called TouchSense from a U.S. company called Immersion. Foursprung reports that this technology makes it possible to make virtual buttons on touch screens sensible, thus providing tactile feedback from a 2-D display. TouchSense could virtually turn your entire center console into a flat-screen display that has the ability to simulate buttons and even provide the resistance of a normal button pushing in. VW-Audi has always been on the forefront of interior design, so we're curious to find out when and where TouchSense technology will show up first. If we're not mistaken, at one of the higher-end aftermarket nav systems already has this capability, though we haven't gotten on our hands on it yet.

Volkswagen gets all touchy-feely with screens originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Dec 2005 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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