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: The future of car configurators, brought to you on Microsoft Surface]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/video-the-future-of-car-configurators-brought-to-you-on-micros/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/video-the-future-of-car-configurators-brought-to-you-on-micros/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/30/video-the-future-of-car-configurators-brought-to-you-on-micros/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


The Neue Digital / Razorfish car configurator - Click above to watch video

Microsoft Surface is, at its most basic, a table-sized touchscreen computer. You can play with them at rather select locations, but we haven't yet begun to see what the thing can do because there aren't enough people investing in applications for it. But for a glimpse of a potential automotive use, Neue Digitale / Razorfish (ND/R) created a configurator that turns accessorizing into building a car in your bare hands.

One of the coolest things about ND/R's take on customizing is that Surface allows for a huge car because the screen is, literally, a table. The haptic controls let you move the car - in this case, an Audi - with a finger or two in any direction, and zooming and jumping in and out of the vehicle take just a few finger touches. The neatest thing of all is the actual physical widget that, when placed on the screen, pulls up a topical menu on the screen that can be flipped through by rotating the widget. And get this: two people can use it at the same time.

It's not quite as revelatory as the configurator that Aston introduced last year for the DBS, only because it's not yet real. But it probably will be soon enough. Follow the jump to have a look at the video.

[Source: Emerging Experiences via German Car Blog]

Continue reading VIDEO: The future of car configurators, brought to you on Microsoft Surface

VIDEO: The future of car configurators, brought to you on Microsoft Surface originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiauto buyingAutoBuyingavantcar buyingcar configuratorCarBuyingCarConfiguratorconfiguratorfalsemicrosoftmicrosoft surfaceMicrosoftSurfaceNeue DigitaleNeueDigitaleRazorfishtechtechnologyvideoWed, 30 Sep 2009 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Aston Martin building website worthy of its cars]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/aston-martin-building-website-worthy-of-its-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/aston-martin-building-website-worthy-of-its-cars/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/31/aston-martin-building-website-worthy-of-its-cars/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Aston is working with its agency, Splendid, to create the DBS of car configurators, and by the looks of it, the site must have cost a lot more to build than a DBS does. Splendid started off by creating a 3D render of the car that actually looks photorealistic and not like a virtual representation that gets lost somewhere in the uncanny valley. When you change the color -- to any of 2.5 billion combinations, according to the DBS designer -- you aren't simply tinting a model of a car, you're looking at a car in that color.

Inside, the configurator is detailed enough to let you zoom in to see individual stitches on various interior surfaces. And each part of the car is highlighted, so you can choose your wheels with full-screen images and get complete specs on the wheels alone. And when you need a break from deciding on the red brakes or silver, you can watch videos and create your own video channel.

After you've configured the car you want, the fun continues at the dealership. Dealers will be provided with Samsung UMPC's that allow further configuration -- even matching the color of an item you bring in for the paint job on your DBS. It's a setup worthy of Q himself, although they didn't mention whether you could install a defibrillator in the glovebox. Click the link to check out a demo of the keynote video that explains it. (Note: you need Silverlight to view it.) Thanks for the tip, Ben!

[Source: Mix]

Aston Martin building website worthy of its cars originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Mar 2008 19:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>aston martinAstonMartincar configuratorcar configuratorsCarConfiguratorCarConfiguratorsconfigurationMon, 31 Mar 2008 19:34:00 EST<![CDATA[That time already? Pontiac's ready for you to build your own G8]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/28/that-time-already-pontiacs-ready-for-you-to-build-your-own-g8/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/28/that-time-already-pontiacs-ready-for-you-to-build-your-own-g8/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/28/that-time-already-pontiacs-ready-for-you-to-build-your-own-g8/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Warning: obnoxious music will automatically start playing if you click above image

The Pontiac G8 isn't set to go on sale until after its debut in February at next year's Chicago Auto Show, but that hasn't stopped the launch of a new minisite where you can 'build your G8' just the way you like it. After choosing whether you want the standard V6 or the V8-powered GT model, you can then proceed to pick a color and interior trim choice. Then it's just a matter of choosing the premium or sport package and viewing your summary.

Most of the car's specifications have already been revealed, but one of the more interesting tidbits revealed on the minisite is that there's no mention of a six-speed manual gearbox as used in the Aussie VE Commodore. Does this mean the G8 won't be offered with a standard transmission, but rather your choice of a five- or six-speed automatic? For shame, GM. For shame.

Concerning the paint and interior trim, we also learn that the G8 will be available in six new colors, including a bright purple called "Stealth Blue Metallic" and eye-popping orange called "Ignition Orange Metallic", and also that a mix of black and red trim will be used for the cabin.

No pricing information has been released, which means you should just keep dreaming of one day buying the new Pontiac G8 until GM reveals the price tag and reality sets in.

Thanks for the tip, Derek!

[Source: Pontiac]

That time already? Pontiac's ready for you to build your own G8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Build a G8build your G8build your own G8Build your own pontiac G8BuildAG8BuildYourG8BuildYourOwnG8BuildYourOwnPontiacG8car configuratorCarConfiguratorG8Pontiac G8PontiacG8Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:58:00 EST