Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[2011 Ford Fiesta to include AppLink, voice-control Blackberry and Android apps [w/videos]]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/20/2011-ford-fiesta-to-include-applink/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/20/2011-ford-fiesta-to-include-applink/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/20/2011-ford-fiesta-to-include-applink/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Ford SYNC with AppLink - Click above for high-res image gallery

On our way to Stanford last week, we came across a murdered-out Toyota Prius with an "I♥OPEC" vanity plate. Prime Twitter fodder if we've ever seen it. Unfortunately, even with our smartphone streaming navigation directions and a podcast through the Ford Fusion's SYNC system, we couldn't safely tweet our find. Well, Ford's about to rectify that issue with the introduction of AppLink, a downloadable upgrade to the SYNC infotainment system that allows drivers to control their smartphone apps through voice commands.

AppLink will be exclusive to the 2011 Ford Fiesta when it hits dealers later this year and, at launch, it will only work with Blackberry and Android-powered devices running SYNC software. When it does arrive, the first three supported apps are Stitcher, Pandora (bye-bye XM/Sirius) and Orangatame's OpenBeak Twitter program. More apps are sure to be available in the following months and Ford has setup a developer channel on SYNCMyRide to get programmers going.

For those of you currently rolling in a SYNC-equipped Ford or Lincoln, AppLink will be available as a download sometime next year, and for all you Apple fanboys, fear not, iPhone integration is on the way. Make the jump for all the details and a brace of videos showing off the technology.


Gallery: Ford SYNC with AppLink


[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2011 Ford Fiesta to include AppLink, voice-control Blackberry and Android apps [w/videos]

2011 Ford Fiesta to include AppLink, voice-control Blackberry and Android apps [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20112011 ford fiesta2011FordFiestaAndroidblackberryfiestafordford fiestaford sync applinkFordFiestaFordSyncApplinkI.C.E.ICEin car entertainmentin-car electronicsIn-carElectronicsInCarEntertainmentiPhonelincolnopen beakopenbeakpandorastitchersyncsync applinkSyncApplinktweettwitterTue, 20 Apr 2010 00:01:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19443579/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/20/2011-ford-fiesta-to-include-applink/19443579/article-detail.xml 19443579 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/applinksync_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/applinksync.jpg <![CDATA[Video: Second-ever iPad car installation keeps it simple, maintains factory tech]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/video-second-ever-ipad-car-installation-keeps-it-simple-mainta/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/video-second-ever-ipad-car-installation-keeps-it-simple-mainta/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/04/15/video-second-ever-ipad-car-installation-keeps-it-simple-mainta/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Second in-car iPad installation by SoundMan Car Audio - Click above to view video after the jump

The gang at SoundMan Car Audio was the first to install an Apple iPad into an automobile when they dropped one into the dash of a Toyota Tacoma pickup the very day the device was officially released. That install was pretty slick, but required a bit of customization to the dash and a relocation of the controls. Now that they've had more than a week to think about it, SoundMan has once again done a car install of the wündertablet, this time sticking it into the dash of a 2004 Nissan Maxima.

Follow the jump to see how the follow-up install went, but know that SoundMan has taken a remarkably different tack with this configuration, making a simple notched slot for the tablet to slip into, with a single plug leading to the existing audio system's aux jack. Slipping the iPad out of its holder reveals that the Max's stock navigation and back-up cam screen are still functioning in their original locations. Assuming glare isn't an issue, this install is very trick.

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: Second-ever iPad car installation keeps it simple, maintains factory tech

Video: Second-ever iPad car installation keeps it simple, maintains factory tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Apr 2010 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Appleapple iphoneApple tabletAppleIphoneAppleTabletautomotive ipad installautomotive ipad installationAutomotiveIpadInstallAutomotiveIpadInstallationcar audiocar installcar ipad installcar ipad installationCarAudioCarInstallCarIpadInstallCarIpadInstallationICEin car entertainmentin-car audioin-car ipadIn-carAudioIn-carIpadInCarEntertainmentipadipad car installationipad in caripad in-caripad installipad installationIpadCarInstallationIpadIn-carIpadInCarIpadInstallIpadInstallationsoundmanSoundMan Car AudioSoundmanCarAudioThu, 15 Apr 2010 14:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19439557/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/04/15/video-second-ever-ipad-car-installation-keeps-it-simple-mainta/19439557/article-detail.xml 19439557 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/ipadmaximainstall_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/04/ipadmaximainstall.jpg <![CDATA[Chrysler's in-car wi-fi makes weak first impression]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/chryslers-in-car-wi-fi-makes-weak-first-impression/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/chryslers-in-car-wi-fi-makes-weak-first-impression/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/15/chryslers-in-car-wi-fi-makes-weak-first-impression/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



A man who purchased Chrysler's uConnect in-car wi-fi recently gave his impressions... and he wasn't exactly impressed. His three main issues were: it's slow, there are no instructions for encryption, and you're limited to 1 GB for downloads.

The Autonet site lists speeds as 600Kbps-800Kbps, and the reader didn't give any idea of the speeds, but he said the router had a hard time keeping an EVDO connection and would go to 1x. Autonet says the "connection is secured with WEP encryption, MAC address restriction or WAN port restricton," but according to the reader, it isn't shipped with any encryption in place and the manual doesn't tell you how to do it or even that you need to do it.

As for the 1 GB cap, that's for the $29 plan. There's a $50 plan that gets you 5 GB, which would be the way to go if you really are going to have the kids on YouTube in the back seat. Of all he writes about, it seems the biggest gripe is the speed -- nothing like trying to watch a 30-second clip that takes eight minutes to download. That's not a minor drawback, but for the convenience of using any wi-fi equipped device, and not having to listen to that American Girl DVD again, it could be worth it.

UPDATE: The co-founder of Autonet Mobile, Doug Moeller, contacted us after reading this post to address some of these issues. He says the user was in a rural area of Vermont where coverage is very poor, so he was moving between 1x networks and no network at all. In fact, the area didn't have any of the EVDO networks that the company supports. Autonet's device can handle maintaining connections as you move between 1x, EVDO-0 and EVDO-A networks very well, but not much can be done if there's no network at all. Also, they don't do usage based billing so it's impossible to get a $800 bill. They even offered this customer a full refund, which is standard practice if anyone is unsatisfied with the service. Finally, Moeller offered Autoblog a unit to test, so look for our own hands-on review of the technology soon.

[Source: Gizmodo via Kicking Tires]

Chrysler's in-car wi-fi makes weak first impression originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Sep 2008 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autonetautonet mobileAutonetMobilechryslerchrysler llcchrysler wi-fiChryslerLlcChryslerWi-fiin car electronicsin car entertainmentInCarElectronicsInCarEntertainmentmobile internetMobileInternetMon, 15 Sep 2008 18:30:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1314264/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2008/09/15/chryslers-in-car-wi-fi-makes-weak-first-impression/1314264/article-detail.xml 1314264 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/autonet_review_reader_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2008/09/autonet_review_reader.jpg <![CDATA[Slacker brings internet radio into your car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/slacker-brings-internet-radio-into-your-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/slacker-brings-internet-radio-into-your-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/16/slacker-brings-internet-radio-into-your-car/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It's like Pandora for your car! Slacker, a new web-based radio website has just launched this week. The channel selection is very similar to what's available on XM or Sirius, and we liken it to Pandora because the number of songs you can skip is limited, but the selection is large and the experience is flexible and customizeable. The website alone is a nice little diversion anywhere you've got a browser and bandwidth, but the exciting news is that there will soon be an iPod-like device so you can take your Slacker with you. That means never having to listen to the angry guy talk channel while stuck in a traffic jam again. It's also better than the four-song playlists each FM genre now spins, too. The portable device will store songs, and later this year Slacker will be unveiling a car dock that will be able to receive music from satellite signals.

Pulling down music from the birds is the same trick that Sirius and XM manage, but they cost money. Slacker is free once you purchase the hardware. How is that possible? Why, the very same way broadcast television and radio are free: advertising. If you're willing to sit through some ads, you get free music. In fact, the music is merely there to keep you interested enough that you'll continue to listen through the spots - of course, many of us are obsessive channel flippers (or worse yet, NPR junkies). You can have your Slacking and no commercials, too. For about half the price of Sirius, your $7.50 per month will keep the music rolling in and offer you unlimited skips and no ads. The price is so much lower because Slacker doesn't have big loans for satellites to pay off. The quality is in the MP3 realm, and sounds decent, which is encouraging. Some of us with finely tuned ears have a hard time listening to SatRad because of the digital compression artifacts. We'll see what happens if Slacker is able to popularize it's offerings, and deliver on the promise they're dangling tantalizingly in front of our noses.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Slacker brings internet radio into your car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Mar 2007 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audioentertainmenticein car electronicsin car entertainmentInCarElectronicsInCarEntertainmentinternetmusicradiosatellitesatellite radioSatelliteRadiosiriusxmFri, 16 Mar 2007 11:05:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/853723/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2007/03/16/slacker-brings-internet-radio-into-your-car/853723/article-detail.xml 853723 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/03/slacker_portable_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2007/03/slacker_portable.jpg <![CDATA[eBay Find of the Day: Evel Knievel's big-block 1984 Aston Martin Lagonda]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/30/ebay-find-of-the-day-evel-knievels-big-block-1984-aston-martin/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/30/ebay-find-of-the-day-evel-knievels-big-block-1984-aston-martin/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/30/ebay-find-of-the-day-evel-knievels-big-block-1984-aston-martin/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

As an automaker best known for its voluptuous, curvy coupes, the Aston Martin Lagonda is a knife-edged enigma. The origami aggression of its exterior, its tech-laden interior, along with the sheer scale of the thing (over 17' long) must've made it look like an aluminum-skinned spaceship when it hit the show scene in 1976. Launched with a 5.3-liter Weber-carb'd V8 (and clunky Chrysler three-speed automatic), the performance didn't completely deliver on the Lagonda's avant-garde visuals, though it was allegedly capable of 140 mph. Naturally, the Lagonda's habitually troublesome electronics and quality-control issues didn't stop at least one Autoblog staffer from falling in love with its impossibly futuristic shape collection of angles.

(click through to the jump for an interior shot, more details, and the link!)

Continue reading eBay Find of the Day: Evel Knievel's big-block 1984 Aston Martin Lagonda

eBay Find of the Day: Evel Knievel's big-block 1984 Aston Martin Lagonda originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 30 Apr 2006 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>502Aston MartinAstonMartinBig BlockBigBlockChevroletChevydaredevilDB-Seriesevel knievelEvelKnievelIdiopathic Pulmonary FibrosisIdiopathicPulmonaryFibrosisIn Car entertainmentInCarEntertainmentLagondaP. DiddyP.DiddyPuff DaddyPuffDaddyR-700RapideRolls RoyceRollsRoycestrokestunt manStuntManTickfordSun, 30 Apr 2006 11:03:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/613164/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/04/30/ebay-find-of-the-day-evel-knievels-big-block-1984-aston-martin/613164/article-detail.xml 613164 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/Knievel-Lagonda-resized_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/Knievel-Lagonda-resized.jpg <![CDATA[2007 Infiniti G35 set to rip it up]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/19/2007-infiniti-g35-9-5gb-ripper/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/19/2007-infiniti-g35-9-5gb-ripper/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/04/19/2007-infiniti-g35-9-5gb-ripper/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The upcoming 2007 Infiniti G35 looks like it will arrive equipped with an internal CD player packing ripping...er...downloading audio capability. Other details (such as audio format) remain scant, though the unit comes with a CompactFlash slot as well as the hard-drive to augment the high-end Bose system.

More information on the rest of the glorified G sports sedan can be found here.

(Tipster nod: Alex)

[Sources: Gizmodo, Edmunds via TGDaily via Anything But iPod via Engadget]

2007 Infiniti G35 set to rip it up originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Apr 2006 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Bosecd burningCd rippingCdBurningCdRippingCompactFlashG35In Car EntertainmentInCarEntertainmentInfinitiWed, 19 Apr 2006 17:31:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/609817/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2006/04/19/2007-infiniti-g35-9-5gb-ripper/609817/article-detail.xml 609817 http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/2007-infiniti-g35-center-stack_thumbnail.jpg http://www.autoblog.com/media/2006/04/2007-infiniti-g35-center-stack.jpg -1 2