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Sony Launches Three Linux-based In-car Navigation Devices
An anonymous reader writes "Sony has introduced three Linux-based in-car navigation and entertainment devices in Japan today. The NV-XYZ 33, 55, and 77 feature 3D map navigation technology, media players, hard drives, GPS, and PC connectivity. They are based on MIPS processors and a Linux 2.4-series kernel. They also appear to use a GateKeeper copy protection scheme, which may prevent them from being used with Linux desktops and normal media files." Still, the 3-D representations of actual buildings on the maps is pretty impressive.
Now all we need is to get Honda to GPL their engineering specifications.
What does "other media files" mean? An in-car entertainment device with DRM or what?
There are other alternatives, the last thing I need is a 3d representation of the buildings...
"Hey honey check out that building on the screen about 50 feet away..."
*crash*
Excuse me, I don't mean to impose, but I am the ocean
They first tried using windows but it crashed.
Does this remind anyone else of Crazy Taxi?
how long it will take them to "remember" to release the source to the modified gpl programs that they will be using.
In the board room:
"We can put in a really cool way to navigate in this 3d rendered navigator.. we will call them.. STREET SIGNS.. so people can look at the buildings and then check the street signs for their current course"
Uh, what is the point of a 3d rendered navigation system? Unless it's doing a better job than my eyes, I don't see the use at all.
Excuse me, I don't mean to impose, but I am the ocean
I used to visit Antarti.ca a lot, and this is similar to the products they offered. There were always performance problems. The technology in this system looks much more advanced. The question of how to collect all the necessary information is still important, esp. in a physically larger country like the United States. It doesnt seem like it would be economical unless there is a large surcharge on the product to pay for all the necessary work to map a large portion of even the cities in the United States.
According to the article's image, this 3D approach has two advantages - advertising and landmark spotting.
Since human is good at recognizing patterns and objects, a 3D image of a building/landmark will greatly improve your chance of making that critical turn.
Rock that crushes, Paper & Scissors that don't matter.
Looks like the maps for the first Grand Theft Auto. Does the thing also identify where Spray and Bomb shops are?
who SCO's next "victim" will be...
C|N>K
Perhaps this could be a proof of Linux use in the consumer electronics market. If Sony continues to develop products with Linux integration, the market should follow.
After all Sony has been an innovator in the past and this should be no different. If Linux were to become a big thing in Japan then it would also become a big thing in America.
Dashwerks is about to release our flagship telematics server. It's a very similar product, however, ours originates in (and is) open-source. It's been seen on here before (back in 2001).
Don't think that a small group of dedicated individuals can't change the world. It's the only thing that ever has.
At least that way I could constantly reboot the thing while I'm tied up in traffic and fool myself into thinking I was being productive.
This isn't a sig... The weekend is almost here and heck yeah I'm posting from a win xp box today. Lighten up, life is too short:)
Well, like a pedestrian or something.
But imagine it on a HUD with the buildings perfectly matching what you see outside...
Well, for $2k I'll use my eyes.. but fog.. you know... FOG! :)
VICS supplies real-time traffic congestion, accident and time-to-destination information through roadside or overhead radio beacons dotted all over major roads. VICS-aware navigation systems can then automatically re-route around problem areas.
Apart from the very cute display, Sony is playing catch-up here, though the home cradle is nice: maps can be updated via an internet service that starts in July.
Some systems receive traffic updates via PHS and cellphones in addition to, or instead of, radio. Subscription services provide frequently updated information on speed cameras, mobile speed traps and other inconveniences.
VICS.
Will Sony also be selling ad-space on the buildings in their 3D maps? No pop-ups please!
Clearly you forget the Microsoft AutoPC, which never really caught on. Clarion wanted over $1,000 for a car-stereo-sized PC that you could customize with very expensive software add-ons.
For more information, click here.
Well I don't know about other countries, but in Australia it's illegal to operate a mobile phone while driving (unless it's hands-free), and I believe it's also illegal to have a TV or similar device in a car in view of the driver (ie. they can be in the headrests for the back passengers).
The ability to watch TV on these devices is going to cause some serious legal issues if they ever take off here (unlikely).
Homonyms are fun!
You're driving your car, but they're riding their bikes there.
Must be a small distribution. Maybe you mean Minix?
Call (206) 338-5780 COLLECT for information about a genuine BA, BS, MA, MS, MBA, or Ph.D.
For people living in and around Tokyo, a car itself is a luxury-- just as it would be for someone in Manhattan. You cannot buy a car without proof of parking space (usually $200-400/month).
With that market, expensive add-ons to pimp out your ride are very appealing. Those who go to the trouble to own a car (when you really don't need one in the city) are obviously very into that car as a status symbol. Combined with the absolute need for mapping systems (the grid is purposefully convoluted), and Sony should see some good sales.
No one here uses CD players in cars-- they all use MD players, but are quickly moving to HDDs that interface with their iPODs. DVDs are a nice way to spend the time while waiting in traffic or waiting for friends to arrive (I usually wait 30 minutes somewhere when meeting friends).
davejenkins.com |
The closest I've seen to this is in Nissan/Infinity cars, which has a "looking down from an angle" view of the map, instead of the traditional "view from directly overhead".
Still, one of the big annoyances with these things is updates. If you live in a mature city with rare changes in roadways, it's great, but if you live in an area which is still rapidly developing, there tend to be a lot of roads that pop up seemingly overnight (i.e. I noticed a shopping center on the way home last night which was an empty lot a week ago!)
Carmaggedon, here we come!
I don't mean to start bashing with you, but I do have a few comments. First off, I have used linux for a long time, and I still like using command lines more that graphics, even though I have been able to configure a system and leave the client alone for a year or more and they never have problems... hey, they don't even have to touch the command line.
:-)
The software compiling... well... it looks to me like the software is already with the unit, much like a differant OS in some computers. It seems to be preconfigured with everything needed, so the software is taken care of.
The interface is part of the software. I use blackbox, because I like it. They are probably just using a simple interface that doesn't do much except show their software... hey, it is there software.
THe maps are part of the software as well... Looks like the reasons to complain are dieing off...
The 'uptime' is a good thing... I don't want to worry about my navigation system dieing on me while traveling. I have lived out in the boonies most of my life and being in a large city might make things a bit more difficult for me. I'm sure if it can handle being on longer, it can also handle being restarted more gracefully, especially since the OS won't change... its part of the system. The uptime is equally as important. If I can't use the system because it isn't functioning is a lot differant than if I can't use the system due to a lack of features... One I can learn to get around, the other will stop me one hundered percent.
The system is linux, it will work. Not because it isn't windows, but because linux can be built to do the job a lot better than windows can be added to. One would be a custom fit, the other would be a jury rigged solution.
I don't know if you were being humorous or not... but I figured I would throw in my opinion.
I couldn't find any good mapping programs for linux that covered the USA, and also gave driving directions. Are there any?
The blessing of Open Source is that you can write it yourself.
Start, ummmmm, compiling.
KFG
with PS2 Linux. Granted it's a different subcompany, but what makes you automatically assume they won't comply with the GPL?
-Benjamin Meyer
Do you changes clothes while making the "chee-chee-cha-cha-choh" transformation sound?
That they have it so as youre driving you can pick up power ups, and when you get a hitchhiker you have to take them to their destination on time, this reminds me of something
(\_/)
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I'd just like to see *somebody*, anybody, release a decent trip planning package for Linux.
/. apathy.
I used to hold out hope for Delorme, but since they discontinued support for Mac and went pure Windows I've given that up. There was a glimmer of a chance for change, but that was dashed upon the rocks of
www.eFax.com are spammers
An Anonymous Coward in his ignorancy is better left alone. My system turns on, logs in and starts to play music at 6:30 AM. It is my alarm clock. By the time I am to my computer, it has raised the volume to about 80 percent, which is a good volume to listen to the music. I check my e-mail and walk out. At about 9 my system shuts itself down. I only touched it to read the e-mail. A very system thing without any clicking (unless I get some e-mail, then I might have to reply.) Looks pretty easy to me. It would be cool if they could incorporate something like that into this system. I would like to be able to listen to music, watch movies, find my way around, check traffic conditions, check e-mail, send e-mail, chat, and all that stuff from my car. If I have a wireless net connection to my car (which is almost possible in some areas) I could even voice chat. Talk about consolidating the bills. Maybe this thing will take off and add a few things. You never know. The hardware is a bit steap for me though. The software is priced pretty good though. :-)
Because when you put together Sony, Linux, 3d graphics and MIPS CPU, I think Playstation 2.
Personally, I remember directions much better if I've been there just once, and a quick virtual drive might just be all I need to avoid having to look at the map while actually driving.
Now there's a worthwhile idea... you could practice your getaway drive after knockin' over the local 7-Eleven. That could maybe help cut down on those pointless pursuits down dead-end alleys that always seem to befall the thugs on "Cops".
I found most of these projects at TuxMobil.org. I havn't actually used any of these programs, but I'm working on it!
-Daniel
KD5UZZ
www.w5yj.org