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Hackable In-Car GPS Unit?

Posted by timothy on from the what-I-want-is-an-r2-unit dept.

gigne writes "I'm in the market for a new, in-car GPS/sat nav. I am preferably looking for one that has live, up-to-date traffic information and route planning that doesn't make you want to cry. I'm not quite dumb enough to drive off a cliff, but something that doesn't even try and lead me to watery doom is preferable. The only thing I absolutely must have is the ability to hack it. It would be preferable if it ran GNU/Linux, but given a convincing argument, I would be swayed to another OS. Without wanting the Moon on a stick, what is the best device that would offer a decent modding community and a good feature set?"

11 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. Ask Microsoft by cwike · · Score: 3, Funny

    Everyone famously knows tomtom runs (GNU/)Linux, and uses FAT formatted memory cards, just ask Microsoft.

  2. Re:Uh, it's called Windows Mobile by CarpetShark · · Score: 4, Funny

    When I drove from California to NC, I wrote a custom app that read the GPS lat/long coordinates, searched a database of 5000 fast food places, gas stations, and hotels within 1 mile of I-40, so I could find where I wanted to go

    I believe that's called making your windows GPS function like a proper GPS ;)

  3. Re:Proprietary Issues by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It is perfectly legal to do whatever you fucking want with an electronic device you own, at least in most countries.

    Excellent. I shall now go around bludgeoning people with my keyboard.

  4. Re:Proprietary Issues by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Unfortunately that is only true if it does not involve software or data.

    You're the guy who wants to go bludgeoning people with his keyboard, aren't you?

  5. Moon on a stick by garryknight · · Score: 4, Funny

    I've just written a hackable gnu/linux satnav program that runs on a USB stick. It's called 'Moon'.







    Disclaimer: No I haven't.

    --
    Garry Knight
  6. Re:Proprietary Issues by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I hope that is an IBM Model M keyboard, otherwise you will just end up breaking your keyboard.

  7. Re:Get a TomTom. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    I have the 720, and it is great.

    P.S. Hey Slashdot, can we get an edit button!

    I wish Slashdot had an "Edit" button that when clicked would say "quit being lazy and proofread."

  8. Re:Proprietary Issues by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny

    Hey, what me and my girlfriend do in the privacy of our bedroom is no business of yours!

  9. Re:Proprietary Issues by eln · · Score: 4, Funny

    Your faulty navigational display sends your mother-in-law off a cliff.

    That's not faulty, it's working precisely as intended.

  10. Re:navigon by Baloo+Uriza · · Score: 3, Funny

    I have a Navigon 2100, which runs WinCE but it is quite hackable. The whole OS and related data is stored on an SD card; you can simply plug it into an SD reader, replace the files, maps, everything.

    Interesting... so if you can replace the maps, any idea what program would convert OpenStreetMap data to the appropriate format for the Navigon? I have one of these useless doorstops (thanks to the absolute crap map data that it ships with) and i'm trying to rehabilitate it, since Navigon's support told me to go fuck myself (in those words).

    --
    Furries make the internet go.
  11. Hey Hans! by crhylove · · Score: 2, Funny

    I didn't know Hans Reiser could still post on /.!!!

    --
    I hold very few opinions. I hold information based on observation and fact. If you wish to disagree, please use facts.