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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?"

2 of 208 comments (clear)

  1. Proprietary Issues by juanergie · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Companies comercializing GPS devices are in the business of making money. I am inclined to believe you would run into proprietary and legal stuff should you plan to hack or reverse-engineer the device. Maybe some provide an API?

    --
    Aeroespacio.org
    1. Re:Proprietary Issues by westlake · · Score: 5, Insightful

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

      Never without qualifications. For example:

      Microwave radiation.
      Basic electrical safety.
      Eavesdropping on protected frequencies. {Cell phones][Radar]
      RFI

      There is surely the potential for civil liability:

      Your device catches fire and incinerates your cousin's $56,000 daysailer.
      You taser-shock your girl friend.
      Your faulty navigational display sends your mother-in-law off a cliff.