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Google To Take On Apple's CarPlay

cartechboy (2660665) writes with news that Google is working on software to complete with Apple's CarPlay car dashboard software: Google is set to unveil its own automotive operating system known internally as Google Auto Link. The search giant plans to unveil its system at a software developer conference this month. Interestingly, Auto Link is the first production developed in conjunction with the Open Automotive Alliance, a group of companies including Audi, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, NVIDIA, and Google itself. Like CarPlay, Auto Link won't be an "embedded" system, rather, a "projected" one--an operating system that uses a driver's own smartphone operating system. We'll obviously learn details soon enough, but for now, we are left to wonder whether it'll be Apple or Google that ends up owning the automotive market.

126 comments

  1. Answer: Both by Que_Ball · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Why would it have to be exclusive?

    Car makers can simply support both protocols in their built in systems and whatever device you bring just pairs up with it.

    Why would an automaker want to exclude potential customers by only supporting one method or the other is the question you need to ask.  Unless Apple or Google is subsidising the cost of the car they just want to make the most attractive package possible and sell more cars.

    1. Re:Answer: Both by sosume · · Score: 0, Troll

      Neither please. Choosing between a big brother-like ad-riddled OS from Google vs a severely restricted vendor lock-in from Apple? I'd rather run my car on Windows than either of these.

    2. Re:Answer: Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are you smoking crack rock right now?

    3. Re:Answer: Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How exactly is Android riddled with ads? It's Microsoft that put ads in native Windows 8 apps, and apps can contain ads on either platform (and iOS as well).

      Also, given that the core of Android is FOSS, I put a lot more trust in it than either iOS or Windows. (It doesn't mean that it's safe, but it's much less likely to contain backdoors than anything closed-source.) And if you're really concerned about privacy, you can always install a privacy-minded Android fork -- Paranoid Android, for example.

    4. Re:Answer: Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Last week my phone got pushed to the most recent sub release of kitkat. I have a Nexus 5. Excellent job Google.

      As for Grishnakh - Congratulations on buying a vendor locked in phone. Bad job Grishnakh.

    5. Re:Answer: Both by dreamchaser · · Score: 1, Troll

      Don't feed the trolls or rabid Apple fanbois. It just encourages them.

    6. Re:Answer: Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      how about neither one, nor windows. a car does NOT need an operating system. they've been doing just fine without for over 100 years.

      none of the three companies mentioned (apple, google and now microsoft) have proven themselves to be capable of producing something, anything, with the extreme reliability and stability needed for something as demanding, and as 'mission critical' as controlling a motor vehicle or any of its components...

      and even just as an info display, or systems control 'pc' in-dash, we do not need more touch screens or more complicated controls and devices in-reach and in-view of driver... less is more. tactile mechanical controls are superior to any electronic gizmo or touch screen.

      add more electronics to a car, and the price goes up even more. 100 years ago, a car cost the average worker 4 months salary or less... to buy and own outright... today? up to a full year's pay or more, for something that basically does the same thing.... transports its passengers from point a to point b using a combustion engine-driven powertrain.

    7. Re:Answer: Both by torkus · · Score: 1

      Can't. Resist. Can't....
      Your insurance is going to suck when they hear your car crashes almost every single day. ...

      Also, why limit it in general? Assuming Google and Apple (and others) don't come up with a stupidly complex, locked-down, restricted connectivity method why could't the mfgs support anything using an open/common standard?

      In reality only iOS and Android have the market share to make that feasible...but MS will likely throw a ton of money to get themselves included (oh wait, Sync? Derp what a retarded interface).

      --
      You can get rich if you own a politician, but you have to be rich to buy one in the first place.
    8. Re:Answer: Both by Grishnakh · · Score: 2, Informative

      Um, no, I'm speaking from experience. Phones aren't supported by the mfgrs or carriers after 6-12 months. Just try asking your carrier when you're going to get an update to the latest version of Android for your 2 or 3-year-old phone. They'll tell you to buy a new one.

      At least Apple seems to support their devices for a decent amount of time, if you can stomach the insane amount of control and vendor lock-in that Apple exercises.

    9. Re:Answer: Both by Grishnakh · · Score: 1

      So you need to buy a Google-branded phone to get good support, and all the other Android vendors such? So why bother letting other vendors make Android phones at all?

      Face it, Google has done a terrible job with Android because it failed to anticipate the other vendors would do such a poor job supporting their products, and that this would reflect on Android as a whole.

      Also, there was no such thing as a Nexus when I got my phone.

    10. Re:Answer: Both by Alan+Shutko · · Score: 3, Insightful

      It's a protocol, not an OS. Vendors won't be running Android or iOS inside their cars. They'll just be able to talk to the device you plug in or pair.

    11. Re:Answer: Both by sexconker · · Score: 0

      Also, given that the core of Android is FOSS

      Android is closed source and costs money to license, and you have to agree to forcing Google's shit by default (like the Play store).
      AOSP is free and open source. No consumer wants a phone running AOSP.

    12. Re:Answer: Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're new here, aren't you?

    13. Re:Answer: Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Most of the key OS elements are separate from the core Android OS these days, and just update via the play store like any other apps, so even if you're dumb enough to go for a locked-down, crapware-infested, update- handset from your carrier, you still don't miss out on much. However if you have any brains at all, then you buy a Nexus device, or install a clean OS build from cyanogenmod.

    14. Re:Answer: Both by kannibal_klown · · Score: 2

      Neither please. Choosing between a big brother-like ad-riddled OS from Google vs a severely restricted vendor lock-in from Apple? I'd rather run my car on Windows than either of these.

      You don't want that.

      I'm not a Microsoft hater... I'm one of the few that think Win 8.1 is alright. But I *now* am not the biggest fan of the Microsoft "MyFordTouch" on my Ford Edge.

      The Navigation system is nice, I wouldn't trade that in for the world.

      But outside of GPS the Microsoft MFT system is buggy and crashes, and they failed to deliver on a heavily-advertised feature for MFT. It crashes about once-per-month, during which time while driving I lose a lot of climate-control / GPS / entertainment functionality.

      The failed feature was: connecting to iOS apps. They were supposed to let the MFT connect to a handful of iOS apps like Pandora and such. They couldn't get it working.

      They DID get it working on the regular Ford Sync... which lacked the large touch-screen monitor. So great... people with the cheaper system got the advanced feature while those with the more expensive system were told to "go screw."

      Meanwhile they were advertising how the MFT would do this that and the other thing... and failed to deliver.

    15. Re:Answer: Both by Lumpy · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Reality is that Android is fragmented to hell and back. Even now a great example. The HTC ONE M8 HTC's Flagship has a very shitty Android that most people are flashing the phone back to the google Play edition to regain functionality of Android.

      Unless Google tells all phone makers "FUCK YOU" and demands they can not call it android in any way if they modify it in any way like how apple tells AT&T and Verizon that they can not put their bloated garbage all over the phone... Then it will have crap integration.

      My AT&T M8 came with so much AT&T garbage baked into the rom that I was ready to smash the phone after 48 hours. Then the HTC Sense crap coupled with the AT&T crap pushed me to the point that I risked bricking the phone and went to Cyanogenmod dailies until someone released a GPE recovery image.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    16. Re:Answer: Both by JazzLad · · Score: 1

      Grishnakh's first post came across a little trollish (I don't think that was his intention), but his point was completely valid. The typical Android user isn't running cyanogenmod (too bad, because it's great IME), nor (in the US) using a phone that they bought outright to use on a carrier that gave no discount for BYOD (disclaimer: I am not a typical Android user either). The typical Android user is using whatever device VZW/ATT/Sprint/TMO talked them into getting and likely got no significant OS updates ever in the 1-2+ years they owned it. Contrast this with Apple (disclaimer: I hate IOS) users where their devices generally receive the latest updates. It's a ball that has been traditionally dropped.

      --
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    17. Re:Answer: Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Car makers can simply support both protocols in their built in systems and whatever device you bring just pairs up with it.

      You mean like all those outdoor speakers I can buy, which can work as either a pulseaudio sink or as airplay speaker? Oh wait, they still don't exist.

      (BTW, can anyone recommend some "smart" outdoor speakers? I'll be playing music files from an ubuntu server running mpd, "connected" solely over wifi.)

    18. Re:Answer: Both by LWATCDR · · Score: 1

      exactly.

      --
      See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
    19. Re:Answer: Both by LWATCDR · · Score: 3, Insightful

      " costs money to license, and you have to agree to forcing Google's shit by default (like the Play store)."
      1. No it does not http://9to5google.com/2014/01/...
      And the things that Google "forces" android handset makers is frankly what customers want.
      Google started making handset makers to do make GMS and all or nothing service when a handset maker put on all sorts of Google apps but made the search BING and locked it down!
      Some companies choose not to use GMS but still use Android like Amazon.
      AOSP plus GMS == the Android must consumers want.

      Compared to IOS, BlackberryOS, and WP Android is as free as can be. If you want source to everything but the GMS apps just run Cyanogen. You can even add in the GMS apps if you want them or just run Outlook, YahooMail, or a FOSS mailclient for mail, and the mapping software of your choice.

      --
      See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
    20. Re:Answer: Both by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Meanwhile they were advertising how the MFT would do this that and the other thing... and failed to deliver.

      Some hungry lawyers must be spinning up a class-action suit by now, right?

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    21. Re:Answer: Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Wow! When did you get your phone then?

    22. Re:Answer: Both by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      At least Apple seems to support their devices for a decent amount of time, if you can stomach the insane amount of control and vendor lock-in that Apple exercises.

      If you can't, choose a mainstream Android phone with a fairly new processor. It's likely to be picked up by the community, and someone will probably make a device based around the same chip, and put a newer version of Android on it — opening up support for your hardware.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    23. Re:Answer: Both by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      You are a fool if you buy your phone from the carrier. My old Galaxy S3 had more than two years of updates from Samsung and continues you get them from Google. This is an old meme and only really applies to cheap, shit phones.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    24. Re:Answer: Both by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      Just use MirrorLink. Supports both Android and iOS. It's somewhat open and based on VNC, so should be easily supportable by almost any device. Mirrors the screen, supports multitouch control, feeds though GPS from the car's receiver.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    25. Re:Answer: Both by Wovel · · Score: 1

      If you take away the cheap, shitty, unupdateable phones, Android no longer has a market share lead...

    26. Re:Answer: Both by Karlt1 · · Score: 2

      So you need to buy a Google-branded phone to get good support, and all the other Android vendors such?

      Google usually only updates their phones for 18 months.

      http://liliputing.com/2013/10/...

      Apple just released a security update in February for the 3GS that was introduced in June 2009.

      They released iOS 7 for the iPhone 4 released in June 2010.

    27. Re:Answer: Both by binarylarry · · Score: 1

      Have you ever owned a non HTC phone?

      I had all HTC phones up until my current Galaxy Note. I've since learned that HTC phones really suck.

      --
      Mod me down, my New Earth Global Warmingist friends!
    28. Re:Answer: Both by iampiti · · Score: 1

      It might be the Android most people want but they could also allow to uninstall Google apps that you don't use (for example Google+ which I ocasionally use but most people don't even know what it is).
      I understand that one of the ways Android phones make Google money is by enticing you to use more of their services but I wish they'd allow to uninstall their apps even if there was some kind of penalty for it (paying some money maybe?)

    29. Re:Answer: Both by spire3661 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Apple has fragmentation too, but they hide it MUCH better.

      --
      Good-bye
    30. Re:Answer: Both by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Vendors won't be running Android or iOS inside their cars.

      It's not inconceivable that the car will run Android, but also function as a receiver for your more updated and powerful device. That way you'd still have some kind of functionality if you forgot your phone, or for that matter, still used a dumbphone.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    31. Re:Answer: Both by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I had all HTC phones up until my current Galaxy Note. I've since learned that HTC phones really suck.

      Amen to that. The build quality is poor and they refuse to implement known fixes for known engineering failures, like flex cables pulling out of keyboards when a simple piece of clear tape will take care of the problem for the life of the phone.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    32. Re:Answer: Both by spire3661 · · Score: 1

      Thats the hilarious part, MS had the opportunity to have a HUGE lead here, and they squander it with partnering and playing the car manufacturers games.

      --
      Good-bye
    33. Re:Answer: Both by MachineShedFred · · Score: 1

      So that's exactly the same as basically every embedded car entertainment system ever. Auto manufacturers will love it.

      --
      Slashdot still doesnâ(TM)t support Unicode after it was added to the HTML standard in 1997.
    34. Re:Answer: Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is an old meme and only really applies to cheap, shit phones.

      So, only about 90% of the Android devices sold on a week to week basis. Got it.

    35. Re:Answer: Both by sexconker · · Score: 1

      Plenty of OEMs paid money to license Android, plenty of OEMs signed their first born child away, plenty of OEMs now have to pay more money to separately license Google's apps, which used to come with Android (there was Slashdot article about this when it happened), major OEMs pay extra on top of all other agreements in order to be able to launch a flagship product with the latest version of Android, OEMs have to pay extra again if they want access to the latest builds - whoever pays more gets access the earliest.
      This is all known shit, and while there may be smaller OEMs that don't pay in cash they by agreeing to lock themselves and their users into Android and Google.
      You can link to your fanboy site all you want, but it is KNOWN that Android comes at a cost, both in terms of $$$ and being tied down. Google's now even selling their apps separately for an additional cost + additional restrictions.

      Amazon does not use Android. They use a heavily modified version of AOSP. Most consumers do not want AOSP. AOSP is always behind Android in terms of features, security fixes, and the constant willy-nilly UI changes.

      If you really want an open phone you'd be using Firefox's phone OS, or one of the open Linux based ROMs that only work on a handful of devices.

      But hey, don't let the facts get in the way of your crusade.

    36. Re:Answer: Both by sosume · · Score: 2

      Windows XP was officially supported for over 12 years after release. Apple usually supports its hardware until up to 4 years after release. Android support is usually only offered *before* release date and a few months after.

    37. Re:Answer: Both by Archangel+Michael · · Score: 1

      Google Plus is great, but it isn't Facebook. Facebook sucks, but it isn't Google Plus.

      Google Plus = Interesting things I care about with people I don't really care about (not in the familial way)
      Facebook = People I care about, telling me about stuff I often don't care about.

      I actually spend MORE time on Google Plus, because I get MORE out of it.

      --
      Agent K: A *person* is smart. People are dumb, stupid, panicky animals, and you know it.
    38. Re:Answer: Both by Lumpy · · Score: 1

      Yes was all Nexus Phones up to buying the HTC ONE M8.. the first 10 minutes with Sense made me want to get a sack of doorknobs and book a flight to Their Engineering headquarters.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    39. Re:Answer: Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I for one of a growing number of automobile operators plan to keep g00gle out of our vehicles at all cost.

    40. Re:Answer: Both by spire3661 · · Score: 1

      SERIOUSLY??? Troll? I would LOVE to see you use the entire function set of an iphone 5 on a 4s. Apple fragments more elegantly, but they DO fragment.

      --
      Good-bye
    41. Re:Answer: Both by exomondo · · Score: 1

      Considering how rock-solid reliable Linux is these days, it's utterly shameful how UNreliable and crashy Android is.

      Why? Linux is the kernel, Android is built on top of Linux. Writing stable drivers for all the hardware in a modern smartphone (and the millions of variations in those configurations) plus the userspace to run it is no simple task.

    42. Re:Answer: Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Plenty of OEMs paid money to license Android

      No they haven't, while they may have paid license fees for the apps or OHA membership you pointed those out later in your post and those aren't "licensing Android".

      plenty of OEMs signed their first born child away

      Already you've run out of things that even sound legitimate so you've resorted to being an idiot.

      plenty of OEMs now have to pay more money to separately license Google's apps

      Yes but they don't have to, they can continue using the existing open source versions and even continue development of those versions themselves. I agree it was a real bait-and-switch move but it doesn't eliminate choice or force the hand of anybody.

      major OEMs pay extra on top of all other agreements in order to be able to launch a flagship product with the latest version of Android

      That is OHA membership because the development process is closed - which I find to be pretty disingenuous for a company that continually touts Android's openness.

      OEMs have to pay extra again if they want access to the latest builds - whoever pays more gets access the earliest.

      Wrong.

      This is all known shit

      Actually most of it is shit you made up.

      and while there may be smaller OEMs that don't pay in cash they by agreeing to lock themselves and their users into Android and Google.

      No they don't lock anybody in to Android or Google. You can even maintain your own distribution of Android completely devoid of any Google elements if you want.

      You can link to your fanboy site all you want, but it is KNOWN that Android comes at a cost, both in terms of $$$ and being tied down.

      Of course, are you completely retarded and think that Google does all of this for everybody else for free? What you can do is use AOSP though that will cost you money in development, but did you think you should be given a free and open OS constantly updated for no charge to the customer or the OEM?

      Google's now even selling their apps separately for an additional cost + additional restrictions.

      And OEMs don't have to buy into that.

      Amazon does not use Android. They use a heavily modified version of AOSP.

      AOSP, the Android Open Source Project. So yes they do use Android.

      AOSP is always behind Android in terms of features, security fixes, and the constant willy-nilly UI changes.

      AOSP is open and free, make changes and fixes to it just like the CyanogenMod team do. You seem to want open and free + free of cost + everything done for you.

      But hey, don't let the facts get in the way of your crusade.

      Clearly you aren't on your little crusade either...why are you on this crusade btw?

    43. Re:Answer: Both by exomondo · · Score: 1

      Also, why limit it in general? Assuming Google and Apple (and others) don't come up with a stupidly complex, locked-down, restricted connectivity method why could't the mfgs support anything using an open/common standard?

      I don't know about Google but with AirPlay, AirDrop, Facetime, Dock connector, Lightning connector, iMessage, etc... Apple aren't much a fan of open/common standards for inter-operability.

    44. Re:Answer: Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      So great... people with the cheaper system got the advanced feature while those with the more expensive system were told to "go screw."

      I think id rather "go screw" than futz around with getting iOS apps to integrate with my car.

    45. Re:Answer: Both by mjwx · · Score: 1

      At least Apple seems to support their devices for a decent amount of time, if you can stomach the insane amount of control and vendor lock-in that Apple exercises.

      Considering my last two nexus phones cost me less than one new Iphone I came out ahead (Galaxy Nexus and Nexus 5, I skipped the 4 because the GNEX was still fine... In fact I only replaced the GNEX because I lost it).

      Besides, even if I paid the same as an Iphone, not having to be locked into Apple would be worth it.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    46. Re:Answer: Both by mjwx · · Score: 1

      Why would it have to be exclusive?

      Car makers can simply support both protocols in their built in systems and whatever device you bring just pairs up with it.

      The simple answer is neither.

      Most car manufacturers will support neither protocol because it interferes with their proprietary protocols and proprietary operating systems that cost the suckers... erm I mean valued customers money to upgrade.

      Auto manufacturers dont care about customers. Their wants or needs are immaterial, what matters is getting them shell out as much as possible before the planned obsolescence features kick in and then getting them to buy a new car without breaking any laws (well, any laws that may have real consequences).

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    47. Re:Answer: Both by mjwx · · Score: 1

      Neither please. Choosing between a big brother-like ad-riddled OS from Google vs a severely restricted vendor lock-in from Apple? I'd rather run my car on Windows than either of these.

      You don't want that.

      For something as simple as my car stereo, I want something simpler than Windows, Android or IOS. Something like QNX that is designed to run on low powered hardware (and I mean even more low powered than ARM), something designed to do very few jobs but do them well. I dont need a general purpose OS that locks me into someone's distribution channel.

      When I bought my Nissan S15 I replaced the original 2002 CD player modern one. I could have gone for a double DIN android infotainment system with all the bells and whistles but instead just bought a reasonably priced Alpine. Why, well at this point all I wanted was to play MP3 files from a USB stick. Maybe some time in the future I'll get around to installing a smarter unit that can link to a bluetooth OBD2 connector and display all kinds of fun dials and graphs like boost pressure, intake temp, G forces, GPS Speed/Indicated speed, MAF data and all the other things us car geeks love... But that will be when I have time to ensure the system reliably plays music above and beyond anything else, for now I only need the functionality that an off the shelf head unit provides.

      --
      Calling someone a "hater" only means you can not rationally rebut their argument.
    48. Re:Answer: Both by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Hardly any ios 7 features are missing in the 4s except for airdrop and some camera filters. Really isn't fragmentation.

    49. Re:Answer: Both by awshidahak · · Score: 1

      about Android: it can't ever be updated

      Uhh... yeah... bout that... When an update came out for my phone the update notifier sat in the notification drawer until I successfully updated my phone. Guess it can be updated then, huh?

    50. Re:Answer: Both by Grishnakh · · Score: 1

      My HTC got one update a few months after I got the phone. After that, nothing. So no, it CAN'T be updated, since my mfgr and carrier don't bother to.

    51. Re:Answer: Both by mdervin2001 · · Score: 1

      And people wonder why Apple chooses to be a closed eco-system.

    52. Re:Answer: Both by Grishnakh · · Score: 1

      My HTC Sensation seems to have great build quality; it's survived a long time with not-so-gentle handling. The problem I have isn't the hardware, it's the shitty software.

    53. Re:Answer: Both by spire3661 · · Score: 1

      Airdrop

      --
      Good-bye
    54. Re:Answer: Both by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      SERIOUSLY??? Troll? I would LOVE to see you use the entire function set of an iphone 5 on a 4s. Apple fragments more elegantly, but they DO fragment.

      So your point is that the Samsung Galaxy S line has more fragmentation than Apple.

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
    55. Re:Answer: Both by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      Windows XP was officially supported for over 12 years after release. Apple usually supports its hardware until up to 4 years after release. Android support is usually only offered *before* release date and a few months after.

      XP was supported for so long because its "successor" was delivered 4 years late - and then didn't include all the features promised for it before XP was even released.

      And if the US government would pay Apple even remotely as much to support ancient hardware as they do pay Microsoft to keep XP afloat, you wouldn't write that.

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
  2. car play more than just for cars by zr · · Score: 4, Insightful

    iphone is a keyboard and a tv-set away from being a full-fledged computer for 99% of the population.

    1. Re:car play more than just for cars by Savage-Rabbit · · Score: 1

      iphone is a keyboard and a tv-set away from being a full-fledged computer for 99% of the population.

      Actually.... it isn't, not anymore You can connect a Bluetooth keyboard to an iPhone and there is a HDMI connector available.
      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
      The phone desktop gets projected to the TV without changing the aspect ratio which is rather rudimentary and you can only interact with it through the keyboard and the touch screen on the device. I'd say what's missing is mainly a decent TV/Monitor mode for the iOS desktop and a touch screen display device capable of sending touch and gesture feedback to the iPhone, either that or a mouse. There is actually a Cydia app that provides mouse support but that requires a jailbreak. Personally I'd prefer a touch screen TV but the point is the same, all the iPhone need to make this workable is software development work. That being said I'd still buy a laptop to do serious work.

      --
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      -- Henning von Tresckow
    2. Re:car play more than just for cars by schlachter · · Score: 1

      Really this is true of any $100+ tablet/phone.
      Pretty amazing.

      --
      My God can beat up your God. Just kidding...don't take offense. I know there's no God.
  3. So this is basically a smartphone app to feed a Bluetooth audio stream to the car's audio system, which is designed exactly for this anyway and people already do with their phones.

    Got it. Project an interface -- project away and wait for the lawsuits you have no idea about but the automotive industry does.

    --
    (-1: Post disagrees with my already-settled worldview) is not a valid mod option.
  4. Mirrorlink by AmiMoJo · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Do we really need another standard when we already have MirrorLink? It works fine, allows the phone to display a special "car mode" homescreen, charges... What more do we need?

    --
    const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
    SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    1. Re:Mirrorlink by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      For the lazy: mirror link - basically it is a VNC server in the car's dashboard.

    2. Re:Mirrorlink by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Do we really need another standard when we already have MirrorLink? It works fine, allows the phone to display a special "car mode" homescreen, charges... What more do we need?

      For starters, Google can't gather information about you if you're using MirrorLink.

    3. Re:Mirrorlink by LWATCDR · · Score: 1

      I would like to see more than mirror link.
      I would love to have an option for the phone to use a GPS built into the car and the antenna. In theory it should be better than the tiny one they have to fit in your phone. Also it would be good if could have access to the AM, FM, and Satellite radio systems and can control them.
      I would also like to see it have access to the things like MPG data.

      --
      See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
    4. Re:Mirrorlink by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      I would love to have an option for the phone to use a GPS built into the car and the antenna.

      Android can already do that, because Android can already use a bluetooth GPS.

      Also it would be good if could have access to the AM, FM, and Satellite radio systems and can control them.

      You think that would be good, but in reality it would be annoying. It's nice to have that stuff have its own controls, particularly a volume knob.

      Volume buttons are the devil.

      I would also like to see it have access to the things like MPG data.

      Android can already do that, because Android can already use a bluetooth OBD-II interface.

      In both the GPS and OBD-II cases, you can bet that the manufacturer would charge you more than you'd pay to get the functionality from a third party.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    5. Re:Mirrorlink by mythosaz · · Score: 1

      About $20 is what it takes to get a fair Bluetooth ODB2 scanner and a copy of Torque Pro for your Android phone.

      Pays for itself the first time you don't have to drive to AutoZone to get your next CEL read.

    6. Re:Mirrorlink by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      About $20 is what it takes to get a fair Bluetooth ODB2 scanner and a copy of Torque Pro for your Android phone.

      Sadly, the $20 bluetooth scanner won't read the k-line in my audi

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    7. Re:Mirrorlink by LWATCDR · · Score: 1

      Of course it is all possible but it is not at the level of just works for most people.
      "You think that would be good, but in reality it would be annoying. It's nice to have that stuff have its own controls, particularly a volume knob.

      Volume buttons are the devil."
      So wouldn't it be cool if Android could read the volume knob and even use it and the other buttons that the car uses?

      "In both the GPS and OBD-II cases, you can bet that the manufacturer would charge you more than you'd pay to get the functionality from a third party."
      To start with probably. Eventually it will just be standard equipment just like traction control, and ABS is now.

      --
      See my blog http://ilovecookes.blogspot.com/ for light hearted technical information.
  5. Kang or Koloth????? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    but for now, we are left to wonder whether it'll be Apple or Google that ends up owning the automotive market.

    Why does it matter? Both are evil and will create an closed system that is insecure & broken by design.

    1. Re:Kang or Koloth????? by jellomizer · · Score: 1

      I haven't seen much evidence that Google or Apple have a trend of designing insecure or broken systems.

      Yes there is the occasional security flaw. But that is about on par with everything else including the precious open source systems as well.

      --
      If something is so important that you feel the need to post it on the internet... It probably isn't that important.
    2. Re:Kang or Koloth????? by sexconker · · Score: 1

      Their names are Kang and Kodos.

  6. Already taken care of! by L4t3r4lu5 · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    I bought a Mountek nGroove Snap car mount; Sits inside the CD slot of your stereo, holds smart phones and small tablets up to 7" using magnets and an adhesive-attached metal plate. You need to adjust it every few days, but it only takes a few seconds to do and is rock-solid afterwards.

    --
    Finally had enough. Come see us over at https://soylentnews.org/
  7. BlackBerry by ArhcAngel · · Score: 1, Funny

    we are left to wonder whether it'll be Apple or Google that ends up owning the automotive market.

    Well Apple's CarPlay is run on top of BlackBerry's QNX Car OS as are the majority of current in dash systems so for now BlackBerry is still #1.

    --
    "A person is smart. People are dumb, panicky dangerous animals and you know it." - K
    1. Re:BlackBerry by the+computer+guy+nex · · Score: 4, Informative

      "Well Apple's CarPlay is run on top of BlackBerry's QNX"

      CarPlay is a protocol. CarPlay can be run on top of any Operating System. Google's old idea was to have each manufacturer fork Android for their own version of an entertainment system. Google is changing course to follow Apple's lead on creating a protocol instead.

  8. Um, clue? by Rigel47 · · Score: 1

    > "We'll obviously learn details soon enough, but for now, we are left to wonder whether it'll be Apple or Google that ends up owning the automotive market." Or BlackBerry who currently is the dominant player?

    Ford switches to QNX.

  9. apple and google are missing the point. by nimbius · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I dont know about other slashdotters, but Millenials like myself cant afford a brand new car, end of discussion. Years of college loans have ruined our credit score and what little we are saving is going directly toward maintaining the vehicle we already unfortunately own. For a bit less than a hundred dollars though, I can get a used car stereo and a wiring kit that lets me play music from a USB stick and over BlueTooth from my phone. If i cant afford that, I can just put my ear buds in.

    I dont value a car. not like the Gen X or Y or baby boomers did. To me its nothing but oil changes, tire changes, and a lifetime of direct mail spam about my "warranty" running out or the latest bullshit deal from herpo derpersons car and truck supercenter. Its having to strap myself to an insurance company that will subrogate everything. A car just means I put up with expensive parking, gridlock traffic, tickets, and ridiculous gas prices until it dies on a hot day alongside the freeway.
    what i do value is public transit. affordable busses that run every 20 minutes and light rail systems that give me time to do shit I actually care about, like browse slashdot and work. I already have a device that lets me use google or apple or whatever I need, but to strap it to a 2000 pound haggared burro doesnt help.

    --
    Good people go to bed earlier.
    1. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Maybe Google and apple know this about you, and also realize that you aren't their target market for this particular development...
      That's right millennial, it isn't always about you... Some times it is about Gen X, Y, or the Boomers...

      Better still, Gen X and the boomers have disposable income, and have demonstrated their ability to dispose of it for the most frivolous of items...

      So you know that there is a reason behind what I'm saying when I say SHUT UP DIRTY HIPPIE! the grown ups are talking about how to blow your inheritance.

    2. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by tlhIngan · · Score: 2

      I dont know about other slashdotters, but Millenials like myself cant afford a brand new car, end of discussion. Years of college loans have ruined our credit score and what little we are saving is going directly toward maintaining the vehicle we already unfortunately own. For a bit less than a hundred dollars though, I can get a used car stereo and a wiring kit that lets me play music from a USB stick and over BlueTooth from my phone. If i cant afford that, I can just put my ear buds in.

      You don't need a new car to have CarPlay and this. There are CarPlay decks coming out that can be retrofitted into your existing car. I think initially the licensing of CarPlay got that confused, but Pioneer has CarPlay decks available for purchase soon. So besides the integration inside new vehicles, retrofits and upgrades are possible.

      And please don't drive with earbuds. Not only is it illegal in most places to drive like that (if you have Bluetooth, just get a regular Bluetooth speaker or something), but it really cuts down your situation awareness.

      As for not valuing a car - you are quite correct in that the car is no longer a means to itself (like the computer isn't a means to itself these days), but just a thing. Quite a few car manufacturers are seeing the hurt on that as traditional showy and flashy cars that target the typical group don't sell as well. Instead sales go towards practical cars that are easy on gas, have all the whiz-bang they like, and are generally cheap. And even they don't get used as much since public transport is preferred.

    3. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Anubis+IV · · Score: 2

      I don't need it, so no one does.

      FTFY

      Just because you're not the target market doesn't mean others aren't. And while public transit is a nice idea, it isn't practical for everyone. The fact is, most of the US urban centers were built with personal transportation in mind, not public transportation, so cars make the most sense for the most people, and automated cars seems to be the future there. As such, getting into this market seems to make a lot of sense.

    4. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      , I can just put my ear buds in.

      NO YOU CAN'T!!!

      The second you do that you can no longer hear traffic, and you become a danger to everyone else on the road. You deserve to die in the accident you will inevitably cause.

    5. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Better still, Gen X and the boomers have disposable income, and have demonstrated their ability to dispose of it for the most frivolous of items...

      That is true only for a tiny subset of them. The rest are in massive debt like everyone else.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    6. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Wovel · · Score: 2

      College loans have very little impact on your credit score unless you are not making payments...

    7. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Wovel · · Score: 1

      WTF is with all this generation naming crap. It is silly. When all we could come up with was Generation X we should have stopped.Now we have Millenials. WTF is a Millenial? The age range (according to Wikipedia) is people around 13 to 35 (Other sites place the range as 22-32 which seems a lot more reasonable). How does that mean anything? They have nothing at all in common. The GP post referred to Millennial and Generation Y as two different things. Everywhere else says they are the same thing. Which is it?

      I somehow ended up in X. I have kids in Y, Z and whatever comes next. I was 6 when Y started and I did not have any kids until I was 22. Kids born when I was 6 have little in common with my son. People making all these presumptions about people based on these silly generation labels is ridiculous.

      Just because the goofy GP can't pay his bills and prefers public transportation is an anecdote not a trend.

    8. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by drinkypoo · · Score: 1

      Just because the goofy GP can't pay his bills and prefers public transportation is an anecdote not a trend.

      Right, I agree with that. But I also disagree that a lot of people have a lot of money. A small handful of people have a lot of money. A lot of people have a little money. Still more people have basically no money, and almost all of these people have a lot of debt. We've seen that trends in the USA are towards efficiency. People are buying less PCs than they used to, and more pocket-sized devices. But people like to buy new stuff, they would buy new PCs even if they don't need them if they were bleeding money. Expensive new car sales are down in general, and most manufacturers have cars lying around at ports. Etc.

      I love functional public transportation myself, but I haven't seen any in so long I've forgotten what it looked like.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    9. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by schlachter · · Score: 1

      It's pretty foolish to take on large amounts of debt to fund college, especially those who end up going to middling universities or major in degrees that aren't going to land them $60K/yr plus salaries.

      --
      My God can beat up your God. Just kidding...don't take offense. I know there's no God.
    10. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      While you've described my situation too, you and I are not the target. Toyota and Honda and Kia and Scion are selling record amounts of cars to young people, even if it does not include you or me.

    11. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I dont know about other slashdotters, but Millenials like myself cant afford a brand new car, end of discussion.

      Well myself, being a Millenial, can afford to buy a brand new car so I bought one so I guess the discussion isn't over.

      Years of college loans have ruined our credit score and what little we are saving is going directly toward maintaining the vehicle we already unfortunately own.

      After I completed my PhD completely debt free, I decided it was no longer work throwing money at my old car.

      I dont value a car.

      I do value a car. That's why I bought the nicest sports car I could afford.

      what i do value is public transit.

      I value public transportation as well but I still want a car because I can't go for a pleasant sunday drive on public transportation.

    12. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by schlachter · · Score: 1

      Same here. After finishing my undergrad with no debt (scholarship + job + a bit from parents), I went on to earn my MS (full ride) with $5K in debt, which I paid off after 3 months of working.

      I also bought a nice sports car a couple of yrs later, although I'd give it up in a second for excellent public transport options.

      There are alway unforeseen events that make it hard for people to repay loans, but people who take on more debt than they can handle are fools...and I don't like that my tax money goes towards bailing them out when I'm working hard and making sacrifices to make the right decision with my money.

      --
      My God can beat up your God. Just kidding...don't take offense. I know there's no God.
    13. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That's real interesting, because I'm a "millennial" and outright own my car, have a motorcycle that I outright own as well for high MPG commuting and actually enjoying it, and am about to put 20% down on a house with over an acre of land, because I have a credit score of 800+ and can afford to without impacting my retirement savings at all.

      Most "millennials" suffer from a lack of planning, not a lack of opportunity. Grow up.

    14. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Uberbah · · Score: 1

      It's pretty foolish to take on large amounts of debt to fund college

      Then you don't go to college unless your parents are well off enough to pay the bill. Which is a feature, not a bug, for some people.

    15. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by schlachter · · Score: 1

      That's one way, but there are other options...if people really want to force it

      Go on scholarship, even if the school is not your top choice.
      Go to community college and live at home, then transfer after two years to a local university...and still live at home if you can.
      Get a job that will pay your tuition while you go to school part time (many will)
      Get a job and pay your own tuition while you go to school part time
      Join the military so they will fund your education

      Anyways...most people shouldn't be going to college...most people should be apprenticing or going to vocational schools.

      --
      My God can beat up your God. Just kidding...don't take offense. I know there's no God.
    16. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Uberbah · · Score: 1

      Go on scholarship

      Doesn't come close to paying for tuition + living expenses. Even athletes with full rides take on student debt to support themselves, since they can't have jobs and aren't paid for putting asses in the seats. The kids selling pop corn and hot dogs in the concessions stands do, though.

      Go to community college

      Which blocks you from having a high level career as a doctorate in science, engineering, or medicine. Which again, is a feature for Social Darwinists - gotta keep the riff raff out.

      live at home

      Because everyone lives next to a high quality but cheap school.

      Get a job that will pay your tuition while you go to school part time
      Get a job and pay your own tuition while you go to school part time

      See first response.

      Join the military so they will fund your education

      And there it is. Want an education, hand your life over (quite literally in some cases) to support the Capitalist Empire.

      Anyways...most people shouldn't be going to college...most people should be apprenticing or going to vocational schools.

      Heaven forbid the proles move beyond their place. If you mother was a burger flipper, you'll be a burger flipper.

    17. Re: apple and google are missing the point. by Namarrgon · · Score: 1

      Gen X here, have a car, not bleeding money, would still rather decent public transport - and a subscription to a cheap autonomous taxi service.

      --
      Why would anyone engrave "Elbereth"?
    18. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Go to community college

      Which blocks you from having a high level career as a doctorate in science, engineering, or medicine. Which again, is a feature for Social Darwinists - gotta keep the riff raft out.

      [citation needed]

      While have I never attended a community college, my ~$30,000* (total including living expenses) SUNY undergrad education in no way disqualified me for the PhD in physics I earned.

      * That was a decade ago but tuition hasn't raised much in the last 10 years.

    19. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      affordable busses that run every 20 minutes.

      Come to Europe and you get affordable buses that run on 3 to 4 minute schedules during rush hours.

    20. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Uberbah · · Score: 1

      [citation needed]

      [come again?] Community Colleges aren't medical schools...that's they they're Community Colleges.

      While have I never attended a community college, my ~$30,000* (total including living expenses) SUNY undergrad education in no way disqualified me for the PhD in physics I earned.

      Yes, five figures in debt for you doctorate, ten years ago. This contradicts my point....?

      That was a decade ago but tuition hasn't raised much in the last 10 years.

      Double digit increases every year or two isn't "much"? Nice to see you've done well for yourself if that's now chump change for you. Most people aren't so lucky.

    21. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      [come again?] Community Colleges aren't medical schools...that's they they're Community Colleges.

      Medical schools aren't under grad institutions. Attending a community college on your way to a bachelors degree in no way disqualifies you from attending medical school or graduate school.

      Yes, five figures in debt for you doctorate, ten years ago. This contradicts my point....?

      I was never in debt. Secondly your point was that the prestige of your undergrad school is what qualifies or disqualifies you for graduate or medical school. I pointed out that it's bullshit.

      Double digit increases every year or two isn't "much"?

      SUNY tuition is has ever had anywhere near that rate of increase.

    22. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Uberbah · · Score: 1

      Medical schools aren't under grad institutions. Attending a community college on your way to a bachelors degree in no way disqualifies you from attending medical school or graduate school.

      So we're back at square one: saying Community Colleges are the solution to people who don't have rich parents or willing to risk a lifetime of student loan debt is to tell them a high level degree in medicine (or science or engineering) is beyond their reach, as CC's don't have doctoral programs.

      Secondly your point was that the prestige of your undergrad school is what qualifies or disqualifies you for graduate or medical school. I pointed out that it's bullshit.

      Huh? Where did I say anything about the prestige of the school? I'm not the girl that decided that certain....compromises were worth getting a degree from Duke.

      SUNY tuition is has ever had anywhere near that rate of increase.

      Most of the country has.

    23. Re:apple and google are missing the point. by Uberbah · · Score: 1

      Oh, and looking the amount you spent on your undergrad degree would last you two years now. Is that still 'not much of an increase'?

  10. Right. One system will own the market. by jpellino · · Score: 1

    Like it does with the cars themselves. Not.

    --
    "Win treats sysadmins better than users. Mac treats users better than sysadmins. Linux treats everyone like sysadmins."
  11. Consumer = LOSE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Am I the only one that thinks the 'car kit' and 'medical kit' endeavors for Google/Apple are a "everyone gets farked" proposition?

    I installed several nav units, did the A/V thing in the car . . . and I was always totally frustrated by the lack of standardization of not only stock units (both hardware and software) but aftermarket.

    If Apple/Google came up with an open standard that they both used, EVERYONE would use it, we could home brew, and it would be a win for the consumer.

    1. Re:Consumer = LOSE by Alan+Shutko · · Score: 1

      I don't agree. Apple has had an iPod integration protocol since 2005 which is supported by tons of OEM and aftermarket devices. That same protocol is still usable with the latest iPhone 5s and in iOS 8, nine years later. That protocol can even be used now to control third-party apps that are running, so I can pause and fast-forward just as I could if using the music app.

      If Google makes a protocol that's simple for manufacturer's to adopt, and is suitably stable, that's good enough for me.

    2. Re:Consumer = LOSE by Lumpy · · Score: 2

      Yet older BMW cars can not control a modern Iphone.

      My wife's 525 has the old 30 pin and even with the legit apple adapter, it will not control the music app in the iphone.

      --
      Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    3. Re:Consumer = LOSE by MitchDev · · Score: 1

      "If Apple/Google came up with an open standard that they both used, EVERYONE would use it, we could home brew, and it would be a win for the consumer."

      Which neither Apple, or Google (or any company) wants. They don't want home brew and a "win for the consumer". They want you to be locked into their solution and getting your hardware/software from THEM.

    4. Re:Consumer = LOSE by Wovel · · Score: 1

      Entirely possible BMW did not stick to the standard. If they did it would work. My 5s works on a pioneer deck with the 30 pin connector that is 10 or 12 years old.

  12. hooray! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    is it "Open" like Android or "Open" like goatse's asshole? Because I know it's not going to be "Open" like "Open Source".

  13. Why not blackberry by tapi0 · · Score: 1

    we are left to wonder whether it'll be Apple or Google that ends up owning the automotive market

    Well QNX is still the #1 embedded system, and owned by Blackberry. They've demo'd full automotive interfaces (including dashboard, not just entertainment) and, I'm led to understand, CarPlay is currently running atop QNX - I doubt that ios or osx or a variant would be taken up by any car maker as an embedded system.

    Regardless, wasn't there a recent survey that basically concluded that most Driver's really wanted car manufacturers to stop buggering around with in car entertainment - leave it at audio, navigation and hands free telephony and give up on all the trickery they're trying to employ to seem cool and attractive.

  14. Projected by phorm · · Score: 1

    A "projected" OS sounds dumb to me. If you just want to get music from your phone to your stereo, then AD2P (bluetooth) works fine. For maps and other stuff, the phone can have a holster.

    What I (and most people I know) want, is a stereo with a decent interface and functionality of a modern OS, without killing the phone's battery, and without needing a "phone" UI. That means maps, traffic updates, and music baked in. Let it tie in to my account so that I can purchase music and have it update the car's library whenever it has wireless (or 3G, I suppose) nearby. Let it have a GPS with Google Maps that updates automatically and is traffic-aware. It's OK if it pulls updates via the phone, but it shouldn't *require* the phone to work.

    Most importantly, a dedicated OS means that there's still the ability to have a stereo-centric system that works with actual freakin' hardware knobs/buttons and not a bastardized touch interface for common controls like volume, prev/next, etc. Touch interfaces distract from driving, and also tend to have issues with certain types of weather (not to mention gloves in winter).

  15. Dear Google..... by Lumpy · · Score: 2

    Just STOP.

    you do NOT need to have a car specific OS, just fucking bring back "car mode" to Android. Android as it is works fantastic as a Infotainment OS once you disable the stupid screen timeout and add circuitry to wake/sleep based on car ignition status.

    --
    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.
    1. Re:Dear Google..... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Yeah I never got why they didn't simply adapt Android to some sort of car stereo format.

      I already use it with a small tablet hooked up to my dashboard and it already kicks the ass of any other product in the market.
      With a few small changes the system would be basically perfect. Things like hardware buttons for managing your music and a knob for the volume, and maybe a button to launch Google now's voice recognition.

      Sure for an ideal system a few UI tweaks would be in order, but basically it's just fine as it is now.

  16. Better question by MitchDev · · Score: 1

    Why do we even want these giant, built-in distractions in a vehicle when there's so many whiny and complaints about Distracted driving from hand-held devices?

    1. Re:Better question by the+computer+guy+nex · · Score: 1

      "Why do we even want these giant, built-in distractions in a vehicle when there's so many whiny and complaints about Distracted driving from hand-held devices?"

      I agree. Give me a button on my steering wheel that integrates with Siri and that is all I need.

    2. Re:Better question by MitchDev · · Score: 0

      Siri is specific to Apple.
      Locked in

    3. Re:Better question by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      And the person you are replying to could not care even a tiny bit less.

      It's only "lock in" if you actually want to move away from it.

    4. Re:Better question by JudgeFurious · · Score: 2

      And for some of us that's just fine. I've found nothing particularly problematic about being locked into Apple.

      --
      Appended to the end of comments you post. 120 chars.
  17. Yeah, I'll sit this war out. by zerofoo · · Score: 1

    I can't afford to buy a new car every 18 months to keep up with the A.D.D. that exists in the mobile product arena.

    I'll buy in when the SAE adopts a standard protocol interface for in-car infotainment. For now, bluetooth does me just fine.

    1. Re:Yeah, I'll sit this war out. by MachineShedFred · · Score: 1

      Good thing Pioneer and Kenwood have already announced CarPlay head units for Q3 then, and I'm sure when we're talking about something Android based that isn't vapor, they'll announce that too.

      Don't need to replace the car, just replace the box in the dash.

      --
      Slashdot still doesnâ(TM)t support Unicode after it was added to the HTML standard in 1997.
  18. Just me? by digitalPhant0m · · Score: 1

    Google is working on software to complete with Apple's CarPlay

    I'm sure glad they're working together.

  19. So in 5 years... by Torp · · Score: 1

    ... I'll have to pay extra to get a car without a fucking touch screen?

    --
    I apologize for the lack of a signature.
    1. Re:So in 5 years... by LeadSongDog · · Score: 1

      No, in 5 years you'll have to pay extra to have Google drive the car go to where you want, stop, and unlock the doors to let you out. Decline to pay extra and you'll be delivered to the drive-through shopping mall that bids highest for your eyeballs. Or perhaps direct to the soylent green^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hrecycling plant....

      --
      Oh, I'm sorry sir, I thought you were referring to me, Mr. Wensleydale.
  20. Apple Cars by ThatsNotPudding · · Score: 1

    We'll obviously learn details soon enough, but for now, we are left to wonder whether it'll be Apple or Google that ends up owning the automotive market.

    Oh, yes; I'm sure Apple will cover the entire market, all the way from your average Bugatti down to economy cars like Audi and even BMW!

    1. Re:Apple Cars by Plumpaquatsch · · Score: 1

      We'll obviously learn details soon enough, but for now, we are left to wonder whether it'll be Apple or Google that ends up owning the automotive market.

      Oh, yes; I'm sure Apple will cover the entire market, all the way from your average Bugatti down to economy cars like Audi and even BMW!

      Do you want something cheaper than a Kia?

      --
      Of course news about a fake are Fake News.
  21. See you in Court by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Not only will you be able to sue the auto marker, you could sue Apple or Google, when you are in a serious accident. Don't think someone won't try.

  22. And MS Sync is nowhere to be found by jstroebe · · Score: 1

    Microsoft has had a pretty cool system in cars for a while, MS Sync. Yet much like their initial smart phone line (think Windows Pocket PC Phone), it felt like they put a half ass effort in and never did anything to push it forward. I can see this happening again, only to have them try to play catch up later, with the 'Surface Radio'