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Unfortunately no, I'm still in the planning phase of my build, mostly becuase I'm waiting for all the software packages (Bluephone 2, GPS, a text-to-speech and reverse,and of course AMP) to be buttoned up before I start getting my stuff together.Quote:
Originally Posted by bcohen5055
you going to be waiting a very long time.
Unfortunately, you're probably right. However, with other things such as school, generally modifying the car, and basic subsistence, my funds will probably some together about the same time the software does. :(Quote:
Originally Posted by pepsibobby
how about integrating Skype into AMP that way you could make free phone calls from your car!
http://www.skype.com
but it requires constant internet connection.
yeah, so you're pulled over someplace and have a solid signal and make a call... from your Mac! plus the new beta version has video calls, can't do that with a cell phone yet! :)Quote:
Originally Posted by pepsibobby
I think it's a pretty cool idea!
I agree. It is a good idea but its not really very feasible. I would much rather see some kind of cell phone integration where you talk through your cell through the mac...Quote:
Originally Posted by pepsibobby
On the note about internet, what about these sprint and T-mobile wireless PC cards for laptops? Are these feasible for a carputer system? How do they even work (Now i have to look that up and find out :P )?
i agree with sharkbite, I dont know about you guys but I got a good list from Wikipedia's "Carputer" writeup....(i made the stuff that AMP already does in gray)
Basic features
(these are available in off the shelf systems)
NOTE: Some of the features/ideas below may be illegal to run while a vehicle is in operation.
Play music from CDs, harddrive (MP3s, other compressed files) or external device (USB/PCI FM radio receiver, etc)
Play video from DVDs, VCDs or from the harddrive
GPS: Provide location tracking, route planning/navigation, etc. (Note: Hard drives are sensitive to vibration, so driving with your carputer turned on may shorten the life of the hard drive. More information is needed on this topic.)
Satellite radio radio through external receivers. (Both Sirius and XM available)
Ease of operation through touchscreen display
Internet browsing through an eligible cell phone or wireless 802.11 connection
Hands free cell phone control via software with bluetooth
Other external application support
[edit]
Intermediate features
Display video from car mounted camera for backing up. (infrared cameras are available for backing up at night)
Record video from a webcam/mini-dv camera and store it to the carputer for later perusal. (good for recording close calls on the freeway - setup a rolling buffer which stores the last X minutes on button press)
Connect with your cars OBD-II interface and display real-time data on all diagnostic information available. (RPM/Temps/Speedo/etc.) Pull error codes immediately. Never wonder what a check-engine light is for again.
Wardriving: Using your 802.11b or g wireless connection and GPS, locate and log locations of wireless routers.
Play video games: Run an emulator and have every Atari game. Alternately include actual gaming system in the car.
Download traffic/weather information from internet. (use home WIFI or connect through mobile phone)
Connect to a mobile phone or other device using Bluetooth (useful for voice and data comms and synchronizing with PDA's, etc.)
Interfacing with factory steering wheel buttons or equivalent.
Provide nightvision capability with infrared cameras.
Wireless syncronization of files between desktop and carputer
Use broadband internet phone options with cellular data card
[edit]
Advanced features
Process video from car in real-time using image recognition software. Capture license plates and store in database with GPS location.
Using your GPS receiver, store logs of locations vs speed and time of day. This could be uploaded to a collaborative site for predicting travel times vs time of day. (very useful in areas where freeway congestion is variable)
Provide realtime tracking of vehicle location.
Some of the information was taken from http://Carputer.org/, a GFDL wiki.
Now, some of the advanced features and a few others are kinda dumb but I think that most of those are what AMP needs to focus on. Skype would be cool but bluetooth mobile phone stuff would serve a purpose more.
now see that doesn't make sense to me, Skype offers free calls with in the US and Canada, how can you beat that? Granted you'll have to pull over when you have a good signal, but in Calif, in the next year you won't be able to talk or hold a phone while driving (I don't think people should anyway) Skype is a free program that offers video calls folks! How many front ends can do that right now? It could be ground breaking! Otherwise why not just use your cell phone, most have the capability to just hit a single digit and dial a number. My Treo and other phones have voice dial built in, so having the computer do it for you is redundant.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sharkbite86
As Carputer users we must realize that some functionality of the computer must be used while we are NOT driving. i.e. GPS (unless it is giving you voice directions) Playing Games. Watching a Movie, etc.
Also most of the suggestions I have been making are free ones (i.e. Using Google Earth, and Skype.) I just think the Mac has such an advantage of having so much free software to utilize in the first place, just makes sense to add more free functionality to it.
I know Aychamo has worked his butt off and we have done what little we can to offer suggestions (and in some case programming). I think this would be a simple thing to implement until the cell phone integration is possible. (and video would be cool!) Aren't you glad I didn't ask for ichat with video integration as well? :)