Thread: ipad build

With some work the Ipad can be used in the carpc world some people on this forum are just looking for something to play and do basic functions not a super carpc as some around here think everyone needs in there car.

I built my first carpc after I came to this forum and got interested in the hobby but then after installing it and having it freeze and have problems ( all windows related ) I was happy when Windows 7 came out but it didn't make the experience anymore enjoyable for me, I thought about using a Mac mini but there were no worth wild Gps programs so I went back to a cheap chinese headunit which I run my Iphone through on the 7inch screen and it works for me, But I think that some around here are not liking the idea because they don't like the company ( Apple ) and they don't like the fact that the consumer has decided to buy this product in masses and some on this forum are trying to make it into some kind of carpc.

I know a bunch of people when they seen my first carpc they liked the concept but didn't in anyway want to tear their cars up installing one they wanted a easy way out a quick fix if I can call it that, most wanted an all in one unit.

The ones on here who hate the idea and say it can't be done say the same thing about the Iphone, I can do anything with my Iphone that anyone of you can do with a Nokia or any other phone yes it has to be jailbroken but a lot of things need other things to make them work Windows media player can play some media files but not if you don't have the correct codec installed a pc can't play flash unless you have the flash player installed. They said the Iphone is no good because it can't play flash well I use my Iphone everyday to watch videos and yes most of them are from flash player sites.

All I am trying to say here is that nothing comes out being completly perfect a pc isn't perfect a Mac isn't perfect Nokias and Iphones are not perfect but we make them the way we want them by installing the dependencies, as of now the Ipad can only be used for basic things but since most around here bash Apple so much you wouldn't be aware of the fact that the work to open up the Ipad has already begun, just as they did for the Iphone this is silly just brushing off trying to use the Ipad as a carpc. It would be easy for a Dev to make a touch friendly frontend for the Ipad, right now I am a beta tester for an app on the Iphone that controls the Valentine 1 radar detector and it works great the company Signalactive makes the app so it would not be hard to make a frontend for the Ipad once it is opened up

Originally Posted by BIGGKATT01

With some work the Ipad can be used in the carpc world some people on this forum are just looking for something to play and do basic functions not a super carpc as some around here think everyone needs in there car.

I built my first carpc after I came to this forum and got interested in the hobby but then after installing it and having it freeze and have problems ( all windows related ) I was happy when Windows 7 came out but it didn't make the experience anymore enjoyable for me, I thought about using a Mac mini but there were no worth wild Gps programs so I went back to a cheap chinese headunit which I run my Iphone through on the 7inch screen and it works for me, But I think that some around here are not liking the idea because they don't like the company ( Apple ) and they don't like the fact that the consumer has decided to buy this product in masses and some on this forum are trying to make it into some kind of carpc.

I know a bunch of people when they seen my first carpc they liked the concept but didn't in anyway want to tear their cars up installing one they wanted a easy way out a quick fix if I can call it that, most wanted an all in one unit.

The ones on here who hate the idea and say it can't be done say the same thing about the Iphone, I can do anything with my Iphone that anyone of you can do with a Nokia or any other phone yes it has to be jailbroken but a lot of things need other things to make them work Windows media player can play some media files but not if you don't have the correct codec installed a pc can't play flash unless you have the flash player installed. They said the Iphone is no good because it can't play flash well I use my Iphone everyday to watch videos and yes most of them are from flash player sites.

All I am trying to say here is that nothing comes out being completly perfect a pc isn't perfect a Mac isn't perfect Nokias and Iphones are not perfect but we make them the way we want them by installing the dependencies, as of now the Ipad can only be used for basic things but since most around here bash Apple so much you wouldn't be aware of the fact that the work to open up the Ipad has already begun, just as they did for the Iphone this is silly just brushing off trying to use the Ipad as a carpc. It would be easy for a Dev to make a touch friendly frontend for the Ipad, right now I am a beta tester for an app on the Iphone that controls the Valentine 1 radar detector and it works great the company Signalactive makes the app so it would not be hard to make a frontend for the Ipad once it is opened up

Since you seem to have missed quite a few parts of this thread i guess ill have to direct you:
http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/macc...ml#post1384942
Read that and tell me what "dependencies" add in that functionality.

We bring up valid points about why the device is not suitable for in vehicle use and instead of an intelligent discussion we get dozens of "why do you always hate on apple" type posts.

All ill say to your actual post is this:
My android phone can run circles around an iphone... and blaming microsoft for someone elses crappy front end is like blaming apple for a crappy iphone app. Sorry your carPC experience wasn't all you had hoped for.

Originally Posted by ZX1Cruizer

Safari!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Are you kidding me! I will say thats one of Apple's worse softwares ever made! It feels so ancient and anytime I have had issues with customers, I have bluntly told them, if you cant browse the net correctly on my system, its because your using a Mac combined with Safari! Usually me getting them to install either FireFox or Google Chrome will fix 99.999999% of the issues. LOL OMG, you said Safari, even the icon for safari looks outdated.............

LOL, I swear when I saw this one, I was getting ready to go to bed from working all day but this comment woke me right up again!

So, what's the "term" for someone like you, who insists that everything in the opposing side is bad? Obviously you know nothing about Safari, and yet you insists its horrible. If you have any problem with "customers" using Safari, it's only because whatever garbage you are designing isn't standards compliant. Your problems with Safari are due only to your failure as a designer/coder/whatever.

Truly, you are a know-nothing.

Thought of a few things since you brought them up.

Originally Posted by justchat_1

[*] standalone navigation (no internet connection required)

Any Nav app (like Navigon - $25) will do this for you.

[*] support multiple screens (so the rear passengers can also have the carpc experience without the expense of a separate device)

The iPad Dock Connector to VGA Adapter is $29. A VGA splitter is $7. I don't think $36 is unreasonable to hook up 2 additional displays in the rear.

[*] Support dvd playback

This is a tough one. I know there is AirVideo to stream video from a home server (in high res!) to your iPad/iPhone. In 3G it still looks very good, as well. The question is: what about DVDs? Does your average carPC user rip all of their DVDs to their home server? And if you have kids, is it easier to just stash 20 Dora the Explorer DVDs in the sweet minivan or rip them all and have them accessible via AirVideo? (Yes, I know you can do the same thing on traditional CarPCs, but I'm just trying to present a possible solution)

[*] Hd radio, xm/sirius radio, $10 obdii connection

Sans the $10 OBDII connection, it already does this and more, I believe. There has been a XM/Sirius App for a while. The OBDII connection is expensive 'cause it's wifi. Yes, we'd love it to be hard wired, I'll give you that.

[*] Stream and control pandora or slacker radio from my phone (instead of paying for a separate internet connection)

If you have a tether-able phone, then this is already solved, where you can control Pandora/Slacker from your iPad while using the connection from said phone.

[*] Look oem enough and hard enough to steal that its not an easy target for thieves

I think this is an inherent risk with all carPCs, with larger risks as displays get larger. No one would steal a 2.5" display

Originally Posted by optikalefx

So, other than the hobby, what are the main reasons for a pc in the car?

That's definitely a per-person q/a.

For me, access to client notes over VPN is extremely important. I like to print out invoices with mine (to PDF of course, no printer in the car... yet), access my 200gb+ of FLAC, Skype, IRC, etc.

I'm sure everyone realizes that there isn't one setup good for everyone, but an iPad setup is good for no one.

Kidding, iPad is good for someone... we just need to hear some success stories.

Ok so re-reading thru this whole thread, here are the main points I see.

iPad:

1. Doesn't allow multitasking yet
2. Can't play FLAC, WMA
3. No real ability for multiple screens, just cloning
4. Cumbersome solution for accessing extra storage
5. Access to AT&T 3g data service (any other carriers supported, even unofficially?)
6. Multi-touch
7. App Store
8. Offline navigation is available if you pay for it (?)
9. No choice of web browser

CarPC:

1. No multi-touch
2. multitasking
3. Slow boot/resume
4. supports every format, with proper codec
5. true multi-monitor support
6. Easily add more storage
7. Offline navigation if you pay for it (Or would like to suffer with Navit)
8. No App Store

Are there any other web browsers available to the iPad/iPhone/iWhatever, jailbroken or otherwise?

I could see the iPad being a frontend device for a main CarPC maybe. I've thought about the multiple PC setup for myself. A slim, fast linux install for music with a webGUI, a windows box for iGuidance. Maybe I need to add an iPad into the mix for a pretty frontend device.

Also this:

Pro iPad:

You can use it outside the car of course. So you can tweak it in your couch not in your cold garage...

Give it ONE great app to use in the car and you're going to need it...badly.



Contra iPad:

Glossy screen.

No stylus or any handwriting recognition whatsover.

Originally Posted by RipplingHurst

Also this:

Pro iPad:

You can use it outside the car of course. So you can tweak it in your couch not in your cold garage...

Give it ONE great app to use in the car and you're going to need it...badly.



Contra iPad:

Glossy screen.

No stylus or any handwriting recognition whatsover.

All good points, especially the in/out car thing. With the "new to carputing" market, I think that's a big seller. They're not JUST buying a carputer, they're buying a tablet.

Handwriting Recognition App

iPad:

5. Access to AT&T 3g data service (any other carriers supported, even unofficially?)

You can tether to any phone as long as it can make an ad hoc network. So pretty much any provider should work for you.

For the record-My list wasn't things an ipad doesn't do....just a list of things that any carPC replacement should be able to do.

Stop saying multi-tasking is coming because that simply isn't true!! The feature they announced is to allow more apps to run at the same time if apple wants them too. There are still dozens of scenarios that you are unable to do even with the new "multi-tasking".

tidder you missed a few:
* Flash Support
* HD Video playback without transcoding
* USB Ports
* Rearview camera support
* Safe to use while driving