The Mp3Car Blog

Tech news and tech reviews of the latest cutting edge mobile computing software and hardware.

Tag >> SEMA

Nov 19
2008

mp3Car.com - 2008 SEMA Wrap up

Posted by Fiberoptic in telematicsSema 2008SEMACar Computer

Goce and Rob talk about the highs & lows of mobile computing technology at SEMA 2008.  Talk about this on our forums here

 

 

Nov 18
2008

Magden Linux OBDII & Gauge, Performance Software

Posted by Fiberoptic in VideotelematicsSema 2008SEMACar Computer

Magden has a current business model of selling an x86 PC with their linux gauge software. I can see how this would be great for people who don't want to integrate their own apps and want the power of a computer in their car with less setup hassle. We strongly encouraged the magden team to consider the sale of their software and hardware to the community, even if they release it with little or no support.  Talk about this on our forums.

 

Nov 16
2008

What is Las Vegas's SEMA show like in 60 seconds?

Posted by Fiberoptic in telematicsSema 2008SEMAIn and Around Mp3Car

A picture (or video) is worth a thousand words...and it's only 60 seconds. What is SEMA like? Talk about this video on our forums.

 

Nov 16
2008

Mp3car gets an OLED display briefing and demo.

Posted by Fiberoptic in VideotelematicsSema 2008SEMAProduct NewsoledIn and Around Mp3CarHacks

Some people call OLED the next best thing in display technology. Manufacturers report very high levels of contrast and lots of sunlight readability.  What do you think? Is OLED the next home run in mobile car computing and telematics display technology?   Talk about this on our forums here.

 

Nov 16
2008

AT&T Cruisecast Drive Test Video

Posted by Fiberoptic in telematicsSema 2008SEMASatelliteIn and Around Mp3Caratt

We go for a drive as the Cruisecast team shows us the guts of their prototype device and an example of their buffering technology.   Talk about this on our forums:

 

Nov 12
2008

Who built the first car comptuer? Ghostbusters?

Posted by Fiberoptic in Sema 2008SEMAfirst car computerCommunity InnovationsCar Computer

We thought the forum members of mp3car made the first car computer in the late 90s. Wrong. Done by the ghostbuster guys first in 1984. See our video for 20 seconds of ghost busting fun.

 

Who made the first car computer? If you made the first car computer, tell us about it. Help us document history.

 

Talk about this post on our forums.

 

Nov 12
2008

Video Interview - Raysat / AT&T CruiseCast CEO and Chairman

Posted by Fiberoptic in VideotelematicsSema 2008SEMASatelliteIn and Around Mp3Caratt

The CEO of Raysat/Cruisecast  (AT&T partnership) gave us a 20 minute technical explanation on the satellite, antennas, transponders, compression and how they have made CruiseCast  “cruise” .  A product overview can be found with the interview of Cruiscast’s President .   There are more technical details in our CruiseCast drive test video.

Talk about this on our forums here.



Nov 10
2008

Rescue Tape

Posted by Fiberoptic in wire managementtelematicsSema 2008SEMAIn and Around Mp3CarHacksCar Computer

Even thought this isn’t super techie, we decided to take a few minutes to check out rescue tape since they won an award this year. 


Where was wardrobe in this scene?  My collar is sticking up and my shirt is wrinkled.  Expect a blast of videos over the next 2 days.  I slowed down editing a bit to attend a three day wedding over the weekend.

 

What do you think?  Is it better to use removable pieces of tech flex for wire management?  Talk about this on our forums 

 

Nov 08
2008

The Tech in Jay Leno's Jet car, Mobile car comptuers, Bio Diesel B100

Posted by Fiberoptic in VideotelematicsSema 2008SEMAKevlarJay LenohelicopterHackscorvetteCar ComputerBurbankbio dieselbig dog garage

Thank you Steven for lowering the ropes and opening Jay's car at SEMA.  I think the title says it all.  See our forums for community reactions.

 

Nov 07
2008

Interview with Azentek - navigation mirror and their car computers

Posted by Fiberoptic in telematicsSema 2008SEMAProduct NewsCar Computerazentek

At Azentek's SEMA booth, we interviewed Donnie to hear a little bit about their new navigation smart mirror product.  Windows Mobile devices really don’t fall in mp3car’s sweet spot, but this is an interesting form factor for a PND.   Without giving it a full run through or a drive test, this mirror seems like it would be perfect for users who wants something that works out of the box.
So What is happening with their car computing efforts?  Azentek is no longer bringing their original double din car PC into production and are starting on a brand new double din model which will be on display at CES, but not available for purchase until Q1 or Q2 2009.

The main features of this redesigned product set for release at CES will be increased tolerances to environmental and shock extremes as well as the ability for users to upgrade the Intel processor.   More details will be available at CES.

Azentek also confirmed that Centrafuse is their software platform of choice and they will be using that in a modified Azentek branded form for the release at CES.



Nov 07
2008

AT&T & RaySat kick off satellite service “CruisecCast” for the car. Mp3car interviews President

Posted by Fiberoptic in VideotelematicsSema 2008SEMASatelliteIn and Around Mp3Caratt

AT&T & RaySat kick off satellite service “CruisecCast” for the car.  Mp3car interviews RaySat’s President, Winston Guillory in HD.

In a three-part HD video interview, mp3Car interviews AT&T’s and Raysat’s “CruiseCast” executive team today.


We are going to kick this off this three-part interview with President, Winston Guillory.  Later this week we will post the rest of the interviews with their Chairman & CEO as well as a drive test through the Vegas streets.   The CruiseCast team was also kind enough to show us all the innards of their prototype hardware, which we will share with you later in the week as part 3.

 

Talk about this on our forums here.


Nov 06
2008

Interview with Brian Palmer - Iphone engine performance

Posted by Fiberoptic in telematicsSema 2008SEMAiphoneIn and Around Mp3CarCommunity Innovations

Mp3car typically focuses on mobile computing applications. The reason why this fits on our blog is that Brian from Palmer Performance has ported his car PC OBD and performance application to the iphone. This is a two part interview. The first part is going to be a tour of his new iphone application. We will follow this up later in the week with a tour of his carpc installation and the features of his car computer software. Brian has made some interesting hooks in his windows application that will allow for integration into roadrunner, centrafuse or other applications.  Talk about this on our forums here

Nov 06
2008

Goce interviews Tony from Bluestar Technology

Posted by Fiberoptic in telematicsSema 2008SEMAProduct NewschinaCar Computer

The Chinese manufacturer Bluestar has been making double din all in one units for a few years now. Online carPC retailers digitalww and hipepc have stocked blue star's products in the past but those retailers have now closed up shop.

 

We expect to test samples within the next few months to see if this something mp3Car will offer in the store. So far so good!

 

Talk about this on our forums here

 

Nov 05
2008

The making of the Apple ,mac'ed out, Hyundai Genesis

Posted by Fiberoptic in telematicsSema 2008SEMAmacIn and Around Mp3Carapple

mp3car interviews Steven from Lux designs, the creator and fabricator behind the Hyundai genesis Mac car computer setup.  Talk about this on our forums

 

Nov 05
2008

mp3Car.com interviews Hyundai product planner, Michael Dietz

Posted by Fiberoptic in telematicsSema 2008SEMAmacIn and Around Mp3Carapple

Michael, product planner at Hyundai gives some specs on the New Hyundai genesis. He talks about Apple in the car, the future of car computing and connector services as well as the tour they have planned with Rides Magazine in NY city.  Talk about this on our forums

 

 

Nov 05
2008

mp3Car.com Intervews Pete Colello - Apple Mac show car

Posted by Fiberoptic in VideoSema 2008SEMAHacksapple

Pete has spent 5 years building this show car and has used it to win many awards. Tour Pete's car and see how he integrated a car computer. Pete's website is here if you want more details. Talk about this on our forums.

 

 

Nov 05
2008

mp3Car.com Interviews Rides Magazine

Posted by Fiberoptic in telematicsSema 2008SEMAmacHacksCar Computerapple

To kick this off, we are going to start with our interview with Ben Harris about Ride Magazine's outlook on car computing as well as details about the tour through New York Apple stores with Ride's Mac'ed out Hyundai.

Expect to see some more video tomorrow from SEMA about this car and other topics:

  • How they made the Hyundai Genesis, an interview with the creator.
  • An interview with Michael Detiz, Product Planning, Hyundai America
  • Ongoing car computing interviews

 

Talk about this on our forums in the Hyundai Genesis discussion thread. 

 

Nov 04
2008

Hyundai Genesis Apple Mac book / air / mini explosion & Sneak peek

Posted by Fiberoptic in telematicsSema 2008SEMAmacCar Computerapple

Everyone has been setting up for SEMA for the last 3 days. I happened to walk by the Hyundai booth yesterday while one of the vice presidents was rehearsing for their 9:30am press conference today. They had the usual un-blanketing of cars and performance celebrities there to talk. What I was really there for was the car computer geerkery. The real details about this project will have to wait until Tuesday when the real press conference starts, but here are some sneak peek photos.

Hyundai Genesis Apple mac Install Hyundai Genesis Apple mac Install Hyundai Genesis Apple mac Install Hyundai Genesis Apple mac Install

I am already slightly disappointed with the mac install. It seems like more of an attempt to get press than a functional implementation. I saw one of the macbook airs plugged into an AC port which would imply no ignition integration. It is always harder to put in a DC-DC regulator. Why do installers just use inverters especially on a high profile car like this? Is it laziness or unknown technical mojo that is driving this?

Answer this question and talk about this install on our forums. 

If there is hot mobile computer tech at SEMA that we haven’t written about, Let us know.

For you Hyndai or Genesis addicts I posted a quick 1m video of their VP practicing, unveiling a car and doing a quick dance. See the forum post for more details.

Nov 02
2008

mp3Car hits the road for SEMA 2008

Posted by Fiberoptic in telematicsSEMAIn and Around Mp3CarCar Computer

08_sema_show_logo_red.jpgGoce, Heather and I (Robert Wray)  are heading to SEMA this week.   Help us!

  • Tell us what you want you want to know more about.  We will be blogging and shooting lots of HD video. 
  • If your SEMA lead is time sensitve or confidential call us. 410-526-2852 xt 642
  • Give us ideas in our SEMA forum thread
  • Come to our SEMA party.  RSVP Here.  Talk about the party on our forums.

 

Oct 31
2008

How do Build your own car comptuer

Posted by Fiberoptic in telematicsSEMAMp3Car Store ProjectsIn and Around Mp3CarCar Computer

This question has been asked over and over again so we decided to film the answer in HD as a way to test out our new camera. We have filmed the assembly of our telematics bundle.

 

Talk about this video on our Forums