New Interface Software!

**emdub** · 03-29-2005, 08:04 PM

No it's not for free.
We'll keep working on things even if no one buys it.
If somebody wants to pay, great, if not... live with the demo. No problem either.
I'm using this in my MacJeep and Fabio is installing it in his new car as well... so this will keep moving and will receive updates.
Version 1.2 is in the works. Cool new stuff coming...

**sdashiki** · 03-30-2005, 01:06 PM

WHy doesnt anyone want to use apple core video and audio?

You dont need to run Quicktime Movie Player to play a quicktime or quicktime playable movies in any application you develop. Same with iTunes capabilities.

nothing has to be "from scratch" in the sense of writing your own MP3 player or video app, but making a front end to access the OSX capabilities that are built in... seems simple enough to me, im just lazy and waiting for Tiger...

**emdub** · 03-30-2005, 01:17 PM

But to use apple core you need to develop an application that uses it, and it needs to be built from scratch. The system does the decoding part, but you need to figure how to display and control it. Either I don't get your point or you don't get apple core... am i wrong?

**RoyN** · 03-30-2005, 10:03 PM

Look, I have really no business here... There is a reason that no one has paid you 25$ for your software...

As far as I know, anyone with a slight knowledge of MacOS and Applescript can write an app that does what your does in very little time for their own custom needs.

Look at all the FREE frontends that integrate Music, Video Player, Browser, GPS (ok this isnt available on the mac), rear view camera, phone control, etc,etc,etc

It really frustrates me that there are so many amazing softwares out there for free, then someone comes along with a feather (yes, in comparison to what others offer you offer only a feather) and CHARGE for it! and no, you arent charging $5 you are charging 5 times more...

**emdub** · 03-31-2005, 05:07 AM

First place: Thanks for taking the time to write. Believe me when I say I value that even if I disagree with your opinions. Healthy discussion is always good!

Now for a reply...
How come there is nothing out there for the mac? How come nothing has been written? Is everybody that lazy if it's that simple? PLEASE show me where all the "FREE frontends that integrate Music, Video Player, Browser, GPS (ok this isnt available on the mac), rear view camera, phone control, etc,etc,etc" are?? I'd love to have a look at them. The reason we did this was because we couldn't find anything out there for the mac! I really don't understand what youre comparing us too you say "others" and I ask "What others??", is it the PC Media Engine? Theres nothing like it for the Mac, unfortunately. If there was I'd gladly pay for it and not even think about developing i3. It IS work you know. We do spend time on it. What really frustrates ME is that at least we're trying to do something yet very few people seem to value the effort. You seem to believe that it'd be better if we did nothing at all. Would it be better if we just kept i3 for ourselves or if it didn't exist? Think of it this way: i3 is setting the standard for a mac media application (however low you think our standard is...). Whatever comes next HAS to be better, right? Maybe i3 will get people off their lazy @$$ and make them do something. Get the "market" moving. Better yet: If it's so simple YOU do it and I'll buy your application for $25 if I think it's better than i3!! :-)

On a different note: Adoro a sua cidade! Meus pais moram na Bahia e passo por aí sempre que os vou visitar. (Nice car too... ;-) )

**maxipad96** · 03-31-2005, 05:25 PM

I have said it once and will say it over again. Your selling an application launcher.

People.

Learn applescript.

Write a script for each application you would like to launch. (Its very simple 20 words total - most likely 3 lines)

Develop or just rip off an icon that you would like to use for each of these applications.

Assign the icon to the script that you wrote.

Make your icons larger by pressing apple j on your little keyboard.

Increase your dock size in the system preferences and set the dock to always be on.

Dump the useless programs you dont need in your dock.

And then Bam.... You have the same program emdub is trying to sell.

**emdub** · 03-31-2005, 05:51 PM

Yes, we are selling an application launcher. It's right there, in our front page. Not trying to fool anyone, maxipad96. We're also asking what people want in i3... care to participate? If you care to spend a few more minutes, read the news section in our forums. Just some stuff we're working on...

1st we want a good customisable application launcher... then we'll look at application integration. Applescript is nowhere near the capabilities of 4d... we're ready for the future, anyone developing in Applescript is severely limited to begin with.

**TheChiman** · 03-31-2005, 07:26 PM

I'm trying to decide whether to go with a Mac Mini install or with an aftermarket Nav unit like Pioneer's AVIC-D1. On the one hand with the mac, you can do alot of cool stuff, but when I think about it, all I care about is my music (iPod adapter) and a really good Nav.

Now I've never used Route 66; I've heard that it's decent, and that it really sucks. I would love to see another Nav option on the mac. I'm not a developer so I don't know what the process of creating GPS software is or how difficult it could be, but if you guys are capable of writing superior NAV software I'm sure now would be a great time to develop and market such a product as more and more people are wanting a mini in their autos.

I guess another thing that I would like to have is the mentioned bluetooth link with my cellphone, which I would not be able to get with the AVIC-D1. However it's not a certainty that this would be doable with Tiger yet.

One thing that I really liked about the D1 is when you put the car in reverse, the screen automaticaly switches to a rearview camera (if installed). It'd be great if someone could develop such a system for the mac.

Of course many of this stuff goes beyond what i3 currently does and my be beyond the skill of small developers out there writing software for carpc installs.

This is what I want though. Just though I'd share my thoughts.

**emdub** · 04-01-2005, 04:02 AM

IMHO Route 66 Sucks. I've worked with it in the car environment and hated it. It doesn't even remember window settings. It always opens to default and never to last view. If it did that to begin with it'd be better already. Opening up to view all of Europe when all I need immediately is my surrounding 100 km is a bit ridiculous. GPS interfaces aren't difficult to write if the drivers are out there, what makes a GPS application, though, are the databases. A GPS Map database costs way too much for 2 small developers to buy. A good vector based database that allows turn by turn guidance due to having knowledge of where it can or can't turn. The other option is making your own maps... obviously rules out any sort of guidance. All it would do is draw a straight line to your destination. Good for an airplane, but not for the road... ;-)

The bluetooth link at the moment I'm using BluePhoneElite to present my calls and SMS's and then use a HBH-300 to actually answer calls. BluePhoneElite also allows me to make calls which is easier on a 7" screen than fumbling with a small phone. I hope Tiger allows audio through BT.

The reverse camera is mostly a hardware wiring thing. There are a few threads on that in MP3.com which I have read. My Lilliput, for example, has 2 extra video inputs. One of them will be for my passengers to play playstation and the other will be the reverse camera. I might look into auto switching the video input when I get the reverse camera... but I haven't found a cheap weatherproof camera yet.

**maxipad96** · 04-01-2005, 12:12 PM

Hadn't checked out the website in a while. The Z skin starts to look a ton better than your original concept.

Looks cool and I would definatly run the program if it was free!

How do you customize the skin? Are the art files included w/ the prog?

Can I customize skins on the demo version?