Thread: Introducing Mimics. The ultimate iPhone-in-your-car experience

On a forum dedicated to carpc's - a product is introduced that requires disabiling said device.



On a forum dedicated to carpc's, of which users tend to strive for good quality audio - a product is introduced that requires adding equipment (an amplifier) to get worse sound ( headphone ).



On a forum dedicated to carpc's - a product is developed that solves a *problem* the wrong way ... Why not make a app that works with this:

http://www.nokia.com/terminalmode

Originally Posted by meryan00

So if I read it right, you have to plug two cords(30-pin dock, and 3.5 headphone) in order to get both video and audio?

Yes, right now you will need to plug in two cables; the dock connector for video out and charging and the 3.5mm jack for audio.

Plans are in the works for an all-in-one dock connector cable that will combine audio output, charging, and video.

Originally Posted by dscustoms

I really have to ask why?

All you get is a slightly bigger display for the phone, connected via headphone output to your amps? Not even digital audio output provided with HDMI? Why not just have an Airplay device?

I think the hardware focus needs to turn to better integration for the iPad and other tablets, with more extensive control and audio quality. Connecting a bunch of cables to your phone every time you get in the car, losing your factory audio system, etc. What happens if you are busy, forget your phone, need to take a quick trip, phone breaks etc. The system is completely disabled without the phone.

Add to that, lilliput screens, as much as I love them (and remember that I had them before this forum started selling stuff) are not very high quality. The amazing display of the iphone is done no justice on a larger screen with lower resolution. An Ipad suffers even more!

After all the nonsense cryptic posts leading up to this I'm pretty disappointed. This is not a car pc, or a car stereo, etc. Since I already can display my iphone on my car pc, it only really adds the ability to touch the screen in the dash for phone control? Over bluetooth? I can do that with Veency.


You mention in the press release an innovative future and developments from the locals here, what do you have in mind? What do you see for this device in the future that would entice some of us to invest in this idea?

dscustoms,

You pose very good questions and, believe me, we've done a lot of thinking on the topic over the last several months. Tablet integration was thought to be a more specific niche, with fewer people wanting to find a way to put an 8+ inch screen in their dash. Functionality might be greater, but the majority of people want to use more basic navigation and their media features while driving. Everyone seems to have a smart phone these days, with the majority of owners using very car friendly apps on a daily basis in the palm of their hand. Mimics Dash allows them to do this on a slightly larger screen in their car, positioned in a much easier to use and safer location.

Forgetting your phone does pose a bit of a problem (or maybe a solution to remind you to locate your phone before leaving?) if you want any sort of music, nav, social networking, etc. on short drives or drives where you want to leave the world behind. Still, for the latter, can't you just turn your phone into airplane mode?

Lilliput screens were chosen for the initial release because of their economical price point, relatively good performance, and ability to fit in the Preassembled Double Din LCD Frames we sell. This allows users to select from hundreds of 'custom' Direct Fit Kits to fit specific vehicles, making installation relatively easy.

The Mimics can theoretically work with any 4-wire resistive touch screen monitor. So, if you have a favorite monitor, changes are you'll be able to configure it to work with the Mimics. Additionally, plans are in the works to offer a capacitive solution in future and then a capacitive multi-touch version. The screens we're looking at for future models do look more similar to the screen of the original iPhone.

With respect to getting 'locals' involved on our forums, I'll let Fiberoptic do the majority of the talking, but the initial thought is that a product such as Mimics could entice more into using apps in the car--maybe so much so that car-specific apps will begin to be written, downloaded, and enjoyed. With an emphasis on safety and simple UI designs, these apps could potentially be the gateway for Car PC enthusiasts to design (and sell?) to everyone. Of course, we'll see how the device catches on first, but it might be nice to see how the apps many of you have already written (and offer on the Auto App Mart) do on a platform designed for the rest of the world.

The way i see it this is not a device to replace a car PC nor a device that the hobbyist here would use. This is the device for the person that knows the power of their smartphone and wants to harness in the car safely. Believe it or not everyone out there doesn't want to have to re-learn a car PC interface, fool with front ends, or install a bunch of gadgets in there car. This is simple, plug it in and have instant access to a comfortable interface that for the most part keeps both hands on the wheel. This isn't mp3Car trying to get rid of the car PC, its more like them inviting a whole other community to the forum.

Guess Im SOL....

Iphone 3GS
Xenarc
want a single cable connection
Connect both CarPC and Iphone at the same time

Ill stick with my PAC Audio Iphone interface and carputer until there are more options. This would not replace my carputer, it would be a fantastic addition though, visual access to all the Iphone apps. Grats guys, its heading in the right direction. Dont forget us Xenarc owners. (which I purchased from you... yeah I know that has tremendous pull in the decision factor lol)

If you need anyone to test the module on a Xenarc, 3GS, single cable feel free to contact me. Will probably be lost in return shipping

Originally Posted by Sonicxtacy02

The way i see it this is not a device to replace a car PC nor a device that the hobbyist here would use. This is the device for the person that knows the power of their smartphone and wants to harness in the car safely. Believe it or not everyone out there doesn't want to have to re-learn a car PC interface, fool with front ends, or install a bunch of gadgets in there car. This is simple, plug it in and have instant access to a comfortable interface that for the most part keeps both hands on the wheel. This isn't mp3Car trying to get rid of the car PC, its more like them inviting a whole other community to the forum.

Ok,

Let me be more specific... I am not against integrating smartphones into the automotive environment. I am for using resources wisely. I look at this and go, why didn't they just build a terminal mode server application for the iphone? You would have all the capabilities (and then some) that this device offers at a significantly lower price point and useful to members of the community. Follow up that with a port to Android and more of the community is covered. Include the TM in a package solution and there you go, eveyone covered. All based on using bluetooth.

I have attached an older pdf from Nokia on the subject.

Meego already has a TM Client included with the IVI. And the TM Client is QT based, meaning it could be ported to any platform.

Just my 2 cents...

Originally Posted by nasa

Ok,

Let me be more specific... I am not against integrating smartphones into the automotive environment. I am for using resources wisely. I look at this and go, why didn't they just build a terminal mode server application for the iphone? You would have all the capabilities (and then some) that this device offers at a significantly lower price point and useful to members of the community. Follow up that with a port to Android and more of the community is covered. Include the TM in a package solution and there you go, eveyone covered. All based on using bluetooth.

I have attached an older pdf from Nokia on the subject.

Meego already has a TM Client included with the IVI. And the TM Client is QT based, meaning it could be ported to any platform.

Just my 2 cents...

Mimics would allow you to make terminal mode. If you made that app right now, there would still be no way to actually interact with the phone from the touch screen. All mimics does (in a nutshell) is allow you send touch signals to the phone.

So the door is open for terminal mode.

@nasa,
I have been following the exciting development of the "Terminal Mode" solution for the past 6 months now. Unfortunately that solution does not have an aftermarket option available at the moment, and is not not as responsive as the current Mimics solution.

The Mimics requires no additional back-end PC hardware (apart from the Mimics itself), therefore this is actually a more cost effective solution. We know if Apple supported "Terminal Mode" this would of been much easier, then again some sort of PC/Arm processing in the back-end would be required.

Here's a video that demonstrates the touch response in comparison with "Terminal Mode".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-q23YXbFl8


I do believe that "Terminal Mode" will revolutionize in-car experience, but for the moment if you have an iPhone you can take advantage of this technology now.

I think its a fantastic piece of tech and i welcome such developments. I'll wait for the capacitive version, non lilliput.