Due to the current state or should I say lack of Mac specific software for CAR; I have decided to start an open source (GPL) project. I have started to put together ideas for myself pertaining to the direction I want the project to head in. Let me list my thoughts.
1. Internal MP3 player/Movie Player/Track Organizer (play lists)a. Read iTunes music library
b. Create new playlists on the fly, using the iTunes source AND other sources.
c. Read attached devices(iPod)
d. Movie play lists.
e. Remote syncing of iTunes (This feature is the only thing that I can imagine using myself. Basically I will write a client/server application so that you can push a button in you car and sync your car with your home computer’s media resources. Sounds simple but has to be highly configurable, I will work out the details later)
2. Internal Slide show and photo management
What this project will NOT have.
Internal DSP(Audio Processing), I am a firm believer that a car’s computer is a SOURCE of media. Audio processing should be handled by equipment that was meant to do so.
Internal Navigation, now this is really up in the air for me. I haven’t been able to find any open source projects that I could incorporate into my project. If provided with a solid solution I will be more than happy to implement it.
These are the few ideas that I have floating around in my head. All of them I can implement fairly easily. Basically I am looking for a few things out of this post. One is to see what features you are looking for. I already know what I want, a,b,c, and e. :P I am just curious as to what you want.
I need an incredibly well designed interface. I feel that skinable apps leave the app looking “cookie cutter” and this is something that is not acceptable. I will provide all source code and nib files with this project so if you know how to use them then feel free to skin away.
This is really just a shot in the dark post here. I see a few projects floating around but nothing that has any serious goals. I would like to provide you with a tool for your cars computer. I just need to know what you want, and I am going to need all the help I can get.
Please feel free to leave ideas, rants, raves, questions, concerns, etc. When I have a name for this project and a official list of goals I will create a website devoted to it.
Thank You
Benjamin S