Coyote check this out...

ShawJohn · 09-03-2004, 06:09 AM

Hi Coyote,
I was just wondering whether or not you are aware that there is a company making lots of money by selling Car PC's with Mediacar as the preloaded software... Wouldn't you feel better if you got a cut ;-)

Here's what I found...

Karputer Launches Europe’s First In-car Windows Computer

Karputer Launches Europe’s First In-car Windows Computer
Added : (Fri Aug 27 2004)
1 September 2004

Karputer Launches Europe’s First In-car Windows Computer
ICEPAC in-car computer features GPS satellite navigation, WiFi web access, Bluetooth mobile support, DVD / CD playback and complete mobile office capability

Karputer, a new UK company specialising in advanced in-car systems, has launched Europe’s first full function Windows in-car computer, ICEPAC. ICEPAC gives users full GPS satellite navigation, WiFi Internet access, DVD and multimedia playback, and office computing functions in a compact unit that fits into any car or van.

ICEPAC is a high specification Windows XP computer, controlled from the supplied colour LCD touchscreen mounted on the car dashboard. Karputer’s simple programmable interface, MediaCar, gives drivers and passengers safe, one-touch access to key functions. The unit is also supplied with a compact, wireless keyboard and mouse for more conventional use when the vehicle is stopped.

As ICEPAC is a Windows PC, it can run any office application or game software that runs on a desktop or portable PC. It can play DVDs from all regions on its integral DVD / CD drive, MP3 music from its hard disk, and deliver pictures to multiple screens - so passengers can watch a film while the driver uses satellite navigation.

ICEPAC is supplied with a WiFi card, enabling Internet access through WiFi hotspots (for example at motorway service stations, or outside serviced office complexes). This gives users full remote access capability to home or office email and other applications. Internet access is also available via 3G phones with ICEPAC’s Bluetooth support.

According to Karputer, ICEPAC represents the logical next step for in-car systems. As director, Matt Thornhill explained: “The latest generation of DVD-based navigation and entertainment systems available from car and accessory manufacturers offers only a limited range of functions. What we have done with ICEPAC is to adapt and ruggedise a Windows PC, so drivers can not only have advanced in-car applications, but also any computer application they want to run. We can offer drivers more entertainment features, and more advanced mobile computing capability than any other current solution. With ICEPAK, any vehicle becomes a network node on the info highway.”

According to Karputer drivers can, for example, use ICEPAC’s sat-nav with voice guidance to plot the best routes, while downloading emails or documents from the office using a Bluetooth link to their mobile phone in their pocket or bag, while listening to an audiobook on the CD drive.

Recent research by analyst Frost & Sullivan indicates the European market for in-car ‘infotainment’ technologies is set to expand dramatically. The research found the market was worth 2.6 billion euro in 2003, and is predicted to grow to 9.2 billion euro by 2010.

ICEPAC retails at £1750 for a full-specification unit complete with all software applications, colour touchscreen, keyboard, mouse, regulated power supply and fittings - less than many aftermarket satellite navigation systems. Contact Karputer for dealer details and for details of other software bundles.

ICEPAC carries e-mark approval and complies with European vehicle legislation for aftermarket in-car electronic equipment.

Issued on behalf of Karputer, contact info@karputer.co.uk / www.karputer.co.uk

Press Contact:
Context Public Relations
Craig Coward, craig@contextpr.co.uk, 01625 507 204
Kim Williams, kim@contextpr.co.uk, 01625 507202

About ICEPAC - In Car Entertainment Personal Automobile Computer
ICEPAC has a 1GHz VIA processor, 256MB RAM, 40GB HDD, DVD / CD-RW drive. It is supplied complete with 7” XGA touchscreen LCD display, electro-luminescent wireless keyboard & mouse, FM radio tuner, GPS positioning hardware, Bluetooth mobile device integration and 802.11b WiFi card.

The ICEPAC is supplied pre-installed with Windows XP Home Edition, and is compatible with Windows 98/ME/2000/NT/XP Pro and Linux applications. It is pre-loaded with Europe-wide GPS voice-guidance navigation software. ICEPAC fits the standard DIN bay in most vehicles, and is supplied with Karputer’s specially developed failsafe power supply, which operates from any 12V DC power source. As well as protecting against the voltage fluctuations experienced in cars, this unit also features an integrated stereo amplifier to give CD, DVD and MP3 playback over the car’s integral speaker system.

Submitted by: Craig Coward

http://www.pressbox.co.uk/Detailed/17070.html

more mods · 09-03-2004, 06:33 AM

we knew about this. Looks like Coyote must have finished the software some time ago. They have been selling it since june 1. I think thats about the time he stopped posting here, hmmmmm..

PiR-P3 · 09-03-2004, 06:37 AM

There is nothing illigal about this..

Look at URL : http://www.karputer.co.uk/karputer.php?page=mediacar

MediaCar is a custom GUI (graphical user interface) software application. Licensed from SL-Tech a Belgium based software company.

MediaCar sits on top of Microsoft Windows allowing easy convenient access to all the main features of the ICEPAC

hybrid · 09-03-2004, 07:02 AM

http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/show...hybrid&t=23191
this is from march and coyote just said he set up his own small company SL-Tech...

Primera · 09-03-2004, 04:12 PM

No need for Coyote to check this out. He knows about it since March as he made the OEM contract with Karputer.

skippy76 · 09-04-2004, 11:04 PM

So last I heard was Coyote had gone AWOL. Does anyone know what's going on with MediaCar and what Coyote has been up to for the summer?

Big Zack · 09-05-2004, 08:12 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by skippy76

So last I heard was Coyote had gone AWOL. Does anyone know what's going on with MediaCar and what Coyote has been up to for the summer?

update on Coyote here: http://www.mp3car.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=32235

- Z

CHUPACABRA · 09-05-2004, 08:50 AM

Thats pretty sad the He cant even post once a while.He just left for better things I guess.To bad.

switched-on · 09-05-2004, 11:07 AM

Nemesis system from In Car Office.

I had one installed on my Range Rover in April this year. They have been around a lot longer than others dabbling in car computer solutions. They do not retail supply, but I got mine installed from an approved dealer in London.

Mine is my mobile office and has an excellent Graphical user interface which is great on my Touchscreens.

They provide me with unlimited support and on site assistance when required. The only issue to date has been getting a system code to activate more of the advanced features included. Which now enables me to grab my pictures straight from my Video Camera.

The internet is amazing; I have 3G access while in London, dropping to standard GPRS in other parts of the UK. I do not have to use a phone, the SIM card is installed into the system. There is an embedded on screen keyboard for most functions.

The screens are installed into two seat backs in the rear, and integrated with the Range Rover command system in the front.

The main system unit is trimmed in the rear panel behind the seats in the back and looks great.

It was not the least expensive solution, but it works every time, and has everything as standard. I am having two of my other cars installed out later this year.

more mods · 09-05-2004, 11:24 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by switched-on

Nemesis system from In Car Office.

I had one installed on my Range Rover in April this year. They have been around a lot longer than others dabbling in car computer solutions. They do not retail supply, but I got mine installed from an approved dealer in London.

Mine is my mobile office and has an excellent Graphical user interface which is great on my Touchscreens.

They provide me with unlimited support and on site assistance when required. The only issue to date has been getting a system code to activate more of the advanced features included. Which now enables me to grab my pictures straight from my Video Camera.

The internet is amazing; I have 3G access while in London, dropping to standard GPRS in other parts of the UK. I do not have to use a phone, the SIM card is installed into the system. There is an embedded on screen keyboard for most functions.

The screens are installed into two seat backs in the rear, and integrated with the Range Rover command system in the front.

The main system unit is trimmed in the rear panel behind the seats in the back and looks great.

It was not the least expensive solution, but it works every time, and has everything as standard. I am having two of my other cars installed out later this year.

Are you talking about Ice Pak GUI?

switched-on · 09-05-2004, 02:53 PM

Looked on this site today, as a colleague recommend, before we committed to having our other vehicles equipped.

No it’s not related to the Icepac or Mediacar, It is a different system. We looked at a solution with Mediacar but it did not have the functions or features when compared with the Nemesis. The system we choose is a high end solution, it cost just over £4500 to have supplied and installed, but it is the best money we've ever spent. It has enabled our business to work while on the move.

Look at this link out for software screen shots etc.

Go to www.incaroffice.co.uk

Go to Downloads and select the PDF icon next to "New Nemesis System Software Launched"

ppgt94 · 09-05-2004, 03:33 PM

There is nothing unique about InCarOffice. It uses most of the same hardware and software that members on here use. Actually, I have seen better installations by some members on here.

Skraggy_uk · 09-06-2004, 06:54 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by switched-on

Looked on this site today, as a colleague recommend, before we committed to having our other vehicles equipped.

No it’s not related to the Icepac or Mediacar, It is a different system. We looked at a solution with Mediacar but it did not have the functions or features when compared with the Nemesis. The system we choose is a high end solution, it cost just over £4500 to have supplied and installed, but it is the best money we've ever spent. It has enabled our business to work while on the move.

Look at this link out for software screen shots etc.

Go to www.incaroffice.co.uk

Go to Downloads and select the PDF icon next to "New Nemesis System Software Launched"

Do you judge quality by price?

The cases they show are common travla cases for Epia boards, members here use both travla cases and epia boards.

Bluetooth is available to add through the USB port for about £30.
It looks like it uses destinator2 (or at least the SDK) for it's GPS app, which isn't that great.
And a the Vodaphone 3g/GPRS data card can be bought from any Vodafone shop.

And the touchscreen look fantastic. I'm seeing budget unstable lilliput that has caused a lot of members no end of trouble and the Gain motorised screen that is still vapourware, and caused Armin no end of problems because of supply delays since he first put it on his site.

It uses Mediaplayer and a seperate DVD player, instead of integration of a player into a central front end.

hardly £4.5k's work of kit. Maybe £1-1.2k with Software licenses, and using hardware that is actually available.

no1knows · 09-06-2004, 07:15 AM

harsh skraggy, upholstering and installation would be quite a bit. Remember most people dont want to mess with this stuff. Integration with the ECU as well... quite impressive, i agree not £4500 worth, but still nice if you've got the money to throw around.

Skraggy_uk · 09-06-2004, 07:26 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by no1knows

harsh skraggy, upholstering and installation would be quite a bit. Remember most people dont want to mess with this stuff. Integration with the ECU as well... quite impressive, i agree not £4500 worth, but still nice if you've got the money to throw around.

Well, the screen in the install example is a Lilliput(ish) type screen that isn't fully integrated, it looks like it is just bolted into the lower console, very obvious and very nonstandard.

The System install looks like it is just screwed to the underside of a strengthened parcel shelf.

I agree wiring up can be a nightmare, but if I was going to pay about £4500, and £3200 of that would be isntalation, I'm sorry, but I would expect it to look like the screen was fitted at the factory (and that is at retail prices not trade bulk prices). If they are buying in a retail prices then they aren't big time, and never plan to be, and if they are getting stuff at bulk prices, they are using the barnum approach, and hoping that a big posh motorcar clouds people judgement and persective about what things cost.

Maybe I should go into this market myself. Lots of overpaid footballer with silly capacity cars and wallets in my neck of the woods. All I would need would be a logo'd van, a flashy website, and a couple of trade stock accounts.