CES 2009 - Car Computers are Dead. Long Live Car Computing. -by Bugbyte - Page 2

Marvin Hlavac · 05-25-2009, 09:06 PM

Bugbyte wrote:

> This was the first time I've ever been to CES...
>
> ...The days of the car PC are numbered.

I suspect any consumer electronics show even any time in the past could make such impression upon anyone. CarPC has never been for the masses, and it never will be. It is for a very small market segment.

For my personal needs a PC will unlikely be ever replaced by a telephone.

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Bugbyte · 05-26-2009, 01:07 PM

I phrased it a bit dramatically, but when I say that the days are numbered, I mean that the reasons that a majority of car PC'ers run a car PC are being replaced by the mobile device for less money and at similar quality.

That doesn't beat a personally customized car PC, though. Probably won't for quite some time. But I do think it will happen. What are some of you personal needs that a smart device (not necessarily a telephone) can't replace?

Marvin Hlavac · 05-27-2009, 07:57 AM

Hmm, I would have to sit down and think to really give a good answer to that.

Just from the top of my head, the ability to run "normal" Windows OS is likely one of the top reasons. No other OS can compete with the vast selection of programs for XP / Vista.

Screen size is another important factor, but I think it was already mentioned on page 1 of this thread.

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Rick99TAWS6 · 05-29-2009, 06:20 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by Bugbyte

What are some of you personal needs that a smart device (not necessarily a telephone) can't replace?

For the most part I agree that a mobile device would meet most needs - but of course I do have a application(HPTuners) which is always running for scanning and tuning of my motor and transmission, it has some real fun USB drivers with it - I could see a scanning solution offered but doubt that tuning would ever be

and of course there are always those like us who like to play with this stuff or are not satisfied with the offerings

Bugbyte · 05-29-2009, 09:35 AM

From the two responses by Marvin and Rict99TAWS6 I think it is accurate to say that it would be hard for the current crop of mobile phone/smart devices to provide the breadth of programs that are currently available for the PC.

I would agree that the LAST thing that a mobile smart device will replace is a specialty program. However, I can envision running specialty apps on a Windows server out on the net somewhere with a hardware device providing the data interface and the phone/smart device providing the user interface and perhaps the network connection.

A future scenario, to be sure, but I can see how if might be technically feasible if the issues of screen size and data latency could be overcome.

upspace · 09-23-2009, 05:41 AM

I just bought the brand new Archos 5 Internet Tablet for around 500$ with 500 GB and Mini Dock etc.

This is the first device which could solve the Cons an Iphone/Smartphone has in a Car PC environment:

1. Enough storage - 500 GB (8, 16, 32 GB is not enough for music, video, DVD rips for kids). Mini dock allows to attach external USB HDs
2. Not bound to Apples own format which forces you to convert everything from your home pc to Iphone/Itouch
3. Good quality 5 inch screen is good enough also for DVD watching on the run - 16 Mio colors in 800x480 resolution on 5 inch beats Iphone easily
3. Android ... Let's see what the apps availabe are. The 3D GPS apps on Archos site is already a killer

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