Meanwhile, more apps, computers for the car
Blackberry Renames and Revives
What’s Going On: Research In Motion, which ditched its
name to be known as BlackBerry, unveiled its long-awaited line-up of revamped smart- phones and software in late January. Te brand has suffered since the release of the iPhone, which basically set a new standard for smart- phones. Te first devices will be the Q10 and the Z10,
which will run on a redesigned operating system called Black- Berry 10. Te Z10 won’t be released in the U.S. until March, and the Q10 might not arrive in the country until April. All the major US carriers plan to sell the new BlackBerrys.
How It Could Affect You: Tis could be the comeback of the popular
Blackberry, which suffered a fall when the iPhone returned to the scene in 2007. If this does take off, it will be yet another operating system and platform for consumers — as well as for manufacturers and retailers — when dealing with smartphones apps as they relate to in-vehicle technologies. Right now, Apple and Android systems dominate, but that could change. Te Blackberry 10 operating system will not have as many apps written by outside companies and individuals as the iPhone and Android. It will start off with 70,000.
CES Looks Like An Auto Show
What’s Going On: The largest piece of mobile
electronics that we own — the car — is getting connected, a concept that isn’t new, but is now getting a big push because the smartphone is paving the way. The adoption of apps may now make this a mainstream reality sooner than anticipated. Out at the recent Consumer Electronics Show (CES), there was a whirlwind of activity with an unprecedented eight car makers and over 100 automotive tech companies that had command of the show floor as well as the media’s attention.
How It Can Affect You: One of the big stories and a key
push at the show was automakers recognizing the next step in the evolution of in-car computing
as they announced they would open up their closed ecosystems and begin reaching out to Web developers to design in-vehicle applications. App-driven infotain- ment systems mean that consum- ers could update or change their car’s head unit frequently. Both GM (with MyLink) and Ford (with AppLink) said during CES they would provide software develop- ment kits so designers can create new apps for infotainment. The Connected Car Consortium (CCC), which now has over 80 percent of the world’s automakers as part of its organization, created a global standard for smartphone and in-vehicle connectivity called MirrorLink. In fact, at press time the CCC was scheduled to hold the world’s first MirrorLink DevCon on Feb. 26.
Car Computers
What’s Going On: Toshiba is supplying an unnamed carmaker with its high-capacity automotive hard drives to meet the growing demands of innovations in the vehicle — like the connected car. Te 200GB hard drives were launched as a prototype over two years ago. According to Toshiba, these hard drives are the “highest compatible automotive drives” available for the industry today.
How It Can Affect You: Drivers can view map updates through satellite
navigation applications, and passengers in the back can stream high-definition movies and music. So where is it all going? Some cars will soon have the ability to download apps directly, and the hard drive will be the conduit to more sophisticat- ed vehicle navigation and entertainment systems.
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