I can’t believe this hasn’t been explored more, and there hasn’t been more right ups about it. A quick google search shows one auto manufacturer putting Android OS in the car. Ford has the Microsoft Sync, which isn’t really their mobile OS, but seems to be more of a voice control system. But as of today, all the auto makers from Ford to BMW seem to be putting their own software in their systems.
I recently was sitting in a 2011 Chevy … excuse me … Chevrolet Avalanche, and their display system was horrible. The graphic elements in it where ugly, the UI was horrible, and the navigation pretty much sucked. It was pretty much a bad experience all together.
Why do people try and re-invent the wheel? Well, they think they can do it better. And if people didn’t try we would be stuck with Windows ME all over again, competition drives innovation. So the better question is why do car makers go off and try to dapple in software development, and if it is outsourced, why not go with something people are familiar with. Imagine the iOS for your in car navigation and audio needs. The Google Android OS lends itself to this situation so much better. It’s open source and free. Car manufacturers could work with Google or work with outside companies to get the applications they need that are specific to their cars, but you would have Google Maps for your navigation system, you would have all the capabilities and audio features you have in your phone, in your car.
Are the two really that different. Do you do that anything that is that much different in your car than on your phone, not really. You listen to music, type in directions, and customize the settings of the phone. The only thing that immediately crosses my mind would be the A/C system … coming from a computer background, with the proper interfaces that is an easy addition to write.
It almost makes seems like a no-brainer .. which makes my wonder why that haven’t done it yet, or what I am missing.
"posted from: http://gibbonsr.net/2010/07/android-in-the-car/#comments
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