Over the past few years car makers have been desperately searching for car technology that will let you relax while the car practically drives itself. Big names like Microsoft and Google are jumping on the bandwagon, but one company that carries a history of innovation is noticeably missing - Apple. Larry Dignan has more.
Here's one car of the future by Italian designer Liviu Tudoran who designed an Apple-inspired electric car for 2020. The exterior would be made up of solar panels. We'd hope that the real company does a little better.
The following gallery shows some of the new concepts in telematics.
Without doing much of anything Apple has made an impact in car entertainment. For example, BMW offers a plug, located in the glove compartment, that will hook up an iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, or iPod Touch (second or third generation) directly into the vehicle's audio system.
For years, many an iPhone or iPod user has had all kinds of wires dangling from their dashboards.
Apple's iOS4 allows these gadgets to output and display an iPod interface on a connected device's external screen.
Microsoft is teaming with Ford for MyTouch which heavily relies on voice activation.
Ford's MyTouch interface was described as "cluttered" by Consumer Reports.
Toyota dashboard is full of bells and whistles.
Reports indicate that Google is testing its own robotic car even through the streets of San Francisco according to a New York Times report.
Credit: Chris Matyszczyk/CNET
Denso makes a dashboard that contains a robotic eye on the dashboard to watch you for indications you might be falling alseep. What if you have to make a quick turn?
Denso's phone-like screen on the steering wheel. For people who like to be watched.
At CES, GM announced that it would make its OnStar system available for all auto manufacturers. It's rear-view mirror shows off automatic crash response, turn-by-turn navigation, stolen vehicle location assistance, emergency and roadside services and hands-free calling. Andrew Nusca has more.
So what is Apple doing today in your car? You can plug your iPod into the audio system or your iPhone into a hands free system. Or you can visit the Apple iTunes App store.
This app will open your garage door. Although Apple is so secretive you never know.
Here's an app called "Beat the Traffic."
This iTunes "Dashboard" lets you know how fast your going. But isn't that what speedometers are for?
Toyota is making in-car apps with its Entune, a system that will integrate mobile apps and music services with in-vehicle controls.
Mercedes-Benz's top-tier instrument cluster looks fairly docile. Look closer and you'll see that the entire center gauge is actually an image on an LCD. Spec the right options, and that LCD is also where you'll view the Benz's night vision display.
Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET
Porsche's Cayenne cleverly hides an LCD amidst a collection of analog gauges. Users can select fuel economy output or view a secondary navigation map.
Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET
Ford's Smartgauge display debuted with the Fusion Hybrid and featured an innovative combination of digital and analog readouts. Using its twin LCDs, users can monitor the hybrid drivetrain's output and economy.
Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET
The Honda CR-Z's instrument cluster combines a traditional analog tachometer with a 3D digital speedometer. Color-keyed illumination lets the driver know how "green" their driving is and LCDs display secondary information.
Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET
The Chevrolet Volt's instrumentation is displayed on a 7-inch LCD with no physical parts. However, the layout and design of this preproduction model leaves a bit to be desired.
Credit: Antuan Goodwin/CNET
ehicles like the Chevrolet Corvette and BMW 7-Series feature optional head-up displays that project information onto the windshield, allowing drivers to keep their eyes on the road while monitoring vehicle systems or turn-by-turn directions.
Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET
Nissan's electric Leaf features a completely digital instrument cluster with bar graphs and an odd bubble gauge replacing traditional needle gauges.
Credit: Josh P. Miller/CNET
Toyota's Prius eschews the traditional gauge cluster placement in favor of a digital eyebrow display located at the base of the windshield.
Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET
Ford's new MyFord Mobile app will let owners of the Focus electric car get a variety of telematics functions, from the basic, such as remote door unlock, to trip planning software that takes the car's remaining range into account. Here's a gallery.
With its new A6 model, Audi intends to thoroughly integrate Internet-delivered traffic, courtesy of Inrix, Google maps, and onboard routing and navigation.