So far, automakers have done a pretty terrible job of designing infotainment systems. Those systems are so bad, they're causing quality scores to plummet and inspiring unpleasant lawsuits. And yet, automakers stubbornly keep churning out wonky in-dash tech. Toyota went so far as to say that it...Read More»
This week, Google held its annual I/O conference for developers. At least one of the company's announcements could have automakers shaking in their boots or jumping for joy, depending on their point of view. The announcement came by way of a beautifully tricked-out dashboard on a Maserati Ghibli...Read More»
Drive away from the showroom in one of the more technology-forward new vehicles—or really now, nearly anything with a luxury badge—and it’s likely you at least have the option to bring some key vehicle functions with you nearly everywhere you go: in the form of an app for your iOS...Read More»
The auto world seems hyper-sensitive to hacking these days -- and rightly so. Good-guy hackers have exposed numerous vulnerabilities in today's telematics systems, which could be exploited to frustrate drivers, pilfer personal information about owners, or worse. But are these worries just growing...Read More»
Do you have issues with home package delivery? What if you could simply get deliveries tucked neatly into your car? The automaker Volvo is working on that. It cites 2013 data, noting that 60 percent of those shopping online have, and that home delivery in general places additional time...Read More»
America's police have an image problem. As kids, many of us are introduced to Officer Friendly, and we're taught that police are forces for good. But as we get older, we read headlines about racial profiling, we see officers set up speed traps, we hear about entire departments outsourcing traffic...Read More»
CarPlay hasn't appeared in actual cars yet, but Apple has already begun laying the groundwork for its arrival via the latest update to its mobile operating system, iOS 7.1. DON'T MISS: Tiny Florida Town's Pursuit Of Speeders May Get It Wiped Off The Map The update began rolling out yesterday, and...Read More»
If you love your Ford but hate Ford Sync, listen up: according to Detroit News, Ford may soon ditch the Microsoft platform that underlies Sync and migrate to a new, more stable system. SYNC: THEN AND NOW When Microsoft first partnered with Ford to build infotainment systems for cars, Bill Gates was...Read More»
If you have a (relatively) new car, the center stack is probably flawed. You'd hoped for something sleek and intuitive, and instead, you wound up with Lieutenant Uhura's computer from Star Trek: lots of bells and whistles that don't seem to do much of anything. This is a major problem, and solving...Read More»
Two years ago, J.D. Power published a brutal assessment of Ford Motor Company: in just one year, the company's rank on Power's Initial Quality Survey plummeted from #5 to #23. The tumble wasn't due to dodgy build quality on the vehicles themselves. Rather, it was almost entirely attributed to...Read More»
Design fanatics spend a lot of time obsessing over fonts. They debate the readability of Times Roman, the 20th-century functionalism of Helvetica, the low-level IQ of Comic Sans. (Which has generated a hilariously profane response from Comic Sans itself.) But discussion of typefaces is more than an...Read More»
As everyone with a smartphone or tablet knows, apps are big business. But searching online shops for the app you need can be frustrating -- and Mercedes-Benz isn't simplifying matters. Today's app environment Today's consumers purchase most of their apps for one of two platforms: Android or iOS...Read More»
Today at High Gear Media we drove the Audi A3 e-tron prototype and Mitsubishi teased the upcoming Outlander Plug-In Hybrid. Mercedes-Benz said it isn't going to build a four-door SLS AMG and we took a look at new car features you don't really need. All this and more in today's car news, right here...Read More»
Technology is a great thing -- except when it's not. While computers, smartphones, and satnav have generally made our lives easier, they have to be designed to be usable by folks across the tech spectrum, from web-savvy grandparents to their even-more-savvy grandchildren. To that end, Chrysler has...Read More»
Coda has set up shop in a...mall. [GreenCarReports] We drive the 2012 Chrysler 200 and find it to be stylish, but not glamorous. [TheCarConnection] The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 has 580 horsepower. [MotorAuthority] Here are some energy facts for your consideration. [GreenCarReports] Kia is already...Read More»
Earlier this year, General Motors announced plans to sell OnStar as an aftermarket system called OnStar FMV (or "For My Vehicle"). The company recently made good on its promise, shipping OnStar FMV kits to select dealerships across the country, as well as other shops like Best Buy. Which raises at...Read More»
It's no secret that car shoppers are smitten with technology, and nothing is hotter right now than the mix of navigation and concierge services known generally as "telematics". GM has made a bundle with OnStar, and now State Farm has partnered with Hughes Telematics to grab its own slice of the pie...Read More»
A string of new studies have shown that when it comes to cars, shoppers love high-tech options -- particularly those involving navigation and infotainment features. That may explain why Ford has decided to cut the price of its popular SYNC telematics system. The $100 discount will make SYNC a $295...Read More»
If you have a new car, equipped with the latest in cellular-network-based security, we’ve got bad news for you. A group of hackers has proven that they can find a vehicle’s specific location, remotely unlock it, and start it using nothing more than a simple cell-phone-initiated text...Read More»
