Downloading Apps to your car

Joel · 12-23-2009, 11:02 AM

I probably could have posted this in Campfire, but it's sort of on-topic!

It's a story I filed today about what the future of in-car computers look like. I'm looking forward to playing around with good solutions when I finally get my SMB. (Which is looking like mid-Jan!)

http://gizmodo.com/5432592/the-future-o ... the-iphone

Are there any apps that would be super-useful to SMB and other overland folks?

charlie56 · 12-23-2009, 12:30 PM

I use GAIA GPS. It allows you to download TOPO maps to your iphone. The maps and GPS works even when you are not in range of a cell site.

I use ROAD TRIP to track fuel expenses.

I use YELP to find places to eat along the way.

When I am really anal, I use STANLEY LEVEL to level the SMB at a campsite.

There is REV by Devtoaster that looks like it would be the equal to scangage. However, you have to buy the wireless interface between the obii and the iphone which may just be another piece of technology that would fail. Maybe someone else has experience with it??

Joel · 12-23-2009, 02:17 PM

Hrm, Rev is interesting. I may have to check that out.

jlrray · 02-05-2010, 12:40 AM

with the showing of the iPad, this would be a good little "Vehicle" unit... I'm gonna wait to see if they put in a GPS and maybe a video camera on front.

J

jage · 02-05-2010, 10:58 AM

When you can steer with bluetooth, then I'll be impressed.

mjeffrey · 02-05-2010, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlrray

with the showing of the iPad, this would be a good little "Vehicle" unit... I'm gonna wait to see if they put in a GPS and maybe a video camera on front.

J

I think the size is perfect! No more desire to pack a Mac Mini into the dash with a touchscreen

But I'm waiting for the Android or Chrome OS tablet to come out - I need support for background processes if I'm going to be running GPS + music + Rev + surfing the web (while parked!) at least.

jlrray · 02-05-2010, 10:18 PM

true. Background processes will definitely be important for a vehicle app - I guess it will depend on how much actual memory & the processor is on those units. if it can watch movies, the CPU is probably better than most of those netbooks that balk at most movies ripped to HD. For me, the GPS will be fundamental on it --- or at least good USB support, but I would prefer an internal system.