Ford got a lot of buzz at CES last week with new updates to its SYNC platform, but the most interesting announcement to me was word of an update to the SYNC Destinations app. Users can now enter a destination on the iPhone (or Android or Blackberry device later this quarter) and push it directly to Ford’s in-car navigation system. The app is powered by Inrix, and it illustrates the value of connecting user input from outside the car with an interface and real-time data available inside the car. Ford and Inrix claim this is the first application to connect a smartphone with in-car GPS, but given the utility of this particular machine-to-machine communication, it certainly won’t be the last.
In addition to the updated Destinations app, Ford also announced the new SYNC AppLink service at CES, giving users voice control over certain navigation functions. Drivers can call for real-time traffic reports and turn-by-turn directions without touching a button. Users can also report traffic incidents to the Sync community, supplementing Inrix’s data with real-time user input. The AppLink service is available in select Ford 2012 model cars.
Traffic is big business, and, as local newscasters have known for decades, a big draw for Americans who spend an inordinate amount of time in their cars. Inrix has been on my radar for a couple of years now. The company is not only collecting valuable data today, it’s creating an infrastructure of data inputs that will be hard to match in a few years time if the company does its job right.
And Inrix has the potential to be valuable to far more than just consumers too. Transit authorities, law enforcement and government budgeting offices could all benefit from Inrix data. Just note this story in the Seattle Times from January 8th. Inrix was able to report on the impact of new highway tolls on local traffic congestion and average vehicle speeds. The DOT’s comments on the news were decidedly indifferent, but that’s a short-sighted response. In the future, Inrix data (and traffic data from other sources including Navteq and Google) could be critical for transportation planning, community development and more.
“…for Americans who spend an inordinate amount of time in their cars.”
What I’d really like is a way for my TiVo to transcode a recorded program and stream it onto the inside of the windshield of my automobile.
Just staring out at the road and traffic while driving is boring. It’d be much more fun if I could watch Game of Thrones while I’m behind the wheel instead.
Yeah, or it would be great if my steering wheel had built-in Twitter buttons so I could tweet while driving. Just think of all the social media time I could reclaim!
“Yeah, or it would be great if my steering wheel had built-in Twitter buttons so I could tweet while driving.”
The thing they’ll be demo-ing at CES 2013 is a replacement of the steering wheel with a keyboard. You’ll be able to use it to both tweet and search your TiVo for programs to project onto the inside of the windshield.
I’d think there would be some way of automating a camera attached to the front grille of your car to shoot pics that would be sent simultaneously with your tweets. You tweet “this tv series is amazing” or “i can’t control this car with a keyboard”, and it’s posted along with a pic of the tree you’re about to crash into.
I read the article, and I guess I’m missing the point. Why is it preferable to enter your destination into your smart phone instead of entering it directly into the car navigation system?
dwgsp- Because if you get the info while you’re away from your car, you don’t have to worry about writing it down and entering it in the in-car nav system later. Plus, it helps ensure you’re not trying to enter info while driving.
Smartphone software interfaces and apps can be updated much more rapidly than stock equipment (without a visit to your mechanic) and are generally more efficient for entering data.
Nice idea. Would have to see what the implementation is like. A much better idea would have been to allow the user to use Google Maps to transfer the information rather than Inrix. But hey, that’s just me.
dwgsp–I’ve got a couple of Acura’s about 6 years apart and I think they’ve got some of the better in car nav systems. But finding things by anything other than address is often impossible. Want to find the nearest Staples? Is it a retail store? Shopping? Or one of 15 other categories random Staples stores have been entered into across the country. Sorry, pick the wrong one and that local Staples you’re looking for won’t show up. Just want the nearest store called “Staples”? Sorry, no way to do that. I assume other cars are just as bad. I often search for things using the built-in maps application on my iPhone, then transfer the address by hand (1-2-3 F-O-U-R-T-H S-T-R-E-E-T…) into the in car GPS. This would PRESUMABLY be better.
As far as Inrix… I used the Inrix app for iOS for a long time, but when they went to a non-free model I punted it. Sorry, just not worth that much to me. Their most recent UI update was a bit of a nightmare too. I’m currently using Waze, which is still free, and does a fine job as a replacement.
By the way, I checked out Microsoft’s auto tech (which is what SYNC is) in the Kias (“UVO”) and was pleasantly surprised. It made me want to buy a Soul. But I didn’t.
Inrix on the down low, for Glenn… they were a business partner during my tenure at Dash Navigation. Both the experience and data weren’t entirely pleasant. ;) As far as iOS nav, I skip the traffic and mostly use Telenav. Both Telenav and Waze have picked up some of my former Dash compatriots.
“Inrix on the down low, for Glenn… they were a business partner during my tenure at Dash Navigation. Both the experience and data weren’t entirely pleasant.”
Rumor has it that the Costa Concordia was using Inrix…
How does Telenav do navigating in Rural Idaho?
“How does Telenav do navigating in Rural Idaho?”
Oddly enough, the last Godard movie, which wonderfully was shot on the Costa Concordia, had its highest worldwide grosses in the tiny cinemas that dot Rural Idaho. Who woulda thunk it?