AT&T drives connected car apps for its connect car platform

ATTdrivestudioAT&T announced six voice activated apps for its AT&T Drive connected car platform.   The apps will be available to auto makers for  weather, audio, locations nad parking.

Apps include AccuWeather, Glympse, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Streetline, Inc. with the Parker app, and Tribune Digital Ventures. AT&T has partnered with TeleCommunication Systems, Inc. at the AT&T Drive Studio.

Volvo XC90 Apple CarPlay Android Auto later: ADAS now

volvocx90Volvo announced its new  XC90 coming to the US in April starting at $48,800.  Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support will follow its release.

Technically it’s considered an SUV, the Volvo XC90 made on a scaleable architecture with a vertical touchscreen and many ADAS features. The pleasant interior is styled in leather and wood.

In connected car apps to reach 269 million by 2018, thanks 2 CarPlay and Android Wear

telematicsfeturesA new report by Juniper Research on the telematics sector  found that the number of in-vehicle apps in use is expected to reach 269 million by 2018, representing a more than five fold increase on last year’s figure.

Connected Cars: Consumer & Commercial Telematics and Infotainment 2014-2018 reports growth will be fueled by solutions such as Apple’s CarPlay, which will promote in-car apps.

Free app for teens to prevent texting while driving

SafeCell360iPhoneappSafeCell 360 is an app available to teenage drivers in the United States for the 2014/2015 year free. It enables the teens and parents to block apps, text messages, emails and monitor them.

The app provides parents the ability to limit the use of their teenage drivers access to their Android and iPhone devices while driving. SafeCell 360 is designed to run in the background and monitor for motion.

CEA CES call for connected car safety products/services deadline 8/15

otterappThe Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) is working on a technical report,  showing consumer electronic products and services that make driving  safer.

The report coming at at the 2015 International CES, January 6-9, 2015 in Las Vegas.

Companies that offer products or services to increase driver safety and reduce distracted driving should to submit descriptions to appear in the report.

Linux Auto Grade open to connected car devs, CarPlay & More

lf_automotive_logoA collaborative open source project  Automotive Grade Linux (AGL), first open source software release is available for download from the Linux Foundation. Recently, BearingPoint GmbH and Systena joined the organization and are participating in the Automotive Grade Linux (AGL) Steering Committee.

Linus Auto Grade offers an optimized embedded Linux OS stack as a starting point for engineering work. It builds on Tizen IVI supported by Intel and Samsung.

MirrorLink is connected car compatible with HTC One b4 CarPlay

MirroLink Head UnitCar Connectivity Consortium (CCC) announced that the HTC One (M8) is now compatible  MirrorLink. MirrorLink  compatibility will arrive via a software upgrade to current HTC One (M8). More HTC devices will be compatible in the future.

MirrorLink is car-smartphone mirroring with a simple interface that works with many operating systems.  MirrorLink will be distributed to millions via this partnership.

New HUD connected car device safer than CarPlay & Android Auto?

navdyA new device that will let you see only what is needed from your smartphone on a heads up display, called the Navdy, was announced today.  It combines a clear projector screen with voice and gesture controls to create what they call a safer, intuitive connected driving experience.

The driver sees essential information from a smartphone through the display that projects through the windshield (HUD Heads Up Display). A camera sensor allows the driver to use gestures to navigate, communicate or control music. Navdy is available for pre-order right now on for $299.99 with a release date expected in 2015.

Navdy claims that built-in consoles like Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are just bigger touchscreens that do nothing to solve the problem.

Los Angeles parking app challenge from Ford asks devs to recreate parking lots

losangelesemptyparkinglotDevelopers could win as much as $15,000 for finding new exciting creative uses for Los Angeles’ vast parking space surplus and quagmire of problems.

Los Angeles has a parking problem even though  it has the highest density of parking spaces in the world. It’s downtown contains more spaces per acre than any other city. However finding a parking spot can still be difficult and stressful.  L.A. also has a mountain-size surplus because lots are built for prime times and often vacant.