ABOUT TIME
Not sure why it took so long, but it's good to see at least one car company is realizing that it's time for a change. Engadget explains:
"Anyone's who's bought a car with a built-in nav system knows the pain
of seeing their expensive accessory totally eclipsed by even the
cheapest external GPS units just a year or two later -- everything from
UI to multimedia integration progresses so fast it's almost not worth
it. That might change soon, though --
Harman and Mercedes are working
on a "hybrid" nav system that combines the easy replaceability of an
external PND with the integration and sleek looks of a built-in system.
The goal is to build a standard design that can upgraded quickly --
right now OEM systems have to be designed almost three years in advance
-- so the screen and controls will be mounted on the dash in a cradle,
while a second hidden
"processing box" will handle the actual GPS
system, music storage and playback, and Bluetooth connectivity. Harman
says eventually prices should fall to the point where automakers can
compete with aftermarket GPS systems -- we'll see if that hold up when
Mercedes ships the new kit in eight vehicles scheduled for the second
half of 2010.
[Via Gearlog]"
Hope other car makers take a hint from this and take the idea much further.
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