One of the most important technology breakthroughs last year was in accident prevention systems.  The Mobileye 560 is just the newest version of their outstanding product line.  As an OE supplier for manufacturers such as BMW, Cadillac, Volvo and more, Mobileye is the world’s leading supplier of accident prevention products.

The new Mobileye 560 forward-facing camera mounts discreetly on the inside of the vehicle’s windshield.  The driver is then alerted of drifting from lane and imminent collision.  It even lets the driver know if the vehicle ahead is being followed to closely, and can pick up pedestrians in the path of the vehicle, too.   This is a product that can seriously save lives!  Mobileye has won numerous industry awards.  Contact your local Al & Ed’s Autosound location for more information.

The problem with most voice-recognition systems in modern cars is the stilted, unnatural commands required to execute even the simplest functions. Cadillac is supposedly working on bringing more natural voice commands to market with CUE, but Pioneer and its new Zypr voice-to-cloud platform aims to take it a step further.

Utilizing a tethered smartphone or embedded modem, the new system listens and acts on commands based on conversational direction. Say, “Play some music” and Zypr responses with “Which artist?” or “Which source?” Tell the system “I’m in the mood for Thai” and it will list off the nearest restaurants, provide Yelp ratings and allow you to get directions and email the address to your friends. Facebook and Google integration is also part of the package, and since it’s all handled in the cloud, the expansion of sources and options is infinite. And Zypr won’t just be limited to cars.

Pioneer wants the technology to find its way into every consumer electronics device on the market (for obvious licensing reasons), and with Apple’s Siri functionality on the iPhone 4S putting a new emphasis on natural speech recognition, consumers will be demanding similar tech in almost everything they own within the next few years.

Source: Pioneer

Nissan announced today that its 2012 Rogue is one of the very first vehicles in its class to offer a Around View Monitor that helps drivers maneuver into parking spaces with more ease Available as a part of the optional Rogue SL Package, the crossovers is the first non-luxury vehicle in the U.S. to offer the Around View Monitor feature.

“More driver’s license tests have probably been failed due to the applicant’s inability to parallel park than any other task,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. “It’s anxiety provoking at best, and risks damage to a vehicle and surrounding property at its worst. Around View Monitor now comes to Rogue drivers’ rescue.”

Like in the Infiniti luxury vehicles, the 2012 Nissan Rogue‘s Around View Monitor use four small superwide-angle cameras – mounted on the front, side mirrors and rear of the vehicle – to provide a virtual 360° view of objects around the vehicle, helping the driver maneuver it in tight spots. The system converts image data taken by the four cameras to create and display the virtual image of the vehicle from above – it’s one of the coolest features we’ve come across in Infinitis and BMWs.

Video of “Around View Mirror” in action.

Source: egmCarTech

The Apple iPhone has a built-in accelerometer that rather accurately detects even the slightest motions. Developers have been quick to create applications that capitalize on the iPhone’s hardware, including software that helps enthusiasts obtain g-force and 0-60 times from their phone. We’ve tested a few ourselves and they work pretty well, although most of these apps come at a cost, ranging from $4.99 to $10 or more. If you like the idea of timing your vehicle with the aid of an iPhone but don’t want to pay for an app, BMW has a free solution for you.

It’s called the M Power Meter and does most things those paid apps can do, but it’s free and also very easy to use. Simply download the software from the app store [iTunes link], place your phone upright in a cup holder or flat in the direction you intend to drive, hit start, accept the terms and go. The M Power Meter defaults to timing a jaunt from 0-50 km/h, but you can change that by clicking on settings and choosing from several acceleration options up to 200 km/h or distances ranging from 100 meters to 2,000 meters. We downloaded the M Power Meter app and found it worked fairly well for being free and nearly as good as those apps we spent a few bucks on in the past.

If you have an iPhone and a car, test it out for yourself (without breaking the law or doing anything that could endanger yourself or others, natch) and tell us how well it worked by heading over to the Comments section. It’s free, so it couldn’t hurt to give it a whirl.

Source Autoblog

Pardon the cliche, but it’s one of the holiest of Holy Grails of technology: Wireless power. And while early lab experiments have been able to “beam” electricity a few feet to power a light bulb, the day when our laptops and cell phones can charge without having to plug them in to a wall socket still seems decades in the future.

Nokia, however, has taken another baby step in that direction with the invention of a cell phone that recharges itself using a unique system: It harvest ambient radio waves from the air, and turns that energy into usable power. Enough, at least, to keep a cell phone from running out of juice.

While “traditional” (if there is such a thing) wireless power systems are specifically designed with a transmitter and receiver in mind, Nokia’s system isn’t finicky about where it gets its wireless waves. TV, radio, other mobile phone systems — all of this stuff just bounces around the air and most of it is wasted, absorbed into the environment or scattered into the ether. Nokia picks up all the bits and pieces of these waves and uses the collected electromagnetic energy to create electrical current, then uses that to recharge the phone’s battery. A huge range of frequencies can be utilized by the system (there’s no other way, really, as the energy in any given wave is infinitesimal). It’s the same idea that Tesla was exploring 100 years ago, just on a tiny scale.

Mind you, harvesting ambient electromagnetic energy is never going to offer enough electricity to power your whole house or office, but it just might be enough to keep a cell phone alive and kicking. Currently Nokia is able to harvest all of 5 milliwatts from the air; the goal is to increase that to 20 milliwatts in the short term and 50 milliwatts down the line. That wouldn’t be enough to keep the phone alive during an active call, but would be enough to slowly recharge the cell phone battery while it’s in standby mode, theoretically offering infinite power — provided you’re not stuck deep underground where radio waves can’t penetrate.

Nokia says it hopes to commercialize the technology in three to five years.

Source Yahoo

iDrive from BMW was the victim of much criticism and it seems with their most recent dashboard upgrade, it may have been worked out. Ditching prior compass-based interfacing, the new iDrive employs a hierarchical vertical menu system, like the iPod, mixing it with an Xbox 360 interface. Apart from the faster navigation this provides, they have also included new features to make it faster and more useful:

• The iDrive knob is surrounded by seven buttons to give quick access to: CD, main menu, phone, radio, navigation, options screen, and “go back”.
• 8.8-inch widescreen display. It’s not a touchscreen because thinks it’s more comfortable and safe to use the knob (I completely agree with this in car. And it’s cleaner).
• Voice recognition system is now better thanks to a new faster processor.
• There’s a central area in the interface that shows the selected function with an easy to identify icon.
• If you connect the iPod, you will get a similar navigation by track, album, and artist.
• Rips CDs or copy music files through USB.
• GPS function allows for two views (like a general flat map and a closer 3D view).
• New alphanumeric keyboard in a circle, which is faster and easier to control with the iDrive knob.
• Users can “hack” their iDrive with custom programs that previously only dealers could change.

If you are planning to get a BMW, you will find the iDrive 4.0 in the 2009 3 Series and 1 Series as a $2,000 option, or standard next spring in the 7 Series.

Source: gizmodo.com

Access Google Maps search capability was made available on the 2009 BMW Assist and Navigation system – equipped 1 and 3 Series. For the first time, subscribers to the optional BMW Assist Convenience Plan can access “BMW Search” to quickly find a desired business with just a key word, benefiting from the world’s most famous online search engine. After finding what you want, you can immediately start route guidance or a hands-free call with your Bluetooth® – linked phone at just a simple push of a button.
Utilizing newly introduced hardware operating on the AT&T Mobility GSM network, this unique service identifies the current location and destination of the vehicle automatically and then displays the local results with details of address, phone number and distance. For example, you can look up business information like the names of restaurants, hotels, service stations, banks, supermarkets, cinemas and public facilities such as schools or city halls, all by the simple use of a key word. You can also easily ask for a search at another location.

In a nutshell, “BMW Search” using Google search technology and intelligence saves time and reduces frustration with destination entry on today’s navigation systems. The information you look up is continuously updated by Google. “BMW Search” is the next logical and consequential development of the link between the automobile and the Internet.

To allow customers to send business listings and street addresses with associated phone numbers from the internet directly to their BMW, Google and BMW began offering “MyInfo” with the introduction of the X6 back in April, now extended to all other 2009 BMWs except for X3. “BMW Search” now opens up access to the Internet directly from the vehicle, representing another building block in the BMW Assist services portfolio.

About BMW Assist:
BMW Assist provides the driver with services that enhance on-the-road security and convenience, for added peace of mind. The BMW Assist and Bluetooth® System is standard on all 5, 6 and 7 Series models, including the M5 and M6, and is included in the Premium Package or available as a stand-alone option on all other models. BMW includes the Safety Plan for 4 years at no additional cost. BMW is the only manufacturer that offers this duration of service as other manufacturers only include the first year of service. The BMW Assist Safety Plan is a subscription based service that is subject to certain limitations.

The in-vehicle equipment integrates GPS technology and hands-free wireless communication functions to deliver emergency and other services, accessed via buttons in the overhead or center console. The BMW Assist system transmits the location and vehicle information to the BMW Assist Response Center. A response specialist speaks with the vehicle occupants to coordinate dispatch, notify emergency contacts on file, and link BMW Roadside Assistance or emergency services as needed and/or requested. A severe accident automatically activates the Automatic Collision Notification function.

The BMW Assist Safety Plan also includes Door Unlock and Stolen Vehicle Recovery services, which can save the driver time and money. New to BMW Assist is MyInfo, which allows users to send business listings and street addresses with associated phone numbers from the internet, directly to their BMW. TeleService automatically notifies the BMW center when the vehicle will need service. A service advisor then proactively calls the customer to set up a convenient appointment and have the needed parts ready.

BMW Assist subscribers can also enroll in the BMW Assist Convenience Plan (available at an additional cost of $199 per year) to avail themselves of BMW Assist concierge services; from finding the lowest fuel price or the best French restaurant in the area to information on flight arrival gates or times, as well as receiving directions, traffic and weather information. On most models produced September 2006 and later, a selected destination and its phone number can be sent directly to the BMW Navigation system and the subscriber’s Bluetooth – linked mobile phone, after a push of the Concierge menu option. New for 2009 is BMW Search, which allows online access to the Google Maps database inside the vehicle to quickly find a desired business with just a key word. The Convenience Plan also includes Critical Calling, a service that can connect the driver to a requested party via a response specialist in case their mobile phone is not in the vehicle or its battery is discharged.

Lastly, the BMW Assist system includes Bluetooth hands-free calling and phone connectivity with phonebook access and speech recognition for dialing by name or number via steering wheel controls. Use of this feature requires a customer-provided compatible Bluetooth mobile phone. To learn more about BMW Assist, please visit www.bmwassist.com.

BMW Group In America
BMW of North America, LLC has been present in the United States since 1975. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC began distributing vehicles in 2003. The BMW Group in the United States has grown to include marketing, sales, and financial service organizations for the BMW brand of motor vehicles, including motorcycles, the MINI brand, and the Rolls-Royce brand of Motor Cars; DesignworksUSA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Silicon Valley and various other operations throughout the country. BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC in South Carolina is part of BMW Group’s global manufacturing network and is the exclusive manufacturing plant for all Z4 models, X5 Sports Activity Vehicles and X6 Sports Activity Coupes. The BMW Group sales organization is represented in the U.S. through networks of 338 BMW passenger car centers, 335 BMW Sports Activity Vehicle centers, 142 BMW motorcycle retailers, 82 MINI passenger car dealers, and 30 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. BMW (US) Holding Corp., the BMW Group’s sales headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Those are just a few of the features our new nüvis have to tout! Today, Garmin announced several new additions to two of our most popular series.  Adding lifetime traffic alerts and Bluetooth connectivity, the nüvi 265T, 265WT and 275T are ideal for the budget-minded consumer, who wants the edge when tackling traffic. With no subscription or annual fees, these traffic-friendly nüvis are ready to navigate you around the congestion right out of the box!

For a clear picture of the road ahead, the nüvi 755T, 765T, 775T and the 785T introduce lane assist to the popular nüvi family. Not sure which turn lane to be in? No problem – these new nüvis lead the way with arrows indicating the proper lane for navigation. Too many road signs to read while you’re driving by? These powerful navigators fix that, too, with brilliant road sign detail displayed along the way.

For the ultimate in awareness and preparation, these new navigators hold the key. Avoid traffic, make hands-free calls and avoid the guesswork when driving when these nüvis are on board.

TAG Heuer, the Swiss luxury watchmaker, should be known by auto enthusiasts. They make the most widely-used, finest, and precise timing tools in the world for tracking the fastest drivers. Able to measure F1, IRL, Le Mans and GT racing with 1/10,000th-of-a-second accuracy, they also make some of the sickest watches in the world.

The TAG Heuer Carrera was born in 1962 in the pits and paddocks of the racing circuit. TAG Heuer’s honorary chairman, Jack Heuer, served as a timekeeper at the 12 Hours of Sebring race where he met two talented drivers, the Rodriguez brothers. As the brothers shared stories of the legendary Carrera Panamericana Mexico Road Race, Heuer was struck by the name “Carrera,” which in his words was “elegant, dynamic, easily pronounced in all languages and charged with emotion.” In 1964, Heuer launched the first timepiece to carry the Carrera name. Since its launch, the Carrera has become an iconic and best-selling series for TAG Heuer.

Some 43 years later, Heuer is again assaulting the luxury sports watch segment with the debut of its Grand Carrera series. The sharp-looking collection includes several new models that honor the original 1964 Carrera design while taking it to new heights with a new breakthrough called the TAG Heuer Calibre RS movement that marks a new way to display time. The indicators of this exclusive, GT engine-inspired rotating system enable wearers to read small seconds, a second time zone or chronograph time effortlessly, providing them with at-a-glance access to precision timing.

All models host a “Côtes de Genève” screw and polished beveled edges complimented by curved, faceted horns on both case sides, a curved, sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment and a double sapphire crystal caseback. The dials feature a hand-applied TAG Heuer logo and curved faceted markers. Oversized screw-in crowns and push-button clasps complete the sophisticated look of the pieces, which are also water resistant to 100 meters.

The Grand Carrera Chronograph Calibre 17 RS features a 43 mm dial, screw-in crown, screw-in chronograph pushbuttons and hand-applied date window at 6 o’clock. The dial has two rotating systems with Côtes de Genève treatments and diamond polished facets: seconds at 3 o’clock; chronograph minute at 9 o’clock. It is available with a black or silver dial on a stainless steel bracelet or alligator strap for $4,495.