In-car entertainment

Dashboard mount mightily grips your phone in the car

Editors' note: Portions of this review also appear in our evaluation of the TackForm C-Fit, since that device and the Bracketron Mi-T Grip are almost identical.

They all may look more or less the same, but not all smartphone suction cup mounts are created equally. Some are more flexible, more articulated, or offer a longer reach. Others, like the Bracketron Mi-T Grip place a heavier emphasis on strength and stability -- when it gets its grips on your phone, it'll take more than a casual bump to knock the handset loose.

The Mi-T Grip only has one point of … Read more

Scosche shows smartphone remote for car stereo

Scosche's new ControlFreq car stereo, announced today, comes out with a full set of digital audio sources and a Bluetooth hands-free phone system. While competitive stereo offer similar features, the ControlFreq comes up with something new, a smartphone app for remote control.

The ControlFreq is a single DIN stereo, meaning it will fit into just about any car. Its faceplate includes a USB port, aux input, SD card slot, and even a CD slot. It will pair with Bluetooth phones for music streaming and hands-free calls, its built-in microphone supporting the latter feature.

All these features make it quick … Read more

Parrot's Asteroid app platform lands in Volvo dashboards

Parrot's bringing the lessons learned when developing its Asteroid series of car stereos to the next generation of Volvo cars with the Android-based Sensus Connected Touch platform.

Like the Parrot Asteroid Smart that I recently reviewed, the Sensus Connected Touch is a touch-screen interface that is based on a heavily modified version of Android (likely version 2.3) and will connect to the Internet via a Bluetooth-paired smartphone, Wi-Fi tethered access point, or USB-connected 3G/4G dongle. Also like the Asteroid Smart, Sensus will give its users access to a variety of vehicle specific apps available in Parrot's Asteroid Market, … Read more

Apple wants to make super-secure magnetic mount for iPad

Apple wants to make a magnetic stand for iPads that will hold the tablet securely in place, while also allowing for quick removal when needed, according to a patent application published today.

Spotted by Patently Apple, the application includes images of various tablet mounting situations, including inside cars, on tripods, treadmills, and on a music sheet stand. Apple even thinks the technology could be used to connect two iPads with a magnetic hinge.

Apple writes in the application:

Tablet devices are used in an increasingly wide range of applications. In many of these applications a way for conveniently mounting the … Read more

AirDock: Activate Siri with the power of air pressure

Driving and smartphones don't mix well. While you can get a lot done using voice commands with Siri on your iPhone, you still have to activate her. If you're driving, that can take valuable seconds away from paying attention to the road. The AirDock Kickstarter project is looking to make Siri air-activated rather than fingertip-activated.

AirDock is described as "in-car, eyeless Siri." That means you don't have to take your gaze off the road to use it. The prototype version of the AirDock involves a suction-mount dock you put your iPhone into. A plastic tube with a squeeze bulb on the end sticks out from it. Squeeze the air bulb to push the home button, turn on the phone, and activate Siri.… Read more

Ford EcoSport heads to Europe, Spotify voice control in tow

BARCELONA, Spain--Mobile World Congress is usually more about smartphones and tablets than full-blooded vehicles, but that hasn't stopped Ford from using the show to announce its newest motor, the Ford EcoSport, which boasts Spotify voice control and a host of other futuristic features.

Technically the EcoSport isn't a new car, as it's already on sale in South America. This is the first model that gets to melt some rubber to European roads, however, when it goes on sale in Europe in late 2013.

Spotify in your car The EcoSport is equipped with Ford's "Ford … Read more

Spotify finally finds an automotive home

BARCELONA, Spain--Internet music service Spotify gained more than 10 million users in Europe before its U.S. launch in July of 2011. But despite all the fanfare, no automotive integration had been announced. That all changed today as Ford welcomed Spotify integration into its Sync AppLink stable.

Spotify joins automotive standard Pandora, along with music apps Slacker, Mog, Rhapsody, TuneIn, IHeartRadio, and the Amazon Cloud Player among music apps integrated with Ford's Sync AppLink feature. AppLink gives drivers control over app on their smartphones using the car's interface, including voice command.

For Sync AppLink integration, apps must be … Read more

Automatica automatically updates contents over Wi-Fi

A Wi-Fi-enabled USB drive seems like an odd idea, yet the Automatica serves an excellent purpose in the car. Inrete, maker of the Automatica, sets up the device to automatically update content such as music or podcasts.

There are some limitations, however; for example, the Automatica only works if you have a USB port in your car. It may be useful in some other settings, as well, but in a car seems the most likely.

The Automatica would make the most sense for drivers who park their cars within reach of a home Wi-Fi network. Every time the Automatica makes … Read more

Six tech features that should be standard in every new car

Air bags, antilock brakes, and stability control. CD players, power locks and windows, and air conditioning. These are all features that at some point were optional (and sometimes costly) in vehicles, but over time we've come to expect them in every new car on the road -- whether that's due to legislation or changing buyer tastes. As cars continue to evolve, so grow our expectations of what should be included in the sticker price. I've rounded up a few optional car tech features that I'd like to see make the jump to being standard equipment.

Bluetooth … Read more