iPad vs Traditional CarPuter
 

Apple is about to release the iPad. My initial impression was that I did not need one but now I am thinking they may be a great alternative to a traditional car-puter.

What are your thoughts on using an iPad instead of a traditional car computer? The current pros I can think of are.

* Great interface
* Decent battery life
* Nice 10' Touch Screen
* 3g internet in your car
* Integrated wireless support
* MP3 support
* Syncs with your existing iTunes library
* Nav support via Applications
* You could write your own applications
* Can serve double duty
* Probably less of a hassle to install instead of a fully functional car computer setup.
* May be cheaper than a normal car computer setup

Problem is a few things.

~Lacks needed support to monitor car systems
~Writing apps is not 100% and might not run properly
~Horrible connection (only 30 pin)
~Not cheaper than a custom built car computer (with Atom & Ion setups going for 200-300)

The iPad is a very nice idea, but the control Apple wants over it kills any progress unless they open the doors.

To not just be negative about this, if you want a good/proper setup look at XP or Android running on top of some netbook hardware. You will get plenty of power, graphically you do not need much, and both of those offer more freedom than the Apple OS on the iPad. Also, there is plenty of support I know already for in car controls through XP and with how open Android is I can see it being that way in a few years or sooner.

Me, I would just rather have an ipod with all my music on it and I can take it out as I need. carputers.....I really never saw the need for them.

Car computers once offered the ultimate control over ones car, ECU (tuning), car control/monitoring, net access, etc. Today though you have premade systems (HKS camp II, Magden, etc.), double din units which by next year will do all but connect to web (which some might with web apps).

Good points, dreamer. I think the biggest con you mentioned would be the inability to hook up the real time car system sensors.

Do you have a carPC installed in your car?

I agree, I think the iPad may be a nice compromise that would give all the niceties of an iPod Touch but also some more features if necessary. The question then is, how would you mount it?

Seems a bit to big, double DIN I believe is W7"*H4"

I like the out of the box thinking though, can't figure out what to use the Ipad for either.. :)

http://images.apple.com/ipad/specs/i...s_20100127.jpg

I think the large screen size would be a plus. Now imagine something like a miniature version of an ergonomic telescoping monitor arm that would allow you to rotate the screen from vertical to horizontal on the fly. If done well, that could be really cool.

http://www.ergotron.com/Portals/0/im...45-243-026.jpg

Id love to flush one of those in a dash

No I do not, I like the current top end double din units, but with what I saw at CES this year some new things are coming which I mentioned.
~Some are building in 3G (not just sat connection)
~Some are adding in car monitoring systems (being able to connect to OBD-II & such)
~More
I think next year will be the year I buy into double din units probably, they have all the media, navigation, and connections, they just need to add in that bit extra.

plus its a first generation apple product. Its one thing to go buy a new iphone when they come out with one. But to have a fully integrated first gen apple product in my dashboard, knowing they're going to fix the ton of bugs it will have and then lower the price... it just seems like more of a commitment.

However, i have used my iphone in my current car as a gps/bluetooth/music player and i like the multi functionality. It would be interesting to see what apple could come up with for the car market. However, i feel like they would only want to make products for VW Jettas, and Subaru Foresters.

I highly doubt that apple will make anything to integrate the ipad into a car. Not only would it be hard to fit but dangerous being all touch screen with no voice commands. I am with Dreamers and sticking to a nice double din.

I'm on the other side of the fence and actually feel like this is the first time I have heard of an actual use for the Ipad. I was conteplating getting a NAV unit for my car but I don't want to replace the stock stereo. I'm not a audiophile and I really can never tell the difference between an OEM premium stereo and an actual high grade aftermarket option--besides deep bass that is. I think this is a great option for the car especially if you get the Ipad with 3G. I think the biggest hurdle would be making the Ipad looking like it was part of the original interior while at the same time making it so it can be taking in and out easily for the passenger and to plug into your home pc when need be.

Forget the double DIN, this would not be replacing the stereo anyway. the 370z is perfect for this mod because the Ipad can go where the factory NAV is supposed to go. Someone would just need to fabricate a recessed plate for it in fiber or something similar.

A company already has an ap to integrate the Iphone into a cars ECU. Its my understanding that all aps for the Iphone will work on the Ipad.

DevToaster - Rev - iPhone app development, Great iPhone apps, and more

Website Excerpt:
Rev gives you access to lots of vehicle metrics, communicating via an OBD-II device to extract highly accurate, real-time data directly from your vehicle's ECU. Those metrics include:

* Vehicle Speed
* RPM
* Fuel Consumption*
* Engine Coolant Temp
* Fuel Pressure
* Calculated Engine Load
* Throttle Position
* Intake Manifold Pressure
* Air Intake Temp
* Timing Advance
* Mass Air Flow
* Fuel Level
* Barometric Pressure
* EVAP System Vapor Pressure
* Fuel Trim
* Boost**

* The Fuel Consumption calculation may be inaccurate on some diesel vehicles.
** The Boost calculation may be inaccurate on piggyback turbo systems.

The iPhone has voice commands... I imagine the iPad will as well...

Like kdo posted... There are wireless and bluetooth OBD-II readers that work with existing iphone apps... write access would be pretty cool though. :)

What do you mean by this? There is always a possibility of bugs no matter what platform you develop on/for.

Those look nice, but they need to be updated for the larger iPad interface, which I think they will.
Unless you are a dev only you can use the app, so you cannot share. Apple approval process is slow, random, and annoying.

Those apps only show information though, no data logging, no control over system. With a proper system you are not just getting the view only rights, but view, edit, record, etc.