BMW, Mercedes Integrating Intel Atom Into Cars
Now you can overclock your car!
Back in my day, there was no such thing as in-car entertainment other than just looking out the window. Sometimes you would be allowed to stick your head outside too if the dog wasn't in the way. Then came the Game Boy, which really made things safer.
These days, however, you'll often see childrens' movies playing in the backseat of minivans. Parents must like such in-car entertainment systems if they keep the little ones quiet.
Things are about to go beyond just the DVD player, as Harman International will be making "infotainment" systems for BMW and Mercedes-Benz. The interesting tidbit revealed at IDF was that the Intel Atom processor would be powering these systems.
Using a general purpose processor such as the Atom in a car is not surprising, given many car functions are converging with those of a PC. Video and music playback is already something many computers can do; and with cars getting 3G internet connections, more advanced navigation and other functions, building a nettop-like system makes sense.
As new and cool as the Atom is now, however, these systems from Harman International won't be hitting until 2012, and only in the BMW 7-series and Mercedes C and S-Class cars.
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damn i love the C class .
get back to me when it comes into everyday cars and not just luxury cars
Nah it will add weight and slow it down lol
@njkid3
Since when do "everyday" cars have computers in them?
@njkid3Since when do "everyday" cars have computers in them?
All modern cars have some sort of computer in them. Everything is controlled electronically nowadays.
This is mostly just another toy for those who have the money for it. Any smart person would look at that and say "I can buy a new laptop cheaper and I don't need to be in the car to use it." But hey this may also clear the way for cheaper cars to have them as an option, who knows for sure.
about time mercedes and bmw get with the times their nav/head units suck
@njkid3Since when do "everyday" cars have computers in them?
Since "everyday" cars began using fuel injection widely in the early 80's. It was actually commercialy available much earlier than that.
So,will it be an Atom Z series, or an Atom N series?
Single core, or dual core?
@800 or 1.667Mhz?
The Z-series would make sense, seeing that other than playing back radio, and some advanced GPS functions, and a visual feedback system from the car's electronic sensors, the display isn't really used for a lot.
Perhaps the Atom will be good enough to provide the fluid frame 720p nightvision from the BMW series; but I doubt anyone is going to drive their cars looking at the screen instead of the road.
Any sort of standardisation in the car industry is a good thing
God, this is why I hate extras on cars, they make what is the equivalent of a few hundred dollar net book seem like some elite luxury that will only be available on the most expensive models. like it takes some sort of magic to integrate these devices into cars...
CTRL-ALT-DEL
Great more useless shit to shove in a car. But i guess it is a luxury brand but seriously i want less in my car i don't want more.
It sounds like Harman International is looking to take many of the capabilities in today's cars already and provide a better presentation. How about progessive scan HD video and high quality mp3 playback off of a solid state drive, GPS with fine 60fps animation, multi-touch screens, etc. All of this technology will come down the pipe into cars < $20k soon enough.
... now if they could only run Mac OS.
But will the cars play crysis?
But will the cars play crysis?
=D
Only Ferrari's will have a fast enough chip. It'd take a McLaren to max it though.
I can't wait to play Grand Theft Auto one one of these. It'll even be possible to do it for real!
Since when do "everyday" cars have computers in them?
Since the 70s when fuel injection became fashionable. The computers have developed since then into easiy programmable units, but they've existed for a long time.
CarPC's are nothing new. I've had one in my car for almost a year now using the Atom. It looks like this is yet another way they can take what costs 500 bucks in parts and sell it as an option for 3k+ for profit. Check out MP3car.com and see what I'm talking about.
I want a quad core and a direct x 11 capable card!!!
I wonder how Intel has threatened these car manufactures…
Maybe: “Use only our underpowered crap in your overpowered cars or else we ask (FORCE) our staff to wee in the fuel tank of every Merzedes and BMW they run into. ARRRWW!!! Fear the revenge of Intel!!!!”
Oh No! Atomic Cars!
Hey! I'm one step ahead of BMW! I have a Atom 330 dual core 1.6ghz powering my Mazda 3 carputer.
This is good and this is bad. What happens when you get the upgrade itch.... You practically need to sell your car to get the one with more memory and faster processing...
@radiowars - your car's fuel injection is controlled by a computer, as well as your anti-lock brakes, your entire electrical system, etc.
Oh crap, now BMW drivers will be EVEN MORE clueless about others on the road than they were before... Go Mercedes!
What's the differance between a BMW and a porcupine?
A porcupine has the pricks on the outside.
LOL! So true. BMW = I have money, but have no clue.
Now we need an energy shield to protect us and the car from crashes.
All praise be unto the Spectacle. It awakens you in morning, guides you through the day -- now, by your side en route to and from work -- keeps you safe in the evening, and tucks you in at night.
My 1993 Nissan Sentra + My Pantium 2 Laptop + Duct tape = A $30,000 car from the future
There was a time where car-jacking was a prevalent threat...
Now we'll be focusing on car-hacking security systems.