Hordes of iPhone-philes who can’t afford high-end cars have new reason to rejoice with the release of the Next GATE from Clarion.

It’s a new device that functions as an intelligent controller for your iPhone, linking it with cooperative services like Pandora internet radio, Vlingo (a speech to text app) and many more. The new device aims to make driving while using your beloved buddy a lot safer by making the phone’s functions available through speech with feedback via the car’s stereo system.

Mounting to the windshield, the system offers a built-in speaker, microphone and audio output that feed directly into the car. NEXT Gate uses bluetooth to connect itself to your iPhone, though the system is only compatible with the newer 4 and 4S models. Still, it’s a nice feature because it means you won’t be digging a phone out before each drive to plug it in.

Make sure to lock your car, though. The suggested retail price is $270, so it’ll make a tempting case for anyone walking by in a parking lot to smash your window. Even still, it might make an attractive purchase with what the company says is a growing list of services that will be compatible with the device.

In order to attract buyers, car manufacturers have had to ramp up the amount of technology offered in their cars. Infotainment systems do a lot, like help navigate, set cabin temperature, adjust audio settings and more, but they tend to be a neat party trick, falling short in real-world use.

Ford’s MyFord Touch system has been hit-or-miss with consumers. While it does look impressive and offers great functionality when it works, too many owners find that, too often, it doesn’t work. Reported issues with with the Microsoft-based MyFord Touch system mirror problems experienced with PCs. But when a car’s infotainment system is freezing, crashing, and in need of a reboot, it’s much less convenient than on a computer.

It’s can also tarnish a reputation. JD Power & Associates have cited MyFord Touch as one of the primary reasons that Ford’s rank has plunged from fifth to twenty-third in Initial Quality Rankings. They’ve since updated the system, but it’s an interesting case study that we’re sure all automakers are referencing.

Seeing automakers struggle when it comes to in-car technology is a reminder of a similar past for personal electronic, back when tablets and smart phones used to try to emulate full-fledged computers. They were clunky and slow and typing without a physical keyboard was too difficult. Navigation around a computer operating system was based on precise pointing tools, like a mouse or track pad, not big stubby fingers. All that changed when smart phones and tablets adapted a new user experience and operating system.

This same transformation is happening with our vehicles. Automakers are seeing how people use their hands and voices to interact with their smart phones, and applying similar interfaces to their infotainment systems.

That’s why many automakers are starting to bet on Linux. Linux is a robust and versatile computer operating system, which is used in popular mobile devices (seen at the right) like those powered by Android. Additionally, it’s open-source, which means that anyone can take Linux and adapt it for their needs, without having to pay license fees. Now, Linux just earned its driver’s license, and will be coming to a car’s infotainment system soon.

Jim Zemlin, the executive director of The Linux Foundation gets to work with some real top-notch players in the technology industry, like Google, IBM, Intel and Nokia. But lately, he’s been hearing calls from another group. “We are seeing a lot of interest in Linux among car makers,” he said. “We expect to see Linux-based systems roll out in more and more cars over the next 6-18 months.”

Zemlin has been around Linux since 2007, and has seen the ambitious idea of collaborative development transform the operating system into a big player in the tech world. He’s convinced that the automotive industry is going down the right path with Linux.

“By using Linux, car makers can leverage what has already been developed for mobile and consumer electronics and apply it to automobiles.” Said Zemlin, “This reduces research and development time and resources and also helps to meet consumer expectations for consistency between their smart phones, laptops and now, their cars.”

He explained that “Car makers are also betting on Linux to make computing on wheels a reality, because Linux is developed by a global community of developers and organizations, not just one company.” That also makes it cost effective for car companies, since they won’t want to depend on one vendor to handle maintaining all the software in a car’s infotainment system.

“In order to maintain the software in cars, which have a product lifecycle of 5-10 years, car makers are betting on the collaborative development model. This is how Linux wins in auto,” said Zemlin.

The first brand that is truly taking advantage of Linux is Cadillac. Their new XTS, and ATS sedans as well as their SRX crossover will have a Linux-based infotainment system (called Cadillac CUE, seen left) that will provide a very different experience what is currently on offer from rival automakers.

“We’re very excited about GM’s Cadillac User Experience.” said Zemlin, agreeing that it’s the right launching pad for Linux in auto.

Talking to GM about CUE was like trying to get someone’s secret recipe. The company clearly knows that they’re making something revolutionary, and are keeping their cards close to their chest.

Jim Zemlin made sure to point out that other car companies are going down the same path as GM. “In fact, Toyota joined The Linux Foundation a year ago and other companies including BMW, Nissan and Jaguar Land Rover, among others, are participating in technical Linux events, such as the Automotive Linux Summit, as well as technical initiatives.”

When asked why GM decided to use Linux, Brian Corbett from Cadillac Communications said point-blank, that they chose Linux because it was open source. This would help contribute to the technology he said, since it could be easily updated. Corbett tells us “CUE will receive updates as its ‘ages.’”

Mike Hichme, the engineering manager at Cadillac told us a bit about the role Linux plays in its upcoming infotainment system. “We start with what’s available and expand upon that. Make it yours”

Taking a look at GM’s CUE system, and you’ll immediately be reminded of an iPad or modern Tablet. The swiping gestures are clearly present, making it easier to navigate around the system than small hit points, or vague icons.

In fact, one could draw the conclusion that GM is looking to make things much more ergonomic, and enjoyable to use. Earlier built-in systems included huge daunting manuals, informing you of everything it can do. In comparison, you wouldn’t see manuals like this with the latest tech-toys like cell phones or tablets. Things are self-explanatory and work as you’d expect.

It’s clear that the car is the newest battleground for technology. Hichme explains that the industry has gone half and half with the operating system on their infotainment systems. “Some people have gone Microsoft Auto, and some have even gone with QNX,” he says.

Microsoft Auto is the system used in the MyFord Touch system (As well as in some Kia vehicles, seen right), and QNX is known for being the operating system in the floundering BlackBerry PlayBook Tablet.

The MyFord Touch infotainment system that is found in Ford and Lincoln vehicle sounds a lot like Cadillac’s upcoming CUE. The MyFord Touch system gives drivers a touch screen to change the audio preferences, adjust navigation, and answer phone calls.

However, instead of using Linux, like CUE, MyFord Touch uses a system developed by Microsoft. It’s closed source, meaning that developers can’t customize the system to their needs. Microsoft Auto is also based on a system called Windows CE, something seen on PDAs from back in the ’90s. Mobile operating systems have come a long way since then.

Maybe that is a primary reason that GM and other car makers are leaning away from a Microsoft Solution for in-vehicle infotainment.

Linux is growing in the technology field. New computer-science students are strongly urged to take up learning Linux code and with the operating system appearing in such popular items like smart-phones and cars, it’s clear to see why.

That is, until Apple releases its own infotainment platform, something that has been rumored around the car industry for quite some time. Ferrari and Apple CEOs were both at Stanford University’s ‘View From the Top’ lecture series, so perhaps Apple is planting the seed with the Italian supercar maker.

The first Linux based infotainment system will be released in Cadillac’s new XTS flagship sedan, which will go on sale later this year.

Tom Tom is a company known for building aftermarket GPS devices. But now, with the new Tom Tom speed camera app, users in Europe can beat the speed traps and save some money. 

For now, the app has been released only to users in Europe to help combat stationary speed cameras on the sides of the roads. It will also detects red light cameras, average speed check spots, accident blackspots and railway crossings, acting as a detection system that allows drivers to always know what is ahead. Tom Tom says the app is meant to make roads safer, and to help drivers save money in fines.

You can also share your knowledge with other by reporting where cameras are manually, information that can be viewed by the whole network.

European users will pay up to £34.99 yearly for the service.

While Tom Tom says the app promotes safe driving, it’s obvious that the software enables reckless drivers to behave dangerously while armed with information to stave off penalties.

Watch the promo video for Tom Tom Speed Camera app below.

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Gentlemen, start your felines. In a hilarious marketing campaign, the developers behind the XLR8 app that makes acceleration noises as you drive, strapped an iPhone to their kitty and sent it running.

The result? A V8-powered tabby with a mean-sounding tailpipe. It’s not clear how well the app, which is meant to be used in your car, actually works when you attach it to an animal, but the video is really funny.

Reminiscent of the viral YouTube sensation “Powerthirst,” the XLR8 “for cats” video pokes fun at itself before admitting that they aren’t serious and it isn’t nice to torture your girlfriend’s pet.

Still, the idea of doing the same thing with a Rotwieler chasing a tennis ball is probably more fitting and sure to get a chuckle at the dog park. For 99 cents you can give it a whirl, though the user reviews suggest the app isn’t as accurate as you might hope.

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Now, thanks to the Road, Inc. classic car app, you can touch these cars to your heart’s content… on your iPad. A car museum at your fingertips, the Road Inc. app features an extensive collection of images, videos, sound clips and documentation on 50 carefully selected automobiles, ranging from super cars that broke the status quo to historically significant basic transportation.

While the app was originally sold for about $9.99, developer Pyrolia has now lowered the price to $6.99. A bit more expensive than the average app, Pyrolia also offers a free version, featuring just one out of the fifty vehicles – a Ferrari 250 GTO. If you’re a selective connoisseur and don’t care for all fifty cars, each of the cars can be downloaded for $0.99, or in categorized groups ranging from $1.99 to $3.99.

However you choose to enjoy the app (we recommend just paying $6.99 for the complete collection), we guarantee it will be more enjoyable than any of the table-top magazines you’ll see the next time you find yourself at a waiting room.

GALLERY: Road Inc. car museum app

[Source: MotorAuthority]

Have you always wanted a muscle car or exotic but budget and necessity mean you end up driving a compact or minivan? Well, 2XL Games has a solution, namely in its XLR8 smart phone app.

By downloading it your smart phone, XLR8, reproduces the sounds your vehicle’s engine makes under acceleration, cornering and braking but with a twist. Instead of a buzzy four cylinder, the exhaust note sounds like a muscular V8 running a high-lift cam and open exhaust, perfectly matched to your car’s acceleration, cornering and braking.

It does this via accelerometers and a GPS system inside your iPhone, Android or other portable device. By hooking up the phone to your vehicle’s sound system in much the same way as a MP3, simply choose the app and press the button.

XLR8 uses top quality recordings of real engines, so the sound comes out exactly as you’d hear it on the dragstrip, oval or road race course. Besides the classic V8 muscle car engine, additional sounds can be downloaded for a small fee including a NASCAR racer, Ford GT40, Ferrari and Lamborghini.

There’s also two different modes: Automatic, which measures the acceleration of your car and Manual, which allows you control and adjust the engine by hand. You can also control shift points and gear ratios to deliver the exact sensation you want.

“Like every lifetime car aficionado out there, the sound of a well-tuned racing engine has always been better than music to my ears,” said XLR8′s originator Robb Rinard, who’s also the Creative Director, 2XL Games. “That is how the idea for XLR8 got started. I wanted to make some of the magic of driving an exotic car accessible to car lovers like me. XLR8 helps satisfy every big and little kid’s dream of tearing up the track.”

Now that we’ve got the ability to turn our beige sedan into one mean sounding machine, the next step is to develop an app so we can transform its appearance into something more befitting the new sound, a cloaking device if you will. Unfortunately unlike XLR8, such ideas are still the realm of science fiction.

On the other hand you can always throw caution to the wind , cash in your life savings and possibly your house in order to buy the car of your dreams, but then there’s always the question of keeping the thing on the road, where to park and where to sleep.

Maybe we should stick with XLR8, at least for the time being, after all it’s a lot cheaper, not to mention more practical.

Watch a video of the app in action after the break.

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With the iPad 3 announcement scheduled for next week, the rumor mills are churning on what Apple has up their sleeves next. As with everything Cupertino-related, nothing will ever be confirmed until it comes out of Tim Cook’s mouth.

The newest rumor has Apple China posting a job listing on LinkedIn for a “SQE/NPI with over 4 years Mechanical engineering background familiar with CNC/die casting/stamping/plastic injection, can use APQP/PPAP/SPC to control product quality.” Now while seeking an employee isn’t exactly groundbreaking news or entirely revealing of the company’s intentions, there’s reason to believe that Apple could finally be looking at their own infotainment system.

It makes sense considering Brabus has already outfitted their Mercedes iBusiness S-Class with Apple products and aspiring entrepreneurs are taking matters into their own hands by developing their own in-dash head unit replacement to use with an iPhone. With how abundant iPhones are in this world and how many vehicles are on the road, it almost makes sense that Apple would somehow integrate an infotainment system to work with its devices.

Systems such as the Ford SYNC (which is now standard in the new Fusion and Flex) is powered by a Microsoft Windows-based system, Apple’s infamous rival in the marketplace. Other manufacturers such as Kia and Toyota also employ Microsoft’s services but we feel it’s the threat of Google’s Android into the marketplace that has Apple interested.

Sure Microsoft has almost a 10-year head start in the auto infotainment industry, but it’s Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS that rules the world now. Both mobile operating systems have already been used to seamlessly sync into vehicles and they have the most accessibility to functional apps. In addition, app developers around the world have already embraced what Google and Apple have to offer.

So what is it Apple could be making? Based on the job listing, it seems that they could be looking into manufacturing a device that will integrate into a car’s dashboard. Our guess is that it’ll be a very plain-looking, but sleek head unit that will wirelessly sync with your Apple device to stream music, movies, app data, and more to your vehicle.

[Source: Car News China]

Keeping kids entertained on road trips is fairly simple these days. You can download a movie or a game on your iPad and your kids will stay quiet so you don’t have to put up with endless “are we there yet” questions.

Unfortunately, Apple’s standard headphones aren’t necessarily made for children and their little heads. If you’ve ever had this problem, try the Kidz Gear Wired Headphones on for size.

Able to cut out background noise, the Kidz Gear Wired Headphones will work with your iPad, iPhone and iPod. These headphones have a volume-limiting feature so kids can’t deafen themselves by blasting their music. They also come with a built-in microphone.

They don’t look particularly durable, since the headphones are made out of plastic, but for $29.99 you get equipment that will get your kids through some long stretches without worrying about expensive replacements.

A new Kickstarter project looks to make your smartphone the center of your car stereo needs in not only a painless and effective manner, but in one that won’t break your bank account.

Compared to any traditional, high quality head unit, the Devium Dash is complete steal right now for just $250. The retail pricing will be around $300 when it’s completely released to the market in July, but what exactly does $250 get you? Well it’s a fully-functional head unit that uses your smartphone to access GPS, send texts by voice, play music, etc. Everything that you’re used to doing on your phone will now seamless integrate to the rest of your car’s stereo system.

The head unit itself will pump out 4×50 watts of power and has two preamps for front and rear subwoofers. In addition, it supports a video pass through so owners can also play video on external monitors. Best of all, the head unit will keep your phone charged while it’s in use. To make everything less distracting while you’re driving, Devium includes an app for your smartphone that will allow you to quickly bookmark your most-used automotive applications onto a quick-access home screen.

That’s not all it can do however. The Devium Dash also has your typical FM tuner and AUX input, but will also allow users to eventually connect to their vehicle’s computer.

The first Dash will be shipping out in June 2012, and will initially only support the Apple iPhone 4 and 4S, but Devium hopes to support additional smartphones in the near future including your collection of Android units out on the market now.

Watch the video here showing how the Devium Dash will operate.

Recently Lexus announced the creation of the Tori 500 track, inspired by swimsuit model Tori Praver’s curvaceous body. At the time of that release, Lexus teased that a TORI 500 app would be available for iOS devices, and now here it is.

The TORI 500 racing app allows iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch users to enjoy driving a virtual Lexus GS sedan around a virtual Tori Praver. Of course the racetrack in the game is the one created by Tori Praver’s body and the 3D image of the supermodel might not be the best of things to show off to your significant other.

Lexus also released another app that allows users to place the swimsuit model into their own photos with a click of a button. Oh the beauty of today’s technology. The Japanese automaker is the Official Automotive Marketing Partner of SI Swimsuit. Cars and beautiful women in bikinis, what more could a guy ask for?

Download the TORI 500 app here and the Supermodeled app here.

GALLERY: TORI 500 Gaming App

And in case you missed it, watch the creation of the Tori 500 race track below:

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The vast majority of us will never get to experience a Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupe Black Series up close and personal, so the German luxury automaker decided to take the liberty of creating an app for fans to enjoy some media on their Apple devices.

The app showcases what makes the C63 AMG Black Series Coupe so exciting with highlights on its styling, racing atmosphere, and performance. You can browse through specs of the Black Series Coupe, download dynamic wallpapers, and even share the iPad experience with your friends on Facebook.

Hit the source after the break on your Apple device to download the app.

[Source: iTunes]

Hot Wheels is finding new ways to make their toys relevant and fun again, this time around launching a new product line called the iNitro Speeders which allows the user to control their little car through an iPhone app.

Similar to what you’d find with a standard remote controlled car, the iPhone app features your standard dual-stick controller but also takes advantage of the iPhone’s built-in accelerometer to control the car. Even cooler, you can use the app to choose a predefined driving route or draw your own pattern and watch it come to life with the miniature car.

And even though you can control the car with a standard remote control that’s included, taking advantage of the iPhone app really makes it different and fun. It comes with an infrared module that plugs into the iPhone’s headphone port and after you calibrate it you’ll be good to go. Lastly, the app has a built-in racing game that you can play without the remote controlled car, giving kids and young adults (like us) a little bit of everything to enjoy.

[Source: CNet]