The World of Consumer Electronics

[mgescuro]

The World of Consumer Electronics
... yet another commentary by mgescuro ...

Consumer electronics is the umbrella term for electronic equipment intended for everyday use: PC’s, stereos, TV’s, phones, etc. Recently, a trend in consumer electronics is being experienced -- convergence. 1 or more separate consumer devices become 1 single consumer device. For example, iPhone is the result of convergence – MP3 player, cell phone, PDA. What next?? Well, judging by the showing at CES? CARS!!

Aside from the usual “audio and video enhancements” that typically appear at CES, there were a number of actual vehicle concept releases. Why choose CES to launch a concept vehicle? Why not an auto show? I believe what we’re seeing here is the beginning of a convergence between typical consumer electronic devices and the automobile.

Being able to upgrade one’s car with new speakers and stereo system is not new. Adding phones to cars has been possible for nearly half a century. Even installing a working PC into a car is nothing new. And in some models, you’ll see refrigerators, wine chillers, TV’s. But much of these upgrades have been the realm of specialists and hobbyists. It’s not mainstream.

Ford has done exceedingly well with the Sync system . Ford is discovering that Sync-equipped cars are selling twice as fast as cars without Sync. Sync is easy to learn, actually useful in its conglomeration of technologies (not exactly a Microsoft hallmark), and inexpensive at $400. Ford now has the benefit of first-mover advantage. They have established a brand name, and it now has the ability to be the generic term for integrated automobile solutions. But Sync is still in v1.0. But they have certainly left the door open for future upgrades.

I believe what we will see is further convergence between consumer electronics powerhouses and the automobile industry. At CES, we’ve seen an interesting idea from Delphi that allowed an iPhone owner to communicate with his/her car and control it. There’s a future with such remote access to one’s car systems. We’ve heard rumblings of VW working with Apple on an integrated solution. Concept cars are showing off iPhone integration direction into the console. Whether or not these concepts become a viable product is really up to the companies and the technologists to bring it to market. But the fact that these products are appearing in cars, and the cars themselves are premiering at CES, shows that automakers see the potential in this nascent market – especially as Ford seems to be reaping in the benefits.

In order to be successful, the automakers need to open up and adapt the ideologies of the consumer electronics industry: easy to use, affordability, smart use of branding.

Simply offering the technologies and burying it into the options list and labeling it under a non-descript moniker such as “Integrated Media System 100,” will not fly. How do you advertise that? You can’t generate buzz. You can’t do anything with that. Consumers want something they can identify with. “Sync powered by Microsoft” is easily identifiable.

GM is in a unique situation here. They have historically been well behind the technology curve. But the CTS shows what is possible, but that system needs to be taken across all lines and all models. But it needs branding – something to catch the consumers eyes and ears, something that isn’t just buried in an options package (Premium Luxury level II). One idea is to build on the brand recognition of OnStar and turn that into a true Infotainment system. GM has quite a bit of potential in developing a similar sort of system. Another route for GM is to work with a major company that is currently developing or will be developing an infotainment system – Apple or Bose or Delphi.

With all this talk about convergence between consumer electronics and the automobile, it is easy to forget the one negative that comes with consumer electronics – planned obsolescence.
What do you do when your Sync system v1.0 is now at v2.0? Most people would either dump the old electronic part and get a new one. Or put it up on eBay or Craigslist. But this is in your car! Software upgrades would alleviate most of that problem. But what if a technology change is needed? Like OnStar switch to digital? It becomes a burden on the customer to do the upgrade.

In either case, the convergence of technologies should prove to be an exciting time for the automobile industry, and should prove to be an additional factor – and possibly the deciding factor -- in buying a car.

BTW.... This is post #20,000!!!!

[eaton53]

If any of today's cars makes it to 50 years of age here's how people will view this "advanced technology".

http://www.imperialclub.com/Repair/A...y/Chrysler.htm

[Olds88]

Having had a change to play with CTS's nav/radio thingy, and while I don't care for such systems, it is truly impressive. If GM could forgive the Cadillac exclusivity and throw this tech around the brands, people would take notice.

Sync is also pretty cool looking, but I haven't had the chance to use it in person.

[megeebee]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

BTW.... This is post #20,000!!!!

....and one of your nicest.

Diggin' the new avatar, too.

[Ambalanche]

Originally Posted by megeebee

....and one of your nicest.

Word!

[Chainfire98]

This commentary reeks of bias. I love the subtle love directed towards apple and the barbs/insult slung at Microsoft. The iphone is nothing special. There were cell phones on the market prior to it that had mp3 playback and pda functionality and several devices that are superior to it.

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=iphone

but anyways, i was off topic. I did not realize the success that Microsoft's sync was garnering for Ford. Wish GM had it!

[kodos78]

Blah, blah.

There were game consoles on the market prior to the XBox.
There were MP3 players prior to the Zune.
There was a GUI OS for desktop computers before Windows.
There was a command line OS for personal computers before DOS.

What's your point? If anything, I believe he was actually fairly complimentary towards Sync. And so am I. I think it is a great initiative.

Usually though, Microsoft reacts to other industries. Apple in the terms of design and usability doesn't. There still isn't a phone with a UI as nice as the iPhone. My wife who hates gadgets and all of her other cell phones is in love with hers. She can easily browse the web, manage her photos, etc...

My boss, hated her Windows Mobile phone. OMG that thing was a pile. Looked like Windows squashed down into a 320x240 screen. Terrible.

At least Microsoft is trying with the Zune. A year later than Apple's offerings, but they are trying.

Hopefully they will make money on it and the 360 sometime soon.

Originally Posted by Chainfire98

This commentary reeks of bias. I love the subtle love directed towards apple and the barbs/insult slung at Microsoft. The iphone is nothing special. There were cell phones on the market prior to it that had mp3 playback and pda functionality and several devices that are superior to it.

http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=iphone

[Chainfire98]

Apple is good at styling gadgets but to suggest that the ipod or iphone are incredible leaps in technology is bs. There are products on the market that are superior to both, and in many cases were on the market longer then the ipod and iphone. Have fun paying out the nose for a name brand and its popularity....

and btw, Microsoft is making big dollars off of software royalties. FYI they are destroying the Nintendo Wii and PS3 in terms of overall software sales and hardware-software attach ratio!

Regardless, this is about convergent consumer electronics and vehicles. I don't want to steer away from the thread topic, I just made an offhand observation.

[kodos78]

I agree, I don't want this to diverge from the convergence discussion wrt to cars.

BTW, I program games and I am sitting right next to my XBOX 360 dev kit right now. It's a great platform to program on.

Originally Posted by Chainfire98

Apple is good at styling gadgets but to suggest that the ipod or iphone are incredible leaps in technology is bs. There are products on the market that are superior to both, and in many cases were on the market longer then the ipod and iphone. Have fun paying out the nose for a name brand and its popularity....

and btw, Microsoft is making big dollars off of software royalties. FYI they are destroying the Nintendo Wii and PS3 in terms of overall software sales and hardware-software attach ratio!

Regardless, this is about convergent consumer electronics and vehicles. I don't want to steer away from the thread topic, I just made an offhand observation.

[Chainfire98]

Originally Posted by kodos78

I agree, I don't want this to diverge from the convergence discussion wrt to cars.

BTW, I program games and I am sitting right next to my XBOX 360 dev kit right now. It's a great platform to program on.

Which game company do you work for?

[bfred]

I just want to go on record saying that I will _NEVER_ buy a car with Microsoft's Synch installed. I'll abandon GM if they ever force it upon me.

[XCR440SP]

Originally Posted by mgescuro

[
[ ]With all this talk about convergence between consumer electronics and the automobile, it is easy to forget the one negative that comes with consumer electronics – planned obsolescence.[/size][/font]
What do you do when your Sync system v1.0 is now at v2.0? Most people would either dump the old electronic part and get a new one. Or put it up on eBay or Craigslist. But this is in your car! Software upgrades would alleviate most of that problem. But what if a technology change is needed? Like OnStar switch to digital? It becomes a burden on the customer to do the upgrade.

[/size][/font]

Sync is upgradeable. If you go to the website ( www.syncmyride.com ) It says in the FAQ section "Can I update or enhance SYNC? As new versions of softwear for Sync are rolled out you'll be able to download updates from either the web or your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer."

Granted these updates will eventually be outpaced and render the current system no longer upgradeable, but its good to know that that shouldn't happen in the next few years.

They've already announced the first update: 911 Assist and Vehicle health reports

http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=27454

My question is what does this mean for the Future of OnStar? Once Ford loses its exclusive in another year, and everyone offers this who's going to want to pay OnStar a monthly fee when everyone else offers this system that does the same things with no monthly fee except the cell phone that most of us already own?

[Chainfire98]

Originally Posted by bfred

I just want to go on record saying that I will _NEVER_ buy a car with Microsoft's Synch installed. I'll abandon GM if they ever force it upon me.

Hater!

[bone]

Am I the only one here who wants to keep consumer gadgetry to a minimum in my vehicles. I don't want Bluetooth, GPS,Sync,adaptive cruise control,self-parking,6 disc AM-Fm radios,Bose Sound,etc.,period. I absolutely loved the sleepers from the 50s and 60s such as the 409,427 Biscaynes,426 Road Runners,and 427,428 custom 500s. The radio and heater delete models command huge prices today. Don't get me wrong, I want the best safety equipment in my new vehicle but that is it. Is there such a thing as a sleeper today? Perhaps a Hemi Charger with no frills or an Impala SS. My favourite recent sleeper was the Holden GTO. I'm envious of everyone that is lucky enough to own one.

[Butz]

The thing is, what about the people who want a car and not a consumer electronics on wheels. You know software, they've got bugs and they crash. I wont want software that has a chance of getting infected with a virus in my car.