Sony Launches Three Linux-based In-car Navigation Devices 172
An anonymous reader writes "Sony has introduced three Linux-based in-car navigation and entertainment devices in Japan today. The NV-XYZ 33, 55, and 77 feature 3D map navigation technology, media players, hard drives, GPS, and PC connectivity. They are based on MIPS processors and a Linux 2.4-series kernel. They also appear to use a GateKeeper copy protection scheme, which may prevent them from being used with Linux desktops and normal media files." Still, the 3-D representations of actual buildings on the maps is pretty impressive.
i wonder (Score:4, Insightful)
Oh! 3d GPS (Score:5, Insightful)
"We can put in a really cool way to navigate in this 3d rendered navigator.. we will call them.. STREET SIGNS.. so people can look at the buildings and then check the street signs for their current course"
Uh, what is the point of a 3d rendered navigation system? Unless it's doing a better job than my eyes, I don't see the use at all.
Re:Oh! 3d GPS (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Oh! 3d GPS (Score:5, Insightful)
Having buildings & landmarks show up on the screen certainly would help people find their way around (eps. police, fire).
Re:GPL my car! (Score:1, Insightful)
Re:Oh! 3d GPS (Score:3, Insightful)
That's just it - it *can* do a better job than your eyes, especially in an area you've never been before or othewise have no previous knowledge of actual destination location. With this, it can highlight your path and virtually aquaint you with the area beforehand, so you'll allready have an idea of things like where to park the car, and what entrance way to use. Once again, technology steps in to illuminate the path of the totally clueless.
Re:i wonder (Score:3, Insightful)
Turning Point for Linux (Score:3, Insightful)
After all Sony has been an innovator in the past and this should be no different. If Linux were to become a big thing in Japan then it would also become a big thing in America.
Re:"Other media files"??? (Score:5, Insightful)
I wouldn't say that's the last thing one would need. If you're looking for a place you've never been to before, and the building happens to be distinctive (but you don't know it yet), then seeing it identified on the 3D map can help you find it in real life. It can also help you make a quick decision to take the empty parking space just before you get close enough to read the door number.
Alternatively, the realistic display can be used to rehearse your route on a quick virtual drive. Personally, I remember directions much better if I've been there just once, and a quick virtual drive might just be all I need to avoid having to look at the map while actually driving.
There are other alternatives
Of course there are. You can take a taxi.
An advantage to 3D buildings... (Score:4, Insightful)
Well, like a pedestrian or something.
But imagine it on a HUD with the buildings perfectly matching what you see outside...
Well, for $2k I'll use my eyes.. but fog.. you know... FOG! :)
Re:Oh! 3d GPS (Score:3, Insightful)
Some cities have helpful street signs that actually tell you what the next cross street is. Some cities don't, and you won't find out that you're in the wrong lane until you're right at the intersection. This is when the worst drivers make a right turn from the left lane, and endanger everybody else. The good drivers, on the other hand, waste time finding a way to U-turn.
Now, if only we had a device that could tell you to change lanes before you're at the intersection...
Re:Oh! 3d GPS (Score:3, Insightful)
But does it run... (Score:1, Insightful)
(gotcha;)
Re:GPL my car! (Score:2, Insightful)
It's your responsibility to be able to understand the source though. They don't have a responsibility to tutor you on it.
Dare I say, RTFM?
KFG
I am actually quite happy for this. (Score:5, Insightful)
The software compiling... well... it looks to me like the software is already with the unit, much like a differant OS in some computers. It seems to be preconfigured with everything needed, so the software is taken care of.
The interface is part of the software. I use blackbox, because I like it. They are probably just using a simple interface that doesn't do much except show their software... hey, it is there software.
THe maps are part of the software as well... Looks like the reasons to complain are dieing off...
The 'uptime' is a good thing... I don't want to worry about my navigation system dieing on me while traveling. I have lived out in the boonies most of my life and being in a large city might make things a bit more difficult for me. I'm sure if it can handle being on longer, it can also handle being restarted more gracefully, especially since the OS won't change... its part of the system. The uptime is equally as important. If I can't use the system because it isn't functioning is a lot differant than if I can't use the system due to a lack of features... One I can learn to get around, the other will stop me one hundered percent.
The system is linux, it will work. Not because it isn't windows, but because linux can be built to do the job a lot better than windows can be added to. One would be a custom fit, the other would be a jury rigged solution.
I don't know if you were being humorous or not... but I figured I would throw in my opinion.