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Smartphones in the car 2



Equipped with the respective apps, more and more smartphones are being used as possible evidence in the event of accidents, although in fact, the filming of uninvolved road users is actually prohibited. The phones even provide a better picture than the cheapest dashboard cams, and it doesen't cost a penny more.

Those who already have a smartphone, may ask themselves why they should spend more money on a built-in navigation system. One could even do without the distinctly more reasonable mobile devices. The monitor in the modern smartphone may even be larger and brighter and, if that's not enough, it also has a voice output.

Indeed, without extras it may be difficult, although we are assuming a smartphone with a GPS-receiver and a suitable flatrate. In addition, a mounting is of course, important, a charging cable necessary and a TMC-receiver with GPS, to give you the latest tail-back and traffic jam reports, is also not a bad idea, it can even compensate for the disadvantages of a built-in GPS-receiver.

There are also hard- and software packages, which contain both the mounting and a GPS-receiver. This can be sometimes be worthwhile, despite the fact that the smartphone has a built-in GPS-receiver, because it has better contact to the satellites and the software depends on it. Compare the prices against a specialist mobile device. The smartphone accesssoires can be pretty expensive. Of course, buying a smartphone purely for navigation purposes, makes no sense at all.

Indeed, a mini-device like this can also do a lot more. You can push your costs up even higher, by simply buying all the material necessary for navigation, which will reduce your your online costs when downloading. However, only rarely can you fit the whole of Europe in, because you would surely like to use the available memory for other things as well.

Actually, it's no longer necessary to point out, that when using a smartphone for navigation, other services can also be made use of, which even surpass those which are offered by a normal computer. There is, eg., the camera, often in discussion right now, because the traffic situation is being filmed and in the event of an accident, is being submitted as evidence.

The organizer in such a mobile device also provides important services in business life. We're not even going to mention Email, SMS and their derivations, indeed, they should not be operated while driving. This is of course, also valid for video, internet and TV, which, as opposed to built-in devices, can at least be operated by the passenger(s) during the trip. At least the driver can still take pleasure from his music collection.

We would once more, like to emphasize the dilemma that faces us. Who among us has not suffered because of the various operating modes required by the multitude of electronic devices? Indeed, should you really need your altered organizer-data on your computer at home, the synchronisation no longer poses a problem.

The superiority of the smartphone meanwhile, is there for all to see, in the shape of the sheer mass of small programmes (Applications). Whether the same euphoria is there to write programmes, like it was when the home computer was conceived, can be safely doubted, the software is there for the taking, why do it yourself? Despite having comfotable development systems like Java (Android) or C/C++ (Apple, Windows), it seems that programming is more something purely for the experts.

Just as it was in the past, the choice of an operating system (OS) was almost a decision you made for all time. Apple once again, offers the noblest, indeed also the most expensive variation, because not only are the devices expensive, but also because they have non-changeable re-chargeable batteries and any additional software must be purchased from this company. They justify this by maintaining that only this way, can a certain quality standard be secured.

Although Windows also has their own OS, another syndicate has taken over the role of supplying a reasonably priced alternative. In close cooperation with Google, the OS Android is now the No. 1 on the market. The prices of the devices using Android range from a very reasonable €100, up to €500 and more. Whatsmore, they are all more or less compatible, although, because each manufacturer has it's particular 'Desktop' they are not all the same as far as operation is concerned.

Telematics

This can however, be changed later. So, it would also be possible, when buying a new device, to select a different brand name and still have the same operation, without the respective changes through updates. The memory content can be changed and even parts of the OS (firmware), almost the same as with the first computers. The disadvantage is however, the closeness to Google-internet, through which even the synchronisation with the laptop at home is done.

The operating of an Apple device is considered to be a little less dynamic, possibly also causing less complications. The operating system iOS allows hardly any multitasking, something that, e.g., the PC-user finds very comfortable. The connectivity to a PC is also a bone of contention. Indeed, backups and synchronisation are easier with iOS. The voice-recognition and display in the Apples seems to be almost unequalled.

What's left, is the Windows phone. In the version 8, the PC OS is at work, which of course, makes connecting up, memory access and even the taking over of programming code much simpler. The Internet-Explorer also seems to be able to fully exploit it's advanced development stage here. The tile-surface is highly praised for it's clarity. If then, the navigation would also work in the background, the smartphone would find it's way into the motor car.

Unfortunately, the market share is of course, pretty much well tied up and e.g., iPhone users, because of the multitude of apps available, are unwilling to change. Thus, despite the remarkably reasonable prices, Microsoft will have a hard time getting more than one fifth of the market. Let's stay with the market leader Android for the moment. The Chinese are also active in this field, delivering, e.g., very reasonable oscilloscopes of apparently, decent quality. New is here e.g. the Huawei Ascend P6.

You can see just how interesting the smartphone has become in the motor vehicle sector. Let's hope that it's advantages are only used by the passenger, that one should not even think about „texting“ while driving, because it is not only dangerous for yourself but also for the other road users. 11/13









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