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Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

money.cnn.com

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Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#281

Post by u801e »

sangnoir wrote: post #162
imglorp wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My car needed the nav feature in order to get the backup camera, which is essential in cars with a poor rear view.

What is it about American cars[1] and tiny rear view windows? I once got a Ford Fusion rental in the US; I was surprised how little I could see of what was behind me. I have never had the same issue with European/Japanese vehicles. 1. My sample size is small, I could have been unlucky. Anti-glare coating on rear view mirrors on American cars makess night-time driving awesome though, I wish the European/Japanese vehic…

> Anti-glare coating on rear view mirrors on American cars makess night-time driving awesome though, I wish the European/Japanese vehicles would copy that

In Europe and Japan (and most of the rest of the world), automotive headlamps conform to the relevant ECE standard which allows for less glare compared to the US standard (defined in FMVSS 108). So, at least in those markets, the anti-glare coating isn't as necessary.

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#282

Post by nsxwolf »

hx87 wrote: post #200
seanp2k2 wrote: post #125

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yeah, I'm not sure why car companies invested at all in attempting to build their own mapping software. It's a hard thing to do well, and I had been using GPS in the car since Windows 98 + Microsoft Streets + Garmin eMap + serial adapter running NEMA days. PC or smartphone navigation software has always been better than what is available in cars. Additionally, while the upgrade cycle for phones is yearly for some peo…

I've always wondered why it took manufacturers so long to put in a 3.5mm jack into head units--it would have saved us a lot of awful tape adapters in the 90s and CD changer emulators in the 2000s.

And those little FM transmitter dongles!

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#283

Post by u801e »

korethr wrote: post #144

As a counterpoint to the comments here bringing up the point that the maps on one's phone are always up to date, I'll bring up the point of offline access. Yes, often the maps are bad, out of date, and require one to go the dealer and pay money to get an update. However, once out of the city, and cellular data ceases to be a thing, Google maps and similar applications built with an assumption of an always-available I…

> However, once out of the city, and cellular data ceases to be a thing, Google maps and similar applications built with an assumption of an always-available Internet connection become kind of useless. Yes, you can add maps for the areas you are planning to be to your offline areas, but that requires planning ahead. And if you ended up somewhere you didn't plan to be, well, good luck.

I'm one of the few who still uses a Nokia smartphone (from before the deal with Microsoft), and it has an application called Here maps that allows you to download maps for offline use. I have all of the US, Canada and Mexico pre-loaded into it. It takes around 3 GB of space on the phone IIRC and I haven't had any issues with lack of map data at least in the areas I drive (plenty of which do not have adequate cellular signal on any network).

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#284

Post by toast0 »

shalmanese wrote: post #266
copperx wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm honestly surprised they don't restrict that. Does anybody know why? I know different states have different speed limits, but I think a 85mph speed limit could cover them all. Is it because Canada and Mexico? They have lower speed limits. Is it because the car could be exported to Germany and driven on the Autobahn? or what?

I've always been puzzled as to why cars don't come with speed governing as a (default off) option. I'd love to be able to lend my car to my child with the max speed set to 60mph or govern my speed to 65 on long freeway trips so I don't have to constantly check my speedometer (this is different from cruise control because I could easily slow down below 65, just never go above it).

Slightly fancy cars have been pushing this with per key controlled limits, so you can let your kid drive with a max speed limit, a max volume limit, etc.

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#285

Post by kalleboo »

TuxerLulz wrote: post #248
copperx wrote: post #230

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm honestly surprised they don't restrict that. Does anybody know why? I know different states have different speed limits, but I think a 85mph speed limit could cover them all. Is it because Canada and Mexico? They have lower speed limits. Is it because the car could be exported to Germany and driven on the Autobahn? or what?

I track my car, so at least for sports cars they would need to find a way to remove that restriction when you're on a track.

The Nissan GT-R already does that automatically https://www.engadget.com/2007/12/22/nissan-gt-r-disables-spe...

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#286

Post by ygra »

eric_h wrote: post #255
pkaye wrote: post #179

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think some states have laws that restrict navigation control access when car is in motion.

Certainly, but cars are also mandated to have a weight sensor in the passenger seat to disable the passenger side airbag when there isn't an adult sitting there (so they don't kill children in car seats). Can't we at least compromise on that requirement? If there's a passenger, unlock the controls.

That's only in certain jurisdictions, I guess? Around here cars either have a big warning sticker not to put children backwards in the front passenger seat or have an option to disable the airbag. I don't think I've seen one that does it automatically. The only use the sensor gets is making noise when the passenger doesn't use the seat belt.

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#287

Post by mayneack »

As far as I can tell the only upsides to car navigation (embedded or a standalone TomTom or something) is independence from live data link and battery constraints. Unless I'm going somewhere without a data connection, I think the phone is strictly better.

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#288

Post by mrpippy »

izacus wrote: post #103
mrpippy wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Apple takes backwards-compatibility very seriously for MFi protocols, because they know that the "accessories" are cars that people keep for a long time. I used to work at a company making iPod car kits--we took an interface from 2006 (with a hard-wired 30-pin connector), hooked it through a FireWire->USB charging adapter, a 30-pin->Lightning adapter, and it worked fine with an iPhone 6.

I distinctly remember iPhones complaining about "obsolete device" when plugging them into a few years old Audi and VW cars around iPhone 4 era. That was then followed up with connectivity and charging issues. So what was the deal with that?

Could be FireWire charging--the original iPhone and earlier iPods could charge off 12V (FireWire), whereas the 3G and up only took 5V (USB). Adapters were available (although Apple didn't make them themselves)

Also with the early iPhones, if accessories were just "Made for iPod" certified but not "Made for iPhone" (which usually required TDMA emissions testing and iPhone testing) a message would pop up.

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#289

Post by ygra »

sangnoir wrote: post #162
imglorp wrote: post #128

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My car needed the nav feature in order to get the backup camera, which is essential in cars with a poor rear view.

What is it about American cars[1] and tiny rear view windows? I once got a Ford Fusion rental in the US; I was surprised how little I could see of what was behind me. I have never had the same issue with European/Japanese vehicles. 1. My sample size is small, I could have been unlucky. Anti-glare coating on rear view mirrors on American cars makess night-time driving awesome though, I wish the European/Japanese vehic…

Anecdotally, having recently driven a rental Mercedes C200, rear visibility was abysmal there too. Luckily it had a camera. I guess it's less a European/American thing but rather depends on the car (type).

Re: Most drivers who own cars with built-in GPS systems use phones for directions

#290

Post by ygra »

closeparen wrote: post #264
dsfyu404ed wrote: post #69

Semi unrelated question: Am I the only one who wished navigation apps allowed more precise control of route complexity? Just a slider that goes between "minimum number of turns" and "most efficient" would be nice. Optimizing a route for complexity vs efficiency is a very important consideration when planning a route. A way to do that in a navigation app would be really nice. I appreciate the intention but taking four…

I want "I am unwilling to make u-turns." They are illegal by default in the city of Chicago, but if you miss a turn, Google will try to get you to make a dangerous and illegal u-turn. If you ignore that, it'll suggest you another one further down the road. No thanks, I'm not turning around on Michigan Ave at rush hour. I've looked into this. Apparently you set turn restrictions per-intersection in the maps data edito…

I'd actually rather have the device tell me to turn around at a convenient place. Finding a place to safely go the other direction is part of learning how to drive and the exam anyway, and how to do that is at the discretion of the driver. Could be a U-turn, could be a roundabout, could just be going into a side road and using a drive way. But as you note, the map data rarely has the information where is possible or allowed.
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