Bryan Johnston

As a former ghostwriter for some of the industries’ top technology firms, Johnston contributes stories about wireless devices, development platforms, industry analysis, V2V and other topics.

Pioneer connected car systems CarPlay update 4 iPhone 5/5c/5S/6/6+: iOS 8 how to upgrade directions

PioneerFirmwareupdatePioneer promised an update for its higher-end  2014 NEX line of infotainment units by the the end of the summer.  The update was announced on Thursday and is available for download by a computer from the Pioneer website. Pioneer claims the update should take about 10 minutes, we suggest you allow a little more time to get used to how CarPlay works while you are not driving.

The good news is that Pioneer CarPlay is compatible with iPhone 6/6+/5/5S/5c with iOS 7.1 or higher with the compatible firmware and  a”Lightning to USB (sold separately) cable” that is MFI certified*.  If you have a rear view camera the update allows you to press and hold the MAP button to see the image from the camera.

Rivet News Radio lands in connected Jaguars & Land Rovers: HearHere!

Rivet News RadioAt the Paris Auto Show, HearHere Radio and Jaguar/Land Rover(JLR) announced that Rivet News Radio will be the first preferred service for JLR’s InControl Apps audio system.

The partnership is supported by tier-one system engineer Robert Bosch of Bosch Automotive Technology.

Hitachi & Clarion partner for fast connected car development

clarionhtichHitachi Data Systems and Clarion have partnered to develop data solutions for Clarion in-vehicle connections. They hope to give drivers and car makers information for better car performance and safety from the Internet of Things and M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communications.

Android code devs get Android Auto Guidelines

Android_Auto_UI_LauncherGoogle has published Android Auto Developer Overview guidelines for developing for Android Auto. The overall interface has been standardized for easy viewing while driving.

The document claims “The Android Auto SDK lets you easily extend your existing apps to work in the car, without having to worry about vehicle-specific hardware differences.”

The first version of Android Auto supports media apps such as music, podcast, live radio, and audio news apps.  The platform integrates existing APIs for notification and support a set of voice commands.  The Android SDK will be released in the coming months.

NXP Vechicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) / (V2I) secure RoadLINK chips from Delphi with Wi-Fi

NXPRoadlinkNXP Semiconductors announced its secure connected car V2X RoadLINK chips will be available for the first time from Delphi RoadLink for Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) and Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) communication using autograde Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11p). This would enable connected cars to have V2V and V2I features in use on roads in two years.

NXP chips with software from Cohda Wireless allows alerts to cars from cars and infrastructure. Infrastructure includes traffic lights, signage and municipal systems. Data is protected and hacker threats are thwarted by NXP’s V2X hardware security module.

AT&T finds connected car car connections VIP

GM-ATT-4G-LTE-626x382AT CTIA Super Mobility Week, AT&T and Ericsson announced key points from its connected car research proving that people want AT&T connections in their cars. The report alsos a very high awareness of connected car features. We have a call out to our AT&T contacts to track down the full report. In the meantime, here are the bullet points.

Centralized ICT RACE EV concept from Siemens

inno_fo_1423_2-1Siemens claims it has redesigned information and communications technology (ICT) for electric cars by controlling multiple vehicle systems on a central platform  instead of  every system having its own hardware and software.

Today, cars can have as many as 70 different control systems with thousands of subfunctions. The ICT system simplifies the interplay of the many assistance, safety, and infotainment systems.

UC Davis hosts NXP connected car security with V2V solar-powered Stella demo

UC Davis consults with the state of California on green car incentives and issues.  After a seminar tomorrow at the university about security and connected cars with a demo of Stella, it may lead to California being the first state with solar powered family cars on the road.

NXP Semiconductors with UC Davis’ Institute of Transportation studies and E-Mobility Connection, will host an automobile security round table on Friday, September 19 at the UC Davis. They will talk about security concerns around connected vehicles and how some of today’s leading manufacturers and industry experts are overcoming these challenges. The first solar car Stella with V2X will be demoed.

Booster seats 4 under 4’9″ & Safe Kids events for National Child Safety Week

safetyseeatThere was a lot hoopla this summer over the news that some parents had accidentally left children in child seats in the heat although there is technology to remind parents.  For National Child Passenger Safety Week (Sept. 14-20), Safe Kids Worldwide released a study that showed nine out of 10 parents take children out of car booster seats before they are tall  enough.

The study was partially funded by the GM Foundation that is committed to its partnership with Safe Kids and sponsoring events this week.