Tag Archives: infotainment

Google Voice Assistant, Navigation and App to Debut at GM

Posted on 6 September 2019 by Ken Zino

GM said its research shows that many customers prefer an embedded technology in the vehicle, and increasingly expect seamless integration between the tech in their hands and the tech in their vehicle. Continue reading →

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New Mitsu Infotainment System – Any Media on Any Screen

Posted on 24 June 2014 by Ken Zino

“Any media on any screen” allows sharing from one screen to another with a tap on the screen. There is also interactivity between the two screens, allowing passengers to play games or send photos back and forth. There is control from the front seat, allowing adults to preview and override rear seat programming. The cameras installed above each rear seat screen to allow monitoring of rear seat occupants. Continue reading →

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Infotainment Systems Transform Instrument Panels

Posted on 17 September 2013 by Ken Zino

Only a decade ago, the powertrain and performance of an automobile were the main selling points. Infotainment systems did not exist with virtually all light vehicles without any type of so-called connectivity to the world outside – no telematics, cellular, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. Continue reading →

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Class Action Suit Filed Against MyFord Touch System

Posted on 16 July 2013 by Ken Zino

A well-know, or infamous, national law firm has filed a class-action lawsuit alleging that Ford Motor Company’s MyFord Touch, MyLincoln Touch and MyMercury Touch touchscreen systems are defective. The firm of Hagens Berman Sobol Shapiro claims that the system often freezes, fails to respond to voice and touch commands and will not connect to mobile phones. Continue reading →

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Distracted Drivers and Vehicle Design Briefing offered by CAR

Posted on 20 September 2012 by Ken Zino

The automotive electronics evolution has seen increasing emphasis on connected vehicle systems, driver assistance systems, and infotainment systems. Given the potential for these systems to cause huge drops in customer satisfaction, as Ford Motor learned with its My Touch and My Sync systems, it is not surprising that auto companies are now hiring people with experience in human factors engineering, human-machine interface, and mobile device technology. The latest briefing is one of a series CAR offers on relevant topics of interest to industry professionals. Continue reading →

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Owners Report Quality Improvements at Most Automakers

Posted on 21 June 2012 by Ken Zino

A growing problem area is lumped under the “audio, entertainment, and navigation” category where reported problems have increased by 8% from 2011. This continues a negative trend, with problems in this category increasing by 45% since 2006, while other categories have improved by 24% on average. Buyers aged 35 and under, who grew up with myriad consumer electronic devices are particularly vocal about the design failures of automotive electronics. This is a growing problem for the product development departments of automakers that are largely managed by older, white males. Continue reading →

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Ford, Lincoln Change Touch Screens after Quality Ratings Dive

Posted on 6 March 2012 by Ken Zino

While Ford keeps claiming its customers want electronic features such as MyFord Touch, saying 56% of them rate the technology as an “important” part of the buying decision, its quality and customer satisfaction ratings by users as measured from independent sources have plummeted during the three years since introduction. Continue reading →

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GM Working on Rear Window Apps for Children of All Ages

Posted on 18 January 2012 by Ken Zino

If such interactive windows were put into automotive production they likely would use electronically charged “smart glass” technology, which is capable of variable states of translucence and transparency, and can reflect projected images. Smart glass is now used in architectural and display applications, but outside of movies like Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is rarely seen in cars. Alas, there are no immediate plans for production. Continue reading →

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