Really now? My 2012 5 series tells me my engine oil level, miles till next maintenance, brake pad, fluids, efficient dynamic setting which show brake energy regen status, ac level, mpg, trip computer, GPS that connected to my wheel so even works in tunnel or underground, it reads me text message, post twitter or Facebook, it can play everything on my iPhone, show 360 degree camera view around my car, park my car automatically, read me people Facebook status, set speed limit for my car, display sports mode setting, owner manual, schedule maintenance remotely, remotely unlock or start my car without key, call ambulance when crash, make emergency call without a cell phone, control lighting of my car, etc. really the iPad is the best system??
It would have to be removable. In chicago, it would be to cold to leave it in.
But that would be smart regardless, cause who would want to risk leaving it in the car for someone to steal it. Also, you would want to upload new music and other things onto it for the road.
So instead of having one system that works with all cars and accessories, we have crap systems like the Benz myCOMAND.
I do not need the top of the line stuff nor the audison stuff.
My current setup is a deck that has ipod controls through being connected through USB and I can control the volume and controls through the deck or steering wheel controls.
Instead I could push back the deck install a place to hold iPad temporarily and just rewire a volume control knob to a different place in the car.
I will post pictures of my current setup running through the stock stereo and for my ears it sounds great because thats what I care about, I am no audiophile.
Lol... I hope you're joking.
Just to name a few reasons: GPS, Contacts, Find your Friends, Movies... upon a million more. But if you just need one: the best infotainment system available - PLUS it syncs with all your other devices you already have.
It's not about being antisocial, its simply the best infotainment system you could buy.
Another good point...that you made for my 'cons'
5GB a month? Now if you are using this all month long...on the road...using CELL data...what would your usage total be?
I have AT&T and am grandfathered into the 'unlimited' plan...which means they throttle my data anyway at 3GB. I do NOT use that much, as most of my data is via wifi. However, if one were to do this...well, then let's see someone use this method and what their cellular billing is after a month!
I use my iPhone 3GS to compliment my satellite GPS in the car (Navman, portable and now way out-of-date)...but, of course using the iPhone for google map traffic and music and etc. If I used Pandora or ConcertVault or some streaming media a lot OR the GPS on this iPad mini...then this does not help my data usage over cellular. Video streaming...yeah...good luck with that.
Going in and out as you drive, depending on where you are...this is another reason why I prefer satellite GPS.
Therefore, what else would one use it for...over cellular? LTE would only help to hasten your cell data limit, it seems...on the road, in such a scenario.
What does this do that your car (and newer cars) would not be able to do...or that my nice new Note2 (google voice/svoice) or even my old iPhone 3GS (ok, no Siri) could do just the same?
Whoah whoah whoah. Lets not get carried away. He clearly states in the video that they are using an Audison sound system in that vehicle, with two amplifiers. A quick look on Amazon shows me the -cheapest- Audison amp is ~$250, going all the way up to > $1000. That's JUST the amps as well. Add in additional hardware, an iPad, and not even counting installation (if you could do it yourself lets say), and you are probably over 2 grand for what's in that car.
I'm not saying its not cool, but there is NO WAY you would beat the quality of a "$1000 stereo" with an iPad for less money. The iPad is just putting out a stereo line level signal, the rest is all being done by the expensive audio hardware...
I'm not an audiophile, but I wouldn't be surprised if one could tell the difference in audio quality compared to a device more specifically geared towards putting out high fidelity sound than an iPad, which is intended for use with -at best- some dock speakers.
Personally, I wouldn't want a setup like this, because in order to use your car's stereo you would have to have the iPad in place, and as mentioned by others if you don't remove it when you leave the car it begs to be stolen. The end result is you now have to always carry the thing with you (or sometimes not use your stereo). Maybe that works for some people (cool!), but would not for me. I personally would find it a burden to have to keep track of one more device at all times.
All just my $0.02 of course.
There is a reason car companies all over use scroll wheel than much cheaper touch screen. Do u think developing a scroll wheel UI and install it on the central column is cheaper than a touch screen technology? The reason they use scroll wheel is because its much safer and accurate. It ur car is moving, it's hard to reach your hand over to the screen and touch tiny buttons. Scroll wheel each click is accurate and u rest ur hand on the car. Although slower, u don't have to look at it constantly, also much more accurate entry when u can driving in a bumpy road.
Source: I own both kinds of car
The iPad will cost hundreds of dollars
The degradation comes from the digital to analog conversion, and they skipped the iPhone part that does it by sending data oner Bluetooth, wifi, or through the dock for digital to analog conversion afterwards.
Now that's cool.
Especially once the LTE version (with GPS) is released.
Having re-read both of your posts I may have misunderstood you initially. You said that you would get the same "functionality" of the expensive system, and I took that to include sound quality.
Reading -this- post I get the impression it may be more the features you were talking about, in which case I will concede the point. To get a high-end stereo that can do half what the iPad can do (aside from playing music) would cost a large quantity of money. Granted the stereo might sound better, but if that's not a requirement then the iPad is a better choice.
If it doesn't have GPS how have I been driving around in my car using the navigon app?
Without retina and LTE the ipad mini is dated on day 1! But count me in when those are added.
Edit: I'm an idiot, the ipad mini does have LTE. I'm in after retina, I guess.
The Benz system is actually fairly good. We just got a 2013 C class and they have made a lot of improvements over the 2010 system.
That being said, I would much rather have a dumb terminal and have it controlled by my phone. The mini-Ipad is actually a great idea as well but the manufacturers can't charge $2500 for a GPS and maps that way.
That's cool.
That's Hot!