CES 2010 latest ces - car tech and gps news

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CES dedicated a hall to in-vehicle technology presenters, and many of them brought the wildest cars you've ever seen. These cars sprout LCDs, amps, and speakers on any and every available surface. We took a walk around to find the most outlandish, outrageous cars on display.

Click here for photos of show cars at 2008 CES.

The Sony CDX-GT820IP

(Credit: Sony)

Sony refreshed its car stereo lineup for 2008 here at CES with the debut of six new models in Xplod lineup including two with as-standard iPod connectivity, and two new Bluetooth-equipped head units. At the top of the range, the CDX-GT820IP comes with a 30-pin iPod connector enabling drivers to control their music libraries directly via the stereo itself. The system features Sony's Quick BrowZer technology and "Jump mode", which make it easier for drivers to navigate large digital audio libraries on connected players. The CDX-GT820IP also features a multi-line fluorescent display, a front-panel aux-input jack, 4-volt front, rear and sub preamp outputs, and is compatible with Sony's add-on HD Radio tuner. It comes with a price tag of $230.

Next down the lineup, the CDX-GT720 ($200) features the same faceplate and display design as the GT820IP, but without the as-standard iPod connector. It is also HD- and satellite-radio ready and can be hooked up to an iPod via an add-on cable. Those who want iPod connectivity and can live without a fluorescent display can consider the CDX-GT620IP, which comes without the Jump mode feature and has two fewer preouts than the CDX-GT820IP, but retails at $160. Propping up the new releases, the CDX-GT420U ($130) comes without iPod compatibility, but does feature an as-standard USB port for playing audio tracks from flash drives and other generic digital sources.

Two new Bluetooth-enabled stereos--the iPod compatible MEX-BT5100 ($330) and the entry-level MEX-BT2600 ($170)--are refreshed versions of the current MEX-BT5000 and MEX-BT2500 respectively. All of the new systems are available now.

Kenwood says its digital TV receiver will be on sale sometime in 2008.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Piping content into the car is one of the main themes on the automotive beat here at CES 2008, and Kenwood is leading the charge when it comes to the next generation of in-car television. The manufacturer is partnering with consumer electronics giant LG on development of a terrestrial digital television (DTV) receiver that will enable car occupants to watch ATSC TV at highway speeds. To date, analog receivers have enabled reception of in-car TV but only up to limited speeds. The prototype receiver that Kenwood is showing here at CES is based on the MPH (mobile, pedestrian, handheld) mobile DTV system developed by LG, Harris Corporation, and Zenith. Kenwood said that it expects to have a production version of the receiver by the end of 2008, anticipating cutoff of the analog TV signal in February 2009.

Will MyGig receive lossless audio over WiMax in the near future?

(Credit: CNET Networks)

At a party during CES, we sniffed out potential new technology from Harman International that combines wireless transmission with lossless audio. We stumbled on a display unit using the MyGig entertainment system, built by Harman for Chrysler, labeled Harman Wireless. A Harman representative on the scene said that he couldn't tell us anything about the technology, so we talked to him for as long as we could to try and get a few details. From what we could piece together, Harman is working on a device that will use some kind of wireless technology, possibly WiMax, to receive lossless audio and play it back in the car. Our Harman representative talked about the low audio quality of MP3, and how Harman would prefer a higher-quality audio format which would use all the potential of its audio hardware. We couldn't determine much from the unit on display, as it looked like a MyGig unit, and we were ejected from the room when a group of Harman clients came in for a demonstration. But we will be on the lookout for new announcements from Harman.

Strada CN-NW100U

(Credit: Panasonic)

Following the release of its in-dash CN-NVD905U and its portable CN-GP50U last November, Panasonic has added two new in-dash navigation devices to its Strada lineup. The Strada CN-NW100U and CN-NX100U follow the CN-NVD905U as all-in-one in-car navigation and multimedia systems. Both come with an identical features set: a 7-inch touch-screen display, turn-by-turn GPS navigation with text-to-speech technology, and as-standard RDS traffic service; built-in Bluetooth handsfree calling; a USB 2.0 connection for playing audio from iPods and flash drives; video support for DVD and DivX formats; and the capacity for XM and Sirius Satellite Radio via an add-on module.

Strada CN-NX100U

The CN-NW100U is a double-DIN sized device, while the CN-NX100U makes use of a motorized pop-up screen and stows away inside a single-DIN chassis. According to Panasonic, the two systems will be available in April with pricing still to be determined.

GM's Rick Wagoner arrives onstage in the Chevy Volt.

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Underlining the ever-converging automotive and electronic worlds, GM's boss Rick Wagoner arrived on stage here at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in GM's electric-powered Chevy Volt to deliver his keynote speech, marking the first time in the show's history that a leading automaker had addressed the convention. "If the automobile were invented today, I'm pretty sure it would debut here at CES," said Wagoner before launching into an overview of GM's technology, including details of the carmaker's alternative-fuel, telematics, and autonomous vehicle programs, and finally unveiling the latest concept vehicle in GM's E-Flex lineup, the Cadillac Provoq.

GM's hydrogen fuel-cell powered Cadillac Provoq

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Powered by GM's fifth-generation hydrogen-fuel-cell system and a lithium-ion battery pack, the Provoq marks the expansion of GM's E-Flex system from the Chevy brand into its luxury Cadillac line. Like the fuel-cell powered Chevy Sequel, the Provoq relies on three electric motors--one mounted between the front wheels, in-wheel motors in each of the rear wheels--to power the car, which can apparently drive 300 miles on a single fill of hydrogen and 20 miles on battery electric energy alone. Unlike the Sequel, the Provoq can be charged from a standard A/C outlet via one of two charging ports in each of its front fenders. Other innovative features of the vehicle include a solar cell in the roof to assist with powering onboard electronics; an "active" front grille, with grille louvers that open when the fuel cell requires cooling and close at high speed to reduce drag; and shift- and brake-by-wire system.

The Provoq joins the growing list of GM's E-Flex concept vehicles that will require advances in lithium-ion battery technology to become a reality, a point that Wagoner acknowledged as being "key" to the advance of electric vehicles.

LAS VEGAS--One of the big complaints from consumers who buy General Motors cars that run on E85 ethanol is the lack of places to fill up.

General Motors CEO Rick Wagoner

(Credit: General Motors)

GM CEO Rick Wagoner, in a meeting with reporters at the Consumer Electronics Show taking place in Las Vegas this week, says he has received hundreds of e-mails from customers who have bought such cars and are frustrated they can't find ethanol stations.

When GM started selling its flex-fuel cars, there were about 600 stations that sold ethanol in the U.S. Now there are about 1,400 stations.

But there are 170,000 filling stations in the country. The U.S. probably needs around 15,000 to 20,000 ethanol stations, he added.

To this end, GM has been working with big box retailers like Wal-Mart and Target to put ethanol pumps in.

"It has been remarkably difficult" to get pumps installed, he said. "We've been doing more work than I thought we would need to."

Corn ethanol also won't cut it for the long haul, if ethanol demand grows significantly. "To get beyond a certain level, it is going to have to go beyond grain-based in the U.S.," he said. The alternative could well be cellulosic ethanol.

Wagoner is making a rare appearance at CES to promote car electronics as well as GM's more fuel-efficient car. He'll be giving a keynote in less than an hour. During the speech, he will discuss a new prototype, the Cadillac Provoq, which comes with a solar panel on the roof to power the car's electronics, a hydrogen fuel cell, and a lithium-ion battery.

Speaking of lithium-ion batteries, Wagoner says reports that GM has delayed the Chevy Volt, a gas-electric car, are incorrect. The company still aims to come out with the car around 2010.

"Going for 2010 is a stretch, and it still is a stretch," he said, but the test results are coming up reasonably well.

The challenge largely lies in improving the batteries so that these cars will have a range consumers will find acceptable. The Volt is supposed to get around 300 miles before running out of gas and electricity. (The Volt drives on electricity and the gas engine recharges it while driving.)

GM, he added, continues to look at all-electric cars, but that's a tougher challenge and may come, at least from GM, only after electric-assist vehicles like the Volt are out. Automakers may also begin to push the "city car" concept. These cars only go about 120 miles on a charge, but are made for city driving.

The chief problem with the EV1, GM's canceled electric car from a few years back, was the range.

"If you want to drive around and not worry about it (running out of power), that hasn't worked yet," he said.

The EV1, however, didn't completely die. The nickel-metal-hybrid battery from the EV1 will be used in a Chevy Malibu hybrid.

And on the hybrid note, automakers will likely come out with a variety of hybrid drives, depending on the size of the car and its expected power.

"If hybrids take off, you will see a proliferation of different types of hybrid systems," he said.

Cars will continue to run on fossil fuels for a while, he added, but alternatives seem unavoidable. Emerging nations like China are buying more cars, which means greater fuel consumption, and environmental awareness is far higher.

"My sense is that there is a fundamental change," he stated.

The VM9022HDN installed in CNET's test car at CES 2008

(Credit: CNET Networks)

Jensen has a knack of packing lots of as-standard features into its aftermarket in-dash car systems and the VM9022HDN, on show at this year's CES 2008, is no exception. The double-DIN sized device supports nearly every mainstream audio source available including HD Radio, iPods, discs (CD, MP3, WMA), SD cards, USB drives, and--with the addition of an add-on module--Satellite Radio. For video, the system supports DVD video, which is reproduced on its 6.5-inch wide-screen display. The VM9022HDN is also an out-of-the box GPS navigation device programmable via its touch-screen display.

Watch the Jensen VM 9022 HDN video on CNET TV.

The system has a dedicated touch-screen iPod interface

(Credit: CNET Networks)

While real-time traffic information is not available for the device, it does come with a a feature called SMART Navigation that offers drivers a number of ways to get to their destination, based on the time of day and various traffic patterns. The VM9022HDN has already bagged a CEA Innovations Award and will hit the shelves in February with a price tag of around $1,300.

Magellan

(Credit: Magellan)

Magellan is bringing its A-game to CES 2008. In addition to several other announcements, including the unveiling of the Magellan Maestro Elite 5340+GPRS, the GPS manufacturer debuted the Magellan Maestro 5310. The portable navigation system was designed to better meet the needs of baby boomers and features a larger 5-inch touch screen to increase map, menu, and image readability by 35 percent. "With 90 million baby boomers in North America representing $2 trillion in annual spending power, developing GPS products geared to their specific needs is critical to expanding the category," said Christian Bubenheim, vice president of marketing at Magellan. "The Maestro 5310 was designed for consumers who could benefit from a larger device that provides a safe and straightforward navigation experience." It also includes preloaded maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico; 6 million points of interest with AAA TourBook guide information; text-to-speech functionality; and a complimentary three-month subscription to Magellan's real-time traffic service. The Magellan Maestro 5310 is expected to be available in Q1 with a price point of $699.