[annetkodde]

Hi,

I'm Annet from holland.

Im working on a new design of a mid-console for a Smart.
We want to make the interior very interactive with intelligent systems.
The instrument panel will be a digitall display and we also want to integrate an IPad in the mid-console.

I'm very interested in whether you like the idea of having an IPad in your car.
It can interact with the digital instrument panel and also with other parts of the car (like the aircondition and heaters), of course it also has connection to internet, navigation, entertainment etc.
The idea is to make a nice looking, handy and safe casing, which practicly is a redesign of the mid console.

What do you think, are you waiting for this kind of product?

 

[orngandblack]

Not I. I have no need to use an iPad while driving, but I'm sure some folks would like to have it. I believe there are some here that have done this mod already.

 

[JPaul]

If most settings can't be changed when the car is moving, maybe. Enough distractions: driving is a full time job. IMHO, of course. :wink:

 

[ammosmart]

I don't have a problem interacting while driving, What I have a problem is the size of the ipad. The interior is small enough so there's no need for something that big inside the car.

 

[JPaul]

I don't have a problem interacting while driving, ...

No one has problem interacting while driving! It's after a crash that the problems start...

 

[ammosmart]

Whatever, I'm sure I'm not the only one that handles calls and receives calls and messages thru bluetooth while driving.

 

[larryw4csc]

Be informed Apple only specs the iPads from 32F to 140F, which is easily exceeded in the car on both ends over the course of a year with the car windows up and locked. This, of course, voids iPad's warranty when the temp sensors inside it turn black from over and under temp. It may work outside these temperature parameters, but is not a good idea. The fixed battery pack will suffer, as will the video and CPU processors which are not properly cooled to keep the girlies from saying its ugly. It has no cooling.

Your call. The other problem is, "How much does a Smart window cost to replace when, not if, they steal my iPad?" An iPad showing on the dash of a car with a $US1,400 plastic roof could simply be called "baiting for thieves". Ask your insurance underwriter what he thinks of mounting a $600 theft item where the radio-nobody-in-their-right-mind-would-want used to be. I bet he has a rider you can buy to cover the Maxipad for when, not if, it's stolen. It's probably quite pricey. You pays ur money and takes ur chances.

Anyone with a bottle of cheap carbon tetrachloride can melt the roof panel out of a Smart without making a sound.....Carbon Tet turns Makrolon into a liquid, almost instantly!

 

[jwight]

Hi,

I'm Annet from holland.

Im working on a new design of a mid-console for a Smart.
We want to make the interior very interactive with intelligent systems.
The instrument panel will be a digitall display and we also want to integrate an IPad in the mid-console.

I'm very interested in whether you like the idea of having an IPad in your car.
It can interact with the digital instrument panel and also with other parts of the car (like the aircondition and heaters), of course it also has connection to internet, navigation, entertainment etc.
The idea is to make a nice looking, handy and safe casing, which practicly is a redesign of the mid console.

What do you think, are you waiting for this kind of product?

Here's one already done: http://www.smartcarofamerica.com/forums/f76/ipad-installation-our-09-smart-car-31034/

Just a suggestion, but don't limit it to the iPad; plenty of other tablets out there (some smaller) with more on the way.

 

[Smart Enuf]

I'm no fan of texting while driving (or cellphone talking, either), but there are text-to-speech apps for the iPhone (and presumably for the iPad) that can, theoretically, reduce the interaction level to just talking on the phone or to someone next to you.

 

[wrumbarger]

I would be taking the i-pad with me when I parked the car?
That way the only thing theives would see was an open space in the dash.
Maybe even get one of those yellow squares that says "no radio on board"?

 

[KathleenB]

An Ipad in my car is not something I need. I already have my little baby tricked out as much as I want.

 

[staphory]

I would love to have a way to use my iPad in the car. I would only want it if I could remove the iPad to take with me.

 

[eericc]

with ipad's screen it is easily the best GPS on the market if you download the tom tom on it. and the ipod is better than everything out there in terms of audio user interface

the only thing is i don't think you want to controll things like air conditionor and whatever via the ipad, i would hate the fact that i have to 'touchscreen' everything, it simply means i have to look and it and take my eyes off the road. 90% of the time i don't even look when i put on air con, heat , heatseat...

i think most likey only GPS and audio would benefit from putting an ipad in there. I have been trying to figure out a good and cheap ( cheap in terms of comparable to installing an in-dash gps) I finally find out the ipad might have to redesigned slightly to fit better in terms of its purpose in the car ( eg. a lot of in dash gps has split screen gps/ audio system and i don't think ipad's tomtom ad support that)

if the price is competitive, i will def. consider that, there are so many in dash gps out there not done right

 

[GeekGirl]

Good here....

 

[wiltjk]

I would be very interested in a mount that allows me to plug my iPad into the car's systems (ODB-II?) as well as operate as my sound/navigation system while charging the iPad.

I would want to be able to unplug the iPad and take it with me so that it is not a carrot for breaking in and the fact that I use it for my business.

I used a $5 GPS app on my iPhone in Sweden last week that worked entirely offline. It literally saved my life getting to and from places. Alternatives from the big names were significant investments offering little value for the additional cost.

The point is that the mounting hardware and software need not be expensive.