Phandroid
Navdy is like Google Glass for your car, looks to make even the oldest beaters “smart”
2014 is gearing up to the be year we finally see a big push into the software side of our automobiles. Google and Apple are both looking to go head-to-head with various implementations of their own, gathering bannermen in an effort to finally make our cars as smart as our mobile devices. While you’re busy choosing sides, here comes a new cross-platform device called Navdy that plays well with just about any smartphone.
Navdy looks to take that same basic principal of Google Glass (displaying information in front of you) but in a way you can still pick up chicks on the street without looking like a total douche. Because not very many people have the wallet (or the self-esteem) to wear something like Google Glass, Navdy is already looking much more appealing in the automotive space.
Think of it like a really advanced speaker phone, but one that runs on Android and has its own UI. Using a tiny projector, Navdy presents the driver with visual cues of incoming calls, SMS messages, and shoots them on its tiny, transparent display.
But that’s not all it can do. Each Navdy is outfitted with an infrared camera and microphone, allowing you interact with Navdy either by using very basic hand gestures, or by voice. Notifications are handled by Navdy’s Android or iOS apps, allowing you to customize what pops up on the HUD.
Navdy hardware specs
- 5.1″ wide transparent Head-Up Display (HUD)
- High quality projector
- IR camera for touchless gesture control
- Accelerometer, e-compass, ambient light sensor
- WiFi (802.11 b/g/n), Bluetooth 4.0/LE
- Audio out via Bluetooth or 3.5mm minijack, mini-USB port
- Internal speaker and microphone with noise canceling DSP
- Dual core processor running Android 4.4
- OBD-II power and data connection to car computer, with optional 12 volt power adapter
- Portable, bendable, non-marking, powered friction mount, with magnetic connection to the device
- Dimensions (excluding mount): width: 130mm, depth: 140mm, height: 95mm (including display)
Of course, Navdy isn’t without some controversy. The ongoing debate on whether or not we need more distracted driving on our roads and even if Navdy is designed to be safer than looking down at your phone, there are those who feel it’s just as distracting as all those Glassholes making headlines a few months back. Like most things, we’ll let you decide for yourself.
This seems like a really bad time to take a call from Mom
You can check out Navdy’s funny new promo video with Adam Lisagor — Silicon Valley startups’ favorite video director – who you may remember as the “Coin” guy down below. If you like what you see, the Navdy isn’t cheap and is set to launch in “early 2015″ at $500. But for the next 30 days, early adopters can pre-order one at a much discounted $300 (40% off). Any takers?
[Navdy]
Sprint is reportedly withdrawing their offer to buy T-Mobile, will also give CEO Dan Hesse the boot
Oh, happy day. According to a new report out of The Wall Street Journal, it appears Sprint may have tucked tail and ran in their effort to acquire T-Mobile. Sources claim regulatory hurdles are the reason for the sudden withdrawal, with parent company SoftBank finally deciding it would be too difficult to win the approval of officials. Both the Justice Department and Federal Communications Commission have made it known that further consolidation of the wireless industry would only hurt competition and consumers in the process.
This now leaves the door wide open for French carrier Iliad to swoop in for the kill, having no current connections to US telecoms. Still, there were many who doubt Iliad can come through, with T-Mobile initially rejecting their offer and the French carrier looking for additional finances. New rumors have begun circulating that Iliad could be regrouping, giving it another go but this time with financial backing from either Dish, Cox, Charter, or anyone else interested in a joint bid for T-Mobile (although it remains hearsay at the moment).
Update: And now we have Bloomberg chiming in with their own sources reporting that Sprint will officially replace current CEO Dan Hesse in an announcement scheduled for tomorrow. Things just got real interesting…
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