In-car infotainment

CARS HAVE evolved so much that they no longer just transport individuals from one place to another, they can now entertain and inform them. All vehicles on sale today come with infotainment systems. But there are some things that all car buyers should know about these systems as they are so integral to the driving experience that they can make or break it.

First up, the basics. Nicole Wakelin, in an article that appears in Bestride.com, an online car shopping guide, noted that each automaker’s model lineup is equipped with a different version of that manufacturer’s infotainment system. “For example, the base model of the car that costs the least will have a simple system that might feature a smaller screen and fewer options. The mid-range version of the same car often increases the screen size and adds features like navigation. The highest trim levels get the largest screens and the most fully featured systems with options like navigation, apps, and better connectivity for your phone,” Ms. Wakelin explained.

She acknowledged that it’s indeed tempting to choose the fully featured system that one can afford, but she advises against doing just that. She recommends thinking about what one likes to have when on the road instead. “Are you content to listen to the radio? Then there’s no need to shell out extra cash for a system that lets you stream music from your phone and puts a dozen different music apps at your fingertips,” Ms. Wakelin said. “Just like cars themselves come with a huge number of features that not every buyer wants or needs, infotainment systems are the same way.”

One of the most common connectivity features in cars today is Bluetooth. And it’s fairly simple to use. “Connect your phone to your car via Bluetooth, which requires a one-time setup, and you can make phone calls without touching your phone. A simple button on the steering wheel activates your phone and lets you speak the name or number of the person you want to call,” Ms. Wakelin said.

Another increasingly default feature is the navigation system. “If ever there was a system that you should try before you buy, then navigation is the one,” Ms. Wakelin said. “Test out the navigation to see if it’s something you’ll like and use or if it’s something so frustrating you’ll never give it a go,” she added.

Ease of use is often an issue with infotainment systems. “Sometimes it’s because they well and truly break, but often it’s because they don’t work well,” Ms. Wakelin said.

She recommends doing the following: make sure the touchscreen is not unresponsive, which can be both frustrating and lifethreatening; spend time scrolling through the menus and ensure that it’s easy to program stations and find the settings frequently used; and try using whatever controller is provided and see if it navigates the system well. “The best infotainment system in the world is useless if it’s so frustrating that your blood pressure rises just trying to change the radio station,” Ms. Wakelin said.

The cars of the near future are going to have even more sophisticated infotainment technologies. According to Wade Thiel of Web2Cars, a car-shopping site, “The technology is there now, but it’s in its infancy. As time goes on, expect to see additional products and services working to connect your car to the other devices in your life. This continued expansion of the internet of things will include your car but also your home, phone, smart TV,

“The technology is there now, but it’s in its infancy. As time goes on, expect to see additional products and services working to connect your car to the other devices in your life.”

TO ENSURE the drivers’ and passengers’ safety while on the road, developments in auto technologies continue. One of the latest car safety devices that is gaining popularity is dashboard camera (dash cam) or incar camera.

Technology Web site Lifewire defines dash cam as a portable video camera that records the roadway view and everything that goes on in or around the vehicle. It is typically installed on the dashboard of a car or attached to the interior windscreen to provide video evidence when accident occurs.

“The main reason to get a dash cam follows the same basic logic as defensive driving. Even if you follow all the rules of the road, and even if you drive defensively, it’s extremely likely that you’ll eventually run into someone who isn’t doing those things,” the site says. Thus, the demand for dash cam is prominent even to cautious and conscientious driver to defend themselves from drivers and passengers with unsafe behaviors.

This cost- effective video camera may save drivers from further trouble. Aside from first-hand evidence in case of car crash, dash cam can efficiently prevent parking accidents.

SecurityBros.com, a Web site that reviews surveillance systems and security products, in an article, says that dash cam saves drivers, particularly beginners from nightmare parking. It avoids accidental scratch with other vehicles. “A well-installed dash camera can efficiently record vandals who are trying to break into your car, especially if you use to leave your vehicle unattended in public places or in areas that are poorly lit, one of the greatest advantages of dashboard cameras is that most of them can be set to stay on throughout the entire night, without you having to leave your car engine on,” the article adds.

Moreover, dash cam serves as car owner’s silent witness. It prevents scammers from extorting money. A driver can prove his innocence by simply presenting the video recorded by the device. It also serves as an extra pair of eyes because whenever the vehicle is left at the local mechanic, or borrowed by a friend or relative, the owner can monitor what is happening around the vehicle.

Finally, dash cam is a perfect partner to capture memories on road trips. “A dashboard camera is certainly a great investment that will help you turn your road trip into a great experience and a memory you will cherish over the years,” SecurityBros.com adds.

Finding and choosing the perfect dash cam for the vehicle depends on one’s needs and budget. Dashboard cam international supplier DashCams Direct explains different types of it based on functions that suit drivers’ preferences.

These include front facing dash cam or ‘one channel’ product that faces forward from windscreen or dashboard to capture everything within sight. The dual ‘two channel’ front and rear dash camera includes secondary camera mounts at the back of the vehicle to provide view of what’s happening behind the vehicle. The four- way channel dash cam has front and rear cameras as well as cameras fixed to the left and right side of the vehicle.

Technically, it is also possible to use other devices aside from a dash cam. Some handful alternatives recommended by Li fewire are smartphone applications, digital cameras and surveillance devices. The first two alternative devices work best as forward-facing camera that record the road view while driving, and the latter might be used as an interior and exterior camera.

Still, Lifewire explains that no device can beat dash cam’s functionality in every aspect. “The main drawback of using an app on your phone instead of a dedicated dash cam is that you have to remember to start the app each and every time you get behind the wheel,” the site says. In addition, the user has to buy a dash or windshield phone mount that does not block the phone camera.

For digital camera, the main issue is storage. It doesn’t have a looping feature that overwrites old data so its SD card will be filled eventually. Also, since digital camera records one long file during the recording session, car owner might find a hard time looking for the exact event.

Lastly, the drawback with surveillance devices is power as it should be run on either 120V AC or battery power. “In the case of surveillance devices that run on 120V AC, you have the option of wiring in a car power inverter or using a cigarette lighter inverter — if the amperage draw is low enough. However, you need to consider the fact that the device may drain your battery down to the point where your vehicle won’t be able to start,” Lifewire adds. — Louis F. Ferrolino