The iPad. Possible perfect in truck computer, or not?

[Ryanmb21]

Apple's iPad seems like it's going to be a great in truck computer.

Solid state flash hardrive
No moving parts to gather dust
Large touchsreen (no keyboard/mouse to take up space and limit mounting choices)
GPS
App based (meaning no deep menus)
Existing mapping and travel apps that will work, open development (it seems) so this will improve
10 hrs of battery life
Quick Processor

Reasonable price (my opinion)

I'm optimistic that there will be a good turn by turn navigation app and the 'Topo Maps' app has already been great for me and much has been written about it here in other threads.

I'm hoping for an app so it will see my iphone in my pocket (through bluetooth) and give me handsfree calling. So what do you guys think, would you put one in your truck?

 

[Root Moose]

So what do you guys think, would you put one in your truck?

Yes, it's the whole reason why I stopped designing/implementing my "carputer".

I need to dig into what it'll take to embed a docking station into the centre stack of the dash.

 

[Scotsmanspride]

the only drawback that i can see is not being able to run external GPS.

 

[efuentes]

the only drawback that i can see is not being able to run external GPS.

Yet !!!

 

[Ryanmb21]

the only drawback that i can see is not being able to run external GPS.

Bluetooth GPS receiver? It has a GPS as well, but perhaps it isn't strong enough?

 

[alosix]

Bluetooth GPS receiver? It has a GPS as well, but perhaps it isn't strong enough?

It has 'assisted GPS'.. This tends to be the term used with phones that have a GPS and also use cell towers and Wifi to find their location. I'm not 100% sure that it means it has a real gps chip in it.

The Api hooks for bluetooth really aren't there enough to add support for devices without apple's blessing.

 

[amocaT]

Usb?

You can add a usb??

http://gizmodo.com/5458376/apple-ipads-myriad-optional-dongles-usb-sd-ac-bbq

 

[off-roader]

You can add a usb??

http://gizmodo.com/5458376/apple-ipads-myriad-optional-dongles-usb-sd-ac-bbq

Ipad may be ok but this part of it's design I find STUPID. Why wasn't it and SD card slot integrated?

 

[laylow]

Wait for the second gen.

 

[TheDave]

I too am expecting this will be a great in truck computer. there are a few pieces that will be needed. I think most parts will be available quickly

Ruggedized enclosure - http://www.otterbox.com
GPS Attachment (could be the whole mount as well)- http://gpscradle.dualav.com/
Topo Map Software - http://www.ebranta.com/topopointusa
Auto Diagnostics - http://devtoaster.com/products/rev/index.html

I expect 6-8 months. I think there will be tons of these mounted in vehicles. I was also thinking that you could hook it up to a wifi video camera. It will be much easier than the Mac mini I was thinking about.

 

[762X39]

I am no longer an early adopter (did use a Mac when it first came out with 128k of ram and had one of the first IBM pcs with 1 meg of ram and then later a 1X cd reader) but I think I will get an ipad in about a year. I run a Panasonic Toughbook right now and prefer a dedicated gps that fits in my pocket and accepts sd cards.The Toughbook has a sunlight readable screen and that is more important than you think if you are out in the field alot (60,000km every year). Non the less, an ipad will become a useful tool for me but I don't think it will replace my other electronic tools (I doubt it would survive long in my canoe and it won't be very handy on my bike).

 

[off-roader]

Another problem with it is it doesn't multitask. So if you're thinking it will play your mp3's while navigating, you're be sorely disappointed.

 

[77blazerchalet]

I wonder if there is a way for the thing to act as a screen for a rear view camera.

 

[Ryanmb21]

Another problem with it is it doesn't multitask. So if you're thinking it will play your mp3's while navigating, you're be sorely disappointed.

Wrong! my iphone does that! Native apple apps have no problem multitasking. ipod can run with anything.

 

[dzzz]

I wonder if there is a way for the thing to act as a screen for a rear view camera.

There's already at least one program for the iphone that can view a wifi camera.