Report from Barcelona: first meeting of the W3C automotive business group

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMqLMG4uRYIBGHO_3EDY2l-iA8U4UATEJI14VuO7seVxXDG0UBieY2wn8FytPx2bk10ZjtSCLZRunqR3XZRomweUnUPM2-xOZeELd-4odUyKQVZyLg5ILBybAS3eG1gRSNIWqDsm2GNM/s1600/andy_gryc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMqLMG4uRYIBGHO_3EDY2l-iA8U4UATEJI14VuO7seVxXDG0UBieY2wn8FytPx2bk10ZjtSCLZRunqR3XZRomweUnUPM2-xOZeELd-4odUyKQVZyLg5ILBybAS3eG1gRSNIWqDsm2GNM/s1600/andy_gryc.jpg" /></a></div>Last week, I had the privilege of attending the first face-to-face meeting of the <a href="http://www.w3.org/community/autowebplatform/">W3C automotive business group</a> and the honor of being nominated group co-chair. (The other co-chair is Adam Abramski, an open source project manager for Intel.) With more than 70 members, the group has already become the eight-largest group in the W3C, even though it is barely two months old. Clearly, it’s generating a lot of interest.<br /><br />The meeting included three presentations and two contributions. I presented on the lessons we’ve learned with the <a href="http://www.qnx.com/products/qnxcar/index.html">QNX CAR platform</a>, how we think the market is changing, and how these changes should drive HTML5 standardization efforts.<br /><br />I presented my three “musts” for standardizing HTML5 in the car:<br /><ol><li>Must create something designed to run apps, not HMIs (unless HMIs come along for free)</li><li>Must focus on mobile developers as the target development audience</li><li>Must support integration of HTML5 environments with native environments like EB Guide and Qt</li></ol>I described some of the changes that have resulted from the alignment of the QNX CAR platform with the <a href="http://cordova.apache.org/">Apache Cordova framework</a>, and why they are crucial to our HTML5 work. Unfortunately, we didn't have our W3C contribution ready due to these changes, but members generally agreed that having a standard consistent with mobile development was an appropriate course change.<br /><br />Tizen and GenIVI gave presentations about their vehicle APIs. Tizen has contributed its APIs, but GenIVI hasn't yet — still waiting on final approvals. Webinos contributed its APIs before the meeting, but didn’t deliver a presentation on its contribution; members had reviewed the Webinos work before the meeting.<br /><br />The meeting was a great chance to sit down with people I don’t normally meet. Overall, the group is moving in the right direction, creating a standard that can help automakers bring the goodness of HTML5 into the car.<br /><br />

Report from Barcelona: first meeting of the W3C automotive business group

Last week, I had the privilege of attending the first face-to-face meeting of the W3C automotive business group and the honor of being nomi...

Read more »

Finally, I can throw away my 8 tracks

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0vKFdANNh-jTOyYI5uOLlAKUMN-REZH4djStK-QBOsK9UoerIQkYQ0ooHBrNkqtH-GrWyv8RzFyiBUgJh52tiVvMuyf0VnYreB_3rcmHwB69_i-fK-HeVaPoF_cKnEM2ZXnTeHSrdHU/s1600/romain_saha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_0vKFdANNh-jTOyYI5uOLlAKUMN-REZH4djStK-QBOsK9UoerIQkYQ0ooHBrNkqtH-GrWyv8RzFyiBUgJh52tiVvMuyf0VnYreB_3rcmHwB69_i-fK-HeVaPoF_cKnEM2ZXnTeHSrdHU/s1600/romain_saha.jpg" /></a></div>Okay, maybe I'm not old enough to have owned 8-track tapes. But I do remember that my uncle had an 8-track player in the dash of his station wagon when I was a kid, and I am old enough to have owned a car with a cassette player. <br /><br />Music has been fundamental to the driving experience for about as long as cars have been on the road. Terrestrial radio dominated forever, supplemented by tape and then CD. XM radio came along in 2001 and connecting your iPod started to show up in the late 2000s. That's 5 formats since the Model T was introduced in 1908 (okay, so it didn't  have a radio) and 3 formats in the first 90 years.<br /><br />Now, with connected cars becoming a reality, the rate of change is shifting into overdrive. Want Pandora – check. Want to listen to the top alternative radio station in Dublin while driving in California – check. Want to keep listening to your Songza programming as you move from the house to the car – check.<br /><br />Today's announcement from QNX and 7Digital adds a whole new dimension. Having 7Digital in the car will unify the music ownership experience across the big three: car, pocket, and home. Want to listen to your own music programming in the car – check. Want to buy a song you just heard on that Dublin radio station – check.<br /><br /><b><a href="http://www.qnx.com/news/pr_5552_1.html">Read the press release</a></b> for details. And when you're done, check out the <a href="http://blogs.7digital.com/">7digital blog</a>. <br /><br />

Finally, I can throw away my 8 tracks

Okay, maybe I'm not old enough to have owned 8-track tapes. But I do remember that my uncle had an 8-track player in the dash of his sta...

Read more »

Jamming on a theme of connectivity at Automotive Megatrends 2013

<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiu_z28o6nR1DBwKky75PBw8db6iXcyFsjvc0YsxytEZS3FRFB5ex4EMnQcIqxfHVaw3SaBOJJPwfoScCt7BO7rvHkKiSsCnT60_9JsslDwRopzs3jXrz7f1z-rNPRjO8tRolEqA3oWKc/s1600/justin_moon_qnx_photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiu_z28o6nR1DBwKky75PBw8db6iXcyFsjvc0YsxytEZS3FRFB5ex4EMnQcIqxfHVaw3SaBOJJPwfoScCt7BO7rvHkKiSsCnT60_9JsslDwRopzs3jXrz7f1z-rNPRjO8tRolEqA3oWKc/s320/justin_moon_qnx_photo.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr align="left"><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Justin Moon</b></span></td></tr></tbody></table><i>"The only time I really don’t feel connected is when I am driving in my car.” </i><br /><br />You can always tell you’ve had a successful conference if you come away with a few “ah ha” or “oh no” moments. The above quote, which I cannot take credit for, was my “ah ha” moment at <a href="http://amusa2013.automotiveworld.com/">Automotive Megatrends 2013</a>. The conference saw leaders and forward thinkers in the automotive industry come together and discuss (or debate) three technology streams: powertrain, safety, and the stream I participated in, connectivity.<br /><br />The day began with a panel discussing the Big Picture of in-vehicle connectivity. Five panelists presented their views on business model pros and cons, where connectivity is headed, how it could change consumer expectations, and steps for ensuring success. Following the panelists’ presentations, the floor was opened for questions and dialogue with the audience. It was a great introduction and it set the stage for the rest of the day.<br /><br />After a brief “networking” break, a panel discussing hardware and the effects associated with connectivity began. The format continued as before: each panelist spoke on their area of interest or expertise, then the audience joined the conversation. I was intrigued by the state of persistent storage in infotainment systems, including the problems and potential solutions for maintaining performance and reliability.<br /><br />Lunch was just as engaging as the panels and discussions. I participated in a lively table-wide discussion with several analysts and industry thinkers on how the connection in my vehicle needs to become a seamless part of my lifestyle, just like my smartphone or the connected entertainment equipment in my home. This discussion was a great lead-in to the panel I had the pleasure of participating in — Software and Apps.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Clearing a path</b></span><br />The panel followed the same format as the others. Panelists discussed the role of the software platform and where application models fit into the future of the connected vehicle. One engaging panelist, after a rousing lunch discussion, explored how ubiquitous connectivity will clear a path for bigger possibilities with ecological initiatives, safety strategies, and making the vehicle a part of the connected lifestyle consumers already relate to and expect.<br /><br />The final panel of the day was about wireless networks and had some industry big thinkers jam about infrastructure requirements, futures, and business models.<br /><br />All in all, my experience at Automotive Megatrends was very positive and I look forward to doing it again next year.<br /><br />

Jamming on a theme of connectivity at Automotive Megatrends 2013

Justin Moon "The only time I really don’t feel connected is when I am driving in my car.” You can always tell you’ve had a successful ...

Read more »

The challenge of creating an (auto)mobile user experience

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfU3tT-xZXTZHfiZ6OIVY4_l1XenIHWzEeYkk7UyTHiPKZAKV5R9cXErdprmGO7hWj56sEBfsS-lws5ID7NCTER9J8EVfVg-AhSP1jTg6M9d0nY_QQkCsYfhXA9yJtMYRVgeksZ6Mhtg/s1600/andrew_poliak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfU3tT-xZXTZHfiZ6OIVY4_l1XenIHWzEeYkk7UyTHiPKZAKV5R9cXErdprmGO7hWj56sEBfsS-lws5ID7NCTER9J8EVfVg-AhSP1jTg6M9d0nY_QQkCsYfhXA9yJtMYRVgeksZ6Mhtg/s1600/andrew_poliak.jpg" /></a></div>On March 12, I had the honor of joining a distinguished group of panelists at a luncheon for the Los Angeles <a href="http://www.motorpressguild.org/">Motor Press Guild</a>. The panelists included:<br /><br /><ul><li>Michelle Avary — director of technology strategy, <a href="http://www.harman.com/EN-US/Solutions/Car/Pages/INFOTAINMENT.aspx">HARMAN International</a></li><li>Henry Bzeih — head of <a href="http://www.kia.com/uvo/#/technology">Kia’s North American Infotainment Technology & Business Unit</a></li><li>Jim Pisz — corporate manager of North American business strategy, <a href="http://www.toyota.com/entune/">Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.</a></li><li>Wayne Ward — vice president of emerging solutions, <a href="http://m2m.sprint.com/m2m-solutions/velocity/?ECID=vanity:velocity">Sprint Nextel</a></li><li>Andrew Poliak (myself) — director of automotive business development, <a href="http://www.qnx.com/">QNX Software Systems</a></li></ul><br />The purpose of the panel was to share information on trends in the connected car space and in the automotive application ecosystem. The panel was well attended, with journalists from publications like the <i>New York Times</i>, and with representatives from companies like Alpine, Beats by Dr. Dre, Hyundai, and Toyota.<br /><br />Two things stood out for me. First, the press really picked up on the need for solutions that can offer ease of use, upgradeability, and reliability while also reducing distraction and liability. Second, an expert witness hired by car companies to testify in Lemon Law suits told the panel that he was already being hired to provide testimony in cases involving in-vehicle electronics. He speculated that the technology described on the panel was going to “make him rich.”<br /><br />His comments help illustrate a point. A car isn’t a mobile phone. OEMs and end-users may want the same kind of fresh and updateable experience that a phone can provide, but unlike a phone, an in-car infotainment system must be simple to use even while you’re driving down the highway. Such systems offer the ideal environment for a hard real-time OS that can also enable the latest consumer technologies and applications in a reliable and easy-to-use way.<br /><br />Jim Pisz mentioned a sign he saw at the Geneva Motor Show. The sign said “Don’t Worry, Be Appy.” That sign makes me realize that the industry is at a crossroads. OEMs want access to consumer app developers and, in some cases, the apps themselves. At the same time they want a reliable solution that they won’t have to “worry” about. With QNX’s pedigree of reliability and amazing app ecosystem, we are uniquely positioned to help OEMs build “appy” cars, without the worry.<br /><br />

The challenge of creating an (auto)mobile user experience

On March 12, I had the honor of joining a distinguished group of panelists at a luncheon for the Los Angeles Motor Press Guild . The panelis...

Read more »

Creating HTML5 apps for the car

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMqLMG4uRYIBGHO_3EDY2l-iA8U4UATEJI14VuO7seVxXDG0UBieY2wn8FytPx2bk10ZjtSCLZRunqR3XZRomweUnUPM2-xOZeELd-4odUyKQVZyLg5ILBybAS3eG1gRSNIWqDsm2GNM/s1600/andy_gryc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEMqLMG4uRYIBGHO_3EDY2l-iA8U4UATEJI14VuO7seVxXDG0UBieY2wn8FytPx2bk10ZjtSCLZRunqR3XZRomweUnUPM2-xOZeELd-4odUyKQVZyLg5ILBybAS3eG1gRSNIWqDsm2GNM/s1600/andy_gryc.jpg" /></a></div>Adding a downloadable app capability to the car isn't just a matter of bolting consumer-grade technology onto an automotive hardware platform, dusting your hands, and calling it a day.<br /><br />Apps should be integrated into the vehicle experience, which means they need access to vehicle resources. But you must carefully control that access: the apps should be isolated in their own environment to protect the rest of the car software. Most of all, the apps need to conform to safe driving practices, which typically entails a re-write of the user interface.<br /><br />Still, we should leverage as much as possible from the mobile world. That’s where the real innovation happens; the mobile community provides a much bigger pool of fresh ideas than automakers could ever build by themselves. And the best tools and libraries are focused on mobile development. <br /><br />That’s why QNX Software Systems is building the best of both: an application tool that draws heavily from mobile, but is adapted to the car. It's provisionally named the HTML5 SDK for the <a href="http://www.qnx.com/products/qnxcar/index.html">QNX CAR application platform</a> and, while it isn't yet available to the public, beta versions are now available for QNX CAR platform customers.<br /><br />For a preview of what we’ll be rolling out, check out this video:<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n0RCqchiPRc?rel=0" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><br />

Creating HTML5 apps for the car

Adding a downloadable app capability to the car isn't just a matter of bolting consumer-grade technology onto an automotive hardware pla...

Read more »

First look: HTML5 SDK for the QNX CAR platform

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF70n8XEFXd-WCle6B_N5zb1HOWT6A2287uJL5IptS__jCjo-sMeLzRAv-qrES7Wnj9wEZiA4bLTxtEtJfmSDnchUPzbOIeuufEo685uCHndKAp_EbWo2F-A2ermk7zqXoap_GTGgnSh0/s1600/paul_leroux_photo_crop_v3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear:right; float:right; margin-left:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF70n8XEFXd-WCle6B_N5zb1HOWT6A2287uJL5IptS__jCjo-sMeLzRAv-qrES7Wnj9wEZiA4bLTxtEtJfmSDnchUPzbOIeuufEo685uCHndKAp_EbWo2F-A2ermk7zqXoap_GTGgnSh0/s400/paul_leroux_photo_crop_v3.jpg" width="87" /></a>Whenever I hear the word “ripple,” I think of ice cream: butterscotch ripple, chocolate ripple, lemon ripple, and (yum) strawberry ripple. Well, the video I'm about to show you isn’t about ice cream, but it is about something that’s just as cool and just as sweet: the Ripple mobile environment emulator.<br /><br />Ripple already supports multiple platforms, such as BlackBerry 10 and Apache Cordova, allowing developers to preview how their apps will look and function on a variety of mobile devices. And now, thanks to extensions provided by the <a href="http://www.qnx.com/products/qnxcar/index.html">QNX CAR</a> development team, it will also emulate how an app looks and performs in a vehicle infotainment system. <br /><br />Simply put, the same tool that helps app developers target mobile platforms will also help them target the car.<br /><br />QNX Software Systems will offer this modded version of Ripple as part of the <a href="http://www.qnx.com/news/pr_5309_2.html">HTML5 SDK for the QNX CAR platform</a>. The goal of the SDK is simple: to help mobile developers and automakers work together on creating apps for in-vehicle infotainment systems.<br /><br />If you’re a developer, you’ll be able to use the Ripple emulator and its associated Web Inspector to perform JavaScript debugging, HTML DOM inspection, automated testing, and screen-resolution emulation, all from the convenience of a web browser. You’ll also be able to modify your apps and view the results without having to recompile — simply edit your source code and hit refresh in the browser. You’ll even be able to perform remote debugging on the evaluation board or final hardware used by the automaker, again from the same browser environment.<br /><br />Enough from me. Let’s get the complete scoop from my colleague Andy Gryc:<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n0RCqchiPRc" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br /><br />

First look: HTML5 SDK for the QNX CAR platform

Whenever I hear the word “ripple,” I think of ice cream: butterscotch ripple, chocolate ripple, lemon ripple, and (yum) strawberry ripple. W...

Read more »