For a while the Car PC project was put on the back burner. I’ve had it operating for a while with the following capabilities:
- Audio and Video playback of files from the SD card and MicroDrive
- One-touch Outlook synchronization with my computer from the parking lot using WiFi.
- Internet access using available WiFi or Sprint PCS Vision by using my PocketPC Phone as a Bluetooth modem.
- Appointment reminders read aloud to me by MS Voice Command through my car stereo.
- Voice commands for music playback and calendar information (“Where is my next appointment”, etc.)
- Wireless transfer of music/podcasts/video to the device. *
- It is mounted where my center vents used to be, with some black vinyl padding material filling the large gaps to the left and right of the screen.
- It currently gets power from the accessory outlet -> USB converter (which leaves part of the wire exposed). This power line splits and also powers the GPS receiver.
- It currently sends audio through a tape converter. I do have an adapter to allow line-in on my stock radio, however one of the clips for my head unit is damaged somehow and removing the head unit to connect the adapter has proven difficult.
* requires a manual activesync to be initiated from the DEVICE. And when doing a wireless sync, Windows Media Player doesn’t seem to see the memory cards as a supported portable device (which means no WMP sync’ing) – which it DOES do when it’s in the cradle. That I find odd. So for now, I have to initiate the connection from the car, and then use Windows Explorer to drag and drop files to the device.
Features that are not yet enabled that I know I can do:
- GPS Navigation (haven’t found software that I like that works well in landscape mode and doesn’t cost insane $$).
- Podcast downloading/syncing/etc.
- Find a better way to sync media files.
- A better, more polished way to fill the gaps on the sides of the screen.
- A direct power connection to one of the car’s power terminals.
- A direct audio connection to the head unit.
- Better skin for Media Player
Features that I want, but don’t know if I can do:
- E-mail/RSS reading using text-to-speech.
- Find a perfect way to sync media files.
I’ve been putting off some of those changes because of that uncertainty I mention (whether or not I might sell my car soon). But this week I’m going to put some time into addressing some of those issues. I’ll also snap some pics to put up here.