Home » Business » Autotalk Special
New technology makes buying cars much easier
By Zhu Shenshen |
May 20, 2011, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
Purchasing a car today has gone wireless, and the day's not far off when driving will, too.
That was pretty apparent at the Shanghai Auto Show last month, where Apple's iPad, iPhone and iPod were as much a part of the scene as the snazzy new car models themselves.
Global auto makers were using Apple devices to show customers their whole product range and salient features. They were able to show the integration of audio systems, control systems and location-based services.
The buzz during the show was "iDrive," referring to remote controlled or automatic driving through iPhones. That's not just something in the realm of science fiction any more.
Most car makers have provided docks or accessories to support Apple device connections, with functions like music playing and iPhone charging.
According to Apple's Website, over 90 percent of new cars sold in the United States have an option for iPod connections. Once connected, the iPod and iPhone are quickly added to audio sources.
Some firms have started to realize the importance of sales and promotion through the i-devices.
"A lot of people don't want to spend their weekends going to dealerships. The iPad eliminates that necessity," said RC Auto President and founder Roger Camping.
RC Auto is a US-based car dealer that uses the iPad to attract customers, sharing pictures of cars and available options.
With the special application CarDealCalcPro on iPad, RC Auto can calculate payments, terms, sales taxes and license plate fees to give a customer a quick snapshot of the total cost of a car.
"Mobiles will drive business results, and the combination of mobile devices and cars is just starting," said Thomas Fellger, chief executive and founding partner of Iconmobile.
Iconmobile, a joint venture between Iconmobile Group and Ogilvy, focuses on mobile design, marketing and promotional services. It has a special sub-division called "icon incar," which develops automotive interface designs and concepts for clients.
Based on iPhone and iPad with 3G networks, advertisers can easily transmit information to car owners based on their location, including information about restaurants, motels, gas stations and shopping malls.
The iPad has also become an entertainment center in cars for video playing and other Internet functions.
Navigation is also one of the killer applications of iPad, which has a 9.7-inch screen, 10-hour battery life and built-in Google Maps service.
Besides Google Maps, which is not stable in China, users can also the iPad to access other navigation and map applications, such as AutoNavi Navigation HD (US$19.99) and TomTom USA (US$49.99).
China's portable navigation device market sales will triple to 7.8 million units in 2015, according to US-based research firm International Data Corp.
Some firms are also developing connections between the iPhone and in-car control systems.
Based on such technologies, iPhone could become the keys for cars or motorbikes through its wireless connection function and special recognition systems. At the same time, users could check system security and gas consumption through iPhone before even getting behind the wheel.
The future trend is to allow iPhone to remote control a car or to issue automatic driving through map data services and navigational software, according to Iconmobile.
That was pretty apparent at the Shanghai Auto Show last month, where Apple's iPad, iPhone and iPod were as much a part of the scene as the snazzy new car models themselves.
Global auto makers were using Apple devices to show customers their whole product range and salient features. They were able to show the integration of audio systems, control systems and location-based services.
The buzz during the show was "iDrive," referring to remote controlled or automatic driving through iPhones. That's not just something in the realm of science fiction any more.
Most car makers have provided docks or accessories to support Apple device connections, with functions like music playing and iPhone charging.
According to Apple's Website, over 90 percent of new cars sold in the United States have an option for iPod connections. Once connected, the iPod and iPhone are quickly added to audio sources.
Some firms have started to realize the importance of sales and promotion through the i-devices.
"A lot of people don't want to spend their weekends going to dealerships. The iPad eliminates that necessity," said RC Auto President and founder Roger Camping.
RC Auto is a US-based car dealer that uses the iPad to attract customers, sharing pictures of cars and available options.
With the special application CarDealCalcPro on iPad, RC Auto can calculate payments, terms, sales taxes and license plate fees to give a customer a quick snapshot of the total cost of a car.
"Mobiles will drive business results, and the combination of mobile devices and cars is just starting," said Thomas Fellger, chief executive and founding partner of Iconmobile.
Iconmobile, a joint venture between Iconmobile Group and Ogilvy, focuses on mobile design, marketing and promotional services. It has a special sub-division called "icon incar," which develops automotive interface designs and concepts for clients.
Based on iPhone and iPad with 3G networks, advertisers can easily transmit information to car owners based on their location, including information about restaurants, motels, gas stations and shopping malls.
The iPad has also become an entertainment center in cars for video playing and other Internet functions.
Navigation is also one of the killer applications of iPad, which has a 9.7-inch screen, 10-hour battery life and built-in Google Maps service.
Besides Google Maps, which is not stable in China, users can also the iPad to access other navigation and map applications, such as AutoNavi Navigation HD (US$19.99) and TomTom USA (US$49.99).
China's portable navigation device market sales will triple to 7.8 million units in 2015, according to US-based research firm International Data Corp.
Some firms are also developing connections between the iPhone and in-car control systems.
Based on such technologies, iPhone could become the keys for cars or motorbikes through its wireless connection function and special recognition systems. At the same time, users could check system security and gas consumption through iPhone before even getting behind the wheel.
The future trend is to allow iPhone to remote control a car or to issue automatic driving through map data services and navigational software, according to Iconmobile.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
