Tech Tuesday: Soon your phone will open your car. Really.
BY ROBERT EVATT World Staff Writer
Tuesday, January 01, 2013
1/01/13 at 4:23 AM
Smartphones have or are trying to replace a number of different items, such as cameras, music players, pagers, watches and calculators. Now, they're gunning for your car keys.
Officials at the Hyundai Motor Company recently predicted that by 2015, you'll be able to open up your car simply by swiping your smartphone.
No, your car won't have its own cell number. Hyundai's guessing smartphones that have embedded near-field communication chips will interact with technology within the car.
Popping the locks might only be the start. The same Hyundai prediction also suggested these phones will automatically start the engine, stream your radio station preferences and even adjust the seat and mirror based on who is sitting at the steering wheel.
It's a great idea, and honestly, it's not far-fetched. Near-field communication tech has loads of possibilities, and we're seeing it in everything from instant payments to toys that interact with one another. Car connectivity is just a baby-step beyond that, though it could make losing your cellphone at a restaurant even more painful.
Intel may make plunge into streaming services: The battle for streaming services may have gotten a new player, as Intel is heavily rumored to soon introduce its own set-top box. Supposedly, this box would combine streaming media, free cable content and DVR capabilities.
That's a major change in strategy, as Intel has traditionally provided the chips inside media streamers rather than make them outright. But according to the rumor originated at website TechCrunch, Intel is about to spend a huge amount of money developing its own device because they're tired of everyone else screwing it up.
It's too early to guess how Intel will do, but there's plenty of room for new blood in the emerging streaming market. Apple TV is still relatively niche, Google TV is a complicated flop and the various TV manufacturers' Smart TV capabilities are pretty much just a ho-hum feature rather than a major selling point.
At any rate, supposedly the new box will be unveiled at the Consumer Electronics Show next week.
Original Print Headline: Lose the keys - use your phone
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