Cars enter the data stream

	View online  | Share on Facebook	June 5, 2009

	This week in Car Tech Wayne Cunningham CNET.com Cars enter the data stream GM may have pioneered vehicle telematics with OnStar, but Lexus and Ford are taking it to new levels, showing the value of data transmissions in cars. Ford expanded its Sync feature to use Bluetooth-paired cell phones as data ports to the outside world, launching a new app this week called Traffic, Directions, and Information. With this feature, you can get route guidance to a destination even if your car doesn't have an onboard navigation system. The new Ford app will also warn about traffic on your route. Lexus showed us its new Enform system, which adds external data to its navigation system. In some ways, Lexus is playing catch-up with Ford, which already offers weather, traffic, sports scores, and fuel prices through Sirius Travel Link. The Lexus system uses XM to bring in traffic, weather, and sports scores to the driver. But Enform adds a podcast download system. Currently, you can only get a Lexus lifestyle podcast, but that system opens the door to get a wide variety of podcasts downloaded to your car. Wouldn't it be cool to have This American Life ready for your daily commute?  Check out our First Look at Lexus' Enform suite. Most popular products Garmin Nuvi 265WT  Check prices Garmin Nuvi 880  Check prices TomTom GO 740 Live  Check prices TomTom ONE 125 - GPS receiver  Check prices Magellan Maestro 4370  Check prices Latest reviews and features 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid Although its cabin tech is behind the times, the 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid provides an easy and comfortable driving experience while delivering excellent fuel economy and extremely low emissions. Read more  Check prices 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen combines practicality and quick performance with some good cabin tech options, although the lack of a phone system might be a deal breaker. Read more  Check prices 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL320 BlueTEC We were recently given the opportunity to take the 2009 Mercedes-Benz GL320 BlueTEC on a long-distance road trip from San Francisco to Los Angeles and back. Read more  Check prices Car Tech blog Mitsubishi shows production electric car with pricing Wayne Cunningham Not to be outdone by Subaru's earlier announcement of the Stella electric car, Mitsubishi gave full details on the production i-Miev electric car, including sales volume plans and pricing. Read more Logitech Squeezebox Boom Buy now, only: $259 Dell Inspiron Mini Netbook Buy today, only $484 Flip Video MinoHD Camcorder Buy now, only $210 Canon EOS Rebel XS dSLR Now Only: $599 Blackberry Curve 8900 Red Buy now, only: $199 Apple iPhone 3G Black Now Only: $99 Nintendo DSi Game Console Buy today, only $169 Panasonic VIERA LCD HDTV Buy now, only: $599 HP Mini 2140 Notebook Buy now, Only: $499 Garmin Nuvi 200 Car GPS Buy today, only $170 Blog comment of the week Re: Mitsubishi's electric car Posted by rhynes1 Why, why, why is it that anyone who produces an electric car has to wait until 2010 to sell it to noncorporate, regular customers? I've been researching this for a long time, and it seems everything happens in 2010.  Read more  Our favorite fuel sippers 1. 2010 Honda Insight EX 2. 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid 3. 2008 Toyota Prius 4. 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid 5. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI   Related Newsletters Stay informed on the tech topics that matter to you most CNET offers a wide variety of newsletters on everything from tech industry news to the latest games and gear. Browse the entire list now. Manage newsletters More Car Tech resources  Car Tech forums  Green car buying guide  Car Tech videos  Car Tech podcast  All new car reviews  Past car shows
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