hud

HUD, augmented reality, and 3D! Is this a car or a game console?

Audi is already a leader in car-tech interfaces, and these new iterations of visual tech show the company doesn't plan to let off the gas pedal.

(CNET's full coverage of the 2011 Frankfurt auto show)

MirrorLink ramps up for smartphones in cars, new Ford escape features hands-free door, survey says you want voice command and wall plugs in your car, and we drive the Mercedes SLK 350.

We've seen head-up displays (HUDs) before in production vehicles like the Chevrolet Corvette and the BMW 5-Series. However, these displays are often small, monochromatic, and use technology that's nearly a decade old. Pioneer aims to change this with a new laser-based prototype HUD, unveiled and demonstrated at Ceatec 2010 in Japan.

Pioneer's HUD uses lasers to project full-color animated maps and images onto a transparent panel, but Pioneer predicts that one day the system could be used to throw maps and turn-by-turn directions onto your vehicle's windshield. The prototype system connects to an Android OS smartphone … Read more

Do you want an electric car? Survey says...GM turns the entire windshield into a head up display, hacker bricks 100 cars remotely, the first Android -based car is coming, and we rough up the smooth yet muscular Jaguar XFR.

• Jaguar XFR review

• Consumers intrigued by electric cars

• Navigon lets you buy GPS in pieces, like the old days

• Car dealer's ex-employee accused of remote disabling 100 cars

• Aha Radio app streams more than just music in car

Prism HUD provides an innovative way to monitor and visualize a computer's internal processes in real time. Its color coding and fast results make this a great program for those fascinated by their PC's innards, and it's free as well.

The program's interface was the first indication that this would be a terrific program. Its transparent look was always present and easy to read, but it never took our focus away from the computer screen. The program automatically handles all its duties. Various color-coded bars appeared in the upper right corner, displaying various elements of our … Read more

Today, Dead Space producer Rich Briggs joins us for the second half of the show to talk about one of the scariest games we've played in recent memory.

But first, we dish out the dirt on video gamer enemy No. 1, Jack Thompson. It seems old Jacky has finally been disbarred from practicing law in the great state of Florida; good riddance. Next, Wilson enlightens us as to why the Internet may be killing our brains and how he knows the guy who can help.

The second half of the show features an interview with Dead Space producer Rich Briggs. We ask Rich all about his terrifyingly good game and what went into making one of the creepiest games of all time. We take live questions from that chat room and see what horror movies influenced Rich and the rest of the Dead Space team.

Finally, our Dan Ackerman contest winner is announced and Zen from Arizona has taken first prize. Check one of his winning submission (Ackerman/Palin), along with some other entries below.

The patent-watchers over at Slashdot found this interesting submission: a patent application from Microsoft for an Adaptive heads-up user interface for automobiles. Reading through the obscure language of patents, we managed to glean that the engineers who came up with the system want to move all the information currently displayed on navigation screens, car stereos, cell phones, and instruments onto the windshield. The patent cites safety concerns with our current gadget-laden autos and selves, where people are constantly taking their eyes off the road to look at this or that screen. And instead of crowding the windshield with every bit … Read more