Car Tech Live 255: 2016, the year of the connected car

CNN -- -- Toyota's unintended acceleration issue GM matches -- production to sales. And juniper research predicts 2016 will be the year of the connect -- are the says car tech live for march 15. When he twelve. Brian Cooley isn't here yet again don't fret though he will be back sometime I think in April he plans on coming back yet he was pretty busy this month. Yeah I think he's actually -- a freedom MacArthur have a harder now thought that we -- to get a and Syria discuss that later and send you if it. Out ballots out move on right away into that assess story you know last year -- -- -- the whole issue of unintended acceleration of the previous general has a long time ago it seems like. And -- -- forcing you know these cars are just taking off randomly like Toyota Prius apparently. I took off and away from somebody in and they had trouble keeping control I was racing on the freeway -- -- control. -- Well that issue was. Sort of laid to rest by -- national highway transportation safety investigation. And -- his own engineers but CNN found this memo. Amongst. It was actually a memo for mad Japanese. Testers Japanese engineers were working on. A system -- Lexus actors' looks -- -- sixty and said they found an unintended acceleration problem according to UC and ends translation. Out of the document youth interest and -- -- fellow elected 2006. Yes. -- this sort of confidential document they dug up and it is the the big sort of unintended acceleration stuff can happen in 2010. ISO is the biggest the weather there indicating here is that this may be something that -- -- -- knew about long before even. People started making a big noise about it. -- now see -- as saying that CNN is taking this but this one little phrase in this report. Somewhat out of context that first way to saying that it's translated -- even those CNN got the transit of three different high -- At hand ad men. That's -- it also says that well this was actually in testing the it was Dallas for sixty they were. And -- news has concern and it concerned the adaptive cruise control system on the -- 460 and Toyota says. What happened was they were testing the -- they purposely sent a I'm wrong. Impulse or something to the system yeah they -- -- you know a sense -- not a -- sensor. In which case the thing for a fraction of a second just said okay. You know maximum acceleration. Which I don't know why -- that would be the result of the status -- but you know that the out. The engineer found this to be a problem and and they use this sock on. When they're working on a separate card -- another car there's also. They -- they were developing. And -- also says that neither of these cars and neither of these systems actually were ever brought to the US. -- as think they the other cars who was the 180 LI which is I guess our Toyota Tundra yet. Didn't hear too many issues -- people with Toyota Tundra and unintended acceleration. And I think it's because I don't know if you can get adaptive cruise control on that vehicle. Right I don't that you can in the US -- maybe maybe another an -- hundred's other regions but yet I don't think they have that met here. So whether this is actually indicative of a wider problem within two way it -- electronics. And I mean it would seem to read that. From a -- as saying that it's a fairly limited thing issue that they found on 2006 and tell you -- whether it means the all play -- a you know vehicle electronics her. If -- -- because of CNN is tranda. Dig up they're not really sure what -- the point is that that is certainly had dam on the CNN article actually which we will. Post in the astronauts to -- some experts -- and on this as well saying that. While sounds like Toyota -- unintended acceleration problems they. -- right next identified way back when. The what's the biggest you know playing -- double that can -- -- the other side of the coin there -- so I mean this is something. An internal testing situation so when you're testing crap goes wrong that's the purpose of testing is to find those things that are wrong and fix them. Without documents surrounding this are more information surrounding. Earth -- -- it exactly. Without -- knowledge of what's happening that it leading up to this test and then following this test is typical to know if this is just. Oh yeah we had a bit of an issue here we worked -- pulling out moved on -- is via some that he just kind of deep prioritized and -- shuffled off to -- -- because. It was an acceptable level failure. -- I mean you think if they had a memo about it and they said well let's make sure we look at this and other vehicles that it is them in the dealt with and in fact CNN's finding of this memo almost says that. At Twitter at you know identified a potential problem and then -- mean practically new it was. There must you know when you testing -- cracks testament when these wind car companies internally crash test cars. Answer -- to -- exclude the effect -- -- it's like whoa whoo -- there is a bit of an issue there. We fix that and then we went to our you know our art our needs to testing the problems that there that's the whole purpose of experimentation as part of the scientific process. Wannabe that -- has for the cars explode. So that. -- you know but if they find something like -- -- -- has exploded the debris -- around the gas -- -- there is structural changes to make sure it doesn't explode. -- kind of you know. The interesting thing is -- this. This -- is kind of the if the issue that need -- they did discovered in the confidential documents seemed to be tied into the adaptive cruise control system. And I don't know if -- -- sort of -- correlation between. The unintended acceleration case of 2010. And vehicles. That were reported that we're actually -- -- eight bit or actually. Equipped with adaptive cruise control or if there -- parts of their -- cruise control system that were in place in vehicles that were not equipped just deactivated. Area that I can be -- mean certainly. I mean you get the bass slow on most of these cars are all these cars come up with basic cruise control rate and and also -- -- drive by wire so you understand the the the the basics of La giving over throttle control to the CU is there whether or not the adaptive cruise control systems in place -- not that. It's really kind of a complicated gray areas for a -- what's actually in the vehicles and whether that this issue that's been -- -- -- has anything to do. With them -- 2010 issues. And there's certainly plenty of those 2010 issues that it works. -- hoaxes or yet yet he was trying to game -- for money -- amendment that people who -- like a Prius dissented in one anymore. And that's that's. -- or wanted new Prius is every year -- and their lives -- different and yet. The -- of the the people who used to -- -- before. Phony issues get really patently guess when -- full warranties get real idea. Stringent people would like find ways to quote break their own -- at about the time that a new phone comes outsourced to slick well you're -- in an upgrade yet. And 3-D Roca and -- in -- -- in the contributed yes -- NASA. Speaking of a -- that actually had a a bit of a well media problem yeah the the Chevy Volt -- -- that -- -- our next story here -- that the seven -- There is this issue -- -- -- bursting into flame or the battery packs. Catching fire and crashed which it was a very limited problem from what we've reported before. But. -- that actually caused an issue in sales rise because -- -- -- decline. Such that in that are that could have been part of the reason whether sales decline but they had sales of only about 600 cars 600 Chevy -- in January. And that his cousin actually two U. -- halt production. And at this should be able planet earth by week's -- the idea being that you don't want to keep pumping these cars out for them sit on lots -- -- so it is -- costing money. You know if if if -- -- -- supply doesn't meet your demand. Says that's that's kind of what they're doing here. Yes says that there -- -- -- that the plant I mean. -- nicely in a circle cigars and their frankly given -- -- -- -- world. Innovative -- -- work for anyway -- of fervor for GM and if it -- to be in this sort of situation. And then also the interesting thing is like just couple weeks ago we are seeing that he actually raise their sales target for 2012 -- -- -- -- -- gonna sell. Like 60000 of these yet and now there idling the plant for a couple of weeks can be. Can't push and out to the market because Kazaa markets now gobbling them up -- -- they're pushing him out. Yes and -- -- this out status or users thirteen hundred workers that have to sit around for five weeks write them. It at this plan that says there's an -- in the story there's some interesting notes on the sales figures. -- they note that -- GM carton said they wanted to sell 101000 of these cars last year you. Now they they did debt 7000. As something 7671. Writes that's about a C grade yet that you -- -- and a little over 7% are actually somebody 6%. Pretty clearly. Nissan actually sold almost 101000 -- -- over over the year to -- so interesting to see that competition and certainly you know Nissan that beat them out -- on. That and it's and you gotta wonder though because obviously the leave leave as much were limited range. And then the in the -- so I wonder what what is driving those sales -- Because if you're the kind of person who's jumping into the -- mark -- now. You -- there are also the kind of person gets a custom plate that says Newcastle all right and he can't do that with a -- You can with -- -- you can leg you can let your smoke flag fly I believe in just say that I mean the jump to complete electric I'm not just test in the waters with. And gasoline car that can do electric range yet pass I think that the perception there is that. Especially for those sort of early adopters people who already have a second car. And they just kind of want to get an electric car for commuting. Out of the full moreover I don't have a car I wanna -- the greenest car can get it yet -- like well you know. We got an SD VR -- for route trips. But they will get the -- to drive around town and I think that -- sort of early adapter EV drivers fit into that mold. Now when they're just like -- like this kind of -- electric cars so that I can out Simonyi now Green my neighbor celebrities that sort. -- that's only makes sense India. Yet with the with the -- you get sort of -- M. Have to dot net not exactly a full on early -- -- and not a full on Green -- -- -- Green effect -- and there's probably fewer of those people that are rated at. Which is uninteresting because he would think that. The one -- coal for everything sort of approach. Would work best you think more people would be interested in like picking up that not having to keep a second vehicle but I think. That the the fact is that America's kind of a a two car health hold kind of country once you get outside of the extreme. Edges of the of them the country. Yes yet and he gets here and also but what they did this -- -- wonder is will. GM consider you know you'll -- think well maybe we should've just on full electric car and not bothered with the old gas engine -- extended range thing. Well I mean I think that as people start -- kind of adopt it and in the get more comfortable with -- The fact that the volt as more flexible -- the leaf. Lends itself to -- -- longer tail right as far as when you start talking about fly over State's people who have like a really long commutes of people who just. One again and again what do you just want one -- who only have speaks in their garage for one car. The mean that it does doubles not really felt. -- down for the count my opinion it's just. -- seems like right now when we're in the early adopters stage. It's that people kind of want. The most cutting edge stinging and yet in in in my mind and capture and a lot of people's -- full electric is the most cutting edge. Right and that as far as possible not being down and out. There is AM what's sports that is the February sales were actually 12100 use -- -- -- -- -- doubled the sales over January. And -- Her -- has had -- sort of percent of the -- I am so. Will wolf followed via global sales coming out that it it to the next day through through -- -- -- they. Are gonna meet their sales targets ME net -- to get things they're actually not pumping too many on the market desserts you know the kind of thing -- -- in the past eve and day you know and a lot of cars sitting in. And why they know lots and -- -- like ridiculous sales via that are good for the consumer buy it not good for GM's bottom line and not good for I think the -- market. When when you when you start looking at human -- start looking at. World you have X number of -- sit around. While would reinvest money in this -- GM investment in from the academy can excellent. Well one thing they also note Tuesday that way it will probably help sales is that today. The -- -- can now get California's. It is it is now legal for the hov lanes of the changes that GM made to the of the gas engine you so -- buys for -- what we call via partial zero emissions vehicle. -- -- that -- in five dollar gas. Yes definitely gonna get a lot of people kind of looking in that direction as far as Lenovo you know me work out in the long run for me -- -- dates are regular four door sedan for something a little bit more. The little. More -- Greene -- less Prius -- Yes I mean that acted like gravity -- -- be interesting to see as. And and I wonder about this -- as. You know more people CC their neighbors have mobile than their neighbors -- in and oh -- oh yeah -- you know -- -- -- -- once this month into the -- on the neighbors like on and say well that's that's pretty good deal also. -- of the neighbor effect is actually is interesting that you bring that out -- you know it's. You know you read in magazines and and then you know this car exist but for a lot of people. Seeing them around -- Is really the kind of thing that gets you are looking at it yet please start seeing it BC one. And then all of a sudden you start seeing them everywhere and that sort of thing kind of makes the vehicle -- people's mind I think. For a number of people in the United States the volts one of those concept cars religiously again though they ever actually gonna make it -- the they are making it but a distinct that you just kind of needs time to. It to spread and that they again as opposed to -- -- Phillip do you have a better chance of seeing the Fulton. And now an end in -- top then you would a -- Yet to distinctive because -- -- look at her -- is here and this is obviously the serious that it hotbed for. Early adopters and people are going to jump on these you know after being cars -- -- is the -- leaps around. Especially the last deck almost in a surprise you know -- just. -- -- roaming the roads around San Francisco and and do you barely enable its. I am seeing a couple of bolts -- time -- into their mostly around. Around automotive it's got -- -- journalists is driving at that's right. Yet testing out another one but let's move on to use the issue of the connected -- -- Which is a big area in car technology an area with that day -- obviously we -- a lot of time. And and covering. And there there's a -- report to by this company juniper research that has lot of analysis of -- consumer trends things like that and they are predicting. Hundred million connected almost -- hundred -- connected cars on the road by 2016. Excellent cards and what they what they're saying is actually about 92 million vehicles that will will have Internet connectivity in 2016 and so that's up four years from now. Where they are on the line for Internet connectivity would -- -- like on -- count. It I guess it depends on. If it's actually drawing in data what they're -- is actually gonna drive most of this. UD's numbers used the -- Connected phone is you know or or die in vehicle systems that are driven by the data connections in your Smartphone. This is like the twit and tune system this is like some -- the other systems that are certain to come out there like -- sampling. So. It and I could see that that's the that's really easy and cheap way to get connectivity into -- car. It actually makes sense to me that the in this it would be the way it happens -- -- Yeah because I mean the Smartphone market is -- -- -- anybody who's buying a new phone now is probably buying something with some sort of Smart phone Internet connectivity. And -- yeah auto makers giving people an option that. It only makes sense. Yet when they build integration into the dashboard and you know you have other things like -- doing there come. That are built in connector currently -- and -- three G connection into the that idea. The 867. And eight initially in and eventually the three yet we seem and they three you know I was -- before -- five to. That kind of things. I mean yeah I think a lot of car companies will put in these dedicated connections like that the problem there is of course. They won't happen until the next upgrade of that card we obviously know that happens pretty slowly. Where is car electronics are registered -- faster yeah right. And and also when you get in the app you know cars and most of us drive this in the economy -- -- -- -- -- under 30000 dollar dollars it's much more likely you're gonna get. A head unit that can work with -- Smartphone as opposed to -- A dedicated 3-D year four -- connection and that that car. But on those lines that we -- -- out of so last week was. Speaker -- in the mobile world congress -- -- -- was couple weeks ago two weeks ago is just for relief from Regina. -- and I just really -- show well HTC had demos something that at that showed that I would definitely on here. You'd sell one other phones that when -- document automatically goes into this a car mode. And it seems like idiots. At. You know -- they're different thinking about -- automotive market thinking about how they can make their phones beat the -- -- for being docked into a car break and at what went -- that they called the car stereo -- That actually makes the yet. Net cancer as the audio feed over Bluetooth and now works with the car's systems weren't -- -- and things like that. And so that you know -- can host certain approved. Functions like navigation. Or you know audio things like that. Right I mean the interesting thing for me if that Cingular call the -- one doing this. I had -- the car clip that has become magnet and it. And when you -- the phone into it the -- trigger karma that I think is kind of built into the core at least used to be built into the core of what injury it is. I'm not -- shooter what's in what's what's different here -- than. It's HTC's. -- faith. And it will love it or hated HTC likes to do their own sort of interface for their sort of since he -- and so this kind of to me looks like. You know they've kind of built a car creel moved -- to -- switches. I think something that's been missing from from a lot of their phones. For the last couple generations. So do you think this'll be so they'll drive people who look at HTC phones more when they're considering -- upon for their power on -- daily news will mean the of the automatic sort of. You know changeover is interesting. But it seems like you have to buy their car stereo clip. I do like that it seems like the at the connections are built into the cradles so you can pretty much leave this stuck on your dashboard or windshield. And plugged into your car. At all times in just -- the -- snap it in as opposed to look at third party we have to you know snap your phone to the staying in the end. Addition it initial as -- Bluetooth pairing and then -- -- if you had do Bluetooth physically do the the 3.5 millimeter plug in every time so there's a convenience factor here. But then there also. -- if you're if you're willing to. Go with those one or two extra -- and -- even. I have if your phone doesn't have a -- -- built into it there -- -- -- apps in the Android market leader excuse me the Google play market. Right now. And in the you can you can do this by yourself but I guess that's sort of the thing about Android isn't -- was anything that any. OEM wants -- you know. Touted the feature you can probably do yourself thing out the little bit of know how that. I'm all for locking people lot of things that. The that would be considered distracting while driving in making the thing that you actually want to do while driving. Easier. I -- interest in the C. Gallons of that I school woke up try to give it a test once that I once they make this available. -- But. And -- the -- count towards juniper researchers hundred million Internet connections cards are. 92 million anyway one thing that will definitely count in their favor is that sprint actually signed a deal. This announce they announce much beyond that they sign this -- but they needed. Signed -- deal to -- the wireless engine in Chrysler group CU connect program. So Chrysler calls all their telemann it's all there in in vehicle entertainment. Systems information systems you connect. And they don't differentiate between -- -- it's just. You connect. What does that mean he's got Bluetooth all learn a Vietnam over maybe you've got some Internet connectivity or maybe there's an out of Nat router in your -- we don't know it's all you can -- and if that's not one featured system did but -- -- the huge umbrella that's extremely confusing for me. But this is -- -- Although that sprint to -- it -- deal with sprint because. You know that's got a huge actually have a you know Telecom brighter like this on board yeah so that -- -- -- going to be some kind of dedicated connection built into the into the cars at least in some -- level or some. Well let me they it has -- I mean even Hyundai has blue and I was it. What is their only link yes almost a blue and me if the thought of -- even when they've got told medics now and I mean at. Kind of feel bad saying even mandate that at their three cutting its company now yet but it seems like everybody's kind of getting on board -- some sort of in card -- medics you don't really have to do anything but rather card -- you're you're going. So yeah it's good to see and Chrysler group getting involved announced. I guess we don't know if this means -- do it will be. But that traumatic system like on star where you. Punch and operator -- -- -- -- -- button and get an operator -- sealed like aircraft or whatever you or a system of apps enough they're gonna power apps and that kind of thing in in the area. They're desperate maybe they don't even know yet. -- -- it would have to be some sort of like integration into the dash if -- if at this point in the game just being able to hit a button and talk to an operator. It's not a selling point anymore yet -- that's that was on star like half a decade ago and that was Green thing then but now it's got to be more built and now there's gotta be some sort of like. Web search Google search in the dashboard for points of interest land for a T even really seem like it's worth doing -- otherwise. Wanted to seizure Bluetooth paired phone you just make -- phone call. Like there's really no need for partnership. There right on the other side of the this year Verizon. Is actually. Debut -- knew that -- Madison telmex practice they're calling it. So another major. Telecom company providing some kind of the in vehicle thing now haven't signed immediate evidence and -- -- any car companies. But what's interesting here is they actually have about this -- -- follow who -- had met before. Who used to be used to run now Microsoft's automotive practice yeah this is the guy that over oversaw the development of sync. -- so united and also the -- -- and in the Monday media and entertainment systems to. -- -- so did you know that that's pretty did a pretty good pedigree. And he's gonna and so he's got a lot of connections with auto makers and he's -- -- Verizon and -- update a new. In vehicle -- -- practice. And Vegas area. -- right here. When his quote here inventions their four GLT cloud analytics capabilities. Talk about what they can do so it is touting -- you know Verizon's four GLT is being -- -- Basin or -- data -- for you know that their comments right and she met in the traumatic -- -- pretty much any connected aspect to a car. Uganda and I mean. Even Billick a lot of car lot of -- stuff that -- in the -- kind of low bandwidth you're searching for points of interest communicating whether it needs he. That's sort of thing that I mean any sort of -- Jump in speed -- takes you 12 to download traffic update. On three G units if you half a second on four G I mean that's half a second lesson to -- looking at the dashboard. At what we're waiting for them and lewd and add another half second you can spend looking at a car or you do -- seven -- -- -- -- a couple hundred feet. Of asphalt -- you can spend looking up. So the faster the connection in the card the better I think yet waiting waiting for the update or. You know if you have a list of some stuff that -- showed up and and then when we were testing that put -- -- -- system you just like doing some -- being searched for the nearest gas station yet. Com or. I mean he probably wouldn't want to do this while you're rolling but in a day in in the into you can. -- movie times and I end and and purchase tickets on the of the movies dot -- -- Alex had a reservation. Through open table so if you're you parked on the side of the road Q pros should be here for you and a lot of button pushing. You know being able to make that table reservation. And a couple of seconds faster. Needs to get on the -- faster yet been less time sitting in the car idling less fuel wasted all sorts -- is also a trusted and some there waited for a -- alone. On in your car when you know -- on your cell phone or. It homeowner's computer and it'll load a lot faster -- ending the interesting thing about the in -- systems is powered by your phone says. I dated on a four G phone and it was pretty quick. I don't really have much experience using it -- an iPhone with a three G connection meant -- acted. You know I'd imagine they would still be pre -- but it. If you can be pleasing Qwikster -- Yet found myself but I use in the three -- phone. Waiting for being results to come up waiting as significant amount of time to which is it was a little annoyed -- -- -- that might be a killer for the system that doesn't really. Update best up and a might have been more maybe is more an iPhone issue is closed Android be Android powers -- better maybe works better with Android. Yeah when now when they demonstrated the they had the -- -- system for a set the camera launched last year all of the cars had. Droid X is in them -- -- making like yeah they probably. Well maybe they just didn't want to put iphones and all the cars that because it. Does look a lot cooler when you can go like in the and you got the system here in the and you just tossed the phone in the -- -- with a national and you'd have to be plugged a USB -- cable. It's not it's sexy. According quote for America -- -- so maybe that's the reason why that. Yet another wireless -- -- wireless -- -- on in the current is as much -- who sees me at some point the Bluetooth connections going to be a bottleneck for that -- -- getting back to Verizon here I'm thinking in their. Probably talking about. In embedded. Sort of things that are actually going to be in the vehicle themselves it is I think four G is -- -- faster than and that sort of Bluetooth -- Can possibly be -- Yet data and personally you know I think -- -- having that connection built -- the car is. It's obviously a much -- news and more solid way to go and I don't know it's certainly. I think it's -- -- -- -- a better connection general -- running through -- sort of includes. -- -- -- -- Yeah I like that they you know that the different solutions exist yet any personally -- I kind of enjoy a and I and I prefer. Mile run things through the phone the interesting thing about into -- ads -- apps on an -- of you can start the -- you can start the navigation process before you Begin the car you can start. You know the the open table destination search from the into -- Before we you know while you're walking to your car. -- in just hopping in and in and start moving it is something that's embedded in the vehicle. Maybe wouldn't be seamless -- that's true -- me the pros and cons to both sides. Yet that is that different ways of doing it and it pathetic at least currently with the prices and all laughed that. You know the -- Toyota Yaris -- that the phone integration solution is actually probably more likely than. Having a whole chipset and had to get to -- RST suction cup on the windshield to listen to probably the best one for you. And -- most likely. That'll also be looking forward to seeing what is gonna come out of -- -- Verizon practices. We'll see some new carmakers announced forging connections in the cars album except we have actually seen have four G connection. In dual card just yet. But -- on our whole connected car. Talk here -- news stories here which we have a bunch of them this week. BMW dismissals moment -- BMW announced that adding to their whole. App interconnectivity they've got the and -- -- stature. Now they've had -- pandora Ahmad. Facebook's Twitter. Don't think they really have anything else and those set -- yet. Yang at that weird me. Connect to veto right. But. Yet. -- -- being like dad liked to think of it is like the stream podcasts but that it apparently did they. I guess the electricity radio -- Vietnam but the -- basically allows you to you to stream a cure rated collection of like 5000 podcasts. Which -- assumed would have us on there. And that I think so I've looked at in -- while but I knew I had that were on there. Well I think you can choose -- -- we are that -- well leases access to over 5000 radio shows and agreed and make the building the thing is if if if the podcasts company -- -- if you if you have a podcast that you want to be asked that your I think. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Unless things have changed again it's been. -- in minute but it's been about a year since I've used it for so maybe things have changed but I think they've got a lot of the you know the the big shoes on there -- You know the the at NPR on there that got. Who can think of who else is on there and Adam -- is on there if you can scandalous -- -- -- -- more than our time at. But yet it's interesting minutes on there and now. And even if you don't use teachers is good news is proof that -- -- you still actively courting more. More more. Have these side in it streaming audio apps so idea they I think it's safe to assume that. You know eventually they'll get around all of them. Yet -- the way it works in the BMW is that it's with FaceBook and Twitter. This is kind of like and -- as well you have a Debian to be connected drive app. And that actually -- you access to FaceBook and Twitter in the and -- the car's interface and so I'm assuming they -- stature to that list now pandora and mod you actually Apple launched those apps separately. Yeah and if he's in -- company who only wants one at times so I think the. And quality care listen to pandora and market the same time well that's true that so there is that but I mean you couldn't do. So you're stores are saying is you can't be listening to pandora and then send a tweet that says I'm in my BMW and it's that Nintendo. Exactly yet yours and of that manipulate phones which apps on the phone. And then get back the interface which is not an ideal it's not a seamless solution. I had. Imagine somebody you know. Wildly at the -- -- that are in the Bay Area here -- -- Looking at ways to make that that worked better than this and they have a good handle on -- so -- will will be out looking to see what they do and how best to out of the -- sister. Implementation times I guess that's how we -- -- BMW in annual re acquaint -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- and -- a well. As -- I think its its actually -- -- associates were actually on I am. This -- now I'm curious my ego wants to know if someone -- history now. -- got a vehicles and as on sister and I was actually looking briefly at their site and see as proper write an inventory and there's. I'm sure as hell out there a I would six -- -- -- but generally and -- but sellouts than there were on their somewhere nicer -- that at that the not so that is all the news for this week -- -- It's got on the road -- -- article drive in the when he twelve BMW 650. Hi. This is the -- -- -- the six series is a big gap. Got a G -- out -- but it's curvy like a lot of the Italian manufactures that BMW makes us. As a straight lines in this day -- -- -- -- look at this it's my favorite BMW's in -- a lot -- the old model keeps -- the right. The old six theories. Around how it just horrible. -- -- -- still are considered. Attractive yet like I think they improvements that -- -- a lot from the previous generation this is really the the first of the new generation because -- -- last -- -- 2003 and 2010. But babies. And and that is that courtesy of the backward in sport mode plus which -- -- -- the traction control and stiffens up the the suspension. And also job. A couple of things that makes the acceleration more responsive. And like that but it. This rough terrain and let's -- -- -- -- that left turn. About via going to come -- this period of the cabin -- here along with this fantastic Bang & Olufsen audio system. This is the premium audio system here at 3800. Dollar option. 12100 -- sixteen speakers sound excellent excellent. I've been recognized grills axiom -- because acoustic lands pops open under the dash. Very neat stuff but we have an excellent app immigration here. Doesn't buy that cracks me up. Like and you. All cellphone. And -- your own. Talks -- we've got a FaceBook Twitter. And web radio and all appointments at my calendar and shows those on the screen here -- let's take a look at what seven posted -- Twitter today. So we got Brian Tong here we've got Automotive News we've -- -- in my own tweets. Self -- Click on what are -- one of my tweets aired shows the text on the screen. Along with my beautiful picture. And data but put the cursor over this a read out to item here we get this. I am driving technique and that -- 600. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- That nobody think of the car -- -- Twitter I did the thing about that the Twitter function is it school. For that person sitting in the passenger seat but. It quickly makes you go through so many steps to get to the reading out of the feed that by the time you get there you've already kind of -- it. Twice that -- I'd seen you have to date yet to go into the mean you have to go to Twitter and you have to scroll through the Twitter feed to find the tweet that you wanted to read. It's only -- 140 characters. By the time you hit the button for read -- -- -- Ray glanced at it and see it of course and they follow us and -- his new guidelines about car and in entertainment systems or are in vehicle information systems. Is -- they point out they only want. That the recommended only thirty characters. Yeah text visible at any time at any time yet in late period right they don't want scrolling text either yeah that's a out of -- -- It's a cool feature and then I will say this. That the part of Twitter integration that I think is actually useful is the integration with the navigation. So when you punch in a destination so we you. -- leaving work you're headed home. You can tell it to -- series ECA server and say I -- and leaving work now I'm expecting to arrive. -- or wherever you're going it in N out burger and in 45 minutes so that. You can let people know where you're going that your probably gonna be a little late. But then you don't have to pick your phone up and send a text message that is a pretty cool and useful feature actually yet as residents being right now -- -- does doing. Everything else is -- it seems -- the the bullet that they already had Twitter in the car and they're like wolves is. Do some fun things with it of -- as far as actually being useful. That's kind of the only -- that I see that sort of Twitter FaceBook integration being being interesting. But what they should do actually is united the first thing you get -- just a list of all the Twitter -- -- out tweets that you -- -- -- if he'd. And they should have a button right there -- let's you but lets you make the car read it out is will immediately -- all of them. I can in order even it individually. You know a -- that a series -- ironic indeed that. As opposed to making you go into the tweet itself where he got to support suite on the screen and then pushing that -- -- -- says read about. To me what it's also weird is that it tries to read URLs. So it logo -- you know identity you should check out this camera HTTP colon slash slash CNET -- -- The -- let them that the wanna marry in our own video there there is a little point -- -- and Dell's growing with the well as trying to do -- don't at tablet bit humorous and sport modes sport plus -- -- it actually did detail a swing out a little bit -- it like a nice game. Sort of opened flat parking lot area there but it's still -- DN. And nine in caught the car like midway through my perfect burnout so you can -- -- it seems like it'll its you have a little bit of fun but it will assume racket levee near mile to record but it'll try its best not to. Yeah that's what I found with BMW's with that. There -- traction control of their when you get into their you know sport plus traction control system. Yet does -- even -- in their regular. Keep dynamic action and -- -- yeah there's a certain point and it's like. Elected rear end microscopic IP or something -- it out but it's very but it does really -- in at a certain points okay that's enough. I think there's -- stability control peninsula turn it off the atom. And so they ended in if you just wanna sit there and ruin a perfectly good sense of retired -- that. -- pretty fast car get a lot of power yet kind of soft though even then you'll -- in the sport plus though we were on a really rough road. And and -- -- do we adaptive suspension in that car it did yes okay so in a sport plus mode it did. -- really rough. Over that really rough road I think it's a big cars though it still -- to feel kind of GT comfortable yet even -- -- if -- unlike relatively smooth highway I expansion -- probably won't bug you too much. Whether there's a big difference between this that the the six series and the way BMW does there. The suspension tuning and in -- Mercedes-Benz is now driving an S class with the air -- suspension. That I mean does a fantastic job of dislike -- -- there's -- -- there yet and deal yet you know in this one you will -- the bumps and potholes to a certain degree in the car will. Mask them pretty well but you know you'll definitely know there is road -- going -- right so it's -- given that I've you know like the steering -- on this car. -- I think the -- That's what B and -- has been doing you know an excellent job with fur from years of making it feel like a car that you're driving making it feel liked you've got to be engaged with the driving experience. Z and it doesn't actually feel or look as big as I think it uses -- I do think that the six series is. It's about as long if not media hair longer than seven series but when you see in the video there it looks like a much smaller car and -- and when you're sitting in it it. Unless you're trying to like ease out into an intersection a blind intersection you don't really start you don't really realize how far out the news -- is. Because it does give you really good visibility are always kind of -- we're over here corners are. And I do -- -- do like that about the vehicle Dallas elected. Yet there than the one of the big sixes that are that the big six's the phrase it always was a mindless Kart as it does. Have -- nice heft and feel to it at an it is you know most of -- -- cars yet it's up there with the seven has been. And a decent size one and certainly. And it measures in the pocket. And those strict you know the use actually the same engine architecture. They both use the four point four liter V8 with that -- -- school term boats but they managed to get. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- JL in sixth it's those laser in the same engine out of the five it is yet but. Stuffed into a kooky and -- -- Credit may be more deserves the M. -- you know I think the M five earns its in damage yet that having driven it and I've seen a lot of in on Paper. It definitely -- the -- marriage that I -- it did. I think the interesting thing about that having different in cars EM five. -- in three of course in I don't know if we haven't really haven't -- -- this generation. But they do allow people to. Choose their level of involvement silica -- PM five in the in the M six have always been kind of like. Q cars you know they're they're really big -- faster than they look the definitely worth something like the the the in three years. You know more of from the take -- to the track. Addicted to it feels way more comfortable and and that sort of -- the -- hanging out environment where yet. And then and then and even more so with something like an in -- -- I guess would want him. This case. Correlates you don't think deserves you and -- that Seattle. Little wanna I think humidity -- little problem with the embeds actually. But I need to come back to use the looks of this -- bonuses to open it and engineering US in early he said you never met a BM WM that are BMW six series -- -- -- like. I mean I did seemed like. These vintage in -- last night with the books really sort of boxy shape yet. I got a handle it kind of cool stuff on a promise being damaged neighboring nests that -- -- of those last night the center exhaust gas and I was red. And I thought it's kinda cool -- it sort of for a true. Kind of -- but -- -- I think even that. It seems like the the back into the car came off from another vehicle -- seems very. -- very -- heavy. Visually yes I mean I'd still love it. I like pelicans are a lot this is the 84 SX 33 CSI which is comes to about the last but -- -- -- -- that are made to 633 after this year. Yeah it's got to play high greenhouse something you don't really see -- -- much in current cars. But I that I died that we like this are a lot like the way the M -- know the problem exits kind of nice and it's got that the compass on the -- was its nickname. And it had via. You know I mean obviously has continued to -- Scott -- for awhile. You know the noses kind of load the the rear -- drops off nicely that was the problem with the when they revive the six series and new last decade that -- Had to make the truck assembly -- war like thing. Yet and the new one has it has not quite the drop off -- the original but it still looks like part of the car at least. So from that sensor -- at -- at the -- anyone won quite a bit -- and dad think other people of CNET here might might disagree with your assessment. -- and -- and I think. Were coming off of like five years of the worst looking car and around may be a little more than five years actually vote to the previous generation that the leave -- between eleven would commitment to -- 60000. -- 2000 -- 2004 was actually the the right revival of the -- area yes so from then till the last year. I mean it was a mess could it was -- disgusting method of the vehicle so the new six. Exists I don't know is something about it and I am pretty sure this is part of the appeal of it but it. It doesn't look ugly for the same time it it's just kind of looks clean and dole in most from most angles and from the rear it's still seems a little visually complex. -- -- You know -- or -- have than the nice beat curves of like an Italian and even when you think -- like a -- -- Italian DT. But the eggs will be fenders and stuff like that -- just. Looks like a cynic in me from the -- it looks like a cigar down on the and there are there aren't very many character lines or any sort of it it's it's not a car that looks fast sitting. And I think that that's something that the -- that the six series needs it needs. Some sort of like it diesel look fast and it just to need looks bleak. And so leg again I respect -- I think it's an improvement over the last generation but -- I'm not globally -- -- Well I and Ares I tell you reviewed view that both senator opinion here dad -- -- -- like the looks of it. And it's time actually to take a look at what is -- currently in our garage. We got the jaguar XKRS. Which is actually much and that's. Its its title it's a DDR two and and well it looks a bit better as a media as sixers. Does exist and the yet when he twelve Porsche 9/11 this is the abortion of an update which we like the look -- quite a bit. As well we also says it clicks in in the of the Fiat 500 IRI right yeah we've got that says that right up on the site right now -- -- -- -- -- Governor Dave -- that -- fast cars and that these -- reviews of of course now eleven -- -- terrorists should via a button next week. So -- that's all we've got four yet this week -- of things for listening. I you can -- -- look at our show notes car tech dot cnet.com we'll have the links for some of the stories we discussed -- you can watch us on video anytime deplete its. And it impose on Twitter -- Brian Cooley is that BRI and CO LEY on putter I am. Wait porn community wide for any on Twitter and Antuan is if -- -- NT DOO and -- so. Also putter and bad pixels and.