My View on Automotive Telematics.

As you may have heard, GM is in talks with Google to create a telematics system based off of Googles Android platform. This is very likely a result of Ford and Microsoft's SYNC, which is currently in it's third iteration. SYNC is a wonderful platform, allowing you to integrate you mobile devices into you automobile. It is so good in fact, Kia, has also made a similar system called Uvo. Yum.

Below is where I list the pros and cons of the technology.

Things may sound all fine and dandy....but it's really not.  Here's a look behind the scenes at three thins that are wrong with the services that allows you to voice control you phone through your car:

1. Distraction: Is using in-car apps any better than texting while driving? No. You're looking at a 8 inch screen trying to find  the best resatraunt in your area while scolding demented teenage drivers that text and use mobile internet? Fuck that. You can argue voice control. That's the same thing as talking on speakerphone. You're still gonna be distracted. And that's not even it.....
2. Integration woes. There have been reports of phones not pairing up right with Ford SYNC. But that's understandable....but with Google in the picture....You have Apple, you have Google. They hate each other's guts. Google has Android, Apple has iPhone. Do you expect Google to allow iPhone support in cars? I don't think so.
3. Monthly Charges: Here's the killer. SYNC and Uvo will be free. Good on them. But don;t expect the lovechild of GM and Google to be free(after a year of course). OnStar, the communications services by GM already charges users monthly now. Imagine more services. No imagine in-car internet. Your Internet bill cloned in your car. Just so people can be "connected" and tweet their way to oblivion. Did I mention distraction somewhere?

The above is just a few reasons why telematics isn't THAT great. But notice how I never said it sucked either. Here are some reasons it's good:

1. Connectivity: Your telematics is like a computer. It can proccess info coming from different sources. This could someday used to provide bad drivers with physical input. Better for them, better for you.
2. More connectivity: Who wouldn't like to tweet from their cars? Mobile internet let's you do things while stuck in traffic.
3. Integration. Disregard the distraction point I made earlier. Think about this: YOur SYNC or Uvo allows you to use three or four devices in one place. I believe that this is at least more convenient, if not safer. And here I will also list some tech to combat distraction. You have voice control. You have heads-up display. You have text-to-speech. Distraction is still present, but is negated...somewhat.

What do you think of telematics?

Is The Wagon Hot Again?

I remember a time when wagons had third-row seats, rode higher than most sedans, carried lots of cargo, had huge compartments.......oh wait, that's what we call Crossover's these days, huh? The typical wagon, like most convertibles, have died off quickly in a time where it seems people tend more to sedans and CUV's (Crossover Utility Vehicles) only. Most automakers took advantage of that and killed off everything that had "enthusiast" or "sporty" or "low-volume" in it. It wasn't until cars such as the Dodge Magnum, BMW X6 and Acura ZDX came out that people paid more attention to wagons. Now, in a time where people strive to be different and every automaker wants to be seen, the wagon of yesterday may just become the sex symbol of today. Enter the top 5 wagons of 2010:

2010 Cadillac CTS Sportwagon

GM knows full well that this won't be a high volume model, but thats not the point of the CTS Sportwagon. It's more than that, it's sexy, it's edgy, it's exactly what Cadillac needs in the CTS to be taken even more serious by consumers. You can have as much fun in this as the sedan; the chassis options are the same, you'll get the same highly acclaimed 3.6 DI thats in the sedan good for 304 hp, or if that's not enough and you have the bank, go for the V wagon, good for 556 hp and 551 lb. ft. of torque, worthy enough for Cadillac to set yet another record as fastest wagon around the 'Ring. You can't deny how sexy the CTS sedan is, but this little wagon here takes the sex factor to a whole 'nother level. Family of 4 going to the beach in style, take this.

2011(12?) S60 Wagon

Not much is known about this wagon here, but what is known is that Volvo has yet to forget their roots (even though just coming out of the box era) and will offer up this strange looking, yet sexy wagon sometime next year. Expect this to share the same powertrains as its little brother S60 sedan. Whats also notable is you can expect the same chassis and suspension tuning. If this is anything like bigger cousin XC60, this will be a game-changing wagon.

2012 Buick Regal Wagon(?)

This is the one in question of whether or not its coming here. It would make sense, there's no CUV competition for it and GM knows full well it's biggest competition, the Acura TSX, will in fact have its wagon sibling right next to it. I say GM one-up Acura by delivering this stateside with the GS version along side of it. Honestly, this is one of the sexier wagons I've ever seen (right now, that says a lot). Don't know what's going on in the minds of GM staff, but this needs to be here, ASAP. If it drives anything like its sedan brother, it won't disappoint, it will over-impress.

2011 Acura TSX Wagon

Hey speaking of the Acura TSX Wagon, here it is. Coming here sometime late this year/early next year, this is a sharp looking wagon, from the back. Yet another reason for the Buick Regal Wagon to come here, the TSX's best angle is best from the back. Nice looking, but for damn sure not as beautifully sculpted as the Regal Wagon. But all is well, expect great performance from this, as it will share the TSX sedan powertrain and chassis/suspension setup. Plus, can't deny the sweet 6-speed shifter/3.5 V6 combo.

2011 SAAB 95 Wagon

SAAB has almost a cult following, this will almost help SAAB become more popular. Admittedly, wagons are gonna be popular in the next few years, SAAB is smart to jump on the bandwagon (no pun intended) with this one. Sharing the awesomeness that's in the sedan, this will surely be known by the masses (of enthusiasts most likely).

As most can already tell, wagons are quickly becoming my favorite types of cars. I'll try to review each as they come out. This is a first look, and one I'm very excited to share. Let me know if I missed any.