BMW Out of Google’s Dreams, Google Into Volkswagen’s Car, and More
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Written By Reprise Media | February 6, 2006 | Share This
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While you’re shaking off your football coma, we thought we’d try to get your engine started with some cool news about cars and technology.
It looks like Google is kicking BMW to the curb. Matt Cutts explains on his blog that the automaker’s German site is in trouble with the search giant for violating “webmaster quality guidelines,” specifically in showing users different content than they showed search engines. BMW used a deceptive ‘doorway site’ - loaded with keywords to earn a higher page rank - which directed web surfers immediately to a more human-friendly page with lots of visual pop and a much less text. How can BMW get out of Google’s impound lot? “We’ll probably…need some assurances that such pages won’t reappear on the sites before the domains can be reincluded,” says Cutts.
Meanwhile, eWeek says that Google has cozied up to another German carmaker. Volkswagen’s American unit has teamed with Google and graphics chip company Nvidia on a prototype vehicle that would feature a 3-d satellite display showing drivers exactly where they are on the road (providing they can read a map). No word on when you might see this James Bond stuff in your Jetta, but we’ll keep a bird’s eye out for you.
Another European automaker has definite plans to include Microsoft under the hood (or at least in the passenger compartment). Betanews reports that Fiat will roll out Alfa Romeos featuring Blue&Me, Microsoft’s Bluetooth-enabled voice-activated communications system; among other features, drivers would be able to work their cell phones without lifting a finger. Autos stocked with the technology would also include a glove compartment USB port for hooking up MP3 players to the sound system, so you Italian luxury car enthusiasts no longer need fumble with mix-tapes.
But if you’re planning a roadtrip to LA in the near future, beware: the police would like to attach some of their own GPS devices to scofflaws’ cars. Chief William Bratton has been looking for ways to cut down on dangerous pursuits for years, and with the StarChase system, he may have found the magic bullet - er, dart. A cop spotting a stolen car could tag it on the sly with a tracking dart fired from a car-mounted launcher; using the GPS signal the dart radios back, police could subtley corner an offending vehicle without endangering the populace with a high-speed chase. If all goes as planned, the producers of World’s Scariest Police Chases may have to find a new ride.
Topics: Technology |