Qualcomm has unveiled a new smartphone chipset ahead of next week’s Mobile World Congress. The Snapdragon X75 5G Modem-RF System will start appearing in devices in the second half of the year. According to Qualcomm, the X75 enables stronger uplink and downlink connections and uses artificial intelligence to help keep signals connected in areas where coverage is weak, like elevators and parking garages. It’s also equipped for 3GPP’s 17 and 18 releases, which set standards for next-gen 5G. Release 18 sets the stage for 5G Advanced, for things like connected cars and smart cities (industrial IoT). Continue reading Qualcomm’s New 5G Chips Benefit More Than Smartphones

Nowhere at CES does more applied innovation come together than in the North Hall automotive exhibits. That is not something that could have been said just a few years ago when the hall was more about sound systems and aftermarket gizmos. The car is now a rolling precursor of the connected/IoT future, redefined mobility, and even the development of smart cities. GM and VW keynotes will showcase new electric cars and two companies, Faraday Future and Rinspeed, promise dazzling concepts, including one with a drone landing pad.

Continue reading CES: Mobility, Connection and Intelligence Drive Automotive

When Apple chief executive Tim Cook and other senior executives visited BMW headquarters last year, to learn how the German car manufacturer makes its i3 electric car, rumors were rife that a partnership deal was in the works. When no announcement followed, many concluded that Apple was pursuing its own branded electric car. Now, industry insiders have come out with another twist in the story: Apple and BMW are still talking about their mutual interest in an intelligent electric car. Continue reading Apple, BMW Continue Conversations About Connected E-Car

Most major automakers are developing more automated driving systems. Some of the features, such as cruise control that adjusts to the speeds of surrounding cars, blind spot radar and other collision avoidance systems, are already available. The push to deliver automated cars reflects the differences of automakers and Silicon Valley tech companies. Established car companies typically take a more incremental tactic than Silicon Valley, taking into account decades of manufacturing experience. Continue reading Google Drives Past Auto Manufacturers in Vehicle Automation

Pushing forward its goal to “Live Connected, Drive Connected,” Kenwood demonstrated in-dash Wi-Fi-embedded connected receivers, which leverage Wi-Fi-enabled smartphones or mobile hotspots to bring content from the Internet, the cloud and connected devices to your car’s dash. The Excelon DNN990HD system uses text-to-speech and speech-to-text technology to enable hands free operation of email, Twitter and Facebook. Continue reading CES 2013: Kenwood Expands Wi-Fi Connectivity in the Car

Delphi wants to get rid of charging cords in the car, redesign the dashboard to display more than just MPH, and to help drivers track their vehicle’s health. The company is showing wireless charging tech, which it hopes will go into production in one to two years; functions such as navigation and phone calling through its digital dashboard partnership with NVIDIA; and its soon-to-be-released Vehicle Diagnostics device, developed with Verizon. Continue reading CES 2013: Delphi Demonstrates Cloud Connectivity for Your Car