This week we’re witnessing the launch of the Apple Watch. The thing isn’t necessarily a brand new idea, Samsung has been doing it for quite some time now and so have other gadget-making companies, but the fact the giant founded by Steve Jobs is getting into the mix sends some strong signals.
The invention of the iPhone could, arguably, go down in history as a turning point as far as technology goes. After the original smartphone came out, everyone wanted a piece of the action and we now have so many choices, it’s hard to imagine life without them. But where is all of this technology heading?
Just today, I was telling you that BMW will be launching its own app compatible with the device that will allow you to control some aspects of an i3 and i8 with just some simple touches on the device you’re wearing at your wrist. That gave me an idea.
What if just checking some parameters of the car isn’t enough? What if we can take things forward? Is that possible and what does it mean? Basically, how far from logging in into our own cars are we?
To be completely honest, not that far. Using a smart watch as a key fob has already been done. The guys from Kia launched the so-called K3 watch back in 2014 only to a select 1,500 people. That device could not connect to a smartphone or read you your e-mails but it could replace the fob and allow you to use your car without it.
Basically, it worked like a proximity key that unlocks and locks your ride whenever you come closer or leave. It’s a keyless go system that also tells time. So how far are we from the moment when these things get more and more complex and even allow us to sign into our cars’ infotainment systems?
Not far if we’re listening to what the officials from various auto makers are saying. Just the other month, BMW was claiming that some software giants are willing to pay good money to get access to some of their recorded on-board data so that they could advertise products.
We don’t necessarily realize this but our more complex cars have all sorts of sensors that can tell a lot of things not only about us but also about our habits and that’s where this kind of technology could help out.
I’m just guessing here but smart watches could connect to a car’s infotainment system, unlock the door and, if we were to sign in, they would read our preferred settings.
For example, you could have your radio set up with only your favorite stations, the seat and steering wheel adjusted correctly and even the navigation history you want, keeping you away from what another user needed.
That would all be done just by creating profiles on your car and wirelessly accessing them (without any additional input) when getting in, simply by wearing the watch.
Most of the time one car is used only by one person. Heck, we have profiles today in most cars but I for one am too lazy to configure and use them. But the focus nowadays is on the future and trying to reduce the amounts of cars on the roads.
That means, we can either share a ride or rent cars. In this regard more and more efforts are being made and smart watches with log in information could be even more useful on rentals.
Imagine that most car makers would agree and use one unique system for their settings, one that would work between both various smart watch brands and auto companies. That would mean that you would have all your settings saved in that little case worn on the wrist and they would all activate when entering any car.
Now let’s say you rent a BMW i3 for example. You’d be electronically paying, picking up a car at the corner and once stepping in, the car would adjust itself to your personal preferences without a hassle. Then, after dropping it off after you no longer need it, the next customer would step in and do the same stuff, everyone getting a customized experience. Does that sound so bad?
No, it doesn’t, and with the generation X being less interested in the driving sensation and more about being green and efficient, it’s only a matter of time until we’re all driving electric cars that require a log-in password, sent from the smart watch on your wrist to the on-board computer.
That doesn't sound so bad... What could go wrong?
Well, a couple of things. The biggest problem is that these things will have to rely on batteries and as long as human stupidity still exists, there will be issues with that. Therefore, leaving your key fob at home doesn’t look like a solution for the long run. And then, just imagine that you forget to wear the dreaded watch one day. You’d be sitting in front of your car looking really dumb...
Of course, let's not blame the watches alone. Other devices could also be used like your phone and whatnot, but the big problem is what you are giving up for all these features.
Then there’s also the fact that you might basically addicted to this tech and allow it to access more and more data regarding you and your preferences. Care to guess what will happen next? That’s right, some really wealthy companies will pay big bucks for access to that valuable information and how long will manufacturers stay strong and refuse to sell it? Not long, right?
That’s the big problem. In order to get all of this commodity and comfort in your life you’d have to give up on some of your privacy and while it’s all done with your consent it might be ok but when someone else is selling it, there will be some problems.
As long as all of this becomes just an option you can get and pay for, it’s for the better but isn’t it possible that it becomes mandatory at some point?
Just today, I was telling you that BMW will be launching its own app compatible with the device that will allow you to control some aspects of an i3 and i8 with just some simple touches on the device you’re wearing at your wrist. That gave me an idea.
What if just checking some parameters of the car isn’t enough? What if we can take things forward? Is that possible and what does it mean? Basically, how far from logging in into our own cars are we?
To be completely honest, not that far. Using a smart watch as a key fob has already been done. The guys from Kia launched the so-called K3 watch back in 2014 only to a select 1,500 people. That device could not connect to a smartphone or read you your e-mails but it could replace the fob and allow you to use your car without it.
Basically, it worked like a proximity key that unlocks and locks your ride whenever you come closer or leave. It’s a keyless go system that also tells time. So how far are we from the moment when these things get more and more complex and even allow us to sign into our cars’ infotainment systems?
Not far if we’re listening to what the officials from various auto makers are saying. Just the other month, BMW was claiming that some software giants are willing to pay good money to get access to some of their recorded on-board data so that they could advertise products.
We don’t necessarily realize this but our more complex cars have all sorts of sensors that can tell a lot of things not only about us but also about our habits and that’s where this kind of technology could help out.
I’m just guessing here but smart watches could connect to a car’s infotainment system, unlock the door and, if we were to sign in, they would read our preferred settings.
For example, you could have your radio set up with only your favorite stations, the seat and steering wheel adjusted correctly and even the navigation history you want, keeping you away from what another user needed.
That would all be done just by creating profiles on your car and wirelessly accessing them (without any additional input) when getting in, simply by wearing the watch.
Most of the time one car is used only by one person. Heck, we have profiles today in most cars but I for one am too lazy to configure and use them. But the focus nowadays is on the future and trying to reduce the amounts of cars on the roads.
That means, we can either share a ride or rent cars. In this regard more and more efforts are being made and smart watches with log in information could be even more useful on rentals.
Imagine that most car makers would agree and use one unique system for their settings, one that would work between both various smart watch brands and auto companies. That would mean that you would have all your settings saved in that little case worn on the wrist and they would all activate when entering any car.
Now let’s say you rent a BMW i3 for example. You’d be electronically paying, picking up a car at the corner and once stepping in, the car would adjust itself to your personal preferences without a hassle. Then, after dropping it off after you no longer need it, the next customer would step in and do the same stuff, everyone getting a customized experience. Does that sound so bad?
No, it doesn’t, and with the generation X being less interested in the driving sensation and more about being green and efficient, it’s only a matter of time until we’re all driving electric cars that require a log-in password, sent from the smart watch on your wrist to the on-board computer.
That doesn't sound so bad... What could go wrong?
Well, a couple of things. The biggest problem is that these things will have to rely on batteries and as long as human stupidity still exists, there will be issues with that. Therefore, leaving your key fob at home doesn’t look like a solution for the long run. And then, just imagine that you forget to wear the dreaded watch one day. You’d be sitting in front of your car looking really dumb...
Of course, let's not blame the watches alone. Other devices could also be used like your phone and whatnot, but the big problem is what you are giving up for all these features.
Then there’s also the fact that you might basically addicted to this tech and allow it to access more and more data regarding you and your preferences. Care to guess what will happen next? That’s right, some really wealthy companies will pay big bucks for access to that valuable information and how long will manufacturers stay strong and refuse to sell it? Not long, right?
That’s the big problem. In order to get all of this commodity and comfort in your life you’d have to give up on some of your privacy and while it’s all done with your consent it might be ok but when someone else is selling it, there will be some problems.
As long as all of this becomes just an option you can get and pay for, it’s for the better but isn’t it possible that it becomes mandatory at some point?
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