Navisurfer II serves up Ubuntu in a fresh way

By , Published February 21, 2011

Have you gone the extra mile to install Ubuntu on every device you possibly can, even your kitchen toaster? When you get yourself a shiny new car, is the first thing you do customize it? Then the Navisurfer II is just what you need to “pimp your ride”.

The Navisurfer II UBU-3G is a car PC that embeds into the dashboard of your vehicle. Notable features are HSDPA modem, Broadband TV & Radio, touch screen, GPS with Software & Maps. If you guessed Ubuntu 10.10 fuels the magic, then you my friend deserve chocolate.

Specifications

  • Processor: 1300 MHz (Intel Celeron M)
  • Hard Drive: 250 GB
  • Memory: 2GB DDR2
  • GPS receiver/GPS antenna (included) Navit Navigation System)
  • Double DIN
  • 3G HSDPA BroadBand Connection – Internet Radio & TV
  • Customized Ubuntu 10.10 for in car use
  • Bluetooth Connection (built in)

Connections

  • 3 x USB 2.0
  • 2 x PS2
  • 1 x Mic-in
  • 1 x Line-in
  • 1 x Line-out
  • 1 x Serial Port
  • 2 x DC 12V input
  • 2 x AV-in (Monitor only)
  • 1 x Rear View Camera auto switch

The OS is a customized version of Maverick; no Unity. It looks like a very odd quadrupole Gnome gnome panel with a launcher on the desktop. First, the right/left sides of the UI seem be dressed up panels. Second, there are two panels one on top the other at the bottom. And yes, why the cheap Gnome panel fish is there by default confuses me too. All defaults in 10.10 are include along with additions such as AMSN, Miro, the fish, etc.

The UI could use some work, a few rough edges and inconsistencies are visible just in this screen shot. Why Unity or even UNR wasn’t used is the question we should all be asking.

Installation

For those who know a little something about car audio systems, The Navisurfer II is a double DIN unit that works with 12V / 24V car batteries with adapter. If you don’t know, you can always learn how to change out a cars radio.

All-in-all, the entire setup should cost you only 300$.

For more information visit the official website.

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  • http://twitter.com/TheSofox Sofox

    And the rate of car accidents go on a steep rise…

    • Anonymous

      So a car-radio would also increase car accidents? Maybe there is some custom management software rules in place, like that you can’t watch TV/Video while driving. (That is normal with embedded video-players)

      • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_LOR655GR4ZFHCMSV7FW5ROPSAA Cliff W

        Any distraction in the car increases the likelihood of an accident. This includes cell phones, radios, kids, dropped CD’s and cups of coffee. The more distracting the device, the more dangerous it is. The more interaction it requires the more dangerous it is. Texting is more dangerous than taking a phone call. A touchscreen that requires you to navigate menus is certainly going to be more dangerous than an old fashioned radio with a physical knob.

        And of course, the corollary is that the more distracting the device, the more likely it is to be installed in a 7000lb SUV.

        • http://thealphanerd.wordpress.com/ Calvin

          Can you name the truck with four wheel drive, smells like a steak and seats thirty-five..

          Canyonero! Canyonero! Now with extra Linux!

    • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_ON6CS3UJOSXBQ7RM3LUWAERN2A d4rk_l1gh7

      While i drive, I’ll Edit some photos, while watching a movie, while talking on the phone, wile read 2 books, while surfing the net, and looking at the gps.

      Hmm, i see nothing wrong here, it’s just multitasking.

      (I pity the person who takes this comment seriously)

  • http://twitter.com/TheSofox Sofox

    And the rate of car accidents go on a steep rise…

  • Anonymous

    Sweet!! Although they need to pimp up the interface a bit.. gnome-panel menu on a touch screen device is a bad idea.. Hopefully it should be easily upgradable to Natty…

  • Anonymous

    Sweet!! Although they need to pimp up the interface a bit.. gnome-panel menu on a touch screen device is a bad idea.. Hopefully it should be easily upgradable to Natty…

  • Anonymous

    So that meerkat’s gonna be roadkill? Sorry couldn’t resist.

    • Anonymous

      cuz roadkill narwhal would have been silly

  • Anonymous

    So that meerkat’s gonna be roadkill? Sorry couldn’t resist.

  • http://twitter.com/mrrix32 Martin Rix

    Dear OMGUbuntu
    Please get out of my head. This idea was going through my head yesterday. Primarily for to purpose of running Spotify.

    Just wondering how long it will take to boot. And why the hell there are PS/2 ports on the back?

    • Anonymous

      Many mini-ITX boards do still have PS/2 because they are used primarily in embedded and industrial applications (say like a cash register) where things like barcode scanners are daisychained with AT style keyboards.

      I wouldn’t complain about the graphics chipset, screen resolution, memory, etc. considering this entire thing only costs 300€. I can barely find a decent touch screen for that.

    • Anonymous

      Many mini-ITX boards do still have PS/2 because they are used primarily in embedded and industrial applications (say like a cash register) where things like barcode scanners are daisychained with AT style keyboards.

      I wouldn’t complain about the graphics chipset, screen resolution, memory, etc. considering this entire thing only costs 300€. I can barely find a decent touch screen for that.

  • http://twitter.com/mrrix32 Martin Rix

    Dear OMGUbuntu
    Please get out of my head. This idea was going through my head yesterday. Primarily for to purpose of running Spotify.

    Just wondering how long it will take to boot. And why the hell there are PS/2 ports on the back?

  • Anonymous

    What? We can install Ubuntu on kitchen toaster and there was no “how-to”?!

    I’m shocked.

  • Anonymous

    screen size ?
    resolution ?
    touchpanel ?
    customizable software ?
    open drivers for hardware (such as 3G modem ) ?

    • Anonymous

      According to the website it’s a 7″ Inch touch screen and supports a resolution of upto 1024*768 . For the price, i’m assuming it’s a resistive touch screen . Ubuntu comes with drivers for HSDPA modems out of the box.. Not sure about the GPS receiver though..

      • Anonymous

        thx…

        in facts according to the same site, this is actually 800×480 screen that emulate 1024×768 so that very bad, cause even 1024×768 is not a good screen res for some usages but if its emulated, it means it will be blurred and not that sharp….

      • Anonymous

        thx…

        in facts according to the same site, this is actually 800×480 screen that emulate 1024×768 so that very bad, cause even 1024×768 is not a good screen res for some usages but if its emulated, it means it will be blurred and not that sharp….

      • Anonymous

        thx…

        in facts according to the same site, this is actually 800×480 screen that emulate 1024×768 so that very bad, cause even 1024×768 is not a good screen res for some usages but if its emulated, it means it will be blurred and not that sharp….

      • Anonymous

        thx…

        in facts according to the same site, this is actually 800×480 screen that emulate 1024×768 so that very bad, cause even 1024×768 is not a good screen res for some usages but if its emulated, it means it will be blurred and not that sharp….

      • Anonymous

        thx…

        in facts according to the same site, this is actually 800×480 screen that emulate 1024×768 so that very bad, cause even 1024×768 is not a good screen res for some usages but if its emulated, it means it will be blurred and not that sharp….

    • Anonymous

      I’d also like to know why didn’t they opt for the AMD Fusion line instead of anything Intel? That would have given this thing some serious multimedia capabilites.

      • Anonymous

        hum…

        for my part i’m not very friend with amd/ati, but i would have prefered a dualcore atom with intel GMA 950 to this celeron, and overall, i need a 1280×800 screen

        • Anonymous

          Oh come on, it’s a seven inches of screen 1024 * 768 should be sufficient,
          and the chipset can be whatever once it’s capable. Plus, Ubuntu will fly on
          almost any hardware and 2gigs RAM :-)

        • http://thealphanerd.wordpress.com/ Calvin

          tell that to chrysler, they’ve put hard drives in their cars for a long time. for what? apparently audio storage.

          • http://twitter.com/mickstep Michael Stephenson

            I’d probably make an Xsession load up XMBC right away, and forget about a window manager.

        • Glaasje

          i wanna have one with at least a i7 extreme edition in it :P
          (just kidding ;) )

      • http://twitter.com/mickstep Michael Stephenson

        Nvidia Ion would be my choice for VDPAU support, thats the only way you are gonna get a little box like that running 1080p video.

        • Anonymous

          amd zatcate wod hav been my choice with a size of intel atop,it can even beat core i5 in all respect

        • Anonymous

          Um, I don’t think you’re too familiar with the new AMD APUs, while I’m not
          sure how they compare to Nvidia’s Ion they sure surpass anything Intel
          integrated and are Direct11 capable, and yes 1080p runs smooth without much
          or any load on the processing cores…

        • Anonymous

          Um, I don’t think you’re too familiar with the new AMD APUs, while I’m not
          sure how they compare to Nvidia’s Ion they sure surpass anything Intel
          integrated and are Direct11 capable, and yes 1080p runs smooth without much
          or any load on the processing cores…

      • http://twitter.com/MaxFragg ,scgthh

        new hardware takes ages to come to those embedded areas, its not like in the desktop/notebook sector where things get released and are available as a product on the next day, in these areas 3 year old pc hardware can be the latest stuff you can get

      • http://twitter.com/MaxFragg ,scgthh

        new hardware takes ages to come to those embedded areas, its not like in the desktop/notebook sector where things get released and are available as a product on the next day, in these areas 3 year old pc hardware can be the latest stuff you can get

  • Anonymous

    They have done a beautiful job at making those panels look ugly.

    • Anonymous

      i couldnt have done a better job myself =)

    • 776

      trues indeed. one thing i hate about 3rd party car radios is that they very often don’t fit the design of the car interior, ot to talk about problems with compatibility when it comes to all these bells and whistles

    • http://twitter.com/ethana2 ethana2

      When they *do* ship Unity, the idea will suddenly become appealing.

      • Anonymous

        You haven’t understood the concept behing Unity , have you ?

        • Anonymous

          I’d be happy if they shipped it with Android, Ubuntu just… doesn’t seem to fit the bill with this, Android seems more fit for jobs like this… it even has a car mode, a navigation app, etc. etc.

        • http://twitter.com/regeya Shane Simmons

          So far, the concept seems to be to copy the unappealing aspects of the GNOME Dock, while putting the icons in ugly pastel buttons, and removing and rearranging buttons is as simple as firing up gconf-editor and finding the appropriate key.

          So, if the purpose was to copy Microsoft’s past habit of halfway implementing a good idea and leaving various implementation details to the user to edit the Registry, then I’m with you.

          Now, to be fair, I think this is just about the only misstep the Ubuntu team has made in years, but it’s a biggie. I do sort of like the thing, enough that I’m currently using it on my netbook, but I don’t like it terribly much.

        • http://twitter.com/regeya Shane Simmons

          So far, the concept seems to be to copy the unappealing aspects of the GNOME Dock, while putting the icons in ugly pastel buttons, and removing and rearranging buttons is as simple as firing up gconf-editor and finding the appropriate key.

          So, if the purpose was to copy Microsoft’s past habit of halfway implementing a good idea and leaving various implementation details to the user to edit the Registry, then I’m with you.

          Now, to be fair, I think this is just about the only misstep the Ubuntu team has made in years, but it’s a biggie. I do sort of like the thing, enough that I’m currently using it on my netbook, but I don’t like it terribly much.

    • http://twitter.com/ethana2 ethana2

      When they *do* ship Unity, the idea will suddenly become appealing.

  • http://twitter.com/simediapro Imran Ghare

    Wait wait, this only costs $300? That’s pretty darned good. Should be interesting.

  • http://twitter.com/simediapro Imran Ghare

    Actually, its 300 BGP. Which is like ~$500 USD

    • http://www.google.com/profiles/panajotis pH7

      Nope, It´s 299.32€ or £252.14 or $409.21.

      • http://www.steelfrog.com Steel Frog

        Still quite a bit more than the 300$ price tag shown in the article.

      • http://www.steelfrog.com Steel Frog

        Still quite a bit more than the 300$ price tag shown in the article.

  • http://www.google.com/profiles/fredrik.tykosson Scirocco

    I Imagine it will get water damaged right away, unless they made it waterproof somehow.

    • http://thealphanerd.wordpress.com/ Calvin

      If you’re getting water inside your car’s cabin clearly you are not driving properly. A lake does not a road make.

  • http://www.google.com/profiles/panajotis pH7

    “And yes, why the cheap Gnome panel fish is there by default confuses me too”

    LOL, perhaps it’s for diving directions!

  • http://twitter.com/simediapro Imran Ghare

    After thinking about it, I don’t know how this is gonna work with a celeron. In the states, some of the cities hit ~50C ambient, and inside the cars its even hotter. Imagine turning on your car, but you can’t get radio because your celeron is going to overheat.

  • http://twitter.com/MaxFragg ,scgthh

    well, if the 1.3GHz CPU could handle xbmc a nice touchfriendly UI would make this thing perfect

    • http://thealphanerd.wordpress.com/ Calvin

      Watching Buffy while driving is like gonna kill you in that Canyonero.

      • http://twitter.com/MaxFragg ,scgthh

        guess i was reffering to have a touchscreen usable musicplayer, NOT watching movies while driving with 120 mph (… but buffy would really be a killer ..)

      • http://twitter.com/MaxFragg ,scgthh

        guess i was reffering to have a touchscreen usable musicplayer, NOT watching movies while driving with 120 mph (… but buffy would really be a killer ..)

    • Anonymous

      Xmbc, Mythbuntu and/or Boxee and this thing rocks your car, literally (once it’s hooked up to your car’s audio)

  • boskysquelch

    http://www.euro1supply.com/images/doubledincarpcubuntu3gscreen3.jpg

    a visual clue for the unclued re-the Gnome Fish…

    believe it or not but pretty much whatever you have on land you have on water….which is nice… but exactly opposite to reason I go out there.

    ‘cept on my punt which is Primo… even my a shagged moby that doesn’t get a signal in most of the waters I fish… and a walkers GPS I use in fog that eats batteries so I tend to “navigate” by local knowledge, nearby noises and LUCK! =P

  • http://twitter.com/dojan5 Joel Lundborg

    Wanda…?

  • http://twitter.com/dissertational Shelby

    Watch the road!

    • Glaasje

      No!, Multitask! :P

  • Craig Barnes

    Whoever massacred that interface should hang their head in shame. It’s absolutely awful.

  • Craig Barnes

    Whoever massacred that interface should hang their head in shame. It’s absolutely awful.

  • http://twitter.com/gausie Sam Gaus

    Anyone been able to install Unity on this? Also can it plug into your car aerial for FM? If not, I suppose you could do it with a USB device at the back…

  • http://twitter.com/JeffHoogland JeffHoogland

    The important question here is if the kernel uses all open source things so we can install other distributions on to this tablet computer…

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/DATA6WDNBSCFJL6JSP5OP3AADQ asedsa

    Who wants to edit OpenOffice documents in their car

    • Matt Sturgeon

      LibreOffice documents

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/DATA6WDNBSCFJL6JSP5OP3AADQ asedsa

    Who wants to edit OpenOffice documents in their car

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/DATA6WDNBSCFJL6JSP5OP3AADQ asedsa

    Who wants to edit OpenOffice documents in their car

  • http://twitter.com/savantelite paul gysler

    Navigation, unlimited maps, up-to-date podcasting, FLAC Audio, 3g broadband via Bluetooth teathering to a smart phone. I have to have one:)

  • http://twitter.com/savantelite paul gysler

    Congrats linux community, you broke the site. This Account Has Been Suspended

    • Glaasje

      ‘Feel the force luke’

    • http://twitter.com/savantelite paul gysler

      its back now. I think OMGubuntu post was too much for there hosted web service

  • http://cerebrux.net/ Salih Emin

    What happened !!!!!!!!!!!!!! The WEB SITE account has been disabled !!!!!!!!!! Any news ????

  • Glaasje

    wat would happen if you put Windous on this? :P
    (would the car start with a blue screen of death?)

    • Anonymous

      no but you will have to ‘Start’ for turn it off, and sometimes it will crash and you will have to Accel + Brake + Wheel to regain control on it…

  • http://www.google.com/profiles/GhostlyChaos117 THE SE7EN SINS

    My car is open source.
    u Mad Ford Mustang?

  • http://twitter.com/pwaspinator waspinator

    now they need to make a capacitive model using Cortex-A9, and no ugly knobs. A few physical buttons wouldn’t hurt though.

  • Pingback: Navisurfer II serves up Ubuntu in a fresh way | Car Stereo System Packages

  • http://twitter.com/bouncingab Gabriele Pallaver

    Yo dawg I herd you like ubuntu so we put ubuntu in yo car so you can ubuntuize while u drive

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_GJVF45KWBFTQSYNCPNRVWSMR2U ROBERTB

    I love discus, My name is Brandon Bachman.

    Anyway, why not AWN in panel mode? Anything but gnome-panel. And why not some PHYSICAL buttons to click on, or the ability to receive AM/FM radio transmissions? Something physical is certainly better than a touch screen.

    Simply put… why?

 
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