• balsoft@lemmy.ml
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    8 hours ago

    They may be working on a Linux-based car head unit, which is kinda between a phone and a laptop (like a tablet, which it basically is). If that’s the case, something like this would be a required app, and current (non-android) Linux offerings are somewhat limited (basically it’s just PureMaps and a couple forks, which all work but are a bit janky). If they end up with something useful, it would be great for both phones and cars.

    • UncleObli@lemmy.world
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      8 hours ago

      This makes a lot of sense actually. It’d be awesome to have more options for head units. I’m not sure about the target though, amateurs working on their car or restoring old models? I don’t see a lot of companies choosing a Linux based head unit for their cars. But the same argument could be said for Linux phones too.

      • grue@lemmy.world
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        6 hours ago

        As the owner of multiple cars from the '90s and 2000s, I 100% need a Linux head unit.

      • kylian0087@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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        6 hours ago

        So I am their target as well. I like to utilize it in a DIY motorcycle navigation based in a raspberry with a display. Their are no great options for motorcycles at this point. And I love to diy it.

      • balsoft@lemmy.ml
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        8 hours ago

        I’m not sure about the target though, amateurs working on their car or restoring old models?

        Yeah, personally I’d be their target audience, if they announce it soon enough and it doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. I can also see some european manufacturers looking to decouple from the US tech being somewhat interested.

        • UncleObli@lemmy.world
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          8 hours ago

          A friend of mine is restoring an old muscle car and I bet he’d love something like this as well. It’s a niche but we Linux enthusiasts can be quite passionate so I do think the audience is out there for sure.

      • BastingChemina@slrpnk.net
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        8 hours ago

        I think organizations working around sensitive installations could be interested.

        For example the car used to drive around nuclear powerplants, military installations or just industrial equipment. Modern cars have GPS and cameras and you don’t want to have random cameras recording around sensitive installations.

        They could remove the cameras but then the car would not be road legal anymore.

        A Linux based head unit would allow them to customize it to the level of security they require while still retaining the benefit of modern cars.

        It’s a niche but a niche that have the means to infest a lot in development

    • deadcream@sopuli.xyz
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      8 hours ago

      The repository is called “car navigation” so yeah.

      Qt Company itself also invests heavily in Qt for Automotive platforms.