http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/ This is a discussion and support forum for Flux Media products, including the infotainment product Centrafuse en Thu, 18 Mar 2010 20:42:21 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.fluxmedia.net/images/misc/rss.jpg http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/ http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/25-centrafuse-3-0-feature-highlights.html Fri, 04 Sep 2009 19:54:32 GMT Original Article (http://www.fluxmedia.net/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1020) Sep 04, 2009 ... Original Article

Sep 04, 2009


Centrafuse 3.0 Auto Highlights:
We'd like to take a moment to highlight some of the major features of the upcoming Centrafuse 3.0 Auto Edition. Some of the new features of our next generation software for automotive infotainment will include:

• Enhanced iPhone-style animations
• Multi-screen support for DVD and video playback
• Media scrubber - for quickly changing the track position
• Voice notes recorder - with email function
• File manager - cut/copy/paste files and folders
• Improved navigation user interface
• Independent photo viewer
• Enhanced list view styles
• Improved navigation interface
• Improved speech recognition for dialing contacts
• And more...

Centrafuse Markup Language™ (CML):
Centrafuse 3.0 integrates a new and improved Open SDK and presentation/skinning layer, called CML. CML is our new markup language which not only allows for the rapid prototyping and development of powerful plug-in applications, but for the first time you now have the ability to completely redefine the main interface layout or to simply create custom-tailored look and feel to meet the needs of your desired solution. CML adds a powerful dimension to the Centrafuse Open SDK by providing both developers and designers with an unprecedented level of control of graphic UI elements and controls without having to recompile the plug-in application code. This provides plug-in designers a high degree of freedom while still providing the same level of flexibility and compatibility.

Centrafuse Application Integration Framework:
At the core of this new framework lies the Centrafuse 3.0 Open SDK which has much to offer 3rd party developers. With the 3rd generation of our software, Centrafuse has evolved into an application integration environment and development platform for the mobile use case. In addition to many useful programming enhancements, the Open SDK also offers a new set of open provider interfaces, which are designed to enable developers to extend functionality that was previously restricted to the core such as:

• Navigation
• Speech
• TTS
• Handsfree phone
• Audio mixer support
• Radio hardware support

By leveraging these open provider interfaces, 3rd party developers can independently create their own provider modules for use with the Centrafuse core to create powerful applications and add hardware support. These changes you are seeing in Centrafuse 3.0 are all critical steps in our mission to create a ubiquitous user interface toolkit and application framework suitable for delivery of custom solutions for multiple vertical markets.
Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming release of Centrafuse 3.0, that is now just weeks away!

Centrafuse™ | A Whole New Way™ ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/25-centrafuse-3-0-feature-highlights.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/24-centrafuse-brings-intel-atom-together-microsoft-auto-ivi-reference-board-demo.html Thu, 03 Sep 2009 23:39:31 GMT Sept 3rd, 2009 Original article (http://www.fluxmedia.net/viewarticle.aspx?id=1019) Image:... Sept 3rd, 2009

Original article



This video from the In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) group at Intel showcases a new IVI reference design board running the Microsoft Automotive platform with Centrafuse demonstrating the HMI and infotainment function by offering multi-zone media control. The reference design is powered by an Intel Atom 'Russellville' board designed specifically for automotive IVI purposes.

Centrafuse - A Whole New Way ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/24-centrafuse-brings-intel-atom-together-microsoft-auto-ivi-reference-board-demo.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/23-50th-centrafuse-plug-application-added.html Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:30:04 GMT Aug 27, 2009

Original Article

We're excited to announce that the 50th plug-in application for Centrafuse has been uploaded last week! Our active 3rd-party developer community has been working diligently to generate creative and practical applications for use within Centrafuse. A big thanks goes out to our innovative developer community!

These plug-ins range from automotive tools such as trip loggers, tire pressure monitors, traffic cams, hardware relay controls, games such as sudoko and console emulators, included a range of connected apps such as live traffic cams, closest fuel finders, web radio/video, weather radar feeds, plus calendars, calculators and much more!

If you would like to check out the repository of Centrafuse Plug-in Applications, you can view them here. If you’d like to download a plug-in or two, just sign up for a forum account.

Centrafuse has always provided a free SDK so that you can create your own applications running within the Centrafuse application integration environment. It you’re a developer, you can create these plug-in applications utilizing the Microsoft .NET 2.0 Framework, which supports development using many popular programming languages such as C#, C++, VB.NET and Delphi.

Some of you may be wondering if all existing plug-ins will work on the upcoming 3.0 version. The good news is that with a simple recompilation, existing applications will run in Centrafuse 3.0 (one caveat - graphic updates may be required). Some plug-ins are already being converted and we’ll make sure that 3.0 SDK upgrade provides our developer community with the tools to ensure that these plug-ins will function properly in 3.0. If you would like to learn more about our SDK, check out this link: Centrafuse SDK

Watch out for more information about our even more powerful version 3 SDK and other features soon. Stay tuned for details!


Centrafuse™ | A Whole New Way™ ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/23-50th-centrafuse-plug-application-added.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/22-centrafuse-partner-gizmosis-featured-motor-report.html Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:57:46 GMT One of our Australian Centrafuse Gold Partners, Gizmosis from Melbourne was featured in a nice writeup on The Motor Report.com. Check out the article... One of our Australian Centrafuse Gold Partners, Gizmosis from Melbourne was featured in a nice writeup on The Motor Report.com. Check out the article here:
Australian Company Gizmosis Releases New Internet-Capable Car PC | The Motor Report: Auto News And Reviews ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/22-centrafuse-partner-gizmosis-featured-motor-report.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/21-centrafuse-auto-3-0-pricing-announced.html Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:15:28 GMT Aug 10, 2009 Link to original article (http://www.fluxmedia.net/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1017) Image:... Aug 10, 2009

Link to original article




Centrafuse 3.0 was released to private beta earlier last week. We are finalizing features and the release date, but will begin sharing details as they are locked down.
Centrafuse 3.0 has been re-built from the ground up to expand the suite of CarPC applications that will be available to you in the future. Speech recognition, text-to-speech, navigation, audio mixer, hands-free phone and Bluetooth have been implemented as open interfaces.
You’ll be able to use the same applications as in previous versions. Beyond that though, this open architecture will support a broader array of 3rd party plugins and will facilitate development of new features internally at Centrafuse and by our developer community. An enhanced graphics engine complete with customizable transition animations is also a hallmark of the new 3.0 core.

We are pleased to announce new pricing for 3.0: (All prices in USD)

The new retail pricing for Centrafuse Auto 3.0 will be as follows:

• Centrafuse Auto 3.0 Standard will be $79.99
• Centrafuse Auto 3.0 Navigation: North America will be $129.99
• Centrafuse Auto 3.0 Navigation: Europe will be $149.99
• Centrafuse Auto 3.0 Navigation: Australia will be $179.99
• All other Navigation regions will be $199.99

NOTE: Current users of Centrafuse Navigation that want the benefits of 3.0, will only need to pay the upgrade price of $49.99 since the maps are the same for 3.0.
We value our loyal installed base, and know that many of you have purchased Centrafuse over the past few months. We want to recognize that commitment in form of a discounted upgrade price:

If you purchased any version of Centrafuse before August 1st, 2009
you can upgrade to Centrafuse 3.0 for $49.99

We’re also looking forward to working with new CarPC enthusiasts. We understand that no one wants to buy Centrafuse today only to turn around and pay an upgrade when 3.0 is released. We’ve considered you as well:

If you purchase Centrafuse anytime after August 1st, 2009
your upgrade to Centrafuse 3.0 is FREE

Keep checking back here for updates about the release date and final feature set. And know that the team here is working diligently to deliver the next generation of CarPC software to you as soon as possible. ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/21-centrafuse-auto-3-0-pricing-announced.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/20-georgia-tech-uses-centrafuse-driver-distraction-study.html Fri, 17 Jul 2009 06:57:03 GMT Jul 17, 2009 Original article (http://www.fluxmedia.net/viewarticle.aspx?id=1016) ... Jul 17, 2009

Original article



Check out this link to read the Georgia Tech's Sonification Lab's report entitled "Enhanced Auditory Menu Cues Improve Dual Task Performance and are Preferred with In-vehicle Technologies"

Click here to view the Sonification Lab's Research Report

We have always taken pride in being the leading edge carPC HMI and purveyor of the latest and greatest features for in-vehicle use. There's a lot more to Centrafuse though.

The Sonification Lab at Georgia Tech recently conducted research to better understand how to reduce driver distraction. Every day we depend on PNDs, cell phones and iPods for providing information and entertainment in our cars. While I'm not proud of it, I too have texted while driving. Not good. We're not going to give up our gadgets though.

The team at Georgia Tech is studying ways to enable us to use the tools that we depend on, implemented in a way that keeps everyone safer. Centrafuse and a carPC were used to demonstrate the positive, measurable impact of an advanced multimodal interface overlaying an easy-to-use, integrated platform for in-vehicle infotainment. Read the results for yourself. Centrafuse is more than just another pretty user interface.

Click here to view the Georgia Tech Research Report

Just wanted share with you all some of ways others are using Centrafuse.

Reagan ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/20-georgia-tech-uses-centrafuse-driver-distraction-study.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/19-autonet-mobile-portable-wifi-hotspot-available.html Thu, 07 May 2009 04:42:29 GMT I wanted to share this news with everyone here. We all want internet access in the car and don't want to pay the hefty fees from the wireless carriers. Autonet Mobile solves this problem with an in-vehicle WiFi router that uses a combo GPRS/EVDO radio to always provide an internet signal exposed as a WiFi access point. They say the monthly fee is half what a cellular data card. What's cool is how it communicates with both GPRS/GSM (AT&T, T-mobile) towers and EVDO/CDMA (Verizon, Sprint) and dynamically delivers and maintains the fastest connection. It's been in development for some time, and I've been waiting for it to become available to the masses. It looks like you can get one at Advance Auto Parts store nationwide in the US. This is really exciting news to the car computing community!

Autonet Mobile now available at Advance Auto Parts stores nationwide | telematicsupdate.com | News, Analysis & Events ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/19-autonet-mobile-portable-wifi-hotspot-available.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/18-dashboard-devices-selects-centrafuse-auto-multi-zone-env-carpc-product-line.html Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:37:03 GMT Apr 22, 2009 Original article (http://www.fluxmedia.net/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1012) ATLANTA, Ga. — April 22, 2009 Dashboard... Apr 22, 2009

Original article

ATLANTA, Ga. — April 22, 2009 Dashboard Devices has selected Centrafuse Auto as the offical user interface (UI) for their new ENV line of CarPCs. The ENV (Entertainment and Navigation for Vehicles) product line delivers innovative features for the growing in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) sector such as True Multi-Zone control with integrated dual sound cards and multiple independent display support. All ENV products include a new 'single-link' cable system which carries audio/video/power and USB over a single cable to make installation quick and easy.

"We wanted to provide our customers with a user experience that is as innovative as our new CarPCs, and Centrafuse Auto is the obvious choice. The Centrafuse user interface provides Dashboard Devices customers with a touch friendly, voice enabled environment for web services and in-vehicle features that converge in a way that is intuitive and fun." said Michael Murphy, CEO of Dashboard Devices.

The ENV product line introduces a series of exciting new products: 4 ENV computers including a Double-DIN dash LCD unit, a Single-DIN dash LCD unit (to be released in 2010) and two Dash-Top LCD units. All ENV systems will feature “DashDrive” front-end software. Standard features include; 7” sunlight readable touchscreen LCD’s, CPU’s from Core Duo and Core 2 Duo to the Intel Atom, up to of 2GB of memory and choice of a 160GB or 320GB hard drive, plus many optional features.

Centrafuse Auto, the underlying technology platform behind Dashboard's DashDrive user interface, is the first product created using the Centrafuse Open UI Development Toolkit. This powerful, yet flexible toolkit is designed to prototype, commercialize and deploy best-in-breed user experiences for emerging computer use cases where the use of traditional input methods such as a keyboard or a mouse are impractical, irrelevant or unsafe. Centrafuse Auto has been shipping for over two years, and includes the added benefit of continual testing and feedback from over 3,000 people in the Centrafuse User Community.

Centrafuse co-founder, Eric Breier said, "We're very proud to be chosen by Dashboard Devices as its user interface provider. Their ENV product line is a glimpse into the future of IVI systems, and we're excited to participate in this growing market. As new use cases emerge in the car, the home and other non-traditional places, we will provide our retail, ODM and OEM customers and user community with leading edge HMI development tools, application bundles and support that will accelerate adoption in these new segments."

View True Multi-Zone in Action ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/18-dashboard-devices-selects-centrafuse-auto-multi-zone-env-carpc-product-line.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/17-centrafuse-becomes-official-windows-embedded-partner.html Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:58:12 GMT Feb 11, 2009 Original article (http://www.fluxmedia.net/viewarticle.aspx?id=1011) Image:... Feb 11, 2009

Original article



REDMOND, Wash. — February 11, 2009 Centrafuse, the creator of the Centrafuse UX Toolkit for User Experience, announced today it will utilize Windows XP Embedded, Windows Embedded Standard and Windows Embedded Enterprise offerings for its next generations of its HMI Toolkit, OEM / ODM bundles and retail HMI for Automotive Infotainment.

“Our adoption of Windows Embedded technologies was a significant step in our ongoing mission to create superior user experiences for these emerging smart, connected, service oriented automotive infotainment devices,” said Eric Breier, President and co-founder of Centrafuse. “Microsoft’s continued support in the automotive market makes this a logical choice for Centrafuse. Due to the support it provides for a growing list of in-vehicle infotainment developers and suppliers, the increasing functionality of the head units has raised the expectations of users of these powerful devices.”

For Centrafuse, Windows Embedded platforms deliver multiple business and technical benefits:

Reduced technical risk - Windows Embedded platforms provide a common application environment which is utilized by the Centrafuse Toolkit for User Experience, ensuring that members of the Centrafuse development community are adhering to a well understood standard using the Centrafuse Markup Language (CML).

Reach and support - Developers and Centrafuse ODM / OEM partners have access to the broadest array of in-vehicle technologies available today by utilizing Windows Embedded operating systems as the platform for Centrafuse Automotive and the Centrafuse Toolkit for User Experience.

Rapid time to market and commercialization - The ubiquitous understanding of Windows Embedded as a platform provides the Centrafuse development community and ODM / OEM customers with the means to rapidly prototype, commercialize and deploy their HMI developments and plug-ins.

“We are delighted to see Windows Embedded play a significant role in the development of smart, connected, service oriented devices for the automotive infotainment market,” said Valerie Olague, Senior Partner Marketing Manager at Microsoft Corp. “With Microsoft’s Windows Embedded Standard platform, Centrafuse OEMs will be able to deliver innovative automotive devices to market faster, and customers will be assured that they are utilizing a platform that has been and will continue to be committed to supporting the growth of this market.”

The Centrafuse HMI development toolkit and retail software products are available now.

About Centrafuse
Centrafuse is a software development and custom design company, focused on becoming the de facto user interface development toolkit for next-generation computing environments. Centrafuse Automotive, an automotive infotainment HMI platform, is the first product developed from the Centrafuse application toolkit. Learn more at Centrafuse | CarPC Front-end Software.


All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners. ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/17-centrafuse-becomes-official-windows-embedded-partner.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/16-centrafuse-featured-lebron-james-hummer-unique-whips.html Fri, 06 Feb 2009 22:33:39 GMT Feb 21, 2007 Original article (http://www.fluxmedia.net/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1010) Image:... Feb 21, 2007

Original article



Unique Autosports gives LeBron James' black H2 Hummer a makeover on the season premiere of Unique Whips on SPEED, including a VeaLink system powered by Centrafuse.
After being introduced to his new touch-screen, Internet powered car computer, James said: "I might as well live in here...All I need is a pillow and a blanket and I'm straight...".


See LeBron James enjoying his new car computer powered by Centrafuse ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/16-centrafuse-featured-lebron-james-hummer-unique-whips.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/15-centrafuse-featured-entrepreneur-magazine.html Fri, 06 Feb 2009 21:17:23 GMT Sep 30, 2007 Original article (http://www.fluxmedia.net/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1009) Centrafuse was featured in a Entrepreneur Magazine... Sep 30, 2007

Original article

Centrafuse was featured in a Entrepreneur Magazine article focusing on how computing devices have become smaller and smaller and some of technology behind them. Centrafuse was examined along side the latest in small and portable gadgets such as the iPhone, Blackberry, UMPCs and tablets. Increased design challenges inherent with smaller form factors such as Human Machine Interaction (HMI), text entry, and user input are all challenges that are being overcome with powerful technology like Centrafuse. ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/15-centrafuse-featured-entrepreneur-magazine.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/14-centrafuse-featured-intel-esquire-north.html Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:55:06 GMT Oct 13, 2007

Original article

Centrafuse was featured in this year's Esquire North by technology sponsor Intel at the 5th annual "Esquire House". Each year Esquire magazine hosts a celebrity-studded charity event in New York City or Los Angeles where sponsors deck out mulit-million dollar home with the latest in fashion and technology.

At this year's event, Intel as technology sponsor, exhibited several exciting technologies such as big-screen computer gaming PCs and Intel ViiV home servers with HD video streaming capabilities.



To demonstrate their ViiV streaming video technology, Intel chose to pair Centrafuse with the Samsung Ultra Mobile touchscreen PC. There were 10 of these Samsung Ultra-Mobile PCs scattered throughout the penthouse.


Each UMPC wirelessly connected to a set central media storage servers providing quick access to television, music, movies and pictures from anywhere in the house! You can see more by clicking the picture and watching the video.

See video: YouTube - Centrafuse featured in Esquire North ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/14-centrafuse-featured-intel-esquire-north.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/13-centrafuse-featured-outdoor-life-networks-rock-boat.html Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:51:13 GMT Nov 27, 2005 Original article (http://www.fluxmedia.net/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1008) Centrafuse is featured on the VeaLink CarPC... Nov 27, 2005

Original article

Centrafuse is featured on the VeaLink CarPC System on Outdoor Life Network's television series, Rock the Boat. The system was designed to be fully hands free (voice activated) for a Marine soldier that lost his arms in the second Iraq War.


See video here: YouTube - Ryan Russell Rock the Boat ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/13-centrafuse-featured-outdoor-life-networks-rock-boat.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/12-ces-2009-part-ii-centrafuse-featured-azentek-good-morning-america.html Thu, 22 Jan 2009 16:40:19 GMT Jan 21, 2009 Original article (http://www.fluxmedia.net/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=1006) Image:... Jan 21, 2009

Original article



As promised, we wanted to provide a complete wrap-up from CES 2009. We had great presence and exposure at CES this year. We were very happy to see an unprecedented amount of CarPC's at the show this year and most of them were running Centrafuse. Most notably, Intel & Azentek, but there were several other companies with prototypes for CarPC's we were impressed with as well.
Dashboard Devices is developing a black box, amp-sized CarPC, called the ENV, packaged with 1-3 screens for a complete, multi-zone, rear-seat entertainment experience for the automotive aftermarket. This is a very impressive prototype with a significant amount of computing power (Intel's Core 2 Duo) packed inside an ultra-compact enclosure.


Yet another CarPC prototype running Centrafuse at the show this year came from Telemetria Technology, who were presenting their DashTop™ product in a drivable demo outside of the convention center.


We were also very impressed, blown-away actually, with the Focal and Steg-sponsored Volkswagen GTI from Jan Bennett. Jan is a longtime Centrafuse friend and award-winning audiophile.
Focal is an ultra high-end, audiophile-quality speaker company. Steg is competition-level Italian amplifier manufacturer with cutting-edge features. Jan demands only the best for her car audio system. Click the image to see some pics from her ride.
Click the picture to view more images.
All in all, we were extremely pleased to see an increasing interest in car computing among the automakers, car audio aftermarket and consumer electronics companies at CES this year. We are confident that the product offering and technology behind CarPC's will continue to evolve and rich-experience solutions will begin to reach consumers in the near future. Keep checking in with us for more news on the industry and our products. We're looking forward to a great year.


See Centrafuse on Good Morning America ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/12-ces-2009-part-ii-centrafuse-featured-azentek-good-morning-america.html http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/11-interview-eric-breier-ceo-centrafuse.html Sat, 10 Jan 2009 01:46:57 GMT Jan 09, 2009 Original article... Jan 09, 2009

Original article

Wimax, Intel & Centrafuse, The Tech Carpool from Robert Wray on Vimeo.
Mp3Car's Rob Wray interviews Eric Breier, CEO and Co-Founder of Flux Media, creators of the market leading mobile PC UI toolkit, Centrafuse 2.0. The vehicle seen in the video is at the Intel section in the North Hall. It is the Intel SmartCar where you'll find Centrafuse on a huge 12" touchscreen display (see photo).



Eric discusses the various places you can find Centrafuse installations at CES this year, including Azentek's new 2-DIN CarPC, Dashboard Devices proprietary dual-zone system, and of course, Intel.
Eric explores next-generation mobile brand technologies such as WiMax, the general availability of mobile broadband in the car and the impact of these technologies on the car computing market as a whole.

Tomorrow we will take a look at Dashboard Devices dual-zone system. Stay tuned for continuing coverage on Centrafuse at CES 2009. ]]> Reagan http://forums.fluxmedia.net/blogs/reagan/11-interview-eric-breier-ceo-centrafuse.html