G-Net has a full-interface module that will override the factory '08 Escalade head unit, preventing the screen from denying the viewing of a DVD when the vehicle is in motion-a very key feature. While the driver shouldn't be watching DVDs on the road, you need the screen to display other sources, such as additional exterior cameras.
Looking at the computer's enclosure also reveals a level of quality that I hadn't seen before-a rugged all-aluminum enclosure that's IP65 dust and water-resistant (except the IO ports). It also meets the military MIL-810F and IEC60068-2-27 requirements for shock and vibration tolerance. The chassis looks like a car audio amplifier rather than a folded metal box with a bunch of dirt-catching slots. In other words, this thing is seriously constructed and screams "pick me" for under $1,000, compared to the Xantech touchpad.
Another thing that appealed to me was the pre-loaded Windows XP rather than the new Vista bloatware. As little as I trust Windows to be a reliable operating system, XP has been fixed enough times to make it the reason that everyone I talk to wants to downgrade back to XP from Vista. This is key, since an in-car computer is just as dependent on stable software as robust hardware.
My next project will have a Mac foundation, because I want to be able to run the ultra stable Mac Leopard OS but also Windows XP Pro at the same time, and only an Apple can do that. But there's a bigger issue here. While aftermarket head units drop in price, OEM stereos continue to get more overpriced. You can easily adapt most aftermarket units to replace an OEM system with the appropriate adapter, but what about upper-end vehicles equipped with factory LCD navigation screens?
Here's where I see a new frontier for mobile electronics. Every decade or so, the industry reinvents itself. Eight-track tape players were quickly replaced by cassette, followed by CD, MP3, and iPod integration. Now every vehicle manufacturer offers iPod integration and satellite radio, so what are independent car audio shops offering that goes beyond what the carmakers offer?
First, quality: I have said many times before that it's "cause stock sucks!" For half the price of a factory Bose system, you can kill it with any aftermarket gear. But for vehicles where it just doesn't make sense to remove the factory screen, the advantage and accessibility of upgrading to an in-car computer is huge. For the cost of an AM/FM/CD with XM and navigation at $2,465 as an option on the Pontiac Gran Prix, you can have a screaming G-Net computer that crushes the OEM system. The car audio world is getting ready to evolve into the next cool technology, and in-car computing is the opening act. So keep reading CA&E for the latest on the new world of mobile electronics!