Software components
Not only does using a launcher application to integrate your system let you add any functionality you want, it also enables you to use whatever application you choose for a specific task. For example:
DVD player — The FrodoPlayer software can play audio, video, CD, and DVD content (it links to Windows Media Player internally), but nevertheless may not be the software you want, or may not be the user interface you want. You can use an external application if you prefer, be it WinDVD,Windows Media Player, or some other software. You can interface PC remote controls, too, since whoever’s watching a DVD really shouldn’t be driving.
Navigation and GPS — A program called Destinator 3 has a following for Car PCs, particularly because maps are available outside North America. The software sold by the manufacturer, HSTC, is for PocketPC, but you can find software on MP3Car that enables you to use the maps on a PC.
DeLorme also does mapping and navigation software, and packages it with their very small Earthmate USB GPS receiver. The software implements voice command and response, so you need not keep consulting the map display (see Figure 7).
FIGURE 7: Street Atlas map display
Monitoring, diagnostics, and gauges — Each of the OBD II interfaces includes software. If you’re more inclined to write your own software, there’s a lot of information to get you started on the OBD Programmer’s Page.
Wardriving — Defined as driving around locating and logging wireless access points, wardriving per se is not breaking into WiFi networks. There’s a lot of confusion about that in print, confusion that’s led to a paper in the Virginia Journal of Law & Technology (available from the Social Science Research Network Electronic Library. It’s unquestionably true that people do hack into wireless networks; here we’re addressing finding access points. You should find out if the access points are intended for public use before accessing the corresponding network.