Like any international or national auto show, the Chicago Auto Show is known for rolling out some of the newest cars and trucks in the auto industry.
But one of the reveals that's turning heads and capturing the attention of auto journalists at this year's annual installment isn't a car or a truck — it's an affordable infotainment center that boasts doing it all, bringing old cars up to date in the process.
Renowned mapmaker Rand McNally's OverDryve in-car-tablet can do everything from playing music from the Internet to making phone calls and reading text messages — all hands-free — to offering a dash cam with front-collision and rear-view warnings, while empowering drivers with voice-command full navigational turn-by-turn directions.
More than anything, though, Rand McNally is aiming for its device to bring old cars into the future with a modern infotainment experience behind the wheel.
"While Rand McNally is most widely known for our best-selling Road Atlases, we have transformed into an innovative technology company for the consumer and commercial transportation markets," Stephen Fletcher, CEO of the company, told Forbes. "The vast majority of the 250 million U.S. cars and light trucks on the road today don't have sophisticated electronics, and OverDryve upgrades ordinary vehicles by providing an advanced connected-car experience for a fraction of the cost of a high-end luxury car."
The OverDryve multifunctional device doesn't stop with the aforementioned capabilities, either.
The in-car tablet gives drivers and passengers audible news, traffic, weather and sports updates. The device itself even touts its own built-in FM radio with speakers just in case your in-car stereo isn't working. There's even options to upgrade the device to offer roadside assistance and tire pressure monitoring to further equip drivers.
The tablet is able to play music from the Internet — including streaming Pandora and other Web-based radio services and saved music or podcasts — via OverDryve's Bluetooth compatibility.
Car and Driver reports that Best Buy will begin retailing OverDryve in June for an estimated $299 for a seven-inch tablet, $399 for the eight-inch model and $499 for the 10-inch device.
With so many cars and trucks on the road touting an outdated infotainment system — or no system at all — this would be an affordable fix to connect your vehicle with some modern-day features.
