SmartDock™
DirectVoxx Corp.’s SmartDock™ virtualization technology enables smart phone applications to run alongside native apps on embedded devices, supporting a variety of connected and remote control scenarios. For example, an Internet radio application running on an iPhone or Android handset can appear as another media source on an in-car infotainment system, providing tuning and playback control through the in-car HMI just like AM/FM or satellite radio. Even graphically-intensive applications like turn-by-turn navigation can run over the SmartDock™ link, eliminating the need for multiple special purpose device docks in the car or expensive in-car GPS solutions. In the home, smart phone applications can overlay content and project media onto a SmartDock™-enabled television. In its initial release, SmartDock™ will support the iPhone and Android platforms, with additional smart phone device support to follow in the future.
SmartDock™ uses an Internet-standards based client-server framework with patent pending extensions to enable high performance, reliable wired or wireless communications between the host and client devices. Visual and speech user interfaces can be easily defined using the client’s development tools and inter-device communication is enabled via high-level API calls to each device’s SmartDock™ server. Drastically reducing the time to develop complex inter-device applications, SmartDock™ is optimal for applications where cost and time to market considerations are paramount. SmartDock™ includes a sophisticated advertising platform where applications may display an array of banner advertisements which are updated automatically. Impression statistics are stored for advertiser inspection. DirectVoxx manages and maintains this data on behalf of clients and provides a pre-built advertising revenue platform.
The technology permits existing car infotainment systems to be retrofitted to run remote applications without expensive hardware revisions due to virtualization. The SmartDock™ client-side server is built into the DirectVoxx platform and provides an optimized, Made for iPod/Works with iPhone link for both remote application and standard iPod control. DirectVoxx’s natural language speech services can be used in conjunction with SmartDock™ on all supported platforms.
SmartDock™ v1.07 with iPod Out is now shipping.