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Automotive Grade Linux will be the backbone of your connected car

Creating a backend for a secure, reliable, and expandable infotainment system is costly and time consuming. The Linux Foundation, a non-profit organization, has set out to promote and advance the Linux operating system in commercial products. Automotive Grade Linux, or AGL, is a group within the Foundation that seeks to apply a Linux backend to a number of automotive applications in a variety of vehicles from various suppliers and manufacturers. AGL's goal is to create a common, unifying framework that allows developers and manufacturers to easily implement applications across platforms. Currently, the focus is on infotainment systems, but AGL has plans for instrument clusters, heads-up displays, and eventually active safety software. At CES, a display from Panasonic showed a completely digital and customizable dashboard that allows information and apps to be moved from the gauge cluster to the infotainment screen and back, all through the use of gesture and touch controls. Although the organization has been around for five years, it's really only been in the past three that the group has been working hand in hand with automakers and suppliers. The first two OEMs to participate, Toyota and Jaguar Land Rover, have since been joined by Mazda, Suzuki, Ford, and, as of this week, Daimler. The latter is important as until now most of AGL's partner's have been based in Japan or the US. Other partners include suppliers Denso, Renesas, Continental, Qualcomm, and Intel. AGL want's to supply roughly 80 percent of the backend, allowing partners to then finish and refine the Linux system for each individual application. Think of how the Android operating system is refined and customized for individual smartphones from Samsung, LG, and Motorola. While the final product looks different, developers can have an application that will work across all AGL systems. Because it is open source, anyone can use and develop for AGL. You can even go onto the group's website and download a copy right now. There is also a software development kit available that helps facilitate app creation on the platform. Vehicle development cycles take roughly five years, so there currently are no cars that run an AGL backbone available for consumers. AGL Executive Director Dan Cauchy says products should be hitting the market later this year, with even more coming in 2018. Right now, the industry is relatively fragmented when it comes to infotainment and related systems.

Autoblog's top 50 car photos of 2016

This one shouldn't need much explanation. We like cars a whole lot, and that includes not just driving them but taking great pictures of them. We've collected our 50 favorite images from this year in the mega-gallery above. It's a mix of old and new, with a healthy dose of vintage and modern race cars mixed in, and not one single shot under the harsh lights of an auto show. So click through and enjoy. Featured Gallery Autoblog's Top 50 Photos of 2016 View 50 Photos Image Credit: Copyright 2016 Autoblog.com Audi BMW Chevrolet Dodge Ferrari Ford Lamborghini Mazda McLaren Mercedes-Benz Porsche Rolls-Royce Volvo Convertible Coupe Motorcycle Luxury Racing Vehicles Performance Supercars Classics

Mazda will decide who gets the MX-5 RF Launch Edition, like it's Ferrari or something

When Mazda introduced the 2017 MX-5 Miata RF at the 2016 New York International Auto Show, the vehicle came as a surprise. Everyone was expecting a new Miata variant, but no one thought it would be a retractable fastback, especially one that looks this good. Mazda listened to all of the positive feedback and decided to offer the same vehicle from the auto show as a limited-edition model. But you can't just go down to the dealer and place an order, at least for now. It's called the MX-5 Miata RF Launch Edition, only 1,000 of them will be made, and they'll go only to Mazda's "valued customers." Instead of opening up orders to anyone, Mazda took a page out of Ferrari's book and is extending invitations to customers through email. The chosen few will have a specific amount of time to preorder the limited-edition model before the automaker gives everyone the opportunity to buy one, assuming there are any left. You might remember that Mazda did a similar thing with the first ND Miata roadsters – the 2016 MX-5 Launch Edition went to the first 1,000 customers that placed orders on www.longlivetheroadster.com. The Launch Edition is painted Machine Gray with a black roof panel and has Auburn Nappa leather on the inside – the same combination as the debut car. Future MX-5 RF models will be available with the same paint and leather, but will miss out on the black roof and special badges. Launch Edition buyers will also get a numbered Tourneau watch with the vehicle, and will only have just one choice to make – manual or automatic transmission. (We know which we'd choose.) Pricing for the RF Launch Edition has not been released, but we expect the regular RF to come in a little higher than the roadster's $25,750 base price. The MX-5 RF will go on sale early next year. Related Video: Featured Gallery 2017 Mazda MX-5 RF: New York 2016 View 13 Photos News Source: MazdaImage Credit: Live photos copyright 2016 Drew Phillips / AOL Mazda Convertible Performance mazda mx-5 rf