Mobile Visions sound schemes
Mobile Visions Software (at http://www.mobilevisionssoftware.com) has a number of downloadable sound schemes for the Auto PC that add a fun dimension to operating the Auto PC. One of my favorites is the Knight Rider sound scheme, which uses the voice and sounds of KITT from the popular 80's show. The company also has several software projects in the works including a program called Speed Trap, which is used, in part, to remind you when you are exceeding the speed limit while driving. According to the company's web site, Speed Trap will be available Q3-99 and is free.

Hardware
At this point in time, there are only two vendors shipping add-ons specifically for the Auto PC. There are another two that have products that may be released by the time you read this but not at the time of this writing. Of course there are a number of vendors of CF+ (Compact Flash Plus) Type II cards that fit into the Auto PC's CF+ slot.

Our old friends at Clarion
Clarion (at http://www.autopc.com) not only sells the Clarion AutoPC 310C but also a GPS add-on that includes a 16 megabyte Compact Flash Card. They also sell a 6 disc CD Changer that interfaces to the Auto PC's universal serial bus.

Cue up the CUE Network
CUE Network (at http://www.cue.com) sells a wireless data receiver that works with the Auto PC by plugging into the Auto PC's universal serial bus. With this receiver you can receive traffic alerts, news and pages on your Auto PC that are tailored to your region. I have read both good and bad reports about the unit's functionality. Most people are having success with the CUE service but it appears that others have either installation problems or coverage issues.

Since CUE uses FM radio signals to transmit their data, all the pros and cons of FM's signal broadcast attributes are inherited by their network. Of course, this usually means that if your car is parked deep underground in a garage you can forget receiving any data during that time. On the other hand, CUE has perhaps the widest national coverage of any paging company due to the fact that they piggyback onto the FM signals that are broadcast by radio stations nationwide, so when you are on the road you will be getting your data.

Vetronix
Vetronix Corporation (at http://www.vetronix.com) is reported be near shipping a product they call CarPort that's a bridge between the Auto PC and your vehicle's on-board diagnostic computer. This will enable a host of new features with the Auto PC if your vehicle is model year 1996 or newer. Four new software products will be available from Vetronix along with the availablity of CarPort. They include Driver Monitor, which gives Speed and Trouble Code information; MobilePro, which is an expense tracking and maintenance recorder/reminder; CarSecure, which is a vehicle recovery, anti-theft program that also includes remote door locking and window rollup. And lastly, TeleComm, which allows you to locate your car via a telephone and remotely unlock your doors if you have locked your keys in the car. I will personally be trading in my '93 Honda Civic for a '96 or newer vehicle as soon as this product becomes available.