I will try to answer all of the questions.. I am glad to see this is being received as well as I thought it would be.
1. Internet Picture: Using Firefox embedded into the front end.
2. Intention to package and sell them?
** Yes the intention is to package and sell these. It is pretty straight forward to install and hook up. If you can hook up a home computer, you can hook this up. The issue is still the software and how well everything meshes together. There is some configuration that the end user has to do. I am working as much of this out of the package as possible.
3. Where does the disc go?
** The PC and XM unit are mounted under the back seat on the drivers side. A drive can pretty much be put anywhere you could possible fit one. This is something that will be worked out as well. Right now you just put it in the DVD drive in the PC. BTW the seat is FULLY FUCTIONAL. I have my up and down all of the time, this was a MAJOR design concern of the system. I have attached a picture of it installed here.
4. Are basic computer functions still active? Wireless keyboard or mouse?
** This is a fully functioning PC, while I have it setup so that the front end boots directly, you can launch explorer or ANY program from the launch part of the frontend. You can use any USB keyboard, wireless, remote, etc. I have a mouse in the car that I used for setup, etc. With the touchscreen you can use the on screen keyboard to type in URL's, etc.
5. Wireless connection?
** Right now I have just have an 802.11g USB dongle on the computer, but again.. ANY type of wireless you could use on a laptop, etc. you can use on this as it is a fully functioning PC.
I don't have any pricing, when they will be available, etc. but am working with a forum member and vendor to bring these to you guys. No price is determined yet, but this project started to have something SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than what is currently available on the market.
There is one significant drawback.. right now there is no good FM solution. I have about 6,500 mp3's on it right now and with XM as well it has not been a problem for me.
I forgot to mention, the Onstar is still fully functional with this as well.