Gadgets - Thursday, March 27, 2008 9:31 - 0 Comments

Njection and Garmin partner to identify speed traps

Njection is a website for guys like us. In addition to their forums and picture resources, they have compiled a database of more than 50,000 speed traps worldwide — areas with high radar use and speed cameras — that works with Microsoft Live Maps. Njection is teaming up with Garmin, a leading manufacturer of GPS, to allow drivers to download and display their speed trap database information on portable navigation units.

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Gadgets - Friday, February 29, 2008 2:45 - 0 Comments

Push-button starts to alter the interior landscape?

The question “Where are my car keys?” hasn’t left the building just yet, but is being shown to the door. Why? The arrival of push-button starters and smart cards in an increasing number of automobiles. Now that Nissan and Toyota have added button-starters to their high end Altima and Camry models, well, you know what that means: soon everyone’s going to have them.

The tech-ification of starting your car is supposed to have at least two winners: car designers and consumers. Designers can put the starter buttons anywhere and even make them part of the car’s appeal, like Jaguar has done on the new XF with a starter button that pulses like a heartbeat when you get in. Consumers will get a key that does more than just turn on the car, like adjust your seat and mirrors, turn on the heat, and treat you to free In-N-Out burgers. Ok, so not really on the In-N-Out thing. That’s the next generation.

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Gadgets - Thursday, February 21, 2008 2:19 - 0 Comments

MirrorPilot rear-view integrated GPS

Tired of your suction-cup mounted GPS ending up on the floor of your car? Maybe you would just prefer to have your navigation system more in your line of sight? Whatever the reason, MirrorPilot has an answer. The GPS navigation device integrates into a rear-view mirror to give full navigation function while keeping your eyes up and the road at least in your peripheral vision – letting you see where you’re going and where you’ve been all at once.

The device itself is simply a moderately endowed sat-nav system. What makes it unique is its integration into the rear-view mirror. Some carmakers have integrated compasses or temperature displays into their mirrors displays and integrated universal garage-door openers are almost a standard feature these days. MirrorPilot adds full 2D and 3D GPS navigation with over 800,000 locations and an expandable map system. If the Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy were rewritten today, it might advise leaving the towel at home and instead bringing along your rear-view mirror.

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Gadgets - Thursday, February 21, 2008 2:09 - 0 Comments

Microsoft ready to expand beyond Ford SYNC

It was just last month when we reported the announcement that Microsoft had taken Ford’s SYNC to the next level. It was good news for Ford, and good news to consumers who apparently like the award-winning hands-free communication and entertainment system. Even with $395 price tag, SYNC was selling faster than Hanna Montana tickets at a middle school box office.

Ford isn’t the only automaker using the Windows CE 6.0 based Microsoft Auto technology. Before Ford inked their deal, Microsoft had licensed the technology to the Italian automaker Fiat SpA. Now, as Ford’s exclusive U.S. rights to the technology are set to end later this year, Microsoft is eager to bring other automakers on board. It shouldn’t be a tough sell, as consumers are embracing technology-laden vehicles, and Ford’s SYNC has proven to help sell cars.
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Gadgets - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 8:24 - 0 Comments

Rearview mirror DVR captures everything in front of you

Ever been in an accident and wished you had in-car camera footage so you could explain to everyone what really happened and why it wasn’t your fault? If so, Brickhouse Security has the device for you: the rearview mirror camera recorder. Using a small camera mounted on the back of the rear view mirror, it records everything happening in front of your car. The footage is displayed on a 2.5-inch LCD screen on the face of the mirror, which also includes handy playback controls in case you just want to see the instant replay immediately, or relive the commute to work when you get there.

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Gadgets - Tuesday, February 19, 2008 8:20 - 0 Comments

Worst. Accessory. Ever. Play V8 engine noise through your car stereo

We’re inundated with our fair share of press releases from aftermarket companies, but this one takes the proverbial cake in ‘08. A firm by the name of in.pro. is marketing a system to the worst-of-the-worst poseurs in the form of the Virtual Motor. The system taps into the RPM sensor and then plays a choice of four different engine noises through the vehicle’s stereo. What high-revving sounds you ask? Well, you can either be serenaded by an “Italo V8,” a six-cylinder boxer, a “rallye” engine or… wait for it… a Monoposto; what we’re assuming is an F1 car’s 15,000-rpm shriek.

We’re taking suggestions for the most ridiculous vehicle to be equipped with the Virtual Motor in the comments below, but we’ll start off with the Daewoo Matiz — equipped with the 800cc three-cylinder.
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