Jalopnik
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car gadgets
22 Custom Jalopnik Wallpapers For Your Apple iPhone And Palm Pre
The recent release of the Apple iPhone 3GS and the Palm Pre provide a great time for these twenty-two exclusive, high-resolution Jalopnik wallpapers to you, our car-obsessive readership. Take your pick below. More »
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Comment by ThreeLitre: can we get a Desktop sized set of these? Please?! 17 Responses | Other threads
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car gadgets
Chalkbot Pneumatically Sprays 100,000 Graffiti Messages During Tour De France
Lance Armstrong and Nike's Livestrong partnered with DeepLocal and StandardRobot to develop this Chalkbot, designed to spray 100,000 messages of courage, hope and action along the 2009 Tour de France for people that've been affected by cancer. More »
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Comment by DonLuc: Shouldn't they write-in descending fashio-n so that you can re-ad as you ride? Notread, stop, look bac-ck and finish the... 9 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Heli Mission SWAT Truck: R/C Truck + R/C Helicopter
There's something ingeniously simple and awesome about the Heli Mission SWAT Truck, which combines a six-wheeled R/C truck with a fully R/C helicopter. We may have found the perfect wedding gift. More »
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Comment by Turbineguy: Aww crap... I read the headline and thought the TRUCK deployed a rotor system and could fly. And I was just... 9 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Toyota Building Wheelchair Controlled By Brain Waves
Upping the ante in weird not-entirely-automotive gadgets coming from automakers (think Honda's robo-legs and GM's Segway PUMA), Toyota's built a wheelchair that can be powered by human thoughts. Seriously. More »
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Comment by Flathead Smith: If I were the chief engineer I wouldn't waste my time on stuff like this. I'd be working on a... 9 Responses | Other threads
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auto branding adventures
Land Rover Lends Name To Virtually Everything-Proof S1 Phone
Land Rover partnered with Sonim Technologies to create this — the world's first IP-67-rated GSM mobile phone. The S1 is completely resistant to dirt, dust, drops and can be fully submersed up to 3.3 feet. More »
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Comment by SirNotAppearing: Submerge only up to 3.3 feet? I guess they're planning on you either dropping it in the toilet, or leaving... 14 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
The $7,000 Custom Key Fob
If expensive supercars and gold paint jobs aren't unique enough for you, Eng-i-Creation can whip up a one-off silver and gold embellished custom folding key-fob for only about $7,000. More »
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By Ben WojdylaComment by pauljones: Everyone post a different face palm. Let's see how many we can get. 43 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Panasonic Launches First In-Car Blu-Ray DVD Player
Panasonic is launching the first in-car Blu-Ray DVD player, the CN-HX900D, for those who need to watch HD videos on a 7-inch screen while waiting in the drive-thru at McDonalds. More »
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Comment by WilliamG.: I look forward to the day when the entire windshield is turned into an entertainment display panel, and that pesky... 3 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
OnStar May Add Voice-Activated Twitter Capability
OnStar may soon partner with Twitter to offer hands-free tweeting capability to its suite of voice-activated communications services. This may be the perfect compliment to OnStar's automatic crash reporting. More »
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Comment by Leeeeena - 1000 Club: haha, roadrage tweets have gotta be funny as hell! 6 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Bulldog R/C Rider Is The Best Grown-Up Toy Car Ever
Playing with R/C cars always engenders the thought "Man that would be really fun if it was big enough to ride." Well 3Z Scale has an awesome new offering: The Bulldog R/C Rider. More »
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By Ben WojdylaComment by Elhigh: Now this is just me, but I think a Gator would be way more fun. Room for: camping gear, a cooler... 10 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Lewis Hamilton Ghost Rides F1 Car Using Blackberry Storm
We know you can use an iPhone as a G-meter, but did you know you could use a Blackberry Storm to control an F1 car? Lewis Hamilton had his McLaren wired to try it. More »
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By Wes SilerComment by groundsquirrel: meh.... that would be cool if a monkey was driving. 3 Responses | Other threads
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navigation systems
XROADS G-Map: First iPhone Turn-By-Turn Nav App Review
The XROADS G-Map software brings turn-by-turn capabilities to the Apple iPhone, bridging the gap between the device and a typical GPS systems. Does it work? More »
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Comment by Graverobber: You know, with the camera on the back of the iPhone, you could mount it so it has a view... 5 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
2010 Toyota Prius Touch Tracer Display Makes Buttons Intuitive
The 2010 Toyota Prius uses a clever display that mimics user inputs on steering wheel-mounted buttons in the information display meaning you can keep your eyes on the road and not on the buttons.
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By Wes SilerComment by .357: Doesn't the S-Class already have something similar[2.bp.blogspot.com] 5 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
BMW's New Navigation System Knows Where You're Going
BMW is reportedly developing a new navigation element which can guess your next destination based on driving habit and time of day. BMW is sorry Dave, it cannot let you put this route at risk. More »
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By Ben WojdylaComment by pauljones: One more reason why I don't want a BMW. 16 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Samsung Transparent OLED Display Pitched As Automotive HUD
Organic light emitting diode displays are normally shown over a black background to provide contrast. This see-though Samsung display, however, does not, providing a creepy, holographic quality perfect for a high content heads-up display. More »
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By Ben WojdylaComment by layabout returns: This oled thing really pissed me off,i was about to upgrade my 37" LCD tv to a 42" LCD HD... 17 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Truck N' Buddy Aftermarket Pickup Truck Step Gives Ford Patents The Finger
Like Howie Long, have you been enviously coveting the 2009 Ford F-150's man step? Now, thanks to the Truck N' Buddy, you can have a similar feature on any pickup of your choosing. More »
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By Wes SilerComment by leavethegun-takethecannoli: I carry seventeen cinder-blocks in the back of my truck just for this reason. When I have to climb up... 16 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Hughes Previews Future Of In-Car Tech, We Want It Now
Imagine a car that personalizes its navigation, information and connectivity to your needs. Sounds great, right? Well, it exists right now, but it's going to be awhile before you can buy a car with it. More »
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By Wes SilerComment by pauljones: As cool as all this sounds, I'm sorry, but my car just does not need to do this shit. I... 13 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Driver Saved From $200 Ticket By iPhone
When a police officer asks for proof-of-insurance, most people reach for their card. When it's expired, most people take the ticket. Paul reached for his iPhone and saved himself $200 and a suspended license. More »
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Comment by radryan03: Same thing happened to me in Jersey - I got the ticket after showing my insurance on my phone. ... 13 Responses | Other threads
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chrysler uconnect
Chrysler uconnect: An Orwellian Nightmare
The overriding theme for Chrysler’s Detroit Auto Show unveils seems to be the future and the latest fantasy is a frightening space-age version of Chrysler uconnect. More » -
gadgets
Segway-Killing Toyota Winglet Enters Production Priced At $3,500
Toyota is putting its sex toy-like Winglet personal transportation device into production, with limited sales beginning this year. For just $3,500 you can look as ridiculous as a Segway owner. More »
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By Wes SilerComment by Ash78: I just saw Wall*E the other day for the first time. Scary. 13 Responses | Other threads
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novelties
Toyota Safety Connect, Lexus Enform Take Aim At GM OnStar With New Service
Toyota's ready to battle GM's OnStar with it's own on-board telematics program appropriately named Safety Connect and Lexus Enform. Of course GM could have avoided this if they'd let Lexus continue to use OnStar. More »
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Comment by leavethegun-takethecannoli: Can they eavesdrop in on conversations in a car with these systems? 5 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Swiitek CarPC Head Units Heading To CES
Swiitek's bringing two universal-fit double-DIN PCs and four dashboard-specific head units designed to fit late-model Toyota Camrys, Corollas, Honda Civics and CR-Vs to this week's CES geekfest in Vegas.
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By Wes SilerComment by veedubu: no thanks, will wait for a release from Apple. 6 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Dashboard Devices Hopes To Corner In-Car Computer Market
With the ability to integrate movies, music, navigation, phone and Internet into one in-dash device, Dashboard Devices thinks it has developed the ultimate in in-car tech.
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By Wes SilerComment by Ash78: Wow...looks like ICE are approaching a singularity with avionics. I wonder if it has stormscope and 3D RVMS data. 4 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Mercedes Splitview Command Coming To 2009 S-Class
You’ll soon be able to check one more option box on that 2009 Mercedes S-Class you planned on ordering next year.
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Comment by SCROGGS!!!: Hey Mercedes, couldn't you just give us this dash mounted command system instead? 3 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Deer Detecting Road Technology Being Tested In Colorado
An electromagnetic sensor system capable of automatically detecting the presence of large animals on or near roadways and alerting drivers to their presence is being tested in Colorado. So far, the system appears to be working; the only problem might be the drivers themselves. Colorado is trialing the system on a road where up to 70% of all accidents involve vehicles colliding with animals. But how does it work? More »
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By Wes SilerComment by Blago-less Chicago: Bambi may live to see another day 3 Responses | Other threads
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carcade
Carcade Turns The World Outside Your Car Into A Video Game
Because the DVD players and in-car PS3s were starting to bore the kids, three students at the Berlin University of the Arts have created a video game that uses what's going on outside a car's window, incorporating it into the game. Behold CARCADE! Utilizing a webcam and a laptop, the program detects the landscape outside the window and then lets players zoom around the obstacles. The game is currently in demo form but shows off some fairly awesome technology. [Carcade via Gizmodo]
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Comment by Number_Six: When I was young we just punched each other until Dad pulled over and smacked three shades of shit out... 3 Responses | Other threads
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accessories
BrakeNutz. Yeah, You Read That Right, Brake... Nutz.
Let's say you're looking for a way to spice up the tail-end of pickup truck and regular truck nutz just don't do it for you. Perhaps something more tasteful and yet more flashy — literally. Enter BrakeNutz, a clear set of polycarbonate Nutz with dual-element LEDs inside. Those strategically placed lights are wired to mimic brake lights when properly installed into your cars or trucks wire harness. Guess that's one way to legally flash your nutz at someone. [BrakeNutz]
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By Ben WojdylaComment by beercheck - Commentin' Dirty: Who in hell says "up blinker" and "down blinker", anyway? 5 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
New Sharp Mobile Phone Will Unlock Car Doors, Start Engine For Owner
Eliminating the need to stuff both car keys and a mobile phone in your pockets, Nissan has partnered with electronics maker Sharp and mobile phone company NTT Docomo to create a phone that can do everything your car keys do, plus make phone calls. The gadget may not be able to help you open packages or stab muggers in the face like a traditional key can, but it can still operate your door locks and start up your engine. It does this by tapping into Nissan's Intelligent Key system which is already in place on premium models like the GT-R. We just hope they don't start charging roaming fees for driving your car outside of your normal coverage network. Press release after the jump. More »
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By Mark ArnoldComment by layabout returns: Why? I'm happy with keys thanks. 3 Responses | Other threads
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Audi Travolution
Audi Backs Traffic Project To Get Cars Talking To Traffic Lights, Minimize Time Spent At Stops
Audi has thrown its weight behind "Travolution," a German traffic light communication management system trying to smooth traffic flow and reduce congestion. The system works by way of 46 smart traffic lights installed in Audi's home town of Ingolstadt which communicate with specially equipped Audi A5s and A6s. The cars interpret the information from the lights and display an ideal speed to the driver which leads to smooth sailing through green lights as opposed to hitting the reds. The lights also interpret traffic density and adjust timing to reduce times at the line - and therefore minimization of fuel-sapping "stop-start" traffic. Sounds like a plan to us More »
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By Ben WojdylaComment by Ash78: I like this idea, but have always wondered why it couldn't be accomplished through sensors mounted on the lights--perhaps an... 6 Responses | Other threads
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navigation systems
Google Search Coming To 2009 BMW 1- and 3-Series
Stateside buyers of BMW’s 1- and 3-Series vehicles will now have the option to add “BMW Search Powered By Google Maps” to their BMW Assist and Navigation system-equipped vehicles. Basically, this means they’ll be able to search for addresses and phone numbers directly from their navigation system using Google Maps. The advantages of such a system are obvious, allowing drivers a quick and easy method to find contact details and directions on the fly. But, as with all BMW options, BMW Search is actually way more complicated than that. The press release follows the jump; see if you can understand it. More »
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By Wes SilerComment by Sloop_John_B: Meh, no thanks. I still stick with the devices that I can use between multiple cars. Thus, I can choose... 1 Responses | Other threads
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novelties
Trucker Rigs Disappearing License Plate To Cheat Tolls
Ever since James Bond showed off the rotating plates on his Aston Martin, people have been inspired to rig up their own devices to conceal their vehicle's identity. Recently, a trucker was nearly caught using such a device to avoid paying tolls. The trick plate was mounted on a hinge and connected to a cable which ran into the cabin, the end of which went through the old cigarette lighter socket, and was activated just by pulling out the lighter. It's brilliantly simple, and evidently rather popular among truckers looking to beat the system. Stick it to the man! [via Yahoo, Gizmodo]
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By Mark ArnoldComment by contender★: I grew up in West Virginia. Thanks to earmarks from Sen Byrd we have some of the best interstates... 3 Responses | Other threads
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auto branding adventures
Porsche Design Launches P’9120 Desk Radio
Not to be confused with the last Porsche Design radio, the P’9120 is an attractive desktop radio capable of linking to an iPod or similar radio, and is encapsulated in an attractive aluminum body. The radio is said to be a joint product of Porsche Design and Etón Corporation, known for their hand-crank emergency radios — always a benchmark of fidelity. And, like all Porsche Design products, we’re betting the P'9120 will be ridiculously overpriced and pretty low-quality, which doesn’t sound to us like a good analogy for Porsche cars, but hey, we’re not the ones doing the marketing. The press release follows the jump. More »
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By Wes SilerComment by oldraven: Porsche Design? More like the lack thereof. A box with three circles................ and check out that remote. It's a grid.... 3 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
TomTom Go x40 LIVE Lets Users Inform Each Other Of Speed Traps, Uses Cell Phone Position Data to Map Traffic
The new TomTom Go x40 LIVE series of GPS navigation units allows users to update maps on the fly with the positions of police speed traps and traffic cameras, thus alerting other TomTom users in the area of their presence. Also stored within the system is historical travel time data for every road by day of the week, in five-minute intervals. To calculate a traffic-free route, the TomTom compares these figures to real-time anonymous cell phone movements. More »
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By Wes SilerComment by biasply: Until this thing has an application that allows real-time chat with truck-stop hookers, I'm sticking with my CB. 1 Responses | Other threads
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gadgets
Chrysler Prices Mobile Internet Service At $499 One-Time, $29 Per Month
Chrysler's mobile internet system, UConnect, has finally gotten official pricing, and unless you're the crackberry type with a serious addiction, the $499 initial fee and $29 monthly fee probably sounds pretty steep. The system was developed by Autonet, a company which installs something similar — and portable — in Avis rent-a-wrecks. The initial professional installation costs between $35 and $50, and, combined with the one-time and ongoing fees, this is looking like a worse deal than going Comcastic. [MotorAuthority]
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By Ben WojdylaComment by FP - pass the stars, please: The only way this could possibly be a good thing is if it was somehow restricted to displaying images of... more » | Other threads
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gadgets
Oh Optimus, What Have They Done To You?
JList, purveyors of all things Japanese and crazy, is offering for sale an iPod dock in the shape of Optimus Prime towing Convoy. The trailer acts as the actual dock, while Optimus' job is apparently to transform and protect theall sparkiPod. It's available in original colors, but it also comes in all-white, which is interesting since white is the symbolic color of death in Japan. Perhaps they're beating the dead horse of marketing and have decided to just run with it. It's available for $138 plus shipping if you happen to be an iPod fanboy and a Transformers dork (...Wert?). [JList] More »
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By Ben WojdylaComment by MrSpyder: Yeah, i had a white Optimus too, it was called Ultra Magnus. He was a car carrier. [mykooltoyz.tripod.com] or [www.ultimatetoys.com.my] more » | Other threads
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gadgets
RENNTECH Releases Mercedes Height Control System
RENNTECH, tuners of all things Mercedes and pizza-sized, have released a digital lowering module (DLM) for monster Benzies equipped with Airmatic or ABC adjustable suspensions. The DLM allows drivers to dial-in heights for each wheel and set adjustable heights based on speed. The system uses an interface similar to an MP3 system, which makes us worried that we would accidentally bottom out the car while trying to switch between Elvis Costello albums. Press release below the jump. More » -
gadgets
Accessing Maps On Mobile Devices Jumps 82% In US
If you're squinting at a poorly-rendered map on your Blackberry, turns out you're not alone. According to an industry report released today, up to 8% of Americans are now downloading driving directions and online maps via mobile devices, which equates to a whopping 82% increase over last year. Ironic that mobile map use is increasing just as in-car navigation systems are becoming more common: Are we getting hooked on nav? Full release after the jump. More »
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By Andrew StoyComment by racerx (Minardi): Google Maps on my cell is great, especially when you don't like getting directions or taking maps like me. more » | Other threads
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british motor show
Ego Introduces $20,000 Bentley Notebook Computer; Still Uses Vista
Ego, Dutch maker of "luxury notebooks," displayed their $20,000 Bentley laptop at the British Motor Show this week. The computer features color schemes taken directly from Bentley automobiles, and each unit is hand-built and wrapped in custom-stitched leather. Actual computing is handled by a 64-bit processor with 160GB hard drive, running Microsoft Windows Vista. Additionally, the company says the carrying handle was inspired by the door handle on Bentley cars, but a quick peek at Ego's website shows pretty much the same handle design used on all their notebooks. Oh well. For $20k they must be telling the truth. [eGMCartech]
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By Andrew StoyComment by kaosfere: The phrase "quilted scrotum" is going to be stuck in my head all day. :( more » | Other threads
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gadgets
GM Developing View-Enhancing Laser Windshield, Intends To Outspend Reds In Automotive Cold War
General Motors is building a prototype windshield capable of enhancing a driver's vision with lasers. No, this isn't the automotive equivalent of LASIK, but rather a system for identifying road markings and making them more visible to drivers during difficult conditions. The system is being developed with older drivers in mind, and of course won't be able to completely compensate for bad vision. So how does it work? More » -
gadgets
1:16 Scale Hummer HX Concept Raises Eyebrows
Hummer is on one hell of a rollercoaster ride lately. The brand may be done and the sales are plummeting, but the Hummer HX concept is still rumored to be involved in the Transformers sequel. And now, for the first time, the HX can be purchased by general consumers, at least in the toy form, with this remote-control 1:16 scale Hummer HX. It's available for $40, but don't confuse it with the Warthog. So what's going on, Hummer? Are you throwing in the towel or pushing on with concept designs that won't be hitting production anytime soon? [Product Page via Likecool]
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Comment by thatguy01: Is the RHD controller a clue about Hummer's new subcontinental masters? more » | Other threads
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gadgets
iPhone GPS Worse Than Expected
We apologize for getting your hopes up about the iPhone's GPS capabilities, because with the release just days away, the first reviews of the device are pouring in and there's some bad news about the GPS functionality. Or lack thereof. David Pogue of The New York Times points out that the iPhone 2.0, while it still has real GPS and not the location-based-shenanigans of its predecessor, is not ready to compete with the big boys of the navigation world. More »
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Comment by LandofMinos, I took the O out of Cuntry: @turbo zero: I live in Newtown, Sydney. I listen to 2SCR 107.3. I actually helped build the studio at FBi.... more » | Other threads
gadgets
Detroit, 3:57 PM
Fri Jul 10
27 posts in the last 24 hours
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