Recently in Car Tech Category
Just two days after the bottom dropped out of the auto industry, AT&T has announced a nifty way to pimp your existing ride.
Well, CruiseCast isn't exactly a brand new announcement. They showed off the satellite service earlier this year. With 42 channels of TV and radio in your car, that ought to keep the kids quiet.
So where is it? Well, hopefully at Crutchfield. It was announced today that the e-tailer will carry the goods to get CruiseCast, which is a joint effort between AT&T and RaySat Broadcasting Corporation (RBC).
The service comprises 22 TV networks and 20 satellite radio channels. All you have to do to get them is slap the pod-like antenna to your roof, and install the receiver into your car. That provides the A/V connections for your rear-seat entertainment and vehicle audio system.
The equipment will run you a hefty $1,299, and we're guessing more than a few layers of skin. The actual service will be an additional $28 per month. -- Rachel Cericola
Next time you are giving the finger so liberally on the highway, smile -- you might be on candid camera.
Garmin just announced that two of its new GPS units will come equipped with camera features. The Oregon 550 and Oregon 550t each boast a waterproof 3.2-megapixel camera with 4x digital zoom, as well as a 3-inch touchscreen, 850MB of internal storage, a 3-axis compass, and two precharged AA NiMH batteries.
The idea behind the camera is so that you can tag photos with locations, as if you need something else to fumble with while you're driving. If you're the multitasking type, the 550 will run $500. The 550t comes with preloaded topography maps for $600. -- Rachel Cericola
Gosh. I am just so happy that covert GPS was not around when I was younger. Did my parents really need to know what bridge I was partying under or where I was scarfing down pancakes at 2:00 a.m.?
For those prying eyes, Hammacher Schlemmer has launched the Driving Activity Reporter. This sneaky device clips to your car via a magnet. When the car returns, you can retrieve it, plug it into any computer's USB port, and start snooping. The device will detail places, routes and even the speeds traveled.
The unit is about the size of a pack of gum, and can be placed anywhere in or on the car. It's got a 16-channel GPS receiver, which works with 24 Department of Defense satellites -- all to find out which burger joint your kid likes best.
The Driving Activity Reporter holds 100 hours' worth of info and activity. That kind of peeping will cost you $230. -- Rachel Cericola
Get your motor running... head out to the Best Buy? Pretty soon, motorcycle lovers (or beginners) may be heading to the mega-retailer to catch a ride.Granted, I am scared to get on anything with two wheels that doesn't have a flowery basket up front. However, you have to wonder how motorcycles will sell at the Best Buy. Twice says that five West Coast Best Buy stores will start selling choppers this spring.
The first model available will be Brammo's Enertia, a $12,000 electric motorcycle. Here comes the scary part, though: the Geek Squad will handle some of the repairs. Ever watch American Choppers? I've never seen anyone that looks like that working behind a Geek Squad desk. The company justifies by saying that the unit is "closer to consumer electronics than to transportation." Yeah, I never had an arm severed after falling off my MP3 player.
The Enertia is a plug-in motorcycle that promises up to 53 miles per hour, with up to 45 miles on a single charge. - Rachel Cericola
Unless you are really bad with directions, you've probably noticed that most GPS units don't always deliver the best route. Now, Navigon wants to change that.
Today, the company announced three new GPS products: the 3300 max, the 4300T and the 7300T. Each one adds the MyRoutes feature, which provides up to three different ways to get you to your destination. Most GPS units don't necessarily create the best route, but as long as it's not 50 miles out of the way, I am just happy not to have to pull over and deal with paper maps.
How to choose between the MyRoutes options? Each one will have an estimated time of arrival to help in the decision-making process. Supposedly, the units will also remember some of your driving preferences, in an effort to create the best possible driving plan.
Aside from that, the 7300T ($400) also features Panorama View 3D and Landmark View 3D features, free real-time traffic info, voice control, Randy McNally's Best of the Road series, and Bluetooth support. It will be available in Q2.
The 3300 max ($200) and 4300T ($280) each feature a 4.3-inch touchscreen, with Reality View for Exits and Lane Assistant Pro features. The 4300T throws in the spoken traffic info, the Rand McNally maps, and Bluetooth as well. Both should be available before you start thinking about that summer road trip.