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Archive for the 'Car tech' Category

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10 things I loved, hated about the Motorola Droid

November 6th, 2009, 9:55 am by

Motorola Droid from Verizon WirelessI, for one, am very glad that there is more to mobile phones than the iPhone, which is a very nice phone. But if the world only wanted an iPhone, gadget geeks everywhere wouldn’t have much to look forward to. And today, we’re looking forward to the new Motorola Droid, on sale today from Verizon Wireless (There are 40 Verizon stores within 25 miles of Santa Ana. Here’s a store locator).

After a week with the Droid, I’m seriously digging its Google Android 2.0 operating system, which will pop up in more phones from Verizon Wireless and other carriers. While I wouldn’t call the Droid a game changer for the industry, it’s a game changer for Verizon Wireless because for the first time the company let outsiders help develop the phone. Even tinkerers who want to develop Android apps can  influence the Verizon phone in a way that was prohibited before.

The phone itself is an improvement over the original Google phone, the G1 (my current phone), with a sleeker shape and better internal technology. A 3.7-inch screen makes it the largest smartphone screen out there. The slide-out keyboard is a bonus. But, as with any gadget, I have an opinion. There are features I love, like and hate. Let me start with what I don’t like.

5 things I don’t like about the Droid:

1. Screen sensitivity: Nice big screen, but not as responsive and smooth as the iPhone. Not sure if it’s a glitch, but sometimes shortcuts I placed on the main screen did nothing when pressed. Other times, one touch popped up the application. Also, when scrolling on the Web, it can be jerky as images load. Reminds me of pre-broadband everywhere days. Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in: Car tech • Cell phones • Gadgets • • • • • • • • • • | 34 Comments »

Free cell phone earpieces for everyone!

June 2nd, 2008, 9:07 am by

MetroPCS is giving away cell phone ear pieces for one weekIf you’re not ready for the hands-free driving law that goes into effect July 1, stop by a MetroPCS store this week. The cell-phone company is giving away free earpieces to everyone — even if you’re not a customer.

The promotion lasts through Sunday, June 8, and is in recognition of ‘Wireless Safety Week.” (What the…? Oh, it’s a brand new PR campaign.) Keep in mind, the free earpiece may not be compatible with all phones.

For those who want a wireless headset, buy one of the select MetroPCS phones and activate service to get a free Bluetooth headset between June 21 to July 19. But I prefer wired because the best part about wired headsets is no Bluetooth battery to charge up.

No word on how much these wired earpieces cost — hopefully more than the gas it takes to get to one of its 12 Southern California stores.
MetroPCS is giving away cell phone ear pieces for one week

In OC, stores include:

MetroPCS-Fullerton
205 E Orangethorpe Ave
Fullerton, CA – 92832
Ph: (714) 730-2866

MetroPCS-Santa Ana
2307 Bristol Street #B
Santa Ana, CA – 92704
Ph: (714) 730-2869

MetroPCS-Stanton
11091 Beach Blvd
Stanton, CA – 90680
Ph: (714) 730-2882

Other Southern California stores are in Baldwin Hills, Culver City, East Los Angeles, El Monte, Lynwood, McArthur Park, Panorama City, Pomona, Redlands and Riverside. See MetroPCS’ store locator for more details.

Other stories you may like:

Posted in: Car tech • Cell phones • • • • • • | 1 Comment »

Blaupunkt’s first car radio with SD slot

September 20th, 2007, 7:48 pm by

Just spotted this in my inbox: A car stereo with an SD slot. Seems new to me but I haven’t been keeping track of stereos (although remember JVC’s first stereo with a USB port?).

Blaupunkt Melbourne SD27 car stereo with SD card

Notice, the Blaupunkt Melbourne SD27 has no CD slot — that’s what the SD/MMC slot is for. Since many of us have switched over to digital music and iPods, who needs CDs, right?

However, there is a small input in the front to plug in a portable audio player (such as an iPod or CD player) in case you haven’t had time to reload the SD card. It also works with an optional Bluetooth adapter so your cell phone conversation will be broadcast over your car speakers.

This supports Mp3 and WMA files, so good luck trying to play songs purchased on iTunes. You’ll need to plug in your iPod for that. Other optional features: input for a navigation device and the previously mentioned Bluetooth/USB adapter. Price: $159.95.

Posted in: Car tech | Comments Off

Targus’ new green adventure: Solar cars

September 19th, 2007, 10:43 am by

Making eco-friendly laptop bags just wasn’t enough. Anaheim’s Targus Inc. is now a sponsor of the Continuum, the University of Michigan’s Solar Car Team.

The University of Michigan’s Continuum solar-powered car

The entirely student-run team is the only college team that competes against corporate and private business teams in the race to develop solar cars that are good for the environment. The students design, finance, build and race the vehicle all over the world. This is the ninth generation of the Continuum.Targus EcoSmart line of eco-friendly laptop bags

Last week, the company launched its EcoSmart line of bags made from recycled plastic and material that is both free of PVC and nickel. Then companywide, Targus initiated various green policies, including a paper-recycling program, eco-friendly packaging and manufacturing.

More details on the Continuum:

The team uses small, triple-layered solar cells composed of silicon or gallium-arsenide to convert solar energy to electricity, covering the top of the solar car for optimum energy generation.

Watch the official unveiling video below (more videos HERE):

Please enable Javascript and Flash to view this Flash video.

Posted in: Car tech • Laptop bags • | Comments Off

SRS Labs scores with Subaru Impreza

September 18th, 2007, 11:15 am by

SRS Inside the Subaru ImprezaSick of the weak stereo in your car?

Santa Ana’s SRS Labs managed to get its Circle Surround Auto technology inside a car, the 2008 Subaru Impreza. This is the first vehicle to sign on with SRS’s new CS Auto technology, which, like other SRS products, makes audio from all sorts of devices sound better. Check out SRS’ demo on its home page HERE.

What’s the big deal? Circle Surround Auto elevates sound to ear level even if sound is coming from the lower speakers in the door or under the dashboard.

It also creates a ‘phantom center speaker’ to focus on vocals from the audio track and includes a channel-mixing feature. And for those who need a thumping bass but can’t afford a sweet system, the technology includes SRS Labs’ bass enhancement system to create a virtual subwoofer.

Let’s hope more cars will add the technology, especially for us cheapskates who don’t want to buy a better system for our cars.

    Posted in: Audio • Car tech • | Comments Off

    AAA’s navigation service finally launches

    August 14th, 2007, 1:34 pm by

    AAA’s new GPS service from NIMAs mentioned right here in March, a new GPS service for members of the AAA automobile club is now available on a cell phone. This merges maps and audible directions with AAA reviews and points of interest.

    The technical stuff was developed by Aliso Veijo’s Networks in Motion, which is also powering Verizon’s VZ Navigator service. I tested NIM’s service last year on a Verizon phone and loved it.

    AAA’s new mobile GPSWhat AAA members need to know:

    • Initially available on Sprint phones, but the service will work with all the cell phone companies.
    • It’s $9.99 a month, plus data charges from your phone company (Sprint charges 3-cents per kilobyte).
    • If you’re stranded, one touch of a button sends AAA your geographical location and connects you to roadside assistance.
    • Instead of carrying that AAA travel book around, users can get access to AAA guides on the phone — as long as you can get phone service. The usual info — hotels reviews, restaurants summaries, etc. — are searchable. Plus, the phone will direct you to the closest gas station, ATM and movie theater if you don’t know exactly where you are going.

    Lots of details plus a demo of the product is available at AAA’s special mobile site: aaa.com/aaamobile

    Posted in: Car tech • Cell phones • • • | Comments Off

    iPhone car kit giveaway this weekend

    July 31st, 2007, 1:58 pm by

    For the 270,000-plus iPhone users out there, DICE Electronics wants to sell you an iPhone car kit. But if you happen to be living in OC and stop by the Tustin Toyota Auto Center on Saturday, you just may win your own $159 car kits.

    I mentioned the kit just after the iPhone launch and used the Dice-provided photo on right. Then I heard from Nick Jaquay, who works for Dice in Orange County. That’s his hand holding up the iPhone.

    He also told me about the Saturday event, which is actually the launch of the 2008 Toyota Scion xD. The event is sponsored by Tustin Toyota and KIIS FM. Dice will be giving away iPod/iPhone car kits and HD Radio kits every hour, plus showing people how to install the equipment. They’re expecting hundreds of people, which is far fewer than the number who lined up overnight for iPhones.

    ::details::
    What: 2008 Toyota Scion xD unveiling
    When: Saturday, August 4, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
    Where: Joe’s Garage, 36 Auto Center Drive in Tustin

    Posted in: Car tech • iPhone • | Comments Off

    Dash GPS update on search for reviewers

    May 17th, 2007, 7:26 am by

    I’ve heard from my first reader who signed up for a chance to review the next-generation of traffic navigation from Dash Navigation (the car GPS unit with mobile-phone access to access the latest traffic data and, if necessary, reroute the vehicle). He’s been selected and he’s very excited. He wouldn’t have heard about the reviewer program if it wasn’t for my story. See, it pays to read my stuff!

    So, if you signed up to review the new device and are still waiting for a response, it should come any day now. If it doesn’t, I guess you’ll have to wait until Dash launches the product this fall. Good luck all!

    For those wanting to explore some of my older GPS posts, here’s a few links:

    * Delphi’s live traffic kit
    * Readers offer their own GPS reviews
    * Cowon tries GPS

    Posted in: Car tech • • • • • | 2 Comments »

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