WiFi-detector T-shirt turned into a bumper sticker for the roadfaring nerd

We're not sure if an illuminated WiFi-detector window decal is more or less nerdy than the illuminated WiFi-detector T-shirt, but it's certainly cooler. The shirt costs about $20 now, and the mod to take the electroluminescent WiFi signal detector panel, add the necessary power converter and mount it all to the back your car of seems easy enough if you're the type to tinker. Now -- who's going to do this, set up a MiFi, and start charging fellow commuters for access? Video after the break.

[Thanks, Jonathan]

[AirieFenix Posted Feb 1st 2010 5:56PM]

@zedcon1 haha, no I didn't. The iPad is totally useless but... it's... totally useless so I don't want it xD

[GeekPI Posted Feb 1st 2010 5:35PM]

Also completely illegal to have operating while driving. Only amber and red lights are supposed to be visible from behind while the car is traveling forward. That's why interior lights and license plate lights aren't directly visible by those traveling from behind. Only when the car is put in reverse are while lights allowed to be directly visible on the back side of a car.

And blue-ish tinted lights? You're just asking to be pulled over.

Cool project none-the-less.

[meking87 Posted Feb 1st 2010 6:54PM]

@GeekPI
Good observation. The legality of this slipped my mind, but I still want one.

[BrianH Posted Feb 1st 2010 7:14PM]

@GeekPI

maybe it only works when the car is off.

[One Love Posted Feb 1st 2010 5:37PM]

My battery is dead. :(

[One Love Posted Feb 1st 2010 5:49PM]

Engadget wifi detector shirt omg:

http://www.flashwear.com/online_store/wifi_blue_waves_tshirt.cfm

[bladerunner Posted Feb 1st 2010 6:24PM]

@One Love ???

[humanerror Posted Feb 1st 2010 5:39PM]

Hmm since it would be illegal in a car in the uk i'll be stealing this mod and putting it onto my laptop bag, as that would be both awesome and legal.

[Ducman69 Posted Feb 1st 2010 5:45PM]

@humanerror illegal? were they serious about even outlawing kitchen knives like I heard about? man are there some uptight politicians over the pond.

[RikF Posted Feb 1st 2010 5:58PM]

@Ducman69 Illegal over most (all?) of the US as well due to laws regarding the color of lights visible on the back of a moving vehicle.

[cswright Posted Feb 2nd 2010 12:08AM]

@Ducman69 illegal on this side too bub. and our politicians are pretty uptight as well

[IBrian Posted Feb 1st 2010 5:40PM]

I want to get one of those equalizer ones now and do this. Everyone will know when im rocking out, if they don't hear the subs first.

[One Love Posted Feb 1st 2010 5:45PM]

@IBrian : Now, I know what to do with the one I have in my closet. :)

[IBrian Posted Feb 1st 2010 6:05PM]

@One Love
Honestly, send me a pic. Lol, it would be so tacky, yet awesome.

[richb93 Posted Feb 1st 2010 6:08PM]

@IBrian The equalizer shirts suck because they arent actually equalizers, just volume monitors D:

[ndrwme Posted Feb 1st 2010 6:55PM]

@IBrian Disney beat you to it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XVFYMpWwn4

[incognito Posted Feb 2nd 2010 4:08AM]

@One Love, then let it come out of the closet to live up to its full potential :D

[robothero Posted Feb 1st 2010 5:43PM]

Why am I not surprised that he drives an Element?

[Plazmic Flame Posted Feb 1st 2010 5:49PM]

I would buy one but to hell with the Apple sign on my car.

[roman1290 Posted Feb 1st 2010 5:50PM]

Gives the most pointless car in the world a reason to exist, a 3500lb. wifi detector.

[mello Posted Feb 1st 2010 9:51PM]

@roman1290 Pointless? It has no B-pillars and you can hose out the interior! That's awesome!

[mtnDewFTW Posted Feb 1st 2010 6:01PM]

LOL love the license plate.

[Nitesh Posted Feb 1st 2010 6:02PM]

So stop your car, only to find its encrypted. Or someone just has a leaky microwave.

[mtnDewFTW Posted Feb 1st 2010 6:02PM]

LOL love the license plate.

[rashad1 Posted Feb 1st 2010 6:13PM]

Mad props for this...

[Bandigolo Posted Feb 1st 2010 6:31PM]

Hmmm. New York license plate, Apple sticker... This would be much funnier if the bumper sticker were a 3G signal with no bars.

[trainwrecka Posted Feb 1st 2010 6:40PM]

Thank you Engadget for hiding replies again.

[Nerdtalker Posted Feb 1st 2010 6:42PM]

Their license plate = atrocious.

I think I rolled my eyes like 40 times just now.

[Jack Posted Feb 1st 2010 8:06PM]

@Nerdtalker

Not sure why. Are you jealous?

[incognito Posted Feb 2nd 2010 4:16AM]

@Jack, who could be jealous about that? No, the feeling is that transfer of unpleasantness mixed with shame for the ones that have no shame. Something like when you see someone piss himself in public.

[OhLetsSayMoe Posted Feb 1st 2010 6:57PM]

It's a backlit "please break into my car and steal my gadgets" sign.

[Seth Levy Posted Feb 1st 2010 7:21PM]

This is going on my windshield, not in the back. I want to know when I am near a wifi point!

[urza9814 Posted Feb 1st 2010 7:34PM]

Nice. I may have to do something like this. I have one of those shirts, but I never wear it because it emits this incredibly annoying high pitch squeal. It's not very loud though, so if it's not right on your chest you probably wouldn't hear it.

[Plazmic Flame Posted Feb 1st 2010 7:42PM]

Anyone know where to get the T-Shirt? Having a hard time finding a website...

[slinkman44 Posted Feb 2nd 2010 12:43AM]

@Plazmic Flame I know you can get them at www.thinkgeek.com

[incognito Posted Feb 2nd 2010 4:18AM]

@Plazmic Flame, http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/interactive/991e/?cpg=cj

[kobioshi Posted Feb 1st 2010 8:23PM]

Dude that is cool.

[gozerxp Posted Feb 1st 2010 9:47PM]

the license plate says "macgeek" isn't that an oxy moron? "macn00b" would be acceptable.

[thunderbollock Posted Feb 2nd 2010 4:41AM]

I always wondered what there is to stop someone setting up a wireless access point to a familiar name (e.g. BT Openzone) that requires users to enter credit card info and basically steals the card details in the process?

How can you be sure when you use these access points that they are who they say they are?

[jpeavy1 Posted Mar 18th 2010 12:58AM]

awesome!

[jpeavy1 Posted Mar 18th 2010 1:08AM]

really awesome!

[jpeavy1 Posted Mar 18th 2010 1:24AM]

incredibly awesome!