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TomTom offers free iPhone 4 adapter for Car Kit
We still maintain that you've got better options than TomTom when it comes to iPhone GPS software, but if you pulled the trigger before giving yourself a moment to consider what you were actually doing, this here news may just interest you. In an effort to maintain compatibility with Apple's latest and greatest iPhone, TomTom is now including a simple adapter for all Car Kit orders going out on September 1st or later. If you ordered one prior to that, you can apply down in the source link for a freebie to be sent your way. Or just hack something up in the garage that looks like the insert above. Your call, vaquero. Update: Full press release after the break. [Thanks, Dan]
Ask Engadget HD: Which wall mount should I choose?
We don't dabble too heavily in HD furniture and the like here, but this question just seemed to far-reaching to pass up. Take it away, Lester:"I'm thinking of buying a 42-inch LCD TV soon, and I'm looking at wall mount options. I'd love something that can move left / right / up / down at least a little if possible, and I want one that's relatively easy to install. Cost is a concern, so I'm trying to get one that won't kill my savings. Does anyone have recommendations?"For you brave few out there that have overlooked the traditional TV stand in order to slap your flat-panel upside the wall, what apparatus did you use? A DIY contraption? A pre-built unit? How was the experience? Sound off below!Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.
Pantel debuts outdoor TV mounts for outdoor HDTVs
It just makes sense, doesn't it? Outdoor mounts for outdoor TVs! Pantel, which has grown in popularity thanks to its ability to crank out televisions which are immune to rain / Kool-Aid / etc., has just announced that it will soon launch its line of weatherized outdoor flat panel mounting solutions and accessories. Users looking for a matching mount to pair up with their waterproof set can find a variety of options including a ceiling mount stand ($749.00), wall mount stand ($499.99), mobile floor stand ($999.99), a floor mount stand ($949.99) and a table top stand ($349.99 to $1,499.99). Hey, we never said they'd be cheap, just that they'd last a while.
Da-Lite reads the trends well, intros 3D Projector Stackers
You just have to love how meaningful bandwagons can be, don't you? With practically everyone from movie studio heads to TV makers champing at the bit to involve themselves with the advent of 3D, Da-Lite is making sure it doesn't miss the boat. The screen company has just announced its new 3D Projector Stackers, which are hailed as "the perfect mounting solution for front or rear projection stereoscopic 3D displays." Sure, we're no experts in mounting, but the timing here indicates that there just might be a bit of marketing hoopla going on. At any rate, the Stackers are available with two shelf sizes and are built to accommodate "the most common projectors in the market." Oh, and if you're wondering how these are so beneficial, Da-Lite states that "because projector alignment is critical to an excellent 3D display, each cradle offers a host of fine tuning adjustments to make image alignment simple and efficient." Right-o.
Chief / Sanus to debut automatic motorized TV tilt mount
You know what time it (almost) is, so you'll be prepared to handle a whole new breed of TV mounts as well. With CEDIA upon us, Chief Manufacturing and Sanus are both rolling out the same automatic motorized tilt mount, though it'll be dubbed LT15 for Chief and CM8 for Sanus. Put simply, this was designed for folks who want / need to mount their set higher than eye level. Upon receiving a signal via optical cable that the set was turned on, it automatically tilts the unit downward in order to give everyone a better view. Surprisingly, the asking price on this is just $299, which -- all things considered -- isn't half bad.
Taxidermists and their creations in the World of Warcraft
The author of "Warcraft and Other Hooha" read on the Lord of the Rings Online's site that there are taxidermists in game who will mount and show off your kills, and wondered why the same thing wasn't going on in Azeroth. It seems silly at first, but there's actually a lot of precedent -- they collected all the current taxidermy in Warcraft, and the case is pretty convincing. Clearly someone is stuffing and mounting animals in Azeroth.Of course, as in LotRO, this is a feature that would go hand-in-hand with player housing, so we shouldn't expect to see one until we've gotten the other (and odds are that we won't see player housing anytime soon, though guild housing is another story). Not everybody would want dead animals adorning their walls (Druids probably wouldn't appreciate having that bear around), but what better way is there for you to show off what you've taken down out in the wild?[Via Mania]
Peerless Slimline HDTV mount is just 0.4-inches thin
Peerless has been known to crank out some fairly svelte wall mounts for flat-panels, but it really outdid itself with this one. Christened the "world's thinnest mounts," the Slimline universal mounting solution comes in at just 0.4-inches thick, which would unquestionably bring your LCD / plasma ridiculously close to the wall. Though even Peerless mentions that Hitachi's 1.5-inch units work marvelously with this, it is designed to handle practically any flat-panel weighing less than 150-pounds and measuring less than 60-inches. Users can even pick up an in-wall AV accessory box to neatly tuck away those cables and connectors, but considering that pricing information is glaringly absent, we're a tad scared to imagine what this thing actually costs.[Via DailyGame]
Calling the shot: mounting / not mounting flat-panel above fireplace
While the question of hanging your new flat-panel above the fireplace or mantel has been around for years, it's about time the issue was actually tackled and looked at from a safety and feasibility standpoint. Admittedly, there are literally dozens of factors that can go into making said decision, and while no answer will be right for everyone, hopefully the following will lend a hand in easing your frantic mind. Granted, the more affluent homes that are often showcased in marketing promos make hanging a TV look like child's play, and while you may be able to cough up enough dough to let an experience installer come in and handle the dirty work for you, there's quite a few things (and alternatives) to consider. Of course, safety concerns surrounding recalled TV mounts, heat generated from a raging fireplace, and the actual wall material should be inspected first and foremost. Additionally, you should certainly consider just how difficult running every last cable (present and future) from your components below through the wall will actually (not) be, and for those working sans an AV cabinet, you might want to ponder just where you'll be placing those game consoles, receivers, and media players without ruining the overall allure. Still, there's no denying the attractiveness of a flat-panel HDTV hung neatly on a living room wall, but be sure and hit the links below and do a little planning of your own before pulling the trigger.Read - HDInstallers - Safety ConcernsRead - Audio / Video Interiors mounting walkthrough
MK-1 Studio crafts "Underbed" plasma raising contraption
We know, just seeing an uber-thin 50-inch plasma display makes you want to go straight home and start knocking out holes in your wall to hang that puppy up, but if you're not too keen on DIY jobs (or potentially demolishing your home), MK-1 Studio has the goods. In a very practical feat of engineering, the crafty gurus behind the company have created the Underbed plasma mount, which can hold a 50-inch PDP under a king-sized bed with just eight-inches of clearance required. Notably, the outfit also states that a DVD / VCR player, subwoofer, and seven channels of surround sound can also be concealed under the same bed, and if you're stuck in a queen-sized arrangement, your resting place can still house a 42-inch display with all the aforementioned goodies. So if you're interested in seeing a plasma display rise from beneath your bed in a mere 45 seconds, be sure to hit the read link for a smorgasbord of snapshots and videos, and while this nifty invention doesn't seem to sport a set price, we're sure these folks would hook you up for the right amount.[Thanks, Dave]
