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Intersection sensor activator puts an end to cyclist discrimination
You're a good person with noble motivations -- you ride a bicycle instead of driving because it's healthy and it doesn't have a disastrously negative impact on the environment. We salute you, but not all of society appreciates your virtue like we do. In a sinister and systematic oppression of cyclists (we're absolutely certain it's intentional), many traffic lights are governed by sensors in the pavement that give a green light only after they've detected the change in inductance when a large metal car pulls up. Before you take up arms, though, take a look at this recently-patented device that sends out a signal that fools the sensors so cyclists don't have to wait for a car to unwittingly play good Samaritan -- we suppose we'll try this out just in case before we incite a violent revolution.[Via Core77]
Burnout Paradise bikes patch available now
Burnout Paradise's latest patch is now available. To download your new bikes, simply load the game up and you will be prompted to update, as normal. Criterion is becoming well known for offering unparalleled free content and this latest patch is no exception. As well as the ability to ride bikes around Paradise City, this patch brings 38 timed races, day/night and weather cycles and 70 freeburn challenges. Did we mention it was all free? For full details check out the official Criterion blog. Don't forget, too, that Criterion will be making an appearance on the PlayStation Blog at some point this week to discuss trophies. Hopefully we'll be seeing that patch very soon. So dust off your copy of Burnout Paradise and off you go. On yer bike.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Burnout Paradise Bikes, in motion
Download to PSP In an era where game developers and publishers are nickle-and-diming consumers with every single piece of DLC, it's refreshing to see Criterion and EA offer so much game-changing content in Burnout Paradise for free. This trailer finally showcases the bikes in motion, as well as the customizable day/night cycle. The trailer ends with a very honest plea for you to buy the game if you haven't -- especially with even more content coming down the pipeline. Us? We're waiting for the budget PSN downloadable re-release of the game, due some time this fall. Expect the Bikes patch this week. %Gallery-12560%
Burnout Bikes coming out next week
Criterion's constantly evolving racing game, Burnout Paradise, is getting ready for its next significant update. The Bikes pack will be available next Thursday on PSN. The highlights of next week's update? 2 motorcycles featuring male or female characters with a whole new progression to earn your Bike License. 38 new against-the-clock race events – Burning Ride and Midnight Ride. A brand new in-game 24 hr day / night cycle that impacts traffic density and available events. Dynamic weather 70 more Freeburn Challenges And that's not the end of the updates. Next week, expect to find out more about the fabled PS3 Trophy patch.%Gallery-12560%
Becker unveils the Crocodile Traffic Assist Z 100 GPS for motorcycles
When you're cruising down the highway on your hog, wind in your face, hair trailing behind you, teeth covered with insects, you probably want a GPS unit that's as rugged and unafraid of dying as you are. That's where Becker's Crocodile (AKA Traffic Assist Z 100) comes in. Nothing says "fearless badass" like a crocodile-skin satnav, replete with a 4.3-inch touchscreen, 2GB on-board memory, 3D terrain and city views, and 42 country maps pre-installed. The device is rubber coated and water resistant, and features turn-by-turn directions optimized for motorcycles, making it ideal for your cross country biker gang meet-ups, or just long weekends cruising the coastlines. The Crocodile will be released in October for €300 (or around $438).
New Fallen Earth vehicles revealed
The latest update to the Fallen Earth website is all about vehicles; it features pictures of five never-before-seen cars and bikes from the game, four of which are actual in-game models.The article describes what players can use vehicles for. They can, of course, be used for rapid transportation. But they can also be used for item storage -- a portable vault, if you will. Unfortunately, vehicles with more storage capacity will use more fuel, which can be quite costly. Vehicles can also be used in combat, although apparently repairing them will also be very expensive. Visit the site for more details.Fallen Earth is a post-apocalyptic MMORPG developed by a studio also called Fallen Earth, which is associated with North Carolina-based Icarus Studios. We've been following the game for a while, but most of what we've seen so far has been info pages just like this one. [Via MMORPG]
Montreal's Public Bike System uses RFID, solar power, and tons of social trust
There are all sorts of ways to deal with rising gas prices and public transportation needs, and Montreal is getting in the game with what they're calling the Public Bike System. Utilizing a central inventory and check-out website, solar-powered docking stations, and high-tech RFID-tagged aluminum bikes, the system is a gadget-maxed project that could be amazing or turn into a complete theft disaster. Each station holds six bikes and six docks, and users can find the nearest available bike on a website and then return the bike to any other dock. Payments can be made via credit, debit, or "member" card. Quick question, though -- what if a popular destination has no available docks for a drop-off?
Garmin intros two bike-centric GPS units
If you've been riding your bike around town, yet finding yourself completely stupefied when you need to make directional decisions, perhaps you need to check into Garmin's latest cycle-friendly GPS boxes -- the Edge 605 and 705. The latter -- which is the company's higher-end bike-mountable unit -- comes crammed with a slew of features aimed at cycling enthusiasts hoping to get more out of their workout, including automatic speed, distance, time, calories burned, altitude, climb, and descent tracking, plus the ability to review the recorded data. The 705 also has an array of add-ons that further assist the obsessed dedicated rider to suss out his or her performance levels, including a heart rate monitor and a speed / cadence sensor. The lower-priced Edge 605 takes a slightly less hardcore approach, though still delivers on skill-testing functions like "Virtual Partner," which allows you to "race" a ghost-competitor over a specified distance and speed, and "Courses," which lets you make a rival out of yourself by clocking your performance against a previously recorded run. Both devices will make an appearance in December, with the 705 ranging in price from $499.99 to $649.99 (depending on the configuration) and the 605 will be $399.99.
