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Magellan preps Maestro 4000, 4040, and 4050 GPS units for release
Magellan's been known to toss out GPS units three at a time before, and while the company hasn't come forward yet about its presumably forthcoming trio of navigation devices, we've got the skinny anyway. All three Maestro units will sport a 4.3-inch WQVGA touchscreen display, SiRF Star III chipset, and an in-car mounting kit, but the similarities basically end there. On the low-end, you'll find NAVTEQ maps for the 48 contiguous United States, QuickSpell, 1.6 million POIs, and a rechargeable battery with around three hours of juice. The 4040 steps it up by adding more detailed map coverage, 4.5 million POIs, text-to-speech / Bluetooth capabilities, and by playing nice with the real-time traffic add-on service. The flagship unit boasts all the capabilities of its lesser siblings, but also adds traffic functions right out of the box as well as voice recognition software. The Maestro 4000 / 4040 are each slated to land in "early April" for $449.99 / $599.99, respectively, while the high-end 4050 will demand a somewhat steep $799.99 for its niceties when it arrives in May.Read - Magellan Maestro 4000Read - Magellan Maestro 4040Read - Magellan Maestro 4050[Via GPSGazette]
Nintendo's web stats soar above rivals'
What do you do when you can't get a Wii? You stare at pictures of it. Nintendo's hardware shortage has likely encouraged a startling boost in web traffic for the company. According to data from Nielsen & NetRatings, Nintendo.com's unique visitor count reached 2.08 million in January, up 82% from last year's count.The numbers were enough to trump both PlayStation.com (1.55 million uniques) and Xbox.com (1.5 million uniques) -- and land Nintendo.com in seventh place among the top computer hardware manufacturer sites. Nintendo also recorded the third longest browsing time per visit at 19 minutes and 29 seconds. Despite Nintendo's web growth, Apple.com proved it was still the destination for lustful consumers, recording 43.51 million unique visitors, who averaged 79 minutes and 25 seconds of perusing. It's called the iPhone.[Via Gamasutra]
Philips proposes laser-projecting lampposts to get motorists' attention
Apparently, lampposts really don't get enough credit for all they do, as not only do they provide a crucial light source for us night-owls, but we've got them to thank for WiFi hotspots, surveillance checkpoints, and if Philips has its way, on-road warning signs. The oft overlooked street lamp could be getting a bit of an upgrade according to a recent patent application from Philips, as the company envisions a "traffic information system" designed to convey messages to drivers without requiring them to look away from the road ahead. By installing a high-powered "laser" and matching it up with movable mirrors, the firm hopes to divulge pertinent information such as upcoming hazards, weather conditions, or other random tidbits of knowledge onto the pavement for drivers to view. Moreover, the units would be RF / IP controllable in order to change the messages nearly on-the-fly, giving motorists a quick heads-up about recent traffic changes or detours. Still, the premise of beaming warning signs on the road ahead sounds perfectly viable if you're on a rural two-lane at 2:00AM, but we can't imagine things being very legible when it's beaming messages onto hoods of angry commuters in your average city.[Via New Scientist]
LG crafts new DMB chip, enables PIP TV viewing on handsets
LG's no stranger to cramming DMB capabilities into its handsets, and practically everything else it has a hand in too, but the company has now announced a brand new chip that ups the ante over existing renditions. This new chip reportedly enables users to "watch real-time television programs for four straight hours," compared to the three hour "limit" currently in place, but we seriously question the toll it'd take on your retinas to stare at such a diminutive display for an entire sixth of your day. Nevertheless, the chip is supposed to enhance signals as well, giving off that TV delight to a broader area of recipients by upwards of "30 percent." Additionally, it's slated to consume a good bit less power than current implementations, and of course, will allow users to access real-time traffic data and utilize TPEG technology while on the move, and just in case all that in the palm of your hands wasn't enough to keep you occupied, you can actually enjoy attempt to view two programs simultaneously thanks to the PIP functionality that this chip delivers. Time to upgrade those specs, eh?[Via BoyGeniusReport]
Mischievous duo plead not guilty to LA traffic hacking scandal
We've seen our fair share of scheming and conniving, but a duo of engineers that were previously employed by LA's Automated Traffic Surveillance Center allegedly pulled off one of the most impactful jobs we've ever heard of. Both men have just pled not guilty to charges of "manipulating traffic signals to disrupt transportation across the city in the run-up to a union protest last August," a case which pins them with deeds such as identity theft and illegally using those 1337 skills to wreck havoc. In a situation eerily similar to that seen in The Italian Job, the pair overrode intentional barriers to access the traffic light system in LA, and proceeded to not only force lights to stay red for extended periods of time in some of the city's most critical and congested intersections, but locked out city officials from entering back in and reversing the changes as well. Ranking right up there beside the numerous ATM hacks we've seen, this job led to massive amount of chaos in the following days, creating gridlocks in some areas that reportedly took "four days" to totally clear out. If convicted, the two could face several years in prison, but if not, we're sure risk-loving tech executives everywhere are drooling to pick these two up and put 'em to (honest, law-abiding) work.[Via The Register]
Sprint debuts TeleNav Traffic with intelligent rerouting
Sure, you can get all fancy and download your traffic reports via MSN Direct straight to an appropriately equipped Garmin, but Sprint and TeleNav have a slightly older-school idea (if you can really call EV-DO old-school) in mind. TeleNav Traffic supplements the company's phone-based GPS navigation software with traffic data updated every five minutes; problematic situations on your route can be delivered both via voice and on-screen prompt. Best of all, it'll route around jams, fiery wrecks, and other disasters automatically at the user's whim. Right now, availability is limited to Sprint's RAZR, KRZR, and Katana -- that's the bad news -- but the good news is that it's free for folks who pick up the basic GPS Navigator between now and June 30. After that, $3.99 / month is the magic number.
Eclipse's AVN 2210p apes TomTom One's portable style
One of the defining features of the TomTom One is its portability: being able to pick it up and take it away a), makes the owner feel far more confident that they won't lose it in the case of a break in and b), they get to use it as a portable GPS device. Eclipse has emulated the success of the TomTom One's concept with the announcement of the AVN2210p, although their solution is arguably less elegant seeing as it's based around a double-DIN sized unit designed to be integrated into car dashes. The detachable unit consists of a 3.5-inch LCD which gets its navigation information from an SD card, and if you opt for TomTom's optional service package it'll provide real time traffic info as well. As is now typical for pretty much any modern in-car electronics kit, the ANV2210p features compatibility with XM and Sirius' satellite radio solutions, as well as connections for an iPod. For alternate methods of routing audio through the device, there's a USB port that can play digital audio files straight off of various PMPs and USB thumb drives. If you're in a really old-school kinda mood, you can play burned MP3s on a subtle, hidden CD player. The ANV2210p will be retailing at $900, and should be available sometime this Spring.
Clarion unveils N.I.C.E. 430 navigation system / PMP
Although Clarion's N.I.C.E. navigation unit got a decent review way back in the day, it was certainly in dire needs of a makeover, and since your P200 is probably half melted by now, you may be interested in the fresh N.I.C.E. 430. The latest handheld GPS / PMP device to come from Clarion's doors sports a 4.3-inch touchscreen LCD, 1GB of internal memory, SD flash card slot, SiRF Star III GPS antenna, built-in speaker for the MP3 playback / robotic creature giving you turn-by-turn directions, handsfree Bluetooth support, photo viewer, rechargeable battery, and USB connectivity. Really, the only thing completely necessary still missing about the $499.99 device is a hard release date and a blown up glamour shot, but we do know it'll be launching "sometime in 2007."
Cobra set to unveil red-light camera / radar detector
If you've driven overseas or any mildly large city in America, there's a good chance you slipped by (or not) a red-light camera at a busy intersection. If you happened to be in the unlucky bunch that had to endure a stiff fine for trying to squeeze the lemon tomato, you'll certainly be interested in what Cobra's uncoiling next week. The company so widely known for its speed / radar detectors and GPS units is breaking into the stoplight camera detection game, giving haphazard and flustered drivers a second chance that ticketers would rather them not have. The device will reportedly sync with GPS satellites to determine when a red-light camera, "black spot" (highly watched area), or school zone is being approached, and will give an early warning to the person behind the wheel in order to save them a few bucks, and potentially their life. A spokesperson for Cobra insinuated that the unit would cause drivers to take extra precaution when approaching a target zone, which would also cut back on the daring attempts to blaze through intersections when the light is red; folks who profit mightily from the fees, however, aren't as enthused about the forthcoming device. Nevertheless, Cobra should have its red-light warning device on display at next week's CES, and while we're not sure how much it'll cost just yet, we're certain there are those who'd pay anything to avoid yet another ticket.[Thanks, Chris L]
Samsung launches SPH-B5800 T-DMB phone with TPEG integration
Although Samsung has already crammed T-DMB support into a plethora of its (sometimes oddly-designed) handsets, the sleek SPH-B5800 gets the honor of being the "world's first" that also integrates TPEG. While we knew the firm was working on the Transport Protocol Experts Group service last year, this phone marks the "first time" users can expect to receive live updates "about traffic, nice restaurants," or other points of interest surrounding them. Reportedly, the phone will receive new information "every five minutes" depending on your location, and will show a route and expected arrival time for any destination that perks the user's interest. On the DMB side, it purportedly sports a "full list of channels" to keep you occupied while cruising in the backseat. Other features on this snazzy slider include a 2-megapixel camera, electronic dictionary, "My Pet" game (long lost Tamagotchi sibling?), file viewer, and support for audio book playback. So if you're anxious to let your phone dictate where you eat for supper, you can snag the SPH-B5800 later this month for around 600,000KRW ($645).[Via AVing]
Samsung launches SPH-B5800 T-DMB handset with TPEG integration
Although Samsung has already crammed T-DMB support into a plethora of its (sometimes oddly-designed) handsets, the sleek SPH-B5800 gets the honor of being the "world's first" that also integrates TPEG. While we knew the firm was working on the Transport Protocol Experts Group service last year, this phone marks the "first time" users can expect to receive live updates "about traffic, nice restaurants," or other points of interest surrounding them. Reportedly, the phone will receive new information "every five minutes" depending on your location, and will show a route and expected arrival time for any destination that perks the user's interest. On the DMB side, it purportedly sports a "full list of channels" to keep you occupied while cruising in the backseat. Other features on this snazzy slider include a 2-megapixel camera, electronic dictionary, "My Pet" game (long lost Tamagotchi sibling?), file viewer, and support for audio book playback. So if you're anxious to let your phone dictate where you eat for supper, you can snag the SPH-B5800 later this month for around 600,000KRW ($645).[Via AVing]
Unaware Driver + Traffic + BlackBerry = Accident waiting to happen
We can imagine that almost everyone has been guilty of trying to balance their morning commute between a cellphone, traffic, and their favorite morning radio show. We know it's even more dangerous to drive with one knee, both hands on your BlackBerry, while you send your boss a message saying you are going to be late for the morning meeting. A Seattle man knows exactly what we are talking about as he caused a four car pile-up that involved 28 passengers on I-5 while playing around with his 'berry while in the express lanes. Thankfully, no one was hurt -- and let's face it, the guy could've picked worse places to do this.
Becker burns out with Ferrari-themed Traffic Assist Pro GPS
If you'll be hitting the streets this winter, and want to feel like you're on the autobahn no matter what roadway you embrace, Becker has unveiled a Ferrari-branded Traffic Assist Pro that takes navigation to an entirely different level. Originally crafted to fit in the exquisite F430 automobile, this luxurious GPS sports a 4-inch touchscreen, SiRF Star III receiver, 400MHz processor, 64MB of RAM, 64MB of flash memory, SD / MMC slots, USB 1.1 connectivity, 3.5-millimeter audio output, 2-watt integrated speaker, and a connector for an external antenna. Moreover, it boasts MP3 / WMA playback, doubles as a JPEG viewer, and houses NAVTEQ maps of 37 European countries. As expected, a list of speed radars will always be on tap thanks to its connection to the SCDB database, so you can put those massive vented brakes to use just in time; also, you'll have access to a basic flow of traffic information with the purchase, while a "premium" (read: more expansive road selection) service will be available for €50 ($64) per year. So if you need yet another exotic gadget to tide you over until you can afford the real deal, Becker's Ferrari-styled GPS will be available later this month for €699 ($898).[Via NaviGadget]
Traffic reports to derive from cellphone location data
Intelligent roadways and traffic monitoring systems have been available (albeit not always entirely accurate) for some time now, but if IntelliOne and AirSage have their way, finding out about real-time roadblocks (and voyeurism lawsuits) could become a more fleshed-out reality. The firms are looking to utilize that oh-so-telling "anonymous" location data from each traveler's cellphone to pinpoint locations and overlay that information with maps. If wireless companies open up that data at a rate of "twice per second" while users are conversing and "once every 30 seconds" when not on a call, the entrepreneurial duo hopes to offer more detailed information and pragmatic advice than "radar, helicopters, or cameras" currently do. While keeping a keen eye on traffic developments certainly has its benefits, the real issue here is privacy (or the lack thereof); while government uses have already been in place, carriers are (understandably) more hesitant to turn over consumer data for locating purposes. While the service would be marketed free of charge to wireless carriers, interested customers not enraged by such intrusions could purchase the data for a monthly fee, and if all goes as planned, the Tampa pilot that is currently ongoing will lead to "40 other markets" being invaded by this time next year.[Via The Wireless Report]
Vodafone, TomTom partner to create real-time traffic data network
Everyone who's ever been stuck in traffic always would love to know exactly what the road conditions are like. Sure there's those news radio stations that interrupt every three minutes to tell you how the freeway you're on is totally backed up, but those often don't tell you how to route yourself around the problem. TomTom and Vodafone have just partnered to create a new type of commercial traffic data system based on thousands of mobile phones that will describe traffic conditions in real-time. The idea is that by using the regular signaling information between the handset and the base station, the location and speed of the handset can be determined at any given time. Combine that information across a region among thousands of drivers who become data points, and a picture emerges of how backed a given freeway really is -- enabling TomTom to provide detours much more quickly than previously possible. The program is set to be launched in the Netherlands in the second half of 2007 -- so for all you folks who commute into the Dutch metropolises of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht, you may want to renew your Vodafone subscription pronto.[Via Reg Hardware]
UK drivers change lanes to outsmart SPECS speeding cameras
Why pay thousands for that temptation-quelling adaptive cruise control option, or dream about the forthcoming Siemens VDO electronic governor, when all you have to do is switch a few lanes while smashing the pedal to the metal? The Home Office has fessed up to a "massive flaw" in the costly (and abundant) SPECS speed monitoring / ticketing cameras, which allows drivers to avoid any legal repercussions by simply ending up in a different lane than the one they began in. The system takes the average speed between two points to calculate if a motorist has been speeding, and then snaps their photograph and sends them a very unwelcome ticket in the mail if they were; however, the cameras are only designed to analyze and penalize those who remain in the same lane throughout the speed-checking segment, opening up a very exploitable loophole. Government officials, along with the cameras' manufacturer (Speed Check Services), have resorted to begging with the public to not evade the presumably imminent £60 ($112) fine in order to maintain a "high level of safety" on the roadways, but it's not likely that pleading to deaf ears (and lead feet) will entice folks to willingly suffer a penalty this easy to avoid.[Via FARK]
Siemens VDO showcases electronic sign recognition
Siemens VDO -- the same in-car gurus that brought us the oh-so-snazzy eCorner contraption -- is back at it again in an attempt to jazz up the plainly styled dashboards that we've (begrudgingly) grown accustomed to. While adaptive cruise control has become somewhat commonplace in higher-end automobiles, that technology simply keeps you from resetting your speed every time the cabbie in front of you eases on and off the accelerator; Siemens' traffic sign recognition system boasts a camera attached to an internal computer which automatically recognizes common road signs and displays an alert in the driver's heads-up display. Not only will the driver see a digital rendition of the sign without taking his / her eyes too far off the road, but he / she will have the option of enabling the vehicle to dynamically adapt to changes in speed limits, theoretically eliminating any previously valid excuse you could give the boys in blue once pulled over. While we're sure those speed freaks will happily turn down this convenience on their next car purchase, those of us who need all the help we can get in taming that lead foot (and skyrocketing insurance premiums) can look for this speed-dictating option in 2008.[Via The Raw Feed]
BMW releases first dynamic traffic system in US
At the rate that these newfangled car technologies trickle down, we'll finally be able to afford one of these traffic thingamajiggies on our measly salaries perhaps around the next World Cup. Today, BMW announced that it would be including Real Time Traffic Information on select 2007 models, including the 3-, 5-, and 6-series models, and on the X5, M5 and M6. That means that for the first time in the US (or so the company claims), drivers will be able to dynamically reroute their way home based on traffic data provided by Clear Channel's Total Traffic Network to 44 major American cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, and Orlando. If you already have BMW's navigation system in your ride, this additional service will be free to you for the next four years. [Via Autoblog]
Monitor your broadband traffic with SurplusMeter
Let's say you've got a broadband connection at home, but your provider puts a cap on your monthly download allotment. That's all well and good until it's the end of the month and you find yourself strapped (you torrent addict, you). Wouldn't it be nice to get a warning before everything goes kaput?Check out SurplusMeter. It simply monitors all of your traffic (both up and down) and reports on how much you're using. You can view a daily average and more. Note that SurplusMeter only monitors traffic, not content, and doesn't "phone home" in any way. SurplusMeter is free, and you can get the source code here.[Via FreeMacWare]
