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newVideoPlayer("/brakenutz.flv", 506, 423,""); Let's say you're looking for a way to spice up the tail-end of pickup truck and regular truck nutz just don't do it for you. Perhaps something more tasteful and yet more flashy — literally. Enter BrakeNutz, a clear set of polycarbonate Nutz with dual-element LEDs inside. Those strategically placed lights are wired to mimic brake lights when properly installed into your cars or trucks wire harness. Guess that's one way to legally flash your nutz at someone. [ BrakeNutz ]
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A company by the name of AUO has managed to develop an oval-shaped LCD display, which could change the appearance of next-generation instrument panels. The ovoid LCDs don't just look good, but they could allow for customizing instrumented data. Of course, the technology is far from being integrated into your next vehicle purchase, but it's good to see the baby steps being taken. [ Ubergizmo ]
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Mercedes-Benz is getting hip with the youngsters by announcing that it will support the Apple iPhone by way of a center-console mounted cradle. The good news about this is that the switching between audio and telephone functions seems to be pretty seamless using the center display and steering-wheel controls. The bad news is that the iPhone's dock is in the center console, between the seats. Even if all of the interface controls can be operated using the vehicle's controls, having the phone in the center console still makes it a pain in the ass to easily remove and replace. Oh, and forget about using the iPhone's GPS . Full release after the jump. galleryPost('mbiphoneint', 3, 'Mercedes-Benz iPhone Integration'); Mercedes-Benz makes in-car iPhone® connection even easier Stuttgart - Whether it be a quick call to a business colleague for an important discussion, listening to favourite music tracks or checking home and office e-mails whilst on the move - the Apple...
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Using an iPod or iPhone in a car is going to be that much easier thanks to the latest round of goods from Griffin Technology . The WindowSeat is an oddly named, but simple gadget. It's a suction windshield mount for the iPhone or iPod Touch. If the next generation iPhone gets some legitimate GPS, this will be a nice $30 accessory to have. The other new goody is the iTrip AutoPilot. The AutoPilot is a glorified FM transmitter and charger for the iPod that connects via the standard dock connection of almost every iPod and will broadcast tunes over FM. It includes a 12V DC adapter with play, pause, forward and backward controls for the iPod or iPhone. It also includes a SmartScan feature to find the best FM station for transmission and has SmartSound Plus technology for clearer sound. The iTrip AutoPilot is available for $100. [ iTrip AutoPilot ; WindowSeat ]
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This post is dedicated to the residents of the second best state in the continental United States: California. You folks only have a little over a month left until the handsfree type of devices are required by law so we're here to help you get ready for that with some viable options for continued chatter. One option is this Bluetooth handsfree visor car kit. This device clips to the visor and acts as a speakerphone and microphone all rolled into one. What makes it stand out from the usual lot of Bluetooth handsfree speakerphones is the inclusion of an LCD screen to act as a caller ID. That way you can avoid those calls from your boss while driving. For those non-Californians, you can still enjoy this device as well. Hell, there's a chance that a handsfree-law is already in place for your state. This portable handsfree Bluetooth kit is available for $100. Or save the $100 and don't talk on the phone while driving. [ Product Page via CG ]
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With the start to the summer season now officially under our belt it's time to look for gadgets to keep you cool on those blazing summer days. One way is to always ensure a cold beverage with this car mini-fridge complete with an already included 12V DC adapter. Do you notice anything peculiar about the product photo for this gadget? Yeah, us too... We'd probably recommend leaving out the Heineken knock-off and Boddingtons while you're driving or there could be some serious legal repercussions. The car mini-fridge is available for $150, or you could just buy a Ford Flex . [ Product Page via BoJ ]
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Believe it or not, there are other uses for trailer hitches than hanging testicles ... like gravel driveway grooming. One item many forget to mention about having gravel driveways is the maintenance required. The Driveway Groomer is a simple device that can attach to the rear towing hitch on any vehicle, therefore turning your soccer-mom mobile into a workhorse by allowing it to groom and maintain that gravel driveway of yours. The Driveway Groomer sells for $350, with a miniature version going for $265. [ Driveway Groomer via Toolmonger ]
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There's no reason to dismantle your vehicle or upholstery to install in-car entertainment systems, all you have to do is be creative, like with this car visor, which houses a 7-inch 16:9 widescreen LCD. Included is a DVD player and a video game console. The DVD player is capable of playing the whole lot of formats including DVD, SVCD, VCD, DVCD, CD, CDG, CD-R and CD-RW. Not only can it play videos, but it includes ports to plug in game controllers for some video game fun. There will be no Gran Turismo or Grand Theft Auto IV , but it does have a selection of 8-bit games capable of entertaining for at least one hour of that 20 hour road-trip with the family. The best feature is its ease-of-use. There's no complicated installation or hacking-and-slashing required. Just replace your current sun visor and give it a little 12V DC juice and you're ready to go. It even includes an FM transmitter so the whole family can enjoy your horrible taste in movies. If there's anything to...
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Forget about the complicated tire pressure monitoring systems integrated into luxury cars, the P-eye makes the task of checking your tire's pressure simple, very simple. It's a cap for the tire that will blink red when the tire is 5-percent below its recommended pressure. The system does have a flaw, albeit a minor one. How will you know when your tires' pressure is low? You're never able to see the tires when driving. We'd guess you would just have to get lucky and have the LED light blink at the right moment at night when it is visual and you are out of the car coming to or fro. It' available is a couple different models—the P-Eye UKP20 is the standard model and the UKP22 is the anti-theft model. [Via Gizmag ]
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The days and age of fuzzy dice hanging from the rear-view mirror is pretty much done and we can all agree that it was lame to begin with in anything but a rusting Jersey Cadillac. Luckily, with the plenty of 12V DC outlets available in vehicles nowadays we have a new type of dice accessory: illuminated plastic dice! This is a plastic die that lights up in one of seven colors while using up a very crucial 12V DC outlet. And because it stays stationary in the 12V outlet, it's not even remotely cool because others driving can't see how lame you are. Oh well, surely one of you kids will buy this $19 accessory to spice up your Ford Probe. [ Product Page via Giz ]
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We've been seeing GPS navigation veer away from the traditional dash- or windshield-mounted form factor, like with the rear-view mirror , but now we have the Takara CSW steering wheel that includes the navigation built directly into the steering wheel. Unfortunately, it's not a big, pretty LCD screen, but rather a monochrome display that will give information like turn left, veer right, etc. This idea does definitely reduce the distractions associated with traditional GPS units, but it does have a downside of not being hard to use mid-turn or when there are a lot turns to be made. The steering wheel also includes the warning system for doors ajar, seat belts, etc. [ Navigadget ]
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Anybody that has ever tried to put those damned tire chains on can smile and know that the age old midwest winter traditional may soon be extinct thanks to Q Celsius, a new tire that has retractable studs. The Q Celsius takes its name from James Bond's gadget man, Q, and operates with a switch inside the vehicle. When you flip a switch inside the car a wireless signal is sent to the tires that will inflate a pocket of air within each tire that makes the little studs protrude from the tire's tread. Like most specialty tires, the Q Celsius is about 30 percent more expensive than traditional tires, but the manufacturer is hoping the lazy factor sets in and people will pay more to not have to put on chains or swap out for winter tires. [ Detroit News ]
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The DS-400GB is a new solution to the problem of dash clutter--you know--when you have Bluetooth modules, navigation units, backup camera displays and more all over the dash. This device takes all of those goods and integrates it into the rear-view mirror. The right side of the rear-view mirror is sectioned off as the GPS navigation unit and display for a back-up camera. The DS-400GB also includes a Bluetooth module for makings and receiving calls, hands-free. The right sided display is a touchscreen and the entire unit includes SD card expandability as well as a USB port. Oh, it has a mirror, as well. For the minimalist that has to have everything, this is the bee's knees. [ Navigadget ]
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Chrysler claims it will begin offering in-car Internet access later this year. It's a little more complicated than just magically putting a chip into a car that gets Internet access anywhere, unfortunately. Chrysler said that the service will work by utilizing a broadband connection from cell phone towers. Thus, a partnership would have to be reached between Chrysler and one of the major cell phone carriers to get this to work correctly, and such a partnership is unknown at this time. The entire circumstance is tricky because AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon, the four major U.S. carriers, use different broadband cell technologies. Sprint and Verizon use EV-DO while AT&T and T-Mobile use 3G. With in-car Internet as being described, Chrysler will be forced to pick one carrier therefore making it harder for those that don't already use that carrier to get access. Also, these broadband cell data service plans usually linger in the $40 per-month range, which may be a bit too...
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Chrysler claims it will begin offering in-car Internet access later this year. It's a little more complicated and confusing than just magically putting a chip into a car that gets Internet access anywhere, unfortunately. Chrysler said that the service will work by utilizing a broadband connection from cell phone towers. Thus, a partnership would have to be reached between Chrysler and one of the major cell phone carriers to get this to work correctly, and such a partnership is unknown at this time. The entire circumstance is tricky because AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon, the four major U.S. carriers, use different broadband cell technologies. Sprint and Verizon use EV-DO while AT&T and T-Mobile use 3G. Ford teamed up with Sprint for its in-car Internet with the Ford Work Solutions . With in-car Internet as being described, Chrysler will be forced to pick one carrier therefore making it harder for those that don't already use that carrier to get access. Also, these broadband...
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