Not only does this look like it’s from the set of Star Wars, but it’s got some out of this world features too! The portable powerpack is the modern gadget-toting consumer’s best friend offering recharging abilities on the move.
If your mobile phone’s battery is running low when you’re out driving, simply plug it into the SCE7640 for instant juice. The Philips unit offers an amazing 60 hours of back-up power which can be transferred to a laptop, PDA or portable gaming unit easily. The unit looks pretty cool too with a battery level indicator to show you how much power is left.
For more details please check out the Philips website at: www.philips.co.uk
If you’re not a big fan of computers or technology but still want the benefits of satellite navigation, there’s only one route to take – Smartnav. The built in navigation unit allows drivers to touch a button on their dash and talk directly to a call centre. You simply tell the operator where you want to go and they download the details direct to your car with directions given audibly.
Now the makers have upgraded the system with a colour screen that backs up directions given via the unit’s speaker. Up until now, only a mono display was available with basic functions. This new screen allows drivers to view a map of their entire journey, it automatically zooms in and out at junctions, and the touchscreen display makes inputs easy.
There are visual alerts for speed cameras and congestion charging zones too.
Users can save 20 favourite destinations so they can download routes to these without making a call to the operator and full address and postcode entry can be made on the new screen too.
The really clever bit about Trafficmaster’s Smartnav, and the reason it gets its name, is the fact every route is dynamic and guides you around traffic snarl ups. Trafficmaster constantly monitors the road network with 5,500 sensors and can often learn of problems on the highways before the authorities. Now thats what I call a service.
Move over Apple – there’s a new contender for the smart phone crown and it has been designed with car drivers in mind. The nuvifone G60 is packed with technology that will make motorists’ lives easier and we can’t wait to get our hands on one.
The Nuvifone is a collaboration between the Sat Nav makers Garmin and the PC makers Asus. Making sure that this product has a very good pedigree.
At the centre of its technology is a location-based service that uses GPS and internet technology to determine exactly where you are and what’s around you. Hit the Where Am I? button on the device and you’ll be given your exact GPS coordinates, as well as the nearest road or junction.
Social Networking addicts will love the Ciao! function too which can automatically update your status with your exact position – and even let you know on a map where your friends are. Clever stuff.
The G60 comes with 3G and WiFi internet access and a smart HTML web browser, similar to your PC’s, so you can stay up to date with your favourite sites, like Car Audio Centre. Email access is available too with support for POP3 and IMAP4 email accounts such as Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo.
You tap out messages on the 3.55-inch touch-screen – with a similar keyboard to the iPhone – and there’s predictive text to eliminate errors as well. All your usual mobile phone functions are present – such as SMS texts and of course phone calls. Plus there will be downloadable ‘apps’ which will offer things like live traffic information, flight status, local events and movie times.
There’s a built-in three-megapixel camera – one-megapixel more than Apple’s offering – and even this has some clever features. Each picture is geo-tagged with the location of where it was shot so users can navigate back to it.
The best bit about the new nuvifone is the Sat Nav, As it is made by Garmin you know it is going to work well and not have you driving into lakes. European mapping will be built-in with millions of points of interest included and live information will be displayed on your surroundings via the phone’s internet connection.
This is one to really look out for. As it is also phone then you will have to wait for it to come out on a network before you can get one. Also pricing will not be released till then.
Hughes Telematics is working on a suite of programs that will work with in-car communications technology and allow you to download applications for your car. From data collection to controlling your car’s systems with your phone to repurposing your car’s features, the possibilities will turn your humble transport into the ultimate programmable appliance when Hughes releases the software to be ready in 2010.
The new Alpine iXA-W404 double-din digital media station is the latest addition of the Alpine’s successful iDA line.
This Alpine iXA-W404 designed to works with the iPod / iPhone. A built-in 4.3″ QVGA touchscreen, USB port, full iPod / iPhone control.
The touchscreen also support iPod album art just like the iDA-X305.
This iXA-W404 is bluetooth ready by just adding the optional KCE-400BT bluetooth module. The iXA-W404 can also turn into a sat nav by adding the Alpine navigation system.
If you have an iPod integration system for your car from a few years back. Chances are it will not be compatible with the iPhone 3G, iPod nano 4G and the iPod touch 2G, which can’t be charge. The Scosche Passport is the first solution to solve this problem.
The Scosche adapter negotiates power, audio and video from new iPods to your existing iPod car adapter. It also works with home iPod docks as well.
The installation is simple, simply plug the Scosche Passport to the iPod’s dock connector and the plug the iPod cable to the Scosche Passport.
After the launch of the S100, the new S200 Europe and S300T are now available. The Navman S200 Europe. Europe in the palm of your hand. With its elegant super-flat widescreen, the S200 Europe’s newly-designed maps of 22 European countries are easy to read and feature 3D landmarks.
4.3″ Super-flat widescreen
Ultra-slim, lightweight design (13.5mm)
Pioneering ‘Spirit’ software with Glide Touch
Infobel Local Search vis NavDesk™ desktop and Bluetooth
NavPix photo navigation
True pedestrian mode with 2D city maps
Latest Western European map data
The Navman S300T. Design and performance go hand in hand.
Beneath the S300T’s amazingly slim frame and super-flat widescreen is a suite of powerful features and the latest maps of 22 European countries.
Built-in Traffic with lifetime subscription
4.3″ Super-flat widescreen
Ultra-slim, lightweight design (13.5mm)
Pioneering ‘Spirit’ software with Glide Touch
Infobel Local Search vis NavDesk™ desktop and Bluetooth
www.philips.co.uk
