Gadgets

While technology has helped move many industries into the 21st century, the process of selling cars is still fairly antiquated. It still involves lots of paperwork, walking from the showroom to the far flung corners of the lot and back to check inventory and the like, and all sorts of other duties that could very easily streamlined with modern electronics. The American arm of Mercedes-Benz appears to have realized this, and is now rolling out a program called MB Advantage.

Put simply, MB Advantage, which will be tested at 40 dealers initially, will put Apple iPads loaded with a special app in the hands of Mercedes-Benz sales associates. The app will allow them to check the latest lease and finance offers, as well as streamline the processes of credit applications and returning leased vehicles. Customers can already make lease and loan payments to Mercedes-Benz Finanical via their mobile phones, and have done so to the tune of more than $5 million so far.

If there are two things most 21st century Americans living in major metropolitan areas can’t seem to live without, they are the automobile and the mobile phone. And as the mobile phone has evolved into the smartphone, the opportunities to build closer ties between the two contraptions become more abundant and easier to realize. With that in mind, GM is working on an app for Android-powered smartphones for use in conjunction with the upcoming Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid.

Considering who makes the Android OS, it should come as no surprise that Google Maps will provide the proverbial meat of the navigation component of the app. As such, there will be a voice-activated, location-sensitive destination search function as well as the ability to see your real-time location on a map. OnStar will provide the proverbial potatoes in the form of verbal turn-by-turn directions. (Other functions will include battery charge scheduling and monitoring and remote start.) However, the navigation function won’t be available in the first version of the app; you’ll have to wait for version 2.0 to enjoy the aforementioned features.

Have you ever been driving along, listening to the verbal instructions from your portable navigation system and thought to yourself, “How cool would it be if they replaced the automated lady voice with those of my favorite Star Wars characters?” Well, even if you haven’t, the makers of the TomTom line of GPS navigation systems are making the dreams of those who have thought about it come true.

For $12.95 each, you’ll be able to have Darth Vader, Yoda, C-3PO or Han Solo guide you to your destination. Of course, before these characters’ voices can be piped into your receiver, they need to be recorded. And if the behind-the-scenes video after the jump is to be believed, the process is more complicated and involved than we thought. Don’t believe us? Just watch.

Ford has been riding a wave of good news lately, and part of that is thanks to the warm reception of its SYNC integrated infotainment system co-developed with Microsoft. However, SYNC isn’t without its shortcomings, chief among them the fact that while you can plug a smartphone into the system and run some apps, you can’t do so hands-free. That’s set to change, however, with the introduction of the 2011 Fiesta later this year.

Called SYNC AppLink, the program will allow Blackberry- and Android-powered smartphone owners (iPhone users will have to hurry up and wait.) to control certain apps via SYNC’s voice recognition system. Users will have to install SYNC compatibility software on their phones and, initially at least, only three apps that will be supported: Pandora, Stitcher, and Orangatame’s OpenBeak Twitter program. Loads more apps will likely become compatible as time passes, thanks to the developer channel Ford has set up.

After a year or so of public contemplation, Hyundai has officially pulled the trigger on bringing its heretofore Korea-market-only full-size luxury sedan, the Equus, to the U.S. The wraps came off the V8, rear-drive flagship Thursday the New York Auto Show (though we can confirm it’s no April Fool’s joke), and it looks quite similar to the domestic market version, with the notable exception of the upright hood ornament, though a cottage industry for importing the genuine article and other bonnet bling (Birds? Jungle cats? Nekkid ladies preparing to throw hand grenades?) will surely spring up by the time you finish reading this sentence.

At its heart, the Equus is a stretched (by 7.2 inches if you’re into semantics) and restyled Genesis Sedan, though the Equus’ 4.6L DOHC Tau V8 is expected to punch out 385hp as opposed to 375hp for little brother. Other notable features on the Equus will include adaptive air suspension, a 17-speaker 608-watt Lexicon sound system, adaptive cruise control, and even optional two-across rear seating with a small refrigerator in the console.

PhantomAlert provides software that can be loaded onto various GPS navigation devices from manufacturers like TomTom and Garmin, to provide real-time alerts when one is approaching known fixed red light and speed cameras locations along with mobile speed traps and DUI checkpoints. PhantomAlert works off a database of user generated updates that provides a comprehensive listing of intersections and streets where police and their various dragnets have been spotted.

Subscriptions can be purchased on a monthy basis for $9.99, a yearly basis at $39.99 or a lifetime of updates for $99.99. It also looks like a download for the Apple iPhone will be available sometime very soon, but we don't know a date or what the price will be at this point.

Accord to Jocelyn Vigreux, president of TomTom Inc, "The XL 335S offers first-class navigation at a competitive price point. It allows drivers to take those routes that only well-informed locals know, reducing the stress of not knowing where to go and when you will arrive. In addition, our Advanced Lane Guidance feature gives drivers the information they need to drive more safely and more confidently when traveling through complex road junctions.” That summation is actually not that far off, but the devil is in the details.

The TomTom XL 335S has a sleek design and is both lightweight and easy to handle for swapping between vehicles or carrying by hand. The interface is clean and inviting even for those technically challenged. And the unit has a host of functions to handle just about any scenario. The visuals on the 4.3-inch widescreen display are bright and crisp, with good contrast and the cues are easy to follow and much less confusing than in the past.

With many of the municipalities throughout the country starting to enforce cell phone regulations mandating hands-free use, if you don't have a headset, either wired or wireless, you may want to consider a Bluetooth speakerphone for your car. Well-known Finnish handset maker Nokia is now adding to their cache of accessories the HF-510, keeping you compliant and talking in style.

The Nokia HF-510 comes complete with everything you need to get going in any way you see fit by including a sun-visor clip, easy suction mount for the windshield and plate for the dash. Also, a super thick manual is provided, but don't be alarmed, there are only about 20 pages of instructions in English (but since Nokia is international they have tons of other languages included as well).