Gadgets

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).

Touchscreens are here to stay and will probably invade every facet of our lives over the next decade. So, why not throw radar detectors into the mix, right? Cobra has jumped on the 'tap and pray' bandwagon and is ahead of the game with their launch of the world's first touch screen radar detector.  

Cobra's new XRS models, which include the XRS 9970G and XRS 9965, feature 1.5-inch displays that will supposedly make setup fast and easy. To us it looks like the interface screen found on the Starship Enterprise back in the 80s. Subsequent iterations will probably streamline the appearance which seems quite dated even though just released.

We recently received a nice sample of keychains from WholesaleKeychains.com and were pretty pumped when we opened the package. Keychains are a necessity and we've seen some really wild and elaborate ones in our day. In fact, we often joke about one of the folks here who has like 23 mini-reward cards, 12 keys and some kind of trinket from every city he has been to, not to mention enough utility tools that he could probably survive in the woods for weeks.

In any case, the point is that we all love keychains as they have come to represent ourselves in some symbolic way. Wholesale Keychains has about the largest collection of automotive related keychains we've come across as well as an amazing selection of other very useful and cool accessories. In fact, they have keychains that feature everything from your favorite Disney character or sports team to laser pointers and pepper spray. We can honestly say that the quality is also top notch.

GoPro continues to innovate and excite, especially with the release of a new line of high-definition (HD) cameras which has created quite a market niche for motorsports video capture. These new gadgets record in 1080p, 960p and 720p resolution with a 16:9 aspect ratio and can be mounted to any helmet, motorcycle, car, 4-wheeler, boat, etc. Basically, anything that is motorized or moves is fodder for this little gizmo.

Mounting hardware is available for up to 2 helmets and 3 vehicles. And with a waterproof housing good to up to 180 feet, you can take the GoPro Hero HD diving or suction-cupped on the bow of your personal submarine or watercraft. Up to 2.5 hours of footage can be captured on one charge. If you scoop up a separate 32 gig card, you can grab 9 hours total. The 5MP camera can be set to shoot at 2, 5, 10, 30 or 60 second intervals. We can see some pretty cool stop motion possibilities here. Retail price is $299.99. Check out the press release for full specs and details below.

The iPhone application war is like nuclear proliferation back in the 80s, every major superpower in the electronics market is stretching to create the most effective and game-changing programs for this new mobile battleground. We've seen everything from iPhone Satellite Radio integrations to parking meter reminders. Now, well-known car alarm company VIPER is offering their SmartStart application for compatible security systems as well as a turnkey solution. This nifty program transforms the iPhone or iTouch into a full-fledged command center that provides remote start capabilities, locks and unlocks doors, pops the trunk and activates the panic alarm.

It is often said that there is a little truth in every rumor. Well, in this case, it's all true, as SIRIUS XM (SIRI) has just finally debuted the long rumored satellite radio dock for the Apple iPhone and iPod Touch. Aptly name the XM SkyDock, this special peripheral device relies on OS 3's support for third-party hardware to transform Apple handsets into complete satellite radios.

As far as connections go, all that is required is snapping the Iphone/iPod into the SkyDock, which in turn is plugged into the car's power adapter. The Sirius/XM iPhone application then takes over and allows control of the XM tuner using the capabilities of the iPod Touch or iPhone Multi-Touch user interface. The SkyDock will also charge these devices while streaming live satellite radio.