5 Top Tech Toys For Your Car

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

Dogs and technical car gadgets are a man's best friend. There's something about a man and his ride. But, after he obtains this favorite wheels, he must have his technical toys to use along with it.

Actually the truth is that a lot of car tech toys are pretty practical and savvy for today's rising technology. Who says they are only for men? Women love these gadgets too. Let's examine the 5 top tech toys for your car. 

Stereo equipment 

Today just the men are switching to digital audio especially during the car ride. Because of the Bluetooth, more audio manufacturers are changing from the standard input receivers for USB inputs and iPod connections. Moreover, the needs for custom stereo equipment setups are sought after. 

In North America, auto manufacturers are forced to offer a higher quality stereo system with their car sells. They can range in price from $20K to over $200K allowing men or any consumer to make a satisfactory purchase under any budget level. From this wide range of price tags, auto stereo equipment brands can include names such as Pioneer, Alpine, Bose Media or 5.1 Cabin Surround Sound System, Harmon Kardan, THX or Rockford Fosgate Audio System. Any of these and others offer some of the top quality sounds for your car. 

Rims 

There is no doubt about it that a nice rim will always make your car look good. Rims for your car are like a woman putting on a sexy new dress. It just makes all the difference because it's the first thing your eyes notice. If you ask any average male about the selection of rims for his ride, you will get many different answers from many different styles and vehicles. There are literally hundreds of custom rims to choose from at every price range. 

Security 

Security is another essential cost to protect the thousands of dollars you've put into your car especially once you've gotten it all together with the custom rims. Sure there is insurance to cover your lost, but once your car is gone it's gone along with all the money you've put into it. Not to mention all the frustration, waste of time and energy to replace it. 

Therefore, why not invest in a good security system for car. Since, car thefts are increasing depending on the city, vehicle or area of the country your car is parked in, will remain an issue of concern. Some top of the line auto security systems include OnStar, LoJack and even DNA recognition security systems are upcoming for the future. 

Plantronics K100 

The Plantronics K100 is a great tool because it works along with your iPod, Blackberry or cell phone. This cool device operates by broadcasting your calls, has GPS navigation for directing you to the boss's house from anywhere. It also plays your favorite playlists from your cell phone all while you're driving down the highway. The best part is that once you arrive at your destination, you can pocket this toy, take it with you and continue listening to your favorites songs without missing a tune. 

The Powercup 

The Powercup is too cool and very practical. Actually it looks like a white coffee cup with the Starbucks logo on it, but it is an inverter power outlet source. It provides you with two additional 120 volt outlets that are powered by your car's lighter outlet. Since we can never go wrong with another outlet to plug in our tech car toys like the Plantronics K100, cell phone charger, iPod and other upcoming gadgets, it just makes good sense. The Powercup is good for up to 400 watts of continuous power for continuous tech toy enjoyment. So you will have the look of two coffee cups in your cup holder while you drive into work without even giving anyone a second glance.

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*by andreascy*

Sony: New Concept Envisions in 2030 With Pay As You Go Power

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Sony is looking to revolutionize the inefficient way in which we consume power.

A new concept video from the electronics giant shows how we could use power more efficiently in the year 2030 by switching to smart outlets with authentication and wireless charging on a broad scale, assuming we survive the Zombie Mayan Apocalypse.

The prototype power outlet, integrated with a short-range wireless FeliCa transmitter (and a new RFID over power line technology), allows the user to swipe a pay card across the faceplate and pay for energy on the spot. What makes it truly interesting is if humankind keeps progressing towards alternative energies (such as wind, solar, and biomass), then our outlets could give us options as to what source from which we obtain our power.

The video description below notes that with this outlet, "the user can actively control and manage power consumption on a user basis as well as on a device basis."

Imagine not having to use power from the electric company for a TV-viewing session, instead drawing from a battery in your house that contains stored power from your solar- and wind-power generation sources. These outlets, if available all over a city, can offer people with electric cars the ability to charge up and pay for that energy easily.

The proposed power control center app (for tablet or smartphone) would enable consumers to observe how much power is available from various power sources in the home. With the app, one could check how much juice the electric car in the garage contains, enable or disable outlets in various areas of the house, or remotely control devices connected to a power outlet.

In a recent press conference in Tokyo, reps at Sony spoke about the developments, says AV Watch (check out their hands-on pics, too). A timetable for commercializing these smart outlets seems "ten years away," according to Taro Tadano from Sony Japan's business development department. Admittedly, he wants to speed up the process of development and integration, but reliability, safety, and patent battles present several roadblocks.

While the overall idea seems grand, one must also wonder about cost.

Regardless, he and many others at Sony are working hard to strengthen relationships with various Japanese companies related to this field with hope of moving this past the concept stage and into reality. 

One cannot help but admire the craveworthy Sony concept products (from 2030) also shown in the video, such as: a TV that you turn on by facing a wall and drawing a rectangle with your hand, a flexible tablet, and easy wireless charging.

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*by andreascy*

Fuel Cell Battery and Charger Combo (Portable)

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

While cars are making a shift to electricity in place of gasoline, engineers are actively looking for technologies that free consumers from the need to plug into electrical outlets when charging electronic and mobile devices.

This just in from myFC, a Swedish Fuel cell manufacturer is the new PowerTrekk fuel cell and battery combo, that provides enough power to charge a phone via usb. 

The energy is obtained from water via the fuel pack. By filling the PowerTrekk with water and connecting it to any USB mobile charger, whether a USB lamp, GPS or phone, charging begins automatically and shuts down once it has finished. The device has a lighted display on one side that indicates the level of power delivered. It also contains an internal battery. 

“This is a green product, because the only waste from it is water,” Westerholm points out. “When you are on the go you can always find water. It doesn’t matter if you have fresh water or salt, any type is good. It is green even in terms of construction, because we don’t need to use very much material to create sufficient power.” 

Specifications : 

Rated output : 5V, 1000 mA 

Rated input : 5V, 500 mA 

Internal buffer : Li-ion, 1600 mAh 

Fuel cell : PEM 4 cell unit 1000 mAh 

Charging input port : Micro USB 

Charging output port : USB-A

What i want to see are less expensive fuel cells. As we lower our energy consumption, the power companies just raise the rates, to protect their cash flows. Give us more "off the grid" options at reasonable cost. Actually the problem was never the availability of power. It's the abusive pricing structure imposed by the production/distribution syndicates. 

Let us know what you think.

*by andreascy*