In-car entertainment

Review: Blaupunkt Velocity 2Go

As a powered subwoofer for your car, the Blaupunkt Velocity 2Go installs easily and delivers a reasonably powerful bass thump. But this sub gives you more bang for your buck in that it works as a semiportable speaker system for an iPod or other MP3 player. In the latter incarnation, it adds pairs of 6 1/2-inch woofers and 1-inch tweeters to its subwoofer output.

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The LCD's circle of life

If razor-thin OLED screens do eventually supplant LCDs as some predict, there may still be hope for liquid-crystal display technology--in a new shape.

Toshiba Matsushita Display Technology has created a circle-shaped LCD that could be used for digital instruments in cars, according to Fareastgizmos. Why a circle? Because it can fit in certain parts of the dashboard better than cornered shapes, as well as particular design styles. (Think speedometers, tachometers and such.)

Besides, it's a much more dignified fate than resorting to a gimmicky engagement ring box.

Driving It: Implications of the Internet-connected car

Someday soon, cars will be rolling Internet access points. Different technologies that exist today could make it happen, such as an iPhone-like connection that picks up Wi-Fi when in range of a hotspot, then switches over to a cellular network when necessary. Or it could be through WiMax, a solution I've heard mentioned by automotive parts suppliers. There are a lot of obvious benefits, such as keeping navigation system maps and points of interest up to date, or having cars serve as traffic probes, reporting to a central database where traffic is slowed or stopped.

But what about the … Read more

Clarion puts a little color in the dash

Even in the face of monumental change in the automotive industry, it's amazing how conservative automakers can be sometimes. While they've focused increasingly on electronics and entertainment systems to differentiate their products, built-in stereo receivers still look pretty much the same as they have for the last decade.

Not the latest line from Clarion. The car electronics veteran is in some ways breaking its own mold with boxes that look more appropriate in the kitchen than the dashboard. Not only are they departing from the standard black and silver, as is made plain by the photos on Akihabara … Read more

XM brings satellite radio Direct 2 you

With a few honorable exceptions, car stereo manufacturers are reluctant to build satellite radio tuners into their products, preferring instead to flog you clunky--and expensive--proprietary add-on modules to go with your XM or Sirius subscription.

Perhaps realizing that this model wasn't in the interests of increased adoption of its service, XM has just released the Audiovox XM Direct 2, a (relatively) streamlined, universal adapter that works with nearly all satellite-ready car stereos, irrespective of their manufacturers. In addition to its car compatibility, the device can also be plugged into XM-ready home audio products and XM2go portable radios. According to … Read more

Video: Ford Sync test

We get a hands-on test of the new Ford Sync system. We try out its text reading, Bluetooth music streaming, and its voice command system, which lets you tell it the name of any artist in your music collection you want it to play.

Ford Sync will be available in Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury models starting this November. Next year, it will be standard in all Lincoln models and generally available as an option in other models for around $400.

A Bluetooth headset for playing CHP

If you're planning to be a motorcycle cop for Halloween, this is the perfect accessory to complete the ensemble.

Parrot's SK 4000 Bluetooth headset will make you look like you just pulled out of a presidential motorcade, with a purported 10 hours of standy battery time and an FM stereo when the parties get boring, according to Engadget. Once back in the saddle, you can use the handlebar-mounted remote to call discreetly for reinforcements at the nearest bar.

Speaker manufacturer Bowers & Wilkins revs up Jaguar's sound

Premium car audio systems from Bose and Mark Levinson are all too commonplace, so it's about time one of the world's leading high-end speaker manufacturers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W) joined the fray with its all-new system for Jaguar's gorgeous XF sedan. At a joint press event last week in New York City Jaguar and Bowers & Wilkins showed an advance prototype of the 2008 XF model.

Unlike most car audio/auto manufacturer relationships where the audio supplier is forced to work with the "leftover" spaces to place its speakers and electronics, Bower & … Read more

Will Zune get more social with its own wheels?

If Zune owners are having problems making friends, perhaps they need to take more aggressive action--such as getting in their cars to find each other.

To that end, the "Car Pack FM Transmitter" will help make the new Zune more mobile while automatically choosing the clearest channel to use for playing your music on the car stereo. Gadgetell says it will also charge the media player at the same time while gripping the dashboard with so it won't go flying out the window.

Crave disclaimer: We offer no guarantee that your social life will improve significantly as … Read more