dash

Confessions of a Bluetooth convert

Thanks to California's new hands-free phone law, I have been dragged into Bluetooth land. It's not somewhere I really ever saw myself landing. I never really saw a need; I don't use my cell phone as frequently as anyone else I know, and my car tends to sit in the garage undriven for days, sometimes weeks.

With the enforcement of laws beginning in California and Washington last week, Bluetooth earpieces have become the rage--even when people aren't behind the wheel. Sorry in advance if I offend, but this strikes me as a bit odd--maybe not … Read more

Dash Express releases software update

Today, Dash Navigation set free a wireless software update that brings a number of new features and fixes to its Dash Express GPS device. The June08 update will be delivered over the air to Dash owners, so there's no need to connect to a PC or purchase software DVDs; you'll simply receive a notification when you next start your device. But what exactly are you getting? In short, smarter routing options and hopefully, better performance. Here's the breakdown of features:

FasterFind: This should let the Dash Express get a faster GPS fix by using over-the-air GPS satellite … Read more

Dash Express gets $100 price cut

Citing "outstanding results from our partners' recent Dads and Grads promotions," Dash Navigation today announced a $100 price drop for its Dash Express portable navigation system. You can now get the Internet-connected GPS for $299 rather than $399, though you will still have to pay for the Dash Express service after the three-month complimentary period is up ($9.99 a month with a two-year plan to $12.99 per month for month-to-month). Now, while we certainly think that the grads and dads promotion helped spur the price drop, we can't help but wonder if it also has … Read more

Dash Navigator gets open API

Dash, which makes the very cool Dash Express GPS gizmo for cars (review), has opened up an API so developers can build new apps for the unit. On announcement, according to a company press release, several apps will be available: a homes-for-sale app from Coldwell Banker, a calendar app that can read appointments from Outlook, Google and automatically route you to them, a weather app from WeatherBug, a speed trap app from Trapster, and Mediaguide, which can display the songs that just played on local radio stations.

I want the Trapster app. Not only is this the most useful of … Read more

Review: Dash Express GPS device

It's been almost two years since Dash Navigation first announced its Dash Express portable navigation system, and we're happy to say that you can now finally get your hands on this device. The Dash Express is unlike any other portable navigation system on the market today because it offers two-way connectivity (cellular and Wi-Fi), giving drivers access to a whole new world of information via the Internet and the network of other Dash-connected users. You can conduct live (and more relevant) Web searches via Yahoo Local search; get real-time traffic data; wireless send addresses to the system; and … Read more

Dash: Open sourcing your commute home

Walt Mossberg reviewed the Dash Express earlier this week, an in-car slice of salvation for anyone that spends much time in the car.

What does it do?

...[E]ach Dash Express...becomes part of a network, connected to the company via the Internet. Each device not only receives and displays information, but transmits it as well, acting as a "probe," as Dash calls it, to measure local traffic speeds. This information is compiled by the company and then broadcast back to all other Dash units in your area, almost instantly painting streets on your map with color codes … Read more

Dash Express finally hits the streets

Buy a T-Mobile Dash smartphone and pocket $100 (after rebates)

In the market for a new smartphone? Consider the T-Mobile Dash, a quad-band handset that compares favorably with the Motorola Q. LetsTalk.com has a pretty sweet deal going:

T-Mobile Dash: Free.

1GB microSD card: Free.

Shipping: Free.

Rebates: Up to $100.

Specifically, you automatically qualify for a $50 mail-in rebate on the phone, but you can get another $50 if you sign up for a $39.99-monthly (or higher) service plan and a $19.99-monthly data plan (fairly standard items for smartphone users anyway).

CNET and CNET readers alike had generally good things to say about the Dash, rating … Read more

Can we get these twits to stop twittering?

I don't know whether Jupiter's out of whack with Mars, but suddenly there's a nasty undercurrent in the tech firmament.

Over the weekend, the geekerati had a cyber-conniption over the way BusinessWeek's Sarah Lacy questioned Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg at the South by Southwest Conference. (Well, at least she didn't try to ask, "Boxers or briefs?" but whatever. It's time to move on, guys.)

Anyway, today's fit du jour concerns a mudslinging bout between Anil Dash of Six Apart and Matt Mullenweg of WordPress. They haven't reached the pistols-at-30-paces stage … Read more

Kickball, a great way to meet the stars of the Internet

AUSTIN, Texas--I never thought I would have a chance to wear sweatpants to a professional networking event, but thanks to Kick, count that as one more boundary broken.

The brainchild of Six Apart Vice President and well-known blogger Anil Dash, Kick was a game of geek kickball that took place Saturday morning here in a park near the Austin Convention Center, where South by Southwest Interactive (SXSWi) is in full swing.

The event involves large numbers of geeks playing kickball on a weekend morning, many hung over from partying too hard the night before.

Dash started Kick in 2002 as … Read more