If you're one of those people who can't stand the constant "beep-beep" of horn-happy motorists, you might not want to read any further. A start-up called Horntones is giving drivers the opportunity to customize their own car horn's output by using any MP3 file as their honk of choice.
(Credit:
Horntones)
Using a combination of Horntones' Web site and the company's flagship FX550 device, drivers can download any audio file they like (copyright issues notwithstanding) to use as their car's horn sound. The FX550 comes with 256MB of memory and nine preset buttons, giving horn-pimpers plenty of options for customization. The device also comes with a 150-watt amplifier and a pretty robust-looking speaker to ensure that other road users get your personalized message loud and clear. According to Mike Cosco, the brains behind Horntones, the FX550 is aimed--unsurprisingly--at 16- to 25-year-old drivers. It's on sale now for $299.
Comedian Jay Leno is known for his coveted collection of performance cars, but here is one Leno's babies that had eyebrows raising all over the SEMA show here in Las Vegas. This Pratt & Miller-designed road rocket come with an 8.2-liter engine--that's 1.2-liters more displacement than the "regular" competition Corvette CR.6 on which it's based. Not only is it equipped with a T-56 six-speed transmission, Arvin Meritor dynamic ride control suspension, and a K&N air filter with carbon-fiber ram air induction, it also has a Dewitt high-capacity aluminum radiator with dual cooling fans, a Corsa performance exhaust, and a Brembo GT brake package.
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
(Credit:
CNET Networks)
And, not only is it adorned with carbon fiber accents, a modified C6R-inspired front fascia, BBS-sourced 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels, widened front and rear quarters, and C6R LED tail lights....and not only does it have all this, plus a custom designed instrument panel, steering wheel, and gear shifter....It is also an E85 flex-fuel vehicle that means it can be run almost entirely on corn.
The days of manually checking your oil with a dipstick may soon be over. Debuting at this year's SEMA show, Intellistick's Oil Condition Monitor uses a series of sensors to constantly monitor the electrical properties--and therefore the condition--of your car's oil.
This information is then sent to the driver's PDA using (what else?) Bluetooth, meaning that, without even popping the hood, drivers can know exactly when to change their oil. Check out Brian Cooley's video of the device, complete with a lesson in petrochemical decomposition.
GM is one of a growing number of automakers that is using the SEMA show to debut modified or concept versions of existing production models. One of the stars of the GM booth is the Pontiac Solstice SD-290, a modified version of the popular roadster. The SD-290 features a covered passenger cockpit, some sharp body styling, and a turbocharged 2-liter Ecotec power plant good for 290 horsepower (hence the designation). This Solstice also sports a custom front fascia, hood and front fascia, and grille inserts.
Performance upgrades include 3-piston, 13-inch stainless-steel caliper brakes, a custom exhaust from Solo Performance, and a bespoke suspension system from KW Automotive. Inside, the HVAC system and stereo have been sacrificed for weight-saving purposes, as has the windshield. GM says that the rationale for the SD-290 was to pay homage to the "purposeful design of...classic race vehicles". Don't expect to see one of these on the road any time soon.
FM transmitters are nothing new, and neither are devices that stream audio via the advanced A2DP profile. But we haven't seen many devices that use both wireless technologies in the same application. That's exactly what Motorola's T505 does: As well as being a slick-looking in-car Bluetooth speakerphone, the visor-mounted T505 can be used to stream music from an A2DP device directly to the car stereo, without the need for the latter to be equipped with the advanced Bluetooth profile.
It manages this feat with a digital FM transmitter, which searches frequencies in the FM range with the least noise to deliver the best audio output. The T505 will go on sale in the first quarter of 2008 with a price tag of around $139.
(Credit:
Jensen)
There is a lots of talk these days about computers in cars, but it mostly refers to the technology in the vehicle's drivetrain, GPS navigation device, or active safety systems. When are we going to see a real computer in the car, you ask: one that can browse the Web, edit Word docs, and perform all the functions of a desktop. Jensen has an answer to that question with the NVX3000PC, on show at SEMA 2007. The portable device has a 7-inch touch-screen display and comes with a Windows Vista operating system, a 30GB internal hard drive, an integrated Wi-Fi modem, and a 1GHz Via processor. A sync port cable enables it to be connected to desktop and notebook PCs.
The NVX3000PC also comes with a built-in GPS navigation system, and the ability to play video and audio digital media via its two USB ports, and 2GB SD card slot. Audio for navigation and music files can be played out through its built-in speaker or streamed to the car's speakers, thanks to an integrated FM transmitter. For in-car use, the NVX3000PC comes with a mount, which enables it to be positioned like an aftermarket in-dash GPS device. Look out for it to hit the shelves shortly with an MSRP of $1,500.
No matter how wireless your wireless device is, it still requires at least one cable to charge it up. Well, that might not be the case for much longer. A number of companies are working on bringing wireless charging modules to the in-car market. Brian Cooley takes a look at one such technology from eCoupled, on show at this year's SEMA show.
Panasonic is using this year's SEMA show to launch the CN-GP50U, its first portable navigation device. The CN-GP50U features a 5-inch touch-screen display and comes with text-to-speech technology for reading out road names when under route guidance. A real-time traffic service from Clear Channel is available on the device with the purchase of a separate receiver. It also comes with built-in Bluetooth for hands-free calling and an industrial-strength in-car mount. Check out our first look.
Brian Cooley looks at new car technology from Visteon that lets you charge an iPod wirelessly. The eCoupled charging pad can be mounted anywhere in a car, and provides power to an iPod through a special dongle.
The 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show is the place where serious car geeks go to get their fix. Automakers, tuners, accessories companies, aftermarket parts retailers, and electronics manufacturers gather there to show off their latest gear.
The cars they use to do it are often extremely cool modifications (aka mods) built to inspire. Even the interiors, such as with this Volvo C30 modified by Heico Sportiv, are wild. The show is closed to the public, but we've captured some of the new reveals and far-out mods in our latest SEMA photo gallery.
To check out our first gallery on SEMA click here.
