Wednesday, September 08, 2010

Posts Tagged ‘car gadgets’

Navigation Systems Put to the Test: The Results

Last Updated on Thursday, 2 September 2010 04:00 Written by Mai Chi Thursday, 2 September 2010 04:00

On Wednesday, we laid out plans to take several navigation systems — the pricey factory systems in an Acura TSX, a BMW 3 Series and an Infiniti G37, plus a $180 handheld Garmin Nuvi 255W — and see how they dealt with a range of simple and challenging routes. We started easy, then threw in everything from pit stops and missed exits to recently constructed highways and brand-new housing developments. The results were illuminating. By day’s end, each of the systems had stumbled at least... Detailt »»

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Navigation Systems Put to the Test

Last Updated on Wednesday, 1 September 2010 02:48 Written by Ngôi Sao Wednesday, 1 September 2010 02:48

One of the most popular options available for new cars is a navigation system. Often these add $1,000 to $3,000 to the sticker price and can even be wrapped into more expensive packages. It’s certainly easier to swallow that slightly higher monthly payment if the navigation system you just paid for works the way you think it should. But after testing hundreds of cars over the years, we know they don’t all deliver. So we took three luxury cars with the expensive add-ons and a simple $180... Detailt »»

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Ford’s Wi-Fi-Enabled Assembly Line

Last Updated on Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:01 Written by admin Thursday, 26 August 2010 08:01

Ford announced today that it is installing Wi-Fi access points at assembly lines for vehicles using the latest Sync systems. This allows the company to install the latest software to Sync-equipped vehicles on the line, without using hardware that would need physical maintenance. Whenever the company updates Sync — which technically can be done throughout a model year’s life — the newest version will be zapped into the cars on the line. The first plant to use it is in Ontario, Canada,... Detailt »»

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Recall Alert: 796,000 Garmin Navigation Systems

Last Updated on Thursday, 26 August 2010 07:20 Written by Phương Thùy Thursday, 26 August 2010 07:20

Garmin International has issued a recall for about 796,000 GPS units in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The affected units are both aftermarket systems and factory-installed units placed in some Volvo, Volkswagen, Suzuki, Smart, Land Rover, Mazda, Nissan and Mercedes-Benz vehicles. One of the units is labeled Mopar as well, which is the replacement and accessory part maker for the Chrysler Group. A full list of the affected units is provided... Detailt »»

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Mobile TV Roundup: Which One is For You?

Last Updated on Thursday, 26 August 2010 02:22 Written by Mai Chi Thursday, 26 August 2010 02:22

By Jim Nash and David Thomas In a development cheered by optometrists and the parents of fussy children everywhere, TV is making its way into cars. There have been inroads before, but today there are more options than ever to get your fix of ESPN or your kids’ fix of “Phineas & Ferb.” Figuring out which solution is best isn’t easy, though. Do you go with an expensive in-car option that is easy to use, like Sirius Backseat TV? Or do you try a mobile offering that you can take anywhere,... Detailt »»

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What Does This Button Do?

Last Updated on Tuesday, 24 August 2010 06:55 Written by Ngọc Ánh Tuesday, 24 August 2010 06:55

We get into a lot of new cars here at Cars.com. For the most part, they all feature the same controls — volume knobs, hood releases and temperature settings are usually universal. But sometimes we get in a car and wonder, “What the heck does this do?” That would be the case with the button above, found in the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta 2.5 SEL that we currently have at the office. Have any ideas? In-car karaoke? Bluetooth? Actually, it’s the control button for the Jetta’s navigation system,... Detailt »»

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Testing iPhone 4 FaceTime With Chrysler’s In-Car Wi-Fi

Last Updated on Tuesday, 3 August 2010 03:00 Written by admin Tuesday, 3 August 2010 03:00

We can’t think of anything that would send chills down the spines of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood and safety advocates everywhere more than video chatting while driving. While we do not endorse the behavior, two new technologies have made the seemingly sci-fi task possible. The new iPhone 4 has a video-to-video feature called FaceTime, however, both users need to not only have an iPhone 4 but also a Wi-Fi connection. How do you get a Wi-Fi connection into a car? Well, you bolt a Wi-Fi... Detailt »»

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AT&T Navigator for iPhone: Review

Last Updated on Friday, 23 July 2010 12:31 Written by admin Friday, 23 July 2010 12:31

I've always wondered why turn-by-turn, voice-guided GPS wasn't on the first iPhone, but now I think I know. Having used AT&T's Navigator and many of its competitors, I can only conclude that a full-function consumer GPS is harder to pull off than a 20-year-old tattoo. Each portable GPS app, service and device has its share of glaring omissions and malfunctions to go along with their inherent utility. AT&T's new Navigator is a solid product with a couple of promising features,... Detailt »»

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Subaru Latest to Offer In-Car Wi-Fi

Last Updated on Friday, 16 July 2010 03:50 Written by admin Friday, 16 July 2010 03:50

We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: It doesn’t make sense to pay for most in-car Wi-Fi solutions from automakers.   Chrysler and GM offer similar systems to one announced today by Subaru. The Japanese automaker will offer a mobile internet system in its 2011 Outback for $499 plus a $35 activation fee. It will then cost another $29 per month. Subaru will pick up the first three months of the subscription fee for free. We don’t recommend in-car solutions because major wireless... Detailt »»

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Ford Sync Now Understands 10,000 Commands

Last Updated on Thursday, 15 July 2010 04:32 Written by Ngôi Sao Thursday, 15 July 2010 04:32

Ford is showing off the latest update to its Sync multimedia system that will debut in the upcoming 2011 Edge SUV. The 10,000 commands Sync now understands — versus 100 in the first generation — is the showstopper, but after watching the somewhat lengthy video above, we’ve found a few things that we really think will improve the daily interaction with Sync after our years of firsthand testing of the current system. You no longer need to specify “Phone” or “USB” before a command.... Detailt »»

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