Autoblog

Which iPhone navigation app should you buy? This'll help

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:57:00 EST

The season of hitting the roads to places you don't really want to go, so that you can give gifts you didn't really want to buy and eat food you don't really like has begun. Naturally, a lot more people on the road means a lot more folks getting lost. Fear not, you invincible iPhone-equipped holiday travelers: Appcast has ranked the created a list of navigation apps taking into account 31 different features and metrics.

With all the measuring they've done, they leave the decision of which one is best up to you. But with factors such as coverage area, traffic and speed camera notifications, demo routes, and even text-to-speech (including how the application handles voice instructions when the phone is playing music), you should have plenty of tools to make the best choice for your tastes.

There are seven apps tested, starting at $29.99. One of them could help make your holiday treks that much more manageable -- but they still won't eat fruitcake.

[Source: Appcast]

Which iPhone navigation app should you buy? This'll help originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Yikes! TomTom's iPhone car kit will cost $120, app sold separately

John Neff — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:25:00 EST

Filed under: Technology

Though there are a number of navigation apps available for the iPhone and iPod Touch through the App Store in Apple's iTunes, none had been anticipated more than the TomTom navigation app [iTunes link]. Available since August for $99.99, the app turns your Apple device into a fully functioning TomTom navigation system. Many potential buyers have been waiting, however, for the TomTom car kit that will not only allow your iPhone to be suction-cupped to a windshield just like a real third-party navigation system, but also includes a speaker and secondary GPS receiver for increased signal strength.

Our sister site TUAW has just learned that the TomTom car kit, which is scheduled to ship in October, will cost a cool US$119.95 or €99.95 in Europe, not including the cost of the app itself. This means if you want the whole set up for your car, that wallet in your back pocket will be US$219.94 lighter.

Our original hope was that TomTom would bundle the app itself with the cost of the car kit. Unfortunately that appears not to be the case, and the total cost of the app plus car kit now equals what you might pay for a mid-level third-party navigation system. Is it still worth all that money for an all-in-one device that can make phone calls, play music, play games and do a zillion other things on top of being a full fledged navigation system? Decide for yourself in the comments.

[Source: TUAW]

Yikes! TomTom's iPhone car kit will cost $120, app sold separately originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini debuts first roadside assistance app for iPhones [w/VIDEO]

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Mini

OnStar is soooo 2007. Rather than building some kind of old school cell phone telematics system into its cars, Mini is going the hip, modern route for roadside assistance. Mini USA has collaborated with insurance company Allstate to create an Apple iPhone app (also available for some GPS-equipped Blackberries) for owners to automatically call for roadside assistance. When you install the app, you put in your vehicle ID number and select a photo of your car if you want.

The next time you realize that the trip computer's range estimate was a bit optimistic and you fall short of a petrol station, or you leave the lights on or hear that familiar thump-thump of a flat tire, just pull out your iPhone. Open the app, select the service you need and Allstate will immediately dispatch help to the coordinates provided by the phone's GPS system.

Of course, if you forgot to plug in your phone last night... well, two strikes and you're out. There's no word yet on whether the app can use the phone's accelerometer to detect the excess deceleration associated with an impact and call 911 for you, but that would be a neat trick. Check out the video demo and the official press release after the jump.

[Source: Mini USA]

Continue reading Mini debuts first roadside assistance app for iPhones [w/VIDEO]

Mini debuts first roadside assistance app for iPhones [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TomTom iPhone app officially costs a Benjamin [w/VIDEO]

Chris Shunk — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:40:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Videos

TomTom iPhone navigation application - Click above for video

With the unveiling of Apple's latest iPhone, the 3GS, the gates were finally thrown open for third-party navigation software companies to develop navigation apps for the world's most popular smart phone. A TomTom app was announced at the same time, but we've been waiting a long time and a number of less well known companies have released navigation apps for the iPhone in the mean time. The wait for TomTom's attempt at navi bliss on the iPhone, however, is over with the introduction of the TomTom U.S. and Canada turn-by-turn navigation program.

The $99.99 app promises all the same nav functionality as a normal single-purpose handheld nav system right on your iPhone. Among its many features are the ability to tap the screen for start points and destinations in either landscape or portrait mode, depending on which way the unit is oriented. The mobile TomTom can also find restaurants and call for reservations, and it features IQRoutes, which calculates the best-possible route based on actual road speed data and accident and construction data. Pretty standard nav stuff, but in this case effectively bundled with a phone and built-in iPod.

TomTom app buyers can also purchase a kit that includes enhanced GPS features and a mount to secure the iPhone to the windshield of a car. The 1.2 gigabyte download is available now on the iPhone app store, though the large file size means you have to download it first to your PC or Mac and then sync it up your iPhone.

Now, $100 is a lot of money for an app when you've already paid $199 to $299 for the iPhone itself. The cheapest dedicated TomTom we could find on Amazon was also $100, so buyers will have to decide if it's better to have two separate devices or an all-in-one option.

If you haven't seen the program in action, there's an official video embedded after the jump.

UPDATE: Click here to view the app in the iTunes App Store.

[Source: Daily Tech]

Continue reading TomTom iPhone app officially costs a Benjamin [w/VIDEO]

TomTom iPhone app officially costs a Benjamin [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motoczysz releases pics of E1pc electric superbike, complete with iPhone gauges!

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Hybrid, Green, Technology, Videos, Motorcycle

Motoczysz E1pc - Click above for high-res image gallery

Finally, speculation on the appearance of the Motoczysz E1pc can end as the fledgling American motorcycle maker has released official pictures of the machine that will take on the rest of the field at the upcoming TTXGP zero-emission eGrandPrix motorcycle race at the Isle of Man. Things are shaping up largely as we expected, with the E1pc sharing its basic layout and look - including the innovative front suspension design - with Michael Czysz's earlier race bike, the C1, which never actually made it to a MotoGP race.

Such a fate appears highly unlikely for the E1pc, and Czysz is understandably excited to see one of his two-wheelers hit the track in actual competition. In a post on Motoczysz's official blog, Czysz says, "In less than 24 hours I leave to go to the biggest race of my life, not because it is the largest, not because it is the fastest but because it will be the first time a MotoCzysz motorcycle will compete in an FIM sanctioned event."

As far as we're concerned, he has a right to be proud of his team's accomplishment. Looking over the pictures of the E1pc, we can see that there are three motors (one spins backwards) and 10 battery modules that appear to be swappable in relatively easy fashion. Perhaps the geekiest (in a good way, of course) bit is the iPhone mounted directly in front of the rider, which acts as the electric bike's instrument panel. Check out the photo gallery below for more, and be sure to click past the break for a short video of the bike in action.

Gallery: Motoczysz electric motorcycle

[Source: Motoczysz]

Continue reading Motoczysz releases pics of E1pc electric superbike, complete with iPhone gauges!

Motoczysz releases pics of E1pc electric superbike, complete with iPhone gauges! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2009: Nissan previews wacky Qazana crossover concept

Chris Paukert — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:33:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Crossover, Nissan

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Nissan Qazana Concept

To borrow a phrase: Great Googly Moogly. Looking something like a Apple-branded lunar rover, Nissan has released its first images of its Qazana concept, an "intelligent, all-wheel drive crossover which is masculine, agile, lean, and designed for the tough city streets."

The compact crossover appears to be the latest take on the emerging sportscar softroader aesthetic populated by genre-benders like the BMW X6 and Infiniti FX, and to a lesser extent, lower-to-the-ground mainstream offerings like the Toyota Venza. For whatever it's worth, the Nissan Design Europe team says that they were influenced by the "motif of a modern day beach buggy and a four-seat motor-bike." Why this idea didn't result in a more skeletal open-top off-roadster on balloon tires (the Qazana rides on modest-for-a-concept 20-inch wheels), we're not sure, but we think this design has merit on its own regardless. While we wouldn't expect a greenhouse quite this radical or the some of the motorcycle-inspired interior details to see production, a UK-built smaller counterpart to the smash hit Qashqai has been promised, and the Qazana could well influence the design.

Sadly, at this juncture Nissan is mum on what sort of powertrain (if any) motivates the Qazana concept, so we'll just go with the obvious: moon rocks and space ice cream. High-res gallery below, official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Nissan Qazana

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Nissan previews wacky Qazana crossover concept

Geneva 2009: Nissan previews wacky Qazana crossover concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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D�j� Vu: Letter to Obama suggests Steve Jobs to head GM, Chrysler

Chris Shunk — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Chrysler, GM, Earnings/Financials

Back in November, a New York Times columnist thought it would be a good idea for Apple CEO Steve Jobs to come to the auto industry's rescue. Jobs is worshiped by many in the tech world, and many feel that he pretty much saved Apple in the 1990s. But thinking that a brilliant tech guy can right the ship at struggling automakers could possibly be called a stretch. Well, Spark Capital founder Todd Dagres doesn't think so, as evidenced by his recent open letter to President Barack Obama.

Dagres, like many financial analysts, feels that the auto industry is worth saving, if only to keep its high paying jobs and stave off a deeper nationwide recession. He understands that market conditions helped cause the auto industry's current struggles, but says General Motors and Chrysler don't make products that people want to buy. He feels Steve Jobs could step in and provide design and product leadership that could help return a combined General Motors/Chrysler to their former glory.

Steve Jobs has been nothing short of heroic during his second tenure with Apple, but comparing his Cupertino-based company to GM and Chrysler is like comparing Apple to oranges. For instance, GM still builds its own engines, transmissions and many other components that make up their automobiles. Apple doesn't make its own processors, motherboards, graphics cards, hard drives or disc drives. In other words, the two industries are far too different for Jobs - or any other tech guy - to make a difference. Dagres argument is also predicated on the assumption that GM and Chrysler are selling vehicles that people don't want to buy. While that may be true to an extent with Chrysler, GM's lineup is chock full of competitive products. To simply say they're not what people want is willfully ignoring the countless other reasons for not buying a new car during a recession.

[Source: Tech Crunch]

D�j� Vu: Letter to Obama suggests Steve Jobs to head GM, Chrysler originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: Mighty Morphin' iChange proves Rinspeed is up to its old tricks

Chris Paukert — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:58:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Technology

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Rinspeed iChange

From the gloriously fertile mind of Frank Rinderknecht comes the Rinspeed iChange, a shape-shifting zero-emissions concept car. As its name suggests, the iChange actually morphs its body shape depending on how many people are going to be onboard, thus optimizing its aerodynamic profile around the passenger load that is called for.

The Swiss auto designer's creations have always been a highlight of the Geneva Motor Show, from outsized roadsters with crazy paint jobs to cars that run on garbage and have tilting occupant cells to exoskeltal minimalist roadsters to Lotus Elise-based roadgoing submarines. Next month, we expect the iChange to be no different.

In the main, the lightweight (1,050 kilograms, or 2,315 pounds) zero-emissions iChange starts off as a one-seat sports car that is capable of changing to a three-seat coupe thanks to a pop-up rear end.

In the drivetrain department, the iChange is motivated by a 150-kilowatt motor, whose power is routed through a six-speed "pre-selector" gearbox which Rinspeed says is borrowed from Subaru's WRX. Juice storage is provided by one of two stack configurations of lithium-ion batteries, depending on whether short- or long-distance driving is planned. So-equipped, the iChange will whir its way to 100 kilometers-per-hour (62 miles-per-hour) in just over four seconds, topping out at 220 km/h (137 mph). The car's pure-electric drivetrain is further supplemented by a roof shingled in solar panels, which generates power that is stored in the batteries and also helps operate cooling fans to vent the interior.

Click on the jump for more details and a stupendously-large press release, and check out the 70+ image high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Geneva Preview: Rinspeed iChange concept

[Source: Rinspeed]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Mighty Morphin' iChange proves Rinspeed is up to its old tricks

Geneva Preview: Mighty Morphin' iChange proves Rinspeed is up to its old tricks originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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NYT columnist calls on Steve Jobs to fix Detroit

Chris Tutor — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:01:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Chrysler, Ford, GM, Volkswagen

In 2001, General Motors needed a revival and Bob Lutz was anointed The One. It was widely accepted that if anyone could breathe life into a struggling car company, it was him.

Fast-forward seven years, and GM is in the midst of a possible government bailout while its stock price sinks faster than a HUMMER's gas gauge on the freeway. It would seem that Maximum Bob's legendary straight-talking reputation for taking no prisoners and slicing through corporate red tape hasn't produced the results his supporters expected.

So if Bob Lutz can't save Detroit, who can? Steve Jobs, that's who. At least that's what Pulitzer Prize-winning Thomas Friedman says in his New York Times column. While some might be averse to the company, its products and/or its leader, Apple has made a ton of money while re-defining the computer, music and mobile phone industries. Isn't innovation what Detroit needs most?

What Friedman proposes is asking Steve Jobs to perform a "national service" for his country by taking reigns of one of Detroit's automakers for a year. The columnist has so much faith in the visionary talents of Jobs, he believes we'll all be lined up for a chance to buy a shiny new Chevrolet iCar. Or a JeepPro. Or a Mercury Lisa.

But we've heard in the past that Apple's CEO has been working for the other teams, so maybe Steve Wozniak could find some time in his schedule.

[Source: The New York Times via MacDailyNews]

NYT columnist calls on Steve Jobs to fix Detroit originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Driving games begin to land on iPhone

Chris Shunk — Sat, 10 May 2008 14:54:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc.

The iPhone has been a hit since its release and Apple has ratcheted up the excitement the last couple of months, as the recently-released software development kit for the phone is already bearing fruit. In a short period of time and on what we'd guess is a very limited budget, one group of developers has designed a cool racing game called Raging Thunder that features quality graphics, a number of cars, and steering that utilizes the iPhone's revolutionary accelerometer. While the game isn't exactly groundbreaking, it demonstrates that we should see some very cool racing games when big-time developers really start to focus on the iPhone. Follow the jump to see the sweet-looking Raging Thunder in action.

[Source: Kotaku]

Continue reading VIDEO: Driving games begin to land on iPhone

VIDEO: Driving games begin to land on iPhone originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 May 2008 14:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All VW models to get touch screens

Chris Tutor — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:57:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Volkswagen

Recently we reviewed VW's four-door GTI and one of our few complaints was the difficult-to-use nav system. We suggested replacing all the little buttons and dials with a touch screen. Guess what? They listened! VW's design chief, Walter de' Silva, tells Automotive News Europe that starting next year, every VW will have a touch screen interface. Not just those equipped with nav, but every VW made. It's not clear from the story whether this is will be in Europe only or includes U.S.-spec VWs as well.

According to the article, all the car's main passenger-usable systems will be controlled by the screen including climate, radio, entertainment, etc. While we'll withhold judgment on the usefulness or intuitiveness of the system, it will surely go a long way toward giving VW a high-tech look. Could this have been what VW consulted Apple on a few months ago? Or is it just finally the fruition of VW's tech licensing of touch-screen technology from Immersion back in 2005? If so, that could mean the company's new touch screens will have tactile feedback like GPS units that use Immersion's TouchSense technology. Either way, we look forward to seeing how iPhone-like automotive controls work out.

[Source: Automotive News Europe - Sub. Req.]

All VW models to get touch screens originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2007 08:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple's Woz recreates famous Nissan 280Z commercial

Chris Shunk — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Auctions, Nissan

Click the image above for the gallery

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak has lived a charmed life, and he's giving back to the technical sciences by auctioning off his 2005 350Z special edition for charity. The Woz has a soft spot for the old Nissan Z cars, as he appeared in a commercial for the 280Z back in the day, and he has put together a remake of the old spot featuring his 350Z. The spoof commercial features a rotund Woz rolling across the back yard of his spacial digs in a Segway, while sound from the original commercial mentions that the Apple co-founder has two sports cars. The spoof video ends with the Weird Al version of "Ridin Dirty" playing while the Woz rides off into the sunset, Apple II license plate in full view. The sale price for the car is $100,000, but Woz is also accepting lower offers. Click here to view the "remake" video, and follow the jump to check out the classic original.

[Source: TUAW]

Gallery: Steve Wozniak sells his 2005 Nissan 350Z

Continue reading Apple's Woz recreates famous Nissan 280Z commercial

Apple's Woz recreates famous Nissan 280Z commercial originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Sep 2007 06:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota gets in on the iPod integration game

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 02:34:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Audio, Gadgets, Toyota

When a new car lists "iPod Jack" in its feature list, you never know just how much of a feature that really is. Sometimes it just means your iPod will play and charge while plugged in to the car stereo, but forget about changing artists or choosing a new playlist unless you fish it out of whatever oddly-shaped hole that's been left for it. And retrofitting for a lot of cars means an expensive stay at the electronics store, or wires that cross from here to there.

Toyota has just released an iPod integration retrofit kit that will make your new auxiliary input look like it came straight from the factory. And it will give you full control of all iPod functions from either the head unit or the steering wheel. Click Read to check out the full press release.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota gets in on the iPod integration game

Toyota gets in on the iPod integration game originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 31 Aug 2007 02:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Datsun history 101 - The Woz and Black Gold

Dan Roth — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:04:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Videos, Nissan

Awesome. Yeah, that's a good word to describe the Datsun 280ZX. Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak was busy in 1982 when he made this commercial for the Z car. Not only did he have time to organize the US Festival, he was shilling cars, too. Then there was that other thing he did, involving microprocessors, but that was in flux waiting on the flop of Steve Jobs' Lisa. That wasn't so awesome. The Datsun 280ZX, on the other hand, has gone on to earn vaunted status as a classic performance car from an era when it was still common to see Volaré wagons with the fake-wood vinyl applique everywhere you went.

YouTube strikes again, with these chestnuts from the past. Dig the Chyron text, total-cheese voiceover, and we'd totally forgotten about the "We Are Driven" tagline and text move. The other spot after the jump is the one we'd pick. Nevermind the achingly terrible pseudo-Shaft disco soundtrack and the risqué undertones that aren't very cleverly hinted at, that Z looks amazing in black and gold, kind of a spin on the "Bandit" Trans Ams without the screaming hood art.

Thanks for the tip, k0an!

[Source: Macenstein]

VIDEO: Datsun history 101 - The Woz and Black Gold originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Apple hearts Autoblog

John Neff — Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:08:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

You may remember my giddiness last September when we learned that Autoblog had been seen on the jumbotron behind Steve Jobs in the latest keynote for Apple. While demoing some cool new stuff that Apple's Mail program would be able to do when the new OS comes out, one could see the subject of a few emails were Autoblog post titles. Today we found out why they were there, and as a few commenters speculated back then, Apple's new Mail program will be able to incorporate RSS feeds. The company's latest Stevenote was today, and Autoblog has been featured front and center again in the demo video highlighting Mail's new features. Click this link to visit Apple's demo page for Leopard, the newest version of its OSX operating system. Click the "Watch the Demo" link for Mail and wait until the end when Autoblog gets a much appreciated free plug from his Steveness. Thanks Apple!

Hat tip to everyone who let us know about this!

[Source: Apple]

Apple hearts Autoblog originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Jun 2007 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Could the Big Three learn from Apple?

Chris Tutor — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler, Ford, GM

Associated Press Business Writer Tom Krisher makes a few good points about how the Big Three (or 2.5 if you prefer) could stand to learn from Apple's comeback. Well, ok, one good, though not exactly new, point. We've all heard it, if not said it ourselves. It's all about the product. Just like Steve Jobs saved Apple in 1998 with the innovative, highly-desired iMac, American carmakers need their own hotcake vehicle. And in reading Krisher's article, you get the impression GM, Chrysler and Ford have been paying attention.

"I admire (Apple's) pure understanding of the brand and the type of customer they're going after, and married to that, a product and a design strategy that they do not veer off of," said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co.'s president of the Americas.

"We're really trying to be more like companies like Apple, where we can innovate and move faster," said Mark LaNeve, vice president of sales, service and marketing for General Motors Corp.

"I think a fresh, creative mind is something that you can appreciate and focus simply on some complicated things," said Eric Ridenour, chief operating officer of DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group.

So where's the automotive version of the iPhone? Is it GM's Volt? Ford's Interceptor? The Chrysler Nassau? Just like with Apple, only time, and the free market, will tell.

[Source: The Associated Press via Yahoo Finance]

Could the Big Three learn from Apple? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 14 Jan 2007 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast Relaunch Sweepstakes #2: Update

John Neff — Fri, 22 Dec 2006 01:17:00 EST

Filed under: Contests

The first Autoblog Podcast Relaunch Sweepstakes received a grand total of 121 submissions over the course of a week. In less than two days, the Autoblog Podcast Relaunch Sweepstakes #2, the prize for which is a 2GB iPod Nano, has attracted over 100 submissions. Obviously you all are catching on to the fact that these are some good odds.

Entering the Autoblog Podcast Relaunch Sweepstakes #2 to win a 2GB iPod Nano is super simple. Listen to episode #51 of the Autoblog Podcast for this week's secret keyword that's announced during the show. Email the keyword along with your name, age and address to abresearch at gmail dot com. Bamb! That's it. You've just entered the sweepstakes. We'll accept submissions through 12AM EST on Wednesday, December 26th, at which point we'll randomly select the winner. Check out the official rules here.

This is the second sweepstakes in a series of four, so we've got two more iPods to give away after the 2GB Nano finds a new home. Please subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes so you're sure not to miss any of the upcoming episodes. A free iPod hangs in the balance.

Autoblog Podcast Relaunch Sweepstakes #2: Update originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 22 Dec 2006 01:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast Relaunch Sweepstakes #1: iPod Shuffle

John Neff — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:30:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Contests

An entirely new Autoblog Podcast will debut later today when we post the 50th episode, and to celebrate we're giving stuff away! We'll be giving away iPods of various sizes over the next four episodes of the podcast, and we're starting with an iPod shuffle. After all, what better prize could we give away than a new iPod on which you can listen to the new Autoblog Podcast?

Entering the Autoblog Podcast Relaunch Sweepstakes will be simple. Just listen to the podcast and sometime during the episode we'll tell you a keyword. Take that keyword and send it back to us in an email addressed to abresearch at gmail dot com along with your name, age and address. We'll accept entries for the first Sweepstakes up until 12 AM on Wednesday, December 20th. At that time we'll randomly select an entry from the group and award that lucky listenter with an iPod Shuffle. We'll repeat the sweepstakes for the following three episodes and the iPods will get bigger and better as we go.

The 50th episode of the Autoblog Podcast will debut later today, so we suggest clicking here and subscribing to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes so you don't miss it. The Autoblog Podcast can be found in the Games and Hobby category under Automotive in iTunes' Podcast Directory. We'll also have the episode available for you to listen to directly on the site.

More rules:

open to residents of the U.S. who are 18 and older
you can enter each of the four giveaways once
you can only win one of the four giveaways
only submissions with the correct keyword and the entrant's name, age and address will be considered

You can read all the nitty gritty official sweepstakes rules after the jump, as well. If you're a long-time time listener of the Autoblog Podcast, thank you! If not, subscribe to the podcast, check us out and maybe win an iPod!

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast Relaunch Sweepstakes #1: iPod Shuffle

Autoblog Podcast Relaunch Sweepstakes #1: iPod Shuffle originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 Dec 2006 00:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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British motorists rejoice! Griffin iTrip legalized in the UK

John Neff — Sun, 26 Nov 2006 18:09:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Europe, Technology

Many motorists find an iPod as essential a driving companion (for better or worse) as a cup of coffee or loose change. Unfortunately, many drivers in the UK found themselves without a viable solution for marrying auto with iPod thanks to a decades-old law that prevented the use of FM transmitters in cars. The only other options, using a cassette-tape adapter or hard-wiring a connection to the stereo's line-in, were either moot or too expensive.

TUAW, our sister-site, is reporting that Britain has decided to alter the Wireless Telegraphy Act of 1949 that originally banned these FM transmitters because their use constituted operating radio equipment without a license. A new amendment has been passed that will go into effect on December 8th and allow the use of FM transimitters like the Griffin iTrip, arguably the most popular one of its kind. The new approach was hastened by a British consumer market demanding use of their iPods while driving. While not all FM transmitters will be approved for use in the UK, those that pass the muster will carry a CE mark indicating they're A-OK for sale. We hear Britain, however, is a pretty densely populated place, which means that spare stations on which these transmitters can operate might be hard to come by anyway. Bollocks.

[Source: TUAW]

British motorists rejoice! Griffin iTrip legalized in the UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Nov 2006 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steve Jobs hearts Autoblog

John Neff — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 16:51:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology

click image to enlarge a bit

We try not to be a toot-our-own-horn kind of blog, but a few of us are just way too into Macs to let this one slide by. While watching the keynote given by Steve Jobs on the progress of OSX 10.5 Leopard in August (you can watch the video here), reader Dewey K. noticed during the demo of Apple's Mail program that two emails from Autoblog were in Steve Jobs' inbox. The emails have subjects that match the titles of a pair of older posts. The first is "In Britain, a different rally championship -- for slot cars!" and the second, not surprisingly, is "Apple's iPod looks to dominate the dashboard". ~~We don't remember sending the Apple CEO any emails~~ A smart commenter realized that Autoblog's RSS feed was probably being pumpted into Jobs' Apple Mail program, which will be a new feature of OSX 10.5.

We know his Steve-ness is into cars, as a full 70 percent of all 2007 models will natively accept tuneage from his family of iPods. We also know that he's a big fan of Mercedes-Benz and that the state of California allows him to drive without a license plate because he's had so many stolen (he instead has a small bar code where the plate should be).

Really, we're a little miffed at our boys from Engadget who were in like the second row and didn't catch this. We forgive, though. Hey Steve, we heart you, too.

Steve Jobs hearts Autoblog originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Sep 2006 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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