Autoblog

Engadget tries Google Glass with motorcycle helmet, results are mixed

Zach Bowman — Fri, 03 May 2013 15:44:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Videos, Motorcycle

Our friends at sister site Engadget recently got a chance to give an early version of Google Glass. Tim Stevens went so far as to hop on the back of a Ducati 848 Streetfighter with Glass tucked under his helmet in an attempt to host a Google+ hangout while on a ride. Unfortunately, the system doesn't easily fit under a helmet thanks in part to the fact that it requires a sizable battery pack behind the user's ear. That kind of nips any fun on track recording options in the bud, either on a bike or on a car.

Still, with some finagling, Stevens was able to wedge the system in place well enough to take decent video, but cell reception woes soon put his online broadcasting hopes to an end. The good news is that Glass doesn't require a connection to continue recording, which is nice. You can watch video from the ride below for yourself.

While Google still has some work to do to make Glass appealing to the motorsports set, Stevens also uncovered a few other issues. Namely, the device isn't as intuitive as he'd hoped, and those with vision impairments had a hard time getting the system to function at all.

Continue reading Engadget tries Google Glass with motorcycle helmet, results are mixed

Engadget tries Google Glass with motorcycle helmet, results are mixed originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 May 2013 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The List goes racing on Speed tonight at 10PM EST/PST [UPDATE]

John Neff — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:44:00 EST

This week's episode of The List on Speed brings together two episodes of the series that highlight some unique forms of four-wheeled competition. The first is the 24 Hours of LeMons, in which hosts Jessi Combs and Patrick McIntyre, compete on a team that dredged the depths of British automotive history to find their race cars.

The second segment, meanwhile, has J and P in upstate New York on a frozen lake to freeze their buns off while watching Engadget Editor-in-Chief Tim Stevens go ice racing in stock Subaru WRX. Of course, their job is to participate, so we don't let them leave the lake until they've gone head-to-head on the ice themselves. Be sure to tune in or set your DVR!

UPDATE: It turns out that Speed is saving our latest episode for next week, February 26 at 10:30 PM EST/PST. Sorry for the false alarm!

The List goes racing on Speed tonight at 10PM EST/PST [UPDATE] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Feb 2013 16:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vote for the 2012 Technology of the Year

John Neff — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Technology

Our sister site, AOL Autos, has been working hard all year to collect and narrow down this year's most interesting and innovative automotive technologies into six finalists for its inaugural Technology of the Year Award.

Over 30 technologies were considered across the areas of Connectivity, Active Safety and Telematics. After reviewing them all, the group has been narrowed down to six finalists by a panel of 16 judges, which includes myself and four other Autoblog editors, as well editors from Engadget and Translogic, and even Tony Fadell, the former leader of Apple's iPod team and creator of the Nest learning thermostat.

There is, however, a 17th judge, and that's you. We'd like you to cast your vote for the best new technology of 2012. When the judges reconvene next month to pick a winner, the votes cast by you and other readers will count as the seventeenth judge with the final vote to cast.

Click here to visit the AOL Autos Technology of the Year webpage, read up on the finalists and vote for your favorite.

Vote for the 2012 Technology of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Nov 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The List #0032: Go Ice Racing

John Neff — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, The List

Despite the unusually warm winter we're having this year, we couldn't pass up the opportunity to have Jessi and Patrick check ice racing off The List. So we sent them to New York to meet our good friend and ice-racing expert, Engadget.com editor-in-chief Tim Stevens, for an inside look at this very special and frigid sport. Thanks to the courtesy of the Adirondack Motor Enthusiast Club, they were able to get in and complete their objective before the warm temperatures returned the track back into a lake.

As Tim explains in the episode, the great thing about ice racing is the amount of time you actually spend racing. And with two classes that cover both stock and modified vehicles, anyone can race with whatever they've got in their garage. But as Jessi and Patrick learn, racing on ice is easier said than done.

Click here to watch The List #0032: Go Ice Racing.

Have an RSS feed? Click here to add The List.
Have an idea for The List? Click here to tell us what would be on yours.
Click here to learn more about our hosts, Jessi and Patrick.

Continue reading The List #0032: Go Ice Racing

The List #0032: Go Ice Racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford head honcho Mulally talks tech with The Engadget Show

Zach Bowman — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, Videos, Ford, Electric

Alan Mulally on The Engadget Show - Click above to watch video after the jump

If you aren't already an avid follower of The Engadget Show, we highly recommend checking out the video series. The editors of our favorite tech site (disclosure: Engadget and Autoblog are both owned by AOL) routinely sit down with the movers and shakers of the electronics and gadget world for a look into what's new and what's next. The latest episode delves into everything from a hybrid version of the Shredder to the BlackBerry PlayBook. Of course, we're a little more interested in the show's interview with Ford CEO Alan Mulally. Engadget caught up with Mulally while he was in New York for the 2011 New York Auto Show and picked his brain on the future of the electric car and Ford's vision for the automobile moving forward.

Like most manufacturers, Ford is currently working to develop new battery technologies that will allow for quicker charge times, though Mulally says that his company also hopes to see the electric car become a more integral part of the electrical grid as a whole in the near future. As battery technology advances, Ford wants EVs to be able to charge on off-peak hours, store energy and feed it back to homes and businesses when not in use.

Pretty clever.

Hit the jump to see the full episode of The Engadget Show after the jump.

[Source: Engadget]

Continue reading Ford head honcho Mulally talks tech with The Engadget Show

Ford head honcho Mulally talks tech with The Engadget Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget tries Festo's next-gen racing chair

Frank Filipponio — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:38:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, Toys/Games

Festo AirMotion Ride - Click above to watch video after the jump

Blogger Richard Lai from sister-site Engadget recently had a chance to try out the amazing Festo AirMotion Ride driving simulator chair. Festo had the new device set up at The Gadget Show Live in the UK and Richard couldn't resist giving it a spin. You can see a short video clip of that experience after the jump, but be forewarned, Lai asks ahead of time that no one judge his driving. We can't resist a little playful mocking and advise Richard to not quit his day job.

Aside from the atrocious driving, you can see the extreme movement possible with Festo's revolutionary "fluidic muscles." That's the name of Festo's elastomer tubes that contract when filled with fluid, producing forces of up to 1,600 Nm (1,180 lb-ft). Better yet, there are no mechanical parts inside, making them simpler to replace than the typical hydraulic plungers found on competing simulators from D-Box, Simcraft, Force Dynamics and Motion-Sim.

Follow the jump to see Festo's machine in action, and don't judge Richard too harshly.

[Source: Engadget]

Continue reading Engadget tries Festo's next-gen racing chair

Engadget tries Festo's next-gen racing chair originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Apr 2010 16:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toy Ferrari turned into exotic computing device

Chris Shunk — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 09:03:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Supercars, Ferrari

Ferrari F430 PC: Click above to view gallery

For Autoblog readers, cars and computers converge on a daily basis, but never like this. At Computex, creative PC packaging company Kimpro displayed an Intel Atom-based netbook (for the tech-challenged, that's an inexpensive laptop) that hides within the plastic of a Ferrari F430 GT. We don't know much about the company that produced this object of processing perfection, but we're pretty sure we could live with one of these babies for blog duty.

The tech geeks at Engadget tell us that Atom-based computers are anything but sprightly, making the choice of a toy Ferrari chassis a dubious one at best. We don't care, though, because how many exotics have two USB ports, DVI out, and an internal DVD burner? We just hope that the processor managed to find a home nestled between the rear wheels. Hat tip to Sea Urchin

Gallery: Ferrari PC

[Source: Engadget]

Toy Ferrari turned into exotic computing device originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 06 Jun 2009 09:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche wireless racing wheel from Fanatec

Chris Shunk — Thu, 01 May 2008 17:26:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Porsche

If you love racing games, have a PS3 or PC, and have no problem parting with a hefty $349, Fanatec's wireless steering wheel is right up your alley. Sure you can get a gaming steering wheel for a lot less money, but it won't come fully equipped with a 6+1 shifter, three working pedals, and an official seal of approval from Porsche. Fanatec spent seven years coming up with a setup that was worthy of the Porsche name, and the end result is pretty damn sweet. The steering wheel is adorned with real leather, it has three feedback motors, a key-shaped 1GB memory stick for storing settings, and both the wheel and pedals are completely free of wires.

There is no question that $349 is probably too much to spend on a gaming wheel, considering a PS3 only costs $399. But if you spend as much time in the virtual world of video games as you do out in the real world, this may be as close as you'll ever get to driving a Porsche, and it costs a lot less than the real thing.Thanks for the tip, Rick!

[Source: Engadget]

Porsche wireless racing wheel from Fanatec originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 01 May 2008 17:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2008 Cadillac CTS to be first with Gracenote MusicID database

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Technology, Cadillac

It looks like Cadillac will be the first company to offer the new Gracenote music library database in a car. Buyers of the new 2008 CTS will be able to get the system when the car goes on sale in August. Gracenote points out this will be the first time the MusicID database and Playlist products have been paired with an in-car entertainment system for the North American market. Sounds like a technicality, but it's a pretty sweet system.

What this means is that you can load all of your CDs into the system, have them copied, and then during playback the unit accesses a huge database to add track info. Things like album, artist and track names are a given, but the Gracenote system adds additional proprietary data like genre, artist type, era and region of origin. And then your personal collection can be searched and custom playlists developed using the data. How very iPod. Similar systems exist, but none are quite like Gracenote, and none have been factory available in the States until now.

[Source: just-auto - sub. req.]

2008 Cadillac CTS to be first with Gracenote MusicID database originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Jul 2007 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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StreetWriter van gets the last word

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:07:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

OK, this is kind of cool, but kind of scary at the same time. Built by the Institute for Applied Autonomy, this spray-painting van is an ink-jet printer for the road. Pretty cool idea, but what would you actually do with it? Well, the IAA's stated mission, according to CNET, is "to study the forces and structures which affect self-determination and to provide technologies which extend the autonomy of human activists." That basically boils down to this being a graffiti truck, and that's effin sweet.

The so-called StreetWriter uses a "computer-controlled industrial spray painting unit" in an extended-length cargo van. The printings are probably best read from above, but even those on the ground will get the message. At right is a view of the inside of the van.

[Source: CNET via Engadget]

StreetWriter van gets the last word originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 13 Jul 2007 17:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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T3 motion cop trike ensures unsuccessful getaway for crooks on foot

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:55:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Government/Legal

Visitors to the 2007 International Security Convention West show (ISC West) in Las Vegas had a chance to get up close and personal with the future of police patrol vehicles. On display was the new three-wheeled chariot from T3 Motion. Sort of a Segway with sirens, the T3 Series security model boasts a top speed of 18-25 mph. That should be good enough to catch a fleeing suspect, but the T3 will most likely show its benefit in keeping officers fresh for when they have to dismount and really start a pursuit.

Powered by two rechargeable batteries, it will cost about $8,000 but offers a much lower per-mile cost than just about anything this side of a bicycle. Extra batteries can be carried and swapped in as necessary for a longer range and recharge times are 4-6 hours when you get back to the station. It's a bit beefier and more authoritative looking than a Segway, and with a front wheel, a little more stable, as well. And it's green to boot. The zero-emission vehicle even uses LED lighting to minimize battery usage. T3 motion offers a range of similar vehicles customized for military, personal security and law enforcement applications.

[Source: Engadget]

T3 motion cop trike ensures unsuccessful getaway for crooks on foot originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Engadget gets hands on with GlobalTop HD100 GPS HUD

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Gadgets, Safety

We said we'd keep you posted, and we meant it. Sister site Engadget just had a brief fling with the GlobalTop HUD GPS device at CeBIT. Unfortunately for them, the demo didn't happen in a car, but rather on the show floor. They said the heads-up display was quite visible on the tinted portion of the demonstration screen, but when they moved it to the more windshield-like clear portion to the side, it all but disappeared. In all fairness, it was a prototype, but we join Thomas Ricker in our skepticism when the device is set to drop next month in Europe for about $100.

We talked about this affordable Bluetooth/GPS system a little while ago and liked the sound of it. The device has a lot of promise because it theoretically projects your speed and other vital info onto your windshield so you can focus your eyes on the road instead of the gauge cluster. Heads-Up Displays (HUD) have been around for eons, mostly used in aircraft, and have proven very effective. Being able to have important information in your field of vision is a great step up in terms of safety, but only if it doesn't distract the driver, and more importantly, only if it's visible. Again, we'll keep you posted. But like Engadget said, perhaps it's best to wait for a full review or an in-car demo of your own, before laying out your hard-earned cash on this one.

[Source: Engadget]

Engadget gets hands on with GlobalTop HD100 GPS HUD originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bose Media System debuts in Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Audio, Gadgets, Ferrari

If you're going to introduce one of the world's most advanced automotive media systems, you might as well showcase it in one of the world's best vehicles. Bose has chosen the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti as its debut model. The new Bose Media System features customized 5.1-channel surround sound, an AM/FM/XM satellite radio tuner that can be accessed by genre, a 200 hours hard-drive, navigation system, Bluetooth, iPod connectivity with access through the system's display and a USB 2.0 input.

Oh, and it has an industry-first multi-format disc player. It can read and play virtually any type of disc you feed into it: CDs, DVD audio discs, DVD video discs, Super Audio CDs, MP3s, AAC and practically every other format available on recordable CDs and DVDs. It even has the Bose uMusic intelligent playback system that uses tags to identify listener "moods" and calls up similar songs from the hard drive. Of course the speakers have been optimized for the 612, as well. The system looks fairly easy to control with two large knobs and an upper and lower bank of preset function buttons. Follow the read link for more details on the system.

[Source: Bose]

Bose Media System debuts in Ferrari 612 Scaglietti originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Mar 2007 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW and Google Maps marry dash and desktop

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 08 Mar 2007 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, BMW

GPS navigation systems continue to be a popular option for car buyers. Some of the most frequent complaints with electronic navigation, however, are that the maps themselves aren't updated frequently enough and that problems seem to occur when the GPS tells drivers to go down a route that may not be navigable. With the ability to be interactive and updated (even if infrequently), they still represent a huge step up in functionality over the paper maps of yore. Not only can you designate a destination and have the route personalized for you, other points of interest can be highlighted, traffic updates can be monitored, and you never have to try to refold them, so in our book it's a no-brainer.

Physically entering the desired address into the system can be tedious and distracting, however, especially at speed. BMW has developed a way to remove the middle man so to speak, which is you. With this new system, users can access Google business listings on their own computer and then forward the address and details to their Drive Assist-equipped BMWs. Rather than re-entering the information, the navi already knows it when the driver's but hits the seat. It's a nice time saver that helps make the process more accurate and safer, too. While we'd still like to have access to Google Maps when we're actually in the car, skipping the re-entry of the address helps quite a bit and it's definitely a step in the right direction. Check out the video of how it works after the jump.

[Source: Engadget]

Continue reading BMW and Google Maps marry dash and desktop

BMW and Google Maps marry dash and desktop originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Mar 2007 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A HUD for all occassions: GlobalTop GPS & Bluetooth HUD Speedmeter

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 20 Feb 2007 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Gadgets

How would you like to have a gadget that sits on your dash and projects your speed and other vital info onto your windshield so you can focus your eyes on the road instead of the gauge cluster? Heads-Up Displays (HUD) have been around for eons, most effectively employed in aircraft, but with some automotive use, as well. But the system has pretty much been limited to high end models or a few GM models like the Corvette and Pontiac Grand Prix. Now a company is about to start offering HUD for the masses, via a little box that uses GPS and Bluetooth to calculate and display speed and speed warnings, as well as navigational directions. GlobalTop Technology, best known for its GPS systems, is introducing a GPS/Bluetooth HUD Speed Meter that will project that info onto your windshield.

No price or release date was reported, but the GlobalTop GPS HUD Speed Meter will be reviewed by the guys at DigitalReviews in April, and hopefully we'll get more info about it then. Sounds like a great idea if the price is low enough and the info is accurate. We'll keep you posted.

Thanks for the tip, Bill!

[Source: DigitalReviews.net via Devicepedia]

A HUD for all occassions: GlobalTop GPS & Bluetooth HUD Speedmeter originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Feb 2007 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Europeans getting revolutionary TiVo-like satellite radio

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 16:07:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Gadgets, Europe, BMW

This particular nugget came from our sibling site Engadget, which reported on the "multimedia car radio of the future."

In conjunction with a few select partners, the European Space Agency (ESA) is developing an entertainment system that will feature "built-in satellite radio and generous timeshifting functionality" too. It comes via a special antenna that will likely become a factory-installed option on certain vehicles. It's described as a "flattened mobile antenna integrated into the bodywork," that will pick up "Ku" band signals already used by communications satellites.

Obviously, using existing satellites makes this much cheaper and more feasible. The best bit, however, and the part that makes this different than current US satellite radio services, is that the service will include timeshifting. You know, just like TiVo. The ability to listen at a later time. It is likely that the service will feature a "cache or hard drive-based system" so listeners can pause or rewind broadcasts. Not a lot of other details right now, but word has it you might spot a prototype system mounted in a BMW if you happen to be near the Noordwijk Space Expo in the Netherlands.

[Source: Orbitcast via Engadget]

Europeans getting revolutionary TiVo-like satellite radio originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Jan 2007 16:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW 3-series to come equipped with HD radio?

Frank Filipponio — Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:14:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, BMW

OK, we admit that this might be more appropriate on Engadget than Autoblog, but it is about BMW audio, so here goes. HD Radio technology is said to be one of the most significant advances in radio broadcasting history. Their words, not ours, but it's probably true. Just like HDTV, which gives viewers an unprecedented amount of visual sharpness and clarity, HD Radio gives listeners crystal clear, noise-free reception.

HD Radio can also multicast and display text information like station name, or track and artist info. Multicasting allows FM stations to broadcast multiple channels of programming on one frequency. Imagine your favorite station pumping alt-rock, hip-hop and country through one dial setting and you can see how cool this technology can be. And unlike satellite subscription services like XM or Sirius, HD Radio is free to anybody with an HD receiver. Not a huge group right now, but with 1,000 HD stations out there broadcasting HD programming, we expect it to be a hot sector in the near future.

BMW was the first to offer an OEM HD Radio on its 2006 7-series models. They added it to the 6-series in '06, and then announced that HD Radio would appear on the 5-series models in '07. Well, that group will soon include BMW 3-series owners as well. Starting with the Hardtop Convertible, HD will start showing up in 3s in 2007 as well, for around $500. For a list of HD stations, check out www.hdradio.com.

[Source: MWerks]

BMW 3-series to come equipped with HD radio? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Dec 2006 16:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford and Microsoft teaming up to offer Blue&Me in-car computing in 2007

Frank Filipponio — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:44:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Ford

Thanks to sister site Engadget, we've learned about a new collaboration between Ford and Microsoft that will put a personal computer in your car. Expected to debut as early as next year on some Ford vehicles and be shown both at CES and NAIAS in January, the system is known as Blue&Me, although the name could change when it reaches our shores. Similar to the project with FIAT, it will support cross-platform Bluetooth smartphones and hopefully some of other neat features found on the FIAT system.

As Engadget tells us, the Windows Automotive technology allows drivers to access their phones through the car's stereo, to use voice commands and steering wheel-mounted controls to control the audio, and to read text messages via the car's computer. A USB port in the glove compartment will also allow audio expansion using any compatible device. Down the road (ha ha) the system will include GPS control and weather and traffic-monitoring systems as well.

[Source: Engadget]

Ford and Microsoft teaming up to offer Blue&Me in-car computing in 2007 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Dec 2006 15:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Malaysia implements e-Plate with RFID to quell auto theft

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Technology

Yesterday it was chipped tires, today it's chipped license plates. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is becoming more popular in everything from credit cards and passports to toll transponders and now license plates. RFID tags can simplify life by providing an automatic ID when scanned. RFID uses a microchip and antenna that stores personal data and can be installed in a device or embedded into an object (or even under the skin). Although this raises a whole 'nother debate about the Big Brother aspect of monitoring people's movements and unwanted access to personal info by hackers, RFID can be used effectively to speed things up. Or to automatically register information. Which brings us to today's use generously shared by our brothers and sisters at Engadget: license plates.

Because of the frequency of auto theft in Malaysia, their Road Transport Department (RTD) has decided to start using RFID-equipped license plates. Integrated microchips will help make scanning and identifying vehicles easier for the authorities. Authorized mechanics will install the plates with the embedded microchips storing data about the vehicle's make, model, and driver info. Known as the e-plate, naturally, it has already been used effectively in Japan and the UK, where the chips can automatically record data from another vehicle's RFID in the event of an accident. Especially in hit-and-run situations this could be a Godsend. The RTD is hoping that Kuala Lumpur will see reductions in thefts as the new plates will make things tougher on carjackers because swapped plates won't match the vehicle ID. The program will start with new registrations and gradually work its way to older models on renewals. You just know these RFID tags are going to be implanted under the skin at birth in the not-too-distant future.

[Source: Engadget]

Malaysia implements e-Plate with RFID to quell auto theft originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 Dec 2006 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jada Toys' I-Playaz VW Beetle iPod speaker

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 13:26:00 EST

Filed under: Audio, Gadgets, Classics, Volkswagen

Brother blog Engadget just tipped us off to something they thought we might like just as much as they did. It's a new iPod speaker system from Jada Toys. Not that the world needed another iPod speaker system, but this one is a whole lot of fun. This one, in fact, comes in the funky shape of a classic Vee-Dub Beetle. The Jada Toys' I-Playaz VW Beetle will sell for $29.99 and is probably the perfect choice for listening to anything from the Fab Four. The Beetle comes in a classic two-tone red over white paint scheme, with chrome spinners, 3.5 mm input/output jacks that double as an aftermarket exhaust system, built-in speakers, "multicolored lights," and an on / off switch. The car actually "moves and shakes to the beat" when your iPod (or other MP3 player) is playing. And there's even a built-in jam to show off your toy while the iPod is recharging. Should go perfect with the VW Microbus LP player you picked up a couple of months ago.

[Source: Engadget]

Jada Toys' I-Playaz VW Beetle iPod speaker originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Oct 2006 13:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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