Gadgets

Are people starting to view replacing their cars as being no different than replacing their iPhone? Well, yeah, kinda.

Apple has filed for a patent to let your smartphone also act as a car key. While some automakers have apps that already do that, this solution lets users selectively share the functionality with other devices.

The Hendo Hoverboard uses magnets to repel about an inch above a conductive surface, and we got the chance to ride it and to glimpse the future of board sports.

Though the Apple Watch is not yet on sale, software developers already have a version of the Tesla Model S iPhone App running for it. The functionality is somewhat limited at the moment, but it shows what could be possible from the gadget in the very near future.

Not only is this a realistic small-scale Batmobile replica, complete with working lights, an opening canopy and a little Bat Signal emitted from the rear jet turbine, it also appears to provide at least a modicum of protection to your brand-new iPhone 6.

You remember Rikk Wilde. The Chevrolet regional manager became an immediate sensation last fall when he stammered through his World Series presentation and invoked the now-famous "technology and stuff" catchphrase to describe the automaker's latest offerings. As it turns out, he's not the only car guy struggling to offer more specifics on the newest automotive technology.

Virtual reality still seems like sci-fi technology, but Audi claims that its VR Experience is coming to some dealers by the end of the decade. The kit allows potential buyers to view Audi's models in every possible equipment combination and color using a set of VR goggles. Headphones even let a person hear the door close or listen to the radio.

Having been cut loose from OnStar, Verizon just announced its Verizon Vehicle service, which provides some OnStar-like features for the 200 million cars on US roads that don't have any sort of built-in connectivity.

We head to CES 2015 to check out the latest gadgets and transport tech, including drones, Volkswagen's new gesture controls and an electric skateboard.

The Breeze is a tiny, personal breathalyzer that syncs with your smartphone to estimate when you might be sober again. If you don't feel like waiting around, the app can also hail a cab, contact Uber, call a designated driver, show nearby restaurants and even find a local hotel to sleep things off.

Project Overlord promises to bring tracking software specifically to your vehicle's wheels, whether they're on a passenger car, bicycle or practically anything else, with a new, patent-pending device and smartphone app. When the wheels are tampered with, the system starts tracking them, sounds a loud tone and alerts the police. The company begins an IndieGoGo campaign on January 21 to fund the product.

Need to take a ride cross country in the lap of luxury while still getting some work done? Short of a tour bus, the Concept One Curve from Lexani Motorcars might be one of the most comfy options imaginable.

Need to take a ride cross country in the lap of luxury while still getting some work done? Short of a tour bus, the Concept One Curve from Lexani Motorcars might be one of the most comfy options imaginable.

MyFord Touch has been among the most widely disdained automotive infotainment systems on the market, practically since its introduction in 2010. Consumer Reports was among the most vocal critics, all but advocating its lynching by an angry mob armed with torches and pitchforks. Not surprisingly, then, after such a critical walloping, Ford has finally decided to say goodbye to the unloved tech, declaring the end of MyFord Touch branding in favor of Sync 3 for its upcoming, all-new system.

A traditional vehicle review goes like this: Reviewer drives car, reviewer gathers thoughts, reviewer relays vehicle impressions to audience. But what if instead of explaining what it's like to drive a given car, the reviewer could simply show the audience their response to the vehicle? With advancements in wearable biometrics technology, it's now possible to replace car review adjectives with cold, hard data.

Traffic lights and traffic-management systems might prove attractive targets for cyber attacks in coming years, a former defense department official warns.

Plan on repairing or modifying a car in the garage this weekend? You might want to first consult a copyright lawyer.

The Chevrolet Corvette Stingray's Performance Data Recorder does exactly what it's name says it does: It allows drivers to record and analyze their performance behind the wheel.

Some of the most memorable Road Runner cartoons feature Wile E. Coyote strapping rockets onto his roller skates in ill-advised attempts to catching the blindingly fast bird. Things never seemed to work out for Wile E., but they do seem to be looking up for Acton founder Peter Treadway. The first iteration of his electric motorized skates made their debut on KickStarter in 2012. His latest model of Acton Rocket Skates exceeded their funding goal by over $500,000 and set the internet abuzz.

For 2015, the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray gained a novel piece of high-performance technology: The Performance Data Recorder. This trick system combines video from a front-mounted camera with in-car data and GPS information to help drivers record and study their lap times, complete with data overlays. While it's a clever tool for track days, it's also finding popularity as a built-in dash cam of sorts. To this point, the technology has been a Corvette exclusive, but General Motors' executive vic

In a letter to the Federal Trade Commission, the 12 manufacturers that are members of the Auto Alliance committed to upholding principles that would provide more transparent notices to consumers about what data is being collected, minimize the amount and time of data that is stored and prohibit this information from being given to law enforcement without a court order.