NAVIGON AG, a leading provider of mobile phone on-board navigation, today announced the launch of a design focused car kit for the iPhone at the Macworld Expo 2011. The NAVIGON Car Kit consists of an iPhone mounting device and designer suction pad holder, an Apple-certified connection cord and a car charger, which powers the iPhone while on the road.
“The iPhone is the most elegant smartphone available, therefore a mount should never get in the way of showcasing the design,” said Gerhard Mayr, vice-president worldwide mobile phones & new markets, NAVIGON. “The new NAVIGON car kit is a stylish example of German tech design with its “barely there” look, letting iPhone users navigate in style.” The mount is easy to fix to the windshield, reduces driver distraction and positions the iPhone for optimal GPS signal. The included car charger and the five foot long connection cable (combined $25 value) make sure the iPhone battery doesn’t drain. The NAVIGON Car Kit is now available for the iPhone 3G/S and 4 and sells for $49.99 with free shipping (introductory price of $44.99 until Feb 3, 2011) from www.bringmobi.com.
At the Macworld Expo, NAVIGON is located at booth #943. The company will give away 30 licenses for the award winning MobileNavigator app via a Twitter wall among attendees stopping by the booth. All that is necessary to enter the contest is to include a defined hashtag (#) (revealed at the show) in a tweet. Winners are announced each day at 4pm on Twitter.
NAVIGON MobileNavigator* is the first universal navigation app of a major GPS company that runs natively on the iPhone and the iPad. Users with MobileNavigator installed can use the app on both devices without extra charges. It utilizes the iPad’s large display and user interface with a higher resolution, and new menus. Route planning is convenient on the iPad, showing a large scrollable, multi-touch map to select destinations in simple taps. Users can plan their routes at home on the iPad and then send them to their iPhone for navigation on the go.
At the NAVIGON booth, attendees can also check out the NAVIGON help2park app, the first in a series of free single-feature apps for the iPhone that NAVIGON will release throughout 2011, marking the company’s 20th anniversary. help2park assists drivers with finding a parking spot nearby. A clean and easy to use interface helps to find parking options within a defined area – including addresses and distances from the current location. If NAVIGON’s MobileNavigator is installed on the iPhone, drivers are guided directly to the parking space of choice.
*MobileNavigator 1.7.0 is compatible with iPhone 4, 3GS and 3G and iPad 3G. The app also runs on first generation iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad WLAN, but third party accessories for GPS reception are required for these devices. *iOS4 multitasking is supported by the iPhone 4 and 3GS only.
For more information, please visit: www.navigon.com/iphone.
Mavizon Technologies, a mobile technologies startup dedicated to improving and simplifying the on-the-go experience, dominated at this year’s highly anticipated CEA i-Stage competition, taking home Overall Winner and Fan Favorite for its innovative flagship device, Mavia™.
Status & Location
In less than five minutes, this easy-to-install aftermarket automotive intelligence system offers drivers a smarter, user-friendly way to integrate their cars with their busy mobile lifestyles. With this one unit, consumers can find lost or stolen cars, detect automotive maintenance needs and get access to automatic emergency response with the ability to let friends/family know when accidents happen – all without monthly fees.
Social Media Integration
Plus, with the popularity of social media check-ins and online communication, this handy tool can be customized to use its GPS capabilities to offer drivers an automatic way to stay in touch with their friends.
Diagnostics and Automotive Maintenance Needs
Since it plugs conveniently into the on-board diagnostic port (OBD-II) of most cars (1996 and newer), Mavia™ knows when you need an oil change, tires rotated and more. It can remind you of scheduled maintenance and offer special Groupon-like discounts based on these specific automotive maintenance needs and your location.
Stay Connected All the Time
Once connected, drivers can easily create an account at the dedicated Mavia page through the Mavizon Technologies site. After a few simple questions about the car, the device automatically syncs to Mavizon’s cloud-based system to allow users to access all pertinent information via a free Smartphone app or through the company’s web site. This affordable aftermarket system operates on 3G – not Bluetooth or Wi-Fi – so it’s always on and never uses up valuable cell phone minutes.
“We know what consumers want, and what they don’t. That’s why we created the connected car made simple for everyone,” said Mavizon Technologies Partner, Madison Hamman. “Mavia™ provides a smarter, all-in-one solution to keep drivers safe, secure and socially connected on the road.”
Mavia™ will be available mid-2011 for less than $300 – no monthly fees. For more information, visit www.mavizontech.com.
It features a high performance USB port which provides rapid charge convenience and is complimented with a ring LED charging indicator. The high gloss finish is an added bonus giving this product a slick and stylish look fit for any car.
Founder Oliver Evans said “ Car accessories is a huge market for us, and this car charger is just a taste of what is to come. ”
Ikit design and manufacture innovative accessories with a unique flair for apple products and digital media devices.
For a closer look at this product and new range go to www.ikit.com.
Kidz Gear www.GearForKidz.com, the award-winning Grown-up Performance, Built for Kids! brand, announced today the first Wireless Car Headphones for Kids designed specifically for the largest user market of in-car DVD and video systems – Children. Available immediately, the Kidz Gear Wireless Car Headphones for Kids are manufactured with the highest quality IR wireless technology components available, allowing the IR68KG02 wireless headphones to deliver extremely rich sound quality for a variety of video and audio content – DVDs, video players, radio and more*.
Kidz Gear is the Brand Adults Want and Kids Love
U.S. automakers have offered consumers add-on DVD and advanced audio systems for their vehicles for years, with the majority of these systems using IR wireless technology. However, standard issue headphones that come with the vehicles are not designed for children — they are uncomfortable, large and bulky. Kidz Gear Wireless Car Headphones for Kids are lightweight and made with uniquely sized headbands and comfortably padded ear-cups. Other features include automatic power-off when not in use; independent volume control on the ear-cup; and 100% Compatibility with all U.S. cars that support a built-in IR DVD or video system.
“We are very excited about our newest product-line addition – Wireless Car Headphones for Kids. We have tons of fans for our wired headphones that wanted something to use for watching DVDs and listening to music in the car,” said Jack Peterson, VP Sales and Marketing, Kidz Gear. “Most parents are not aware that there is something better than the IR headphones that come with the car. Children need good equipment too and Kidz Gear is here with the goods!”
Priced at only $34.99, Kidz Gear Wireless Car Headphones for Kids deliver the same performance as those sold by the dealership but with child-friendly features and at a lower cost. They are currently available now online at www.GearForKidz.com, www.Amazon.com and other fine online retailers. For more information, call 916-933-7858 or visit the company’s website: www.GearForKidz.com.
*The Kidz Gear Wireless Headphones for Kids can also be used at home with the purchase of the IR68KGTR wireless transmitter. See www.GearForKidz.com for more information.
iSimple® today announced the availability of iPod® docking interfacing kits that give drivers of hundreds of popular 1995 to 2007 automobiles an affordable way to enjoy static-free iPod music directly through their vehicle’s factory stereo systems. In addition to crystal clear audio, these kits also allow the user to track forward and track back on his/her iPod directly from the factory radio, as well as providing battery charging for many iPod models.
Each kit features a “brain box” (called a PXDP) and a wiring harness that plugs directly into the CD changer port in the back of a compatible vehicle’s factory-installed stereo system. Once installed (professional installation is recommended) the unit delivers perfect CD quality sound directly through the sound system, as well as the option of selecting tracks through the car stereo using the FFWD / RRWD CD changer function. Additionally, the unit does not block out clickwheel or touch screen controls, so the user can browse and select tracks as normal. And, because the connection is “hardwired” to the vehicle, the docking connection offers battery charging for most iPod models, including the iPhone®.
These iSimple kits sell for approximately $119.95 and are compatible with hundreds of models, including: BMW and Mini) Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Hummer, Oldsmobile, Pontiac and Saturn; Ford, Lincoln and Mercury; Acura, Honda, Isuzu, Scion and Toyota; Chrysler, Dodge, Eagle, Jeep and Plymouth, and Audi, Jaguar and Volkswagen.
All iSimple automotive docking solutions are made by Peripheral Electronics® – the industry leader in automotive OEM integration products – and distributed and marketed by AAMP of America™. iSimple kits are available at specialty car audio and electronics stores nationwide, as well as most Best Buy locations. iSimple products are also available online at Crutchfield.com, Autotoys.com, Amazon.com and more. For more information, please visit www.peripheralelectronics.com or www.iSimpleSolutions.com.
I bet there are a lot of you starting to get jealous of those other people that can listen to their tunes from their Bluetooth device, such as a smartphone, right on their car stereo without every plugging in a wire to anything. With rumors of the iPhone update supporting full Bluetooth stereo, the doors may just be blown open wide real soon with Bluetooth audio.
Now if you’re one that spent all their cash on such a device and can’t yet afford the upgrade to a nice slick Alpine or Pioneer that supports Bluetooth connectivity, then maybe you should take out that old mix tape and throw in the Flexii Bluetooth Cassette Adapter. With this sweet adapter, you’ll be able to do what those other cassette adapters for portable CD players did and play music from a really cool high tech gadget! Cheap. For $40, you’ll get to play jams from your PDA, smartphone, or laptop all without a single wire. In fact, the Bluetooth Cassette Adapter has a built-in rechargeable lithium battery that will give you up to 5 hours of play time. The included USB cable lets you charge that bad boy in not time!
So now enjoy your high tech gadget on your “low” tech radio. Bring your car into the future, baby!
Remember when we were kids and our school projects involved paper, glue, and scissors and that was about it? If you had plastics and metals, or wood shop, you got to make some cooler stuff, but for the most part, nothing more than trinkets to give mom and dad for their birthdays that wound up in some landfill within a year. Well, young Ralph has got something mom or dad surely won’t be tossing any time soon…if they’re lucky enough to get this cool project!
Ralph has created a car from an “iPod”. Really, mom helped out on Adobe Illustrator and printed out the iPod mockup but Ralph put it all together and entered his car into the Pinewood Derby. Speed isn’t the only thing this bad boy has. Nope, the iCar is sure to be the talk of the derby for years to come with its cool looks that really look like the real thing. I kept finding myself looking at the LCD screen for something to appear. It’s just that sweet.
Ralph’s mom was nice enough to even leave directions and examples on her web site for other iCar wannabes. Excuse me while I go grab my print job off the network printer…
[Thanks Fletch!]
Ever since I had my first iPod four years ago, I’ve been looking for that perfect stereo for my vehicle that would give me all the great features and control of my digital music player right from the radios controls. With a few bumps in the road, I think I may have found something pretty close.
The Alpine iAD-X001 is one of the best iPod controller units for your car that I’ve come across. After you read the review, I think you’ll probably agree.
Finding application replacements on my iPhone that I used on my Pocket PC running Windows Mobile has been somewhat difficult due to the nature of the required Web 2.0 interface. Not too many trusted password “apps” can be found for my iPhone and the same goes for a vehicle log. While many of the latter exist on the web for regular web browsers, those are not a good fit since EDGE is so slow and downloading a complete “large” web page is not ideal at the gas pump. After days of looking, I found one site that offered a mobile front end as well. So I went with the 30 free trail and tried it out.
I immediately noticed the mobile page was very dinky on my iPhone the first time I logged in. While the iPhone is smart mobileSafari isn’t smart enough to figure out when not to make the page dinky to “fit” the entire web page onto your screen. Apple documents how you can add a meta tag to your site to resolve this, but that’s silly for a site that’s already small. Anyway, I sent e-mail to support at Ownersite.com and within a few minutes, I received a reply requesting the meta tag information. ‘Wow, that was quick!’ I thought and sent that info right off. Shortly after, Steven Eppinger replied stating he had everything added and even made some “iPhone-feel” changes. He asked me to take a look. I did and there it was, perfectly fitted to my iPhones screen! Awesome. Man, if this is the kind of response I get for feature requests, how much better can the support be for other support questions at Ownersite.com?
So I’ve used the snazzy new interface this past weekend and have added a few pump stops. I can quickly add my information and drive off into the sunset…knowing I have all my information on Ownersite.com’s servers ready for some graphs, averages, reminders, and other important information I can get on a “big” browser or even on my iPhone for later use. For me, this is important for tax purposes and now having the ability to add the information right at the pump once more makes my life easier again. Having the added benefit of the data being online makes this even a better alternative than my Windows Mobile application as syncing and exporting are no longer needed. It’s all there in one place!
Thank you Ownersite.com and I will definitely be signing up for that subscription!