Cars Bikes Boats

This posting isn't reviewing a product, but making you aware of one of the top killers of teenagers - motor vehicle crashes. Students from several Indianapolis High Schools know it, and because of this, just kicked off a new program called "Buckle Down" in an effort to help save lives. Led by the students, the program is used to promote safe driving among teens.

From the press release:

The "Buckle Down" program provides contracts for students to sign, where they agree they will focus on making good choices while behind the wheel of an automobile. Participating students can then earn points throughout the year which can be used to redeem prizes, with one grand prize being awarded to a student whose school met program criteria. That lucky student whose name is drawn will win a CAR, donated by Don Hinds Ford in Fishers. Read more

Back in August I told you about XM SkyDock, the first satellite radio controlled by the iPhone or iPod touch. The company just announced that it is now available at retail stores, including Best Buy, Radio Shack, as well as online at www.xmradio.com/skydock.

With this device you can listen to XM programming wherever you drive and control it with your iPhone or iPod touch. Like a song you hear? Songs can be tagged and then purchased from the iTunes Store. XM SkyDock will also charge your iPod touch and iPhone while you're listening to satellite radio.

Installation is easy, as the device works through the existing car stereo. You can even move it from vehicle to vehicle. An Aux In Cable is included for cars with Aux In capability.Read more

TomTom's car kit for iPhone is now available on the TomTom web store and Apple online store for about $120. A bit pricey (in my opinion), considering you have to purchase the TomTom iPhone app separately for $100. However, you will save money by not having to pay monthly fees for GPS service on the iPhone.

The TomTom car kit for iPhone includes a secure mount that docks the iPhone on the windshield or dashboard. It can be docked in either portrait or landscape mode, and is easily removed with a twist.

It also has a built-in GPS receiver to reduce signal drop, and a built-in loudspeaker and microphone for hands-free calling while driving. Music from your iPhone can also be played through the AUX OUT port over your car stereo (cable not included), and it charges your iPhone while docked.Read more

Best Buy has announced the Little Buddy Child Tracker to its' Insignia product line. Little Buddy allows you to keep tabs on your child at all times by slipping this little device into their backpack or lunchbox. It combines GPS and cellular technology to give you real-time location updates via computer or smartphone. Simply log onto Insignia's GPS Locator website to see a map of their exact location, so you know they haven't wandered off.

You can also customize the device to a specific location and time for where your child is supposed to be — for example, in school — and the device will alert you with a text message if your child leaves the designated area during that time. You will also receive an alert when the battery is running low. Do you have more than one child? Multiple Little Buddy's can be used to monitor other members of the family as well. Read more

TomTom has introduced yet another new GPS to the marketplace. The XL 335S has all of the standard features you would expect in a PND, but adds text to speech to the mix and a new easy-to-use menu. The XL 335S also touts a 4.3 inch touchscreen, IQ Routes Technology and Advanced Lane Guidance.

Additional Features:

• Complete maps of the US and Canada
• Spoken instructions, including street and place names
• Seven million points of interest give you details of more restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc. than ever before
• TomTom Map Share technology allows you to instantly modify street names, street direction, points of interest and more
• TomTom Help Me! Menu gives you direct access to safety and emergency services information
• TomTom's newest user menu has an elegant interface that features optimized icons for even easier navigation
• Fold and Go EasyPort mount folds to fit in any bag or shirt pocket
• TomTom HOME desktop application to keep devices up-to-date at all times.

No availability date has been given yet, but you can bet it will be in stores in time for the holiday season. The XL 335S will sell for $239.95.

TomTom just announced the new TomTom XL 340S LIVE, a mid-range GPS that features Local Search powered by Google, real-time traffic information and TomTom Fuel Price Service. AT&T will be providing the wireless connection to the device.

The TomTom XL 340S LIVE also includes IQ Routes technology, TomTom Weather and QuickGPSfix. All LIVE Services work right out of the box via a built-in wireless modem. Three months of service is included in the box.Read more

PEDEGO just unveiled the world's first electric tandem bicycle. The PEDEGO tandem e-bike features two wide, cushioned seats, relaxed handlebars and a rear motor. It operates a lot like a regular tandem bicycle but uses a parallel electric drive system that includes a 750 watt motor and 48 volt lithium manganese battery. The battery will last about 15,000 miles and costs less than 10 cents to recharge. The throttle is controlled by the rear rider gently revving the right handlebar grip.

"PEDEGO fuses fashion and fun with electric bike technology, so we're thrilled to be the first company to offer a cool tandem bike with electric components," said Don DiCostanzo, co- founder and CEO of PEDEGO. "As interest in electric bikes continues to grow both here and abroad, PEDEGO remains committed to offering consumers unique, quality bicycles available in stylish designs with customizable options."

The PEDEGO electric tandems will be available in time for the holiday season for about $2,300.

Garmin and AT&T just announced that AT&T will be the wireless network provider for the nuvi 1690, a portable navigation device (PND) with built-in wireless planned for release later this year.

The nuvi 1690 will come with Garmin's nuLink!, a service that will give customers mobile access to Google Local search and up-to-date local information, including traffic, weather, fuel prices, movie listings, flight status, local events, and white page telephone listings. The service also features Ciao!, Garmin's location-based social networking system.

The nuvi 1690 will come with two years of free Garmin nuLink! service, and will have maps of North America preloaded. It is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2009 for $499.99. After the first two years of service, the price of the Garmin nuLink! service is $5.00/month. Read more

TomTom just announced the new XXL 530S and XXL 540S portable navigation devices which include IQ Routes Technology and a large five inch screen.

With TomTom's IQ Routes technology you'll always know the most efficient route to take. The technology is based on historical speed measurements for every time of day and for every road – including local roads.

The new TomTom XXL devices feature:

• Full maps of the US and Canada
• TomTom Map Share technology - modify street names, street direction, points of interest and more on the device
• TomTom Help Me menu - access local emergency service providers such as police, fire stations and hospitals.
• TomTom's newest user menu - features optimized icons for even easier navigation
• Fold and Go EasyPort mount - folds flat against the device, for easy transport
• TomTom HOME - the free desktop application to keep devices up-to-date

Parrot just announced a new car stereo with a dock for the iPod or iPhone, the Parrot RKi8400. The RKi8400 is an FM/AM RDS Bluetooth car stereo with a USB port, an SD Card reader, and offers hands-free phone functions. It has a cool little storage compartment located behind the removable front panel – perfect for hiding your iPhone or iPod when you leave the car (that is, if you don't take it with you).

"With the RKi8400, Parrot allows users to take advantage of the iPhone in car through a system that is easy to use and fully integrated in any vehicle," said Henri Seydoux, founder and CEO of Parrot. "All iPhone functions -- music, navigation of the music directory and playlists and Bluetooth phone capabilities -- have been adapted for in-car use. Parrot's application of its renowned acoustic quality and voice recognition capabilities to the iPhone is sure to please even the most discerning listeners."

The Parrot RKi8400 is available now for $399.99.