Hasta La Gadget!

Do you know where your OBD port is on your car? All cars in the US (since 1996) and EU (since 2004) are required to have On-Board Diagnostics port enabling the car to point you or your mechanic in the right direction when something is awry. Maybe it will identify a Transmission problem or maybe an emissions issue or something else. Some smart people finally realized that with today’s mobile technology and this OBD port your iPhone can now help communicate car problems – and more

Automatic Labs, Inc. are producing Automatic Link, a device for your car to communicate with you via your smartphone. Plug the gadget into your OBD port and download the Automatic App to your phone. Between the link and its low energy Bluetooth® connection, the app, your phone and its GPS you will enable a number of activities. First, if something goes wrong with your engine and the ‘check engine’ light comes on Automatic will tell you via push notifications. The app even shows diagnostic codes which will help when calling your mechanic. If the issue is minor you can even clear the light. If the Automatic Link accelerometer detects a crash it will contact 911 (where accessible) with your whereabouts and name. It will also text 3 people of your choosing. Automatic Link and App also help you drive. How? It helps you track your mpg and identify things that may help improve it like rough braking, speeding and rapid acceleration.  This friend is tapped in to local gas prices to show what you are spending too. And of course if you can’t find your car Automatic Link and App will guide you. Link units in multi-driver cars can support each person, but each car needs its own device. You can place a pre-order for Automatic Link on their website for $69.95 – a bargain considering what some onboard systems cost to do the same thing. Initially launching in the US, iPhone 4S and 5 versions ship in May with Android options shipping this Fall. Perfect timing as a thoughtful gifts for Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, birthdays or Christmas or just to treat yourself.
[ Let Your Car Talk To Your Phone copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

If you have an older model car or did not ante up for the add-on service when you bought your car, check into splitsecnd, $199.95 plus $14.95 a month. This little device can be a lifesaver. Plug into any car with a cigarette lighter or 12V DC socket. splitsecnd contains an accelerometer and GPS. When it senses sudden changes in speed and force it determines your location and calls the splitsecnd emergency response center where an operator will confirm what help the driver may need. In addition, they will alert whoever you list as your emergency contact. splitsecnd works wherever you have cellular coverage – about 96% of the US – and must be plugged in to work. If you currently charge any devices in that socket not to worry. Use the built-in USB port to continue. And if you choose, download their app and track the location other splitsecnd users. For those in your life that you truly want to keep safe make the investment. You won’t regret it.
[ Get Help When You Need It copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Automaker presence at CES was huge this year. All the big players showed off the latest in technology having to do with cars. Wireless charging, cloud based services and even self-driving cars became highlights and are continuing to draw attention at the North American Auto Show in Detroit this week. Yet the dilemma with cars is how to keep the technology fresh. If you have a 10 year old car odds are high that much of the technology in it is out of date (like the cassette player in the 2002 I just sold!).

Ford and General Motors recently announced programs that may enable in-car technology to keep up with other technologies in our lives. Both auto behemoths kicked off programs that will open their technology designs to developers. Sort of a semi-open platform approach. Thought is that developers can help create applications to help use the assets the car has while keeping up with needs of the owner. Imagine being able to program radio button 1 to accept voice commands about which playlist to use from your synced smartphone. Or perhaps you can’t travel long without a pit stop. Maybe you should program the car to pull up the nearest restrooms when you utter the term ‘bathroom.’ It would all be possible, and totally dependent on what technologies – perhaps developed for phones or computers – may be popular. The key is the ability to change the use of the cars buttons and features as the technology changes. Gone would be the days of outdated features. You car could meet your technology needs and keep your eyes on the road. We shall see how Ford and GM decide to implement the program, but here’s to hoping that someday our cars meet our technology needs as much as our phones do now.
[ Cars That Keep Up on Technology copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Congratulations to Boosted Boards for blowing away their Kickstarter fundraising goal and creating the latest generation electric vehicle – what they call the “lightest electric vehicle that has ever been made.” One of the major drivers behind the project is the fact that most of our travel happens within close proximity – a matter of a few miles. Or for those that commute via transit their destination is still a walk away. Boosted Boards provides a low cost, eco-friendly method to get people to their destination.

Shipping in September 2013 is Boosted’s 2000W motor-powered longboard. Max out at 20mph while cruising around town. Conquer inclines of up to 15% with ease too. A full charge on the Lithium ion battery takes only 2 hours and can take you up to 6 miles. Or conserve power and push like a standard skateboard. A regenerative braking system with motor is built-in, meaning your energy and momentum will not go to waste but rather help recharge the battery. Wireless hand controls also contribute to the ride…if you need them. Sure the unit weighs more than an average longboard – between 12-15 pounds – but still a very bearable weight when you need to pick it up.

The price tag is hefty, anticipated at $1,299, but for the right audience the Boosted product will be a no brainer. If interested get in line for a pre-order and Boosted will be in touch as production moves on.
[ So Much More than a Longboard copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]

Getting the car started certainly wasn’t anything I ever thought I’d like a gadget to help me with. I mean, you get in the car and turn the key, heck, my car doesn’t even need you to use the key, but now winter is coming, and it’s early in the morning and the car is freezing cold, you know, maybe having that baby warm up for a couple of minutes before I get there wouldn’t be so bad.

Check out the Viper’s SmartStart. SmartStart lets you start the car remotely, lock and unlock your doors and quite a few other handy operations, all via Bluetooth connection, allowing you to execute your commands almost instantly. The newest version of Viper SmartStart is now integrated with the iPhone’s Siri, so with just one word you can control your car.

You can put Siri to work by simply saying “SmartStart.” or, you can define a specific command that’s executed when the app gets launched, so even the older SmartStart versions finger taps are a thing of the past. Now we get to enjoy the convenience of fully voice-controlled access to our vehicles, including panic modes and we get to check the vehicles status (a real plus for those of us that always wonder if we actually locked the doors or not). I’m thinking there might be some real safety benefits to something like this as well.

In order to have the updated app work with Siri integration, users must have an iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 and they also have to upgrade to iOS 6. For older iPhones that don’t support Siri, drivers can do the same thing, they just have to go back to tapping. Of course you need a complete System, they start at around 400 bucks, and there is a monthly service fee, but you need to check out all it can do at viper.com
[ Siri, Start my Car! – Viper SmartStart copyright by Coolest Gadgets ]