Hasta La Gadget!

If you have more devices that charge over USB than you know what to do with or have outlets near your desk to support, Scosche’s new reVIVE II Dual USB Chargers can help. The company unveiled two models, the reVIVE II Dual USB Home Charger and Car Charger, both of which can support two devices at once, even if one of them is a power hungry device like an iPad and the other is slightly less so like an iPod or a mobile phone.

The home charger plugs into a standard wall outlet, and the car charger plugs into the 12v DC adapter in most vehicles. Both the home and car models are available now at Scosche’s Web site. The home charger retails for $29.99 and the car charger for $24.99. 

Lemur Monitors has just announced three auto monitoring products meant to give drivers more insight into their car’s operation. The EconoDriver ($74.95) is a keychain device that helps you drive smarter and more economically by relaying real-time fuel usage info. Program in the current cost of gas, and it shows how much money you’re spending while you drive and how much your wasting when idling.

Safe Driver ($69.95) is also a keychain gadget, and it’s meant to give parents peace of mind when handing over the keys. SafeDriver records the car’s speed, distance, and breaking information, and shows when the device has been tampered with.

Finally, AlertDriver ($49.95) gives an audible alert when the driver exceeds 35 MPH (to encourage safe city driving), and makes an intermittent alarm sound when the driver passes 70 MPH, which lasts until the driver slows down. Or until the driver throws it out the window.

The gadget gurus at Griffin Technology have just announced new versions of the iTrip Auto and Window Seat. Each has been updated to work with a wider array of devices and support hands-free use.

The iTrip Auto, an FM transmitter, now includes a microphone so drivers can talk on their mobiles without taking their eyes off the road.

The iTrip, now called the iTrip Auto HandsFree ($59.99) gets power from the 12-volt accessory socket and includes a USB port for charging a second device.

The WindowSeat, now the WindowSeat HandsFree ($39.99), is meant for holding mobile devices at eye level so you can read maps and directions. It now also comes with a hands-free microphone for calls and audio recordings. You can also get the WindowSeat without a mic, called the WindowSeat AUX ($29.99).  

Thanks to a hybrid flyweel, a new racecar from Porsche acclerates faster and needs fewer pit stops in endurance racing. The flywheel is charged by two motor-generators on the front axles when the Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid is braking. It spins at up to 40,000 rpm and the energy of the flywheel can be returned to the front wheels in 5-7 second bursts, powering a pair of 80-hp electric motors, 160 hp total, on top of the 480 hp delivered by the gasoline race engine. Because it’s so fuel-efficient, it can stay on the track longer between pit stops. See details in Good Clean Tech.

The black box in many cars that records the moments before a crash might be something drivers should worry about. Not because its inaccurate, but because it might be all too accurate. The event data recorder may show driver error as the cause of many accidents, including some in Toyotas suffering from unintended acceleration. Driver error wouldnt keep you from collecting on your own insurance, but it would keep you from tapping into Toyotas bank account.