Hasta La Gadget!

If you’re not keen on giving your little tyke the latest and greatest in terms of smartphones, but still want them to be a call away, the VivoPlay could fit the bill. Evado Filip US, the company behind the device, is packing GPS, WiFi and a GSM connection into a wristwatch form factor, which it claims is the world’s smallest communications and location device for helping families stay in touch. Parents can call the device and chat with kids and even give their rug rats the option to call up five pre-selected phone numbers. If a child were to wander away with the VivoPlay on their wrist, parents are alerted if they leave or enter a geofenced area and can pinpoint them on a map via a smartphone app. Were a youngster to find themselves in an emergency, they can hit a button that will ring up to five predefined numbers and report their location. The idea sure is a noble one, and the devices we saw looked more than child-friendly. Evado Filip reps told us that the device is being crafted with just that in mind, and the chunky rubber enclosing the communicator sure bears that out. The charger is enclosed for that reason as well, offering a decent bit of protection from the elements (and from childhood).

There’s no word on pricing or availability, but we’re told the outfit is working with carriers and that pre-orders will begin in Q2. Check out the neighboring gallery or hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading VivoPlay packs WiFi, GPS and a GSM connection for tracking, calling your kids (video)

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It might sound funny when you hear about some poor commuter getting stuck in the door of the subway, but it’s actually pretty dangerous. I know I wouldn’t want it to happen to me.

It’s something that can potentially happen to any one of us – especially on a crowded train – and designer Hyun Ju Park thinks he can tackle it with his Subway Signal Light concept.

Basically, it involves the installation of an illuminated indicator on the subway door to give passengers a visual warning of when they should board the train, when they should hurry, and when they should just wait for the next one. It uses the familiar green means “go”, yellow means “slow down” “hurry up” and red means “stop” color scheme.

It’s easy to ‘read’ and interpret the warnings and the slim, modern design doesn’t look half bad, either.

There’s still room for improvement but I’d really like to see signs like these up and running on public transportation soon. What do you think?

[via Yanko Design]

We mentioned earlier this month that rumors were circulating that the federal government would move to place event data recorders inside new vehicles. Federal regulators are now proposing that all new automobiles sold in the US after September of 2014 will be required to be equipped with these event data recorders. The recorders are somewhat like the black boxes that are found inside aircraft.

The boxes will reportedly be able to record all sorts of information about a vehicle including how fast it was traveling, the number of passengers, and the vehicle location. The National Transportation Safety Agency is calling for public comments on the proposed rule by February 11, 2013. The NTSA has the authority to set motor vehicle safety requirements and it is within the agency’s power to require automakers install event data recorders in the vehicle.

The way these boxes would work is that the devices would activate the record data for about 30 seconds during certain events. This would mean during sudden braking, acceleration, swerving, or other types of driving that could lead to an accident. The information would be able to be downloaded from the box remotely or through physical connection depending on the vehicle model.

The federal regulators say that the data would be used “primarily for the purpose of post-crash assessment of vehicle safety performance.” You can bet if the information is available; it will also wind up being used in court to prove or disprove the drivers fault in an accident. Privacy advocates want the data to be anonymized and wants guarantees that the information won’t be marketed. Insurance companies could potentially take this information and use it to increase rates for an area.

[via Wired]

Federal regulators want black boxes in cars made after September 2014 is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
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Everyday objects are slowly being infused with modern technology.  There are fridges that can monitor their contents and automatically order online to restock themselves, socks that know how many times they’ve been washed and now, with the help of a tiny device, your car can be made so smart, it knows when it’s being towed and will tell you so.

This device is called the moj.io. I know, I wish they had come up with a better name. But the folks behind it probably spent all their brain power on the device itself, because it sounds very promising. The moj.io connects to the Internet via cellular networks and to your car via the On-Board Diagnostics OBD-II port (found in all major automotive lines since 1995). Once connected and paired to your mobile device, the moj.io can tell you where your car is located, if it’s being towed, the car’s overall condition and more. moj.io apps can also be more proactive. They can hold calls and text alerts while you’re driving to keep you safer or send text message alerts based on the speed and location of the car. Parents and obsessed lovers will find that one useful.

Pledge at least $89 (USD) on Indiegogo to reserve a moj.io unit. But because it needs to be online – as of now, it’s partnered with T-Mobile in the USA and Rogers in Canada – expect to pay extra for an Internet subscription. U.S. pricing is $7.99/month or $79/year, and canadian pricing is $12.99/month or $119/year. Though if you buy on Indiegogo, you get your first 3 months of service for free.

I’m sure some people have a few privacy concerns with having a device like this available to everyone, but I think that overall the benefits outweigh the risks. Besides, tracking technology has been available for a long time now, it’s just that now it’s in the hands of common folk.

Winter is breathing its nasty breath all over your best intentions. You want to keep up your running routine, but the sidewalks are getting slippery with rain, or worse, ice. With just a few adjustments, we’ll teach you how to laugh in Old Man Winter’s hoary face. More »