Hasta La Gadget!

Viper is one of the better-know automotive accessory companies out there when it comes to keyless entry systems, remote starting systems, and car alarms. One of the coolest products the company offers is its Viper SmartStart system that uses your smartphone as the controller.

The system supports the iPhone and various Android devices. Viper has announced a new update specifically for iPhone users that adds compatibility with Siri.

The update only works for users that are using an iPhone 4S or an iPhone 5 running iOS 6. If you’re running a supported iPhone and the latest version of the operating system, you get Siri interaction that allows you to start your car using your voice. The update allows the user to launch the app using the phrase “SmartStart” and the app can be set to execute specific commands such as start the car when it opens. The updated app is available now.

Pacemakers save millions of lives, but a security researcher has shown that they can be used to kill on a massive scale as well. Speaking at the Breakpoint security conference, Barnaby Jack of IO Active reverse engineered a pacemaker transmitter – a device like this one used to monitor installed pacemakers – eventually enabling him to wirelessly deliver 830v shocks to a pacemaker using his laptop. Yikes.

Image Credit: Library Mistress

Even worse, Jack warned that a hacked transmitter could control all pacemakers within 30ft. Aside from jolting people, the compromised device could also be used to read and write patient data or load infected firmware into a pacemaker. These infected firmware could even be made to jump and infect other pacemakers, extending a malicious attackers’ range and possibly resulting to mass murder. Jack says he demonstrated this flaw in order to warn pacemaker manufacturers to step up the security of their device. Let’s hope they do.

[via SC Magazine via DVICE]

The rear touch-panel is one of the most unique features of the Sony’s PS Vita. Now, a Minnesota-based company called Canopy wants to bring that same feature to the iPhone 4 and 4S with the Sensus, a protective case with built in capacitive touch sensors.

A rear touch-panel won’t be beneficial in all apps or situations because iOS apps weren’t made with this hardware in mind. That said, it could make some games more fun or playable and make it easier to look at documents. Canopy says the Sensus also has two built-in microprocessors to handle the gestures and touch input on the case, so there’s no additional burden on the iPhone’s own CPU.

If you pre-order Sensus right now you’ll only pay $39 (USD) (plus $7 shipping), significantly discounted from its $59 retail price. It seems like a product with a lot of potential, but still If I were you I’d hold off my purchase until we see more details, demos and support from app developers. Also, they need a version for the iPhone 5.

[via Joystiq]

Being an avid road racer, I own several cameras that are designed to use suction cup mounts and stick to a car when you’re racing on the track. One thing about those cameras is that they are generally $300 and up to get a decent HD resolution camera. Contour has announced a new camera called the ContourROAM2 that is a basic action camera costing under $200.

The lightweight (5.1 oz.), waterproof camera is available for pre-order in black, blue, red, and green for $199.99(USD). The main differences between the ROAM2 and its more expensive ($399.99) sibling, the Contour+2 is the lack of Bluetooth, GPS and HDMI outputs. It offers the ability to record full HD 1080p resolution video at 30 frames-per-second or 720p resolution video at 60 fps for slow-motion playback. It can also snap 5MP still photos at pre-determined intervals, ranging from 1 to 60 seconds. It’s also got a handy laser level built in for ensuring straight shots.

The ContouROAM2 is designed to be very easy to use with no power button and a sliding instant-on record switch. I can tell you from experience that trying to find the power button and hit record on an action camera can be a pain when you’re wearing gloves and cinched into a racing harness.

The camera ships with a 4 GB microSD card included, as well as a rotating and a flat-surface mount. The only downside is that this camera doesn’t include a suction cup mount for use in vehicles. The suction cup mount accessory is available for an additional $39.99.

A few years back, sound bars were a fairly uncommon way to listen to home theater audio. But recently, they’ve become as plentiful as any other low-cost home audio option. The problem with most soundbars is that they don’t offer much in the way of low-end, and they also have to sit in front of your fancy thin flat-panel TV. Bose has a new option which aims to solve both of these problems.

The Bose Solo TV is an all-in-one home theater audio system that fits in a single box. By going with a deeper, sturdier cabinet than soundbars, the Solo TV has better bass and can be used as a stand for medium-sized TVs (up to 37-42″ max.) Or to be more precise, it’ll hold any TV with a stand no larger than 20″(W) x 10.25″(D), and no heavier than 40 pounds. It’ll also sit nicely on a console table underneath your larger, wall-mounted flat-screen.

Under the hood, the Bose Solo has multiple full-range drivers and a dual-ported bass enclosure. Early reviews say that it does great with filling a reasonbly-sized room and offers crystal-clear dialogue. While bass isn’t as good as a dedicated subwoofer, it also takes up much less space. In terms of inputs, don’t expect the Solo to take over the job of an A/V receiver. It’s an audio-only device, and offers only digital optical, coax and analog RCA connections. Bose wants you to use your TV as the switching device, and leverage the audio output found on most modern HDTVs.

Keep in mind that this isn’t a surround-sound system – it’s just designed to give you much better sound than what’s built into your TV. If you’re in the market for a clean sounding living room home theater system, and don’t want to spend an arm or leg or have wires running all over the place, you can find the Bose Solo TV now for $399 (USD) over on Amazon.