Hasta La Gadget!

As the story goes, Russia-based AFK Sistema’s subsidiary Sitronics (along with US’ Qualcomm and China’s ZTE) have developed the first smartphone to use GLONASS — specifically one with a 90nm GPS-GLONASS chip. It’s been called, in so many words, the “Russian answer to the iPhone 4” by the Powers That Be, and without getting into key details like platform and specs, we know officially the phone is going on sale in Russian sometime in March for 10,990 rubles (about $360 in US).

For other details on the device, we seek more unofficial (and therefore not 100 percent confirmed) sources, like the notably well-connected Eldar Murtazin. According to him, we’re looking at the ZTE model A918, an analog of the A916 with Android 2.1, a 3.2-inch QVGA screen, FM radio, and 2 megapixel camera — yeah, hardly an iPhone 4 competitor, if you ask us. That version is supposedly launching on MTS for 7,500 rubles ($246), meaning the GLONASS-equipped equivalent has a 3,490 ruble ($114) markup. And the March release? Apparently in limited quantities, with mass production not coming until second half of 2011. Unfortunately, we’re not sure this one’ll be making an appearance at CES for further inspection. Check out the video after the break for a cameo of the device featuring Putin, Russian billionaire (and head of AFK Sistema) Vladimir Yevtushenkov, and Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov.

Continue reading Russia’s first GLONASS phone an ‘iPhone 4 competitor,’ except not really (video)

Russia’s first GLONASS phone an ‘iPhone 4 competitor,’ except not really (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 13:52:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Smartphone user? Regardless of platform you have no shortage of navigation options, and now Ford has added another way to get where you’re going — if you’re also an owner of a SYNC TDI-compatible car, anyway. Using the new SYNC Destinations app (available today for iOS and Android, with BlackBerry coming soon) you can more efficiently pre-plan your route. The app lets you pick a destination, view real-time traffic updates, even check out congestion predictions based on weather, time of day, and holidays. It’s a feature that would have been pretty handy last week when we were simultaneously dealing with a heck of a blizzard and a whole lot of people trying to flee their in-laws.

The app will even suggest what time you should leave to avoid the most headaches, a potential boon for those desperately seeking any excuse to hit the road a little early. It is, however, just for planning, sending your route to the car and then disabling the phone’s display when you cross the magic 5mph threshold. It’s safer that way, after all. Full details are in the PR below and if you’re on the lucky two supported platforms with a suitably compatible car you can download today for free.

Continue reading Ford launches SYNC Destinations, the free app for people who go places in cars

Ford launches SYNC Destinations, the free app for people who go places in cars originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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This article was written on October 09, 2007 by CyberNet.

Millions of GM vehicles ship with a subscription-based service called OnStar. For a few hundred dollars every year you can pick from a variety of plans that suit your needs. OnStar can do things like give you directions, diagnose problems with your vehicle, and more importantly track your car if it gets stolen.

The 2009 model year GM vehicles will be the first to debut a new tactic for retrieving cars called Stolen Vehicle Slowdown (SVS). If a car is reported stolen the OnStar operator will be able to remotely slow down the car until it comes to a complete stop. OnStar is hoping that this service will reduce the number of high-speed pursuits that occur every year. GM is also thinking about playing a pre-recorded verbal warning over the vehicle’s speakers before initiating the slowdown.

How does it work? Here are some step-by-step instructions as to how it will be used (there’s also a video below):

1. Once the vehicle has been reported stolen to law enforcement, the subscriber calls OnStar to request Stolen Vehicle Location Assistance.
2. OnStar uses real-time GPS technology to pinpoint the exact location of the stolen vehicle and provides this information to law enforcement to help them recover the vehicle.
3. When law enforcement has established a clear line of sight of the stolen vehicle, they may request OnStar to slow it down remotely.
4. Safeguards will be in place to ensure that the correct vehicle is slowed down.
5. OnStar then sends a remote signal to the vehicle that interacts with the Powertrain system to limit fuel flow to the engine which slows the vehicle down gradually.

And here’s the video demonstration of how it works:

Source: Yahoo! News

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Three months from introduction to on sale ain’t too shabby in the camera world, and that’s exactly what Casio has managed to accomplish with the intriguing new Exilim EX-H20G. We first spotted this point-and-shoot at Photokina in Germany, and now we’ve had a solid week to put it through its paces. Naturally, the inclusion of Hybrid GPS (read: engineered to find a location indoors as well as outdoors) is the standout feature and key differentiator, but the 14.1 megapixel sensor, 10x optical zoom and 720p movie mode are all fine additions. It certainly isn’t the slimmest compact on the market, nor the cheapest at $349.99, but do the unique aspects of this thing make the price easier to stand? Join us after the break for our thoughts.

Continue reading Casio Exilim EX-H20G (with Hybrid GPS) camera review

Casio Exilim EX-H20G (with Hybrid GPS) camera review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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As if the iGrill thermometer wasn’t enough to convince you that pretty much every gadget will be replaced by the iPhone, what about this? The O’Car – despite sounding like an Irish, erm, car, is in fact a car stereo which uses the iPhone as its display and control panel.

The O’Car comes from Oxygen Audio, hence the “O” on the name. As befits a dumb head-unit, it does almost nothing. Apart from the iPhone slot, there is an RDS radio tuner and an 4×55-watt amp, so you can still tune in to something when you forget your phone.

But plug in the iPhone and you get everything. The O’ar will hold the phone vertically or horizontally, so you can use any app, turning this humble stereo into a GPS navigator, Pandora radio, or even – should you feel like killing some other road users while you drive distracted – Angry Birds.

The integration goes further. The iPhone charges when it’s docked, and you can make and receive calls via the integrated Bluetooth hands-free kit.

O’Car is set to debut at CES next month, when the price will be announced. Given its lack of, well, anything, it should really be pretty cheap.

O’Car product page [Oxygen Audio via Andrew Liszewski]

See Also:

• Remote Control Your Car With Your iPhone
• Magellan Launches iPhone App and Car-Kit
• Useless Car Cassette Deck Makes Perfect iPhone Holder