2010 Chevy Equinox iPod Interface Tested

The all-new 2010 Chevy Equinox has a terrific new interior design and, in most models, an all-new stereo with a USB iPod interface. I spent some time testing the new system, and in most ways it shows that GM is at the forefront of utilizing this type of setup. Of course, with others like Hyundai and especially Ford fielding strong competition, GM better be at the top of its game.

Toyota Developing Mind-Control Wheelchairs

It sounds like something out of a sci-fi flick, but Toyota is serious about controlling wheelchairs with brain waves. The automaker is developing a wheelchair that operates by brain-machine interface, which means people can control the chair’s left, right, forward and backward movements just by thinking about them.

Toyota’s system uses something called blind signal separation and space-time-frequency filtering technology that allows brain-wave analysis as fast as 125 milliseconds. Basically, the results of the driver’s thoughts would be directed to the panel of the chair before he or she could even sense a delay.

The system adapts to the characteristics of each driver, as well, so it can actually learn habits and inclinations that help it sense what the driver will do. Toyota says its system has an accuracy rate of 95%, which is one of the highest rates yet for BMI.

Obviously, we have to speculate that this tech could someday be used in a car, which opens up a whole host of safety and logistical questions, as well as the plot of some kind of Keanu Reeves sci-fi movie.

Toaster Oven Cooks Pizza in the Car

The Porta-Pizza toaster oven and pizza cooker sounds like one of those gifts that would be really hard to feign enthusiasm about on Christmas morning:

“Oh … wow! It’s a … um … a toaster oven for … my car? For my car! Wow. That’s just, um, so … uh … cool.”

Yes, for $36 you too can cook a pizza on your next road trip, or perhaps whip up some toast while stuck in traffic on the way to work. Maybe a breakfast pie? (Most people like cold pizza in the morning, don’t they?)

With an adaptor that plugs right into any 12-volt cigarette lighter and a boxy oven that can be positioned on the passenger seat (we guess), what’s not to love about cooking pizza on the road?

Perhaps we could see the utility if one were tailgating, but honestly, pizza places have these guys that just drive around and take pizza to people. Maybe Christmas morning would be better served by a few Pizza Hut coupons.

Bake a Delicious, Healthy Pizza on Your Way to Work (Gizmodo.com)

Volkswagen Offers Three Months of Free Satellite Radio on Pre-Owned Vehicles

When customers buy a certified pre-owned Volkswagen car, they’ll get a free three-month trial of Sirius XM Satellite Radio.

The Sirius Everything Package will be available in any Sirius-equipped pre-owned Volkswagen (or as VW likes to call them “certified pre-loved”).

Sirius radio was standard on many VW vehicles starting with the 2007 model year, including the GTI, GLI, Eos, Beetle, Passat and Touareg. It’s also included in certain packages for the Tiguan, Jetta and Rabbit.

Sirius XM for iPhone Review

Last week, we rounded up and reviewed a number of free music applications for the iPhone as an alternative to the just-announced Sirius XM app. Now that we’ve had a few days to test what Sirius has to offer, we’ve definitely made up our minds as to whether it’s worth the $12.95 per month fee for non-subscribers, $2.95 a month for Sirius XM Satellite Radio subscribers and the $0 a month for Sirius XM internet subscribers.

First let’s tackle the two most important aspects of any music app: sound quality, and selection and variety of songs.

AT&T Navigator by Telenav GPS Launches for iPhone

Today, Telenav and AT&T have released AT&T Navigator for iPhone. While AT&T Navigator is not the first navigation app available since the launch of the iPhone 3.0, it is the biggest name so far — and therefore warrants our attention. The app promises a wide range of features that even some dedicated GPS systems can’t deliver, including real-time gas prices and traffic. Other features include voice guidance, 3-D maps, automatic rerouting and, best of all, automatic map updates from Telenav. The app is downloadable for free in iTunes, but GPS services will cost $9.99 per month (straight to your AT&T phone bill). 

A few months ago, we reviewed Telenav’s GPS Navigator for the competing T-Mobile G1 Android smart phone. Check it out here. 

We’ll have a full-length review of the iPhone Telenav system in the near future. Until then, if you get a copy of the app yourself in iTunes let us know what you think.

New Jersey Bill Would Ban GPS Use While Driving

In March 2008, New Jersey joined the growing number of states to enact hand-held cell phone bans for drivers. Now, a Jersey City assemblyman wants to add the use of GPS devices to that ban.

Democrat L. Harvey Smith has introduced a bill that would fine drivers caught manually operating a GPS unit while driving, with an exception for voice-activated models. Smith’s bill proposes fining drivers up to $100 for the offense.

GPS instruction manuals warn against programming while driving, but like talking on a cell phone in the car, sometimes it just happens. While it’s probably not a good idea, making it illegal seems like a bit of a stretch.

After all, searching through the channels on satellite radio or changing the song on an MP3 player can also be distracting, but legislating people’s behavior behind the wheel can only go so far. Realistically, looking out the window at a nice piece of scenery can be a major distraction, but no one’s proposing an “Eyeballs on the Road” law. At some point, people’s common sense and judgment will just have to be enough.

Bill Targets Drivers’ Use of GPS Devices (DailyRecord.com)

Sirius XM Finally Here for iPhone; We Rate the Competition

This morning, Sirius XM launched its much-anticipated application for the iPhone. The app is free to download, with a free seven-day trial to the service’s lineup. After that, you’ll have to pay the full $12.95 internet subscription fee for Sirius to keep it running. Current subscribers to Sirius XM in their cars have to pay an additional $2.95 a month to get internet and iPhone access. Unfortunately, Howard Stern’s stations will not be available on the iPhone app even though they are available to regular internet radio subscribers via a web browser.

We've been testing a slew of free music apps for months in our test cars, at our desks and walking around town, and from that experience we’ve brought together an assortment of alternatives to Sirius XM for iPhone owners looking to expand their in-car entertainment options.

We’ll have a full review of the Sirius XM app on the blog soon, but for now see what else is worth downloading to your iPhone or iPhone 3G S.

Stereo Bluetooth Streaming Available Today for iPhone

Folks with tech-savvy stereos in their new cars — Toyota Venza and 2010 Toyota Prius owners, we're looking at you — rejoice. Today, Apple released its iPhone 3.0 upgrade to all current iPhone 3Gs. The upgrades will be standard on the new iPhone 3G S out Friday.

One feature is stereo Bluetooth streaming, a technology called A2DP. We've detailed this tech before in regard to the Toyota Venza. You can watch the video above for a quick look at how the technology works. The 2010 Subaru Legacy will also feature an optional stereo supporting Bluetooth streaming.

Building a Better Air Conditioner

It takes 7 billion gallons of gasoline annually to run all the air conditioners of passenger vehicles in the United States, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. That’s 6% of total fuel consumption in the U.S. Meanwhile, simple refrigerant leaks from the units account for 50 million metric tons of carbon emissions each year.

Now, the NREL wants to put a dent in these numbers by improving the efficiency of conventional air conditioners by 33%. Its plan will focus on cars built between 2012 and 2016, with the goal of saving 1.8 billion barrels of oil and reducing greenhouse emissions by 900 million metric tons.

The NREL team will test a thermoelectric air-conditioning system. Basically, semiconductors that produce a hot and cold side when juiced with an electrical current would be placed throughout the car. Turn the current on, and the semiconductors would cool the car somewhat so the air conditioner’s inefficient pumps and condensers wouldn’t have to work so hard. It would also lower instances of refrigerant leaks.

The biggest obstacle will be the scarcity of the material used to make the modules; bismuth telluride isn’t just lying around on the ground. That’s why the team will look at other ways to reduce interior temperature, including the use of solar-reflective glass and paint, which can lower interior temperatures by 35%.

The NREL will partner with Ford on the project because the automaker won a $4.2 million grant from the Energy Department to improve A/C efficiency.

More Efficient Air Conditioning for Cars (Green Inc.)