Gadgets

Horsepower junkies get their fix

I always say there are three things in life you can't have enough of: Money is one. Good looks are up there too. And you can never have enough horsepower.

Here at the New York International Auto Show, there are gobs and gobs of the latter. You want it in a convertible? Sure. Try the new Cadillac XLR-V, a 440 horsepower roadster unveiled by GM at the show. Want a retro coupe? The king of that hill is the new Ford Mustang Shelby Cobra GT500. Auto industry legend Carroll Shelby himself stood by at the unveiling of the car … Read more

Gas prices fuel auto show

With the cost of a gallon of gas soaring above $2 on average of late, gas prices are on everyone's mind here at the New York International Auto Show.

Hybrid gasoline-electric cars, many of which are now on the market, and hydrogen fuel vehicles are everywhere. And not all are concept cars. Honda is displaying its FCX. Nissan says its X-Trail fuel cell vehicle is beginning testing in California.

But one of the main factors holding fuel cell vehicles back is infrastructure. So far, there are less than 20 hydrogen fueling stations in California, the Nissan representative said.

His … Read more

Segway on steroids?

Could Toyota be taking a page out of Segway inventor Dean Kamen's book for a personal transporter?

Sure looks like it. The carmaker is displaying the Segway-on-steroids looking I-Unit concept at the New York International Auto Show.

The single-seat I-Unit, which rolls on four wheels, pulls itself upright for motoring slowly around on sidewalks or shopping at a grocery store, a company spokeswoman said.

But it can also fold down into a prone position and accelerate to highway speeds of about 60 mph, she said.

The concept vehicle--which uses electric motors and a lithium-ion battery to power its two … Read more

Treo 650 software update improves memory

Sprint cellular subscribers with Treo 650s will be happy to hear that a software update remedying previously reported memory issues is now available. However, Cingular subscribers may not be.

PalmOne released the update for Sprint phones on Tuesday. In addition to streamlining how data is stored--resulting in more capacity--the update also improves voice quality and includes drivers for connecting to cars via the personal networking technology Bluetooth. Installing the new software to phones should take about 30 minutes, according to the company's site.

The update--as well as the 128MB Secure Digital card PalmOne gave out to appease upset customers--might … Read more

Adding HDTVs to the American pastime

HDTVs and advertisements were not part of the American pastime that Jack Norworth wrote about in his classic song " Take Me Out to the Ball Game," but these flat-screen marvels are quickly weaving their way into baseball stadiums across the country.

Recently, the N.Y. Post reported that fans of the "Amazing Mets" will see 20 high-definition televisions when they visit Shea Stadium this season. The screens will broadcast the game, sports scores from ESPN and advertisements as part of a deal between the team--which gets a cut of the ad revenue--and start-up Arena Area Networks. … Read more

Hyundai looks to the skies

Hyundai is boldly going where other carmakers have not--at least not yet--using technology from outer space to woo terrestrial buyers in the United States.

The carmaker on Wednesday announced that it will offer XM Satellite Radio receivers for no charge in all models by its 2007 model year. It's not the only carmaker to offer the technology, as XM has been available in GM, Honda and Nissan models for some time. But Hyundai will offer it more broadly and at a lower cost than others have to date, the company's CEO, Bob Cosmai, told CNET News.com in … Read more

In-car gadget can be pound-foolish

As the New York International Auto Show kicks off this week, I shudder to think of another high-tech gadget in my car. One frustration: the " OnStar" phone system installed in our family's Saab convertible. This may sound cool: a hands-free, voice-activated calling system--included as standard equipment, no less. But in a rag top, you have to shout into the speaker for the service to work; otherwise, the traffic noise drowns out your voice.

When I say "two" to begin dialing a phone number, the pleasant- sounding voice typically responds "pound" (for the pound … Read more

PalmOne CTO eyeing new horizons

The ever-interesting Jeff Hawkins, arguably the father of the handheld industry, is once again looking to start a company based on his brain research. But handheld enthusiasts can rest easy; he's not leaving his CTO gig at PalmOne anytime soon.

Hawkins has said that significant commercial opportunities for his brain research exist that could revolutionize the computer industry. "Intelligent machines" based on the behavior of the human brain would allow systems to understand data instead of just recognize it.

"I would predict within a year there will be start-ups working on this," Hawkins said late … Read more

TiVo marketing promo goes awry

A peace offering from digital-video recorder company TiVo to the media may have backfired.

Journalists covering TiVo on Friday received an e-mail from the company with the subject line: "TiVo Media Accommodation Program." Members of the press have asked whether TiVo offered discounts to media, the message said, adding that courtesy of TiVo and electronics maker Humax, media people and their families could get a $200 rebate on an 80-hour Humax DVR. The promotion ends April 30.

The offer roiled some in the media. Phil Swann at TVpredictions wrote a story asking if TiVo was trying to buy … Read more