X

Photos: High-tech gear complements Road Trip 2009

Road Trip 2009 will take CNET News reporter Daniel Terdiman to six states and countless interesting destinations. But he'll also be road-testing some of the best tech gadgets around.

Daniel Terdiman
Daniel Terdiman is a senior writer at CNET News covering Twitter, Net culture, and everything in between.
Daniel Terdiman
Q7TDI.png
1 of 14 Audi

Audi Q7 TDI

On June 21, CNET News reporter Daniel Terdiman will start Road Trip 2009, his annual journey through one region of the United States in search of the most interesting destinations to write about and photograph. This year's trip will take him through six states (Colorado, Utah, Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, and Wyoming) and will focus on three major themes: military and defense, energy research, and natural wonders.

But no road trip would be complete without a vehicle, and this year, Terdiman will be driving in and road-testing an Audi Q7 TDI. A so-called clean diesel vehicle, the Q7 is designed to be fuel efficient and low-emissions. But it also has a plethora of high-tech capabilities built into it, not least of which is iPod integration and Bluetooth hands-free phone integration.

iPhone3GS.png
2 of 14 Apple

iPhone 3G S

Already an iPhone 3G owner, Terdiman is very familiar with Apple's hit smartphone. But when the new iPhone 3G S was announced, he couldn't resist giving the new device a try, particularly given its ability to shoot video, incorporate a compass, and zoom in on photo targets.

MacBookPro.png
3 of 14 Apple

New MacBook Pro 13-inch

Terdiman is also very familiar with the MacBook Pro line, since he uses one every day for work. But given the opportunity to try out the very latest MacBook Pro 13-inch model, complete with SD card integration, the latest multitouch tracking, and an advertised seven-hour battery life, he couldn't say no.

iPodTouch.png
4 of 14 Apple

iPod Touch

Terdiman will also be trying out a 32GB iPod Touch to see if running Skype is a good way to keep AT&T out of the equation and to see what having his entire music collection easily at hand on a device running iPhone OS 3.0 is like.

Kindle2Carnoy.JPG
5 of 14 David Carnoy/CNET

Kindle 2

After hearing about Amazon's Kindle for some time, Terdiman was eager to try out the latest version, the Kindle 2, and see what it's like to use the latest technology for e-book reading.

NikonD5000.png
6 of 14 Nikon

Nikon D5000

Over the course of Road Trip 2006, 2007, and 2008, Terdiman has taken thousands of pictures with several different cameras. This year, he'll be carting around Nikon's new D5000 digital SLR, which includes the ability to shoot HD video, and also has a flip screen.

MiFi.png
7 of 14 Verizon

Verizon MiFi 2200

Verizon's MiFi 2200 is the first of a new category of devices: a mobile hot spot. Bringing in a signal via the Verizon EV-DO network, the MiFi then puts out a Wi-Fi signal that up to five people can use. It is battery operated and not much bigger than a credit card.

BGAN.png
8 of 14 Inmarsat

Inmarsat Explorer 500

Inmarsat's Explorer 500 is one of a series of mobile satellite modems on what is known as the broadband global area network, or BGAN. The device allows a user, say a war correspondent or an oil field foreman, to get on the Internet from just about anywhere. And whereas satellite phones are still not usable as modems for Macs, the Explorer 500 is.

FlipHD.JPG
9 of 14 Daniel Terdiman/CNET Networks

Flip UltraHD

In addition to using the Nikon D5000 to shoot HD video during Road Trip 2009, Terdiman will also be using the Flip UltraHD video camera. The device, like its standard-definition cousins, allows users to quickly and easily upload video to services like YouTube.

PulsePen.jpg
10 of 14 Jared Kohler/CNET News

LiveScribe Pulse pen

LiveScribe's Pulse pen is designed to allow a user to take notes and record a conversation at the same time. The pen uses special paper to map the notes to the recording so that it's possible to instantly go back and listen to exactly what was said at any given moment.

MasterCollection.png
11 of 14 Adobe

Adobe Creative Suite Master Collection

During Road Trip 2009, Terdiman will attempt to utilize multimedia as never before. As such, he'll be turning to at least some of the applications in Adobe's Creative Suite 4 Master Collection for content editing.

Iridium9555.png
12 of 14 Iridium

Iridium 9555

Since Road Trip 2009 will take Terdiman through some very remote parts of the country, he'll be carrying Iridium's newest satellite phone, the 9555, with him in case of emergencies.

Mobileprinter.png
13 of 14 Hewlett-Packard

HP Officejet H470wbt

HP's Officejet H470wbt is a mobile printer that allows users to print high-quality documents anytime and anywhere, and without needing a physical connection between the device and a printer, or a power cord. This should come in handy as Terdiman tries to write multiple stories every day.

Headphones.png
14 of 14 Sony

Sony MDR-NC22 noise-canceling headphones

It gets noisy on the road, and Terdiman will be using Sony's MDR-NC22 noise-canceling headphones to try to make the occasional movie more bearable.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos