Tretakoff Musings
Thursday, March 27, 2008
My Next GPS
On a recent trip, I managed to misplace the GPS unit that connects to my former (and now Amy's current) Treo. The easy thing to do is to simply buy a new GPS receiver for about $100, and voila. However, I decided to have a look at what the standalone GPS world has evolved to, and, much to my delight, I found the Dash GPS.
Dash is, for want of a better expression, GPS evolved. Let's face it, among GPS units, the differences are negligible: all tune into the same satellites, all have the voice prompts, all have the cool maps...etc. Dash takes it a step further: it offers 2-way connectivity, with WiFi, GPRS. Why is this interesting?
- It allows the sharing of data from other Dash users. For instance, if several Dash users are stuck in traffic, implied by their speed, the network updates all Dash users, and allows the rerouting for anyone coming in to that vicinity.
- It allows you to send destinations from your computer to your GPS as "favorites." No more looking up addresses at 65mph.
- Looking for gas? Any GPS can show you stations in the vicinity, but Dash tells you how much they charge, before you get there.
- It can automatically update. New features, new maps...no more GPS obsolescence.
Pretty spiffy, no? Price is a little steep ($400), plus not thrilled with a monthly $10 fee, but for all that, it just might be worth it.
Of course, I could just wait for the iGPS...
Dash is, for want of a better expression, GPS evolved. Let's face it, among GPS units, the differences are negligible: all tune into the same satellites, all have the voice prompts, all have the cool maps...etc. Dash takes it a step further: it offers 2-way connectivity, with WiFi, GPRS. Why is this interesting?- It allows the sharing of data from other Dash users. For instance, if several Dash users are stuck in traffic, implied by their speed, the network updates all Dash users, and allows the rerouting for anyone coming in to that vicinity.
- It allows you to send destinations from your computer to your GPS as "favorites." No more looking up addresses at 65mph.
- Looking for gas? Any GPS can show you stations in the vicinity, but Dash tells you how much they charge, before you get there.
- It can automatically update. New features, new maps...no more GPS obsolescence.
Pretty spiffy, no? Price is a little steep ($400), plus not thrilled with a monthly $10 fee, but for all that, it just might be worth it.
Of course, I could just wait for the iGPS...
Saturday, February 02, 2008
Tesla Uncoiled
Amid the strange doings at Tesla Motors, the first all-electric, 250 mile range, stunningly fast production Tesla Roadster arrived stateside today, with the "P1" (Production, 1st model) making landfall at Tesla HQ for its happy owner, Tesla chairman Elon Musk (of PayPal and SpaceX fame).
Tesla, located in the Bay Area, has been a darling of the technorati, but has recently gone a bit off the rails. Many of the key personnel have left; the Roadster was long delayed (despite having sold through the initial run in preorders); the transmission was scrapped for a "temporary" 1 speed that will be replaced in all of the cars when the new one is perfected. But even odder comes the news that the fabled WhiteStar sedan, which was always Tesla's secret weapon (they used the Roadster as a lure to get customers and funding; the sedan is for mass production) is not dead as previously was rumored, but is now coming back as a hybrid? Look, I'm all for Silicon Valley to make Car 2.0, but Tesla needs to get some stability to be there for the long run.
Congrats to them for the first car off of the line. Uh...got any extras?
Amid the strange doings at Tesla Motors, the first all-electric, 250 mile range, stunningly fast production Tesla Roadster arrived stateside today, with the "P1" (Production, 1st model) making landfall at Tesla HQ for its happy owner, Tesla chairman Elon Musk (of PayPal and SpaceX fame). "P1 was flown from the Lotus manufacturing plant in Hethel, England; its battery pack came from Tesla’s plant in Thailand and is being installed this afternoon at the company’s California headquarters."
Tesla, located in the Bay Area, has been a darling of the technorati, but has recently gone a bit off the rails. Many of the key personnel have left; the Roadster was long delayed (despite having sold through the initial run in preorders); the transmission was scrapped for a "temporary" 1 speed that will be replaced in all of the cars when the new one is perfected. But even odder comes the news that the fabled WhiteStar sedan, which was always Tesla's secret weapon (they used the Roadster as a lure to get customers and funding; the sedan is for mass production) is not dead as previously was rumored, but is now coming back as a hybrid? Look, I'm all for Silicon Valley to make Car 2.0, but Tesla needs to get some stability to be there for the long run.
Congrats to them for the first car off of the line. Uh...got any extras?
Labels: cars, Eco-friendly
Monday, March 12, 2007
Wireframes in the Real World
I've always loved wireframes, from the moment I played my first rounds of BattleZone and Star Castle. But this artist has taken them out of the Tron world and into the street, with his wireframe sculpture of a Subaru WRX. No, this ain't CG, folks: this is the real thing. Check out the additional photos in the link.
I've always loved wireframes, from the moment I played my first rounds of BattleZone and Star Castle. But this artist has taken them out of the Tron world and into the street, with his wireframe sculpture of a Subaru WRX. No, this ain't CG, folks: this is the real thing. Check out the additional photos in the link.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
FutureCar: I Want One Now
Not sure if you have been catching it, but the Discovery Channel has been running a miniseries, FutureCar. I'm not all that keen on the editing, as they spend about 2 minutes on each cool car concept, then spend 10 minutes on a hydrogen powered go kart time trial. However, there was one car that looks to be on the cusp of reality that makes it all worth it: the VentureOne.
3 wheels. Cockpit style seating. Hybrid technology. All look spacey and futuristic. But here's the kicker: it leans into turns, up to 45 degrees! That makes driving this thing a combination of motorcyle, car...and plane. See, it takes the best of what I love about my all-wheel drive Outback Sport to a whole new level. The video section of the site really says it all: "This thing is so much fun to drive...it should have guns, or missles on it! I want to dogfight!"
Rumor is, the VentureOne (the evolution of the Carver One featured in FutureCar and the videos) will come in at less than $20K and comarketed with BMW, who made small fun transport a success with the reintroduction of the Mini Cooper. At a range of 350 miles per tank, max speeds in excess of 100 mph, and the feel of "flying the road," not to mention a removable top, I'm so there. Not to mention the parking benefits!
3 wheels. Cockpit style seating. Hybrid technology. All look spacey and futuristic. But here's the kicker: it leans into turns, up to 45 degrees! That makes driving this thing a combination of motorcyle, car...and plane. See, it takes the best of what I love about my all-wheel drive Outback Sport to a whole new level. The video section of the site really says it all: "This thing is so much fun to drive...it should have guns, or missles on it! I want to dogfight!"Rumor is, the VentureOne (the evolution of the Carver One featured in FutureCar and the videos) will come in at less than $20K and comarketed with BMW, who made small fun transport a success with the reintroduction of the Mini Cooper. At a range of 350 miles per tank, max speeds in excess of 100 mph, and the feel of "flying the road," not to mention a removable top, I'm so there. Not to mention the parking benefits!
Saturday, January 13, 2007
The Chevy Volt: Sexy Hybrid
With the exception of the Tesla Roadster, is there a law that says electric-influenced cars need to be ugly? I mean, the Prius may be king of the hybrids, but sexy it ain't.
Of all people, Chevy seems to be having a little design renaissance. For instance, the Chevy Volt is gorgeous, and gets somewhere between sixty and One Million Miles per Gallon. Design wise, it takes some cues from the new version of the Camaro, but it definitely improves on the experience.
Now THAT'S riding the lightning!
Of all people, Chevy seems to be having a little design renaissance. For instance, the Chevy Volt is gorgeous, and gets somewhere between sixty and One Million Miles per Gallon. Design wise, it takes some cues from the new version of the Camaro, but it definitely improves on the experience.Now THAT'S riding the lightning!
Labels: cars
Wednesday, December 06, 2006
James Kim: killed by Google Maps?
James Kim's body was found today, ending the search for the tech community member. As I wrote last week, James was always a great part of my tech and media consumption, and I am extremely sad for his family and coworkers.
Now the question turns to "How could this happen?" Interestingly, MSNBC suggests part of the blame may lie with our ever-increasing reliance on Google Maps. I have been a victim of this myself: in our driving trip to Dallas and the Southwest in 2001, I used Microsoft's Streets & Trips to plan a scenic drive to Taos...and almost got Amy and I killed, careening off a cliff at 60 MPH, Roadrunner cartoon style. The road went from a flat blacktop in the desert to a dirt trail barely large enough for a single car in 50 feet...and the trail ended above a cliff. This, because I asked Microsoft for a "scenic" route.
Looks like there's a market for a new map site: one that uses real-world info. Seems like an ideal Web 2.0 idea: combine social networking with Flickr and Google Maps, with an associated wiki: Voila! Mapr is born. :-)
Note: I will collect royalties on that and donate them to James Kim's family, if it's used.
James Kim's body was found today, ending the search for the tech community member. As I wrote last week, James was always a great part of my tech and media consumption, and I am extremely sad for his family and coworkers.Now the question turns to "How could this happen?" Interestingly, MSNBC suggests part of the blame may lie with our ever-increasing reliance on Google Maps. I have been a victim of this myself: in our driving trip to Dallas and the Southwest in 2001, I used Microsoft's Streets & Trips to plan a scenic drive to Taos...and almost got Amy and I killed, careening off a cliff at 60 MPH, Roadrunner cartoon style. The road went from a flat blacktop in the desert to a dirt trail barely large enough for a single car in 50 feet...and the trail ended above a cliff. This, because I asked Microsoft for a "scenic" route.
Looks like there's a market for a new map site: one that uses real-world info. Seems like an ideal Web 2.0 idea: combine social networking with Flickr and Google Maps, with an associated wiki: Voila! Mapr is born. :-)
Note: I will collect royalties on that and donate them to James Kim's family, if it's used.
Labels: cars, Google Maps, news
Saturday, December 02, 2006
San Francisco Parking Carma
From the "why didn't someone think of this sooner?" department: a Google Maps mashup showing you near real-time parking space availability in San Francisco. Cool, but I wish it showed all of the parking lots and the cost for hourly and daily parking for each.
By the way, if you are looking for a good Google Maps mashup directory, can't go wrong with this site.
From the "why didn't someone think of this sooner?" department: a Google Maps mashup showing you near real-time parking space availability in San Francisco. Cool, but I wish it showed all of the parking lots and the cost for hourly and daily parking for each.By the way, if you are looking for a good Google Maps mashup directory, can't go wrong with this site.
Labels: cars, Google Maps, San Francisco
Saturday, November 25, 2006
More than meets the eye
I leave it to Pete to cover most cars on blogs; he does a much better job than I. For me, like most things, I like to see new takes on old designs. The photo on the left is of the 2007 Chevrolet Camaro, the brand that has been off the market for a while. With the revival of Ford's Mustang, with it's retro styling, and the Dodge Charger, Chevy clearly felt it was time to join the race.
For me, the only cars I truly covet are Aston Martin's (which I will never own) and the Pontiac Solstice (which will be my next car). I really like the Mustang, and this muscle-car heritage Camaro looks like a prime contender for an instant classic. Look how they matched the compact form of the 1960's Camaro, and the low roofline with the high engine. It just reeks of power to spare. I hope it's a hit!
By the way, the pictures come from some behind the scenes photos of Michael Bay's upcoming live-action summer spectacular adaption of the Transformers. Yes, those loveable robot/cars are coming to the big screen, Michael Bay style. Hang on for the ride!
I leave it to Pete to cover most cars on blogs; he does a much better job than I. For me, like most things, I like to see new takes on old designs. The photo on the left is of the 2007 Chevrolet Camaro, the brand that has been off the market for a while. With the revival of Ford's Mustang, with it's retro styling, and the Dodge Charger, Chevy clearly felt it was time to join the race.For me, the only cars I truly covet are Aston Martin's (which I will never own) and the Pontiac Solstice (which will be my next car). I really like the Mustang, and this muscle-car heritage Camaro looks like a prime contender for an instant classic. Look how they matched the compact form of the 1960's Camaro, and the low roofline with the high engine. It just reeks of power to spare. I hope it's a hit!
By the way, the pictures come from some behind the scenes photos of Michael Bay's upcoming live-action summer spectacular adaption of the Transformers. Yes, those loveable robot/cars are coming to the big screen, Michael Bay style. Hang on for the ride!
