Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

So, most of us probably already use the easy route of auto locks for our vehicle and the familiar “beep-beep” as we walk away is nothing new.  The thought of actually having to fumble around and (gasp!) insert a key in the lock is an almost foreign concept these days.  But the new smart key offers oh so much more than that.

From as many as several hundred yards, drivers are able to send information to their vehicle to set their seat position to just where they like it, program the radio to their favorite station, even exchange navigation destinations downloaded from a computer.  The key has a mini-screen which can display information like whether the vehicle doors are locked, if the alarm is turned on, how your tire pressure is doing, and whether you soon need to stop for gas.  Nice little reminder for those who tend to forget that rather important little tidbit.

What else does this thing do?  Find out after the break.

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Think of how many people have become very used to the ease of having TiVo.  And now, it’s going to be available for your computer as well.  Nero and TiVo are working together to launch LiquidTV, which basically is TiVo, just for a computer.

You’ll still get many of the same basic functions you know and love on regular TiVo.  You can watch live or recorded TV. You are able to burn videos to DVD if your PC has a DVD burner.  As long as your LiquidTV is networked with other TiVo boxes you have in your house, it even plays nice with those.

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I’m sorry, but I just wonder, is this entire thing just someone’s idea of “Just how far can we take this and people will think we’re serious?” I mean, the name itself. Who came up with it? You have got to be kidding me.

Okay. For those who aren’t aware...Cucku is a “Social Backup Service” that runs on Windows machines. It was available to select beta users since February of this year, and its 1.20 version just became available for all to download yesterday. You want to make all your personal files oh so safe? Well then, all you have to do according to Cucku (oh, that just makes me roll my eyes each time I type it), is back up all of your data to your friend’s computer. Oh, and in return, they back up all their work onto yours. You are “back-up buddies.” Isn’t that special? 

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Businesses in rural parts of the UK are getting a raw deal when it comes to broadband and mobile phone coverage according to Stuart Burgess, chairman of the Rural Communities Commission and the Government’s Rural Advocate.

Dr Burgess goes as far as to claim that coverage is worse than in parts of India and Malawi which isn’t going to please the UK government who have repeatedly been hit with criticism over the UK’s IT infrastructure and skills.

Suggestions as to the way out of this situation include funding for rural entrepreneurs or coverage agreements in telecommunication providers contracts. The report isn’t due to be finished until February, and with the speed that the Government usually works it is unlikely that anything helpful will happen in the near future, but it is good to see that people are at least making an issue out of this.

Via [Times Online]

A pretty clear theme at this year’s CES was not only home media servers, but also adding a friggin’ iPod dock to virtually everything. With that in mind, PCMag’s iPod accessories roundup also suggests a new remote, an additional screen and some wireless headphones.

• Kensington Entertainment Dock 500 with remote


• DLO HomeDock Deluxe with remote


• Apple iPod Radio Remote


• ATO iSee 360i 3.6 in. screen (only good with Windows-formatted iPods)


• Logitech FreePlus Wireless Headphones via Bluetooth

Read [PCMag]

SideShow was quite the rave at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, and it’s not done yet.  Meet the new Philips Vista Remote (SRM7500), which is a SideShow remote that communicates with your PC...while it’s off! - just like any other SideShow device.  The remote will also control your Windows Vista Media Center PC, and includes an LCD monochrome screen for viewing your mail, calendar, etc. via SideShow.  Philips has also mentioned that the SRM7500 has “the largest database of any universal remote control on the market today.”

The Vista Remote will ship within the first quarter of 2007, so stay tuned.  Pricing has not yet been announced.

Press Release [Philips] Via [EverythingUSB]

The Keyspan TuneView for iPod is a unique new accessory for the most popular pod. The TuneView consists of a 2-way RF remote with color LCD screen, a universal iPod dock, a USB power adapter, audio and USB cables, and selected dock inserts; providing a new wireless way to manage your iPod. Together these components allow you to:

• Connect the iPod to a stereo or powered speakers using the audio line out jack


• Connect the iPod to a TV using the S-Video jack


• Charge the iPod from an AC outlet using the USB Power Adapter


• Browse and control the iPod from around the house with LCD remote

Additionally, the TuneView Dock can be used to sync an iPod with iTunes running on a PC or Mac, and TuneView supports English, German, French, and Spanish. The TuneView is available now in North America, with an MSRP of $179. The TuneView will be available outside of North America in January.

Read [Keyspan]

Oops! Someone let the newest accessory for the Nike+ training system slip right out onto the web. The Men’s Health 2007 Tech Guide has revealed the Nike Amp+ is a wrist strap for runners that integrates a wireless remote for controlling an iPod and the Nike+iPod Sport Kit. The magazine prices the Nike Amp+ at $80; no release date is given.

“Playlist miscues can ruin a run. That’s the impetus behind this wrist-mounted Bluetooth remote, which lets you browse through songs on your iPod or check your run times without fumbling with the player. It syncs up with the Nike+iPod running system via a Bluetooth wireless connection, displaying information on an illuminated LED readout hidden beneath the matte-finish face of the bracelet. Just stash your iPod in your pocket—no more fiddling with the sweat-slicked dial.” - Men’s Health

It only seems appropriate that Nike will continue to pump out more and more accessories for the Nike+iPod Sports Kit and what better way to find out than an internet malfunction.

Read [TUAW] Via [iLounge]

Monster is well known for high quality sound and high price cables, but recently they have entered a few more lines of business. The Monster Home Theater Controller 100 remote has a rechargeable battery, a charging cradle, a 3.2″ color LCD screen, 8 program/function buttons, and the ability to command up to 15 different devices (and thousands of models) including: televisions, projectors, DVRs, PVRs, laserdisc players, satellites, cable boxes, amplifiers, receivers, VCRs, DVD players, and even stereo systems.

There are also dedicated buttons for surround sound and picture aspect ration. You can connect your Monster Home Theater Remote 100 to your computer via a USB cable, and program all the functionality through an application that steps you through with questions to get the right settings for all of your components make this Monster a no-hassle setup.

The Monster Home Theater Remote 100 communicates using IR and RF signals, and is going for just under $300.

Read [Slippery Brick]

This week we’re working hard to keep up with E3. While things here are not as huge as last year, the show got hot and exciting very quickly. The big three (Sony, Microsoft, and Nintendo) have had their press conferences and announced the new games, system changes, new functionality, and accessories, now it is our turn to give you a taste of our mind. This podcast was once again sponsored by GoDaddy.com.  Head over there and get 10% off any domain or hosting order courtesy Gadgetell and GoDaddy. 

• Apple MacBook release


• Michael Dell wants to run OS X


• Core Duo 2


• Sony E3 press conference (PSP & PS3 system, controller and more)


• Nintendo E3 press conference (Controller, games and more)


• Microsoft E3 press conference (Live Anywhere, Xbox Live, Live Vision Camera, HD-DVD)


• Our take on the big three and what we expect/hope for in the future


• Bittorent goes legit

Listen In
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Hosts: Doug Berger, Adam Berger
Producer: Greg Cherniet
Music: Dvir Tzadok
File size: 27.80MB
Length: 00:40:36

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