Gadgetell | Tech News, Reviews, and Interesting Things

The NYRIUS Global Talking Translator offers 8400 programmed phrases in 12 languages.  The unit has a speaker so that it can say the phrases for you in the language you choose.  In emergencies, this could be quite helpful since you wouldn’t need to worry about miscommunication due to mispronunciation.

The form factor is small—small enough to fit in a shirt or pant pocket.  However, the sacrifice for such a convenient size is the lack of a keyboard to type in phrases, leaving you tied to the unit’s less than convenient menu tree of phrases.  Access to the menus is via dedicated buttons on the unit, such as Emergency, Transportation, and Restaurants.  The unit does come with a paper reference guide that maps the phrases by the menus.  Finding a phrase this way is a bit quicker than doing it through the unit, but it means you’ve got one more thing to bring with you.  More after the break.

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Interbike, USA’s biggest bicycle industry trade show was held last week in Las Vegas, NV.  Here, brands show off their latest offerings for the upcoming 2009 season.  While many argue this show’s timing is all wrong as many 2009 model year bikes are already in dealer showrooms and the rest may be on the water in transit, it is the show where big introductions are usually made.

This year’s show had some growing themes.  Themes like 29” mountain bikes are here to stay.  Major brands are keeping a close eye on commuting bicycles as the nations gas prices escalate.  The final theme I’ll touch is one they didn’t want to publicize at the show, but it is something you should know.

Hit the jump to see ‘em…

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If you missed it, Google had a tiny announcement with T-Mobile and HTC today introducing the first Google Android phone, the G1.  See all of our Android coverage here.  Google also announced Google Transit.  To mark this occasion, they invaded New York’s Grand Central Terminal with giant lighted markers and also placed kiosks to demo the new feature of Google Maps.

However, there was something strange.  The kiosk had a large display mirroring a laptop, but wait, is that a Verizon EVDO card?  Yes!  Google is already in bed with another mobile company hours after announcing its commitment to T-Mobile.  T-Mobile has asked Google to sleep on the couch and feels hurt since Google knew that T-Mobile did not offer EVDO cards when they got together.

More pics of Google invading Grand Central Terminal after the break.

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Check out the gallery: Google invades Grand Central

Sections: Web, Web 2.0, Web Apps, Google

This isn’t your grandmother’s car anymore. Stuck in traffic and tired of staring at the guy in the car next to you picking his nose?  Well then maybe it’s time to shop for a Chrysler.  Starting in 2009, Chrysler plans to include a new in-dash system called UConnect in all of it’s vehicles.  This technology will allow Bluetooth connectivity, satellite tv, and iPod integration…a veritable rolling hotbed of communication entertainment for consumers. The Internet connection is made possible through 3G cellular connection that allows download speeds of up 800 kilobits per second, and upload speeds of 200 kbps.

Laptops, gaming systems and handheld devices all will now be able to be hooked up and online. Obviously, several safety advocates are not exactly jumping up and down waving their Wii’s in readiness, but, that doesn’t seem to be stopping the engineers at Chrysler.  (And people used to think drinking coffee while you drove was distracting….soon we’ll be brewing it!)

No price is set to date for the UConnect, but one could probably expect a monthly fee to use this option, as with the satellite radio option.

Chrysler plans to roll out their new line including the UConnect in November of 2008. They are hoping it’s going to give them a much needed kick-start with some pretty sorry sales figures as of late. Rival Ford does provide a similar system with their “Sync”... minus the web access. Asked what was able to be downloaded from the web system in the car, Chrysler’s Leung said that anything was fair game. Hold on to your hats boys…it might be quite a ride.

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