The Towcycle

It's not a motrocycle, it's not a tow-truck, it's just a cool idea. But hopefully you'll never be in need of this service.

What you’re looking at here is a Honda Goldwing motorcycle with a special attachment you’re not going to find as an option at any dealership. The Towcycle (probably not its actual name) is capable of a very impressive transformation that would make any Autobot proud. A large mechanism on the back of the bike unfolds via a series of pistons and motors to reveal a trailer that can actually be used to tow cars.

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Source: OhGizmo!

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Video: Quiet those kids with a in-car video server

Useful purpose of nice gadgets for stressed parents...

Robert Cringely from PBS has built a video server in his minivan to have his kids stop bothering him. For only $190, he built a custom computer that would encode video in H.264 (AVC) codec and stream it to a PSP he had installed in the back of the vehicle. Why the PSP? Because it "plays movies beautifully."

While Bob doesn't go into details on how one would be able to fashion a video server for themselves, he does give a very interesting tidbit: "Though not advertised as such, the PSP is EXTREMELY water-resistant."

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Sony, Playstation, PSP, video

Source: PSP Fanboy

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PMP: Avic-3D in-dash system

Avic`s 2D was just released, now they announced the 3D

This natural successor comes with a huge 6.1" touchscreen display with customizable illumination to match the dashboard of virtually any vehicle. With over 11 million points of interest, XM NavTraffic integration, voice prompting, and telephone number search, you can be sure that the Avic-D3 is no ordinary in-car GPS system. Audio and video formats supported include MP3, WMA, AAC, DivX and DVD. Heck, the Avic-D3 can also be hooked up with an iPod directly, while extended Bluetooth capabilities allow provision for hands-free cellphone conversations and wireless audio streaming. Pricing details will be confirmed at CES 2007.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, GPS, Bluetooth, XM, Apple, iPod, MP3, WMA, AAC, DivX, DVD

Source: Ubergizmo

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Bentley: Next-generation car phone

Bentley suprises with innovation in Bluetooth and telephony in it's Flying Spur models.

Luxury car maker Bentley has taken the car phone to a new level in their Flying Spur model. The car comes equipped with built-in Bluetooth support for the headset of your choice, and even features a slot to fit the SIM card from your cell phone. It transfers your phonebook data, receives text messages, and makes crystal clear calls using the vehicle's antenna to blast the reception up two- to three-times higher than a standard cell phone.

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Source: Gizmodo

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GPS: Harmon Kardon enters the market

You might already know this but as Nokia already joined the GPS game a few weeks ago and now the second famous brand is entering the GPS market quite late. It's interesting that although there are dozens of suppliers of GPS devices the market seems still large enough for famous brands to earn money.

Now Harmon Kardon will be releasing its first GPS gadget, called the "Guide + Play" in the US this coming January. We don't know much about it yet other than that it can play MPEG-4 and WMV files, support SD cards up to 4GB, and will purportedly stay juiced for up to five hours. Oh, and it'll only set you back around $500.

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Source: Engadget

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License plate: 3D logo of your car

If you do not need to have a front license plate (because it's not needed by law) you might want to fill the space with a gadget.
amazon.com offers 3D license plates, e.g. for Acura, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hummer, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Nissan, and many more for each less then $30.

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Source: amazon.com

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Foursprung: Back again

A big SORRY to all of you!!

As you recognized Foursprung was not updated for several weeks thanks to my internet provider, the German 1&1 Internet AG.

I moved to a new city and announced my move weeks before it, but the company was not able to provide an internet connection until today. Every time I called their hotline with a charge on it (while "hot" is not really the right word for spending several minutes and Euros holding the line each time) to get information on when I would finally get an connection again I was told that they don't know anything in the most unfriendly way I ever experienced from a company that calls me a customer (unfortunately according to my contracts I have to stay a customer of them until 2008, but not a day longer). So if there is an award for the most unfriendly customer care and for worst customer service my nominees are for sure.

But for now we are back from a new location (Nuremberg in the heart of Bavaria, land of cars) with new tools (brand new MacBook Pro 15.4" Core 2 Duo) to provide you with the latest in automotive gadgets. Sorry for any inconvenience in the last weeks and thanks for staying with us!

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