Google Maps Navigation

Google Maps have indeed proven their worth and their free Sat Nav is equally good. Launched late last year, this app features Google Maps with Sat Nav capabilities. The app gets regular updates so you can rest assured that you have top of the line information in your hands. You can navigate your way around using address, postcode or company name query. It also features Voice search function, which is a great help when your hands are busy elsewhere, and in any such situation, you would also appreciate its voice navigation feature. In brief, coming from the House of Google, this app is all set to fulfill all your basic requirements in one smart package.

NavDroyd

This Sat Nav app is based on Open Street Maps, which is like Wikipedia of maps, where users generate the data. It is an offline app which stores all the data on the local memory of your phone. Among the positive attributes of the app are its simple and intuitive user interface and two different modes for you to choose from. You can use the app in ‘standard’ mode where you can browse the map and then there is ‘cruise’ mode which gives you the directions in 2D or 3D mode. You can get this app for mere £4.99, however, be forewarned that the app is very basic in nature and does not offer advanced features such as speed cameras and traffic information.

Copilot Live 8

At £26.99, Copilot Live 8 is one of the more expensive Sat Nav apps, though it does feature some advanced capabilities. Like NavDroyd, this app also stores the maps on the SD card of your mobile phone and thus can work offline. Apart from its cool interface, the app also brings you the treasure of information including traffic updates, weather information and petrol prices. While the app has everything that you would ever want in a Sat Nav program, it tends to be a bit too big and thus provides considerably slow service. So, before you opt for this app, make sure your phone is powerful enough to handle this program.

AndNav2

If you are willing to shell out any money for Sat Nav system, then it does not mean that you are stuck with Google Navigation. There are plenty of options around which offers you these services for free. AndNav 2 is one of them which uses advertisement revenue for keeping the service free for you. AndNav 2 is an online service and you would need an internet connection for determining your route. While the program is free and offers good basic service, there are certain drawbacks as well. First off, the route calculation is not very reliable. You may also face service outage problem every now and then. But since the app is downloadable for free, you can always give it a whirl without damaging your pocketbook.

NDrive

While there are plenty of free Sat Nav apps available in the Android market place, but if you are looking for superlative performance, then it pays to splash out some cash for getting the best of the apps. NDrive at 39.99 Euros is one such app. You may have to pay some serious money upfront, but the app’s features make it worthwhile. Since the app itself is not very bulky, it does not slow down your mobile. It features very intuitive user interface and offers fast delivery. You can rest assured that the app would work fine whether you have a low end Android smartphone or the latest power machine. At times, the app may take a long time to load, but it offers tons of extra features such as speed camera information.

For more android sat nav apps visit Recombu

Top Android Sat Nav Apps Reviewed is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

Well, the mask vigilante story is back again on the big screen with thankfully all the gadgets updated for all you gadget lovers to ogle over. Ok so some of the gadgets are still a little kitsch for our liking, with things like a gas gun and sushi flash drive but one beauty to feast your eyes on is the Black Beauty.

This 1965 Chrysler Imperial comes fully kitted out from steering to exhaust. The two 30-caliber M1919 Browning machine guns are hood-mounted and retractable. The monster of a car also includes front- and rear-bumper which comes equipped with Stinger missiles. And wait for it…the grill-mounted M2 flamethrower and retractable tire spikes will send goosebumps down anyones spine.

Check out what the movie is all about in the trailer below presented by Sony:

This is a sponsored post

The Green Hornet Movie: Gadget Gear Filled Flick is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

The car works on its own accord using various artificially intelligent software, which can take in its surroundings (up to 200 feet in all directions) thanks to a sensor which very closely resembles Google’s trademark Street View camera, which in turn creates a 3D map of what is around the vehicle. This map is analysed by the software to figure out the speed, direction, and other required procedures and act accordingly to the situation. Google has declared that the software can be programmed to be particularly cautious or a little aggressive, if need be.

Although no driver is required for the car, Google has been testing the cars with someone sitting in the driver’s seat (presumably for safety reasons and accountability) and hopefully this will be required at all times for a manual override if things take a turn for the worst. The car is not ready for the open road yet, with the technology apparently being a very advanced form of cruise control as opposed to some sort of sentient driving technology.

So, could this be the future for car technology? Could we be in the drivers seat of the car drunk with no repercussions? Will it catch on? Keep in mind that Google aren’t the first to create this kind of technology, with car’s such as Stanford University’s Stanley Car which can supposedly process information on its surroundings in 300 milliseconds. Regardless, will a big name like Google pushing the idea bring it into our every day lives? I guess we’ll just have to twiddle our thumbs and wait for now.

Via: Geeky Gadgets, PCMag, CNET

Google Tests Self-Driving Cars is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

iStream itself is a small localised factory that can be attached to the back of a dealer’s lot, with the potential to make from 5,000 to 200,000 cars a year, a process considerably cheaper than current manufacturing methods.

iStream can be changed to create a number of different vehicles, ranging from everything from a 10-seater bus to a sports car. Over 40 companies have expressed an interest in licensing the technology from Gordon Murray, but only eight of those companies are actually car companies (including a Government project that wants to make electrical cars.)

“We have signed an agreement with a global manufacturing partner – one of the top three in the world – that will go anywhere and build an iStream factory for the client, run the factory, produce the car, and then hand it over for sale. The car could very easily be branded Virgin, or Apple, or Sony or something like that.”

Plus sources within Apple have confirmed to that there is a secret internal department within the company that specialises on transport, although this could simply be car accessories.

During the interview Murray was asked about the possibility of an itunes/Android style app market for cars to which he replied,”We have a speciality program, particularly with the T.27 (istream car), just looking at that. In fact, we had a supplier in yesterday talking about configurable instrumentation in the car.

Imagine that, an iCar, well if the technology is already called iStream Apple may as well jump in and help the process go the whole mile.

Source: Pocket-lint

iCar- Could Apple have their own car in the next few years? is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

Google admitted that its Street View Car’s cameras were collecting samples of payload data from open WiFi networks accidentally, saying they never used such data in any of their products. Although, Google Street cars will not be capturing or storing any such data this time round, it is always recommended that your WiFi network should be protected if possible regardless.

The cars should already be back to taking 360 degree photos every few meters down roads all over the UK, and who knows, your previously missing street may turn up, or even you yourself may be caught by the easy-to-spot automobiles (just try not to be picking your nose while it passes).

Via: Geeky Gadgets

Google Street View Cars Roam the UK Once More is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

Well, I say gadget. It’s actually a fully working version of the Light Cycle, which featured in one of the famous gladiator style game battles (if gladiators were from the future anyway). Only five are being made, and they’re all been sold on Ebay! It will cost you $35,000 though, about £23,000. I know very little about mechanics, so here is a description for you in the makers own words-

“Now, about the bikes themselves, the wheels are custom made 22″ x12″ dual hubless wheels with custom made tires (Hoosier is custom making 5 sets just for us specifically for this project). (Buyers will have the option of additional tires as needed) The frame is 2″ cold rolled and boxed hardened steel with carbon fiber/fiberglass bodies. Accent colors are neon glowing from behind frosted plexiglass and can be turned off or on with the flip of a switch.

… the “Lightcycle” is being built for everyday street use. Each bike will come with a manufacterers build sheet and a certificate of title with purchase. Each bike will come with either a high powered electric motor or a high performance gasoline motor and transmission depending on the buyers needs. Be the envy of everyone who sees this bike as it will make motorcycles as you now know them seem like antiques on the road. No future ”Lightcycles” will be made to ensure the value of these custom motorcycles in the coming years. They will get individual vin numbers at first order 001 to last 005 as well as the original prototype vin number 000.

The back cover opens up at the push of a button and there is a neon glow that exits from the back of the bike to resemble the lightcycles colored light trail from the original game. These bikes will also come with a TRON style helmet (Not DOT Approved) and all bikes will be available within 6-8 weeks of contract. A nominal deposit will be required to start the build and you will receive a youtube uplink to follow the progress of your individual bike until completion.”

Hope you understood all that? Now if you’ve got money to burn, head over to Ebay within the next four and a bit days and get one. Send us photos if you do!

Oh by the way, I don’t think they emit a beam behind then that kills whatever touches it. That would just be bad road safety…

More pictures in the gallery below.

For Sale – Tron style custom built motorbike is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

Imagine the year is 2020 and we’re all living in bubbles in space and being waited on by robots (if ‘Tomorrow’s World’ and ‘The Jetsons’ got it right anyway). You’ve made a small fortune somehow (completely legally we hope) and own this Audi A9. Why did you chose that car?

Well for a start it looks so damned cool. Completely whited out windows (black out is so 21st century…) which the Spanish designer, Daniel Garcia, assures us will be completely transparent from the inside. Blue trim on the wheels and sleek, smooth contours. I’m not a car person but this does look beautiful. A petrol engine controls four electric motors, making it similar to today’s hybrid cars (that’s as technical as I get on that front – sorry).

So what though? All future cars will probably be beautiful right? Ok, so here’s the cincher. The Audi A9 uses nanotechnology to ‘heal’ any unsightly little scratches, not only keeping the aesthetics exceptional, but also preventing rust damage from those tiny nicks you can’t be bothered to touch ups. Not only that, but Garcia has also adapted the technology further and predicts that it could be used to create and electronic painting system that could sweep over the car and change it’s colour. So just because you don’t like your partner’s lime green paint job doesn’t mean it’ll have to cause any arguments.

Think 2020 is a bit too soon for such a concept to be brought to life? Nope. Ten years is the predicted arrival time of the technology. So in a decade, I’ll be the one with the apparently opaque, bright pink sports car…

Audi A9 Concept with Nanotechnology – Flawless is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

The TomTom 1.3 version will come equipped with a new feature, HD Traffic updates, which will offer users with dynamic real-time information that helps them to avoid traffic delays and find the fastest routes.

The HD traffic will update every 3 minutes and can be turned off if you want to.  However, it does come at a cost.  The prices vary from 59 pence per day to £37.99 for the whole year.

If you haven’t got the TomTom iPhone app then click here to buy.

Via Gadget Venue

iPhone/iPod Touch App: TomTom Updates to 1.3 and Get HD Traffic is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

If you are scouting for a second hand car and own or happen to have an iPhone 3GS handy then you might want to take a look at this brand new Auto Trader app to help speed up the process of buying or selling a car using its cool augmented reality features.

So how does it all work?  If you see a car which catches your fancy when you are out, then all you would need to do is take the picture of the car, crop the image and leave just the number plate and the app will use the iPhone’s GPS and 3G connections to search for similar models for sale near you.

However the fun doesn’t stop there!  You can even search for average prices of cars and storing models numbers under the garage for quick reference later if any cars do come on sale at a later date.

What’s even great about this app is it is free of charge, so click here to download the app from Apple Apps Store.

Check out the video below, showing off how the nifty Auto Trader app works:

iPhone/iPod Touch App: Auto Trader’s Augmented Reality App for Second Hand Car Hunting is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com

BMW is striving to create the zero emissions vehicles of tomorrow and to help it in this task it has handed over forty electric MINI E cars to their test drivers, who are all members of the public. This field trial will evaluate the psychological, social and technical aspects of living with an electric car. The findings will be used to help guide power providers, policy makers and component manufacturers in their decision making about the cars of the future.

The front wheel drive, two-seater MINI E uses a single-stage helical gearbox which powers the MINI E seamlessly to 62 mph in 8.5 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 95 mph. Although based on the familiar MINI Hatch the MINI E is a two-seater because the space normally used by rear passengers is reserved for the lithium-ion battery.

This state-of-the-art rechargeable battery unit combines high output with ample storage capacity and a remarkable power output. A full recharge draws a maximum of 28 kilowatt hours of electricity from the grid. Each kilowatt hour translates into 5.4 miles giving the MINI E a theoretical range of over 150 miles.

What do you think? Are electric cars really the future? Are the days of the petrol station numbered?

BMW Starts Trialling Electric MINI is a post from: UK Gadget and Tech News, Reviews and Shopping Site - Gaj-It.com