The Modern Materialist : car

Remember Where You Were

Shaun Seneviratne — Fri, 08 May 2009 18:26:00 GMT

[photo via forestgladesiwander's Flickr]

You're bound to see awesome things when you go camping, but you don't go camping every day. You may go back once a year and that awesome spot you found may not be quite where you thought it was.

Never lose that spot again:

The Garmin Oregon 550 takes pictures (3.2 megapixels) and geotags them into your GPS so you can always find that amazing spot again. Now your friends won't just think you were tripping on mushrooms every time you try to explain that majestic waterfall in the meadows.

[$500, Garmin]

[Via DVICE]

World's Cheapest Car

Alex Zalben — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 16:32:00 GMT

No, I mean the world's cheapest car that actually works:

India has just started producing the Tata Nano, a car priced at $2000 that can fit up to five people (cool!), but also ha no radio, no air bags, no passenger-side mirror, only one windshield wiper, and no air conditioning (not cool!). Also, it has no gas tank, and can't drive. Kidding.

So here's my question for you: If cars were priced around $2000, and you don't currently own one, would you buy a car? Even knowing its limitations?

[Via MSN]

Design Concept: Shifter Faucet

Shaun Seneviratne — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 17:01:00 GMT

Something car enthusiasts and environmentally-friendly folk can get behind, this Shifter Tap has only four pressure settings controlling the flow of water:

Here is "Gear" 1:

[Via Yanko Design]

Gross Car Freshener Scent

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 19:52:00 GMT

There are two things my car generally smells like...like old coffee, and like something's burning. Despite this, I don't have an air freshener in there to mask the "your car is about to blow up" scent--yet. But the car freshener scents that are out there aren't really any more appealing than what I have going on now. Like this one:

Mmm, corn dog.

[$1.97, Sporks]

Related: Plug It In, Plug It In

Forthcoming: SmartMirror

Steph Auteri — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 16:30:00 GMT

I continue to wait for someone to buy me a GPS unit. I am, after all, directionally challanged. Which is why these new units keep catching my eye. The latest is a bit different from all its forbears...

[$799 starting August 1, Azentek]

The SmartMirror is a replacement rearview mirror with integrated GPS navigation. Which sounds cool, though it could take some getting used to.

You can find out loads more at the Azentek site.

[Via Gizmodo]

As Cool As David Hasselhoff

Steph Auteri — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:00:00 GMT

He may not have been MacGyver, but he still had a pretty sweet car.

Can your beat-up Mitsubishi Galant even come close?

Mio will be shipping these Knight Tider-themed GPS units in a few months, for just under $300. KITT's voice is — of course — a given.

Quick Tip of the Day: Four-Port Charger

Steph Auteri — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:30:00 GMT

[$12, Gadget4all]

This tip is pretty straightforward, and also pretty cheap, which makes it that much easier to put into use. This 4-port USB charger — with mobile phone adapter — could be a lifesaver during those times when your car has broken down and your cell phone is near-dead, or you're on a long road trip and your radio dial is like a barren wasteland.

You're welcome.

Telling You What to Do, Every Step of the Way

Steph Auteri — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 20:00:00 GMT

[$599.99, Amazon]

Sometimes, after I navigate the highways and byways on the way to somewhere totally new and out of the way and finally park my car in front of my destination, I totally get lost in my journey up the walk and into the building.

Which is why I've always thought standalone GPS devices were pretty nifty.

Now, the Eclipse AVN2210p MK II CD receiver with detachable TomTom portable navigator steps thing up a notch. Or five.

In addition to just looking cool and getting you from point A to point B, the Eclipse acts as your typical stereo, supporting mp3s, wmas, iPods, and the like, and includes a remote control, hands-free bluetooth calling options, a satellite radio tuner, and a USB port.

Okay, this thing is totally insane. I would never in a million years end up using all of the features, but I still totally sorta want one anyways.

Totally.

[Via Oh Gizmo!]