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Tag Archives: Bluetooth

Cobra PhoneLynx Bridges Your Home and Cell Lines

Got a Android Phone then dig this  cool home gadget from Cobra Electronics (www.cobra.com).

Cobra PhoneLynx is a new Bluetooth device that bridges landline technology and the cell phone by turning your home phone system into an extension of your cell phone. Cobra PhoneLynx links your existing cell phone to your home handset allowing you to maximize your dollars by eliminating landline expense and using your cell minutes to make and receive calls on your home phone system.

Cost MSRP: $59.95, Availability date: Most Bluetooth-enabled phones – now; Android – May 2, 2011; Cobra PhoneLynx is available at retailers nationwide including ABT Electronics, ABC Appliance, Amazon, Best Buy, Crutchfield, Radio Shack, Sears, plus many more, and at www.cobra.com. For more information please visit www.cobraphonelynx.com.

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Easy Hands Free Bluetooth & iPod Gadget

Most cars today don’t have built-in Bluetooth, making you upgrade via third party companies for a new radio or dash mounted product. In many states it’s illegal to talk and drive while holding your cell phone. Many products exist on the Market, but one came across my desk that made me smile. Alpine offers the newly enhanced eX-10 Advanced iPod Controller with Bluetooth. It makes a cool gift for someone who is always on the road, and won’t break the piggy bank.

The eX-10 on-dash solution enables you to upgrade your car or truck by adding iPod control and Bluetooth hands-free calling features, with all audio transmitted through the car’s factory sound system. The eX-10 consists of a 2.4-inch color TFT display monitor that can be installed on top of the car’s dash (via two-way tape), a wireless remote control and a power module that plugs into the car’s cigarette lighter.

Installation took 20 minuets and though it did everything advertised, I did have one problem. Too many exposed wires to connect all the devices, and looks ugly too. It should be wireless like the remote. Ok my complaint may be picky, but into today’s technology wireless connections are the way to go.

“The eX-10’s reduced price and enhanced features make it a great product for consumers who want an iPod and Bluetooth experience that integrates into their vehicle’s existing system,” said Stephen Witt, vice president, marketing, Alpine Electronics. “Consumers don’t have to buy a new car to get today’s advanced technology; they can just upgrade their current cars.”
Other features:

iPod Connection

The eX-10 connects to Gen 4 and newer iPods via Alpine’s own Full Speed™ Connection for iPod cable (included). If the iPod displays album art, this art will also be shown on the eX-10’s screen. The supplied remote control offers full control of the iPod, allowing the iPod to be safely stored away. A return dial on the side of the remote is used to navigate through the iPod tracks.

For devices with Bluetooth hands-free calling features, commands such as Phonebook list, Missed Calls, Received Calls and Dialed Calls are displayed on, and accessible through, the eX-10. The unit is also ready to meet the growing popularity of streaming music playback from Bluetooth devices.

Suggested retail price: $180, www.alpine-usa.com

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Santa’s GPS Ho! Ho! Ho!

This Holiday season many of us will be driving into areas that are new to us. You could do what my dad did in the 60’s; have my mom read the road map to him as he drove on the great American highway. But let’s be real here, you know as guys we don’t like using maps, we think we always know the way. Fast forward to today, we find that the old paper map is bye bye!

Today GPS and digital-mapping technology combined space age gadgets with down-to-earth simplicity. These portable navigation systems can help you get from point A to point B with cool audible driving directions, color maps, points of interest, and traffic updates. And while they were once a little known helpful device, they’ve gained in popularity and you can found almost everywhere

I was talking to a friend of mine who asked what GPS would be good for his wife for Christmas. Gee I thought Santa using on I bet at the end of Rudolph’s nose. All kidding aside, I went to find out and ended up trying three top brands out – TomTom, Magellan, and Garmin. These innovative companies continue to create the leading GPS devices for retail. Prices range from $250-$1,200, and you really get what you pay for.

TomTom GO 930 GPS is a no frills easy to use navigation system that is loved by the ladies. This is the perfect fit if you never used a GPS device before. Navigation ease comes first and this new model brings several new features, including advanced lane guidance and historical traffic data, to make it a helpful copilot to any driver with speech recognition. My favorite feature is that you get celebrity voice downloads like the new Kim Cattrall’s one, are one of the many features TomTom offers to personalize your driving experience. With Kim Cattrall’s voice helping you navigate your trip, it will not only have you travel safely and with less stress, but will also be amused along the way. SRP Price: $380-$490

The Magellan Maestro 4250 with voice command and superb location accuracy is very easy to use and is a step up from TomTom. I love the sleek back finish of the device and its driver friendly software. This product is also very popular at BJ’s. Price: $255-$490

The most advanced GPS so far that also has the heftiest price tag is the Garmin Nuvi 880. For the price you get an impressive text-to-speech functionality, MSN Direct services, and Bluetooth, into a compact design. Though I would go with a TomTom, if you’re a beginner and just want to not get lost. But if your at the high-end of gadget must have person, then this portable navigation system offers the best and most accurate speech recognition GPS outside of the military. SRP Price: $560-$1,200

The only thing missing for any of these GPS’ is the voice of K.I.T.T. the computer voice from The Knight Rider TV series on NBC.

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