Trying to keep the points off your record, but just can’t resist the urge to tweet, text and talk behind the wheel? Maybe it’s time you gave up on that whole “self-restraint” schtick and leaned on technology to keep your cellular inhibitions in check. Scosche’s cellControl might do the trick, it pairs bit of bluetooth-enabled automotive hardware with a feature-blocking smartphone app to keep your handset under lockdown when you’re on the go. It even rats you out if you deactivate or uninstall the system — automatically sending a text message or email to a “designated administrator,” just in case you fall off the wagon. The system boasts compatibility with over 1200 devices across Android, Blackberry, Symbian and Windows Mobile 5 and 6. Artificial restraint will set you back 0, you know, in case self-control and other distracted driving apps aren’t doing the trick. Hit the break for the system’s official press release.

Continue reading Scosche cellControl locks your device while driving, tattles on your text habit

Scosche cellControl locks your device while driving, tattles on your text habit originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 23 Jan 2012 04:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vuzix has announced plans to develop a stylish head-mounted display solution in the form of Smart Glasses, through a licensing partnership with Nokia. The yet-unnamed product would integrate a bright, high-contrast display with a pair of seemingly ordinary-looking sunglasses — sounds like a perfect companion to the ZionEyez in-glasses camera prototype we saw last month. In Vuzix’s words:

This amazing new technology starts with a compact display engine capable of hi contrast and brightness for outdoor use. The output is then relayed into a 1.4 mm thick plastic waveguide lens with input and output hologram structures on the surface which squeezes the light down the waveguide and then two dimensionally expands the image back into the user’s eye, creating an image that is then mixed into the real world.

Naturally, the company envisions its Smart Glasses solution as a web-connected device, letting you watch videos or browse the internet while still being able to see-and-avoid pedestrians as you walk on the sidewalk or obstacles while behind the wheel — try doing that with a Kindle or smartphone (better yet, please don’t). Vuzix expects its Smart Glasses solution to start appearing as early as this summer, but we’ll be getting an early look next week at CES.

Continue reading Vuzix designs Smart Glasses to look like sunshades, tout connected transparent display

Vuzix designs Smart Glasses to look like sunshades, tout connected transparent display originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Fanatec Porsche 911 Turbo Wheel for Xbox 360 review

Fanatec Porsche GT2 wheel and Clubsport pedals review

Forza Motorsport CSR and CSR Elite wheel and pedals hands-on

It’s amazing to realize that about two years ago Fanatec’s first Xbox 360 racing wheel, the Forza 3 Porsche 911 Turbo Wheel, hit the scene. Although it turned out to be a mixed bag, Fanatec pleasantly surprised us with its Porsche GT2 and Clubsport Pedals in January of this year — despite a roaring fan and shaky shifter mounts. Now, we’re saying hello to a new trio of racing sim-related goods from the company intended for Forza Motorsport 4 on Xbox 360: the 9.95 Forza Motorsport CSR Wheel, .95 shifter set, and 9.95 CSR Elite Pedals.

If you’ll recall, it was back in March that we checked some of this kit out, and now with Forza 4 here, we hooked this mashup of gear up with our Playseat Evolution for a massive amount of virtual spins. So, did this combination help speed past the checkerboard with a respectable feel? Shift past the break find out in our full review.

Continue reading Fanatec Forza Motorsport CSR Wheel and Elite Pedals review

Fanatec Forza Motorsport CSR Wheel and Elite Pedals review originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is that regular ol’ Xbox 360 controller leaving you unfulfilled after a marathon session of Forza Motorsport 4? Don’t fret, Thrustmaster has announced the launch of its Ferrari 458 (F458) Italia Racing Wheel for Microsoft’s gaming console. The 11-inch wheel features a rubberized grip to stay comfy, built-in metal paddle shifters, a Manettino dial for mid-lap adjustments and progressive resistance to keep you on the straight and narrow. Not wanting to leave PS3 and PC racers in its dust, the company also revealed the TH8 RS gear shifter — which connects to the T500 RS or the outfit’s other PC wheel controllers via USB. This bad boy lets you release your inner Michael Schumacher with either H-pattern or sequential configurations plus 360-degree rotation adjustment to tailor the gearbox to your liking. Both the TH8 RS and the aforementioned F458 will be hitting your garage… er, game room in October for 0 and , respectively. Check out the full PR for the pair after the break, and make sure you fasten your seatbelt.

Continue reading Thrustmaster unveils Ferrari F458 racing wheel and TH8 RS shifter, dares you to get fast and furious

Thrustmaster unveils Ferrari F458 racing wheel and TH8 RS shifter, dares you to get fast and furious originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 19 Aug 2011 06:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gizmodo

Okay, so the U-shaped contraption you see above won’t get a motorsports enthusiast’s blood boiling quite like the Fanatec CSR Elite wheel we tested earlier, but for a lot of gamers the CSR is a bit too much. The Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel, on the other hand, is rather more manageable — and affordable, with a .99 price. It’s a simple, lightweight thing, with an over-sized trigger on the back of each grip. These have very low resistance, so they tend to clap against the back when you mash the throttle, but this plus a long throw means it’s easy to be precise on the gas or brake. And that, of course, is what they’re intended to be used for. On the right prong are the four face buttons, on the left a D-pad. Start and Back are in the middle along with the Guide button, but sadly the L and R shoulder buttons didn’t make the start.

That’s a mighty shame, making us wonder what compatibility will be like for racers that use those for up- and down-shifting. Regardless, with Forza Motorsport 4 the wheel works like a charm. There’s an almost imperceptible amount of lag between you turning the thing in air and your reaction being conveyed on screen, but it’s not a problem. The triggers feel great and, while shifting using the D-pad is a little clumsy, it works. Ultimately and predictably the Speed Wheel doesn’t deliver the most hardcore of racing experiences, but it’ll be a lot more couch-friendly than your average wheel and pedal setup when it ships this October.

Xbox 360 Wireless Speed Wheel hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 09 Jun 2011 20:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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