Recently Filed in Enhancements

Shopping for a new in-dash car stereo and want some sweet sounding music? Satellite radio is an option, but if “free” sounds better, you should consider HD Radio. HD Radio allows any AM or FM station to broadcast their programming (and for FM, up to 2 alternate channels), in a pristine digital format. AM HD sounds as good as regular FM, and FM HD is CD-quality. HD Radio was years in the making, and today you can buy HD-Radio models for no more than mid-priced… View this story
HD Radio • Automotive • Enhancements • Info and Answers

Surge suppressors can save the world. Really, they can. Those mundane power strips we use for our computers and our home entertainment systems can help us stave off the effects of global warming. How exactly? Do they suddenly have carbon dioxide and methane scrubbers in them? Can they sequester carbon within their tiny circuits? Can they recover your paycheck at the gas pump? No, no and no. But surge suppressors can help us save energy—and lots of it. That’s because generating electricity produces greenhouse gases.… View this story
Surge Protectors • Green Technology • Enhancements • Info and Answers

Panasonic’s making a pretty big deal of its Viera HDTV rollout, and has extended and renamed its Plasma Concierge service to accommodate. The program is being extended to offer free support to both Panasonic plasma and LCD owners, and it’s being renamed Viera Concierge. Before, the service was only available for Panasonic plasma owners, but hey, LCD people love their HDTV too. Now they also get the toll-free customer support line, quick access to techies via phone, web or in-home service, and even things like… View this story
Displays • LCD • Plasma • Miscellaneous • Web Services • Enhancements • Product News

Google is determined to take over another part of your life. The search engine just announced the Google Media Server gadget. Instead of an add-on piece of hardware, this plug-in can stream photos, music and TV shows to plug-and-play devices on your network, such as a PlayStation 3. “In the old days, we used to watch a simple device called a television,” posts software engineer David Garcia, on the Inside Google Desktop blog. “Nowadays, all the stuff worth watching and listening to tends to be… View this story
Software • Web Services • Movies and Music • Networking • Enhancements • Product News

Want some really energy-efficient electronics? If all goes well, you can someday power your gadgets by dancing, running—or even by the movement of breasts.  Earlier this week, we reported that UK mobile phone operator Orange has teamed up with GotWind, a company specializing in renewable energy, to produce a charger powered by dance energy.  The portable kinetic energy charger weighs the same as a phone and is about the size of a pack of cards. It’s attached to the user’s arm and employs a system… View this story
Gadgets • Green Technology • Enhancements • Info and Answers

Multiroom audio systems are convenient enough when you’ve ripped tunes to a server or can route several sources to any room in the house. When you can add all of your PC content, too, you’ve got just about everything covered. NuVo Technologies’ new Music Port packages not only lets you pull your PC files into its Grand Concerto or Essentia E6G multiroom audio system as a source, but also lets you use said laptop or desktop PC as a controller. The NuVo Music Port is… View this story
AV Components • Multiroom Audio • Multiroom AV • Enhancements • Product News

Instead of worrying about where-oh-where your little dog has gone, Garmin’s new Astro GPS Dog Tracking System can keep tabs on your four-legged friends when they are out and about. The DC 30 is actually “new and improved,” meaning that the system is “more rugged” with antennas positioned for optimal tracking. “Whether it’s hounds crashing through thick and swampy woods, or bird dogs bounding through dense CRP fields, the DC 30 is made to take the beating that working dogs dish out daily,” said Dan… View this story
Surveillance • Gadgets • Enhancements • Product News

Fans of Sony’s PlayStation 3 get to beat their chests again about how the gaming console does everything but cook breakfast. Sony has released a statement today outlining “Group Corporate Strategy” for FY2008 to FY2010 (click there for a PDF), and one of the strategies coming right up is movie downloads for the PS3. We already know how sweet the PS3 is as a Blu-ray player—and, oh yeah, it also plays games—but if you don’t have much Blu-ray content, you’ll now have access to plenty… View this story
AV Components • Blu-ray • Digital Media Stores • Gaming • Gaming Systems • Home Theater • Enhancements • Product News

Best stupid argument of the week: Women are complaining that they can’t use the iPhone because of their long fingernails. Or at least one woman is complaining. The Los Angeles Times interviewed Erica Watson-Currie, who apparently has a lot to say on the subject. However, I didn’t see a focus group or class action mentioned anywhere. Know why? Because it’s a stupid argument. To use the iPhone’s touchscreen, your finger must actually come in contact with the interface. Watson-Currie seems to think that the unit… View this story
Portables • Cell Phones • Enhancements • Product News

That headline is not a drill. That mid-80s dream you had of once owning the “Knight Rider” car is about to become half-true. Mio Technology will soon release a “Knight Rider"-themed GPS. Perhaps inspired by the recent TV movie or by a love of all things David Hasselhoff, this unit will feature the actual voice of William Daniels (who voiced KITT). Assuming your parents didn’t curse you with a completely bizarre name, you can even program KITT to provide a personal greeting. There will be… View this story
Automotive • Gadgets • Enhancements • Product News

These aren’t the greatest of times to be in the housing industry, but for the consumers the benefit comes from how homebuilders are trying to differentiate themselves. That means bundling cool A/V and automation technology into your new home, as well as working in ways to make today’s new homes energy efficient. The Innovative Housing Technology Awards (IHTA) recognize the advances and practices by manufacturers, electronic systems installers and builders to bring such solutions to the home. Electronic House sister publication TecHome Builder presents these… View this story
AV Components • Home Control • Industry • Manufacturers • Installers • Enhancements • Product News

I’ve had one ticket in my driving career. That’s one too many. While the solution might be to just slow down, others might benefit more from the PhantomAlert system. This little alien-like gadget affixes to your dashboard, and uses GPS to detect red-light cameras and speed traps. The unit receives continuous software/download updates, all of which come from your fellow motorists—yes, even the ones that give you the finger! Of course, you’ll need to subscribe to a service to get all of those tasty nuggets.… View this story
Automotive • Gadgets • Enhancements • Product News