We told you so. Now that Nokia is offering free GPS downloads to its customers, Vodafone, the planet’s largest mobile phone network operator, has decided to get with Google to develop a map system for other cell phones. The service will also include local listings in what Vodafone’s marketer Frank Rovekamp refers to as its “mass-market access to exciting services.” We don’t know if we would call it exciting. We just like the concept of not having to pay for a separate GPS device when we get lost.

Read More | USA Today

Gallery: Vodafone to Team with Google in Map Making

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Read More | The Bleeding Edge

Gallery: The Bleeding Edge 138: Econolite Explains New Traffic Signal Technology

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Nokia is now offering free GPS navigation and mapping system for anything from cell phones to handhelds. After downloading the application, you can select maps from 150 countries and 15 million points of interest. The catch here is that smart2go is just a basic service, and to get the full-blown program you must pay a weekly or monthly fee. Nokia plans on releasing the program on all new models. We are just happy to know that with competition so hot these days between manufacturers, GPS will probably become standard on all mobile devices and cell phones in the near future.

Read More | Nokia

Gallery: Nokia Now Has Free GPS

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Gallery: The Bleeding Edge 132: DATZOO FixDAT

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With so much road rage going on these days, we have found the perfect Valentine gift to remind your partner or spouse that they don’t have to utter obscenities or physically assault the driver in the car next to them. The Road Rage Racer shifts into four gears and becomes increasing hysterical in each one. Simply put him on your dashboard and let him be a comfort when you commute. The 19 x 13 x 9-inch Road Rage Racer requires 3 AA batteries (included) and is available online from our pals at Latest Buy for AU 34.95 (~US $27.61.)

Read More | Latest Buy

Gallery: Racer Reduces Road Rage

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ASI’s Chaos is our latest entry into the area of homeland security bots. His 4 independently controlled tracks can wander up over hills and down into valleys where danger may be lurking. Recently tested at Disaster City, Texas, a search and rescue training ground with a name that just sounds creepy, the robot can be used for surveillance, hauling gear, explosives disposal, reconnaissance, and search and rescue.

At a weight of 120 lbs., Chaos functions with the help of its OCU (Operator Control Unit) which contains Mobious software. Contact ASI if you would like to watch their demo and are thinking of starting your own military coup.

Read More | ASI

Gallery: Chaos Comes Out to Play

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If you abhor being a passenger on long car trips, but don’t want to crawl into the back seat and watch Disney movies with your kids, the Sun Visor Theatre could be a simple solution. With a 7-inch 16:9 widescreen LCD, it features a built-in DVD player that can also play CDs and MP3s, a TV Tuner, an FM transmitter, and a SD card reader. A USB port allows you to plug into your laptop and a remote is included. The Sun Visor carries a MSRP of $299.95, but don’t watch anything too engaging, as the driver may decide to pull over, watch with you, and make your drive even longer.

 

Read More | Gadget Universe

Gallery: Sun Visor Theatre Helps Passenger Pass Time

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At last, a tracking device that not only helps us find a restaurant, but also where we parked the car. Inilex’s Kepler Advantage, featured at the recent 2007 Demo Conference, features GPS technology that can find a car’s location with the owner’s cell phone via satellite. It can also tell if a car has been moved by an unauthorized driver or driven at too high a speed (in case your kids “borrow” the car,) and will notify police within 15 minutes (in case it’s not the kids.) Although its name is subject to change, Spokesperson Aly Saxe assured Gear Live that the device will become available during Q2 of 2007.

 

Read More | Inilex

Gallery: Kepler Advantage Finds Your Car By Satellite

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Shape International designs simulated inflatable military equipment, but we weren’t exactly sure why until we studied their site a little more closely. In their own words, they “can effectively deceive the enemy, reduce damage to real equipment and fortifications, enhance survivability, and gain the initiative in battle.”

Translated, we believe this means that they can be used as decoys, destroyable targets in training, and can conceal and protect actual military equipment. We will buy that, but the real question remains. If a Shape vehicle meets a Red Owl in the woods with no one to hear it, will it still make a noise when it explodes?

 

Read More | Shape International

Gallery: Shape International Creates Inflatable Decoys

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Gallery: CES 2007 Video: Parrot MK6000 Bluetooth Car Kit

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