OnStar Family Link Tracking package set to launch this month

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: GPS, Transportation, Videos,

OnStar is ready to roll out their Family Link Tracking system. The system will be available to the masses at the end of the year, after OnStar has been talking about the system for a year or so already. Surprisingly enough, the system doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, but only a measly $4 a month on top of an OnStar plan.

The system isn’t designed to give you minute-to-minute, real-time updates, but updates the family members in 20 second intervals or so. Instead, its purpose is to keep track of your vehicle and the location of it, and possibly keeping tabs on your kids as they’re behind the wheel. Check out the video above for a detailed look and see how it works!

Read More | Engadget

Scion FR-S packing heat with a 5.0 Liter V8

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Mods / Hacks, Transportation, Videos,

Well for those that wanted it to happen and those of you that said it would happen, here it is, the Toyota 86/Scion FR-S built into a drifter. But to everyone’s dismay, the heavy mods have happened sooner rather than later.

The T86 features great low end driving dynamics, but lacks the same excitement on its top end; and its acceleration leaves much to be desired for seasoned drivers. It wouldn’t take long for the aftermarket to find a remedy for this with ECU reflashes and chips, but a complete engine swap one would see later down the road.

Well that’s not the case for the T86, as Manabu "Max" Orido's Toyota GT 86 popped a 5.0-liter V8, from Lexus’s IS-F, into his T86. Though we wish this was a factory option, a video for now will have to suffice. Enjoy!

Instagram now available for Android

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Google, Software,

Today marks the released of what may, quite possibly, be the most anticipated iOS-only app to hit Android, as Instagram has finally arrived on the Google side of the fence.

Instagram is the massively popular photo-sharing social network that's garnered over 25 million users, and up until this point, it's only been available for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch users. That changes today. Instagram for Android works on any Android device running version 2.2 or higher, as long as they support OpenGL ES 2. Similar to the iOS version, you can share your Instagram posts to Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, and Foursquare. Soon, Flickr will be an option as well.

You can download Instagram for Android right now from Google Play, completely free.

Volkswagen Eurovan converted into a camper

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Mods / Hacks, Transportation,

A few months back, we hit you with the Toyota Prius “Camper.” Yeah, that shoulda been an April Fools joke, but it was the real deal. However, jokes aside, the Volkswagen Eurovan has also gone “under the knife,” so to speak, and has been converted into a camper.

Thankfully, this conversion isn’t a monstrosity like the Prius was, but a modern take on the camper van. The Eurovan is dubbed the Doubleback, as the backend extends about six and half feet, giving campers more room. Keep in mind that the roof also extends giving campers more headroom. The only downfall of the conversion is that you make a four passenger van into a two passenger van. However, buyers can opt for the front bench seat adding room for one more occupant.

The company says that the conversion only adds 286 pounds to the curb weight, which isn’t bad considering the room that you’re getting. If you’re wondering about the price, it’s about $87,975 with taxes, conversions, and all the good stuff.

Read More | AutoBlog

Color coordinating the Geneva Motor Show

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Design, Internet, Transportation,

The Geneva Motor is behind us now, but that doesn’t mean you need to stop drooling over the cars that debuted at the Show. Researching through the archives, trying to find a car you want as your next screensaver can be a pain, especially, if you’re looking for a vehicle of a particular color.

Well, fret not, as the guys over at CarBuzz have created a neat infograpfic to help locate a vehicle color of your choice.

Read More | CarBuzz

Google’s self-driving car brings a blind man to Taco Bell

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Google, Transportation, Videos,

We’ve had a lot of chatter about self-driving cars here at Gear Live, but apart from doing a few hot laps around a closed circuit and quick drive around the Autobahn, we haven't really seen a practical application. But our thoughts have changed, as Google has produced a self-driving Prius, which wouldn’t have been our first choice, but that’s not the point.
 
Google has developed a brilliant application of the autonomous car. As we reported before, the autonomous car was aimed for traffic improvement and flow, but Google believes that the technology could be used to assist the blind and those unable to operate a vehicle on their own.

The video follows Steve Mahan, as he gets around doing his daily routine. The tasks may seem trivial to us, but to a person of limited mobility, the possibilities are now endless.

Ice Cream Sandwich coming to Droid RAZR, RAZR Maxx, HTC Rezound this week

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Smartphones, Rumors, Software,

Thanks to a leaked image from a Best Buy, it appears that we now know that the Motorola Droid RAZR and RAZR MAXX, alongside the HTC Rezound, will be receiving an Ice Cream Sandwich update. April 4th is the day for RAZR devices, and April 6th is when the Rezound gets in on the Android 4.0 action. The update will be available over the air, but we have no idea on the rollout schedule. By the looks of it, April is turning out to be a big month for smartphones and updates.

Read More | Android Police

Batman pulled over by the police and the story behind it

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Misc. Tech, Transportation, Videos,

Have you ever thought you'd see a real-life Batman on the other side of the law? Being pulled over by police and questioned? No, this isn’t a scene from the new Batman movie, but rather a reality that played out on the streets of Baltimore.

Lenny B. Robinson, a wealthy philanthropist, dresses as Batman as a part-time gig. According to the report, Robinson visits sick children in the hospital to cheer them up and boost the moral of the parents. He signs autographs and gives out Batman toys to the children. The Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder is only a part of his gig.

Robinson told the Post that he is having a “real” Batmobile built. Watch the video above to see Batman being pulled over by the police.

Read More | AutoBlog

SAAB caught in the state of limbo

Posted by Andrey Malskiy Categories: Corporate News, Transportation,

It’s been roughly three or so months since SAAB filed for bankruptcy. In addition, Saab Cars North America shut its dealerships down, forcibly. With the bankruptcy, many cars were left in limbo, caught between sale and repossession, we suppose. Though we’re not all entirely sure as to how the legalities work in this case, all we know is that there more than 900 SAAB vehicles on the Jersey Coast.

Though we've never been SAAB fans, it's saddening to see these cars left and exposed to the Jersey grossness. The sobering part of this is that these are the last of the SAABs to hit US soil, or that of which were produced. In any means, fan or not, these cars deserve a proper farewell or a home at best. On second thought, anyone down to go to Jersey and rescue a few SAABs? Follow the jump to see more pictures. 

Click to continue reading SAAB caught in the state of limbo

Read More | Found Our Own Road

Nokia Lumia 900 now available for pre-order, free to new AT&T customers!

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Hot Deals, Microsoft,

We've talked at length about how great we think Windows Phone 7 is, but regardless of how good it is, it hasn't translated into amazing sales. Microsoft hopes that changes on April 8th, as the company, along with Nokia and AT&T, are making a colossal bet on the Nokia Lumia 900 being the breakout device for Windows Phone. In fact, the phone just went on sale for pre-order today, and there are some great deals out there. First of all, the Lumia 900 is selling for $99 with two-year contract, which in and of itself is amazing. Further, if you pre-order from Walmart, you can get the device for $49.99 with two-year contract (online only.) Finally, if you're a new AT&T customer, you get a $100 rebate, making the phone free.

Customers who pre-order will have their Lumia 900 smartphones by April 6th, a full two days before they hit store shelves for the masses. Oh, and this is for the black and cyan models. The white Lumia 900 launches April 22. You just don't see deals like this right out of the gate for high-quality 4G LTE smartphones with 4.3-inch AMOLED displays and 8 megapixel auto-focus cameras with dual LED flash! If you're in the market for a new smartphone, you'll wanna take a long, hard look at this one. Pre-order at AT&T or Walmart.