It's tough to pick the best digital car gadgets, but some are so cool they scream for attention. These two new models may seem ordinary at first sight, but use smart hands-free technology to keep your eyes on the road and your hands on the steering wheel.
iLane is a portable voice-command system from Waterloo-based Intelligent Mechatronic Systems Inc. (IMS), that let's you speak commands to run your mobile smart phone hands-free in your car.
What makes it special is that it goes beyond simply calling a contact with voice command, something already available in better smart phones. It speaks back to you and responds to simple voice commands allowing you to do much more while keeping your hands on the steering wheel. It comes with a specially tuned, Bluetooth-dedicated headset that also charges from iLane's car charger.
For example, after a one-time setup, as soon as I get into my car with my BlackBerry Bold turned on, iLane senses its presence and offers to read my newest e-mails, even "listening" for new ones, while I drive. It also offers to respond by recording a short verbal message and e-mailing it to the original sender. Or it will call the sender for a phone conversation.
You can manage your files, even deleting them, all by the dozens of voice controls it instantly responds to. If you forget the commands, it asks you about what other similarly related functions to do, based on what you did last.
The headset is tuned to work with the iLane receiver, forming a secure two-way voice command connection to your smart phone and leaving no traces of your actions outside the phone itself.
Interestingly, there is an Internet connection. It's a special online portal the iLane device connects to, which offers additional verbal services as part of the $7 monthly subscription.
Saying "news" for example, will read you the top stories including Canadian events and saying "weather" brings you weather conditions for any city you ask about. Similarly, it will also read back appointments from your calendar. The news portal, e-mail and phone functions use your cellphone's voice and data plan.
With a cost of $599, iLane is targeted at business people and is currently only available for BlackBerry phones equipped with Bluetooth. Windows Mobile and Symbian-based phones will follow. IMS said it is talking to cellphone companies for future subsidized plans.
I found iLane delivered as promised, requiring no "listening" training, and effectively responding to my voice commands. It currently works only in English. More languages are in the works. It's clearly marketed to those who can afford it and more importantly, folks who have to keep in touch with e-mails, phone calls and news every minute they drive.
The three-step setup was easy, requiring a quick online software download using my BlackBerry, followed by an online registration. The final step was wirelessly "pairing" (tech speak for connecting Bluetooth devices) the iLane receiver, BlackBerry and headset. During this last step, in the car, the iLane receiver talks you through with easy-to-follow instructions.
The monthly subscription fee also allows iLane administrators to maintain your online connection to the portal, feed you news, sports and weather, even shutting the service down if your BlackBerry or car is stolen. For more information go to www.ilane.com
Motorola's new MOTONAV TN30, $299, is a solidly-made portable GPS receiver with included car charger and windshield suction-cup mounting hardware.
It uses preloaded map information for the U.S. and Canada to give you spoken turn-by-turn driving directions. It includes more than four million points of interest, allowing drivers to find a local business, restaurant or gas station and clearly spoken information like street names you are approaching.
The large 4.3-inch touch-screen interface let's you easily tap addresses and the created routes, in 2-D or 3-D modes that automatically adjust viewing for day or night driving. Additional onscreen information like speed, distance, arrival time, elevation and distance travelled, as well as fastest and shortest route options, are helpful.
Zooming in or out is a matter of finger tapping and dragging. An SD card slot allows for additional map loading (sold separately). The TN30 remembers recent destinations and saved favourite locations.
What makes it special is its built-in wireless Bluetooth, allowing you to use it as a hands-free speakerphone with most of today's Bluetooth-equipped cellphones. During a call, its screen even shows you caller ID. During a call, the MOTONAV quiets its own spoken navigation directions.
It can be used in any car and will run for more than two hours on a battery charge.
Steve Makris is a freelance technology writer and can be contacted at www.stevoid.wordpress.com. He can be seen at Global TV Monday morning news.
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