Google Maps Driving Simulator

Literally drive yourself crazy. GeoQuake a game developing site has a simulator so you can drive a little car around google maps. I picked Vegas as the city I wanted to drive in. It was really fun driving over the casino's. Gamble that - Caesar's Palace.

jump for the drivin'

Know how much it will cost to fix your car

Finally there is a online place to find out how much that car repair is going to cost you. repairpal.com offers you independent and unbiased repair estimates, user
ratings and reviews, plus advice you can't get anywhere else.

Hey with gas prices nowadays, it's important to have you vehicle in tip-top shape.

Dash Express with eye-spy

As pointed out by Dash Express forum member mdoar: "I wonder why Dash added support for a camera."

Upon clicking the link to the openmoko wiki page you can see several specifications you'd expect to see in a common GPS:

1.1 Processor
1.2 Flash
1.3 RAM
1.4 GSM/GPRS
1.5 SD-Card
1.6 LCD Module (LCM)
1.7 Camera
1.8 Light Sensor
1.9 Power Management
1.10 WiFi
1.11 GPS

WAIT!! 1.7 - Camera!!

We already know that DE has wifi and GPRS capability - we could only dream about the wild possibilities that a cam could bring into the mix. Here are some crazy ideas that I hope stick.

1. traffic cams - man this would be great to actually be able to log in to traffic cams along your route to confirm the info Dash is already sending to you.

2. backup cam - this way I could see you before I run you over

3. webcam - this way you could see me before I run you over

Here are the basic specs for the cam chip: Camera
The Omnivision OM7670 Camerachip Image Sensor, is a low-voltage, low-power CMOS camera chip, capable of operating at 30fps on VGA resolution.

You won't be producing any hollywood movies (unless there is another writers strike - FOX network, can you hear me!), but it will get the job done.


Anyway's the possibilities are endless - I guess now that the cat is out of the bag, we'll wait to see if Dash has anything to say about this feature.

Hey Dash, ARF, ARF - Thanks for the Bone

I really appreciate it when a company does something extra for their customers. A lot of companies get by, by barely doing what they are supposed to do. Dash Express knows that the wait has been excruciating for many of their early adopters. I've seen a few people walk away as the pain and agony of waiting just became too much. I too have felt that way, if fact, if I wasn't sure that Dash would meet its latest release date of 3/27/08, I would have possibly given up on them also. But, patience is a virtue, good things may come to those who wait as Dash Navigation has thrown a bone to some early adopters. I recently received a new car, no, wait, a new car 12v splitter - what, you don't know what that is?


Ok - now we are on the same page. I just wanted to say thanks to Dash for extending the olive branch. As I said in an earlier posting - I treat companies the way they treat me, so please know that I will be the first to complain the loudest when companies don't deliver on their promises, but I will also do everything to thank them when they do more than expected.
Thanks Dash!!

Dash Express Countdown

Well, it appears that the long awaited Dash Express GPS will finally be shipping. I've added a countdown widget so you can countdown also. As you may know, there have been several delays in getting this product out, so now that we are so near to the ship date of March 27th, I asked Dash a few specific questions concerning the shipping. I really liked their responses:

Q: Can you go into detail concerning the "launch"?
Does this mean that I can expect to have a tracking # on the 27th?

A: We will be using overnight shipping so you should have the device for the weekend. I will need to get back to you on the tracking number front... I have a question into the person who knows.

Q: what method of shipping will you be using?

A: overnight shipping

Q: Are there any mitigating issues that will delay the launch or cause us to have units that are not completely functional?

A: We are all systems go for launch, and there are no known issues that will impair your functionality.

Q: Are ALL of the pre-orders shipping on the 27th or is there a rollout?

A: We love our customers that pre-ordered for us, so we are shipping those out first.

Thanks to Mark Williamson @ Dash. I really feel like although this company did have a few hiccups in delivering information, they have really improved in getting info to their customers. If they deliver as expected on this product, and come through with stellar customer service, they will seriously shake the competition.

http://www.dash.net/index.php

Dash Express 3D view!!

Dash came through with their much awaited 3d view for their upcoming Dash Express GPS. If you don't know what the Dash Express is, check it out. I need you to buy one so you can be added to my traffic network.

Anyway's, I have posted a few pics of the 3D view from their blog:

3d view without a route set:The screen shots below shows 3d view without a route set. As you can see, there is traffic data along some of the surface streets and major arterials . As you can see, you can zoom in and out in our 3d mode with the "minus" and "plus" buttons. The compass not only shows you what direction you are driving, but touching it toggles you into 2d view

Here is the same screen in night mode:

Jump to Dash's Site for more pics and info:

www.dash.net

Here's the rest:
6. Clean your windshield with a razor blade
5. De-ice a lock with hand sanitzer
4. Remove coffee and other tough stains
3. Fix cracks and scratches with nail polish
2. Connect your MP3 player, no transmitters involved
1. Fix a dent yourself

Hit link for the readouts!

7. "Hypermile" for better fuel economy

We're never going to recommend shutting down your engine and riding a tractor-trailer's draft, but you can learn a thing or two from the folks who take their gas mileage very, very seriously. Here are a few tips gleaned from Wise Bread's take on hypermiling:
Track your mileage: You can't tell if your efficiency efforts are working unless you're keeping track. Try resetting the odometer every time you refill your tank, rather than trying to note and guess mileages individually.
Leave lots of space ahead of you: It not only shows you paid attention during driving lessons, it gives you more time to gradually slow down instead of slamming on your brakes and losing all your momentum.
Use cruise control more often: Accelerate gradually over a distance and you save on all the gas eaten up by lead-footed acceleration

8. Find your car anywhere

Few things feel like wasted time more than wandering a vast parking lot, searching out a car that looks just like all the others. To prevent the problem, take a picture of your car and its notable surroundings to quickly re-orient yourself when you come back. Forget to grab that pic? Hold your fob up to your head to boost your alarm-inducing signal and find your ride. Still can't spot your wheels? Try a few other tried-and-true tips. Hate the idea of using your "panic" button for anything, much less a game of parking lot Marco Polo? Feel free to simply and quickly disable it.

DIY Car Hack #9

9. Clean your engine (and other parts) for better serviceApologies in advance if this comes off like an over-bearing, car-obsessed relative, but a little time spent with soap and water saves you a lot of ruined clothes and grunt-inducing frustration later on. Cleaning out your engine compartment, for example, makes it easier for mechanics (and yourself) to find leaks, belt and hose breaks, and other problems, and you'll also get a cooler-running motor from your efforts. Check out 74 more wise tips on keeping your car running in tip-top shape.

Top DIY Car Hacks

So you got a car - but it's not the one you really wanted. The dealer was all out of Transformers? Now you can do you own car-mods. Here's the top 10 do-it-yourself car hacks. I'll give them to you one at a time so you can have time to take your car to the repair shop between hacks.





10. Make your own storage spaceJust because your car's designer was uninspired by the driver's-side space doesn't mean you can't have convenience and easy storage within arm's reach. Using some duct tape, yogurt cups, and other common items, you can put together your own DIY car console, or spend a bit more time and care to craft something a bit more slick-looking. And, while not technically all-the-way-DIY, adhering a sticky pad to your dashboard can serve as seriously convenient, no-stick place to keep your gadgets.