In Car Entertainment
Chrysler to offer unconnect wireless hotspot as $449 option
Chrysler announced pricing last week for its new unconnect web Wireless Internet Service, according to AutoWeek online.
Internet Service that will be provided by Autonet Mobile, costs $29 a month, with a $35 activation fee. One-, two- and three-year plans are available. The technology arrives in August as a Chrysler Mopar accessory.
No details as to what band and transfer rate the router utilizes or what connection speeds are offered by Autonet have been provided. Chrysler says the hot-spot connection has a radius of about 100 feet around the vehicle. It works wherever cell-phone service is available, and all passengers in the car can connect wi-fi-enabled devices, including laptops, PDAs and video-game consoles.
In a day and age when an industry-leading LinkSys WRT54G can be had at your local big-box retailer for under $50, this seems like another horribly overpriced Detroit option. Time will tell if wireless internet in the car will become de rigeur technology on down the road.
July 4, 2008 in Car News, In Car Entertainment, Pimp My Ride | by Kyle Pike | Permalink |
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Keep Kids Busy When Out to Dinner
Fine family eateries have long known the art of successful family dining is often about letting the kids make art on the table. And, no, not the food variety. Many restaurants offer crayons and write-on menus but you never really know what you are in for when you dine out. Is there anything worse than a lame menu and those waxy crayons that break and don't work? What's up with the places that give you a yellow crayon and a menu photocopied onto green paper to color on. Do they really want to hear that tantrum?
Best to BYO and take matters into your own hands and keep this Doodles at Dinner Pad in the car somewhere. It's a whole stack of tear off placemats that promise to entertain. Not a lame one amongst them. Just be sure to pack some decent crayons to go with (we like this tin of high quality Stockmar crayons) and you may actually get to enjoy your own meal.
June 30, 2008 in Gear Reviews, In Car Entertainment, Luggage & Travel Accessories, Travel Books | by Ciaran Blumenfeld | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Pimp My Ride: Sony Portable DVD Player
On our last road trip from Columbia, SC to Cincinnati, OH, we used my husband's laptop computer to play Baby Einstein movies for our son. Since my SUV does not have factory-installed DVD screens, we jimmy rigged a whole system using an A/C adapter, some rubber bands and wiring running all the way to the trunk, where the largest voltage connectors were located. It worked, but it wasn't pretty. So, what's a road tripping family to do? Go get a Sony DVP-FX820 portable DVD player from Dell, where it is being sold for $169.99 and free shipping!
With it's vibrant 800x480 resolution screen and long battery life (though not quite the 6 hours that Sony claims), this device is sure to keep everyone entertained on the road. The swivel screen and 2 headphone jacks make back seat sharing a little easier, and there is a car adapter for when the battery begins to run low.
This portable DVD player is sure to make a six hour trip feel shorter for you and your back seat wigglers!
June 30, 2008 in Gear Reviews, In Car Entertainment, Pimp My Ride | by Shani Gilchrist | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Instant On-The-Go Entertainment with I-Spy Bags from Crafting Corners
If you need to constantly entertain your preschooler or toddler, the I Spy bag by Crafting Corner is the toy for you. Reminiscent of the “olden” days when we played I Spy his bean bag looking toy not only captures their attention, but helps them to learn to identify simple objects.
My almost 4 year old does not stop talking and can drive anyone crazy after five minutes in the car. I decided to buy the mini I Spy from Crafting Corner for each of my boys to see what they thought. The way it works is the kids smush around the beanbag till they can "find" an object in the bag's window. I tell my sons to look for the star, and they both start their hunt.
June 12, 2008 in In Car Entertainment | by Candice Kahn | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Pimp My Ride: Backseat TV has Arrived
Imagine your child's saucer-eyes as she realizes that she can watch her favorite Nick Jr. shows as you truck it to over the river and through the woods to grandma's. It's true! And if you have headphones in the back you don't even have to get a headache in the process!
Sirius has debuted Sirius Backseat TV in 2008 Chrysler Group vehicles including Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge. The service features live programming from Nickelodeon, The Disney Channel, and The Cartoon Network. This is so much better than watching fuzzy VHS tapes on the tv in the Chevy G20 Conversion Van back in 1988! Live tv is fed to the car via an in-vehicle video satellite receiver and two small roof mounted antennas. And here is where those headphones come in handy: front seat passengers can listen to Sirius Satellite Radio while the tv is in use!
This service is available for $470, which includes the first year of service. After the first year, it is available for an additional $7 per month when packaged with Sirius Satellite Radio, which is $12.95 per month.
Keep Sirius Backseat TV in mind when you are shopping for you next Chrysler product. It's just one more way to keep the kids entertained and your road trip more peaceful!
Now... when are they going to add ESPN and Lifetime to the lineup?
May 7, 2008 in In Car Entertainment, Pimp My Ride | by Shani Gilchrist | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: Chrysler, sirius, tv
Surf and Drive with Internet Access in Your Car
Wish that you had internet access in your car? The last time my family drove to the beach, my mind was whirring with ideas from an ongoing project. As we hit the road I found myself jonesing for an internet connection.
Imagine riding down the interstate while doing online research and updating your blog (from the passenger side please!). Think of the convenience of having another option for entertaining the kids in the back seat.
Chrysler is set to roll out their in-car Wi-Fi later this year, as part of an off-road navigation system for the Jeep Wrangler. Those of us with multiple kids, gear and dogs to haul may have to wait a little longer for an in dash system. But not much. Chrysler promises to equip many 2009 model cars with this technology.
BMW's timeline for Wi-Fi installation are less concrete. As of now their concept has only been seen at the Geneva Motor Show. BMW also promises an in-dash multimedia system that includes streaming music and video content through cellular or Wi-Fi connection. Files will be transferred to the 20GB hard drive from your PC or mobile phone.
Can't wait till 2009? Mobile internet is already available in the form of an in-car router from AutoNet Mobile. This technology is an aftermarket solution. Routers will cost you $595, plus a $39 monthly charge. This service turns your car into a Wi-Fi hotspot. No need to rely on cellular towers to guarantee continued connectivity.
At the moment, I'll still have to rely on my slower smart phone to surf the web. But we are not too far away from being able to surf the internet on the road.
Tell Us:Do you miss your connectivity while on the road? What would you use your on-the-road internet connection for? Leave us a comment below.
Links:
Web Portals on Wheels (Edmunds)
Chrysler Plans In-Car Web Access This Year (The Washington Post)
BMW to offer full in-car Web access (Crave)
Chrysler's new technology for 2009 (Autoblog)
April 25, 2008 in Car News, In Car Entertainment | by Shani Gilchrist | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: Car Internet, Chrysler, mobile hot spot, Mobile internet access, wifi
Mudpuppy's Sticker Set Play Scene: A Restaurant Savior
Mudpuppy’s Sticker Set Play Scene are a travel lifesaver. The colorful boards open up to play scenes where kids can create a picture or tell a story using reusable vinyl stickers. The boards fold in half and have cut-outs for a handles for portability.
It’s perfect for that point in the meal where your child gets antsy and is ready to go. Pull out the Sticker Set Play Scene and you have instant entertainment and the rare opportunity to enjoy and finish your meal.
The Sticker Set Play Scene has held the attention of my boys long enough for us to get through several restaurant trips with our two young sons. My two-year-old loves playing with the mini On The Farm set and telling us what each sound each of the animals make.
Mudpuppy's Sticker Set Play Scenes also work well in the car because they are big enough to lay on your child’s lap.
You can get the Mudpuppy Sticker Set Play Scene at the Galison/Mudpuppy website - $11 for the regular size and $8 for the mini.
April 24, 2008 in In Car Entertainment, Quick Picks | by Candice Kahn | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: car toys, mudpuppy, stickers
Snack Attack : Earth Friendly Snack Sacks Store your Treats
Here's one of my new favorite products: The Snack Sack. It is reusable, and easy to carry.
The Snack Sack is a cloth bag with a stainless steel bowl inside. It cinches closed, and has a carabineer clip for attaching to just about anything. It can hold any kind of snack. You can take the bowl out to use it for fruits and veggies, or leave it in for dry items like cereal. The bowl can be washed in your sink or in your dishwasher and the sack is machine washable. It is 4” in diameter and approximately 7” tall. It easily fits in any bag or attaches to any strap or stroller. This product is made by two enterprising stay-at-home parents just looking for another way to help do their part to save our planet.
Last weekend we took our boys to a wedding. It was a late afternoon wedding, and I knew that snacks were not going to be readily available. I filled two Snack Sacks with pretzels and put them in my diaper bag. I was so glad I did because both my boys had a snack attack before the ceremony even started.
The sack and bowl are sold separately, so be sure to purchase both when you place your order. In addition they have an organic version made of 100% organic cotton. The choices of fabrics are super cute and come in a variety of colors and designs to match each person’s personality. By the way, for those of you wondering, yes I have my own Snack Sack as well.
Car & Caboodle readers special: e-mail snacksack@gmail.com your order, mention you read this review, and you will get $1 off each bag you order. This offer is good only for e-mailed orders.
April 24, 2008 in Baby Gear, Car Accessories, In Car Entertainment | by Candice Kahn | Permalink | Comments (0)
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Playlist 003: The Valentine's Edition
February 13, 2008 in In Car Entertainment, Travel Tunes | by Robert | Permalink | Comments (0)
Tags: itunes, playlist
Playlist 002: Dreams for Tomorrow
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, this Car & Caboodle Playlist is all about remembering a true leader, about sticking to his dream, about looking ahead to tomorrow, and about never tiring of resisting. Music that makes you think? I know. Yawn. But take a listen. Some of the greatest artists alive writing some truly beautiful music. Have fun on the road!
- Thunder on the Mountain - Bob Dylan
- Everybody Has a Dream - Billy Joel
- People Lead - Ben Harper
- Fake Empire - The National
- No One Would Riot for Less - Bright Eyes
- The Ghost of Tom Joad - Bruce Springsteen
- I Defy - Joan as Police Woman
- Thinking About Tomorrow - Beth Orton
- King of the Mountain - Kate Bush
- How Many Miles Must We March - Ben Harper
Hear song samples of Playlist 002: Dreams for Tomorrow
via iTunes.
January 22, 2008 in In Car Entertainment, Travel Tunes | by Robert | Permalink | Comments (0)
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