How about a surround sound format for a great music listening experience while cruising the highway?

The new MPEG Surround format will soon be available to everything that plays digital audio files such as cars, MP3 players, iPods, and cellphones. This format encodes surround sound audio data so that it can be played on compatible stereo systems. It can be also played on non-surround devices like iPods.

Rumor has it that Apple will be one of the newest licensees of the software developed by audio company Fraunhofer. The company, inventor of the MP3 format, has in fact hinted about it.

“There is an unsigned contract with a well-known PC player application,” said Fraunhofer’s Robert Bleidt (photo below) at the recently held Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas.

Photos and Info: Gadget Lab

Top mobile and car technology firms are bracing for the impact of the global financial crisis. But they’re taking this as an opportunity for change.

So what opportunities are there to explore in 2009? At the annual Consumer Electronics Show (CES) last January 8, key car technology executives gathered to discuss pertinent issues about the industry. Dubbed “Connect2Car: The Automobile’s Convergence with Consumer Electronics,” the session focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of in-vehicle technologies. Session panelists offered suggestions such as employing more efficient HMI, telematics, and eco-friendly technologies.

The panelists observed that consumers want two things about in-vehicle technologies: luxury and ability to focus on the road. One solution that was brought up is a wireless technology that can foresee and inform one’s vehicle and surrounding vehicles on road conditions such as red lights and icy roads.

The event, held at Las Vegas, Nevada from January 8 to 11, is the world’s biggest exhibition for consumer technology products. In-vehicle gadgets that were exhibited at the CES include, among others: GPS technology, mobile video, security, aftermarket accessories, speakers, and car wireless technology. Among the car gadgets that stood out in the exhibit were the Internet car radio and wireless battery charger.

While there’s good reason for electronics companies to be optimistic despite tough times, I think they shouldn’t take everything sitting down either. A lot of impending problems need to be addressed. I don’t want to sound too pessimistic, but many car owners would rather spend for engine maintenance than buy the latest GPS or Bluetooth-enabled gadgets around. To survive the tough economy, car electronics firms should consider providing consumers first with products catering to their basic needs like safety and security (as opposed to entertainment-geared devices). Adjusting their prices could also be a wise and welcome measure.

Photo: Foursprung

Info: Consumer Electronics Association press release, CEA Digital Dialogue

Who would’ve thought that one can do so much with a sunglass? Probably no one, until the Bluetooth sunglasses came in the world of gadgetry.

A promising fashion item, er, electronic device for 2009 will hit the markets probably this month: the TriSpecs’ Bluetooth Sunglasses.

Let’s see what this pair of sunglasses has to offer:

• Bluetooth headset
• A set of retractable earbuds
• Two uni-directional microphones
• Dual in-ear speakers (extending them turns the power on)
• Voice dialing and prompts for convenient, hands-free use
• One-touch dialing
• Call control buttons on the arms of the glasses
• MP3 player (You have to press the button on the rim of the glasses to switch between MP3 player and calls.)
• Noise elimination acoustic technology
• Comes in black, white, and metallic with optional designs
• Also available in female-specific versions

It’s a must-have for workaholics who are always on the go. Especially for those who are often on business trips, this Bluetooth sunglasses will be a smart multitasking companion on the road.

And if you happen to dream of being fashionable even when you’re inside your car, then this designer sunglasses is for you. I bet glancing every now and then at your rear view mirror will become an exciting and welcome distraction for you. How vain can you get?

Priced at around $200, this amazing gadget from TriSpecs was one of the featured gadgets at the recently held Consumer Electronics Show 2009 at Las Vegas.

Photos and Info: Gadget Lab, Trends Updates, Stylefrizz

Soon, you’ll have to toss those bunch of tousled power cords out of your car in favor of the wireless battery charger.

The eCoupled Intelligent Wireless Power Technology promises to power up your mp3 player, cellphone, iPod, or others that need electricity—minus the irritating wires, of course. No need to plug your gadgets in! Just place your devices within the range of the system’s power pad, and it will start to charge.

What’s more, the device can transfer data, making wireless coupling of music players and cellphones within your car possible.

Like the Internet Car Radio, the wireless battery charger was among the gadgets exhibited last week at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Photo and Info: Autoblog

What do gizmo fanatics have to look forward to in 2009?

Expect the most exciting and smartest gadgets to flood the electronics market this year. Forget about the economic crisis (for the moment), and let’s drool over some amazing, soon-to-be-released gadgets. Who knows, you might own one of them soon.

Internet Radio

Internet radio is not unfamiliar to many tech geeks, even to the average Web surfer. But an Internet CAR radio? Whoa, that’s something new!

Thanks to Blaupunkt 600i, the world’s first in-dash Internet car radio to be released on the market, drivers and passengers can now access thousands of Web radio stations and listen to music, news, and talk shows while on the road.

This cool device features everything that a medium- to high-end radio offers: AM/FM, CD, mp3, plus Internet radio, of course. Installing this cool gadget is very easy; all you need is a 3G mobile phone with a data plan. Connect the radio to the Internet using your cellphone’s 3G or Bluetooth. Then access the MiRoamer service, which will stream your chosen Internet radio stations. Voila, you can now groove to your favorite music!

The Internet car radio was in fact a hit at the Consumer Electronics Show 2009 last January 10 at Las Vegas, Nevada. It is a collaboration of German electronic equipment maker Blaupunkt and popular Australian radio site MiRoamer.

It will be available in the United States and Europe around second half of 2009 and will cost about $399.

It’s welcome news for audiophiles out there. On my next post, I will feature another electronic auto device that you should watch out for in 2009.

Photo and Info: http://www.automotive-access.com/