PADDY COMYNreviews a selection of motors gadgets
Seecode Vossor Phonebook
Price:€139 (plus €7.50 delivery)
Buy:micksgarage.ie
The Seecode Vossor Phonebook is a clever device that clips over your rearview mirror and allows you to make and receive calls. The display, microphone, speaker and operating buttons are all fully integrated and located at face level and in the line of sight.
This device allows you to link your mobile phone and display the name of contacts in the mirror display when calls come through and you can scroll through your phonebook and make calls from the mirror, all without touching your phone and risking penalty points.
The item has 500 hours of standby time and 10 hours of talk time from a single charge.
Epson EH-DM3
Price:€661
Buy:Computer retailers and electrical stores
If you thought buying a projector was something only lottery winners did, then think again – with the development of technology, projectors are becoming better value and this Epson model is designed for home use. The EH-DM3 has an in-built VD/DivX player, HDMI input and USB connectivity, allowing you to connect to all manner of devices from games consoles to digital cameras, television set top boxes and computers. At €661, it’s not cheap, but it is pretty reasonable for what you get. If Ireland gets to the World Cup, it would be ideal. Available from November.
Sound Asleep Pillow
Price:€34
Buy:firebox.com
This gadget would be most welcome in the Motors Gadgets household, as Mr Motors Gadgets likes to listen to music while sleeping while Mrs Motors Gadgets doesn’t. This is the perfect solution – a pillow that connects to an MP3 player and you can only hear the music if you have your head stuck in the pillow. Marvellous.
Apple iPod Nano
Price:€139/€169
Buy:apple.com/ie
The announcement of any new iPod is a big deal, but this is a big leap forward for the tiny iPod Nano. It comes with either 8GB or 16GB capacity – big enough for most average music collections – but the big trick up its sleeve is that it now comes with a built-in video camera. It also has a bigger screen to view the video on and an FM radio, too, something iPod users have been missing until now. There is also a unique Live Pause option – at any stage you can pause the radio and return to it later. The new Nano also comes with a pedometer – a useful fitness aid, too.