TomTom Go Live, 1535-portable GPS navigators designed for passengers

TomTom has announced a new portable GPS navigators designed specifically for passengers, made unique by the integration of other applications from Expedia, TripAdvisor, Twitter, and Yelp. As a "Live" device 1535M can provide real-time traffic, fuel prices, weather forecasts and local search.

Of course, it can be argued that all dashtop navigators are intended for passengers, but that bundles several interesting features and genuine twist with the annexes. For example, Twitter app allows the user to send a predefined message when they leave the disclosure of the destination, and the device may send an update with time of arrival as adjusted, where necessary. The function is an option and despite implied scattering the name "Twitter" means, as described, this is a one-way means of communication, not a means to follow the Twitter feed.

This aimed at the traveler Navigator includes maps for Canada, Mexico and the United States. Starting at $ 250, defective device has commercial functions as lane guidance, Bluetooth connection and recognition of the vote. Life cards are included.

Travel oriented devices they are not the most harmless baggage size with 5-inch screens.

These drives mark an interesting line of portable navigators, enabling them to extend their functionality through software, add-on, very similar is seen with Smartphone applications. TomTom Go Live 2535M will be able to download the travel applications through a software update for this Autumn.

Go to live 1530 and 1535 go live will become available in October. Once a sale, we will put them into our program for GPS test.

Previously we have significant evaluations update planned for days, with an armload of new devices from Garmin and TomTom.

Includes also may consider recent Magellan Navigator useful AAA information and exit guides, Magellan RoadMate 3055 (4.7-inch screen) and the Magellan RoadMate 3055 (4.3-inch screen).

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– Jeff Bartlett

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Sneak peek: 2012 Honda Pilot

Probably Honda zigged when it should have zagged in the development of the current pilot. Only when the market is shifting the background car crossovers, Honda Pilot moved towards more truck-like design. In addition, the former top pick of the lost land with known performance demerits. For 2012 is weakened wrote the pilot, is upgraded Interior and fuel economy is nudged upwards. It shall be sufficient to make more competitive the pilot?

The pilot is freshened with a new fascia, grille and headlamps. Styling changes is said to improve Aerodynamics and contribute to increasing the productivity of the economy for fuel. Combined with efforts to reduce friction in the propulsion system, gradually variable power steering pump and low rolling resistance tyres, 2012 tweaks, see two-wheel-drive racing improve 1 mpg city, 2 mpg highway for a combined 21-mpg EPA rating. Four-wheel-drive version is rated at a total of 20 mpg-upwards of 18 mpg in 2011.

The cab is updated with the new gauge, new design center to control the stack storage pockets and some revised controls. Honda cites a number of measures to reduce noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics, we have to be critical in several recent models. By improving the sealing around seams, change suspension mounts, upgrading insulation materials and reducing air leaks, Honda promises quieter experience.

The last pilot, would have a smooth Powertrain and steady and processing. However, he lost ground over its predecessor of domestic fit and finish and stop. In addition, our testers complained that the road surface is omnipresent and centre console overflowed the driver's seat. We'll see if these deficiencies are addressed with 2012 update. We strive to understand with 2012 race in our schedule for testing.

Related:
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– Jeff Bartlett

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Car thieves love Cadillac, favor full size pickup trucks

Car thieves favor large, bold vehicles, according to an annual report by the Insurance Institute for highway safety (IIHS). Cadillac again is the most objective of Grand Theft Auto, stolen six times more frequently than the average car, leading to losses, which are 10 times greater.

IIHS releases theft claim report for each year, and Escalade remains the perennial favorite despite the blocking of engine is standard equipment. The figures look at theft, on the basis of the vehicle, years, thus correcting for sales. Special EXT version is ranked as the most popular with more than 14 claims for 1000 years of the insured vehicle.

Pickup trucks rank among those vehicles with the most theft insurance claims, both in frequency and average loss payments. It seems that thieves have much work to do, ekstravagantni for gas-guzzlers, or perhaps more opportunities to sell and part of the full, crewcab, American branded trucks. IIHS notes that theft losses for adapters is twice for cars and pikapi, although losses were reduced for trucks in recent years.

Despite the spread of engine blocking professional thieves may tow a vehicle. Pickup trucks carrying the added risk that the block can be stolen from an open bed.

General Motors has responded to this news by noting that 2012 Escalade has a "more robust" system for locking of the steering column and will be available with the shock sensor and inclination sensor, which will be activated by drawing or even jacking of the vehicle. We'll see in a few years, if these measures can pass Escalade from this list, as requested.

A key takeaway from the IIHS report is that some vehicles bear more insurance premiums for the real reason, and that care should be taken to locking the vehicle when left unattended and Park in a safe, well-lit place.

Most claim rates 2008-2010.

Average loss payment of claim

Lowest claim rates 2008-2010.

Average loss payment of claim
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IIHS report shows the car snatchers favor trade routes

– Jeff Bartlett

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Kia Optima Turbo receives equipped human Street

When traveling a different car every few days, as we do around here, it is always interesting to see what, if any, reaction "driver du jour" attracted by the people on the street. In my experience, the vast majority of the time, nobody cares. Why should they?

Therefore, I can find these rare cases when interesting unknown motivated to ask for the car. Kia Optima Turbo, I've been in for the last few days is a good example. And what makes this particularly interesting is that our Optima, while sportified Turbo version with low-shaped profile tyres and other Styling tweaks, is at the end of the day four-door family Saloon. Nothing exotic here.

Comments and questions are pretty much revolved around its Styling, and they were generally positive. From some of the outgoing importers have subsequent queries for fuel economy, performance and price.

I am their time in Optima, and I tend to agree with the people on the street his looks. This is me thinking about Kia's approach to the four-door family transport, in particular as a result of the introduction of the new Toyota Camry this week.

When Optima Styling may be described as bold and perhaps even spiritual, Toyota has taken a more conservative approach, as is their wont. I don't have a problem with this, but I will be calculated, many people will have the new Camry from old for its time. (See 2012 Camry photos.) The same conservative route was chosen by Honda with the recently introduced seventh generation intended, which is near the indiscernible than its predecessor. Nobody questions, where recently spent a week and 1 000 miles in our civil test car.

Kia, in the meantime, together with company Hyundai, was as jovial approach to view their bread-and-butter this kind, and seem to be profitable. Both brands are widely double-digit sales increases granted a new market for the car – in total and their growing medium-sized family sedans, while Toyota and Honda have seen declining numbers. Yes, some of which is to be made with the dreadful disasters that hit Japan earlier this year, but the Camry and accord have been loss of market share and facing increasing global competition last year, long before the earthquake and tsunami hit.

Increased sales of Kia and Hyundai may also be chalked their simply building more cars than they used to, as reflected in their enhanced standing in our assessments. Optima and the Hyundai Sonata, in particular, there is a decent internal room, safety assessments, fuel consumption and provide good value for families.

Styling is subjective, and Optima nor Sonata will appeal to all. Cars are not without fault. Both had the mysterious pull in steering, which led to numerous customer complaints and campaign for customer service for the Sonata to troubleshoot the problem.

However, it pays to be different, says: he goes. And so far, seems to be paying off handsomely for Kia and Hyundai. As regards sticking more conservative strategy to retain loyal customers, return of the market? Ask only Oldsmobile, how you produce.

Related:
Honda redesigns: the producer on his laurels?
2012 Honda Civic LX: results, too low for the accounts of the user to recommend
Hyundai Announces correction control force on the issue of the Sonata

– Jim Travers

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