I’m not that much of a techie-person. I got my own ordinary Nokia mobile phone to text and call people, iPod to play my mp3, my HP laptop to connect online, that’s basically it. But come to car technology, I am not that particular. It all boils down to strict defensive driving. But I don’t discredit the fact that putting these gizmos inside your ride would help a lot for a safer, more comfortable travel.

I have come across a CNET article regarding the year’s best car technologies tucked inside the four-wheeled transpo. Backup cameras, iPod- and mp3 player-incorporated sound systems have become the norms today, but the Bluetooth phone integration with dial by name voice command technology has got to be the most crucial since more and more states are banning the use of cell phones while driving. One giant leap for safe driving.

Whereas,  gas-electric hybrid powertrains belong to the honorable mention for fuel economy and environmental awareness. Others in the list are the blind spot warning device for detecting other cars changing lanes into blind spots and the GPS navigating system with traffic detouring feature. Read more for the details.

In these times of global crisis, it has always been a given to shell out hundreds - or even thousands - of hard-earned money just to do repairs or add accessories to get the utmost comfort out of your ride. Fuel prices are skyrocketing, so many people begin to lose jobs and you’re finding it really hard to save up and pay the bills.

Isn’t it time to get some extra income out of your ride? You have invested enough to make it comfortable and ready for the punishing terrain, why don’t you get some payback and make your vehicle a cash register working the cudgels for you?

UK’s Auto Trader has got some tips on how to milk up your transport to make ends meet. Having your ride as a mobile advert, or becoming a delivery driver or even becoming a chauffeur are some of the novel ideas to earn some income out of your ride. Even your garage and parking space can be a means of income as well. Go through the article and learn the the tips on how to earn during the economic crunch.

Photo courtesy of Buzz Buggies.

My, my. Those MIT students. If they’re not busy tinkering on the newest Web 2.0 app partying with some college dude’s house on a weekend, they’d be hacking road signs. Yes, if you’d be passing by Boston, better to have a second look on those signs. Or else, they’ll be reading like “Zombies Ahead” or instead of saying “Albany St closed at Pacifi/Detour via Brooklin/Abutters only” it read, “Albany St closed at Pacifi/Detour via Brooklin/Trapped in sign factory/Send help!”

The guys at i-hacked.com have made fucking up programmable road signs their everyday breakfast. In fact, it’s so easy that they often unlock the instrument panels (which is an easy-access text-entry system) coupled with “uncomplicated or unchanged default passwords.” Furthermore, “Programming is as simple as scrolling down the menu selection to ‘Instant Text,’” i-hacked says. “Type whatever you want to display, (and) hit ‘enter’ to submit. You can now either throw it up on the sign by selecting ‘Run w/out save’ or you can add more pages to it by selecting ‘Add page.’”

Good thing i-hacked put on a disclaimer not to do such messing up (especially when the police are around). Something like “These stunts are performed by professionals. Don’t try this at home” stuff.

Photo SOurce: ihacked.com

Then maybe I was just too paranoid with its $5,000 price tag. Here is a brilliant concept from the brains of Alex Tee and Evan Gant of Altitude to instill safety of bicycle riders from the hazzards of the road.Based on the pic, the laser gadget is snugged fit underneath the seat to project a virtual bike lane to serve as boundary between the bike and the road.

I guess that when it comes main stream, pricing would drop considerably for the enjoyment of all bikers out there. More from Dustbowl.