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Paul's Time Sink

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ModooFree BT

Paul Westbrook | 25 March, 2006 23:06

Modoofree-BtI saw this rear-view mirror, and I though that it would be a great way to get  an integrated hands-free cell adapter into a car, especially since there are any head-units that have integrated Bluetooth, and integrated iPod and satellite radio controls.

The ModooFree BT does give you a integrated hands-free cell phone adapter, that could look pretty good installed.  One thing that I don't like about this is that it uses the cigarette lighter.  I would be more interested in this if I could hard wire it behind my dash.

I may get this, and modify the wire myself, since this can be found for about $149.  Here is the Froogle search for it.

[via Gizmodo]

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SSH tunnels

Paul Westbrook | 25 March, 2006 22:17

This page on Engadget has a great description on setting up and using ssh tunnels for securing network traffic.  This can also be used for getting by networks that block certain protocols.

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Mini-ITX PVR

Paul Westbrook | 25 March, 2006 21:57

XYZ Computing has a great walk-through on setting up a Mini-ITX Linux PVR running MythTV.  If I had the time, I would love to do a project like this.  Hopefully, it would be possible to build a MythTV PVR that can control an external receiver, and to be able to input an HD signal with either HDMI or component video.  Also this PVR would need to be able to control the external receiver with IR blasting or serial control.

[via Slashdot]

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Harmony remote, technology extender

Paul Westbrook | 25 March, 2006 21:38

This weekend, I set up my grandmother with a new Series2 TiVo and a Harmony 880 remote, that we use at home.  Her system has some older components, where there aren't really enough inputs for all of her devices.  This causes her to use the AV switches in both her receiver and her TV to use a device.  For example, in order to watch a DVD the TV has to be switched to the DVD input, but the receiver needs to be switched to the CD.  It is pretty confusing to use the individual remotes to configure this.

The Harmony 880 is perfect for this situation.  The devices are still configured the way that they were, but now the remote hides that away from my grandmother.  Now to play a DVD, all that she needs to press is the "Watch a DVD" button, and the remote sets all of the devices correctly.  This is essentially extending the life of each of the devices.  Without this remote, I would be tempted to buy a new receiver that has enough inputs to handle all of the devices.

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VW Gypsy

Paul Westbrook | 25 March, 2006 01:04

VW's research group is working on a new in-car computer, that will integrate a lot of technology.  Some of the stuff that they are working on, like the integration with the wireless mesh network for home devices, will take a long time to come to market, but I think that some of the other ones could come to market sooner.

For example they are showing a iPod slot for integration, instead of a cable.  Also, this video didn't mention it, but one of the menu items was named "iTunes Library", so it looks like it reads exports data from iTunes, or it reads it directly.

[via TUAW]

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