I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’ve been having a bad case of RGS (Restless Gadget Syndrome) lately. I’ve been bored with my iPhone 4S for a few weeks now, so this morning I switched back to my Motorola Droid X. Yes, I know it’s an “old” phone, but it’s the only Android phone that I own at the moment. Why did I switch back? I found myself missing desktop widgets for the calendar among other things. Being bored with your phone is mild though compared to being bored with a “gadget” that is way more expensive… like your car. Yes, I am having new car lust too…
I’ve wanted a Jeep Wrangler or even a Cherokee (older models with the square body style) for as long as I can remember. I’d love to pull the trigger and get one, but I’d be taking a big hit on gas mileage. None of the other crossovers and smaller SUVs that are currently on the market appeal to me at all. I don’t like the way they all look the same and have rounded body styles. Bleh. A Jeep Wrangler with a hard top would be my dream vehicle (at least it’s what I’m dreaming of right now)… sniff.
My friend Rob Healy brought his brand new fully loaded 2012 Ford Edge for me to see yesterday. That’s me sitting in the driver’s seat in the picture above wearing the SCOTTEVEST Chloe Hoodie. Varooom! I probably wouldn’t pick this vehicle for myself because it’s bigger than what I need. But sitting in it fueled my already burning desire for a new car. It’s not like I really need a new car though. My 2006 Mazda 3 hatchback is perfectly fine. It’s just the RGS talking.
So here’s how I hope to “cure” my problem without spending over $20,000. I’m going to go shopping for a new stereo for my Mazda. That’s been my biggest complaint about this car other than the weak A/C. The radio has always had a problem keeping the time for the clock. I reset it and a few days/weeks/month later, I’ll notice that it’s 20 minutes fast or slow. The radio is also very generic. The only premium feature it has is a CD player and who buys CDs anymore? Not me. I think I want to get a double DIN stereo with all the bells and whistles. Anyone have any suggestions/advice? Think it will solve my RGS?
And no, I’m not really all that excited about next week’s announcement for the iPad 3 if it’s just going to be a bit faster and have a better display. Am I the only one who wants more? Or maybe I’m always wanting too much.
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{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
I know how you feel. I too am not that jazzed about the IPad3, but I am looking forward to a new MacBook Pro design. I’m hoping the new MBP will be light, a-la MBA, but with a 15″ screen & fast processor (quadcore) and graphics. Oh yeah, and less than 4lbs…
Whatever radio you get make sure it support Bluetooth audio. With that single option my EVO 4g, does everything now. Nav, phone, music, pandora, you name it.
How about one of those Android radios?
@David I didn’t know there was an android radio… or if I did, I forgot about it
@Julie Check this one out: http://the-gadgeteer.com/2011/08/30/parrot-asteroid-apps-web-phone-and-music-in-your-car/
If you’re missing widgets, have you considered jailbreaking the iPhone 4S?
Regarding the radio, I went with a single DIN Oxygen Audio O’Car a few months back. Love it, but it’s also iPhone specific.
Best regards, Jared
As far as the new car thing is concerned, I can definitely see you in a new Mini Countryman S. It follows your desire for a squarish, utility but still sporty vehicle…. Once you get a mini, you’ll be driving one for like….
I too got bored with my iPhone and got the Samsung Note. Talk about day and night difference! I’m on my 3rd day with it and so far I’m really enjoying it!!
@Janet Ah… I remember it now
@Jared My iPhone is jailbroke. I haven’t found a way to have my next 5 or so calendar entries on my home screen instead of the notification pulldown. Is there a way?
@alfred I wanted a mini years ago, but haven’t checked them out lately. Hmmmmmm…
@Runner I’d like to try the Note, but I’m wondering it would just feel way too big…
@ Julie: Regarding having calendar entries on the home screen with a jailbroken iPhone, look into either LockInfo or IntelliScreenX. Both are paid apps on Cydia, but well worth it. I think LockInfo has less data overhead and taxes the battery less, but IntelliScreenX has more features (most that I don’t need). For car use I’d also recommend getting NoAccSplash and Navigate From Maps.
@Jared Thanks for the info. I’ll check those apps out. Not exactly what I was wanting though as they display info on the lock screen and not on the home screen. Close though.
@Julie: LockInfo has options to display data on the home screen as well. You can configure it to not display on the lock screen if you so choose. It has a trial period so you can check it out without paying. It’s a little deep to configure as it has a lot of options but I think you’ll figure it out.
Talking about car and audio. I was complaining to my friend that the only reliable way to play my iPhone on my old car is via the cassette tape adapter. The FM transmitters are all hit-and-miss and the good ol’ car does not have bluetooth or AUX. May be I just buy one of those inexpensive cars such as the Nissan Versa so that I can listen to podcast while driving–think of it as the most expensive iPhone accessory
Speaking of cars … why not go for a full electric car?
Less pollution, no gas bills, smooth silent ride … less noise so you can listen better to your music on your stereo.
I’d go for a Opel Ampera (full electric with range extender) if I had the money and if the car would have enough seats (it only seats 5, that’s not enough for my family of 6).
We’re driving a Dacia MCV (7 seater) now. Very popular in Europe.
There’s an electric version in the USA (not in Europe alas) bij Envision Motor Corp.
Have a look at: http://envisionmotorco.wordpress.com/
@Ronald That’s an idea. But I think electric cars are crazy expensive and of course I haven’t seen one that I like the looks of yet. I want something with 4 wheel or all wheel drive this time too.
Business rules our world with the key word being profit but I would like gadget designers to purposely make devices easily upgraded and improved as time goes on rather than discarded or traded in. It’s such a waste of our resources. I have a question though. What are jail broken phones? Are they legal and how do you do it?
http://www.crutchfield.com/p_130AVIC130/Pioneer-AVIC-Z130BT.html?tp=5684
Here’s a nice stereo for the Mazda.
@June google iPhone Jailbreak and you’ll learn more than you wanted to know. It’s basically just “opening” up the iPhone to do the things that Apple won’t let you do. Yes, it’s legal.
@Robert That’s a very pricey radio… it’s on my list to research though. Thanks!
Julie,
If you decide on a new car instead of the stereo upgrade, let me know what you want for the Mazda! I’m giving my old Acura to my son and will be in the market myself. Take care!
Bill H.
@Bill are you going to come up from Florida to get it?
Julie, Crutchfield.com is the first place to go to. Even if you don’t buy from them they can answer any questions you may have. Funny you like the older square body style, I was just pricing a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited last night.It came with the 5.7L V8! (talk about a hit on gas mileage!)
@Big A. Here’s my dream vehicle: http://www.jeep.com/en/2012/wrangler/#model=sahara&color=dozer&top=hard_top
In either Dozer or Crush with a matching hard top. Think they’d send me one to review … forEVER?
Julie that Hoodie looks real good on you
I’m really glad I’m not the only one that gets RGS. I picked up a new baby laptop (HP DM1-4050us) recently because of that terrible, terrible disease.
@Bob Thanks!
@Pam T. It’s a curse I tell ya!
@alfed I am seriously looking at that Mini Countryman… I wanted a Mini really bad years ago and haven’t looked at them in a long time… I love the style and the gas mileage is good too.
@Jared I love you!
Lockinfo does exactly what I want 
Back to the iPhone I go…. That didn’t take long did it? 
Especially after the way my Droid X has been acting today. It won’t display the lock screen unless I set it to a pattern and then it shows this unplug your ac adapter message whenever I charge it and that message will not go away unless I reboot the phone. I’m wondering if there is a problem with 2.3.4 on the X… I never had these issues before I updated it.
For a bit over $20k, you can upgrade your ride. From TopGear:
“If the Astra VXR is a hooligan, then the Golf GTI is a jewel thief played by Cary Grant – sublime, effortless, powerful. You’d like not to be seduced, but dammit he’s good.”
As far as your phone, the Note is good if you want a tablet without having to find room in your purse for a tablet. Other than that you could go with the Samsung Galaxy Nexus (I’ve got the unlocked Euro model on T-Mobile) or wait for the HTC One X.
@Julie: Thanks, that made my day! LockInfo is the primary reason I jailbreak.
@Jared Right back at you, you made my day
Now that you’re my jailbreak guru, do you happen to know of an app that will let me move icons around on a non-grid basis?
@Julie: I’m not an expert on springboard theming, but Iconoclasm allows you to choose different layouts, albeit on a predefined grid. Check out the vid: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EhrIZRINufQ
There’s also Gridlock and Barrel, which may allow for more arbitrary placement. Again, I’m not an expert on this, so these may be out of date.
@Julie : Woah, you look radiant ! Looks like you are doing great, health-wise. Congrats.
Nothing brings on a happy grin like a brand new car or gadget huh.
@Jared Thanks! I’ll check them out
@chriszzz Thanks! Radiant huh? Must be from all those radiation treatments
Hehehe. Just kidding. I feel great though. No complaints!
The picture of you in the Edge kinda looks like a teenager in her dad’s car. Get the Wrangler… you deserve it!
@Tom I’ll take that as a compliment that you think I look like a teenager
Ha! I keep going back and forth about even wanting to be serious about getting a new car. I feel guilty even thinking about it considering there’s absolutely nothing wrong with my Mazda… well other than the crappy radio and that it isn’t good on snow/ice because it sits very low and has low profile tires. Oh and the AC is really weak. 