Canada's National Post featured the EGO CUP in the August 1st issue, EGO FLASH in the August 29th issue and the EGO LOOK in the October 3rd issue from Tech Reporter Lowell Conn's column: CARgo. Inclusions also ran in the Calgary Herald, Vancouver Sun, Star Phoenix, Edmonton Journal, Nanaimo Daily News, and online at driving.ca. Guess we really should have an EGO!

CARgo: Feed the ego with GPS mirror

August 1, 2008

The latest in automotive gadgetry 

Funkwerk has an Ego: Just as Freud determined the ego to be the mediator between the id and the superego, the Ego Cup is also a mediator for making hands-free cellular calls in a world where operating a hand-held phone while driving is becoming increasingly frowned upon. This device is a unique Bluetooth hands-free kit that is mounted in the car cup holder, giving it a leg up on its competition as the proliferation of various car gadgets has put consumer dashboard space at Central Park-level premiums. The device supports mobile phone-based voice commands, has a built-in loudspeaker, uses DSP technology for noise and echo cancellation and can be used with multiple phones. It also has a retro Charlie's Angels loudspeaker esthetic, which is pretty cool for those prone to nostalgia. The Ego Cup is manufactured by German company Funkwerk. $100.

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Cool, flashy and plain weird

August 29, 2008  

Sharp, flashy Bluetooth It's not just because I enjoy saying Funkwerk that I present Funkwerk America's EGO Flash. I am also writing about this product to commemorate the manufacturer's partnership with new Canadian master distributor Hitfar -- another name I like to say out loud. A sharp Bluetooth hands-free multimedia system that combines an OLED display with hands-free capability, the Flash throws in an MP3 player for good measure. Featuring voice recognition out of the box -- meaning one doesn't have to "train" the system -- the device integrates with the car stereo system to mute sound when a call comes in. Another nice feature built into this puppy is the ability to transmit incoming text messages on-screen -- although you might wish to disable this feature if your significant other is around and there is the possibility that a more clandestine significant other will transmit a 1-4-3 message to you. US$250.

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Clear view of the road

October 3, 2008

Test your funky text messages: Funkwerk Americas had better manufacture some new products because this column has just about exhausted its catalogue. This time around, I preview the EGO Look Bluetooth Hands-Free Multimedia Car Kit, which is classy and good-looking with the feature specs to back up its elegance. The device has a high-definition, 65,000- colour screen to display phone functions, text messages, phone book entries and other information. If I was to voice one complaint about the device, it would be what a shame it is to have a high-definition screen with no video player accommodating it. Alas, the device plays just audio, but it will stream music and cellphone calls wirelessly through a Bluetoothenabled device. Other top features are a voice recognition ability with name and number dialling as well as text-to-speech technology that will read incoming text messages out loud. This means that people who buy this are liable to immediately text themselves naughty words to see how far the text recognition goes. $350.