I’m huge into gadgets. Heck, If I could be Inspector Gadget I probably would. When companies produce new high tech gadgets there comes with it a certain “niche” and “gimmick” feeling to it. At least, at first. That’s not the case with my gadget toy I recently purchased. That feeling stayed long past its welcome.

I was able to get my hands on a pair of MyVu Crystal “Personal Media Viewer” glasses. These babies cost $300, so I was expecting them to give me some good quality video in my eyes. They look and feel slick and sexy. But, how well does it do in the eyes of a gadget connoisseur?

The MyVu glasses can connect to many devices like game consoles, DVD players, and other Video Out devices. The pair I got came with a connector to allow me to use it with my iPhone 3G. Inside the box, came the instructions which consisted of just a 5″x5″ piece of paper that had steps on how to connect the device together but no real helpful tips, other then the fact that they print “http://www.myvu.com/guide“. I figured I would have to go online to actually get a guide.

I’m not complaining about saving paper, but come on. This is a gadget, a revolutionary type of gadget that can REALLY use a guide – I’ll be the first to admit I don’t really read guides but that’s because I want to feel empowered by the fact of knowing the company THOUGHT I needed to read a guide on the product. I can’t do or feel that if companies feel I know how to work gadgetry in the first place. Damn you MyVu and your competence in me!

Also in the box, came the glasses, the iPod/iPhone connector that attaches to the Media Controller, as well as a USB charging cable and a glasses case.

I hooked the pieces together, and jacked into my iPhone. I put the glasses on over my eyes and was prepared to be amazed. Feeling a bit like Levar Burton back in his Star Trek days, I was expecting to see time warping and lights from stars be stretched like while in hyperdrive.

Ok, so maybe if I didn’t see or feel that I would understand. But, to see this:

Was (to put it nicely) disappointing. I soon realized that the glasses would only work when the iPhone/iPod was sending a video signal out. (Like when connected to a A/V cable to watch on TV) This meant that only when watching podcasts, movies or youtube videos that my $300 pair of glasses would come in handy. Ridiculous, I want video glasses so I can be submerged into the world of whatever it is I am jacked into. I want to see my entire vision from no matter where my eyes looked to be seeing video content. I do *not* want glasses that “simulate a TV screen being 6 feet away from me”. If I wanted that I might as well put my iPhone dangling from my hat in front of me while I walk around.

Moving on to the quality of the video while watching the movies I noticed something constant throughout my viewing experience. The constant was that the quality was constantly getting worse each time. I had the glasses charged while viewing so it was not because of battery but because of the poor conductors within the iPod Connector.

If I even touched or wiggled it a bit, the video in my glasses would frizzle and get fuzzy. This does NOT happen when I connect my A/V cable to my HD TV from my iPhone.

It was at this time I decided to find my reciept and take these back to the Apple Store I purchased it from. But before I did that I wanted to have a little fun in experimenting on what “could have been”. Granted the size of the screen inside the glasses simulate a screen as if it was a few feet in front of you but how great would it be to use the glasses while playing games or surfing the web on the iPhone?

Off to cydia I went and lo-and-behold I found just what the doctor ordered.

A “TVout” app that can output whatever is on your screen on your iPhone to the device you have it connected to. I quickly installed it, and rebooted. I launched the app and had toggles for each app I wanted to “TVout”. I tested Safari, Mail, Photo app, Tweetie, Labyrinth 3D, SNES Emulator, and the Blocked game.

The Tweetie app in action on the MyVu glasses [photoshopped to simulate what I saw]

The Safari app surfing Digg.com in the MyVu glasses [photoshopped to simulate what I saw]

To my surprise, the majority of them worked! I was able to see a Twitter client IN my glasses. I could check my email while walking around the house never looking down at my iPhone. And I was even able to surf the internet while driving to work! (ok, so I didnt really do that last part but I was surfing the net in my glasses) Now that, is the future right there (or at least a taste of it) [Some of the apps did not work well, like the ones that used OpenGL engine for graphics, and the SNES emulator app but that was to be expected since its not supported in the first place]

But see my point here? Apple and MyVu have a chance to really take a leap and be at the forefront of the next big thing but they chose to use the glasses for video only. Ultimately, this is why I am returning them and will wait perhaps a few years til’ my dream of having glasses that have a HUD while looking through them come true.

Wikipedia: Hypermiling is a term used in North America that refers to a set of techniques used to maximize fuel economy. Those who practice the techniques are referred to as “hypermilers.”

I thought I would post a little guide that might help you with saving some money on fuel. This can work if you have a hybrid or not, but more than likely if you do own a hybrid car you might be interested in Hypermiling. More important than hypermiling and “stretching” your MPG by tweaks to your car, is the way you drive. Sometimes all it takes is slowing down to save yourself money and get a higher MPG. Theres tons you can do like:

 

 

 

Tip #1 – Idling
If you are at a long stop light, or idling for more than 30 seconds try turning your engine off, most of all the newer cars made within the last 10 years or so have starters and batteries that can handle the extra activity. Being in idle means wasting gas your not using.

 

 

 

Tip #2 – Air Filter
Change your air filter every 10,000 or so miles. Just like a marathon runner, your car needs to suck in air without restriction.

 

 

 

 

Tip #3 – Over Inflate Tires
Keep your tires pumped. Higher tire pressures result in lower rolling resistance so your milage would improve.   Dont over do it though, just a bit more than the recomended pressure.

 

 

 

 

Tip #4 – Lighten the Load
Reduce the weight of the things in your car as much as possible. The more a car has to carry the lower the MPG. So take out any unnessecary stuff that you have in your car (boxes, junk, etc)

 

 

 

Tip #5 – Price Gauge Future Refueling
This tip is a bit of a tricky one but depending on the situation of things it can save you money. For a while, gas was increasing almost by 5 cents a day, sometimes more. If the trend of things is that gas prices is on the rise (especially for more than a few days) then it would be a good idea to fill your gas tank up completely because by the next time you get to the gas pump to refuel you will have effectively paid less per gallon than you would if you were to fill up only half way – and refuel again only to pay for the same half tank you need but at a higher price now.   *HOWEVER* — If gas prices are stable and are staying roughly at the same price for a few days then it would be a good idea to only fill up your tank 1/2 or 3/4ths full in order to carry around less gas. Gasoline averages to weight around 6.2 pounds per gallon so remember, more weight = less MPG. So ironically it can benifit you more to NOT have a full tank of gas all the time.

 

Tip #6 – Wax On, Wax Off
Wax your car and keep it clean. Drag [friction with air] reduces fuel economy. A clean and waxed vehicle will have reduced drag, thus providing better mileage. If you have a luggage rack, take it off. If you have a sun roof, keep it closed. Smooth is what you want. When your out driving, try to keep the windows closed as much as possible. If its hot though,  it (sometimes) is better to use the A/C than to have the windows open causing drag. If your at a stop light or simply driving at slow speeds, that would be an exception of course.

 

 

Tip #7 – No Speeding
SLOW DOWN! If you are driving at high speeds you are going to get your destination faster yes, (what – 5, 10 minutes?) but it isnt worth it if you are trying to save on gas. If your on the freeway try moving into the slow lane. Decreasing your speed by 10mph will greatly improve your MPG. One rule of thumb is to simply go the speed limit.

 

 

 

Tip #8 – Traffic Un-Jamming
Take the streets if there is traffic jams. This goes right along with tip #7. Driving at low speeds can save gas, but taking the streets instead of being stuck in idle in freeway jams is better. A good thing to remember when driving on streets is to avoid congested areas and streets with lots of stop lights. Also try to take the most direct route with as few mountains/hills as possible. The less you have to stop and idle the better.

 

 

Tip #9 – Cruise Control
Use Cruise Control.   Unless you have a hybrid or electric car, then the car’s ability to maintain a constant speed is better than your ability to do so. Small, more precise, and constant adjustments made by the car’s cruise control system will save you fuel. This tip changes a bit when you drive a hybrid or electric vehicle due to the way you accelerate and then learn to “coast” at a speed that only uses the electric battery rather than gas.

 

 

Tip #10 – No Racing
Stop driving like your racing the next person beside you. The more you accelerate the gas the more your wasting gas. Use this tip especially at stop lights and stop signs. Its not going to help your fuel economy if you accelerate your car up only to have to apply the brake before the next red light a block later. In summary, only apply the gas to get you to the next light without braking. Its all about learning how to effectively cruise and coast and using only what you need.

 

 

Tip #11 – Drafting
When on the freeway and going at high speeds, try to take advantage of drafting behind a truck or big rig. A big truck can break wind resistance up to 95%! Car racers have known this trick for the longest time, now you can take advantage of the same trick by getting behind a big truck (or even a minivan can work sometimes). Depending on how closely you travel behind it, the more you can take advantage of this trick. Although I must advise some caution here and always keep an eye out on the road ahead of the truck just in case. Less wind resistance on your car, the better your MPG.

 

Tip #12 – Plan Your Trip
By making your trips to the farthest place first then working your way back may not ALWAYS be the best way to save gas. Factor in traffic, hills and inclines, and other things and you might be wasting more gas than if you were to go to the first stop and continue to the farthest place last. Also note the prices at different gas stations as you pass by, and try to remember the best deal you see.

 

 

Tip #13 – GPS Navigation
You should also try to invest in a GPS system to help with not getting lost. Remember, if your lost for even 5 or 10 minutes thats 5 or 10 minutes worth of gas you wasted. Most GPS systems also include features like pointing out the gas stations in the area or car mechanics.

 

 

 

Tip #14 – Milk Every Drop
When finishing your refueling at the pump, before pulling the nozzle out all the way be sure to tilt it 90 degrees, or enough to let the remaining fuel thats still inside the nozzle out into your tank. Thats gas that you paid for!

 

 

 

Tip #15 – Tune-Ups
Lastly, make sure your car has its tune-ups and keep an eye on the gauges to make sure no indicator lights are on. I cant stress enough just how important it is to keep things running smoothly and the way it should be operating. This goes from checking the oil, all the way to how the engine runs.

 

 

 

I hope these tips helped. Perhaps one or two alone won’t make a big difference but if you apply and practice all of them whenever you drive you will see a difference in MPG. There are some other handy tools and gadgets you can get to help you keep an eye on how your doing such as the Kiwi MPG Meter.

 

Either way, drive safe & buckle up! And please, for the love of Nintendo don’t drive like a crazy maniac.