Okay America. You need to follow in Europe's footsteps! British newspapers are continuing to give away DVDs to consumers who buy newspapers and magazines. To date, about 54 million DVDs have been issued for free, including Star Wars and my personal fave, Donnie Darko.

According to Reuters, other European countries are giving away DVDs with their newspapers, including Italy, France and Spain, "but they typically charge an extra euro or two for the periodical when including one."

Why are DVDs being given away like candy? Most of these DVDs are said to be outdated or are no longer stocked on shelves because retailers don't have enough space. Well, I've definitely seen Star Wars and Donnie Darko in stores! But, I'm sure it's also seen as an incentive for consumers to want to buy a newspaper or magazine. Everyone loves something free!

As much as I'd like a free DVD, I know that Hollywood wouldn't appreciate it very much, considering they'd lose out on DVD sales because they already lose money on making films. But maybe that's because they make ridiculous sequels (c'mon, The Grudge 2? Bring It On Again?) and really really cheesy films (Step Up? Material Girls?)! Please, don't waste our time, Hollywood! It's quality, not quantity!! 

No matter how old you are, everyone loves to brag about what they did over the summer, especially by showing you those long, really boring vacation videos. So here's an alternative: digital photo frames. They're a nice, subtle way of showcasing the places you've visited.

Fidelity Electronics announced two new digital picture frames. The DPF-5600F ($199) dons a 5.6" screen and supports up to 10 megapixel photos. Compatible with Windows 98/ME/2000/XP, it contains a USB port to transfer your photos and uses CF/MS/SD/MMC memory card formats. You can even view your photos on TV with the TV/Video Output function. Available in a clear acrylic design. View a picture of the DPF-5600F here.

The other frame is the DPF-8000F ($249, shown here) with an 8" screen, supports up to 12 megapixels, and displays not only photos, but plays MP3s and MPEG1/MPEG2/MPEG4 video files with built-in stereo speakers. Comes with a wireless remote and is available in black.

I've reviewed several digital photo frames for Gearlog, but I haven't seen one yet I'm pleased with. I think I'll have to try these out!

The BMW iDrive cockpit controller is like the flashing-12 display seen in home electronics: a symbol, correctly or not, of technology run amok. The Bavarian elves at BMW have been hearing cranky-owner complaints for five years. But the iDrive might have easier times ahead, with the arrival in November of the second-generation X5 sports utility vehicle—or sports activity vehicle (SAV), in BMW-speak.

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Slideshow | All Shots

BMW's first official photos of the X5 show a row of eight programmable keys on the center console stack, to assist the iDrive. That means you will be able to program a favorite destination, a phone number, or an audio setting into each button, bypassing iDrive's slide, turn, and press-to-select methodology.

This marks the third version of iDrive. The first, in 2002, had eight general functions that you selected by first sliding the controller in one of the eight compass directions. Version 2, circa 2004, reworked the functions to just four (communication, navigation, entertainment, and climate control). This third variant adds the function buttons, much like programmable PC function keys (they can be programmed, you know, just that no one does anymore) or radio buttons on your car audio system, to the four-way iDrive controller.

A fourth version of the iDrive may appear two years from now, with the replacement of the flagship 7 Series, which started the iDrive uproar in 2002. Sources say that at focus groups held over the winter by BMW in New York and Los Angeles, BMW sought feedback on a system not unlike Audi's MMI (multimedia interface): The driver chooses the basic function by pressing a button near the controller, and then fine-tunes with the MMI controller, which has the same kind of turning knob and press-to-select feature as the iDrive. Mercedes-Benz' new COMAND system on the S-Class works similarly.

BMW appears to be moving ahead on other technological grounds as it attempts to catch up to the sales of market leaders, the Lexus RX 330 and Acura MDX. Most significant may be the combination of parking sonar, which BMW has long had, with a backup camera. If the car already has an LCD (and all X5s have an iDrive monitor LCD), adding a backup camera is cheap; about $100, TechnoRide estimates.

But BMW managed to retain the coolest feature of its Park Distance Control sonar, which presented green, yellow, and red force field waves emanating from the four corners of the car, indicating the car's distance from an object. The new sonar, plus camera and microprocessors, locates and range-finds objects behind the car, and places the distance-color bands around them. If you are using this combo and back into something anyway, perhaps you shouldn't be driving. Or maybe you should opt for the Hovair Turntable.

BMW was ranked first on a recent Telematics Research Group survey of technology features, and the X5 will only extend its lead. In addition to the backup camera (the absence of which cost BMW 1 of the 32 possible scoring points on other models), the X5 will have, standard or as options:

Adaptive Drive, BMW's term for a combination of active roll stabilization (controlling body lean in corners) and electronic damping control (microprocessor-controller shock absorbers that can be tweaked to give you a sporty or comfortable ride).

12 speakers, standard, on the base audio system; 16 on the premium Dolby 5.1 audio system; Sirus Satellite Radio; HD radio; and a CD changer. The X5 apparently will not have a hard-disk storage module for navigation information, coming to cars such as the Chrysler Sebring, Dodge Nitro, and Jeep Wrangler; Infiniti G35 sedan; and Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Available backseat DVD player mounted low on the console, to keep the driver's rear vision clear.

Head-up display, active cruise control, and active steering options. With active steering, it takes more steering input (you have to turn the wheel more) to effect the same turning angle as you do at low speed.

Apart from tech features, the X5 has 7 inches of additional length—it's now 191 inches—and offers an optional third row of seating, to compete with the Acura MDX and other premium, three-row SUVs. Acura is expected to have a new MDX out by year's end. The X5 keeps its full-time all-wheel drive technology and offers two engines: a 260-hp inline six-cylinder engine, and for those immune to the shock of $3-a-gallon gasoline, a 350-hp V8.

The first shipment will be in November. The X5 currently starts at around $43,000, and automakers often hold the line on new model pricing, given market competition and reduced manufacturing costs. Since the X5 is built in South Carolina, it may list under $45,000. But with all the electronic options, it might also sell for $60,000. BMW has been the car-tech leader because of the breadth of its offerings. And with this vehicle, the automaker is starting to pay more attention to ease-of-use factors. Better late than never.

When I first saw the Flower Pod, I thought it was one of the cutest iPod accessories ever. Unfortunately, the only thing it has going for it is the fact that it's so darn cute.

Designed by Funhouse, the Flower Pod can stand on your desk or wrap around a bed post or chair. Connect the cable to the headphone jack of your MP3 player, and be sung to sleep with your favorite tunes.

I set the Flower Pod up on my dresser drawer at home. I connected and powered my iPod mini, and waited for Rob Thomas to serenade me. The Flower Pod doesn't offer any volume controls, so you have to use your MP3 player's controls. I had to adjust the volume about 3/4 of the way to even hear anything playing through the flower's speaker. As for sound quality, well, it's no Bose of course! When you're done using the Flower Pod, you can store the cable in the flower's secret leaf pocket.

I was expecting the Flower Pod to dance for me or sprinkle me with water or something. Unfortunately, playing music is all it does. So, I'd only expect girls ages 12 and under to appreciate the Flower Pod; those who want an MP3 accessory to move along to music should buy Hasbro's iDog Pup ($14.99).

Purchase the Flower Pod for $12.99 at Target. Comes in red/orange, purple/pink, pink/yellow.

Last Saturday was Parent's Weekend at my son Emmet's camp. This meant his mother and I were allowed to visit and drop off a package of junk food and a few pairs of clean underwear. No one told us we were supposed to bring guns, too. Evidently, after the parents leave, campers and counselors square off in a squirt-gun battle of Waterworld proportions. All the other parents brought arsenals; we brought Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Emmet was not happy. But not to worry! Although we were in a remote section of the Catskill Mountains, I was able to locate the nearest Wal-Mart, just 20 miles away, in minutes. I was carrying the Garmin nuvi 360.

The nuvi is the latest in a rash of super-portable GPS systems. These products really do change your perspective on travel. The market research firm Canalys estimates that 2.5 million mobile GPS devices shipped in Q2 of 2006 alone. Industry leaders Garmin and TomTom have been joined by big consumer electronics companies such as Sony and Pioneer. And you can expect a major PC vendor to offer its own GPS solution next month. At about $1,000, the nuvi is pricy, but the recently announced TomTom One does pretty much the same thing for $500.

I used the nuvi for four days, as we travelled throughout the Hudson River Valley. I didn't know the region, but that didn't matter. Not only did the nuvi help me find the right roads, but I was able to find local restaurants, state parks, and even a backwoods vineyard or two. It was like having a pleasant, very knowledgeable travel companion along for the ride. The nuvi also became a neutral third party that helped resolve directional domestic conflicts with my wife, although she remains confident that her MapQuest printout directions were more accurate than the real-time, SiRFStar III-enabled satellite positioning of the nuvi. (Those printouts didn't help us find the Wal-Mart, did they, dear?)

Then again, the nuvi didn't always seem pleased with my driving, either. The voice prompt sounded a little annoyed whenever I deviated from the suggested route. There is definitely a touch of reproach to be heard in that terse "RE-CALCULATING!"

After opening a flagship store in Chicago, Nokia announced today that it is opening its fourth one. This time in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. Since Nokia is based out of Finland, it makes sense that they would offer folk the luxury Nokia Vertu phones in their store, scheduled to open this weekend, August 19.

In total, Nokia plans on opening 18 stores in major shopping destinations of the world. The next one to open will be in New York. Yay!

[via press release]