Cars

Ford’s voice-activated technology, Sync, is getting an upgrade that will read you text messages while you drive. Sync is available on many older Ford vehicles and will be installed on almost every 2012 model. Unfortunately, the text-to-speech feature doesn’t yet have support for the iPhone. Read the full article at Mashable.com Continue Reading →

Of the big four annual award specials, the Grammys is the most entertaining most people watch (because of the music performances and willingness to experiment with unique star pairings or collaborations), the Tony is the most entertaining few people watch (because Broadway theater is not nationally accessible the same way other art forms are, so Continue Reading →

Ford is teaming up with the company Bug Labs to make your car’s tech open-source. Bug Labs lets people create advanced electronic modules without having to know any programming. Ford’s adoption of the company’s OpenXC software will allow consumers to modify everything from GPS to fuel efficiency meters. Read the full article at NYTimes.com Continue Reading →

The Department of Energy has invested $1.2 million on the idea that cars aren’t necessarily wasting fuel, drivers are. Researchers at the University of California are trying to develop technology that changes bad driving habits and could offer up to 30% more fuel efficiency. Read the full article at Wired.com Continue Reading →

[wpaudio url=”https://media.shellypalmer.com/wp-content/images/usrn/110913_SHELLYPALMER_GEN_BED.mp3″ text=”Click to play … ” dl=”0″] Ford is teaming up with the company Bug Labs to make your car’s tech open-source. Bug Labs lets people create advanced electronic modules without having to know any programming. Ford’s adoption of the company’s OpenXC software will allow consumers to modify everything from GPS to fuel efficiency Continue Reading →

A report by the anti-virus software company McAfee states that new cars relying on complex computers will become targets for hackers. Computers are controlling everything from airbags to power locks and a successful digital hijacking could prove disastrous. McAfee warns that car manufacturers are rolling out technology faster than it can be safeguarded. Read the Continue Reading →

Re-syndicated from New York Videogame Critics Circle It woke me up. In the distance, the evacuation horn was sounding that dull, forlorn foghorn sound of danger. Stumbling around in the morning darkness, I noted that the power was still out. I threw on my one good raincoat and a fishing hat. Outside, the rain was Continue Reading →

General Motors has teamed up with the electronics manufacturer LG to co-develop electric vehicles. LG isn’t a stranger to the automotive world, as it already develops batteries and inverters for electric vehicles. Auto companies are hoping co-development will help bring cheaper electric cars to the market more quickly. Read the full article at GigaOm.com Continue Reading →

[wpaudio url=”https://media.shellypalmer.com/wp-content/images/usrn/110826_SHELLYPALMER_GEN_BED.mp3″ text=”Click to play … ” dl=”0″] A survey by the American Red Cross reveals that people are turning to social media for disaster response. Victims are using social media to report disasters, communicate with loved ones and ask for help. 39% of online users expect first-responders to arrive in under an our of Continue Reading →

President Obama is set to make an official announcement on Friday that will set new standards for automotive fuel efficiency. All cars made between the years of 2017 and 2025 will be required to drive 54.5 miles-per-gallon. Current regulations require automakers to accomplish 35.5 miles-per-gallon by 2016. Read the full article at Reuters.com Continue Reading →