The company claims it took two years to create and, given the amount of options and clean interface on the five-inch color screen, it seems plausible. The system combines detailed ECU readouts and control with performance data tracking, entertainment software (videos, music, photos), and productivity software (Microsoft Office).

We're not sure if we're too keen on the idea of someone driving around in a giant diesel truck while reading a spreadsheet, checking their altitude and

Press Release
Azusa, Calif. - - (October 19, 2009) Banks Power today announced their new era vehicle user interfaces that's appropriately named the Banks iQ. The new unit is a true self-contained micro-computer that offers control of any of the many vehicle performance enhancement products that Banks produces, such as tuners and exhaust brake systems.
But the Banks iQ doesn't stop there, going on to offer a wealth of additional features and benefits all packed in a compact, easy to read - easy to use, handheld device.
"We know that we have a real game changer here with this device," said Gale Banks. "We've spent the past two years loading this unit up with additional value for our customers. We're very proud of this revolutionary product and we're serious about direct comparisons with anything else on the market today. This is what our customers told us they wanted in a personal VUIs (vehicle user interface), and what they needed them to do."

And "do" might well be the operative word here. In addition to offering complete, ultra-precise control over all Banks engine tuner and engine exhaust braking products, the remarkable Banks iQ boasts built-in multi-media playback capabilities, global navigation, office productivity tools, real-time performance testing, instant vehicle diagnostics, and more.
The Banks iQ features a large 5" screen display that's absolutely gimmick-free, easy to read and understand, and easy to react to. All information is presented clearly, in full color, and in the user's choice of a wide range of visual styles. The unit is also internally-lighted for highly-legible night time use.
There's even an option aboard that matches the night time dash display to that of the host vehicle. The unit is completely portable, comes complete with a handy dash mounting system, rechargeable internal battery, and is equally as effective on the road, at home, at play, or in office at work.
"Over the years we've introduced many new products which have completely changed the way the people looked at a specific class of devices, this is one more, and I think, our best so far. It's certainly our most multi-faceted and the most adaptable product we've ever offered, " Banks concluded.

The Laptop Steering Wheel Desk retails for just $24.95 and is described thusly:

Attaches to your steering wheel for easy access to a writing and drink storage surface. The Go Office Wheel Mate Steering Wheel Desk is flat for writing and perfect for lunch or a snack. This Go Office Wheel Mate Steering Wheel Desk stores neatly in your car when used with the larger Auto Exec Laptop Car Desk. For safety reasons, never use this product while driving. Easily convert your car into your personal automobile office with the Wheel Mate car desk by MobileOffice.

Despite the warnings, Amazon's users have collectively come to the conclusion that the desk's use while driving is inevitable, uploading pictures of crashes to the products galleries and leaving spoof reviews, the best of which are excerpted below:

This has been a total lifesaver. It allows me to prop my sheet music against the wheel, allowing me to play the guitar with both hands while driving.

The only reason i gave it 3 stars is because when i, like, turn my turning wheel to get on the freeway everything falls off to my feet and i have to take my finger off the wheel to gather everything up and peoples are like honking at me and stuff and im all like "shut up cant you see im picking this stuff off my floor like so much candy"

I'm writing this review on my laptop while doing 65mph on the freeway! This thing is awesome! For our aniversary I bought extra life insurance in case anything should happen to me, then my wife thanked me by buying this little gem. Now I can eat, blog, and drive all at the same...YEEEEEAAAAAUUUUUGGGGHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

If you think this is only a life saver, you're wrong. It saves lives plus allows you to handle more activities! Not only can you drive, eat, read, play the guitar, handle work on your lappy, it's an instant baby changing station! No more using public bathrooms where it's crowded, dirty, and stinky! Get to destination quicker by handling two, three or more activities at the same time!

If you are lucky enough to have a car where this apparatus can fit safely on the steering wheel, I hope you have a satellite internet card, because there is no way you can pick up wifi in a moving vehicle. Finally, I frankly don't see how the airbag is supposed to work without projecting your computer into your face upon collision.

But perhaps most condemning is the device's apparent lack of practicality as a stationary desk:

I'm in sales, and sepnd a lot of time driving between clients. Unfortunately it isn't the right dimensions to offer any real support. The depth of it (distance between the steering wheel and the user) only supports the back half of my computer. I use s Toshiba Tablet PC which is fairly small (12.1" screen) and it still does not provide a work surface large enough to be usable. I can see this desk being fine for popping on to eat some fast food while on the run, but nothing more.

[Amazon via The Car Connection]

- The FAKE Keychain Car Key Lock with REAL Security Video Record, Photo Record and Sound Record!
- Spy Camera, Audio Recording and Color Video Camcorder
- Support PC Web Camera
- Micro SD/TF Card Reader
- Dimension: 6.0 x 2.7 x 1.5 cm

Specifications:
- Pinhole Lens
- Image Resolution: 1600 x 1200 pixel
- Color Video Resolution: 640 x 480 pixel
- FPS: 29 frames per second
- Image file format: JPEG
- Video file format: AVI
- Audio file format: WAV
- Color Video and Audio
- Micro SD/TF Card Slot: Support SDHC format
- Rechargeable Li-ion battery

[BoingBoing]

The three-wheeled robots use laser range finders and radio communications to duplicate schools of fish. One of the engineers pointed to the practical application of this technology by stating that "We, in a motorised world, have a lot to learn from the behaviour of a school of fish in terms of each fish's degree of freedom and safety."

Yes, nothing says freedom and safety like robot cars. [Yahoo]

Photo Credit: YOSHIKAZU TSUNO/AFP/Getty Images

[Source: FlashRods]

The headlamp converter takes advantage of the adaptive headlight controls and allows for the beam pattern on the A4 Allroad to change to accommodate either left hand drive or right hand drive nations. It's not exactly a "why haven't they thought of that before" moment, as electronically controlled active headlights are pretty new, but still, an awfully clever feature you Europeans never new you needed. [GermanCarBlog]

We told you we weren't Luddites, but many of you didn't believe us. We readily adopt any new technology that can make driving better for us, but, to us, better doesn't mean easier. Technology shouldn't be a band aid for bad design; a car doesn't need blind spot detectors if it has good vision. What a car needs is improved capability, improved safety and improved experience — all while not hindering any of those other three needs. Here's our idea of progress.

Name: Water-repellent windshield treatments

What it does: What it says on the tin: prevents water from gathering on the windshield.

Extreme Example: Rain-X, rub it on, see in the rain.

Why it's useful: Better vision increases safety.

Name: Airbags

What it does: sensors detect a crash, triggering explosive charges that rapidly inflate nylon bags. When a vehicle occupant's body collides with the bag, the gas is vented through small holes controlling the rate of deflation and therefore cushioning the impact and controlling the movement of the body.

Extreme Example: The Mercedes ESF 2009 Safety Concept which adds an airbag between rear seat passenger's heads to prevent them knocking and one under the front of the car to rapidly slow it.

Why it's useful: Working together with seat belts and crumple zones, airbags massively reduce the forces a human body is subjected to in a crash. In short, they save your life.

Name: Anti-Lock Brakes

What it does: Prevents the wheels from locking while braking, thereby preserving the ability to steer and reducing stopping distances in slippery conditions.

Extreme Example: The 2009 Honda CBR1000RR ABS brings anti-lock brakes to super bikes, it'll be used in racing next year where racers expect the marginal decrease in outright dry braking ability will be made up for by the increase in consistency and safety.

Why it's useful: Allows you to exploit your car's maximum braking ability while safely retaining the ability to steer. That's a huge benefit in the dry, incredibly more so in the rain or snow.

Name: Defeat-able Traction and Stability Control

What it does: Traction control cuts power when wheel slip is detected, retaining traction under acceleration. Stability control is far more advanced, applying brakes and cutting power to individual wheels to keep the vehicle from spinning or understeering to too great a degree. Defeat-able systems can be turned off.

Extreme Example: In addition to suspension changes, stability control transforms the 2010 Shelby GT500 from a wild beast into a tame kitten.

Why it's useful: The NHTSA estimates that 5,300 to 9,600 fatalities could be prevented per year if all vehicles used stability control. Being able to turn it off enables drivers to take full control of the vehicle, useful in snow, on dirt and on racetracks.

Name: Muffler Valves

What it does: Butterfly or plenum valves located in the muffler or nearby open at certain revs or throttle positions, reducing back pressure and increasing power and noise.

Extreme example: The 2010 Jaguar XKR I'm driving this week is whisper quiet in normal driving, yet roars like a banshee when you get on the throttle. It's glorious and, for now, legal.

Why it's useful: Pesky governments want to restrict our fun by limiting noise levels and emissions. These valves get around those laws by remaining closed in the conditions required to pass the test, then opening in other conditions to deliver the full effect.

Name: Clean Diesel

What it does: a euphemism for Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel and associated engine technologies that drastically reduce the harmful emissions of diesel engines.

Extreme Example: 2009 BMW 335d; imagine getting similar highway fuel economy (36 MPG) to the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Honda Insight in a vehicle that's luxurious, extremely fast and fun to drive.

Why it's useful: By reducing emissions and increasing fuel economy, clean diesel saves the earth while saving you money without asking for sacrifices in the driving experience.

Name: SynchroRev Match

What it does: Matches revs to road speed on downshifts on a manual transmission, essentially mimicking heel and toeing.

Extreme Example: The 2009 Nissan 370Z, the only car to employ the system.

Why it's useful: Heel and toeing is one of the more complicated driving skills to master, but it seriously boosts smoothness, reduces wear on transmissions and decreases the likelihood of spinning while braking hard for a corner. SynchroRev Match not only allows driver who can't heel and toe to reap its benefits, but by performing perfectly matched shifts 100% of the time, it'll be useful to people that can do it themselves too.

Name: iPod/iPhone Integration

What it does: Allows you to fully control your mp3 player using existing controls in your car.

Extreme example: I was able to listen to Pandora through my iPhone on a road trip in the 335d. No more Sirius!

Why it's useful: your car already likely has stereo controls that are simplified and optimized for use while driving, your mp3 player doesn't. The next step is wireless control through bluetooth, meaning you won't even need to connect your mp3 player to wires.

Name: Variable Valve Timing, Event and Lift Systems

What it does: A pretty simple concept with very complicated execution. Essentially, it modifies the movement parameters of the valves to optimize fuel economy, torque and power throughout the rev range.

Extreme Example: The 2009 Nissan 370Z which adds variable valve event and lift to the usual timing, allowing more precise control of its engine's performance.

Why it's useful: It allows smaller engines to act like larger ones with fuller and smoother torque and power curves.

Name: Radar/Laser Detectors

What it does: Detects the presence of speed traps.

Extreme example: Some current systems are able to detect radar, laser and can be programmed with the positions of known cameras or other fixed-location devices.

Why it's useful: Since our government chooses to enforce speed over safety, detectors allow good drivers to use their judgement to drive as they see fit without incurring the wrath of an arrogant bureaucracy.

Name: Heated Seats

What it does: Makes your butt warm.

Extreme Example: The seats on my E30 325is got so hot they could burn you.

Why it's useful: No one likes cold butts.

Name: Advanced lightweight materials and construction methods

What it does: reduces weight and increases strength of car chassis and bodies.

Extreme Example: The Lotus Elise which uses an extruded and bonded aluminum chassis (pictured) for unprecedented light weight and high strength.

Why it's useful: Less weight equals improved performance and fuel economy while increased strength is safer and a better platform to attach suspension to.

Name: Crumple Zones

What it does: allows the front and rear portions of the chassis and body to collapse in a controlled manner, reducing the forces vehicle occupants are subjected to in a crash.

Extreme Example: The 2010 Jaguar XK, which uses crimps in its incredibly strong aluminum chassis to control its distortion to an incredibly high degree. A very strong passenger compartment equipped with well engineered crumple zones makes cars like this extraordinarily safe.

Why it's useful: The human body was never designed to travel above about 20 MPH or, more accurately, wasn't designed to withstand the forces involved with stopping rapidly from above 20 MPH. Crumple zones save lives.

Name: Stop/Start Engines

What it does: Turns the engine off while stopped in traffic or at traffic lights. Engine restart is immediate and unnoticeable.

Extreme Example: The BMW 118i, which isn't a hybrid, yet can turn its engine off while stopped to save gas.

Why it's useful: You don't need to have your engine on while you're stopped, so it makes sense to turn it off. Saves gas and reduced emissions.

Name: Satellite Weather and Traffic Reports

What it does: Shows traffic info and weather radar maps and forecasts on the in-car screen.

Extreme Example: The 2010 Acura MDX, which uses the XM radio signal to download live traffic reports, weather forecasts and most usefully of all, doppler radar maps.

Why it's useful: We're not big fans of simulated female voices giving us bad directions, that's what we have girlfriends for. But, being able to adjust your route based on weather and traffic can increase safety and reduce travel times.

Name: Pushbutton Locking Differentials

What it does: locking differentials lock the two wheels on an axle together so they rotate at the same speed. Pushbutton systems achieve this at the push of a button.

Extreme Example: The Hummer H3T Alpha, which uses the system to make extreme off-roading easy.

Why it's useful: you used to have to get out of the car and manual set the locks, then rock the vehicle back and forth to get them to engage. Now you can do all that by pushing a button.

Name: Turbocharging

What it does: exhaust gases spin an impeller that forces air into the combustion chamber at high pressures. This increases power.

Extreme Example: The 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six which has the power and torque of a much larger engine, but without the traditional turbo lag or peaky delivery.

Why it's useful: Makes little engines act like bigger ones by increasing power and torque.

Name: LED Lights


What it does: Light-Emitting Diodes use much less energy and last much longer than traditional bulbs.

Extreme Example: The 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI which only uses LED bulbs.

Why it's useful: Well, for one thing, you'll never have to replace a bulb again. It also allows designers greater freedom to create new light shapes and locations.

Name: Torque Vectoring Differentials

What it does: Know how stability control keeps a vehicle from spinning by cutting power and applying brakes to individual wheels? Well torque vectoring differentials are essentially really awesome stability control units that send power to individual wheels to increase, rather than reduce, speed.

Extreme Example: The BMW X6 M. Enter a wet hairpin, plant the throttle and it will accelerate in complete control the whole way around.

Why it's useful: increases the outright cornering ability of a vehicle in a way that defies not only belief, but nearly the laws of physics.

Name: Direct Fuel Injection:

What it does: injects fuel directly into the cylinder and enables the precise control of the fuel-air mixture which, in turn, means a leaner burn, increased fuel economy and higher power.

Extreme Example: The Ford Bobcat engine which uses a secondary set of injectors to shoot ethanol from a separate tank into the combustion chamber, compression ratios can be drastically raised without pre-ignition, thus boosting fuel economy another 10 percent and overall power output quite a bit - think 500 HP and 700 lb-ft of torque from a five-liter V8.

Why it's useful: Better efficiency, higher compression ratios, more power. What's not to like?

Name: Real Power Outlets

What it does: Provides passengers with an actual 110v power outlet like they get at home instead of the crappy cigarette lighter ports.

Extreme Example: the 2009 Ford Flex has an honest-to-god outlet between the two front seats.

Why it's useful: you can plug shit in without using an adapter. That's crazy talk.

Name: Folding Hard Tops

What it does: substitutes metal for cloth in a convertible's top.

Extreme Example: The 2009 BMW Z4, which has coupe-like vision and refinement yet looses its top into a very small space in the trunk, eliminating the huge butts and bad vision of previous folding hard tops.

Why it's useful: Delivers the best of both worlds in one package. Coupe security, sound levels and vision; convertible looks and the wind in your hair.

Name: Hood Scoops

What it does: draws air into the engine bay or engine for the purposes of cooling or increased power.

Extreme Example: The Rover 3500 which had three functional hood scoops; one for the air cleaner and two that were somehow connected to the HVAC system.

Why it's useful: They make the best use of the environment a vehicle operates in to increase performance. Also increase a vehicle's bad ass quotient.

Name: Adaptive Headlights

What it does: "Steers" the headlight beams around corners.

Extreme Example: The Citroen DS, which employed a complicated steering-linked system way back in 1967.

Why it's useful: Enables you to see around corners, increasing safety.

Name: Regenerative Braking

What it does: Recoups a vehicle's kinetic energy under deceleration.

Extreme Example: The 2008 BMW M3, which employs a regenerative braking system that enables a smaller alternator and increased fuel efficiency.

Why it's useful: The kinetic energy is there, why not use it? Improves fuel efficiency.

As you saw in our Ten Things Your Kids Will Never Experience In A New Car and 25 Most Redundant Technologies posts, even the lowest of low-end cars intended for the North American market usually come standard with features once considered to be luxurious extras. Power windows. Keyless remotes. Air conditioning. If you're a super-cheapskate who doesn't want to pay for those bells and whistles, you're pretty much out of luck. How did it come to this?
Many of our illustrious commenters, most recently Skitter, bring up this brilliant essay penned by Jack Baruth (aka our own ViergangFuchs) over on Speed:Sport:Life. Here's an excerpt:

Why did power windows cost more than roll-up windows in 1973? It's easy to understand; it took a man, or a team of men, earning the aforementioned living wage, longer to build, assemble, and install power window components. In 2009, the whole deal is "subbed out" to a supplier who produces snap-in power window assemblies. It's usually cheaper to get 100,000 power window assemblies than it is to get 50,000 roll-up assemblies and 50,000 power assemblies, plus you don't have to train the $12/hour temps who (don't tell anyone!) actually do a lot of "low-skill" jobs on American assembly lines how to install two different kinds of window assemblies. The door can be made simpler because it doesn't have to accommodate two different kinds of controls, which leads to more volume discounts, and so on.

[Speed:Sport:Life]

We're not complete Luddites, give us all iPod integration, airbags and horse-power boosting tech you want. Just don't reduce our ability to control our cars. Sadly, modern cars are doing just that. Instead of adding complication and weight, we want car manufacturers to follow Colin Chapman's advice: "Simplify, then add lightness."

Name: Electrically Adjustable Seats

What it does: Electric motors adjust car seats at the push of a button... well, at the push/pull/toggle of several buttons.

Extreme example: The massaging seats in the 2010 Ford Taurus that add two compartmented airbags and all their associated electronics and motors to the usual equipment.

Why it's redundant: The electric motors take up space, meaning seats sit higher than they need to, and add weight and complication. Manual seats are just as quick to adjust, offer a larger range of adjustment because there's no space occupied by motors, weigh less and are less likely to break.

Name: Rain Sensing Wipers and Automatic Headlights

What it does: Sensors detect the presence of rain and/or darkness then switch on the wipers, headlights or both.

Extreme example: The Adaptive Highbeam Assist system on the 2010 Mercedes E-Class, which automatically adjusts the throw and pattern of the headlights when other cars are present.

Why it's redundant: Believe it or not, humans are able to use their eyes and judgement to determine when wipers and lights are needed better than a computer. For example: when approaching a tunnel, a human can switch on the lights ahead of time. A human is less likely to have its light sensors obscured by dirt or road debris.

Name: Automatic Seatbelts

Extreme Example: Select 1980s GMs, Nissans and Civics with both automatic shoulder and lap belts. They were impossible to enter or exit.

Why it's redundant: A human is perfectly capable of fastening his or her own seatbelt and, if they're not, don't deserve the protection offered anyway. Automatic shoulder belts gave drivers a false sense of security with many failing to manually secure their lap belts. In the event of a crash their bodies would slide under the shoulder belt, meaning there was very little restraint on offer. Thankfully now defunct.

Name: Sound Pipes

Extreme Example: The 2010 Ford Mustang GT, in which an extraneous exhaust pipe is routed through the dashboard to bring engine sound into the cabin.

Why it's redundant: If cars didn't carry several hundred pounds of sound deadening, they wouldn't need extra sound pipes. The alternative, rolling down your windows, is cheaper and easier than installing a extraneous pipe.

Name: Keyless Ignition

Extreme Example: Current Mazdas just put a plastic cap over the traditional ignition slot. If you already have to twist something, why not the key?

Why it's redundant: In an attempt to overly-simplify the very complicated process of starting a car, keyless ignitions actually introduce another layer of complication and increase the risk of leaving your keys in the car. If it's not broke, don't fix it.

Name: Digital Dashboards

Extreme Example: 1988 Buick Regal

Why it's redundant: Replacing perfectly functioning and reliable instrumentation that's vital to the safe operation of a car with something that's harder to read and breaks a lot is not a good idea.

Name: Reverse Parking Sensors and Rearview Cameras

Extreme Example: The 2010 Acura MDX which offers three camera views.

Why it's redundant: If SUVs weren't so huge and didn't have such bad vision, you'd be able to park them without using the same level of technology it takes to dock at the International Space Station. An added bonus to better vision? Increased safety!

Name: Non-Defeatable Traction and Stability Control

Extreme Example: The BMW X6 M which uses its stability control system to defy the laws of physics and make a 5,000 Lbs SUV go around corners.

Why it's redundant: Believe it or not, before the advent of traction and stability control, human beings were able to use something called "skill" to safely operate their vehicles. The systems not only reduce the level of interaction and therefore attention required of a driver, but also reduce control off-road, in the snow and in other slippery conditions where wheelspin is actually a good thing.

Name: Gasoline/Electric Hybrid Powertrains

Extreme Example: The 2010 Honda Insight, which is actually much less efficient than the faster, better driving, more practical, diesel-equipped European Honda Civic.

Why it's redundant: There's better technology out there. Diesel engines cost less, consume less energy and resources in production, are far less complicated and are capable of equal or greater fuel-economy.

Name: Automatic Parallel Parking Systems

Extreme Example: The Lexus LS600h which is capable of selecting an appropriate parking space then putting itself in that place with very little input from the driver.

Why it's redundant: The human mind is also able to determine the location of an appropriate parking space then maneuvering a vehicle into that space. There's a reason parallel parking is part of the driving test.

Name: Radar Cruise Control and Electronic Crumple Zones

Extreme Example: The 2010 Mercedes E-Class which is not only capable of maintaining a constant distance from other vehicles on the highway, but, when it determines a collision is imminent, applying 100% of the braking force to reduce the force of the crash.

Why it's redundant: Humans are also able to determine appropriate following distances and applying 100% of the brakes to avoid a collision. Being required to do so maintains a consistently high level of attention which can also avoid other dangerous situations.

Name: Intelligent Gearboxes

Extreme Example:The VW DSG ‘box which, in automatic mode, is able to learn when a driver is operating the vehicle in a sporting manner, then adjusting shift points and times to suit.

Why it's redundant: a human being equipped with a manual gearbox is additionally capable of predicting what gear will be required in the near future, placing the vehicle in that gear ahead of time and therefore being prepared for, rather than simply respond to, a situation.

Name: Automated Manual Gearboxes

Extreme Example: A Formula One car.

Why it's redundant: manual gearboxes are more reliable and more versatile, with the human-applied clutch able to deliver smooth progress at slow speeds.

Name: Automatic Climate Control

Extreme Example: The 2010 Acura MDX which is able to use GPS to determine the location of the sun and adapt the climate control to blow cooler on the sunny side of the vehicle, guaranteeing a perfectly even temperature throughout the passenger cabin.

Why it's redundant: How many sensors, motors and computer chips does it take to achieve the above? With traditional air conditioning and heaters, you're simply able to adjust the temperature as needed. Nothing more is required.

Name: Drive-By-Wire

Extreme Example: The 2009 BMW Z4 which features both brake-by-wire and steer-by-wire.

Why it's redundant: Drive-by-wire systems reduce weight and complication and, in the case of steer-by-wire, improve fuel economy by eliminating the need for a power steering pump. But, they reduce feel. In the case of the Z4, this lack of feel spoils an otherwise truly impressive sports car.

Name: Satellite Navigation

Extreme Example: The in-development Microsoft heads-up-display system which will project a ghost vehicle in front of your car, then allow you to follow it rather than respond to spoken or visual instructions.

Why it's redundant: For centuries, humans have managed to navigate with little more than a paper map and a compass. No matter how slick the graphics, satellite navigation systems have not yet surpassed this ability.

Name: Active Sound Cancellation

Extreme Example: The 2010 Acura MDX, which projects mirror-image sound waves of "undesirable" engine and road noises, canceling them out.

Why it's redundant: Being inundated with engine and wind noise your whole life will slowly make you deaf, which is kind of nature's own Active Sound Cancellation.

Name: Adaptive Suspension

Extreme Example: The Variable Orifice Dampers in the 2010 Cadillac SRX

Why it's redundant: Intended to offer both a smooth ride and good handling, adaptive suspension makes sacrifices in both to offer a limited ability to deliver either. Low unsprung weight and high quality dampers have yet to be surpassed in their ability to delivery optimal vehicle dynamics, they just don't sound as sexy on a Monroney.

Name: Anything-By-Voice

Extreme Example: Ford Sync 3.0

Why it's redundant: Any vehicle function that's too complicated to be achieved by button, lever, wheel or pedal is unnecessary for vehicle operation. Call people, get directions and drink your coffee before setting out on a journey.

Name: Blind Spot Detectors

Extreme Example: The 2009 Audi Q7; it's blind spot warning lights are blindingly bright and overly sensitive.

Why it's redundant: By styling vehicles with small glass houses, designers are creating unnecessarily large blind spots, thereby creating the need for detectors. Install function before form and this wouldn't be necessary.

Name: Night Vision

Extreme Example: The 2010 Mercedes E-Class which paints the road ahead with infrared light then detects these reflections with windshield-mounted sensors.

Why it's redundant: Cars have headlights don't they? If it's too dark to see, slow down.

Name: Automatic Emergency Brakes

Extreme Example: The Honda Pilot has an automatic transmission, but still has a system capable of holding it steady on steep hills.

Why it's redundant: Equipped with two hands and two feet, humans have traditionally been capable of operating either a hand or foot emergency brake. Automatic or electronic brakes simply replicate that ability poorly and make it impossible to perform handbrake turns.

Name: Attention Assist

Extreme Example: The 2010 Mercedes E-class uses an array of sensors to monitor steering wheel input, eye movement and seating position, all to tell if you're dozy.

Why it's redundant: If you're tired, take a break. No engineering teams needed.

Name: Lane Monitoring

Extreme Example: The Citroen C4's seat gives you a pleasant vibration in your nether regions if it detects you're departing your lane on the highway.

Why it's redundant: Like Attention Assist, if you're incapable of paying enough attention to stay in your lane, you shouldn't be driving. Humans will develop a false sense of security due to the system and use it as an excuse to not pay attention.

Name: Rear Seat Entertainment Systems

Extreme Example: Some minivan/SUV systems allow 3 seperate movies to be played; two in the middle row and one in the rear.

Why it's redundant: When I was a kid I looked out the window on road trips. If I complained, my dad spanked me. If your spoiled brats won't shut up, don't buy them an expensive DVD player. Instead, hit them. It's free and as an added bonus, it builds character.

Let's break out the user interactions:

Blue button presses: 55,416
Emergency button presses: 3,939
Airbags deployed: 28
AACN (Advanced Automotive Crash Notification): 62
Total interactions: 59,445

That's pretty amazing when you think about it. Over 60 people in crashes with 28 airbags being deployed, almost 4,000 emergency button presses and 55,416 people calling to find the nearest Starbucks.

What's more amazing is that so few automakers have an opportunity to interact with their buyers directly (usually only through a dealership middle man), and yet GM's managed to get 59,000 people each day to call them and they've all had a positive customer service interaction with the General.

Well, except for that one prank-caller. Some guy named Rick from Detroit who keeps calling to warn people about GM CEO Fritz Henderson being some kind of killer robot from the future or something? Who is that guy?

UPDATE: Onstar's asked if we'd be so kind as to include this at the bottom of the post because they're scared you'll think they're tracking you or some such silliness. Ha! Normally we'd tell a PR person to buzz off, but as we said, we'll give OnStar a bit of a pass because they're pretty sweet. Also they do know we know GM can't afford those black helicopters anymore, right?

OnStar does not continuously or routinely monitor or track the location or speed of your car. OnStar does not listen to or monitor conversations in your car without notice to you. OnStar will not use, share, or otherwise disclose your location or speed information except as expressly stated in OnStar's Privacy Policy.

[via OnStar Connections]

[via Singularity Hub via Digg]

Aside from occasional pokes at others’ devices, I’ve never used a GPS. But I can certainly attest to the gradual softening of the brain that comes with the violent expansion of high-quality mapping tools of the past few years.

When I moved to Budapest in late 2000 from a leafy riverside town in Southern Hungary, I spent weeks memorizing the grid of my surroundings. This was years before Google Maps and this area—where I haven’t lived or worked for six years now—is still the only part of the city I know down to the street level. It took until my regular uptake of city running to re-engage my spatial skills after years of lazily indulging in the geo-glut of Google Earth.

Katayama reports on a similar experience in her home of San Francisco:

At first, the GPS (I have an old Garmin) was a novelty-a tool for experimentation. It was fun to see how long the thing thought it would take to get from point A to point B. I was just the receiving end of a network of commands relayed through the voice of a nice British lady. But then it became a habit, and weird things started happening to me.

I started to forget how to get places without it. The map in my brain became a distorted blur. And then my driving became more reckless. I invented this game where I tried to beat the estimated arrival time that the GPS gave me. Often, that entailed running yellow lights and exceeding the speed limit.

Make no mistake: satellite mapping combined with GPS is an amazing invention, a genuine HOLY SHIT which makes it hard to imagine the state of the world before.

Still, like the automatic transmission and the running shoe with kevlar arch support, it comes with a price. And while the sheer convenience of being able to navigate any random spot on Earth with fine precision is wonderful, it may not be unwise to not entirely forget how to do this with the aid of nothing but our senses and our brains. Satellites, for instance, may fall out of the sky.

And if you read Jalopnik, you’ll certainly appreciate the proprioceptive pleasures of heel-and-toeing a car with a fine manual gearbox.

Photo Credit: Lisa Maree Williams/Getty Images

The "Gentleman Function" is an option in the iDrive directory under front seats which allows the driver to take control of the passenger side front seat. Any adjustment you can make on the driver's seat can be done on the passenger seat but with the driver doing the... er, driving. The feature may at first seem overly gimmicky, and the naming convention chauvinistic, but after a call to BMW, the feature makes perfect sense. Well, at least in a German kind of way.

In the previous version of the 7-Series, front seat control was done with a panel of buttons on the center console, so either front seat passenger could push the memory preselects, with the latest 7er, the memory panel is on the drivers door, with access for the driver alone. Gentleman Function lets you first of all make it easier for front seat passengers to get in, should they need assistance, however, since the biggest Bimmer is as much factory limo as luxo-barge, it's not just about catering to the front seat passengers. It's just as likely, if not more, that the Gentleman Function will come in handy for rear seat passenger side entrants. if you're chauffeuring and the passenger needs a touch more leg room (only a problem imaginable in the regular wheelbase 7) it would come in handy for moving the passenger seat forward.

As to the term "Gentleman Function," well, "passenger seat control" wouldn't be precise enough because it's also for helping the rear seat out. So since that doesn't make too much sense, BMW staff tell us it's thought the term came out of a translation from German, where only the men drive big Bimmers.

OK, so it's still totally chauvinistic.

[Edmunds Inside Line via The Frisky]

Photo credit: Edmunds

In case you aren't familiar, Will Castro is the front man at Unique Autosports, the shop featured in the Speed TV show "Unique Whips." With that much publicity for his shop we're assuming he's sitting on a healthy pile of coin these days and ordered this one-off pool table from the fellows at Hurricane Custom Billiards. The table features a set of giant chrome wheels, brake rotors, a set of exhaust tips opposite the ball pocket and leather upholstery to go along with the custom everything else. If you want to see it and you're in the Miami area, you can drop by Unique South's showroom, where it sits for all to ogle. Since Hurricane's other models come with a starting price of $35,000, we're assuming this custom one-off is expensive enough for us to not want to know the total damage. (Thanks for the tip Keith)
[Hurricane Billiards]

Available from Stupidiotic for the bargain price of only $36, the "Porta-Pizza Oven" is indeed both portable and a pizza oven, and the best possible way to start your interior on fire while you're in the car. If you somehow manage to use this device and not start the car on fire, you'll most likely have to run the AC to keep from cooking yourself, and then you'll have to deal with slicing a pizza up while driving around. On the other hand, this might revolutionize the Pizza delivery business. [Stupidiotic via Neatorama]

A dozen Prius hybrids outfitted with the system have been cruising London for about a month now, with buses and taxis to be added later in the year. The aim of the experiment is improving the public welfare, with a target of reducing the number of accidents and the fatality rate. So far the Minister of Truth Transport for London road safety chief Chris Lines says the reviews are mixed and trending positive, with some drivers actually liking the system as it prevents speeding tickets, though some have noted the long line of cars trapped behind and causing further congestion. Public safety aside, such monitors should be viewed warily, as they'd be a great way to levee automatic taxes on those who would exceed the limit, should those boxes ever be mandated. [AutoWeek]

We've scoured the Jalopnik archives for some of our best imagery to provide you with 22 high-resolution wallpapers that will work with both the Apple iPhone and the new Palm Pre. Both devices utilize a 320x480 format, so any of the wallpapers can be swapped between the two if you're a true Gizmodo-like gadget freak. We've even provided you with a handy guide for installing wallpapers on both at the end of the list, just in case you haven't figured out your newfangled touchscreen devices. If you find a wallpaper you like and absolutely must have; install it and take a picture to show us in the comments below.

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.
Sunglasses Guy
'Nuff said.

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2010 Shelby GT500: First Drive
With the 2010 Shelby GT500, SVT's engineers claim they've turned a 500 HP Mustang into a 540 HP super car. They've succeeded, but don't worry; it'll still do enormous burnouts. Read More

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Switzer P800 Nissan GT-R: First Drive
The Switzer P800 Nissan GT-R makes over 700 HP at the wheels, nearly double that of the comparatively plain-Jane GT-R. Luckily that's at all four wheels, because we drove it through both snow and ice. Read More

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Ford GT
Betcha didn't know the Ford GT had a 100th anniversary clue in its headlight. Read More

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2009 Subaru Forester: Unsupervised Off-Road Mayhem
The last 2009 Subaru Forester we drove blew a tire, forcing us into making clichéd gay jokes. This time we took it to an off-road park and beat it like a rented mule. Read More

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2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe: First Drive
For too long the American market has lacked an affordable, accessible, fast, responsive, fun, communicative, good-looking rear-wheel-drive sports coupe. The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is that car. Finally. Read More

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Jalopnik GEM-Powered Detroit Auto Show Mobile Command Center
Want to know what that mystery electric car was? Why it's our very own Jalopnik GEM-powered Detroit Auto Show Mobile Command Center, and it's why we've had the fastest coverage at this year's show! Read More

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AEV J8 MILSPEC: Offroading Jeep's Forbidden Fruit
Until now, civilians couldn't buy the AEV J8 MILSPEC - the militarized truck-bed-equipped Jeep Wrangler. Now you can. We hit the mud to uncover the government secret on Jeep's pickup truck. Read More

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AEV J8 MILSPEC: Offroading Jeep's Forbidden Fruit
Until now, civilians couldn't buy the AEV J8 MILSPEC - the militarized truck-bed-equipped Jeep Wrangler. Now you can. We hit the mud to uncover the government secret on Jeep's pickup truck. Read More

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Save The Enzos!
Would you like to see these glorious t-shirts make a return? Read More

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Muscle Car Wars: Camaro vs. Challenger vs. Mustang
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Hoon Of The Day!
Are you the hoon of the day? Would you like to see this t-shirt make a comeback? Read More

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2009 Corvette ZR1: First Drive
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2010 ROUSH Mustang 427R
You'll have to wait for this bad boy. In the meantime check out the 2009 ROUSH Mustang Blackjack. Read More

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2010 Chevy Camaro: First Drive
After countless spy shots, speculation, Transformers tie-ins, leaked photos and numbers comparisons, we've finally driven the 2010 Chevy Camaro. Does the reality match the hype? Well, it's like Star Wars. Read More

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2009 Corvette ZR1: First Drive
The 2009 Corvette ZR1 is the best car ever made. It redefines what performance cars are capable of, not by its numbers (the 0-to-60 in 3.3 seconds and a 205 MPH top speed figures are no longer noteworthy north of $100,000), but by how it makes those numbers so accessible. Simply put, the ZR1's most remarkable achievement is how easy and unintimidating the chassis makes exploiting the car's 638 HP. The only problem is I'm not good enough a driver to fully do so. Read More

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2010 Ford Transit Connect: First Drive
After the Ford Fiesta, the 2010 Ford Transit Connect is the second most lust-worthy European Ford to make it Stateside. Can a small, practical cargo van appeal to big, burly American workers? Read More

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2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8
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2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8
But this week I'm back in Detroit for one reason, and one reason alone - an entire week of driving the 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8. It's a car imbued with so much positive energy there's only thing I can think of to do it justice. I plan on running Dodge's muscular old-school revival up and down Woodward Avenue, stoplight-to-stoplight, from downtown Detroit to Pontiac until I pass out from exhaustion or the gas station declines my credit card. Read More

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Jalopnik: Obsessed With The Cult Of Cars
Because you read the internet for the car articles.

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iPhone-Wallpapers provides a simple step-by-step guide to installing wallpapers on your Apple iPhone, although if you already own one shouldn't you already know how to do this?

1. Right-click or control-click on the image you want to use.
2. Select "Save as…" and save the image to your hard drive.
* Mac users can either save the image to a folder or add it to their iPhoto library.
* PC users will want to save the wallpaper into their "My Pictures" folder.

You can then sync the iPhone with photos in iPhoto 4.0.3 or later on a Mac, or Photoshop Album 2.0 or later or Photoshop Elements 3.0 or later on a PC. Or you can sync with any folder on your computer that contains images. Connect the iPhone to your computer and do the following:

1. Launch iTunes then click the Photos tab and select "Sync photos from:"
2. From the pop-up menu, do one of the following:
o If your using a Mac, choose iPhoto or your Pictures folder.
o If you're using a PC, choose Photoshop Album, Photoshop Elements, or your My Pictures folder.
3. Choose Folder, then choose any folder on your computer that has images.
4. Choose "All photos," or choose "Selected folders" or "Selected albums" and choose the folders or albums you want to sync.

Finally on your iPhone:
1. Goto the Photos section of your camera. Browse through the albums or camera roll until you find the picture you wish to use.
2. Select the picture so it is displayed full screen.
3. Tap the icon in the lower left corner of the screen. If you don't see the icon, single tap the picture to display the menus.
4. Here you can select if you want to email the picture, save the picture as a wallpaper, or assign to a contact.
5. If you want to assign to a contact, press that button. The contact list will open and you can select the contact you wish to link to the picture.
6. Select Done to complete the process.

[via iPhone-Wallpapers]
The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.Here's a quick and dirty method to getting wallpapers on your brand-spankin-new Palm Pre thanks to PreThinking.

Adding wallpaper(s) to your Palm Pre:

1. Have your image as the new wallpaper ready on your computer. It must be in 320 x 480pixels. (Check out our wallpapers optimized for the Pre here.)
2. Connect your Palm Pre to the computer using the Micro-USB cable that came with the Pre.
3. Your Pre will ask to Media Sync, USB Drive or Just Charge. Choose USB Drive.Your Pre will now show up as an External Hard Drive on your computer. For Macs, you'll find 'Palm Pre' on your desktop and for windows, it's in 'My Computer'.
4. Click on 'Palm Pre' and you'll find yourself looking at several folders. One of which is labeled 'Wallpapers'.
5. Drag and Drop your preferred wallpaper(s) in the "Wallpapers" folder and you're done!

Changing your Wallpaper on your Palm Pre:

1. Open the 'Photos' App
2. Choose Wallpapers or any other photo album which your new Wallpaper is located at.
3. Scroll down to your new wallpaper and open it
4. Hit the upper left icon for the drop down menu
5. Hit 'Set Wallpaper'
6. It'll ask to Set Wallpaper again, hit it.

[via PreThinking]