<![CDATA[Jalopnik: cell phone]]> http://tags.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png <![CDATA[Jalopnik: cell phone]]> http://jalopnik.com/tag/cellphone http://jalopnik.com/tag/cellphone <![CDATA[22 Custom Jalopnik Wallpapers For Your Apple iPhone And Palm Pre]]> The recent release of the Apple iPhone 3GS and the Palm Pre provide a great time for these twenty-two exclusive, high-resolution Jalopnik wallpapers to you, our car-obsessive readership. Take your pick below.

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.

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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
Here's what you've been waiting for - the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS, 2009 Dodge Challenger R/T and the 2010 Ford Mustang GT - reviewed by us, together at the same time and place. Time for the Muscle Car Wars! Read More

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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
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 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
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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2010 Ford Taurus SHO: First Drive
Normally, when we review an exciting new performance car, we like to use a dramatic burnout shot. Unfortunately, the 2010 Ford Taurus SHO barely chirps its front wheels on its 5.2-second trip to 60 MPH.
Read More

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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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Down On The Street
Those of you who have been Jalopnik regulars for a while most likely have a pretty solid grasp of the concept behind the Down On The Street series, but what about newcomers to the site? We don't want DOTS to feel like some sort of in-crowd-only deal, so here's the Down On The Street FAQ. 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]

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<![CDATA[Land Rover Lends Name To Virtually Everything-Proof S1 Phone]]> Land Rover partnered with Sonim Technologies to create this — the world's first IP-67-rated GSM mobile phone. The S1 is completely resistant to dirt, dust, drops and can be fully submersed up to 3.3 feet.

While the S1 won't win any style awards and doesn't offer the flexibility of an iPhone, it does allow you to fully submerge it in water up to 3.3 feet for 30 minutes with a pressure resistance of up to 400 kgs. Let's see your silly iPhone or Crackberry do that without a plexi-case. As well as offering extreme outdoor durability, the S1 packs a mighty punch in its feature list. A 2 mega-pixel waterproof camera with built-in flash, torch light, GPS, FM radio, 2GB memory slot, J2ME Java, Bluetooth and an Opera Mini WAP browser.

An extra-long life battery provides over 1500 hours of standby time with 18 hours of actual talk time, though we wonder how you're going to geta cell signal when you're out in the middle of nowhere. The Land Rover S1 mobile phone is available only in the UK at GoMobile stores for around $490.

The likelihood of a Land Rover owner actually needing an indestructible mobile phone seems limited to the rigorous shopping trek up and down Rodeo Drive, which we hear can get pretty wild.

Land Rover S1 Specification

Land Rover today announced that it has teamed up with Sonim Technologies, to launch the Land Rover S1 by Sonim, a rugged, high quality mobile phone designed to meet the needs of those who work and play in the great outdoors. The mobile phone was unveiled by the world's greatest explorer, Sir Ranulph Fiennes, fresh from his successful ascent of Mount Everest.

The Land Rover S1 by Sonim is the world's first IP-67 rated GSM mobile phone - a standard which indicates it has been tested and found to be totally impervious to dust, as well as dirt, shocks and drops. The Land Rover S1 is also completely waterproof to a depth of one metre for up to 30 minutes and is resistant to extreme pressure of up to 400 kgs.

Joining Land Rover's existing range of branded clothing, bikes and eyewear the Land Rover S1 handset will continue to uphold Land Rover's commitment to developing high quality and durable products.

The current handset will come equipped with a 2Mega-Pixel waterproof camera with built-in flash, built-in GPS, torch light, FM radio, 2GB memory slot, J2ME Java for mobile, WAP browsing through its in-built Opera Mini WAP browser and Bluetooth.

As Lindsay Weaver, Land Rover global licensing manager explained, "We are very excited about the launch of the S1 mobile phone. Like our vehicles this phone is extremely capable and will work in the toughest of environments. Designed to meet the needs and demands of the outdoor adventurer the phone has an IP-67 rating, which is a first for a commercially available GSM handset, and is operational in temperatures ranging from -20 to 55 degrees Celsius and backed by an unconditional three-year guarantee.

Weaver added: "We have worked with Sonim to ensure that the phone not only meets their stringent criteria of ruggedness, but also to ensure that this is a true Land Rover product."

Bob Plaschke, CEO of Sonim Technologies, commented, "When we started making these handsets, there was no standard for how to test and benchmark rugged phones, so we created our own. The Land Rover S1 is tested according to our own ‘Rugged Performance Standard', a specific 12-point test to ensure our phones remain of the highest quality and don't let you down when you need it most."

"We are delighted to be working with Land Rover on this product. This ultra-rugged phone will be a great addition to its merchandise range and we know it will appeal to the adventurous spirit of Land Rover's customers".

Land Rover S1 Specification
? Fully submersible to a depth of one metre
? Survives being dropped onto hard surfaces from up to two metres
? Extra-Loud speakers for use in extremely noisy environments
? Extra-long battery life with over 1500 hours of standby time and 18 hours of talk time
? Durable keyboard mechanics and extra-wide buttons for ease of use
? Keypad buttons tested to over 500,000 pushes
? Completely dust and micro-particle resistant – IP-67 Rated
? Resistant to road shocks and vibrations to over 2000 random vibrations in the 500Hz range
? Operational under temperatures from -20° to 55° C
? Resistant to extreme pressure up to 400kg
? Resistant to punctures at 75kg/cm2 of pressure.
? Three year unconditional guarantee

The phone is compatible with a wide range of off-the-shelf car kits and headsets and comes with complete with charger, belt clip and headset as standard.

The Land Rover S1 by Sonim will be available from Go Mobile stores nationwide and through the www.gomobileuk.com website from June 2009 priced at £299.99.

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<![CDATA[The Facts About California, Washington's Cell Phone Bans]]> We hate to be the bearers of bad news, California and Washington state, but today, July 1, is the day that a new hands-free driving law goes into effect. Luckily for you, we're here to break down the new rules and explain what you can and can't do, along with providing some alternative options. Don't live in California or Washington? Check out our guide here to see what's happening in your state.

California
Younger than 18

  • Complete ban on communication devices: includes cell phone handsets, hands-free headsets, integrated vehicle speakerphone systems, text messaging, etc.
  • If you're caught using any kind of a communication device it's a $20 fine for the first offense and $50 for every subsequent offense
  • Offenses will go on your record, but not count as points against your license
  • Emergency calls for police, fire or medical help are permitted
  • Use of a hands-free device is a secondary offense, meaning an officer can't pull you over for that reason alone; use of a handset is a primary offense, and officers can pull you over for that reason alone

18 and older

  • Ban on handset use
  • Hands-free devices are permitted, including Bluetooth headsets (as long as both ears aren't covered), speakerphone systems, cell phone speakerphones, etc.
  • Text messaging is permitted, but if you are pulled over and the officer thinks you were distracted, you could be ticketed
  • The first offense results in a $20 fine and each subsequent offense results in a $50 fine
  • Offenses will go on your record, but not count as points against your license
  • Dialing on the handset is permitted, but strongly discouraged
  • Push-to-talk cell phone systems (similar to two-way radios) are not permitted; they are only permitted for commercial truck drivers not in pick-up trucks
  • Emergency calls for police, fire or medical help are allowed

Washington

  • Ban on handset use (a complete text messaging ban has been in effect since January 1)
  • Hands-free devices are permitted, including Bluetooth headsets, wired headsets, speakerphones, Bluetooth speakerphones, etc.
  • Exceptions to the law include emergency use, emergency vehicle operators, tow truck operators or a hearing-impaired person using a hearing aid
  • The hands-free and text messaging bans are both secondary violations, meaning an officer can't stop you for that reason alone
  • Fines can be as much as $124

Options
There are plenty of options that comply with the new driving laws in California and Washington, most of which are cheaper than the fines associated with violations.

Cell phone speakerphone
This is the cheapest option in most cases. Many cell phones have an integrated speakerphone that can be activated with a push of a button. Just be careful about holding it too close to your ear.

Wired headset
HDE-2_312x312.jpgWired headsets are a dying breed, but remain one of the cheapest and easiest options. Many cell phones include a wired headset out of the box, but for those that don't, one can be purchased for cheap. Like less than $10 cheap.







Wireless headsets
jabbt8040.jpgThis most commonly means Bluetooth headsets. For driving purposes, these are some of the safest to use because you can push a button on the headset to answer the call and hang up. They also provide great clarity and are easy to transport. Be warned that if you wear the headset outside of the vehicle, many people will think you are a douchebag.

Third-party speakerphone
motorola-t505.jpgThird-party speakerphones include those manufactured by companies like Motorola as well as those already integrated into your car. The Ford Sync is just one example of an in-car system that includes a Bluetooth speakerphone.

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<![CDATA[Dallas Implements Unenforcable Cell Phone Driving Ban]]> With just two weeks left until one of the most car-crazy states in the US bans handset usage while driving, it seems other places are taking note. Dallas, Texas has announced it will be banning handset use in all 651 area school zones. The idea behind the ordinance is understandable, with crosswalks, bus stops and roaming bands of children adding to the usual targets for distracted drivers. But we think enforcing this law may prove challenging.

Hands-free devices like Bluetooth headsets will still be permitted, as will emergency calls. The fine for violators will be $200, but with school zones generally just a few blocks long, what is the Chatty Cathy to do during a lengthy conversation? Put the phone down for the two blocks? Also, what are the chances a police officer will be in the school zone to actually do the enforcing? Perhaps what's needed are crossing guards with photo radar. And kevlar vests. [Dallasnews]

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<![CDATA[Survey: 80% Of Americans Use Cellphones While Driving]]> A recent survey by the Nationwide insurance company has shown some surprising results in regards to cell phone usage among Americans.

  • 80% of cell phone owners talk while driving
  • 40% of cell phone owners between 16 and 30 text message while driving
  • 60% of teens use cell phones while driving
  • 65% of baby boomers between 45 and 61 use cell phones while driving
  • 78% of users between 18 and 30 use cell phones while driving
  • 80% of users between 31 and 44 use cell phones while driving.

The report cites some of the strict usage laws as the reason the teenagers are the lowest cell phone users while driving. The survey also cites American's need and pressure to always stay in touch as the reason behind these high numbers. You know what should be done to curtail this problem?

People should be videotaped while talking on their phones while driving, both to show how it impacts their driving and how big of a douchebag they look like gabbing on their pink RAZR while their Tahoe hugs two lanes. [Breitbart via CG] {Image via Getty)

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<![CDATA[Unlicensed Ferrari Cellphone: Cheap, Lame]]> We've seen that when Ferrari decides to brand something, it does so with class and elegance. This Ferrari branded car cell phone (not to be confused with car phone) is cheap, plastic and not even officially licensed.

If you are really interested in holding a cheap plastic Ferrari to your ear, this phone sells for a couple hundred dollars and includes the features that usually accompany a low-end knockoff cell phone like an LCD screen, media player, etc. [ChipChick]

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<![CDATA[Hummer-Branded Mobile Phone Is Very Capable, Surprisingly]]> The Hummer HT2 is the company's second mobile phone branding adventure. The first Hummer branded mobile, the HT1 is still doing fairly well so it was only inevitable that Hummer would release the HT2. Despite what people may or may not say about Hummer owners, insecurities, compensation and whatnot, the H2T mobile phone isn't too bad. It has one nice feature that many, many other phones lack, and that is dual-SIM slots—meaning it has two SIM slots so multiple phone lines can be used in one mobile phone.

Other than the dual-SIMs, the HT2 is a quad-band phone, therefore it can work just about anywhere. It also has a media player, 2-megapixel camera (for taking picture of your pristinely garaged Hummer), Bluetooth, microSD expandability and more. It will be available first in Russia and Latin America. [Giz]

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<![CDATA[Motorola Brings Back The Car Phone!]]> It's not often that I get this excited over a new cell phone release, but Motorola has done. it Motorola is bringing back the car phone with the Smart Rider Car Phone. The difference is that this isn't that big bulky briefcase-style phone of the 1990s, but rather a new, small, slim phone that can do a million times more than the car phones of yesteryear. It has a 2.8-inch color display and includes GPS navigation.

Also integrated into this car phone is Bluetooth technology and, unlike car phones of yesteryear, it can indeed leave the car and travel with you outside of your minivan. So in all reality it's just a cellphone with Bluetooth and GPS, but Motorola decided to put a nice spin on it and call it a car phone. The phone will be available in June worldwide.

Motorola Redefines Driving Experience with Smart Rider™ In-Vehicle Phone

Fixed in-vehicle device improves enterprise solutions for professional drivers, with interactive voice activation, GPS services and more

CTIA WIRELESS 2008 - LAS VEGAS, Nev. - 1 April 2008 - Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today announced the debut of the Motorola Smart Rider™ phone, an innovative in-vehicle solution featuring GPS navigation, interactive voice activation, Bluetooth™ wireless technology and exceptional audio quality that's sure to make this phone an integral part of every driver's journey. A unique hands-free solution, the Smart Rider phone uses GSM technology to enhance user experience by ensuring that users can converse, navigate and tend to business while on-the-go.

The Smart Rider increases convenience and quality of communication:

* Bluetooth™ technology allows users to move freely from the home or office straight into the vehicle while having active calls, contact information and other personal data automatically transferred from the handset to the in-vehicle device
* Multiple user profiles grant secure access to personalized phonebook settings for up to three drivers on the Smart Rider phone
* Interactive voice activation makes the phone hassle-free for drivers
* A robust built-in microphone and speakerphone ensures an exceptionally clear, sharp sound.


The Smart Rider phone also offers feature-rich GPS services:

* Turn-by-turn navigation and voice-guided driving instructions
* Precise on-screen directions and detailed maps on a 2.8" high resolution, sharp color display
* Real-time traffic reports and automatic re-routing
* Enabling of location based services (LBS) and fleet management applications.


"The Smart Rider is the next generation in-vehicle phone, designed to operate in unison with the user's daily needs and environment. The phone re-defines what communication on-the-go is all about, and the main focus was placed on transforming the user experience. We are confident that the worldwide success of this flagship product will speak for itself," said Golan Haver, business unit manager for Motorola Car Phones.

Availability
The Smart Rider will be sold worldwide and will be available on the market in June 2008.

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<![CDATA[Jeremy Clarkson Under Investigation For Talking On Cell While Driving, Rants Sure To Follow]]> We're guessing none of this would have happened if Jeremy Clarkson was Prime Minister, but everyone's favorite Top Gear host is in trouble with the law... again. Seems he was driving his 6.3-Liter Mercedes when a man driving with his girlfriend spied him allegedly chatting on his cell phone. They took a picture of the incident with, ironically, a camera phone and sent that to the authorities. If convicted (look at the pic), The Jezza could get three points off of his license and be out 60 pounds (which is like $5,000, right?). Full photo below the jump.

Jeremy_Clarkson_Cell_Full.jpgThough we've got some cell phone driving laws in this country, we don't take them as seriously as the Brits in this article. The guy who took the pic was quoted as saying "Everyone knows you can't use a phone behind the wheel. Perhaps he thinks he's above the law." We're all for safety on the road and are not big fans of anything that causes someone to take their eyes off the road but this seems just a tad ridiculous. [Daily Mail via AutoBlog]

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<![CDATA[Lamborghini Branded Asus ZX1 Smartphone Rearing Its Head?]]> Today's episode of Auto Branding Adventures is a particularly special one because it includes rumors and speculation rather than plain old products. Set for an announcement at CeBIT, a Germany-based technology tradeshow in March, is the Lamborghini branded Asus ZX1 smartphone.

Early rumors suggest that the handset will be similar to the iPhone with a completely flat touchscreen display. It will come in Lamborghini colors (presumably red) and will run Windows Mobile 6 Pro and include GPS, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. [Unwired View]

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<![CDATA[Prancing Phone: Vertu Ascent Ferrari 60 Limited Edition]]> High-end cell-phone builder Vertu has a new titanium ear pillow for Ferraristi. It's the Vertu Ascent Ferrari 60, inspired by the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti. It's an extremely limited-edition follow-up to the company's Ascent Ferrari 1947, and like it, commemorates Ferrari's 60th anniversary. The Ascent 60 comes with wallpapers and ringtones featuring the 612 Scaglietti, and sports the same style of philips screws and leather covering found on Ferrari models. Of course, the titanium Ferrari shift gate on the back is worth the yet-undisclosed entry fee. [Sybarites via Carscoop]

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<![CDATA[How To Set A Ford Taurus On Fire With Your Cell Phone Charger]]> Apparently it's as simple as plugging your cell phone charger into the electric socket and well, we'll let frequent Jalopnik tipster Buckster explain what happened:

"I borrowed a friends car yesterday so I could get some work done on mine. On my way home from the mall I decided to charge my cell phone. The moment I plugged in my charger a zap and some smoke came from behind the stereo, within 25 seconds flambes and melting plastic engulfed the entire dash I pulled over and bailed out with just enough time to grab my new sneaks and my rented dvd. The best part was having the tires explode and the gas tank rupture when I had the owner on the phone. By the time the fire trucks arrived the car was toast. On the brite side there is one less Taurus in the road. So anyway that was my monday night."
Pictures below. UPDATE: Buckster was using a Motorola Q with an aftermarket Verizon charger. Also, it looks like the Taurus was involved in a flood.]]>
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<![CDATA[Porsche Design Launches Phone]]> If you just have to have the latest Porsche product, hop in your GT3 and get to the nearest cellphone purveyor. Porsche Design is launching its swank new phone, a rig so cleanly designed, that sound you heard was Steve Jobs smacking his forehead with the key fob for his Mercedes SL65 AMG. But you may have to look for a gray market version. It won't be released in the US, Japan or Korea. Avast!

First Porsche phone sighted [BBC]

Related:
State Your Position: Nissan Tests Cell-Phone Intelligent Transport System in Japan [internal]

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<![CDATA[State Your Position: Nissan Tests Cell-Phone Intelligent Transport System in Japan]]>

Picture this. You're driving along, listening to the latest from Fall Out Boy (heaven forbid), when a pedestrian (coincidentally, also listening to Fall Out Boy) wanders off the curb and into your path. That's it for them, right? No. Your car saw him coming. Well, not so much him as a blip in its data bank, as indicated by the careless sot's GPS-enabled cell phone. It's Nissan's Intelligent Transport system, and it uses the latest 3G cellular communications technology, just introduced in Japan (W-CDMA, for the house geeks). It's undergoing tests in Japan to see how well ITS can receive data from pedestrians and other cars in the area, then process that data to determine the actors' relative locations, and warn the driver if they get too close. No word on a Fall Out Boy—weighted algorithm for extra safety, but we're sure that's possible.

Nissan to test Intelligent Transport System in Japan using cell phones [Gizmag]

Related:
Volvo: Now With More Safe; Swedes Announce City Safety System; DaimlerChrysler Tests WLAN Car-to-Car Communication System; Wi-Fi! For Safety! [internal]

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<![CDATA[Governator to Sign Automotive Celly Ban]]>

Ahnuld is set to sign a ban that bans use of a cellular phone while driving unless one's using a hands-free device. Scheduled to go into effect July 1, 2008, the ban carries penalties of $20 for the first offense and $50 for each infraction thereafter. No word as to whether the Gov'll come by your house and do you like he did the T-X if you don't pay up. [Thanks to Bumbeck for the tip.]

Governor Schwarzenegger to Sign Cell Phone Law [KNX]

Related:
Hands-Free On My Mind: Georgia Military Installation Bans Cell-Phone Yammering [Internal]

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<![CDATA[Calling all Cars: Toyota Develops Cell Phone for Japan]]>

Word came down from Tokyo today that Toyota's developing a cell phone with Japan's #2 wireless carrier, KDDI Corp (in which Big T owns an 11 percent stake). It's not just any throwaway burner, mind you; the handsets — dubbed "TiMO" — which are based on an existing KDDI phone made by Toshiba, will tie in via Bluetooth to navigation and other systems already installed in the company's cars. The service will include downloads of music, games and various manner of digital media, as well as an emergency telematics dealie that may or may not involve a team of unicorns that cascade down a sparkly rainbow to provide 24-hour road service. The phones will go on sale this October in Japan at the company's automotive outlets.

[Reuters via Autoblog]

Related:
Toyota to Offer Upgraded Satellite-Based Communications, Like On-Star [internal]

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<![CDATA[Anti-Cellular Vigilante Attacking British Motorcars]]>

We think we like the word "motorcars" so much simply because of Angus Young of AC/DC's "Brown SG" rant, where he proclaimed that modern guitars look like "motorcars" and that he wants to open a shop that only sells brown Gibson SGs — and then goes on to paraphrase Henry Ford by saying, "You can get an SG in any color you like, as long as it's brown." Now that we're done with the tangent, we'll admit that part of the reason we're writing this post at all is the title of the source article: "Phone Vigilante Attacking Motor Cars."

While we prefer the compound "motorcars" over "motor cars" it was still close enough. And some guy around Hampshire is going around slashing the tires and leaving notes on the vehicles of motorists he sees using cell phones while driving. That's the gist, the authorities are on it, and at least one of the victims doesn't even rock a celly. Poot.

Phone Vigilante Attacking Motor Cars [Cellular News]

Related:
Hands-Free On My Mind: Georgia Military Installation Bans Cell-Phone Yammering [Internal]

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<![CDATA[Hands-Free On My Mind: Georgia Military Installation Bans Cell-Phone Yammering]]>

Fort Benning, GA, has announced a ban on non-hands-free celly convos while on base by either military or civilian personnel. According to the memo sent out by the Department of the Army, individuals who violate the ban could lose driving privileges while on-base, and signs have been posted throughout the facility warning people as such. And let's face it, who wants to deal with surly MPs on a sweltering summer day in Georgia? Not us, brother. Not us.

Fort Benning Bans Cell Phones in Cars [WTVM]

Related:
Rising Above the Noise And Confusion: Lawrence, KS Considers Celly/Driving Ban [Internal]

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<![CDATA[Can You Hear How Drunk I Am Now? Good!]]>
Wireless phone company NTT DoCoMo in coordination with Germany's Siemens Electronics, are in development of a system capable of determining whether a driver for a bus, taxi or truck company has been drinking alcohol — wait for it — via cell phone. Basically, a small alcohol-on-the-breath sensor made by Siemens is attached to one of DoCoMo's new-wave 3G handsets. The driver breathes into the sensor after receipt of a phone call and the results of the test are transmitted to the driver's manager who can then verify whether the actual driver took the test via the phone's videophone function. Normally we'd consider such a system invasive and anti-privacy and all that jazz — but since these people drive either us or huge mother-truckin' vehicles capable of death and destruction on a massive scale, we're ok with it.

DoCoMo Cell Phone Can Test Whether Drivers Have Been Drinking [textually.org via Gizmodo]

Related:
News Flash: NHTSA Determines Inattention Causes Accidents [internal]

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<![CDATA[Rising Above the Noise And Confusion: Lawrence, KS Considers Celly/Driving Ban]]>

We've never been to Lawrence, KS, although two of the more significant people in our rich pageant are KU grads. Plus, y'know, Burroughs. Apparently, it's one of the only non-flat places in Kansas. It's also considering a ban on cell phones while driving which would be the most stringent in the nation, including hands-free devices. The reason? A whole buttload of college students who like to yammer on like the wayward sons and daughters that they are. Will they ban talking to one's passengers next? Carpooling? Will everyone switch to Corbin Sparrows or Toyota i-Units?

Kansas Town Proposes Complete Ban of Cellphones While Driving

Related:
New System Could Track Traffic by Cell Phone Signals [Internal]

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