It is no secret that the Czech Republic’s biggest car maker Skoda Auto has been in the past - a laughing stock in the automotive world. But things are finally turning around for the automaker and right now it has become a profit producing force for its owner Volkswagen.

The Czech Republic’s biggest car maker is also planning to open up new markets in China, India, and Russia. Skoda Auto was bought by Volkswagen in the year 1991 and become one of the forces behind the latter’s global force. And as part of Europe’s largest automaker, Skoda Auto makes use of quality Volkswagen auto parts for its production like the popular Volkswagen spark plug wires.

Skoda Auto was able to record net profits for the last week of 2006 totaling to 11.06 billion koruna or 392 million euros (515 million dollars). It obtained a 40% increase as compared to its earnings in the previous year.

Skoda Auto’s production also increased by 12.6 percent or 556,347 units with successful deliveries of up 11.7 percent resulting to an overall sales increase of 8.7 percent to 203.7 billion koruna. For this year, Europe’s largest automaker Volkswagen owner of Skoda is expecting for it to produce more than 600,000 cars.

According to Marc-Rene Tonn an analyst from German bank MM Warburg and Co., ”Skoda is an extremely profitable part of the Volkswagen Group.” He also stressed that about one in every 10 Volkswagen Group cars are produced in the Czech Republic especially those sold in the year 2005. This was seconded by Stephen Pope, a London-based analyst with financial services group Cantor Fitzgerald Europe, “Volkswagen will rely heavily on Audi and Skoda during this current period.” Since he said that the Europe’s largest automaker is currently struggling with an ageing range of models and it needs new launches to revive it. “The whole new image of Skoda has changed. It is no longer taken as a joke and is now seen as a pure derivative of Volkswagen, but much more reasonably priced.”

Pope also added that this simply shows the remarkable development that Skoda Auto has achieved under the management of Volkswagen for the past 15 years as part of the VW Group. Praises also to Volkswagen for being steadfast in its decision not to scrap the Skoda brand in spite of the not so good image that the brand has in Western Europe (DaimlerChrysler could used some advice from Volkswagen).

The turning of the Skoda into one of Volkswagen’s flagship producer of reasonably priced reliable cars just goes to show the effective management style that Europe’s largest automaker have. And today, Volkswagen is leading Skoda to become its low-cost spearhead into the booming economies of China, India, and Russia without damaging along the way it attempts to target a more prestige market.

Pope also said that “Skoda will be designated as the entry level car with the premium part of the market left for Volkswagen.”

The boss of Skoda Detlef Wittig has announced last week the company’s goal of producing low-cost car for the Asian market, mentioning also that the company plans of opening up markets in India, Russia, and China. The low-cost Fabia and the top-of-the-range Superb are scheduled to be produced for China in partnership with Shanghai Volkswagen. Likewise, launches production of the mid-range Octavia model are set for China this year.

The Czech automaker has already car assembly and production projects in Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Bosnia, and India. Current models lined up for production includes the mid-range Roomster which will complete the current four model range and the three-door sporty vehicle called the Skoda Joyster which is designed for young buyers.

Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., usually called and known as Philips, is working on lasers that are designed to project virtual road markings and messages. This is to aid drivers on the roads be more aware of the tarmac that may be ahead of them.

Philips, the Dutch consumer electronics giant, is currently absorbed in its endeavor to give live traffic information to motorists on the road. This is to avoid significant cases of road accidents at the same time to provide the traffic information more conveniently. The lasers that Philips is working on allow motorists to read live traffic information without the need to actually gaze off the road that they are treading on.

The eye-safe lasers are mounted on the top of lampposts to provide utmost intensity. They are also engineered to receive data from travel centers and beam it on to the street below. Philips said the scheme would be flexible, too. With the said innovation, even lane markings could be changed at the flick of a switch.

Eye-safe lasers are meticulously designed to display warnings about hazards such as floods and other analogous perils. This would render temporary signs unnecessary for road safety measures. The electronic giant believes all lampposts could have a projector, and replace costly over­head variable message signs. Lasers can project several colors lest messages and lane markings could get traffic light-style coding. For instance, green could be used for route information, red for compulsory instructions and amber for hazard warnings.

If these lasers are already released, drivers could not only rely on the efficiency of their EBC redstuff when they do repetitive and hard braking because of an impending accident, they could also count on these lasers as allies.

Laser, which is short for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation, is an optical source that emits photons in a coherent beam. The light emitted is usually near-monochromatic. It consists mainly of a sole wavelength or color. It is emitted in a narrow ray of light or beam. In contrast with other light sources, incandescent light bulb emits incoherent photons in almost every direction - the emissions are usually over an extensive spectrum of wavelengths.

In-depth discussion of the laser action can be had in the study of thermodynamics and quantum mechanics. The invention of many types of lasers has been triggered by the growing demand for various light characteristics to suit different applications. These applications necessitate the power of a laser.

Laser was proposed in 1950s to serve as a variation of the maser principle. After a year, the first laser was demonstrated. Since then, the manufacture of laser has become an extremely profitable industry. This is because it has found applications in the fields of medicine, consumer electronics, defense industry, and science.

Laser could also benefit the automotive industry. It could serve as a viable factor that would eventually make road accidents decline to a rewarding percentage. This is now the cause of Philips as one of the largest and influential electronics companies around the globe.

GMC has always been known for producing trucks and large cars. But they have also ventured into the mid-size SUV market with the Acadia. The sports utility vehicle is one serious competitor in the said market simply because this vehicle is designed to give its driver and passengers everything that they have come to expect in an SUV. The vehicle is not the cheapest in its class but once you considered what you would be getting, its price tag seems reasonable enough.

The GMC Acadia is powered by GM’s 3.6-liter V6 engine which is capable of giving out as much as 267 horsepower. This kind of power gives the vehicle good acceleration and top speed. What the Acadia uses to transfer all those horsepower to the wheels is a smooth six-speed automatic transmission. The gearbox is precision engineered to provide smooth transition of the power from the engine to the drive wheels. The Acadia comes with an optional al-wheel drive version. The configuration allows the engine to supply traction to the front wheels whenever it is needed. The transition from two to four wheel drive is smooth too. This is the result of the precision engineering and design of the vehicle.

The all-wheel drive capability of the Acadia gives it superior traction in any road and weather condition. It can handle snow and ice with ease. Aside from taking on icy and slippery roads, the GMC Acadia also performs well in city traffic where constant acceleration and deceleration is needed. The Acadia can also maintain its high performance even on hill climbs which some vehicles would have much trouble conquering.

In terms of comfort, the GMC Acadia offers good ride comfort to its occupants. The seats are designed to give comfort to its occupants. One of its seat’s features which ensures the comfort of anyone sitting on it is the fact that it is heated. Handling of the SUV is more car-like than truck-like. This is an impressive feat since GMC is known for trucks more than they are known for their cars. The Acadia stands out among its class-mates due to the fact that it offers great ride comfort, something that can be rarely found on sports utility vehicles.

Another good selling point for the GMC Acadia aside from the performance, good ride quality, and high performance parts, is its cargo capacity. The sports utility vehicle boasts of having 19.7 cubic feet of cargo space. This can be increased significantly by folding the third row seats. With the third row of seats folded down, the cargo space increases to 68.9 cubic feet. This is suitable for those who needed good cargo space for their luggage. The GMC Acadia can seat seven people but only the first two rows of seats can comfortably seat a grown-up. Just like every SUV in the market, the third row of seat is best left to children or small grown-up.

Other features of the vehicle include a power liftgate which makes loading cargoes much easier. A navigation system is also optional. Aside from these features, the Acadia also has a climate control which keeps the occupants even more comfortable even on long drives. It also comes with an XM Satellite radio which gives the occupants a wide range of choices of commercial-free music stations.

Volkswagen, Europe’s largest automaker and maker of the famous Volkswagen shocks also stars in one of this year’s most celebrated movie the “Little Miss Sunshine”.

Volkswagen bus T2 is currently the seventh member of the odd but heartwarming Hoover family of the successful “Little Miss Sunshine” created by Twentieth Century Fox. Little Miss Sunshine is an independently made road movie which was presented last year at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival and since then became very successful. The movie Little Miss Sunshine was able to snag up at least four Academy Award nominations—Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor.

The film is loaded with touching emotions and endearing kind of humor which makes this comedy perfect for family viewing. So far this movie has become a surprise success for this year’s Hollywood awards. And now, to cap off an awards season that has brought the film both mainstream and independent film recognition, the offbeat family road-trip comedy also took the original-screenplay honor at the much coveted Academy Awards and the supporting-actor prize for Alan Arkin last night.

Previous to the Oscar’s honors, Little Miss Sunshine has already received an amazing number of nominations and awards from all over Hollywood including two Golden Globe nominations from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and followed by the Best Picture Award form the Producers Guild of America and the Best original Screenplay award at the Writers Guild Awards last February 11 for Michael Arndt. And only recently the Screen Actors Guild awarded the Hoover Family with the trophy for the “Best Cast”. Actor Greg Kinnear has also taken the opportunity to thank the automotive member of the cast, he said, “I’d like to thank the engineers at Volkswagen for making a beautiful vehicle back in 1969 that was comfortable and so safe”, referring to the bus T2.

The movie revolves around the six human Hoovers that pile up in the almost 40-year-old Volkswagen but to take little Miss Olive (Abigail Breslin) to the Little Miss Sunshine Contest from Albuquerque/New Mexico to Redondo Beach, California. They have met nutty adventures during their two-day road trip which helps them to become one strong united family. The Volkswagen bus plays a major role in the family building process where they have to help each other especially when the bus gets into little problems.

One of the casts of the Little Miss Sunshine, actor Steve Carrell (who played Frank) said that he has fallen for the brave family vehicle because of its almost human faults. He also added, “I think that the bus is actually a real actor in this movie.” At least five identical buses have been used during the production of Little Miss Sunshine.

Little Miss Sunshine is not the first movie for the Volkswagen bus T2 as a matter of fact T2 has already starred in more than 80 movies. Among them are Back to the Future (1985), Free Willy (1993), Almost Famous (2000), Charlie’s Angels (2000), Spy Game (2001), Hulk (2003), and Scary Movie 4 (2006). This simply shows that Volkswagen’s vehicles are not only noted for their quality but also for their aesthetic appeal both onscreen and off-screen.

Summary: The Volkswagen bus T2 stars in the Academy-award winning film “Little Miss Sunshine” as the seventh member of the odd but heartwarming Hoover family. The film capped off an awards season that has brought it both mainstream and independent film recognition by taking home the original-screenplay honors at the much coveted Academy Awards, as well as the supporting-actor prize for Alan Arkin last night.

If you have recently purchased a new or used vehicle, upon closing the deal, you may have been offered an extended warranty, a tire road hazard warranty, and/or dent repair insurance. But how about insuring your vehicle’s paint against bird poop? Spilled coffee on your seat? No problem; we got a plan for that too! No worries! Insurance—does it ever end?

Paint protection insurance is another ingenious marketing plan that nets big numbers for car dealers. Who would have thought car wax could become so profitable?

Simonize, a veteran in the car wax industry, is the leader in the paint and upholstery insurance business.

Simonize uses a Teflon-based wax to protect paint against acid rain, tree sap, the elements, and yes, bird poop. The interior is protected against coffee, soda stains…etc. All of these are quite harmful to your car. And yes, Teflon is the same non-stick material used on frying pans.

The full insurance/wax treatment process is called Simonize System 5.

The natural occurrences listed above are not covered by manufacturer warranties, thus Simonize steps in to fill this warranty void. The Simonize System 5 Protection Plan provides coverage of the paint and upholstery for five years, unlimited mileage.

Important Disclaimers

Simonize System 5 does not protect against the most common paint and body ailments such as dings, dents, scratches, and accidents. No “wax” could.

Also, Simonize does not and can not protect against cigarette burns or the normal wear and tear of an interior.

Application

According to Simonize, the treatment should only be applied by trained experts. I have asked those in the business who actually use the product, but they weren’t able to speak English. I’m sure they understood the training program taught in English…right?

Filing a Claim

It’s easy and straight forward. Your service center just needs to fax an itemized estimate to Simonize and voila a check arrives in the mail.

How Much Do These Plans Cost?

Protection plans cost several hundred dollars. You might be encouraged to conveniently roll it into your financing. Don’t!

Should I Buy The Simonize System 5 Protection Plan?

Absolutely Not!

Do I Need to Protect My Paint?

Absolutely! Wash and wax your car regularly…Hint: never wash your car with dish soaps—they contain detergents which strip any protective wax from your car.

You do need to wax your car, preferably with a premium wax. It doesn’t have to be Simonize System 5. Any premium wax will provide the same protection against acid rain, the elements, bird poop…etc.

Why is this protection even offered?

Profit baby! In the highly competitive market of auto sales, car dealerships are finding ingenious ways to increase/maintain profit margins.

In the end, despite the fact the System 5 is a good product; the extra expense of a protection plan does not make economic sense. The odds of ever having to file a claim for a spot or blemish (that would break the bank, or that you’d even care about) are not in your favor.

In his State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush outlined his proposed mandates to cut down the dependency of the country on foreign oil and urges the development of alternative fuels. This commitment of the President is evident in his financial support to the alternative fuel industry. This move by on the part of the government is commended by auto makers. The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, an association of domestic and foreign car maker has recently made known their support to the president’s initiative.

Dave McCurdy, the President of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers has this to say about the president’s dedication to the development of alternative fuels: “The President recognizes that in order to enhance our energy security, we must develop an energy policy that incorporates all stakeholders, including alternative energy suppliers, the research & development and scientific community, the investment community, government at all levels and especially consumers. Reducing petroleum consumption is a shared responsibility.”

Indeed, the responsibility not only falls on one sector but it does include every sector and every citizen. This is evident in the partnerships between car makers and alternative fuel producing companies. The effort made by these companies result to a wider range of alternative fuels and an even wider range of vehicles running on those fuels. Up to this day, the members of the alliance have entered into more than 25 partnerships, joint ventures, or research & development projects with alternative fuel producers. This is being undertaken by car makers to further develop alternative fuels which will be a much better alternative to gasoline. Among the alternative fuels they are developing include fuels like ethanol, biomass, and hydrogen.

“Alternative Fuel Autos of all kinds are a reality today. Whether it’s achieving greater fuel economy or reducing America’s reliance on oil as a primary fuel source, automakers remain committed to populating America’s roadways with innovative vehicle technologies,” McCurdy added. As of now, there are 60 models of alternative fuel powered vehicle available in the market. These vehicles were designed to either run on ethanol, or biodiesel. Some of these vehicles are hybrid electric cars. All of these vehicles though have one thing in common - they are of great service to the environment. Because of their fuel efficiency and economy, they emit a lower amount of greenhouse gases. And true to the reputation of the car makers producing them, they are sure going to be as tough as Volvo 780 parts.

Alternative fuels like ethanol is a good substitute to gasoline since this fuel burns much cleaner than gasoline. The emission of a car using this kind of fuel is 85 percent cleaner than those using gasoline only. As of today, the most commonly used ethanol based fuel is E85 which is 85 percent bio-ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. Another alternative fuel being developed and fast becoming a favorite among motorists is biodiesel. This type of fuel can be used by diesel engines. The clear advantage of these two alternative fuels is that they both come from renewable sources which means there is no danger of their supply running out. Continuous development in this field though has yet to be made to eliminate the use of fossil fuel in the production of such alternative fuels.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of vehicle manufacturers. All of their members are committed in the development of alternative technologies for vehicles evident on their lineup which boasts of hybrid vehicles, flex-fuel cars, clean gasoline engine cars, and clean diesel powered vehicles. The alliance is composed of BMW, DaimlerChrysler, the Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen.

The Ford Motor Company is one of the car manufacturers committed to cleaning the air. They are doing their part in the protection of the environment by designing and producing alternative fuel vehicles. They are also a good supporter of President Bush’s proposed mandate of reducing the dependency of the country on foreign oil and reducing the amount of harmful greenhouse emissions by as much as 20 percent by the year 2017. At the recently held 2007 Washington (D.C.) Auto Show, the domestic car manufacturer has unveiled the hydrogen-fueled, battery-powered, plug-in Ford Edge.

During the unveiling of the cutting-edge alternative fuel vehicle, government officials and legislators are present. Their presence is important for the carmaker, since they can show the lawmakers what they can develop in the future and that their effort in cleaning up the environment and reducing dependency on foreign oil is quite possible. Scott Staley, the Chief Engineer for Ford’s Hybrid and Fuel Cell Technology Development, commented that: “Besides the public, the audience in Washington includes people in charge of energy and clean air policy so this is very much a showplace for exhibiting what Ford technology can do in the future”.

The Ford Edge unveiled at the Washington Auto Show was developed under contract from the US Department of Energy. This is another sign that the government is serious in their effort to help car makers in the development of clean cars. The main technology in the hydrogen electric hybrid vehicle is the HySeries Drive. The system uses the hydrogen fuel cell to recharge the 336-volt lithium-ion battery pack. The Ford Edge hybrid uses the battery for the first 25 miles of operation, with a top speed of 85 miles per hour. Once the system detects that the battery has lost as much as 40 percent of its charge, the fuel cell then takes on the job of powering the car. While the vehicle runs on the fuel cell, the battery is being charged for future use.

The capability of the system to shift from battery to fuel cell power allows the Ford Edge to travel as far as 225 miles on a full charge. In terms of MPG rating, the equivalent rating of the Ford Edge hybrid is 41 miles per gallon. Aside from the fact that the battery can be charge using the fuel cell as it powers the vehicle, the Ford Edge is also a plug-in car. This means that its battery can be charged using a standard household electrical outlet.

The Ford Edge is one of a kind in the sense that most hybrid electric vehicles use an electric motor powered by a battery pack to complement an internal combustion engine. This means that these vehicles, like the Toyota Prius, also make use of gasoline although in significantly lower amounts. In contrast, the Ford Edge hybrid uses fuel cell to complement the use of battery power to drive the vehicle. Aside from the capability of the Ford Edge hydrogen electric hybrid to use alternative fuels, it is also made out of reliable parts, as reliable and as tough as Volvo 850 parts.

The Ford Motor Company continues their dedication to producing environmentally-friendly vehicles. The domestic car maker is the first to develop, produce, and introduce to the public an SUV hybrid. The Ford Escape hybrid was released in 2004 to give their consumers good fuel economy without sacrificing the looks and capabilities of a sports utility vehicle. The Ford Escape Hybrid remains to this day one of the cleanest and most fuel efficient small sports utility vehicle in the market today along with the Mercury Mariner.

In the automotive industry, a common goal is set: to produce vehicles which are environment-friendly. One of the car makers dedicated to the production of clean cars is Nissan. They have recently developed a fuel-cell powered vehicle which they are making available for the public to experience. The X-Trail, Nissan’s sports utility vehicle, received a make over and part of it is the fuel-cell technology that it now employs. This hybrid version of the X-Trail can be accessible to commuters in Japan.

This is because the Nissan Motor Co., Ltd has recently delivered to Knagawa Toshi Kotsu Ltd. the latest version of the X-Trail. The hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle will be part of the company’s chauffer-driven hired-car fleet. Nissan is the first manufacturer to make available to a hired-car service a hired-car service. The use of the Nissan X-Trail fuel-cell powered vehicle will give commuters a chance to experience how it is like to ride in a vehicle that runs on fuel-cell technology.

The Nissan X-Trail FCV or fuel cell vehicle is equipped with a Nissan fuel-cell stack and a compact lithium-ion battery. The good combination of these gives the X-Trail FCV a performance like that of a gasoline-powered X-Trail. The fuel-cell stack provided by Nissan to the FCV is capable of producing as much as 90 kilowatts. This power gives the FCV a top speed and acceleration rate almost similar to that of the gasoline-powered X-Trail. The use of fuel cell in vehicles reduces the dependence on fossil fuel which is non-renewable source of energy. This means that once the supply of fossil fuel is gone, it is going to be gone forever. That fact makes the development of alternative source of energy of utmost importance.

The use of fuel-cell technology is a good alternative to gasoline since a vehicle powered by this technology gives off no emission harmful to the environment. The only thing that a vehicle with fuel-cell gives off is water vapor. The process involves the fusion of oxygen and hydrogen, both of which are abundant in the atmosphere. The fusion of the said elements will produce a chemical reaction from which electricity can be extracted. This is then stored in the lithium-ion battery of the car where it is called upon to power the electric motor that drives the vehicle. These parts are all made to be reliable and not prone to breakdown just like Volvo 940 parts. During the fusion of hydrogen and oxygen, the only by-product is water.

The use of fuel cell technology has indeed been explored and further developments are also being made. With more advances in this field of alternative fuel, the cost of production will surely be lowered. This means that more and more of these clean cars will be available to the public. Nissan is already embarking on a crusade to help in the effort of the global community to reduce harmful CO¬2 emission. This effort involves further development in the fuel-cell technology field. They are developing fuel cells which are not fragile and can take on the bumps on the road. The cost of fuel cell is also an issue they are addressing; they are developing ways on how to make inexpensive fuel cells. Once they found a way to overcome the production cost issue, they may be able to mass produce fuel cell vehicles.

Aside from the Nissan X-Trail fuel cell vehicle made available for a hired-car fleet, Nissan also allows consumers to have a fuel cell vehicle driving experience to test its performance and advantages. They allow consumers to test-drive fuel cell vehicles at their Nissan Gallery in Ginza, Tokyo.

Ronald Thomson, a hairdresser-turned-designer has invented a plastic made from human hair. Yes, human hair! The material is claimed to be ideal for car panels. If ever in the near future you hear of a car panel made out of hair, you will be shocked no more.

"It's better at crumpling in an impact than conventional materials," said Thompson. "And it doesn't leave sharp edges when it cracks." To create the plastic, the hair is smothered in epoxy resin, just like in the creation of fiberglass. The resultant product will be high in viscosity. It can either entertain supplementary reaction processes to attain a lower viscosity resin.

"The material we've developed has around 20 special properties, such as its crumple zone, which could have applications in car manufacturing, and the fact that micro-organisms can be grown in it, enabling desert land to be reclaimed," said Thompson. "It also breaks down well in soil, so it could have applications in agriculture."

The invention of Thomson is called PiliusX. At present, the product is now being tested at a university in London. The inventor hopes that automakers would like the eco-friendliness of his invention. To stress this fact, the hair rots down to nothing after use. If ever Thomson would be successful in courting automakers in using PiliusX for car panels, a significant percentage of annual waste would be slashed. It would also slash down production costs of vehicles. If that happens, prices of cars would also devalue.

In addition, the invention of Thomson would also serve as a valuable milestone in manufacture of auto parts and accessories. Aside from efficient Active Brakes Direct, powerful engines, reliable brakes as well as trendy car accessories automaker could add eco-friendly PiliusX car panels to the list of quality car parts accessories. An affordable and quality ally means an ideal move in the automotive industry.

Essentially, the Pilius X is processed from human hair. The said material is stronger by 20 percent than the standard fiberglass. The bio-polymer material is blended with a bio-resin to produce a sustainable and recyclable material.

Statistics shows that about 2800 tonnes of waste hair cuttings are produced annually in the United Kingdom. Hence, if Thomson’s invention be given a chance to make it to the industry significant tonnes of waste will be slashed.

Thomson, an ex-assistant hairdresser to John Frieda and Nicky Clarke, is the brains behind the eco-friendly chair made almost completely of human hair. The chair hair is one of the early attempts of Thomson using the PiliusX.

Thomson used a mixture of PiliusX and matrix polyester resin to build the hair chair. He began concentrating on the design of the chair when he quit his job as a hairdresser to venture in a brand new field called product design. The idea flashed on his mind on a work placement on the Batman Begins movie. He stretched a piece of fiberglass and it snapped. Thompson noticed how relatively fragile the fiber was. Having previously run a hair salon, Thompson considered the comparative resilience of human hair and knew that hair could serve the purpose better because it is much stronger. Moreover, he started collecting leftover hair from salons to finally come up with a clever invention. The hair chair is both recyclable and biodegradable.

Thomson admits his life been turned upside down by his discovery. “I ran my own hairdressers for 12 years and even worked with several Miss World contestants, but I was stuck in a rut and felt that it was stifling my creativity,” Thomson said. “I’ve always had a burning passion for design and environmental issues so, in 2000, I sold the business. I honestly couldn’t have predicted how things have turned out in the last six years.”

Thomson is looking at extending his hairy range to applications including structural beams, shoes – and even mascara. “I know some people think I’m bonkers, but products like fiberglass are damaging the environment and we need to look at alternatives,” he said. PiliusX application could also extend to millinery, clothing, marine industry and architecture.

In the news: General Motors, world largest automaker---producer of popular GM Brake Shoes and owner of brands like Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Daewoo, Holden, Hummer, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall--- have recently awarded AT&T with a $1 billion five-year global networking contract which is considered to be one of the largest commercial contracts in the annals of AT&T.

Under the contract signed by both companies, AT&T is to provide General Motors with next-generation telecommunications capabilities plus support to the automaker’s third-generation information technology business model which is created to ensure that all of General Motors’ IT suppliers are working as one around the world.

And according to Ralph Szygenda, group vice president and chief information officer of General Motors, “This ensures that we have the basic infrastructure in place to give GM employees anywhere in the world the ability to collaborate online in real time on engineering, manufacturing, design and supply-chain.”

AT&T will also provide network integration management that would cover every aspects of GM’s worldwide telecommunications infrastructure, including data and voice applications as well as other needed systems support.

As part of the contract, AT&T will also be made responsible for managing the operation of key regional telecommunications providers around the world. Likewise, the telecom company as part of the agreement is delegated with network management responsibility of various participating telephone companies to ensure consistent IT service delivery and support.

To support GM’s global business strategy, AT&T will continuously collaborate with the automaker’s Information Systems and Services organizations. The contract between AT&T and GM expands and renews the existing strategic global relationship between the two companies and is further strengthened with AT&T providing GM with a global Virtual private Network (VPN) solution that would integrate the various GM locations around the globe.

AT&T’s solution is consists of local, long distance, global voice mail, conferencing, high speed internet access and telecommunications business-continuity services. The network will also deliver uniform telecommunications tools to all General motors employees. They will have a common voice mail and conferencing capabilities plus they will also get to enjoy the same quality of service regardless of whether they are stationed in the corporate headquarters in Detroit or in a manufacturing facility somewhere in Australia.

AT&T is the largest provider of both local and long distance telephone services. It also provides wireless telecom service under the brand Cingular Wireless and DSL Internet access in the US. The present company that is based in San Antonio, Texas, United States was founded in 2005 by SBC Communications which later merged with AT&T and make use of the AT&T moniker and the T stock trading symbol that stands for telephone. Even though the corporation is considered SBC renamed but most of its major subsidiaries were already part of AT&T prior to 1984. These major subsidiaries are consist of the Bell Operating Companies and the long distance division but due to AT&T’s lack of vertical integration the merger collapse and ended in an anti-trust suits.

Performing regular and thorough maintenance on your car's interior is beneficial for a variety of reasons. First, we tend to spend a large amount of time in our cars, so it stands to reason that keeping the environment nice and clean makes complete sense. Second, our cars can actually be a reflection of ourselves and our personalities. Not to mention what could be more pleasing to a passenger than a great smelling, clean car in which to ride in? And thirdly there's the financial aspect to consider, a car that's well-maintained both inside and out will sell quickly at a considerably higher price.

Here are a few things you can do on a monthly or weekly basis that will ensure your car's interior stays looking and smelling showroom new for as long as possible.

Monthly Maintenance Tips

Streak-free windows
Using clean, lint-free paper towels and a non-ammonia based glass cleaner, you can easily remove grimy film and dirt that can build up in the inside of your windows. Dirt and streaks are not only unsightly, but can be dangerous as well, particularly while driving at night. After the windows have dried, use a crumpled piece of newspaper to polish and remove any traces of dust or lint.

Vacuum thoroughly
Before cleaning the carpet, you'll want to make sure you vacuum thoroughly and without missing crevices and cracks that dirt tends to accumulate in. Be sure to use plastic vacuum attachments to avoid scratching your car's interior. A plastic crevice tool can also be useful for reaching under seats and into tight seams. Round dust brushes are excellent for cleaning dirt from dashboards and consoles. There are also interior detailing brushes that are small enough to reach into the nooks and crannies of heater and air conditioning vents. This helps the system stay cleaner, run more efficiently and keeps the air in your car smelling fresher and healthier.

Clean carpets and upholstery
Clean the carpets and upholstery with a product that has stain-protection to lessen or eliminate the chance of future staining. Even without some sort of stain-guard, you'd be surprised at how easy it is to clean most fabrics with a simple, mild detergent. Choose a neutral detergent that won't bleach or discolor upholstery or fabric, and of course, you should always do a test in an inconspicuous area, just in case. A reliable cleaner, a wet/dry vacuum along with a scrub brush designed for upholstery can be all it takes to have your carpet looking like it did the day you bought the car.

Clean vinyl and plastics
The dashboard and console areas are the most seen areas of our car, so we want to make sure to give these areas a little extra attention. The dashboard is also prone to cracking and fading from sun damage, which is another reason that regular treatments are necessary. A vinyl cleaner or protectant should be dispensed onto a soft sponge or cloth instead of onto the actual surface itself. After thoroughly applying the product, wait the allotted time to allow it to soak in a bit before buffing dry with a clean micro-fiber cloth. And today there are even products available that actually reduce the effects of UV rays on your car's interior by containing a type of sunscreen protectant.

Protect and clean leather upholstery
Dirt and oil are the two worst culprits of leather upholstery and can cause it to show signs of premature wear. Unlike your car's fabric or carpets, leather must be carefully cleaned one section at a time. Dark leather can be cleaned two or three times per year while lighter shades may need done more often.

Weekly touch-ups
• Purchase a small micro-fiber detailing towel that is perfect for wiping away dust from your dashboard, vinyl and leather surfaces. You may be surprised at the amount of dust that can accumulate in just one week's time. A micro-fiber towel will not leave lint or residue behind for a shiny, clean finish.

• Take out all of the floor mats and shake them thoroughly to make sure any debris or dirt is removed before replacing them.

• Remove any garbage that has piled up during the week, which is in the bag that you have for the purpose of keeping trash all in one place, of course.

• Wipe down the interior glass with a clean, damp micro-fiber towel, which again, won't leave behind lint and dust. If the windows are mostly still clean, provided you don't allow smoking in the car, you more than likely won't need to use a glass cleaner. And don't forget to wipe the rearview mirror and vanity mirrors as well.

The inside of our cars tend to take a lot of abuse with as much as we rely upon them today. Our homes are much bigger and can stand the wear and tear better, but our cars have concentrated traffic, so to speak, and therefore need some special attention on a regular basis to stay looking their best.

Sometimes it is important to answer the simplest of questions first. What auto body shops do is about the simplest and a good place to learn about the industry.

Basically, an auto body shop repairs a damaged automobile. This is different from fixing a car that is not operating properly mechanically. The damage to the car is not related to a mechanical failure, but is caused by either a collision or by neglect. The most common cause is collision. Old and abandoned cars may suffer body damage due to rust, but it is the accident that causes a collision that is the main source of work for an auto body shop.

The automobile repairer working in a body shop will be called on to straighten bent bodies and frames. They will also remove dents and replace crumbled parts that can’t be fixed. They will restore damaged metal frames and body sections. In short, if it is possible to restore the damaged car to an acceptable condition, the auto body shop will do the work. In the case of neglected cars or classic cars that are being restored to their original look, the body shop will cut away rusted metal. If the rust spots are not too large, filler will be used to patch the holes. If they are too large, the panels will need to be replaced.

Technically, there are three other aspects to the complete restoration of the damaged automobile. The first is glass replacement. Broken windows are usually the standard in a major collision. The second factor is repainting of the auto. The areas damaged, and holes filled must be sanded and primed and a new paint job applied to the car. Finally, mechanical damage must be repaired to return the car to running condition.

These three things, glass replacement, repainting, and mechanical repair are often done in the auto body shop. In some cases, they may be done in separate shops that specialize in one of the areas. This will depend on the size of the shop, and the expertise of the employees. In the past, smaller shops that were often one man operations were more common. The current trend has been toward integrated shops that provide complete service under one roof.

Sometimes the purpose of the auto body shop is not to perform the actual work. Auto body shops can be used by insurance adjusters to determine a monetary value to damage. This estimated cost of repair can be used in the settlement of an insurance claim. Estimates are sometimes used as loss value in law suits resulting from accidents.

WHENEVER YOU SEE A movie from the late '80s or early '90s, something always stands out: The cell phones are gigantic. Compare one of those toaster-size devices to the svelte flip phone that's in your pocket, and you're amazed at how far they've come.

Today, we have cameras, PDA hybrids, extensive phone books, internet access, ring tones that sound like songs on the radio, and entertainment applications all built into our cell phones. So what will the future of mobile phones bring? Rather than trying to figure out what phones will look like in a decade (they'll probably be implantable), we wanted to take a peck into the next few years.

By the time you're ready to upgrade your current phone, the capabilities could be very different. One thing holding back the hardware is the limitation of current batteries. Battery technology just doesn't move that fast. Expect slow capacity gains, but also expect to keep a charger handy as more and more power-hungry features are built in.

A couple of years ago, everybody was breathless at the thought of 3G broadband services coming to U.S. cell phones. So far, 3G isn't coming down like a tidal wave so much as a trickle. But the good news is that it's finally arriving. Early adopters take note: Major cities like Dallas, Phoenix, San Francisco and Seattle will be the first to benefit.

AT&T Wireless' service allows data transfer at speeds of about 320Kbps with streaming video and audio available. Verizon Wireless' network, currently running in San Diego and Washington, DC, goes up to 500Kbps. Look for Nextel and Sprint to make progress on their versions before year's end. Entrepreneurs in smaller markets will have to wait a bit for services to become available.

Peter Skarzynski, senior vice president of wireless terminals at Samsung Telecommunications America, points to KOrea as an example of where cell phone services in the United States will eventually end up, albeit a few years behind. "Next year, you'll start seeing things [in Korea] like video on demand, and things like m-commerce [mobile commerce] the year after," he explains. Megapixel camera-phones are new on the U.S. market, and 2- and 3-megapixel versions are on the horizon. Videophones will become increasingly popular as services such as news feeds catch up. Skarzynski expects wide-based broadband to be a reality by the 2006-07 time frame. Then you can start thinking about videoconferencing on your cell phone.

Location-based services are another matter. With E911 requirements being met and GPS services hitting the mainstream, getting directions or even location-based marketing offers could become commonplace. But, once again, don't hold your breath. The phones will be ready before the services themselves are. "There are lots of capabilities in our phones still to be tapped," says Skarzynski.

Work is underway to meld two of the most popular wireless technologies: cell phones and Wi-Fi. Currently, the carriers are trying to figure out how to handle the handoff between the two to allow for a seamless experience. The phone hardware will be out widely in the first part of 2005, with manufacturers like Hewlett-Packard, Motorola, NEC, Nokia and Samsung all onboard. For businesses equipped with Wi-Fi and VoIP, this could be a big step to reducing phone bills. Imagine walking into your office and having your mobile phone automatically switch your call over to your VoIP network.

But the news on the mobile phone front isn't exactly all sweetness and light. Viruses and worms are setting off warning buzzers across the industry. Though they are concerns, most users don't need to worry much, says Muzib Khan, vice president of product management and engineering wireless terminals division with Samsung Telecommunications America in Richardson, Texas. "You could cause trouble by buying or downloading uncertified applications," he says. Entrepreneurs need to stay on top of security issues in much the same way they take steps to protect desktop computers with anti-virus software, firewalls and employee training. The same will apply as issues of cell phone spare and telemarketing crop up.

Now that more wireless networks can support higher-speed data connectivity, operators have begun to dabble with streaming multimedia to the wireless phone. To some, these initial offerings may be disappointing. With maximum speeds of just a few frames per second, video offerings are jerky. Rather than attempting to simulate motion, some content providers have instead opted to deliver the equivalent of a narrated slide show.

But apparently, a nation of couch potatoes is so eager to get its fix that it will put up with the challenges involved in getting it while on the run. Talk to anyone involved in providing these services and you'll encounter an enthusiasm reminiscent of the earliest days of the Internet.

"The product is wildly successful. People love it, and we get really positive feedback on it," says Paul Scanlan, vice president of marketing and sales for Idetic, the developer of MobiTV, which converts content from MSNBC, ABC, Fox, the Discovery Channel, and other sources for delivery to users of Sprint's PCS Vision service. "It's really easy to use," says Scanlan. "It's like a TV, and everyone can use a TV. There's no training involved. It literally is like using a remote control to a TV. The phone is almost like a remote control. We call it the 75-year-old killer app."

Other multimedia boosters sound a bit like media visionary Marshall McLuhan in their pronouncements. "We think of it as the third screen," says Jeff Hallock, vice president of consumer marketing for Sprint PCS, the wireless operator that has been most aggressive in delivering streaming multimedia offerings. "Television is the first screen, and the personal computer is the second. We've got the opportunity to deliver an experience where users can watch things happen on the third screen that combine a lot of the functionality of the first two--and it's the only one that's with you at all times."

Sprint launched its first streaming multimedia applications, available as part of its PCS Vision service, in January 2003. Wireless customers can get MobiTV or other streaming multimedia offerings when they sign up for one of several data service packages.

Each package includes either five or ten discretionary dollars that customers can spend on games, multimedia or other offerings. MobiTV costs $10 a month for unlimited usage and provides 18 content channels, which are primarily based on feeds from cable TV networks. Sprint also offers streaming multimedia services from V-Star, RealNetworks, Sony and Warner Music that start as low as three dollars a month. Some of the content is audio-only, but some of the music services include an accompanying visual slide show.

Sprint has more than a dozen phones that support the streaming multimedia offerings. Some come pre-loaded with the software required to access the content, while others require the user to download the software, which can be done over the air. The software provides a menu for content selection and provides connectivity to servers owned and managed by the content providers.

Other network operators, including Nextel and AT&T Wireless, also have begun to offer similar streaming multimedia services from some of the same content providers, although their offerings are not as extensive and may not include unlimited monthly usage. Content providers say they're seeing interest from all the major network operators, however. All of them seem to be gearing up to get more serious about streaming multimedia when a new generation of phones becomes available later this year that will support higher frame rates.

Luxxon Corporation, a leading provider of adaptive streaming media technology, has unveiled its LUX2 multimedia processor, which enables device manufacturers to integrate compelling multimedia capabilities into wireless devices. The LUX2 includes a flexible multi-codec processor that provides device manufacturers with an adaptive and high-performance solution capable of encoding and decoding open-standard-based audio, video and graphic formats, such MPEG-4, MP3, and MIDI. Wireless handsets and PDAs equipped with the LUX2 will provide wireless users with the ability to send and receive the widest range of streaming media content.

As device manufacturers worldwide work to develop next-generation mobile devices equipped with full multimedia functionality, they face a growing number of challenges and obstacles including how to handle the multitude of audio, video, and graphic formats as well as changing client device and network capabilities. In addition, multimedia services, such as sending and receiving streaming video, require significantly more power, which quickly drains the batteries on today's mobile phones and PDAs.

"Luxxon's LUX2 rich feature set and low power allow 2.5G and 3G phones to simultaneously support the rich media that the new wireless networks enable, while keeping the phone small and light-weight like today's phones that we have gotten used to," said Dave Singhal, president and CEO of Luxxon. "Our goal is to provide the technology infrastructure to device manufacturers that powers and enables wireless multimedia services and applications regardless of whether it is streaming video, multimedia messaging, music videos or games."

The highly-adaptive multimedia processor technology of LUX2 enables device manufacturers to build wireless phones and PDAs that feature a multitude of rich media capabilities, including: a built-in camera that would allow a field worker to record MPEG-4 and send a video message to other workers; a larger full-color display on which an individual can watch such video messages and or view Internet music videos; game support using game acceleration for Java and non-Java games; MP3 capabilities for listening to music downloaded wirelessly; digital still picture capture in JPEG allowing a person to upload his or her picture from the phone to a wireless dating service; and high quality MIDI music support for better ring tones and Internet game support.

Device manufacturers are able to overcome the challenge of handling the plethora of formats in the market by integrating LUX2 into handsets and PDAs. LUX2 supports most of today's rich media formats (such as MPEG-4 enhanced with Luxxon's patent-pending error resilience technology, JPEG, MP3, MIDI, and GSM audio) as well as tomorrow's video, audio, music, and game formats. LUX2 also supports various proprietary formats. Unlike RISC or DSP software-based solutions, LUX2 provides this flexibility to device manufacturers with guaranteed high performance and longer battery life.

Consisting of 6 wizard-driven applications, AVS Video Tools v5.1 provides capturing, multi-format cross converting, video editing, mobile content management, DVD burning and ripping. AVS Video Cutter tool removes unwanted parts from video, and specifically designed algorithm ensures automatic, exact scene detection by scanning and splitting video into episodes. Customizable aspect ratio feature enables user to select or adjust aspect ratio of video.

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Online Media Technologies Ltd., presents AVS Video Tools 5.1, the brand new version of its top-market complete solution for home video production. Now ultimate all-in-one suite of six fully featured, wizard-driven applications for capturing, multi-format cross converting, video editing, mobile content management, DVD burning and ripping handles all key user requirements for home video processing. AVS Video Tools 5.1 keeps all the advantages of its predecessor, AVS Video Converter and adds new tools and features for more enhanced yet maximum simplified work with your video and audio.

AVS Video Tools 5.1 is the update to AVS Video Converter 4.3, the company's time-proved product, highly popular among today's international users. With time we beefed up AVS Video Converter with some major innovations making it useful for a wide range of tasks such as all key file formats converting, transferring DVDs and video files to Apple iPod, Sony PSP, media portable players and mobiles, fast and direct ads removal from MPEGs without re-encoding and many others. As a result, the software turned into the complete tool for home video handling that encouraged us to give the software a more appropriate name - AVS Video Tools 5.1.

The new version offers a new added tool - AVS Video Cutter, the video processing application intended for fast removing the unwanted parts or commercials from your videos recorded with various PVR or DVD camcorders. Specifically designed algorithm ensures the automatic, exact and time-saving scene detection by scanning and splitting your video into episodes. And on top of that, AVS Video Cutter allows you to directly save your already edited videos without their re-conversion, which eliminates the problem of quality loss.

Based on our user's feedback we made some corrections for more powerful and efficient work with DVD movies. Now due to the supported customizable aspect ratio feature you can select, adjust or just learn the aspect ratio of your video. As a result, the update provides you with more flexibility in controlling your video processing. Choose 16:9 (widescreen format) or 4:3 (fullscreen format) aspect ratio according to your liking and enjoy every minute of movie watching.

AVS Video Tools 5.1 features a wider set of capturing options. Now it supports MPEG2 capturing encoding that means that owners of MPEG2 TV-Tuners or funs of satellite TV can easily and trouble-free capture most favorite movies or memorable moments of popular programs.

Two cars shriek to a stop at a red light: a luxury Mercedes-Benz S600 and a Ford Taurus. As an onlooker, can you guess which car will boast a better sound and navigation system in the near future? You might be surprised at the answer, because luxury car technology will soon be available to more frugal consumers.

D2B SmartWire, developed and introduced in 2000 by Communication and Control Electronics Ltd. (C&CE) in Guildford, U.K., uses an unshielded twisted pair of copper wires to carry audio, video, navigation and communication data throughout the vehicle. The wire, which is similar to the Ethernet cable that connects a computer to a network, replaces more expensive fiber optic cables in upscale car audio systems.

The wire, which is both less expensive and easier to repair, was designed to offer the same functionality and quality found in the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class to midrange priced vehicles. Now a luxury audio and video system does not have to come at a luxury price, says C&CE. SmartWire was developed as part of the Digital Data Bus (D2B), the networking protocol for automotive multimedia communication systems. C&CE worked with Philips Electronics NV, Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. and Becker GmbH in designing the protocol. The SmartWire chip, manufactured by C&CE, is what allows automakers and suppliers to design D2B systems that use copper wire rather than fiber optics. To date, all D2B systems are optical but by 2003-'04, SmartWire is expected to be standard equipment in some midrange vehicles, says Paul Nickson, chief technology officer for C&CE.

There are drawbacks to using fiber optic cable: It is difficult to package, requires specialized installers, is too expensive for high-volume cars and, significantly, has "minimum bending requirements," meaning the transmitting capabilities can be ruined if bent too much. This is especially where D2B SmartWire becomes a more practical choice. In the crowded vehicle interior it can be bent over, under and around other components that would be obstacles to fiber optics.

The cost for SmartWire also is quite a bit less than fiber optic cables - the average cost per node of SmartWire is about $6 including connectors and wire. A typical fiber optic system in a Mercedes or Jaguar is about $75 for five nodes, "so the savings per car is around $50," says Mr. Nickson. He notes that using copper wiring instead of fiber optics does not compromise speed, capacity, listening or viewing quality of the multimedia communication system. Mr. Nickson says the network has two bandwidth options: 5.6 megabits per second and 11.2 Mb/s. An example of capacity: An 11.2 Mb/s network can carry seven CD-quality audio channels.

A Japanese automaker will be first to incorporate SmartWire into vehicles in the next three years, with German and American manufacturers expected to follow.

Currently, the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class and C-Class models use D2B Optical, as does the new Jaguar X-Type. Fiber optics can accommodate greater data transmission than twisted copper wire, but it is not the technological solution of the future - it actually offers too much capacity for today's use but not enough for tomorrow, the company says. SmartWire was designed for the needs of consumers now and in the future.

Both the wire and optical networks are designed to connect radio, CD changer, amplifier, DVD, navigation system, computer, mobile phone and voice control devices into one system. From this, the driver is able to operate all components from just one dashboard, wheel-mounted or voice-activated controller.

Neither SmartWire nor fiber optic systems are designed to incorporate engine or safety controls. "Carmakers make a strict distinction between the safety and engine control bus (a databus, similar to D2B) and the multimedia and driver convenience bus. The engine/safety bus is not capable of streaming audio. Gateways are, however, used between networks to transport AC control commands, for example, or dashboard display information," says Mr. Nickson.

A major plus for a D2B SmartWire network, Mr. Nickson says, is that it does not restrict the carmakers to certain brands or designs of equipment, especially because it has the scalability for tomorrow's technology. SmartWire is an "open" system that is fully compatible with existing protocols and those that will come along in the future. Therefore, car manufacturers can customize the network system with any combination of multimedia devices, as long as they are compatible with D2B.

No vehicle currently uses SmartWire, but integration is not far off. Many carmakers are evaluating its use because of its cost savings. At the beginning of June, the technology was presented to a leading forum of carmakers representing 75% of worldwide production, Mr. Nickson says.

Though SmartWire is a significant breakthrough for buyers of midpriced vehicles, its benefits likely will not be widely available to low-priced models. "Not all cars need the functionality. Low-end cars typically have a single box in the dashboard that does the radio/cassette function. In midrange cars, the functionality demanded by customers is higher and the options greater," Mr. Nickson says.

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. -- NFL fans and fantasy football players can now take the NFL with them wherever they go. Available only to Sprint (NYSE:S) customers, NFL Mobile is the perfect companion for the NFL fan offering the widest array of football information including real-time statistics, scores, injury reports and other updates. And it's all available to Sprint PCS Vision(R) and Sprint Power Vision(SM) subscribers free of charge.

This groundbreaking innovation in mobile sports entertainment is customizable to a fantasy football player's roster or for specific teams. With information updated every two seconds, NFL Mobile features the fastest wireless delivery of NFL information, allowing users to claim bragging rights when it comes to real-time NFL player stats and scores. In addition, only Sprint can deliver a comprehensive package of exclusive mobile video and audio highlights available at the touch of a button.

NFL Mobile from Sprint can be downloaded by texting NFL to 7777 or via the Vision or Power Vision home deck.

Unprecedented game highlights, alerts

NFL Mobile users can create customizable text message alerts to ensure delivery of the kind of information they want, when they want it. Alerts will be sent at selected times such as when a player or team scores, when specific teams enter the red zone, at the end of each quarter or game, or as official NFL injury reports are issued. When fans receive a text alert, the information emanates directly from the NFL's database making NFL Mobile a powerful fantasy football tool. Sprint subscribers must opt-in to receive the text alerts, and standard text messaging charges apply.

NFL Mobile users will also receive exclusive, unprecedented game video and audio highlights. Only NFL Mobile delivers wireless video highlights of NFL games, which will be available at the conclusion of every game (excluding video for games played on Monday nights) - an unprecedented timeframe for viewers. Audio highlights will be available for both the home and road teams' radio broadcasts during every game of the season with highlights posted at the end of each quarter and shortly after the conclusion of each game.

"There is no other service available today that delivers the NFL in a real-time, customizable format the way NFL Mobile does," said Steve Gaffney, director of sports marketing for Sprint.. "NFL Mobile is a season-long companion that will enhance every aspect of the NFL fan's enjoyment of the game, and it's available on the one device fans carry every day - their wireless phone. We listened to fans and built an application to their specifications."

The NFL Mobile application, developed by mSpot, features simple navigation, real-time Gamecenter, team and player statistics, drive charts, scoreboard, and a multitude of NFL Network-produced video segments.

Music went portable half a century ago courtesy of the transistor radio and has become more personal and portable over the last 25 years thanks to the Sony Walkman and Discman and then MP3 players. Video is poised to do the same thing with the arrival of the first portable multimedia players, led by the dazzling Archos Video AV320 ($599.95 direct). Now you can watch a video recorded from virtually any source, anywhere.

What is the AV320? Imagine an Apple iPod on steroids, one big enough (4.4 by 3.2 by 1.2 inches, HWD) to hold a color LCD, so you can watch video as well as play audio. The silver case contains a 20GB USB 2.0 hard drive (you can get the 40GB AV340 for $30 more), and the device, which uses a Linux operating system, can record, store, and play back MPEG-4 video, MP3 music, spoken audio, and JPEG photos. At 12 ounces and 17 cubic inches, the AV320 is just under twice as heavy as a 30GB iPod and a little more than twice as bulky. The multimedia player is both dazzling for what it does well and maddening for what it does clumsily.

To record video from an analog source, you clip an included MPEG-4 encoder module to the AV320, attach cables from the source to the encoder, then hit Record on the jukebox and the Play button on your camcorder, VCR, DVD player, or whatever device is supplying the output. Recording occurs in real time and doesn't stop automatically, so if you want to capture Titanic, you need to come back 3 hours 14 minutes later to prevent the AV320 from recording blank video onto your jukebox's hard drive. We recorded half a dozen commercial DVDs at 320-by-240, the screen's resolution, and although all were copy-protected, there was no effect on the analog signal or the picture. You can send the output to a TV set and the picture is still passable—call it VCR quality—even on a display as big as 53 inches, but is noticeably softer than the output from an original DVD. An included PC utility lets you translate AVI files to MPEG-4 before transferring them to the AV320.

Capacity is 40 hours of video, 1,000 hours of MP3s, up to 200,000 digital photos, 20GB of data, or any combination. You can input music, unlike video, without any attachments via the line-in jack, integrated microphone, or digital-input connector. You can also input MP3s up to 192 Kbps, but not WMAs.

Don't fixate on that iPod-with-video mental image, because Archos is simply not in Apple's league when it comes to design. The AV320 is a patchwork of cables and adapter modules. The six shiny control buttons to the right of the display aren't labeled (the functions of three vary according to what you're doing, and the legends are on the screen, but the buttons are vertical, and the legends are horizontal). One control is a slippery chromed joystick, but rather than pressing the middle of it to select something, you press the Power button briefly. There's no hardware volume control, so you'll want to use the supplied headphones with their in-line volume control. The lithium ion battery is integrated, and it will get you through only one movie before it dies. We measured 2 hours 25 minutes of movie playback on our unit before the battery gave out. Even if you reached Archos' claim of four hours of video (or 10 hours of MP3s) on its lithium ion battery pack, you could see only two of your movies before plugging in to recharge.

At minimum, you'll be carrying 1.3 pounds with the AV320 unit, transformer, and protective case. Add all the cables and clip-on modules, and you'll be close to 2 pounds and quite a bit of clutter. That could increase with the arrival of the fascinating $200 3.3-megapixel AVCam 300 still camera/quarter-VGA video camera clip-on module (not available for testing) and modules for off-loading the contents of camera flash memory cards. If the category seems intriguing but you want something for comparison, RCA/Thomson Consumer Electronics was due to ship a competing personal video player, the RD2780, with several of the functions found on the AV320 built in. Expect many other competitors before year's end. If you have to be first with a new technology, you'll be the envy of some of your neighbors with the Archos AV320 or AV340; if you wait, you may find even more sophistication and ease of use.

Versera[R] Video Mail provides call completion, message recording, and mailbox functions for video telephony calls. Subscribers can record, send, and retrieve messages that include audio and video components. They can create personalized video greetings that are seen and heard by callers, and callers can leave real-time video messages. Messages can be retrieved with video phone or via Web portal, or they can be forwarded to email in-box.

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Versera ICE(TM) application helps mobile operators to address 3G network opportunities and capitalize on technology investments

ATLANTA, Feb. 10 -- Glenayre Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:GEMS), today announced it will introduce Versera Video Mail next week at the 3GSM World Congress 2005 trade show in Cannes, France. A new application on the company's Versera Intelligent Communications Environment (Versera ICE), Versera Video Mail will provide call completion, message recording and mailbox functions for video telephony calls. Versera Video Mail adds a new level of personalization to communication by allowing subscribers to record, send and retrieve messages that now include both an audio and a video component.

"With the arrival of 3G, mobile network operators are ready to launch attractive, high bandwidth services to capitalize on their technology investments and satisfy demands for new services," said Bruce Bales, president, Glenayre's messaging business. "Mobile to mobile video calling is one of the most promising emerging applications, and I believe Versera Video Mail will be a significantly better product than earlier versions from our competitors. Versera Video Mail can be deployable both as a standalone solution or combined with voice mail to provide a new level of integration for operators to increase customer loyalty and billable airtime."

Versera Video Mail is especially advantageous to operators because it's built on Versera ICE, an open, standards-based, next generation messaging solution architected in Java and Voice XML. As one of many applications that reside on a converged platform, Versera Video Mail ensures that mobile operators have a scalable environment that allows them to profitably offer groundbreaking services, even when the demand for such services is in its infancy.

New 3G video phones allow subscribers to make video calls in real time to other subscribers. Versera Video Mail allows 3G subscribers to create personalized video greetings that are seen and heard by callers, and callers can leave a real-time video message -- just like with voice mail. Video Mail messages can be retrieved with a video phone or via a Web portal, and subscribers can even have video mail messages forwarded to their e-mail inbox. As a result, subscribers without a video phone can retrieve video messages over the Internet, which will further promote service adoption and usage. With Versera Video Mail, subscribers can have a single mailbox for all message types including voice and video messages.

As this year's projected 3G subscriber numbers push through the 50 million mark worldwide, at least one CEO will be watching with quiet satisfaction: Dilithium Networks' Paul Zuber. Why? Because 3G will demand both interoperability and high quality of service--whatever the application and whatever the terminal.

"Where we fit is in this area of media processing," says Zuber. "There's always going to be a need to mediate between different standards". But doesn't convergence deal with that issue? "No," says Zuber, "there is divergence. When I think of convergence, it is not between mobile and fixed. The big bang convergence that's happening out there is in consumer electronics, telecom and the IT world. They all have differing standards and that's a very good opportunity for us."

Dilithium has a set of 3G solutions including multimedia transcoding gateways, 3G-324M protocol analysis test tools, and 3G-324M protocols stacks. What, however, might shoot the company up the success curve is its video telephony work. "If you look at some of the launches that were delayed, you see that some basic issues such as terminal interoperability, session set-up times, and over-the-air corruption of video messages took a while to solve," says Zuber.

Mobile video may--arguably--be the most complex telecom proposition ever delivered to users. Service options will range from simple video peer-to-peer videoconferencing, through video mail, and video portal applications. "If I think about our core expertise, we are the world leader in voice and video transcoding, and in 3G-324M, which is the world standard for mobile video telephony," says Zuber, "But whilst everyone is focussing on IP, this will be a multi-year transition for service providers."

The products may look disparate, but Zuber defends a strategy where each element contributes to the other. "As operators launch enhanced services where our gateway will play a vital role, we have tools that help operators solve basic but fundamental issues such as enabling interoperability of terminals and network equipment, monitoring quality of service, and providing key performance indicators and quality metrics for deployed video services. Initially, we, and the market, were focussed on industry interoperability. Then there were some optimisation issues. Now, as services are being launched, the focus is switching to QoS and related user experience issues."

Industrial investors have joined VCs in backing a company that might have one of the few market drivers under its belt. In squeezing performance out of its DTG 2000 multimedia gateway, Dilithium, says Zuber, can offer superior coding technology to improve lip synchronisation and audio/video delays, patentpending technology to reduce session set-up times to less than one second (well below 8-10 seconds experienced elsewhere), and video refresh and transrating that minimise video corruption, and modify video bit rates to maintain video quality. The net result is a superior customer experience and lower operational costs.

Dilithium, unusually for a young US company, focuses mostly on overseas markets, particularly in Asia and Europe, where it has connections with service providers running the sort of leading edge service not yet apparent in the US market. The company serves customers in more than 40 countries. They include the majority of leading terminal, network equipment, and messaging vendors as well as the leading 3G operators in Europe and Asia. A joint collaboration agreement with Japan's N'IT DoCoMo--announced in March--will enable development of 3G terminal test cases to advance video telephony interoperability test solutions, and support new handset development. The company also counts SK Telecom, KTF, China Mobile, Vodafone, Orange, H3G, TIM and KPN among its customers.

TiVo Inc. on Wednesday said it extended its TiVoToGo portable video service to pocket computers and mobile phones running Microsoft software, as the television recording company beefed up its offerings in an effort to differentiate from its rivals.

TiVo said TiVoToGo is now available on Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Centers—paperback-sized devices that can play digital music and videos—as well as certain Windows Mobile-based Smartphones and PocketPCs handheld computers.

The move improves on TiVo's TiVoToGo initiative, announced earlier this year, that allows users to shift recorded TV programs to a personal computer in the same home.

The new feature lets them travel with those shows, and watch them on devices made by companies such as iRiver, Samsung Electronics , Hewlett-Packard Co., and Dell Inc. .

TiVo signed a key digital video recorder (DVR) distribution deal with cable provider Comcast earlier this year, quelling investors fears about its plans to grow subscribers to its fee-based service. But it still faces competition from cable and satellite TV providers, as well as consumer electronics makers.

TiVo executive Matt Wisk said services like its powerful on-screen program guide and TiVoToGo, which is free to monthly-fee-paying subscribers, offers consumers a premium service to generic DVRs that only record and play back shows.

"(We are) trying to create a continual upgrading of the (users) experience," he said. "Our business model is pretty sound, but our challenge is how to raise the bar of what that $12.95-a-month delivers to people.

Microsoft said this feature could spark demand in the portable digital video market, whose growth has been slack compared with the explosive expansion of the portable audio market, which is fueled by Apple Computer Inc.'s iPod. Video phones could also benefit.

"In-Stat (a research firm) said that video-on-mobile-phones will become a $5.4 billion market by 2009," said John Pollard, of Microsoft's Windows Mobile Applications and Services Marketing group. "This is fantastic piece to build momentum."

Computer chip manufacturer Intel Corp has announced the launch of new technology that it claims will improve the quality of video and audio applications for mobile smartphones.

The company said that its Intel Wireless MMX2 technology offers advanced features designed to simplify the development of feature-rich audio and video applications that will allow users to run the latest multimedia content. By using MMX2 developers will be able to bring such content to the market quicker, Intel claims.

A spokesperson for Intel said that developing advanced multimedia content for mobile phones can be expensive and time consuming, and that MMX2 will simplify the design of complex multimedia applications, enabling phone manufacturers and carriers to deliver innovative services and high-end content to their customers.

Offering expandable memory, Nokia 6085 Folding Camera Phone features built-in music player and FM radio, as well as stereo audio streaming support for use with Bluetooth headsets. Pictures, videos, and music can be stored and shared using optional hot-swappable microSD memory card, which offers up to 2 GB storage. Users can browse for news and upload images and videos with XHTML browser. Additional features include MMS, Nokia Xpress audio messaging, email, and push-to-talk.

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New Folding Camera Phone Offers Classic Style, Excellent Usability and Compelling Features at an Affordable Price

ESPOO, Finland, September 13/--Expanding its highly popular portfolio of folding mobile phones, Nokia today introduced the new Nokia 6085 camera phone at an affordable price. The Nokia 6085 emphasizes ease-of-use, up to date technology and enduring design to create a straightforward, familiar phone. With an estimated retail price of 175 EUR, excluding taxes and subsidies, the quadband Nokia 6085 is expected to start shipping in the fourth quarter of 2006.

"In Nokia's recent comprehensive consumer study, one of the strongest trends was the appeal from many consumers in Europe and the Americas for a mobile phone that offers the latest features, but is easy to use on a day-to-day basis," says John Barry, Director, Broad Appeal Business Unit, Mobile Phones, Nokia. "The Nokia 6085 has everything in balance -- a modern design, an uncomplicated menu structure, and familiar technologies at an attractive price. We believe the Nokia 6085 is a great addition to our highly popular Connect portfolio."

SurfRider/AMC-EVM(TM) enables user to design, debug, and experiment with TI's digital signal processors (DSPs)and network interfaces from desktop, utilizing same resource board for all stages in developmenet cycle. Product includes SurfRider/AMC, fully integrated RoHS-compliant AMC DSP resource board along with SurfDocker(TM) modular plug-in, and 2 TI TMS320C6412 DSPs. SurfRider/AMC supports PICMG[R] SFP I-TDM protocol over Gigabit Ethernet for transporting audio, video, fax, and modem traffic.

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Surf's SurfRider/AMC-EVM, Utilizing TI's C6455 and C6454 DSPs, Reduces Development Time and Expense by Allowing Developers to Optimize System Parameters Efficiently from the Desktop

YOKNE'AM, Israel and ARLINGTON, Mass., Dec. 4/- SURF Communications Solutions ("Surf"), a leading provider of high-capacity multimedia processing boards for the telecommunication infrastructure field, today announced the SurfRider/AMC-EVM(TM), a complete application development environment comprised of an AMC resource board carrying two Texas Instruments Incorporated's (TI) digital signal processors (DSP). The SurfRider/AMC-EVM enables developers of telecom applications to design, debug and experiment with different TI DSPs and network interfaces from their desktop, eliminating the need for an ATCA or MicroTCA carrier board chassis.

The SurfRider/AMC-EVM includes the SurfRider/AMC, a fully-integrated RoHS- compliant AMC DSP resource board. The patent-pending design of the SurfRider/AMC features the SurfDocker(TM) modular plug-in, which carries pairs of TI DSPs and supports a variety of configurations to meet development requirements. Up to four SurfDocker modules can be plugged into a single SurfRider/AMC, for a total of eight DSPs per AMC board. The basic SurfRider/AMC-EVM model includes two TI TMS320C6412 DSPs, and will accommodate other TI DSPs, including the robust, high-performance TMS320C6455 DSP and new TMS320C6454 DSP

NEW YORK (Reuters) - TiVo Inc. on Wednesday said it extended its TiVoToGo portable video service to pocket computers and mobile phones running Microsoft software, as the television recording company beefed up its offerings in an effort to differentiate from its rivals.

TiVo said TiVoToGo is now available on Microsoft Corp.'s Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Centers—paperback-sized devices that can play digital music and videos—as well as certain Windows Mobile-based Smartphones and PocketPCs handheld computers.

The move improves on TiVo's TiVoToGo initiative, announced earlier this year, that allows users to shift recorded TV programs to a personal computer in the same home.

The new feature lets them travel with those shows, and watch them on devices made by companies such as iRiver, Samsung Electronics , Hewlett-Packard Co., and Dell Inc. .

TiVo signed a key digital video recorder (DVR) distribution deal with cable provider Comcast earlier this year, quelling investors fears about its plans to grow subscribers to its fee-based service. But it still faces competition from cable and satellite TV providers, as well as consumer electronics makers.

It's an image designed to warm the heart of the most hardheaded wireless service provider: live TV delivered to millions of handsets via streaming media, the ultimate application of the unwired age. For the customer, however, there is a variety of services and approaches that capitalize on the basket of technologies known as mobile multimedia.

Service providers need to listen closely to their customers, rather than to their own hearts, if they intend to build a successful mobile media business. Customers are still mulling their commitments to live TV over mobile phone. They are still evaluating the need for audio and video streaming. And they are on the lookout for useful mobile applications that could make the whole venture worthwhile.

Analysts are bullish about the future of mobile video, even if they are still uncertain about how the business model will play out. Strategy Analytics predicts that the global market for mobile video content will reach $4.6 billion by 2008, with mobile music sales reaching $2.2 billion. But the firm's numbers include both streamed and downloaded content, with streaming representing a relatively small fraction of the total. Operators' thinking should be similarly cautious about mobile multimedia of all types.

he Imageon(TM) 2182 media processor from ATI Technologies Inc. has been included in the new fully featured S75 and SL75 multimedia phones from Siemens to deliver the ultimate in audio and video capabilities.

ATI's Imageon 2182 media processor, designed to bring exceptional audio and video quality to mobile phones, drives key features in the premium Siemens phones that include high-resolution color display, 1.3-megapixel digital camera, and optimized stereo audio and video streaming, recording, and playback.

The Imageon 2182 has a programmable audio engine for CD-quality ring-tones, stereo recording, and playback in industry-standard formats such as aacPlusTM, MP3, Real Audio and WMA, while its video engine enables digital video recording, playback, and streaming in 3GPP/3GPP2 industry-standard formats.

ATI's Powerplay(TM) power management technology lowers power consumption at all levels of functionality to extend battery life, allowing for a longer multimedia experience.

"Innovative, leading-edge products become successful when they have the best technology and are backed by solid brands," said Paul Dal Santo, Vice President and General Manager, Handheld Products.

"ATI was selected because our graphics and multimedia solutions are second to none. Together, these two brands give consumers unparalleled confidence in the products they are using, in addition to the tangible benefits such as increased playback time directly resulting from the Imageon media