Motorola launches Smart Rider at CTIA

Motorola broke a few molds when it announced the Smart Rider at CTIA this week. Smart Rider is a cross between a phone and a portable GPS device, using a 2.8 inch high-resolution screen for map display and turn-by-turn directions.

It also features voice commands and Bluetooth hands-free calling. Although the press release is a little short on details, it seems to say that you can pair your phone with the Smart Rider, and transfer contact information. But Smart Rider also has its own GSM connection, so presumably it would have its own phone number, and its cellular connection would be used to download maps as needed. It also features live traffic and local search, services that would also come over a cellular connection. Smart Rider will be available in June, 2008.

Read More......

GM calls for others to move the hydrogen highway forward

Which came first? Hydrogen fuel-cell cars or hydrogen filling stations? The answer depends on who you ask. General Motors yesterday called for a "collective resolve" to address the problem of infrastructure to support fuel-cell powered cars. Speaking at the National Hydrogen Association's annual meeting, GM's R&D honcho Larry Burns said that the situation with regard to fuel-cell cars had "now reached a point where the energy industry and governments must pick up their pace so we can continue to advance in a timely manner".

The other problem--which Burns failed to mention-- is the lack of actual vehicles to make use of said infrastructure. While GM and Honda have committed to putting a handful of fuel-cell vehicles on the road this year, it hardly constitutes justification for the $12B-worth of investment that GM and Shell anticipate it will cost to bring hydrogen access to 70 percent of the US population. And without the economies of scale that comes from mass production, hydrogen cars such as the Honda Clarity and Chevy Equinox continue to be expensive showpieces. Expect the hold-ups on the hydrogen highway to continue as the automakers, energy companies, and public sector work out who is going to come up with the necessary investment for making the technology a widespread reality.

Read More......