Ross Ching’s “Running on Empty” — a vision of L.A. without cars. More about the video at his site. (via adpocalypse)
(Source: thelogoisbigenough)
Wouldn’t this be nice? Cruising down the 101, while your car does all the driving and you play board games with friends.
reblogged via paleofuture:
We live in the future. From Times’ Technology, reporting from CES:
It’s not just automakers such as like Ford, Toyota and GM that are getting into the telematics game. Now aftermarket manufacturer Pioneer Electronics Inc. has revealed a host of smartphone-connected systems at CES.
The Long Beach-based company, known for its car stereos, raised the curtain on two new in-dash touch-screen navigation systems -– AVIC Z130BT and AVIC X930BT. Both are coming out in the spring and will be priced from $1,000 to $1,500.
And each will be compatible with smartphones such as the iPhone. Pioneer’s free Aha Radio Mobile App will use an iPhone linked into the navigation system to turn Twitter, Yelp, Facebook and other social-media outlets into audio broadcasts.
Drivers will also be able to listen in on updated traffic conditions and customized music from Pandora.
And when the vehicle is parked, Pioneer’s App Mode feature will transmit videos from Safari, YouTube and more from a hooked-in iPhone onto the car’s navigation screen.
From a weeklong CNN series “Our Mobile Lives”:
Forget about using your smartphone in the car. Your next car might be one. A growing number of auto and electronic companies are creating systems that put touchscreens, and the ability to talk and text, right into the dashboard.
In the near future, a significant percentage of new cars on the road are expected to come equipped with the ability to update Facebook statuses by voice and even surf the Web from the driver’s seat.
CNN Tech’s full story covers the safety factors involved.
The company building this digital license plate positions it as a way for the vehicle owner to project an image of some kind — allegiance to a sports time, a personalized message, etc. The California legislature seems to have a different idea — drive revenue to the state with ads.
If the idea is indeed to require I pay the state to register my car, and in exchange, the DMV plasters dynamic ads for “The A-Team” on my vehicle, we’re expecting this bill might see quite a bit of resistance.
In a rare, smart use of apps for brand building, Aamco has an actually *gasp* useful app. Called iGaauge (ignore the name, and bear with me), the iPhone and Android app offers a handy guide for car maintenance tips.
On the one hand, you might think, Well if I have this manual, why do I need to take my car in? It might help you out of a jam once or twice, but it’s by no means exhaustive. And if you have to take your whip in, what’s the first place you’ll think of?
Vroom! Smart brand injection.
Photo: L. Tremont
Recently, things have been piling up in the car. Books here, newspapers there. An extra sweater, misplaced change. It is really easy to make your car your second home, here in L.A. As much as we drive the freeways, some days you can find yourself in the car for hours.
As of late, stuff has been piling up on the dashboard. Not a usual place for things, but it happens from time to time. One rose, two seashells. That’s what is on the dashboard currently.
What’s on yours?
Photo credit: Lori Kozlowski / Los Angeles Times
Have you ever run out of gas? We’ve heard (not from our own experience or anything) that it’s a not such a great event - coming to a slow stop (on Sunset Boulevard), car dying in the middle of the road (at 11:00 at night), walking for miles to find a gas can (in high heels).
If you have ever been fuel-less, we want to know about it. How’d you get home? Where were you? Spill your guts below. Or email us at go@latimes.com.
Photo credit: Lori Kozlowski / Los Angeles Times
Should L.A. give cyclists more space on the road?
L.A. is pretty much a car-based city. The famous (or infamous, depending on your take) freeways create a network that was designed to get people to their destinations quickly. Long stretches. No stop lights. Fast speeds.
But cycling culture has risen up in recent years, for many reasons— the environment being a huge primary concern.
So, what do you think? Do bikes deserve more room on the roads? And can motorists learn to share?
Think your commute is safer now that California requires drivers to use hands-free cellphones?
Think again.
The Highway Loss Data Institute found that rates of crashes before and after the landmark law took effect in 2008 have not significantly changed.
