ie8 fix

cruise

22 channels of satellite TV, on wheels

RaySat, a global developer and manufacturer of satellite communication systems, officially launched its antenna for consumer digital television at SEMA 2008. The CruiseCast system uses new satellite TV technology along with a content package provided by AT&T. Al & Ed's has had a test mule for over a year now, but we recently installed the final version.

Most mobile electronics aficionados are familiar with another satellite TV system from KVH, called TracVision. Tracvision brings a DirecTV Mobile package to road-going TV watchers, but the system antenna is very large and retails for about $3,000. Thus, it was limited to SUV installations for the most part, and definitely only for those with gobs of disposable income.

The new CruiseCast is about the size of a bicycle helmet, can be carried in one hand, and retails for $1,299. This makes the unit much more installable as well as affordable, so it will no doubt give the KVH Tracvision a run for its money. The AT&T content is being finalized at the time of this writing, but it is almost locked down. It can best be described as a "Cable TV-type" channel selection.

While it has the staples like Discovery, TLC, CNN, Adult Swim, and more, it does not have local programming or movie channels such as HBO or Cinemax available. The 22 stations should satisfy most viewers, though, and they also have 20 music channels. … Read more

Bart Simpson robocalls for Scientology

A squat little man with dubious hair and a penchant for suggesting people place their mouths near his shorts has been robocalling on behalf of the Church of Scientology.

Yes, Bart Simpson. (Who on earth did you think I was talking about?)

The Village Voice reported that Nancy Cartwright, the lady who is Bart's tonsils, called many people to invite them to a Scientology event. And she used her Bart impression to make an impression.

The Voice quotes Cartwright's call: "'This is Bart Simpson' -- she quickly says she's just kidding and identifies herself. But she … Read more

HTC Touch Cruise gets makeover, debuts with new Footprints software

On Thursday, HTC revealed a revamped version of its HTC Touch Cruise smartphone, complete with an updated look and souped-up geotagging software called HTC Footprints.

The new Touch Cruise replaces the original model, which debuted in January 2008, and expands on the capabilities of the GPS-centric smartphone with HTC Footprints. The application not only lets you geotag photos that you take using the device's 3.2-megapixel camera, but you can also add notes and audio clips to these digital "postcards."

In addition, Footprints will automatically name each postcard with its general location or area, so you have … Read more

Partnership puts AT&T CruiseCast in rental cars

AT&T stopped by the Car Tech booth at CES 2009 to give us a look at its CruiseCast mobile satellite TV service. The details of the service haven't changed much since the unveiling just a few months ago at the 2008 SEMA Show, but today we received a bit of news that means you may be able to experience CruiseCast for yourself sooner than you think.

RaySat Broadcasting Corp. (co-creator of CruiseCast along with AT&T) and Avis Budget Group are teaming up to offer Avis and Budget Rent A Car customers the use of AT&… Read more

Celebrities are not very bright, suggest scientists

We live in times when celebrities become mayors, governors, even presidents. They use their good looks and power to speak out about all the important things in the world. Like cancer. And fur.

Which is, perhaps, why Sense About Science, an organization that exists to give a little scientific perspective in the midst of our madness, has published the Celebrities and Science Review 2008.

This delightfully downloadable pdf shows celebrities for what they really are: somewhat deficient. Scientifically speaking.

The report barely conceals its glee at what it sees as some of the magnificent nonsense that has emerged from celebrity … Read more

Take your TV to-go with AT&T CruiseCast

At 2008's SEMA Show, I took a spin in a Toyota Sienna with a rather unique feature designed and installed by AT&T: CruiseCast Satellite TV. I have to say after seeing the system, I'm impressed.

We here at CNET Car Tech have test driven vehicles equipped with satellite TV, such as the 2009 Dodge Ram and Durango Hybrid vehicles with their Sirius Backseat TV systems. These systems have two fatal flaws. First, the signal is poor even at its best. At its worst, it's unwatchable because of spotty reception. Secondly, the selection of channels is … Read more

New brief on DARPA's Vulcan engine

DARPA has released some tidbits of information in a briefing on how one might build a propulsion system that combines a Constant Volume Combustion (CVC) engine and a full-scale turbine engine to accelerate a hypersonic jet to multiple Mach.

It's called the Vulcan, and it's a demonstration program designed to power a full-scale reusable hypersonic cruise vehicle like the Falcon HTV-3X, and to do it by 2012. The key, according to the DARPA briefing, is to integrate a currently produced turbine engine like the F110-129 or the F119, with minimal modifications and a CVC (PDF).

The CVC, or &… Read more

Jerry Yang finally takes advice from experts

The Chief Yahooey, Jerry Yang, has had enough.

Enough of journalists, bloggers, analysts, and all those who claim to know more about running his business than he does.

The simple fact is that he should have slipped down to Shutters on the Beach last weekend and met with two of the world's most important people, people who themselves have endured criticism from Lesser Beings.

Actor Tom Cruise and President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela.

Is there any question that these two could help Mr. Yang solve the Yahoo crisis? Here's how it might have gone.

"I am glad … Read more

Tom Cruise snaps up ads on Google AdWords

Tom Cruise and his publicity crew are apparently buying up ads on Google AdWords. Hollywood Newsroom first noticed the fact that when you type in "Tom Cruise" in a Google search, paid sponsored ads for the Scientologist's official, soon-to-be-launched Web site appear. "Stay Tuned For Official Site Launch" and "Get the real scoop from Tom Cruise," the ads proclaim.

The timing of the Google Adwords move appears to coincide with Cruise's recent appearance on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where he made an earnest attempt to convince Oprah and the public that he'… Read more

Those crazy Brits just want to go on a "cruises"

Americans can't get sex off their minds, with "sex.com" the most expensive domain name in history ($12 million). But those wild and crazy Brits? They just want to go on cruises, with "cruises.co.uk" being bought recently for roughly $1 million.

I've never been on a cruise. Unfortunately for "cruises.co.uk," I'm unlikely to go on one that they offer, because a Google search doesn't bring up that domain in the top ten. But maybe if I input "cruises UK"?

Nope. But "cruise.co.… Read more