equipment

Ken Olsen, co-founder of the defining technology company of a bygone era, Digital Equipment Corporation, has died. He was 84.

A spokeswoman for Gordon College in Massachusetts, where Olsen was a trustee and prominent donor, confirmed Monday evening Twitter reports of his death on Sunday. Olsen's company dominated the minicomputer era of the tech industry from the 1960s through the 1980s with the PDP and VAX series computers, and was a key part of the famed Route 128 technology corridor just outside Boston, along with companies like Data General and Wang.

"Ken Olsen is in the elite club … Read more

At least part of the controversy over whether to limit the sale of fuel that's more than 10 percent ethanol is over, for now anyway. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today waived a limitation on selling 15 percent ethanol--known as E15--for cars and light trucks 2007 or newer.

Last month, a controversy brewed over whether vehicles older 2007, or 2001, would be cleared to use E15, based on tests. The organization, Follow the Science, said the 50 percent increase in ethanol could damage catalytic converters in older vehicles, as well as engines of boats, motorcycles, ATVs, snowmobiles, … Read more

Verizon Wireless said today it has launched a mobile recovery application for its customers.

The application, which is included in the company's Total Equipment Coverage offering, allows users to secure (and find) their mobile phones when they're lost. According to a statement from Verizon, users will be able to access the program both online and on their phones. From within the app, users can start an alarm to help them find the device around the house. The carrier said that the alarm works "even if the phone is on silent or vibrate mode."

The app's … Read more

Nokia Siemens Networks will pay $1.2 billion for most of Motorola's wireless network equipment business, the companies announced Monday.

In striking the cash deal, Nokia Siemens hopes to improve its standing in the wireless equipment arena, both in the U.S. and across the world. The company said it expects the addition of Motorola's business will propel it to become the No. 3 wireless infrastructure vendor in the U.S. and the top foreign wireless vendor in Japan. It also expects to reinforce its No. 2 standing in the global wireless network market.

The deal is expected … Read more

Ford is making its 2011 Fiesta even more festive with new interior and exterior accessories and graphics. Ford's new accessories include a rear roof spoiler, which is exclusive to the hatchback, and a four-piece, race-inspired body kit with a sculpted front air dam, side skirts, and a sleek rear valance.

Ford is also giving you the option to add custom graphics by Original Wraps, which lets you choose the size and design of body-side graphics from a portfolio of images. Original Wraps has more than 18 designs to choose from and they are available in several colors, and include … Read more

So you want to upgrade your current car stereo to a phat sound machine with specialty or aftermarket parts? Beyond your personal tastes and desires for items like a head unit, speakers, and woofers, you should probably be aware that you'll need to upgrade your battery and alternator; most production vehicles' electrical systems are not designed to run high-power aftermarket audio equipment. In fact, most vehicles' electrical power range lies between 600 and 1,200 watts--not much for a big, loud, fancy car stereo.

Once you've decided what exact pieces you want to install as your car stereo … Read more

Jeep stakeholders reasserted their intention to regain a share of the international military market at the Defence Systems & Equipment International Exhibition in London this week.

Chrysler has teamed up with the Jankel Group to market a new tactical version of the commercially available Jeep Unlimited. The Jeep J8 (it's the eighth version of the Wrangler) has been extensively modified but retains the long wheelbase, drive train, and distinctive profile (PDF).

The J8 will be available in 12 configurations including light patrol, pickup truck, personnel carrier, armored, and ambulance variants.

"What the J8 is, really, is a tremendously … Read more

Made of particleboard and ABS plastic, the Lack rack comes in a variety of painted colors (and "birch effect"); it's 21.3 inches wide and deep, and 17.75 inches high. Ikea doesn't present the Lack as audio furniture; it's a side table, but audiophiles all over the world have used it to support their prized possessions. Build quality is surprisingly sturdy.

Granted, the Lack won't handle macho 100-pound high-end amplifiers, but it'll be just right for a CD player stacked on top of a cool running receiver or integrated amplifier. Or get … Read more

Chinese telecom equipment maker Huawei Technologies announced Monday that it will provide wireless equipment to cable operator Cox Communications, which is building its own 3G cell phone network.

Cox, the third largest cable provider in the U.S., is using the $300 million worth of spectrum it bought in last year's Federal Communications Commission's auction to build the network. The company also plans to resell Sprint Nextel wireless service. The service is expected to launch later this year.

Huawei is providing the CDMA equipment to build the network, which the company says will be upgradeable to the 4G … Read more