gm

In its PR efforts around the Chevy Volt, GM is doing something unprecedented, letting journalists get a sneak peak at how the power train drives in a test mule, absent the actual car in which it will be deployed. One of these lucky journalists, Jeff Gilbert of WWJ radio, made a video of his test drive. The test mule uses the Chevy Cruze, a new model, as a platform for the Voltec power train. The video lacks specifics about how the car drives, except that Gilbert says he loves it. There are interviews with GM personnel, good information about how … Read more

Astronomical gas prices last year seemed to kill the SUV market, but automakers at the New York auto show disagree. Mercedes-Benz rolls out a hybrid version of its ML-class, offering a high-tech power train in a luxury SUV. Jeep tries to make a case for its continued survival with a modern-looking Grand Cherokee featuring an impressive cabin tech roster. And GMC shows off the Terrain, an all-new model to add to its large line of SUVs.

Buzzing around the floor of the 2009 New York auto show, is the PUMA--the result of a collaboration between Segway and GM. We had a chance to ride in the vehicle, an electric-powered two seater. PUMA stands for Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility, and works on similar principles as the Segway Personal Transporter. Where on the Personal Transporter, you lean forward to make it go, the PUMA's steering column has to be pushed, which causes the entire cab to slide to the front and move weight forward, making the PUMA go.

The driver of the PUMA cautioned us to … Read more

The DS has a new add-on that includes a pedometer to help you measure your walking. We don't know if it will slim down the Mii that got fat ignoring Wii Fit. Australia is going on an all-fiber diet for their Internet needs, and the AP wants everyone to stop linking to them. OK! Careful what you wish for?

Healthcare records: Google gets pharmacies, MS hospitals http://news.cnet.com/8301-1001_3-10213205-92.html http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2009/04/healthcare-records-google-gets-pharmacies-ms-hospitals.ars

Australia to build a fiber network for all http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/08/technology/internet/08broadband.html?partner=rss&emc=rss… Read more

First, a confession: I am not much of a car aficionado. I truly appreciate the beauty of sports and luxury cars of different vintages, but when it comes to buying, I think about practicality.

So when I received a media alert on Friday that GM was going to unveil a "revolutionary vehicle to help people move through crowded cities" and solve other urban driving ills, I got excited.

The actual news was a bit of a letdown. GM and Segway showed off a two-wheel prototype vehicle based on Segway's scooter platform that lets two people tool around … Read more

General Motors and Segway plan to take a two-wheel concept vehicle for a spin around New York City on Tuesday.

The prototype vehicle, called Project PUMA (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), is designed to ease congestion and pollution problems in cities. It is based on the Segway Personal Transporter but holds two people, instead of one, and lets them sit, instead of stand.

A PUMA runs on lithium ion batteries, can reach 35 miles per hour, and can travel up to 35 miles between charges.

It includes some high-tech touches, including GM's wireless OnStar communications technology that lets a … Read more

Updated at 9:40 a.m. PDT with a comment from a Chrysler spokesperson.

EV Innovations, a lithium car battery specialist based in Las Vegas, is perhaps looking for a way to catch a few of the stimulus dollars aimed for Detroit.

The boutique electric-vehicle manufacturer, formerly named Hybrid Technologies, issued a statement on Thursday, April 2, 2009, announcing that the company "has begun the process of reaching out to both Chrysler and General Motors to discuss the possibilities of merging its cutting-edge electric-car manufacturing and lithium battery technology with the giant automakers."

If preliminary discussions are taking … Read more

LG's big CTIA news was the introduction of the LG Xenon and Neon for AT&T, and Nicole Lee's all over the messaging phones with hands-on impressions and photos.

However, I wandered over to the LG booth myself (actually, I crashed Nicole's one-on-one meeting), because I wanted to find out what the company's plans are for bringing more smartphones to the United States.

As you might remember, LG announced at GSMA 2009 that it has committed to the Windows Mobile operating system for its smartphones, intends to increase the number of Windows phones available in … Read more

The Streamy awards made me think of how Hollywood and the video bloggers are starting to come together. It made Natali think about urination. So, maybe they need to rethink branding. We also tell you how violent video games will make you see better. For real.

Happy fourth birthday! I can’t believe Buzz Out Loud has been around for four years. Here’s hoping for four more! –Joseph in Ohio http://buzzoutloud.wikia.com/wiki/Episode_1

Streamy Awards dominated by Felica Day http://newteevee.com/2009/03/29/joss-whedon-felicia-day-and-a-pile-of-streamys/

Google gives … Read more