The other day I was asked one of the most common questions folks inquire of me once they learn of my automotive alter ego – “Driven anything exciting lately?”

Normally I jump right in and rifle off any number of makes and models that have graced my driveway in recent weeks and months.

This time was different though, this one gave me pause. Had I driven anything exciting lately, I wondered? If so, why is that answer not spilling forth from my vocal chords as has so often happened in the past? Have I become complacent to the automotive industry of late? Am I perhaps as guilty as the general public in turning my attention away from the vehicular environment? Oh my God, is the honeymoon over?

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Ford Motor Company is taking a giant leap forward in rear seat occupant safety as they introduce new inflatable seat belts, set to debut on the next-generation Explorer SUV coming next year. They say that these new belts are being received as at least as comfortable as existing belts, if not more so, with the hopes of increasing seat belt usage by rear occupants. Here in Texas, lawmakers have already enacted legislation requiring all occupants of vehicles to be belted while the vehicle is in motion. I for one have never really found rear seat belts all that comfortable so this initiative by Ford is a big step in the right direction.

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No sooner did my iPhone 3GS become my new electronic partner than I began to think about protection – for it. If history shows anything, it is that I am not very kind to external surfaces of electronic equipment. Enter Speck Products and the new SeeThru hard shell case line.

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Apparently, funky is going mainstream in the auto industry.

What began as a unique phenomena over at a little startup division of Toyota has now spread across other Asian automaker model lines. Nissan challenged the squared Scion with a Cube and now Kia has put their heart and “Soul” into the mix.

(Sorry, had to work the pun in somewhere.)

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The newest Honda Pilot is something of a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Honda dubs it a crossover utility vehicle due to its not having a ladder frame architecture supporting the unit, but I feel this is about as close to a true SUV as one can get.
Last year, Honda introduced us to a completely made over Pilot, one that offers eight-passenger functionality without sacrificing ability and agility. The new model is larger inside and out, boasts a stronger, more fuel efficient powertrain, is more stable on the road and offers all the latest comfort and convenience amenities as well as class-leading safety. Continue Reading

Mini Cooper USB Drive – Special for Mini 50 years old

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We told you it was coming, and now General Motors and OnStar report the first successful use of their Stolen Vehicle Slowdown technology to end a carjacking in California.

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The digital transformation in the professional photographic world began around 10 years ago. D-SLRs began making their appearance on the scene as the “next big thing.” I myself was an early user of the now classic Nikon D-1 digital SLR camera. But the acceptance of digital by art directors worldwide was not so well taken. Availability of digital technology in the medium and large format spectrums came much slower and at greater cost. Fast forward to November, 2009, and Mamiya has an answer for those caught in this dilemma. Continue Reading

The discussion started as casually as most do. A co-worker asks “Would you buy a GM vehicle right now?”

My answer? You bet. And one of the reasons is their new Chevy Equinox.

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I am not sure just exactly who coined the phrase “sport utility vehicle” but I feel they were a bit remiss in the target segment they were identifying. Most of those giant grocery-getters of the past decade-and-a-half were anything BUT sporty.

Fast forward to the 21st century and we have seen an entire new breed of SUVs, yet most have been redefined as crossover utility vehicles given the nature of configuring some form of cargo box on top of a car-based platform.

We recently spent some time behind the wheel of the latest Acura RDX, junior sibling to the MDX which was given a model-line makeover at the same time a couple of years back.

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Despite building some decent midsize sedans over the years, Mazda knew it needed to undertake a significant model makeover in order to keep pace with the CD-segment, namely Accord and Camry. With this newest Mazda6 they have done just that.

Their mantra? Zoom-zoom evolution.

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New York-based BrickHouse Security is not only dedicated to assisting the public and government with their security, safety, protection, covert surveillance and counter-surveillance needs, but they also want to offer peace of mind for our mobile environments as well.

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There are adventures, and then there are great adventures, those usually described to friends and family as “trip of a lifetime” or the like.

And while you do your best to describe every detail, words rarely do an adequate job. Sights and sounds are needed at this point, and that is where VholdR steps in.

Video captured in high definition will bear witness to your tales and the folks at VholdR offer not only a choice of HD wearable camcorders but also a platform to share your adventures with the rest of the world.

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OK, so your loved one has finally been able to wrestle that DuPont Registry away from you and demands you find suitable transportation back here in the real world. After spending hours perusing the Auto Trader and Craigslist, you find yourself with more questions than answers that are perhaps keeping you from signing on the bottom line or plunking down that hard-earned dinero.

For some real world advice and assistance, you might check out realworldautomotive.com, run by ASE-certified master mechanic Alex Steele.

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True, I may be just a “Gaijin” from Texas, but I do know a work of art when I see one. The new Infiniti Essence concept car is just that.

Staring at it in adoration, I think I also broke a few commandments.

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