Car FYI

Photo Credit: Harman The major exhibition of consumer electronics starting off 2016 serves as the perfect place to take advantage of the optimism of a new 12-month period. A parent company behind premium sound as well as infotainment solution names like Harman Kardon, JBL and Infinity, Harman has unleashed a barrage of news for the 2016 CES in Las Vegas. Cloud-based service delivery, integration with smart home technology and most impressively pupil-based driver monitoring is part of Harman's automotive-related announcements. Not to be left off, Harman also unveils a number of audio system components such as the Infinity Voyager Drive Bluetooth unit. Among the plans for improving the in-car experience for driver and passengers, Harman is partnering with Microsoft to open-up greater connectivity possibilities. Involved in Harman's showcase of new mobile productivity solutions is components of Microsoft's trademark Office 365 technology suite. Integrated with infotai...

Photo Credit: Chris Nagy Technology wastes no time in ringing-in a new year. This week, the CES (Consumer Electronic Show) 2016 edition will provide a dazzling showcase pitching how this recently-arrived year, as well as others following, could be impacted by new ideas. Once a major exhibition for computer companies and home electronics trends, auto companies have rapidly assumed the figurative center stage at CES as a changing driving experience is quickly becoming apparent. Appearing almost as important as Detroit's North American International Auto Show in some aspects, the beginning of the year has Ford Motor Company devoting considerable resources into the 2016 CES. Set to be part of their showcase starting with Tuesday January 5th press conference ahead of the CES' opening, Ford has presented an impressive official show vehicle for the event. The reincarnated supercar that served as an auto show crown jewel in 2015, the 2017 Ford GT represents 2016's new and a...

It's almost impossible to isolate the number of patents that have been filed related to automobiles. In many of these cases, those patents are guarded fiercely by the right holders. In the United States, the early days of the automobile was controlled under what was called the Selden Patent . Filed by George B. Selden in 1879, the broad patent established a basis that allows the collection of royalties on any automobile manufactured by an American automaker. It was only when tenacious car pioneer Henry Ford fought and eventually won a court battle against the Selden Patent in 1911 that a four-wheeled vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine could be developed without paying a royalties. Since the Selden patent, the procedure of protecting certain techniques and technologies for financial gain has resulted in steady employment for attorneys. However, as the automobile enters a new stage of life, some auto companies have demonstra...

Like it or hate it, no one can doubt that the first-generation Chevrolet Volt was an important car. A premise founded as a concept car, the first plug-in hybrid powerplant vehicle was believed to be the product that would shepherd a recently bankrupt automaker into the future. The technology potentially enabled several short distance commuters to travel on electricity along without relying on a range-extending gasoline powerplant. Close to its introduction, a hefty price tag and loss of some of its novelty value led to the downplaying for the importance of the vehicle. Despite some apprehension, the Volt sold reasonable well as an electrified niche vehicle. No longer the only plug-in hybrid available to North American motorists, Chevrolet realized that the 2016 model year could provide the Volt with an edge capitalizing on new advances in technology and design. On Sunday night, the face of the highly-anticipated 2016 model year Chevrolet Volt greeted an audience in Las Vegas at thi...