techimoto

In what the company claims is an industry first, Chrysler has announced uconnect web, a system that brings wireless Internet connectivity to any Chrysler, Dodge, or Jeep vehicle.It essentially turns the car into a WiFi hotspot that provides secure, real-time entertainment and information to all vehicle passengers.

According to Chrysler, the hotspot range will extend approximately 50 feet from the vehicle in all directions, and will combine both WiFi and 3G cellular connectivity. This means that passengers can stop the car at a family picnic or other event, and then proceed to make dinner reservations, check directions or weather, make online purchases, log into Facebook, MySpace, Disney or Webkinz, watch YouTube videos, or upload photos to a Flickr account, all using any laptop, Sony PSP, the iPhone, or other Wi-Fi-enabled device.

Since this is ultimately a cellular service, despite its emphasis on WiFi, the pricing will be complex: “The U.S. Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the router module is $449,” Chrysler says. “Dealer installation is estimated at approximately $35-50. Autonet Mobile offers wireless Internet account service at $29 a month, available in 12-, 24- and 36-month service plans. There is a one-time $35 service activation fee. Customer support assistance for hardware and service is available.”

Uconnect web will be powered by Autonet Mobile, and will be available in August as a dealer-installed Mopar accessory, the company said in the statement.

Wired Magazine featured a recent article suggesting that a “cure” for global warming, because of the seriousness of the situation (i.e., a complete change of life as we know it, or possibly eradication of the human species along with a few others), that we might need to reexamine a few approaches that are, well, less than “green” in most books. “global warming threatens to overwhelm any progress made on other issues. The planet is already heating up, and the point of no return may be only decades away. So combating greenhouse gases must be our top priority, even if that means embracing the unthinkable. Here, then, are 10 tenets of the new environmental apostasy.”

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Meet the good ship “Emma Maers”, registered to the country of China.

So this is how Wal-Mart gets most of it’s stuff from China ; 15,000 containers and a 207′ beam, and 13 people for a ship longer than a US aircraft carrier which has a crew of 5,000 men and officers. Check out the cruise speed: 31 knots means the goods arrive 4 days before the typical container ship (18-20 knots) on a China-to-California run. So this behemoth is hugely competitive when carrying perishable goods.
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After touring Holland, MI, we pressed hard north as we had a reservation at a RV Park, on Lake Leelanau, named, logically enough, Lake Leelanau RV Park, located about 15 miles West of Traverse City. We got a little lost, which ended up being OK, since we were privy to blossoming cherry trees, and beautiful rolling hills of green, green grass. We made it to the park late afternoon, and after paying, in my opinion, too much ($48 for a VIP site), we settled into a reasonably spacious site with a concrete slab, picnic table, and fire rim. Read the rest

The best laid plans and all that…sometimes it’s just better to trust one’s instincts… I’ve been offline for awhile due to a crisis in Los Angeles. Kind of a big crisis actually, but my mothering instincts helped save my mother’s life from 2600 miles away.  So, as much as I want to break away from nourishing others, I can’t say I’m there yet.  Read the rest

Sirs. I am pleased to report that my troops have successfully achieved our mission by reaching the territory now referred to as the Straits of Northern Ohio. My troops are weary, to be sure, but in good spirits. We have scant provisions left, and the weather here remains cold, often accompanied by a dampness that penetrates the very soul, yet their is a beauty here unlike any other I have witnessed. We shall soon set up a base camp in an area called “East Harbor” by the natives, and will begin our secondary mission of protecting the bounteous fur trade that transpires here, and will use arms against rouge Injun tribes or any other parties that attempt to disturb this blossoming commerce (some of our elected officials also like to call this protective activity “ensuring democracy”). I will of course in subsequent correspondence provide you with an accounting of our expedition expenditures, to include provisions, cost of fossil fuels utilized, and other such expenses. At this time, as mentioned, our provisions run low, yet the locale is rich in fish and other meats (something they call “cows”, and of course “corn” which I am told you are quite fond), that surely will sustain us through the summer and with proper preparation, the winter should that become necessary. The natives are friendly, and will most likely provide us with help in these endeavors. I do, on occassion, notice some of the more hungry of the indiginous here eyeballing our plump mascot, Maggie, but she remains agile and would surely escape their grip should they get any unconventional ideas about diminishing their appetites.

I will, of course, keep you posted as our mission progresses. Additional details of our daily log will be forthcoming. A runner was sent towards your location several days past, and should be in your hands post haste.  As always, I remain your humble servant and faithful subordinate -

Yours truly,

Captain James Rutherford Wilson

You’ll note that the titles no longer contain the “Route 66″ designation, since the whole Route 66 thing ends in Chicago. From here on out, it’s more just sight seeing and “a vacation”. We pushed north along the western edge of Michigan.

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Sorry for the delay. I think we are all getting too relaxed. But.. my readers demand that I blog on , so here goes.

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We crossed the line into Illinois on this day, and pushed as far North as possible. We decided to leave the comfort and safety of the interstate, and branched off onto route 54 at Springfield, IL and headed towards a little state campgrounds on Lake Clinton. Our luck was with us, and this little campsite gem turned out to be one of the nicest so far.

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