Ford Motor CEO Alan Mulally will announce on Thursday at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas that the automaker is incorporating a Twitter application into its next-generation Sync in-car communication system. It is one of three free apps — the others are online entertainment services Pandora and Stitcher — in the first wave of what Ford hopes will become a portfolio of mobile-phone-like apps available for tech-minded motorists. "It's about bringing the Internet to the car," said Charles Golvin, principal analyst at Forrester Research. "What they're doing is making it really easy." Sync, co-created with Microsoft, is a system that lets drivers operate their Bluetooth-enabled smartphones and music players with voice commands and have text messages read to them, among other functions. Since Sync was unveiled three years ago, Ford has sold more than 1 million vehicles with it. Encouraging outside developers to create apps — useful and fun applications sold or offered free — for the system seemed a logical next step. The goal is to get in on the apps revolution that has helped make mobile devices such as Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch so popular. source: USA Today Labels: Good Ideas, Technology, Twitter
In many parts of the UK there are warnings not to drive unless it is absolutely necessary, but if you do have to get in the car, what is the best way to drive in snow? Karlene Pinnock, a BBC Newsbeat reporter, has some top tips from driving instructor Tim about how to make your journey safer. source: BBC Newsbeat Labels: BBC, Good Ideas, Travel
The Van Best Practice Programme helps van users to save money by improving the operational, environmental and safety performance of their vans. By making small changes to everyday practice, you can drive down costs and improve business performance. Van Best Practice offers free advice to businesses of all sizes on how they can change the way they run their vans to reduce fuel costs, running costs and CO2 emissions. source: DfT Labels: DFT, Good Ideas, Money
One of the big issues for ambitious small firms looking to grow is how to attract new customers.
You know you have a great product, or offer a good service, but how do you best make yourself known to would-be buyers? On the BBC website Ganesh Selvarajah, an advisor at Business Link, the government-funded business support service, looks at how to best target your advertising or marketing spend. source: BBC Labels: BBC, Good Ideas, Money, News
The UK's car scrappage scheme is to be extended, Lord Mandelson has announced.
He said the scheme, which started in May and gives consumers £2,000 off a new car if they trade in one at least 10 years old, was running out of money.
The business secretary broke the news, called for by the car industry, in his speech to the Labour Party conference.
He said "we cannot do everything but that does not mean doing nothing" and said the scheme would be extended to cover 100,000 more cars and vans. source: BBC Labels: BBC, Good Ideas, Money, News
Fabrics specialist, Vispack, has launched a new road safety pack, which it claims can save lives and reduce insurance claims.The pack, known as “The Driver’s Hub”, contains five high-visibility reflective vests, to be worn in the event of a vehicle emergency.
source: Insurance Daily Labels: Good Ideas, News
Volkswagen’s latest security system has been honoured at this year’s BusinessCar Techies Awards with the advanced electronic Intelligent Key being named Best Security Device. A new standard feature on all Volkswagen Touareg 4x4 and Phaeton models, the key maintains a record of whether the car has been locked and alarmed. By simply pressing a button on the key and looking at the red light indicator, an owner can check, even when they are not with the car, the ‘locked’ status of their vehicle. It can also provide vital evidence to insurers and fleet managers as they can confirm by interrogating the car key’s data chip whether the vehicle was secured before any theft or break-ins occurred.
For the full story visit the Volkswagen website here... source: VW Labels: Good Ideas, News, Technology, Volkswagen
The Highways Agency is calling on drivers to check their fuel levels before setting off on journeys after more than 15,000 drivers broke down on England’s motorways over a 12-month period after running out of fuel.
Breaking down on the motorway causes disruption to journeys and road users can put themselves as well as other drivers at risk. To reduce the inconvenience and also the hazards involved, the Agency, supported by the Driving Standards Agency, is calling on drivers to check their fuel levels before setting off on journeys.
The Driving Standards Agency’s Director for Safer Driving, Trevor Wedge, said:
“Running out of fuel on a motorway can be a risky business. Stopping on the hard shoulder will place you and your passengers in a vulnerable situation that could be avoided.
Make sure you have plenty of fuel for your journey before driving on to a motorway and don't let the fuel in your tank run too low. Fill up well before the gauge reaches empty and before the warning light comes on." Labels: Good Ideas, Highways Agency, News
Did you know that the BVRLA still offers free advertising for members’ job vacancies on it's website.
Labels: BVRLA, Good Ideas, Money
A complete overhaul of the way in which people navigate the internet has been given the go-ahead in Paris.
The net's regulator, Icann, voted unanimously to relax the strict rules on so-called "top-level" domain names, such as .com or .uk. The decision means that companies could turn brands into web addresses, while individuals could use their names.
A second proposal, to introduce domain names written in Asian, Arabic or other scripts, was also approved.
Labels: BBC, Good Ideas, Technology
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