Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Don't Text and Drive: Bourdais reportedly fired by Toro Rosso via SMS]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/17/dont-text-and-drive-bourdais-reportedly-fired-by-toro-rosso-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/17/dont-text-and-drive-bourdais-reportedly-fired-by-toro-rosso-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/08/17/dont-text-and-drive-bourdais-reportedly-fired-by-toro-rosso-vi/#commentsFiled under: ,



The rules of text messaging seem to keep on sliding to the point where what was once unacceptable is now common practice - but there's got to be a line drawn somewhere. Take Sebastien Bourdais, for example, who claims that he was fired via SMS.

The French racer, who dominated the Champ Car series in its final four years, didn't have as much luck in Formula One and was recently canned by Toro Rosso after failing to perform over the last two years. Bourdais sued Toro Rosso for breach of contract and reportedly settled out of court for remaining salary plus $2 million in damages, but he's not done lashing out at the team for how they handled his termination. According to Bourdais, he received the official kiss-off by a simple text message. Call us old-fashioned if you like, but we think that being fired warrants a face-to-face, or at least a phone call.

[Source: F1-Live | Image: Peter Fox/Getty]

Don't Text and Drive: Bourdais reportedly fired by Toro Rosso via SMS originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bourdaisscuderia toro rossoScuderiaToroRossosebastien bourdaisSebastienBourdaissmsstrtext messageTextMessagetoro rossoToroRossoMon, 17 Aug 2009 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[California outlaws texting while driving... finally]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/california-outlaws-texting-while-driving-finally/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/california-outlaws-texting-while-driving-finally/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/25/california-outlaws-texting-while-driving-finally/#commentsFiled under: , ,

After wiping the egg off his face for approving legislation earlier this year that banned cell phone use yet still allowed texting behind the wheel, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger hurriedly signed legislation today banning drivers from sending, writing, or reading messages on electronic devices. If you are one of those text-messaging morons in the fast lane, no need to worry as the law doesn't go into effect until January. Even when it does, the fine for a first offense is only $20 (what, a mere 5 gallons of gas?), and the second offense is just $50. Considering it is still legal to type in a phone number on a keypad while driving... um, we haven't the foggiest idea on how they are going to actually enforce this law in the first place.

[Source: Los Angeles Times]

California outlaws texting while driving... finally originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Sep 2008 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnoldSchwarzeneggerbannedcaliforniagovernorlawlegislationtext messagetextingTextMessageThu, 25 Sep 2008 08:58:00 EST<![CDATA[iLane first hands-and-eyes free email solution for driving]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/24/ilane-first-hands-and-eyes-free-email-solution-for-driving/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/24/ilane-first-hands-and-eyes-free-email-solution-for-driving/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/24/ilane-first-hands-and-eyes-free-email-solution-for-driving/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Intelligent Mechatronic Systems, Inc. (IMS) has unveiled a new device called the iLane that enables a driver to access his/her email in a hands-and-eyes free way. The iLane is designed to handle all incoming information, including emails, phone calls and even text messages. The voice-based interface means that one can listen to, compose and forward emails just as if they were accessing an email account on a computer. The small device works by interacting with your Bluetooth-enabled phone or email device and can also route the audio into a vehicle's audio system or Bluetooth headset.

Though IMS bills the iLane as a way to safely access and manage emails on the go, undoubtedly people will question the safety of a device that encourages such activity while driving in the first place. Vehicles today, however, are moving ever closer to becoming fully functioning mobile offices, and how long will it be before Windows or Mac OSX are factory installed options? While we can personally wait until we're parked to check our email, the iLane might be helpful for that white-collar up-and-comer on the go. Though not yet available, the iLane is currently being shopped around by IMS to distributors and even automotive OEMs.

(Check out a full press release on the iLane after the jump and the iLane website here)

[Source: iLane]

Continue reading iLane first hands-and-eyes free email solution for driving

iLane first hands-and-eyes free email solution for driving originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jul 2006 18:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bluetoothe-mailemailemailingSMStext messageTextMessagewirelessMon, 24 Jul 2006 18:16:00 EST