Automotive Mobile Audio Video

Motorcycling is all about fun and adding excitement to your life -- until one day an accident or breakdown takes place -- and your “ride” needs a ride of its own. Being stranded on the road takes the fun out of a ride for you and your fellow bikers, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Plan for the unexpected by purchasing a collapsible motorcycle trailer that stores in your trunk.

Not only can a collapsible motorcycle trailer save you from a weekend disaster, but it can save you money as well. One company’s innovative design even offers add-on kits which will convert its motorcycle trailer into a watercraft or utility trailer.

Although motorcycle trailers should be considered a necessary motorcycle accessory, to many bikers they are “if” products, according to Brad Stacy of QC Metal Fab, Inc. “Trailers are nice to have, if they weren’t such an eyesore that can’t be easily stored. A trailer is great for out-of-town rallies -- if you can find a place to park it. Trailers can help you out in an emergency -- if they are around when you need them.”

A collapsible trailer removes the negative “ifs” from your thinking, notes Stacy, and provides several reasons for owning a stowable trailer. QC Metal Fab’s Port-A-Chopper Collapsible Motorcycle Trailer is designed so that components are held together with heavy-duty bent hitch pins. Assembly or disassembly procedures are quick and easy, taking one person less than 15 minutes -- with no tools needed. (Tools are required only for the original assembly of a few sub-components.)

Out of sight, but never out of reach -- Reason number one for owning a collapsible trailer is the ability to stow it away in a trunk or storage shed. With the Port-A-Chopper, no component weighs over 44 pounds or is longer than 48 inches, and a disassembled unit occupies about the same space as a large golf bag, making it the perfect solution when storage space is limited.

No need to “fold” on a poker run -- Anyone who has ever participated in charity events or poker runs recognizes that it’s not uncommon for a biker to get stranded due to a mechanical breakdown or accident. If a Port-A-Chopper is packed in the chase vehicle, there’s no need to leave an unattended motorcycle on the side of the road. One person is all it takes to load a motorcycle onto the Port-A-Chopper, and adjust the tie-down straps.

No problem when your motorcycle needs service -- Taking your motorcycle in for routine service doesn’t require the assistance of several buddies to hoist the bike on a pickup truck. With the Port-A-Chopper, it’s strictly a one-man job. Haul your bike in for service on your trailer, disassemble the Port-A-Chopper, store in your trunk, and continue on your way. You won’t have to tow an empty trailer back home, and won’t owe any favors.

No big deal buying a bike in a distant city -- You’ve seen the bike of your dreams on the Internet, and want to check it out ... and perhaps buy it on the spot. There’s no need to beg a friend to drive with you to a distant city, and no need to drag an empty, bouncing trailer to your destination. Pack your Port-A-Chopper collapsible trailer in your trunk, use it to tow your new purchase home, and save the expense of a transporter service.

No putting up with bad weather -- The most popular use of any motorcycle trailer is to travel in comfort to far-away rallies. For drives to Daytona, Sturgis and other popular destinations, a collapsible trailer provides the added option of allowing you or your travel partner the ability to drive the motorcycle part of the way (with the collapsible trailer stowed in the back of your vehicle). You’ll have peace of mind, knowing that if inclement weather is forecast, you will be able to enjoy the rest of the trip inside your tow vehicle. Best of all, when you reach your destination, you won’t waste time looking for a place to park the trailer -- and there won’t be any trailer parking fees. Just disassemble the Port-A-Chopper and store it in your trunk.

Turn your motorcycle trailer into a watercraft or utility trailer -- Newly developed add-on kits convert the Port-A-Chopper to serve double-duty as a watercraft trailer, able to carry a jet ski or small watercraft weighing up to 1,000 pounds. Another kit is available to convert the standard motorcycle trailer into a sturdy 4x8-foot trailer. Unlike a typical bulky utility trailer, the Port-A-Chopper utility conversion will handle big hauling chores, but disassembles in flat pieces, requiring very little storage space.

There are all kinds of motorcycle jackets on the market including leather but isn't it time you knew the pros and cons of motorcycle leather? Well let's help you sort it all out.

Leather jackets have been around forever. In fact they've been around as long as the motorcycle itself. Usually they are made out of cowhide and they are available in either a long or short grain and different overall thicknesses.

The thickness is noted in mm and is tied to the amount of protection the jacket can provide. The stitching is also important. Leather pieces are thick and so if the stitching isn't solid that the seams let go.

There are all kinds of levels of quality in leather jackets and all kinds of protection levels. There's the very cheapest leather jacket which might look great for a night out but will give you no protection on your bike to the highest quality jacket that meet pro racing standards.

Leather jackets will cost you more than a textile jacket and they will last longer and are so nice and soft that they are ever so comfy. Today you can even by 50-50 mixes that are half textile and half leather.

Leather has plenty of pros. It is readily available and available in a huge number of colors and styles. It is easier to repair than you might think and so even if you wear out a spot it can easily be fixed. Leather is soft, well fitting, affordable, comfortable, and it provides plenty of protection. And because it's thick it provides good protection in the cooler months too.

There are also a few cons. Leather isn't water-resistant and when it gets wet it can shrink and be uncomfortable or impossible to wear. The dye colors are known for bleeding and black is the worst. Unless you specifically seek out ventilated leather they can become extremely hot to wear in the warmer months.

A leather jacket should protect you from strong impact blows, abrasion, or even puncture. In a perfect world no-one would ever have an accident or dump their bike, but we don't live in a perfect world. Leather addresses these issues and so do some other materials.

When looking to buy your jacket check for double stitching, foam in the joints, Kevlar, and rivets. Make sure you have room to put a sweater underneath in colder weather. Be especially mindful of the elbow and shoulder construction. Check the stitching to ensure it is even and has none missing.
The leather should be at least 1 mm thick. Remember the thicker it is the more durable and protective the jacket is. Check pockets to make sure zippers work well and everything seals up nicely.

These jackets are available in a terrific number of styles and colors and it's too easy to get caught up in the fashion element and forget about the safety element.

You can easily have both. You just need to do a little research, read what each jacket has to offer, and shop at reputable motorcycle apparel sites. Now that you know the pros of motorcycle leathers you're ready to start shopping.

You've bought the perfect motorcycle. Took a great deal of time doing your research before you made the purchase so you know you got the best bike for you. But now you need to consider your gear and it's time to know your motorcycle gloves and boots options.

Your boots and gloves are very important to your overall safety. Many riders omit buying gloves but you should give them a try. You'll quickly realize what you have been missing.

The technology is incredible. You can buy gloves that will keep your hands warm in the winter or cool in the summer. You can purchase gloves with gel inserts that reduce the amount of vibration your hands will be exposed to. Some are even made from materials like Kevlar which are abrasive resistant and a great glove for riding.

For the average rider cruising gloves are the better choice over racing gloves. These gloves are made from nice soft leathers that are designed to protect against abrasion. The carbon fiber knuckle and fingers will protect your hands properly.

Held makes a great glove called the "Steve" that feels different than your average glove and the stitching and quality automatically makes them recognizable as a Held product. And it's one of the most resilient leathers on the market.

These gloves are made of Kangaroo leather and so they are a light tan color on the palm. Kangaroo leather is extremely strong and it's very light weight which mean sit can protect your hands while at the same time giving you lots of flexibility.

There are plenty of styles you can choose from. Just do your research and you'll be able to decide what you prefer. There are hundreds of styles to choose from.

Protecting your feet is as important as protecting your hands. Your boot needs to have a flexible sole so that walking is comfortable and not awkward. A waterproof inner layer is really important to keeping your feet warm and dry.

There are several excellent waterproof boots on the market and you can also find gloves that are waterproof. The prices are middle of the road and affordable for any rider.

There are all kinds of boot manufacturers. Some specialize in just motorcycle boots while others have a full line of shoes with them. What's most important is that the boot has the features you are looking for and fits like a glove.

Usually waterproof boots are made from lorica with a leather upper and large flex zone on the instep. The ankle support is very important to watch for as it keeps your foot safe and an injected PU at the heel is really a good investment too.

Motorcycle gloves, boots, jackets, and helmets are all important gear to help keep you safe. And it can also make you look very trendy so be sure to do your homework and shop around a little before you make your purchase. You can save a great deal of money just by shopping online at one of the great sites that sell motorcycle gear.

Motorola's Paging Products Group (PPG) Thursday announced it has awarded its prestigious Early Supplier Involvement (ESI) Award for Excellence to Philips Semiconductors.

Only one of 12 suppliers to have achieved this distinction, Philips received the award in recognition of its partnership with Motorola to develop zero intermediate frequency (ZIF) chip sets, which will be used in PPG's subscriber pager product lines.

Upon presenting the award, Bob Becknell, corporate vice president and general manager of PPG's North American Paging Subscriber Division, said: "We are delighted to have found a partner with the technical know-how, innovation and excellence of Philips. The chipsets we jointly developed through the ESI program will enable Motorola to maintain its leadership position in paging for many years to come. I congratulate all who have been involved in this effort, and thank you for a job well done."

Accepting the award, Peter Baumgartner, product group manager of Philips Semiconductors' Telecom Products Group, said: "It is a great honor to have been recognized by a company with the prestige of Motorola. It is with great pleasure that I accept this award on behalf of the ZIF team, and look forward to continuing to build on the relationship we have developed as a result of this important project."

The zero IF chipsets are an enabling technology which will permit continued miniaturization of pager subscriber products, resulting in improved manufacturability and quality, and therefore, delighted customers.

Motorola is one of the world's leading providers of wireless communications, semiconductors, and advanced electronic system and services. Major equipment businesses include paging and data communications, cellular telephone, two-way radio, personal communications, automotive, defense and space electronics, and computers. Communications devices, computers and millions of other products are powered by Motorola semiconductors. Motorola's 1994 sales were $22.2 billion.

The AER Energy Power 220(TM) battery has been cited by the editors of Popular Science as one of 1994's innovative products and achievements in science and technology in the magazine's seventh annual "Best of What's New" special awards section in its current (December 1994) issue.

The AER Energy Power 220 is a long run-time rechargeable zinc-air battery that can power a portable computer up to 10 times longer than the computer's original battery. Original equipment batteries typically provide two to four hours of run-time.

In independent tests by VeriTest Inc. of Santa Monica, Calif., a microcomputer product testing laboratory, the AER Energy Power 220 ran three different portable computers 24-30 hours between charges(a).

The results are based on two complete discharges of the original equipment battery and the AER Energy Power 220 on each of three different computers using the Diagsoft Inc. Power Meter(TM) battery "rundown" test, a test designed to simulate continuous computer usage with the computer's power management features disabled.

The AER Energy Power 220 is a 12-volt stand-alone battery that includes two power output jacks that enable the battery to operate a portable computer and cellular phone, in most cases simultaneously, for improved mobile productivity. AER Energy began shipping the battery in August 1994.

"The selections accurately reflect the most significant trends that are the evidence of science and technology making our lives more productive, enjoyable and comfortable at home, in the office and when traveling between the two," stated Fred Abatemarco, editor-in-chief of Popular Science.

The 100 winning selections were divided into 10 categories: audio & video, automotive technology, aviation, cars, computers and electronics, environmental technology, home technology, photography, recreation, and science and technology.

The AER Energy Power 220 will also be featured in Popular Science's 1994 "Best of What's New" Exhibition today at New York's Tavern on the Green. The exhibition will showcase the winning selections.

According to Popular Science, its December issue featuring the "Best of What's New," has been the magazine's best-selling issue since the awards were introduced in 1988.

Philips Semiconductors announced today sampling of the XA-G3 microcontroller, the first member of Philips' 16-bit XA (eXtended Architecture) family.

The G3 is a powerful, general-purpose microcontroller, suited for use in the most popular embedded control applications. It offers upward compatibility with the 80C51.

"Philips Semiconductors is the leading supplier of the popular 80C51 microcontroller in part because we have provided the widest selection of derivatives in the industry," commented Mike Thompson, Product Marketing Manager for the XA family of microcontrollers. "We are employing the same strategy with the XA: first addressing large market applications with several general-purpose controllers, later proliferating into numerous, more specialized applications.

The XA-G3 is the first member of a new family based on Philips XA architecture, which provides very high performance, superior code density, and upward compatibility for 80C51 users. Philips' XA-G3 is the only 16-bit microcontroller that is code compatible with the popular 80C51 architecture.

Jerry Banks, Principal Analyst at Dataquest, a research firm based in San Jose, Calif., said, "Other than speed improvements in terms of increased clock rates, little has been done to improve the performance of the 80C51 family since it was introduced in the early 1980's. The announcement of a 16-bit version of the 80C51 architecture will be welcomed by many users."

With the XA-G3, Philips has extended the world of 80C51 microcontrollers into the 16-bit realm, allowing users to use the familiar 80C51 architecture in higher performance applications. Philips' XA-G3 easily handles a broad range of high performance embedded requirements in the computing, communications, automotive, and consumer market segments. Applications include PC peripherals, television, mass storage, point of sale (POS) terminals, modems, communications controllers, and automotive systems.

While the XA-G3 is compatible with the 80C51, its performance as a 16-bit microcontroller has not been compromised. The XA-G3 is 2 to 3 times faster than the 80C196 (at the same clock frequency). With a 30MHz clock the XA-G3 has a typical instruction execution time of 100 nanoseconds. With all this flexibility, the XA-G3 is very competitively priced under $7 in OEM quantities. Production shipping of the G3 is slated for Q3 '95.

Philips Semiconductors announced today sampling of the XA-G3 microcontroller, the first member of Philips' 16-bit XA (eXtended Architecture) family.

The G3 is a powerful, general-purpose microcontroller, suited for use in the most popular embedded control applications. It offers upward compatibility with the 80C51.

"Philips Semiconductors is the leading supplier of the popular 80C51 microcontroller in part because we have provided the widest selection of derivatives in the industry," commented Mike Thompson, Product Marketing Manager for the XA family of microcontrollers. "We are employing the same strategy with the XA: first addressing large market applications with several general-purpose controllers, later proliferating into numerous, more specialized applications.

The XA-G3 is the first member of a new family based on Philips XA architecture, which provides very high performance, superior code density, and upward compatibility for 80C51 users. Philips' XA-G3 is the only 16-bit microcontroller that is code compatible with the popular 80C51 architecture.

Jerry Banks, Principal Analyst at Dataquest, a research firm based in San Jose, Calif., said, "Other than speed improvements in terms of increased clock rates, little has been done to improve the performance of the 80C51 family since it was introduced in the early 1980's. The announcement of a 16-bit version of the 80C51 architecture will be welcomed by many users."

With the XA-G3, Philips has extended the world of 80C51 microcontrollers into the 16-bit realm, allowing users to use the familiar 80C51 architecture in higher performance applications. Philips' XA-G3 easily handles a broad range of high performance embedded requirements in the computing, communications, automotive, and consumer market segments. Applications include PC peripherals, television, mass storage, point of sale (POS) terminals, modems, communications controllers, and automotive systems.

While the XA-G3 is compatible with the 80C51, its performance as a 16-bit microcontroller has not been compromised. The XA-G3 is 2 to 3 times faster than the 80C196 (at the same clock frequency). With a 30MHz clock the XA-G3 has a typical instruction execution time of 100 nanoseconds. With all this flexibility, the XA-G3 is very competitively priced under $7 in OEM quantities. Production shipping of the G3 is slated for Q3 '95.

Motorola announced today a major joint venture with Panda Electronics Group Company (Nanjing, China), one of China's leading electronics companies, and Motorola International Development Corporation (MIDC), Motorola's wholly-owned subsidiary in Schaumburg, Ill.

Under terms of the multifaceted agreement between the two companies, a new entity, Nanjing Power Computer Ltd., will be created to develop, produce and sell computer systems based on PowerPC microprocessors. Motorola holds a 60 percent equity investment and Panda Electronics Group Company holds a 40 percent equity in the new company.

Initially, Motorola's Computer Group will supply Nanjing Power Computer with its Atlas motherboards based on the PowerPC 603(TM), 603e(TM) and 604(TM) microprocessors for integration into new RISC PC computer systems that target the Chinese marketplace. Ultimately, Nanjing Power Computer will have the potential to develop new RISC PCs for China and other markets in Asia. The first products that emerge from Nanjing Power Computer will run Microsoft's popular Windows NT(TM) 3.51 operating system.

According to a market report on PC computers in China provided by China's Marketing Division of the Electronic Computer Micro-electronic Research (CCID) of the Ministry of Electronics Industry, the PC computer market in China is entering a rapid growth stage. It is estimated that PC computer sales in 1995 will increase by 50.4 percent with a five year increase of 25 percent on the average. Nanjing Power Computer is being formed to capitalize on this growth with a superior computing technology, manufacturing expertise and distribution channels. The joint venture calls for Panda to serve as Nanjing Power Computer's distribution arm throughout China.

"We are extremely excited with the development of this joint venture, as it brings for the first time the strength of the PowerPC architecture to a market with vast opportunity," said Edward Staiano, executive vice president, Motorola, Inc., and president and general manager of Motorola's General Systems Sector. "The computer market in China is clearly moving toward an integrated multi-media environment that combines graphics, audio and telecommunications functionality which is fully supported by our PowerPC microprocessor-based platforms. We believe that PowerPC will dramatically change the face of desktop computing in China."

Semiconductors today announced the release of the industry's most advanced 4-channel UART, the SC28L194.

Fabricated in Philips' low cost, high-density CMOS-LSI technology, the SC28L194 interfaces to both Motorola 68000 and Intel 80X microcontrollers and boasts several feature enhancements that make it a more flexible and reliable solution for high-end communications devices like statistical multiplexers, data concentrators, automotive, cab and engine controls, entertainment systems, MIDI control for electronic music systems and terminal servers.

The single chip communications device saves board space by supporting 4 full-duplex asynchronous channels, each with its own 16-byte receive and 16-byte transmit FIFO. The depth of the FIFOs significantly improves system performance by reducing the likelihood that data will be lost.

An intelligent interrupt system minimizes interrupt overhead by reporting the context of interrupts directly to the processor. This unburdens the processor since it doesn't have to interrogate the device to find out the type of interrupting device, its channel number, or the fill level of the FIFO.

The superior character recognition capability includes additional logic for Xon/Xoff flow control. While programming the Xon/Xoff characters is usually done individually, commands have been added to the SC28L194 that permit the programmer to write to all the registers in one operation.

"The depth of the FIFOs and the intelligent interrupt system make this one of the most advanced 4-channel UARTs on the market today," said Fred Kamp, network product marketing manager at Philips. "There is less chance of dropping information during transmission with this Quad UART because of its superior character recognition capability and its advanced interrupt system."

Operating speeds for receivers and transmitters can be selected from 24 standard fixed baud rates ranging from 50 bps to 230 Kbps, or they may be programmed up to the maximum 1 Mbps, making it attractive for dual speed, full-duplex channel applications such as clustered terminal solutions.

Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT), a global leader in wireless communications, today reaffirmed its strategy to provide consumers with the most desirable and technologically advanced communications solutions on the market from new handsets and applications through to innovative broadband solutions and fully integrated 2.5G and 3G solutions.

"Building on our 75-year commitment to innovation, Motorola is perfectly placed to deliver the most compelling mobile solutions within the market," said Mike Zafirovski, Motorola's President and Chief Operating Officer. "Our announcements today at CeBIT are united in our desire to deliver content, design and innovation which we believe will make life simpler, smarter and a whole lot more fun!"

Speaking of Fun -- MTV Global Alliance

Motorola today announced a three-year, multi-million dollar worldwide alliance with MTV: Music Television. This relationship will extend MTV music, programming and innovation to the wireless world via the power and popularity of Motorola handsets, customised on-air programming and on-grounds events, as well as interactive and Web strategies. The two companies will work together to develop and integrate locally adapted promotions in every region of the world, creating an exclusive MTV and Motorola mobile music experience -- for consumers to text, talk, rock and more.

New innovative handsets -- for the ultimate consumer experience Motorola's new mobile handsets unveiled today include the E390. The Motorola E390 handset combines a brilliant colour screen and dynamic polyphonic speakers with cool functionality and built-in fun. Also revealed is the stylish yet affordable mobile phone -- the C230. The new products build upon the strength of the company's 2002 offerings that included the company's first commercial 3G handset, the A830. On show at CeBIT is the A760, the world's first Java + Linux handset announced last month at the 3GSM World Congress. All products are expected to be available towards the end of 2003.

E390 Motorola E390 enables youthful consumers to 'rock their senses' -- with entertainment on the go! Features include advanced dual speaker technology, vibrant colour display capable of supporting thousands of colours bringing content, games and ringtones to life and an integrated camera for instant sharing with friends and family through MMS. 3-D polyphonic speakers create superb surround-sound for a richer gaming experience with up to 24 channels.

CES 2000 -- XM Satellite Radio Inc. (NASDAQ:XMSR) today announced that Audiovox Corporation's Electronics Division (AMEX:VOX) will design, manufacture and market XM-ReadyTM radios for the OEM car stereo market. Audiovox is a leader in mobile entertainment products for the automotive environment such as rear seat entertainment. The company joins XM Radio's elite team of radio manufacturers, which currently includes Alpine, Clarion, Delphi Delco, Mitsubishi Electronic Automotive of America, Motorola, Pioneer and Sharp. The announcement was made by Hugh Panero, President and CEO of XM Satellite Radio Inc., at the outset of the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, Nevada. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"We are very excited about working with Audiovox, which is leveraging new technologies in its automotive consumer products," said Mr. Panero. "This deal brings XM Radio yet another step closer to our goal of making XM-Ready radios available throughout the consumer electronics and automotive marketplace."

Based in Hauppauge, NY, Audiovox Communications Corporation is an international leader in the marketing of wireless communications products, auto sound, vehicle security, mobile video products and consumer electronics products. It markets its products both domestically and internationally under its own brands and also functions as an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) supplier to several customers, including Nissan Motors and Delco, among other companies. Its Mobile Electronics group focuses on the 12-Volt specialist, with the Audiovox(r) and Prestige(r) brands, and the Car Dealer Expediter, with the Pursuit(r) and SPS brands. Audiovox has a substantial OE business and is QS9001 registered.

XM Satellite Radio is developing a new band of radio, targeted to launch in the first half of 2001. XM Radio will create up to 100 channels of digital-quality music, news, sports, talk and children's programming, which will be uplinked to XM Radio's powerful satellites and transmitted directly to vehicle, home and portable radios coast-to-coast for a monthly subscription fee of $9.95.

XM-Ready radios will be available in retail outlets throughout the US; and major automotive manufacturers will offer factory-installed XM-Ready radios in new car models. XM Radio has entered into a 12-year distribution agreement with General Motors to integrate XM-Ready radios into its vehicles commencing in 2001. XM Radio is in discussions with other major car manufacturers.

1998--Ultra-thin, ultra-fast and ultra-light are a few of the distinguishing characteristics that make up the Pedion(TM) EM, the latest notebook computer engineered by the Mobile Computing Division (MCD) of Mitsubishi Electronics America Inc.

Coming off the heels of last year's award-winning design, the new Pedion EM is one of the PC industry's thinnest, lightest and most powerful notebook computers to meet the needs of today's high-level executives.

One of the more noticeable improvements in the Pedion EM is a new keyboard that increases the computer's keystroke depth to 3 mm while maintaining a profile that is only 0.9 inches thick. Enclosed within a sleek, yet durable injection-molded magnesium alloy case, the Pedion EM weighs only 3.7 pounds and unleashes the power of a 266 MHz Intel Mobile Pentium II(R) processor. The Pedion EM includes a 12.1-inch TFT color SVGA LCD display and comes standard with 96 MB RAM and 4.3 GB hard disk drive.

"Today's successful, top-level executives set unparalleled standards for performance among themselves and the people who support them," said Scott Hansen, deputy general manager of Mitsubishi Electronics America's Mobile Computing Division. "We designed the Pedion EM to perform much like a vital member of a CEO's staff -- it's reliable, can juggle multiple tasks effectively, can give a 100-percent effort any time, any place and projects a polished exterior that exemplifies excellence."

To meet the increasing audio and video demands placed on today's mobile executives, the Pedion EM comes equipped with a detachable Multimedia Pack(TM). The pack itself weighs less than two pounds and locks easily and securely to the bottom of the notebook, giving the system a -art Lithium Ion battery that provides 2 hours obooth No. L-864, and is expected to be availablens that meet business demands.