The Palm Pre

I was one of those people who couldn't wait for the Palm Pre to be released. I put my name down for one at the Sprint store so I can get it as soon as its available. I passed up on other phones and continued to deal with my touch diamond and just waited for the Pre. And Sprint called me to go pick up mine for the store when it was released but after spending 15 minutes with the phone I decided it wasn't worth the time or money. This was one of the most disappointing devices that I can remember.

Basically many of the early reviewers who had pre-production Pre's commented on the sub-par hardware, build quality, and battery life but in all honesty this thing is far worse than they can make it seem. The keyboard is 100% useless the keys are very tiny and too close together that its useless and when you do press a key the device is so poorly built it feels like its about to snap in your hands. While the screen is stunningly beautiful far superior to the iPhone when sliding it up it feels like its about to snap off. Not to mention the battery I talked to one of the guys at the sprint store who has one and he told me he can't get half a day on the battery and the phone is always so hot. Actually I read people reporting that it gets so hot that it cracks the screen. On the upside the operating system, browser, standard applications and the screen are world class. By far this is one of the sweetest most responsive phones out there.

I'm shocked by Palm so many people were holding out for this device and really believed that the company would deliver on its promises of a world class device. Instead they delivered a beautiful operating system packaged in total junk making it a turn off to consumers. In the past Palm was known for great keyboards and hardware but it was the appearances of the Treo devices and the ancient Palm OS that kept people away. Now that they fixed the OS and modernized the appearance of the phone they blew it with shoddy hardware.

Do yourself a favor and go with a Blackberry or wait for the android devices coming out later this year or even go with the Windows Mobile devices but I can't think of a reason to throw down $199 on a device like this.

Google Wave Developer Preview at Google I/O 2009

Google Rocks, This has to be one of the most intuitive and most thought through product I've seen in a long long time. I know you Yahoo and Hotmail users are jealous.

Trouble ahead? Fiat ranks last in latest J.D. Power survey

So this is the company that is going to save Chrysler and GM Europe right? Some things never change FIAT Fix It Again Tony. I think most of us would rather see Chrysler crumble over this. Not to mention if they actually take over GM Europe they'll probably destroy a successful Opel/Vauxhall line. More info on LeftLaneNews.com

Ford Fusion Hybrid travels 1,445 miles on a single tank, averages 81.5 mpg

Ford Fusion Hybrid travels 1,445 miles on a single tank, averages 81.5 mpg

via Leftlane - news, reviews, and info for the auto-industry by Drew Johnson on 4/28/09

Going strictly by the Environmental Protection Agency's fuel economy figures, the Ford Fusion Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient mid-size sedan on the market, but Ford today proved it is also one of the most efficient vehicles on the road today, regardless of class. A team of Ford engineers and fuel mileage experts – with a special [...]

Study: Ford, GM quality surpass Honda

via Leftlane - news, reviews, and info for the auto-industry by Andrew Ganz on 4/17/09

Domestic automaker quality - at least for Ford and General Motors - is reaching near-Toyota levels, according to a recent initial quality study by Michigan-based RDA Group. During the first three months of ownership, Ford and GM placed second and third, respectively, behind Toyota, on a survey of "things gone wrong" during the first three [...]

Report Finds Ford Quality Improved

via KickingTires by Stephen Markley on 4/17/09

Ford received more good news about its improving quality from research group RDA of Bloomfield Hills, Mich. The company's initial-quality study showed that during the first three months of 2009, Ford vehicles had a combined average of 1,228 "things gone wrong" per 1,000 vehicles in the first three months of ownership.

To put that number into context, it was a 5% improvement over Ford's score last year and — more importantly — only Toyota managed a better score. Meanwhile, GM finished third and Honda came in fourth.

When it came to overall satisfaction, Honda and Toyota tied for first, with 81% of customers saying they were satisfied with their purchases. Ford was right behind them with a score of 79% customer satisfaction.

Update: The report was funded by Ford and normally we would not cover such a study. However, we do not want to remove this story since it has already been posted and commented on. Please take note of who authored the study and feel free to voice your thoughts on the validity of automaker funded surveys.

2009 Ford Focus RS - First Drive Review

Wow go Ford!! This is amazing they really did build a world class car with this thing as well as pretty much their entire line. Most people that know me know that I thought the worst of Ford until these past couple of years but now I really think my next car will be a Ford. Ford has really turned their products around and they got their act together they're now making great cars that are comfortable, stylish, very reliable, and compete or beat the industry bench marks.

Honestly GM and Chrysler should learn from Ford!! Instead of trying to force mediocre products on people or just hoping that Americans will buy from them just because its American they should make cars like this. While its true that GM is starting to come around with their products they need to start pushing the envelope and leading the way with their cars and stop trying to benchmark current and past generation imports.

Anyhow with all the negativity that is surrounding our Country and our car industry its good to see that at least one of our companies is doing things right. And with cars like this being built its hard to not want to buy American.

via Automotive News Blog at CARandDRIVER.com - Car News Resource by Car and Driver on 4/14/09

This superb Ford has everything but an American audience.

BY RAY HUTTON

The Ford Focus RS is the world's best hot hatchback. A sweeping statement, to be sure, but if you look atCar and Driver's favorites among these sporty but practical small cars—the Mazdaspeed 3 and the Volkswagen GTI—the latest and greatest Focus beats them in all respects. Except one: You can't buy it here. Yet.

Forbidden Fruit

This car, developed in Germany by Ford Team RS (for Rallye Sport), is yet another example of the driving excellence of Ford's European products, several of which will find their way into the American market in two or three years. And when the U.S. gets back in sync with Europe on the next-generation Focus in 2011—the current U.S. Focus rides on the first-generation platform versus the third-gen version currently sold in Europe—there is a desire at Ford to include an RS version in the lineup.

There are many reasons why the Focus RS succeeds in Europe. It has 300 horsepower—more than any other front-wheel-drive car available. Its front suspension has been comprehensively revised to all but eliminate torque steer. A mechanical limited-slip differential from race-car-transmission specialists Quaife aids in its remarkable cornering ability. And it costs less than other cars with comparable performance.

Keep Reading: 2009 Ford Focus RS - First Drive Review

Car Wreck How Did U.S. Auto Industry Crash: Tech Ticker, Yahoo! Finance

If you are sitting there wondering what happened to the U.S. auto industry this video is a good overview of what happened and why we're not doing the right thing to fix it.

Farmer Seeks Loans from Customers - TheStreet TV

This is what I'm talking about!! Watch this video and tell me why we need to save the banks. In this example the government funded banks told this guy no so he found alternatives isn't this what America is all about?? Now Imagine if instead of taxing the heck out of us and giving our hard earned money to the banks the government let us keep more of it wouldn't there be more people to loan this guy money?

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster - Auto Shows

Man does this thing look good. Its hard to beat performance wise too good job Nissan.

via Automotive News Blog at CARandDRIVER.com - Car News Resource by Car and Driver on 4/7/09

The sporty new Z embraces the open air.

BY JON YANCA

Fresh from its recent sports coupe comparison test victory, the Nissan 370Z debuts in roadster form at the New York auto show. In an era dominated by folding-hardtop convertibles, we are pleased to see the new roadster retain a simple fabric top.

New Features

In its transformation, the 370Z droptop gains a shortened windshield and standard automatically latching power top that takes about 20 seconds to fold under a body-colored steel tonneau. The top can be operated via a center-console-mounted toggle or through a button on the outside of either door. A glass wind deflector etched with a small Z logo sits between the fixed roll-bars. Structural enhancements have been added to the A-pillars and side sills to make up for the lack of a roof. Also unique to the roadster are the available leather-and-cloth high-back seats, which also include heating and cooling functionality.

Keep Reading: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster - Auto Shows