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In-car CD players go the way of the tape deck

We've known for some time that in-car CD players are ultimately destined for the recycle bin of consumer-electronics history, and a report out this week by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) confirms that the slide has already begun. According to this report in Twice, the CEA predicts that sales of OE integration products such as MP3/iPod adapters, auxiliary-in adapters, universal controllers, FM modulators, and Bluetooth-integration devices will surpass those of CD stereo head units in 2007 for the first time.

The report also highlights growth in the market for "mech-less" car stereos (or, stereos with no … Read more

United's gadget-friendly skies, for a fee

Now that our appetite's been sufficiently whetted by the idea of on-board Wi-Fi thanks to Qantas, there's no stopping our fantasizing over dream-flight accommodations. After all, a gadget fiend can't live by surfing alone.

Case in point: United has figured out that it's not enough to make Business Class passengers comfortable with seats that are actually big enough to fit a human body. Sometime this year, according to SCI FI Tech, the airline says it will begin adding 15.4-inch LCDs, XM satellite radio, noise-canceling headphones, an iPod adapter and a USB port to each seat … Read more

iPhone app: Unit converter

A lot of phones have built-in unit converters, but the iPhone doesn't. So this handy little app comes to the rescue to help you convert one unit of measurement to another. The layout is pretty straightforward, and it's easy to use.

iPhone link: http://www.tappingware.com/unitconverter/UnitConverter.php

Wind blows away competition among renewable energy investors

Money is pouring into renewable energy. And it's a global trend. The United Nations on Wednesday reported that $100 billion went into renewable energy and efficiency technologies last year. That's a record--up $20 billion from 2005. Indications are 2007 will set another record. You can read a summary of the United Nations report here.

Once dominated by North America and Europe, renewable energy investments are spreading out. Last year, 9 percent went into China. Investors from India were active in acquisitions.

Money's coming from stock markets, venture capital investments and private individuals. Publicly traded renewable energy stocks … Read more

China is No. 1 again, this time in CO2 emissions

China is now No. 1. Not just in population. Nor just in economic growth among major nations. Not just in construction cranes or the building of coal-burning power plants. It's now the reigning champ of CO2 emissions. Despite the best efforts of numerous American utility companies and widespread use of air conditioning, SUVs and our own splurge in coal-burning, the United States has sunk to No. 2 in the CO2 derby.

The first to declare China the CO2 champ is the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency. Its estimates today show China put out 6,200 million tons of CO2 last … Read more

Security woes put mobile adoption on hold

More than 60 percent of companies worldwide are holding off on wireless and remote computing because of security concerns, according to a survey by the Economist Intelligence Unit published on Tuesday.

The survey of about 240 executives was sponsored by Symantec, which just happens to sell products that could relief such security concerns.

The researchers also asked how many companies actually use software to secure mobile data. In Western Europe 55 percent said they did, compared to 44 percent in Asia-Pacific and just 36 percent in North America, according to the survey.

Nearly half of all respondents said security products … Read more