The first “official” details about Google Phone Software and Android, the open mobile platform from WP:
1. Motorola, Samsung, HTC and and LG Electronics have agreed to use Google’s software in some of their phones.
2. Google Phone Software will be available only in second half of 2008.
3. Google won’t be making the phones, nor does it plan to stamp its prized brand on the devices. Consumers will have to buy a new phone to get the Google software because the bundle wasn’t made for existing handsets.
4. Speech recognition and voice based search will be powered by Nuance software that also makes Dragon NaturallySpeaking.
5. Google’s phone software will be free unlike Palm, Nokia, Microsoft of RIM (BlackBerry) who charge handset makers to install their operating systems.
6. The prices of smart phones running Google Phone software would be less since manufacturers won’t have to pay for software.
Full story on WashingtonPost.com and Google Press
Keep track of your car’s maintenance schedule and history with web site ServiceBeacon. After you register, just provide the site with your vehicle information (make, model, mileage), and service station. At this point, creating a service schedule and maintaining your car’s service history is a breeze. ServiceBeacon will even alert you of any recalls for your make and model should any come up. Whether you have no idea when your oil was last changed or you already keep detailed records of all of your scheduled auto maintenance, ServiceBeacon intends to streamline the process.
The new Airbox CM3 mobile router allows devices like PDAs, laptops, and gaming consoles to be simultaneously connected to the internet in a moving vehicle via Wi-Fi or one of two Ethernet jacks —no additional software or PCMCIA cards required. When connected to a 3G digital cellular telephone network (generally EV-DO), speeds average out at 400-800 Kbps with bursts up to 2.4 Mbps. When no 3G signals are available, the Airbox will switch to 2G and average speeds of 120 Kbps. According to product tests, the wireless range extends up to 300 feet and the connection has proven reliable —even when traveling at 100 mph. 
