Author: Serkadis

There has been a steep rise in the number of older workers who plan to work beyond the state pension age, research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development has revealed.

Their Employee Outlook survey of 2,000 working people found that the proportion of people aged 55 and above planning to work beyond the state pension age has rised to 71 per cent, compared with 40 per cent in a similar survey two years ago. Financial shortfalls are the main reason for the trend with pension pots, savings and investments, and house values all being hit by the recession.

An older workforce could be difficult for employers, especially in engaging a group who are only still working for financial reasons, said a CIPD, adviser.

“With more people planning to work past 65, employers will have to accommodate older workers and motivate those who wish they could be elsewhere,” he said, adding, “Employers need to review how they are helping their employees save for retirement to get value from their pension spend.”

Workers over 55 were most likely to have faced up to the reality of working into old age, the survey found. Only 30 per cent of 18-24 year olds thought they would be working past 65, even though they were least likely to have a generous pension to fall back on.

Under half of employees (46 per cent) said they had a pension with their current employer, a figure which falls to 36 per cent in the private sector.

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Europe, Porsche, Misc. Auto Shows

The Essen Motor Show is just days away, and all of Europe’s tuners are set to unveil their latest and greatest aftermarket parts at Germany’s version of SEMA. One of those companies will be speedArt, which will be introducing its new performance and appearance packages for the 2010 Porsche Panamera.

Using the Panamera Turbo as a base, speedArt have transformed Porsche’s four-door into a 650-horsepower monster thanks to larger turbochargers, an upgraded exhaust system and a revised ECU. The German tuner claims impressive performance figures: a top speed of over 200 mph and 0-100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds.

The body kit fitted to the PS9-650 is fairly subtle, and dare we say tasteful. The aerodynamic package consists of a front chin spoiler that improves air flow to the brakes, rear diffuser, roof spoiler, side skirts and a rear bumper. Several other items are available as well including 22-inch forged wheels; an upholstered steering wheel; various trim pieces in aluminum, wood, or carbon fiber; and color-matched stitching. Hit the jump for speedArt’s official press release, and be sure to browse through the high-res gallery below.

[Source: speedArt]

Continue reading Essen Preview: speedArt to debut PS9-650 Panamera

Essen Preview: speedArt to debut PS9-650 Panamera originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 12:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The holiday shopping spree has, more or less, officially started in the US with Black Friday’s huge discounts, or just shrewd advertising depending on your point of view, that most retailers are offering today. While people are hitting the stores today, most have already done their homework online well ahead of time, as Google search data shows. Several items seem to be hot with the younger crowd this year, including everyone’s favorite vampire saga, Twilight, soundtrack. With the older and more tech-savvy audience, though, the trend is clear, it’s all about netbooks.

So what are going to be the most sought-after gifts this holiday season? Google reckons that some of them will be Zhu Zhu Pets, Nerf N Strike, Mindflex, and the Twilight soundtrack and it’s got a good reason to think so, searches for these items is seeing a huge growth as the holidays are approaching.

Gadgets are always a favorite gift option, especially with the more ‘tech-inclined’, and this year people are being safe going with failsafe options like netbooks and mp3 players. The fact that netbooks are so sought after is especially interesting since many experts were sure that the diminutive computers were just a trend and that people will return to their usual buying habits. The data doesn’t lie though, it look… (read more)

The LMU 212 Load Monitoring Unit completes Magtrol’s range of “Load-Force-Weight” products, by providing an amplifier for strain gauge bridges intended for load measurement.

The LMU 212 incorporates a strain gauge bridge input as well as a voltage input, allowing a summation of the two signals when needed. It can be supplied at 115 V AC/ 230 V AC or at 20, 32 V DC at the customer’s choice. With regard to the output signals available, the LMU 212 provides 2 relay outputs, 1 current output and 1 voltage output. The unit allows 2 alarms setting outputs particularly usefull for load / overload survey on cranes and other lifting devices

A built-in self-test system detects any short circuits or signal line failures allowing its use in security systems. It was developed in accordance to SIL security standards IN IEC 62061 or IN 954.

The integrated test function (B.I.T.E.) enables the user to simulate a fictitious load. At each call of the B.I.T.E. function the user will be able to check on the various outputs (voltage UO/P and current IO/P) as well as on the relays REL1 and REL2 if the load monitoring unit work correctly.

The LMU 212 is readily connected via “DIP switches” or jumpers and does not require any soldering, which is a great advantage for setting up on site.

From the handling point of view, the LMU 212 comes in an aluminium case provided with 3 PG11 inputs. The case is water-tight in accordance with IP65 standards allowing its use in harsh environment. The electrical connections are made by means of very accessible screw-on terminals.

The LMU 212 is fully analogue and is manufactured according to the most recent SMD technology, thus offering the optimal cost-performances ratio.

This new load monitor comes in response to the new EC regulations regarding electro-magnetic compatibility.

This new electronic LMU212 as the LMU 216 and LMU 217 versions completes Magtrol’s “Load-Force-Weight” product range of load pins, load cells, electronics and displays.

For more information, please contact :
MAGTROL SA, Route de Montena 77, 1728 Rossens / Fribourg – Switzerland
Tel: +41 26 / 407 30 00 – Fax : +41 26 / 407 30 01
E-mail : [email protected], Web : www.magtrol.com

Ubisoft has released a new dev diary for the game version of James Cameron’s “Avatar” movie. This one’s all about the weapons and skills players will …

At WMPoweruser.com we sometimes forget about the devices which are not the top of the range offered by a manufacturer, but of course we cant always afford the extremely expensive high-end handsets available, and sometimes whats currently midrange was top of the line only last year.

One example is the Samsung Omnia Lite, which has many features of the Samsung Omnia from last year, which was one of the top handsets of 2008/2009.

Tracyandmatt.co.uk have published this unboxing video, which gives a run through of the device and user interface.

The full specs are:

Samsung Omnia Lite specification:

• Operating System – Windows Mobile 6.5
• Processor – ARM 1176 667MHz processor
• Memory – 250MB Internal
• Display – TFT resistive touchscreen, 65K colours, 240 x 400 pixels, 3.0 inches
• TouchWiz v2.0 UI
• Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate
• Operating Frequency – GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900  3G Network HSDPA 900 / 2100 
• 3G HSDPA, 3.6 Mbps
• WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA
• Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP 
• microUSB
• GPS Integrated with A-GPS
• microSD (TransFlash), up to 32GB
• DviX/XviD/MPEG4/H.263/H.264/WMV9 player
• MP3/AAC/WMA player
• TV-out
• Camera – 3.15 MP, 2048×1536 pixels, autofocus
• Battery – Standard battery, Li-Ion 1500 mAh
• Dimensions – 107 x 51.8 x 12.9 mm
• Weight – 103 grams with battery

Read more about their review of the device here.

Appropriately enough given the grim nature of Black Friday, I’m kicking today’s headlines off with a new, genuinely depressing development in the ongoing Ford/Volvo/Geely saga. Although I had hoped the next report would involve some type of surprise bidding upset by the obscure Crown consortium, the unfortunate reality is that Geely is still very much the preferred contender. Although concerns regarding the transference of intellectual property rights and threatened to stall the transaction indefinitely, it seems as though Ford and Geely have reached an acceptable compromise.

As per the report, should Geely purchase the ailing Swedish subsidiary they will retain the rights to all technology developed solely by Volvo which, thanks to the years of neglect suffered at the hands of Ford, will largely consist of City Stop and an awkward navigation system. Volvo itself will be granted continued access to any Ford technology vital to the brand’s future success (and I use that term loosely).

More on this extraordinarily discouraging story as it develops.

Source: AutoNews
Image Cred: AP Photo

If local media reports are accurate, shoppers have turned out in huge numbers across the country for Black Friday.

We did a survey of local news sites to gather the latest Black Frdiay news. And it looks very good for retailers.

Cincinnati, Ohio: “A long line of shoppers looking for the best priced toys for Christmas waited outside a Western Hills Toys R’ Us store on Glenway Avenue, since late Thursday night to be among the first in line. After the doors opened at 12 a.m., there were some reports that Cincinnati police had to be called to bring order to a disorderly line of shoppers. Some of them said an argument between several groups of shoppers got out of hand and forced the police to called for help…At the new Wal-Mart superstore in Fairfax on Red Bank Road, over a thousand people came early Friday morning, to be in the right line to get some of the doorbuster sales the chain was offering…Many retailers warn that they have severely cut back on what they have ordered.”

Weston, Wisconsin: “The line leading to Target in Weston stretched at least three blocks as people got ready for Black Friday shopping Friday.”
 
Framingham, Massachusetts: “Dondrae May, a manager at Best Buy’s Framingham, Mass., store, said shoppers started lining up at 4 p.m. Thursday for the 5 a.m. opening for the limited early morning specials like the $299 32-inch Dynex flat-panel TV.

He noted that crowds were larger than last year and that shoppers were filling their basket with more items than a year ago, when they were shellshocked following the ballooning of the financial meltdown. The biggest draws were laptops, TVs and GPS systems, he said.”

Aurora, Illinois: “Black Friday shoppers got an early start this year, causing a 2-mile traffic back-up near Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora…Starting about 11 p.m. Thursday, cars began lining up to get into the mall, according to Illinois State Police…The mall opened at midnight, and the heavy traffic remained for several hours, State Police said.”

Somewhere In Middle Georgia: “400 early birds waited in the dark for Belk to open this morning at 4:00 am.

“There was a huge crowd when I got here at 3 o’clock this morning,” said Belk’s General Manager, Darwin Saunders.  “One of the first customers I talked to, she said she got here at 12:30 am and had been standing at the door waiting for us to open.”

South Portland, Maine: “Eager shoppers lined up as much as nine hours in advance to catch Black Friday deals.

At Target in South Portland, shoppers gathered at 8:00 PM on Thanksgiving to be first in line when the doors opened at 5:00 AM.

Other early openers include the Bangor Mall, which also opened up at 5:00 AM.  Folks started shopping at the Maine Mall at 6:00 AM and the Auburn Mall at 7:00 AM.  Toys R Us was the first to open, however, letting shoppers in at midnight.”

Galesburg, Illinois: “Early morning — Black Friday — large crowds of Christmas shoppers are not unexpected. But, the number of shoppers out before dawn today in Galesburg appeared to be as many or more than last year, even with unemployment at 11.5 percent.”

Bloomington, Minnesota: “At the Mall of America in Bloomington, a Black Friday wallflower in years past, when the doors opened at 4 a.m. about 2,500 people were in line, attracted by goodie bags promised to the first 300 shoppers.”

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Black Friday Sales Frenzy Explodes As Americans Kiss Recession Goodbye
• Apple Black Friday: $300 Off MacBook Pros, $180 Off iMacs (AAPL)
• Black Friday: Roku Offering 50% Off Its Web TV Gadget Today (NFLX, AMZN)

Filed under: Spy Photos, Convertible, BMW, Luxury

It looks like the lakes around Arvidsjaur Sweden have frozen early this year and the engineers from Munich have hit the ice already. The current generation BMW 6 Series has been one of the company’s more controversial designs of the past decade, along with the previous-generation 7 Series and Z4. Like most of the rest of the lineup, it will be getting a re-work in the not-too-distant future, and judging from some new photos, it will be following a similar design direction to other recent introductions.

It looks like the bustle back trunk lid (a.k.a. “The Bangle Butt”) is being given the heave-ho, although the convertible that was spotted looks like it might be sporting a two-piece rear lid similar to the 5 Series Gran Turismo. It also appears as though there are two cut-lines, the lower one being the one that goes along the side to open for the top to go up and down. The second smaller one higher up might be just for cargo access.

Another element that some will be to see go are the flying buttresses on the top. Thankfully, it appears that BMW has decided to avoid the unnaturally long rear deck that would come with a hard top and retained the fabric variety. At the front, the 6 gets a more vertical grille and headlights that look much like the Z4.

Underhood, the current 4.8-liter V8 will probably be replaced by the newer 4.4-liter twin-turbo and the six-cylinder will probably be the new 300-horsepower single turbo unit just announced for the 5 Series.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Spy Shots: New BMW 6 Series cabrio caught, reveals no more flying buttresses originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 10:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Holiday shopping has begun! And the awesome Pod Beds from Hepper Home are on sale! Two styles, Earth and Sky and Racetrack Grey, are both only $99, now through November 30 or until they run out.

And the other good news, Spring Bud Green is now back in stock (although this one isn’t on sale).

There is a great need for TV content online. The sheer amount of illegal ways of getting to it is evidence enough, but in recent years, companies are starting to realize that rather than just spend millions on trying to prevent piracy it would be much easier and more profitable to meet the needs of the consumer. In the US, Hulu has been a huge success and is now the second biggest video in the country. In the UK, there’s the BBC’s iPlayer which has seen, arguably, the same level of success though there are some major differences between the two services.

UK business news site, CXO met with BBC’s CTO John Linwood, a former Yahoo exec, to get some details on the project and has also provided some interesting stats wrapped up in a very stylish and overwhelmingly pink chart graph. The chart is full of big numbers like 12.5 gigabytes of data transferred every second adding up to seven petabytes every month. In total over 400 hours of content are encoded every week either from taped shows or live events.

But, there are also some relevant stats in there as well. For example, the player served 70 million streams in October, 53.2 million of which were for TV programming. Radio is very popular in the UK but the big number of radio programming streams, 26.1 million, comes from the fact that usi… (read more)

The California housing market was supposed to have started crashing again by now, according to those who have ridiculed the uptick of the past few months as a head fake.

As of October, however, California appears to be hanging in there.

Daniel Taub, Bloomberg: Single-family home prices in California rose for the eighth consecutive month in October. The median cost of an existing, detached house gained 0.3 percent from the previous month to $297,500. Prices dropped about 3.2 percent from a year earlier, compared with annual declines of 7.3 percent in September and 17 percent in August…

 

Sales of existing houses climbed 1 percent in October from a year earlier, the Realtors group said. The state is on pace to record 562,400 sales in 2009, based on the rate of transactions last month. Foreclosures represented 41 percent of sales, down from a peak of 59 percent in February, research company MDA DataQuick said on Nov. 19.

Home sales throughout the U.S. are being boosted by a drop in interest rates and a federal tax credit for homebuyers. Fixed 30-year mortgage rates dropped for a fourth consecutive week to 4.78 percent, matching a record low set in April, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac of McLean, Virginia, said today in a statement.

The median single-family house price in California is 50 percent below the peak of $594,530 reached in May 2007, the state Realtors group said.

Keep reading >

Here’s the release:

C.A.R. reports October home sales increased 1 percent; median home price declined 3.2 percent

Multimedia:
· Click here to view Unsold Inventory by price point
· Click here to view a data table comparing peak prices and current prices in areas throughout the state

Quick Facts:
· Existing, single-family home sales increased 1 percent in October to a seasonally adjusted rate of 562,400 units on an annualized basis.

· The statewide median price of an existing single-family home increased 0.3 percent in October to
$297,500, compared with September 2009.

· C.A.R.’s Unsold Inventory Index fell to 4 months in October, compared with 6.1 months in October 2008.

LOS ANGELES (Nov. 25) – Home sales increased 1 percent in October in California compared with the same period a year ago, while the median price of an existing home declined 3.2 percent, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (C.A.R.) reported today.

“Home sales historically trail off during the fall and winter months as we move to the off-peak season for the housing market,” said C.A.R. President Steve Goddard. “However, with affordable home prices, mortgage rates hovering around 5 percent, and the extension and expansion of the federal tax credit, we expect first-time and move-up home buyers to drive home sales through the end of this year and into early 2010.”

Closed escrow sales of existing, single-family detached homes in California totaled 562,400 in October at a seasonally adjusted annualized rate, according to information collected by C.A.R. from more than 90 local REALTOR® associations statewide. Statewide home resale activity increased 1 percent from the revised 557,050 sales pace recorded in October 2008. Sales in October 2009 increased 5.9 percent compared with the previous month.

The statewide sales figure represents what the total number of homes sold during 2009 would be if sales maintained the October pace throughout the year. It is adjusted to account for seasonal factors that typically influence home sales.

The median price of an existing, single-family detached home in California during October 2009 was $297,500, a 3.2 percent decrease from the revised $307,210 median for October 2008, C.A.R. reported. The October 2009 median price rose 0.3 percent compared with September’s $296,610 median price.

“California’s median price rose for the eighth consecutive month in October and sales continued to show strength, signs that California has hit and passed the bottom of this real estate cycle,” said C.A.R. Vice President and Chief Economist Leslie-Appleton-Young. “The number of distressed sales as a share of total sales has shown considerable improvement since the beginning of the year, as a result of loan modifications and other efforts to prevent troubled mortgages from going into foreclosure. This has led to a decline in inventory levels since the start of the year that is more consistent with the price gains we have seen in recent months.

“For the first-time since July 2007, sales of homes priced $1 million or more rose in year-to-year comparisons,” said Appleton-Young.  “While this is a welcome sign, the high end continues to be constrained by the lack of available financing in this sector.”

Highlights of C.A.R.’s resale housing figures for October 2009:

. C.A.R.’s Unsold Inventory Index for existing, single-family detached homes in October 2009 was 4 months, compared with 6.1 months (revised) for the same period a year ago. The index indicates the number of months needed to deplete the supply of homes on the market at the current sales rate.

. Thirty-year fixed-mortgage interest rates averaged 4.95 percent during October 2009, compared with 6.20 percent in October 2008, according to Freddie Mac. Adjustable-mortgage interest rates averaged 4.55 percent in October 2009, compared with 5.21 percent in October 2008.

. The median number of days it took to sell a single-family home was 34.1 days in October 2009, compared with 45.5 days (revised) for the same period a year ago.

Regional MLS sales and price information are contained in the tables that accompany this press release. Regional sales data are not adjusted to account for seasonal factors that can influence home sales. The MLS median price and sales data for detached homes are generated from a survey of more than 90 associations of REALTORS® throughout the state. MLS median price and sales data for condominiums are based on a survey of more than 60 associations. The median price for both detached homes and condominiums represents closed escrow sales.

In a separate report covering more localized statistics generated by C.A.R. and DataQuick Information Systems, 78 of the 391 cities and communities reporting showed an increase in their respective median home prices from a year ago. DataQuick statistics are based on county records data rather than MLS information. DataQuick Information Systems is a subsidiary of Vancouver-based MacDonald Dettwiler and Associates. (The lists are generated for incorporated cities with a minimum of 30 recorded sales in the month.)

Note: Large changes in local median home prices typically indicate both local home price appreciation, and often, large shifts in the composition of housing market activity. Some of the variations in median home prices for October may be exaggerated due to compositional changes in housing demand. The DataQuick tables listing median home prices in California cities and counties are accessible through C.A.R. Online at
http://www.car.org/economics/historicalprices/2009medianprices/oct2009medianprices.

. Statewide, the 10 cities with the highest median home prices in California during October 2009 were: Palo Alto, $1,639,550; Los Altos, $1,592,550; Manhattan Beach, $1,037,500; Cupertino, $1,030,000; Newport Beach, $935,000; Los Gatos, $920,000; Rancho Palos Verdes, $900,000; Santa Barbara, $897,500; Lafayette, $867,500; and Santa Monica, $786,000.

. Statewide, the cities with the greatest median home price increases in October 2009 compared with the same period a year ago were: Palo Alto, 49.1 percent; Atascadero, 33.3 percent; Cupertino, 24.2 percent; San Rafael, 24 percent; Emeryville, 22.2 percent, Livermore, 20.5 percent; Culver City, 19.4 percent; Pleasant Hill, 17 percent; La Habra, 16.2 percent, and Novato, 15.4 percent.

Leading the way…® in California real estate for more than 100 years, the CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® (www.car.org) is one of the largest state trade organizations in the United States, with more than 163,000 members dedicated to the advancement of professionalism in real estate. C.A.R. is headquartered in Los Angeles.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Latest Facts About The State Of The Housing Market
• The Housing Double Dip Has Arrived
• The Slow-Moving Trainwreck In Mid-To-High End Housing

David Rosenberg comments on the latest turmoil:

Quite the turkey fest in the markets with the debt situation at Dubai World (not to
mention the devaluation in Vietnam — shades of Thailand circa 1997? — and the
Fitch credit downgrade of Mexico; and keep an eye on Greece as its bond spreads
default risks have surged too).  After being clobbered more than 3% yesterday,
European equities are down another 0.7% so far today and Asia is in the red right
across the board — the Nikkei off 301 points, or 3.2%, to 9,081; the Hang Seng
lost 1,075 points, or 4.8%, to 21,134; China’s stock market is down 2.4% and
Korea shedding 4.7%.  This is bad news for the financials (especially U.K. banks
who have the most exposure — $50bln of the total $87bln that Europe has on the
books with the UAE) — the group that led the rebound may well be the catalyst for
the long-awaited reversal.  

Commodities are taking a hit too as are the commodity-based currencies (the New
Zealand Kiwi just sagged to a 4-month low) as a renewed shift to U.S. dollars, at
least for the time being, has taken the DXY index back from the abyss and is up
around 50bps today, to 75.34.  (The yen is also on fire — classic signpost of risk
aversion.)  Crude oil has traded down to a six-week low of below $73/bbl — we feel
that in several areas, including commodities and credit, a fresh buying opportunity
awaits (gold has corrected 4.0%, to $1,138, but it has so much technical support
that no trendline is broken until it tests $960/oz).  Retail demand for bullion has
been so strong that the U.S. government has completely run out of American Eagle
gold coins (see the front page story on this in today’s FT).  

We also see in today’s FT that even after the latest surge in gold, the fund
holdings in ETFs ballooned to a record 1,766 tons (up 48% for the year).  We
have been gold bulls for about 90% of the time over the past decade (we
skipped the 2007 bubble period) but like many other risk assets, bullion is a
crowded trade for now.  Don’t mistake this for a bearish call, but more like a
near-term tactical view: we still see gold approaching $3,000/oz before the
secular bull market runs its course.

Join the conversation about this story »

See Also:

• Gold Tumbles, As Nervous Investors Want Greenbacks Instead
• U.S. Mint Runs Out of Gold Coins
• Panicked Gold Buying Forces Vietnam To Devalue Currency

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As part of our ongoing Primal Blueprint Fitness Video Contest Mark’s Daily Apple reader and competitive CrossFitter Blair Morrison submitted his interpretation of a Primal Blueprint Bodyweight Routine (the new contest theme is Creative Sprint Routines). He’s in the running for a cash and Primal prize package and has a one in four shot of winning.

It’s the day after Thanksgiving and you could probably use a little activity, so try out this Primal routine to get your heart pumping.

5 rounds for time:

• Sprint to the top of stairs
• 5 burpees
• Bear crawl down stairs
• 5 burpees

If you’d like to be featured on Mark’s Daily Apple for a chance to win Primal gear read the Primal Blueprint contest details and submit your video (fitness or recipe), real life Primal story or Primal recipe today!

Get Free Health Tips, Recipes and Workouts Delivered to Your Inbox

Related posts:

1. Contest Video: Primal Blueprint Sprint Routine
2. Contest Video: Intense Bodyweight Workout
3. Contest Video: Primal Blueprint Bodyweight Exercises

The newest addition to the EVERSWITCH customized switch family is an aircraft lavatory switch. The EVERSWITCH switch is designed to meet the latest requirements in lavatory design and is made of aviation grade Aluminum or Stainless Steel, with non-removable marking.
Baran Advanced Technologies (1986) Ltd. had been supplying Piezo electric switches to the aviation industry for various interior and exterior functions.
The EVERSWITCH lavatory switch can be cleaned with any known detergent, and is the ultimate solution for cabin systems in unmanned high traffic areas.
The 0-28V 2A switch connects to a wide range of cabin systems, aircraft water systems, vacuum waste systems, galley waste systems, trash compactors and recirculation lavatory systems.
The switch is light weight, easy to mount, and offered with optional LED illumination or audio feed back.
With no moving parts, the EVERSWITCH has the longest life cycle in the industry. Its firm, rugged structure guarantees long operation, and we guarantee its function for 5 years.

LXE Inc. has extended its industryleading line of vehicle-mount computing solutions with the new VX8 and VX9 rugged mobile computers. The VX8 and VX9 computers are rugged, wirelessly enabled Windows XP-based mobile PC’s with 10.4” and 12.1” touch-screen displays that are designed for vehicle-mounted use in tough environments.
“With these new Windows XP vehicle-mounted computers, LXE offers a broad product line to meet customers’ specific rugged computing requirements. The VX8 and VX9 enable
organisations to run more advanced applications, but still leverage existing computer support resources. That, combined with LXE’s industry-leading customer service and support network,
can equate to greater cost savings, flexibility and reliability.” Recent LXE customer research has revealed that a greater number of customers now have a preference for Windows XP over Windows CE as the operating system platform for vehiclemount computers. The growing interest in Windows XP among LXE’s current customer base was attributed to several factors, including the ability of the operating system to handle a wider range of mobile applications and to simplify network administration. “As warehouses and port facilities become more operationally complex, so too is the information required by employees at the point of interaction or activity,” said David Krebs, mobile & wireless director, VDC Research. “To support more advanced data collection and communication applications, VDC is seeing increased demand for vehicle mounted computers supported by a full OS – such as XP – in these environments. Moreover, additional benefits in the form of cost savings are expected as organisations adopt a single OS platform strategy.” The compact VX8 computer is ideal for applications where users need high-performance computing in a small package. The slim-line VX9 computer, which is available with an XGA display option, is targeted at users that need a larger screen area. Available with WWAN, WLAN and Bluetooth radios, both the VX8 and VX9 computers are suitable for a range of vehicle-mounted applications in challenging deployment environments, including those on forklift trucks, container handling machinery, forestry and construction equipment, and emergency service vehicles.