Automatic for the people

The Cash for Clunkers program has been wildly successful, and hugely confusing to a lot of interested consumers. Confusing mainly due to restrictions that don't make a whole lotta sense. Qualified vehicles must be in running order, and insured -- so they can be carted away and used for scrap. Also, the mpg rules for used and new rides are fairly restrictive. But the benefits can be considerable, especially when the govt. rebate is matched by manufacturer incentives.

If anyone wants to learn more, check this out: latimes.com

Meet the Leaf

The all-electric Nissan Leaf will be the first mass-market EV to hit America since the 1920s -- and it has a top range of 100 miles between charges (it takes an 80% charge in less than half an hour). It'll hit showrooms next year, around the same time the long-promised Chevy Volt rolls up. The Volt gets a promised 230 mpg thanks to its small onboard gas engine that recharges the electric motor as needed -- kind of the opposite of how hybrids work. The Volt might be seen as more practical, since it doesn't need to be plugged in every 100 miles, but if the Leaf gets a foothold ahead of the Chevy's introduction, it might establish a cult following like the Prius.

Read Pulitzer-Prize winner Dan Neil's take on it: latimes.com

eBook: The future of literature

Most devoted readers are aware of Amazon's Kindle, the electronic device that downloads and displays books both new and old, cheaper than for a hardcover, but at an initial investment of more than $200 for the unit. It's a sexy new gadget that will surely go down in price (remember when DVD players where $350?). Anyway, since it's much less expensive and less hassle to deliver books this way, it will ultimately be a huge boon to the publishing industry. Also, it will likely evolve new ways to integrate video and audio and interactivity into the reading experience.

For those who lament the demise of bookstores -- 808 East included -- fear not: Hard copy books might well be offered as plush collectibles, the literary equivalent to special CD boxes sets. The Kindle and similar but less-popular Sony Reader were big news at the L.A. Times Festival of Books at UCLA. Here's what I had to write on the subject:

From ink on a page to audio books, and now sleek electronic readers; the evolution of literature continues to create new media that stretch and redefine the concept of storytelling. True, there are few forms of information as compact and portable as a book – but imagine taking along a 900-page tome, and maybe dozens more, on a long cruise and fitting it all in your purse. Consider a future where entire libraries can be carried in the palm of your hand, with more than a million titles available for instant download.

Well, the future is here. It’s called the eBook, a new technology that brings the convenience of handheld communication into the world of literature, in the form of the Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader Digital Book.

Far more than a trendy accessory, it’s destined to change the book industry forever, said Patrick Brown, an eBook expert who will be on the “Publishing 3.0: The Next Generation” panel at the Festival of Books.

“The eBook is an industry-changing phenomenon that’s currently the hot topic in publishing.” said Brown, webmaster and blogger for Vroman’s Bookstore. “It’s really taken off the past year or two and reached a tipping point, in part because handheld technology has become so ubiquitous. Everyone is used to carrying devices and reading screens.”

The Kindle and Reader devices are quite similar, lightweight and thin with bright single-page screens roughly the size of a paperback, and capable of storing hundreds of books at once. Titles are ordered online, downloaded into the device instantly and wirelessly, or via broadband connections. Also, text size can be adjusted.

Although still in its infancy, the eBook is growing fast, showcasing a fast-growing number of high-profile authors, including T.C. Boyle and T. Jefferson Parker, who will be at the Festival. The vast majority of current best-sellers are available, and backlist titles are starting to catch up, Brown said.

It’s a brave new world of portable literature, but the reading experience is surprisingly similar to a real book, said David Baldacci, author of 16 best-selling mass-market thrillers, all available on Kindle.

“I wasn’t sure about the idea of reading books on a screen, but since I got my Kindle a couple of months ago, I’ve been using it all the time,” said Baldacci, who will be signing copies of his latest novel, “First Family,” at the Festival. “The big advantages are storage and portability. When I go on long trips to do research, I’ll load half a dozen books to take along – much more convenient than packing the actual books. Also, they’re less expensive than print versions.”

Already in its second generation, the Amazon Kindle 2 can store up to 1,500 titles, available from more than 240,000 offered exclusively on Amazon.com. The Kindle 2 will even read to you with its new text-to-speech feature. Also, the Apple iPhone and iPod touch can now read and download Kindle titles from the Apple App Store.

The third-generation Sony Reader – which will be shown at the Festival – holds 350 books and up to thousands more with optional memory sticks or cards. The Reader now has access to around 600,000 titles through their eBook Store (ebookstore.sony.com), including 500,000 free titles available from Google Books.

Many free classics are offered, including Jane Austen’s “Emma” and Mark Twain’s “A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court.”

“We have focused our efforts on offering an open platform and making it easy to find as much content as possible,” said Steve Haber, president of Sony’s Digital Reading Business Division. “Working with Google, we can offer book lovers another avenue for free books while still providing a seamless experience from our store.”

Not only do eBooks provide a new, direct link for authors to reach their audience, the technology will most likely someday empower writers with creative multimedia tools, Baldacci said.

“Some people feel that adding audio and video could interfere with the integrity of books, but I think anything that enhances the reading experience and gets people more interested in books is positive, as long as it’s with the author’s consent,” Baldacci said. “Some audio books add sound effects, and they’ve proved to be very popular.”

As eBooks evolve it’s inevitable that they will create new forms of content, with animation and perhaps even interactivity, Brown said.

“Future eBook technology will be much different from what we see now,” he said. “Beyond fiction, I can easily see, say, a book on music history that has MP3 files that play on the device. That could apply to so many types of books, like dictionaries and Atlases with audio and video.”

Imagine readers being able to write their own fan fiction stories featuring their favorite characters, and make them accessible through the eBook along with thousands of others, or downloading almanacs and text books that could be automatically and periodically updated directly to the device, Brown said.

“Interactivity is definitely a possibility, in ways we might not be able to imagine right now,” he added. “Already, it allows easy self-publishing; anyone can post their own novels on Kindle to sell.”

But don’t expect books in print to ever go away, at least not entirely. Perhaps deluxe, collectible limited editions with high-quality binding, special paper and other extras, will someday be released simultaneously with their eBook counterparts, Brown said.

Indeed, devoted readers will always have a need to carry and hold their favorite titles, and enjoy the cover art, Baldacci said.

“Print books will never be replaced by eBooks,” said the author. “People love the experience of holding and reading a good book, sharing it with friends, that’s never going to change. Some people predicted that DVDs would keep people from going to see movies in theaters.”

Turns out more people than ever are attending movies, while DVD sales continue to soar.

“I think it’ll be the same with print editions and eBooks,” Baldacci said. “There’s room for both to thrive. “

Big and Green: 2010 Hybrids

If anybody still thinks that hybrid vehicles -- or going the extra mile to be eco-conscious -- is in any way lacking manliness, or smacks too much of Ed. Begley Jr. looking whack in a plug-in clown car, check out the latest hybrid SUVs and trucks:

Cadillac Escalade Platinum Hybrid: Launched earlier this year, the limited edition Escalade Platinum Hybrid is the most technically advanced full-size luxury SUV ever, if Cadillac says so itself. And it’s difficult to argue the point. Like the standard Escalade Hybrid, which bowed in summer of 2008, this premium edition has a 6-liter V-8 rated at 332 horses, and the same 20 mpg or so in city driving.

The Platinum also has Cadillac’s advanced Magnetic Ride Control system and light-emitting diode headlamps for better visibility and enhanced bling appeal. And while Escalade is surely more noted for flashy urban adventures, the Platinum Hybrid has strong outdoor and off-road credentials, offering a four-wheel-drive model that has towing capacity of up to 5,600 pounds.

“[T]he Cadillac Escalade Platinum Hybrid represents an opportunity for the changing priorities of luxury consumers who want dramatic design and technology combined with fuel efficiency and functionality,” said Mark McNabb, North America vice president, Cadillac/Premium Channel.

GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid: There’s a new Denali in the Yukon lineup, adding to the growing list of luxurious, full-size hybrid SUVs that reconcile the need for maximum size and power with green sensibilities. Available in the U.S. starting in May, the Denali Hybrid seats eight and tows up to 5,800 pounds with GM’s 6-liter 332-horsepower Vortec V-8. Similar to most of its full-size hybrid GM brethren, including the Chevy Tahoe, it gets around 21 mpg in city driving -- a 50% boost over their standard gas-only versions. Fuel economy is aided by GM’s Active Fuel Management, which shuts down four cylinders when they aren’t needed.

It joins the Yukon Hybrid and Sierra Hybrid pickup truck in the growing full-size GMC green niche.

“The eight-passenger GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid goes just as far on a gallon of gas in the city as a much smaller, V-6 Toyota Camry sedan,” said Susan Docherty, vice president, Buick-Pontiac-GMC. “And in terms of fuel savings, the GMC Yukon Denali saves about 250 gallons of fuel a year over the Lexus GX 470.”

Of course, the Denali Hybrid is also all about infusing a new level of luxury to the Yukon Hybrid brand, rolling on 22-inch eight-spoke chrome wheels with an Ebony or Cashmere interior. It’s the first Yukon to include GM’s MagnaRide suspension system; magnetic particles in the shock-absorber fluid automatically adjust the damping rate of the absorber, based on road conditions and vehicle dynamics, for a super-smooth ride and maximum tire-to-road contact.

Lexus RX 450h: An all-new hybrid version of the gas-only crossover RX 350, the 2010 RX 450h -- introduced at the L.A. Auto Show in November and just now trickling into U.S. dealerships – is a step-up model to the popular and pioneering 400h, sporting a wider and taller stance and bigger 3.5-liter V-6 that generates nearly 300 horsepower and an EPA rating of up to 32 mpg in city driving. That’s almost 30% more horses than the 400h, with up to 20% better mileage, Lexus claims. Also new for 2010 is a cool joystick controlled navigation system with “casual language” voice-recognition, tricked-out enhanced rear suspension and a sleeker, car-like vibe. Its green credentials are assured with a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) certification, meaning it produces nearly 70% fewer particles of smoggy gunk than standard vehicles.

Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid: Showcasing the European styling of its popular and well-reviewed Opal counterparts across the Atlantic, Saturn’s new compact five-door crossover is the next stage of evolution for the defunct Saturn Green Line, with a low-slung look that has a sporty, coupe-like flair. Also, the suspension and handling are re-tuned for tighter sport handling.Saturn claims that its 2.4-liter 172-horsepower Ecotec engine is the most fuel-efficient V-6 around, offering a top rating of 32 mpg, aided by its electric hybrid motor. The Vue 2 Mode can tow up to 3,500 pounds, as well, and with the two rear seats folded down, it has 56 cubic feet of cargo space. It also has an impressive roster of standard safety features for its class, such as electronic stability and traction control, a supplemental emergency “panic” braking system and a rollover mitigation system that can sense an impending flip and prepare by firing side-curtain airbags and automatically applying the brakes.

Fit tech

808 East is a workout fanatic as well as a tech geek, so covering the new generation of personal electronic that actually help a brother burn calories was a no-brainer. Sadly, my story for the now-suspended Living Well monthly section of The Times didn't make it in before LW went belly-up. But thanks to the magic of the blogosphere, it follows below:

Bucking popular perception as an opiate for sedentary, glassy eyed youngsters glued to their Xbox or PlayStation, videogames and other interactive technology can actually motivate and empower fitness regimens – even make them fun – for any age.

And let’s face it, beating boredom is more than half the battle when it comes to working out.

Call it the birth of the “exertainment” genre. A new generation of adult fitness-enhancing gadgets is here, led by the wildly popular Nintendo Wii Sports and Wii Fit. Whereas the Wii Sports gaming system inspired couch potatoes to get up and break a sweat swatting virtual tennis balls or rolling strikes toward the TV, the Fit takes it a step further, offering personally tailored regimens and software that tracks your progress.

“With the introduction of the Wii, we’re on the cusp of bridging interactive applications into health and fitness, and they’re especially appealing to adults,” said Tim Herbert, director of market research for the Consumer Electronics Assn. “Not everyone can find the motivation to workout every day, and boredom is always a factor. But the Wii and other forms of fitness-based electronics are great solutions to those problems.”

CEA data show that there’s a social factor at play that can help motivate sedentary adults.

“We’ve found that about half the adults who have played the Wii (out of 42 million U.S. grown-ups total, according to CEA research) have done so on someone else’s console, either a friend or family member,” he said. “It helps if people can share the pain and see their progress and encourage each other.”

The progress can be palpable. According to a study by the American Council on Exercise, Wii Sports markedly increases heart rate and oxygen intake, burning anywhere from approximately 216 calories per half hour for boxing, 159 for tennis, 117 for baseball and 93 for golfing.

It’s only fair that evolving technology prods us to get off the couch and get active. Data from CEA also suggest that those who do so and practice, say, Wii tennis, are more inclined to get outdoors and play the real thing. Cool high-tech gear, unlike youth itself, need not be wasted on the young. Let’s take a look at a handful of the hottest high-tech fitness helpers.

Nintendo Wii Fit: Taking Wii Sports a step further, Wii Fit is an intense and sophisticated new workout system that not only provides more than 40 fun video-training game/regimens in four categories – aerobics, balance, strength training and yoga – it records and tracks your progress in body mass index, weight and center of balance. To get started just stand and on the Balance Board, the centerpiece of the Wii Fit that senses and measures weight as well as shifts in movement and balance, and follow the on-screen instructors. It connects wirelessly to the Wii console and helps collect physical data, including an initial Body Test evaluation, which are interpreted by virtual video trainers that guide users through exercises such as Snowboard Slalom, Soccer Heading and Rhythm Boxing. Based on the data, suggestions for improvement are offered by the virtual trainers, just like the real thing. And new Wii Balance Board games, such as Skate It, a skateboard simulator from Electronic Arts, are continually being released.

Best of all, the Wii Fit is easy to learn, even for total videogame newbies.

“Wii Fit will get you moving whether you've been playing videogames for years or this is your first time,” said Cammie Dunaway, Nintendo of America's executive vice president of sales and marketing.

Price: $90 for the console and Balance Board, around $50 for Wii Balance Board games. Information: www.nintendo.com/wiifit/

The Expresso Bike: The ultimate solution to the tedium of indoor cardiovascular biking, the new Expresso immerses the rider into a realistic, Web-enabled world of 30 virtual courses on its 17-inch LCD screen – from steep Alpine trails to city streets—that can be customized to fit personal skills and levels of difficulty, while monitoring and recording personal fitness data such as heart rate and calories burned. And there’s more, much more. Not only does the sophisticated software control the bike’s tension to simulate realistic uphill and downhill biking, the recumbent Expresso connects to the Internet to allow the rider to compare individual times and compete against riders across the country via online Leader Boards.

Moreover, the Expresso continually evolves to keep the experience fresh, automatically downloading new features, music and courses. There’s a built-in TV tuner, as well. Price: $5,145.

PumpOne Personal Trainer: Imagine your own personal trainer, downloaded onto your video MP3 player, cellphone or virtually any handheld device. That’s PumpOne, a series of video/audio training sessions that demonstrate exactly what moves and exercises to perform and for how long – leading you through intense workouts that target weight and cardio training, flexibility, Pilates, yoga and more, accompanied by your favorite music. The programs feature video, illustrations and captioning. It’s all visual with no voice commands to interfere with the background tunes.

“Everybody would love the luxury of their own live personal trainer, but not everyone can afford it,” said Craig Schlossberg, president of PumpOne. “The clear exercise videos, crisp fitness images and quick intuitive interface show a user exactly what exercises to perform, in what order and with the proper intensity.”

Sessions can be downloaded to iPods, Zunes and other MP3 players for $19 to $49 for one to six months of workouts. Special PumpOne sessions, called iPump, are now available exclusively for the Apple iPhone, directly downloadable from iTunes without synching to a computer ($2.99 for nine workouts).

Price: $2.99 to $49.

Numark Fit For Sound: The home gym meets cutting-edge club sound with this rack-mounted high-end audio system featuring a Universal Dock that accommodates MP3 players, a perfect companion for an indoor regimen – especially one that requires instruction from a video-training program such as the PumpOne. Gym workouts, after all, require total concentration and usually two free hands. The Fit For Sound will cradle your iPod at eye level, with large, easy-to-read buttons and an infrared remote control with neck-slung lanyard, offering dramatic pro-quality audio. No surprise, considering Numark Industries is a leader in professional DJ and audio equipment.

Price: $169.

V-MODA Vibe Duo: Created with loud gyms and noisy urban jogging in mind, the V-MODA Vibe Duo bud headphones help prevent hearing loss due to their design and noise-isolating technology, eliminating the need to turn the volume up to dangerous levels on a mobile music device. Soft, medical-grade silicon fittings – an assortment of small, medium and large for custom ear-canal fit -- seal away outside noise and prevent sound leakage. And rest assured the sound is audiophile-quality; despite its micro-size, the Vibe Duo kicks out deep, thumping bass and soaring highs, spanning a full high-definition audio-frequency range from 12 to 20,000 hertz (virtually the entire audible hearing spectrum) thanks to its BLISS (Bass Level Isolating Soft Silicon) technology. Also, a new Vibe Duo model, compatible with the Apple iPhone, has a discreet microphone with a call button allowing users to take calls and control the music functions of the iPhone while jogging or working out.

Price: $99.

First Lap

Greetings gearheads and internal combustion dilettantes alike. After years as an ink-stained wretch covering all things automotive for the Special Sections Department of the Los Angeles Times -- as well as penning a wide range of lifestyle features -- I've finally taken the plunge into blogdom. Seems like a good way to supplement my paying, hard copy writing assignments without the constraints of journalism or jittery editors. Or getting paid.

Besides, I've got a lot to say, and media contacts shovel way more information than I can possibly use in my stories. 808 East will be my conduit for cool car culture stuff and snide observation that might not fit elsewhere. But it won't be all about cars. It's a big world out there bucky, and automobiles somehow transcend technology, steel and grinding pistons, speed and design. Cars are pop culture on wheels. And 808 East is, above all, a creature that wallows in pop culture like a spasmodic pig in pheromone-laced mud. My writing credits include Rolling Stone, Entertainment Weekly, New York Times Magazine and oh so many others.

So enough about me. Tell me a little about yourself. Drop a line, comment, insult, lavish praise, whatever. Share. I'm here to listen as well as vent. And please feel free to grab the L.A. Times Special Sections coverage of the auto world that I and our hard-working staff work so hard to produce. I'll keep you posted.