British actor Brian Blessed has recently signed a contract with satellite navigation manufacturer Tom Tom, meaning drivers will soon be able to hear his unmistakable voice shouting directions at them from their Tom Tom Sat Navs.

The actor, best known for his Shakesperean performances on stage and his role at Vultan in the classic 1980′s film Flash Gordon, has recorded 57 basic commands, as well as six ‘special catchprases’ for the sat nav firm.

Tom Tom have already recieved a huge amount of interest in the new navigation systems, with fans of the ever popular Blessed excited to hear variations on classic lines from Flash Gordon, Blackadder and Henry V, including a cry of ‘drive Hawkmen, drive!’, which fans will remember from the famous Flash Gordon epic.

This is by no means the first time TomTom have used celebrity voices on their sat nav systems, with Homer Simpson (The Simpsons) and Darth Vader (Star Wars) voicing previous directions.  TomTom expect Blessed to be more popular in places like the UK however, after a Facebook page entitled ‘Get Brian Blessed To Voice My Sat Nav’ was set up to try and entice TomTom into hiring the actor. The company responsed to a Mr. Richard Gardner (who started the Facebook page), telling him if he could get in excess of 25,000 members they would talk to Blessed’s agent. The page now has well over that amount of members, and Tom Tom have stayed true to their word.

TomTom assured drivers that might not want the shoutiness of Brian Blessed on their sat navs that his voice would need to be downloaded, and would not replace the standard default voice on TomTom systems.

Damian Woodward (a spokesman for TomTom) had this to say to The Telegraph:

“It’s been an interesting journey watching this campaign take shape and it just goes to show you the power of social media … if we can bring shouty happiness to more than 25,000 people, who are we to say no?”

It’s pertinent to see a sat nav company who listens to consumers, particularly given the news this week that a piece of research has discovered that only 1 in 8 Brits actually trusts their sat nav to take them to the required destination. The research, conducted by Manheim Auctions, found that over 1/3 of respondants had gotten lost while using their sat navs, with an amazing 15% ending up missing an important event such as a hospital appointment or job interview. (This info’s crying out for an infographic design!)

Guest post written by Chris, who works for a company specialising in wine gifts and rare French wines. He’s currently got a sat nav with Mr T’s voice and is genuinely considering moving up to Brian Blessed once it’s available!

_

Related Posts

1. Thousands of people are losing their cars, don’t be one of them !
2. Staying updated with the Tour De France
3. The Most Popular Cars among Golfers!

I always hated getting the bus when I was a kid. It was slow, cumbersome and the drivers were always grumpy, plus it was far too expensive. Imagine my joy then to discover an American by the name of Paul Stender had fitted an engine from a Phantom fighter jet to an American schoolbus in an attempt to break the World Speed Record for a schoolbus.

The bus, created by Stender and his team at Indy Boys Inc, reached an incredible 367 mph, firing out 80ft flames as it smashed the current World Record. Unfortunately, the bus is only used for shows, but Stender says his creation isn’t about coming up with a new form of transport:

“I built the bus for two reasons. The first is to entertain people because, come on,  it’s a jet bus! The second is to keep kids off drugs. Jets are hot, drugs are not.”

The bus, although built from a genuine American schoolbus, has been hugely adapted by Stender and his team, with around only 5% of the original vehicle remaining.

“I built the whole thing myself, there’s no way the original bus could withstand the speeds I take it to. A lot of it is hand-crafted and the types of materials used would be more at home on an aircraft. There’s still some bus left on it though, there’s a little bit at the front, and the handles and door are the same.”

Stender also revealed the inspiration behind his incredible creation, which has a fuel economy of 150 gallons of fuel per quarter mile (think about that the next time you’re complaining about the fuel economy of your 4X4!):

“I guess this is my revenge for all those days riding on the slow journey to school. Now the bus goes at my kind of pace!”

—

Gues post written by John, a freelance copywriter who is currently working hard to gain his Prince2 accreditation so he can get a proper job!

_

Related Posts

1. Top Car brands to own
2. Hydrogen Fuel Cars
3. American automobile association Texas, Pennsylvania and others…

Nobody plans on getting into a car accident. But, unfortunately, sometimes it happens. Hopefully if it does there is minimal damage to both you and your car. But if the accident is more serious you may end up injured. As a result of your injuries there may be time missed at work, physical rehab required and a period of immobilization. While your insurance plan will cover the cost of repairing your car or buying a new one, what about you? Loss of wages, medical expenses and the need for help around the house can all add up. With no money coming in and lots going out, you could end up in serious financial trouble, possibly even bankrupt.

But fear not, because there are certain benefits that you are entitled to when you get into a car accident and a personal injury lawyer can help ensure that you get them.  And the great thing about personal injury lawyers is that they usually have a no win no fee approach to payment. This means that if they don’t win you your benefits, you don’t have to pay them. Not only is this easier on your pocket book, but it gives you the security of knowing that they will work hard to get you your benefits.

And what, exactly, are those benefits? Well, there are several that may be available to you and they cover everything from lost wages to maintaining your home and can mean the difference between continuing to live as you are used to and having to file for bankruptcy.  Here is a breakdown of the benefits you may be entitled to:

Medical and rehabilitation benefits

This helps with any medical cost you may accrue along with any rehabilitation that may be required to help you heal. If you are in the hospital you may also be entitled to money to help pay for family members to visit during your treatment and rehabilitation, including mileage and accommodations.

Caregiver benefits

If you are a caregiver and your injuries mean that you can no longer complete your care giving tasks, then you may qualify for caregiver benefits.

Income replacement benefits

If, within two years of the accident, you can no longer work as a result of your injuries, you may qualify to receive income replacement every two weeks.

Non-earner benefits

If you don’t qualify for income replacement but your caregiver benefits have run out, you may be entitled to non-earner benefits. If you were a student at the time of your accident but were not employed you may also qualify. As a student you may also receive compensation for lost time at university or college.

Attendant care benefits

If your injury requires someone to come in and help you with daily living, including feeding, transportation and aiding with your medication, then you could be entitled to attendant care benefits to help offset the cost of hiring someone.

Housekeeping benefits

These benefits can be paid out to help you with household expenses associated with daily upkeep.

Home maintenance benefits

These benefits help with anything that you may need to do to your house to maintain it. These can sometimes be joined or doubled up with housekeeping benefits.

Even if you are at fault, you may be eligible for general accident benefits that can help you with some of the cost associated with the accident.  If you are in an accident, regardless of whose fault it is, you should get in contact with a personal injury lawyer. They will be able to help you figure out which benefits you should apply for and ensure that you get them.

Chris Bennett is an expert in the insurance industry and is a writer for a Fort Lauderdale auto accident attorney.  In his off time, he likes to spend time with his family and work on his cars.

_

Related Posts

1. Hire Purchase – Whats it all about?
2. Top Car Insurance Apps For iPhone & Android
3. My Experience with Insurance Claims

With everyone trying to save their pennies lately fewer and fewer people are choosing to go abroad for their holidays. This means that many more people are choosing to travel around their own country camping along the way. Naturally you will need a car that can handle some tough terrain and all your camping equipment.

These are my 3 favourite cars for this kind of expedition. The first is the Jeep Wrangler. This a truly monstrous beast that will get you anywhere you want to go no questions asked. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited is very accessible with 4 doors and plenty of space in the back for all your gear. For those of you who are into bushcraft the Wrangler will be able to assist you wherever you need to go.

01. Jeep Wrangler:
—————————————————————————————————————————-

—————————————————————————————————————————-

The FJ Cruiser from Toyota is a slightly smaller and more compact nimble off roader. Starting at $23,320 the Toyota FJ Cruiser is inline with the price of most other jeeps of this kind. A stylish ride the FJ Cruiser comes with a 4.0 litre V6 engine capable of easily completing most off road activities although it is not as powerful as the above mentioned Jeep Wrangler.

02. Toyota FJ Cruiser:
—————————————————————————————————————————-

—————————————————————————————————————————-

For a truly slick and stylish ride look no further than the Chevrolet Suburban. If you want to go big this is your one and only option in my opinion. The Suburban can transport 9 people so you will never be pushed for space. Get all your friends and family in one car and head off for a long weekend camping, it’s as simple as that. The Chevrolet Suburban comes with a 5.3 litre V8 which can be upgraded to a 6.0 litre if you so wish. Naturally this extra space and power will set you back a little more with the impressive Suburban weighing in at $41,320.

03. Chevrolet Suburban:
—————————————————————————————————————————-

_

Related Posts

1. 2010 Jeep Liberty Review – spacious and safe environment for your next ride
2. Toyota apologizes – Honda sells
3. 2010 Toyota Prius tested and won the battle against her competitors

The hot hatch is an iconic paradigm of motoring history, combining looks practically and speed in one affordable package, pocket rockets have been hugely popular since the introduction of the Renault 5 turbo and VW Golf GTi in the earlt 1980’s. This genre of vehicle is still going strong today with new innovations from manufactures that are being lapped up by petrol heads. Of course today’s hot hatches are a far cry from the veritable go-karts of yester-year, safety requirements have changed the shape and increased the weight of the models, but they still retain that feisty, off-the-chain hot hatch demeanor loved by so many.

Nissan Pulsar:
————————————-

I think some of the appeal behind the hot hatch lies in the oxymoronic notion of the concept, a small family car designed for pootling around town and picking up the shopping, but with a rev-happy turbo-charged engine, large-diameter alloy wheels and some choice body work modifications. It almost feels kike it shouldn’t be. But it is, and it’s here today, a new have of critically acclaimed models have recently sparked debate about the best hot hatches of all time.

2011 Citroen DS3 R3:
————————————-

It is widely accepted that the design boundaries placed on today’s motors have redefined what the hot hatch is about, inevitably making them heavier. This problem is easily solved however, whack a bigger engine in! Renault have done this with the new Clio 200 Cup, a powerful 2 litre unit kicks out almost 200bhp making it one of the quickest hatches over a lap of all time. Citroen have gone mad in the styling stakes with their off-the-wall DS3 giving it distinctive b-pillars and an outlandish colour scheme, Meanwhile the new Skoda Fabia VRS is the first ever hot hatch to feature paddle shift DSG transmission and a whole seven gears!

2010 Renault Clio RS, 1987 Renault 5 GT Turbo, 1979 Renault 5 GT Turbo :
—————————————————————————————————————

Time will tell if these new comers to the fray will ever be as fondly cherished as the greats, the Clio Williams for example will go down in history as one the most rapid small cars ever to grace these shores, as will underground classics such as the Nissan Pulsar and Toyota Starlet turbo. These cars were a lot lighter however and lacked all the mod-cons. Today’s hot hatches combine performance, exhilaration and practicality providing a great option for the speed demon without the budget for a Ferrari!

Bio

Joe is a SEO copywriter and keen motoring blogger, he doesn’t like all the unnecessary gadgets found in modern cars!

_

Related Posts

1. 2013 Daimler Smart Fortwo, Forfour and Renault Twingo Alliance
2. Renault Announces Europe’s First Front Swivel Seat for New Clio
3. 2011 Citroen C4 Review, Prices, Engines, Test

In these modern times where the high-radiation assets have become our closest friends, damaging our sight is almost inevitable that is the reason why many of us wear prescription glasses or contacts, even though, if you want to go the safer and more affordable way, our warm recommendation will be to avoid contact lenses at all cost because if not used properly, they could seriously damage your eyes. And we all know that even though eyes have the remarkable power of healing, they will eventually pay us back for everything we did to them in the past.

Since today glasses are more a matter of necessity than of luxury, and almost every third young man has the need of wearing prescription glasses, they come at affordable prices. Therefore if you have a vision anomaly, you can easily find cheap glasses that will save your money and protect your vision from further damaging.

Most of the issues connected to vision require the so called reading glasses. Luckily, they are the easiest to find and they are available in many shapes and sizes, the models differ in many outer-appearance characteristics, which means that there is something for every style and for every taste.

There are three main distinctions in the design of the reading glasses, since the design of the frame is concerned. There are glasses that have full rim design and are not so used by the female population since they are the ones that fear the most that wearing glasses would ruin their image and they want from their glasses to be the least noticeable possible; then, there are those with half rim design which are the only choice for young men who really want to retain their sophistication by wearing them, and finally there are the rimless glasses which are very delicate and discrete, perfect for women who want to look elegant, yet not too serious. There is a wide assortment of rimless glasses online and there always are some festive discounts which means that you can get them at very affordable prices. You should only be careful with them since being rimless makes them very gentle and poorly resistant do the tiniest damage.

_

Related Posts

1. A brief intro to the world of glasses
2. Buying glasses online – the optimal investment
3. Land base store glasses VS glasses bought online

Glasses, no matter whether they are bought at a land base store or online, at small prices, or for hundreds and thousands of dollars, have become an important part of our lives: for some, they are an inseparable part of their image, for others, they represent a matter of necessity and the asset to better functioning since their sight comes to question.

However, even if they are worn for medical purposes, they must look good and give you presentable appearance because since they are a matter of necessity to you, you will be wearing them most of the time. It is a matter of your choice where you are going to get them and how much money you are going to spend for them, we are going to give you an insider look to the benefits and disadvantages of buying them at a land base store, and purchasing glasses online.

At a land base store, you will have the chance of actually experience wearing them and after you have found the right pair, to order and purchase them. If we are talking about prescription glasses, you will have to take your prescription note with you and order the lenses that fit you most. Then, you are going to have to wait until the lenses are shipped to the store, and go there again and finally get your pair of glasses you have been waiting for. Also, things like discount glasses, or cheap glasses deals are almost impossible at a land base store. Let us not mention the fact that in a store you will get to see about 150 pairs of glasses the most, and that is so when we talk about a bigger store. The only benefit is that you have a direct contact with the retailer and that you can try on several pairs so that you know you have made the right choice.

At an online store, however, the choice is wide, and you can even make an order, if you have something particular in mind. It is important that you turn to online stores you can trust (usually they do not hide any contact information in the “About Us” tab), the only thing you have to do is if you wear a prescription glasses, to put in the information required and the lenses you need, and you can relax and wait for your order. Remember, the Internet is the place where you can find the glasses you need, may that be cheap, or expensive designer glasses, the choice is yours.

_

Related Posts

1. Buying glasses online – the optimal investment
2. A brief intro to the world of glasses
3. Correcting your vision and looking great can go together

Surprise!  It is a million bucks!  The expensive and rare Exos Type 125 is nothing so much as a dream toy for anyone out there with Formula 1 styling sensibilities and a desire to put the pedal to the metal on the open road (or more likely a closed track).  With a low-slung body that would balk at a speed bump, smooth, fat tires that protrude from the carbon-fiber chassis, and a driver’s seat (the one and only seating accommodation in the vehicle) that looks more like a cockpit than a comfort-cruise, you won’t likely see this little beauty on a highway near you anytime soon.  But that doesn’t have to stop you from drooling over it at one of the many auto shows (starting with the imminent Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on August 11^th) that it’s bound to be frequenting before its limited release next year.

The latest joy-toy from exotic-car manufacturer Lotus is basically a Formula 1 race car.  The devilishly snappy 3.5-liter Cosworth engine is a monster with eight cylinders that can deliver up to 650 horsepower at an astonishing redline of 10,500 rotations per minute.  And with a super-light frame weighing in at under 1,500 pounds (1,433, to be exact, or about 650 kilograms), this can spell at lot of get up and go.  Additions like a semi-automatic transmission (a sequential gearbox) and wheel-mounted paddle shifters should also appeal to race car enthusiasts.  There’s about a million reasons this pretty little car was dubbed the “ultimate track toy” upon its unveiling in Monterey, but unfortunately the price tag isn’t one of them.

That’s right, the average Joe is going to have to lay out a million big ones to catch a ride in a T125; that is if they can even get close to one.  With only twenty-five set to be released next spring, it may be a free-for-all to see which fabulously wealthy collectors will get their hands on one.  And while the considerable expense of owning one is enough to give any interested enthusiast pause, the exclusivity is sure to be a draw, as are the major bonuses that Lotus has decided to throw into the package deal.  As an owner of one of these ridiculously cool cars, you will be enrolled in a program that promises to get you in shape for F1 racing (run by physicians and personal trainers).  You will also receive personalized training in how to handle your latest purchase from a group of engineers and professional drivers.  Finally, Lotus has decided to take pity on anyone who shells out so much money for a car that they will rarely see the light of day; you will be allowed to compete in five racing events on tracks against other T125 owners.  Bazinga!

Of course, another selling point that can’t be overlooked is the fact that this is currently the fastest car you can buy.  Unfortunately, as you may have guessed, this comes with the caveat that the vehicle is nowhere near street legal.  However, if rumors prove true, you may end up owning an honest-to-god race car.  Apparently, Lotus plans to return to the F1 arena in the near future and this could be a sneaky way for them to get paid (to the tune of $25 million) for test runs.  Of course, that’s mere speculation, but it may be enough to raise the interest of F1 enthusiasts on the market for the latest and greatest million-dollar toy.

Jamie Myers is a writer for Cheapest Car Insurance, an auto insurance comparison site that helps you find the best deal on auto insurance.

_

Related Posts

1. 2010 Lotus Evora Review, Info, Safety, Test

The internet has become a place that can really sort out your life and make your living situation more bearable. It is the place where you can have a full-time job without having to get out of the house; it has become the place where you can have fun and entertain, the place where you can socialize with current friends, meet up with old and finding new ones. It is also the place where you can shop and fear less that your wife will make you walk miles and miles throughout the stores until she finds what she got out for.

It is also the perfect place to purchase glasses. Glasses are of great help when you have a vision of anomaly and if you are wearing them with a styling purpose, it gives a special touch of professionalism and elegance, and if you choose the right ones, they will show that you are a person always following the latest trends.

The reason why is more preferable to buy online glasses is simple: because the choice is wider. On a website you can see much more models than on all the shelves of all land base stores in your area specializing in selling glasses. On the other hand, there are always discounts and good deals of glasses online, and it is also very convenient when you need to purchase a pair of the so called progressive glasses (in this group belong the varifocal glasses and the bifocal glasses).

The varifocal glasses use special kind of lenses that can treat multiple sight anomalies so that you do not have to have many pairs of glasses for different medical purposes. The bifocal glasses on the other hand, use lenses for treating issues with both reading and distance watching. Varifocal and bifocal glasses can be found online at every specialized online store at very affordable prices.

_

Related Posts

1. Land base store glasses VS glasses bought online
2. A brief intro to the world of glasses
3. Correcting your vision and looking great can go together

Sadly, but truly, reading glasses have become an important part of the living of at least 70 per cent of the global population. Now why is that…? Simple, the time we are living in today, requires some sacrifices. It is almost impossible not to damage your sight by the essential sitting, eating, drinking, and sleeping in front of your two pretty much high radiation friends: your TV and computer.

Glasses, however, are not used only when medical necessity arises, they are also a very powerful accessory that adds up a significant touch to your personality and your image. They can be cheap or expensive, but they will sure add up to your image and they are the perfect choice if you want to incorporate details in your image which will make you more serious, more elegant, and more professional.

However, we are all well aware that glasses are very delicate kind of accessory and accidents happen and the accident might happen to your pair of glasses too. However, it is nothing to lose your head over and if your rims are okay, your glasses may come to life again. Why don’t you simply reglaze your glasses? Reglazing is a process of putting new glasses into the frames, and in case you have not heard of that, now you know. If your frame is okay, why throw it away in the first place? Reglaze glasses all the way!

Reading glasses belong to the group of prescription glasses, and these are glasses which are used for medical purposes, i.e. to treat a medical condition connected to your sight. You can get prescription glasses online, or at a land base store, however, for both kinds of stores you will need details from the prescription note your ophthalmologist gave you.

Whether you use your glasses to give a special touch to your image, or you use them for medical purposes, if you choose the right ones, they will be an indispensable part of your image wherever you go.

_

Related Posts

1. Buying glasses online – the optimal investment
2. Land base store glasses VS glasses bought online
3. Correcting your vision and looking great can go together