The Model S Betas got buffed between rides.

Electric car maker Tesla has reached a milestone. It’s developed several Beta versions (the production-ready final version) of its second electric car the Model S sedan, and the Valley auto maker is now giving test rides of the Betas to potential customers and the press. For our latest Green Overdrive show we ride in one of the Betas (a burgundy/red beauty) around a closed track at Tesla’s Fremont factory, and we show you how an electric vehicle designed from the ground-up handles. Because the Model S was designed with the car-length flat battery on the underside of the car, it’s center of gravity is low and we took the turns at the track at a blazing speed. Check out our ride and our interview with Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen.

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• Green IT Q1: Cleantech Breaking Out — and Bracing for Hard Times
• A 2011 Green IT Forecast
• Green IT’s Q4 Winners: Wind Power, Solar Power, Smart Energy

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Motorbike insurance rates are decided by issues like your age, driving history, what sort of bike you have and where you store it. For instance, if you’re middle-aged individual who has owned a motorcycle for more than 20 years and has had motorcycle indemnity for more than 20 years, then your premiums are going to be much lower than if you’re in your early 20s and you have just got your first motorcycle. The businesses who offer motorcycle insurance must operate with the same risk assessment rules as traditional indemnity businesses. If they are paying out more for claims than they are making on premiums, then they clearly will not be around very long.

Motorbike indemnity policies are similar to automobile when it comes to coverage, but vary with add-ons exclusive to motorcycles. For instance, it is much more common in motorcycle insurance policies to cover the rider’s death or injury as part of what’s included in with the policy. Also, it is less common to find add-ons such as discount loaner cars to drive while your car is being repaired.

Motorbike indemnity is just as inclusive in its coverage as automobile is. For instance, you clearly find coverage for repair or, in case of collision, repair for the harm to the other person’s car, should it be decided that it’s called for, and in some cases a discount on a rental to use while your car is being repaired in case of collision.

Motorbike indemnity, much like automobile indemnity, is created to cover damages resulting from a collision or an inevitable environmental happening such as a wildfire or hurricane. In fact, motorcycles are even more susceptible to environmental disasters such as earthquake, wildfire, or typhoon than cars are because they are smaller in size and consequently easier to destroy, and they additionally have a less firm center of gravity and must be balanced when they are upright. As a result, even gale force winds could tip them over where as they would never knock over a typical car. These are the versions of issues that motorcycle insurance providers take in to consideration.

A long time ago, when World War II ended, two things happened. Two brand-new superpowers emerged, the United States of America and the U.S.S.R., and the world very soon organized itself into two camps. As this power shift happened, Great Britain lost its preeminence as a world superpower.

Hobbled by the heavy expenses of the war, Great Britain couldn’t muster up the economic heft needed to hang on to its superpower status. Not long after, the dominoes started to fall. It had no option but to give India, once its crown jewel, independence. The British Raj came to an end. And soon after, the British Empire came to an end.

That little snippet from history is less a political comment, but more as my way of trying to give some context to the mobile industry. All great empires come to an end, and perhaps today, we are seeing the beginning of the final days of Nokia, world’s largest mobile phone maker and the company that, among other things, championed the very idea of a smartphone.

After Apple and Google changed the rules of engagement of the mobile industry, Nokia has found itself becoming less and less relevant. For nearly four years, it has been in denial when it comes to the software-centric mobile platforms (and ecosystems). Nokia has failed to respond to its rivals. All it did was talk and talk and deny that Apple was a problem.

Low End Low Blow

Every single time, I took Nokia to task, I was flamed in the comments, with many arguing that it was still a very big brand in Asia and Africa and it had the volume. And, yes, Nokia was big in India. It was making so much money in India and other emerging markets that it failed to realize that it was beginning to lose ground in Europe. Moreover, the Americans had shifted mobile’s center of gravity to Silicon Valley.

Almost two years ago we wrote about the emergence of MediaTek and low-cost Android smartphones, which were eventually going to kill everything on the low end of the handset business. Nokia, my rants not withstanding, failed to realize that it was a frog that was being slow-boiled at the low end by the MediaTek-based phones and by Apple’s heat lamp on the top.

Just this week, Strategy Analysis came out with a report that both Nokia and Samsung were getting a lot of competition at the low end of the market from Indian handset makers with exotic names like Lava, MicroMax and Spice. These companies are going after very cost-conscious buyers in rural India, which incidentally is a massive market.

“National pride is a factor, but when people spend almost 4 percent of their annual income on a mobile phone, they are going to make purchase decisions based on what will get them the most for their money,” said Tom Elliott, Director of EMCS in a news report. How much do you want to bet that India won’t be making that much money for Nokia!

Indian and Chinese manufacturers know that they have a massive market, and they can use their domestic strength to springboard to other markets. Indian phone companies are looking to expand to Africa and other parts of Asia, so why shouldn’t Indian phone makers harbor such ambitions? It also goes for the Chinese brands — Huawei and ZTE are already making a killing. Nokia, which has ruled the emerging (phone) markets for so long isn’t going to rule them — its raj is over.

Ctrl+Alt+Del

Now let’s look at today’s deal: Microsoft and Nokia.

Earlier this week, I wrote a post about how companies have a tough time trying to reconcile with change. Make no mistake: Nokia is a great hardware company with awesome logistics capabilities. As a result, it makes perfect sense that it should focus on its core strengths, and it is doing so by teaming up with a partner who has the desire to spend billions to build an ecosystem. The problem is that it is picking the wrong partner.

There has been a lot of emotional outpouring on the Microsoft-Nokia partnership, so I won’t repeat much of it. Instead let me explain why picking Microsoft is the wrong strategy. Windows Phone 7 is a nice and interesting platform. Its difference has gotten it kudos. What it hasn’t been able to do is get a lot of developers. And despite all the public boasting, it doesn’t have that many users: only 2 million sold. Those quibbles aside, Windows Phone 7 has a much bigger problem.

Four years ago when Apple launched the iPhone, it essentially defined the metaphor for a very touch-centric, smartphone world. Later when it added apps, it only reinforced usage behavior. The subsequent launch of Android OS and Android-based phones were a reflection of the user experience that had been popularized by Apple.

Today, from an average phone buyer’s perspective, Apple’s and Android’s UI is essentially the standard that consumers expect from a smartphone. Do Microsoft and Nokia truly expect that people will learn yet another new behavior? I think the two companies are being overly optimistic in their belief that their UI is going to catch fire with consumers just because Nokia is putting Windows Phone 7 on its smartphones. It is akin to buying a sports car today, hoping to win the lottery on the weekend.

In a colorful note today titled “Ctrl+Alt+Del,” RBC Markets analyst Mark Sue asked the question: “This is a major reboot and it will take some time for Nokia to offset the decline of its Symbian devices with Win7 phones. Will this be a true partnership or will bickering stall the process before the first phones are shipped?” The bickering he is talking about is between happy friends today!

Mountbatten of mobile

So am I faulting Nokia for partnering with a third-party OS? No, I am not. In fact, if they were going to make the move away from their own proprietary operating systems, then they should have opted for not just Microsoft OS, but also for Google’s Android and whatever else is out there. Today Microsoft, Android in a few months, and whatever comes next — that would have been the right strategy. In other words, take a page out of Samsung’s playbook. It would have allowed them to have scale, have multiple market entry points and essentially leverage their core DNA: their ability to make good hardware and use their logistics to push it into the market.

Now imagine if the market gives Windows Phone 7 on Nokia a big thumbs down. What happens then? Curtains?

I can’t but feel that Stephen Elop, the Nokia CEO, is the Lord Mountbatten of mobile, essentially overseeing the slow and sure demise of this once proud company that ruled the mobile planet. In a few years, we will look back and see Nokia as yet another mobile brand, jostling for market share with the likes of Sony Ericsson, Samsung, LG, Motorola, the Chinese, the Indians and Apple. It will have the history, it will have the pomp and circumstance — it just won’t have the power.

The Raj is over!

Related content from GigaOM Pro (sub req’d):

• Nokia’s Tie-Up With Microsoft Won’t Help
• Mobile OSes Are No Longer Just About Mobile
• It’s Time for Nokia to Embrace Android

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There are some important factors to consider when you are thinking about having your car or truck raised. Adding ATX series wheels to the vehicle will be one of the most visually appealing things you can do. The type of vehicle you are going to raise will determine the size of wheels you are able to put on it.

When a vehicle is raised or elevated above the manufacturers recommended height, there are some important tips that should be taken into consideration. Most important among these is the center of gravity of the vehicle. Many people who elevate their vehicle using hydraulic lifts or struts find the vehicle is not as easy to maneuver on busy streets and highways. In many cases a vehicle is elevated to a point where it creates a hazard for both the driver and other cars on the freeway.

Choosing to raise the vehicle, while especially attractive, can move the center of balance for the vehicle. When this is done, the vehicle may not take turns as well as it previously did. In addition, the steering may become more difficult to control.

Wet roads present a special problem for the elevated vehicle. The tires used on these vehicles often are not manufactured for use on wet roadways. It is important to take this into consideration when considering elevating a vehicle that will be driven daily in commuter traffic. Safety consciousness, including any additional equipment and features, is a consideration when altering a vehicle.

Discussing the desired height with a technician who has been trained in the proper maintenance and installation of elevated vehicles will be very helpful. This person will be able to provide important information about the different steps that must be taken in order to assure that the vehicle is safe. An individual will find that they may need to lower height expectations in order for the vehicle to maintain safety on the road.

When a car or truck is going to be driven in commuter traffic on a regular basis, keeping it balanced will save fuel costs. Any time a change is made to a vehicle that is not recommended by the manufacturer, the cost of maintaining a car or truck will rise. This is especially true when the motor must work harder to propel the car or truck on the highway.

Many people do not consider when they raise their vehicle that it will need extra braking power. If an individual is going to make alterations to the main components of their car or truck, they will need to add safety features to assure that the track or car can navigate easily on busy streets and highways, and brake safely and efficiently when necessary.

Making major alterations to a vehicle can be very expensive and it will be important to get advice from a professional before doing so. An individual who is considering raising or lowering their vehicle should always consult the manufacturer’s manual and ascertain what extra parts, equipment, or features will be required to keep the car or truck roadworthy.

Once the height of the car or truck has been established, choosing the ATX chamber wheels that will provide the best function for the vehicle is the fun part of this process.  Normally the car rims will require modification in order to be installed firmly on the elevated vehicle. Getting the details before this task starts will be helpful and cost effective.

There are some important factors to consider when you are thinking about having your car or truck raised. Adding ATX chamber wheels to the vehicle will be one of the most visually appealing things you can do. The type of vehicle you are going to raise will determine the size of wheels you are able to put on it.

When a car or truck is going to be raised above the recommended height, there will be additional safety features required to make the car safe for the road. This will include adding hydraulic lifts or struts to the vehicle. In addition, when the vehicle is higher than its center of gravity it will be more difficult to navigate on streets and highways.

Choosing to raise the vehicle, while especially attractive, can move the center of balance for the vehicle. When this is done, the vehicle may not take turns as well as it previously did. In addition, the steering may become more difficult to control.

A vehicle that is raised beyond its center of gravity is often very difficult to control on wet roads. This is clearly visible when one sees the number of accidents that occur between vehicles that are raised and other cars. When a car is going to be raised, it is important that safety precautions be taken.

Discussing the desired height with a technician who has been trained in the proper maintenance and installation of elevated vehicles will be very helpful. This person will be able to provide important information about the different steps that must be taken in order to assure that the vehicle is safe. An individual will find that they may need to lower height expectations in order for the vehicle to maintain safety on the road.

The technician will also be able to install proper equipment to keep the vehicle balance when it is being driven. Whenever a change is made to the body or construction of a car or truck, standard procedures must be followed to make certain the safety of both the driver and others is assured. When the engine of an elevated car or truck is small, it can increase the cost of maintenance and repair on the vehicle.

Another factor that is not often considered, are the brakes. Brakes are essential for a safe vehicle and must be modified to meet the needs of an elevated vehicle. Often this requires larger brakes, with bigger payouts, and modified attachments to the drum of the wheel. With these brakes an individual will be able to stop more easily on freeways and highways.

Making major alterations to a vehicle can be very expensive and it will be important to get advice from a professional before doing so. An individual who is considering raising or lowering their vehicle should always consult the manufacturer’s manual and ascertain what extra parts, equipment, or features will be required to keep the car or truck roadworthy.

After getting a car or truck and deciding on the type of ATX rims that will be most appropriate, meeting with a service representative who specializes in changing rims and tires will be beneficial. This individual will be able to provide you with detailed information about the best choices available for the make and model of vehicle you have.

There are some important factors to consider when you are thinking about having your car or truck raised. Adding ATX predator wheels to the vehicle will be one of the most visually appealing things you can do. The type of vehicle you are going to raise will determine the size of wheels you are able to put on it.

When a vehicle is raised or elevated above the manufacturers recommended height, there are some important tips that should be taken into consideration. Most important among these is the center of gravity of the vehicle. Many people who elevate their vehicle using hydraulic lifts or struts find the vehicle is not as easy to maneuver on busy streets and highways. In many cases a vehicle is elevated to a point where it creates a hazard for both the driver and other cars on the freeway.

Choosing to raise the vehicle, while especially attractive, can move the center of balance for the vehicle. When this is done, the vehicle may not take turns as well as it previously did. In addition, the steering may become more difficult to control.

Vehicles that are raised beyond their center of gravity often have a tendency to roll over when they are making a sharp turn. In addition, entering and exiting the freeway can be hazardous. It is important when a vehicle has been raised that the driver has experience handling the vehicle before they attempt to navigate on busy streets, highways, freeways.

When you are getting the equipment to have your vehicle raised it will be important (and vital if you are driving on city streets and highways) to make sure you have been trained properly in how to control your vehicle in emergency situations. Driving a car or truck that is not balanced according to the manufacturers specifications can create problems if it has not been adjusted by a trained professional.

Maintaining a balanced car or truck when driving, especially in commuter traffic on a regular basis, is extremely important and can affect the cost of your fuel. When a vehicle has been altered, it often is more expensive to maintain and refuel. This is especially true of a vehicle with a smaller engine.

Brakes on a raised car or truck must be changed to match the height and width of the wheels. These breaks will often need to be thicker than the brakes normally used on the same model of vehicle. They will usually be more expensive, but will allow the vehicle to stop more easily in heavy traffic.

It is important to consider the investment required prior to elevating a vehicle. An individual will need to plan their budget around more expensive maintenance and repair. In addition, fuel costs will be higher for the elevated vehicle. A professional technician will be able to provide the details on costs and maintenance for the vehicle.

When getting a car or truck raised, an individual may want to invest in American Racing ATX wheels. These rims tires are often used on cars and trucks that are shown at car shows. A representative can assist in selecting the wheels that will be most appropriate for the vehicle on which they will be installed.