The majority of us, if not all who read this, spend a great deal of their day on the endless cement network of highways, back roads, main streets, parkways, and parking lots. Regardless of whether or not we’re in the most mundane of family shuttles or face-melting speed machines, there is always, at some point, the inescapable sense of confinement. Traffic, road work, or even the errant deer will throw a monkey wrench in the transport system, immediately awakening the reality that ultimately, we’re no more free to roam than a slot car on the living room floor.

We’ve come a long way in a short while. Climate change and carbon footprint entered the lexicon, and the helpless automobile was borne aloft as the anathema to all things pure and natural. Naturally, alternative fueled cars had their time to shine, and to the staunch petrolhead, this was something to turn one's nose up at, be it out of pride or, more likely, fear that this heralded the end of “proper” cars.  So here we are, at the precipice of a new decade, and powerful, dinosaur-burning thumpers are still here (for now), supercars have begun to embrace electric power, and in the middle of the spectrum we find, puttering along, with no sign of relentment, the hybrid.

The Nation’s Fastest 3G Network.

The Nation’s Largest 3G Network.

Sound familiar? It’s the ongoing and escalating battle between two of the nation’s largest cellular providers. But when you really start to examine the facts, you’ll find that the advertisements cover up the truth behind each company’s technology base.  Where Verizon argues that they have better coverage on 3G and better reception, they neglect to mention that their phones are based on old technology (CDMA- and TDMA-based networks.) At the same time, Verizon’s phones use an EVDO (Evolution Data Optimization) network that...well...we’ll talk about.

It’s been awhile since I posted, but I promise I have a good reason. It’s called the holidays and working in retail makes them crazy! With the kinds of customers out there and the amount of money changing hands, it’s almost impossible to do things that YOU want to do during that period of time.

The good news, though, is that I finally got to do something that I’ve been wanting to: a review of Verizon and Motorola’s attempt at the iPhone killer, the Droid. I will say that it’s a good try, but no cigar. And to preface this, while I am an iPhone owner, I do look at each device I test as objectively as possible. Any sort of bias on my part would be unfair to you. So, with that said, let’s proceed…

Writer’s note: Starting next week, the Gadget section of Gears & Gadgets will feature a question-and-answer segment dealing with various forms of tech. If you have any questions or “toys” you want Yoda to test, shoot him an email at yoda-tech@me.com.

This week, ladies and gents, I wanted to take a look at the Android operating system. Up until this point, I've never gotten to play with any phone, for an extended period of time, that has it. Developed over Android by Motorola, "MotoBlur" is the user interface that is uses and that combines various social networking portals.

We have all found ways to satiate our car lust in the interim time that our supercar of choice is unavailable. Whether it’s a hot wheel collection, a magazine, or oft-visited website (made up of handsome, exciting, and popular contributors), our greatest automotive fantasies are constructed with the materials available to us. Being just shy of 30 (Renew!), I’m fortunate enough to have been a part of the generation that grew up on the magical device that allows us to vicariously experience our wildest fantasies from the comfort of our living room: the home video game console.

Several weeks ago, Viper Security released a new remote system, the SmartStart, for their line of auto security alarms. Now, me being who I am (driving around in a ’97 Honda Accord with 70k miles on it), had thought about putting it in my car for the specific purpose of testing it out...

Yet, the price tag dissuaded me. So the good news is that one of my coworkers did it instead. I figured, let him spend the money to get it done (which he did), and I gotta tell you, it works VERY well!

We all know that Rock Band by Harmonix has been out for some time (as well as its very successful sequel), but it’s taken a good deal longer for them to release a version for the iPhone.

Well, it’s finally here...and it’s not good.

For those who don’t know, the premise of the game is this: You start a band, play virtual instruments, and conquer the world by playing all sorts of music, ranging from rock, metal, and punk to rock ballads and even throwing in a little rap a la Linkin Park. It provides for a fun time with friends, and even alone, but the question is, does it stand up on a device like the iPhone or iPod Touch?

The answer, if you ask me, is no.

I remember when I bought my 2007 Shelby GT500. It was shortly before Christmas. I was shopping for gifts when I encountered it—red, with white stripes all across the top—and I couldn’t resist the urge to get a little Christmas gift for myself. So I did.

It now sits on the desk in my office.

The 1/15 scale die-cast model has been an ever-present reminder that I have yet to drive the genuine article. It’s not even as close as I’ve been to the real thing. I know someone who has one, same colors and everything, but he has yet to let me drive it. So, as if set atop a bust of Pallas, my little Shelby taunts me. At this point, the likelihood that I’ll hop into one for some unadulterated thrashing is nil, but I think I’ve resolved the oversight by lighting up the tires of the new one.

What’s the first thought that comes to mind when you hear Lotus? Does it conjure up images of cars focused on lightweight design over bruit force to get high speed? Is it a British sports car company that has cemented a spot for itself as one of the best in the world? Or maybe you think, “Oh, that’s a pretty flower, right?!” and if so, then this article probably isn’t for you. But if you thought one or both of the first two, then you are dead on. The 2009 Lotus S240 Exige is an absolutely brilliant and remarkable piece of machinery—that isn’t made for everyone.