recall

The coolest gadgets from 'Total Recall'

One of the perks of being a super-spy is getting the coolest kit, so it's only fitting that "Total Recall" -- the story of a man who may or may not be the future's top secret agent -- is stuffed to bursting with cool gadgets.

Starring Colin Farrell, Kate Beckinsale, and Jessica Biel, this new riff on the 1990 Arnie sci-fi classic is a breakneck race through future cities full of robot policemen, hover cars, and very cool fridges. Read CNET UK's review of the film here, and click here for a spoiler-free look at the coolest gadgets of "Total Recall." … Read more

Why I regret buying an iMac

I can't say I've ever been a huge fan of all-in-one PCs, but a few years ago I was seduced into buying an iMac.

I'd like to blame it on an Apple ad campaign -- or the cumulative effects of multiple Apple ad campaigns -- but I think it had more to do with me briefly playing around with the review samples that made their way into our labs year in and and year out and rationalizing that the sleek, space-saving iMac would make a good hand-me-down computer for my kids when they were old enough to … Read more

Recall: Lenovo calls back two ThinkCentre models on fire risk

You can read Lenovo's recall information page for all the details of the recall. A tool on the page lets you plug in your machine code and serial number to find out if you have an affected unit. The M90z is a different unit than the M91z we reviewed in October 2011.

Lenovo markets the ThinkCentre line to business customers, although it is available for anyone to purchase. Lenovo says it sold the at-risk systems between May 2010 and January 2012.

If you are at risk for a flaming all-in-one, Lenovo advises you to immediately unplug your desktop. Once … Read more

Recalls Plus alerts parents of product recalls

Parents buy products for their children on a daily basis, trusting the various companies to put out a safe product. But how do you know if a product is later found to be defective and has a recall? Not all recalls are broadcast on the nightly news, and going to the local store to view the message board of recalls isn't exactly convenient.

Enter Recalls Plus.

Recalls Plus allows parents to enter products, an age range, or allergens to monitor for recalls. The service will then alert you if there is a new recall pertaining to your specific product … Read more

Chrysler recalls 9,688 Dodge Charger police vehicles

Chrysler Group announced the recall of 9,688 Dodge Charger police vehicles built between 2011 and 2012, to change and relocate the ABS/ESC fuse and replace the headlamp jumper harness.

Some police vehicles were built with front headlamps that could experience a loss of low-beam operation as a result of an overheated bulb harness connector. Other vehicles may experience a loss of ABS/ESC as a result of an overheated power distribution module, Chrysler Group said in a press release.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site, "this could lead to loss of visibility and/… Read more

Nissan issues safety recall on 39,000 Versa cars

Nissan announced it is recalling 39,000 Versas due to a possible safety hazard on the automatic and continuously variable transmission cars.

According to the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Web site, the cars can be shifted out of park without depressing the brake pedal.

Nissan will replace the shifter knob free of charge. Owners need to make an appointment at a Nissan-authorized dealer to fix the problem. Versa owners can contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 for more information.

Although there have been no crashes or injuries reported, federal safety regulations require that the brake must be applied before a … Read more

Car Tech Live 247: Chevy and Fisker improve battery safety (podcast)

The Chevy Volt makes fewer sales than GM expected, Fisker issues a Karma recall, and we talk about our trips to the Detroit auto show and Consumer Electronics Show next week.

Subscribe with iTunes (audio) Subscribe with iTunes (video) Subscribe with RSS (audio) Subscribe with RSS (video) EPISODE 247 SHOW NOTES

Fisker Karma recalled over battery fire risk

Although there have been no reports of problems so far, Fisker is recalling 239 Karma plug-in hybrid sports cars due to a high-voltage battery problem that could result in a fire.

The problem with the luxury plug-in hybrid is that certain hose clamps may have been positioned incorrectly during assembly, which could cause a coolant leak near the battery compartment.

According to the the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration: "If coolant enters the battery compartment, an electrical short could occur possible resulting in a fire."

Fisker plans to notify customers, and dealerships will replace the high-voltage battery with … Read more

Ford recalls about 129,000 Fusion and Milan sedans

Ford Motor today announced the recall of about 129,000 Mercury Milan and Ford Fusion sedans that may suffer wheel stud fractures, causing the vehicles' 17-inch steel wheels to fall off.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the recall affects 2010 and 2011 models built from April 1 through April 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through November 13, 2010. (To see the recall notice, click here and search on NHTSA campaign ID number 11V574000. No permalink, unfortunately.)

The recall announcement states that while the car is in use, "multiple stud fractures could occur at the … Read more

Sony defends against another hack

BlackBerry data disruptions hit North American users, Apple devices can update to iOS 5 today to get iCloud, Wall Street protesters are leveraging a new messaging app, and Sony locks down accounts to fight another hack attack.

Links from Wednesday's episode of Loaded:

Sony locks down at-risk accounts BlackBerry data disruptions spread to North America iOS 5 available today Vibe app gains popularity with protesters Sony Bravia TV recall Subscribe:  iTunes (MP3)iTunes (320x180)iTunes (HD)RSS (MP3)RSS (320x180)RSS HD