The GPS-equipped devices also allow for remote disabling by "cutting off the oil or electric supply," effectively shutting down the engine and keeping it from being restarted. Yikes.

Beijing police tow the general "it's for the driver's safety" line:

Whether these microphones are used to spy on riders is unclear. Asked if police could listen in on conversations in taxis, a Beijing police official declined to comment, saying that such matters were "confidential" and that they were "not supposed to release such details to the public."

As the State Department has warned, you can expect to be monitored in just about every other place, public or private. It's doubtful that every cab is being recorded at all times, but the tech is there if necessary. Comforting.

Several Beijing taxi companies declined to comment on the security aspect but said that the GPS helps track taxis and that the microphones will be used for translating services. About a dozen taxi drivers said the microphones were installed about three years ago, when newer cabs were built without protective metal cages around the drivers. Cabbies can turn on the system and alert their dispatch centers by touching a discreet button near the steering wheel.

Activists say they are concerned about the ability to listen to conversations with the devices, which appear unique to China. "This seems to suggest an effort by the police or other security forces to eavesdrop on conversations of passengers, rather than for the immediate safety and security of the taxi driver," said Phelim Kine of Human Rights Watch.

Read more pan-Gawker coverage of the 2008 Olympic Games.

[WSJ]

First off you have the first wheelchair-accessible taxi with its own built-in ramp. This cab will make it easier for the disabled and elderly to hitch a ride across town. Taxi stands will also get a face lift with GPS kiosks that'll help match taxi supply with taxi demand. Hailing a cab will be easier than to new LED-based roof lights which will let passengers know when a cab is vacant or taken.

There's also a new hydrogen-powered Crown Victoria taxi in the works that will pack a 1,000 horsepower engine and reach speeds of up to 200 mph (not that we want our taxi to reach 200 mph speeds). Taxi interiors will all have Internet access, which should put an end to any awkward taxi-driver talk. No word on when we'll actually see these cabbies in action, but they sure make those "new" subways seem outdated. – Louis Ramirez

Taxi 07

Hong Kong Taxies Offer Free Access to HSDPA USB Modem [Everything USB]