NEW YORK There's still no guarantee the driver will speak fluent English or know where he's going. But New York City taxi passengers should soon be able to enjoy other things about the trip.

In the coming weeks, new taxis will take to the street. They're not your father's Checker cab.

These have a touch-screen device that lets riders catch up on the news, check the weather, read a restaurant review or see where they are on an electronic map.

There's also a credit card reader for those who want to charge it. And it'll calculate the tip for you.

Then again, if all you want to do is read the paper, look out the window, or catch a nap, you can shut the T-V system off.