gizmodo
Free Go-Backs: Dell to Reintroduce Windows XP April 20, 2007 02:27 PM
After pulling XP from its desktop and laptop lines, Dell changed its mind and announced that it would offer it on new Inspiron 1405, 1705, 1505 and 1501 notebooks, and Dimension E520 and E521 desktops. The decision was driven by an overwhelming outcry on Dell's IdeaStorm feedback center, which at the moment reads like a meeting of the He-Man Vista Hater's Club:
•"Vista just isn't ready for prime time... Sorry that's just the facts."
•"Many software only run at XP."
•"I am looking to buy a laptop, but Vista will not be on it."
•"Windows XP works. Vista might work, later."
•"Boycott Vista."
The announcement came less than a month after Linux users stormed IdeaStorm and demanded availability on desktops and notebooks, to which Dell responded that it would get going. Just in case you haven't gotten freaky on that Linux lovefest yet, here's your chance.
Don't Eliminate XP Just Yet [Dell IdeaStorm via ZDNet]
gizmodo
Wal-Mart Makes the Push for $299 HD DVD Machines April 20, 2007 02:27 PM
Wal-Mart is about to bring HD DVD to the masses. The retail giant we all love to hate just bought 2 million HD DVD units from Taiwanese electronics corp Fuh Yuan, who along with TDK recently built a massive factory to handle HD DVD cores.
So basically Wal-Mart has a crapload of HD DVD players heading its way. (Can anyone say discount?) Sadly, this probably won't put an end to the format wars, but it'll definitely come as a blow to the Blu-ray camp, especially since their cheapest machine is nowhere near $300. You can expect to see Wal-Mart's players sometime in 2008.
Fuh Yuan Will Make Two Million HD DVD Players for Wal-Mart [AVS Forums]
gizmodo
LG Compressor Vacuum Really, Really, Really Sucks April 20, 2007 02:27 PM
This is not a stormtrooper helmet, it's the LG Compressor, a dust-free and bagless vacuum cleaner that LG says can suck up three times the dirt of vacuums from planet Earth. It's called the Compressor because it smashes all that funk into triangular-shaped wedges, kind of like a trash compactor that can neutralize all that pesky sneeze-inducing dust into harmless and inert dust bunny bricks. Hey, that makes room for four times more shit in the vacuum's holding tank.
Shipping in May, it's tricked out in three different models that LG has dubbed Compressor, Compressor PetCare and AllergyCare, dolled up in red, silver or white and priced between $200 and $300. Look out, Dyson, this sucking helmet might have just slam-dunked you in the techno derby. Think of how cool it would be to suck up some detritus around your pad with this interplanetary craft.
LG launch worlds first dust compression vacuum cleaner [Absolute Gadget]
engadget
XM hit with false advertising lawsuit over "commercial free" claims April 20, 2007 02:27 PM
Filed under: Portable Audio
Talk about a company that can't stay out of the courtroom. Yet again, we've got XM headed back for another round of sticky legal action, and while we highly doubt the firm's lawyers are done digesting the NMPA suit from less than a month ago, now it's being forced to deal with an Arkansas man's allegations in US District Court. Matthew Enderlin is apparently quite upset with XM's "false claims of commercial free music," as he adumbrates that the channels actually do include "promotional and advertisement segments." Unsurprisingly, XM has said the suit is "without merit," but Mr. Enderlin isn't backing down; au contraire, he's actually seeking to "have the suit certified as a class-action suit so all XM Radio customers can be considered plaintiffs." Bet you weren't expecting to join in on the fun yourself, eh?[Via Orbitcast]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
engadget
Michael Dell using Ubuntu on his personal machine April 20, 2007 02:27 PM
Filed under: Laptops
Who says the people aren't in power? Not long at all after customers voiced their demands to have Linux pre-loaded across a wider spectrum of Dell machines, the company caved, and as we sit and ponder just what flavor of Linux will soon be available, we can't help but guess Ubuntu. According to Michael Dell's lineup of personal rigs, his prized Precision M90 is currently humming along with a copy of Ubuntu 7.04 Feisty Fawn at the helm, garnering speculation that it's at least in the hunt for being a Linux variety available on its forthcoming machines. Moreover, it appears that Michael doesn't shy away from open-source software at all, as VMWare Workstation 6 Beta, OpenOffice.org 2.2, Automatix2, Firefox 2.0.0.3, and Evolution Groupware 2.10 are also seeing a good bit of personal use. Still, the whole thing could be a complete ploy to make loyal users believe that the CEO really is just one of us -- after all, this same company did just reinstate Windows XP as an OS option.[Via Laptoping]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
engadget
Amazon's Kindle: $400 for spring? April 20, 2007 02:26 PM
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Handhelds
After making a dramatic FCC-leaked first appearance, we've heard zilch about Amazon's Kindle e-book reader. Word on the street is that Amazon has been pre-viewing its e-reader to publishers in the US and UK for months now. More importantly, those who have used it say it's a "step up" from the Sony Reader, offering better functionality and "a first rate e-commerce option" thanks in part to the device's built-in EV-DO data capability. Publishers Weekly says that the device is expected to launch "above $400" as early as spring. Judging by The City's revived scent of reheated bodily fluids, that could be any day now. [Via MobileRead]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
gizmodo
Fujitsu A4 and A5 FLEPia: They Say Console Reader, we Say eBook April 20, 2007 02:10 PM
Two years ago, Fujitsu announced that it had come up with the world's first film substrate-based bendable color electronic paper featuring image memory function (snappy name, fellas). Well, now they've made something to put it in: The FLEPia (that's a bit better, but I'm still not convinced). it comes in two sizes, A4 (480 grams) and A5 (320 grams) and both are just 12mm thick.
It's easy to operate—put a 4GB memory card in the SD slot, and the content downloads as quick as you like thanks to its high-speed wireless LAN connection. There are six function buttons and a scroll key and, once charged, the battery goes for 50 hours. As well as the silver and, *cough*, pink pearl—which looks suspiciously like Zune pink to us—the FLEPia comes in white pearl. There's a couple of shots of the handy bendy filmy paper after the jump, plus how much the things cost.
Hang onto your huevitos lads, the sharp intake of breath may just be to much for them. Little FLEPia is a drop in the ocean at $12,685, while big one will choke ya at $21,137.
Jalopnik
Shanghai Auto Show: GM Reveals Volt Concept Version 2.0 -- This Time It's Hydrogen-Powered! April 20, 2007 02:08 PM
Despite the addition of a hydrogen fuel cell in this new variant of the Chevy Volt concept car (now with E-Flex!) that provides up to "300 miles of petroleum- and emissions-free electric driving" -- it still ain't going nowhere. The problem with version 2.0 is the same as the problem with version 1.0 -- the batteries just don't have the capacity. So consequently the "300 mile range" in the new E-Flex system or the "640 mile range" from the original Volt are still nothing more than "conceptual." But what do we expect from a concept vehicle anyway -- reality? Full press release after the jump and picture gallery from the press reveal in Shanghai below.
E-Flex Hydrogen Fuel Cell Continues Move Toward Electric DriveRelated:General Motors Unveils Second Propulsion System for Chevrolet Volt
SHANGHAI - GM's global commitment to developing transportation that reduces oil use and promotes energy diversity continued today at the Shanghai Auto Show with the unveiling of the next iteration of the E-Flex electric architecture, configured with GM's newest, most efficient hydrogen fuel cell system to date.
This second variant of the E-Flex system uses GM's new fifth-generation fuel cell propulsion technology and a lithium-ion battery to provide up to 300 miles (483 km) of petroleum- and emissions-free electric driving. The fuel cell E-Flex is a true Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and operates all-electric from both hydrogen fuel cell-generated electricity and grid electricity. It is plug-in capable, adding up to 20 additional miles (34 km) each time it is charged, further reducing trips to the refueling station.
The E-Flex system is a flexible all-electric production vehicle architecture that can be configured to run on electricity from a number of sources. It was first shown in January at the North American International Auto Show in the Chevrolet Volt concept vehicle. The Volt is a battery electric vehicle with 40 miles of all electric-range and uses a small bio-fuel engine with a generator to extend its range to 640 miles (1030 km).
"The beauty of our E-Flex strategy is that it allows us to package various propulsion systems into the same space depending on what energy is available locally," said Larry Burns, GM's vice president of Research and Development and Strategic Planning. "It also provides flexibility in the sources of energy. We can obtain hydrogen or electricity from a myriad of renewable sources - wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric and biofuels - or from traditional sources such as natural gas, clean coal, nuclear or even gasoline.
"E-Flex provides flexibility in two ways: in the propulsion systems that can be used, and in the sources of energy that can be commercialized to compete with oil and meet global transportation growth in a sustainable way."
Independent studies indicate hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer superior overall efficiency and fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to internal combustion engines running on gasoline, when considering both the creation of the energy and its use in the vehicle.
GM's fifth-generation fuel cell system is half the size of its predecessor, yet it provides the same power and performance. The fourth generation currently powers the Chevrolet Sequel concept vehicle. The Sequel stores 8 kg of hydrogen and delivers a range of 300 miles (483 km). The fuel cell Volt will also deliver 300 miles of range, but with only 4.0 kg of hydrogen (75 miles / kg).
GM's advancements are a strong indication that our fuel cell technology has the potential to be a competitive alternative to the internal combustion engine - in size, performance, durability and cost.
"Our progress has made us increasingly confident that our fuel cell propulsion system will be automotive-competitive," said Burns. "But before this technology can be made widely available, governments, energy suppliers and infrastructure companies around the world need to collaborate with GM and the auto industry to develop a market for fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen fuel."
A variety of technological advancements and lightweight materials contribute to the efficiency of the Volt. With an estimated curb weight of 3,500 pounds (1,588 kg), it weighs 30 percent less than the Sequel. The fuel cell propulsion system is packaged entirely under the hood and is equivalent in size to a four-cylinder engine with automatic transmission. The Volt also features molded GE plastic panels on the fenders, window glazings, instrument panel and steering wheel, which offer between 30 percent and 50 percent weight reduction per part.
The E-Flex fuel cell variant also showcases GM's third-generation wheel hub motors, packaged inside the rear wheel to add considerable torque for all-wheel electric drive capability. The new coreless motor technology reduces mass and produces more power compared to the first generation shown in 2003.
###
General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
# # #
gizmodo
Xbox 360 Elite Sliced and Gutted for the First Time April 20, 2007 02:00 PM
It's barely had any time to sit on store shelves and yet Microsoft's new Xbox 360 Elite has already been sliced open for the world to see. Unfortunately, the delicate surgeons who gutted the system couldn't confirm if the new 360 is packing an updated 65nm core or not. A 65nm core would mean the machine would run cooler and consume less power than the current 90nm core. Otherwise take a peek at the system's new hard drive, DVD drive, and sexy HDMI slot.
Inside the Xbox 360 Elite [Llama via Gear Lab]
engadget
Lexar unveils 8GB ExpressCard SSD April 20, 2007 01:56 PM
Filed under: Storage
While Lexar does a fine job competing in the flash memory arena, it appears that the outfit is giving it a go in the solid state disc realm as well. According a marginally descriptive product page, Lexar is offering up an 8GB ExpressCard SSD, which should go nicely above that 120GB PCMCIA NAND drive as you attempt to cram more storage into peripheral slots than inside your laptop's casing. Moreover, the device features a peak data transfer rate of 250Mbps, and while it doesn't appear to be available for shipment just yet, it'll run you a penny under $200 when it formally launches.[Thanks, Anthony P.]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
Jalopnik
Shanghai Auto Show: GM Creates Volt Concept Version 2.0 -- This Time With Hydrogen! April 20, 2007 01:50 PM
Despite the addition of a hydrogen fuel cell in this new variant of the Chevy Volt concept car (now with E-Flex!) that provides up to "300 miles of petroleum- and emissions-free electric driving" -- it still ain't going nowhere. The problem with version 2.0 is the same as the problem with version 1.0 -- the batteries just don't have the capacity. So consequently the "300 mile range" in the new E-Flex system or the "640 mile range" from the original Volt are still nothing more than "conceptual." But what do we expect from a concept vehicle anyway -- reality? Full press release after the jump and picture gallery from the press reveal in Shanghai below.
E-Flex Hydrogen Fuel Cell Continues Move Toward Electric DriveRelated:General Motors Unveils Second Propulsion System for Chevrolet Volt
SHANGHAI - GM's global commitment to developing transportation that reduces oil use and promotes energy diversity continued today at the Shanghai Auto Show with the unveiling of the next iteration of the E-Flex electric architecture, configured with GM's newest, most efficient hydrogen fuel cell system to date.
This second variant of the E-Flex system uses GM's new fifth-generation fuel cell propulsion technology and a lithium-ion battery to provide up to 300 miles (483 km) of petroleum- and emissions-free electric driving. The fuel cell E-Flex is a true Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) and operates all-electric from both hydrogen fuel cell-generated electricity and grid electricity. It is plug-in capable, adding up to 20 additional miles (34 km) each time it is charged, further reducing trips to the refueling station.
The E-Flex system is a flexible all-electric production vehicle architecture that can be configured to run on electricity from a number of sources. It was first shown in January at the North American International Auto Show in the Chevrolet Volt concept vehicle. The Volt is a battery electric vehicle with 40 miles of all electric-range and uses a small bio-fuel engine with a generator to extend its range to 640 miles (1030 km).
"The beauty of our E-Flex strategy is that it allows us to package various propulsion systems into the same space depending on what energy is available locally," said Larry Burns, GM's vice president of Research and Development and Strategic Planning. "It also provides flexibility in the sources of energy. We can obtain hydrogen or electricity from a myriad of renewable sources - wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric and biofuels - or from traditional sources such as natural gas, clean coal, nuclear or even gasoline.
"E-Flex provides flexibility in two ways: in the propulsion systems that can be used, and in the sources of energy that can be commercialized to compete with oil and meet global transportation growth in a sustainable way."
Independent studies indicate hydrogen fuel cell vehicles offer superior overall efficiency and fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to internal combustion engines running on gasoline, when considering both the creation of the energy and its use in the vehicle.
GM's fifth-generation fuel cell system is half the size of its predecessor, yet it provides the same power and performance. The fourth generation currently powers the Chevrolet Sequel concept vehicle. The Sequel stores 8 kg of hydrogen and delivers a range of 300 miles (483 km). The fuel cell Volt will also deliver 300 miles of range, but with only 4.0 kg of hydrogen (75 miles / kg).
GM's advancements are a strong indication that our fuel cell technology has the potential to be a competitive alternative to the internal combustion engine - in size, performance, durability and cost.
"Our progress has made us increasingly confident that our fuel cell propulsion system will be automotive-competitive," said Burns. "But before this technology can be made widely available, governments, energy suppliers and infrastructure companies around the world need to collaborate with GM and the auto industry to develop a market for fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen fuel."
A variety of technological advancements and lightweight materials contribute to the efficiency of the Volt. With an estimated curb weight of 3,500 pounds (1,588 kg), it weighs 30 percent less than the Sequel. The fuel cell propulsion system is packaged entirely under the hood and is equivalent in size to a four-cylinder engine with automatic transmission. The Volt also features molded GE plastic panels on the fenders, window glazings, instrument panel and steering wheel, which offer between 30 percent and 50 percent weight reduction per part.
The E-Flex fuel cell variant also showcases GM's third-generation wheel hub motors, packaged inside the rear wheel to add considerable torque for all-wheel electric drive capability. The new coreless motor technology reduces mass and produces more power compared to the first generation shown in 2003.
###
General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM), the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader for 76 years. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 280,000 people around the world. With global headquarters in Detroit, GM manufactures its cars and trucks in 33 countries. In 2006, nearly 9.1 million GM cars and trucks were sold globally under the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, HUMMER, Opel, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn and Vauxhall. GM's OnStar subsidiary is the leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. More information on GM can be found at www.gm.com.
# # #
gizmodo
Maximum PC Tests Audio Bit Rates With Surprising Results April 20, 2007 01:45 PM
Do audio bit rates matter? Can anyone tell the difference between a music track encoded at 320kbit/sec, 160kbit/sec and oh, Lord, that holy grail of audiophile nirvana, the uncompressed wav? Our friends at Maximum PC decided to put audio compression to the test, enlisting four people to listen music first in uncompressed form, and then encoded with a variable bit rate at 320kbit/sec and the lowly 160kbit/sec. It was easy for everyone to tell the difference, right? Right?
It's downright humiliating, in fact, that in many cases, we were unable to tell the difference between an uncompressed track and one encoded at 160Kb/s, the bit rate most of us considered the absolute minimum acceptable for even portable players.Most of the time, even a golden-eared audiophile couldn't tell the difference between uncompressed and highly compressed audio. A useful fact is that the compressed files were hard to detect because they were encoded using a variable bit rate, which makes a huge difference in complex musical passages that might suffer from compression. What a revealing test, and a great read!
Do Higher MP3 Bit Rates Pay Off? [Maximum PC]
Jalopnik
Shanghai Auto Show: Buick Riviera Concept April 20, 2007 01:42 PM
Live from Shanghai, it's "not East, not West...it's Buick." We kid you not, that's one of the opening bullet points for the press release on the new concept car from the Woodsian brand of the General. Actually, it should be "whether East or West...it's still a Buck." Ok, actually this gullwinged concept's a wee bit different than any other Buick we've yet seen -- which makes sense as it was designed jointly by the General and SAIC. So I guess yes, that's a Buick. Just sayin'. Full press release below the jump.
World premiere at Auto Shanghai 2007: Buick Riviera - Stunning Coupe Concept Unveiled in ShanghaiRelated:* China-Designed Gullwing Coupe For China's Global Auto Show
* Preview To Buick's New International Design Language
* Buick Returns Riviera Nameplate After Eight Years
* "It's Not East, Not West ... It's Buick"SHANGHAI - The Buick Riviera, a stunning concept car designed to showcase Buick's new global design direction, made its global debut today at Auto Shanghai 2007.
The gullwing Riviera concept coupe was developed with global design input by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in China, a design and engineering joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC).
The Riviera was introduced today by Rick Wagoner, GM Chairman and CEO, and Hu Maoyuan, SAIC Chairman.
The Riviera has been engineered to accommodate a new hybrid system that will go into production at Shanghai GM, GM's flagship joint venture with SAIC, in 2008.
The fuel-efficient car, which will feature several technological and manufacturing advances, represents the latest achievement of GM and its partners in the promotion and development of alternative propulsion technologies in China.
According to Ed Welburn, vice president, GM Global Design, "Developing and launching the Riviera in China underscores the diversity, strength and depth of the GM global design network. It also reflects PATAC's growing role within the GM Design family and China's significance as the world's largest Buick market."
The Riviera also marks the return of a renowned Buick nameplate after an eight-year hiatus, having sold more than 1.1 million units in the United States between 1963 and 1999.
The Buick Riviera, with its tightly stretched carbon fiber body panels, combination of positive and negative curves, strong front and rear identities and gullwing doors, captures the essence of Buick classics, Welburn said, while presenting a thoroughly 21st century design.
"The Riviera concept certainly lived up to the nameplate's reputation," Welburn said.
"We developed the Riviera to communicate the global design vocabulary of the Buick brand and set the stage for General Motors' design, engineering and manufacturing centers to work together on the next generation of Buick mid-size luxury cars."
According to James Shyr, PATAC Design Director, the Riviera's enticing curves and 'earth and water' interior tones are drawn from diverse inspirations including classic Buicks, ancient Chinese artifacts and modern electronic icons. The car, inside and out, communicates universal beauty - a look that transcends cultural or national boundaries.
"Designing this car made us realize how small the world could be. It's not East. It's not West. It's not the United States or China. It's Buick," Shyr said.
Exterior Design - A Sense Of Existence, Not Anonymity
To establish their design direction, PATAC designers looked in part to Buick icons such as the original Y-Job Concept of 1938, the 1960s Le Sabre, Electra 225 and the Riviera coupes of the 1960s and '70s.
The Riviera design is structured around the Buick tri-shield logo, sitting proudly on a trihedral waterfall grille which is formed by three meeting planes. This takes the traditional Buick treatment to a new level of sophisticated boldness.
The Buick logo leads into a reflective strip through the hood, a mark of respect to the distinctive mid-hood crease prevalent in classic Buicks. Elongated LED headlamps flow up the hood sides to three-section, top-mounted chrome portholes as a single piece of jewelry.
The logo, hood strip, headlamps, side mirrors and rocker covers all have 'icy green' backlighting available at night, matched by backlit logo and exhausts at the rear.
Designers have cleverly incorporated several other design signatures from the original Riviera generation. They include the "double sweep spear" line along the bodyside and the flared tail design.
"This car was inspired by great Buicks - their grace, their gesture. This car was designed to achieve a sense of existence. It's not an anonymous car when it drives past you but it's not completely in your face either. We wanted to create something which would make you want to run your hand across it rather than just look at it," Shyr said.
In this theme, the 'Shell Blue' exterior color was chosen to elicit the right level of attention. The color is a metallic silver with light blue accents, perfectly highlighting the coupe's exterior curves.
The gullwing doors, selected for their exotic appeal, achieve an expansive entrance to the two-plus-two seating configuration. Measuring 1938 millimeters at their widest point, they add to the coupe's sleek sideline. At night, fully opened doors gently shine the "Buick" name on the ground.
The use of carbon fiber in all body panels allowed the designers greater flexibility through reduced mass and added strength. This made the gullwing engineering demands easier to realize and sharp, tight radius curves possible across the body surface.
The Riviera sits on 21-inch 10-spoke forged aluminum wheels, combining polished and satin finishes, with low-profile tires. Taking their cue from Formula One cars, the side mirrors are sweeping yet unobtrusive.
PATAC designed the Buick Riviera to accommodate the new hybrid system, which will be introduced in China in 2008 prior to the Beijing Olympics. The new hybrid system fits naturally with the Riviera's 'earth and water' design theme.
Interior Design - All About Relaxation
In a word - sanctuary. The use of rich blue and subtle creams, representing earth and water themes, are conveyed through high-quality leather bucket seats, plush carpet and a luxurious padded steering wheel. Completing the organic feel, the roof comprises two shaded glass windows offering increased headroom and a celestial connection for occupants.
"We had to have the driver feel relaxed and tranquil inside the car. We used earth and water tones and avoided hard, aggressive edges," Shyr said.
The interior has no discernable start and finish point for the front and sides, creating a comfortable lounge feel. It is immediately futuristic yet somehow familiar.
The three-dimensional speedometer, inspired by past classics but utterly modern in design, compliments the touchpad styled central console loosely modeled on a computer mouse. An LCD display screen crowns the central console.
Interior designers were encouraged to consider people's personal belongings to enhance their feeling of familiarity and comfort in the vehicle. Continuing the theme of calm simplicity, electronic shifter pads replace the traditional transmission shifter. Controls are kept to a minimum to avoid driver distraction.
Ambient light strips are applied from across the console and inserted on the door liner, stretching to the front seats. Deliberately imitating precious Chinese jade stone, the lights are tinted a subtle icy green, which also offers tribute to a favored color of Buicks in days gone by.
Interior trim treatments befitting the Buick prestige abound - miniature aluminum tri-shields in the front seat headrests, a wooden floor mat in the rear and a rear central armrest which can move sideways left and right to accommodate passengers of different sizes.
Royal blue Alcantara, a soft plush covering, was chosen for the door, console and roof while sandy white leather covers the lower door, lower console and seats.
Ancient Influences In Modern Design
The design team set out to create a modern global design - not something which could be superficially described as a Chinese car. At the same time, they sought to draw from their heritage outside the automotive industry from classic shapes, concepts and artifacts. They wanted to include a subtle Chinese essence and influence if one looked deeply enough.
A strong influence was the yuanbao, a small curvaceous gold or silver ingot used in ancient China as currency and popular today as a symbol of ancient Chinese prosperity.
"This design was about the East and the West co-existing in harmony. We always wanted to make a global car, to take a sense of the Buick DNA and create something for the world," Shyr said.
"It is so wonderful that our designers can take some of the rich culture behind them and make it international. East, West, Buick, China - there's no missing piece in the puzzle in here. Riviera has captured the essence of Buick - grace, gesture, form and emotion."
New Boattail? Buick Riviera Concept Coming to Shanghai [internal]
engadget
Lost islanders snag an iPhone before the street date? April 20, 2007 01:26 PM
Filed under: Cellphones
[Via TUAW]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
gizmodo
USB Mickey Mouse Speakers: Quartet of Extra Ears for the Tin-Eared April 20, 2007 01:20 PM
Okay Brando, you got to be kidding this time, right? There's no evidence that PC peripheral/junk purveyor Brando got permission from Disney to build these $26 USB Mickey Mouse speakers, but the mouse-eared squawk boxes just might get a chuckle out of those who laugh easily.
Hey, wait a minute. It says right here on the Brando site that these speakers have "excellent audio quality." Well, I stand corrected. Come to think of it, these might be perfect for those poor souls slaving away in Mickey Mouse organizations, standing in homage to their patron saint of mediocrity.
Product Page [Brando]
gizmodo
BlackBerry 8800 Now Available on T-Mobile April 20, 2007 12:59 PM
It's about time the BlackBerry 8800 made its way to T-Mobile. Until today only available on Cingular, T-Mobile will hook you up for $249.99 if you buy a service plan. We've been using this phone for about a month, and can vouch for its sweetness. Heck, about the only thing it doesn't have as a camera, and who wants one of those crappy shooters that you'll never use anyway? Some corporate types can't even bring a camera phone into the workplace, so the lack of a camera is just as well for some. Hey, carry a point-and-shoot if you want to take decent pictures.
The Blackberry 8800 fits in your hand and pocket nicely, and it's nicely rounded, not too big and not too small. Our favorite feature is its pearl-like mini trackball, a little nipple that feels like it's slightly vibrating or even humming when you manipulate it. It's unlike any control device we've ever encountered. We also dig its built-in GPS. This phone sounds good, too, its keyboard is nicely backlit, and its overall user experiences a big thumbs-up. Check out its gorgeous beauty in the gallery below, or jump for its full spec list.
BlackBerry 8800 from T-Mobile USA features:
- A large screen with 320 x 240 px color display
- Dimensions: 4.49 x 2.60 x 0.55 inches and 4.73 oz
- Expandable memory via microSD expansion slot
- Instant messaging clients: AOL, Yahoo! MSN and ICQ
- Multimedia player with music and audio capabilities
- HTML browser for visiting favorite web sites
- Full QWERTY keyboard
- Intuitive user interface with an easy-to-use trackball
- Call management features such as smart dialing, conference calling, speed dialing, and call forwarding
- Speaker Independent Voice Recognition (SIVR) for Voice Activated Dialing (VAD), dedicated "send," "end," and "mute" keys, speakerphone, and Bluetooth support for hands-free use with headsets, car kits and Bluetooth peripherals
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS (800/900/1800/1900) and EDGE network support for international roaming
- Support for polyphonic, MP3 and MIDI ringtones
- BlackBerry Internet Service—allows access to up to 10 personal and corporate email accounts, including most popular ISP email accounts
- BlackBerry Enterprise Server support—integrates with Microsoft Exchange, IBM Lotus Domino and Novell GroupWise environments and features a new set of IT policy controls for managing the handset's features and usage.
BlackBerry 8800 Launched on T-Mobile [Mobiledia]
engadget
XP back on Dells -- uh, yipee? April 20, 2007 12:52 PM
Filed under: Desktops, Laptops
"If it ain't the latest, it ain't the greatest" -- a consumer war cry we're all certainly very familiar with. Not so for Dell users apparently. According to the BBC, users "swamped" Dell's feedback site with a demand for the return of the ol' XP pre-load. In response, Dell has reversed their Vista-only policy which loaded Microsoft's latest onto nearly all Dell machines destined for home use. Why the outcry? It's not exactly clear. Analysts cited XP's familiarity and its ability to work with all the peripherals people have amassed. So, if you've been holding out for a Dell with XP, now's your chance... you know, in case you somehow missed it for the last 5 years.[Thanks, Josh]
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gizmodo
Fujitsu AVN2210p SatNav System: Finding Its Way Stateside in May April 20, 2007 12:33 PM
Fujitsu has teamed up with TomTom for its first joint foray into the US Sat-Nav market. The AVN2210p is a car audio unit complete with detachable PND that includes GPS antenna, rechargable battery and speaker, so that you can use it separately from the base unit. Maps of the US and Canada are on a separate SD memory card and It also benefits from TomTom Plus.
The audio unit has a satellite broadcasting digital radio with optional tuner, plays MP3 and WMA files on its CD and CD-R/RW player, supports iPods and other DAPs. There's 5V of preamp outputs and a 50W x 4-channel power amp with three-band equalizer and a low-pass filter, and will support your cellphone via Bluetooth. Cost is around $900 and it will be available next month.
Press Release [Fujitsu Ten via PC Watch]
gizmodo
Fujitsu AVN2210p SatNav System: Finding its Way Stateside from May April 20, 2007 12:33 PM
Fujitsu has teamed up with TomTom for its first joint foray into the US Sat-Nav market. The AVN2210p is a car audio unit complete with detachable PND that includes GPS antenna, rechargable battery and speaker, so that you can use it separately from the base unit. Maps of the US and Canada are on a separate SD memory card and It also benefits from TomTom Plus.
The audio unit has a satellite broadcasting digital radio with optional tuner, plays MP3 and WMA files on its CD and CD-R/RW player, supports iPods and other DAPs. There's 5V of preamp outputs and a 50W x 4-channel power amp with three-band equalizer and a low-pass filter, and will support your cellphone via Bluetooth. Cost is around $900 and it's available from next month.
Press Release [Fujitsu Ten via PC Watch]
Jalopnik
Save The Dikes! Ferrari 599 Burns In Holland April 20, 2007 12:25 PM
Here's what we've gotten from our tipster on the above and below pictures. As we don't speak Dutch worth a damn, we're going to have to go with WT on this one until we hear otherwise. He's telling us:
"Yesterday in Holland a Ferrari 599 just burned spontaniously...They were standing at the traffic-lights and then they saw some flames passengers are oke...The car was in the Dutch Ferrari 60 Relay 2 day's ago also."All we know is we've seen a lot of spontaneous car combustion as of late in Europe. Although wait -- I don't think any of those ones we saw back in January were "spontaneous."
Ferrari 599 GTB in de hens [Autogespot.com]
Related:
Fates Smite Vetteamino!; Long Island Corvette Z06 Has One Last Smokey Burnout; Fonctionnement! Fonctionnement! Sauvage dans les Rues! 400 Cars Torched in France [internal]
engadget
Intel's 2008 vs 2007 Mobile Internet Devices April 20, 2007 12:18 PM
Filed under: Handhelds
Continue reading Intel's 2008 vs 2007 Mobile Internet Devices
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
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gizmodo
Minox DC-1022: Compact 10-Megapixel Camera with VFM and Carry Strap April 20, 2007 11:52 AM
Details of Minox's DC-1022, the successor to its rather fabulous 8122, have been released. The compact 10-megapixel camera lets you choose aperture and shutter speed for yourself, and there are a range of different modes, from sports and animal photography through fireworks and nighttime. There's also a failsafe automatic mode. Image stabilization is software-based so you should have less blurred photos, even when using zoom.
The DC-1022 will set you back $469 on Amazon.com and it ships starting June 1. There's a full list of specs after the jump.
$469 Amazon, ships on June 1
150 grams
Meausrements 93x57x25.5 (mm)
10.10 Megapixels
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736
Minimum resolution 640 x 480
Minoctar lens
1/1.7-inch CCD sensor
Digital and Optical zoom
Internal memory of 32MB
SD card slot for up to 2GB memory cards
Auto focus
Built-in Flash with anti red-eye, auto, fill-in and slow modes
Exposure compensation
White balance
Video function with sound
Maximum video resolution 640x480
Minimum video resolution 160x120
30 Frames per second
Voice recording
2.8-inch LCD display with anti-reflection coating
Self-timer
USB 2.0
Video out
JPEG File format
Lithium-Ion battery
Carrying case
Strap
USB and video cable
Minox DC1022 [Let's Go Digital]
engadget
The Wal-Mart $299 HD DVD player on the way April 20, 2007 11:52 AM
Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment
Get ready to get your cheap HD on kids. Wal-Mart just threw down some serious green for a batch of Chinese-made HD DVD players. Just as they brought DVD players down to near-disposable status, their deal for 2 million HD DVD players produced by China's Great Wall corporation will ultimately do the same for hi-def optical. The guts are developed by Taiwan's Fuh Yuan with a touch of help from Japan's TDK. How much? A magical $299, that's how much -- $100 less than the cheapest available HD DVD rig (Toshiba's A2) and half of Sony's $600 BDP-S300 Blu-ray Disc player. It's not clear when we'll see the first units on Wal-Mart shelves, only that the final shipment from the order is expected before 2008 is over. Update: Pull back the reigns HD DVD fanboys, Akihabara now says that they've made a "huge mistake" with their translation: the original source called it "藍光 HD DVD and 藍光 means Blu-RAY." In other words, Blu-ray HD DVD. Word to the wise: since both formats use blue lasers, it's best to wait for an English press release before either camp celebrates.
[Via Akihabara News]
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Jalopnik
First Look: The Maserati GS Zagato IRL April 20, 2007 11:49 AM
The first shots of Zagato's coachbuilt GranSport coupe surfaced on Ultimate Car Page yesterday, providing the first look at the kind of exclusivity one custom-kitchen magnate's fortune can buy. Designers did work in the all-important helmet bubbles, though appear to have gotten a little curvilinear happy, like they'd just gotten a new pair of compasses and couldn't wait to get to work. Still, the commissioned piece does have some compelling side surfacing and a decent interpretation of the historic trident nose. Does it compare to the new Pininfarina-penned Maserati Grand Turismo? Hmm.
Maserati GS Zagato Coupe [Ultimate Car Page via Autoblog]
Related:
Flying Coach: The Maserati GS Zagato; Geneva Showcase: Maserati GranTurismo [internal]
Jalopnik
The Jalopnik Morning Shift April 20, 2007 11:45 AM
• What do you mean -- we're gonna get ourselves a real live engine plant? For real? [Freep}
• Ken, next time you're in town, let me know -- I'll get you some Tigers tickets, k? [Detroit News]
• Especially since you said such nice things about the D! [Freep]
• Any article that includes a line that reads: "...a large man in a red baseball cap bustles around a dirty waste truck, which has a tank of synthetic urine..." is a must-read in our book. [Freep]
• FoMoCo will give you half a million bucks if you promise not to be a dick and provide them with parts in Australia. [theaustralian.com]
engadget
Haier's speedy X6 UMPC touts 1.83GHz Core 2 Duo processor April 20, 2007 11:31 AM
Filed under: Laptops, Tablet PCs
[Via Electronista]
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Cool Hunting
Spoonbill April 20, 2007 11:05 AM
An electronic producer with a string of international sound installation accolades, Melbourne's Spoonbill delivers his second album Nestegg with a crispness and precision that plays across a broad audio spectrum. Blending both modern and antique sounds from live performances and electronic creations, Spoonbill delivers hard beats, sweeping musical landscapes and everything in between. It's an incredibly unique sound, and is riddled with conversational sound bytes taken from numerous sources, blending a heavily accented narrative with the surreal, electronic wonderland Spoonbill has crafted. Incredible, and addictive. It's an exploratory and rather ingenius release, and induces the craziest thoughts and visions as conversation dances across experimental tracks tempting our wildest imagination. Dream inducing, somewhat ground-breaking and undoubtedly chaotic.
engadget
Via's VT6047 mainboard becomes first in Pico-ITX lineage April 20, 2007 10:28 AM
Filed under: Desktops, Media PCs
[Via LinuxDevices]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
gizmodo
McCaslin vs Menlow: 45 Nanometers Prove That Size Matters April 20, 2007 10:08 AM
There's been a lot of UMPC talk and action in the latter part of this week. And it's not stopping today. Size queens among you will be interested to see a spiffy 2008 Menlow-based UMPC parked up close and personal on the left of the oh-already-so-tired-O-seven McCaslin.
There are a couple more pics of 45 nanometer loveliness after the jump—including one of a Menlow board Silverthorne processor compared to a playing card.
And check the title of the link below. I can't decide who I love more, PC Watch's headline writers or Google Translate.
Original Azabu spring the weekly PC hot line of the man [PC Watch]
engadget
Craigslist founder hosts webcam for MMO birdwatching April 20, 2007 09:36 AM
Filed under: Gaming
[Via Physorg]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
engadget
BenQ's (minor) upgrade to the DC C1000, the ten megapixel C1050 April 20, 2007 08:26 AM
Filed under: Digital Cameras
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
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engadget
Cushion Control pillows redefine button-mashing April 20, 2007 07:36 AM
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
[Via Core77]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
mocoloco
This Week at Art MoCo April 20, 2007 06:49 AM
Landscape architects ah’bé takes an act of destruction and creates with the results. They go through two-thirds of a ton of paper at work during a three-month period and decided it was high time to turn that paper back into trees.
Jason Miller gives us some easy bake that we can live with. Forever.
We discovered Dan Witz this week and marveled at the use of light in his paintings while feeling cramped in his mosh pits.
Then we took it outdoors to look at his street art, both in airbrush and sticker style. Witz is a marvel with his work, be it with skaters or street shines.
And Amanda Visell ends the week with colorful snippets of a world where pink elephants try to roam free and there are always monsters under the bed. Sometimes they are the bed. SM
More at Art MoCo.
engadget
Citizen alarm clock grabs tunes from your cellphone April 20, 2007 06:12 AM
Filed under: Cellphones, Misc. Gadgets
Citizen's got a new alarm clock for those that prefer the simple pleasure of waking up to some some of their favorite tunes instead of the roving antics of a robotic noisemaker. Nothing too unusual there, of course, except that Citizen's M-stock 533 clock is able to wirelessly snag up to five tunes straight off your cellphone -- if you happen to be a user of Japan's mupass service, that is. If you fit that particular bill, you can get your hands on the clock now for ¥6,247, or just over fifty bucks.[Via Tokyomango]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
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Cool Hunting
The Basics: The Techniques of Continental Cooking April 20, 2007 06:05 AM
This book of essential techniques and basic recipes was a success in Belgium, France and the U.K., and is finally coming out in the U.S. on 15 June 2007. This small black book with gilt pages packs a much larger punch than its size infers.
The basics covers all of the culinary bases, including classics and new techniques such as sous vide and foams. Each basic is presented on a single page, with a photo on the facing page. The writing and recipes are straightforward and very manageable (by Filip Verheyden), and the photography (by Tony Le Duc) is beautifully shot.
We've got three copies to give away to CH readers. To enter, go to the "Contact" form at the bottom of the home page and select "The Basics contest." Send us your favorite basic. The top three will be posted on the site, and each reader will receive an autographed copy of the book.
The Basics: The Techniques of Continental Cooking is available at Amazon and Amazon UK.
mocoloco
Two Questions for Jessica Albarn April 20, 2007 04:36 AM
Jessica Albarn is a fine artist who is far from phobic about insects and is shown here quite in tune with a moth. Albarn was asked to participate in the design of a rug for Modus Furniture and we caught up with this artist and designer as the Spider rug was about to be launched in Milan. This spider is not a simple one-off – Albarn’s portfolio is rife with arachnid studies and paintings.
Jessica, your SPIDER rug is incredibly striking, despite the use of an unusual emblem. Are you trying to get consumers to face their fears and phobias? Or are you leading us more towards ideas of sustainability and the plunder of nature?
The decision to use the spider came about for two reasons. At the time I was approached by Modus to do the rug, I had just completed a whole of phase of work on spiders, it was what I was into. I am fascinated by insects and am particularly interested in the way spiders evoke such powerful feelings in people. It was fun to play on that with such a tactile thing as a rug.
engadget
Minox drops 10.1 megapixel update to the DC8122, the DC1022 April 20, 2007 04:35 AM
Filed under: Digital Cameras
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
engadget
San Diegans convert carbon dioxide to fuel via solar energy April 20, 2007 03:30 AM
Filed under: Misc. Gadgets
[Via Physorg, thanks Richard N.]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
engadget
Casio's Exilim Hi-Zoom EX-V7 reviewed April 20, 2007 02:40 AM
Filed under: Digital Cameras
[Via DigitalPhotographyBlog]
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BOLD MOVES: THE FUTURE OF FORD A new documentary series. Be part of the transformation as it happens in real-time
Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!
gizmodo
Digital Bath Spout Cover Keeps Kids From Crying About the Bathwater April 20, 2007 02:00 AM
Instead of manually checking the water with your hands to make sure it's not too warm or cold, just plop on this digital bath spout cover and be done with it. The easy-to-read display shows both the temperature in number form and in color form. Once you get your water just right, dump your child inside and get back to blog surfing.
Even though we have no kids of our own, we still really want one of these. We swear we've burned our peepees for the last time, Trebek.
Product Page [Kidsafeinc via Crave via Gearlog]
gizmodo
HTC's Windows Mobile 6 Upgrade Roadmap Shows at Least a June Wait April 20, 2007 01:30 AM
Most of us with Windows Mobile smartphones made by HTC are still waiting for the official WM6 upgrade ROMs before upgrading. After all, walking up to the store with a bricked phone made by some ROM we found on the Net isn't our idea of a good time. Good news, as HTC's just released their upgrade path.
If you're using the HTC TyTN, the 620, the P4350, P330 or the Advantage, upgrades will be rolled out on their site starting June. But if you're in the US, you may have to wait longer, as HTC has to hand off the upgrades to the provider f