Toyota unveils Hi-Ct green-friendly mini-tank

Not to be outdone by the antics at the New York Auto Show, the Bangkok International Motor Show had a couple of surprises as well. The Toyota Hi-Ct concept car made its debut during the event with a decidedly tank-like profile. Despite the car's bulky looks, this is in fact a green hybrid vehicle that can charge from an external power source via an AC100V accessory socket.

The car also features a removable trunk and bicycle/surfboard deck for those granola-chomping weekends us city dwellers are always hearing about. As going green becomes ever more stylish it seems like just a matter of time before we stop relying on prehistoric fossil fuel to power our horseless carriages.

Source: http://dvice.com/archives/2008/03/toyota_unveils.php

College students want Macs more than ever

Even though Apple holds only a small slice of the operating system market, college students want Macs more than ever. And, according to a report from Morgan Stanley, Mac OS X may eventually command a significant portion of the market because of it.

A recent higher-education survey conducted by Morgan Stanley analyst Katy Huberty reveals that almost 40 per cent of college students claim their next computer purchase will be a Mac. And while that news may be enough to make Steve Jobs celebrate, the analyst had even more good news to share: the 40 per cent jump in expected market share far exceeds Apple's current 15 per cent share of the demographic.

'Aging phenomenon' is underway

"Longer term," Huberty said, "we see an 'aging phenomenon' that will put Apple in a more mainstream market share position as students enter the work force, much like Linux adoption in the 1998-2003 time frame."

Morgan Stanley did not say how long it will take for Apple to significantly increase its market share, but it did contend that as college students enter the work force and positions of prominence, the cascading effect could have a positive lasting impact on Apple's bottom line.

Source: http://www.tech.co.uk/computing/mac/news/college-students-want-macs-more-than-ever?articleid=2091916085

Mini Video Player

Check out these mini video players which are small on size but are big on features with full-size bright high-res screens and 8 hour battery life. They’re perfect for playing your favorite movies and music. Choose from the Neon M3 with heat sensitive glowing buttons and a 2.4 inch LCD screen or the Ice with a brushed aluminum finish and a slightly larger 2.8 inch display. Both have 2GB of storage built-in and can be expanded via memory card.

Product Features

• Mini Media Players Handle Video, Audio and can do Voice Recording
• Keys on Neon M3 are heat sensitive and glow when touched
• Built in FM Radio
• Integrated Speaker, or use the included Headphones

Product Specificatons

• Built in Storage: 2 GB
• Support USB mass-storage mode for easy transfer of videos on any OS
• Expandable Memory Slot - ICE (TransFlash/MicroSD), Neon M3 (T-Flash)
• Video: AVI, MPEG
• Voice Record: WAV
• Image Viewer: JPEG
• Video Playing Time: 3-4 hours
• Audio Playing Time: 6-8 hours
• Charges Via USB
• FM Radio, Text Viewer, Picture Viewer, Game
• Built-in External Speaker
• 3.5mm Stereo Earphone Output

Available for $99 about £49 from ThinkGeek.com


Source: http://www.gadgettastic.com/2008/03/27/mini-video-player/

Stretchy silicon circuits wrap around complex shapes, like your wife

The first "completely integrated, extremely bendable circuit" was just demonstrated to the world. The team behind the research is led by John Rogers of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The process bonds circuit sheets measuring just 1.5 micrometers (50 times thinner than human hair) to a piece of pre-stretched rubber. That allows the circuits to buckle like an accordion when pulled or twisted without losing their electrical properties. Unfortunately, the materials used thus far are not compatible with human tissue. In other words, no X-ray vision implant for you. X-ray contacts perhaps... quantum-computers please Mr. Scientists? Watch a circuit buckle in the video after the break.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/28/stretchy-silicon-circuits-wrap-around-complex-shapes-like-your/

BMW’s ConnectedDrive in action

Chrysler may end up being the first to market with an in-car internet solution, but BMW’s ConnectedDrive, announced in advance of this year’s Geneva Motor Show, is the first to bring us video of the system in action.

An interesting point covered in the videos is that the internet service is routed through BMW proxies - meaning both that no anti-virus or other protective measures are needed, and that all traffic on your annual subscription will be going through a BMW computer before being relayed to your car. BMW insists that surfing is not limited nor restricted in any way, however. Unlike Chrysler’s system, BMW’s ConnectedDrive does not require a separate mobile phone subscription.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/videos/video-bmws-connecteddrive-in-action/

Army tests of Land Warrior high-tech uniform successful, soldiers request more

We knew the Army's supposedly-dead Land Warrior high-tech uniform program still had some life in it, but now it appears that good marks from tests in the field might mean it's going to make a full recovery. The Army sent the 4/9 Infantry (aka the "Manchus") off to war loaded down with the 16-pound Land Warrior kit, and after some on-the-fly adjustments that made the gear lighter and more functional, the soldiers had talked Land Warrior up to the point where the 2nd Infantry Division's 5th Combat Brigade Team has now officially requested 1,000 more Land Warrior rigs. The main change is the removal of six pounds of inessential gear, but the crew in the 4/9 also requested and added in a "digital chem light," which allows buildings and waypoints to be marked in green on an electronic map, and restricted Land Warrior deployment to team leaders and above. There's still some tricky funding problems to solve -- some $102M needs to be set aside for the request -- but the Land Warrior project managers say it's looking promising. Now if we could only get some of that HUD monocle action on the civilian side, our morning coffee run would be a lot more interesting.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/28/army-tests-of-land-warrior-high-tech-uniform-successful-soldier/

Sanyo Claims XGA LCD Projector World's Smallest and Lightest

This is the PLC-XW60, the world's smallest and lightest XGA LCD projector—according to its maker, Sanyo. Weighing in at just 3.6 pounds, the projector can beam a 1024 x 768-resolution, 100-inch image on a wall just nine to 11 feet away and is aimed at teachers and travellers. Find out what else the compact little blighter can do below. As well as automatic keystone correction and automatic input signal detection, the XW60 has an adjustable color mode for projecting onto different surface colors, and there's no cool-down cycle thanks to its easy-off function, which means you can just unplug it and shove it back in the cupboard straight away. Available in April, the PLC-XW60 will cost $795.


Source: http://gizmodo.com/373279/sanyo-claims-xga-lcd-projector-worlds-smallest-and-lightest

Steampunk “von Slatt Original" keyboard for a retro look

If you have about $1000 and more in your piggy bank and they are begging to be used then here’s the most idiosyncratic keyboard that you can buy of it. If retro is your style mantra then the "von Slatt Original" keyboard will fit well on your work table. Mr. Jake von Slatt cleverly manages to pimp up the old-styled keyboards in to most extraordinary good-looking functional one. You can opt for keyboards made of brushed aluminum, polished aluminum, polished brass, antiqued brass, polished copper, antiqued copper. Obviously prices vary accordingly. Using authentic keys from antique Royal typewriters, he settles for the simpler "table leg" style foot for the brass and copper keyboards. However the triangular foot tends to look better on the aluminum models. As of yet you can place the order and get a completely bespoked keyboard but later the designer plans to offer ready to pick up models like "The Sojourner" and "The Aviator". Check out the one that features a black felt faceplate, chrome keys, and a polished brass frame that is left unvarnished to develop a deep, rich patina as it ages.

Exclusively handmade, a lot of effort and handwork goes in to its making. Hence it’s get pricey.




Source: http://www.luxurylaunches.com/gadgets/steampunk_von_slatt_original_keyboard_for_a_retro_look.php

Sky unveils 5 new concept phones to drool over

Korean phone purveyor Pantech (also known as Sky Premium) is teaming up with universities there to design the "Phone of 2010." We dig it, and what they came up with so far look mostly like units for the home, though the device pictured above may be something of a smart phone. Hate to say it, but in this post-iPhone world, it's hard to be wowed by pretty curves and tactile buttons.

Source: http://dvice.com/archives/2008/03/sky_unveils_5_n.php

ASUS' 9-inch Eee PC 900 hits the FCC with full teardown, gets multi-finger gesture support

Eee fans, your second-wildest dream has just come to pass. ASUS' next version of the mini-laptop has hit the FCC, and we've got the pictures to prove it. Yes, as we speak (possibly, but maybe not) inspectors from the agency are poring over details of the 9-inch, second generation system -- referred to here as the Eee 900 -- desperately hoping that none of its radio waves do anything funky to anyone else's radio waves. There's no secret-sauce WiMAX or drastic changes we can see, though the manual does make mention of "multi-finger gesture input," which will apparently provide the ability to zoom in, zoom out, and do familiar two-finger scrolling on the newly resized trackpad. Check the pictures in the gallery for loads of looks at the new entry, including a view of its insides that'll make your eyes water.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/26/asus-9-inch-eee-pc-900-hits-the-fcc/

iHome's iH69 computer / iPod speakers

We've seen a number of iPod speakers with pass-through dock connectors, but we've never really understood the point -- why would we listen to music on our iPod when we're already sitting at the computer, which has better speakers? iHome's latest rig, the iH69, tries to bring it all together, though, with an iPod dock integrated directly into a set of upright computer speakers. We're not sold on the idea until we actually hear 'em -- or we get a sub in the deal -- but those of you looking to save on some cable clutter should look for these bad boys to drop sometime in June.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/26/ihomes-ih69-computer-ipod-speakers/

Major security vulnerability discovered for PlayStation Network, lock up your PS3s

Details are still sparse (and primarily in Japanese), but our Tokyo bureau just let us know that Sony's announced a fairly severe security vulnerability on the PlayStation Network, which would actually allow an attacker to access your account, personal information, and Wallet -- but not your credit card on file -- as well as change your password. Damn. More on this as it develops; in the mean time, keep a close eye on that account.

Update: More information is on the US PS3 site. Apparently the issue has been resolved and "security is restored." Thanks, luckydude76.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/27/major-security-vulnerability-discovered-for-playstation-network/

HP UMPC 2133 specs revealed, street date of April 7th?

We'd been hearing that HP's slick UMPC 2133 was going sport VIA processors, and now we've got some more info to back that up -- we just received what appears to be a full spec list for the upcoming machine, and it's VIA C7-Ms all around, with graphics courtesy of a VIA Chrome 9 chipset. According to our source, these will hit on April 7th, and it looks like those pricing whispers were pretty accurate as well: $600 will buy you a 1.2GHz C7-M, a 120GB drive, 1GB of RAM and Vista Home Basic, while $749 bumps you up to 1.6GHz and Vista Business and adds Bluetooth, another gig of RAM, and a bigger battery. There's also a mysterious $849 Vista Basic model listed as having "regional" availability (the others are listed as "Smart Buy") with Bluetooth and bigger battery, but we don't see why it's more expensive than the Vista Business version. Regardless, what really caught our eye was the $549 model that shares the same specs as the $600 unit, but looks to be running SuSE Enterprise -- another rumor that's come true. That could be the one that HP expects to sell like hotcakes -- after all, the goal is to have people buy these "without a thought," and that's certainly not going to happen at $749. We'll see soon enough, we suppose. Full spec sheet after the break.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/26/hp-umpc-2133-specs-revealed-street-date-of-april-7th/

Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano takes on the F40

It’s young versus old in this latest clip, with two of the hottest cars to ever come out of Maranello decking it out in the Nevada desert. In one corner we have the stripped out F40 from the mid-1980s and in the other is this generation’s technologically advanced 599 GTB. Both will have its fans so we’ll leave it to you to decide which one should come out on top.

BMW M1 supercar turns 30

BMW, a brand that prides itself on building the ultimate driving machine, doesn’t even have a genuine sports car in its lineup. But this was not always the case because back in 1978 BMW launched its very own supercar. The car was the mid-engined M1 homologation special, a car that made its debut 30 years ago at the 64th Paris Motor Show and went on to sell in several different variations until it was discontinued just three years later.

The M1 was developed by BMW Motorsport with the help of Lamborghini and only 456 cars ever saw the light of day. Its body was based on a 1972 BMW concept car but was penned by Italian design house Giugiaro Italdesign.

At the time of its launch, the M1 was one of the fastest and most dynamic cars on the market. It featured a 277hp (204kW) 3.5L straight-six engine and could reach speeds in excess of 160mph (260km/h). The smooth six-cylinder revved freely to a 7,000rpm cut-off and was capable of accelerating the car from 0-62mph (100km/h) in 5.6 seconds. Driving the rear wheels was a ZF manual with five gears.

New technologies employed by the M1 included a spaceframe chassis and lightweight plastic body wrapped around a double wishbone suspension set-up with light-alloy wheel mounts in the front and an independent trapezoidal set-up in the rear. Bilstein dampers were also used with fully adjustable coil springs.

Though the car never saw a great deal of racing success, the M1 remains BMW’s only mid-engined supercar and is remembered for its impeccable handling and build quality – traits that were hard to find in the supercars of that era.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/supercars/bmw-m1-supercar-turns-30/

2009 Mercedes-Benz A-Class facelift

Earlier this month Mercedes-Benz took the covers off its facelited B-Class range and now we have first details about the 2009 model year update for the smaller A-Class. Due for release in the second half of the year, the new A-Class gets a slightly revised look, a revamped interior and a cleaner engine range.

New to range is fuel saving engine stop-start technology for the volume A150 and A170 models as well as the addition of an ultra-frugal A150 BlueEfficiency model, which gets by on just 5.8L of petrol per 100km (40.5mpg) yet still delivers a reasonable 95hp. Other fuel saving technology include aerodynamic enhancements, low rolling resistant tires and an extensive weight saving program. The most economic model remains the 82hp A160 CDI, which consumes just 4.5L of diesel per 100km (52mpg).

The cabin gets new material choices for the seats and door linings, plus buyers can also opt for brushed aluminum or wooden trim.

Key visual differences between the 2009 model and its predecessor include new shape headlights, wraparound taillights, and revised bumpers sporting larger air-intakes. The range also features several new grille designs depending on whether the car is equipped with either Avantgarde or Elegance specifications.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/hatchbacks/2009-mercedes-benz-a-class-facelift/

LG's 5.1 megapixel OZ: a Casio W53CA hides behind the curtain

Well lookie here, LG just announced a followup to its LH2300 Touch Web phone. This one's for the twisty-fold clamshell fans -- a design which makes it look positively Japanese superphone-like. In fact, we're pretty sure it's just the Casio W53CA with LG branding and new Hello UI for Korean consumption. Interesting given that Korea certainly isn't lacking in mega-spec'd phones. Anyway, given the Exilim underpinnings it's no surprise to find a 5.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, 28-mm lens, color correction, 9-point auto focus, and built-in anti-shake technology bunged into the backside. The LCD measures 2.8-inches (down from the LH2300's 3-inch LCD) yet still manages the same 800 x 480 pixel resolution for DMB television and landscape or portrait web browsing. Inside the little 18.9-mm thin handset you'll find 4GB NAND / 1GB SDRAM and microSD expansion for all your snaps and VGA / 30fps video. Coming to a 3G, CDMA network near you in April... just long as you live in South Korea or Japan.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/25/lgs-5-1-megapixel-oz-a-casio-w53ca-superphone-behind-the-curta/

PSP to get ColorWared on April 14th

Look, who could blame you for wanting to personalize your PSP a little. At the moment you can wait around for limited edition models like the God of War or get your kitchen-beige or month-old-mint models from a friendly, price-gouging, Japanese importer. Else, why not hold out until April 14th when ColorWare plans to unveil its new PSP colorization service. Although nothing has been announced, it's probably safe to assume the same level of "buy new" or "send in" service ColorWare already offers for the DS Lite.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/25/colorware-taking-on-psp-april-14th/