Spy Shots: 2010 BMW 5-series interior

We’ve seen plenty of spy shots for the new BMW 5-series, including a number of possible renderings for the final design, but this is the first time we get a good look at the new car’s interior. As the images reveal, the cabin of the 2010 5-series closely resembles the design of the current model although there are a few key differences.

BMW’s engineers managed to cover up most of the details but we can still pick up a few vital clues about the new 5-series cabin. Designers have moved the i-drive controller to the side of the gear selector, the same set-up as in the X5 SUV, and shots of the steering wheel show a lot more buttons than the current car. Engineers also seemed concerned about hiding the car’s command screen, leading to speculation that it could feature a new ‘Dual View’ display system.

The new 5-series is set to arrive in late 2009 for the 2010 model year and will have to compete with the next-gen E-Class from Mercedes-Benz, which is also tipped to arrive about the same time. In the meantime, check out our previous story for details about the engine lineup and to view several renderings of the new car.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/sedans/spy-shots-2010-bmw-5-series-interior/

Ferrari reportedly considering V6 turbo to save fuel

It won’t power a Dino - the car is completely off the table - but a turbocharged V6 might power one of the next-generation cars from Ferrari. A company spokesman has said that Ferrari has ruled out nothing in terms of technology as it works to keep high-performance a priority while accommodating strict emissions rules.

Already the company has begun to employ some small technological tools to keep power up while reducing fuel consumption. The recently released California uses the company’s first direct-injection engine, for example. As the company moves forward with the next generation of engines, focusing on the development period from 2013 to 2016, it is open to the possibility of using a turbocharger or other forced-induction methods to yield the power it wants and the economy it must, reports AutoTelegraaf.

If the Prancing Horse marque does end up with a smaller-displacement forced-induction engine, it won’t be powering anything that might be considered ‘entry level’, however. Nor will the company bend to the pressure to become a full-line manufacturer with the addition of an SUV or four-door car - Davide Kluzer, Ferrari spokesman, has said those two types of car “we will never do.”

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/ferrari/ferrari-reportedly-considering-v6-turbo-to-save-fuel/

Bentley Continental GTS Black Edition by Project Kahn

Late last year Project Kahn rolled out their take on Bentley’s ultra-luxury GTS coupe, and now they’ve one-upped themselves with a Black Edition. Building on the same basic appearance modifications, the dominant theme is the brooding color of the car.

The basic Project Kahn Continental GTS treatment consists of an eight-panel bodykit that treats the rear with a new three-piece diffuser and bumper, side skirts down each sill, a set of new front spoilers and a bootlid spoiler. Inside the car gets high-quality leather just about everywhere, with the choice of either leather of carbon fiber cladding for the steering wheel.

A performance exhaust enhances the twin-turbo W12’s already throaty sound, while a set of ‘Silver Mist’ 22in wheels add the most dramatic exterior feature to the Black Edition. Despite the giant wheels, the car also gets a 20mm drop to complete the transformation.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/coupes/bentley-continental-gts-black-edition-by-project-kahn/

BlackBerry Kickstart Flip Phone Only $49

The BlackBerry Kickstart is by far not RIM's best looking phone. But it is a real live BlackBerry and it will run a mere 50 bucks when it launches on T-Mobile in September. The Centro has proven that a cheap smartphone can sell like hotcakes. Granted the Centro is cute, the Kickstart is not. But $50 (with a two-year contract, natch) puts it in the same mass market as the crappier LGs and Sammys. It's a crazy way to hook the kids, but it might just work. (It'd work better if the phone wasn't so ugly.)


Source: http://gizmodo.com/5022221/blackberry-kickstart-flip-phone-only-49

Engadget HD goes hands-on with JVC's Everio HD40 camcorder

Engadget HD managed to acquire one of JVC's Everio HD40 camcorders -- you know, that HD shooter with 120GB of onboard storage. If you're interested in seeing it get unboxed and manhandled (along with comparison shots with Samsung's delightful SC-HMX20C), click on over and enjoy. For those wanting some serious impressions, keep a check on this space -- we'll be forming some opinions and penning a review here shortly.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/04/engadget-hd-goes-hands-on-with-jvcs-everio-hd40-camcorder/

Scientists train robots to love punk music

We've seen plenty of robots that are capable of showing their appreciation for music, but few have as refined a taste as this trio of bots designed by a team of UK artists and scientists, which have been trained to like punk music and nothing else. That was apparently done by employing "adaptive resonance theory," which allows the robots to build up a history of patterns relating to different sounds, and analyze songs on the fly, matching the patterns against other types of music it has already listened to. As you can see in the BBC's video available at the read link below, the bot's were apparently easily able to recognize a band that they hadn't heard before and, if you hurry, you can actually check 'em out first hand, as they'll be doing their thing at London's Institute of Contemporary Arts until July 5th.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/04/scientists-train-robots-to-love-punk-music/

Roundest Spheres in the World Produced

Even with man's advancements in developing increasingly intricate microprocessors and ever taller skyscrapers, there's one thing we cannot do. We cannot make a completely perfect sphere. Sure, we can get close. But a new problem has provoked a more perfect execution. The kilogram needs to be standardized across many countries as the 120-year-old physical platinum standard is changing in mass. And deviations in measurement have screwed up the value of a kilogram across the globe.

Luckily one man could create the perfect sphere. And he could do it by hand.

Achim Leistner was an optical engineer from the Australian Center for Precision Optics, pulled out of retirement to create two perfect spheres.

Another team started by creating a pure batch of silicon-28, spun in ex-Soviet centrifuges that were once used for uranium. Then in Germany, a team grew a pure crystal from the silicon, which was sliced into blocks and sent to Leistner.

Leistner and his crew used two spinning rotors to grind the spheres by hand—a process that took several months to complete. Their resulting spheres were accurate in smoothness to 0.3 nanometers and curvature to 60 to 70 nanometers. New Scientist explains that if these spheres were increased to Earth proportions, you'd see smoothness deviations of only 12 to 15 mm and roundness variation of 3 to 5 meters.

For the full remarkable story, be sure to hit the link.

Source: http://gizmodo.com/5021010/roundest-spheres-in-the-world-produced

Sony officially reveals PS3 firmware 2.40 features, coming July 2

Following months of rumors, speculation, and – most of all – waiting, Sony has officially unveiled version 2.40 of the PlayStation 3's operating system and XrossMediaBar (XMB) interface. Joystiq got a look at it in action last week and can finally unzip our lips about what we saw.

In a nutshell, the update introduces most of the features we've seen floating around as rumors for some time. Here's the short list of what you can now do without exiting from games:

* In-game XMB (a quick tap of the PS button brings it up)

* View game-specific Trophies (We'll have more on this major feature at 8AM EST / 5AM PST)

* Time / date display

* Send text messages to PSN users on your friends list

* Access accessory settings, such as Bluetooth pairing and voice changer

* View and manage downloads

* Quits game directly from an icon under the "Game" section of the XMB

* Search the web using the Google Search option under "Network" (similar to the latest PSP firmware)

* Launch directly into another game from the one you're currently playing

* Play music tracks stored on the HDD in games that support this feature

* Access a new on-screen music player interface (when listening to your own tracks in supported titles)

Sony hasn't announced a release date for its latest firmware update, stating only that it will be "very soon." The official press release says the firmware is coming July 2 (this Wednesday!). There are quite a few rumored / hoped for features that aren't finding their way into this release. There are also a number of quibbles with the functionality of the features that did make the cut. We go in-depth with our likes and dislikes of firmware 2.40 right here

Source: http://www.joystiq.com/2008/06/30/sony-officially-reveals-ps3-firmware-2-40-features/

Guitar Hero: Aerosmith won't play nice with Rock Band guitars

While the axe that comes with Guitar Hero: Aerosmith is pretty sweet, if you were hoping to just get the game and use your Rock Band guitar, you're out of luck. Despite rumors that Activision had opened its doors to the Harmonix-made Rock Band guitar controllers, early users of Guitar Hero: Aerosmith are reporting that the Xbox 360 version game isn't being so friendly after all. The sad message: "An unsupported guitar peripheral has been detected. Connect either a Guitar Hero guitar or Xbox 360 controller and press START to continue." It's like they never even knew each other.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/01/guitar-hero-aerosmith-wont-play-nice-with-rock-band-guitars/