Ford Fiesta S performance hatch

Ford has taken the wraps off its latest model in the growing Fiesta family of compact cars with the unveiling of the all-new ‘S’ performance model at the Beijing Motor Show this weekend. The new car is expected to join the regular three-door hatch and five-door models - revealed at the last month’s Geneva Motor Show – towards the end of the year in both Europe and China.

North America will still have to wait until 2010 for its version of the car, which will also be available in a sedan bodystyle, and the Fiesta is also tipped to start production in Australia around the same time. Other models in the pipeline include a higher performance ST model as well as a rumored RS range topper. Like the upcoming Focus RS, this latter version would feature a series of weight saving and power mods for ultimate performance.

The Fiesta will initially be available with a range of petrol and diesel engines. Entry-level models will come with a 60hp 1.4L petrol engine and will be followed by a 115hp 1.6L unit. Diesel fans will get two 1.25L units developing 60hp and 80hp respectively. Transmission choices include a six-speed manual or a new Durashift automatic. The cars also come with Ford’s new EPAS electronic steering to help save fuel.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/hatchbacks/ford-fiesta-s-performance-hatch/

http://gizmodo.com/381949/auto-healther-does-complete-body-massage-robotically

Remember the massage pants? Well, automated massage seems to have taken a step further on from those with the Dainichi Auto Healther Reiz DZ-270: it's a robo-table that can massage you from your head to to toe. You just select your program from the touchscreen, lie back, pull the hood over, switch on some music on the built-in audio system and let its robot kneaders wiggle around under the bed surface. It's even clever enough to adjust its speed and pressure to suit which bit of you its dealing with, and has heating too. If you prefer your relaxation delivered with robotic precision rather than the fingers of a trained person, then you'll have to fork out around $13,500 for this.


Source: http://gizmodo.com/381949/auto-healther-does-complete-body-massage-robotically

3G iPhone confirmed in Italy without revenue sharing?

We've been avoiding the 3G iPhone rumor mongering as much as possible recently. After all, we know it's coming as both AT&T and Apple have confirmed. Now this: one of Italy's most respected newspapers, La Repubblica (like the WSJ with red sauce), is claiming in no uncertain terms that the 3G iPhone is coming shortly to Telecom Italia without a revenue sharing deal and without long-term exclusivity. If true, this change in strategy opens the doors for a true, global, 3G iPhone launch on UMTS networks around the world come summer time.

We contacted Telecom Italia who refuse to comment on the matter.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/21/3g-iphone-confirmed-in-italy/

Asustek to Launch Eee PC With 10-inch Screen

Asustek plans to launch a new version of the Eee PC with a 10-inch screen, a top executive said Monday.

The company's CEO made the statement at the launch of the new Eee PC 900 with an 8.9-inch screen, in Taiwan. The original Eee PC 701 carries a 7-inch screen.

"The feedback we've received from users has been great. Many have asked us for bigger screens and better usability. That's what made us start developing the Eee PC 900," said Jerry Shen, CEO of Asustek, during a news conference in Taipei. People are asking for bigger keypads and more software as well, issues the company continues to work on.

An Eee PC with a 10-inch screen could be out later this year, and it will be the biggest screen an Eee PC will ever get, Shen said. The company defines anything with a 12-inch screen or larger a classic notebook PC, not an Eee PC.

Asustek believes that screen size makes a difference in sales.

The new Eee PC 900 with the 8.9-inch screen will likely account for 50 percent of overall Eee PC shipments by June, and 60 percent or more of shipments sometime in the second half of the year, said Shen.

He declined to set a firm date for release of a new Eee PC with a 10-inch screen, and would not talk about possible prices. But a 10-inch screen could make a new Eee PC model much more expensive than the 8.9-inch model. Once screen sizes reach 12-inches, they are nearing mainstream sizes, where mass production reduces the price-per-unit. But a 10-inch screen is still a specialty, and therefore more expensive screen size.

The Eee PC 900 went on sale Monday in Taiwan for NT$15,988 (US$528).


Source: http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter/article/144869/asustek_to_launch_eee_pc_with_10inch_screen.html

Dell's Vostro 1310, 1510, and 1710 small business laptops redefine boxy

Dell just pumped out a trio of Vostro laptops for small businesses. The new 13.3-inch Vostro 1310 (starting at $749), 15.4-inch Vostro 1510 (starting at $599), and redesigned 17-inch Vostra 1710 (price, undisclosed) all feature a slot loading optical drive and thinner / lighter designs. They also ship with 10GB of free online storage, Network Assistant and PC TuneUp -- all crapware free. The 1310 and 1510 are available today in EMEA (Europe, Middle East, and Africa) then May 1st for the Americas. The 17-incher hits mid-May.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/15/nokias-6212-with-bluetooth-nfc-let-the-pairing-revolution-begi/

Vtech's IS6110, an Instant Messaging Cordless Telephone

The Vtech IS6110 is the little cordless telephone that could. There is a lot of functionality packed into one tidy little package. It is a fully featured DECT 6.0 cordless phone which includes a full QWERTY keypad and lays claim to being the first cordless phone to deliver instant messaging capabilities. All you do is plug the base station into your PC and you will be able to roam around your house instant messaging to your heart's content.

By adding messaging capabilities for MSN Messenger, Windows Live Messenger and AOL Instant Messenger, Vtech could be extending lifeline to flagging cordless phone technology.The trouble for Vtech is that for many people landline telephones are redundant technology. I have one, I keep it for private communications; divulging it only to a few close friends and family. When it rings I know it is important. The trouble is that small list of people hardly justifies the expense and were it not for the fact that there are times that I actually need to have a landline, my house would be cellphone only. Precisely the reason why many people are foregoing landlines altogether. Why bother when a cell gives you everything that you need and more?

The retail price of the Vtech IS6110 is surprisingly cheap, $99.95 is a small price to pay for cordless messaging freedom; but considering that most people have a cellphone that gives them all of that and more, the demand has got to be somewhat limited.


Source: http://gizmodo.com/379784/vtechs-is6110-an-instant-messaging-cordless-telephone

Dewitt's Incognito 2008, a Monstrously Steampunk Watch

Monstrous is the first word that comes to mind when gazing upon the Dewitt Incognito 2008, a design that is the lovechild of a a collaboration between DeWitt and French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. At first glance, the Incognito looks to be a little fat and perhaps clumsy; on closer inspection, however, you can see what a truly amazing timepiece this is. Technical aspects of the Incognito are most impressive, it features a flying tourbillon which is used to counteract the force of gravity and keep the watch accurate. There are also five barrels and has a power reserve that ought to keep you covered for up to three weeks.

The watch is overblown in absolutely every way imaginable, with a definite steampunk vibe; all part of the appeal. The riveted case makes for quite a long watch which would probably be more of a timekeeping gauntlet than a wristwatch, not that I am complaining; this thing has presence.

As you can imagine, all of this heavy metal, leather and fine clockwork costs a pretty penny; Jimmy Tan of Prince Jewellery and Watch Company in Hong Kong snapped up the Incognito '08 for a lazy 400,000 Euro or $632,941.


Source: http://gizmodo.com/379761/dewitts-incognito-2008-a-monstrously-steampunk-watch

Nike+ going WiFi and 3G, headed to iPhone

Stuff.tv is kicking back in Nike's HQ at the moment and claims to have official word about Nike's future plans with Apple. They say that the Nike+ system will be "definitely" extend beyond the iPod nano to support the relatively bulky iPhone and iPod touch. Interestingly, it will leap-frog the proprietary RF link between the shoe module and nano adapter to take advantage of WiFi and eventually 3G. This of course leads to all kinds of speculation with regard to Apple's "lifestyle companion" patent we showed you last month. 3G support would presumably allow for real-time coaching and uploads of your training activity through the Nike Plus website. So let's see... cellphone (check), iPod (check), Internet device (check), handheld gaming (almost), and now a Nike lifestyle companion (could be).

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/04/11/nike-going-wifi-and-3g-headed-to-iphone/

More Xbox 360 Wiimote Details: Code Name 'Newton'

After MTV News broke the news on Microsoft designing a Nintendo Wii-like Wiimote for the Xbox 360, 8bitjoystick felt it was time to give up their secrets as well. Not only do they confirm that the project exists, but they can give up the codename for it: Newton. Jesus was kind enough to mock up a version of the controller based on MTV's sketch.

Jake also says that Microsoft has recently licensed patents from Gyration, maker of those gesture mice we all know and don't really care about. Nintendo did the same back in 2001 in order to help develop their own Wiimote.

The 360mote will also receive signal from an LED sensor bar (like the Wii), but one-ups the Wiimote by having a microphone on board for Xbox Live chat. He doesn't have many other solid points of data—there are guesses about it using the standard rechargeable battery pack and what colors it will have—but he does think the target date of late '08 looks very likely.


Source: http://gizmodo.com/377855/more-xbox-360-wiimote-details-code-name-newton

Alfa Romeo in talks with Jaguar over RWD platforms

If Alfa Romeo is serious about competing with Germany’s premium labels it will eventually have to drop its core FWD lineup or at least offer more affordable rear-drive models. However, the carmaker’s low volume status makes developing a brand new premium RWD platform unfeasible. One solution is to license an existing design from another carmaker, and latest reports claim that’s exactly what’s going to happen over the next couple of years as Alfa updates its lineup and prepares for its return to North America.

Alfa Romeo was previously rumored to be in talks with both Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac over possible platform sharing deals but the most likely carmaker to work with Alfa in the future is now shaping up to be Jaguar.

Jaguar was recently bought by India’s Tata, a company with close ties with Alfa Romeo’s parent Fiat. In 2006 Tata boss Ratan Tata joined Fiat’s board after being recommended by the Agnelli family, the owners of the controlling stake of Fiat, and Fiat and Tata are already tied up over an engine supply deal.

This collaboration will likely ensure access to Jaguar’s RWD technology is given to Alfa Romeo’s engineers. Speaking with our partners Auto Motor und Sport, Fiat development boss Harald Wester confirmed there were ongoing talks between the two carmakers over new RWD powertrains. He revealed the new rear-drive architecture could be used not only for Alfa Romeo but for Lancia and Maserati as well, although nothing is final yet.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/alfa-romeo/alfa-romeo-in-talks-with-jaguar-over-rwd-platforms/