The world's most expensive iPhone

Austrian luxury designer and jeweler Peter Aloisson has something more to add to his kitty – ladies and gentlemen, presenting to you the Aloisson designed iPhone – the world’s most expensive iPhone. While diamond studded phones are nothing new, the only thing the iPhone Princess Plus has to its credit is being the most expensive iPhone. The phone derives its name from the Princess cut used on 138 of the 318 diamonds on its surface. The rest of the 180 diamonds on the phone are brilliant cut and it has 17.75 carats of diamonds set in 18k white gold around its rim. All diamonds used are of the best quality.

This iPhone Princess Plus has a price tag of €120,000 ($176,400 USD) its first customer is a Russian businessman who had pre-ordered it way back in October 2007 for January 2008 delivery. And if you can’t afford this, the poorer lot can buy the iPhone set only with brilliant-cut diamonds. This can be purchased for the more “modest sum” of €45,000 ($66,150 USD).

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

Adobe says Flash is coming to the iPhone

he word is out, kids. Adobe has apparently gone against old Jobsy's wishes, and it's planning a Flash player made all special for the iPhone (ala Windows Mobile) despite Apple's concerns that the technology -- in its current incarnation, anyway -- isn't cut out for mobile duty. During a conference call today, Chief Executive Shantanu Narayen said, "We believe Flash is synonymous with the Internet experience, and we are committed to bringing Flash to the iPhone," adding, "We have evaluated (the software developer tools) and we think we can develop an iPhone Flash player ourselves." We wouldn't be surprised if Adobe were to be given a pass on all those pesky SDK rules that would likely prevent a proper browser-based Flash component to be coded for the device, though those Apple dudes can be real sticklers for rules.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/19/adobe-says-flash-is-coming-to-the-iphone/

Sanyo introduces Xacti DMX-CG9 handheld camcorder

Though not quite as posh as the Xacti HD2, Sanyo's DMX-CG9 is still apt to satisfy those in no hurry to make the leap to high-def. The handheld camcorder arrives in white, black, silver and pink motifs and features a 2.5-inch flip-out LCD, 5x optical zoom lens and a 9.1-megapixel CMOS sensor that captures stills when not logging clips (640 x 480 at 60fps maximum) of everyday life in MPEG-4 AVC / H.264. You'll also find a digital image stabilizer, wind noise reduction and PictBridge compatibility, and you can load in any spare SD / SDHC card in order to stockpile footage. No word on a price just yet for this entry-level unit, but those shacked up in Japan can look for it to land in late April.



Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/19/sanyo-introduces-xacti-dmx-cg9-handheld-camcorder/

Panasonic's DMC-TZ50: a TZ5 with WiFi and Picasa photo sharing, maybe

Take Panasonic's 9.1 megapixel TZ5 with 10x optical zoom and 3-inch LCD, slap in some 802.11b/g WiFi and what do you get? This, the Lumix DMC-TZ50. As with most WiFi cameras, the TZ50 can upload your pictures from any WiFi hotspot but is then locked into specific image sharing sites; in this case, Panny's own Lumix Club. There is hope for a more open model, however, when the TZ50 goes global. After all, the Panasonic / T-Mobile WiFi demo we saw at CES tied images to Google's Picasa. Ok, it's not Flickr but it's a start. Available May 16th in Japan for ¥49,800 or about $500.

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/19/panasonics-dmc-tz50-a-tz5-with-wifi-and-picasa-photo-sharing/

Sharp knocks out cheap new high-def TVs

Sharp has announced that it's launching a new range of budget HDTVs. The new Aquos D44E LCD TVs come in a range of sizes starting at 26 inches, at a price point of £499.

The models in the new AQUOS D44E series - LC-26D44E, LC-32D44E and LC-37D44E - have a resolution of 1,366 x 768 pixels and a supposed contrast ratio of 10,000:1. They're not full-HD 1080p screens then, but that's a minor consideration considering the quality of the panels in comparison to the fairly modest price.

HD-for-all

The 26-inch and 32-inch models (LC-26D44 EBK, LC-32D44) are available in the UK from late March 2008 with RRPs of £499 and £599 respectively. The 37-inch version (LC-37D44 EBK) will be on sale in the UK from July 2008. Pricing is not yet confirmed for this model, but you can bet that all of them will be available for less than their initial recommended prices.

Features of the range include:

• 176 degree viewing angle
• 6 m/s response time
• Enhanced programme overview with image-split and image-in-text functions
• Freeze-frame function to keep a favourite scene on screen
• Built-in DVB-T and analogue tuner for all-round TV reception
• 2 Scart sockets and the HDMI inputs with HDCP support
• YUV, AV/S Video IN, VGA IN and Audio OUT sockets

Source: http://www.tech.co.uk/home-entertainment/tv/tvs-displays/news/sharp-knocks-out-cheap-new-high-def-tvs?articleid=1521867470

Bakker Grizzly All-Round puts big Gixxer power in an adventure package

It might look something like a Beemer R1200GS Adventure - but it’s much nastier. Flying Dutchman Nico Bakker saw a gap in the market at the top end of the adventure tourer segment - BMW’s massive Adventure is absolutely decked-out for touring, but probably sees far more road use than off-road in the hands of most owners. So why limit that bike to 100 horsepower?

The Bakker Grizzly All-Round matches the BMW’s adventure credentials, with a comfy all-day riding position, sturdy braced frame, bash plates and massive armoured luggage - but it’s built around a GSX-R1000 engine that’s around 80 horsepower up on the Beemer’s.

Built in Holland and to the buyer’s specifications, the Grizzly can be ordered with your choice of most modern 4-cylinder superbike engines, although it’s been developed around the GSX-R. The frame, single-sided swinger, tank and fairing are custom built by Bakker, and other parts are brought in from Ducati, Marzocchi, BMW, HK and Akraprovic, among others.

It’s only geared for 260km/h, which is about as fast as you’d want to be going on an unfaired bike anyway - but this drastically lowered gearing should make the All-Round an absolute monster in the lower gears. At 190kg including the hard luggage, it’s certainly not a heavy bike, so if you can keep the front down and the rear from lighting up, there’s a good chance one of these would even beat a superbike at the lights. Bakker calls it a “wolf in disguise” and looking at those numbers, it’s very hard to argue. Bravo!

Check out the Bakker website to see more of Nico’s work, including the very smooth Bakker Grizzly streetfighter this bike has been developed from.

Source: http://www.thebikergene.com/custom-bikes/bakker-grizzly-all-round-puts-big-gixxer-power-in-an-adventure-package/

Next-gen Acura RL to get V8 power

Apart from Lexus, Japanese luxury brands still pale in comparison to their German rivals in terms of the number of models they produce and the prices they can command. Acura has made it clear it wants to be a top tier luxury brand but to do this it will need to change its lineup to suit the tastes of wealthy buyers, who more often than not demand RWD cars with powerful V8 engines.

That’s why for its next-generation RL sedan due in 2010 Acura will make the car RWD and add a new V8 option. The information comes from an inside source who told Edmunds the new engine will displace 4.8L and output close to 420hp. It will also benefit from cylinder deactivation technology to help improve fuel consumption.

The new RL was originally meant to be based on the Acura Advanced Sedan Concept (pictured) from the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, but it has since been completely restyled after scathing criticism of the original design. Expect to see more of an evolution of the design of the facelifted RL (pictured below), which was launched at last month’s Chicago Show.

With its new styling, powerful V8 and RWD platform, it looks as though Acura is finally capable of achieving the same success as Toyota’s Lexus - and it will likely get a price tag to match. Expect to pay over $70,000 for the new RL when it debuts in 2010.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/news/sedans/next-gen-acura-rl-to-get-v8-power/

Mercedes testing fuel-cell vehicles ahead of 2010 launch

Carmakers are faced with a number of options for alternative fuel motoring but at this stage it’s still anyone’s guess as to what will be the dominant fuel source of the future. That’s why most of the major carmakers are hedging their bets, developing a number of different technologies in the hope that one of them will be the right one.

The most popular alternatives to current fossil-based fuels include bioethanol, electricity and hydrogen. Mercedes-Benz is banking on both electric and hydrogen power as the most likely fuel sources of the future and is currently prepping a new fuel-cell model to be released in 2010. The new car, seen here undergoing cold weather testing, will be based on Mercedes’ next-generation fuel-cell technology, which is claimed to be 40% more compact than current designs while at the same time offering 30% greater performance.

The fuel-cell in this B-Class prototype develops around 136hp and 320Nm of torque. The fuel cell uses the equivalent of about 3L of fuel per 100km, all with zero emissions. Testing of the car found that it had no problems with cold starts. However roadholding tests revealed that current ESP systems need to be recalibrated for the fuel-cell vehicle, due to the different power delivery style of electric engines compared to traditional combustion engines.

Honda, meanwhile, has beaten its rivals in the fuel-cell race with the unveiling last year of the FCX Clarity, which officially goes on sale in the middle of the year.

Source: http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/mercedes-benz/mercedes-testing-fuel-cell-vehicles-ahead-of-2010-launch/

Samsung 8MP Cellphone Module is World's Slimmest

Good news for those who rely on their cellphones for their photo taking needs; Samsung has just unveiled the world's slimmest 8MP CMOS, which measures a diminutive, 28mm × 15.3mm × 8.5mm. The semiconductor was designed specifically for cellphones, and it will push handsets beyond their current 5MP restraints. However, that's not the only good news. The new module, which is 10% more compact than current solutions, will have an ISO 1600 sensitivity, anti-shake capability, face detection technology, 1-cm macro and an automated shoot mode that is activated by silly, smiling faces. We're guessing the technology for the smile shutter is what we have seen previously in some of the Cybershot range. All in all, it's great news for high end photography on your cellphone and as the advanced CMOS sensors will go into mass production in Q3/4 this year, we won't have to wait too long either.

Source: http://gizmodo.com/369036/samsung-8mp-cellphone-module-is-worlds-slimmest

Intel's 6-core Dunnington CPU coming this year, Nehalem gets official

Quad-core shmod-core Intel, we need 6 cores or more to keep our uh, web browsers snappy. While you're at it, how about tossing in some Simultaneous Multithreading (SMT) so that each core can process two threads at a time -- 16 simultaneous threads per 8-core processor or 32 for dual-processor, 8-core rigs. If that sounds good then you're in luck; Intel just went official with its near-term architecture plans which include the 2008 launch of a 6-core Dunnington-class server CPU platform based on Intel's 45-nm Penryn "tick" architecture. On deck is Intel's second generation Nehalem "tock" architecture with SMT and scalable from 2- to 8-cores. We're talking "dramatic" performance and energy improvements, according to Intel, from a microarchitecture bent on delivering an 8 MB level-3 cache, DDR3-800 memory support, 25.6GB per second Quickpath interconnects (so long Front Side Bus!), an integrated memory controller and optional integrated graphics to high-end servers and eventually laptops. Hear that AMD? Tick, tock goes the clock.


Source: http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/18/intels-6-core-dunnington-coming-in-2008-nehalem-official/