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- North American Eagle project pumps out WiFi, takes aim at land speed records
- Galaxy Tab 7.7 disappears from IFA floor, not a trace left behind
- Fujifilm X10 hands-on (video)
- Sense 3.5 comes to the HTC Desire HD, unofficially
- S-Walker Electric Transporter hands-on (video)
- Mobile Miscellany: week of August 29, 2011
- Zotac unveils palm-sized ZBOX nano AD10, packing AMD Brazos APU
- Princeton neuroscientists map your brain, play words with subjects
- Doom now approved for sale in Germany, 17 years later
- Google Voice for Honeycomb tablets now officially available, no sideloading necessary
- DirecTV's new HD UI revealed to testers, is prettier and faster than the current one
- DirecTV adds AMC-HD next week, too bad Mad Men is still six months away
- Researchers wed quantum processor with quantum memory, quaziness ensues
- Audi announces A2 electric concept car, uses lasers to ensure safety of future humans
- Archos 80 G9 and 101 G9 hands-on (video)
- Visualized: an interactive timeline of the web
- Microsoft confirms Media Center will be in Windows 8
- PIGORASS quadruped robot baby steps past AIBO's grave (video)
- HP's 12c calculator hits middle age, copes by releasing Anniversary edition (video)
- London Philharmonic Orchestra goes cover band with tribute to video game themes
- HTC Flyer Honeycomb ROM leaks, not for the timid tableter
- Amazon tablet coming in November for $250?
- AR.Drone control finally comes to Android, lazy quadrocopter enthusiasts rejoice
- Archos A100S tablet hits the FCC, does the opposite of a full reveal
- Dish reportedly launching Blockbuster movie streaming service next month
- The Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET!
- Toshiba FlashAir WiFi SD Card will make your Eye-Fi's water
- Daimler Smart Forvision: a solar-powered roof with plastic wheels never looked so good
- Jarre AeroSystem One's music makes the audiophiles come together
- Android 2.3.6 begins rolling out to Samsung Nexus S, fixes voice search concerns
| North American Eagle project pumps out WiFi, takes aim at land speed records Posted: 03 Sep 2011 10:51 AM PDT  Most folks would be content if their jet-powered vehicle did nothing but break land speed records, but not so with the team behind the North American Eagle project. They've gone and also stuffed some WiFi equipment inside the nose of the vehicle, which they hope will be able to transmit data back to an experimental mesh WiFi network set up around the dry lake bed while the vehicle is in the process of breaking the sound barrier. That hasn't happened just yet, but the vehicle itself has already topped speeds of 400 miles per hour -- which is only half of what the team eventually hopes to reach. |
| Galaxy Tab 7.7 disappears from IFA floor, not a trace left behind Posted: 03 Sep 2011 09:43 AM PDT  |
| Posted: 03 Sep 2011 09:07 AM PDT  We really like Fujifilm's X100 -- it's a solidly-built camera, with an APS-C sensor, f/2 lens, and a rather unique hybrid optical / electronic viewfinder. But the X100 carries a $1,400 sticker price, and that 23mm lens -- as sharp as it may be -- is permanently fixed to the mount. That's why we were rather exited when Fuji announced its X10 earlier this week. Would this be a much more capable (and affordable) replacement for the X100? Turns out it's not -- well, not exactly -- though this latest model is certainly a better fit for the consumer market. We had a chance to go hands-on with an early prototype on display at the company's IFA booth, and while some features (notably the pop-up flash) weren't yet functional, we're told it's a rather accurate representation of what we'll see when the X10 hits stores in late October, priced within the €499-599 range (about $715-860). The first thing you'll notice with the X10 is that, well, there's nary a power button in sight. Instead, you'll rotate the 28-112mm f/2-2.8 manual zoom lens to fire it up. There's also no aperture ring, unlike its more powerful sibling, and manual focus is handled electronically, instead of directly on the lens. Upon closer inspection, you'll find that the X100's slick hybrid viewfinder has been replaced with a strictly electronic one. And what about image quality? We weren't able to take away any sample pics, but with a much smaller 2/3-inch sensor, we haven't a doubt that images won't look nearly as good as those shot with Fuji's better-equipped model. To compensate for that, the camera's EXR mode can bump the resolution down from 12 megapixels to six, in turn capturing higher quality images in low light. We're looking forward to checking out a production version sometime this fall, but in the meantime, thumb through the images below, or jump past the break for a video overview. |
| Sense 3.5 comes to the HTC Desire HD, unofficially Posted: 03 Sep 2011 08:08 AM PDT  |
| S-Walker Electric Transporter hands-on (video) Posted: 03 Sep 2011 07:03 AM PDT  In an IFA galaxy far far away lives the China Pavilion. And on the far side of the outer ring of the China Pavilion, buried amongst a plethora of steamers, curling irons, and television mounts, you may stumble upon the S-Walker -- though you're just as likely to miss it. And what might an S-Walker be? Well, if we're being precise, it's a "Speed-Walker, Sky-Walker, whatever," according to its German booth master. Luke would be proud. Lesser beings may recognize it as a KIRF Segway, designed in Germany and handmade in China, just a mere ten days ago. Its biggest strength lies in price -- the thing is expected to retail for €2,500 (about $3,550) sometime in the middle of next year. We suppose this yet-to-be-released electric transporter is here to serve warehouse workers, couriers, and the millions of college students who every day dream of zooming across campus atop a pair of motorized wheels, but simply couldn't justify spending an entire semester's tuition on a Segway. We spent a few minutes riding the world's first (and only) functional S-Walker around the rather deserted International Hall, and while very much still a prototype, the battery powered contraption felt peppy enough and responded accurately to commands, moving forward as we leaned to the front, and backing up as we shifted weight to the rear. You control direction using a small handlebar-mounted joystick, rather than by leaning from side-to-side as you would on a Segway. The designers capped speed at 10 kilometers per hour for the IFA demo, but production models will be boosted to 30 km/h, and it's theoretically capable of reaching 100 km/h (but that'll likely require some potentially-illegal hacking on your part). Roll on past the break to see the S-Walker in action. And may the force be with you. |
| Mobile Miscellany: week of August 29, 2011 Posted: 03 Sep 2011 06:00 AM PDT 
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| Zotac unveils palm-sized ZBOX nano AD10, packing AMD Brazos APU Posted: 03 Sep 2011 04:43 AM PDT  ZOTAC® Debuts Palm-Sized ZBOX nano AD10 Series mini-PCs ZOTAC debuts new home theatre PC friendly ZBOX nano AD10 series HONG KONG – Aug. 31, 2011 – ZOTAC® International, a leading innovator and the world's largest channel manufacturer of graphics cards, motherboards and mini-PCs, today debuts the palm-sized ZBOX nano AD10 series mini-PCs. The new ZOTAC® ZBOX nano AD10 series shrinks the standard ZBOX form factor and adds more home theatre PC friendly features for your digital media needs. Powered by the AMD "Brazos" E-350 APU Platform with Discrete-Class AMD Radeon™ HD 6310 graphics, the ZOTAC® ZBOX nano AD10 series packs plenty of performance with hardware video decode acceleration technologies for popular high-definition video formats, including Blu-ray and Adobe® Flash®, into a miniature 127mm x 127mm x 45mm form factor that fits in the palm of your hand. "The ZOTAC® ZBOX nano AD10 series is our smallest mini-PC," said Carsten Berger, marketing director, ZOTAC® International. "Despite the miniature size, the ZBOX nano AD10 series has nearly all the same features as our award-winning ZBOX and ZBOX Blu-ray series, and even introduces a couple new features." New to the ZOTAC® ZBOX nano AD10 series is an integrated infra-red receiver with bundled Windows Media Center compatible remote control – a USB IR receiver is also bundled. "There was a lot of demand for a bundled remote with our mini-PCs so we listened and engineered a solution that would work for all home theatre PC installation scenarios," Mr. Berger added. "Our dual IR receiver solution enables use of the remote control with all placements, including hidden and wall-mounted installations." Customizing the ZOTAC® ZBOX nano AD10 series remains easy with two thumb screws that unlock the internals. A DDR3 SO-DIMM slot and space for a 2.5-inch SATA 6.0 Gb/s hard drive or SSD is available in the ZOTAC® ZBOX nano AD10 while the ZBOX nano AD10 Plus ships with 2GB of memory and a 320GB hard drive preinstalled. A new VESA 75/100 mount for monitor or wall mounting installations is included with all ZOTAC® ZBOX nano AD10 series mini-Pcs and enables users to attach the mini-PC in four different orientations for improved flexibility. It's time to play with the ZOTAC® ZBOX nano AD10 series. General details ZOTAC® Debuts Palm-Sized ZBOX nano AD10 series AMD E-350 APU platform 1.6 GHz, dual-core AMD Radeon™ HD 6310 graphics processor 80 unified shaders Engine clock: 500 MHz ZBOX nano AD10 1 x DDR3-1066 SO-DIMM slot Support 1 x 2.5-inch SATA 6.0 Gb/s HDD/SSD ZBOX nano AD10 Plus 2GB DDR3 320GB 5400RPM HDD 2 x SuperSpeed USB 3.0 ports HDMI & DisplayPort outputs AMD UVD technology(hardware accelerated H.264, VC-1, decode) Dolby® TrueHD™ & DTS-HD™: Master Audio bitstream ready Gigabit Ethernet Onboard 802.11n WiFi Onboard Bluetooth 3.0 technology ZBOX Specifications: Product Name ZBOX nano AD10 ZBOX nano AD10 Plus SKU ZBOXNANO-AD10 ZBOXNANO-AD10-PLUS Memory 1 x 204-pin DDR3-1066 SODIMM slot 2GB DDR3 Hard Disk 1 x 2.5-inch 320GB 5400RPM CPU AMD E-350 APU Platform (1.6 GHz, dual-core) GPU AMD Radeon™ HD 6310 Video Memory Unified Memory Architecture Display Options HDMI (w/audio) & DisplayPort Memory Card Reader 6-in-1 (SD/SDHC/MMC/MS/MS Pro/xD) SATA eSATA (rear) Ethernet 10/100/1000Mbps WiFi Onboard 802.11n WiFi & Bluetooth 3.0 USB Ports 2 USB 2.0 (rear) 2 USB 3.0 ports (rear) Audio Onboard analog stereo high-definition audio 7.1-Channel digital audio (LPCM and Bitstream capable via HDMI) DirectX® Support DirectX® 11 with Shader Model 5 Other Features OpenCL compliant, OpenGL® 4.1 compatible, AMD UVD technology HDCP: Yes Software Features Windows® 7 Capability Windows® 7 with Aero® user interface and DirectCompute compatible About ZOTAC® International (MCO) Limited ZOTAC® International is a part of PC Partner Ltd. Group. ZOTAC® is also one of the largest NVIDIA® graphics cards and motherboard manufacturer in the world with over 10 years of quality manufacturing experience. The ZOTAC® philosophy is to deliver the latest products at competitive prices without sacrificing quality. For further information please visit www.zotac.com |
| Princeton neuroscientists map your brain, play words with subjects Posted: 03 Sep 2011 02:48 AM PDT  |
| Doom now approved for sale in Germany, 17 years later Posted: 03 Sep 2011 12:45 AM PDT  |
| Google Voice for Honeycomb tablets now officially available, no sideloading necessary Posted: 02 Sep 2011 10:42 PM PDT  [Thanks, Ryan] |
| DirecTV's new HD UI revealed to testers, is prettier and faster than the current one Posted: 02 Sep 2011 10:23 PM PDT  [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] |
| DirecTV adds AMC-HD next week, too bad Mad Men is still six months away Posted: 02 Sep 2011 08:49 PM PDT  [Thanks, Joe & Casey] |
| Researchers wed quantum processor with quantum memory, quaziness ensues Posted: 02 Sep 2011 07:57 PM PDT  Quantum computing has a long way to go before becoming truly mainstream, but that certainly hasn't stopped us from indulging in dreams of a qubit-based existence. The latest bit of fantasy fodder comes from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where researchers have become the first to combine a quantum processor with memory mechanisms on a single chip. To do this, Matteo Mariantoni and his team of scientists connected two qubits with a quantum bus and linked each of them to a memory element, capable of storing their current values in the same way that RAM stores data on conventional computers. These qubit-memory links also contained arrays of resonators -- jagged, yet easily controlled circuits that can store values for shorter periods of time. The qubits, meanwhile, were constructed using superconducting circuits, allowing the UCSB team to nestle their qubits even closer together, in accordance with the von Neumann architecture that governs most commercial computers. Once everything was in place, the researchers used their system to run complex algorithms and operations that could be eventually used to decode data encryption. The next step, of course, is to scale up the design, though Mariantoni says that shouldn't be too much of a problem, thanks to his system's resonators -- which, according to him, "represent the future of quantum computing with integrated circuits." |
| Audi announces A2 electric concept car, uses lasers to ensure safety of future humans Posted: 02 Sep 2011 07:02 PM PDT  The Audi A2 concept – premium-class space concept Plenty of room for four people within a length of just 3.80 meters Matrix beam, dynamic light and an innovative, bright interior design Powerful electric drive system for agile performance and long range With the electric-only powertrain of the A2 concept, Audi is offering another peek into the future of electric mobility at the 64th International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. The technical study features a classic, premium-standard space concept that offers plenty of room for four people. The Audi A2 concept is just 3.80 meters (12.47 ft) long, 1.69 meters (5.54 ft) wide and 1.49 meters (4.89 ft) high; even so, it makes an elegant, powerful and sporty impression on the street. Its clean appearance concentrates on the essentials; all details are subtle but shaped for visual impact. The dark glass roof of the white-painted show car switches to transparency with the push of a button. With its headlights, Audi is presenting the next phase in LED technology, known as matrix beam. A package of LEDs and microreflectors generate a high-resolution and non-glaring high-beam light. Delicate daytime running light fibers frame the highly efficient LED low-beam light module. Intelligent tail lights adapt their illumination to the visibility conditions. The rear fog light, produced by laser diodes, is seen as a beam of light in fog and projects a red triangle onto the road as a warning. The dynamic light runs below the edge of the window from the front to the rear of the A2 concept – a band of light that contains a multitude of innovative, dynamic light functions. Integrated approach sensors detect the owner and unlock the doors via gesture control. While driving, the dynamic light functions as a continuous side marker light. If the car's indicator is activated, light impulses run throughout the entire band of light. In addition, a red bar of light flows forward from the tail lights when braking and demonstrates the strength of the brakes intuitively for other road users. The dynamic light is also located in the cockpit area of the show car, structured in two separate arches. Like the entire interior, the dash panel has a light and clean look and intuitive controls. The driver manages many important features via touch-control areas on the inside of the steering wheel. Two additional control surfaces fold up at the driver's right when starting the vehicle. An open profile serves as the steering column; a seven-inch display and two secondary displays are located at its end. The Audi A2 concept has a flat interior floorboard. The center console is attached to the driver's seat; the rear console extends forward between the two rear seats. The four individual seats add lightness, and there is storage space under the fold-up seat cushions. There is room between the rear seats for a city bicycle with its front wheel removed. The load area has two levels; a frame with functional nets creates the upper level. The colors and materials in the interior support the impression of lightness and functionality. The large areas from the door top shoulders to the floor bear a new and innovative covering material made of polyurethane with a neoprene surface feel; a ribbed material made from recycled polyester covers the central floor area. The seat shells are made with a plastic blow molding technique. Aluminum elements create highlights the cockpit. |
| Archos 80 G9 and 101 G9 hands-on (video) Posted: 02 Sep 2011 06:12 PM PDT  So, so many tablets this week at IFA. Archos's pair of Honeycomb slates may not have garnered the same sort of excitement as, say yesterday's Samsung Galaxy Tab 7.7 or Toshiba AT200, but there are a lot of interesting things going on with the 80 G9 and 101 G9. From an aesthetic standpoint, these are pretty nice looking devices (the 80 and 101 look largely the same, save for the difference in footprint and screen size), though they're not quite on-par with the two aforementioned tablets, in terms of build. Among other things, they're a bit on the chunky side and have fairly considerable bezels. Like those devices, the G9 tablets run Android 3.2, though a decidedly less skinned up version than Samsung's device. And their 1.5GHz processor assures that they can handle the OS with ease. Archos's tablets also have a few tricks up their collective sleeve. Flip the devices over, and you find a kickstand on one side and a slot on the other than opens up to reveal a USB port designed for the company's proprietary 3G stick. Also pretty awesome is the ability to configure their hard drives up to 250GB -- a fairly staggering sum in the tablet world. We got to spend some hands-on time with both -- check out a video after the break. |
| Visualized: an interactive timeline of the web Posted: 02 Sep 2011 05:13 PM PDT  |
| Microsoft confirms Media Center will be in Windows 8 Posted: 02 Sep 2011 04:19 PM PDT  [Thanks, Joe] |
| PIGORASS quadruped robot baby steps past AIBO's grave (video) Posted: 02 Sep 2011 03:29 PM PDT  |
| HP's 12c calculator hits middle age, copes by releasing Anniversary edition (video) Posted: 02 Sep 2011 03:01 PM PDT  |
| London Philharmonic Orchestra goes cover band with tribute to video game themes Posted: 02 Sep 2011 02:42 PM PDT  The playlist:
[Thanks, Ewan] |
| HTC Flyer Honeycomb ROM leaks, not for the timid tableter Posted: 02 Sep 2011 02:21 PM PDT  |
| Amazon tablet coming in November for $250? Posted: 02 Sep 2011 02:04 PM PDT  Much ink has been spilled in the rumor mill about a coming Amazonian tablet, and now those rumors look to be confirmed. TechCrunch has apparently gotten some time with Amazon's forthcoming slate, and reports that it has a 7-inch, backlit color capacitive screen and is bereft of physical buttons. Word on the web is that the hardware is already good to go, and Amazon is making the last few software tweaks before it goes on sale this November. The tablet is running a heavily skinned version of Android that was developed without any help from the folks in Mountain View. It apparently has a Cover Flow-esque UI, and is deeply integrated with all of Amazon's services (Cloud Player, Instant Video Player, Appstore, and of course the Kindle app). Best of all, it will reportedly cost a scant $250 -- not quite TouchPad territory, but well underneath the iPad's $500 price. Let the next great tablet war begin. |
| AR.Drone control finally comes to Android, lazy quadrocopter enthusiasts rejoice Posted: 02 Sep 2011 01:49 PM PDT  Parrot AR.Drone: Piloting now possible on Android™ Paris, September 2nd, 2011 - Parrot, leader in wireless peripherals for mobile phones, brings the experience of piloting the AR.Drone to users of Smartphones running Android™. 'AR.FreeFlight' and SDK for Android™ The users of Android–powered smartphones and fans of the Parrot AR.Drone can now find a free version of AR.FreeFlight's piloting application developed by Parrot on Android Market™. Once the application has been downloaded and connected via Wi-Fi with the quadricopter, the device's screen turns into a true piloting station. Besides, the Software Development Kit of the Parrot AR.Drone, available free of charge on https://projects.ardrone.org, allows the developers to leave free court with their imagination and create new applications dedicated to the AR.Drone on the Android platform. Video YouTube.com/Ardrone: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8YeE9fUT7w For more information, visit www.parrot.com or contact: About PARROT Parrot, a global leader in wireless devices for mobile phones, stands on the cutting edge of innovation. The company was founded in 1994 by Henri Seydoux as part of his determination to drive the inevitable breakthrough of mobile phones into everyday life by creating high-quality, user-friendly wireless devices for easy living. Parrot has developed the most extensive range of hands-free systems on the market for cars, motorbikes and scooters, including wireless multimedia products geared towards audiovisual applications. In 2008, Parrot launched a new prestigious line of high-end products bearing the hallmark of renowned artists and in 2010, the AR.Drone, the first quadricopter piloted via wi-fi and using augmented reality. |
| Archos A100S tablet hits the FCC, does the opposite of a full reveal Posted: 02 Sep 2011 01:27 PM PDT  |
| Dish reportedly launching Blockbuster movie streaming service next month Posted: 02 Sep 2011 01:11 PM PDT  Dish Network already has its DishOnline streaming service for its own paying customers, but it looks like it's now set to take direct aim at Netflix with a standalone subscription service that will be open to everyone. According to Bloomberg, that will operate under the company's recently acquired Blockbuster brand and, in what's surely a bitter pill for Netflix to swallow, it's said to include titles from Starz (which also handles movies from Disney and Sony). As you'll recall from yesterday, it announced that it will be pulling all of its titles from Netflix in February of next year after it failed to reach an agreement with the company. Details on the service otherwise remain a bit light -- including any word of a possible subscription price -- although Bloomberg says it "may" also include on-demand Blockbuster movies that Dish customers will be able to watch on their TVs. |
| The Engadget Mobile Podcast, live at 5PM ET! Posted: 02 Sep 2011 01:00 PM PDT  We're not going to let a Burning Man get in the way of our weekly podcast, are we? That's a negatory, as the Engadget Mobile Podcast lives on in Myriam Joire's absence. Co-host Brad Molen is still behind the mic offering his soothing sounds, and in to help him hit the weekly rant quota are special guests Zachary Lutz and Dante Cesa. Join us, won't you, for another round of mobile goodness? Be here at 5PM ET (2PM PT, 9PM GMT) for Episode 102. |
| Toshiba FlashAir WiFi SD Card will make your Eye-Fi's water Posted: 02 Sep 2011 12:21 PM PDT  Eye-Fi's wireless cards push photos straight from digital cameras without cables, but what if you want to pull some pics back the other way? Toshiba's solving that problem with the two-way FlashAir, an 802.11 b/g/n enabled 8GB SD Card that can also exchange data directly with compatible devices. If pushing photos to a camera isn't your bag you can always always use FlashAir as a mountable wireless drive in your SD-enabled tablet. Sales won't begin in Japan until February 2012 and the price is rumored to be around $90 -- close to that of the equivalent Eye-Fi. |
| Daimler Smart Forvision: a solar-powered roof with plastic wheels never looked so good Posted: 02 Sep 2011 12:21 PM PDT  No, it's not a Micro Machine -- it's the Daimler Smart Forvision. Daimler paired up with chemicals giant BASF to improve Smart's flagship EV after being soundly trounced by the Nissan Leaf's longer range. With an emphasis on efficiency, the Forvision goes up to 20 percent further than the standard Fortwo. It has a transparent solar-panel roof which generates power to keep the cooling fans running even when stationary, see-through dashboard and clear OLEDs for internal lighting at night. BASF's wizardry helped in the development of all-plastic wheels, a super-thin heat shield and aluminum fiber paints that insulate the car but allow for GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth signals to pass through unimpeded. The concept will be unveiled properly at the Frankfurt Motor Show but check out the preview gallery and press release to learn more. A holistic approach to electric mobility. smart forvision: A look at the future of electric mobility Stuttgart Sep 01, 2011 smart has always been a pioneer in matters of urban mobility and with the smart fortwo electric drive the company is showing the direction of development in cities around the world. Together with BASF, the largest automotive supplier in the chemical industry, smart is demonstrating its leading role in the use of forward-looking technologies above and beyond the drive system. The joint concept vehicle smart forvision presented at the 2011 International Motor Show in Frankfurt combines a futuristic design with technologies relating to energy efficiency, lightweight design and temperature management. "With the forvision smart is doing justice to its role as Daimler's think tank for urban mobility. We are presenting numerous world premieres that make uncompromising electric mobility possible. With the clear objective of greatly increasing the zero-emission range we concerned ourselves with all factors that influence this on the vehicle. This resulted in completely new concepts and materials in the areas of insulation, reflection, lightweight design and energy management. In addition to transparent organic solar cells, transparent and energy-saving light-emitting diodes and infrared-reflective films and coatings, high-performance foams are used for insulation against cold and heat. smart is also setting new standards of lightweight design with the use of the first all-plastic wheels", says Dr. Annette Winkler, Head of smart. "In conjunction with smart's revolutionary DNA, we have designed a vehicle that is so unique that we can't wait to take it out of the research laboratory and onto the roads!" "Cars of the future need materials and technologies which reduce energy consumption whilst also increasing the range and level of comfort. Our innovations make a decisive contribution to this", says Dr. Christian Fischer, Head of BASF Polymer Research. "We are proud to have developed a holistic concept for sustainable urban mobility in cooperation with smart. Together we are presenting a pioneering vehicle which is without parallel. Thanks to the combination of smart's automotive expertise and BASF's material and system competence a vehicle has been created which showcases technologies for sustainable and holistic electric mobility of the future. The researchers and designers intentionally realised a mixture of visionary materials and technologies in the concept vehicle - some of these are still at a laboratory stage, while others have a realistic chance of entering series production. Energy efficiency: light and energy from above The hexagonal transparent areas on the roof of the smart forvision are an eye-catching feature – as the first light-transmitting roof that also generates energy. Transparent solar cells covering the entire roof surface are the technology used here. They are based on organic dyes embedded in a sandwich roof. The transparent dyes of the solar cells are light-activated. Even in diffused light and poor light conditions they generate enough energy to power the multimedia components and the three fans that assist with climate management in the vehicle interior. If the vehicle is standing in the sun the ventilation is permanently operated with the help of these solar cells, keeping the car cool. This new photovoltaic technology opens up further efficiency potential and the energy generated can be used for further applications in the car. There is an additional new feature under the solar cells: transparent OLEDs (organic light-emitting diodes) illuminate the vehicle interior when the door is opened or a button pressed. When switched off they allow for a clear view outside. This results in a glass roof effect during the daytime, whilst the areas are pleasantly illuminated without any dazzle at night. Thanks to a free choice of colours the new OLEDs do not only offer more design freedom, they also consume less than half as much energy as conventional energy-saving lamps. Lightweight design: different, better, stylish In the smart forvision a world first leads to a considerable weight reduction and a unique design: the first all-plastic wheel suitable for high-volume production. In its current development status, the wheel developed by BASF from a new high-performance material results in a considerable weight saving of three kilograms per wheel. Unlike conventional polyamide composite materials this new plastic has long reinforcing fibres which improve its mechanical properties. The result: excellent thermal and chemical stability, dynamic strength, toughness and good continuous operating characteristics. First intensive product tests at smart show the performance capability of the all-plastic wheel and confirm the potential for possible use in production vehicles. In addition to the tridion passenger cell, further components such as the doors are made of carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy resin – a high-performance composite material. The use of such materials enables a weight saving of more than 50 percent to be achieved compared with steel, or 30 percent compared with aluminium. Thanks to short hardening times the resin systems from BASF are also suitable for producing larger volumes. Heating: close to the body and efficient The multifunctional, comfortable and lightweight seats in the smart forvision offer a unique combination of efficient temperature management and an energy-saving lightweight design. Here, several innovative products are combined with one another for the first time. A new, lightweight, self-supporting plastic seat shell forms the basis. Numerous studies have shown that the body only absorbs heat efficiently through certain contact points. This is why "e-textiles" – thin fabrics with custom-tailored conductive coatings – replace conventional seat heating in the smart forvision. With direct heating close to the body in the middle and lower back area of the seats they provide for a pleasant feeling of warmth. The energy, space and weight-saving e-textile technology is also found in the armrests of the doors and ensures that body contact points sensitive to the cold are also warmed in this area. The innovations continue with the seat foam, which provides for both comfort and weight savings. The material from BASF is around 10 to 20 percent lighter than other materials and enables different degrees of hardness to be realised in different areas of the upholstery in a single work operation – resulting in clear ergonomic advantages. Superabsorbent containing fleece fabric integrated in the seat greatly enhances seating comfort through its passive climate control. Compared with conventional climate-controlled seats the lightweight seat in the smart forvision does not have the complexity and energy requirement of mechanical ventilation. Temperature management: heat stays outside As a large amount of energy is needed to air condition and heat a vehicle, temperature management was a key focus area for the smart and BASF researchers. A whole package of measures has been implemented in the smart forvision to ensure more efficient air conditioning of the vehicle. At the same time they make energy-intensive heating of the whole interior superfluous. A heat shield that has not been previously used for automotive applications consists of a new kind of infrared-reflective film from BASF applied in the windscreen and side windows, protecting the car interior from heating up. Integrated between the panes of the safety glass the metal-free film ensures that the infrared rays are effectively reflected. Thanks to its high transparency in the visible range it can also be applied to tinted windows and guarantees an unprecedented level of reflection of sunlight and heat. Unlike metallized films, which are already used in some vehicles, the new film reflects only the infrared rays of the sun. Radio waves needed to use GPS, Bluetooth, mobile phones or for toll collection pass through the glass unhindered. The high-performance foams from BASF fitted in the bodypanels also provide for a pleasant climate inside the car. They keep the vehicle pleasantly cool in summer and also insulate it against the cold in winter. Thanks to their high efficiency even in a small width, they can be fitted everywhere in the vehicle. With this innovative insulation system in the smart forvision, the two companies are breaking new ground in the automotive sector. Cool coatings – cool interior The infrared-reflective and extremely scratch-resistant coating system covers two important aspects at once. Firstly, it supports the extensive temperature management system and, secondly, the brilliant and high-quality look of the coating underlines the unique design of the smart forvision. The concept vehicle features a white special-effect coating with glass flakes that create a gleaming metallic look. An important side effect: the colour white reflects heat rays from sun and light particularly well. But even surfaces coated with dark colours stay much cooler thanks to special colour pigments from BASF. They ensure that heat radiation is reflected rather than absorbed. This leads to a temperature reduction of up to 20 degrees Celsius on the paint surface and of up to approximately four degrees in the vehicle interior. Futuristic design trendsetter Painted in pearl white and accentuated by the tridion safety cell coated with a copper-coloured liquid metal paint, there is a deliberate connection between the basic structure of the smart forvision and the design of the smart fortwo. Trendy yet high quality – the aluminium flakes in the liquid metal paintwork create a reflecting surface on the safety cell, changing between light and dark depending on the viewer's perspective. Both the panels and the cell of the smart forvision are additionally painted with an extremely scratch-resistant clear coat. The faceted side doors with integrated door openers are a real eye-catcher. Here, plastic is presented in a new, expressive and three-dimensional form; a reinterpretation that is only possible at smart thanks to the consistent use of plastic. The precise facets give the area stability and enable a smaller material thickness to be used. Optimal use is made of the possibilities offered by plastic as a material. In contrast, the front and rear have a softer design with smooth transitions from the doors. Just as the integrated door handle does not need an additional component, the familiar smart air inlet is represented by small hexagons located right on the outer skin. The jet-like rear lights are reminiscent of small aircraft turbines and give the rear a futuristic and sporty look. Inside the lights, small propellers convey the air from the inside to the outside. In addition to all the light functions needed, transparent stacks in the form of rings around the lights also show the charge status of the battery during charging. The headlamps are emphasised by a ring comprising the daytime driving lights and indicator functions. The lights add to the likeable expression of the smart forvision. Doors open to the future With a mix of polygonal surfaces and organic shapes the interior of the smart forvision builds a bridge to the architectural design handwriting of the exterior. This also applies to the colour concept: a cool white dominates in the interior as well, accentuated by the inner part of the instrument panel in liquid copper. Hexagons in the form of white rubber nubs on a white floor are a reference to the design idiom of the overall vehicle, as is the tone-in-tone design of the seat upholstery. The faceted surface of the side doors is also found on their inside. The polygonal surfaces with integrated armrests and stowage compartments curve into the interior. They are painted in the body colour and feature coloured LEDs. These guide the driver with a light animation running from the outside to the inside when the door is opened and closed. After closing the door the animation changes to unobtrusive ambient lighting. The elliptical user interface with a copper coloured frame – matching the lightweight tridion – is semi-transparent when switched off. When the vehicle is switched on all cockpit information is then projected onto the transparent surface. The driver uses a touchscreen to switch between operating menus. The white steering wheel that is reminiscent of an aircraft yoke additionally gives the cockpit a futuristic look. As well as function buttons the LED display for the battery charge status is found here. Forward-looking technologies The smart forvision not only shows that electric mobility can make emission-free driving possible. At the same time, it paves the way for new technologies in the automotive sector. Many of these innovations are based on nano technology, the key to the development of sustainable solutions. Nano materials serve as drivers of innovation in the automotive industry, as they do in the fields of construction, energy, healthcare and electronics. The total of all technologies integrated in the concept vehicle make a perceptible contribution to increasing the range. This is always at the centre of discussions relating to battery-electric driven vehicles. With maximum energy efficiency, intelligent temperature management and consistent lightweight construction it is possible to increase the range by up to 20 percent. An additional bonus for electric mobility of the future. |
| Jarre AeroSystem One's music makes the audiophiles come together Posted: 02 Sep 2011 12:02 PM PDT  [Thanks, Nick] |
| Android 2.3.6 begins rolling out to Samsung Nexus S, fixes voice search concerns Posted: 02 Sep 2011 11:43 AM PDT  If you've been one of the unlucky folks who've been experiencing issues with the voice search on your Samsung Nexus S, fortune may be coming your way this weekend in the form of an OTA update. Android 2.3.6, which aims to fix the voice search bug (other improvements haven't been detailed yet, aside from "security patches"), has officially begun rolling out to the device. The new firmware hasn't been pushed to our devices yet -- attempting a manual check yielded no results either -- but Google is stating that the refresh will likely take a few days to make the rounds. So unless you've been hit hard by the bugs, we doubt you should panic if it takes extra time to reach your phone. [Thanks, Neil] |
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