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Friday, July 13, 2012

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With WattStation Connect, GE using PayPal for electric vehicle fill-ups

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 03:09 PM PDT

With WattStation Connect, GE using PayPal for electric vehicle fill-ups


With WattStation Connect, GE using PayPal for electric vehicle fill-ups
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in It's not too difficult to make the case that PayPal has already played a large role in the modern resurgence of electric vehicles. After all, Elon Musk - now the CEO of Tesla Motors - made a nice chunk of coin selling the online payment service to eBay before coming to the EV company. Turns out, the circle is coming 'round again with General Electric's announcement that its EV chargers will soon accept PayPal. The deal means drivers will be able to use GE's WattStation Connect mobile app (get it for iPhone here; no word on an Android version) to connect to PayPal when charging thanks to this mouthful of a product: the "ecomagination[TM]-approved WattStation[TM] and WattStation[TM] Connect, a complete electric vehicle (EV) charging platform solution." The short version is that GE's free app will show nearby WattStations, their statuses and prices as well as allow you to pay for the charge from your PayPal account. The app identifies which charger you're at using a QR code you point your iPhone's camera at. Some of this functionality is also available at the new WattStation website. Scott Dunlap, vice president of emerging opportunities at PayPal (yes, "emerging opportunities" needs a VP), said in a statement that making EV charging easy is important. "Simplicity and convenience are key to mass adoption of any new technology, something we know well at PayPal," he said. For now, PayPal the only method of payment available through the WattStation. Ashley Kusowski, communications leader for GE Energy Industrial Solutions, told AutoblogGreen that: We are also working on RFID payment cards which will be out shortly. Users also have the option to speak to an operator over the phone to take regular credit card payment. Based on research GE has conducted, the target market for EVs is very tech savvy and often uses mobile apps. GE has created an end-to-end solution that provides an easy and convenient payment option using the mobile app and PayPal. While you're out and about paying with what can feel like virtual money, GE is also in favor of you earning money from your EV infrastructure at home. By opening up your charger to the masses - again, through WattStation Connect - you can have strangers fill up their batteries from your outlet. Payments, naturally, are delivered via PayPal. What, no Bitcoin?Continue reading With WattStation Connect, GE using PayPal for electric vehicle fill-upsWith WattStation Connect, GE using PayPal for electric vehicle fill-ups originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Simmtronics' $81 XPad debuts, winning the race to the bottom

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 03:08 PM PDT

Simmtronics' $81 XPad debuts, winning the race to the bottom


Simmtronics' $81 XPad debuts, winning the race to the bottom
The marketplace is flooded with cheap tablets at this point. Some of them quite impressive, others are likely to make your tear your hair out. We think its safe to say that Simmtronics XPad will fall firmly in the latter category but, being a high-end pixel-pushing machine isn't the point. The XPad is a highly customizable Android slate designed to be as affordable as possible. The Indian company took the wraps off the product line in Dubai this week, revealing a 7-inch A8-powered machine that puts Ice Cream Sandwich in the palm of your hand for only AED299, or about $81. The company even claimed it could push prices down to about $40, which would make it even more affordable than the elusive Aakash. The race to the bottom isn't over just yet, but it seems like Simmtronics is now the company to beat.Filed under: Tablet PCsSimmtronics' $81 XPad debuts, winning the race to the bottom originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 17:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Fast Company | ITP | Email this | Comments

EcoMotors gets $32.5 million in new funding round, including money from Bill Gates

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 02:35 PM PDT

EcoMotors gets $32.5 million in new funding round, including money from Bill Gates


EcoMotors gets $32.5 million in new funding round, including money from Bill Gates
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, MPG When your company has received two rounds of funding that involved money from Bill Gates, there's a good chance that your technology is pretty good. EcoMotors International is in that category now that its most-recent financing round included a second investment from the Microsoft Founder. EcoMotors, which makes especially efficient internal combustion engines and has more recently started making diesel motors, just announced a $32.5-million Series C financing round, which also includes repeat funding partners Khosla Ventures and new investor Braemar Energy Ventures. So far, the company, which counts Navistar and Zhongding Holding Group as its customers, has raised $66 million in equity. Gates and Silicon Valley-based Khosla Ventures were part of a July 2010 funding round that totaled $23.5 million. EcoMotors' engines use what it calls an Opposed-Piston-Opposed-Cylinder (OPOC) layout, which the company says uses just 40 percent of the components of a traditional engine and cut fuel use in half. The OPOC layout was developed by Peter Hofbauer, who'd previously been a key player in developing Volkswagen's clean-diesel engines.Continue reading EcoMotors gets $32.5 million in new funding round, including money from Bill GatesEcoMotors gets $32.5 million in new funding round, including money from Bill Gates originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

'Extreme' class solar flare heading toward Earth, hopefully bringing nothing but...

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 02:35 PM PDT

'Extreme' class solar flare heading toward Earth, hopefully bringing nothing but auroras


'Extreme' class solar flare heading toward Earth, hopefully bringing nothing but auroras
Yesterday, a solar flare set off from the sun, launching a coronal mass ejection (CME) heading toward Earth, and it's set to make an appearance in our fair skies this Saturday. While the wave of charged particles headed our way is much weaker than the most powerful solar flares (like the X28+ gust from 2003), it ranks in the extreme (X) class, and it's already caused a wave of UV radiation that interfered with radio signals, not to mention an uptake in solar protons swarming around Earth. According to SpaceWeather.com, the flare could cause some geomagnetic storms, which could endanger satellites and astronauts in space in addition to possibly interfering with communication signals. That (relatively minor) risk aside, those of you living up north could be in for a pretty sweet light show, so check the skies for the aurora borealis.Filed under: Science'Extreme' class solar flare heading toward Earth, hopefully bringing nothing but auroras originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Register | SpaceWeather.com | Email this | Comments

Office Next blog is here to answer all your burning questions about the future o...

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 02:35 PM PDT

Office Next blog is here to answer all your burning questions about the future of spreadsheets


Office Next blog is here to answer all your burning questions about the future of spreadsheets
Microsoft has this really great habit of publicly tracking the development of all its products. Windows 8 has been thoroughly documented over at the Building Windows 8 blog, and now Office will have its time to shine over at Office Next. The site will give the engineers and developers toiling away in Redmond an outlet to provide updates, discuss design decisions and offer peeks at the new features being baked in. It won't be just a place full of bullet lists either, PJ Hough, the VP of program management for the Office Division, promised in his inaugural post that the data and feedback that informs their choices will also be shared -- telling you not just what, but why. Is there anything new to share right now? Sadly no, but it probably won't be long before the pages of Engadget are filled with the minutia of Office 15's development.Filed under: SoftwareOffice Next blog is here to answer all your burning questions about the future of spreadsheets originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | Office Next | Email this | Comments

HP Envy Sleekbook 6z review: an inexpensive thin-and-light with AMD innards

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 02:35 PM PDT

HP Envy Sleekbook 6z review: an inexpensive thin-and-light with AMD innards


HP Envy Sleekbook 6z review: an inexpensive thin-and-light with AMD innards
More Info HP unveils Envy Spectre XT Ultrabook, other thin-and-lights in various sizes HP takes EliteBook W-series on a trip to Ivy Bridge, throws in Z220 Xeon for good measure HP refreshes EliteBook line with five new models, Ivy Bridge and optional LTE HP has been fleshing out its Ultrabook lineup as of late, most recently adding the metal-clad Envy Spectre XT to the mix, but the company is also addressing the lower end of the market with its Sleekbook line, announced back in May. Confusingly, these thin-and-light systems look exactly the same as the new Envy-branded Ultrabooks, except that the Sleekbooks are less expensive -- namely because for one reason or another they don't meet Intel's Ultrabook guidelines. One such notebook, the Envy Sleekbook 6z, stands apart from the Ultrabook fold with an AMD Trinity APU -- a spec that helps keep the starting price nice and low at $600. That's not to say that all of HP's Sleekbooks ditch Intel processors, but given the choice between and AMD- and Intel-based model we quickly chose the former. After all, the 6z is the first Trinity-powered system we've had the chance to test, so we were naturally curious to see how it stacks up against recent Ivy Bridge machines -- and we imagine you are, too. So without any further ado, let's get to it. Gallery: HP Envy Sleekbook 6z reviewContinue reading HP Envy Sleekbook 6z review: an inexpensive thin-and-light with AMD innardsHP Envy Sleekbook 6z review: an inexpensive thin-and-light with AMD innards originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

HP Envy Sleekbook 6z review: an inexpensive thin-and-light with AMD innards

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 01:27 PM PDT

HP Envy Sleekbook 6z review: an inexpensive thin-and-light with AMD innards


HP Envy Sleekbook 6z review: an inexpensive thin-and-light with AMD innards
More Info HP unveils Envy Spectre XT Ultrabook, other thin-and-lights in various sizes HP takes EliteBook W-series on a trip to Ivy Bridge, throws in Z220 Xeon for good measure HP refreshes EliteBook line with five new models, Ivy Bridge and optional LTE HP has been fleshing out its Ultrabook lineup as of late, most recently adding the metal-clad Envy Spectre XT to the mix, but the company is also addressing the lower end of the market with its Sleekbook line, announced back in May. Confusingly, these thin-and-light systems look exactly the same as the new Envy-branded Ultrabooks, except that the Sleekbooks are less expensive -- namely because for one reason or another they don't meet Intel's Ultrabook guidelines. One such notebook, the Envy Sleekbook 6z, stands apart from the Ultrabook fold with an AMD Trinity APU -- a spec that helps keep the starting price nice and low at $600. That's not to say that all of HP's Sleekbooks ditch Intel processors, but given the choice between and AMD- and Intel-based model we quickly chose the former. After all, the 6z is the first Trinity-powered system we've had the chance to test, so we were naturally curious to see how it stacks up against recent Ivy Bridge machines -- and we imagine you are, too. So without any further ado, let's get to it. Gallery: HP Envy Sleekbook 6z reviewContinue reading HP Envy Sleekbook 6z review: an inexpensive thin-and-light with AMD innardsHP Envy Sleekbook 6z review: an inexpensive thin-and-light with AMD innards originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 16:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Merriam-Webster announces Dictionary API for developers, coming to a word game n...

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 12:53 PM PDT

Merriam-Webster announces Dictionary API for developers, coming to a word game near you


Merriam-Webster announces Dictionary API for developers, coming to a word game near you
Merriam-Webster just announced its new Dictionary API, which gives developers access to the full dictionary and thesaurus, along with more specialized content like medical, Spanish, ESL and student-targeted vocabulary lists. The API will let app makers integrate word definitions, etymologies, audio pronunciations and more. While this content will no doubt make it into a slew of educational apps, Merriam-Webster says it will also enhance word games, so maybe Scramble and Words with Friends will finally start accepting those obscure three-letter words you have up your sleeve.Continue reading Merriam-Webster announces Dictionary API for developers, coming to a word game near youFiled under: SoftwareMerriam-Webster announces Dictionary API for developers, coming to a word game near you originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Dictionary API | Email this | Comments

NHTSA Urged to Review Accelerator Issue

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 12:53 PM PDT

NHTSA Urged to Review Accelerator Issue


NHTSA Urged to Review Accelerator Issue
US Sen. Chuck Grassley presses agency to adress newest concerns.

First solar-geo plant blooms in Nevada's high desert

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 12:18 PM PDT

First solar-geo plant blooms in Nevada's high desert


First solar-geo plant blooms in Nevada's high desert
Drive west on US Route 50 through a stretch of Nevada highway known as "The Loneliest Road in America" and you'll eventually find yourself in the rural county of Churchill. Once a solitary leg in the Pony Express route, irrigation transformed swaths of Churchill's high desert areas into thriving agricultural communities more than a century ago. Fast forward to today and Churchill finds itself playing host to yet another interesting dichotomy -- a first-of-its-kind power plant that generates electricity by harvesting renewable resources from both earth and sky. Gallery: First solar-geo plant blooms in Nevada's high desertContinue reading First solar-geo plant blooms in Nevada's high desertFiled under: Misc. GadgetsFirst solar-geo plant blooms in Nevada's high desert originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Engadget Distro | Email this | Comments

Brewster’s Address Book App Briefly Exposes Ashton Kutcher’s & Others’ Private D...

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 12:18 PM PDT

Brewster's Address Book App Briefly Exposes Ashton Kutcher's & Others' Private Data; Company Says It's Fixed


Brewster's Address Book App Briefly Exposes Ashton Kutcher's & Others' Private Data; Company Says It's Fixed
Brewster, the hot, new personalized address book app for iPhone, launched to much fanfare this week. But it also launched with a concerning bug. Some users reported they had the ability to see the personal contact information for people they shouldn't have had access to, including the likes of one Mr. Ashton Kutcher, for example. His wasn't the only private contact information exposed, from what we've seen. Other high-profile people whose personal information was available included TechCrunch contributor MG Siegler, Path co-founder Dave Morin, Foursquare's former Director of Business Development Tristan Walker, Foursquare co-founder Naveen Selvadurai, and more.

Roku 2, LT and new HD boxes upgraded for more languages, future remote apps

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 12:18 PM PDT

Roku 2, LT and new HD boxes upgraded for more languages, future remote apps


Roku 2, LT and new HD boxes upgraded for more languages, future remote apps
Over on the Roku blog the company just announced it's delivering a software 4.8 upgrade starting today. First up there's a few new features included right away like support for Spanish and German in the UI, performance optimizations and playback improvement for channels like MLB.tv and GBTV. More interesting however is the prospect of what's to come, as it also note "under the hood" preparations for new channels and features, promising upgrades for the iOS and Android remote apps soon. Like the last upgrade, the new version is getting pushed to Roku 2 and LT boxes now, while new HD boxes should see it next week.Filed under: Home EntertainmentRoku 2, LT and new HD boxes upgraded for more languages, future remote apps originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Roku blog | Email this | Comments

Google starts shipping Nexus 7 pre-orders, writes a rhyme to celebrate

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 11:46 AM PDT

Google starts shipping Nexus 7 pre-orders, writes a rhyme to celebrate


Google starts shipping Nexus 7 pre-orders, writes a rhyme to celebrate
Dr. Suess it's not, but Google just had to make a bit of hullabaloo about the launch of its first branded tablet, the Nexus 7. The search giant took the wraps off it a few weeks back, but now pre-orders have finally started shipping to those who plunked down the $199 (or $249) for the Jelly Bean-packing slate. A few of you tipped us that the charge had finally hit your credit card, and now the official Google Nexus Twitter account has confirmed the devices have been packed on to trucks. So, celebrate, unless you're one of the hesitant ones that didn't place your order early in the Google Play store. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Filed under: Tablet PCsGoogle starts shipping Nexus 7 pre-orders, writes a rhyme to celebrate originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Google Nexus (Twitter) | Email this | Comments

GM's Holden, Better Place reach charging-station agreement for Australia

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 11:13 AM PDT

GM's Holden, Better Place reach charging-station agreement for Australia


GM's Holden, Better Place reach charging-station agreement for Australia
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Chevrolet, GM, Holden Better Place is going from Israel and Denmark to the Land Down Under. The progenitors of electric-vehicle battery-swapping systems have reached a deal with General Motors' Holden division in Australia to provide EV-charging stations that can be used by drivers of the Holden (née Chevrolet) Volt extended-range plug-in. Better Place will provide so-called "membership packages" for Volt drivers while installing charging stations, including a bunch at Holden Volt dealers. Better Place also said it would work with the Australian government at ensuring that much of the energy used by the charging stations will come from renewable sources for true emissions-free driving (for the first 35 miles or so, anyway). Better Place recently said that EVs using its battery-swapping systems in Israel and Denmark have surpassed one million kilometers (625,000 miles) driven via Better Place-supplied power. The company has an agreement with Renault to use the French automaker's Fluence Z.E. EVs for the project.Continue reading GM's Holden, Better Place reach charging-station agreement for AustraliaGM's Holden, Better Place reach charging-station agreement for Australia originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Veho Muvi HD 'NPNG' Edition action camera impressions (video)

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 11:13 AM PDT

Veho Muvi HD 'NPNG' Edition action camera impressions (video)


Veho Muvi HD 'NPNG' Edition action camera impressions (video)
Action cameras. We love 'em. Much like buying new sports gear, owning one makes you feel one step closer to the adventurer you know your true self to be. While we're familiar with more than one contender for the "gnarly throne", who said there wasn't room in the rankings for one more? Veho's been making pocket-friendly cameras for some time, even of the action variety, but this latest edition -- in conjunction with No Proof No Glory (an extreme sports video hub) -- sees it making the clearest move yet towards carving its own slice of the high-octane pie. The latest member of the Muvi HD family will do you full HD at 30fps, along with 720p (at both 30 and 60 fps) plus the usual other resolutions -- 960p, WVGA, etc. Of course, it'll also do stills (if you don't mind them all being wide-angle) and it'll even just record audio if you like. So far, so good. What really got us interested, though, was that Veho has squashed two of our most common bug-bears with action cameras by including a viewfinder / screen and a remote control as standard. So, with hope in our hearts and glory to prove, we strapped one on and took it for a ride. Scoot past the break for the impressions. Continue reading Veho Muvi HD 'NPNG' Edition action camera impressions (video)Filed under: Digital Cameras, WearablesVeho Muvi HD 'NPNG' Edition action camera impressions (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 14:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Bob Mansfield: 'all eligible Apple products are back on EPEAT'

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 11:12 AM PDT

Bob Mansfield: 'all eligible Apple products are back on EPEAT'


Bob Mansfield: 'all eligible Apple products are back on EPEAT'
Here's something you don't want happening when you're trying to wrap up a career, plan a jaunt to Moorea and generally goof off while waiting for the final checks to clear: large numbers of people demanding that you change something. That's probably what one Bob Mansfield is dealing with, just weeks before he'll turn in his Apple employee badge and do... well, whatever he wants. Just six days after the company yanked its products out of EPEAT's green registry, all eligible Apple products are back. Why? Well, many cities, entities and organizations (San Francisco, we're glaring at you) won't purchase products that aren't on the list, and according to a letter from Bob (embedded in full after the break), the removal "was a mistake." He also notes that "Apple makes the most environmentally responsible products in our industry," and that no other company in this industry can say that its entire product line "exceeds the stringent ENERGY STAR 5.2 government standard." Curiously, he also states that Apple's relationship with EPEAT "has become stronger as a result of this experience," which sure makes one wonder what went down to begin with. Now, Bob -- retirement. No more emails. Focus.Continue reading Bob Mansfield: 'all eligible Apple products are back on EPEAT'Filed under: Cellphones, LaptopsBob Mansfield: 'all eligible Apple products are back on EPEAT' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:53:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Loop | Apple | Email this | Comments

CasaTunes Air bridges traditional whole-home audio with AirPlay

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 11:12 AM PDT

CasaTunes Air bridges traditional whole-home audio with AirPlay


CasaTunes Air bridges traditional whole-home audio with AirPlay
So you've made it big time, you've got it all. The car, the toys and a big house with a whole-home audio system. The thing is, as great as your CasaTunes Music Server is with its in-wall and in-ceiling speakers, the ability to integrate with the latest and greatest AirPlay devices is still missing. Well it was anyways, as the new CasaTunes Air you can stream any content from your CasaTunes Music Server to all your speakers, AirPlay or any other. Even better, the music can be on your iOS device or stored on your server -- but you can still control the whole thing from your phone or tablet. CasaTunes Air is a feature of the new CasaTunes version 4, which we can only assume is a free upgrades for existing CasaTunes Music Servers.Continue reading CasaTunes Air bridges traditional whole-home audio with AirPlayFiled under: Home EntertainmentCasaTunes Air bridges traditional whole-home audio with AirPlay originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | CasaTunes Air | Email this | Comments

Google delivers My Tracks 2.0 for Android, includes playback in Google Earth and...

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 10:40 AM PDT

Google delivers My Tracks 2.0 for Android, includes playback in Google Earth and aggregation of statistics


Google delivers My Tracks 2.0 for Android, includes playback in Google Earth and aggregation of statistics
We've long since been fans of Google's My Tracks app -- perhaps the only issue is the Android exclusivity, at least for those using Windows Phone, iOS or BlackBerry. Of course, Columbia's GPSPal accomplishes some of the same tasks, but even it will need a major overhaul to compete with the feature set in My Tracks 2.0. Available now for no charge in the Play Store, the new route tracker adds the ability to play back your tours, runs, etc. on Google Earth for Android. Moreover, it now aggregates statistics over time to show trends in performance, and we're told that the user interface is "simpler and faster." Those who weren't so keen on the prior build's charting system may also dig the newfangled charts / stats tables, which are said to be "easier to read." So, how's about that midnight run in Crystal Lake?Filed under: GPS, SoftwareGoogle delivers My Tracks 2.0 for Android, includes playback in Google Earth and aggregation of statistics originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 13:19:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Google Lat Long Blog | Google Play | Email this | Comments

How to work with a landscape pro

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 10:08 AM PDT

How to work with a landscape pro


How to work with a landscape pro
Lush lawns and gardens don't create themselves. Here's how to work with a landscaping professional for a smooth process and pleasing results.

Nokia Transport goes official: public transport departure times for over 100 cit...

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 10:08 AM PDT

Nokia Transport goes official: public transport departure times for over 100 cities (video)


Nokia Transport goes official: public transport departure times for over 100 cities (video)
Nokia's public transport update has now passed through beta testing and is available to download on your favorite Lumia handset now. The app refresh adds transit route options and departure times for over 100 cities and urban areas and estimated routes for another 450 places. The UI is the same classy blend of Nokia's mapping lineage and Windows Phone Metro tang. Nokia Conversation warns that there could be a publishing delay depending on your region, but you'll need to be looking out for version 2.1. There's a quick tour of the new functions after the break.Continue reading Nokia Transport goes official: public transport departure times for over 100 cities (video)Filed under: Cellphones, SoftwareNokia Transport goes official: public transport departure times for over 100 cities (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Nokia Conversations | Email this | Comments

Plug-in vehicle battery costs of $250 per kWh coming with "dramatic" price fall

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 10:08 AM PDT

Plug-in vehicle battery costs of $250 per kWh coming with "dramatic" price fall


Plug-in vehicle battery costs of $250 per kWh coming with "dramatic" price fall
Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants Schoolhouse Rock taught us that three was the magic number. McKinsey says it's 250. That was the consultant's conclusion in its report on the lithium-ion battery packs that power electric vehicles. McKinsey estimated that lithium-ion battery pack costs may fall to about $160 per kilowatt hour in 2020, a big drop from the estimated costs of $600 today, once production rates increase and technology improves. Better yet, McKinsey said that automakers that could source battery packs at $250 per kilowatt hour will likely be able to build EVs "competitively," or at least when it comes to measuring total cost of ownership when compared to conventional vehicles. McKinsey factored in a $3.50-a-gallon average fuel price, which is slightly more than gas is selling for now in the U.S. but less than where gas prices were at this spring. Battery-pack pricing is extremely topical because they account for such a large portion of the manufacturing cost of an EV and price reductions are viewed as key to reaching President Obama's goal of having 1 million plug-in vehicles on U.S. roads by 2015. Whether $250 or $160 or some other number turns out to be accurate, lots of people are making predictions about the cost of li-ion packs later this decade. Last month, Roland Berger Strategy Consultants analyst Wolfgang Bernhart told EV World that the cost of a typical plug-in hybrid-electric battery "in Japan and Korea for contracts with a 2015 delivery" is falling to about $250 per kilowatt hour. Tesla Motors' Elon Musk was recently quoted as saying that $200 per kWh would happen "soon" but some say that prices around $400 per kWh will still be here in 2020. In April, Bloomberg New Energy Finance said battery costs had dropped to $689 per kilowatt hour, down from $800 a year earlier.Plug-in vehicle battery costs of $250 per kWh coming with "dramatic" price fall originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Lenovo IdeaPad U310 review: a reasonably priced Ultrabook for the masses

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 10:08 AM PDT

Lenovo IdeaPad U310 review: a reasonably priced Ultrabook for the masses


Lenovo IdeaPad U310 review: a reasonably priced Ultrabook for the masses
More Info Lenovo IdeaPad U300s review Lenovo's IdeaPad U310 and U410 Ultrabooks start at an inexpensive $699, weigh a little more than the competition Lenovo U310 and U410 Ultrabooks now available worldwide starting at $749 For a while there, the march of Ultrabooks was comprised almost entirely of halo products: skinny, relatively expensive things designed to help Intel and its OEM partners make a good impression on the general laptop-buying public. But with 110-plus models in the pipeline, they can't all be expensive, right? By now, you may have noticed that Ultrabooks are starting to look a little less uniform: there have been larger ones, heavier ones, some with optical drives, some with discrete graphics. Next up: cheaper ones. Just in time for back-to-school shopping season, we're seeing a wave of more reasonably priced Ultrabooks, many of them with traditional spinning hard drives and slightly heavier frames. One of these is the Lenovo IdeaPad U310, a machine that brings Core i5, 4GB of RAM and hybrid storage for $799. Oh, and its design is pleasantly reminiscent of the IdeaPad U300s, a higher-end Ultrabook we reviewed late last year. No doubt, then, it'll be a tempting option for people who can't afford to spend $1,000-plus on a laptop. But is it worth it? Let's find out.Gallery: Lenovo IdeaPad U310 reviewContinue reading Lenovo IdeaPad U310 review: a reasonably priced Ultrabook for the massesFiled under: LaptopsLenovo IdeaPad U310 review: a reasonably priced Ultrabook for the masses originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Suzuki Quitting US Car Market?

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 10:08 AM PDT

Suzuki Quitting US Car Market?


Suzuki Quitting US Car Market?
Suzuki's American division is struggling mightily to sell cars.

Portuguese Cops Run Silent, Run Leaf

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 10:07 AM PDT

Portuguese Cops Run Silent, Run Leaf


Portuguese Cops Run Silent, Run Leaf
Portuguese police order eight of the 'stealthy,' green electric cars.

Recce, A Rich, Interactive Map That’s Also A Gaming Platform, Launches With $4M...

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 09:33 AM PDT

Recce, A Rich, Interactive Map That's Also A Gaming Platform, Launches With $4M From NEA


Recce, A Rich, Interactive Map That's Also A Gaming Platform, Launches With $4M From NEA
While we wait for the full-throttle effect of Apple Maps in iOS6, a new app has launched today that is raising the game for what we should be expecting out of the world of social-mobile-local services. Recce -- pronounced "wreckie", British slang for "reconnaissance" (only English people would make slang out of a word like that) -- presents a 3D, animated birds-eye view of a city, and what is going on in it, by aggregating dozens of data feeds from other services -- ranging from mapping providers to those building listings of places to eat, and social networks like Twitter, integrating it all, and then presenting it in a slick, attractive app that is essentially a searchable map. (Think of Recce as the pretty face of big data.) And it's launching with some support: NEA is the lead investor in a $4 million Series A round in Recce's developers, London-based eeGeo, with total funding for the company now at $4.7 million including a seed investment from Initial Capital, Swordfish Investments, and others. In its earliest iteration, Recce is only providing maps and data for central London, with San Francisco and New York next in line, but its developers are thinking big. The intention is to extend out to many more cities over the coming months. And, signficantly, to do more besides maps: Recce is also building itself out to be a platform not only for all location-based services but also location-specific games.

Sprint flips the switch on LTE in Kansas City, your Galaxy S III just got a whol...

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 09:33 AM PDT

Sprint flips the switch on LTE in Kansas City, your Galaxy S III just got a whole lot better


Sprint flips the switch on LTE in Kansas City, your Galaxy S III just got a whole lot better
A few weeks back, Sprint had said its fresh Long Term Evolution waves would be hitting a total of five markets by July 15th, but it looks like one lucky city is seeing the changes kick in a wee bit earlier than expected. According to S4GRU, the site's been hit with endless tips from folks like yourself, all claiming The Now Network's LTE signal is now live in Kansas City, while others are also noticing the speed boosts in places like St. Joseph, Manhattan and Missouri. How about you, though? Is your shiny new LTE-capable slab (read: Galaxy S III or EVO 4G LTE) now getting the "true 4G" treatment? Feel free to let us know in the comments below.Filed under: Cellphones, WirelessSprint flips the switch on LTE in Kansas City, your Galaxy S III just got a whole lot better originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 11:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Techmeme | Sprint 4G Rollout Updates | Email this | Comments

Can You Pronounce Huawei?

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 08:57 AM PDT

Can You Pronounce Huawei?


Can You Pronounce Huawei?
Never mind that this is clearly an ad agency video; it's clever. And smart. After all Huawei has big plans for the U.S. market. "We're not known to the general public," James Jiang, vice president of product and marketing for Huawei, said at CTIA last October. "We're taking the initiative to build a name for us." The Chinese mobile company is a major supplier of white label cell phones with a major chunk of its products co-branded by a wireless carrier or 3rd party. But speaking at CTIA, Jiang revealed Huawei plans on being a top 5 mobile brand within the US within the next three years. That would put Huawei among the likes of Samsung, LG, Apple, Motorola, and HTC -- an impressive goal to say the least.

CyanogenMod developers slap Jelly Bean on an Optimus 4X HD, tease CM10 (video)

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 08:23 AM PDT

CyanogenMod developers slap Jelly Bean on an Optimus 4X HD, tease CM10 (video)


CyanogenMod developers slap Jelly Bean on an Optimus 4X HD, tease CM10 (video)
That didn't take long. The boys behind CyanogenMod promised a quick turnaround for its upcoming JellyBean-based update and are already teasing workable CM10 ROMs. CyanogenMod's Ricardo Cercuiera tossed a video of an early CM10 build on his YouTube page, declaring "it lives!" The early build is running on an LG Optimus 4X HD, and runs through unlocking the screen and recording and playing back a video. The build is still having some trouble with Google's revamped search integration, but considering Android 4.1's source code was released only days ago, the quick development is promising. Check out Cercuiera's quick demo for yourself after the break.Continue reading CyanogenMod developers slap Jelly Bean on an Optimus 4X HD, tease CM10 (video)Filed under: Cellphones, SoftwareCyanogenMod developers slap Jelly Bean on an Optimus 4X HD, tease CM10 (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 10:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink PhoneArena, AndroidCentral | Ricardo Cerqueira (Google+) | Email this | Comments

This Probably Isn’t The iPhone 5, But It Looks A Lot Like What We Expect

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 07:48 AM PDT

This Probably Isn't The iPhone 5, But It Looks A Lot Like What We Expect


This Probably Isn't The iPhone 5, But It Looks A Lot Like What We Expect
As iPhone season amps up — and make no mistake, the rumor mill is already spinning at full speed — we're bound to see "leak" after "leak." The latest comes by way of a site called KitGuru.net, which claims to have a "test unit" of the device. That's about where the post lost me, not to mention the fact that the image looks Photoshopped. But let's just set that aside for a moment. The images shown actually take into account most of what we've seen/heard before. The iPhone 5 is expected to have a larger screen with the same 640px width, and we also expect a new 19-pin mini connector instead of the usual 30-pin port. So while 97 percent of me believes this isn't the real deal (I'm not a total cynic), it's still valuable to have a clearer look at what's expected, even in blurry form. The real value is seeing the "iPhone 5 test unit" alongside an iPhone 4S. This should give fanbois a nice comparison look at what's expected to be a 4.08-inch display.

Renault-Nissan Alliance pushes electric vehicle vision at Rio+20

Posted: 13 Jul 2012 07:13 AM PDT

Renault-Nissan Alliance pushes electric vehicle vision at Rio+20


Renault-Nissan Alliance pushes electric vehicle vision at Rio+20
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Manufacturing/Plants, Nissan, Renault The Renault-Nissan Alliance, along with the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), produced a two-minute video to coincide with the Rio+20 environmental conference that pitches the sister companies' advances in plug-in vehicle technology. The video, which aired on CNBC and can be seen below, waxes poetic about how people "want cars that liberate them from fossil fuels" and reiterates Renault and Nissan's investment of $5 billion in battery-electric vehicle development. Among those interviewed in the video was a California resident that drives "on pure sunshine" because he uses solar power from his home's roof panels to charge up his Nissan Leaf. Renault and Nissan are hoping such a pitch doesn't fall on deaf ears, at least here in the U.S. Earlier this month, Nissan reported that June sales of the Leaf dropped 69 percent from a year earlier to 535 units. Through the first six months of the year, Leaf sales fell 19 percent to 3,148 vehicles. Nissan has said sales will pick up once domestic production of the Leaf starts up at Nissan's Smyrna, Tennessee plant later this year.Continue reading Renault-Nissan Alliance pushes electric vehicle vision at Rio+20Renault-Nissan Alliance pushes electric vehicle vision at Rio+20 originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Fri, 13 Jul 2012 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments