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Monday, October 8, 2012

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UK government and industry heavyweights set up 5G Innovation Centre, want to go...

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 03:19 PM PDT

UK government and industry heavyweights set up 5G Innovation Centre, want to go one better


UK government and industry heavyweights set up 5G Innovation Centre, want to go one better
The UK is almost ready to flip the switch on its first LTE network, but it's determined to be at the forefront of the next-generation, setting up a "5G Innovation Centre" at the University of Surrey. The government announced it's putting up £11.6 million (around $18.6 million) in funding, but another £24 million (around $38.5 million) will be coming from an industry group comprising the likes of Huawei, Samsung, Telefonica, Rohde & Schwarz, Fujitsu and others. The money will allow research to go beyond concept and theory, with the aim that all partners work together to develop and standardize 5G technology, which the university has been looking into for a number of years already. They will focus on energy and spectrum efficiency as well as speed, and although it's early days, 10Gbps has been banded around as a per-tower target, translating to roughly 200Mbps for each connection. Unfortunately, we've also got a number to kill your geek buzz -- it's upwards of a decade away. Still, at least you've got a long time to think about which case you'll be picking up for your 5G-ready Galaxy S XV.Continue reading UK government and industry heavyweights set up 5G Innovation Centre, want to go one betterFiled under: Cellphones, Wireless, Internet, Mobile, SamsungUK government and industry heavyweights set up 5G Innovation Centre, want to go one better originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 18:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Editorial: Bring on the digital overthrow of publishing

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 03:19 PM PDT

Editorial: Bring on the digital overthrow of publishing


Editorial: Bring on the digital overthrow of publishing
Last week's release of the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite offered an opportunity to look back on the rapid growth of e-reading, and look forward to what the digitization of publishing will mean to four major market forces: publishers, bookstores, authors and readers. As during any technological disruption, winners and losers trade fates until the upheaval settles and a new cycle of status quo begins. Amazon is not the only bookstore represented in the scramble for new-era survival, but its major role has multiple dimensions: seller, publisher, enabler, inventor and primary instigator of disruption. Amazon is banking on being a winner, and was recently handed an advantage by the U.S. government in its uneasy relationship with publishers. While industrial forces work their way through the dislocation of new paradigms, individuals -- both book consumers and book authors -- stand to be the biggest winners, and that is a good thing.Continue reading Editorial: Bring on the digital overthrow of publishingFiled under: Handhelds, Tablets, Wireless, AmazonEditorial: Bring on the digital overthrow of publishing originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 17:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Kinect for Windows SDK gets accelerometer and infrared input, reaches China and...

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 02:22 PM PDT

Kinect for Windows SDK gets accelerometer and infrared input, reaches China and Windows 8 desktops


Kinect for Windows SDK gets accelerometer and infrared input, reaches China and Windows 8 desktops
Microsoft had hinted that there were big things in store for its update to the Kinect for Windows SDK on October 8th. It wasn't bluffing; developers can now tap a much wider range of input than the usual frantic arm-waving. Gadgets that move the Kinect itself can use the accelerometer to register every tilt and jolt, while low-light fans can access the raw infrared sensor stream. The Redmond crew will even even let coders go beyond the usual boundaries, giving them access to depth information beyond 13 feet, fine-tuning the camera settings and tracking skeletal data from multiple sensors inside of one app. Just where we use the SDK has been expanded as well -- in addition to promised Chinese support, Kinect input is an option for Windows 8 desktop apps. Programmers who find regular hand control just too limiting can hit the source for the download link and check Microsoft's blog for grittier detail.Filed under: Peripherals, Software, MicrosoftKinect for Windows SDK gets accelerometer and infrared input, reaches China and Windows 8 desktops originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 16:30:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Kinect for Windows Blog | Kinect for Windows | Email this | Comments

Scarlet Motors collaborates with Helsinki's Electric RaceAbout team

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:28 PM PDT

Scarlet Motors collaborates with Helsinki's Electric RaceAbout team


Scarlet Motors collaborates with Helsinki's Electric RaceAbout team
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Europe/EU Frankly, Scarlet, we do give a damn. A new Finnish electric vehicle company called Scarlet has reached a deal with Helsinki's Metropolia University of Applied Science to collaborate on powertrain advancements for Scarlet's sports car. Scarlet was interested in Metropolia's work on the development of the 375-horsepower Electric RaceAbout (E-RA) prototype. To refresh everyone's memory, in March, the E-RA set a world speed record for an EV on ice (this is Finland, after all), going 161.59 miles per hour and hitting an average of 156.65 mph over two time trials. There's a video of those trials here. Scarlet didn't divulge further details about what the collaboration plans to accomplish, other than to say R&D work on "other parts of the Scarlet ecosystem" will be involved. Whatever it ends up being, we assume it will be fast. See Scarlet's press release below.Continue reading Scarlet Motors collaborates with Helsinki's Electric RaceAbout teamScarlet Motors collaborates with Helsinki's Electric RaceAbout team originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

64GB Samsung Galaxy S III appears on Italian retailer's website, marks the start...

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:27 PM PDT

64GB Samsung Galaxy S III appears on Italian retailer's website, marks the start of a selective rollout


64GB Samsung Galaxy S III appears on Italian retailer's website, marks the start of a selective rollout
It looks like Samsung is making good on its promise to produce a 64GB Galaxy S III in the second half of the year, but it's going to be a lottery on if you can get one. Rather than releasing the handset worldwide, it's picking and choosing the regions which will get the benefit of the capaciously endowed smartphone. A listing has appeared on Italian retailer ePrice, with the 64GB unit setting users back €800 ($1,040). The company's confirmed that the listing is legitimate, but also that its UK and US divisions haven't announced plans to bring it to the UK or US -- so perhaps it's time to claim Italian citizenship if you're desperate for that much storage.Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung64GB Samsung Galaxy S III appears on Italian retailer's website, marks the start of a selective rollout originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Android HDblog | ePrice (Translated) | Email this | Comments

Motorcycle Thefts Down 6 Percent

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:27 PM PDT

Motorcycle Thefts Down 6 Percent


Motorcycle Thefts Down 6 Percent
Recent NICB data reveals less theft in 2011 than in years past.

T-Mobile to offer the Nokia Lumia 810 exclusively in the U.S.

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:27 PM PDT

T-Mobile to offer the Nokia Lumia 810 exclusively in the U.S.


T-Mobile to offer the Nokia Lumia 810 exclusively in the U.S.
T-Mobile announced on Monday that it will exclusively offer the Nokia Lumia 810 in the United States. Set to be available "in the coming weeks," the 810 features a 4.3-inch OLED WVGA Clear Black display, an 8-megapixel Carl Zeiss optics rear-facing camera, a 1.2-megapixel Skype HD-certified front-facing shooter, Windows Phone 8 and support for T-Mobile's HSPA+ faux 4G network. If those specs sound a little familiar, they should -- the 810 seems quite a bit similar to the already announced 820. There are some details absent from this release, however, including CPU, storage, RAM and pricing, but we expect this to be remedied in the coming days. Now that T-Mobile and Ma Bell have called dibs on some of Nokia's first wave of Windows Phone 8 devices, we're left to wonder if America's other two major wireless carriers will soon get with the program.Continue reading T-Mobile to offer the Nokia Lumia 810 exclusively in the U.S.Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, T-MobileT-Mobile to offer the Nokia Lumia 810 exclusively in the U.S. originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

T-Mobile Nabs Nokia’s New Lumia 810 Windows Phone, Points To A Launch In “The Co...

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:27 PM PDT

T-Mobile Nabs Nokia's New Lumia 810 Windows Phone, Points To A Launch In "The Coming Weeks"


T-Mobile Nabs Nokia's New Lumia 810 Windows Phone, Points To A Launch In "The Coming Weeks"
When T-Mobile announced it would carry the LG Optimus L9 earlier today, I bemoaned the carrier's lack of compelling exclusive devices. As it turns out, that may have been a bit hasty of me -- Nokia has just let slip that its new Windows Phone 8-powered Lumia 810 will hit T-Mobile's shelves in the coming weeks.

PlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012): is the third time a charm?

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:27 PM PDT

PlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012): is the third time a charm?


PlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012): is the third time a charm?
More Info Sony announces a slimmer PlayStation 3, 250GB bundle launches September 25th for $269 Sony PlayStation 3 (2012) up close and personal (eyes-on) Sony explains missing PlayStation 3 price drop on old models, EU exclusivity of Flash memory version What else can be said about the PlayStation 3 at this point that hasn't already been said? Since launching in 2006, there have been approximately 400 different permutations of the console: variations on hard drive sizes, functionality, physical shape and, of course, price. The latest model, the PlayStation 3 Superslim, is no different. It comes in just two permutations: 250GB ($270) and 500GB ($300). With the latter launching at the end of October, we've spent the last week with the already available 250GB model. Is it time to finally jump in to the PlayStation 3 party, or upgrade that aging 2006 model? Head below to find out.Gallery: PlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012)Continue reading PlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012): is the third time a charm?Filed under: Gaming, SonyPlayStation 3 Slim review (late 2012): is the third time a charm? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Lady Gaga's family restaurant gets 'C' health grade

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:27 PM PDT

Lady Gaga's family restaurant gets 'C' health grade


Lady Gaga's family restaurant gets 'C' health grade
Joanne Trattoria, the Upper West Side Italian joint owned by the pop princess' mom and dad, got a barf-inducing "C" grade from the Department of Health for hygiene and cleanliness problems.

Test Drive: 2012 Toyota Prius C

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 01:27 PM PDT

Test Drive: 2012 Toyota Prius C


Test Drive: 2012 Toyota Prius C
50 mpg never came so cheap.

Toyota Motorsport sets new electric record with EV P002 on the Nürburgring [w/vi...

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:02 PM PDT

Toyota Motorsport sets new electric record with EV P002 on the Nürburgring [w/video]


Toyota Motorsport sets new electric record with EV P002 on the Nürburgring [w/video]
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Toyota, Racing, Videos Well, that sure looked like fun.Toyota Motorsport and its EV P002 reset the record for the fastest lap by an electric vehicle around Germany's Nürburgring circuit. Driver Jochen Krumbach took the 469-horsepower EV around that track in seven minutes and 22.329 seconds. That's a whopping 25 seconds faster than the record Toyota set in August 2011. The EV P002 still has the same top speed - about 161 miles per hour and is powered by a 42-kWh battery - it was just piloted faster this time around. If you want to tag along, go below for an eight-minute video of the fast and relatively quiet ride. In June, the 375-horsepower Audi R8 E-Tron set a world record for fastest lap around Nürburgring by a series production electric car, completing the lap in eight minutes and 9.099 seconds.Continue reading Toyota Motorsport sets new electric record with EV P002 on the Nürburgring [w/video]Toyota Motorsport sets new electric record with EV P002 on the Nürburgring [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Windows 8 defaults direct cash payments for music and movies, puts Microsoft Poi...

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:01 PM PDT

Windows 8 defaults direct cash payments for music and movies, puts Microsoft Points on backburner


Windows 8 defaults direct cash payments for music and movies, puts Microsoft Points on backburner
Microsoft's real money to "Points" conversion has always been a point of contention among consumers, but that may all be about to change -- if the Windows 8 Zune Marketplace is any indicator, that is. Movies and music purchased via Windows 8 no longer default to the bizarre indirect system Microsoft set in place years ago with its Xbox Live platform, instead allowing actual currency for payment as well as MS Points (Windows 8 exclusively used the MS Point system for media purchases throughout beta). In fact, the system even automatically selects hard currency as the standard, reports The Verge. The MS Point system converts 80 MS Points to $1, and points much be purchased in a minimum of 400 point blocks -- a practice criticized as both deceptive and consumer hostile. Points were first implemented on Microsoft's Xbox 360 for purchase of games and associated content on Xbox Live Marketplace; the practice has since expanded to Microsoft's Zune music and movie platform, as well as Xbox.com. Direct payment is available as well, but only for select content, such as Games on Demand. As of this morning, the change hadn't affected the Xbox 360 Marketplace, though rumors earlier this year indicated that MS Points may be wholesale phased out by the end of 2012. Microsoft had yet to respond to a request for comment as of publishing.Filed under: Internet, Software, MicrosoftWindows 8 defaults direct cash payments for music and movies, puts Microsoft Points on backburner originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:37:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | The Verge | Email this | Comments

Google Play Music and Movies purchasing reaches Google TV, patches a media strat...

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:01 PM PDT

Google Play Music and Movies purchasing reaches Google TV, patches a media strategy hole


Google Play Music and Movies purchasing reaches Google TV, patches a media strategy hole
It's been one of the more conspicuous omissions in the media hub space: despite Google Play being the cornerstone of Google's content strategy, you couldn't truly use the company's music or movie services through Google TV without depending on content you'd already paid for elsewhere. As of a new upgrade, the ecosystem has come full circle. Viewers with Google TV boxes can at last buy or rent directly from Google Play Movies and Google Play Music, and the content will be indexed in the TV & Movies section alongside third-party video services and traditional TV. The upgrade also helps Google's TV front end play catch-up with its mobile counterpart by adding automatic app updates and subscriptions. While device owners may have to wait a few weeks as the upgrade rolls out, the addition signals a big step forward for a platform that has normally leaned heavily on others for help.Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, GoogleGoogle Play Music and Movies purchasing reaches Google TV, patches a media strategy hole originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 14:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge | Official Google TV Blog | Email this | Comments

Sprint network outage leads to flight delays with Alaska Airlines

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:01 PM PDT

Sprint network outage leads to flight delays with Alaska Airlines


Sprint network outage leads to flight delays with Alaska Airlines
A network outage that leaves folks without data for a few hours is one thing, but some Sprint problems today are causing some bigger issues than usual in one part of the US. Alaska Airlines is reporting flight delays at several airports, including Portland International Airport, as a result of the outage that is says began at 7:30AM Pacific time when a fiber cable was cut in Wisconsin. The AP is further reporting that Alaska Airlines President and CEO Brad Tilden says the airline expects to have a full resolution by 5PM local time, and that it may have a partial solution by noon. The reports that we've received from Sprint users also suggest that the outage is largely confined to the Northwest. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in]Filed under: Networking, MobileSprint network outage leads to flight delays with Alaska Airlines originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Alaska Airlines, MyNorthwest | Email this | Comments

Sprint lets you make your name your phone number for $3 a month

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:01 PM PDT

Sprint lets you make your name your phone number for $3 a month


Sprint lets you make your name your phone number for $3 a month
What if, instead of handing over some hard to remember combination of 10 digits when it came time to exchange numbers you could just give someone your name? Sprint is actually willing to let you enjoy the luxury of having your own vanity phone number, so long as you're willing to fork over $3 a month for the privilege. This isn't the sort of service enjoyed by businesses, though -- no one will be dialing 1-800-Joe-Schmoe. Instead the carrier is offering "StarStar" numbers from a company called Zoove. So now, friends will just punch a couple of asterisks into their handset followed by your name, Twitter handle or anything else you might desire to get in touch with you. Of course, in the age of smartphones, we're pretty sure memorizing phone numbers isn't a skill anyone actually uses anymore. So might be that your $3 a month and clever new number will never be recognized by anyone.Filed under: Mobile, SprintSprint lets you make your name your phone number for $3 a month originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:23:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink PhoneArena, All Things D | Sprint | Email this | Comments

2012 Volkswagen Up!

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 12:01 PM PDT

2012 Volkswagen Up!


2012 Volkswagen Up!
Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Volkswagen, New Car ReviewsThe Best Little Car We Can't Have Despite the fact that the Smart ForTwo has pretty much been a flop here in the United States (and understandably so), we Americans are slowly but surely warming up to intelligent little city cars. The Fiat 500, which got off to a slow start, is gaining traction; Scion is now pushing its miniscule iQ in all markets, and General Motors has just opened the gates on the Chevrolet Spark. But until widespread success in this segment is firmly on record, it's no secret that automakers are hesitant to bring over their smallest offerings. It's one thing to import hundred-thousand-dollar supercars, but when you're trying to compete with a low-price-point product, additional import costs only hurt the business case. Elsewhere 'round the globe, Volkswagen is enjoying early success with its Up! minicar, the tiny runabout that was named 2012 World Car of the Year during the New York Auto Show. And since VW brought an Up! to the States in order to proudly take the stage during that Big Apple award ceremony, the automaker sent its worldly winner on a tour-de-America. We grabbed the keys for a few days during its stay in the Motor City.Continue reading 2012 Volkswagen Up!2012 Volkswagen Up! originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Purported Nexus 7 with 32GB of storage gets accidentally delivered in Japan

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 10:41 AM PDT

Purported Nexus 7 with 32GB of storage gets accidentally delivered in Japan


Purported Nexus 7 with 32GB of storage gets accidentally delivered in Japan
Back when Google ecstatically unveiled its 7-inch Nexus tablet a few months ago, the company decided to keep things simple by only introducing 8GB and 16GB models -- much to the dismay of folks who prefer a device with a bit more storage space. One lucky customer in Japan, however, claims to have unexpectedly received a Nexus 7 loaded with more built-in storage than Mountain View currently advertises, having been delivered Google's Jelly Bean-packing slate with 32GB instead of the 16GB unit that was ordered. Interestingly enough, the surprise delivery comes at a time when Google is rumored to launch a new, more spacious 32GB model as soon as October 24th -- though only time will tell if that's actually going to be the case.Filed under: Tablets, GooglePurported Nexus 7 with 32GB of storage gets accidentally delivered in Japan originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 13:03:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Notebook Italia | Twitter (Oppese) | Email this | Comments

T-Mobile Will Launch LG’s Ice Cream Sandwich-Powered Optimus L9 “This Fall”

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 10:40 AM PDT

T-Mobile Will Launch LG's Ice Cream Sandwich-Powered Optimus L9 "This Fall"


T-Mobile Will Launch LG's Ice Cream Sandwich-Powered Optimus L9 "This Fall"
AT&T and Sprint have already laid claim to LG's flagship Optimus G handset, but what of the rest of the Big 4 national carriers? Verizon has been keeping awfully quiet on the subject -- maybe because it's still trying to push LG's curious Intuition phablet -- and for now it seems T-Mobile is making do with another, less illustrious Korean handset. The carrier has just announced that it will launch the LG Optimus L9, but like nearly every other phone announcement made in the past few weeks, there's nary a hint at pricing to be found. Even its release date is shrouded in secrecy -- all T-Mobile will say is that it's set to launch "later this fall."

T-Mobile makes LG Optimus L9 official, carries big-yet-budget Android this fall

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 10:40 AM PDT

T-Mobile makes LG Optimus L9 official, carries big-yet-budget Android this fall


T-Mobile makes LG Optimus L9 official, carries big-yet-budget Android this fall
We knew it was coming -- we just didn't expect official news quite so soon. T-Mobile has confirmed that its edition of the LG Optimus L9 will be available this fall. The magenta network's supersized yet entry level Android 4.0 phone won't be significantly different than its international cousin in hardware outside of the necessary 3G frequency switch, but the American GSM variant will support WiFi Calling, allow five-device hotspots and ship with a preloaded copy of Slacker Radio. Any pricing and an in-store date will have to wait; even with that 4.5-inch screen and 2,150mAh battery, though, it's easy to picture the L9 costing less than many of T-Mobile's smaller smart devices.Continue reading T-Mobile makes LG Optimus L9 official, carries big-yet-budget Android this fallFiled under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG, T-MobileT-Mobile makes LG Optimus L9 official, carries big-yet-budget Android this fall originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:34:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Slickdeals' best in tech for October 8th: Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 and Canon wireless...

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 10:40 AM PDT

Slickdeals' best in tech for October 8th: Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 and Canon wireless all-in-one printer


Slickdeals' best in tech for October 8th: Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 and Canon wireless all-in-one printer
Looking to save some coin on your tech purchases? Of course you are! In this round-up, we'll run down a list of the freshest frugal buys, hand-picked with the help of the folks at Slickdeals. You'll want to act fast, though, as many of these offerings won't stick around long. If you weren't able to get all of your gadget shopping done this weekend, a handful of new tech deals could do the trick. A 14-inch Lenovo IdeaPad laptop and Canon PIXMA wireless all-in-one printer might be just what you need to enhance that home office setup with just a few clicks. There's also three more links eager to accept your funds, so head on past the break to take a look. Remember to watch out for those coupon codes and rebate forms.Continue reading Slickdeals' best in tech for October 8th: Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 and Canon wireless all-in-one printerFiled under: Home Entertainment, Laptops, Peripherals, Storage, Acer, CanonSlickdeals' best in tech for October 8th: Lenovo IdeaPad Y480 and Canon wireless all-in-one printer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 12:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Recalls: Honda SUVs, Dodge Pickups

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 10:40 AM PDT

Recalls: Honda SUVs, Dodge Pickups


Recalls: Honda SUVs, Dodge Pickups
More than 268,000 Honda and 44,000 Dodge vehicles are affected.

Living room built around NYC Columbus statue a hit

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 10:40 AM PDT

Living room built around NYC Columbus statue a hit


Living room built around NYC Columbus statue a hit
Anyone hoping to commune with Christopher Columbus on Columbus Day will be disappointed: He's booked solid. Monday's tickets to the conceptual art installation that surrounds a 13-foot statue of...

Audi working on new fuels to make cars carbon neutral

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 08:46 AM PDT

Audi working on new fuels to make cars carbon neutral


Audi working on new fuels to make cars carbon neutral
Filed under: Technology, Audi A car can be considered CO2 neutral if the amount of greenhouse gas used in creating the fuel is balanced against the CO2 emitted by the vehicle in operation. Even as automakers move to increase the number of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), fuel cell vehicles and hybrids, internal combustion technology is not standing still. In fact, Audi believes that the future will see a mix of propulsion technologies and that internal combustion can play a role in producing vehicles that have minimal CO2 impact on the environment. As shown by Toyota's recent announcement to slow-walk EVs, the industry is looking into other alternatives besides pure electrics to meet ever-tightening Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards and zero-emission mandates like those enacted by California.Rupert Stadler, Audi's chairman, asserts that "the future of mobility will be multi-faceted." And while Audi will offer pure electrics, like the R8 E-Tron, officials from the company insist that the combustion engine still remains an important element in the overall picture. Key elements in this strategy include more fuel efficient gas and diesel engines using such advanced technology as electric forced induction and stop-start technology that includes shutting the engine off when the vehicle is coasting. Audi will also offer a unique dual-fuel A3 that uses both compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline power that promises a range of around 750 miles in an A3. Beyond the approach of upgrading the hardware, Audi is also looking at vehicle fuels themselves as a means to reduce carbon emissions. The company believes that an internal combustion car can be considered CO2 neutral if the amount of greenhouse gas used in creating the fuel is balanced against the CO2 emitted by the vehicle in operation. The argument goes that a BEV is only CO2-free if its electricity comes from nuclear, hydro, wind or solar sources and actually contributes to CO2 emissions if the electricity comes from a coal- or gas-fired generator. Following this line of reasoning to its logical conclusion, Audi is now involved in several projects to make ethanol, diesel and natural gas that uses CO2 in the production process. Matt DeLorenzo is the former editor-in-chief of Road & Track and has covered the auto industry for 35 years, including stints at Automotive News and AutoWeek. He has authored books including VW's New Beetle, Chrysler's Modern Concept Cars, and Corvette Dynasty. Continue reading Audi working on new fuels to make cars carbon neutralAudi working on new fuels to make cars carbon neutral originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Samsung creates F2FS file system for NAND flash storage, submits it to the Linux...

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 08:46 AM PDT

Samsung creates F2FS file system for NAND flash storage, submits it to the Linux kernel


Samsung creates F2FS file system for NAND flash storage, submits it to the Linux kernel
Has the lack of NAND flash storage-optimized file systems been bugging you? Then you've got something in common with Samsung, which has developed F2FS (or "Flash-Friendly File-System") for the memory of choice for mobile devices and its specific "internal geometry." It's based on a log-structured method, but tackles problems associated with older file systems intended mainly for retro, spinning-disk storage. The company isn't keeping its hard work behind lock-and-patent either -- it's gone open-source and submitted the file system to the Linux kernel, meaning you could see it implemented in Android hardware of the future. It's nice to see Sammy contributing code for the greater good, and if you've got the skills to understand it, a low-down of F2FS is available at the source below. Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Software, Mobile, SamsungSamsung creates F2FS file system for NAND flash storage, submits it to the Linux kernel originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:43:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Phoronix | The Linux-Kernel Archive | Email this | Comments

Chefs Feed, The App With Recommendations From Your Favorite Chefs, Unveils More...

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 08:46 AM PDT

Chefs Feed, The App With Recommendations From Your Favorite Chefs, Unveils More Social Version 2.0


Chefs Feed, The App With Recommendations From Your Favorite Chefs, Unveils More Social Version 2.0
Whenever I use a food or restaurant review app, I sometimes feel like I'm being overwhelmed with recommendations, and it can be hard to distinguish recommendations and reviews that are trustworthy from those that aren't. Chefs Feed offers an intriguing solution to that problem — offer recommendations from high-profile, professional chefs. Chefs, after all, are presumably more knowledgeable about good food than your average Yelp reviewer, and they're often looking to either build or maintain a relationship with fans. The app actually launched about a year ago, but today the company is unveiling version 2.0 of its iOS app, with updated social features.

Looking Beyond 4G: U.K. Uni Secures £35M For 5G R&D Center, Backed By Huawei, Sa...

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 08:46 AM PDT

Looking Beyond 4G: U.K. Uni Secures £35M For 5G R&D Center, Backed By Huawei, Samsung, Telefonica


Looking Beyond 4G: U.K. Uni Secures £35M For 5G R&D Center, Backed By Huawei, Samsung, Telefonica
It's no secret the U.K. has been a 4G laggard, with LTE only now finally starting to get off the ground -- while the first big 4G deployment from a mobile operator won't go live until October 30. But today a project has been green-lit by the government that's aiming to ensure the country takes a pioneering role in developing the next generation of cellular technologies: 5G.

Cisco reportedly drops sales pact with ZTE after claims of roundabout Iran dealings

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 08:46 AM PDT

Cisco reportedly drops sales pact with ZTE after claims of roundabout Iran dealings


Cisco reportedly drops sales pact with ZTE after claims of roundabout Iran dealings
ZTE might already be feeling heat from Congressional suspicions, but the company could soon take a more direct hit to the pocketbook. Cisco has reportedly dropped an already rocky seven-year deal with ZTE after it learned that the Chinese firm had been selling Cisco's networking gear to the Telecommunication Company of Iran as recently as July of last year. Being implicated in an end-run around US trade sanctions isn't great for business, as you'd imagine. While Cisco CEO John Chambers wouldn't directly confirm the severed link in a chat with Reuters, he noted that we would "not see that [sort of deal] happen again" -- an indication that his company at least isn't happy with the current state of affairs. ZTE isn't waiting for any public acknowledgment to voice its frustration and says it's "highly concerned," although it's not helped by allegations from its own US general counsel that there was an attempt to cover up the Iranian link. Nothing is definite until the investigations go public, but the Iran connection could make it that much harder for ZTE to keep US customers regardless of its distance from the Chinese government.Filed under: NetworkingCisco reportedly drops sales pact with ZTE after claims of roundabout Iran dealings originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 11:14:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink ZDNet | Reuters | Email this | Comments

Nordic retailers list a Galaxy S III 'Mini,' insider info or wishful thinking?

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 08:46 AM PDT

Nordic retailers list a Galaxy S III 'Mini,' insider info or wishful thinking?


Nordic retailers list a Galaxy S III 'Mini,' insider info or wishful thinking?
While it's not as complex as one of the region's twisty crime dramas, the story surrounding the Galaxy S III Mini has taken another turn. Retailers in Europe's northernmost countries are now listing such a device with the codename GT-I8190 in blue and white, with or without an NFC chip, for $540 and $560, respectively. Given that the company is planning an announcement about a "little sensation" on Thursday, it's certainly less likely that we'll see the Galaxy Ace III turn up.Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, SamsungNordic retailers list a Galaxy S III 'Mini,' insider info or wishful thinking? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 10:49:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | NetShop, TechNytt (Translated) | Email this | Comments

Ford's EV Etiquette rules make for kinder, gentler plug-in drivers

Posted: 08 Oct 2012 07:53 AM PDT

Ford's EV Etiquette rules make for kinder, gentler plug-in drivers


Ford's EV Etiquette rules make for kinder, gentler plug-in drivers
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Green Culture, Ford Don't Bogart your buddy's electricity without offering to buy it. That's just one of the "rules" Ford is dispensing as part of a primer on etiquette for recharging electric-drive vehicles. The automaker has created a list of manners for recharging as well as a placard EV drivers can put on their vehicles to let other know when they think they'll be done recharging at public recharging stations. Ford was also kind enough to create a three-minute video, which can be seen below. Some of the rules are obvious, such as an admonition not to take a parking spot by a charging station if your vehicle doesn't plug in (EV drivers know this as being ICE'd). Additionally, according to Ford, pure battery electrics should get preference over plug-in hybrids, which alone could start a few glaring contests. Ford would also like you to consider finding a way to place the charging cord so that folks don't trip over them. Unless you think that's funny.* Earlier this year, Ford started selling its first production EV, the Ford Focus Electric. Through September, Ford had sold 169 of them. *It's not.Continue reading Ford's EV Etiquette rules make for kinder, gentler plug-in driversFord's EV Etiquette rules make for kinder, gentler plug-in drivers originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 08 Oct 2012 09:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments