2014年2月28日星期五
2014年2月27日星期四
Video: Here’s how Google’s Project Tango maps indoor spaces [feedly]
Video: Here's how Google's Project Tango maps indoor spaces
// BGR
After Google confirmed its 3D-sensing Project Tango smartphone the other day, a developer has already used the prototype device to highlight some of its capabilities, TechCrunch reveals. Matterport, which develops "computer vision and perceptual computing solutions like software that maps and creates 3D reconstructions of indoor spaces," shows in a short video how Project Tango's two cameras and advanced sensors are able to map indoor environments.
----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
Samsung Galaxy S5 vs. Apple iPhone 5s: Spec sheet showdown [feedly]
Samsung Galaxy S5 vs. Apple iPhone 5s: Spec sheet showdown
// Apple
Samsung and Apple are the two biggest smartphone makers in the world, so it's only natural to pit their latest flagship devices against one another. And now that the Galaxy S5 has finally been announced, we can do just that. I've compared major specs for the two smartphones in the chart below.
A chart, however, can only tell you so much. I've spent some time with each phone (well, only a very short amount of time with the Galaxy S5, but enough to check out the basics) and can say how many of these features compare in real life.
Display and design
Full disclosure: My primary device is an iPhone 5s, so in many ways I'm partial to Apple's device. That said, the iPhone's 4-inch display is really starting to feel small, especially when it seems like most flagship phones are starting at 5 inches and up. I think Samsung was smart to go with a 5.1-inch screen for the Galaxy S5, since it's just the right size before the phone tips over into "phablet" territory. And with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution, the Galaxy S5 manages a whopping 428 pixels per inch, which is significantly more dense than Apple's 326ppi "retina" display.
Both screens look great, with sharp, distinguished colors, and they each get super bright. But at this point I want to see more of my apps and more of the Web, so I think the Galaxy S5's larger display wins this round.
On the design front, however, the Galaxy S5 disappoints. It's still made of plastic, which gives the phone a less-than-premium feel. No other phone on the market can match the aluminum iPhone 5s for sheer industrial beauty in my opinion, except for maybe the HTC One. The Galaxy S5 is water-resistant, though, so add points if you're clumsy.
Power and battery life
Processing power is a bit harder to judge, since I didn't have enough time to run any benchmarks on the Galaxy S5. That said, I'm pretty certain I know what the results would show me: This phone is super fast. Powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon 801 chip, the quad-core 2.5GHz processor in the Galaxy S5 will likely make it the fastest Android phone available when it comes out.
Apple, meanwhile, doesn't reveal the specifics of its chips, though tests have shown the 64-bit A7 processor is a 1.3GHz dual-core chip. That doesn't sound so impressive, given that quad-core seems to be the minimum requirement for most high-end Android devices nowadays. But back in September, benchmark results for CPU and GPU performance showed the iPhone 5s was able to beat out all of the quad-core competition at the time, including Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 chip. It remains to be seen just how well the Galaxy S5 will perform, so until then, this one's a wash.
But the Galaxy S5 definitely has the iPhone 5s beat in the battery department. The S5 houses a 2800mAh cell, which Samsung claims is good for 12 hours of video playback or 10 hours of Web browsing over LTE on a single charge. It also has a power saving feature that can double your remaining battery life by turning the screen black-and-white and shutting down some background services. The iPhone 5s, on the other hand, is said to support up to 10 hours of video playback or 8 hours of Web browsing over LTE. Anecdotally, I charge my phone overnight and am usually able make it through a day of moderate use with about 25 percent left.
Camera and software
On paper, the camera specs look like another clear win for the Galaxy. It features a 16-megapixel camera sensor as compared to the iPhone's 8 megapixels. Then again, megapixels don't always tell the full story. While this means the Galaxy S5 will be able to shoot larger images, it doesn't mean they will be of better quality.
To my eye, the iPhone 5s has one of the best smartphone cameras on the market, even compared to 20-megapixel behemoths like the Nokia Lumia 1520. It also features a dual flash, which provides better balance when a flash is called for. The Galaxy S5 has its own special features, though, like Live Preview, which allows you to see a photo with a filter or HDR before you snap it. And Samsung claims it has the world's fastest autofocus in as quick as 0.3 second.
The Galaxy S4 had a very solid 13-megapixel camera, so I expect the Galaxy S5's to be at least as good. But I can't judge this one until I give it a try.
On the software side, however, I prefer Apple's iOS 7 to Samsung's heavily modified version of Android 4.4.2 KitKat. I will say this, though: This is the best Samsung overlay I've ever seen. Samsung is exercising a tremendous amount of restraint here compared to TouchWiz on previous devices, which I always felt was too bloated. And I really like some of Samsung's built-in apps like S Health, which can work with a heart rate monitor on the back of the phone to measure your heart rate.
Ultimately, though, this one comes down to whether you prefer Android or iOS.
Fingerprint sensors and storage
There are some other features that aren't as simple to compare on a spec sheet, like a fingerprint sensor. Both the iPhone 5s and the Galaxy S5 feature a fingerprint scanner built into the home button, but each works quite differently. Apple's sensor simply requires you to place your finger on the button and reads it automatically. I've unlocked my phone thousands of times this way at this point, and it works pretty flawlessly (unless your fingers are wet). The Galaxy S5, on the other hand, requires you to swipe your finger vertically over the sensor. I didn't get a chance to try it, but it doesn't look nearly as intuitive as the iPhone. Tentative win: iPhone.
The Galaxy S5 definitely wins out on storage, though, for the simple reason that it supports microSD cards. You can get the phone in either 16 or 32GB variants, then use a microSD card to gain up to an additional 128GB of storage. The iPhone 5s, meanwhile, tops out at 64GB. You do get 5GB of free iCloud storage, and you can pay to get up to 50GB. I'd still rather have the option for a microSD card.
Availability and a winner
If you're looking to buy a smartphone right now, then you're getting the iPhone 5s, since the Galaxy S5 isn't yet available. It will be released in April, at which point it might also find itself on the shelves next to a new flagship phone from HTC. It will be available on all major U.S. carriers, just like the iPhone. There's no word on a price yet, though I imagine it will carry a similar price tag as well.
So you if you can wait until April, which phone should you get? Again, I'm still partial to the iPhone, since many of the other devices and services I use revolve around Apple's ecosystem. But the Galaxy S5 is definitely the most impressive Android phone I've seen yet, which is saying something.
I think the real decider will be whether you prefer Apple's iOS or the Galaxy S5's version of Android. If you prefer Android and don't mind Samsung's UI modifications, it'll likely be the phone to get come April.
Related research and analysis from Gigaom Research:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.
- Podcast: Mobile winners and losers in 2012 and what to expect in 2013
- Analyzing the wearable computing market
- GigaOM Research highs and lows from CES 2013
----
Shared via my feedly reader
Sent from my iPhone
2014年2月26日星期三
Apple 發佈新文檔介紹Touch ID和安全區域細節 [feedly]
Apple 發佈新文檔介紹Touch ID和安全區域細節
// RSS - 數碼 - 新浪網
Touch ID 新浪科技訊 香港時間2月27日早間消息， Apple 公司今天在iPhone in Business網站上發佈了更新的安全文檔，介紹了Touch ID和A7處理器中安全區域(Secure Enclave)的細節。 自2013年發佈以來，Touch ID遭到了來自用戶和政府官員有關隱私保護的質疑。 Apple 公司此前公佈了�----
Shared via my feedly reader
Sent from my iPhone
Leica 推出百年紀念版 Leica S套裝 [feedly]
Leica 推出百年紀念版 Leica S套裝
// RSS - 數碼 - 新浪網
日前 Leica 推出了100週年紀念版 Leica S套裝。裡麵包含1台 Leica S（Type 006）中畫幅單反相機，以及兩支印有100週年紀念圖標的鏡頭：Summarit-S 70mm f/2.5 ASPH （CS）、Elmarit-S 30mm f/2.8 ASPH，並配備Rimowa Topas Multiwheel Cabin Trolley拉桿箱。售價34,500美元。 Leica S採用3045mm光學傳感...----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
八卦庫克童年往事：一直都是好學生 [feedly]
八卦庫克童年往事：一直都是好學生
// RSS - 數碼 - 新浪網
Apple CEO蒂姆‧庫克高中花名冊照片 新浪科技訊 香港時間2月26日上午消息，美國新聞網站AL.com剛剛發佈了一篇文章，詳細回顧了 Apple CEO蒂姆‧庫克(Tim Cook)在家鄉阿拉巴馬州羅伯茨代爾市的早期生活，幫助外界瞭解這個全球最著名CEO的成長經歷。 庫克的父母1971年帶著庫克和他的三個兄弟一起搬到羅伯茨代爾，庫克...----
Shared via my feedly reader
Sent from my iPhone
1 吋感光！三星將推自拍無反光鏡新機 NX mini？ [feedly]
1 吋感光！三星將推自拍無反光鏡新機 NX mini？
// ePrice 比價王 相機新聞
外電指出，Samsung 將會未來的一個月內推出一款 1 吋感光元件相機，它除了具有翻轉螢幕自拍功能，而且是一部可換鏡頭的無反相機；相對於 APS-C 格式的 NX 系列，1 吋感光元件就叫作 NX mini，相信是以更小巧便攜的設計來吸計女性玩家！
----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
魅族MX3 Ubuntu系統上手：流暢的沒話說(視訊) [feedly]
魅族MX3 Ubuntu系統上手：流暢的沒話說(視訊)
// RSS - 數碼 - 新浪網
魅族要推預裝Ubuntu系統MX3的消息早有耳聞，在MWC 2014開幕前夕，魅族官方公開宣布與Canonical達成合作，雙方將共同合作推出運行Ubuntu系統的終端。 在MWC 2014大會上，外媒CNET就對預裝Ubuntu系統的MX3進行了體驗。從視頻來看，Ubuntu系統提供了非常豐富的人性化功能和插件，視覺效果和界面和MX3很搭，可以說毫無違和感，符...----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
iPhone 6鏡頭曝光：夜拍無敵了！ [feedly]
iPhone 6鏡頭曝光：夜拍無敵了！
// RSS - 數碼 - 新浪網
iPhone 6要繼續配800萬像素鏡頭？ 就在剛剛，有微博用戶給出消息稱，iPhone 6會繼續使用800萬像素鏡頭，其會繼續加大感光元件尺寸（1/2.6、5S尺寸為1/3），光圈變成了f/ 2.0（5S光圈f/2.2、5光圈f/2.4），同時換上了6P藍寶石鏡片。 此外，該用戶透露的消息還顯示，iPhone 6 800萬像素鏡頭的像素尺寸達到了1.75μm，作為對比...----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
2014年2月25日星期二
Gallery: Each Apple 30 poster composed of every employee name, digitally (U: Removed) [feedly]
Gallery: Each Apple 30 poster composed of every employee name, digitally (U: Removed)
// 9to5Mac
Update: Apple asked us to remove the posters.
As part of Apple's campaign to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Mac, it released 'Apple 30′ themed posters cleverly composed with the names of every Apple employee, corporate and retail alike. While the physical posters are located on Apple's campus, the company decided to release digital versions on their internal system so current employees could locate their names amid the vast sea of alphabet.
While current employees can access the digital versions on Apple's internal system and locate their name based on their employee ID number, former employees have not been granted that opportunity (and a trek to Apple campus in Cupertino doesn't come cheap). That's until now. A friendly, former employee gained access to the digital files and shared what he found with us below…
The series of names begins with Steven Jobs and Steve Wozniak, the company's two founders of course, and continues with every Apple employee, past and present, including yours truly (seen above) and anyone else you could imagine.
While Apple's internal system allows employees to locate their name by employee ID number, these images of course do not. That's nothing a little OCR magic can't stop though.
A promise to everyone. Kept by every one of us.
On January 24, 1984, we made a promise to take the power of technology from the few and put it in the hands of the many. This series of ten posters recognizes all those who have helped turn that promise into reality. In other words, every single person who has ever worked at Apple.
Check out each poster below and begin the hunt for your name if you're a former employee! Enjoy.
See update above. Bye posters. [Removed]
----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
Fujifilm X-T1 登台、56mm F1.2 大光圈鏡實拍 [feedly]
Fujifilm X-T1 登台、56mm F1.2 大光圈鏡實拍
// ePrice 比價王 相機新聞
富士相機今天在台灣正式發表 X 系列最新無反光鏡新機 X-T1，預計三月中旬上市，單機身 41,900 元，而搭配 18-55mm F2.8-4 的變焦單鏡組則為 54,900 元。至於眾所期待的 XF 56mm F1.2 R 大光圈定焦鏡，建議售價則是 30,900 元。
----
Shared via my feedly reader
Sent from my iPhone
喬布斯雕像亮相將運往 Apple 公司總部 [feedly]
喬布斯雕像亮相將運往 Apple 公司總部
// RSS - 數碼 - 新浪網
喬布斯雕像亮相 新浪手機訊 2月25日消息，由塞爾維亞著名雕塑家德拉甘‧拉德諾維奇(Dragan Radenovic)打造的美國 Apple 公司前CEO史蒂夫‧喬布斯銅像今天首次公開亮相，這一雕像從一萬多個參賽作品中選出，將被運往 Apple 公司總部。 今天展出的是初步設計模型，比最終推出的版本小很多。喬布斯的頭像位於雕塑頂部，...----
Shared via my feedly reader
Sent from my iPhone
老人耳機 First Made for iPhone hearing aid doubles as a high quality iOS headset [feedly]
First Made for iPhone hearing aid doubles as a high quality iOS headset
// Mobile
The first Made For iPhone hearing aid launched on Monday, courtesy of GN ReSound from Denmark. Dubbed the ReSound LiNX, the small hearing aid can also stream audio wirelessly when connected to an iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.
While there are other similar products on the market, ReSound LiNX doesn't require a separate pendant or other remote-control accessory; it works directly with controls on an iOS device over a 2.4 GHz wireless connection and uses Bluetooth Smart technology.
A companion iOS app controls volume but has quite a bit more functionality than that. With it, owners of the ReSound LiNX can set geographic sound profiles such as more bass at home or greater mid-range sound response at work where background noise could be prevalent. The ReSound Smart App also includes a "Find My Hearing Aid" function to help find a misplaced unit.
I'm impressed by so much functionality in such a small product. You can see in the video below that the ReSound LiNX is difficult to see when worn, yet it can be used to hear music, play games or have FaceTime chats in addition to providing a needed sound boost for normal, everyday hearing.
Related research and analysis from Gigaom Research:
Subscriber content. Sign up for a free trial.
- Analyzing the wearable computing market
- The fourth quarter of 2012 in mobile
- Development strategies for the app-developer community
----
Shared via my feedly reader
Sent from my iPhone
Fujifilm X-T1 旗艦級無反相機正式在台發表，XT 56mm f/1.2 R 鏡頭建議售價 NT$30,900 [feedly]
Fujifilm X-T1 旗艦級無反相機正式在台發表，XT 56mm f/1.2 R 鏡頭建議售價 NT$30,900
// Engadget 中文版
托台灣富士不賣關子的福（也許也跟水貨商動作很快有關係...），Fujifilm X-T1 在台灣的發售資訊早已不是秘密 -- 單機身 NT$41,900；包括 18-55mm f/2.8-4 的 KIT 鏡組的售價則是 NT$54,900，這樣逼近水貨剛開賣售價的誘人價位。而在今天的發表會上，富士則是更進一步揭露了這部具備防滴防塵機能的旗艦無反相機的配件與新款鏡頭相關資訊，像是 XF 18-135mm 鏡頭將會於 6 月上市。
而感覺對於續航力相對較弱的 X-T1 而言，應該會十分需要的垂直電池把手配件與可以提升手感的手把配件的建議售價雖然很可惜的尚未公佈，不過我們還是問到了最新 XT 56mm f/1.2 R 鏡頭的建議售價是 NT$30,900，並且都將於 3 月中旬上市。對這部充滿復古風味與操作轉盤滿載的無反相機有興趣的朋友，可參考一下香港的搶先動手玩心得。
繼續閱讀全文Fujifilm X-T1 旗艦級無反相機正式在台發表，XT 56mm f/1.2 R 鏡頭建議售價 NT$30,900
----
Shared via my feedly reader
Sent from my iPhone
2014年2月24日星期一
華為推出 TalkBand B1 智慧型手環：可追蹤健身數據并有通話功能 [feedly]
華為推出 TalkBand B1 智慧型手環：可追蹤健身數據并有通話功能
// Engadget 中文版
早在幾天前華為就開始爲自己旗下的首款可穿戴裝置預熱，如今到了 MWC 2014，這款名為 TalkBand B1 的智慧型手環終於正式登場亮相。和許多同類產品一樣，它能記錄佩戴者的健身數據，擁有諸如計步、測距、記錄卡路里燃燒量等功能。同時該裝置還能監測使用者的睡眠狀態，用戶可設定智慧型鬧鐘以求在最佳時刻醒來。
和之前流出的照片一樣，TalkBand B1 採用了一塊 1.4 吋的可彎曲 OLED 螢幕。值得一提的是，它還支援無線通話，拔出插在機身上的耳機後，你就可以連接手機打電話了。這樣的設計也就解釋了為什麼 TalkBand B1 會有 14.6mm 的厚度，除此之外，它還支援 NFC，電池容量爲 90mAh，可連續使用 6 天時間（一次充電要兩小時）。至於售價目前仍是未知，但這款手環會於 3 月在中國大陸上市，之後在第二季重登陸日本、中東、俄羅斯和西歐市場。
引用來源：Engadget
----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
據報 Google 和 LG 正在合作開發 Android 智慧型手錶 [feedly]
據報 Google 和 LG 正在合作開發 Android 智慧型手錶
// Engadget 中文版
CNET 和華爾街日報，甚至是 @evleaks 都不約而同地報導了 Google 正在跟 LG 一同開發 Android 智慧型手錶，所以這個傳聞又變得實在一點了。目前我們不清楚這傳說中手錶的規格是如何，但 CNET 相信 Google 會像開發 Nexus 裝置那樣，為業界提供一款 Android 智慧型手錶的參考設計。而華爾街日報則指出 Google 智慧型手錶可能會有其他廠商參與，只是名單沒有被公開。不過即使傳聞是真確也不出奇，因為 LG 已為 Google 生產了兩代 Nexus 手機，而 LG 自己也推出過 Lifeband Touch 等穿戴式裝置，有相關經驗。最後，傳聞兩公司一起開發的智慧型手錶將會在 6 月的 Google I/O 2014 中推出。
經由：Engadget
引用來源：The Wall Street Journal、CNET、@evleaks
----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
WhatsApp 將在夏天推出「語音通訊」功能 [feedly]
WhatsApp 將在夏天推出「語音通訊」功能
// Engadget 中文版
在被 Facebook 以 190 億美元收購後，作用 4.65 億月活躍用戶的 WhatsApp 現在又宣佈了新的動作。在 MWC 2014 的現場，CEO Jan Koum 在接受 TechCrunch 採訪時表示它們很快會推出名為「語音通訊（Voice Communication）」的新功能。Android 和 iOS 將會率先在 2014 年第二季中迎來該更新，而「部分 Nokia 和 BlackBerry 裝置」則會在之後用上。目前我們還不清楚它到底是怎麼個用法，語音訊息還是通話，另外，要不要付費呢？
經由：Engadget
引用來源：TechCrunch
----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
2014年2月22日星期六
[消息] 多功能MaxStone : iPhone your Camera 無所不能的相機助手 [feedly]
[消息] 多功能MaxStone : iPhone your Camera 無所不能的相機助手
// iPhone4.TW 與您分享一切美好事物與新知 - 8,12,23,39,42,51,116,119,130,131,132,347
無所不能的相機助手
YouTube
c9
還可以當手機的自拍器
1.手機遙控拍攝
2.支援縮時攝影、定時快門
3.藍牙4.0支援、紅外線遙控
4.手機、相機雙向聯繫尋找功能
5.支援遙控器模式(近日app開發)
6.輕便省電，正常使用可達一年！
中文介紹
http://www.hwdio.com/maxstone-iphone-your-camera/
原廠說明
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/702400282/maxstone-iphone-your-camera
原廠網頁
http://us.imaxmax.com
YouTube
c9
還可以當手機的自拍器
1.手機遙控拍攝
2.支援縮時攝影、定時快門
3.藍牙4.0支援、紅外線遙控
4.手機、相機雙向聯繫尋找功能
5.支援遙控器模式(近日app開發)
6.輕便省電，正常使用可達一年！
中文介紹
http://www.hwdio.com/maxstone-iphone-your-camera/
原廠說明
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/702400282/maxstone-iphone-your-camera
原廠網頁
http://us.imaxmax.com
----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
Please is your email active? Please Revert back to us with your full informations for claim of 3,000,000.00 GBP . Reply to : msellenmore8@rogers.com
2014年2月21日星期五
Sailfish OS 1.0 Announced, Will Begin Global Distribution Soon [feedly]
Sailfish OS 1.0 Announced, Will Begin Global Distribution Soon
// Ubergizmo
Sailfish OS 1.0 is expected to be released in March and will be compatible with older devices, such as devices belonging to the Samsung Galaxy series, the Google Nexus lineup, and the Sony Xperia series, although they did not mention any devices specifically, but hopefully we will find those out at a later date. Apart from releasing the software itself for Android devices, Jolla will also be releasing a lookalike in the form of an Android launcher, giving Android users a small visual taste of what Sailfish would look like on their phones prior to them committing to install the operating system itself.
     |
----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
Official: SsangYong arranges 7 seats into XLV diesel hybrid concept for Geneva [feedly]
Official: SsangYong arranges 7 seats into XLV diesel hybrid concept for Geneva
// AutoblogGreen
Filed under: Diesel, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show
SsangYong has designed some vehicles that were not exactly 100 percent pleasing to the eye. Powered by a mild-hybrid drivetrain, does the company's new concept vehicle put a little more beauty in the eyes of green-car-enthusiast beholders?
That's the question that the South Korean automaker's XLV concept SUV coming to the Geneva Motor Show next month will ask. The XLV pairs a 1.6-liter diesel engine with an electric motor that's likely to boast fuel economy numbers above those of previous models, though SsangYong isn't disclosing any specifics. The XLV packs seven people into its 174.4 inches of length, which makes it about a foot longer than SsangYong's XIV-1 concept and about an inch longer than a Hyundai Tucson, just in case anyone's comparing South Korean SUVs. Those seven seats are arranged in an unusual 2+2+2+1 configuration, with the +1 seat sliding between the second and third rows somehow.
Last June, SsangYong showed off the Rodius crossover that was earmarked for the European market and had some improved styling. That model included a 2.0-liter diesel engine that delivered 153 horsepower. Other recent concepts include the XUV-1 at Frankfurt in 2011, the XIV-2 at Geneva in 2012 and the SIV-1 at Geneva last year. Check out SsangYong's press release on the XLV below.
Continue reading SsangYong arranges 7 seats into XLV diesel hybrid concept for Geneva
SsangYong arranges 7 seats into XLV diesel hybrid concept for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Tue, 11 Feb 2014 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
Report: Next-gen Smart ForTwo, ForFour will be even smaller [feedly]
Report: Next-gen Smart ForTwo, ForFour will be even smaller
// AutoblogGreen
Filed under: SMART, Germany, Daimler
As expected, the new four-seat vehicle that Daimler AG's Smart division is will start selling later this year will still be pretty darn short. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, speaking at the Mercedes-Benz parent company's annual press conference, disclosed a few details about both the next-generation Smart ForTwo and the new Smart ForFour, according to World Car Fans.
The ForFour, which the German automaker should unveil this summer before starting sales in Europe by the end of the year, will be tidy 3.5 meters (137.8 inches) long. That's about nine inches shorter than the standard-issue Mini Cooper (we're not even going to compare it to the Clubman) and almost two inches shorter than the Fiat 500. It's also shorter than the original ForFour, which Smart sold from 2004-2006 and was 147.7 inches long. Additionally, Zetsche said the next-generation ForTwo will shrink by about six inches from the current version to a comically short 105.5 inches long.The next-generation ForTwo will shrink by about six inches.
Smart's US sales were just south of the 10,000-unit mark for 2013 (9,264, to be exact), and Smart chief Annette Winkler said last month Daimler was unlikely to sell the Smart ForFour in the US because of domestic automotive regulations and the additional investment it'd take to bring the model stateside. Last February, a new Smart ForFour prototype was spotted being tested in the cold-weather climes of Sweden.
Next-gen Smart ForTwo, ForFour will be even smaller originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 12 Feb 2014 13:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
Report: Audi moves to patent electric Quattro and active-shutter wheels [feedly]
Report: Audi moves to patent electric Quattro and active-shutter wheels
// AutoblogGreen
Filed under: Hybrid, Technology, Audi, Electric
Audi might have a few tricks up its sleeve for the coming years, with the Brits at Autocar uncovering a pair of patent filings made by the German luxury brand. The first is something we've seen before - wheel flaps - while the second is an evolution of one of Audi's trademark technologies.
We last saw wheel flaps on the Ford Atlas Concept in 2013, but the futuristic fuel-saving tech has so far failed to arrive on a production car. Audi may be seeking to change that, patenting the flaps that open and close automagically based on airflow. They can also open if the brakes get too hot.
The second patent is an evolution of Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive. The new AWD system uses an electrically driven rear axle and wheel sensors to figure out when and at which corner the car might lose traction, and is targeted largely at hybrid offerings, which is a field Audi has only recently dipped its toe into.
In a hybrid, when the electric motor attempts to capture energy through the regenerative brakes, it can cause the wheels to brake too suddenly. That's because brake forces on current regen systems are fixed. The new system would allow more variety in the braking force, meaning that not only would the car be more stable, we could also stop complaining about ultra-grabby regenerative brakes.
Both of these technologies strikes as full of potential. Were we the gambling sort, we'd wager that the wheel flaps have a fairly realistic chance of making production at some point. The new AWD system seems more ambitious, although as it's Audi's forte, we like the chances of it arriving at some point in the future.
Audi moves to patent electric Quattro and active-shutter wheels originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Feb 2014 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
Official: CO2-neutral* Audi A3 G-Tron goes on sale in Germany [feedly]
Official: CO2-neutral* Audi A3 G-Tron goes on sale in Germany
// AutoblogGreen
Filed under: Audi, Natural Gas
The Audi A3 Sportback G-Tron has been on our natural gas-powered radar since it was unveiled at last year's Geneva Motor Show. Just before the big show starts up again this year, Audi put the new G-Tron vehicle on sale in Germany today, starting at 25,900 euros ($35,400 US). Anyone who opts for the Audi e-gas fuel card will be able to cruise the Autobahn knowing that their emissions will be CO2-neutral.
That's because Audi has built an e-gas plant in Werlte in Lower Saxony, Germany that creates a synthetic methane that is compatible with natural gas from a process that uses "green electricity" to "[bind] as much CO2 as is released when the Audi A3 g-tron is driven in gas mode." Your own A3 G-Tron doesn't burn the carbon-neutral fuel directly, but the automaker will track how much is spent using the fuel card and make sure "that exactly this amount of Audi e-gas is fed into the German natural gas network." Audi charges 14.95 euros a month to use the card.
Burning that e-gas in the A3's 1.4-liter TFSI engine can put out 110 horsepower (you can also burn regular natural gas or gasoline) and offers fuel economy of between 3.2 and 3.3 kilograms of gas per 100 kilometers on natural gas
Continue reading CO2-neutral* Audi A3 G-Tron goes on sale in Germany
CO2-neutral* Audi A3 G-Tron goes on sale in Germany originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Thu, 13 Feb 2014 17:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
Video: Yes, a family of 5 can live in a 1981 VW Westfalia van [feedly]
Video: Yes, a family of 5 can live in a 1981 VW Westfalia van
// AutoblogGreen
Filed under: Green Culture, Transportation Alternatives, Volkswagen
Automakers and marketers trying to reach environmentally conscious consumers who desire the simple life basically have two strategies: promote electric vehicles that can be charged through green energy or sell a 30-year-old Volkswagen van on Craigslist.
Nicolas Boullosa and Kirsten Dirksen opted for Plan B and turned a 1981 Volkswagen Westfalia camper into a "micro-living" experiment. The co-founders of the simple living website faircompanies packed up their van and three young children for a road trip through the Pacific Northwest. They even turned the adventure into a documentary called Summer of (Family) Love, which you can view below. It's two hours long, so maybe add this to your weekend viewing list.
They limited themselves to one backpack per person into a camper that they purchased off Craigslist and named "Westy." They stuck to their original intention of cooking all their own meals off a propane stove, creating a new little home every night in a different location, mostly spaces outside RV parks.
They met up with other enthusiasts of the "tiny house" community who live like nomads. They were able to interview a few of then and, "With each stop we picked up some new piece of wisdom about life's essentials," Dirksen wrote in the faircompanies blog.
Continue reading Yes, a family of 5 can live in a 1981 VW Westfalia van
Yes, a family of 5 can live in a 1981 VW Westfalia van originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Fri, 14 Feb 2014 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
Official: Peugeot coming to Geneva with adaptable new 108 city car [feedly]
Official: Peugeot coming to Geneva with adaptable new 108 city car
// AutoblogGreen
Filed under: Convertible, Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Peugeot
It may be Renault that will be garnering the lion's share of attention with its innovative new Twingo at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, but that won't be the only French city car making its debut at the Swiss expo. Peugeot will also be on hand with its new 108 - a diminutive hatchback that may be more conventional than the rear-engined Twingo, but will offer European buyers more choices.
While the new Twingo will be offered (at least initially) in one body style, one specification and only four colors, the 108 arrives with a whole array of choices. It'll be offered with three doors or five, with a fixed or retractable roof panel, with four engine options and a broader array of color choices. At 136.6 inches long and less than 64 inches wide, it's nominally smaller than a Volkswagen Up! and offers a tight turning circle of less than 32 feet.
Slotting in below the 208 and 308 hatchbacks, the new 108 packs in more technology than you'd expect of a budget city car, including a 7-inch touchscreen display that mirrors your smartphone screen. Three-cylinder engine options range from a 1.0-liter unit with 68 horsepower to a 1.2 with 82 hp, mounted (unlike the aforementioned Renault) up front and driving the front wheels through a five-speed gearbox.
The new 108 replaces the previous 107 that was also marketed as a Citroën C1 and Toyota Aygo. You can bet the Citroën version will follow - the two brands sharing their parent company and much of their product portfolio - but we'll have to see if Toyota will be in on this one as well. In the meantime you can scope out the high-res images in the gallery above and the details in the press release below.
Continue reading Peugeot coming to Geneva with adaptable new 108 city car
Peugeot coming to Geneva with adaptable new 108 city car originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Feb 2014 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
Read This: Apple's merger chief met in secret with Tesla CEO Elon Musk [feedly]
Read This: Apple's merger chief met in secret with Tesla CEO Elon Musk
// AutoblogGreen
Filed under: Etc., EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors
There's no lack of connections between two of the most darling Silicon Valley companies, Apple and Tesla Motors. Most recently, the electric car manufacturer hired away Apple's "Hacker Princess," Kristin Paget, but it's possible to look back as far as 2010 to see when Tesla hired the man who worked on the Apple Store experience, George Blankenship, to get the Tesla Stores in order (he left in late 2013). More recently, there's been outside calls for the two to link arms, namely from banking analyst Adnaan Ahmad who said Apple should just up and buy Tesla (some have also predicted that General Motors could do just that in 2014) in late 2013. But nothing in this list ties the two companies together as strongly as a new report in the San Francisco Chronicle: Apple's chief of mergers and acquisitions, Adrian Perica, secretly met with Tesla CEO Elon Musk last spring.
Neither company is talking publicly, and the Chronicle's source is choosing to remain anonymous, but it appears that Tesla and Apple may have been at least a little bit interested in working together well ahead of Ahmad's call. He wrote that buying Tesla would bring another Steve Jobs-like figure (Musk) to the computer giant as well as give the maker of iPhones and iPads another market to explore (remember the iCar idea?). The Chronicle does admit that there's no upside for Tesla that's quite as obvious, and one analyst said a partnership would make more sense than a buy out.
There could be other scenarios on the table, as well. Perhaps it was to discuss a joint giga-battery plant? Or maybe Musk's visit to Cupertino was just a courtesy call, in case Tesla ever needs access to Apple's famously deep pockets. We don't know, but the news does give us a slew of interesting possibilities to ponder. There's a lot more over in the Chronicle, including how Apple may be branching out into new medical devices.
Apple's merger chief met in secret with Tesla CEO Elon Musk originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Mon, 17 Feb 2014 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments----
Shared via my feedly reader
Send from my iPad.
訂閱：
文章 (Atom)