Fisker raises Karma plug-in hybrid base price to $95,900, brings that 750i back into consideration
December 26, 2010 No Comment
Oh, sure — gas is bound to hit $4 a gallon before 2020, but you can buy an awful let of petrol with the money you’ll save from dodging Fisker’s increasingly expensive Karma . ‘Course, those looking to blow 100 grand on an eco-friendly automobile are probably doing so just to throw Ma Earth a bone, but still — money matters. Originally teased way back in the fall of 2007, Fisker’s first plug-in hybrid still hasn’t ended up anywhere near mass production, but it has managed to see two rather significant upticks in price all the while. Right around two years ago, we saw the $80,000 MSRP boosted by $7,000, and today, prospective customers are being notified via email that the Karma’s base price is now sitting at $95,900 before a $950 destination fee. Granted, the company insists that this includes an integrated solar roof panel (valued at $5,000), and it still starts at $1,400 less than a Panamera S. And yeah, that base price does shrink to $88,400 after you include federal tax incentives. That said, we’re doubting high-rollers that were dead-set on handing over $73,000 or so after tax breaks are currently stoked about an increase this large, particularly when there’s still no definitive ship date. To Fisker’s credit, we’ve seen General Motors go through similar trials and tribulations surrounding the Volt , and even at $95k, you’ll be hard pressed to find more sexy than this on four (street legal) wheels. Fisker raises Karma plug-in hybrid base price to $95,900, brings that 750i back into consideration originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 05:38:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …New solar machine could generate hydrogen fuel, food for you future vehicle
December 26, 2010 No Comment
We’re hesitant to file this one in the folder marked “Awesome Things That’ll Never Happen,” but it’s definitely on the watch list. A new prototype solar device has been concocted to convert sunlight into fuel, much in the same way a plant does. Eco-minded folks will probably understand that conventional photovoltaic panels “must use the electricity they generate in situ,” and thus, cannot deliver energy at night; this here device takes a rather unorthodox approach, using the sun’s rays along with ceria (a magical, marvelous metal oxide) to “break down carbon dioxide or water into fuels which can be stored and transported.” In theory, at least, the device could be used to create hydrogen and / or carbon monoxide, with the former being obviously useful for fueling up hydrogen-based cars of the future. Sadly, the existing prototype is horribly inefficient — only around 0.7 percent of the solar energy can be converted into fuel — but researchers are adamant that they can boost that to nearly 20 percent in time. We’ll check back in a decade or so to see how things are progressing. New solar machine could generate hydrogen fuel, food for you future vehicle originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 26 Dec 2010 02:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Nikon patent app details lens with manual and electronic zoom, videographers rejoice
December 26, 2010 No Comment
We reckoned it was only a matter of time, and sure enough, it seems as if the engineers at Nikon are already one step ahead of everyone else. For those who’ve attempted to shoot video on a conventional DSLR, they’ve most likely ran into one problem in particular: zooming. It’s fairly difficult to manhandle a D3S under ideal circumstances, but try holding it steady while also keeping a firm grip on the zoom and focus dials. Without a camera rig, it’s essentially impossible to get anything more than novice captures, complete with oodles of blur and more Jellyvision than you could shake a butter knife at. If all goes well, the next Nikkor lens you purchase may make the aforementioned tragedy just another comical part of history. Nikon is apparently dreaming of a single lens that can be zoomed both manually (for still photography) and electronically (for video), and better still, there’s nothing stopping this from also supporting the outfit’s sure-to-be-forthcoming EVIL line of mirrorless cameras. Then again, it’s not like a patent application dictates a near-term release, but if we all cross our fingers in unison and pledge allegiance the Big N, who knows what kind of magic could happen. Nikon patent app details lens with manual and electronic zoom, videographers rejoice originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 23:59:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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It’s been awhile since we’ve heard any news from the Adamo camp, but for those looking to blow a bit of that Santa cash on something thin and light, the timing here couldn’t possibly be better. Nearly 1.5 years after the 13-inch ultraportable was let loose — for $1,999 and up , no less — a new low-cost configuration has emerged at Dell’s website. These days, $899 gets you a 0.65-inch thick machine, complete with a 13.4-inch WLED display (1366 x 768 resolution), 2.1GHz Core 2 Duo SL9600 processor, a 64-bit copy of Windows 7 Home Premium and 4GB of DDR3-800 memory. You’ll also get a 128GB SSD, 802.11n WiFi, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR and a 40 WHr Lithium Polymer battery, and if you’re down for spending a bit more, you can grab an internal mobile broadband module as well. Or, you know, you could wait and see what kind of treasures CES brings. Your call. Dell’s Adamo 13 ultraportable slips to $899, gets a spec bump originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 18:28:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Yeahhhhhhhhh boyeeeeee, it’s CHRISTMAS , yo!!! You know what that means!!! ENGADGET PODCAST TIME — WITH PRESENTS!!!!! HIT IT!!! Hosts: Joshua Topolsky, Paul Miller, Nilay Patel Producer: Trent Wolbe Music: Last Christmas 00:03:35 – Verizon teases Android LTE hardware for January 6th at CES 00:03:50 – New HTC device starts leaking piecemeal — is it the Mecha / Incredible HD? 00:04:10 – Motorola has an LTE phone for Verizon in the works 00:04:25 – Motorola’s ‘Tablet Evolution’ video teases some Honeycomb at CES 00:35:50 – Palm’s tablet is codenamed ‘Topaz,’ keyboard accessory leaks out 00:36:20 – Three HP Slate-like webOS tablets coming at CES? We’re not so sure. 00:47:00 – Microsoft to demo new slate PCs, Windows 8 tablet functionality at CES? 00:49:05 – Microsoft to announce ARM-based Windows at CES? 00:58:11 – How to pronounce ASUS (video) 00:59:35 – FCC passes limited net neutrality rules, almost no one happy about them 01:00:30 – FCC releases full net neutrality rules 01:01:20 – Net neutrality: Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile react 01:06:00 – FCC: We didn’t impose stricter net neutrality regulations on wireless because Android is open 01:13:27 – NYT: Next batch of Google TV devices delayed, pending software updates 01:13:35 – Sony says Google TV sales meeting expectations, TV division working more closely with Google than cellphone group 01:13:45 – Logitech said to be halting Revue production until Google TV software revamp 01:16:30 – New Apple TV, Roku media streamers race to break one million in sales Hear the podcast Subscribe to the podcast [ iTunes ] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in iTunes (enhanced AAC). [ RSS MP3 ] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in MP3) to your RSS aggregator and have the show delivered automatically. [ RSS AAC ] Add the Engadget Podcast feed (in enhanced AAC) to your RSS aggregator. [ Zune ] Subscribe to the Podcast directly in the Zune Marketplace Download the podcast LISTEN (MP3) LISTEN (AAC) LISTEN (OGG) Contact the podcast 1-888-ENGADGET or podcast (at) engadget (dot) com. Twitter: @joshuatopolsky @futurepaul @reckless @engadget Filed under: Podcasts Engadget Podcast 222 – 12.25.2010 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 17:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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‘Tis the season for manufacturing deals? Sure seems it. Merely hours after Sony announced its intentions to buy back Cell chip fabrication facilities from Toshiba, it looks as if Tosh is about to enter into yet another agreement. In this case, it’ll be outsourcing the unprofitable production of semiconductors to rival Samsung, which will be responsible for churning out the brains behind a number of smartphones, televisions and digital home appliances. Numerous sources have explained that Toshiba is interested in realigning its focus onto the blossoming memory chip business, and moreover, its hoping to evade costly facility upgrades that would be necessary to remain competitive in the system LSI business. In other words, the company is dodging investment costs and placing a greater emphasis on a sector that’s already profitable (NAND flash production, for those curious), and after the Oita plant is handed off, it’ll be used to make image sensors in digital cameras. The Nagasaki plant, as we heard earlier, will be handed over to Sony. Toshiba’s stocks were sent northward after investors welcomed the news, but of course it remains to be seen what kind of consumer impact this will have. Whatever the case, we certainly hope Toshiba never runs into any trouble with Sammy — it’s not like its top brass can be touched, regardless of infraction . Toshiba outsourcing semiconductor production to rival Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 14:40:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Let’s just call it what it is: the best Christmas ever . Why? Well, for starters, it’s December 25th. Secondly, it’s a Saturday in much of the world. How often does that happen? The technology outfits ’round the globe have managed to deliver a rather insane stack of wares to consider this year — from terrifically desirable goods to rubbish that we wouldn’t wish on our worst enemy’s enemies — and now it’s our turn to pry into your business and find out what Santa Claus dumped (or didn’t dump) under your tree overnight. Hit us up with your scores in comments below, and be sure to cast your vote as to whether or not the kid on the right is feigning excitement over his newfound laptop. Oh, the kid in the video just past the break — that’s probably useful information. When you’re done, check out what people got jazzed about in 2004 , 2005 , 2006 , 2007 , 2008 and 2009 . Continue reading So, what’d you get? So, what’d you get? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 11:55:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to mock the above self-portrait without resorting to obvious jokes about the iPhone needing a bumper , the iPad lacking a camera of its own , or prefixing insults with the letter i . Come on, it’s Christmas, let’s be a little more like San Diego and keep it classy. For his part, David Polette, the author of this piece, admits to no Photoshop trickery whatsoever, having relied simply on his camera, Apple gadgets, and no small amount of patience to line things up just right. Android users, care to play along as well? [Thanks, David] Visualized: here’s looking at you, fanboy! originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 09:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
Continue reading …Thrustmaster T500RS steering wheel unveiled: $599 of Gran Turismo perfection
December 25, 2010 No Comment
First the tease , now the payoff. Thrustmaster has officially announced the full specs and price for its T500RS steering wheel and pedal set, otherwise known as the official driving simulator for Gran Turismo 5 . The T500RS purportedly lets “users truly feel the emotions experienced by drivers on real racing circuits,” though whether this includes feelings of unquenchable anger from being put into the wall at Daytona is unclear. A contactless magnetic sensor system known as HallEffect AccuRate Technology gives gamers sixteen-bit precision input that represents a significant upgrade over the twelve-bit version in the Ferrari Wireless GT Cockpit 430 Scuderia Edition . Additionally, 1080 degree wheel rotation gives drivers a half-turn more than Logitech’s Driving Force GT , and the system comes with fully adjustable pedals configurable for floor mounted (F1-style) and suspended (GT-style) positions. Slated for a late December or mid January release, depending on your location, the T500RS has a hefty list price of $599.99 MSRP, but how else will you find out what a Bugatti Veyron really handles like on the ‘ring? Gallery: GranTurismo Thrustmaster T500RS Continue reading Thrustmaster T500RS steering wheel unveiled: $599 of Gran Turismo perfection Thrustmaster T500RS steering wheel unveiled: $599 of Gran Turismo perfection originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 04:02:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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Taken a look at Google’s homepage recently? If not, we’d recommend you do so, STAT. The image you see here will only be an active doodle — a name given to Google’s “special” logos used to commemorate certain events and holidays — for a few more hours. According to a lengthy report over at the Wall Street Journal , the Holiday 2010 Doodle is El Goog’s “most ambitious one yet,” taking five artists some 250 hours to create. Google estimates that it has crafted some 900 doodles since 1998, with a whopping 270 of ‘em running in 2010. This particular one relies on 17 interactive portraits of holiday scenes from around the globe, and it took the team a number of months to finally whip up a finished product that everyone was stoked on. We’d encourage you to click around on it to discover what the tiles actually mean, and if you’re hungry to learn about the shockingly interesting backstory that surrounds it, the source link has a URL with your name on it. Google’s 2010 holiday doodle: its ‘most ambitious one yet’ originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Dec 2010 02:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink
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