|
Browse by Tags
All Tags » Tech » I.C.E. ( RSS)
-
|
Filed under: Gadgets , Etc. , I.C.E. , Tech Sirius and XM have buried the hatchet and merged their content, to the likely displeasure of many. XM closes 15 stations while simultaneously adding 22 new selections to the lineup, and Sirius pretty much broke even, trading 11 stations for 10 new ones. As has always been the case, the sports fans fare the best. Reception is reportedly better, too, though we're sure the lossy-codec lack of fidelity still makes it all virtually unlistenable to anyone that pays attention. If you don't care that cymbal crashes on SatRad sound like a pair of metal trash cans being hurled down a fire escape, you'll likely be pleased with the shuffling; though we hope they've left our beloved Soulsville alone. [Source: Kicking Tires ] Sirius and XM debut new lineups originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
-
|
Filed under: Sedans/Saloons , SUVs , I.C.E. , Tech , Hyundai Not too long ago, Hyundai didn't compete directly with anything coming out of Germany (or perhaps that's the other way around). Now Hyundai is determined not to let up on its recently-made foes. Today it unveiled the R-Engine, a new diesel in two capacities that the company says "can comfortably beat the power outputs of all German and French competitors." So there. The Euro-V compliant, common-rail lumps come in 2.0-liter and 2.2-liter flavors, each with piezo-electric fuel injectors and electronic variable geometry turbos. Refinement comes via an internal, silent steel timing chain and a lower balance shaft housed in a stiffened ladder-frame housing. Weight has also been reduced thanks to a head cover, intake manifold and oil filter housing all made from plastic. The 2.0-liter R-Engine puts out 181 hp and 289 lb-ft. That compares to 170 hp and 258 lb-ft for Audi's 2.0-liter TDI. The 2.2 liter Hyundai diesel...
|
-
|
Filed under: I.C.E. , Tech One of the highlights of the recent Audi Mileage Marathon for participating journalists was the in-car internet connectivity. The Q7s and other vehicles used in the marathon were equipped with a Cradlepoint mobile WiFi router and USB wireless broadband adapter. We were able to open up our laptops (when we were in the passenger seat, of course!) and connect to the net to write our stories while on the go. Delphi is now teaming up Autonet mobile to market in-car internet their connectivity products. Autonet is the company providing the in-car WiFi uConnect system that will become available from Chrysler dealers this fall. That unit is basically a standard WiFi router with a Sprint EVDO broadband adapter installed inside the box. The Delphi-Autonet partnership will take this technology and go a few steps further to add a variety of telematics services as well as improving the robustness of the systems. One of the issues that automotive engineers have to deal with...
|
-
|
Filed under: Gadgets , Etc. , I.C.E. , Tech Yes, we were among the suckers who endured the idiotic lines, activation woes and intermittent service that you've undoubtedly read about after the iPhone 3G's launch this past Friday. But our reason for suffering through myriad hassles to get our hands on Apple's newest hotness wasn't purely selfish. We wanted to see whether the iPhone 3G's new GPS functionality was worth the cost of admission or if we'd be better off buying one of the many stand-alone navigation units currently on the market. Make the jump to find out if it's worth your hard-earned cash and a place on your dash. Gallery: iPhone 3G GPS Review Continue reading Should've bought a Garmin? Testing the iPhone 3G's GPS capabilities Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
-
|
Filed under: Gadgets , Time Warp , I.C.E. , Tech , Toys If you're a child of the 80's, you may very well have gone ballistic when news of Mio's Knight Rider GPS hit cyberspace. The sat-nav unit is not only styled like the original Knight Industries Two Thousand, but even has blinking red lights along the flanks (just like KITT's voice modulator) and features voice directions recorded by the man himself, William Daniels. (What do you mean, who is William Daniels?! He was the original voice of KITT!) You can have it call you Michael and feel like The Hoff himself, or select from a long list of pre-recorded name to have KITT speak to you when that gets old. The boys over at Knight Rider Online got a hold of a preview unit and did a short video review , which you can check out after the jump. Thanks for the tip, joe! Gallery: Mio Knight Rider GPS [Source: Knight Rider Online ] Continue reading VIDEO: Mio Knight Rider GPS speaks! Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
|
-
|
Filed under: Gadgets , I.C.E. , Safety , Tech We already know that in-car web browsing is on its way. Both BMW and Chrysler have already revealed that the feature is forthcoming in their vehicles, and more automakers are sure to follow. But telematics provider ATX Group is sticking its nose in to ensure that the web we're one day browsing in our cars is safe to use (read: no fun at all). ATX is working with a group called the Connected Vehicle Trade Association to push a standardized method for getting web content into automobiles. ATX is exploring ways to adapt the traditional web experience to meet the demands of the automotive environment, similar to the way mobile versions of websites target cellphone browsers, nevermind that the mobile web experience pales in comparison to surfing normal websites on a device like the iPhone, which works inside cars last time we checked. One idea is to target automobile surfing through implementation of a standard top-level domain, .car, which would...
|
-
|
Filed under: I.C.E. , Tech , Ford Click above to view videos after the jump One of the cool features that Ford is introducing for the 2009 model year is its updated navigation system with Sirius Travel Link. When we went out to drive the updated 2009 Ford Escape this week, Ford's chief technology spokes-model Alan Hall gave us a guided tour of the system. The next generation nav unit takes the traditional touch screen GPS unit and integrates it with the popular SYNC system that debuted last year, while adding real time downloadable information from Sirius and a 10GB jukebox. The Sirius system provides information such as live weather maps overlaid on the navigation data, current fuel prices, movie listings and more. With the jukebox, you can insert an audio CD and automatically rip it to the internal hard drive like you can in the Cadillac CTS. The full Gracenote CDDB database is incorporated so that the meta-data can be automatically added. The screen can even display the album artwork...
|
-
|
Filed under: Green , I.C.E. , Tech Scuderi has been hard at work refining its split-cycle engine technology for the last few years, and the company believes that it's close to another milestone. Though still far from production, testing has recently validated an important aspect of the design involving the valvetrain, so vice president Stephen Scuderi believes that he is close to licensing the technology to other manufacturers. The split-cycle engine is intended to be an improvement on the traditional Otto cycle and acts a bit like the Miller cycle . Instead of using a mechanical supercharger, though, the Scuderi design uses paired cylinders to compress air, which is then used to prevent reversion of the exhaust gases into the intake tract. It is also possible to store some of this compressed air to power the vehicle as part of a hybrid drivetrain. If this seems to make little sense (don't worry, you're not alone), click past the break for a computer rendering of the engine...
|
-
|
Filed under: I.C.E. , Tech , Chrysler Chrysler just issued a press release detailing all the new technology that will soon be available in many of its 2009 model year vehicles, and the highlight would have to be the UConnect communications system that looks to compete with some aspects of Ford's Microsoft-powered SYNC system. UConnect appears to be a fancy name for Bluetooth phone integration coupled with voice recognition technology. In addition to pairing up your phone and downloading your address book, you can also input navigation destinations, change satellite radio stations and get to your voice mail using the power of speech. While it doesn't seem to offer functionality as broad as what you get with SYNC, UConnect appears to be a solid choice to check off on the options list. Next up we have in-vehicle wireless internet connectivity, which Chrysler promises will turn your Pentastar-branded car into a mobile hot spot. It will use a combination of WiFi and 4G broadband connectivity...
|
-
|
Filed under: CES , I.C.E. , Tech , Ford Though GM's Rick Wagoner nabbed the honor of giving this year's keynote address at next week's 2008 CES Show in Las Vegas, Ford may grab the headlines with a suite of new in-car entertainment, navigation and communication technologies that it plans to implement across its brands in the near future. First up will be the second version of its popular SYNC interface, details of which are scant. Considering that the SYNC system's capabilities are already robust, we're not sure what else they can add to it and are eager to find out. Ford will also be showing off its new SIRIUS Travel Link nav system, which gets updated in real time with all sorts of info from the SIRIUS satellites. Drivers can call up instant traffic data, weather, sports scores and movie showings, as well as plot a course to the gas station with cheapest fuel prices. Finally, Ford will have its new navigation system sourced from Xanavi on display with what we believe...
|
-
|
Filed under: I.C.E. , Tech , Volvo Since the debut of the original C70, and even before, Volvo's had a hi-fi fetish. That first C70 debuted the idea of in-car surround, running a Pro Logic head unit with available Dynaudio drivers arranged around the cabin. Volvo wants to continue offering its customers a euphonic experience, so they're equipping virtually all 2009 models with HD Radio receivers beginning in late 2008. HD Radio offers expanded programming, like the satellite services, but there's no fee. The selection may vary by geographic location, and variety may be spotty, but that's not as bad as it seems. Rather than blanket the country with the very same show from Atlantic to Pacific, HD offerings vary by locale, just like good old radio. Volvo's effort will give their vehicle fleet the largest base of standard-equipment HD receivers in the world, though the base S40 and V50 will not be available with the head units. [Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.] Read...
|
-
|
Filed under: Audio , Gadgets , Trends , I.C.E. , Tech Siemens and Microsoft have announced a joint partnership to develop the next generation of in-car entertainment and sat-nav products, which, much like the Ford/Microsoft Sync system, will allow users...
|
|
|
|