Cars - SlashGear

Posts Tagged ‘Cars’

SlashGear Week in Review – Week 21 2009

By Chris Davies on Sunday, May 24th 2009 No Comments

sprint palm pre The SlashGear team have been surprisingly mobile this week, with part one of our Lincoln MKS road-test, and toting Sprint’s version of the MiFi 2200 portable EVDO hotspot around. We still found enough time to get frantically excited about the Palm Pre, though, which we now know will launch on June 6th for $199.99.

That excitement is tempered with the ongoing rumors that stocks may be severely curtailed on launch day. Not only have Best Buy and RadioShack insiders been talking of minimal handset numbers come June 6th, Sprint’s own CEO is warning that the Pre will likely be in short supply for the first couple of months. The concern is that all of Palm’s momentum since CES back in January could fizzle out, as Apple are expected to announce a third-generation iPhone two days after the Pre’s launch.

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VW develop Intel-based in-car Infotainment PC [Video]

By Chris Davies on Wednesday, May 20th 2009 No Comments

Volkswagen have developed an an in-vehicle, fully-connected computer prototype, based on Intel’s In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) reference design. The PC is integrated entirely into the car’s head-unit, and offers digital music, video and photos, together with 3D navigation complete with online satellite imagery.

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Video demo after the cut

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SlashGear tests out a Lincoln MKS-Part 1

By Steven Grady on Tuesday, May 19th 2009 No Comments

In addition to the daunting task of testing out a FyreTV, I was also given the assignment of test driving a Lincoln MKS on my vacation in California. Yes, I am that dedicated. The Lincoln MKS is the mid-size luxury sedan with all of the fixings. Hand-stitched leather seating, duel climate control, a powerful engine, All Wheel Drive, and most importantly (to this publication anyway) Microsoft Sync and the GPS.

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Segway P.U.M.A. Project

By Chris Davies on Tuesday, Apr 7th 2009 No Comments

Segway and GM have partnered to develop the P.U.M.A., a self-balancing individual vehicle in which the two riders have some degree of weather protection. The Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility (P.U.M.A.) Project can travel up to 35mph, run 35 miles from one charge, and uses vehicle-to-vehicle communications to avoid collisions.

The Project P.U.M.A.

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RX-8 remote-controlled by iPod touch & RFID

By Chris Davies on Tuesday, Mar 31st 2009 No Comments

Most car computers concentrate on adding internet access, big sound systems and complex GPS, but Jon Oxer went a few stages further. His 2004 Mazda RX-8 is connected to the internet 24/7, can be remotely controlled via an iPod touch or iPhone, and unlocked via an RFID tag implanted in his arm.

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Video demo after the cut

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Tesla Model S Sedan official: $49,900 from 2011

By Chris Davies on Friday, Mar 27th 2009 No Comments

Until now the most we’ve seen of the Tesla Model S Sedan has been a coquettish wheel-arch and a glimpse of rump. Now the electric car company has officially unveiled their 300-mile range seven-seater, and promised production kicking off in Q3 2011.

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In-car Internet coming to Cadillac soon

By Brenda Stokes on Thursday, Mar 19th 2009 No Comments

cadillacwifi lg In case driving around in a Cadillac isn’t enough for you, come April you’ll be able to get the Internet while out on the road, too. And it’s all because of a new system called Cadillac WiFi that is based on an Autonet Mobile device. This device is completely portable and makes it so computers can access the Internet over a local connection.

In case you want a car with this gizmo built in, your first option will be the CTS Sports Sedan. However, you will be able to buy the WiFi device by itself, though it’ll cost you $499 plus $29 a month for the service.

At the moment, Cadillac is one of only a few car companies looking to pursue Internet for in the car. However, there is some concern that within a few years this technology will be useless, once 3G and 4G cell phone networks and devices are more readily available, cheaper and more reliable. But for now, it’s still pretty cool.

[via The Car Tech Blog]

VIA IVP-7500 in-car fanless PC

By Chris Davies on Thursday, Mar 19th 2009 No Comments

VIA have announced the VIA IVP-7500 board, what it’s calling the first in a series of dedicated x86-based in-car PC platforms. Based on a fanless 1.0GHz VIA Eden CPU and supporting up to 1GB of DDR2 memory, the IVP-7500 measures 114 x 185.5mm and can be embedded in the dashboard, fitted to a one- or two-DIN radio-sized box, or hidden in the seat or headrest.

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Denso Yubi-Nya remote-control cat ring

By Chris Davies on Tuesday, Mar 10th 2009 No Comments

Automotive parts supplier Denso Corporation have been demonstrating their latest remote control system, Yubi-Nya, which uses minute electric currents in the fingers to trigger central locking or other aspects of their vehicle. Unfortunately, to operate it you need to wear a huge cat-faced ring.

yubi nya

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MSI Funtoro FunStar ICE system

By Chris Davies on Thursday, Mar 5th 2009 No Comments

MSI have announced an in-car entertainment system, the Funtoro FunStar ST100, which they’re claiming is the pioneer for all-in-one systems. Comprising a core processing and distribution unit, together with a 2-DIN DVD player and front display, the BD765, the system can support up to three separate zones each with touchscreen control.

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