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Lexus CT 200h compact sports-hybrid evolves from LF-Ch Concept

Chris Davies — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:23:07 +0000

Remember the frankly storming Lexus LF-Ch hybrid concept from September 2009? At the time the company promised a production version, and they’ve finally delivered on that with the Lexus CT 200h; unfortunately, some of the more lairy styling details of the LF-Ch have been lost in the process.

As before, there’s a 1.8l four-cylinder VVT-i engine paired with a Lexus Hybrid Drive electric powertrain. Four different driving modes are on offer, ranging from EV Mode for electric-only, Eco which tempers throttle response and air-conditioning to save fuel, Normal which has a linear throttle response for standard driving, and finally Sport for a more responsive throttle and tweaked ESP for speedier response to driver input.

Inside, there’s a sizeable LCD display and a trackstick-style control system; you can expect the usual mixture of PND functionality, media playback and multi-zone air-con. We’re keeping our fingers crossed for an F-series version of the CT 200h, hopefully bringing back the gaping vents and slicker styling, but the regular model will get its US intro at the New York International Auto Show 2010 on March 31st; no word on when it’ll actually be available to drive, nor how much it will cost.

Press Release:

All-New Lexus CT 200h Premium Compact Hybrid Makes North American Debut at 2010 New York International Auto Show

• Only Dedicated Hybrid Vehicle in the Premium Compact Segment
• 1.8L Four-Cylinder Engine Paired with Lexus Hybrid Drive
• Engineered for Dynamic Handling and Agility

NEW YORK – March 3, 2010 – The all-new Lexus CT 200h premium compact hybrid will be on display for the first time in North America at the 2010 New York International Auto Show March 31 through April 11. The sporty and versatile five-door, which had its global premiere at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show today, will be Lexus’ second dedicated hybrid and fifth hybrid vehicle in the line-up in the U.S.

“When the all-new Lexus CT 200h enters the market it will be the only hybrid vehicle in the emerging premium compact segment,” said Mark Templin, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager.

“The CT 200h combines luxury features, eye-catching styling, and driving excitement that we know will attract a whole new buyer to the Lexus brand.”

The Lexus CT 200h evolved from the LF-Ch concept unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and was styled with optimum aerodynamic efficiency. Its size, packaging and hybrid technology meet the requirements of the discerning, environmentally-conscientious consumer in the emerging premium compact market. It offers no compromise on the quality, refinement and driving pleasure which hallmark the progressive luxury inherent in every Lexus.

Lexus has offered consumers hybrid powertrain technology since 2005. Marking the introduction of Lexus Hybrid Drive technology to the premium compact segment for the first time, the all-new CT 200h not only reinforces the company’s clear leadership in hybrid technology, but also the unrivalled breadth of Lexus models available as a hybrid.

The CT 200h features a 1.8-liter gas engine with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), a high performance battery, power control unit, transmission with an electric motor generator, a power split device to re-allocate power from the engine and electric motor generator according to operational requirements.

Four drive modes enhance the capabilities of the CT 200h’s Lexus Hybrid Drive technology and change the rate of throttle opening for a given throttle-pedal angle. EV mode allows for ultra-quiet running on electric motor power alone. Normal mode has an essentially linear throttle response while Eco mode reduces throttle response relative to the pedal angle and adjusts air conditioning settings to emphasize fuel economy.

The new CT 200h has been specifically developed to combine superior handling agility and a sporty driving experience with the ride comfort expected of any Lexus. The Sport mode provides a more responsive throttle and modifies the Electronic Power Steering (EPS) settings to give a faster response to driver inputs.

In the interest of maximum fuel efficiency, particular attention has been paid to the aerodynamic efficiency of every aspect of the CT 200h’s design. The front and rear corners have been pulled in tight to improve the flow of air down the sides of the vehicle and minimize wind turbulence within the wheel arches. The sides of the cabin have been tapered, the rear edge of the roof lowered and even the lower body painstakingly detailed to optimize airflow. Completing the look are unique 17-inch alloy wheels and blue badging specific to Lexus hybrid vehicles.

The interior offers unprecedented levels of refinement in this segment. Efficient and elegant, the cabin combines superior ergonomics with hand-crafted, premium quality materials to create an outstanding driving environment. The extensive use of metallic finishes and dark, soft touch materials reinforces the luxury experience.

Despite the compact package, the CT 200h does not compromise interior roominess. Its long, 102-inch wheelbase offers front and rear seat passenger accommodation that is amongst the most spacious in the segment

“Lexus has been at the forefront of luxury hybrid technology for the last five years. The CT 200h is just another example of our commitment to developing cars that are innovative and different from what’s already out there,” said Templin. “With its exceptional fuel economy, ultra-low emissions, dynamic handling, and beautiful styling, the CT 200h is a car that doesn’t sacrifice excitement for efficiency.”

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Scosche solBAT II solar-powered cellphone battery

Chris Davies — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 16:08:56 +0000

There’s money to be made from earth-friendly gadgets, and there’s an iPhone-owning audience out there crying out for extra juice in their smartphones, so trust Scosche to put the two together. The Scosche solBAT II is, daft punctuation aside, a reasonably sensible solar-powered external battery, which comes with both a windshield mount and a universal carabineer for easy positioning.

Once the 1,500mAh battery is charged, Scosche reckon you’ll have enough to rejuice a normal cellphone twice; it also comes with adapter tips for Blackberry, iPhone, iPod and PSP. If you want to use it as a regular external battery then you can recharge it via a USB connection, too, though then the environment will cry. It’s on sale now for $29.99.

Press Release:

Scosche Launches solBAT II – Solar Powered Back up Battery and Charging Device

solBAT II is available now

Oxnard, CA – February 3, 2009 – Scosche Industries, an award-winning innovator of iPod and iPhone accessories, announces the availability of its solBAT II – solar powered charger and battery backup. The solBAT II works with almost any handheld device that can be charged via a USB cable and feature’s a simple two light indicator that lets users know when the solBAT II it is charging from the sun or a USB cable (red), and when it is passing that stored energy to a handheld (green) like a Blackberry, iPhone, iPod, or PSP.

“The solBAT II is a great way to charge your devices using the free, renewable power of the sun,” said Kas Alves, executive vice president of Scosche Industries. “It is the perfect accessory for powering outdoor adventures or can keep your iPhone topped off while you watch your favorite movie on a long flight.”

The solBAT II’s lithium ion battery has a capacity of 1500mA and an output of 5V, allowing it to charge USB powered devices at the same rate as a wall charger. The solBAT II features a windshield mount and a universal carabineer mount making it easy to soak up the sun’s clean energy. When fully powered a solBAT II will charge a typical cellular up to two times, making it a great battery backup to keep in the car or a bag in case of emergency when traveling.

Recently Scosche partnered with Business Mobility Systems to provide volunteering doctors in Haiti with a means of communication. With the power grid in Port-AU-Prince out of commission the doctors used the solBAT II’s to keep their smartphones powered up.

“With all the different technologies we used to make this communication solution work, one of the most important aspects or components were the solBAT II solar powered backup batteries,” said Art Hale Chief Technology Officer, Business Mobility Systems.

The solBAT is available now on Scosche.com and at select retail locations throughout the US for $29.99. For additional information and to order the solBAT II now please visit www.scosche.com.

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Recompute cardboard computer now in production

Chris Davies — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:10:03 +0000

PC manufacturers often treat environmental friendliness as something that begins and ends with using recycled materials for the packaging, but what about the average desktop PC casing itself? Recompute’s “sustainable computer” concept has been making the rounds since last year, but the company have just announced that the first of the cardboard-chassis PCs are now going into production.

A waiting list for interested parties has been up and running for a few months now, though they’re yet to confirm what exact specifications the final machine might have. The idea is that aside from the motherboard, processor, RAM, storage and power supply, everything else is made from cardboard; that way, only minimal metal and electronics are used.

Once you’re done with the PC, you can send the internal hardware off for recycling or re-use and dump the case in with your recycling (assuming you’re allowed to put cardboard in there). In a worst-case scenario the Recompute shell will simply biodegrade over time. No word on how much the finished example will cost at this stage, nor when we can expect the first deliveries.

[via The Next Web]

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Sea Shepherd’s Ady Gil trimaran sinks after whaling ship collision [Video]

Chris Davies — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 16:38:37 +0000

Back in November we told you about Earthrace – the distinctive trimaran powerboat – joining the Sea Shepherd organisation as a so-called “stealthed support vessel” named the Ady Gil. Unfortunately we’ve some bad news: the $2.5m carbon-fibre and Kevlar boat was seemingly involved in a collision with a Japanese whaling vessel and subsequently sunk, as efforts to tow the Ady Gil to harbour were scuppered as the damaged craft took on water and snapped its lines.

Videos of the collision after the cut

The incident is already causing great controversy, as environmentalists, politicians and whalers weigh in on who was to blame. The Ady Gil was seemingly stationary when the Japanese vessel, Shonan Maru No 2, collided with it, though there’s speculation that the engines had been started either to push the trimaran further toward the whaling ship or pull it away. Meanwhile video footage – which you can see below; caution, the second clip has NSFW language – shows the Japanese ship firing water cannons at the Ady Gil crew. All crew members were rescued from the damaged boat.

Already donations have begun pouring in and fundraisers organised to raise the estimated $5m needed to build the Ady Gil 2. This time around the trimaran is unlikely to benefit from the two free Cummins Mercruiser Diesel engines, each capable of 540 horsepower, or the free gearboxes that were donated to the Earthrace team.

View from whaling vessel:

Video from Sea Shepherd support boat (WARNING: NSFW language):

[via Big Issue magazine]

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ASUS Eee PC Karim Rashid Collection & U-Series Bamboo notebooks live

Chris Davies — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:35:59 +0000

Looking for a bright pink or bamboo notebook? ASUS have got your back either way, unveiling both a netbook collaboration with designer Karim Rashid and a U-Series notebook with real bamboo in the casing. The ASUS Eee PC 1008P Seashell Karim Rashid Collection is the more eye-catching of the pair, thanks to a diamond-textured (and vivid pink) shell that’s supposed to create the illusion of moving light, while the ASUS U Series Bamboo uses a plastic-injected bamboo material cladding Intel 32nm Arrandale CPUs and USB 3.0 connectivity.

Aside from the casing design – it’s also available in metallic brown – the Karim Rashid Eee PC 1008P mainly differs from its Seashell predecessors by virtue of the removable battery, Pine Trail processor, larger HDD and speedier WiFi. Intel’s Atom N450, 250GB and 802.11n are all onboard, together with gigabit ethernet and Bluetooth 2.1, while a nifty little VGA adapter dongle lurks underneath. The battery is only a 3-cell pack, and ASUS aren’t saying exactly how long it might last nor when you’ll be able to pick up the 1008P yourself.

As for the ASUS U-Series Bamboo, it sneaks in Intel’s latest Core i5 processors together with discrete graphics. ASUS reckon it makes as much sense to consider using renewable materials in the initial design as it does to plan out recyclability when the notebook is past its best, hence the bamboo. Again, no word on pricing, release date or full specifications. Live photos of both machines in the gallery below.

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Aston Martin Cygnet city-car makes official appearance

Chris Davies — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 15:12:20 +0000

Remember the Aston Martin Cygnet? The company’s first city-car broke cover back in June, as a sub-£20k (sub-$33k) sop to urban dwellers and environmentalists. Now the company have released the first official shots of the Cygnet, and it’s certainly distinctive.

Though it’s based on the Toyota iQ, the grafting of the traditional Aston Martin snout onto the Cygnet has left it looking quite a lot like a Smart ForTwo. Expect plenty of leather on the inside, as the company attempt to differentiate the Cygnet from its origins ahead of the expected European launch sometime in 2010.

Aston Martin originally said they intend to shift a mere 4,000 to 5,000 Cygnets per year, and in doing so they’ll likely take a big bite out of their overall CO2 output and MPG figures. Considering incoming emissions regulations judge marques on the average of their results across the whole range, rather than on a model-by-model basis, the Cygnet will help drag down the eye-watering stats associated with Aston Martin’s more profligate sportscars.

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Aptera 2e EV car production pushed back to 2010

Chris Davies — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 17:23:02 +0000

Does it look like an egg, a blade-free helicopter or a sperm on wheels? No matter: the one thing we do know is that the Aptera 2e won’t be looking good on your driveway any time soon. The all-electric car – which we first wrote about back in September 2007 – was meant to go into production this year, but Aptera have announced that will actually now take place in 2010. Somewhat ominously, the two co-founders are either stepping aside or taking a “leave of absence” until Aptera can scrape together some more cash.

“[W]e’ll begin volume production vehicles once our current series of private funding has closed or when we secure financing through the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle loan program, whichever comes first” company statement

When we say “scrape together”, we obviously mean “wait for a government hand-out” since Aptera seem to be leaning heavily toward an ATV loan of the sort that Tesla gobbled up. That leaves those 4,000 people who’ve put down a pre-order deposit for a 2e twiddling their thumbs, basically (though Aptera have said they can whip out their money at any time, if they so wish).

It’s a shame, as the 2e certainly manages to be distinctive along with promising a top speed of 90mph and 0-60mph in under 10 seconds. What remains to be seen is whether the US government decides that an oddball monocoque composite bubble on three wheels is ripe for investment, or should be allowed to go off like an egg left at the back of the fridge.

[via Jalopnik]

Press Release:

FIRST ALL-ELECTRIC APTERA 2e PUSHED BACK TO 2010

Co-founders Fambro and Anthony step aside from day-to-day operations

VISTA, Calif. (Nov. 18, 2009) — In September 2008, when fledgling vehicle manufacturer Aptera named Paul Wilbur president and CEO, the 27-year Detroit auto executive set forth a series of financial goals and product deadlines. “Aptera’s production and delivery will be tied directly to funding,” said Wilbur.

During the past 12 months, the company’s initial offering – the aerodynamic Aptera 2e, an all-electric, three-wheeled two-seater that gets the equivalent of 200-plus mpg – has evolved from concept to near reality. Companies including Google and IdeaLab have made significant investments in the southern California auto manufacturer, and numerous potential private and public backers are in the process of doing their due diligence. However, according to Wilbur, the vehicle development progress has been outpacing the rate of fundraising.

“We’re making significant progress every day with product refinements, the completion of engineering and design details, and securing meaningful strategic partnerships,” says Wilbur. “However, we now have to adjust our production schedule to align with financing realities. Properly managing the resources of the company means we’ll complete our first vehicles in 2010, not by the end of 2009 as previously projected.

“Aptera management is being a prudent steward of all resources to ensure future viability for the company and strong returns for its stakeholders. Therefore, we’ll begin volume production vehicles once our current series of private funding has closed or when we secure financing through the Department of Energy’s Advanced Technology Vehicle loan program, whichever comes first.”

The aerodynamically-inspired Aptera 2e goes from zero to 60 in under 10 seconds, tops out at 90 mph and has already received nearly 4,000 deposits, which are fully refundable and remain in an escrow account. The production vehicle includes enhanced safety features, a redesigned interior cabin that is airy and user-friendly, a monocoque, structural composite body as well as a telematics and infotainment system.

“I’m as disappointed as any of our depositors and loyal followers around the country that we’re delaying initial production,” says Wilbur. “There’s no one who’s more anxious than we are to put the 2e on the road.

“Because of this production delay, we’ve unfortunately been forced to lay off some hard working employees. It’s a strategy to streamline our spending to hone in on the items that advance our fundraising and completion of our first vehicle.

“Additionally as part of this plan, co-founder Chris Anthony is stepping aside from day-to-day activities to concentrate on his two other companies, Epic Boats and Flux Power.”

Aptera’s other co-founder, Steve Fambro, who started tinkering with the idea of building an aerodynamic vehicle five years ago, is taking a short leave of absence and will re-engage with the company in the new year.

“Right now my advanced work is a lower priority for Aptera,” said Fambro, the company’s Chief Technical Officer who directs all advanced concept development activities. “We’ve got to be wholly focused on funding and getting the first 2e on the road.

“Paul’s leadership and (chief engineer) Tom Reichenbach’s talent have led to changes in the vehicle that are spot-on. They’ve made the vehicle safer, it’s better handling and more comfortable. Once we get through this stage, we’ll begin mass producing the 2e – the most aerodynamic and efficient vehicle in the world.”

According to Wilbur, “Building and launching a new car company is the challenge of a lifetime – even in the best economic times. At Aptera, this is especially true because we didn’t start with an existing architecture for our vehicle. The 2e was designed from scratch, which is why we’re focused on properly, and painstakingly, creating a foundation that can succeed over time; it’s a chance for everybody working at Aptera to reshape the automotive world for the next generation.”

About Aptera
Aptera Motors (www.aptera.com) was founded in 2006 to develop and build the safest, most energy efficient commuter vehicles on the road. Utilizing streamlined aerodynamic design, lightweight composite structures and unique drive systems, Aptera (which means wingless flight) delivers vehicles that are attainable and efficient. The company operates two Southern California facilities in north San Diego County, where it designs, engineers and manufactures the vehicles and their composite systems to create an exceptionally strong, sleek body.

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OLED and solar-panel lights promise Earth-friendly simplicity

Chris Davies — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:32:08 +0000

We all love a sandwich, but how often does your sandwich light up from power it has collected itself? If you’re chowing down on a prototype from the Florida Energy Systems Consortium then it might just do that (though probably not tasting particularly good in the process): they’re working on the idea of layered OLED and solar-cell panels, which would capture sunlight during the day and recharge a back battery plane, before lighting up at night.

As well as reducing space the system would also avoid the need for a power inverter, since the solar-cells output direct current, the batteries store direct current, and the OLED panel runs off direct current. The FESC reckon it could be ideal for parking lots or other installations where you want minimal maintenance.

[via OLED-Info]

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Earthrace super-trimaran gets stealth paint job

Chris Davies — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 11:47:12 +0000

Remember Earthrace, the awesome carbon-fibre and Kevlar trimaran that was designed to take on powerboat speed-trials for round-the-world sailing? In the few years since it debuted the $2.5m bio-diesel boat has been whipping around cracking world records; now it’s going into its next job, acting as a stealthed support vessel for the Sea Shepherd anti-whaling organisation.

Now, mentioning Sea Shepherd usually kicks up all manner of argument about whether the organisation – which you could precis as a more aggressive version of Greenpeace – does more harm than good, but we’re going to try to avoid that. Instead let’s all marvel at Earthrace’s new paint-job, the trimaran having switched from silver to some seriously Batman-esque matte black.

Matte black is already passé in cars, but we reckon kick-ass speedboats can still get away with it. Life have a few more pictures – including of the cabin, which has some new lime-green racing seats – but the really clever stuff is the paint, which apparently helps the Earthrace to not show up on radar.

[via BoingBoing]

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Factory Five electric ‘33 Hot Rod likely to confuse earth-huggers

Chris Davies — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:11:47 +0000

What’s bright red, has an almost comically-long chin and bug-eyes? No, not my ex-wife (yes, Marion, your damned check is in the mail) but the latest incarnation of the Factory Five ‘33 Hot Rod, perhaps the best alternative to a pious Prius we’ve seen so far. Factory Five took the regular planet-destroying engine out and replaced it with a custom 300+ horsepower electric drive that musters over 660ft/lbs of torque and pegs 0-60mph times of four seconds.

While the car may look altogether retro in its aesthetics, some serious effort went into the design. Factory Five worked with HP and SolidWorks CAD to perfect the electric fit-out, using UQM technologies electric drive and A123 Systems lithium-ion batteries for a range of over 100 miles from a single charge.

Admittedly an open-top hot rod isn’t quite as practical as a five-door hatch for doing the weekly shop, and while no pricing has been announced we doubt Factory Five will be pegging the electric ‘33 Hot Rod anywhere near Toyota sort of prices. Come the collapse of civilisation, though, there probably won’t be any stores anyway, and those performance stats will sound a whole lot better when you’re trying to outrun the inevitable mutants.

[via Born Rich]

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Media Xtreme fuel-cell charger on sale at T-Mobile

Chris Davies — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:21:46 +0000

T-Mobile are offering a fuel-cell portable power pack as an accessory for their cellphone range, one of the first mainstream fuel-cell applications targeted at everyday consumers. The Medis 24/7 Xtreme Portable Power Solution runs on sealed cartridges of sodium borohydride, and can offer 20 Watt-hours from a single cartridge.

Each cell lasts up to 18 months unused, and is activated merely by squeezing it and slotting it into the charger device. Once activated, the cell should last for up to 3 months, though Medis recommend using it within six weeks.

T-Mobile bundle the fuel-cell with various charging tips, to suit different cellphones and smartphones, and other adapters are available separately. The Medis Xtreme Portable Fuel Cell Charger is available now, priced at $24.99.

Press Release:

T-MOBILE WILL OFFER MEDIS 24/7 XTREME™ FUEL CELL PORTABLE POWER SOLUTION
“Mobilize with T-Mobile for a Greener Planet”

NEW YORK, NY (October 21, 2009) . . . . Medis Technologies Ltd. (Pink Sheets: MDTL) announced that its 24/7 Xtreme Portable Power Solution will be offered by T-Mobile on its new microsite at www.mobilizewitht-mobile.com. The site is a pure-green site where a visitor can learn about green initiatives, or buy a T-Mobile product or accessory. You can even have a tree planted to help slow down climate change. In addition, the product can also be found in the accessories section of the main T-Mobile website at http://www.tmobile.com/shop/addons/Accessories/AccLanding.aspx.

Medis CEO Jose Mejia commented, “This T-Mobile site is the most appropriate place yet for Xtreme – because the products are pure green, probably the greenest energy source on Planet Earth. The Xtreme Portable Power Solution is essential when you need to charge your phone and are away from a traditional electric outlet—it is great for the airport when there are no outlets available, or when working outdoors, or hiking, camping, boating, biking—the possibilities are endless.”

Mejia continued, “The best part is that our electricity is generated without emitting elements harmful to the environment, such as carbon or carbon dioxide, and without any heavy metals. There are no emissions and no measurable heat generated. Fresh green electricity can be made available when and where you need it – under any climatic conditions. We are very pleased to have been chosen for T-Mobile’s green site.”

The Xtreme Portable Power Solution contains the world’s first personal fuel cell power system that delivers mobile phone power when a user needs it most. Based on the Medis Direct Liquid Fuel Cell Technology, Xtreme delivers instant emergency power to portable devices without batteries or pre-charging. Xtreme can power a mobile phone, or a MP3 player for many days when grid power is not available, and when batteries have given up or faded out.
Xtreme products are easily recyclable, contain no toxic or hazardous substances, and are allowed onboard airplanes by the TSA. They comply with the Department of Homeland Security’s “Resolve to be Ready 2009” campaign.

For more information about Medis Technologies and its fuel-cell-powered products, please visit www.medistechnologies.com.

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Nissan Land Glider leaning electric car concept [Video]

Chris Davies — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 09:44:25 +0000

After Shane flagged up a couple of interesting and definitely distinctive electric cars yesterday, it only seemed fair to counter with this: Nissan’s Land Glider concept. Reminiscent of the VentureOne tilting trike, the twin-seater Land Glider leans into turns to avoid falling over, and is blessed with one of the coolest cockpits we’ve seen in some time (you can see it in the gallery after the cut).

Video demo after the cut

To keep the Land Glider slippery to air resistance all unnecessary extremities – such as wing mirrors – are replaced with cameras and dashboard mounted displays. Meanwhile the drivetrain is 100-percent electric, though Nissan are being coy on the exact details of their motor.

Unfortunately it’s all a concept at the moment, with the prototype going on show at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show next to Nissan’s more production-friendly electric cars. As an ex-Smart Car owner I say build the Land Glider instead, I’d definitely buy one.

[via Chris Leckness]

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LG GD510 “Pop”: style & solar charging, but short on specs

Chris Davies — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:10:11 +0000

Sometimes a gadget comes along that is so pretty that, when you realise it has a spec-sheet more barren than the Sahara, you can’t help but tear at your chest and roar. LG’s GD510 “Pop” isn’t quite so bad as all that, but it’s a handsome 3-inch touchscreen phone – the most compact ever with such a screen-size, they say – with a brushed aluminum body that throws out most of the things we take for granted in today’s handsets. WiFi we can live without, but a handset lacking 3G? For shame!

Video demo after the cut

There’s also a mediocre WQVGA LCD panel and a multifunction button that’s used as a home-key normally and a call/end button while in the dialler. Internal memory is a reasonably healthy 8GB, plus there’s a 3.5mm headphones jack and 3-megapixel camera (though no flash).

LG will also sell you a replacement battery cover that adds solar-charging to the GD510. No word on pricing, but it’ll apparently land in Europe come mid-October and “other markets” after that.

Press Release:

A Touchscreen Phone That Has Never Been Simpler To Use

Seoul, Korea / September 30, 2009 – LG Electronics (LG), a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, today unveiled the LG GD510, or more simply, “Pop”, the most compact 3-inch full touchscreen phone ever made. The LG GD510 is the handset people who want a simple touchscreen phone have been waiting for.

LG has been one of the industry’s leading innovators in touchscreen phones since it launched the world’s first full touchscreen phone, PRADA Phone by LG, in January 2007. Since then, the company has achieved great success in the touchscreen devices market by creating an array of handsets designed to meet different consumer needs. For instance, LG’s Cookie (KP500) is an affordable full touchscreen phone that has already sold more than 7 million units worldwide since its launch earlier this year. With the LG GD510, LG is applying its tried and true strategy to another new model – this time, to a compact full touchscreen handset.

LG’s consumer research showed that a large group of consumers wanted the functionality of a full touchscreen phone without the extra bulk and unnecessary features that resulted in higher prices. According to the research, many users were also put off by the complexity of feature-laden phones but still desired the easier navigation and larger screens of full touchscreen phones. The LG GD510 was designed to include the key features these users craved, without the overhead of features they didn’t use.

“We gave the LG GD510 an optimized feature set which allowed us to concentrate on making the phone more compact and simpler to use,” said Dr. Skott Ahn, President and CEO of LG Electronics Mobile Communications Company. “Our high-end phones like the Black Label Series New LG Chocolate (LG BL40) may be getting all the attention but there’s a gap in the market for affordable touchscreen phones that we want to fill. The LG GD510 delivers all the essentials in communication, multimedia and entertainment and comes in a compact form factor as well.”

Fully fluent in multimedia, the LG GD510 plays music and movies in several popular file formats and 8 gigabytes of internal memory provides plenty of room for storing large collections. An easy-to-use browser brings all the best mobile content to the device’s large screen and a 3.0 megapixel camera captures high quality photos and videos for sharing online or sending wirelessly to friends.

The spacious 3-inch WQVGA touchscreen extends almost to the edges of the LG GD510 with a narrow 4.8 mm bezel giving the illusion of an uninterrupted sheet of glass. The unit’s sleek design is accented by a single button on the face that functions as the menu, end and cancel keys, depending on the phone’s mode. A slim strip of light around the button shines either green or red to indicate the handset’s function. The LG GD510 is crafted from brushed aluminum which gives it a high-end look and feels solid in the hand even when squeezed.

LG GD510 will be available beginning in mid-October in Europe, followed by other markets. Prices will vary country-to-country and will be announced separately in each individual market.

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Lexus announce HS 250h and LF-Ch Concept hybrids

Chris Davies — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:13:57 +0000

Lexus have announced not one but two hybrids, though we have to say there’s only one of them that we’d like to find in the SlashGear garage. The 2010 Lexus HS 250h, shown here, is the bread & butter of the range, a four-door saloon capable of 35mpg and various combinations of hybrid power. Meanwhile the more exciting model is the Lexus LF-Ch Concept, which you can see after the cut, and which is headed to Europe to show that hybrids don’t have to be slow.

That means that where the HS 250h’s engine is tuned for 187 horsepower, you can expect more from what will likely end up a heavily fettled version of the same power plant in the LF-Ch. Both can operate in full EV electric mode, or switch into “power”, “regular” or “ECO” modes depending on conditions and driving style.

Options on the HS 250h include a projected heads-up display and a navigation system to which you can send destinations from any web-enabled computer or phone. Meanwhile the LF-Ch Concept gets a six-speed automatic transmission with paddle-shift, iPhone docks for the rear passengers, and blacked-out B-pillars to make it look more like a coupé.

The Lexus HS 250h starts from $34,200; no word on what the production version of the Lexus LF-Ch Concept will cost, but we doubt it will be cheap.

[LF-Ch via Autoblog]

Press Release:

Lexus Introduces Drivers to its new HS and “Hello Someday”

New ad campaign launches automaker’s most advanced hybrid vehicle

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (Sept. 9, 2009)—This month, Lexus raises the bar once again with the arrival of the most fuel-efficient luxury vehicle in the U.S. The 2010 Lexus HS 250h hybrid sedan offers an unprecedented blend of advanced technology, luxury and sustainable materials.

“With the HS, we’re bringing something to market that no one ever envisioned,” said Dave Nordstrom, vice president of marketing for Lexus. “People want to do the right thing … they want great mpg, but they also want the latest in technology, the latest innovations and a car that’s fun to drive. This vehicle has it all wrapped up in one.”

To launch the HS, the automaker is debuting an integrated marketing campaign highlighting the vehicle’s future-forward innovations. Titled, “Hello Someday,” the campaign reveals that the car of the future is now a reality.

In one of five television spots produced for the launch the voiceover reads: “Someday cars will use infrared to monitor the driver’s face and alert them when they’re not paying attention to the road. Hello Someday.” The ad, which showcases the vehicle’s available Pre-Collision System with Driver Attention Monitor, illustrates how Lexus delivers the possibilities of tomorrow, or “Someday,” to the forefront of the automotive industry today.

In addition to television, the marketing campaign includes print, online, event support and mobile applications. The TV spots, which break today, will air during both prime time and sporting events on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC, as well as late night and on select cable networks. Print ads are slated to run in a broad range of news and lifestyle outlets, including Clear, Dwell, Esquire, Fast Company, GOOD, National Geographic, The Economist, The Week, Playbill, The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal.

The print campaign also includes a unique partnership with Condé Nast in which ads have been customized to appeal to the interests of the readers of individual Condé Nast magazines. Three different ads have been created featuring renowned visionaries in fashion, architecture and technology—Isabel and Ruben Toledo, Richard Meier, and John Maeda, respectively. The experts share what they believe innovation and the idea of “Someday” will look like in their discipline and how the HS fits into their view of the future.

Additional highlights of the campaign include:

▪ Video Ad Pods—Four video ad pod mini-commercials featuring advanced technologies of the HS will air on ABC and NBC online.http://pressroom.toyota.com/pr/tms/electronic.aspx?id=16036&ncid=12040

▪ “Conan Please Blow Up My Car”—Lexus partnered with The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien to create a promotion where participants submitted their clunker in a sweepstakes for the chance to win and replace it with an all-new HS Hybrid. The winner was announced on Sept. 4.

▪ ABC’s FlashForward Partnership—The HS 250h will be a featured vehicle of a key character on ABC’s highly-anticipated premiere season of FlashForward, and will also be featured in the show’s print, television and online ad campaigns.

About the HS 250h
Lexus is creating an entirely new category for vehicles in the marketplace with the launch of the HS Hybrid, which is the fourth in its hybrid line up. The HS is powerful yet efficient, luxurious yet responsible—the perfect blend of technology with sustainability. Engineered from the ground up, the HS 250h redefines the word “hybrid” with a multitude of advanced vehicle technologies, making this hybrid unlike any other in the world.

The HS has four driving modes: Power, Regular, ECO and EV. When it runs in the EV mode, which is purely electric power, the result is zero emissions. The optional Heads-up Display clearly projects vehicle speed and other data on the windshield. Optional Lexus Enform allows for multiple points of interest to be pulled up from a home or office computer, or any Web-enabled device, and sent via the Internet directly to the vehicle’s available Navigation System. With an impressive 187 horsepower under the hood and an EPA-combined rating of 35 mpg, the HS has the best combined fuel mileage of any luxury car in the U.S. and gives new meaning to “having it all.”

The HS 250h has a base MSRP of $34,200. MSRP does not include the destination fee of $875. For additional information about the Lexus HS 250h, visit lexus.com/HS.

Press Release:

LEXUS PRESENTS THE LF-Ch CONCEPT

World debut for new hybrid power compact concept car at Frankfurt
Concept proposing the first Lexus full hybrid for the European premium compact segment
Advanced interior design with asymmetric dashboard and Remote Touch controls
Blacked-out B-pillars and concealed rear door handles create the look of a pillarless coupé
L-finesse exterior styling with powerful surfacing and hand-sculpted details
World debut at the 2009 Frankfurt motor show
Making its world debut at the Frankfurt motor show, the Lexus LF-Ch full hybrid concept is Lexus’s first approach to the competitive European premium compact segment.

It reflects the growing demand for cars that are smaller and more fuel and CO2 efficient, but with no compromise in levels of refinement and driving pleasure. By next year the compact segment is expected to claim the largest share of the European premium car market.

The LF-Ch concept reaffirms Lexus’s commitment to Europe, combining compact dimensions, stylish five-door, full hybrid technology and low emissions to satisfy the most demanding customer requirements and to appeal to a new, younger generation of customers.

Exterior design
The LF-Ch concept presents a powerful evolution of Lexus’s L-finesse design philosophy. Rooted in Japanese culture, L-finesse is expressed in every aspect of the car, not only in the visual harmony between the interior and exterior design, but also in the combination of leading-edge engineering and technology with a user-friendly simplicity of function.

The designers focused on the careful juxtaposition of opposing major and minor elements. Intriguing contrasts are created between the powerful, machine-like overall surfacing of the bodywork and the painstaking detail of even the smallest elements, creating a synergy between technologically driven design and a fluid, hand-sculpted quality.

A new, bolder Lexus grille design sits above a deep, full-width bumper and air dam, giving a perfect balance of precision and power. The sharply sculpted, aerodynamic front wings overlap the front bumper to create deep, front brake-cooling air intakes and give the LF-Ch a powerful and purposeful wide-track stance.

In profile, the tapered side glazing, a muscular, rising beltline and a sharply truncated rear overhang project the car’s premium compact character. The steeply raked windscreen, long flowing roofline, blacked-out B-pillars and rear doorhandles integrated in the C-pillar window trim combine to give the appearance of a sporting pillarless coupe.

At the rear the trailing edge of the roof overhangs the rear window to create an integrated rear spoiler. The tailgate section has a pronounced step, which flows from the muscular wheelarches and is anchored by the wraparound tail lamp design. Aerodynamic detailing of the lower bumper smoothes airflow from beneath the car and feeds ventilation to the rear brakes.

Subtle finishing touches include discreet Lexus hybrid blue badging and sharply tapering chrome mouldings. The harmonious synergy of the design is further expressed in the contrasting, lively yellow exterior finish and calming blue interior illumination.

Interior design
The principles of L-finesse are carried through to the interior where again a powerful simplicity harmonises with hand-crafted quality in the detailing to create a calm, efficient and elegant design.

The cabin features a strongly asymmetric dashboard that is firmly driver-focused with outstanding ergonomics. The driver’s needs are seamlessly anticipated in several surprising elements, for example, when the car is started a greeting is presented on the navigation screen and an ambient lighting pattern appears in the headliner, creating a sophisticated lounge feel.

Extensive use of semi-aniline leather, polished aluminium, wood and soft-touch materials reinforces the theme of harmonious contrast in the dashboard, door panels and seating. The design of the seats is inspired by high quality furniture, with exposed metal frames, lightweight leather and grained black wood used in inter-related layers, shaped to reflect the intrinsic nature of each material used.

The driving position is low and well-supported, with a wide-grip steering wheel with paddle shift controls and an instrument binnacle housing large twin dials embellished with a turbine motif.

To help keep the driver’s focus on the road ahead, distracting instrumentation and switchgear has been kept to a minimum by using Lexus Remote Touch controls, as first seen in the new RX 450h. Using a multi-information display on top of the dashboard, Remote Touch works like a computer mouse, letting the driver access control and customise a range of information, entertainment and vehicle set-up programmes.

As with every Lexus, hospitality is at the heart of the ownership experience. To this end, the LF-Ch’s comprehensive on-board entertainment package includes iPhone docking for rear seat passengers.

Powertrain and driving performance
Allied to a wide track, long wheelbase and low centre of gravity, the LF-Ch’s full hybrid powertrain is engineered to deliver all the performance customers expect from a premium compact hatchback, while at the same time returning low fuel consumption, CO2 and NOx emissions.

With the benefit of the full hybrid technology of Lexus Hybrid drive, the car can be driven in a fully electric EV mode, a power option that is not available to drivers of mild hybrids. This allows for urban driving with minimal noise and zero emissions.

Lexus LF-Ch Concept dimensions

Overall length: 4,300
Overall width: 1,790
Overall height: 1,400
Wheelbase: 2,600
Tyres (front and rear): 225/35R20

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Knoll Systems GSZ67 and GSZ44 eco-friendly multiroom amps

Chris Davies — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 07:51:17 +0000

The “earth friendly” juggernaut continues, with even high-end home automation specialists feeling the need to slap some green on their spec sheets. You’d find it pretty hard to fault the range of amps and control panels from Knoll Systems generally, but if the one factor stopping you was concern for the livelihood of the Crested Grebe then their new GSZ44 and GSZ67 controller-amplifiers should salve your conscience.

That’s because Knoll’s Eco-System amps can shut off unused channels or the full system, which according to the company adds up to hundreds of dollars in saved energy bills over a year, and an idle power draw of under 2W compared to the 40-80W of a standard amp. As a handy benefit of this selective shut-down, the GSZ44 and GSZ67 channels left active can actually use some of the freed-up rail voltage to boost their own output.

As for the hardware itself, the GSZ67 has a12-channel class A/B amplifier with 50W per channel at 8 ohms and 70W per channel at 4 ohms, while the smaller GSZ44 has an 8-channel class A/B amplifier producing 30W per channel at 8 ohms and 35W per channel at 4 ohms. The former comes with six multiroom keypads, the latter with four, and both systems can be daisy-chained together for expansion.

Available now, the GSZ67 has an MRSP of $2,199 while the GSZ44 has an MRSP of $999. Crested Grebe sold separately.

Press Release:

Eco-system™ packages from Knoll Systems combine energy-friendly amps and fingertip control keypads for the whole house entertainment that is green.

Their all new GSZ44 and GSZ67 controller-amplifiers with keypads provide stellar entertainment quality with energy-conscious ingenuity.

Atlanta, GA – CEDIA 2009 – Knoll Systems award winning amplifier technology, called Eco-System™, is available in two different packages to enable this innovative green technology to be available to a broader market. The GSZ44 and GSZ67 systems are powered by the award–winning Eco-System amplifier that shuts off the amplifier (or channels within the amplifier – depending on what’s being used or not) to save power with no turn-on artifacts. The GSZ series also offers two different type keypads in the four most popular colors to fit into any décor.

The GSZ67 has a12-channel class A/B amplifier that produces 50 watts per channel at 8 ohms and 70 watts per channel at 4 ohms. The smaller GSZ44 has an 8-channel class A/B amplifier that produces 30 watts per channel at 8 ohms and 35 watts per channel at 4 ohms. While offering unparalleled reliability, power and sound quality these GSZ systems offer the Knoll exclusive Eco-System™ circuit. This patent-pending circuit determines which of the 8 or 12 stereo channels (in pairs) are in use and delivers power only to those channels needing it. The channels that are “off” are truly off, not in “standby” or “mute”. As an added bit of ingenuity, the circuit enables the active channels to share more rail voltage resulting in more reserve power for the stereo channels in use.

Given today’s energy-conscious consumers, the most timely benefit of the Eco-System™ circuit is the electrical savings that the owner gets over what a comparable class A/B amplifier would cost to operate. The typical home owner will enjoy a savings of hundred dollars or more per year in electrical costs and that can be multiplied when taking into account the increased costs of air conditioning to extract unwanted heat produced by a typical multi-channel amplifier. Comparable amplifiers without the Eco-System™ circuit would use about 14 times (40 – 80 watts) the amount of power while idling in standby. By comparison the GSZ44 with Eco-System™ uses under 2 watts while idling!

According to Knoll Systems VP of Marketing and Sales, Richard Hanson, “These Eco-System multi-room audio systems are perfectly timed for today’s marketplace. Homeowners that want multi-room audio as a part of the everyday lifestyle want great sound. The 8 and 12-channel Eco-System amps sound fabulous, thanks to Kevin Knoll’s years of experience and design savvy. But these same customers also want to be responsible and only put in systems that are energy-efficient at the same time. These Eco-Systems let the homeowner fill their homes with great sound, while showing their appreciation for energy conservation. It’s the perfect entertainment match for today’s economy.”

The GSZ 44 comes complete with four keypads, a controller amplifier and is also expandable by daisy chaining two or more together to make larger systems. The complete package retails at only $999. It offers twice the power and a tenth the energy consumption of its competitors.

The GSZ67 comes complete with 6 keypads, a controller amplifier and also expands by daisy-chaining two or more together to handle larger applications. The GSZ67 system has a suggested retail of $2199.

The new GSZ systems are aiming to be record breaking product for Knoll Systems by virtue of their Eco-System™ technology, ease of installation and affordable cost. Knoll’s experience with the custom installation channel also means that these new systems offer unparalleled reliability, power and sound quality.

For nearly 10 years Knoll multi-channel amplifiers have sold around the world because of their legendary reliability and unparalleled sound quality. The GSZ Series takes the next logical step by being eco-friendly as well.

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Samsung S7550 Blue Earth eco-phone shows up in wild

Chris Davies — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 10:26:11 +0000

It’s been a few months since Samsung announced their GT-S7550 Blue Earth cellphone, a solar-powered touchscreen handset made from recycled PCM plastics sourced from old water bottles, and since then the company has officially named it and slapped TouchWiz 3.0 onto it. Russian site Mail.ru have been playing with a pre-production model.

Video after the cut

Aside from showing that yes, the Blue Earth does exist and does work, and that the solar panel can be used to charge the phone, Mail.ru aren’t exactly telling us much. We’re also unclear about when the S7550 will arrive on the market, though there are whispers of a late-2009 debut.

Like the Samsung Reclaim, however, the Blue Earth S7550 is all about showing what can be done when you put your mind to being eco-friendly: the hardware is free from harmful substances such as Brominated Flame Retardants, Beryllium and Phthalate, while the charger, too, is free of those chemicals and is five-star Energy Star rated, using less than 0.03W in standby. Even the software has been tweaked so as to promote environmentally-conscious living, with a built-in pedometer that shows not only steps but the number of trees that have been saved by walking rather than driving. Enough to peel us away from our smartphones? Probably not, but an interesting device all the same.

[via Unwired View]

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Lamborghini hybrid Gallardo coming in 2015

Chris Davies — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:03:55 +0000

Lamborghini may not be the first brand you’d associate with a hybrid, but then again you wouldn’t assume they’d make a four-door saloon and look what they did with the Estoque. The car company’s CEO, Stephan Winkelmann, has revealed that Lamborghini will release a hybrid version of their Gallardo supercar in 2015.

Speaking to German-language car magazine Automobilewoche, Winkelmann revealed that rather than a 100-percent electric sportscar in the mold of the Tesla, the hybrid Gallardo will use a small electric motor for urban traffic. When the road opens up, however, the full petrol engine will kick in; Lamborghini haven’t decided on a 10- or 12-cylinder engine, but either way we doubt the car will lack urgency.

If it proves a commercial and engineering success, the company are considering applying the hybrid technology to their Murcielago. No word on how much you should set aside for your new, earth-friendly Lambo come 2015, but considering the “entry level” Gallardo comes in at over $201,000 we’d suggest the biggest piggy-bank you can find.

[via Gear Live]

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Intelligent Cycle concept has biometrics, solar-panels, Olympian-blessing

Chris Davies — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 13:30:41 +0000

If you’re going to ask someone to design a bike, you may as well make it an Olympic medal winner. Chris Boardman has put pen to paper and come up with this concept for his Boardman Bikes brand, an “intelligent” cycle that not only keeps track of your calorie count but has fingerprint recognition for a biometric lock, integrated mediaplayer and a solar-powered motor for giving you a push when faced with hills.

The carbon fiber frame sits around spokeless wheels which reduce aerodynamic drag, and the concept uses puncture-resistant tires which can self-inflate. While it might all sound far-fetched, according to Boardman the technology is actually out there just waiting to be put together.

“It could be built now if there was the will” he told reporters recently. ”All the technologies are already there, it’s just that nobody’s put them all together before.” Still, he doesn’t expect mass production of such a cycle to be financially feasible for another 20 years.

[via DesignBoom]

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Korea push for 1W notebook standby, 2W PC, in latest green scheme

Chris Davies — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 09:24:27 +0000

Korea has stepped up to be the first government to mandate a maximum power consumption rate for “green” PCs and laptops in standby mode. An evolution of the country’s Energy Efficiency program, the ruling means that PCs must consume 2W or less while in standby, and laptops 1W or less, in order to wear the “e-Standby” compliance label.

The new limit applies to any laptop or laptop-style device with an integrated power supply of 1,000W or above. While manufacturers are still free to produce devices with above 1W/2W standby consumption, the Korean government believes that consumer demand for earth-friendly (and cheaper to run) hardware will drive low-power adoption.

Intel have already stepped up to highlight that its Atom range of processors – commonly found in netbooks and budget ultraportables and nettops – already comes in under the 1W standby point, while many of its recent desktop motherboards also consume less than 1W in standby. Desktop PCs and their monitors are believed to account for 1-percent of the world’s energy use.

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Sprint Samsung Reclaim debuts: eco-friendly bio-plastic & QWERTY keyboard

Chris Davies — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 12:26:01 +0000

Sprint have announced the Samsung Reclaim, not only its cheapest full-QWERTY phone – at $49.99 with a new two-year contract – but the first in the US to be made from eco-friendly bio-plastic and, in total, be 80-percent recyclable. The Reclaim also marks the start of Sprint’s new “environmental goals”, which include establishing eco design criteria for future products, using 30-percent less paper over the next five years, and installing in-store earth-friendly displays.

Beyond the PR hyperbole, the Samsung Reclaim has a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 2-megapixel camera with video recording, Bluetooth with support for the A2DP stereo profile and Sprint Navigation. There’s also a memory card slot, content with up to 32GB cards, and two color options: “earth green” or “ocean blue”.

It’ll also be shipped with no printed manual, a box made from 70-percent recycled materials and printed with soy-based ink, and a new charger that cuts standby power consumption by 12x and has a “the phone is charged” indicator LED. Interestingly, 40-percent of the Reclaim’s casing is made from corn-based bio-plastic, though we doubt that means you can eat it.

The Samsung Reclaim will be available from Sprint on August 16th, priced at $49.99 after a $30 instant rebate and a $50 mail-in rebate (boo hiss!). Each sale will see $2 – that’s right, a whole two dollars – donated to The Nature Conservancy’s Adopt an Acre program, which supports land conservation across the United States.

Press Release:

Sprint Expands Environmental Leadership with New Initiatives and Debut of Eco-Friendly Samsung Reclaim

Available for less than $50, Samsung Reclaim is the most full-featured eco-friendly phone in the U.S.; Purchases of Samsung Reclaim benefit The Nature Conservancy’s Adopt an Acre program

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. & DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Aug. 6, 2009– Sprint (NYSE:S) is making it easier than ever for customers to “go green” with new eco-friendly products, services and programs and expanding its commitment as a leader in sustainability. Available on Aug. 16, Sprint and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the #1 mobile phone provider in the U.S.1, today announced Samsung Reclaim™ as the first phone in the U.S. constructed from eco-friendly bio-plastic materials. Made from 80 percent recyclable materials, Samsung Reclaim is a feature-rich messaging phone that offers environmentally conscious customers a perfect blend of responsibility without sacrificing the latest in network speeds and must-have features.

Reclaim is the most full-featured QWERTY phone launched by Sprint at less than $50. It will be available on August 16 in all Sprint retail channels, including Best Buy, Radio Shack, Web (www.sprint.com) and telesales (1-800-SPRINT1) for just $49.99 with a two-year service agreement after a $30 instant rebate and a $50 mail-in rebate (taxes and service charges excluded). It will be available at Wal-Mart in early September.

When customers purchase Samsung Reclaim from Sprint, $2 of the proceeds will benefit The Nature Conservancy’s Adopt an Acre program, which supports land conservation across the United States and protects some of the world’s most beautiful and important natural habitats.

“This generous donation from Sprint will help us protect and restore some of America’s most beautiful and ecologically-important landscapes for future generations to enjoy,” said Mark Tercek, president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy. “We applaud Sprint’s sustainability efforts, as innovation and new technology are crucial to the future of conservation.”

Sprint is also launching several new environmental initiatives in an effort to support its aggressive long-term environmental goals:

Sprint is the first U.S. wireless carrier to establish a set of environmental design criteria for future devices and accessories.
Sprint is implementing a series of new environmentally-responsible retail initiatives including adding a dedicated display area in stores that highlights Sprint’s commitment to eco-friendly products and accessories.
Sprint is committing to reduce paper usage by 30 percent during the next five years.
“Sprint is widely recognized as a leader among telecommunications companies in environmentally-responsible initiatives, and today we are proud to announce an even stronger commitment to sustainability with new eco-friendly products and programs,” said Dan Hesse, Sprint CEO. “Samsung Reclaim enables customers to go green while getting the latest in wireless technology. When customers walk into a Sprint retail store, they will be greeted by the information they need to make earth-friendly wireless choices, coupled with Ready Now to learn about the rich functionality of this device.”

DEFINING GREEN WITH SAMSUNG RECLAIM
An eco-friendly overachiever, Samsung Reclaim from Sprint is designed with environmentally-responsible components and fully recyclable packaging, making it the perfect wireless phone for the eco-conscious consumer.

Its bio-plastic material, made from corn, makes up 40 percent of the Reclaim’s outer casing. Samsung Reclaim is free of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), phthalates, and nearly free of brominated flame retardants (BFR): three materials commonly targeted on green electronics guidelines.
The outer packaging and the phone tray inside the box are made from 70 percent recycled materials. The images and text on the box as well as the phone warranty information are printed with soy-based ink.
The typical thick paper user manual has been replaced with a virtual manual that users can access at www.sprint.com/reclaimsupport.
The charger is Energy Star approved for meeting the highest energy efficiency standards set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy. It consumes 12 times less power than the Energy Star standard for standby power consumption and is equipped with a visible notification to alert the user to unplug the handset once it’s fully charged.
“Samsung Reclaim is more than just an eco-friendly device, it’s also a powerful and stylish phone that’s easy-to-use,” said Omar Khan, senior vice president of Strategy and Product Management for Samsung Mobile. “When you combine the Reclaim’s impressive feature set with its bio-plastic hardware and eco-friendly packaging, you’re using a phone that is good for you and the environment.”

Operating on America’s most dependable 3G network2, Samsung Reclaim boasts One Click, Sprint’s award-winning customizable user interface with quick access to such social networks as Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and YouTube. A new green One Click tile makes its debut on Reclaim providing the gateway to several green applications including:

Five Simple Steps from Discovery Channel provides five simple changes you can make to be more eco-friendly, from how you commute to what you eat for dinner;
Green Guides from Discovery Channel offers handy guides to help you green your lives with ease, and understand why;
Green Glossary from Discovery Channel provides words and explanations about the Earth and Climate Change; and
All Things Green, a Sprint Web category contains dynamic green headline and links to downloadable content.
Customers don’t have to sacrifice the latest in technology to be environmentally-friendly with Reclaim. The stylish, full-featured phone offers:

a slide-out full QWERTY keyboard making it easy to access personal or corporate email as well as text and multimedia messaging;
Sprint Navigation with Search, providing easy access to directory information and GPS-enabled directions;
2 megapixel camera with 3x digital zoom and camcorder;
advanced stereo Bluetooth® 2.0;
expandable memory storage up to 32GB;
an integrated Web browser; and
two color options – Earth Green and Ocean Blue.
Sprint currently offers more eco-friendly accessories than any other U.S. telecommunications company. In May, Sprint announced the availability of new eco-friendly accessories, including the SOLIO Mono solar-powered charger and two new cell phone carrying cases made from 100 percent recycled plastic water bottles.

Sprint’s green-themed website, www.sprint.com/green, details Sprint’s green mobile applications and helps customers learn about Sprint’s sustainability initiatives, including online bill pay, wireless recycling programs and acquiring green tips, such as using mobile GPS to calculate the quickest route to save gas. Customers can receive Sprint updates on specific company-wide environmentally-responsible initiatives on Twitter via @SprintGreenNews and can visit www.sprint.com/green for additional green tips.

GREENING SPRINT RETAIL STORES AND PRODUCTS
Beginning in September, all Sprint-owned retail locations will feature a new dedicated environmentally-responsible section that highlights eco-friendly products and accessories such as the SOLIO Solar Charger and carrying cases made from recycled materials. Sprint also will implement a new sustainable design blueprint for all future Sprint-owned retail store builds and refurbishments.

New and refurbished stores will implement numerous sustainable design elements consistent with LEED design standards, and will include energy-efficient lighting, low water usage plumbing fixtures and low VOC paint and carpet. The roll out of these energy efficiency upgrades is expected to reduce the carbon footprint of each store by about 19,000 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalents.

Sprint’s Environmental Product Design Criteria Vision Statement applies to all products sold in Sprint channels. Sprint will work with its device and accessory suppliers to design and provide products that:

Reduce the use of potentially hazardous materials,
Are energy efficient,
Include standardized audio and charging interfaces,
Are more recyclable, and
Have more sustainable packaging including standardized sizes, reduced weight, increased recyclability rate, and increased recycled content.
Sprint also will work with its suppliers to measure and report on the environmental impact of their manufacturing processes.

LEADING IN SUSTAINABILITY
Wireless Recycling

Sprint is the industry leader in the reuse and recycling of wireless devices sold. Sprint has an aggressive industry-first goal of reaching a 90 percent phone collection rate for reuse/recycling compared with annual wireless device sales by 2017.
Since 2001, Sprint wireless recycling programs have diverted more than 17 million cell phones from landfills for reuse or recycling. Sprint’s current collection rate is just under 35 percent, more than three times the national recycling average.
Sprint is a member of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Plug-In To eCycling Program.
Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reduction Efforts

Sprint has committed to reduce its GHG emissions by 15 percent by 2017 and to increase its use of renewable energy to 10 percent by 2017. In fall 2007, Sprint became the first wireless provider to join the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Climate Leaders Program.
Sprint is the only U.S.-based wireless telecom to have a published GHG reduction target. In 2008, just its first year of measurement and reporting, Sprint achieved a 6.8 percent reduction moving from 2.18M metric tons of GHG emissions to 2.03M metric tons.
Green Energy Use

Sprint is an industry leader in the purchase of green energy and is at the forefront of using renewable energy sources such as Hydrogen. Sprint ranks #20 on the EPA’s Green Power Partnership Fortune 500 list.
Wind power provides approximately 80 percent of the energy needed to run Sprint’s Overland Park, Kan. corporate headquarters.
Sprint recently received a $7.3 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to expand its use of Hydrogen fuel cells as backup power for cell sites. An industry leader, Sprint has deployed more than 250 Hydrogen fuel cell generators across its wireless network and has received 12 patents from the U.S. Patent Office that include Hydrogen fuel cells.
SAMSUNG’S CONTINUED COMMITMENT
Reclaim is Samsung’s latest contribution toward its commitment to the environment. Samsung Electronics Co. was recently named as the second highest rated company in Greenpeace International’s Guide to Greener Electronics scorecard. The research rates electronics manufacturers on reducing the climate impacts of products and operations, responsible recycling and take-back of unwanted electronics and the elimination of toxic materials from the products themselves.

Samsung recently adopted a new green management initiative with comprehensive goals intended to make Samsung a leading eco-friendly company by 2013. The “Eco-Management 2013” plan includes commitments to:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions normalized by sales* from manufacturing facilities by 50 percent and cut total indirect greenhouse gas emissions from all products by 84 million tons,
Ensure 100 percent of Samsung’s products are eco-friendly and exceed global eco-mark standards, and
Invest $4.3 billion in various eco-management initiatives and enhance green partnerships with suppliers and partners.
Samsung’s Mobile Take-Back Program™ is part of the Samsung Recycling DirectSM initiative. The Samsung Mobile Take-Back Program recycles end-of-life mobile devices by processing them to be reused as resources for manufacturers. The Samsung Mobile Take-Back Program is leading the effort to create a recycle-based society by distributing 100 percent recyclable mobile recycling envelopes made out of high density polyethylene. To find out more information on the Samsung Recycling Direct and Samsung Mobile Take-Back Program please visit, www.samsung.com/recyclingdirect.

Since June 2008, Samsung’s Customer Care Center has recycled 635 tons of cardboard, which has saved more than 10,700 trees, 38,000 pounds of air particles, 4.4 million gallons of water, 2.6 million kilowatts of electricity and 1905 cubic yards of landfill space.

BEST BUY JOINS IN GOING GREEN
Sprint’s partner Best Buy and its Greener TogetherTM initiative helps customers make smarter decisions about technology and energy use. Through Greener Together, Best Buy helps customers choose electronics and appliances wisely and use them more efficiently, plus find easy ways to recycle, reuse, or trade in products at the end of their life.

Best Buy recently began offering electronics recycling at all of its 1,036 stores nationwide including televisions, monitors, computer CPUs and notebooks, small electronics, VCRs, DVDs and more. The program is the latest addition to the electronics and appliance recycling options Best Buy offers to consumers nationwide including recycling kiosks, appliance and television haul-away, appliance and television pick-up and Tech Trade-In. Visit www.bestbuy.com/green for more information.

About Sprint Nextel
Sprint Nextel offers a comprehensive range of wireless and wireline communications services bringing the freedom of mobility to consumers, businesses and government users. Sprint Nextel is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying innovative technologies, including two wireless networks serving almost 49 million customers at the end of the second quarter of 2009; industry-leading mobile data services; instant national and international push-to-talk capabilities; and a global Tier 1 Internet backbone. The company’s customer-focused strategy has led to improved first call resolution and customer care satisfaction scores. For more information, visit www.sprint.com.

About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit www.samsungmobileusa.com.

About Samsung Electronics
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2008 consolidated sales of US$96 billion. Employing approximately 164,600 people in 179 offices across 61 countries, the company consists of two business units: Digital Media & Communications and Device Solutions. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit www.samsung.com.

1 Based upon reported shipment data from Strategy Analytics Q1 2009 U.S. Market Share Handset Shipments Report.

2 “Dependable” based on independent, third-party drive tests for 3G data connection success, session reliability and signal strength for the top 50 most populous markets from January 2008 to February 2009. Not all services available on 3G and coverage may default to separate network when 3G unavailable.

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Toshiba fuel-cell to launch in next two months

Chris Davies — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:51:04 +0000

Toshiba promised high and delivered, well, not at all with its first commercial fuel-cell, missing the tentative December 2008 prediction and then seeing March 2009 sweep by without a hint of a product launch. Now the company is claiming it will release an external battery-charging fuel cell device within the next two months.

The unnamed device uses a DMFC (direct methanol fuel cell) that uses a controlled reaction between air, water and methanol to create electricity. That is then used to recharge cellphones, PMPs and other small devices.

Toshiba have promised the launch before the end of this current quarter, which suggests they see the fuel-cell arriving before September is out. Beyond the portable charger – which will use replaceable sealed methanol cartridges – they’re planning fuel-cell powered laptops and compact versions for cellphones.

[via Reg Hardware]

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BenQ JoyBook Lite 121 Eco gets video hands-on

Chris Davies — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 08:20:30 +0000

From an uninspired netbook to one which does at least buck the trend a little. BenQ could be accused of leaping on the earth-friendly bandwagon with their JoyBook Lite 121 Eco, but if you’ve simply got to have a new ultraportable but would prefer to see some recycled materials in there then it’s perhaps your only option. Netbooknews caught up with the 121 Eco and shot a hands-on video.

Video demo after the cut

The Joybook Lite 121 Eco is apparently made of 25-percent recycled materials, but thankfully doesn’t look like BenQ have melted down old plastic bottles to construct the case. There’s a moment of worrying flex in the lid when Lars pulls it open in the video, but that’s the only real aesthetic issue in what’s actually a relatively handsome netbook.

As for the more mainstream hardware, there’s Intel’s 1.33GHz Atom Z520 processor, never one we’re especially fond of, together with an 11.6-inch 1,366 x 768 resolution display with a distinctly glossy coating. Happily there are more storage options than you might regularly find, with 160GB, 250GB, 320GB and 500GB in regular hard-drives as well as 8GB, 16GB or 32GB of accompanying SSD for a power-friendly hybrid setup. There’s also optional HSUPA for mobile connectivity. Product page here, and more live photos here.

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Aston Martin Cygnet city-car revealed

Chris Davies — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:44:45 +0000

Aston Martin have revealed their plans for a city-car, the Cygnet, offering environmentally-conscious motoring and 5-star Euro NCAP safety together with the brand’s premium badge. Based on the Toyota iQ, the Aston Martin Cygnet will apparently be priced at under £20,000 ($33k); it’ll also offer dramatically less performance than the company’s DBS, DB9 and Vantage models.

It may feel like an April Fools joke – albeit one in late July – but there’s actually at least one very good reason for the Cygnet’s existence. Incoming emissions legislation promises to be even more draconian to high-polluting marques, demanding cleaner engines and higher economy. The rules, however, are based on a company’s overall average CO2 and MPG performance, meaning that the frugal Cygnet could help offset Aston Martin’s more profligate cars.

The company intends to sell 4,000-5,000 Cygnets per year, once the production model is finalized, differentiating it from the iQ by virtue of its premium finish. Aston Martin and Toyota apparently began negotiations after sharing garage facilities at the Nürburgring 24-hour race.

[via Times Online]

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MDI air-powered car gets driven: $8,380 by end of 2009

Chris Davies — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 10:15:18 +0000

MDI have been working on their air-powered engine for years now, and Edmunds Inside Line were lucky enough to take the 2010 AIRPod prototype for a spin. Distinctively designed, the AIRPod throws out internal combustion in favor of running from compressed-air, a full tank of which – refilled in just two minutes with the right infrastructure – is good for 90-125 miles with a single occupant.

Air compressed to 2,900psi sits in carbon-fiber tanks behind and underneath the driver, while steering is managed by a joystick and acceleration/braking by regular pedals. While the bubble-car design might suggest it can only accommodate one, in fact there’s a rear-facing bench in the back that’s enough for up to three to catch a ride. Maximum speed for the prototype is 30mph, but the commercial model – expected to go into production by the end of 2009 – will reach 50mph.

After climbing in through the lift-up front hatch, the driving experience is “like a hyperactive Jack Russell terrier” with dire acceleration made up for thanks to a tiny turning circle and nimble steering. Happily the production model will have softer suspension, as the prototype is unpleasantly bouncy, and hopefully some way of cooling things down inside as the expansive glass and lack of air-conditioning make for quite the mobile sauna.

Still, it’s set to reach France by the end of the year, priced at €6,000 ($8,380) which will be reduced by half thanks to eco-friendly subsidies. MDI are also working on a dual-power version, which will use the air engine together with a tiny “supercharger” which heats the air and thus boosts performance.

[via WOW-POW]

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Koenigsegg Quant 170mph solar electric car headed for production?

Chris Davies — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:32:59 +0000

The thought of Swedish uber-car manufacturer Koenigsegg ever actually putting their Quant concept car into production was a laughable joke back when they revealed it in March. The solar electric vehicle was billed as a “car of the future” designed to showcase NLV Solar’s nifty photovoltaic and accumulator tech; now, according to one Koenigsegg insider, the firm intends to put the Quant into limited production.

The concept behind the Quant is straightforward: as well as a standard recharging system, which is apparently capable of fully juicing the supercar in 20 minutes, the whole thing has a photovoltaic coating that constantly tops up the batteries. That means the Quant is good for a 500km range, helped by the slippery aerodynamic shape.

Of course, since this is Koenigsegg we’re talking about, speed isn’t in short supply either. Twin rear-wheel drive electric motors can push the Quant 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 170mph. Not bad for a four-seater with gullwing doors, 3-zone climate control, at least six airbags and all the usual electronic safety gubbins.

Commentators are already linking the leak to Koenigsegg’s recent buyout bid for Saab, though there’s no telling whether the two are connected. Whatever the badge on the front, look out Tesla: Sweden is coming for you.

[via Reg Hardware]

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Sony Ericsson GreenHeart C901 & Naite earth-friendly cellphones

Chris Davies — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 09:57:19 +0000

Sony Ericsson have announced a pair of eco-friendly cellphones, the GreenHeart C901 (left) and Naite (right). They’re each part of what’s set to be an ongoing GreenHeart range, with recycled materials, minimal packaging, non-toxic paints and even an electronic on-phone user-guide rather than a printed manual.

The Sony Ericsson GreenHeart C901 is a quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE, dualband (900/2100) UMTS/HSPA handset with a 5-megapixel camera packing autofocus, Xenon flash and smile-shutter. It also has a 2.2-inch 240 x 320 display, A2DP Bluetooth, a Memory Stick Micro M2 card slot and Google Maps, though it uses cell-station triangulation as there’s no true GPS.

As for the Sony Ericsson GreenHeart Naite, that has the same display but a lower-res 2-megapixel camera. However there’s still quadband GSM and UMTS/HSPA 850/1900/2100. It’ll land in Q2, while the C901 is expected by the end of Q2 2009. No word on pricing as yet.

Press Release:

Sony Ericsson launches new GreenHeart™ products with focus on sustainable innovation

CO² footprint of GreenHeart pioneer phones reduced by 15%:

E-manual reduces paper usage by over 90%
Smaller packaging reduces transport emissions and paper usage
Minimum 50% recycled plastics
MH300 GreenHeart ™ headset includes 100% recycled plastics in most plastic parts
London – June 4, 2009 – Sony Ericsson today unveiled two new GreenHeart™ pioneer products underpinning its ongoing commitment to taking a lead on environmental sustainability by driving green innovation that doesn’t compromise on product design and functionality. The GreenHeart™ programme launches with two flagship products – the C901 GreenHeart™ and Naite– plus the MH300 GreenHeart ™ headset, one of the greenest headsets on the market. The GreenHeart™ concept is a key pillar in Sony Ericsson’s revitalised product portfolio strategy and the sustainable innovations found in the GreenHeart™ pioneer products will eventually roll out into the broader portfolio.

Both new GreenHeart™ phones build on Sony Ericsson’s industry leading ‘green core’, the result of a long standing commitment to eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals from the product design and manufacturing process.

The first flagship product to be launched, the C901 GreenHeart™, will include an electronic, in-phone manual to replace the standard paper version, saving over 90% in paper and reducing the environmental impact of transporting the final product through more compact packaging. The C901 GreenHeart™ phone casing is made from a minimum of 50% recycled plastics and includes an optimised display light sensor that uses less energy. The phone is coloured with waterborne paint that lowers exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC).

The C901 GreenHeart™ will ship with the MH300 GreenHeart ™ headset, one of the greenest headsets available, made up of 100% recycled plastics in 4 out of 5 hard plastic parts and far exceeding legal environmental requirements.

As well as featuring many of the innovations showcased in the C901 GreenHeart™, Naitewill come to market with a low-power charger, the EP300 GreenHeart™ charger, one of the first of its kind to be introduced to the market. Thanks to these innovations, the overall CO² footprint over the full life of the C901 GreenHeart™ and Naite is reduced by 15%.

The first GreenHeart™ pioneer phone, the C901 GreenHeart™ will also include a WalkMate application, letting users really walk the talk about being more eco-friendly by comparing the steps they take with the equivalent journey travelled by car. And Naite includes an Ecomate application helping users make greener choices in their everyday life as well as a Carbon Footprint Calculator to show you how much CO2 you are saving when you walk instead of taking the car.

“Building on the established heritage of our parent companies, Sony Ericsson has worked continuously to become an industry leader in the area of removing harmful substances from the core of its phones and in creating industry leading energy efficiency chargers,” said Dick Komiyama, President, Sony Ericsson. “Today we are announcing the next step in our sustainability strategy – the GreenHeart™ pioneer products – which launch with two innovative new phones and a commitment to roll out these innovations across the broader portfolio in 2010 and 2011, allowing us to build a more sustainable business.”

Sony Ericsson will use the product innovations in its new GreenHeart™ pioneer products to ‘green’ its full product portfolio going forward with the aim of setting a new benchmark in sustainability for the entire mobile phone industry. The GreenHeart™ handsets will play a key role in Sony Ericsson’s newly invigorated product portfolio strategy.

For more information on the GreenHeart™ programme and Sony Ericsson’s overall sustainability commitment, please join us for a global web cast and Q&A at 13:00 (UK time) on Thursday 4th June. www.sonyericsson.com/greenheart

“We are fully supportive of Sony Ericsson’s GreenHeart™ initiative because it is so closely aligned with Telefonica O2 UK’s own ambitions to make Sustainability central to our business strategy “, says Bill Eyres, Head of Corporate Responsibility, Environment and Sustainability at Telefonica O2 UK. “We know from consumer insight that environmental issues, particularly climate change, are now a significant concern for our customers. Furthermore, we also believe that operating more sustainably is a business opportunity, enabling us to function more efficiently and keep the Customer at the heart of all we do. ”

“With growing public concern about climate change and increased competition for natural resources, TeliaSonera welcomes more “green” and sustainable choices for our customers like the new GreenHeart phones from Sony Ericsson”, says Indra Åsander, Senior Vice President and Head of Product Management in Mobility Services at TeliaSonera. “Over the past two years we have seen an increase in “green-behaviour-change” among our customers, such as using more communication services to reduce travel and the resulting CO2 footprint. We believe this new initiative to move green behaviour into the mobile manufacturing process is one key step forward for the industry in responding to consumer demand”.

Nardono Nimpuno, Senior Policy Advisor, International Chemical Secretariat (ChemSec) added, “The GreenHeart™ project is confirmation of Sony Ericsson’s active engagement in the Chemsec Business Group and their extensive internal work on chemical management. Through the GreenHeart™ project, with its high ambitions for sustainability and toxic use reduction initiatives, Sony Ericsson is striving for a leadership role in the field of corporate chemicals management.”

Q3 2009 will also see the continued roll out of Sony Ericsson’s global take-back programme which has been in operation since 2007. By allowing consumers to send back used mobile phones, the programme ensures that they do not end up in landfills but are sent to specialised mobile phone recycling centres. This means that both components and materials are used again, reducing the need to extract and refine raw materials for new products.

C901 GreenHeart™
Smile – you’re on camera
Snap great shots with the five megapixel camera
Put some light on the situation with the built-in Xenon flash
Catch the perfect smile with Smile Shutter™
Instantly post your pictures to the web with one-click uploading
Face Detection lets you take fantastic group shots
Recycled plastics, more eco-friendly packaging and energy efficient display
The C901 GreenHeart™ supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS/HSPA 900/2100. The C901 GreenHeart™ will be available in selected markets from Q2.

Naite
Organize your life the eco-friendly way

One click access to favourite functions
Stay in touch with email and texting
Active desktop for at-a-glance information
Talk face to face with video calling
Recycled plastics, more eco-friendly packaging and low power consumption charger
Naite supports GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 UMTS HSPA 850/1900/2100. Naite will be available in selected markets from Q3.

The Sony Ericsson C901 GreenHeart™ at a glance

Camera

5.0 megapixel camera
Up to 16x digital zoom
Photo fix
Picture blogging
Video recording
Auto focus
Smile Shutter™
Face detection
Smart Contrast TBC
BestPic™
Red-eye reduction
Xenon flash
Video light
Video recording
Video stabilizer
Music

Media player
Album art
PlayNow™
TrackID™
Mega Bass™
Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
Music tones (MP3/AAC)
Web

Access NetFront™ Web browser
Web feeds
Photo feeds
GreenHeart™

E-manual
Reduced packaging
Recycled plastics
Waterborne paint
Optimised display light
MH300 greener headset
Walkmate
Communication

Speakerphone
Polyphonic ringtones
Vibrating alert
Video call (main camera)
Messaging

Email
Picture messaging (MMS)
Predictive text input
Sound recorder
Text messaging (SMS)
Exchange ActiveSync
Chat View
Instant messaging
Design

Picture wallpaper
Wallpaper animation
Auto rotate
Entertainment

3D games
Motion gaming
Java
FM radio with RDS
Video streaming
Video viewing
Media
YouTube™
Connectivity

Bluetooth™ technology
Modem
USB mass storage
USB support
Synchronization
PictBridge
Organizer

Alarm clock
Calculator
Calendar
Flight mode
Notes
Phone book
Stopwatch
Tasks
Timer
Location-based services

Geo tagging of photos (cell-id)
Google Maps™
Accessories
In-Box:

C901GreenHeart™
Standard Battery BST-33
Standard Charger CST-70
Stereo Portable Handsfree MH300 GreenHeart ™
Facts and Figures

Size: 105 x 45 x 13 mm
Weight: 107 grams
Colours: Ocean White
Main screen: 262,144 colour TFT, scratch-resistant
Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels
Size: 2.2 inches
Phone memory: Up to 120MB
Memory card support: Memory Stick Micro™ (M2™)
Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 9.5 hrs
Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 430 hrs
Video talk time: TBC
Availability and versions
Networks
C901:

GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS/HSPA 900/2100
Available in selected markets from Q2 2009.
The Sony Ericsson Naite at a glance

Camera

2.0 megapixel camera
Up to 2.5x digital zoom
Photo fix
Picture blogging
Video blogging
Video recording
Photo feeds
Music

Media player
Mega Bass™
Album art
PlayNow™
TrackID™
Bluetooth™ stereo (A2DP)
Music tones (MP3/AAC)
Web

Access NetFront™ web browser
Bookmarks
Google™ search
Web feeds
GreenHeart™

E-manual
Reduced packaging
Recycled plastics
Optimised display light
Low-power charger
Ecomate & CO2 Calculator
Communication

Smart dialling
Conference calls
Video calling
Speakerphone
Vibrating alert
Polyphonic ringtones
Messaging

Email
Exchange ActiveSync®
Text messaging (SMS)
Picture messaging (MMS)
Conversations
Instant messaging
Predictive text input
Sound recorder
Design

Picture wallpaper
Wallpaper animation
Entertainment

Media
3D games
Java
FM radio with RDS
Video streaming
Video viewing
YouTube™
Connectivity

Bluetooth™ technology
Google Maps™
Modem
Synchronization
USB mass storage
USB support
Organizer

Alarm clock
Calculator
Calendar
Flight mode
Notes
Phone book
Stopwatch
Tasks
Timer
Accessories
In-box:

Naite
Standard Battery BST-33
Standard charger EP300 Greenheart ™
Portable Handsfree HPM-60
Facts and Figures

Size: 108 x 47 x 12.6 mm
Weight: 84 grams
Colours:
Vapour Silver
Ginger Red
Type: 262,144 colour TFT
Resolution: 240 x 320 pixels (QVGA)
Size: 2.2 inches
Phone memory: Up to 100MB
Memory card support: SanDisk microSD™
Talk time GSM: Up to 9 hrs 40 min
Standby time GSM: Up to 380 hrs
Talk time UMTS: Up to 4 hrs 10 min
Standby time UMTS: Up to 380 hrs
Video call time: Up to 3 hrs
Availability and versions

GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS HSDPA 2100
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900
UMTS HSDPA 850/1900/2100
Legal

1) Facts and features may vary depending on local variant.

2) Talk and standby times are affected by network preferences, type of SIM card, connected accessories and various activities e.g. games. Kit contents and colour options may differ from market to market. The full range of accessories may not be available in every market.

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Tweet-a-Watt prompts XBee router hack

Chris Davies — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:09:18 +0000

The Tweet-a-Watt project was good – in fact good enough to win a competition – but there are a few obvious flaws in the first iteration of the design. Not least is the requirement to have a computer turned on to receive power-use stats and tweet about them; now Adafruit Industries are back with their solution, a hacked $40 ASUS router with XBee wireless capabilities.

Video overview after the cut

Basically the router – which normally just handles WiFi – is reflashed with OpenWRT, and an XBee wireless module is soldered onto the serial port header on the router’s board. Then, rather than needing a full PC on to do the Twittering, the router itself can do it while also sharing out your home broadband connection.

Full instructions to reflash the router are available here, as part of MightyOhm’s WiFi radio tutorial. The Tweet-a-Watt kit is available now, for $90, but you’ll need to supply your own router and Kill-a-Watt power meter.

[via MAKE]

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

Chris Davies — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 10:22:28 +0000

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.

Tesla expect to be producing 20,000 of the Model S Sedan per year by mid-2012, with each selling for $49,900. The company’s quick-charge capabilities will see the floor-pan located batteries partially re-juiced in just 45 minutes, and there’s talk of a long-range rental battery; the standard batteries themselves are rented for 7 to 10 years.

Inside there are two LCD screens, a main one in the driver’s binnacle and a larger 17-inch touchscreen in the center console. The sixth and seventh seats flip down into the trunk and are rear-facing, so like similar seats in other, more mainstream cars, expect them to be only really of use for children.

The standard model will hit 0-60mph in 5.5 seconds and has a single speed transmission. Sport and AWD versions are planned, but no launch dates for those have been given.

[via Jalopnik]

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MSI Wind Nettop CS120: superfrugal plus DVD burner

Chris Davies — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 17:50:14 +0000

MSI have announced a new, eco-friendly version of their Wind Nettop, the MSI Wind Nettop CS120. The CS120 measures just 11.1 x 9.45 x 2.56 inches but manages to include a slot-load DVD burner, Intel Atom 230 1.6GHz processor, 160GB hard-drive and 1GB of memory (maximum 2GB).

There’s also 7.1-channel HD sound output, integrated WiFi and a multiformat card reader, plus six USB 2.0 ports, ethernet, audio in/out and a VGA out. Most impressively, though, is the 35W power consumption at full load, around a 90-percent saving compared to the typical 300W desktop PC.

The MSI Wind Nettop CS120 will be available with an MRSP of $319.99. You’ll be able to find it at NewEgg, Amazon, Mwave and J&R.

Press Release:

MSI Unveils the Eco-friendly Wind Desktop PC

Wind Nettop CS120 Combines Energy Saving, Ultra-Silence, and
Multimedia Entertainment

City of Industry, CA – March 12, 2009 – MSI, a leading manufacturer of computer hardware products and solutions, is pleased to announce the release of the new desktop PC, Wind Nettop CS120, with WiFi, slot-in DVD rewriter and Energy Star® certificate. The Wind Nettop CS120 is equipped with the latest Intel® 1.6GHz Atom™ 230 processor, a 160GB SATA hard disk drive and 1GB of DDR2 SODIMM memory which is upgradable to 2 GB.

Energy-Saving and Ultra-Quiet

Wind Nettop’s CS120 is a space- and energy- saving portal for home and business users. Compared to the 300W power consumption of general desktop computers, the Wind Nettop series can run full operating speed at 35W, saving about 90% on electricity . Users no longer need to worry about overdraft electricity even when using the computer over a 24-hour period. MSI has broken the myth that desktop PC is equivalent to high power consumption with the Nettop CS120’s ENERGY STAR® qualifications.

WiFi and Slot-in DVD Rewriter

The compact size of MSI Wind Nettop CS120 features a stylish slot-in Super-Multi DVD burner, which is used for backing up data, installing software or playing movies. The MSI Wind Nettop CS120 is designed to be placed anywhere, including the living room. You can stay connected with the world by its integrated WLAN. Simply access to the Internet, email, and MSN everywhere you want!

7.1 Stereo H.D. Sound Provides the Excellent Sound Experience

Wind Nettop CS120 supports 7.1-channel High Definition output, allowing even the small space to have a big theater-like experience by showing clear treble and powerful bass. While enjoying music or film, Wind Nettop CS120 offers the amazing performance.

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Marvell SheevaPlug: $99 Linux PC hidden in a wall-wart

Chris Davies — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:26:36 +0000

Marvell have been talking up their SheevaPlug reference design, a wall-wart power plug that actually hides an entire Linux PC. Priced at $99, inside the SheevaPlug there’s an ARM-based 1.2GHz Sheeva embedded processor, 512MB of DDR2 memory, 512MB of flash storage, gigabit ethernet and USB 2.0; in fact the development kit is available now.

Eventually, prices are expected to drop to around $49. Among the first products to hit the market based on the Sheeva plug-computer design will be the Pogoplug, which so impressed us back at CES 2009. The Pogoplug is designed to simply take a USB hard-drive and turn it into network attached storage, accessible not only from the home network but through a web-based portal. It’s expected to cost around $99 when it launches in a few months time, but preorders are being taken at just $79.

Meanwhile expect the SheevaPlug to find plenty of new fans among the open-source community; it’ll play nicely with “multiple standard Linux 2.6 kernel distributions”. Its eco-credentials are good, too, with Marvell claiming it uses less than one tenth of the power of a typical PC being used as a home server.

[via The Tech Report]

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