Mobility & Email Blog » Automotive

Android OS Broadens the Market: Not Only for SmartPhones & Tablets

Tim Attwood — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:00:59 +0000

Most technology users know the Android OS as the backbone of a wide variety of smartphones and tablets, and there is even a project in the works to create a version of the now-defunct HP tablet that runs using Android. Purchased by Google in 2005, most of the Android code has now been released under the Apache License. The heart of the Android OS is based on the Linux kernel, and the Android Open Source Project is dedicated to ensuring that the OS is both maintained and developed over time. Most new devices using Android are running version 3.2, also known as Honeycomb, and in the latter part of 2011, users can expect to see the release of Ice Cream Sandwich, which is said to combine Honeycomb (3.2) and Gingerbread (2.3) into a unified whole. While the bulk of the devices which use Android still lie in the tablet and smartphone space, there are now a variety of products on the market and set for release that will also use this OS.

The Expanding World of Android Devices

One of the most popular devices that currently uses the Android OS is the Barnes and Noble “Nook”, an eReader that features an E-ink display with a touch interface and a Wi-Fi connection. The Nook runs version 2.1 of Android in both its “Color” LCD version and “Simple Touch” version.

Other devices on the market using the OS include the Phillips GoGear Connect, an MP4 player using version 2.1, and the HardKernal Odroid-S, a handheld gaming system that is currently available only in Korea. There are also a variety of products that are slated for future release and will run with the Android OS under the hood, including the Mobinnova Beam smartbook, which will feature a Tegra-2 chip and an 8.9” screen, and the Envisions EVO2 Gamebox, a video game console planned for a Q4 2011 release. Televisions are also getting the Android treatment, with Sony and TV maker NCPG set to release Internet televisions which will be both big-screen and HD.

Perhaps one of the most interesting uses that the OS is being put to is as a combination stereo/GPS in the form of the Parrot Asteroid car receiver, which is due to hit store shelves in October of 2011 for a retail price of approximately $349. The Asteroid will feature music through USB, SD cards, MP3 players and FM/AM radio in addition to maps, a speedcam warning app, Internet radio and voice-enabled emails and text messaging.

Another interesting use for the OS is in a set of ski goggles being developed by Recon Instruments. The MOD Live glasses will come with the world’s smallest Android device and provide a micro LCD display with a live GPS map for resort skiing.

While Android’s main market remains as tablets and smartphones, the ease with which it can be modified is leading to a crop of new devices as well.

Volkswagen L1

GadgetManiac — Sun, 20 Sep 2009 03:49:51 +0000

Volkswagen unveiled the L1 concept car at IAA 2009. The L1 has a 2 cylinder 0.8 liter engine which propels the 838-pound CFRP-bodied L1 to an outstanding 240 mpg. A second, cramped passenger sits directly behind the driver. Not for the claustrophobic. There are 50L or 1.76 ft³ of trunk space. The L1 has been in development since about 1998 – limited production starts in 2010 and you might be able to buy one by about 2013.

The TDI, E-motor and 7-speed DSG are located at the rear, and they combine to create the most fuel efficient road-legal car hybrid drive in the world. Proof of this are its 1.38 litre per 100 kilometres fuel consumption and 36 g/km CO2 emissions. Serving as the primary drive source is a completely redeveloped two-cylinder turbo-diesel with common rail direct injection (TDI). It is operated in two different modes depending on the load conditions. In the standard “ECO” mode, the 800 cm3 TDI develops a power of 20 kW / 27 PS (at 4,000 rpm); in “Sport” mode – used to reach top speed, for example – the car’s power rises to 29 kW / 39 PS (at 4,000 rpm). The TDI’s maximum torque is 100 Newton-meter (at 1,900 rpm). Naturally, the L1 also has a Stop-Start system that automatically shuts down the engine when vehicle has stopped and restarts when the accelerator or E-pedal is pressed.

Volkswagen says the L1 is the “most fuel-efficient automobile in the world”, a claim that is probably true, notwithstanding the Chevy Volt .

While the fuel efficiency claim may well be true, it does not make up for the fact that the L1 is one fugly vehicle and looks like a cross between a coffin and a hearse. We’re considering nominating the L1 for inclusion in some future list of 100 Ugliest Cars.

Sure, the VW L1 emits a mere 36g/km of CO₂ (which is astonishing in view of the fact that joggers emit about 78g/km), has a drag coefficient of 0.16 (that’s about ½ the C_D of an average car) and might well save the world etc, but there’s no fun in driving these things. We here at GadgetManiac suggest you get either a Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, or an Audi R8 or a BMW 135i M Sport coupe (our 3 current faves), before tree huggers succeed in getting sports cars banned.

Breakthrough for the 1-Litre Car Volkswagen presents the most fuel-efficient automobile in the world – VW news release, September 15 2009

Lamborghini Reventon Roadster

GadgetManiac — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 03:58:09 +0000

IAA 2009 also saw the introduction of the new Lamborghini Reventon Roadster. 6.5 liter twelve-cylinder 661 bhp engine. Maxes out at 205mph.

…starting price about 1.6M USD.

Ferrari 458 Italia

GadgetManiac — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 02:42:09 +0000

The Ferrari 458 Italia supercar had its first public showing at IAA 2009. 570 CV (562 bhp) direct injection 4,499 cc V8 engine. 0-60 mph in 3.3 sec.

RIM BlackBerry Bold 9700

Meaghan Ringwelski — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 18:29:12 +0000

Here’s the first official shot of the 9700 (codenamed Onyx), T-Mobile’s first 3G BlackBerry.

The BlackBerry Bold 9700 is the successor of the well known BlackBerry Bold.

For starters, the BlackBerry Bold 9700 rocks the same optical track pad seen on the BlackBerry Curve 8520. That means slipping from menu to menu is easier than ever but apparently RIM’s preloading it with the Amazon MP3 store, so that’s slightly interesting. T-Mobile says 9700 will support UMA Wi-Fi calling, visual voicemail, and corporate email. They also confirmed that it will have TeleNav GPS Navigator and Amazon MP3 store pre-installed. From what we can tell, it’s due in early November, but pricing is still unclear – we hope that RIM and T-Mobile have saved the best surprise for last.

Other leaked specifications are below

New Trackpad
Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
UMTS/HSDPA
480×360 resolution screen
Wi-Fi (802.11g)
OS 5.0
QWERTY keyboard
3.2 megapixel AF camera
Bluetooth

Chevy Volt Gets 230 MPG City EPA Rating

GadgetManiac — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:21:05 +0000

General Motors today announced that their Chevy Volt electric car will get more than 230 miles per gallon in city driving…or approximately 1 litre per 100 Km.

Terrific…that’s almost as good as the Nissan Leaf which is EPA rated at 367 MPG and on the same order of magnitude as a walking human, estimated to achieve about 912 MPG.

In view of the fact that the most fuel efficient car on the market today is the Toyota Prius at 48/45 MPG city/hwy, GM has either achieved some tech breakthrough to achieve a 5x performance improvement or is practising some variant of Enron-style accounting by claiming miles driven electrically as miles driven via gasoline.

Chevrolet Volt Expects 230 mpg in City Driving – GM press release, 2009-08-11

Honda RA-X Concept

GadgetManiac — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 03:54:39 +0000

Putative auto designer Xuacu Pérez Quesada gives us the Honda RA-X, a full-scale mock-up of a potential new sports car for Honda.

Very nice inspired design, and the website has more views of the RA-X. …oh wait…uhh…it kinda looks like a foreshortened Lambo with a Veyron nose.

Never mind…more dubious material from the Italdesign Giugiaro powerhouse.

Honda RA-X – Final 3D model of a new Honda sportcar

The 100 Ugliest Cars

GadgetManiac — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 03:40:39 +0000

The Daily Telegraph complements their list of most the 100 most beautiful cars published March/2008, with the opposite, i.e. a list of the ugliest cars of all time. Telegraph readers voted as follows…

1 – Pontiac Aztek (above) received the most votes

2 – Fiat Multipla
3 – SsangYong Rodius
4 – Austin Allegro/Vanden Plas
5 – Porsche Cayenne
6 – AMC Pacer
7 – Ford Scorpio
8 – Hummer
9 – Austin Princess/Ambassador
10 – Chrysler PT Cruiser
:

…somewhat reminiscent of Time Magazine’s The 50 Worst Cars of All Time, and yes the Aztek is on that list as well.

The 100 ugliest cars – The Daily Telegraph, 29 Aug 2008

Lamborghini Estoque

GadgetManiac — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 04:00:33 +0000

Lamborghini introduced their new Estoque at 2008 Mondial de l’Automobile in Paris a few days ago. Lamborghini president Stephan Winkelmann states that the Estoque is a ‘prototype’, and it’s “for everyday use”.

Not a bad-looking sports car considering it’s an AWD four-door four-seater. The front-end grill and air dams define it as a Lambo for sure, but the side view bespeaks a different influence…Jaguar C-XF perhaps?

2009 Lamborghini Estoque – SuperCars.net

GM Turns 100, Gets Electrified, Introduces Chevy Volt

GadgetManiac — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 02:10:10 +0000

General Motors was a start-up company 100 years ago today on September 16, 1908. Happy birthday GM!

GM celebrated by officially launching the Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid. The Volt’s 400-pounds of lithium-ion batteries gives it a range of 40 miles, enough for most urban commuting. The car’s 1.4-liter gasoline/E85 engine provides extended range by powering the electric drive unit while recharging the batteries. A full gas tank, together with a fully-charged battery will take you about 400 miles.

The Chevy Volt will be available late 2010. ~$35K before a potential $7,500 green tax credit.

Chevrolet Volt Leads General Motors Into Its Second Century – GM press release, 2008-09-16