Automakers are rolling out cutting-edge high-tech features and migrating last year’s hot new items more broadly across their model lines...
Home / Archive for April 2012
Would you buy an Apple iCar?
An Apple board member has revealed that Steve Jobs had dreamed of creating an iCar before his sad demise in October last year after a prol...
Lytro camera ignites a digital revolution
Bringing revolutionary Shoot First, Focus Later technology into consumers’ hands. The first light field camera, the compact Lytro, introd...
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Monday, 30 April 2012
Killer Car Apps For 2013
Automakers are rolling out cutting-edge high-tech features and migrating last year’s hot new items more broadly across their model lines with increasing frequency these days. With the playing field being relatively level among most comparable models with regard to performance, comfort and quality, manufacturers are leveraging the latest technology to help their vehicles stand out in a crowded market and to help give motorists a reason to trade in their existing rides for the latest models.
Backup Collision Intervention
Infiniti takes the now commonplace backup camera to new levels of complexity in its 2013 JX35 luxury crossover SUV. First, an Around-View Monitor with Moving Object Detection shows both a 360-degree image of the area outside the vehicle and delivers visual and audible warnings if the system “sees” moving objects crossing within the front or rear views when pulling out of a parking space or backing up. A new Backup Collision Intervention System adds another layer of safety to the system with the ability to automatically engage the brakes to help avoid a collision with vehicles and objects crossing its path while in reverse gear the driver either can’t see or isn’t reacting to quickly enough
The new Infiniti IPL G
Convertible made its global debut today at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
With its advanced VQ37HR 3.7-litre V6 engine, the 2013 IPL G Convertible
will become the second model in the Infiniti Performance Line lineup
when it goes on sale at Infiniti Canada retailers in spring 2012
- Magic Vision Control
The all-new Mercedes-Benz SL has a super-innovative windshield wiper system named Magic Vision Control, which, instead of shooting water from the front hood deck, shoots warm water out of mini-jets built into the windshield-wipers.This stops excess water from overshooting and missing the windshield and it also stops the driver from being temporarily blind as traditional jets shoot out windshield washer solution. The Magic Vision Control System is programed to behave differently under different situations.For instance in winter summer or depending on whether the cabriolet top is up or down, it will behave differently. The system automagically varies the amount of water output depending upon speed, ambient temperature, and current driving conditions which include ambient temperature.2013 Mercedes-Benz SL Roadster
Front Center-Mounted AirbagThe redesigned 2013 Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse and GMC Acadia seven-passenger crossover SUVs include the industry’s first center-mounted airbag. The tubular-shaped restraint deploys between the front seats and is designed to help protect the driver from injury in collisions on the passenger’s side when he or she is the only occupant. It’s also expected to provide additional protection to the driver and front passenger in a side-impact crash and help deliver additional safety benefits in rollover situationsThe front center airbag will be introduced on the Buick Enclave, GMC Acadia, and Chevrolet Traverse midsize crossovers in the 2013 model.Hands-Free Power LiftgateThe latest twist on remote vehicle access uses neither a keyfob control nor a pushbutton. Rather, the 2013 Ford Escape compact crossover SUV allows those burdened with baggage to engage the available power-operated liftgate via a simple kicking motion with one’s foot under the rear bumper (provided the car’s keyfob is in a pocket or purse). The same process closes the hatch. Mercedes-Benz offers a similar system for hands-free opening and closing the trunk in its 2013 SL-Class hardtop roadsterFord Escape SUV features a segment-first hands-free power liftgate that opens with a simple kicking gesture under the rear bumper and without the need to fumble for a keyInductive ChargingIn addition to added ways to connect with mobile phones and other devices, at least one car is able to keep such electronics charged without having to plug them in. Available on the 2013 Dodge Dart as a Mopar dealer-installed accessory is a new inductive wireless charging system allows driver to simply set electronic devices in a specified charging zone to keep the juice flowing.2013 Dodge Dart Will Offer Wireless Cell Phone ChargingPushbutton Gear SelectorWith many automatic transmissions now being electronically controlled, the old analog shift lever is fast becoming superfluous and is making way to alternative means of putting a car in gear. To that end, the midsize 2013 Lincoln MKX brings back the pushbutton gear selector – a feature the industry hasn’t seen since the early 1960’s. This new twist on an old concept frees up center console space by providing buttons to engage park, neutral, reverse and forward gears. Similarly, the 2013 Ram 1500 full-size pickup truck is the first vehicle this side of a Jaguar to offer a dial-in gear selector instead of a shift leverLincoln MKZ ConceptTactile-Warning Safety SeatThe 2013 Cadillac XTS full-size luxury sedan affords a set-of-the-pants approach to accident avoidance with its new Safety Alert Seat that engages pulse patterns on the left or right side of the cushion when the car is, say, drifting beyond highway markers or when it’s in close proximity to other cars or obstacles while parking. Vibrations on both sides of the cushion would alert the driver to threats from the front or rear, such as when the car is coming up too quickly on traffic ahead. The system works in tandem with other visual alerts, and General Motors says its research demonstrates it can quickly andThe all-new Cadillac XTS will be the industry’s first car to feature directional tactile sensation to warn drivers of potential crash threatsText Messaging AssistantWith distracted driving now being a major cause of accidents, and cities/states banning use of handheld devices, automakers are looking at ways to help drivers remain connected, but as safely as possible. To that end, Nissan is debuting a Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant as part of the new NissanConnect smartphone connectivity system in the 2013 Altima. The system will read text messages aloud to users and enable them to respond, either by voice command or via a steering wheel-mounted button that sends preset text like “driving, can’t text,” “on my way” or “running late.”2013 Nissan Altima Sedan'Zero Gravity' SeatsAs anyone who drives long distances can attest, sitting in a comfortable driver’s seat can make the difference between an enjoyable and intolerable journey.To help reduce fatigue on road trips and grueling commutes, Nissan is introducing so-called zero-gravity seats on its 2013 midsize Altima sedan. With a design based on posture research from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the new seats utilize a unique articulated seat shape with continuous support from the pelvis to the chest and are said to help reduce muscular and spinal loads, and improve blood flow, thus reducing fatigue.2013 Nissan Altima Sedan
Sunday, 29 April 2012
Would you buy an Apple iCar?
An Apple board member has revealed that Steve Jobs had dreamed of creating an iCar before his sad demise in October last year after a prolonged battle with pancreatic cancer.Speaking at a Fast Company conference, Mickey Drexler stated that the car industry is a tragedy in America and Steve's dream was to design an iCar which would give the automotive industry the shake-up it required.Italy based auto designer Liviu Tudoran has taken cues from the Apple products and designed a concept car called iMove for the year 2020
Quite a fascinating insight, but don't start saving your coins just yet. Drexler, who is also CEO of fashion brand J. Crew, said that Jobs never did design it and it was just another great idea from the visionary, nevertheless reckoning if indeed it would had been a reality, the fantasy vehicle would've probably been 50 per cent of the total global market.
Dexter also stated that he admires current Apple boss Tim Cook but if given an option he wouldn't want the Apple top honcho's job, and he made a good point stating that with visionary co-founder Jobs sadly no more the pressure on Cook to keep Apple trendy and profitable is a very huge task
Steve's iCar would be loaded with features like uni-body aluminum presumably, with a touchscreen panel instead of a steering wheel. As long as sat-nav didn’t control it he added a bit cheekily
Meanwhile, Italy based auto designer Liviu Tudoran has taken cues from the Apple products and designed a concept car called iMove for the year 2020
iMove will be electric and will feature the same design lines like all the latest Apple products
Most of the car body is covered with transparent materials, so that even under the roof the driver get a cabriolet feeling.
iMove will be able to acommodate three passengers and will have a ground-breaking luggage space.The concept offers various possibilities for customization, thus enabling the owners to change the car’s appliance according to its own preferences
Saturday, 28 April 2012
Lytro camera ignites a digital revolution
Bringing revolutionary Shoot First, Focus Later technology into consumers’ hands. The first light field camera, the compact Lytro, introduced us to the megaray with its infinite focus feature, as well as an incendiary debate about the future of photography.
A New Way to Take & Experience Pictures
The Lytro Light Field Camera represents the most significant shift in photography since the transition from film to digital.
The Lytro Light Field Camera represents the most significant shift in photography since the transition from film to digital.
Capture everything:
Only the Lytro lets you capture the entire light field, which is all of the light traveling in every direction in every point in space.
Only the Lytro lets you capture the entire light field, which is all of the light traveling in every direction in every point in space.
Focus after the fact:
The first major capability of a light field camera is focusing a picture after the fact, something conventional cameras can't do
The first major capability of a light field camera is focusing a picture after the fact, something conventional cameras can't do
Focus after the fact:
The first major capability of a light field camera is focusing a picture after the fact, something conventional cameras can't do
The first major capability of a light field camera is focusing a picture after the fact, something conventional cameras can't do
Share interactive, living pictures:
Your friends and family will have fun exploring and interacting with the living pictures you capture with the Lytro, on nearly any device without having to download any special software
Your friends and family will have fun exploring and interacting with the living pictures you capture with the Lytro, on nearly any device without having to download any special software
A revolutionary digital camera that allows photographers to focus their pictures after taking them has gone on sale.Lytro, which looks nothing like a conventional camera, captures data about the intensity and direction of all the light entering the lenses rather than recording a single version of an image
The information taken can be reorganised later with the option of changing which parts are blurred and which are sharp
The "light field" technology, which was developed by company founder Ren Ng while he was at Stanford University, is in some ways analogous to the practice of shooting RAW images with a current generation digital camera
The device records all of the light falling on its sensor without running it through processes such as colour balancing or sharpening and these can be applied later on a computer
"Light field photography was once only possible with 100 cameras tethered to a supercomputer in a lab," the BBC quoted Ng as saying.
According to the company, Lytro's image sensor is capable of capturing 11 megarays of data, whereas the feature of producing 3D images will be added at a later date. (Text :ANI)
Camera Details
Technology
Lytro Light Field Sensor and Lytro Light Field Engine 1.0
Lens
8x optical zoom; Constant f/2 lens
Controls
Power button; Shutter button; Zoom slider; Touchscreen
Technology
Lytro Light Field Sensor and Lytro Light Field Engine 1.0
Lens
8x optical zoom; Constant f/2 lens
Controls
Power button; Shutter button; Zoom slider; Touchscreen
Camera Details
Display
1.46 in | 33 mm back-lit LCD display with glass touchscreen
Exposure Control
Tap on touchscreen to set exposure
Battery
Long-life Li-Ion internal battery
Display
1.46 in | 33 mm back-lit LCD display with glass touchscreen
Exposure Control
Tap on touchscreen to set exposure
Battery
Long-life Li-Ion internal battery
Camera Details
File Output
Light field picture file (.lfp)
Light Field Resolution
11 Megarays: the number of light rays captured by the light field sensor
File Output
Light field picture file (.lfp)
Light Field Resolution
11 Megarays: the number of light rays captured by the light field sensor
Camera Details
Software
Includes a free desktop application for importing, processing and interacting with living pictures from the camera. It is built for Mac OS and requires Mac OS 10.6 or higher. A Windows application is in development
Software
Includes a free desktop application for importing, processing and interacting with living pictures from the camera. It is built for Mac OS and requires Mac OS 10.6 or higher. A Windows application is in development
Camera Details
Picture Viewing
View and interact with living pictures on the Lytro camera as well as any supported computer, smartphone or tablet.
Picture Viewing
View and interact with living pictures on the Lytro camera as well as any supported computer, smartphone or tablet.
Camera Details
Light Field Engine
Version 1.0. This is the software that processes light fields to produce interactive pictures. Keep watching this space!
Shell
Ultra-light anodized aluminium structural skin
Grip
TPSiV-Injection Silicon Rubber
E-waste
RoHS certified
Light Field Engine
Version 1.0. This is the software that processes light fields to produce interactive pictures. Keep watching this space!
Shell
Ultra-light anodized aluminium structural skin
Grip
TPSiV-Injection Silicon Rubber
E-waste
RoHS certified
Shoot First, Focus Later With Lytro's New Camera Tech
Lytro Camera: Look Ma, No Focusing! (ABC News)
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