Filed under: Gadgets , Etc. , Euro , Tech Google has already faced plenty of issues with its Street View technology, not the least of which has been angry Japanese citizens and invasion of privacy lawsuits from Americans whose driveways were mistaken for a roads. Beyond these unforeseen issues, there’s also the rather obvious problem of taking images of places a Chevy Cobalt just can’t reach. Consider that problem (at least partially) solved with the new Google Trike. The three-wheeled, human-powered overgrown tricycles carry 250 pounds of ballast in the form of “a mounted Street View camera and a specially decorated box containing image collecting gadgetry,” says the internet giant. All that extra heft reportedly requires a “specially trained super fit” rider. Google’s new trikes will be deployed first in Genoa, Italy, this spring. Assuming that launch proves successful, Google will send its pedal-powered cameras to the United Kingdom, where they’ll point their lenses towards a slew of famous British landmarks. Have a good one in mind? Google says its open to suggestions and will be working with VisitBritain to pick the most desirable locations to shoot. To assuage those averse to getting their pictures taken, Google promises to “apply our face-blurring and license plate blurring to all these images to protect people’s privacy.” [Source: Google via Wired ] Continue reading Google Street View switching to trikes for roads less traveled Google Street View switching to trikes for roads less traveled originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 May 2009 08:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink ?|? Email this ?|? Comments

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Filed under: Gadgets , Etc. , Porsche Porsche owners have long reveled in their ability to smoke the competition on track and street, but now Porschephiles can also leave their marque’s mark on the backside of burgers, hotdogs and ribeyes. Grill marks, of course. Barbeques Galore and Porsche Design Studio have burned the midnight oil for two years while working on the the new X-Series Grill. Under its sleek, German-styled exterior lies some fairly hot grilling technology. Instead of the standard gas burners found in most grills, the X-Series uses four infrared burners that can crank out 52,000 BTUs using 50% less fuel with 80% fewer flare-ups. By our very rough shadetree estimates, that should be good for a zero to steak time of about 10 minutes. Or so. With a starting sticker price of $5,999 Porsche Design’s first grill comes with a motorized rotisserie, an LCD temp display with remote probe, and an insulated double-walled hood. Step up to the X-Series Island (above) for $8,499 for a stainless steel finish and concealed cupboards and gas cylinder storage. All models are covered under a lifetime warranty for service, parts and repair. Also included is the right to brag to your numbers that you have a Porsche in your backyard. Car-B-Q: X-Series Grill by Porsche Design Studio originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 May 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read ?|? Permalink ?|? Email this ?|? Comments

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Filed under: Gadgets , CES , I.C.E. , Ford Click the image above to view a video of the new SYNC system after the jump At the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show ( CES ) Ford announced that three new features would be included on the next iteration of the SYNC system: traffic data, GPS-guided directions and the ability to snag information from the web through the user’s data/GPS/Bluetooth-enabled smartphone to display or read weather conditions, sports scores and other information through the stereo. On May 26th, the upgrade will be made available to all current 2010 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury owners (you download the update to your PC, then transfer it to the SYNC system through a thumb drive) and all new 2010 models will be equipped with the upgrade from the factory. But as Ford CEO Alan Mulally promised, there’s more on the way. Ford and Microsoft plan to continually update SYNC, and according to Charlotte Fisher from Ford’s Design and Technology team, “every six to eight to twelve months we’ll be delivering new services.” One of the possible features Ford could include on future iterations of SYNC is streaming internet radio, and Fisher confirmed that Ford is currently “talking with Pandora .” Can you say XM-killer? Hit the jump to watch a video of the new system in action. Continue reading Future Ford SYNC upgrade could include Pandora streaming Future Ford SYNC upgrade could include Pandora streaming originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 May 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink ?|? Email this ?|? Comments

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Filed under: Gadgets , Etc. , Tech , Audi , Lifestyle Audi is obviously looking forward to being in the coming Gran Turismo 5. After all, the Quattro company has created a website to promote its car on the N?rburgring in real life and in the game, and it interviewed GT5 mastermind Kazunori Yamauchi about what fans can expect. Yamauchi-san revealed that the game is going to offer not only more vehicles, more online features, and increased detail, but it will also include night racing, damage rendering (previously confirmed), and weather changes. If you watch the Audi R8 Meets Gran Turismo 5 video, one of the game developers even talks of one day providing weather reports for an entire 24-hour race, and you can read the interview with Yamauchi-san by clicking on a PDF link here . The graphical and gameplay additions are surely welcome and long overdue, and could return GT5 to the head of the racing sim pack - whenever it finally gets here… View Poll [Source: GT Planet ] REPORT: GT5 to get weather changes, night racing - and yes, damage rendering [w/POLL] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 13 May 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read ?|? Permalink ?|? Email this ?|? Comments

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REPORT: GT5 to get weather changes, night racing - and yes, damage rendering [w/POLL]

Filed under: Gadgets , Etc. , Tech Aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, vulcanized rubber…it was only a matter of time before somebody made a watch out of carbon ceramic. And who better to do it than Brembo and Meccaniche Veloci? The former you’ll know well as the most recognized name in brakes. The latter may be known to some of you as the Italian watchmaker that designed the Quattro Valvole timepiece , named and styled after the four-valve cylinder head and incorporating four individual automatic Swiss watch movements. Now the two have come together to produce a special edition Quattro Valvole Carbon Ceramico (CCM), unveiled at the 2009 Baselworld watch show, that could be the ultimate car watch even among a rapidly expanding sub-segment. The carbon-ceramic watch case is made by Brembo using the same process as it uses for producing racing brake discs. Short fibers of carbon are combined with high-strength ceramics and formed using high-pressure water jets. The result is incredibly strong yet lightweight construction that is also highly resistant to corrosion or deformation. Like Brembo’s brake calipers, buyers can choose between different color combinations of red, black, yellow or silver, and the watch comes with interchangeable straps in rubber and alligator leather. As well it should, at $15,000 apiece…another element this unique timepiece shares in common with a set of carbon ceramic brakes. [Source: Meccaniche Veloci via Gizmag ] Stop Time: Mecchanice Veloce and Brembo team up for carbon-ceramic watch originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Read ?|? Permalink ?|? Email this ?|? Comments

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Filed under: Gadgets , Marketing/Advertising , Volkswagen Volkswagen Polo Challenge iPhone game - Click above for a gallery What automaker isn’t trying to cash in on the iCraze? Most are scrambling to include iPod and iPhone integration into their newest vehicles, and many have tried to mimic the look and feel of the Apple devices with their latest concepts. The “people’s car” has as good a claim as any other automaker, and Volkswagen is looking to cement that with a new game for the iPhone and iPod touch. Developed by German mobile game studio Fishlabs, the Volkswagen Polo Challenge, like other racing games, works with the devices’ built-in accelerometer to control the car. Players can choose between eight different circuits to drive on while being serenaded by the music of Feinkost. When they’re done playing, mobile gamers can find the nearest VW dealership to check out the car in person. Just a month after its release, already 1.4 million people have downloaded the free game from iTunes. (Volkswagen’s Spanish subsidiary has also released a similar game highlighting the Seat Ibiza Cupra.) If you can read German, you can check out more info in the press release after the jump, along with the images in the gallery below. Continue reading People’s Choice: 1.4m downloads for VW Polo Challenge iPhone game People’s Choice: 1.4m downloads for VW Polo Challenge iPhone game originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink ?|? Email this ?|? Comments

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Filed under: Gadgets , Etc. , Safety , Crossovers/CUVs , BMW Click above for huge gallery of high-res photos of the bulletproof BMW X5 Security Plus If Jason Statham’s character, Frank, decides to switch back to a BMW in The Transporter 4 , we think we have his new ride picked out. Or maybe Clive Owen just needs to film another episode of The Driver . BMW has just released info on its first Class Six bullet resistant vehicle, the BMW X5 Security Plus, which happens to be the first vehicle ever available to the public with that classification from a high-volume manufacturer. That means that its skin can handle anything up to a AK-47 assault rifle, the weapon-of-choice for terrorists, pirates and kidnappers around the globe. Besides thicker bulletproof glass, BMW has added heavier armored body panels all around, as well as sealing up all of the joints to bolster protection in normally vulnerable body panel gaps. The Security Plus models are partially built alongside the regular models in Spartanburg, SC, and then sent to Toluca, Mexico for final assembly. Some of the special features that are fitted include a beefed-up suspension with special run-flat tires, an intercom system to communicate with people outside the vehicle, a hold-up alarm that automatically locks windows and doors, plus sirens and flashing lights too. There’s also a list of options that includes a rear view camera and a front-bumper-mounted side view camera. It’s powered by BMW’s 355 horsepower, 4.80-liter V8, and even with the extra equipment, this crossover can scoot from 0 to 62 miles-per-hour in 8.2 seconds on its way to a top speed electronically limited to 112 mph. There’s a full press release after the jump and a huge high-res gallery too. You’ll see there is very little to tip evil-doers that the person inside is worthy of attention, until the need to escape arises and the lights go on. BMW handles sales of these vehicles in a very discreet manner and even offers special driver training so anyone can become The Driver. Gallery: BMW X5 Security Plus [Source: BMW] Continue reading BMW launches AK-47 thwarting X5 Security Plus BMW launches AK-47 thwarting X5 Security Plus originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Apr 2009 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Permalink ?|? Email this ?|? Comments

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This is probably older than the topical gel I found in the back of my medicine cabinet while hunting for my Valtrex multi-vitamins, but that doesn’t affect the cuteness. As you can see, it’s a cat dressed up as Link . Making him the coolest cat ever (besides your own, I’m sure). Granted, he forgot the apostrophe in “I’m” and can’t capitalize to save his last half-heart , but he’s a cat for crying out loud. They’re notoriously poor with grammar. And also, in general. MR. WHISKERS — YOU’RE LATE ON RENT AGAIN! Picture [wtfux] Thanks to Spikey DaPikey, who agrees he could only be cuter if he was swinging a wooden sword.

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It’s Dangerous To Go Alone. Take This.