Author: Serkadis

Filed under: Sedan, China, Technology, Roewe

With the Google I/O developer’s conference going on and General Motor’s spate of announcements about the future of OnStar and its Android-integrated smartphone app for the Chevrolet Volt, there’s been a fair amount of virtual ink spilled over the search giant’s mobile software and its integration into automobiles.

However, Roewe has taken the biggest leap yet and installed Android into its new 350 sedan.

The system, developed in conjunction with the Chinese automaker and Inkanet, employs a 3G internet connection through China Unicom to deliver everything from weather to stock market information, and connects to phones and other multimedia devices through either a cable or Bluetooth connection. As you’d expect, GPS and traffic data is integrated into the system, and users can make phone calls, along with sending and receiving emails and text messages. An on-screen QWERTY keyboard is incorporated into the custom user interface, and unlike some of the hack jobs we’ve seen on netbooks and vaporware tablets, it’s actually an attractive implementation of the Android operating system.

The whole package will set Chinese consumers back around $600-900 when it arrives later this year, and includes 24 months of free service through China Unicom. Check the gallery below for a walk through of its features.

[Source: PCAuto via Thetycho]

Google Android in Roewe 350 revealed in pictures originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

(ScienceDaily, May 19, 2010) — In what could set the stage for a fundamental shift in commercial aviation, an MIT-led team has designed a green airplane that is estimated to use 70 percent less fuel than current planes while also reducing noise and emission of nitrogen oxides (NOx).  The design was one of two that the team, led by faculty from the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, presented to NASA last month as part of a $2.1 million research contract to develop environmental and performance concepts that will help guide the agency’s aeronautics research over the next 25 years. Known as “N+3″ to denote three generations beyond today’s commercial transport fleet, the research program is aimed at identifying key technologies, such as advanced airframe configurations and propulsion systems, that will enable greener airplanes to take flight around 2035.  MIT was the only university to lead one of the six U.S. teams that won contracts from NASA in October 2008.  Click here to read more…

(EPA, May 18, 2010) Chairman Boxer, Ranking Member Inhofe, and members of the Committee, thank you for inviting me to testify about EPA’s role in responding to the BP Deepwater Horizon rig explosion. As we all know, efforts by BP to stop the oil release continue. While there is no perfect solution to the environmental disaster that the Gulf of Mexico is facing right now, EPA is committed to protecting our communities, the natural environment and human health. That commitment covers both the risks from the spill itself, as well as any concerns resulting from the response to the spill.   Let me begin by recognizing the extraordinary effort put in by our responders. These are people that have maintained their resolve in the face of often overwhelming challenges. They have gone above and beyond and we certainly owe them a debt of gratitude. In the last three weeks, EPA has dispatched more than 120 staff scientists, engineers, and contractors to Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, and Mississippi to perform rigorous testing and monitoring of air and water quality.  Click here to read more…

Biomedical Research Topics – The US Special Operations Command is soliciting pre-proposals focused on applied biomedical research topics that may be of interest to Special Operations Forces (SOF)-relevant aspects of medical care, particularly related to: combat casualty management; medical aspects of mission planning, biomedical training, environmental protection, vibration/shock injury, diving procedures, equipment and injuries, exercise and mission related physiology, field diagnostic and care equipment; and medical information management systems.  The following general aspects/topic areas of basic and applied biomedical research are of interest: 1) Casualty Management; 2) Medical Aspects of Mission Planning; 3) Medical Aspects of Environmental/Thermal Protection; 4) Exercise and Mission-Related Physiology and Psychology; and 5) Preventive Medicine. Closing Date: June 30, 2010.

Posted Date: July 1, 2009

Solicitation Number: F2VUG0-MedTech-BAA070109

Filed under: Car Buying, Budget, SUV, Europe, Crossover, Hatchback, UK

Here in their homeland, the Dodge Caliber and Nitro can’t get much lovin’ from critics, but parent Chrysler has gone and kicked the two models right out of the UK altogether. Hitting up Dodge.co.uk shows but a single vehicle, the Journey, for sale in Blighty. Even the seven-passenger MPV, seemingly well suited to the UK market, has been struggling to find buyers, and the model has had its lineup rejiggered with more standard equipment added to entice addtional prospects.

Try as it might, Chrysler just hasn’t been able to close enough sales of the Nitro and Caliber in the UK. Things must be slightly better on The Continent, as consumers can still find the two exiles available on Dodge’s websites for such far-flung locales as Russia, France, and our favorite, Italy’s Dodge.it. Company officials tell Autoblog that the “Caliber [is] still sold in most all continental European markets, Nitro [is] for sale in most major markets there.”

[Source: Autocar]

Dodge stops selling Nitro, Caliber in UK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

General Motors’ Chairman and CEO Ed Whitacre has finally spoken about the Detroit automaker’s first-quarter profit… at least to his employees. In an e-mail sent to employees Monday, Whitacre thanked employees for their contribution and said that there is still more work to do to rebuild confidence among consumers and growing the business.

In the e-mail, Whitacre told employees that the $865 million first-quarter profit was a sign of progress and that he hopes there will be additional profitable quarters moving forward.

“We still have more work ahead to rebuild consumer confidence and grow the business in an uncertain global economy,” Whitacre wrote.

The e-mail also struck a positive tone for employees and executives who survived Whitacre’s wave of job cuts.

“It’s good to know that we are moving forward,” Whitacre said. “I want to thank you for your hard work and dedication to General Motors. I appreciate your contributions…”

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Detroit News

Toyota’s top U.S. sales execs are planning to tell Congress that it fully believes that faulty electronics are not to blame for the recent unintended acceleration issues in its vehicles. This conclusion comes as the result of 11,000 hours of testing and analysis by Toyota of its electronic throttle controls.

Despite safety groups pointing their fingers at electronics, President of Toyota Motor Sales USA Jim Lentz has said that he ‘remains confident’ that electronics are not at the route of the issue.

A House committee hearing is set for Thursday in order to review complaints of electronic issues in Toyotas. The hearing comes after Toyota paid a record $16.4 million fine for a slow response to an accelerator pedal recall.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: MSNBC

March was a very good month for Ford of Europe with the automaker’s Fiesta becoming Europe’s best-selling car for the month, helping the automaker become the best-selling brand in the region. Well, Ford’s No.1 celebration was short-lived as Volkswagen returned to its traditional place as the top-selling brand in the European Union in April.

In April, Volkswagen sold 138,304 new vehicles in Europe, a 7.7 percent decline. Ford of Europe on the other hand fell nearly 20 percent to 87,721 units. In fact, Renault beat out Ford with 99,642 units along with Peugeot, which sold 88,721 units.

Click here to get prices on the 2010 Volkswagen Golf.

In March, Ford outsold Volkswagen by 1,298 units, selling a total of 168,611 units compared to Volkswagen’s sales of 167,313 units.

Ford sales were hit hard as scrappage schemes that have boosted sales of the company’s smaller Fiesta and Ka models finished or were wound down in key European markets.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

Filed under: Truck, Technology, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors’ full-size pickup trucks may be next in line to get thermostatically controlled louvers behind the grille to improve aerodynamics. SRG Global, which produces a variety of components for numerous manufacturers, is developing just such a system for GM’s trucks. Similar systems will debut later this year on the Chevrolet Cruze and later on the new Ford Focus.

One of the biggest sources of aerodynamic drag and turbulence comes from the air flowing through a vehicle’s engine compartment. Closing off the grille to limit this airflow can drastically reduce this issue, however, the engine still needs air for cooling – especially at lower speeds. At higher speeds, the increased air velocity means less open area is required for adequate cooling.

Thermostatically controlled slats monitor coolant temperatures and then open or close as needed, giving the best of both worlds at the expense of a bit of added cost and complexity. That said, SRG’s new designs will integrate the slats into the grille structure reducing the cost of the system and making assembly simpler. Theoretically, such technology could also be used to improve cold-weather warm-ups by keeping the grille’s slats closed.

[Source: Ward’s Auto World]

GM pickups to adopt active grille louvers for fuel economy? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

…and we thought we’d have to wait until Friday. Chrysler Group LLC has finally released all the details, high-res images and a video of the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Read to go on sale nationwide next month, the 2011 Grand Cherokee has been completely reengineered and redesigned for 2011 with a new sculpted body, panoramic dual-pane sun roof and a world-class interior with premium soft-touch materials. Chrysler says this will be our first hint at the future quality of its vehicles – as a result of its partnership with Fiat SpA.

“Capability highlights include a choice of three 4×4 systems, new Jeep Quadra-Lift Air Suspension and Selec-Terrain systems and towing capability of 7,400 lbs,” Chrysler said in a statement. “On-road dynamics are improved courtesy of new independent front and rear suspension systems and a new body structure that dramatically increases torsional stiffness.”

Click here for more news on the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Power for the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will come from Chrysler’s 3.6L Pentastar V6 unit making 290-hp delivering up to 23 mpg and over 500 miles on one tank of gas. That boasts an 11 improvement in fuel-economy over the outgoing model.

The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be available in 3 models: Laredo, Limited and Overland. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4×2 model starts at $30,995, while the 4×4 Grand Cherokee Laredo model starts at $32,995. Prices for the 2011 Grand Cherokee Limited 4×4 start at $39,995, while the Overland 4×4 model start at $42,995. Optional features include a 360-hp 5.7L V8 and a Trailer Tow Group

The all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee will be built at the Jefferson North Assembly Plant (JNAP) in Detroit.

Hit the jump for the high-res image gallery and a video of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee in action.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee:

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee in Action:

– By: Omar Rana

Quietness is a common attribute of hybrid vehicles. While this rarely poses a problem to the average person (in fact many people find this quality a positive one), there is one insular group out there to which this poses a threat; the visually impaired.

To address this issue, a group of carmakers and advocates for the blind have banded together to present to Congress a proposal for minimum noise levels that future electric and hybrid vehicles would be required to make.

An NHTSA study performed last year showed that hybrid vehicles tend to hit pedestrians more often than other types of vehicles in those scenarios where the approaching vehicle could not be seen. The language presented to Congress by the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, the American Council for the Blind, and the National Federation for the Blind, could become part of the Motor Safety Act of 2010; a bill currently before Congress that would create a whole host of new auto safety rules.

– By: Stephen Calogera

Source: CNNMoney

Finally the euro got a breather with a halt to the relentless beating it’s taken day in and day out.

You can take your pick of reasons: the selloff was overdone, shortcovering, voodoo.

The surge was was so powerful, the currency is now back to where it was TUESDAY MORNING.

From FinViz:

Join the conversation about this story »

Remember back in 2008, when Pakistan ordered YouTube to be blocked and took down a chunk of the wider internet outside of Pakistan in the process? One hopes they’ve got the technical details worked out this time, because Mr. LemurBoy alerts us to the news that the Pakistani High Court is so disturbed by the fact that there’s an “Everybody Draw Mohammed Day!” page (hopefully you’ve already heard why that’s controversial…) on Facebook that it has ordered all of Facebook to be blocked through the end of May. Originally, only that specific page had been ordered to be blocked, but apparently that wasn’t enough:

Lawyers with the Islamic Lawyers Forum appealed to the higher court on Wednesday, saying the entire site should be blocked because it had allowed the page to be posted in the first place

Of course, that makes me wonder. If someone created a similar webpage just “on the internet,” would Pakistan order that all of the internet should be blocked? If it was on a piece of paper, would all paper be blocked from import?

Permalink | Comments | Email This Story

Anna Malova, Miss Russia and Miss Universe semifinalist of 1998, was apprehended by a special narcotics officer. The New York Police Department revealed that she has been hiding a habit that brought her to trouble again. She was taken right after she walked out of a pharmacy on 6^th Avenue in Greenwich Village. The pharmacist stated that the doctor of Malova believes that Malova had stolen a prescription pad and wrote out a phony prescription for painkillers.  She reacted calmly as she was taken away. The former Miss Russia seemed to be on top of the world when she made the top 10 contestants for the Miss Universe 1998.

Malova, 38 years old, was a medical doctor in her native country, Russia. She was also praised for the being a doctor when she won the Miss Russia crown, but she is not licensed to practice in the United States.  She was charged with criminal possession of narcotics, forgery and criminal impersonation of a physician. Malova was also charged with larceny for the same crime less than three months ago.

The Miss Universe organization and Donald Trump, who owns the franchise, was contacted by Fox 5 but neither had any comments on the issue.

Related posts:

1. Former Miss Russia Apprehended For Narcotics-Related Fallacies
2. Miss USA 2010 Pageant: Rima Fakih Crowned as Miss USA 2010!
3. Miss USA 2010 Scandal Pictures!

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Recalls, Safety, Infiniti, Nissan

The Associated Press is reporting that Nissan will recall 48,700 trucks and SUVs for a suspension problem that could lead to an unforgiving ride. The recall, which could officially begin as early as this week, involves the 2010 Nissan Titan, Pathfinder, Armada and Xterra, along with the Infiniti QX56. The recall is related to a suspension control link that may not have been welded properly. If the weld is insufficient, the bushing collar could crack, leading to the kind of ride that bruises kidneys and rattles fillings.

Nissan spokesman Colin Price reported to the AP that the company is working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to get the recall processed as quickly as possible. Once a recall is officially announced, Nissan will provide a fix at no cost to the customer. No accidents have been reported as a result of this potential issue.

[Source: The Associated Press]

AP: Nissan to recall 48k trucks, SUVs over potential suspension issue originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ah, Lifelock. The company, which was recently fined $12 million for bogus advertising and absolutely dreadful security practices (the private data that Lifelock claimed it was helping you protect was not encrypted and was available to more than just authorized employees). Of course, the most amusing thing of all was how the CEO of the company, Todd Davis, plastered his Social Security Number everywhere to show how “safe” he felt with the company’s service. In the past, we had noted that this didn’t actually stop him from from being a victim of identity fraud — when someone used his well publicized SSN to get a $500 loan in his name. Oh, and then there was the story about how the CEO then personally went to the home of the guy who did this, and “coerced” a confession out of him. In doing so, it ruined the police investigation and tainted the case.

Thankfully, it now turns out that there were twelve other opportunities to taint evidence. Yes, it’s now come out that the CEO who proudly gave away his SSN because his own company would protect him has been a victim of identity fraud at least 13 times. And they say 13 is an unlucky number…

The stories go on and on, with lots of people using his Social Security Number to open up various accounts — many of which it appears he didn’t find out about until collections agencies came calling. Could there be any worse advertising for Lifelock than this? It’s even pissing off the police

“It’s unfortunate he chose to conduct business in that way,” [Albany police] spokeswoman Phyllis Banks said. “It’s not fair to [AT&T] because they’re losing a pretty substantial amount of money.”

Permalink | Comments | Email This Story

Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Hatchback, Audi, Luxury

The 2011 A8 is the harbinger of things to come from Audi’s award winning interiors, and the release of an additional spy shot of the S7‘s insides proves that the new navigation screen found in the automaker’s flagship is set to proliferate throughout the Audi line-up.

As you can see in the image above, the seven-inch display that rises from the dash is fitted to the recently spied S7, and will also be included on the standard A7 when it goes on sale next year. The MMI Touch Pad, which also debuted on the all-new A8 and allows user to draw letters and numbers to control the navigation, phone and other systems, is likely to be an option on the A7/S7, along with the new A6. And speaking of the A6…

Audi’s mid-sizer has been around since 2004, with an updated model bowing two years later, so it stands to reason that an all-new A6 is coming soon. Judging by the automaker’s product cycles, we’re expecting the 2012 A6 to bow in Detroit or as early as the Paris Motor Show and go on sale sometime towards the middle of 2011.

Audi bringing new nav display, optional Touch Pad to 2012 A6 and A7/S7 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 May 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

You know what’s funny?

We all know strong character values in a mate and in ourselves really do matter in life and love. Yet our world mostly offers love tips like:

“Buy these sexy clothes!”

“Be more successful!”

“Tighten your buns!”

Nobody comes out and says:

“Yo! Value good strong character values in yourself and others!”

And nobody says:

“Wow! Look at the integrity on that guy!”

Or:

“Did you check out the honesty on that girl?”

del.icio.us · Slashdot · Digg · Facebook · Technorati · Google · StumbleUpon · Yahoo

What is it with various state Attorney Generals and their difficulty in understanding the law? And why is it that those same AGs always seem to be running for higher office when they do? We’ve already covered how Andrew Cuomo (who wants to be NY’s governor) appeared to ignore the law in bullying ISPs. And then there’s Richard Blumenthal (who wants to be one of the Senators from Connecticut) who continues to ignore Section 230 safe harbors for Craigslist in grandstanding against the company. Then there was South Carolina’s Harry McMaster (who tried to run for governor), who also ignored Section 230 in threatening to put Craigslist execs in jail.

Now we can add to the list Pennsylvania’s Attorney General (and gubernatorial candidate), Tom Corbett, who apparently is so thin-skinned about people criticizing him, that he’s subpoenaed Twitter, demanding it reveal the “name, address, contact information, creation date, creation Internet Protocol address and any and all log in Internet Protocol address” of two anonymous critics who are using both Twitter and Blogger to criticize him.

One would assume that, as Attorney General, Corbett is familiar with the First Amendment. One would also hope that, as Attorney General, Corbett is familiar with the long list of decisions in the caselaw protecting the right of anonymity especially in situations where it involves criticizing a politician. Apparently not. Corbett also appears to be unfamiliar with the basic tenets of The Streisand Effect… and how trying to unmask these critics is only serving to draw significantly more attention to their criticism of him.

How do you get to be Attorney General if you don’t even understand the basics of the law? And how do you become a politician if you can’t stand people criticizing you?

Permalink | Comments | Email This Story

Yes, you read that title right Square Enix has partnered up with Yahoo and the two are cooking something up. The two make quite the odd couple, don’cha think? But anyway, they’re teasing for the announcement,