Author: Serkadis

In our pursuit to bringing you the latest in news before anyone else, we do things that are not always construed as right and it seems one site is living in a nightmare. Recently Gizmodo received an iPhone 4 prototype, and it seems it was acquired illegally(stolen… and bought by Gizmodo with this knowledge. The whole story can be read here), and Apple was not too happy about it, and are going after them.

This story comes from Cnet, who are telling the story of Apple recently reporting this incident to the Silicon Valley police, and them beginning investigating Gizmodo today to confirm if anything illegal was conducted and if charges will be filed.

This is a very sad case. I cannot believe someone could get in this much trouble for just doing their jobs, but I guess their job description doesn’t include reporting on stolen property. I sincerely hope nothing bad comes to the editors at Gizmodo, but this shows how serious apple is about their products.

Do you think this should be happening? What Should happen to them? Do you feel any sadness for them? comment below.

Well that’s all the iPhone related news you will hear from me. This was so! serious that I thought I should let you guys know about it.

Thanks for the tip sybil ann

Filed under: Government/Legal, Chrysler, GM

One year ago, the U.S. auto industry was at the weakest point in its history. To make matters worse for the both the industry and the Obama Administration, the majority of Americans wanted nothing to do with a bailout, having just undertaken an even pricier propping up of the country’s lending institutions. But President Obama and the Auto Task Force made the difficult decision to push General Motors and Chrysler through bankruptcy while providing $50 billion in loans to keep the doors open at the two companies. The administration estimates that the move staved off an estimated 1.1 million lost jobs, but the political and fiscal cost was high.

Last year, the Congressional Budget Office and the Treasury Department estimated that the U.S. government would likely lose $30 billion in the long term. The Detroit News reports that one year later there is a lot more optimism at the White House about the industry and our money. A five-page report released by the Obama Administration points to Chrysler’s first quarter operating profit and the fact that GM paid off its government loans early shows that the auto bailout was a success. The report adds that “the contrast between where these companies, and the American auto industry, are today and the situation President Obama faced when he took office is stark.” And that projected $30 billion loss? The latest projections by the Treasury Department and the DOT are for a much smaller loss of $8 billion.

The next step towards the U.S. government getting our money back comes when GM executes its initial public offering, which is rumored to be happening as soon as this June. Uncle Sam currently owns 60.8 percent of The General.

[Source: The Detroit News | Image: Jeff Swensen/Getty Images]

White House: Auto bailout worked, but we’ll still lose money originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Ride: 2010 Honda Shadow RS – Just another Harley imitator, or something better?

Touring bikes aren’t our thing, but Honda’s newest Shadow proves that relaxed, two-wheeled trekking isn’t for poseurs.

Lord of the ‘Ring: Ferrari breaks the 7-minute Nurburgring barrier

How fast is the 599 GTO? Quick enough to lap the Nurburgring in under seven minutes without breaking a sweat… or anything else.

Beijing 2010: BMW surprises with Concept Gran Coupé

Four-door coupes have been all the rage for the past few years, and BMW doesn’t want to be left out of the ever-expanding segment.

Also of interest:

• Spy Shots: Viper SRT10-powered Dodge Challenger caught in public
• Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce China Limited Edition is the longest name for a car ever
• Beijing 2010: Ford Start concept
• Pics Aplenty: 2012 Ford Police Interceptor reports for duty
• Beijing 2010: 2011 Hyundai Accent debuts as Verna across the Pacific

Browse our archive of Daily U-Turn posts or subscribe to the RSS feed

Daily U-Turn: What you missed on 4.23.10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Humor, Beijing Motor Show

To our delight and dismay, there were fewer blatant vehicle clones from China’s automakers littering the floor of the Beijing Motor Show this year. That’s not to say we didn’t encounter a slew of knock-offs, but it seems that the Chinese are finally coming into their own design-wise. However, one instantly recognizable figure caught our attention while prowling the halls of the expo center.

We stumbled across none other than the Stig’s Chinese cousin. He had his very own security escort, which prevented us from flipping up his mask and snapping a photo, but some say he’s… [fill in the blank in the comments below].

Beijing 2010: The Stig’s Chinese cousin comes out to tour the show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Car Buying, Hatchback, Nissan, Electric

How many people plunked down $99 to register for a Nissan Leaf? According to an email from Nissan, “As of this morning, 6,635 customers signed up to reserve a Nissan Leaf.” The reservation line has only been open about 70 hours (Nissan began taking reservations late Tuesday), so that’s a pretty solid rate of ~100 an hour.

Katherine Zachary, who handles PR for Nissan North America, told Autoblog that during the first three hours, 2,700 people registered for the Leaf, and that it’s been a steady flow ever since. However, if you were one of the people with an itchy trigger finger Tuesday, don’t count on getting your Leaf first. Nissan is looking at where the most demand to help determine where to roll out the vehicles. So far, Zachary said, 75 percent of the people registering for a Leaf are from the areas Nissan has targeted as early markets – places like Tennessee, Oregon, San Diego, Seattle and the Phoenix/Tucson region in Arizona. “Through the work we have been going and what those markets have been doing, people are ready,” Zachary said. Most of the reservations are from California, but a “fair amount” are from Georgia, due in part to the extra state incentives for plug-in vehicles there.

So far, the upper SL trim is beating the SV base trim level three to one. This makes sense to us, since the extra $940 does get you quite a few nice features. As for there being any cancellations yet, Zachary said she hasn’t heard of any at this point. Someone will be the first, but apparently no one wants to do so quite yet. Nissan will continue to issue periodic statements on the number of reservations as time goes by. We’ll be ready.

[Source: Nissan]

Nissan: 6,635 customers have signed up to reserve a Nissan Leaf originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Article Tags: Derek Alker

Find attached a Word document I chanced upon recently, a unique find.

It appears as a web page at www.globalwarmingskeptics.info – Do Global Energy budgets make sense. ??? and it’s an encouraging sign that there are probably many people out there who refuse to be intimidated by “the settled science.”

On his own, Derek Alker has ferreted-out some very faulty assumptions, although I think I also discern the influence of Vincent Gray.

It’s clear that Derek has done his research. His essay is worth a read.

Alan S

Click to download – Do IR budgets make sense.pdf

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Filed under: Saab, Beijing Motor Show

It didn’t take long for Beijing Automotive Industries Company (BAIC) to start making use of the old 9-3 and 9-5 tooling it bought from Saab last fall. After grafting on a new nose and taillights, both have been reborn as the C60 and C71.

It’s not clear what’s propelling the regular versions of these two reworked Saabs, however, there was a second ex-9-5 on display dubbed the C71EV. That version had a battery pack inserted into the floor and featured what BAIC was labeling as a fast battery switch system (ala Better Place).

The sign next to car claims a 90-mile range, but we think that’s highly optimistic given the size of the sedan and the comparatively small battery pack. Of course, that’s assuming this is actually a functional car.

Photos by Sam Abuelsamid / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Beijing 2010: BAIC (Saab) C60 and C71 and swappable batteries originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 17:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Concept Gran Coupe

Just this morning, BMW took the wraps off of its Concept Gran Coupe, a model that the company says hints at ”a 4-door vehicle which combines the exclusivity of a Gran Turismo with the fascination of a high-performance sports car.”

According to BMW sources, the car is headed for production in 2012 and will be built on the same platform that underpins the 5-Series, 7-Series and the 5-Series Gran Turismo. The production model will be offered with the same mix of 6- and 8-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines as those models.

Click here to get prices on the 2010 BMW 550i Gran Turismo.

“It’s true that the Gran Coupe points to a specific model, a saloon with the presence and elegance of a 7-series but a more dynamic, sporty character: much more of a driver’s car,” BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk said. “We’re convinced that we should make a car like this.”

The BMW Gran Coupe picks up where the Concept CS study left off in 2007. van Hooydonk said that BMW was always interested in a more dynamic flagship four-door back then but put things on hold until it worked on Project i’s Megacity electric-car. “Now we’ve had the opportunity to revisit the CS and update it, and I think everyone inside of BMW is pleased with the results,” he said.

As for BMW bringing back the 8-series badge, van Hooydonk said that it’s not his decision.

“I don’t think of this car as an 8-series, but our marketing department may think differently. Either way, their work is just beginning, and I know that often it can take longer than our design work!”

Click here to see our original post on the BMW Concept Gran Coupe.

BMW Concept Gran Coupe:

– By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoCar

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Coupe, Performance, Videos, Chevrolet

Earlier this week we told you about Camaro5fest, the largest gathering of current generation Camaros and their owners. While GM’s big news from the event was a three mile long parade of Camaros, others, like Lingenfelter Performance Engineering, were all about the drag racing at the South Georgia Motorsports Park.

The Decatur, IN maker of go-fast Chevys brought out their new LS9-powered 2010 Camaro packing 855 horsepower. The supercharged V8 has been fortified with various LPE performance parts like a more aggressive camshaft, CNC ported heads, JE forged aluminum pistons and a smaller supercharger pulley. Despite being equipped with a six-speed manual, the Lingenfelter Camaro posted a best run of 10.36 seconds at 139.5 mph. Thankfully the camcorders were rolling, and we have visual evidence of the car’s capabilities. You can see a similar run (10.41 at 139.9 mph) in the video posted after the jump.

[Source: Lingenfelter]

Continue reading Video: 855 horsepower Lingenfelter Camaro runs 10.4 @ 139.9 mph

Video: 855 horsepower Lingenfelter Camaro runs 10.4 @ 139.9 mph originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well it seems I am the last person on WMPoweruser to receive an HD2, but at least I have it now. The device came in the mail courtesy of Ebay and their no taxes Yesterday. I bought the device for $480, and did not receive the 16GB memory card, which means no Megan Fox, and that’s just cold. If anyone wants to send me the files on their SD card that T-mobile included, like just copy, paste and RAR the files in tacked and ill add it to my memory card and begin watching Mrs., Fox. That would ROCK.

Back to my first impression. When I took it out the box, the device put a huge smile on my face. I mean DANM, the huge screen just made my day bright. The Thinness was incredible, and the metal back felts great in hand.

The software was not as awesome as I hopped, but how would I know, the second restart the phone received was the one of the ROM I installed (remember,I am a  flashaholic.) I have LMT installed, and already begun showing off the device to some people, and they are all hating.

After a day of excitement, I have to say, I am a little disappointed. I heard so much good things, that my expectations for the device was out of this world, but I guess that’s why you shouldn’t expect too much than it is possible. I do not think it’s the devices fault, I am have used too many smart phones that everything is just about the same to me now. The camera reminds me of the Droid, and so does the thinness. The speed reminds me of the Pixi, because nothing slows it down. The screen sensitivity is also in the Droid category. But one thing that no other device I have used has is… The 4 inch screen, it is just the best, and with swype keyboard, it rocks. LMT also works perfect on this device and is super fast to text. I can text 2X as fast as I did with my Touch Pro2’s keyboard. I also love how smooth it is and sensitive.

Well that’s what I got from my first day of the HD2. I can say it’s a great device. I cannot say it will be my personal device for the next 6 months, but it will last at least 4 months, I am currently eying the Toshiba K01, and should be getting the Incredible and Evo4G soon. Hopefully everyone that owns their HD2 loves it, because I sure do, and think HTC is plainly the very best when we are talking Windows Phones (Until the K01 comes thought).

If you have any questions for me(even though this device has been out for about 6 months now,) please ask, and ill be happy(to an extent) to answer.

If you are kind enough to RAR your T-mobile HD2 files like apps, and whatever else your 16GB card has in it…. please Email me at [email protected], and that should be all.

No track packs for Rock Band this week just three singles from three different bands. There’s one from Flyleaf, one from Busted, and one from Silverchair.

Article Tags: Headline Story, Kirk Myers

Bombarded by the incessant fear-mongering of the global warming industry, many people now see carbon dioxide (CO2) as evil incarnate – the bane of civilization and source of an ever-growing list of planetary problems – from erupting volcanoes and tectonic earthquakes to shrinking sheep and reduced circumcision rates.

The climate experts, joined by their lazy and interminably gullible allies in the mainstream media, have managed through guile and deception to orchestrate a successful fear campaign against a trace atmospheric gas that is essential to all life on earth.

Around the clock, these self-anointed saviors of Mother Earth hector mankind, admonishing the thoughtless masses for increasing CO2 to “climate tipping” levels that will eventually bake our planet unless we cork our gaseous emissions, shut down industry and hand over more of our paychecks to the Gods of Cap and Trade.

Hypnotized by their “science is settled” theory, the self-professed climate experts have abandon the practice of science and morphed into political-scientist advocates, manipulating and fine-tuning their research so it matches their pre-ordained conclusions. (A brief look at the Climategate e-mails, made public last November, illustrates the abysmal level to which climate science has descended.)

Source: examiner.com

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Article Tags: World Temperatures

MOSCOW, April 23 (UPI) — A Russian scientist says the Arctic may be getting colder, not warmer, which would hamper the international race to discover new mineral fields.

An Arctic cold snap that began in 1998 could last for years, freezing the northern marine passage and making it impassable without icebreaking ships, said Oleg Pokrovsky of the Voeikov Main Geophysical Observatory.

“I think the development of the shelf will face large problems,” Pokrovsky said Thursday at a seminar on research in the Polar regions.

Scientists who believe the climate is warming may have been misled by data from U.S. meteorological stations located in urban areas, where dense microclimates creates higher temperatures, RIA Novosti quoted Pokrovsky as saying.

“Politicians who placed their bets on global warming may lose the pot,” Pokrovsky said.

Source: upi.com

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Published April 22, 2010
By Tri-City Herald staff

Columbia Basin College in Pasco is participating in the national Cesar E. Chavez Registry Blood Drive Challenge.

The College Assistance Migrant Program Alumni Association is organizing the challenge to promote the engagement of Latino college students as community organizers in a national campaign.  Last year, hundreds of first time blood donors were recruited.

This year, students enrolled in the CAMPAA service learning and leadership program will expand their efforts to educate their campus community about the critical need for organ and tissue donors.

CBC’s registry drive will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday.  Registration can be completed online by going to www.DonateLifeToday.com/schools.

Students are competing with several colleges to see which campus can show the most school pride through registered donors.

Register no later than April 30 for your donation to count in the competition.  Awards will be presented to the winner in May.

Additional news stories can be accessed online at the Tri-City Herald.

Published April 22, 2010
By the Tri-City Herald staff

View the sun, stars and moon during a free viewing of the heavens Saturday at the Moore Observatory at Columbia Basin College in Pasco.

Day and night activities are planned at the observatory in celebration of National Astronomy Day. Viewing begins at 6 p.m. with an observation of the sun and sunspots using a variety of solar telescopes provided by CBC and the Tri-City Astronomy Club.

Stargazing begins around 8 p.m. using the Moore Observatory’s 16-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.

In addition to the viewing, inside the observatory, videos will be shown of various galactic phenomenon.

The Moore Observatory is in the northwest corner of the CBC Pasco campus.

For more information, call Frank Murray at 542-4835.

Additional news stories can be accessed online at the Tri-City Herald.

A BMW apresentou no Salão do Automóvel de Pequim o seu conceito Gran Coupe um veiculo que, apesar de seu nome, não é um cupê e sim uma carroceria sedã apresentando características visuais de um cupê. Alem da possibilidade de se tornar um veiculo de produção da BMW, o conceito também serve para apresentar as linhas básicas do futuro Serie 6.

Apesar de serem reveladas fotos do conceito, a BMW no momento ainda não divulgou detalhes técnicos do modelo, apenas revelou suas medidas de 5 metros de comprimento e uma altura menor que 1,4 metros. De qualquer forma, caso ele venha a ser produzido, o conceito BMW Gran Coupe enfrentará concorrentes de qualidade como o Passat CC, Aston Martin Rapide e o Porsche Panamera, todos incluídos na recente categoria dos cupês de quatro portas.

Utilizando a plataforma do BMW Serie 7, ainda é especulado que o modelo poderia utilizar as motorizações de oito e seis cilindros movidos a gasolina e a diesel. Seu design conta com uma grande parte dianteira, com um enorme capô e faróis com desenho agressivo. Sua tampa do porta-malas é parecida com o do Serie 6 e sua lanternas traseiras utilizam-se de Leds em sua iluminação e lembram bastante a do novo Serie 7.

Conceito BMW Grand Coupe

Fonte: Auto123

Payrolls may finally be creeping higher, but Americans are more scared than ever of losing their jobs.

Gallup’s poll of employed Americans found that 21% think it is likely they will be laid off in the next year. Only 38% are confident they won’t be laid off. Both indicators are at record levels and getting worse.

Rising fear shows the average American does not believe in the recovery.

Don’t miss: 12 Reasons Americans Are Incredibly Angry About The State Of The U.S. Economy

Join the conversation about this story »

Ford Start Concept at the 2010 Beijing Motor Show

At the world premiere of the Ford Start Concept at the 2010 Beijing Motor Show, FoMoCo confirmed that the new 1.0L 3-cylinder EcoBoost found in the concept is headed for production.

“This very real technology will come into production in the near future to deliver CO2 emissions of less than 100 g/km but power and drivability comparable to larger petrol I4 powerplants,” Ford said in a statement.

Ford also said that the Start Concept is more than just a design study and previews a future small car and Ford’s growing EcoBoost family.

“The Ford Start Concept was inspired by the world’s fast-growing mega cities and the unique needs and mindset of their inhabitants,” Ford said. “With heavy traffic, limited parking and fuel efficiency being key concerns among urban drivers, the Ford Start concept provides a vision into a future sporty, small-car package that meets a multitude of primary driving objectives, particularly among first-time buyers.”

Earlier this month Ford confirmed that it will offer a 1.6L 4-cylinder EcoBoost as well as a 2.0L 4-cylinder EcoBoost. All of these will join the current 3.5L V6 EcoBoost on the market.

Click here for our original post on the Ford Start Concept.

Ford Start Concept:

– By: Omar Rana

In 2003, Dutch businessman Pieter Hoff formed AquaPro, a firm which launched the “Groasis Waterboxx,” a device designed to enable trees and crops to grow in the driest parts of the earth. According to The New York Times’ Green Inc blog, the waterboxx, a kind of tree “water battery,” is about the size of a car tire and made from polypropylene. An opening at the center of the box provides a space for a plant or tree to germinate and grow.

The box captures both rainwater and condensation. Water is then collected in a space under the cover, preventing evaporation. The system is designed to help younger vulnerable seedlings get started in harsh growing environments. The box can then be picked up and applied elsewhere. “A wick inside taps into the ground beneath the box and drips a small amount of water to the plant’s root system each day. Once the plant or tree has taken root on its own, reaching a water source sometimes several meters below, the box can then be removed and used again to start another plant or tree.” 

AquaPro says their device enables farmers to plant trees or bushes in eroded areas, deserts, or other places where irrigation is impossible. ”In moderate climates the Groasis waterboxx causes 15 to 30% faster growth and thus more biomass.”

Hoff tested the device in the Sahara desert in Morocco for three years. Trees planted during the summer survived, demonstrating average growth of more than 90 percent in their first year.  AquaPro says “tests have shown that the trees, after the Groasis waterboxx is removed, continue to survive.” Just 10 percent of a small test group planted without the boxes lived on. Green Inc. adds that more trials are planned for 25 sites in eight countries. 

With water scarce in many of the driest areas of the world, tapping groundwater to irrigate young trees can create major consequences for communities who rely on small amounts of water. Hoff told Green Inc using groundwater to grow crops and trees doesn’t make sense. “Not only are traditional irrigation techniques inefficient because most of the water is lost to evaporation, […] but water can be easily captured from the atmosphere to grow just about anything.”

The boxes are designed to be environmentally and economically sustainable. Under development are new prototypes that will decompose over time, releasing nutrients into the soil. To create a sustainable business model, Hoff plans to offer a ”nonexclusive, free license”  to anyone who wants to build and distribute the device, asking for a royalty in return. To ensure his target audience — the world’s poorest, can afford the box, he wants to keep costs at a minimum and make the devices available through microfinance plans. Hoff told Green Inc: “My ideal is that the device is available to everybody, everywhere and my focus is to create a business model that enables the world’s poor to buy the box.”

The ultimate motivation for the device: worldwide reforestation, even in the most difficult and driest terrains. Planting trees can help create jobs, combat erosion, and mitigate the effects of climate change in developing countries.

Read the article and learn more about “Waterboxx”

Image credit: AquaPro

TechArt Porsche Panamera Entertainment and Comfort

Tuner TechArt has released a bunch of individualization modifications for the new Porsche Panamera sedan. In addition to the options already offered on the interior of the Panamera, TechArt is offering entertainment and comfort enhancements ranging from fold-away tables to a complete DVD entertainment system.

Click here to get prices on the 2010 Porsche Panamera.

Known as the TechArt Entertainment Kit W2, the system includes two 7-inch monitors integrated into the design of the front seats. A 6 DVD changer attends to media playback, which is hidden in the trunk of the car. TechArt is also offering a roof mounted Entertainment Kit, available with a pivoting 10.2-inch monitor. The media console with DVD player and integrated USB host is trimmed in the finest leather or Alcantara. It is integrated into the roof liner of the Panamera. The system plays all popular media format and also offers a infrared remote control and stereo sound via wireless headphones.

The TechArt rear fold-away tables retract into the seat upholstery of the front seats. The tables have dual functionality as a mobile work station during travel and a relaxing area for longer trips with your Panamera.

TechArt Porsche Panamera Entertainment and Comfort:

– By: Kap Shah