Mobile Hardware

Google And Verizon May Be Fighting Over Hardware, Not Mobile Wallets
StorefrontBacktalk
If that's Google Wallet, then it can't be ISIS or any mobile-payments
scheme that Verizon controls directly. And although there's nothing to stop
Verizon from adding the necessary hardware for lots of mobile wallets,
that's not likely to happen unless ...
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Smartphone shake-out looms as hardware herd may thin
ZDNet (blog)
In other words, it's becoming increasingly difficult—if not
impossible—to differentiate a mobile device based on hardware. Even
software is a two horse race with Apple and Google's Android. On the
Android side of the smartphone industry, ...
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Streamlining chip design
MIT News
Designers of mobile devices need to think hard about which functions to
implement in hardware and which in software. A new programming language
makes that much easier. Analogy could help engineers develop materials that
make use of repeating patterns. ...
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Six Android issues that Google doesn't want to address
ZDNet (blog)
... with 14% of all Android support calls related to hardware failures.
These Android device returns alone is costing mobile operators a staggering
$2 billion per year I'd like to see Google put a little effort into
addressing these issue. ...
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OnLive Mobile brings unmatched game graphics to smartphones and tablets
Ubergizmo
While OnLive for PC, Mac and TVs was a very convenient way to access games
online, OnLive for mobiles offers a level of game graphics that simply
cannot be matched by today's mobile hardware. If you are unfamiliar with
OnLive, it is an online gaming ...
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Windows 8: One OS to Rule Them All?
PCWorld (blog)
I love Windows Phone 7 "Mango", and I do believe Microsoft is capable
of providing a solid mobile experience for tablets. But desktop and laptop
hardware need to evolve and adapt more to incorporate the touchscreen,
tapping and swiping interface before ...
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Android choppy UI: hardware acceleration isn't the problem
Ubergizmo
... it takes to have a butter-smooth scrolling on a mobile device. Here's
what I take away from it: first, although Android 1.0 already had graphics
hardware acceleration, but it wasn't until Android 3.0 that "full"
hardware acceleration was added. ...
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2011 in review: Phones, tablets, laptops on ZDNet Mobile News
ZDNet (blog)
This is still the only phone in the US that can use the NFC hardware in the
phone with Google's ATM service. I have used Google Wallet only once, to
pay for a lunch in McDonald's. There isn'ta lot of choice of venues that
accept the PayPass service ...
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Iphone 4 hardware unlocked on T-mobile, should i & how can i upgrade?
I brought my iphone 4 at a T-mobile retailor n it is hardware unlocked
running on ios 4.3.3. At first the msg couldnt send pic but i fixed it by.
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Elnegy: Would Making Mobile Hardware Help Increase Microsoft ...
Also earlier this year Google acquired Motorola mobility as a result now
develops Mobile OS and mobile hardware.Currently three of the top four
smartphone ...
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Mobile E-book

BookieJar Debuts "Yummy Read" to Promote Indie eBooks
PR.com (press release)
Every Monday, Bookie Jar's content staff promotes new and noteworthy eBooks
– or "Yummy Read"—on the home page of its website and on the
opening screen of its mobile application. A new chapter of the eBook
becomes available each day throughout the ...
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EU in antitrust probe of Apple, e-book publishers - theday.com ...
The European Union's antitrust watchdog is probing whether Apple helped
five major publishing houses illegally raise prices for e-books when it
launched its ...
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EU in antitrust probe of Apple, e-book publishers » Kitsap Sun Mobile
BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union's antitrust watchdog is probing
whether Apple and five major publishing houses have colluded to restrict
competition in ...
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MP4 Has Been Impact Of Mobile Phones And E books
Article from Health and Wealth 4 You Article Directory and entitled MP4 Has
Been Impact Of Mobile Phones And E books - By Jerri Lily.
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Apple and eBook publishers being investigated - Lost In Mobile ...
Smartphone and tablet discussion. iPhone, Android, BlackBerry, Windows
Phone , webOS and Symbian.
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Forex | Make Money In Forex Ebook (view Mobile) » Passive Income
Trusted On: Are you looking to transform your lifestyle?Are you intestested
in a fabulous work Get all the financial security you need Get 'Make Money
In Forex'
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That Dam Towing Test: New SAE Trailering Standards Explained

That Dam Towing Test: New SAE Trailering Standards Explained:

The new standards ask: Can you climb the Davis Dam grade?

Manufacturers’ truck-towing ratings are a lot like Donald Trump’s politics. Bold? Certainly. Realistic? Um, we have no idea. Each manufacturer arrives at its towing numbers differently, and that variety in the testing means tow ratings don’t have much context: Just because a truck can tow an impressive amount doesn’t mean its rating indicates how well that load is carried.

Keep Reading: That Dam Towing Test: New SAE Trailering Standards Explained – Tech Dept.

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BMW Teases High-Powered X6 M Diesel

BMW Teases High-Powered X6 M Diesel:

At first glance, this footage from BMW seems like just another promotional video, but then you rub your eyes and lean in closer to the screen. Elements of the front and rear of this X6 are blurred out; BMW must be drumming up anticipation for a facelift. But why, then, is the badge also distorted?

Within the blur, notice the familiar splash of color: It’s an M. But notice the extra script beyond where the M would be, and the lack of noise as the X6 charges up a mountain road. Based on what we see here and what we’ve heard murmured around BMW, we think that badge says X6 M50d. That stands not for a 5.0-liter engine, but for a 3.0-liter, inline-six oil-burner. With two turbos, the engine will likely make more than 370 hp and more than 500 lb-ft of torque. It will be the most powerful six-cylinder diesel on the light-duty market by far—Ram’s HD pickups use a 6.7-liter diesel inline-six to produce 350 hp and 800 lb-ft—and rumor has it that the turbos will operate in three different stages, making power when you want it, sipping fuel when you don’t, and balancing the two when you’re feeling greedy—or is that indecisive?

The diesel will be backed by a ZF eight-speed automatic and standard all-wheel drive. This powertrain also will find its way into an X5 M50d and—brace yourself—even an M5 50d. All three will be visually differentiated not only from their lesser diesel siblings, but their gas-powered M counterparts as well.

Until a couple years ago, M wouldn’t even touch turbocharged gas engines for fear of compromising its identity. The X5 and X6 M broke that barrier—and were followed by the 1-series M—but with these new models, the brand is moving still farther from its old religion. It is not, however, the first performance brand to embrace diesels. In 2003, Mercedes-Benz launched the 228-hp, five-cylinder C30 CDI AMG. While successful in some southern European markets, the C30 AMG was generally unloved because of its pronounced diesel soundtrack; AMG will not be introducing a successor any time soon. Now BMW will be leading the way. Expect the new M models to go on sale in Europe by summer 2012. There are no plans to launch them in the U.S.

Source : Google Reader

November 2011 Vehicle Sales: What the Headlines Don’t Tell You

November 2011 Vehicle Sales: What the Headlines Don’t Tell You:

November hadn’t even ended yet when Audi sent out a press release telling the world it had already beaten its 2010 sales. Similar—if less swagger-intense—announcements subsequently went out from other automakers in the first week of December, proclaiming the big victory over 2010—which itself marked huge improvement from most makers’ 2009 numbers. You can point to the sales stats as another sign of growing consumer confidence and more easily available credit. You can also look at incentives. Some companies, such as Mercedes-Benz, are clearing the lots for the end of the year (C-class sales more than doubled from last November). Others are preparing for the launch of all-new products by sweeping away the models that are about to become obsolete; the all-new Ford Fusion will be unveiled in January, and examples of the current car had at least a grand on the hood.

Evoque and Evo—¿Que?

Sales of the Mitsubishi Evo and Lancer, combined, in November 2011: 967

Sales of Land Rover’s new Range Rover Evoque in November 2011: 669

Starting price of the Evoque: $43,995

Sales of the Acura ZDX, which, like the Evoque, sacrifices practicality for style: 127

Ratio of Range Rover products sold last month to those badged as Land Rovers: 3:1

What the numbers reveal: Land Rover execs have described the Evoque as a critically important product for their company, and in its first few months, the company’s sales bear that out. The Land Rover brand, once legendary in the U.S. for the Defender and the Discovery, is cratering. The LR2 is anonymous; the LR4 is a well-executed truck, but a fuel-swilling large truck nonetheless. The company’s growth is coming from the Range Rover sub-brand and its eponymous range-topping SUV, the Sport, and the Evoque; Range Rover sales now outpace those of Land Rover–badged vehicles by a huge margin. Still, Evoque sales will need to top 1000 per month—or maybe even higher—to solidify the model as the core product it needs to be. Advertised leases of $525/month (with more than $4000 down) will help. Meanwhile, that little play on words about the Mitsubishi Evo and Lancer in the header? It’s mostly there because it’s been in our heads since the little Range Rover launched, but it also allows us to point out the Lancer lineup’s dreadful sales—Honda moved more than 17,000 Civics last month.

Boxed Out

Sales of the Scion xB in November 2011: 1202

Sales of the Nissan Cube in November 2011: 203

Sales of the Kia Soul in November 2011: 6865

What the numbers reveal: Kia’s Soul utterly dominates the market for cheap-and-boxy hatchbacks. The xB and Cube have funkier styling, but that may be a major component in their failure to find more homes. The vast majority of American drivers remain hesitant to really push the envelope with their vehicle choices, and the Soul is colorful while remaining inoffensive. Aggressive pricing and relatively powerful engines round out its appeal. Nissan, meanwhile, may want to rethink its decision to sell the Cube here.

Vantastic!

Sales of the entire Ford E-series line in November 2011: 7795

Sales of the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter that same month: 1045

Average price paid for an E-series cargo van, according to Truecar.com: $24,823

Average price paid for a Sprinter, according to Truecar.com: $34,619

What the numbers reveal: In October, Ford finally confirmed that the next generation of Transit van would come to the U.S. to replace the antediluvian E-series. Unlike the Sprinter, the new Ford has to be cheap. Also unlike the Sprinter, Ford has a path to achieving such pricing: The Transit will be built in the U.S., saving on labor and import costs. Ford should consider Sprinter sales a cautionary tale, though: If its next commercial hauler is too pricey, the blue oval’s van sales could collapse.

Source : Google Reader

Smart For-Us: Tiny Pickup Concept Headed to Detroit Auto Show

Smart For-Us: Tiny Pickup Concept Headed to Detroit Auto Show:

Smart finally admits that the only thing a car for the U.S. really needs is a bed.

Smarts don’t typically set our hair on fire, but at this year’s Detroit auto show, the Daimler-run small-car maker will show off a concept that we’ll admit is kind of cool. A little bit. It’s called the For-Us, and it’s a pickup. Smart calls it an “urban pickup,” possibly because it doesn’t have a gun rack—yet.

Keep Reading: Smart For-Us Concept – Auto Shows

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Nissan to Go Racing With Leaf NISMO RC Concept

Nissan to Go Racing With Leaf NISMO RC Concept:

Just Marketing International (JMI) issued a release today stating it was named Nissan’s “global motorsports agency of record,” charged with developing Nissan’s international motorsports line of attack. And while that news is anything but earth shattering, a tidbit in the text caught our eye.

The release says, “JMI will also develop and execute regional and global racing programs for the NISMO Leaf RC, a zero-emissions racing car based on the all-electric Nissan Leaf production model.” The Leaf RC concept debuted at the 2011 New York auto show, but this is the first semi-official confirmation that Nissan will, in fact, race it. The Leaf RC shares its name, battery pack, and electric motor with the production EV, but that’s about it. The two-door race car’s motor sits behind the driver and powers the rear wheels, while its carbon-fiber bodywork is 13.8 inches lower. At 2058 pounds, it’s about 40 percent lighter than the production car.

Neither Nissan nor JMI has announced any details on the potential Leaf RC racing series—venues (don’t count on any in the U.S.), race format, other participants, and how much it will cost are just a few of the unanswered questions at this point. But we fully expect to hear the distant whine of electric motors buzzing around a racing circuit in the near future, and we know races will be short: According to Nissan, the concept’s battery pack will provide around 20 minutes of racing time before needing a charge.

Source : Google Reader

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid Tested: Still Quiet, But No Big Efficiency Gains

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid Tested: Still Quiet, But No Big Efficiency Gains:

It now falls more quickly between two stools.

While the standard, ninth-generation Honda Civic goes down the road with almost no fervor, the iconic small car has become more comfortable, more advanced, and easier to live with as it matures.  As it did with its conventionally powered model, Honda has made a significant number of  improvements to the Civic hybrid for 2012. Also as with the nonhybrid Civics, Honda has taken a careful approach, and the changes amount to something short of revolution.

Keep Reading: 2012 Honda Civic Hybrid – Instrumented Test

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Dakar Winner Joins Robby Gordon’s Team for 2012 Dakar Rally

Dakar Winner Joins Robby Gordon’s Team for 2012 Dakar Rally:

The surprising rumors that the winner of the 2011 Dakar Rally would team up with Robby Gordon were confirmed yesterday, when Nasser Al-Attiyah announced that he will drive one of Robby Gordon’s Hummers in the 2012 Dakar Rally and be sponsored by his home country of Qatar.

Al-Attiyah won the 2011 Dakar driving a factory VW Race Touareg, beating Carlos Sainz, who won in 2010, to the finish. Since VW dropped its Dakar program, in order to concentrate on its upcoming WRC efforts, it left Al-Attiyah without a ride.

“To have Nasser as a teammate in this year’s Dakar Rally is a huge boost for our team. He brings the excitement and experience of a champion to our team. I personally take it as an honor that he chose our team to defend his 2011 overall win. Between my Speed Energy Hummer and his Qatar Hummer, we have a strong team, cars, and drivers capable of winning the Rally,” commented Robby Gordon on the announcement.

Al-Attiyah is an accomplished cross-country and classic rally racer. He has won seven FIA Middle East Rally Championships titles since 2003 and collected 13 stage wins in the Dakar Rally between 2009 and 2011.

Robby Gordon has also done relatively well in the Dakar in the eight times he’s competed. He became the first American to win a stage in 2005 when he drove for the VW Race Touareg team. He finished third, behind the Race Touaregs of Giniel De Villiers and Mark Miller, in his privately financed Hummer in 2009 when the Dakar Rally moved to South America.

Apparently the Dakar organizers were concerned that if Al-Attiyah did not compete in the 2012 Dakar Rally there would be no car with the number 300 on its doors. It’s a special number that is reserved for the previous year’s winner. It’ll be fascinating to see how the two giant Hummers fare against the five Mini All4 Racings and three BMW X3CCs of Monster Energy Team X-raid.

Related posts:

1. Monster Minis to Tackle 2012 Dakar Rally

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Dock+Go’s Third Axle: A Backpack for Your Car?

Dock+Go’s Third Axle: A Backpack for Your Car?:

If you own, or have owned, an iPhone, you know the foibles of battery life, or lack thereof. Electric vehicle range anxiety pales in comparison to mobile Apple anxiety. I mean, how else is the world expected to read important Facebook status updates? Thanks goodness for cell phone battery extenders, something the EV market lacks…until now.

While only a concept, Frank M. Rinderknecht of Rinspeed is working on Dock+Go, a third axle system for an electric Smart car. Technical details are scant, but from what the images show, the supplemental axle carries a box that docks to the rear of the vehicle, converting the conventional four-wheeled Smart into a six-wheeler. While the Dock+Go should dramatically increase the electric Smart’s contact patch (not that the anemic vehicle needs it), the true efficacy of the automotive “backpack,” or rickshaw, comes from what can be stored in it. The press release cites heated box for pizza deliveries or toolbox for industrial uses as examples, but where the Dock+Go really glows, electrically, is in its application as a range extender by carrying an auxiliary engine, fuel cell or battery pack. Think Mophie for the iPhone, only bigger.

While it sounds like far-fetched sci-fi stuff relegated to science magazines, Rinspeed announced a Dock+Go concept will be revealed at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show.

No related posts.

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