LA Auto Show 2012

As Day One of the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show comes to a close, many exciting vehicles took the stage, from wild concepts like the Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force, Nissan Hi-Cross and BMW's i pair to exciting compact cars such as the Mini Paceman, Ford's refreshed Fiesta and Kia's all-new 2014 Forte. Even a few hot performers made their debuts like the Fiat 500c Abarth, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series and the upgraded GT-R from Nissan.

2014 Fiat 500L at the 2012 L.A. Auto Show

Competes with: Mini Cooper Countryman, Volkswagen Tiguan, Ford Focus hatchback

Looks like: Fiat's take on the Mini Cooper Countryman

Drivetrain: 160-hp, turbocharged 1.4-liter four-cylinder with six-speed manual or six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmissions; front-wheel drive

Hits dealerships: Mid-2013

Fiat may not yet own all of Chrysler, but its namesake brand's inexorable march into the U.S. market continues with the 500L, which is far from just a four-door version of the 500 For starters, Fiat says the 500L sits on its new "small-wide" platform, giving it 27.5 inches of extra length compared with the non-turbo 500. It's also about 6 inches longer and wider. That puts its footprint between a Mini Cooper S Countryman (5.3 inches shorter) and a Ford Focus hatchback (4.5 inches longer). The 500L could be cross-shopped against either, or dozens of other compact crossovers or hatchbacks.

Black Friday

Black Friday is the name given to the day following Thanksgiving Day in the United States, traditionally the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. On this day, most major retailers open extremely early, often at 4 am, or earlier, and offer promotional sales to kick off the holiday shopping season, similar to Boxing Day sales in many Commonwealth Nations. Black Friday is not an official holiday, but many non-retail employers also observe this day as a holiday along with Thanksgiving, giving their employees the day off, thereby increasing the number of potential shoppers. It has routinely been the busiest shopping day of the year since 2005, although news reports, which at that time were inaccurate, have described it as the busiest shopping day of the year for a much longer period of time.

America's choice 2012

The president rolled to a second term over Romney, winning more than 300 electoral votes. Obama told supporters "the best is yet to come."

 

Following America's big moment of political decision, the election revealed a country that is still split in a divisive duel.

The election laid bare a dual — and dueling — nation, politically speaking, jaggedly split down the middle on the presidency and torn over much else. It seems you can please only half of the people nearly all of the time.
Americans retained the fractious balance of power in re-electing President Barack Obama, a Republican House and a Democratic Senate, altogether serving as guarantors of the gridlock that voters say they despise. Slender percentages separated winner and loser from battleground to battleground, and people in exit polls said yea and nay in roughly equal measure to some of the big issues of the day.
Democracy doesn't care if you win big, only that you win. Tuesday was a day of decision as firmly as if Obama had run away with the race. Democrats are ebullient and, after a campaign notable for its raw smackdowns, words of conciliation are coming from leaders on both sides, starting with the plea from defeated Republican rival Mitt Romney that his crestfallen supporters pray for the president.
But after the most ideologically polarized election in years, Obama's assertion Wednesday morning that America is "more than a collection of red states and blue states" was more of an aspiration than a snapshot of where the country stands.
"It's going to take a while for this thing to heal," said Ron Bella, 59, a Cincinnati lawyer who lives in Alexandria, Ky. He is relieved Obama won, but some of his co-workers are in a "sour mood" about it.
"They feel like the vast majority of the country wanted Romney, and the East and the West coasts wanted Obama," he said. "I'm not sure exactly why that is, but there just seems to be such hatred for Obama out there."
Compromise was a popular notion in the hours after Obama's victory and an unavoidable one, given the reality of divided government. But the familiar contours of partisan Washington were also in evidence, especially the notion that compromise means you do things my way.

SEMA '12

The Show will be held til–November 2.

The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world (PLEASE NOTE: THE SEMA SHOW IS NOT OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC). It draws the industry’s brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center. As part of the AAIW, the SEMA Show attracts more than 100,000 industry leaders from more than 100 countries for unlimited profit opportunities in the automotive, truck and SUV, powersports, and RV markets. SEMA Show 2011 drew more than 60,000 domestic and international buyers...
Note: The SEMA Show is not open to the general public.
There are thousands of customized vehicles at the SEMA every year, representing the best and most outrageous of the $30 billion aftermarket. Every year there's nothing more fun than picking the king. To determine which one was the most popular on the show floor, SEMA itself started counting the cars three years ago, giving awards based on sheer numbers. Officials wandered the nearly 2 million square feet of show floor the night before the show opened and started counting. While they won't release the exact figures, they did say which vehicle was most popular in each of four categories. And the winners are:
-- Hottest Sport Compact: Scion FR-S
Again, no hard numbers, but the FR-S won its category by far, we're told. There were not nearly as many Subaru BRZs and no significant challenge was posed by any other car. Last year's hot sport compact was the Fiat 500.

........

is the current release of the Windows operating system,produced by MS for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablets etc.   The operating system was released to manufacturing on August 1, 2012, and was released for general availablity today on October 26, 2012.
Windows 8 introduces significant changes to the operating system's platform, primarily focused towards improving its experience on mobile devices such as tablets to rival other
mobile operating systems  (such as Android and iOS)^.
Windows 8 also introduces a new shell and user interface based off Microsoft's Metro design language, featuring a new Start screen with a grid of dynamically updating tiles to represent applications, a new application platform with an emphasis on toucscreen input, the new Windows Store to obtain and purchase applications for the system, and the ability to synchronize programs and settings between multiple devices.

iPad Mini

A beautiful display, powerful A5 chip, FaceTime HD camera, iSight camera with 1080p HD video recording, ultrafast wireless, and over 275,000 apps ready to download from the App Store. iPad mini is an iPad in every way, shape, and slightly smaller form.

Perfectly sized LED-backlit display.

iPad mini makes one thing clear: Its 7.9-inch display more than measures up to the complete iPad experience. View web pages in Safari. See where you are and what’s around you using Maps.¹ Flick through your photos and watch videos in vivid detail. And wave hello to the family on a FaceTime call.² The iPad mini display uses the same LED backlight technology as iPad to give you plenty of pop per square inch. And it’s perfectly sized to work with hundreds of thousands of apps made for iPad.

N One

Honda  appears to have finally put a version of its crushingly cute N C4 into production. The retro-styled hatchback has shown up in Japanese dealership catalog for the first tim.  Behold the N-One, a minicar designed to take on the Fiat 500 at its own game. The street-worthy machine ditches the LED lighting arrays of the original concept in favor of more traditional units, and designers chose to adorn the back hatch with a large chrome accent bar below the rear glass as well. We could do without that  change.  Step indoors, and Honda looks to have abandoned the retro styling of the N Concept in favor of a parts-bin raid on the N Box +. The move is fitting considering both kei cars ride on the same platform. Under the hood, buyers can expect to bask in the glow of a 660-cc three-cylinder engine paired with a CVT. Power can be shuttled to either the front wheels or an all-wheel drive system depending on trim. Honda hopes the addition to the company's lineup will help boost minicar sales to 280,000 units per year. Don't expect to see this N360 influenced creation show up on our shores any time soon, however.

nm RSe05

We are introduing the "nm RSe05"

Thinnest, Lightest RSe Ever      

The NM RSe05 is a wheel with unmatched quality, perfectly spec-ed for your Mini. With its design adapted from the European touring challenge cars and weighing just a mere 16 Lbs., the RSe05 will enhance your motoring experience cosmetically as well as performance by reducing the rotational mass or unsprung weight.

Specification:

• Size: 17x7.5
• Offset: +45 mm
• PCD: 4-100mm
• Bore: 56.1mm
• Lug Opening: 14mm Conical Seat
• OEM TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) compatible.
• Weight: 16 lbs. (7.27 kg)

iPhone 5

“Today we’re introducing the iPhone 5″

Thinnest, Lightest iPhone Ever Features All-New Aluminum Design, Stunning 4-Inch Retina Display, A6 Chip & Ultrafast Wireless

Pricing & Availability
iPhone 5 comes in either white & silver or black & slate, and will be available in the US for a suggested retail price of $199 (US) for the 16GB model and $299 (US) for the 32GB model and $399 (US) for the 64GB model. iPhone 5 will be available from the Apple Online Store, Apple’s retail stores, and through AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless and select Apple Authorized Resellers. iPhone 5 will be available in the US, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and the UK on Friday, September 21, and customers can pre-order their iPhone 5 beginning Friday, September 14. iPhone 4S will also be available for just $99 (US) and iPhone 4 will be available for free with a two-year contract.        

Kindle Fire lineup

Amazon today unveiled a new Kindle Fire lineup, which includes a revamped version of the original tablet, as well as 7-inch and 8.9-inch versions of the new Kindle Fire HD.
Amazon will drop the price of the original Kindle Fire tablet to $159. It will offer a 16GB version of the 7-inch Kindle Fire HD for $199 and a 16GB, 8.9-inch version for $299. But the retailer will also sell a 32GB Kindle Fire HD with 4G LTE connectivity for $499.
The original, 7-inch Kindle Fire received an upgraded processor that is 20 percent faster than its predecessor, as well as double the RAM for 40 percent faster performance and longer battery life, said Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
The $159 tablet will start shipping Sept. 14.
The larger, 8.9-inch Kindle Fire HD, meanwhile, boasts a 1,920-by-1,200 IPS display with 254 pixels per inch. There's also an HD front-facing camera, HDMI out, and Bluetooth. It will run a TI OMAP4470 processor. The smaller, 7-inch Kindle Fire HD has similar specs, save for the display size.

Der neue Golf

Volkswagen premiered their new Golf in Berlin yesterday. Today, they have announced a new campaign, onething, which will promote the new Golf in 33 countries. 2013 Golf is the lightest and most fuel efficient variant offered in history. Since 1974, Volkswagen has sold more than 29 million Golf hatchbacks. The latest edition of Golf was is 100 kgs lighter than its predecessor while fuel efficiency will be enhanced by 23%.

Zeitgemäße Mobilität: Der Golf ist DAS AUTO. Serienmäßig mit BlueMotion Technology, Multikollisionsbremse und zahlreichen weiteren Innovationen ausgestattet, besticht er ebenfalls durch attraktive Proportionen und hochwertiges Interieur.

'true sportsmanship'

Japan’s Aya Miyama chats with dejected France player Camille Abilly at the end of their women’s football semi final Japan vs France event at Wembley stadium during the London 2012 Olympic Games on Aug. 6, in London.

It is not often you see players of opposing teams going out of their way to console one another after a game has ended. Their interaction is usually limited to a friendly handshake or pat on the back.
These images of Japan’s Aya Miyama comforting France’s Camille Abilly, after , stood out from other post-game reaction photos. While we have no way of knowing what words were exchanged between the players (and we can only assume there was a bit of a language barrier between them), their body language speaks for itself. It is clear Miyama took time to try and comfort the distraught Abilly, and Abilly seems to eventually accept her kind gesture.

In such intense competitions, where emotions run high with adrenaline, it is reassuring to know that these Olympians are not only extraordinary athletes, but show true sportsmanship as well.

new LS

The LS 460 F Sport has been confirmed which includes different front and rear bumpers, side skirts, rear diffuser and more aggressive tailpipes.
The 2013 LS will be available as the LS 460, LS 460 L long wheelbase, LS 600h L hybrid sedan and the new LS 460 F SPORT model.

We will keep you posted as more details emerge!

iPad Mini

Apple has plans for the so-called iPad Mini and it may be only a matter of getting production up and running.
"For the 7.85-inch panel, there's a business plan for it, there's a mass production target for it. And we know that it's for Apple,".  "I don't know the name of the product, but I know it's going to be a tablet,".  In the "supply chain" -- firms that make the components and assemble products.  "Everything is getting set up. We know the lines. We know how many panels are going to come out of the sheets of glass." Added that certitude is elusive until he has confirmation that production has actually begun. "These are supply chain indications. By the very nature of the supply chain, these plans can be altered,".  That report says the iPad Mini will use an IGZO display, tech that yields thinner displays, among other merits. Related reports have claimed that the iPad Mini will be priced at $299. Estimates for production runs are about 35 million units in 2013.

Toyota COMS

Toyota Auto Body is due to introduce its fully-redesigned COMS ultra-compact electric vehicle in Japan, now we can buy one. The new form of the single-seater, which was previewed as a concept at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, looks to be a radical departure style-wise from the first-generation model that was launched in 2000.
The current outgoing COMS model is available in two versions – one offering a 35 km range and priced around 770,000 yen, and the other a 45 km range model, going for about 900,000 yen. The all-new COMS is expected to be priced at under 700,000 yen (US$8,750.00), and will be available in two configurations, the P.COM (personal) and B.COM (business), with the latter featuring a storage facility behind the occupant.
The new COMS, which has been given a massive restyling job from the old to bring it up to the times, will feature an increased range of around 50 km as well as a charging time brought down to around six hours from the more than eight hours previously. The vehicle’s top speed has also been increased, from 50 km/h to 60 km/h, and its maximum load capacity is also expected to go up from the current 30 kg, offering businesses improved versatility and more incentive to use the EV.

NEXUS 7

Google will sell a small tablet computer earing its brand in a challenge to Amazon's Kindle Fire.
The Nexus 7 is designed specifically for Google Play, the online store that sells movies, music, books, apps and other content - the things Amazon.com Inc. also sells for its tablet computer.
Both tablets have screens that measure 7 inches diagonally, smaller than the nearly 10 inches on Apple Inc.'s popular iPad. The Nexus 7 will also be light - at about 0.75 pound, compared with the Kindle Fire's 0.9 pound. The iPad weighs 1.44 pounds.
The Nexus 7 will ship in mid-July starting at $199 - the same price as the Kindle Fire. By contrast, iPads start at $499. Customers can start ordering it through Google on Wednesday, initially in the U.S., Canada and Australia.
Andrew Rassweiler, an analyst with IHS iSuppli, said he suspects Google will be subsidizing the tablet to sell it starting at $199.
The Nexus 7 has more features than the Kindle, including a front-facing camera. The Kindle is believed to be roughly break even at that price. Samsung Electronics Co. sells a tablet similar to Google's for $250.

 

ROTARY+EV

Mazda Motor Corp. will use its hydrogen-fueled rotary engine technology as a range extender for an electric vehicle it plans to start leasing next year, according to Mazda President Takashi Yamanouchi as reported in The Nikkei.
In 2009, Mazda began commercial leasing of the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid . The Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid featured a series-hybrid drivetrain, which combines Mazda’s hydrogen rotary engine with an electric motor.

AUDI has revealed its move towards electrification will be dictated by the size of passenger vehicles.
While every model from the A1 up to A8 limousine will be made available with some form of electric propulsion under the ‘e-tron’ nomenclature from next year, the company says only the smallest ones – including the upcoming A2 – will most probably be offered with pure battery electric vehicle (BEV) power.

MS Surface

Microsoft’s newly-announced Surface tablet is powerful enough to replace your PC, but Microsoft execs told press gathered at the launch in Los Angeles that Surface is a reimagining of the tablet. In fact, Surface is both a tablet and a PC, and will be available in two versions when it ships later this year.
One is Windows RT, the other Windows Pro, running a full version of  Windows 8.

So how does the Surface tablet stack up against the iPad, the current tablet market leader? We don’t have all the specs in yet -- Microsoft didn’t release any information on pricing or availability. They did say "suggested retail pricing will be announced closer to availability and is expected to be competitive with a comparable ARM tablet or Intel Ultrabook-class PC.”
Both Surface devices are expected to be released to manufacturing this summer, and possibly available to the public by late summer.

2014 MINI

The original Mini Cooper hasn’t had a full-on revamp since the 2007 model year, so it’s about time the hatchback gets a new look. Our spy photographer has captured the 2014 Mini Cooper testing in Europe.
Looking past the yellow and black swirly camouflage, it appears the hatchback’s hood is more sloped, and it also appears to have a greater front overhang than the current model, though fake body panels could explain the illusion. We also see that the third-generation Mini Cooper stands with a broader stance. Meanwhile, the prototype’s profile suggests the windshield and rear glass are also more sharply raked, while the floating rooftop continues to be a staple.
The biggest news with the third-gen Mini is that it will reportedly share a chassis with the next generation BMW 1 Series, and in addition to turbocharged four-cylinder engines, BMW will also add a three-cylinder option. Production of the new Mini Cooper should start in early 2013 with the convertible following shortly after one year.

FIT EV

TORRANCE, Calif. (AP) -- The Honda Fit electric car has received the highest fuel efficiency rating ever from the Environmental Protection Agency, the company said Wednesday.
Honda said the 2013 subcompact received a combined adjusted mile-per-gallon-equivalency rating of 118 mpg.
The Fit consumes 29 kilowatt hours of electricity per 100 miles. It has an EPA rated annual fuel cost of $500. Honda said the EPA estimates its combined city and highway driving range at 82 miles on a single charge.
By comparison, Honda said the electric Ford Focus has a combined adjusted mile-per-gallon-equivalency rating of 105 mpg and a 76-mile range, while the Nissan Leaf has a combined rating of 99 mpg and a 73-mile range.
Honda plans to lease the Fit EV in some California and Oregon markets later this summer, and it will hit the East Coast next year. Initially the company plans to lease the cars for three years at a cost of $389 per month. No other pricing details have been released.

Alfa Romeo

^{By the 1970s Alfa was again in financial trouble. The Italian government company bowed out in 1986 as Fiat Group bought in, creating a new group, Alfa Lancia Industriale S.p.A., to manufacture Alfas and Lancias. Models produced subsequent to the 1990s combined Alfa's traditional virtues of avant-garde styling and sporting panache with the economic benefits of product rationalisation, and include a "GTA" version of the 147 hatchback, the Giugiaro-designed Brera, and a high-performance exotic called the 8C Competizione (named after one of Alfa's most successful prewar sports and racing cars, the 8C of the 1930s).
In 2005 Maserati was bought back from Ferrari and brought under Fiat's full control. The Fiat Group plans to create a sports and luxury division from Maserati and Alfa Romeo. There is a planned strategic relationship between these two; engines, platforms and possibly dealers will be shared in some market areas.}

In the beginning of 2007, Fiat Auto S.p.A. was reorganized and four new automobile companies were created; Fiat Automobiles S.p.A., Alfa Romeo Automobiles S.p.A., Lancia Automobiles S.p.A. and Fiat Light Commercial Vehicles S.p.A. These companies are fully owned by Fiat Group Automobiles S.p.A

NM Eng. "RSe12"

Introducing the all new RSe12 light weight wheels. Inspired by NM Eng's RSe14 for the Countrymen, the RSe12s feature less spokes to optimize the weight saving and visually 'open up' the design. The RSe12 were designed specifically for the MINI Coopers, which translates to complete direct bolt-on fitment utilizing factory lug bolts, center caps, tire pressure monitoring sensors, as well as the Run-Flat tires
 – No spacers, No hub rings!!
Weighing just a mere 18.8 lbs, The RSe12 wheels will enhance your motoring experience cosmetically as well as performance by reducing the rotational mass or unsprung weight.

Specification:
Size: 18x7.5
Offset: +45 mm
PCD: 4-100mm
Bore: 56.1mm
Lug Opening: 14mm Conical Seat
RSe12 is OEM TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System) compatible.
RSe12 utilizes OEM Mini or JCW center cap as well as mounting lug bolts, which are not included with the wheel.

TPP

The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), also known as the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement, is a multilateral free trade agreement that aims to further liberalise the economies of the Asia-Pacific region; specifically, Article 1.1.3 notes: “The Parties seek to support the wider liberalisation process in APEC consistent with its goals of free and open trade and investment.
The original agreement among the countries of Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore was signed on June 3, 2005, and entered into force on May 28, 2006. Six additional countries –  Australia, Mlaysia, Peru, Japan, United States and Vietnam – are negotiating to join the group.
In November 2008,  Australia, Vietnam and Peru announced that they would also be joining the P4
trade bloc.  In October 2010, Malaysia announced that it had also joined the TPP negotiations.  Canada, Mexico, Japan, the Philippines, South Korea and Taiwan have also expressed interest in TPP membership.

EV

Super_leptir Globo (fully electric = Electric power: 4 kW)

Drive: Front Wheels

Range: 50-70 miles

Vehicle Weight without battery: 350 kgs

battery weight: 98 kg

Maximum speed: 48 km / h

Price: 7950 Euros

How exactly do you publicize the launch of a new electric minicar? If you’re Italian coachbuilder Zagato, you charge it up and drive it to a nearby television studio, then drive it right through the doors and in front of the cameras.
The new Volpe, an extended range electric minicar, is just a shade over 7 feet long, and only 3.3 feet wide. It can travel 43.5 miles on electric power, but an available range extender engine that runs on natural gas or petroleum and provides an additional 193 miles of range. Its party piece (of which there are two): butterfly doors that open vertically, which makes parking easier. In full Smart ForTwo fashion, it is possible to perpendicular park the car at the curb.
The car will be available in four variants, a fully electric (Globo) and three extended-range (Goal, Graffio and Guru). The latter are equipped with "bi-fuel" engine that can burn gasoline and methane, and serves solely as an engine generator to produce electricity when the battery gets low.
All four variants come standard-equipped 15-inch wheels, tires 135/70 front and 155/60 from the rear, disc brakes on all four wheels and audio system, while the options list are power windows, air conditioning and navigation system, central locking with remote control, ABS, ESP and solar cells are mounted on the roof.
All versions come with a standard lead batteries, which charge in six hours, while lithium-ion batteries are on the list of options.
Although this variation of the Zagato Volpe appears to be new, the Volpe itself isn’t a brand-new in partnership with former Bugatti owner Romano Artioli, Zagato has shown concepts for the ultra-small car since 2005, but the design has apparently evolved to the point of mass production.
The miniature motor is road legal as a 'quadricycle', meaning people as young as 16 can drive it with a motorcycle licence. It will be launched across Europe in early 2013.

RAV4 EV

LOS ANGELES (May 7, 2012) --
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. today revealed the highly anticipated all-new Toyota RAV4 EV at the 26^th annual Electric Vehicle Symposium in Los Angeles. This all-electric SUV has an expected driving range rating of approximately 100 miles and charging time of approximately six hours on a 240V/40A charger. The RAV4 EV’s driving performance, dynamics and cargo capacity are equal to or exceed the gas powered RAV4 V6. Arriving fully-equipped with an MSRP of $49,800 the RAV4 EV doesn’t compromise on performance, comfort or versatility. 

The RAV4 EV combines a Tesla designed and produced battery and electric powertrain with Toyota’s most popular SUV model. The collaborative team set its sights on refining the customer experience. From advanced charging options to interior comfort to interactive displays, the vehicle has been designed for customer ease of use and maximum vehicle range.

 The front wheel drive RAV4 EV allows drivers to select from two distinctly different drive modes, Sport and Normal. In Sport mode, the vehicle reaches 0-60 mph in just 7.0 seconds and has a maximum speed of 100 mph. Normal mode achieves 0-60 mph in 8.6 seconds with a maximum speed of 85 mph. Maximum output from the electric powertrain is 154 HP (115kW) @ 2,800 rpm.   The RAV4 EV will go on sale in late summer 2012 through select dealers, initially in four major California metropolitan markets including Sacramento, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles/Orange County and San Diego. Sales volume is planned for approximately 2,600 units over the next three years. The battery warranty is 8 years or 100,000 miles.

Galaxy S3

Samsung Galaxy S3 is official

Samsung unveiled today the new Galaxy S3 Android smartphone. It features a big 4.8-inch Super AMOLED HD display with a resolution of 1,280x720px. Other features of the Galaxy S3 include 16, 32 and 64GB options, 50GB Dropbox for two years, 2,100mAh battery, 1GB RAM, 8MP camera, 1.9MP front camera, 4G LTE, Android 4.0.4 and Exynos 4 Quad 1.4Ghz CPU.
The measurements of the Samsung Galaxy S3 are 136.6x70.6x8.55mm and the weight is 133g. I am not sure if the new bigger size will appeal to as many users. I am pretty sure that the iPhone 5 will not follow. What is interesting is that the camera is only a 8MP sensor. Samsung has put though a lot of photo features into the Galaxy S3.
Samsung has put several cool features into the Galaxy S3. Smart Stay keeps the phone on while you read. The camera is watching your face. S Voice is voice recognition that might become similar to Apple' Siri.
The Samsung Galaxy Release Date for the UK is supposed to be May 28. Other markets to follow.

May Day

The first day of May has been observed as a holiday since ancient times. Spring festivals, maypoles and maying are still common, but the political importance of May Day has grown since the 1880s, when it became a workers’ day in the US. Now widely observed in countries as a workers’ holiday or as Labor Day. (Bermuda, Canada and the US observe Labor Day in September.) In most European countries, when May Day falls on Saturday or Sunday, the Monday following is observed as a holiday, with bank and store closings, parades and other festivities.

Auto China

Major carmakers gathered in Beijing Monday for China's leading auto show, seeking an edge in the world's largest automobile market after a sharp slowdown in growth.

China emerged as the world's top car market in 2009, but the sector stalled dramatically last year, with sales rising just 2.5 percent to reach 18.51 million units, after the government rolled back auto-purchase incentives.

Nonetheless, many of the world's carmakers remain confident of continued steady growth in the Asian nation, where three out of every four new car purchases are by first-time buyers.

Organisers say 120 new models will be launched at the Auto China 2012 exhibition, which runs until May 2 and is expected to attract hundreds of thousands of visitors.

"This big country merits big ambitions," said Dieter Zetsche, chairman of Daimler AG and head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

"So we will continue to build our manufacturing presence... all in all, the local car market will double by 2020. In turn, we will double our production capacity here by 2015."

Daimler will invest about three billion euros in China in the coming years in an effort to achieve a sales target of 300,000 units by 2015, he said.

Toyota President Akio Toyoda told reporters the growth of China's car market was unprecedented in its speed, as he unveiled a new hybrid car his company is building especially for the country of 1.3 billion people.

Concept S

Honda showed up at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show with two new concept cars: the Concept C and the Concept S. These two prototypes are supposed to be an anticipation of the future design theme of the Japanases manufacturer and use sleek lines as well as futuristic aesthetics, although several details are very reminiscent of certain models that are already out there.

The Honda Concept S is supposed to be the prototype of a future global model that is like a small MPV. Apparently, the future model that will be based on this concept will carry on using the Odissey name in North America while in other markets will be introduced with a brand new name. Its streamlined design is pretty nice and doesn’t look too futuristic, which would have us believe that the final model will not look too different from this concept car. The model is pushed by an hybrid powertrain that - according to Honda - will allow for a comfortable ride and environmental protection.

Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0)

With the introduction of the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 Samsung has entered the low-cost tablet space with an excellent entrant. Priced at $249, it’s only $50 more than the $199 Kindle Fire from Amazon.
The price alone is enough to tempt many users, but $50 is a significant gap when budgets are tight. Is the Galaxy Tab 2 worth the $50 premium?
For many consumers the answer is yes, but price isn’t the only aspect you should consider. There’s also ease of use, access to content, available apps, and how you want to use the device. Comparing the Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and the Kindle Fire round by round reveals key differences that will help you decide which is better for your needs.

Flying

The FAA approved school for the Private Pilot course, the Instrument Rating course, and the Commercial Pilot course. We established the original training syllabus for each course. Providing outstanding and efficient training for each student has been our primary concern since opening AIR ACCORD in 1988.

http://www.air-accord.com/

Our highly experienced FAA certified flight instructors and ground instructors provide high quality flight and ground lessons for each student. As professional pilots, we do our best to emphasize the positive and provide a comfortable atmosphere in which to learn.

Honda BRIO

The Brio embodies the best of Honda’s technologies to deliver fun and agile driving, fuel-efficiency, spaciousness & safety. The Brio was developed following Honda’s extensive market surveys in India on people’s driving needs and lifestyles.
The Brio’s outstanding performance is achieved by a four cylinder 1.2-liter i-VTEC engine that delivers maximum output of 88 PS @ 6000 rpm and Torque of 109 Nm (11.2 kg-m) @ 4600 rpm, while giving an excellent fuel economy of 18.4 km/l, as per test data. Brio is available in 5-speed manual transmission with optimized gear ratios, which offers excellent low rpm acceleration and smooth high rpm performance delivering excellent fuel economy and nimble performance that makes it so enjoyable and fun to drive.
The Brio’s efficient energetic exterior concept features a ‘Double Triangle’ Form’, conveying vibrant energy from nose to tail, and a sleek look that emphasizes its width and advanced styling. The “Dynamic triangle”, focused on the nose, sweeps forward, while the “Sporty triangle”, focused on the rear fender, jumps rearward. Overlapping yet shifted fore and aft, these two sections establish an energetic and lively side view that conveys forward motion, thereby simply and effectively realizing the Brio’s exterior design concept.  Honda Brio comes with an efficient impressive interior design concept, which leverages its innovative packaging to offer occupants an open and spacious interior.

The Brio’s design takes Honda’s “man maximum, machine minimum” concept to a new level which is the basic approach to Honda car design calling for maximizing the space available for people and minimizing the space required for mechanical components.

update : FT-Bh

This Geneva motor show concept outlines Toyota’s vision of a hybrid family supermini for 2020. The FT-Bh, which stands for ‘Future Toyota B-segment hybrid’, offers a claimed fuel economy of 134.5mpg and CO2 emissions of 49g/km. It is powered by a two-cylinder, 1.0-litre petrol engine, developed specifically for the concept and mated to a special version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive electric motor, which is almost 90kg lighter than in the Prius.
The FT-Bh is a similar size to the Toyota Yaris, while the car’s shape is optimised for aerodynamic efficiency, with a 0.235 drag coefficient, which is below the current average for a supermini.
Whereas the 1.0-litre Yaris weighs 1030kg, the FT-Bh tips the scales at just 786kg thanks to the use of high-tensile steel, aluminium and magnesium in the construction process. Toyota has also focused on thermal efficiency, low driving resistance and a reduction in the amount of energy used by the car’s electrical components.
The FT-Bh has also been conceived as a CNG-powered car or a plug-in hybrid, with the latter producing 19g/km of CO2. Although the FT-Bh is a show concept, it has been developed using existing motor industry technology that would, in theory, enable it to be produced at a competitive price for a high-volume B-segment supermini.
It is more likely that the lightweight, fuel-efficient thinking behind the FT-Bh will be seen on future cars.

The new iPad

Apple CEO Tim Cook took to the stage in San Francisco Wednesday to announce a new iPad. In fact, he just called it simply "the new iPad." It will have a quad-core chip, "retina" high-resolution display, a 5-megapixel camera and 4G LTE networking for fast connection on Verizon Wireless and AT&T. 
The product will have the same pricing as the previous generation, starting at $499. It will be in stores on March 16, but pre-orders start today.  Apple will keep the iPad 2 in the picture:
There will be a 16GB iPad 2 for $399, and a 3G version of that for $629. There are no longer any 32GB or 64GB versions of the iPad 2.  The new iPad's display has 2048 x 1536 pixels. That's over 3.1 million pixels, "the most ever on a mobile devices," says Phil Schiller, worldwide marketing boss.

new A-class

Making its international debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show is the new A Class compact from M.Benz, pictured here in our exclusive live gallery.
Where previous A Class models have been objects of practicality, with tall bodies and surprising space for relatively small vehicles, the new model is aimed straight at rivals like the BMW 1series, Audi A3 and Lexus CT 200h.  That means a new, sleek body shape, with what M.Benz calls "emotive design".  It now looks dynamic and aggressive where the previous models looked slightly awkward, and it should appeal to male and female customers alike.  The A Class moves from a one-box to two-box design, and the roofline is now around half a foot lower than the previous model. Space hasn't been sacrificed though, and a sporty, high-quality interior now brings the A Class closer to its larger brethren than the previous model ever got.  A new range of gasoline and diesel engines makes an appearance, ranging from a 1.8-liter turbo diesel with 109 horsepower, to the 211-horsepower A250 with its turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder.  The most economical units dip under the all-important 100 grams per kilometer of CO2, that makes the car eligible for tax breaks all around Europe. All engines have ECO start/stop as standard, and most will be available with a choice of either a 6-speed manual transmission, or Mercedes' 7G-DCT dual-clutch automatic.  Like other recent Mercedes models, there's technology aplenty. Safety and assistance systems take center stage, with adaptive headlights, speed limit assist, blind-spot warning, a reversing camera, collision-prevention, and PRE-SAFE occupant protection. The latter ensures that, in the case of an accident, the car is in the most suitable state possible for protecting the occupants--closing windows, pulling the seatbelts tighter and more.  All those features were once exclusive to models like the S-class, so their appearance on Mercedes' smallest car is a mark of just how far car safety has progressed in the last decade.  Importantly, this will also be the first A Class to go on sale in the U.S. The launch date hasn't yet been confirmed, but it's expected to go on sale some time next year.  For Mercedes-Benz fans wanting to downsize, the 2013 A Class looks like quite a tempting proposition.

FT-Bh

GENEVA
— Toyota showed off a bit more of its FT-Bh, or Future Toyota B-segment hybrid, on Wednesday in advance of its world debut at the 2012 GAS.  Two new images provide a detailed look at exterior lighting. Earlier this month, Toyota released a sketch of the concept's silhouette. The FT-Bh is said to preview a model destined for production, although Toyota has not spelled out which markets may get the car.
Toyota said the concept will produce up to 50 percent less CO2 than the class average for B-segment or subcompact cars. Toyota also said it was designed for "maximum fuel efficiency," but it did not provide any fuel-economy estimates.
The Japanese automaker said it focused on five areas in the development of the FT-Bh. They are low weight, aerodynamic performance, powertrain efficiency, thermal energy management and electricity saving.
The FT-Bh weighs in at under 1,763 pounds, making it lighter than a three-door Toyota Aygo minicompact. At the same time, it offers the space of a larger five-door, Toyota said.
"From the outset, Toyota determined that the FT-Bh would be made using commonplace, economically viable production methods and technologies, including a down-sized full hybrid powertrain," said Toyota in a statement.
No powertrain details were released.

Fiat 500

Fiat 500 sales figures are in for January, and they have once again beaten MINI Cooper sales. Last month, 1911 Fiat 500s were sold compared to 1710 MINI Cooper Hardtop and Convertibles sold. This is the fourth time Fiat beat MINI sales since last March, the first month the Fiat 500 went on sale. MINI figures are used because they are the closest competitor type and offer perspective to the sales figures posted.
July 2011 Sales
Fiat 3038
MINI 2753
August 2011 Sales
Fiat 3106
MINI 2003
September 2011 Sales
Fiat 2773
MINI 2331
January 2012 Sales
Fiat 1911
MINI 1710
Fiat sold 25,191 cars during the 10 months it was on sale last year.

The Fiat 500 Abarth "Seduction" Super Bowl Ad scored the largest online traffic increase according to Edmunds.com.

2012 PRIUS c

Toyota Announces Pricing for 2012 Prius c

TORRANCE, Calif., Feb. 8, 2012 – Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. today announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) for the all-new 2012 Prius c which extends Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive to the subcompact segment. This dynamically styled, five-door hatchback will arrive at Toyota dealerships in March 2012.
Designed to function as a city-friendly vehicle with an engaging driving experience, hatchback utility, and an EPA-estimated city fuel economy rating of 53 mpg, *Prius c offers the highest city mpg rating of any vehicle without a plug. The all-new Prius c joins the Prius Family, which includes the third generation Prius Liftback, the versatile new Prius v and the Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which will be available in early 2012.

Unique Place in the Prius Family
A gateway into the Prius Family, the new Prius c will find favor with younger shoppers seeking a smartly designed, fuel-sipping subcompact car packing advanced drivetrain and in-car technology. The SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle) rated Prius c will offer engaging driving dynamics and superior urban maneuverability. When the 2012 Prius c arrives in showrooms in March 2012, this all-new hatchback will offer:

• The highest rated city fuel economy of any vehicle without a plug*; 53 mpg in the city, and 46 mpg on the highway, for a combined rating of 50 mpg
• A starting MSRP of $18,950 with a proven hybrid powertrain and premium technology
• A premium hybrid experience thanks to a wide array of convenience and advanced in-car electronics features, including a standard 3.5-inch full color TFT multi-information display, Bluetooth® hands-free phone capability, USB port with iPod® connectivity, and available Display Audio system with Navigation and Entune™

Prius c One, $19,710 (including $760 freight charge from Japan): Standard equipment as remote locking, automatic climate control, tilt-telescopic steering wheel with audio, climate, multi-information display, Bluetooth hands free phone controls and 15-inch low-rolling resistance tires and steel wheels with wheel covers.
Prius c Two, $20,660: Upgrades over Prius c One include a six-speaker audio system, variable intermittent windshield wipers, a 60/40 split fold-down rear seat with adjustable headrests, cruise control, engine immobilizer, center console with armrest and storage compartment and a cargo area tonneau cover.
Prius c Three, $22,395: Upgrades focus on desirable audio and connectivity features. Included is a Display Audio system with Navigation and Entune that adds a 6.1-inch touchscreen, Sirius XM Satellite Radio capability (includes 3 month trial subscription to XM Select Package), HD Radio with iTunes Tagging, USB port with iPod connectivity and control, vehicle information with customizable settings and advanced voice recognition. Toyota Entune includes Bing and Pandora; real-time info including traffic, weather, fuel prices, sports, and stocks. Free apps include iHeartRadio, MovieTickets.com and OpenTable. Access to Entune services is free for three years.
Standard features on the Three include color-keyed outside door handles with touch-sensor lock/unlock feature, a tilt-telescopic steering wheel with audio, climate, multi-information display control pad, Bluetooth hands free phone and voice command controls, a Touch Tracer Display and Smart Key locking and push-button ignition and remote illuminated entry. Options include 15-inch alloy wheels ($390) and a power tilt-slide moonroof with sunshade ($850).
Prius c Four, $23,990: adds 15-inch, eight-spoke alloy wheels, Softex-trimmed heated front seats, color-keyed heated power outside mirrors with turn signal indicators, and integrated fog lamps. Options include 16-inch, eight-spoke alloy wheels ($300) with 195/50R16 tires and power moonroof with sunshade ($850).

SUPER BOWL

For all the pomp and excess of Madonna’s Super Bowl halftime extravaganza a single rude gesture by guest singer M.I.A. is likely to be the most remembered piece of the show.

The gesture—a raised middle finger—accompanied by a barely disguised expletive, came during a performance of Madonna’s new single, “Give Me All Your Luvin.’” At the end of her lines, British singer M.I.A. appeared to sing “I don’t give a (expletive),” although it was hard to hear clearly.  The incident was reminiscent of Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction” eight years ago — a surprise risque moment in front of tens of millions of unsuspecting viewers. The brief exposure of Jackson’s nipple during the 2004 halftime show raised a storm of controversy and put then-broadcaster CBS in hot water with the Federal Communications Commission.  The Super Bowl, shown on NBC this year, is routinely viewed by more than 100 million people, the biggest TV event of the year. The screen briefly went blurred after M.I.A.’s gesture in what was a late attempt — by less than a second — to cut out the camera shot.

“The NFL hired the talent and produced the halftime show,” NBC spokesman Christopher McCloskey said. “Our system was late to obscure the inappropriate gesture and we apologize to our viewers,”  The NFL blamed a failure in NBC’s delay system for allowing the gesture to be seen. Spokesman Brian McCarthy said M.I.A. did not do anything similar during rehearsals and the league had no reason to believe she would pull something like that during the actual show.

“The obscene gesture in the performance was completely inappropriate, very disappointing, and we apologize to our fans,” McCarthy said.

The British singer M.I.A. is best known for her 2007 hit “Paper Planes,” a Grammy nominee for record of the year that memorably features a sample of the Clash song, “Straight to Hell.” It was featured on the soundtrack to the movie “Slumdog Millionaire.”  Madonna had admittedly been nervous about her performance, hoping to position herself as the queen of a new generation of pop stars with an opulent show and a sharp performance that mixed her new release with more familiar songs. She seemed like Roman royalty when muscle-bound men carried her extravagant throne across the football field to the stage for her opening song, “Vogue.”  Guests Cee Lo, Nicki Minaj and dance rockers LMFAO also appeared with Madonna. The singing and dancing on “Vogue” was smartly choreographed, as Madonna moved more deliberately -- she is 53 -- but still adroitly. She briefly appeared to stumble at one point while trying to make a step on the stage set, but recovered in time.  She let a tightrope walker make the more acrobatic moves during a performance of “Music.”

Madonna carried gold pompons for a performance of her new single. Twitter was alight with questions about the vocals being lip synched or augmented by tapes, particularly during this song.  The best guest was clearly Cee Lo, who joined Madonna for the final song, “Like a Prayer.” They were joined by a robed chorus in the show’s most soaring performance. With a puff of white smoke, Madonna disappeared down a trap door in the stage, and lights on the field spelled out “World Peace.”  The performance was also carried live on SiriusXM Radio, giving Madonna the biggest single audience of her career. For all the elaborate choreography and flashy effects, the finger incident is the more likely headline from the event.  Earlier, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert offered some pregame patriotism. Shelton and Lambert did a twangy duet on “America the Beautiful” and Clarkson, in a simple black dress, sang “The Star Spangled Banner” without a hitch after last year’s performer, Christina Aguilera, flubbed a line.