Hasta La Gadget!

The Google Nexus 4 is Google’s flagship Nexus device from 2012, and while we’re sure many are waiting for 2013’s Nexus 5, presumably with a Full HD display amongst other hardware improvements, it seems that Google and LG might have made some subtle design changes to the Nexus 4 without saying a word. It has been spotted by German site, MobiFlip, and confirmed by some recent customers, that the Nexus 4 did indeed receive a subtle redesign. One of them is the addition of a slight bump on the back of the device (pictured above). The reason behind this is because the old Nexus 4 sat flat on its back, thus muffling the speaker, meaning that calls or notifications might be missed due to the sound being muffled.

The bump on the back helps elevate the device ever so slightly, making sound from the speakers more audible. It is a legitimate design change and we’re guessing a welcome one for new Nexus 4 owners. Another design change would be in the size of the camera lens’ outer ring which has been made smaller. At the moment no one can quite figure out the reason behind the change, so MobiFlip has attributed the change to mere aesthetics. Since we don’t own the newly designed Nexus 4, we can’t tell if this might have affected the performance of the camera. However are any of our readers out there new Nexus 4 owners who can confirm these changes?

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: iOS 7 Jailbreak May Already Be In The Works, Wii U Miiverse Coming To Smartphones, PC In A Few Weeks,

After rumors swirled that Panasonic was considering putting a stop to production of its well-regarded plasma HDTVs later this year, the company announced it will stay in the business. President Kazuhiro Tsuga revealed a three year growth plan for Panasonic to focus on batteries and entertainment systems for cars, as well as environmentally friendly housing developments. It will also streamline the number of departments by allowing each division to handle its own products from development to release. The beleaguered TV unit will stay, as Tsuga said it will consider walking away only as a last resort. Additionally, Chairman and former CEO Fumio Ohtsubo will retire in June. Some analysts believe Panasonic will still need to lay off workers if it’s to turn things around, but we’ll have to wait and see how Tsuga’s plan comes together.

Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD

Comments

Source: Reuters, Wall Street Journal, Nikkei, Asahi Shimbun

Subaru has unveiled its first hybrid vehicle at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. The vehicle is based on Subaru’s popular XV Crosstrek crossover SUV that was introduced in 2013. The new hybrid version will launch in Q4 2013 as a 2014 model.

The hybrid version will be called the 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid and promises the same benefits as the standard version of the Crosstrek with improved fuel economy. Subaru says that it reengineered the chassis to handle the additional weight of the battery system and improved handling, steering, and ride quality. The hybrid version of the SUV shares the same Subaru full-time all-wheel drive system of the standard version.

The gasoline-powered engine in the hybrid is the 2.0-liter Subaru BOXER engine combined with a 13.4-horsepower electric motor. The electric motor is integrated into the CVT transmission of the vehicle. The battery is a 100-volt 13.5-kilowatt nickel-metal hydride battery located under the revised rear floor area of the vehicle.

The hybrid vehicle also has an automatic start/stop feature and the complete hybrid system weighs 95 kg. The hybrid version of the Crosstrek ways about 136 kg more than the standard gasoline version. Subaru also fits the vehicle with a regenerative braking system to help keep the battery charged longer. Subaru is aiming for fuel efficiency of 28 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on highway.

[via Subaru]

Subaru unveils 2014 XV Crosstrek Hybrid in New York is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

If you are a fan of the Iron Man series of movies, chances are you probably can’t wait to catch Iron Man 3 upon its release. For those who consider themselves more hardcore fans, the folks at Gameloft have announced the Iron Man 3 game will be making its way onto iOS and Android devices on the 25^th of April. From what we can see in the trailer video, it does not look too bad and could even be pretty fun, although I still have a bit of skepticism and see this more as a promotional tool rather than an actual proper game. Then again I could be wrong but in any case, for those interested, the 25^th of April is a date you’ll want to mark on your calendars, and in the meantime feel free to check out the trailer in the video above to get an idea of what you might be able to expect.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Wii U Miiverse Coming To Smartphones, PC In A Few Weeks, Temple Run Makes Its Long-Awaited Debut On Windows Phone,

Panasonic has developed a unique technology that doubles the brightness of color photography, by using micro color splitters instead of conventional color filters in the image sensor.
These two photos were taken using CCDs with the same sensitivity. The one on the right was taken with the color filter system used in nearly all digital cameras. The one on the left was taken with Panasonic’s new micro color-splitting system.
Until now, image sensors have produced color pictures by using …