Hasta La Gadget!

Volkswagen has been known to dabble in exotic places when it comes to in-dash entertainment, and while it’s latest initiative isn’t totally far-fetched, it’s still worth a peek. The automaker has recently teamed up with Intel in order to develop a prototype head unit that’s completely self-enclosed, meaning that there’s no carputer hanging out in the trunk handling the dirty work. The touchscreen-based infotainment center shown in the video past the break is rocking Windows XP underneath and gladly accepts a number of gesture-based inputs. For example, motorists can swipe down to play or pause a track, while swiping left or right anywhere on the panel moves the playlist forward or back. The project manager doesn’t bother to say when this stuff will actually hit the showroom floor, but CNET has it that you’ll be waiting at least three years — and that’s if you’re lucky.

[Via CNET]

Continue reading Video: Intel-backed Volkswagen infotainment system gets demonstrated

Filed under: Displays, GPS, Transportation

Video: Intel-backed Volkswagen infotainment system gets demonstrated originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 May 2009 18:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Push up those glasses and refresh the lead in your mechanical pencils, Renault has a new accessory to transport your nerdrobe to the data center. Meet the Kangoo be bop Z.E. plug-in prototype. While the technology inside (Lithium Ion batteries with a 100-mile range and 30 minute recharge to 80% capacity — or full charge in 20 minutes using a proposed 400V universal standard plug) is very similar to the vehicles that Renault expects to release on the road in 2011, and its appearance matches that of the Kangoo be bop hitting European roads this spring, it’s the design detail that captured our attention. Zoom in on the gallery below and you’ll quickly see that the Z.E. prototype (and future concept) is heavily influenced by the look of printed circuit boards, or “printed circuit motifs” as claimed by Renault’s press release. Go ahead, firmly embrace your geekiness without guilt. Remember, you’re a rock star.

P.S. Who knew we’d be rocking the Samsung F480 Tocco so far into the future?

[Via Autopia]

Filed under: Transportation

Renault’s plug-in Kangoo be bop Z.E. features ‘printed circuit’ motifs, cute as a 390-point breadboard originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 May 2009 06:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

This was supposed to have been a secret. But due to the fact that “several recent published articles have been sufficiently inaccurate and negative,” Virgin Galactic and Scaled Composites together want to “set the record straight” by demonstrating that White Knight 2, the company’s current prototype spaceship, can actually fly, according to Wired.

As a result, there is now a two-minute video clip showing exactly that. The report said that White Knight 2 will debut with a fly-over during the groundbreaking for Virgin Galactic’s Spaceport America terminal. Then in July, Richard Branson will take the controls at the official unveiling at the AirVenture Oshkosh air show. Video after the jump.

It’s a time-honored formula: a sports sedan in the $50,000 range that can hit 60 mph in less than six seconds is a sweet spot for automakers. The BMW 5 Series, the Mercedes E Class, the Lexus GS430, and the Acura RL all play in this range, for example. But none of them are particularly green vehicles. Usually they struggle to average 20 miles per gallon, especially when a lot of city driving is involved.

If we’re talking about an all-electric car like the Tesla Model S, though, that changes things. And as we found out last night at a private company event held in NYC (pictured), the car really works–even if its scheduled production date, some two and a half years away, seems frustratingly remote.

Ah, now this is the spirit. Rather than concocting yet another handheld tablet that’s good for nothing more than checking email and wowing onlookers, designers Soonkyu Jang, Chung Lee and Yonghuk Yim have come together to put linguists on the front burner once again. This here touchscreen concept is a calligraphy board that enables you to practice your stroke without ruining reams of paper and blasting through countless bottles of ink. Initially, at least, the board would only come loaded with teaching tools for the Korean language, but you know Leapfrog could hook this thing up with Lithuanian, Maltese and Slovak should it ever get involved.

Filed under: Handhelds

Touchscreen calligraphy tablet concept gives linguists hope originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments