Hasta La Gadget!

HTC’s been riding high on its smartphone success as of late, and now it looks like its ready to cruise into the automotive market. That’s right, the world’s third most valuable smartphone manufacturer is seeking to add a North American “automotive business development director” to its team. According to a job post that appeared on the Taiwan-based company’s website, HTC is looking to hire an “experienced leader in the automotive electronics industry” to “develop business in the automotive market.” Does that mean we’ll be seeing an HTC-branded EV hitting the pavement stateside in the near future? We doubt it, but we suspect this could mean an uptick in HTC in-car accessories and built-in console computers this side of the pond.

[Thanks, Brian]

HTC job post reveals intention to make a mark on American cars originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 27 Apr 2011 20:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Now we’re talking. After Nintendo slyly told us that the 3DS set a day-one US sales record for its handheld division, it has now been more forthright and actually disclosed some cold hard numbers. 400,000 3DS units were shifted in the month of March, says Nintendo of America chief Reggie Fils-Aime, which amounts to just one working week’s worth of sales when you consider the portable console launched on March 27th. That was still enough time for it to threaten the DS’ overall March tally of 460,000, however, and extrapolated over a full 30 days would total a whopping 2.4 million transactions. Of course, sales rarely sustain such a roaring pace after launch, but Reggie foresees good things for the 3DS with a marquee Legend of Zelda game, the launch of the E-Shop, and Netflix integration all coming over the summer. So the future’s bright, we just wish it didn’t have to be turquoise.

Nintendo 3DS clocks up 400,000 US sales in opening week, nearly matches month-long total for DS originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 15 Apr 2011 04:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Thought the Prez was just kidding about those alternative fuel initiatives? Think again. Just hours after stating that the US government fleet would be 100 percent alternative fuel, hybrid, or electric vehicles by 2015, Obama has announced the National Clean Fleets Partnership, an initiative of the Department’s Clean Cities program. It’s a rather unique public-private partnership, and it’ll be assisting large companies to “reduce diesel and gasoline use in their fleets by incorporating electric vehicles, alternative fuels, and fuel-saving measures into their operations.” A handful of Charter members have made themselves known, with AT&T, Verizon, FedEx, Pepsi-Co and UPS all committed to deploying over 20,000 advanced technology vehicles in the years to come — an effort that should save over seven million gallons of fuel per year. Ma Bell in particular will be replacing over 15,000 rides with 7,000 hybrids and 8,000 compressed natural gas vehicles during the next decade, while Verizon looks to use a raft of cars (er, vans) that rely on biodiesel and ethanol. Whether or not such a program leads to the installation of more EV charging stations remains to be seen, but if it’s good enough for Brown, surely it’ll be good enough for your future Tesla. Vid’s after the break, kiddos.

Continue reading AT&T and Verizon join National Clear Fleet Program, thumb their noses at petrol

AT&T and Verizon join National Clear Fleet Program, thumb their noses at petrol originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Apr 2011 15:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chances are the Secret Service won’t be ditching its signature black SUVs for these things anytime soon, but if all goes according to President Obama’s new energy plan, even the Commander in Chief’s armed guards will be rolling more eco-friendly in the next three years. In a speech given at Georgetown University Wednesday, the President said he expects all government agencies “to purchase 100 percent alternative fuel, hybrid, or electric vehicles by 2015.” Now, that doesn’t mean they’ll have to get rid of pre-existing gas guzzlers, but any new purchases made after the cutoff date will be expected to comply — the government’s current fleet consists of 660,000 vehicles, 400,000 of which run on gasoline. Among other things, the President also called for increased infrastructure for the production of biofuels made from things like wood chips and switchgrass. So no, Cadillac One probably won’t be replaced by a rechargeable egg car, but if Uncle Sam’s taking suggestions, we’d be happy to make a recommendation — Wheego Whip LiFe One does have a nice ring to it. Doesn’t it?

Obama says federal fleet to run on alternative fuels starting in 2015 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The United States Navy has been working on next-gen weaponry ever since the last-gen was present-gen, and if the next next-gen ever actually arrives, well… we don’t stand a chance at lasting very long. According to Wired, the Navy’s Office of Naval Research is expecting laser technology (as it relates to weaponry) to mature in the next score, and if all goes well, a free-electron laser could be mounted on a ship during the 2020s. As of now, FELs produce a 14-kilowatt beam, but that figure needs to hit 100+ in order to seriously defend a ship; unfortunately for those who adore peace, it seems we’re well on our way to having just that. When it’s complete, these outrageous pieces of artillery will be capable of “burning incoming missiles out of the sky [and] zapping through an enemy vessel’s hull.” Something tells us that whole “You Sunk My Battleship” meme is just years from reappearing in grand fashion.

Future Navy lasers will ‘burn incoming missiles,’ blast through ominous vessels originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 12:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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