OBJECTS OF DESIRE

OBJECTS OF DESIRE: Toyota Stamps a New Revolution

2009-04-25T21:29:00.000-07:00

OBJECTS OF DESIRE: Toyota Stamps a New Revolution

Toyota Stamps a New Revolution

2009-04-25T21:01:00.000-07:00

With the current economic crisis, certainly it will be understandable if no major breakthrough is made in terms of automobile technology.

However, great brains at the Toyota Plant have done it again. This time round, they boast of the 2010 Toyota Prius.

The first Prius greased the market about 10 years ago, which saw over a million being sold worldwide. As a matter of fact, Toyota claims that 8 out of 10 owners of Prius would buy another.

The 2010 Toyota Prius is a hybrid of gas and electric power train thus bringing a new dimension to the automobile engine. This has proved to be quite efficient, reliable and desirable if the 2008 is anything to go by.

This latest model is set to be introduced in May this year i.e. NEXT MONTH.

I bet that the question in everyone’s mind is what this Third Generation master piece has in offer for its users.

I decided to take the trouble of finding out the essential and rather impressive specs she (the Prius) has from her exterior outlook and deep beneath her.

On the first sight, she gives a glittery impression of beauty, with different shades of color to choose from. I was more startled by her chrome –finish grille giving an insatiable feeling on the finger as I gently stroked through her. She also boasts of 15” by 6” aluminum alloy wheels with trimmings and the halogen headlamps charming complements down to her rear deck spoiler. All I can say is AMAZING.

She even has a High-Solar-Energy-Absorbing glass which they referred as HSEA which you guessed it- serves the purpose of trapping solar energy.

The interior is to die for. Red and white seats with a velvety finish are spiced with centre console armrest, storage area, and dual front and rear cup holder. Not to mention FM/AM stereo radio well placed at the dashboard enchanted with 6 incredible speakers. (You can only imagine the quality of sound she can produce on fine tuning)

Now to her intricate values; the Prius 2010 has a Multi-Information LCD that monitors energy, exterior temp, fuel consumption and audio status modes. As if that barely impressive, my eyes were captured by her Central Instrument Display housing a fine digital speedometer and twin trip meters.

A Digital Quartz clock is betrayed on the dashboard as the remote keyless entry system with 2 stage unlocking, panic function, and with remote illuminated entry is brought to my attention.
The Prius is not shy of her mechanics either. 4 wheel anti-locking system, push button start, traction control, hybrid system with sealed nickel-metal battery …….. the list is endless. She is just so magnificent.

Toyota adds that, the new car can be filled for less than $20 in its 11.9 gallons.

In my opinion, this is a break through in the automobile technology. Kudos to Toyota for not sitting around, waiting for the thick cloud of economic crisis to clear. But we have to remember that there is more than meets the eyes, much being known on the first few drives.

Could this be the big revolution in the energy application by cars? How will this off beat from the usual use of gas alone be received by oil-exporting countries? These are the questions that constantly run through my mind as I write this article. Hope to find the answers soon.

iPhone Refuses to Shy Away

2009-04-22T22:14:00.000-07:00

I highlighted in my previous article (The Anticipated iPhone Killer) on the essentially new features the Nokia 5800 Tube will have that will beef up the competition in the touchscreen industry, seeing the market margin enjoyed by iPhone dwindle. Well guess what, apparently, iPhone has not taken the threats lightly.

Rumors are flying around pointing to the fact that iPhone is to unveil a new product come June this year..yeah you heard me, this June.(I must add that the rumors are from a reliable source)

With its current huge storage capacity of upto 16gb, touchscreen, 3G internet connectivity making download of files from the net really fast, glossy sleek appearance and screen sensitivity, I just cant help but wonder of the new features that this state of the art smartphone will have to caution itself form the eminent competition.

I will take this moment and indulge myself in a quest for an ideal iPhone for the future.(Comments and added thoughts are definitely welcomed).

I would like an iPhone with a storage capacity of 100gb or more, so that i can store up so many movies and music and never be faced with the challenge of choosing what has to be deleted or not when I want to add new data in an already full phone.

Secondly, I want an environmental friendly smartphone, that is compliant with the green technology. We have to admit that we have destroyed our environment enough.

Though I dont foresee much changes when it comes to mobile media, coz iPhone has done an amazing job in this sector, I cant help but wonder whether its too late to ask for an iPhone with the capablities of receiving TV transmission. It will help me and others in more ways than one.

There will be a definate improvement of the O.S from the current 2.0 firmware to 3.0. This I hope will make the phone be friendly to drankards who will easily dial for a taxi home.

Otherwise we must acknowledge that the iPhone is the current highest selling touchscreen phone because of the already intergrated features, therefore what they have in store for us is worth the wait.

What I really long for however, is the intense competition in the smartphone industry that will see us the customers spoilt for choice thereby making these definate objects of desire be much affordable.

The Emergence of Digital TV

2009-04-20T21:03:00.000-07:00

Digital television (DTV) is the sending and receiving of moving images and sound by discrete signals, in contrast to the analog signals used by analog TV.

The first country to make a wholesale switch to digital over-the-air (terrestrial) broadcasting was Luxembourg, in 2006. Since then, the Netherlands, Finland, Andorra, Sweden, Switzerland and Germany have followed suit.(Source: wikipedia)

Alot of technical jargon is applied to describe the immense capabilities of the DTV from the fact that it supports High Definition Television (HDTV) which i believe is a big step in the television arena.

However, not being an engineer, my main concern is the effects the DTV will have to the society in the future i.e after 2012.

DTV has obvious advantages over analog TV, one being that digital channels take up less bandwidth (and the bandwidth needs are continuously variable, at a corresponding cost in image quality depending on the level of compression). This means that digital broadcasters can provide more digital channels in the same space, which means the provision of HDTV, or provide other non-television services such as multimedia or interactivity.

DTV also permits special services such as multiplexing (more than one program on the same channel), electronic program guides and additional languages, spoken or subtitled. The sale of non-television services may provide an additional revenue source.

Digital signals also react differently from interference of signals unlike analog signals. Therefore, ghost of images and noise from weak signals are thus eliminated thereby maintaining the picture quality.

However, have we sat down to comprehend the bad effects the emergence of the technology will have? To begin with, there is the environmental issue. Lets face it, alot of dumping of unwanted analog tv will take place come 2012 and beyond. I pity Africa, because she is a huge dumping site for unwanted gadgets. We just know what happens on disposal of non-degradable objects.

Secondly, how many of us will be able to afford this state of the art master piece? We all know that new products in the market come with a rather huge price tag. I reckon some of us if implemented will not be in a position to watch the 2012 Olympics.

What of those manufacturers who produce substandard products just to make a killing during high demand? Will such televisions have lifespan as plasma television, or will they have high radiation signals? How will the G20 countries deal with such manufacturers? I suggest that since we all know them, sanctions be put in place and such manufacturers be banned form production.

Another thing is its features that I predict will make today`s TV addicts zombies. I mean, a television you can interact with, watch more than one programme at a go and have a recap of what is to come. This will lead to social decay among our kids...God forbid!

Hey, before you judge me, let me say that am totally into the introduction of the DTV in the market so am not against invention. Infact I would wish it was to be introduced this year.(Imagine watching the World Cup, I reckon you will not miss a kick)

Its just that I think once again the society will fail to clean up its mess thereby affecting us in the long run.

CHRYSLER`S BIG LEAP...

2009-04-19T22:46:00.000-07:00

The sleek chrysler has just announced the latest technologies to be added in the next models to be released this year.

Top on the list is the UConnect communications system that will compete some aspects of Ford's Microsoft-powered SYNC system. UConnect is a fancy name for Bluetooth phone integration coupled with voice recognition technology.

In addition to pairing up your phone and downloading your address book, you can also input navigation destinations, change satellite radio stations and get to your voice mail using the power of speech. While it doesn't seem to offer functionality as broad as what you get with SYNC, UConnect appears to be a solid choice to check off on the options list.

Chrysler also promises to turn your Pentastar-branded car into a MOBILE HOT SPOT. It will use a combination of WiFi and 4G broadband connectivity to keep your car connected to the internet, thus enabling one to access email, as well as download music movies right in your car. For the 2008 model year, MOPAR is already offering an aftermarket device that can make your car an internet hot-spot as well, but more interest is in the integrated system Chrysler's planning for 2009.

The rest of Chrysler's technology innovations include the ability to swivel the third-row roof-mounted LCD screen in its minivans that are equipped with Swivel 'n Go so that second-row passengers that are turned around have something to watch. The automaker also announced a new back-up warning system called Rear Cross Path and a Blind Spot Monitoring system, as well as telling us again about the combination of its Active Transfer Case and Front-axle Disconnect on the '09 Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger. The latter bit of hardware allows the all-wheel-drive versions of these big sedans to completely disengage the front axle and operate as a true rear-wheel-drive car, which saves about 1 mpg since there's no parasitic drivetrain loss from the AWD system

Now is this just another object of desire? I mean

improved fuel economy, performance, flexibility and convenience for the customer,
In-vehicle wireless Internet connectivity: coming from Mopar® by year end
Rear Cross Path: Chrysler-exclusive system warns drivers of approaching traffic in the parking lot aisle during back-up maneuvers
Blind Spot Monitoring: exclusive to Chrysler and Dodge in minivan segment
Active transfer case combined with front-axle disconnect: independent technologies offered together only by Chrysler
Rear-seat swivel screen: yet another Chrysler exclusive
Enhanced voice-activated in-vehicle communications system
Knowledge Based Engineering: vastly improves vehicle development time

I wonder where automobile industry is leading us to. With this kind of innovations, we should as well brace ourselves for real batman cars that will have auto pilot features, direct communication with the driver and could even fly.

Play Station 4 coming SOONER than we think

2009-04-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

If you thought sony feels it has had enough in the gaming industry, well.... think again. Reliable rumours reveal that, there is a new console gaming to be unleashed.yeah... the PS4 is in town.
The gaming developer Crytek has commented "the PlayStation 4 and Xbox '720' will arrive in 2011 or 2012". Of course, they hastened to add that they are "just our estimate".

So what do we expect from this object of desire once it hits the market?
To begin with, since PS3 uses the Cell processor, however there's been speculation as to whether the next model will use it or not. The latest rumours say yes, that it'll be a slightly faster 45nm, with between 10 to 20 cores. This means therfore that there will be no more long loading that is really a pain on the wrong places.

Secondly, Sony is apparently looking at ditching the XDR memory, and using JEDEC RAM, which is apparently more cost-effective. It will only be fair that this will be passed to the customers. We just dont want a recap of the sale of PS3 which on its initial entry to the market, it did cost a whooping $600.

If the tabloids serve me right, I bet the resolution will be much better, making the objects a reality. I would love to control Rooney and the likes as in their true form.

The design as it has been mentioned will definately be slimmer, giving it that exotic portable device.

Lets just hope that Sony wont disappoint this time round as they did with PS3, in that they will not produce one bulky gadget and that it will be more energy efficient.

Am looking forward to another gigantic gaming competition, that will advance us to more great inventions.

The Anticipated iPnone KILLER

2009-04-19T11:42:00.001-07:00

NOKIA 5800 Tube

The Tube 5800 will be part of the XPRESS range of handsets from Nokia, joining the 5310. Whilst i didn't find out the exact launch date, am told that it Comes With Music service will be available on the Tube 5800 "in 2009" - whether that means it will launch before then, will be announced tonight. (Other sources say that it will be released to the market on October 2nd.)

Nokia 5800 Tube specifications

3.2-inch touchscreen display with 16 Million colors
3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus
Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) GSM/EDGE radio

-3G UMTS/HSDPA

Bluetooth 2.0
WiFi
GPS
3.5mm headphone jack
TV-out port
140MB on-board storage
111 x 52 x 14.5 mm
104g
End of 2008 launch

Design

The Tube 5800 is slim in thickness and in width, much smaller than the N96 which i was expecting it to be most similar to. It has a candybar design, coated in a glossy piano black finish, with a bright red metallic strip around the edge. The front fascia is also glossy black, however the edges are encased in what looks like a transparent burgundy plastic.

Touchscreen

There's a slide-button on the right side of the phone, about three quarters down, which activates the screen. The screen itself is big - 3-inches,amazing ha. The touchscreen is fantastic though, hugely responsive, and the closest thing to the iPhone i have seen so far. It certainly eclipses the usability of recent touchscreens, like the Samsung Omnia and LG Renoir.

However, the downside of the touchscreen is that it's still prone to fingerprint smears, even more so than the iPhone. The top right hand section of the phone has a touch-sensitive 'XPRESS MEDIA' written on it, and when pressed, launches the music player.

Whats even amazing is the fact that one would be able to download illions of music through this devise. This means that its capacity is estimated to be over 8gb memory. (this just makes my hands weak with an insatiable desire to lay my hand on it.)

Since this object of desire is yet to be released to the market tonight, its pics are hard to find. however, it is speculated that it has the same face as that of the Nokia 5800 Xpress Music.

Roughly, the price is expected to be about $350 to $400.

Conclusion
The question that keeps popping in my head is whether this is the ultimate iPhone killer. Lets put it this way:

Its expected capacity to hundle data, video and music
The much hyped design that just makes one show to the whole world
Its enhanced features that are expected to beat that of the iPhone

Well, lets wait and see if the Nokia 5800 Tube will be the first genuine iPhone contender.