The World's Slimmest HDTVs from JVC, Available in July

JVC USA announced the release of their new LCD HDTVs next month, the world's thinnest. According to JVC USA, the 42" LT-421L89 and 46" LT-46SL89 HDTVs measure a mere 39mm, with a maximum depth of 74mm at the panel’s center.

Our screens features HDMI interface (three inputs), TV Tuner, S-Video / VGA port. The 42" TV should cost 1215€, and the 46" TV 1500€.

JVC TO OFFER WORLD'S THINNEST TUNER-EQUIPPED LCD TV WITH SLEEK, THIN-BEZEL DESIGN AND REDUCED POWER CONSUMPTION

Technology to be offered in two screen sizes

WAYNE, NJ, June 17, 2008 -Establishing a new benchmark in flat panel TV design, JVC in July will market the world's thinnest LCD TVs with built-in tuners*. The new line of super-slim Full HD TVs also weigh less and consume less power than conventional LCD TVs.

JVC's new slim LCD TVs, part of the company's Procision series, feature a cabinet that across most of its width measures a mere 1.5 inches (39mm) deep, with a maximum depth of just 2.9-inches (74mm) at the panel's center. The design ensures that from nearly any angle, the sets present a super-slim appearance. Complementing the slim design is a thinner bezel, further minimizing the presence of the cabinet.

The new super-slim design will be available in two screen sizes in the U.S., the 42-inch LT-42SL89 and the 46-inch LT-46SL89. Both offer 1920 x 1080p resolution.

The slim design was made possible through the use of a new JVC-developed slim panel backlight unit and power supply substrate, or chassis. The new slim LCD panel backlight unit is 40 percent smaller in depth and bezel width compared to a conventional LCD backlight, measuring just 0.79 inches (20mm) deep and 0.51 inches (13mm) wide. In addition, the unit weighs only 26.4 lbs (12kg) and consumes a mere 145W (see diagram 1).

*with built-in tuners as of January 6, 2008, according to a JVC survey

Efforts to reduce the depth of an LCD panel backlight result in uneven hot spots appearing on the LCD screen surfaces because CCFL light sources are brought closer to the liquid crystal panel (see diagram 2). To overcome this problem, either light-diffusing plates are applied or more CCFL tubes are used. But the former approach can result in lower brightness, while the latter approach can be costly and increases power consumption.

JVC's display engineering team succeeded in developing a new, slimmer backlight unit by optimizing the light-diffusing plates and light-reflection sheets, as well as improving its overall composition. This provided uniform light-diffusion at all the corners and edges without the addition of more CCFL tubes, while maintaining adequate luminance to ensure that the screen always remains bright (see diagrams 3 and 4).

JVC also developed a slimmer yet efficient power-supply substrate and employed a direct-mount configuration for it on the LCD panel backlight unit with a fan-less heat dissipation system to further reduce power consumption.

Both models will be VESA compliant for easy wall mounting, but JVC will also offer its own mounting solution - a wall mount designed to position the slim TV closer to the wall than does a standard mount.

Both sets include a full complement of connections, including three HDMI inputs, two component inputs, one S-Video in and a PC input. Other features include front touch sensor controls, a headphone jack, USB picture viewer and an illuminated universal remote control.

The new JVC super-slim LT-42SL89 and LT-46SL89 will be available in July with approximate retail prices of $1,899.99 and $2,399.99, respectively.

source akihabaranews

The Next Generation SSD, the Fastest Ever Signed by Mtron!

MTron, a Korean company, announced a new SSD controller. This time, our next SSD, based on the SLC chip, can achieve a reading speeding of 260MB/s and writing speed of 240MB/s. We don’t have further information, in particular about the storage capacity. In addition, Mtron announced their SSD Express Card, Mini PCI-E Card for mobile devices, and Mtron XTM 7500 for highly specialized industries such as aviation, military, and medical.

The Mtron SSD Express Card and Mini PCI-E Card can provide maximum read/write of 110/65MB/s. Concerning the last one, Mtron SSD XTM 7500, we don’t have any information about its performances, but it’s really adapted to extreme environments, like quick changes in temperature. It’s also shock resistant.

SEOUL, South Korea-- Mtron Storage Technology Co.,Ltd. (KOSDAQ:046320), a manufacturer of Solid State Drive (SSD) in South Korea, announced today that they were going to reveal new 260 MB/s controller technology at “World IT Show 2008” and OECD Ministerial Meeting on the Future of the Internet Economy in Seoul, Korea from June 18 to 20. Mtron also added that they would launch new SSD products equipped with the new controller technology in early 2009.

Improved from current 4-channel system with the maximum read/write speed of 130/120MB/s, Mtron’s next generation controller technology provides an outstanding performance based on its 8-channel system with the maximum read/write speed of 260/240MB/s(based on SLC) and random write IOPS 8,000(4KB). It is twice faster than current controllers and the fastest speed in the current SSD market by far.

Steve Jeon, CEO of Mtron, said, “This new controller provides not only improved performance, but also it provides high stability and reliability by minimizing errors and instability that a typical flash memory chip has. Based on the superb technology from our 1st generation controller, Mtron will lead the next generation controller industry with the latest technology.”

In addition to the announcement of new controller, Mtron uncovered their new SSD products as well. The new Mtron’s SSD products are Mtron SSD Express Card, Mini PCI-E Card for mobile devices, and Mtron XTM 7500 for highly specialized industries such as aviation, military, and medical industry.

Mtron SSD Express Card and Mini PCI-E Card deliver maximum read/write speed of 110/65MB/s, run its own software for OS installation and booting, and provide the best environment for the system running. Based on Mtron’s innovative technology, these new products are not limited to the current HDD standard sizes, and therefore can be applied in various forms and sizes for different devices and usage.

Mtron SSD XTM 7500 provides an excellent stability and performance against extreme environment such as rapid temperature change from -45℃ to 90℃. In May, this product proved its strong protection against extreme temperature, shock, and vibration when it was chosen as the primary storage for NASA’s Anita Project. It will be available on the market in August

source akihabarnews

Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 Sound Card

Auzentech has rolled out its Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 sound card which caters to serious PC enthusiasts, as ordinary folk who are fine with on-board audio can probably give this a miss. The Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 is one mean peripheral, capable of accepting video from either an internal or external connection, mixing it with digital audio, and output the combined video and lossless multichannel audio through an individual HDMI 1.3 port.

Interestingly enough, the internal connection will support upcoming NVIDIA products on an exclusive basis, resulting in what they claim to be the "ultimate in audio and visual entertainment." There is no word on pricing, but the Auzen X-Fi HomeTheater 7.1 will be released later this September.

source ubergizmo

Pentax K20D Preview

Having risked being left behind by the speed at which the 'affordable' DSLR market developed, Pentax showed how serious its intentions were with the K10D, a semi-pro-level DSLR with a features list to humble the competition at a very attractive price. Having added so many bells and whistles to the K10D, it's not much of a surprise to find that its successor, the K20D, is essentially a refinement of the same design. But, even though it can't quite boast the same novel-feature-count as its predecessor, the K20D still finds room for some interesting changes.

The stand-out feature of the K20D is undoubtedly its 14.6MP CMOS sensor, co-developed with the giant South-Korean conglomerate Samsung. The companies claim the design reduces the amount of circuitry around each photosite, offering a similar light-sensitive area, per pixel, to a 12MP chip of conventional design. The other major change is the addition of a live-view mode that provides a zoomable, live preview directly from the imaging sensor.

Pentax has also tweaked the default settings of the camera's JPEG output (our biggest gripe about the K10D), so does the K20D offer enough to play with the big boys?

Key feature changes

The feature changes between the K10D and K20D are subtle but this is mainly because there was little that the K10D needed adding to its pretty formidable features list. The changes that have been made are:

• 14.6 megapixel CMOS sensor
• Live view mode
• 2.7 inch 230,000 dot LCD (up from 2.5 in. 210,000)
• Burst mode, allows 21fps shooting at 1.6MP resolution (up to 115 frames)
• Dynamic range expansion mode
• X-sync flash socket
• Image parameter settings (Custom image), enhanced
• Color adjustable LCD monitor
• Compare mode in playback
• 32x zoom in playback
• Adjustable levels of High ISO noise reduction
• Up to ISO 3200 (extendable to 6400), rather than ISO 1600
• Dust alert for locating particles on the sensor
• Pixel mapping to identify and correct for dead pixels
• AF fine-tuning (for all lenses or up to 20 chosen lenses)
• Additional shooting modes (interval shooting and focus trap modes)

source dpreview

Motorola quietly releases MING A1600 and MING A1800

Motorola announced two more smartphones today without any bells and whistles. The MOTOMING A1600 and MOTOMING A1800 are two powerful business devices armed with Linux, GPS, touchscreen and a bunch of other goodies.

We have posted about these devices before while they were still in their rumors stage, but now it's as official as it gets.

Motorola MING A1600

The Motorola MING A1600 flaunts a 2.4-inch 262K color TFT display with a QVGA resolution. It's touchscreen and there is also a stylus to help you get around. The signature MING semi-transparent plastic active cover protects the display and aids in call management.

Motorola MING A1600

A Motorola MING A1600 runs on the Linux OS, much like the predecessor MING A1200. The A1600 has got quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support and no 3G functionality - a clear sign it's been mainly targeted at the Chinese market.

A 3 megapixel camera with continuous autofocus makes the A1600 the first to offer that feature on a mobile phone. The camera also is able to shoot a burst of images in GIF format and then save them all in one single animated GIF - that sounds so 90s. A business card scanner application also puts the camera to good use. A unique scanning translation feature allows you to shoot a sign or some text and then have it translated by the on-board dictionary.

The Motorola A1600 also packs a microSD card slot (up to 4GB), stereo Bluetooth (A2DP), a microUSB port, and a stereo FM radio. Unfortunately, there's no Wi-Fi connectivity as it was rumored.

Thanks to the built-in GPS receiver users can also enjoy real-time GPS navigation as well as geotagging of the photos taken by the 3 megapixel camera.

Measuring 98.9 x 53.5 x 19.6mm and weighing 128g, the Motorola MING A1600 is certainly not among the most compact devices.

Unfortunately, we don't have any information regarding pricing and availability plans.

Motorola MING A1800

The Motorola MING A1800 is almost a twin of the A1600 - they share the 2.4-inch QVGA touchscreen display, the 3 megapixel camera, the microSD memory card slot (up to 4GB), and the stereo Bluetooth (A2DP), and finally… the built-in GPS and the Linux OS. There's no Wi-Fi support again.

Motorola MING A1800

The MOTOMING A1800 however packs two radio transceivers - that means it offers simultaneous connection to two networks. But there's even more to that - the A1800 can hook up to both GSM and CDMA networks. The GSM support covers tri-band GSM and GPRS (no EDGE or 3G), while the CDMA support covers the CDMA 1x standard.

That makes the A1800 a really interesting cross-breed, but you can bet that we won't be seeing any of it over here in Europe, where CDMA is hardly to be found.

As you might have guessed it, there's no info on the A1800 availability and pricing.

source gsmarena

Motorola Motozine ZN5 is out, this time it's official

Well, the Motorola ZN5 is finally official - the 5 megapixel handset, which is co-branded by Kodak, offers some original cameraphone features that are bound to give shutterbugs a fair share of restless nights.

Information and photos of the Motorola ZN5 leaked online numerous times and we are glad to see it officially posted now. It turns out that the ZN5 is the first handset to be produced under the MOTOZINE lineup, which will be Motorola's new label for multimedia-rich devices. If all goes well, we hope to see more devices under that sub-brand.

The MOTOZINE ZN5 is a smartphone based on the Linux OS and runs on a Freescale 500MHz processor. All recently leaked Motorola phones seem to use that OS and that makes us wonder what happened to UIQ ones - Motorola used to be highly involved with UIQ technology in the past.

With the ZN5 users will enjoy a 2.4-inch QVGA TFT display and Wi-Fi connectivity. Stereo Bluetooth (A2DP), 3.5mm audio/video jack (TV-out), FM radio, microSD card slot and some 350MB of memory are also on board.

The touch-sensitive morphing keypad, called ModeShift and first introduced in Motorola E8, is also present here. It's got haptic feedback on every key press and key designations and backlight change in accordance to the currently used application.

The Motorola ZN5 will measure 12mm in thickness, which is a rather nice achievement - it actually puts it in Top 5 of slimmest 5 megapixel cameraphones. The body thickness however increases around the camera area to up to 16mm.

The ZN5 however managed to disappoint us with the lack of 3G connectivity - having only EDGE is a bit of a downer even if it's quad-band GSM, iPhone owners will tell you that for sure. We are guessing the reason for that is the Motozine ZN5 is targeted mainly at the Chinese market, were EDGE is as fast as it gets. We really hope that this feature will be updated as the device rolls throughout 3G-enabled markets.

Now in terms of photo-centric capabilities, we already told you that the new Motorola ZN5 will be able to offer some really nice surprises. We start off with the xenon flash, the auto focus assist beam, and some cunning low-light setup. Those things aren't new, but it's getting better.

The ZN5 camera will offer two apertures values, which is a first among cameraphones. The camera will automatically pick between F2.8 (the standard for all cameraphones) and F5.6 (when there is enough light). Now that may not mean much to you, but a tighter aperture such as F5.6 will actually bring less lens issues and better corner-to-corner sharpness.

The ZN5 is also capable of shooting in RAW image format. The image data is losslessly stored in TIFF format.

The Kodak participation has brought the Kodak Perfect Touch technology to the ZN5. While it sounds impressive, it's a mere quick fix of photos that will be available straight on the handset. We are guessing something like the Sony Ericsson PhotoFix option, which improves underexposed images and adds contrast.

The ZN5 also offers direct image upload to KODAK Gallery, as well as integration of the ShoZu client, which can upload images to various social networking clients.

Motorola ZN5 will be first available in China in July 2008 and is expected to ship around the world later this year. Pricing is yet unknown.

source gsmarena

Mio Knight Rider GPS, with the voice of KITT

That’s one feature that other GPS will have a hard time to mimic: Mio has the license to use KITT’s voice. As you can see, the GPS body itself is designed with the Knight Rider theme, thanks to the LED on each side of the screen.

Other than that, it is technically very similar to the more recent Mio GPS (read review). For $270, it'll bring you as close to being “Michael” as you can be. Stay tuned and come back on this site for an update.

source ubergizmo

IM-R300, a New Touch Phone from Pantech

Here's a new phone made for the Korean market, the IM-R300. Under it sleek design it carries some nifty features like a DMB TV tuner, GPS, a 2Mpix Camera, MP3 player, 260Mb of internal Memory, microSD, a 2.6” LCD with a WQVGA screen (400x240), HSDPA, WCDMA, GSM, eWallet functions and payment. With a total weight of 111g and a size of 51x102x13.9mm.

So far only Available on Korea's SKY network. Pretty girl, unfortunately not included...
source akihabaranews

Kawasaki 250R Ninja 2008

The American market has been a big success for the Kawasaki Ninja 250 range for years and years and… the Ninja 250R is the latest offering. Fortunately for 33bhp probationary riders in mainland Europe and the UK, we are getting the bike too, complete with emissions compliant fuel injection. A brave move by Kawasaki because the Ninja is virtually in a class of its own.

The Kawasaki Ninja 250R’s claimed 33bhp is spread thinner than gold plating, with the motor spins to 14,000rpm. Kawasaki Ninja 250R is manufactured in Taiwan under strict quality control. The styling and dramatic black or corporate green paintwork is choice and the wave-style brake discs are ultra-cool… on what is essentially a learner bike.

You could do worse by buying a more powerful machine and getting it restricted especially if it’s a new bike where insurance costs will be horrific. The overall cost of the Motorcycle is around £2,995. Good thing about Kawasaki Ninja 250R is that it is a good motorcycle – it works perfectly as a motorcycle, and works better as bike to gain confidence on.

source autoinfo

Creative Adds New Color to Its 4GB MuVo T200

Creative added a new color (White) to its 4GB MuVo T200 line-up. The price is the same as the Black version, as well as the specifications.

For the record, our DAP features 4GB of memory (there is also a 2GB version), is MP3/WMA compatible, has bass boost function, FM radio tuner, and built-in mic.

It should cost 40€ and be available at the of June.

source akihabaranews

Baby Italian Stallion

What is Italian for Mini? Well if you ask the folks at Alfa Romeo they would say “Mi.To.” That is the name of their BMW Mini Cooper killer. Looking to compete in the premium subcompact segment dominated by the Mini, Alfa designers took inspiration from their 8C Competizione beauty.

And if drop dead gorgeous looks were not enough, this bad boy Mi.To makes the Toyota Prius green(er) with envy over the little Italians estimated 49 MPG. Don’t look for the Mi.To on the streets of the U.S. anytime soon, but for the rest of the world…Mama Mia, that’s a spicy meatball!

source yankodesign

Xerox 7600 Flatbed Scanner

You might be running short on space in your apartment, what more your already cramped desktop. Enter Xerox's 7600 flatbed scanner which is extremely slim, powered by USB to further save space by eliminating the need for another power adapter.

The 7600 is able to scan up to 1,200 x 1,200 dpit in 48-bit color, retailing for a pocket friendly £69.99 and accompanied by a suite of document and image management software that streamlines scanning processes.

Thanks to the OneTouch scanning technology, it is a snap to complete the scanning task with just one touch of the button. Perfect for dummies and first time users, although more seasoned campaigners might want to look for something beefier elsewhere.

source ubergizmo

Lotus Clark Type 25 Elise SC Special Edition

Type 25 celebrates the life of Jim Clark: Jim Clark is considered by many as the finest and most naturally gifted racing driver of all time. He won the F1 World Championship twice for Team Lotus in 1963 and in 1965. In total, he won 25 Grand Prix races and was the first Briton to win the Indianapolis 500.

Clark won a third of all the F1 races he entered, as well as racing in other formulae such as F2, F3 and Touring Cars. Typically he would race in as many as three different categories per race meeting! How many of the current crop of F1 drivers would do that? In tribute to Jim Clark's achievements, Lotus, in association with Classic Team Lotus, is producing the Clark Type 25 Elise SC, with a donation for each of these special cars sold going to the Jim Clark memorial fund.

This Elise, limited to just 25 cars in the UK (25 being the Type number of his 1963 Lotus F1 car and his number of F1 wins) has been authorised by the Clark family and coincides with the 40th anniversary of Jim Clark's death at Hockenheim in 1968. The Clark Type 25 Elise SC will be launched at The Scottish Classic SpeedFair at Knockhill on the 8th of June 2008 and will form part of a weekend long tribute to Jim Clark.

The Club Lotus Jim Clark Remembrance Weekend will take place over the 7th and 8th of June and promises to be a fantastic celebration of the life of Jim Clark. Mike Kimberley, CEO of Group Lotus Plc comments, "It is fitting that the latest version of our award winning Elise, the Clark Type 25 Elise SC, should celebrate the life of Jim Clark. It is also an honour to be able to unveil the car at Knockhill this weekend. Each owner of the Clark Type 25 Elise SC will be joining an unrivalled heritage that recognises motorsport's greatest partnership, that of Lotus and Jim Clark.

" The Clark Type 25 Elise SC draws upon many styling cues from the Type 25 Formula 1 car that Jim Clark raced to win the World Championship in 1963. The car, with a removable hard top as standard, is finished in British Racing Green with a yellow stripe along the centre and features high performance Lotus Sport wheels, finished in an historic black and silver design. The interior is inspired by the Team Lotus Formula 1 cars of the era, with black leather sports seats, trimmed with red leather and all finished off with a fantastic retro wooden gear knob.

The Elise SC is the most powerful production Elise ever produced and offers stunning performance. Power comes from a 1.8 litre non-intercooled, supercharged engine and uses intelligent cam switching technology, enabling the engine to switch to the high performance cam anywhere between 4000 and 6200 rpm. This clever feature gives the engine two characters, allowing the car to be driven economically or giving maximum performance for spirited driving.

The Elise's light weight gives low CO2 emissions, great handling and affords phenomenal braking. Another benefit of the low weight is incredible acceleration, with the sprint to 60 mph taking just 4.3 seconds and with 100 km/h despatched in 4.6 seconds. The Elise SC accelerates on to a top speed of 148 mph, which is 238 km/h. All Lotus cars offer exceptional handling and the Elise is no exception. The chassis has a seriously light, stiff structure. Combining this technology with the fantastic Lotus ride and handling gives an inspiring driving experience and the mid-engined layout of the Lotus Elise offers fantastic balance and agility.

The Elise SC offers a few technological advances that Jim Clark may have found helpful in his Type 25. Coming as standard on the Elise is traction control, ABS and sequential shift lights, however all the driver aids are included to improve the driving experience and do not intervene unless really called upon.

The Clark Type 25 Elise SC is currently only available in the UK and Republic of Ireland and is on sale now. Price: £35,995 MSRP, and includes £5,750 worth of options for just £3,445. On the Road costs are £950 MSRP ENDS

source manualgear

This Thumb Drive Has Real Buzz…

One of the biggest issues with USB peripherals is the protruding nature of any design. From a Bluetooth adaptor to the tiniest of Flash Memory Drives, they all stick out like a sore thumb(drive). This issue with these protrusions is not just aesthetics, but function.

USB peripherals are constantly being accidentally ripped out, knocked off or jammed into your computer causing not only damage to the external item but the computer’s USB plug itself.

Serbian designer Damjan Stankovic, believes that flexibility in design can solve this problem. His “USBee” Flash Memory Drive won the first prize at the MS Industrial USB Competition held by the Serbian Design Community forum DizajnZona™. Ergonomically designed to bend at life’s will in any direction, this USB flash drive features a vented housing for cooling(I did not realize these needed cooling), and a detachable protective cap that snaps onto the back end of the device when not in use.

No word yet if this will go into production, so all claims of memory capacity are a moot point.

Designer: Damjan Stankovic

Because it can squeeze into really tight spaces between the computer and any other object it cannot cause any physical damage to your PC that happens when the USB is accidentally knocked over.

The electronics are located in an aluminum shell which is covered in yellow silicon/rubber. The bottom part of the USBee has breathing holes within the silicone so that the aluminum can dissipate through and keep device cool.


source yankodesign

World’s Fastest Motorcycle - The Tomahawk

This is 8200cc Monster of a Bike. It’s like riding a 2-wheeled Train Engine.

ENGINE

1. 500 bhp (372 kW) @ 5600 rpm ( 60.4 bhp/liter); 525 lb.-ft. (712 Nm) @ 4200 rpm
2. 10-cylinder 90-degree V-type, liquid-cooled, 505 cubic inches (8277 cc)
3. 356-T6 aluminum alloy block with cast-iron liners, aluminum alloy cylinder heads
4. Bore x Stroke: 4.03 inches x 3.96 inches (102.4 x 100.6)
5. Two pushrod-actuated overhead valves per cylinder with roller-type hydraulic lifters
6. Sequential, multi-port electronic fuel injection with individual runners
7. Compression Ratio: 9.6:1
8. Max Engine Speed: 6000 rpm
9. Fuel Requirement: Unleaded premium, 93 octane (R+M/2)
10. Oil System: Dry Sump; takes 8 quarts Mobil1 10W30 Synthetic
11. Cooling System: Twin aluminum radiators mounted atop engine intake manifolds, force-fed from front-mounted, belt-driven turbine fan.
12. Takes 11 quarts of antifreeze.
13. Exhaust System: Equal-length tubular stainless steel headers with dual collectors and central rear outlets

SUSPENSION:

Front:
Outboard, single-sided parallel upper and lower control arms made from polished billet aluminum. Mounted via ball joint to aluminum steering uprights and hubs. Five degrees caster. Single, fully adjustable centrally located coil-over damper ( 2.25-inch coil with adjustable spring perch); pullrod and rocker-actuated mono linkage. Center-lock racing-style hubs.

Rear:
Hand-fabricated box-section steel inboard swing arms, incorporating “hydral-link” lockable recirculating hydraulic circuit parking stand. Single fully adjustable centrally located Koni coil-over damper ( 2.25-inch coil with adjustable spring perch); pushrod and rocker-actuated mono linkage. Center-lock racing-style hubs

Rumors had the Tomahawk selling for under $200,000, most likely at a loss or breakeven price, for publicity purposes - but still fully drivable. Wolfgang Bernhard, Chrysler’s not particularly respected first mate, was said to be enthusiastic about that project, so much so that hundreds were projected to be built at under $200,000 each

PERFORMANCE:

0-60 mph: 2.5 seconds (est.)
Top Speed: 300+ mph (est.)

source autoinfo

Samsung i900 Omnia announcedSamsung i900 Omnia announced, live pics inside, live pics inside

The highly rumored Samsung i900 is finally unveiled by Samsung. Called Samsung i900 Omnia, this Windows Mobile PocketPC seems as a strong competitor of the rumored 3G iPhone, which should be announced today too. Of course, the feature set puts it head-to-head with HTC Touch Diamond too. However we have the feeling that the HTC TouchFLO 3D might be a bit more spectacular than what the Samsung i900 offers.

Samsung i900 Omnia will be first displayed at the CommunicAsia expo held in Singapore from June 17 to 20 but all details about its specifications are already made public.

Based on Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro, the Samsung i900 offers a 3.2-inch WideQVGA display (240 x 400 pixels) and an optical mouse much like the one found in the Samsung i780. Camera-wise the Samsung i900 Omnia is one helluva amibitious handset - offering a 5 megapixel auto focus snapper with face and smile detection plus auto-panorama shot. Geotagging is also among the camera features since the i900 also packs a built-in GPS receiver.

As style has it, the Samsung i900 Omnia waistline is only 12.5mm and the brushed metal back certainly adds to its refined looks. That figure along with the other dimensions makes it rather identical to the Apple iPhone. Most importantly the i900 shares with the iPhone the same massive internal memory - both an 8GB and a 16GB i900 versions will be available with the microSD still present for further expanding those with up to 16 gigs worth of storage.

Samsung i900 Omnia official photos

The specs sheet of the Samsung i900 is then boosted by the quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support plus HSDPA 7.2Mbps. Thanks to the built-in accelerometer, the UI automatically rotates to follow the handset's current orientation. Wi-Fi support is also on board to make the i900 sound even juicier.

The USB port, FM radio with RDS and stereo Bluetooth (A2DP) are among the final touches to this loaded PocketPC.

And since touch-optimization is of critical importance when you strive to compete with Apple's iPhone, Samsung have also ported their TouchWiz user interface for use on Windows Mobile. We saw that Touch UI for the first time on the Samsung F480 and we surely enjoyed it.

The Samsung i900 Omnia will be market available from June 2008 (Europe - July 2008), which also coincides with the projected availability of the new 3G iPhone.

Since we had the opportunity to spend some time with the Samsung i900 Omnia before its official release, we can gladly provide you with some more detailed real-life shots as well as a 3D view of Samsung i900 Omnia. Enjoy!

source gsmarena

Brabus Bullit Black ArrowBrabus Bullit Black Arrow

If you thought that the C63 from AMG was the ultimate C-Class available on the market, well, think twice before signing this check... Today Brabus unveiled for us the ultimate C-Class ever build, the “Bullit Black Arrow”.

Under this “fancy” code name you will find one of the most stunning C-Class ever build with, brace yourself, a V12 Twin Turbo which develop 730hp and a breath taking torque of 1320Nm for a total weight of 1850kg...

Yes you are reading these right, 1320Nm! To put this numbers into perspective our all mighty Brabus has a maximum speed of 260km/h and from naught to sixty just need 3.9s. Pretty impressive and also pretty close to another, yet lighter road devil, the Japanese Nissan GT-R. More below in the Official Press Release from Brabus BRABUS BULLIT BLACK ARROW

The Four-Door V12 Biturbo Stealth Super Sports Car
With 730 hp (720 hp SAE net), 1,320 Nm (974 lb-ft), 0 – 300 km/h (186 mph) in 24.5 seconds and a Top Speed of More than 360 km/h (225 mph)

Ultra powerful, ultra fast and conspicuously inconspicuous: The four-door stealth super sports car BRABUS BULLIT BLACK ARROW offers performance superlatives like no other car on the market: The basis for the car is the body of the new C-Class sedan, covered with a special matte-black coating. The BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo twelve-cylinder engine was dropped into the engine bay with almost surgical precision.

Performance is staggering: 3.9 seconds from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph), 24.5 seconds for 0 – 300 km/h (186 mph) and a top speed of more than 360 km/h (225 mph). BRABUS (Brabus-Allee, D-46240 Bottrop, phone + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777-0, fax + 49 / (0) 2041 / 777 111, Internet www.brabus.com) produces the BULLIT BLACK ARROW in small-series production starting at 348,000 Euros MSRP.

The BRABUS BULLIT BLACK ARROW ensures that the world’s fastest sedans continue to come from Bottrop. The BRABUS BULLIT BLACK ARROW follows in the footsteps of the 330-km/h (206 mph) BRABUS E V12 based on the W 210-series Mercedes E-Class, the 350.2-km/h (219 mph) E V12 Biturbo of the new W 211 generation and the world’s current fastest sedan, the 365.7- km/h (227.2 mph) BRABUS ROCKET based on the Mercedes CLS.

Numerous modifications to the reinforced body were necessary to install the turbocharged V12 engine in the C-Class engine bay. The BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo engine is derived directly from the BRABUS ROCKET and uses the latest Mercedes S 600 engine that has been completely reworked in the company-own engine building shop.

Nothing beats displacement except even more displacement: A crankshaft with longer stroke, larger cylinder bore, and special pistons and piston rods increase displacement of the twelve-cylinder three-valve engine from 5.5 to 6.3 liters (336 to 385 cu. in.).

Cylinder heads optimized for faster gas exchange and high-performance camshafts also contribute to the increase in power output. They are assisted by a more efficient dual turbocharging system, special manifolds, larger turbochargers and larger intercoolers. Because of space constraints in the C-Class body an entirely new stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with low back-pressure metal catalysts had to be developed.

The BRABUS motor engineers used state-of-the-art engine test benches to program new mapping for engine electronics and on-board diagnostics. The new mapping ensures optimal power yield while meeting strict EURO IV emission limits.

The BRABUS SV12 S Biturbo displacement engine, lubricated like all BRABUS high-performance engines with ARAL Synthetic motor oil, produces 730 hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537 kW at just 5,100 rpm. The peak torque of 1,320 Nm (974 lb-ft) is limited in-car electronically to 1,100 Nm (811 lb-ft).

Power is transferred to the rear wheels via a reinforced five-speed automatic transmission and a BRABUS limited-slip differential with a locking rate of 40 percent. Customers can choose from two final drive ratios. The BRABUS BULLIT BLACK ARROW features all modern driving dynamics systems such as ABS, ASR and ESP.

The matte-black stealth street rocket delivers unique performance: Just 3.9 seconds pass for the sprint from 0 - 100 km/h (62 mph), 200 km/h (124 mph) is reached after just 10.49 seconds. And after just 24.5 seconds the car shatters the 300-km/h barrier (186 mph). Top speed is more than 360 km/h (225 mph).

At these speeds favorable aerodynamic properties are absolutely essential. The BRABUS BULLIT BLACK ARROW was honed to perfection in the wind tunnel. The BULLIT front apron features large air ducts to supply cooling air for radiators and front brakes. Its sophisticated design further reduces lift on the front axle.

Its aerodynamic counterparts in the rear are a three-piece rear spoiler and a rear apron with integrated diffuser. Both front and rear aprons are made from especially light yet highly robust autoclave-baked carbon fiber.

A wider track optimizes directional stability so elementary at speeds beyond 300 km/h. The BRABUS designers have styled aluminum wheel arch flares for front and rear axle. They are seamlessly melded to the production body and add six centimeters (2.4 inches) to the C-Class width. BRABUS rocker panels optimize the airstream along the sides. They also feature integrated entry lights that make entering and exiting the vehicle safer in the dark.

The visual appearance of the BRABUS BULLIT BLACK ARROW is further characterized by the new hood. Its integrated ‘gills’ are not just distinctive features, they also ensure the engine’s thermal health.

The wheel arch flares provide space for especially wide matte-black BRABUS Monoblock S light-alloy wheels with high-performance tires from technology partners YOKOHAMA or Pirelli. The 9.5Jx19 wheels on the front axle are shod with size 265/30 ZR 19 tires. The rear axle is fitted with size 10Jx19 wheels and size 285/30 ZR 19 tires.

The height-adjustable coil-over suspension was developed specifically for the BRABUS BULLIT BLACK ARROW. The gas-pressure shocks feature ten selectable settings each for bound and rebound. They provide a sporty yet comfortable ride and safe handling in any situation. Sport stabilizers reduces body roll to a minimum during fast cornering.

The BRABUS high-performance brake system can handle even the most extreme stress. It features 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers on the front axle that grip vented and grooved 380 x 37 millimeter (15 x 1.46 inches) brake discs. The rear axle stops with 360 x 28 millimeter (14.2 x 1.1 inches) discs and six-piston aluminum fixed calipers.

Exclusive individuality also abounds in the interior of the BRABUS automobile: The standard equipment package includes a fully leather interior hand-crafted in the company-own upholstery shop from the finest Mastik and Nubuk leathers.

The custom BULLIT seats offer a perfect combination of comfort and lateral support. Their carbon-fiber rear covers lend the interior an especially sporty feel. This look is complemented by carbon-fiber components on dashboard, center console and door panels as well as by the ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel and aluminum pedals and shifter.


BRABUS BULLIT BLACK ARROW – Technical Data


Body

4-door sedan based on Mercedes-Benz C-Class, W 204 series

Steel unibody widened with BRABUS fender flares by 60 mm (2.36 inches). BRABUS hood with integrated gills.
BRABUS BULLIT aerodynamic-enhancement kit with BULLIT front and rear bumper manufactured from carbon fiber baked in an autoclave. Rocker panels with integrated entrance lights, three-piece rear spoiler.

BRABUS BULLIT BLACK ARROW with matte-black coating.

Measurements:
Length 4.590 mm 180.7 in.
Width 1.830 mm 72.0 in.
Height 1.402 mm 55.2 in.
Curb weight 1,850 kg 4,079 lbs.


Engine

BRABUS SV 12 S Biturbo displacement engine based on Mercedes 600

V12-cylinder 3-valve light-alloy engine with twin turbochargers
Displacement 6,233 cm³ (380 cu. in.)
Compression ratio 9.0 : 1
Rated power 730 hp (720 hp SAE net) / 537 kW at 5,100 rpm
Peak torque 1,320 Nm (974 lb-ft) from 2,100 rpm (electronically limited to 1,100 Nm – 811 lb-ft)
Fuel: Super plus (98 octane)
Motor oil: ARAL

BRABUS SV 12 S Biturbo engine conversion consisting of:
Displacement increase to 6.3 liters with special crankshaft with longer stroke, enlarged cylinder bore with corresponding larger pistons. Both cylinder heads feature flow-optimized ports and special camshafts. Two high-performance turbochargers with special exhaust manifolds; more efficient intercooling system and BRABUS stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with low-back-pressure metal catalysts. Newly programmed mapping for engine electronics and on-board diagnostics.


Drivetrain

Rear-Wheel Drive

Reinforced five-speed automatic transmission
Gear ratios:
1st gear : 3.59
2nd gear : 2.19
3rd gear : 1.41
4th gear : 1.00
5th gear : 0.83

BRABUS locking rear differential with 40 percent locking rate
Final drive either 2.65 : 1 (top speed 315 km/h – 196 mph) or 2.24 : 1 (top speed 350 km/h – 217 mph – electronically limited).


Suspension

Independent suspension front and rear with height-adjustable BRABUS coil-over suspension.

Front axle:
Three-link, anti-dive geometry. Height-adjustable BRABUS struts with coil springs and gas-pressure shocks featuring ten settings each for bound and rebound; BRABUS sport sway bar.

Rear axle:
Five-link, anti-dive and anti-squat geometry. Height-adjustable BRABUS struts with coil springs and gas-pressure shocks featuring ten settings each for bound and rebound; BRABUS sport sway bar.

Wheels:
BRABUS Monoblock S light-alloy wheels with YOKOHAMA or Pirelli high-performance tires.
Front: 9.5Jx19 H2 with 265/30 ZR 19
Rear: 10.0Jx19 H2 with 285/30 ZR 19


Brake System

Dual-circuit brakes with Brake Assist and BRABUS high-performance brake system.

Front: BRABUS 12-piston fixed aluminum calipers with vented and grooved 380 x 37 mm
(15 x 1.46 in.) steel brake discs.
Rear: BRABUS six-piston fixed aluminum calipers with vented and grooved 360 x 28 mm (14.2 x 1.1 in.) steel brake discs.


Performance

0 - 100 km/h (62 mph): 3.9 sec
0 - 200 km/h (124 mph): 10.49 sec
0 - 300 km/h (186 mph): 24.5 sec

Top speed: more than 360 km/h (225 mph)



source manualgear