Concept Ice Vehicle Built by Lotus

Malaysian-owned sports car maker, Lotus, has engineered a new creation known as the Lotus Concept Ice Vehicle. Its main purpose is to run on ice.

A one seater vehicle measuring 4.5m long and 4.5m wide with a weight of 350kg. Designed and built by Kieron Bradley, a former Formula One chassis designer but now with Lotus.

People has created nicknames for this vehicle already - Ice Buggy ....... Ski Buggy

I don't mind the name, just get me one.








It has an ice penetrating radar. Seems very hi-tech.
This vehicle was created in aid of the Moon Regan Transantartic Expedition team in South Pole. Meaning - it's not for commercial sale. After they have finished the expedition, the team will keep maintain the vehicle for me.
It runs on the E85 Bioethanol fuel, an environment friendly fuel.

Reading: Ice buggy takes 84mph route to the South Pole - Times Online

(Pictures source: Autoblog)
Tags: Lotus, Ice Buggy, Ski Buggy, Concept Ice Vehicle, South Pole, E85 Bioethanol, Kieron Bradley, Formula One Chassis Designer, Moon Regan Transantartic Expedition

New Toll Payment Gadget

Malaysians may have to fork out more money for a new toll system in Malayisa. The success of the current system for the Smart Tag has spurred the Works Ministry to come out with better ideas to produce a much improved gadget.

I wonder whether the owners of the current Smart Tag (I'm one off them) will get to exchange and/or top up with additional money to obtain the latest gadget (which is under trial run at the moment).

I got my Smart Tag at RM100 during a promotion previously (as shown in pic). Initially it was being retailed at RM200. The current gadget are being used by many many many road users (ain't this a waste of money for common citizens). Not only that for users would be wasting money but the government will have to install additional electronic stuff at all toll plazas to accommodate another new toll system. Not replacing, mind you!

They mentioned that road users could also purchase this new unit and the current Smart Tag could still be used. This new unit's plus point - could record payment at high speed. What high speed? It won't miss recording a motor vehicle's new gadget even if the car was travelling at 100km per hour. That is total madness.

Imagine driving towards the toll plaza at 100km per hour and squeeze into the tight toll lane. Lorries and buses would be crashing through all the toll plazas in Malaysia with that speed.
Tags: Smart Tag, Toll System, Works Ministry

Gadgets Are Running Really Fast

What do I mean by the title of this blog posting?

Technology gadget manufacturers are keeping in touch with the speed required by consumers to run more complicated softwares. The manufacturers not only ensured that the equipment could run at a fast speed but they got sports car manufacturers involved to understand more about speed.

Asus got Lamborghini to take part in a handheld PDA phone project. The gadget is called Asus Lamborghini ZX1 which runs on a 450MHz Texas Instruments processor with a 128MB memory. It could connect you real fast to the internet world via HSDPA, Wi-Fi and GPS.

Price listing is not available yet for this gadget.

Not to be outdone, Acer got Ferrari or was it Ferrari that got Acer to tie-up with them to challenge Lamborghini. Acer has came out with this notebook or laptop (to some people in the world) which runs on the AMD Turion processor in which the notebook will be named as Acer Ferrari 1100. With a price listing of Australian Dollar $3,999 (available in Aussie now), I think only die-hard Ferrari fans would buy this notebook just for the logo sake.

There are additional buttons that would allow you to access certain programmes at a slightly faster rate. For example, inclusion of touch-sensitive shortcut buttons for email, Internet and a programmable application and the Acer Empowering Technology button. I think I can outdo the user with the current notebook that I'm using.........hehehe
Tags: Asus, Lamborghini, Asus Lamborghini ZX1, Texas Instruments Processor, Acer, Ferrari, Acer Ferrari 1100, AMD Turion, Technology, Gadget, PDA Phone, Notebook, Laptop

Stretchable Mobile Phone by Nokia

One of the latest phone released by Nokia is the Nokia Morph. This mobile or hand or cell phone was manufactured with the collaboration of the University of Cambridge's Nanoscience Centre which incorporated nanoscale technologies (whatever it is).

In coming up with this latest gadget, the Morph would have such concept technologies:-
* Newly-enabled flexible and transparent materials blend more seamlessly with the way we live
Devices become self-cleaning and self-preserving
* Transparent electronics offering an entirely new aesthetic dimension
* Built-in solar absorption might charge a device, whilst batteries become smaller, longer lasting and faster to charge
* Integrated sensors might allow us to learn more about the environment around us, empowering us to make better choices

With this thing called nanoscale technologies, it would bring lots of changes to the world market:-
* Nanotechnology enables materials and components that are flexible, stretchable, transparent and remarkably strong

* Nanostructured surfaces, such as “Nanoflowers” naturally repel water, dirt, and even fingerprints

* Nanotechnology holds out the possibility that the surface of a device will become a natural source of energy via a covering of “Nanograss” structures that harvest solar power

* Nanosensors would empower users to examine the environment around them in completely new ways, from analyzing air pollution, to gaining insight into bio-chemical traces and processes.

If you didn't understand a single point written above, never mind, neither do I. Just read for extra knowledge then. Check it out further when the phone is in Malaysian market. Could be long long long time to come!
Tags: Nokia, Morph, Stretchable, Mobile Phone, Handphone, Cell Phone, Telecommunication Gadget, Nanoscale Technologies, Nanotechnology, University of Cambridge, Nanoscience Centre, Nanostructured Surfaces, Nanoflowers, Nanosensors, Nanograss

Capsule Speakers

This mini capsule speaker, called X-mini, found in Singapore is a small gadget which could be hooked onto your laptop/pc produced by XMI Pte Ltd.

Would be fun to test its power.











It will be released by end Feb 2008. Looks very cute and saves space too.No price indication yet.

Somehow Singapore is producing excellent multimedia peripherals for laptop/pc market with Creative Technology Ltd leading the pack.

Reading: Double the goodness with X-mini Capsule Speaker Gen2 - Asia CNET
Tags: Mini Capsule, Speakers, Multimedia, X-Mini, XMI Pte Ltd, Singapore, Creative Technology Ltd

Fake and Original Memory Cards

It's not easy to detect a fake memory card, neither is it easy to differentiate it if both fake and genuine cards were given to you. Industry players are at times caught with having received such goods too.

Even tho the fake memory cards could still function when you insert it into your mobile phone, PDA or camera, it will not last long as it's of inferior quality. Moreover such cards do not have warranty. Imagine storing everything important video, pictures or documents and suddenly it went kaput.SanDisk - fake memory card has faded red colour of its brand name. Some of the fake cards do not have serial numbers.Fake card's packaging - hologram is not there.Poor printing quality and alignment of label.

Tags: Memory Card, Fake Memory Card, Memory Stick ProDuo, Sony, SanDisk

Most Expensive Game Boy

World's most expensive Game Boy gadget has been made available now. And this limited edition has loaded the Mario Brothers classic.

The uniqueness of this edition is that it's made of 18k gold with pave diamonds being part of the casing as well. It weighs 27 ounces.

The price - £12,500… you wouldn't want to press hard on those buttons then even though your game character is dying anytime.
Tags: Game Boy, Mario Brothers, Most Expensive Game Boy

Voodoo Could Download Movies????

USA will see a solution for movie buffs (I'm one of them) who has no time to go to the cinema to watch the latest movies. A tv set-top box called Vudu (weird name which is almost similar to voodoo - witchcraft related name.....eerie). Of all names.

The gadget which has a 250 gigabytes harddisk could allow you to download and store up to 100 movies at any one time. In USA, the charge per movie download could be around US$2 to US$4. That's so much cheaper in going for a movie at the cinema.

When we go for a movie, we pay for the car park, definitely will dabble into some meals beforehand, get the tickets, some titbits during the movie and then a drink after the movie. Altogether may cost a bomb and if you were to do it often, there will be a huge dent in your wallet/purse.

Only one setback if it was to be released in Malaysia. Our broadband service is tethered to a certain extent. Frequent disconnection or slow downloading speed may not favour this Vudi gadget which required dedicated DSL line.

While watching a downloaded movie, another movie could be downloaded at the same time and you could download movies from other Vudu users too. Not bad. I want it. Back in Sudan, I have been watching all movies (up to date) but since back in Kuala Lumpur, somehow I have lost time for it.

Reading: High Speed Video Store in the Living Room - New York Times
Reading: Vudu TV Set-Top Box: 5,000 movies, Instantly - Yahoo! Tech
Tags: Vudu, TV Set-Top Box, Video, Movie Download, Movies

Status Symbol

MP3 players and mobile phones are fast becoming status symbols. Some people will go to the extent of owning a gadget with unique add-ons so that it will stand out amongst others' gadgets even though it's the same model.

YP-Z5F: All that bling
TrekStor i.Beat: The ultimate MP3 bling
Musical hit and run
When iPods and diamonds are a gal's best bud
Diamonds are forever
Sleek gold of phone
100-million-yen mobile phone strap
Vertu: Constellation of sparkles
Tags: MP3, Mobile Phone, Status Symbol, Gadget, Music

Nokia 6639

How real is this Nokia mobile phone?

Tags: Nokia, Nokia 6639, Mobile Phone, Camera, Lense

Lamborgini Coffee Maker

Tonino Lamborghini has produced a classic coffee machine to just 1,000 limited edition units. Not only can they produce excellent sports cars but this company has now produced the handbuilt machine. Why? Maybe as a gift to their car buyers?

When you purchase this coffee machine, you'll be presented with roasted coffee beans (prepared by them as well).

You could get this for your mom for the coming Mother's Day (if she likes coffee, of course). Selling price is 895 pounds (or around US$1750). That's if you bought it in Italy. (source: Winding Road)
Tags: Tonino Lamborghini, Coffee Machine, Coffee Maker, Limited Edition, Coffee

Naked Body Scanner

If you are travelling in USA, you might have to go through the body scanners in airports in their attempt to dampen the terrorists' ulterior motives in hijacking or exploding the airplanes mid-air. The Phoenix airport has started the usage of the body scanner and soon to be followed by both the Los Angeles and New York airports.

How will you look like on the screen while you are being scanned? TOTALLY NAKED of course but graphically only.

Transportation Security Administration ("TSA") has employed the backscatter x-ray machine to scan for ceramic knives, plastic guns, liquid explosives and drugs too where metal scanners could not detect. TSA is trying to modify the machine so that the sensitive body parts would be blurred and person who monitors the monitor screen could not see the actual person being scanned. Or the personnel manning the x-ray machine would not have access to the monitor screen. These personnels would communicate via phones if further searches were required.

The ACLU and the Electronic Privacy Information Center are both disputing the usage of this machine stating that it breaches privacy at the highest level and of course, exposure of your body as well.

Reading: Feds Want See-Through Security - CBS News

Reading: Digital Penetration - Slate

Tags: Travel, USA, Phoenix, Los Angeles, New York, Airport, Backscatter X-Ray, Transportation Security Administration, ACLU, Electronic Privacy Information Center, Naked

PDA TV Phone

The mobile phone is really having a revelation with more capabilities/features and thus, made me held on to my purchase of a good mobile phone.

Taiwan seems to be able to incubate lots telecommunication linked companies such as this Gigabyte Communication which has produce the PDA TV Phone. The TV features support the NTSC and PAL formats which means you can watch the TV shows while in Malaysia. The antenna is being plugged into the USB slot.

There 2 new models with the i128 retailing for RM2,099 while the i120 goes for RM2,299.

Tags: Mobile Phone, Technology, Gadgets, PDA Phone, TV, Gigabyte Communication, GSmart, Communication, Telecommunication, Taiwan

Nokia 8800 Sirocco

Nokia has teamed up with the Italian car maker Lamborghini for this limited edition 8800 Sirocco phone. The phone contains Lamborghini made ball bearings for the sliding mechanism and the logo is laser etched on the front and stainless steel casing along with the serial number. Only 500 phones will be made and they are reserved exclusively for Lamborghini customers.
Tags: Nokia, Lamborghini, 8800 Sirocco, Mobile Phone

Apple Launches iPhone

As previously blogged on 20 Nov 06 and with the on-going MacWorld Conference & Expo being held in San Francisco, Apple has announced the much speculated new mobile phone called the iPhone.

The iPhone will serve both as an iPod as well as 3G phone, somehow cramming a "3G" radio, iPod functionality, 2 megapixel digital camera and even a version of OS X into the phone-size package. No indication of its pricing yet. (Full specs)

Reading: Apple Officially Launches iPhone, Apple TV - PC Magazine
Reading: Macworld Expo: Jobs Unveils the iPhone - PC World
Tags: Apple, iPhone, MacWorld, MacWorld Conference & Expo, San Francisco, iPod, Technology, Smartphone, Launch, OS X, 3G, Wi-Fi

Dog Buns

What dog buns??? Well, it's a dog with buns at its side.

Dogbuns is actually a costume made just right for a dog. So now it's really a hot dog. Cute?

The costume was initially made one for their dog in an annual parade and the response/feedback was good. Hence, out came the website and had been selling hot online, custome made according to sizes.

It cost around US$50. Order yours and I’m sure your dog will hate you for it!
Tags: Gadgets, Funny, Dogbuns, Hot Dog

Floating Bed

Architect Janjaap Ruijssenaars spent the last six years working on the development of a magnetic floating bed. The bed simply floats in the air, above magnets, can carry up to 900 kilos and is held in place through four very thin tethers.

Of course, owning the ultimate babe magnet will not come cheap: the scale model alone costs 115,000 euros, while the real deal is expected to cost as much as 1,200,000 euros. Crazy or what? Maybe some people like to show off that they are too rich or having the latest gadget.

You can find out more about this Floating Bed in Universe Architecture.
Tags: Floating Bed, Janjaap Ruijssenaars, Floating Bed, Magnet, Universe Architecture

Beer Belly

If you are 1 of those alcoholics or beverage craze, you might be tempted to buy this stuff for your personal use. It will enable you to sneak in few pints of your favourite drink into a cinema hall or even in a large conference (where there are many people to notice you).

It's called the Beerbelly.
Tags: Beerbelly, Beer, Beverage, Gadget, Drink

Flying Alarm Clock

Can't wake up on time each morning? Or unable to wake up even with the alarm clock sounding at the highest decibel?
By getting this Flying Alarm Clock, you'll have to get up when this little baby starts, because it takes off and flies round the room, making a really annoying noise like a mosquito, so you'll have to find it first, before you can turn it off.

Even if you hit the snooze button, it will take off again, so it will undoubtedly get you out of bed, though of course it might smash the place up a bit before you catch it, and if you sleep with the windows open you might find yourself running round the garden in your jimjams (no way to wake up) and may frighten the neighbourhood dogs.
Tags: Alarm Clock

Latest Gadget That Baffles You

Click this website to see the latest gadget being used to present a lecture on physics. You will be dumbfounded by it. I guarantee it. Future teaching methods.

http://www.bulletinboardforum.com/worksafe.php?vid=NZNTgglPbUA

Tags: Gadget, Lecture, Physics, Technology