VW: Multi-media integration one step ahead

Here is a nice video of VW's "Gypsy" concept bringing multi media-car integration to the next generation.

The Gypsy concept uses a PC platform as the integrating device for a variety of in-car functions, ranging from audio entertainment to navigation with Google Earth.

While the demo shows off the ease with which a Gypsy-equipped Passat interfaces with iPods and SmartPhones, perhaps the most interesting aspect of the design is its "extensibility," software engineering-speak for the ability to add new functions to the system. Vw's Gypsy adds new functionality by simply installing (by wireless download, for example) software plug-ins called widgets.

So there really is a PC (why not a Mac if they call their software plug-ins like those on Mac OS Tiger?) in the car's dashboard with a slot for your iPod to be inserted and fully controlled via the screen in the dashboard.
Looking forward to see this in the VW group's premium cars from Bavaria...

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Apple, iPod, VW, multi media

Source: CNET via Autoblog

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GPS: Pioneer brings Bluetooth and iPod connectivity

More and more features in one system:

Pioneer's AVIC-X1BT SatNav System offers both Bluetooth and iPod connectivity. That means you can control your Bluetooth-connected cellphone via the touch-panel display, including accessing the phone book and dialing from memory. Looks like more and more navigation systems offer MP3 support, ensuring you are entertained even though you have lost your way. Expect the AVIC-X1BT to ship this month. Check out the features after the jump.

* Map Coverage for 26 European countries
* Advanced search, (re-)routing and guidance functions
* 6 view modes (including Driver's View and Vehicle Dynamics Mode)
* Built-in RDS-TMC tuner for real-time traffic re-routing
* DVD-Video/CD/CD-R/CD-RW/MP3 playback
* Fully motorized touch panel display

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Apple, iPod, Pioneer, Bluetooth, GPS

Source: Ubergizmo

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HD radio: Coming to your car

Read here about the next generation radio for your car:

Video may have killed the radio star, but AM and FM radio stations are not yielding to the satellite challenge without a fight.

Even as Sirius Satellite Radio and XM Satellite Radio strive to convince consumers to pay for a service they have received for free since its inception, the nation's broadcast radio stations are rolling out new digital technology that delivers better audio quality, less interference and a host of new features.

Twenty-three Detroit-area radio stations already offer the new technology, known as HD radio, and the industry is lobbying aggressively to get automakers to offer HD radios in their cars and trucks.

So far, BMW AG is the only one that does, but eight more automakers are planning to offer HD radios on 36 models over the next couple of years. And while the number of HD radios in use today is in the tens of thousands, it is expected to grow to 1 million by the end of the year, according to iBiquity Digital, the company that is developing and licensing HD radio technology.
That's still a sliver of the 100 million radios sold annually and the 900 million to 1 billion radios in use today. But HD radio promoters remain confident it will grow in appeal, much like high-definition television is taking root.

"It's well under way," iBiquity CEO Bob Struble told the Automotive Press Association in Detroit on Tuesday. "We've got vehicles out there. We've got products out there."

The Federal Communications Commission approved the rollout of HD radio in 2002. More than 3,000 radio stations have announced plans to convert to HD broadcasts over the next couple of years. Hundreds already have.
The nation's largest radio companies have formed an alliance to develop and promote the technology. They plan to spend $200 million to advertise HD radio on radio stations this year, making HD radio the single largest radio
advertiser in the United States.
HD radio also promises to revive the AM spectrum, which has long languished as a victim of poor, monotone-only sound. Digital AM stations can broadcast in stereo with FM-quality audio. A unique feature of HD radio is multicasting, which allows broadcasters to transmit multiple audio streams over the same frequency. That means radio stations can simultaneously broadcast several programs.
Some Detroit stations are already doing just that. For example, WNIC broadcasts a second HD channel on the same frequency that plays nothing but love songs.
HD receivers also can work with vehicle navigation systems to allow traffic accidents and other hazards to be displayed on screen in real time. Second-generation systems will allow listeners to record and rewind radio programs, retrieve more in-depth information and even make purchases with their radios.
"There's no better place to make an impulse purchase than when you're stuck in traffic," Struble said.

Visteon Corp. was the first company to produce an in-car HD radio receiver. It supplies BMW and has inked deals to supply other automakers. "We're in a good position," said Visteon technical fellow Bill Whikehart. "Things are really accelerating."
Visteon forged an alliance with iBiquity in 1999 to help bring HD radio to the world. In fact, it developed a key component of the technology, which it now licenses to other manufacturers. But Visteon also produces satellite
receivers for both Sirius and XM.

"We view the HD and the satellite as complimentary," Whikehart said.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, HD radio

Source: The Detroit News

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GPS: Value-for-money device from Packard Bell

For a very good price of below £200 comes Packard Bell's GPS 400 with great extras.

Its customised Destinator software offers both 2D & 3D views, voice guided directions, dynamic routing (with near instant re-routing), plenty of points of view options, and operates in pedestrian and car mode equally well. With an MP3 player and photo viewer thrown in, this budget package offers exceptional value. Unfortunately, the short 3 hour plus battery life when using GPS could prove a hindrance to potential buyers.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, GPS

Source: Ubergizmo

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MP3: Sony revolutionises portable car MP3

As you know, we like cars and we like gadgets. So usually we should love Sony's new MEX1G, but somehow we are not convinced. We would prefer to use the iPod or even better Sony's PSP.

Unlike Sony's previous storage head unit, the 10GB MEX-1HD which could only rip MP3s directly onto the drive, the MEX1G has a removeable face-plate with a USB port. It works just like an external drive and doesn't require any additional software - meaning you can simply drag-and-drop up to 500 MP3s or WMAs directly onto the device.

"Sony has created a simple alternative to moving music from home to the car. A CD head unit, flash storage device and digital audio player hub, the is truly an all-in-one car entertainment device," said Nick Wilson, car entertainment product manager at Sony Australia.

There are eleven units in the range, beginning with the CDXGT150S at $249 with a 45W x 4 amplifier, and culminating in the $799 MEX1G.

The entire range includes 24-bit D/A conversion, auxiliary-input for portable players (except MEX1G), switchable subwoofer outputs, 52W x 4 S-MOSFET amplifier, and a 3-band equaliser button.

Sony has also designed its own processor, named BBE MP (Minimised Polynomial Non-Linear Saturation), which replicates the missing frequencies from MP3s, which Sony claims increases warmth and clarity.

"With music collections growing beyond the wildest dreams of previous generations, managing those libraries has become atime-consuming concern for many customers", Wilson said.

"With the introduction of the 2006 Sony Car Entertainment range, transferring your favourite tunes from a home, PC or digital audio device is a simple and quick process. To make this possible, Sony has focused on extending options with three distinct music format CODECS and front or rear auxiliary-in on the head unit", he said.

The Sony car stereo head unit range will soon be extended to include USB and Bluetooth connections, Wilson added.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, MP3, Sony

Source: Smarthouse

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Audi: What is Vorsprung?

If you still have no clue what this site is about, watch this great video by Audi.
A must see!

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Vorsprung, Audi

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iPod: VW iPod interface (with remote control)

Somebody couldn't wait for the official VW iPod integration kit to be available, so he made his own small homebrew, even including a remote control!

This is the VWCDPIC with an iPod remote control cable. The cable was made by chopping off the cable of an iPod head phone wired remote control, then soldering it to a standard DB25M solder cup connector. The iPod-VW firmware is then used to convert commands from the head unit's buttons into remote control commands for the iPod.

Alternative Design

A similiar cable could be made to interface with the iPod's dock connector, but it is difficult to obtain bare dock connectors that you can solder your own cables to. Most off-the-shelf dock cables do not contain wires connecting to the iPod serial remote control pins. The advantage of using the dock port is that you get access to the iPod's battery charging pins, which could be connected to the optional power control board to recharge the iPod while used in the car (you should add a fuse to the yellow VW CD Changer cable for this application).

The iPod dock connector also has access to the iPod's line out signal, which might be useful. Some people find the iPod audio output to be low. We think they just need to set their iPod to higher volume setting or build the optional pre-amplifier module.

We haven't tried it, but it should also work for Audi cars.


Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, iPod, Apple, VW, Audi

Source: K9SPUD

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Parking: CarLoft - balcony parking at its best

Berlin is a trendy city, one of the most buzzy in the world. That's proven one more time by this great loft which is available with garden and garage on all floors.

One thing I absolutely abhor about apartment living is the long walk from my car to my apartment door. CarLoft is my solution. Imagine an entire apartment complex built around the concept of parking your car on your balcony and you have the basic idea.

A “CarLift” elevator takes you and your auto for a ride up to the penthouse (or less expensive lofts on lower floors) where you pull forward into the “CarLoggia”. A glass wall separates your elevated garage from your living quarters yet still allows for friends and family to appreciate your wheels.

Plans are underway to have CarLoft living spaces built in such European cities as Berlin, Frankfurt and Hamburg, among others. The lofts, which range in size from 2,411 sq ft to 5,802 sq ft, start at EUR 450,600 ($536,844 US).

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, CarLoft

Source: We make money not art, Engadget

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Side mirrors: An important part of car design

German magazine "Der Spiegel" has a great review of car side mirror design. A must see for all car enthusiasts and one of the most basic "gadgets" at all.
Let's see if you can guess the car attached to it.













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Source: Der Spiegel

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Headset: More wireless headsets from Sony Ericsson

Two of our favorite "gadget" brands in one pic! I love the Sony Ericsson mobile phones almost as much as Audi's cars. SE and Audi are the perfect match.

Sony Ericsson coupled the unveiling with a trio of new Bluetooth headsets. “These three excellent wireless headsets really allow our users to get more from their busy lives,” according to Corporate VP – Accessories, Ulf Persson.

The SE HBH-IV835 is hook-less, rather opting for a “push-in wearing solution”. You are given a choice of matte black, glossy black, and silver, and this headset comes complete with Digital Signal Processing for 3.5 hours of talk time, or up to 160 hours of standby. The HBH-IV835 will ship in the second quarter.

The ultra-light HBH-PV705 has 300 hours of standby and up to 12 hours of talk time. Weighing in at a mere 14 grams (0.49 ounces), the actual ear piece does not cover your ear canal. Hitting shelves in Q3, the HBH-PV705 is available in silver and sand.

The HBH-GV435 lets you chat away for about 8 hours, or up to 300 hours of standby. Like the IV835, this headset too sports DSP technology for crisp, clear sound and fast automatic volume adjustment. There is no visible boom on the HBH-GV435. Available in matte black, glossy black, and silver, this 18g (0.63 ounce) headset will start selling in early Q3.

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Source: Mobile Mag

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Foursprung: Bosch launches new tri-fuel injection system

That sounds like a cool concept from Bosch: on-the-fly switching between various sources to power your car.

With the future of automotive fuels a bit less certain, Bosch is hedging its bets and will offer a tri-fuel version of its NG-Motronic engine management system.

Operating on gasoline, natural gas, or ethanol, the system will allow on-the-fly switching between each of different fuel types. Natural gas appears to be an attractive alternative fuel in Europe and Asia, while the addition of the ethanol option is said to be driven primarily with a nod to Brazil's use of that fuel. Considering the United States' recent interest in ethanol, Bosch's timing on the introduction of this system looks to be quite fortunate.

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Source: Autoblog

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iPod: New player in car accessories game

Belkin is developing a car dock and charger for Apple's iPod. Being plugged into the cigarette lighter to power and charge your music player while an RF transmitter sends the audio over the car's audio system is nothing new. The
only thing is that Belkin is new to this game that is dominated by other player like Griffin. So we will see if they release their device and what this will mean to the market.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Apple, iPod, MP3

Source: Gizmodo

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Hydrogen: Mazda starts leasing rotary hydrogen vehicles

And the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE will be the first of it.

Mazda Motor Corporation received permission from Japan's Ministry of Land Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) on February 10, 2006, to begin leasing the RX-8 Hydrogen RE to its first two corporate customers. These vehicles, equipped with a rotary engine, feature a dual-fuel system that allows the driver to select either hydrogen or gasoline with the flick of a switch. Mazda has started limited leasing of the vehicles and today concluded leases with two energy-related companies, marking the first lease contracts of a hydrogen-powered rotary engine equipped vehicle in the world. Delivery of the vehicles is scheduled to take place in late March 2006.

Employing a dual-fuel system, the Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE can run on either high-pressure hydrogen gas or gasoline. This combination offers excellent convenience because it can be driven in remote areas where hydrogen fueling stations are not readily available, easing driver concerns about running out of fuel. In addition, this system boasts great environmental friendliness--zero emission of carbon dioxide (CO2) gas and near zero nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission when fueled by hydrogen--together with the natural driving feel of an internal combustion engine. It uses engine parts and production facilities that already exist in Mazda's inventory, so this innovative engine can be built with a high degree of reliability at a relatively low cost. The standard monthly lease price is 420,000 yen with tax included (400,000 yen/month without tax) which is almost half the monthly lease price of a fuel cell vehicle already available in Japan.

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Source: Mazda

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Audi Q7: Downhill Assist Animation

Part of the media distributed during the release of the Q7, this animation shows the Downhill Assist function of the SUV's ESP system. Pushing the ESP deactivation button while in Off-Road mode on the car's air suspension will activate the Downhill Assist function.

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GPS: New Panasonic device with digital TV

Panasonic comes with with two new Strada models integrating in-car multi media device with GPS functionality. A third device from this series is also a nice in-car entertainment but comes without GPS.

The GPS models, the CN-DS120D (above) and CN-D050D, both have 7-inch screens and DVD drives. On the DS120D, the DVD drive can also be used to watch movies, and the model also includes an SD slot, presumably so you can toggle
back and forth between a film and GPS data without having to swap discs. The unit also includes a digital TV tuner (for Japanese terrestrial digital TV).
If you just want to watch TV while you drive (and that's your prerogative, as long as we don't have to share the road with you), the TU-DTV20 is a standalone digital tuner that can be paired with a matching 7-inch display.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, GPS, multi media, DVD, TV

Source: Engadget

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Hybrid: HyMotion's PHEV battery lets you plug in your hybrid

A pluggable battery for your hybrid. Nice idea somehow. But until the hybrid is widely available with a good enough mileage and price, we prefer to drive diesel, it's cheaper and comes with a better mileage.

This groundbreaking technology moves the Hybrid industry into the next level. The PHEV (Plugin Hybrid Electric Vehicle) will now be even more fuel efficient and easier to use.

The Hymotion PHEV has an additional battery system that can be recharged by plugging it into a regular household electrical outlet. This extra battery system in turn, allow the hybrid car to travel longer distance solely on battery power, while still allowing it to operate as a normal hybrid car. Therefore, PHEV is a pure electric and zero-emission car for your local travel.

What does this mean for the future? A production hybrid gets about double the fuel economy of a conventional car; A Hymotion Plug-in hybrid will get again about double the fuel economy of a hybrid. While conventional Hybrid obtains its energy from gasoline, the Hymotion PHEV acquires most its energy from the electric grid during off peak hours.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Hybrid

Source: EV World

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Road safety: Europe wants to raise IQ of cars for safer roads

Oh no, another regulation by the European government. Without a doubt we should increase the road safety, but can we really handle it with another regulation from Brussels? I don't think so.

The European Commission (EC) put its weight behind high-tech ways to improve auto safety in launching its Intelligent Car Initiative, although it is more lip service than actual investment since the EC is giving very little money to manufacturers to pay for the project.

The Wall Street Journal reports that the EC has published results of a study showing that 4,000 accidents per year could be prevented in Europe if just 3 percent of cars on European roads had high-tech accident prevention technology. Among the solutions would be laser systems that can sense road obstacles and ensure adequate braking to avoid accidents, as well as traffic warning and awakeness-alert systems in cars, the EC said.

However, the paper notes that the EC is giving little money to manufacturers to help them incorporate the high-tech safety features; instead, the commission is trying to "raise awareness" in the hope that "consumer demand will be stimulated."

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Road safety

Source: Inside Line

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GPS: TomTom with iPod control

Very nice idea of integration: iPod control for your TomTom satellite navigation device. That's the kind of integration I want to see. Of course there are GPS devices that are capable of MP3 playing but finally there is nothing but Apple's beautiful media device. That's want I want to keep with me and that's what I want to have integrated to my car. So the combination with my TomTom seems the perfect symbiosis.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, GPS, Apple, iPod, MP3

Source: Ubergizmo

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DSG: Stick Shift RIP

We found a great article about the Audi's DSG transmission, heating the debate of automatic transmission vs. manual. But the DSG is not an ordinary automatic transmission, it's much more!

If you were going to invent a way to control an automobile, you wouldn’t ask the average driver to develop the skill and coordination of a church organist. Note I said “average.” As far as hardcore automotive enthusiasts and skilled pipe organ players are concerned, there’s nothing more natural or satisfying than making beautiful music with a sublime dance of hands and feet. Yes, well, the average person would rather drive an automatic and download an iTune. Pistonheads and pipe worshippers may sneer, but if the majority of humans didn’t take the path of least resistance our species would still be stuck in the trees. Meanwhile, just as digital sound has invaded God’s house and rocked the organist’s world, Audi’s DSG transmission is here and tripedalists are toast.

The direct shift gearbox (DSG) features two wet plate clutches: one engages the odd-numbered gears, the second the even-numbered gears. When the first clutch is putting down the power, a computer readies the second clutch to engage the next gear (pre-selected according to engine revs and speed). When the driver bangs the paddle for another gear or the automatic calls for another cog, the first clutch is released and the second engages. Gear shifts are fast, smooth and accurate; both up and down the ratios. The DSG’s computer-- complete with 12 sensors-- stands guard against “inappropriate” gear selection; an over-twitchy paddle shifter can’t stall or blow up the engine.

It will be some time before this issue plays out, but the stickshifters will lose. Once they get behind the wheel of a DSG-equipped machine like the new Audi A3 or the VW R32, even the hardiest of these manual transmission diehards will understand the system’s clear superiority; in terms of speed, safety and, most importantly of all, enjoyment. Eventually, the tide will turn.

DSG = 100% Foursprung!

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, DSG

Source: The Truth About Cars

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GPS: Signal over IP

There are trends in technology. One of them is transmit any content via IP connections. Voice over IP (telephony over internet) makes sense from my point of view as this usually is cheaper for long-distance calls than using the land line or mobile phone.
Now there is GPS over IP.

This technology provides geographical coordinates via the Internet, sending data in a compressed form that allows "live" tracking on any Internet-ready PC or laptop using GPSoverIP. This technology can be incorporated in
clothes, cellphones, MP3 players, and even microphones.

Does that really make sense? Yes, I know, a GPS receiver cost some money. But compared to the current cost of a mobile data (IP) connection it becomes cheaper very fast. And using GPS navigation at home - where internet connection is cheap - does not really make sense, does it?


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Source: Ubergizmo

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Nissan: Now coming with Adaptive Cruise Control

Now also Nissan comes with an electronic system that helps drivers control the distance between themselves and the vehicle in front.

The system is able to determine the distance to the car in front, as well as the relative speed of both cars, using a radar sensor in the front bumper. If the driver releases the accelerator pedal or is not pressing the accelerator pedal, the system automatically applies the brakes. If the system determines that braking is required, an indicator will appear on the instrument panel and a buzzer will sound simultaneously. The accelerator pedal then automatically moves upwards to assist the driver in switching to the brakes. The new system is especially useful in heavy traffic when
frequent braking is required.
The Distance Control Assist System is the latest innovation developed under Nissan's Safety Shield concept, and accident prevention and management approach based on the idea of "vehicles that help protect people".

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Nissan, Adaptive Cruise Control

Source: Gizmag

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Audi Q7: Brake Wipe Assist Animation

Part of the media distributed during the release of the Q7, this animation shows the Brake Wipe Assist function in an animation where the braking system is used to clean the rotors of excess water.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Audi Q7

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Hydrogen: Bioengineered algae bringing hydrogen fuel-cells closer?

Maybe somebody found a way to some open questions with hydrogen for cars.

While most car manufacturers believe that hydrogen fuel cells are the long-term solution to reducing petroleum consumption and automotive air pollution, a number of problems remain unsolved at present. Two of the biggest are how to produce hydrogen efficiently, and how to store it in a vehicle.

Researchers at the University of California at Berkeley have engineered a strain of pond scum that could, with further refinements, produce vast amounts of hydrogen through photosynthesis.

"An increase in solar conversion efficiency to 10 percent ... is thought to be enough to make the mass culture of algae viable," says Juergen Polle, a former student of Melis’ who now does research on algae at the City University of New York, Brooklyn.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Hydrogen

Source: Autoblog, Wired

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In-Car Entertainment: All-format device from Clarion

Are you one of those (like me) fans of Sony's good old MiniDisc? Looking for a smooth migration in multi media to the 21st century?

There is help on the way. Clarion's MAX960HD in-car entertainment system is DVD/CD player with 7-inch touchscreen that also features AM/FM, a TV receiver, and MP3/WMA playback via the SD and MemoryStick slots.

As if that weren't enough swag to keep you occupied, this entertainment system will also let you play all those MiniDiscs you have lying around, and even sports a hard drive for recording OTA radio broadcasts.

This should come for $2.350 in June - at least in Japan...

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, DVD, multi media, MP3, TV, MiniDisc

Source: Engadget

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Audi Q7: Side Assist Animation

Part of the media distributed during the release of the Q7, this animation shows the Q7's Side Assist feature.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Audi Q7

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Car audio: Sony finally with bluetooth integration

Sony did it. Finally they jumped on the Bluetooth train in the car audio market. THE MEX-BT5000 has an integrated microphone and can connect to your Bluetooth enabled mobile device. Additionally to just making phone phone
calls via the Bluetooth integration the device can also stream digital music from your mobile device and access your contacts database.
The rest of the features is more or less standard: MP3 playing and CD changer control.
But look at this great design!!

Unfortunately there is not a word on pricing or availability.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, car audio, Bluetooth

Source: Gizmodo

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GPS: Six new devices from Mio for any requirements

Mio launched new GPS devices. The series of six new models covers the complete band of needs and users from entry models to high-end devices.

The new range includes models with integrated Traffic Message Channel (TMC) service, speed camera alerts, navigation to Outlook contacts and Bluetooth hands-free calling as well as the latest 20 channel SiRFstar III GPS
receiver. The new range also sees the launch of Mio Map version 3.

The flagship model is the Mio A701, a phone, office and sat-nav in the palm of your hand. The phone is a fully-functional tri-band/GPRS Windows PDA phone with a 2.7-inch TFT touch screen, Bluetooth and a 1.3 megapixel camera alongside the SiRFstar III GPS receiver.

Specs include a 520MHz Intel processor, 192MB of internal memory with expansion to 2GB with standard SD or MMC memory cards, 4 hours talktime, up to 200 hours standby, simultaneous calling and navigation with MioMap v2,
one touch calling of points of interest (restaurants, cinemas etc.) and for the geeks out there the ability to text GPS co-ordinates. The Mio A701 with cost £649 and be available in March.

The Mio C710 features maps of 24 European countries pre-installed on the internal 2GB flash memory while, cross-border route planning and navigation, integrated TMC receiver, MP3 player, Photo viewer and
distance/weight/currency converter/calculator and built-in Bluetooth.

The C510E will offer maps of one region and major roads of Europe pre-installed on internal memory; package contains maps of 24 European countries on DVD, optional TMC receiver accessory, and built-in Bluetooth.

The Mio C210 comes with the SiRFstar III GPS receiver, a 400MHz processor and touch screen destination entry and is the company's entry level device.
Maps of one region and major roads of Europe preinstalled on internal flash memory of 512MB.

Based on the A201, the company has launched two new PDA products; the Mio P550/P350. The P550 includes Wi-Fi connectivity and Skype pre-installed, while both feature Bluetooth. Like the other models in the range both feature a 400Mhz processor and the SiRFstar III GPS receiver.

The Mio P550 and Mio P350 are available in April and will cost £369 and £269 respectively.

The Mio C210, Mio C710 and Mio C510E will be available in May and cost £299, £549 and £399 respectively.

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Source: Pocket-Lint

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GPS: TomTom Buddies lets you track your friends on the road

It might seem a little bit like "Big Brother is watching you" but in my opinion it's really a cool feature what TomTom presented now: keep track of your friends with your TomTom GPS.

Once you add a Buddy, you can track each other in realtime, share points of interest and send instant messages (though we really hope you don't do a whole lot of IMing behind the wheel). And if you need a little privacy as you roll into Chi-town, you can hide your twenty and tell your good buddies they can catch you on the flip-flop.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, GPS

Source: Engadget

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Audi Q7: Active Cruise Control (ACC) Plus Animation

Part of the media distributed during the release of the Q7, this animation shows a demonstration of the Q7's Active Cruise Control Plus system.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Audi Q7

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USB: New car stereos from Kenwood connecting to USB devices

Kenwood presented four new car stereos enabled for playing digital music in MP3, WMA and AAC format.
The models are the U717, U515, DPX-UO99 and DPX-UO77 do also have an USB port for access your digital music also from a storage device with this port like USB flash drives and other MP3 players.
Currently it is not known if a MP3 player not giving direct access to the file system of the storage working via this port. If not it would not be a good solution because world's most popular MP3 player - Apple's iPod - is working this way.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Apple, iPod, MP3, USB, car stereo

Source: Gizmodo

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iPod: Long-awaited VW iPod adapter now available!

Guys, the wait is over.

1stvwparts.com now has the VW iPod adapter in stock. Specially designed to work with Volkswagen radios, it is now easier than ever to bring your digital music collection with you in your Volkswagen vehicle with this iPod adapter kit. The kit mounts to the back of the vehicle radio, and allows you to safely store your iPod in the glove box away from prying eyes, while controlling your music and iPod functions through your Volkswagen radio controls. The iPod adapter also allows you to conveniently charge your iPod.

You can select what you want to hear (up to five play lists) when you want to hear it (custom shuffle) and do it all through the audio controls on your radio or steering wheel. With the iPod connected to the glove box adapter, your VW's audio system becomes the custom amplifier every iPod owner wishes they had.

The VW iPod adapter is compatible with the iPod, iPod nano, iPod shuffle, iPod photo, and iPod mini.

We have them in stock. Your price is $133.60 plus shipping.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, iPod, Apple

Source: VWvortex

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GPS: Navigon comes with changeable faceplate

Are you tired of boring designs of mobile satellite navigation systems? Or are you on of those changing the cover of your cell phone and think about a sat-nav system?
Then Navigon's V30 might be the right choice for you.
In addition to offering advanced voice command, a speed limit warning (in audio and visual cues), clear voice guidance with loudspeaker, a li-ion battery, and remote control it provides a vibrant new look for the most style-conscious of drivers. All that for £279.

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Source: Ubergizmo

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Audi Q7: Rear camera parktronic angle park demonstration animation

This animation shows the Q7's Rear Camera and Parktronic operating in an angled parking demonstration.

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Foursprung: PSPimp your ride!

We reported on several gadgets to be integrated n your car: iPod, GPS devices and other devices.
Now our sibling blog "Living PSP" from the P4MR network reports about a new trend of gadget-car-integration: Sony's portable multi media console PSP integrated in your car!
Now that Sony announced GPS functionality for the PSP it makes even more sense.

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Source: Living PSP

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GPS: Navigation with 3D map display

Siemens' automotive branch Siemens VDO developed the future of navigation system displaying true-to-life images of entire streets and intersections. This should make it easier for drivers to find their destinations even in unfamiliar urban areas.

This new navigation system from Siemens VDO Automotive displays different levels at highway interchanges. To ensure better orientation in cities, digitized images of eye-catching structures will be integrated into the system.

Siemens said that with just the push of a button, users will also be able to call up on their displays tourist information, such as the opening times, admission prices and telephone numbers of museums, theaters and other attractions. By the planned start of mass production, this information service will cover 100 of the largest cities in Europe.

Regarding the large volumes of data, the system runs from a hard disk. Superimposition of four different digital maps makes this three-dimensional navigation possible. The basis is formed by a digital terrain model that gives the gradient of the land with its high and low points. Superimposed over this model are digitized satellite photos. Another layer consists of digitalized 3D-buildings and contours of buildings, which the system uses to generate three-dimensional views of cities. Finally, a digital street map, like today's navigation maps, completes the picture.

The system will even cater to drivers of off-road vehicles. The terrain model also displays areas away from the main road network, so the system can calculate routes through wooded areas and fields. The navigation process automatically takes this data into account for cross-country drives. An advanced version of the system is already in the planning stages. Soon, a camera installed on a vehicle's front will record and digitize images of traffic lights and traffic signs, which will appear in synchronization in the navigation display.

The system will be launched on the market in mid 2008.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, GPS, navigationdisplay

Source: NaviGadget

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Bluetooth: In-car bluetooth phone kits

If you want to use your mobile phone behind the wheel, a hands-free kit is essential. But which unit rings our bell?

It might be good to talk, but not when holding your mobile and driving. And while tariffs vary, no one charges £30 for a quick chat, which is the fine for using a phone behind the wheel. Add a few penalty points and a hands-free kit is a good idea.

A Bluetooth wireless version is the best option, and there are plenty of examples to choose from. All of the units tested here are portable, so there's no excuse for not using one. But which is the best buy? We put these 14 best-sellers through a real-life, on-the-road test to find out.

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Source: AutoExpress

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Hybrid: Hymotion plug-in kits for Toyota Prius and Escape hybrid

Toronto-based Hymotion has unveiled unique plug-in kits for the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape Hybrid that it will initially be selling only to fleet customers.

Toronto-based Hymotion has introduced plug-in hybrid (PHEV) upgrade kits for the Toyota Prius and Ford Escape hybrids at the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto. The PHEV kits are based on a supplementary lithium-ion battery system that can be recharged by plugging it into a regular household electrical outlet.

The company says that other systems are under development for the Lexus RX400h, Toyota Highlander and Toyota Camry Hybrid.

Hymotion's PHEV kit supplements the vehicle's original NiMH battery system with its own Li-ion system that serves as the plug-in energy store. The PHEV system recharges from the engine and regenerative braking during operation, and from the power grid when the vehicle is parked and plugged in. Once the PHEV battery is depleted, the vehicle resumes normal operation using the factory battery. The additional Li-ion battery pack does not change the basic operation of the vehicle; all-electric operation on the Prius is still limited to low speeds.

The company is initially targeting fleet buyers, with a price on the L5 Prius kit of $9,500 each for orders greater than 100 units, and $6,500 each for orders over 1,000 units. Pricing for the Ford Escape kit (which will also work on the U.S.-market Mercury Mariner) has not been established, although the company says that since it is 2.5 times more powerful than the Prius system, "a very high price tag will be expected." The company says it is also making the system available only to fleet customers because it needs more durability test miles before its release to consumers.

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Source: Autoblog

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GPS: Sony PSP will receive GPS receiver in autumn!

Our friends from "Living PSP" have been very fast in posting the news that Sony's PSP will receive a GPS receiver in autumn.
This is a long-awaited enhancement, finally approved by Sony. The screen of the PSP is a perfect match for such solutions.

Combine that with the PSP car mount and the perfect car entertainment system is ready to go.

Great, we can't wait to get our hands on it!

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Living PSP, PSP, Sony, Playstation, Playstation Portable, GPS

Source: Living PSP

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GPS: Don't GPS and drive!

Looks like you might have to add using your GPS to the list of things that the experts tell you not to do while driving. According to a new study, using GPS while behind the wheel is actually more distracting and less safe than unfolding a paper map and using it to find your way.

Fiddling around with in-car satellite navigation systems is causing motorists to lose concentration on the road, according to a survey on Tuesday.

The new technology, rather than helping motorists, could be even more distracting than trying to read a map at the wheel, it added.

One in 10 motorists with navigation systems set off on their journeys without bothering to programme their route, and more than half admitted they had then had to take their eyes off the road to input the details whilst driving.

Nearly one in eight did not even bother to check out a route they were unfamiliar with and simply relied on the technology to get them to their destination.

In addition, almost one in four motorists said they had read maps while driving although research suggested that this might not be quite so distracting.

The survey of almost 2,000 people by Privilege Insurance found 19 percent of drivers who used their navigation system lost concentration compared to 17 percent reading a map.

The survey said most motorists who used either resource while driving would take their eyes off the road for 10 seconds, which at 60 mph, would equate to travelling twice the length of a football pitch.

"Our research shows even satellite navigation equipment, if used incorrectly, can lead to driver danger," said Ian Parker, Privilege's managing director.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, GPS, Navigation

Source: Reuters

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Foursprung: Car controllers evolve

The more electronic gadgets a car contains the more difficult it becomes to take control about all the functions. Read here about different approaches from different car makers to take control over electronics.

A shiny aluminum knob less than 2 inches high is an unlikely lightning rod, unless you're talking about the BMW iDrive cockpit controller. The iDrive became a metaphor for all that's been unworkable in technology-centric cars of the past decade. But the cockpit controller is here to stay. iDrive competitors are coming to market, improving the genre and even forcing the iDrive to evolve.
The concept behind the cockpit controller is simple: One control wheel and an LCD take the place of the several dozen knobs and dials that clutter dashboards. Since the early 1990s, most commercial airplanes adopted this type of "glass cockpit," reducing the number of switches and the complexity faced by pilots. And automakers often think of their cabins as grounded aircraft cockpits -- BMW's blue-and-white logo, for example, is patterned on a spinning airplane propeller. So BMW introduced the first car controller, the flawed iDrive, and is now hard at work on a follow-up.


The problem with the first iDrive, beyond the cool-looking but slippery controller knob, was that it went too far in removing dashboard switches and relied too much on the controller. People want to switch from FM to CD with one button, not three layers down in a menu. Audi, Infiniti, and now Mercedes have created cockpit controllers that do a better job than BMW's, in part because they learned from the iDrive's shortcomings.
With the initial iDrive in the BMW 7 Series (in 2001), you had to slide the controller in one of eight compass directions to make your initial selection, turn, and then click. That made for a confusing number of choices: The learning curve took weeks or months. The newer iDrive has just four directions: Communication, Navigation, Entertainment, Climate. Recently, BMW has been running focus groups to test concepts that sound more like Audi and Infiniti's approach: adding task or pre-fetch buttons.
Audi's MMI (multimedia interface, shown at left) was a big step forward. The Audi control knob isn't quite as showy as the iDrive, but it's easier to grip and has eight task buttons around the controller: Radio, CD, Net (communications but not Web browsing, sorry), Tel, Nav, Info, Car, and Setup. You just press one of the eight buttons and then fine-tune your choices with the control knob.
Infiniti's wonderful M45 (below right) has the same kinds of task buttons, except that the control knob and buttons are mounted on a slope on the dash, giving you a place to rest your palm. Palm rests are an excellent addition to these types of controllers. If only Chrysler and Ford had added one to the system control stick that juts from the dash on some of their models. Mercedes got it right, with the gorgeous controller palm rest in its new S-Class vehicles.
I find Audi's MMI preferable to Infiniti's busy layout. The Audi gear has some brilliant touches. Need silence suddenly? Slap your palm anywhere to the left of the MMI controller and quickly mute the sound. A nifty roller control on the steering wheel provides fast access to more precise volume control.
Buttons aside, though, the cockpit controller is your primary path into the cockpit LCD. Here the Infiniti outclasses both Audi and BMW. Most cars move just a handful of functions to the LCD, but the Infiniti moves virtually everything. Better still, the most common screen you'll use while driving neatly integrates navigation, audio, climate control, and phone information. Sheer brilliance.
What else is needed? Sun-blocking hoods above those LCD screens. More LCD screens to replace the discrete gauges on the dashboard. And how about online help? Embed a short form of the owner's manual, along with any quick-start guides (such as how to start and stop a hybrid car) into the online systems. Put a help key next to the LCD screen. And perhaps a start-up tutorial that teaches you how to use the cockpit controller. Perhaps with a little more online help for drivers, BMW's first iDrive might not have been such a disaster.

Is it any wonder that the Audi MMI is preferred?

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Source: Technoride

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Hybrid: New Air-Hybrid engine promising more fuel efficiency

The Scuderi Group promises the world's most fuel efficient internal combustion engine by developing a new Air-Hybrid Engine allowing diesel and gasoline automobiles, commercial vehicles and other applications powered by internal combustion engines to be 60 percent fuel efficient (compared to today's 33 percent), reduce toxic emissions by 80 percent, while making it easier and less expensive to incorporate the technology into today's automobile manufacturing process.

"Consumers are demanding better fuel efficiency in their vehicles and less dependence on foreign oil. And we believe the investment community has identified our technology as being poised to meet this demand, especially as the automobile industry struggles to increase the value of their products," said Sal Scuderi, president of the Scuderi Group.

The Scuderi Technology can be applied to any piston engine, from very small gasoline powered lawn mowers engines to very large diesel powered train engines. The technology is patented worldwide with six patents issued and several pending in over 45 countries. The Scuderi Group plans to license the technology to qualified engine manufacturers.

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Source: Gizmag

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iPod: Ferrari integrates

The community of originally-iPod-supporting car makers has grown by a prominent member.
The manufacturer of well known - unfortunately often red - sports cars from Maranello recognized the trend equipped their newest model - the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano - with an V12 engine, 620 hp... and iPod integration.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Apple, iPod, Ferrari

Source: The Unofficial Apple Weblog

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GPS: New models from Garmin

Not only TomTom provides new GPS navigation systems. Competitor Garmin doesn't sleep as well.

Garmin has unveiled three new GPS devices at CeBIT, all intended for in-car use, and two of which sport Bluetooth for interacting with your cellphone. The c510/530 (Europe/North America) and c550 (pictured) are the latest generation of the company's well-received c-series, and both new models feature 3.5-inch QVGA touchscreen displays, a "high-sensitivity" GPS receiver (which we're assuming refers to a SiRF Star III), configurable vehicle icons (focus groups must have been hating on that little triangle), some amount of preloaded content (expandable via SD), and an anti-theft system with either PIN or -- get this -- location-based codes, where the unit will only turn on if you drive it to a predetermined spot. The c550 adds Bluetooth and a speaker/mic into the mix, allowing it to do double- triple-duty as your in-car hands-free setup with bonus MP3 playback, as well as a traffic receiver integrated into the power cord (also available as part of the c510D/530D deluxe package) and more maps for the Europeans. Even more exciting (from a gadgety perspective, at least) is the upcoming Mobile 20 Bluetooth GPS cradle for Nokia, WinMo, and Treo smartphones (pictured after the break), which performs nav and hands-free duties, as you'd expect, plus some extra fun like SMS integration for texting your coordinates to pals and Garmin Online, which provides a mix of free and pay traffic, weather, and webcam services. (On the down side, it lthough it seems to be BYOMCS: Bring Your Own Memory Card Slot). We know release dates on all three models -- Q2 for the new c's and July for the 20 -- but only the price of the c550, which will set you back exactly $857.13.

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Source: Engadget

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Bluetooth: New car kit from Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson now bans the wires for telephony integration from your car by providing the Bluetooth Car Kit HCB-100.

This car kit fits to your visor and features 20 hours of talk time and 600 hours standby. A DSP reduces echo and it works with just about any Bluetooth-compatible speakerphone. The LEDs change color as each phone rings, meaning you can add two or more phones to the mix without the entire system seizing up.

Not to forget the really very nice design which is already an stand-alone argument for buying this next quarter when it's available.


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Source: Gizmodo

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Hybrid: How to handle in an accident

Hybrids are special. And so are their needs to be handled in case of an accident. And with growing market share there is a growing demand for spreading information on this. So more than 300 first
responders from local fire departments and emergency medical technicians (EMT) from northern Ohio's communities will learn standard operating procedures for hybrid vehicles involved in an accident.

Many issues have been raised how EMT units and first responders -- including hybrid owners --
should approach an accident involving a hybrid vehicle to avoid potentially
harmful electric shocks from high-voltage batteries.
For some answers to those questions, the 2006 Cleveland Auto Show is
hosting a safety conference "Hybrid Vehicles, First Respondents Seminar II,"
sponsored by the Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers' Association.

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Source: PR News Wire

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Foursprung: Pininfarina design for Motorola cellphones

Pininfarina is responsible for some of the most beautiful Ferraris ever.
Now they focus on a different kind of design objects: they signed a deal with Motorla to design cellular phones for the company over the next three years
They will put ten designers on the job of making mobiles as sleek and sexy as their automotive counterparts.

The design house had been dealing with the phonemaker via a short-term agreement under which it tendered two designs per month. Interestingly, cell phones design now makes up 30-percent of Pininfarina's non-automotive business, a medium in which the company only began working in two years ago.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Pininfarina, Motorola, cellphones

Source: Autoblog

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GPS: New devices from TomTom

The Dutch provider of mobile GPS navigation systems and -software presented three new models to the market.

Features of the new models 510, 710 and 910 are
- larger 4-inch screen
- improved GPS performance
- a desktop PC "HOME" dock and HOME software to manage, download and store TomTom content
- enhanced hands-free functionality
- included map coverage for the U.S., Canada and Europe, for all you jet-setters
- integrated MP3 player (and iPod integration)
- text to speech functionality


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Source: Autoblog

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Bluetooth: Is Motorola's iRadio a car gadget?

Is it even something bluetooth? We don't know, because Motorola wasn't very clear about it.

Motorola recently announced its intention to launch something called iRadio that will combine hundreds of commercial-free internet radio channels and your own personal music collection. The “solution” will allow you to enjoy your music at home, in your car or while hoofin’ it. iRadio will utilize high-speed internet, Bluetooth technology and a mobile phone to create a continuous listening experience. The company’s example is that you can start a song on your car radio exactly where you stopped it on your living room stereo.

Motorola was intentionally vague in its press release, but we’re guessing this is a veiled indication that the company will release a new phone capable of not only storing digital music, but also purchasing music via a provider’s high-speed data network and transferring the music via Bluetooth to other devices, perhaps Bluetooth-enabled cars.

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Source: Autoblog

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Parking: The correct use of parking lights according to Hella

You know how to park your car? Good. But do you know how to use the parking lights properly? No? Then go ahead and read here.

Parklights, taillights, clearance lamps - all of these words refer to the same thing: The basic lighting of a car, lighting which among other things, is intended to make outlines clear. It shines whenever the low or high beam is switched on. In addition, it serves to provide lighting when parking in dark streets. Driving with parklights only is not allowed. This applies during the day as well. This does not however mean that low-beam or high-beam headlights must also always be on when driving with lights on.

There are namely two exceptions. One applies to driving with fog lights. Here, German road traffic regulations permit only the fog lights to shine together with the parklights. Low beam is then not necessary if the fog lights are fitted less than 40 centimetres from the outline of the car. As a rule, this is the case, and is the case anyway for all fog lights fitted ex works. Another exception applies to the use of daytime running lights. In accordance with the applicable legal position, these may be operated explicitly only without parklights or taillights. The special daytime running lights from Hella are connected in such a way that they are activated automatically with the ignition. When switching-on the parklights or when switching-off the ignition, the daytime running lights are deactivated.

Parklights on their own are a good choice when parking on unlit streets or at motorway car parks. German traffic regulations always require ?self-illumination? when stopping on roads outside built-up areas. In built-up areas, the light from street lamps is sufficient.

In comparison with headlights, parklights consume rather less current, between 25 and 45 watts. Nevertheless, it places a load on the battery. Depending on capacity, the battery will last for 10 to 15 hours before there is nothing left in reserve to start the car.

Aside from lighting for parking, front parklights fulfil another important safety function. If a headlight fails - such as due to a burnt-out bulb - it stops a ?one-eyed? car being confused with a motorcycle. The rule ?drive with low beam? applies throughout Europe. The advice, which is heard occasionally, that in French towns and cities one should drive with parklights, became outdated decades ago. Those who have tried it know anyway that parklights are far too weak for sufficient visibility.

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Source: Fourtitude

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Navigation: Portable navigation devices are taking off

Most of the people are not satisfied with the not so versatile built-in solutions by their car maker. That's why portable navigation devices like the ones from TomTom are taking off.

Dutch company TomTom, the leading European manufacturer of portable navigation devices, hit a grand-slam home run with their 2005 financial results Tuesday, increasing annual revenue by 275 percent and net profit by 411 percent.

The company posted 2005 sales of $856 million, and forecasts sales between 1.2 and 1.3 billion for 2006. TomTom units only starting selling at major U.S. retailers in June 2005, and by December the company reached 25 percent market share,

The European market for portable navigation devices is expected to nearly double in 2006, to about 7 million units. It looks like portable devices are reinventing personal navigation, much like the iPod reinvented personal music.

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Source: Autoblog

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iPod: USB charging FM transmitter

Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO) presented their TransDock Micro to the market.
The device is one of those that link your iPod to your car radio via FM while charging it.
In addition to this TransDock can also charge up other USB devices such as the Motorola RAZR, offers four preset stations, and works with all the iPods including the shuffle.

Plug the unit into your car’s cigarette lighter, and you can connect another device such as a portable DVD player or PSP into its auxiliary input, letting you play that audio through the car stereo, too. Not bad for $70.

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Source: Gizmodo

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Foursprung: Want your car to do it all?

CNet has posted a video interview of MP3Car CEO Robert Wray demoing the Streetdeck hardware and software for CNet's Rafe Needleman at Demo '06.
If you are looking for an entertainment solution for your car, this is the place to go!

Entertainment on wheels: The StreetDeck mobile electronics package

Watch a movie, browse through your photos, even get an e-mail if your car is stolen. Take a look at both the hardware and software for the StreetDeck with Rafe Needleman, of CNET, and Robert Wray, co-founder and CEO of Mp3car.com.

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Source: News.com

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Bio-diesel: Bio-Beetles to rent

Having bio diesel as an option is a good thing - from an economical and an ecological point of view.
Bio-Beetles, a new rental agency near the airport of L.A., takes this very serious.
Maybe a little too serious regarding that the company only allows one to use bio-diesel but one can only refuel the cars in one spot; a Culver City parking lot.

I am not sure if anybody thought this model to the end...

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, bio-diesel, VW, Volkswagen, Beetle, car rental

Source: Jalopnik

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Audi Q7: Pictures of navigation screens and bluetooth screenshots

We found some very cool pictures of the navigation screen including some bluetooth screenshots from Audi's performance SUV, the Audi Q7.





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Source: AutoSpies

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iPod: Out-of-the-box integration in Alpine car stereo

Alpine is the car stereo maker to have it at first: the first car stereo to be iPod-ready straight out of the box.
With their latest model CDE 9850Ri just can just plug Apple's top-selling MP3 player into its back and enjoy your iPod music and full control for it.

The stereo has a new feature called Full Speed, which allows real time control of the Apple device. To select your music, press the source button until the display reads 'iPod', then scroll through the menu by using the volume control to choose the track you want.

For £250 this nice car stereo is yours, for another £50 you will have it installed - if you don't want to do it on your own what is quite easy. All you need to do is the standard ICE connections and run a cable to somewhere you want to store the iPod safely while driving.

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Apple, iPod, MP3, Alpine, car stereo

Source: Auto Express

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Hybrid: Low-cost model on the way?

It seems that Honda will open a new round in the hybrid competition next year.
The Fit, Honda's popular subcompact, will probably be sold in a hybrid version as early as next year for around 1.4 million yen ($11,790), or about 200,000 yen more than the gasoline-only version, likely making it the world's first hybrid to cost less than 2 million yen ($16,840).

A spokesman denied Honda had made any decision on whether to hybridise the Fit, but added it had the technological wherewithal to mount its hybrid system, which twins an electric motor and a conventional engine to save fuel, on most of its vehicles.

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Source: Reuters via Gizmodo

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Audi: Multimedia Vorsprung!

Besides the already mentioned "New Power" movie ready made for your Sony PSP and Apple iPod, Audi is already known for their very advanced mobile multimedia by delivering ringtones and pictures for your mobile phone and some other great stuff. Now they made the next step.
They are offering you a monthly Audi podcast and several music tracks, called Audi Tracks, to download. The perfect music to listen to while driving your Audi.

You can listen online to the podcast by clicking on "Podcast-Player starten" (only on the German Audi site so far) or by adding the feed to your favorite podcast player, e.g. Apple's iTunes. Special feature of the March issue is racing and especially the 24 hours of LeMans, giving you a lot of background information about it.

The Le Mans 24 hour race: A true highlight in every motor sport aficionados' calendar. The Audi Podcast March 2006 issue features the legendary endurance race and the new Audi R10. The Le Mans Prototype, with over 650 hp and more than 1100 Newton metres of torque, significantly exceeds the power produced by the majority of previous Audi racing cars – including that of its victorious R8 predecessor.

You can also listen to the Audi Tracks online or download the entire Audi Tracks collection. Click on "Online-Player starten" and then on "Alle Tracks" in the top left corner. You can also download a booklet for your CD.

Enjoy! Great feature, we love it.



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Source: Audi

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Audi R10: Coming to your PSP and iPod!

Our sibling blog "Living PSP" is reporting that Audi provides a great video of the Audi R10, the world's first diesel race car for LeMans, ready made for your PSP and iPod.

Go for the iPod version of the Audi R10 emotional trailer here.

Foursprung at all means!

Related news: Foursprung, P4MR, Living PSP, PSP, iPod, Apple

Source: Living PSP

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Please welcome Living PSP!

Please welcome the latest addition to the P4MR Citizen Media Network: Living PSP!

Living PSP will bring you all the news around Sony's great mobile multi media engine. New games, nice accessories or other news in Sony's mobile world will be the focus of this site. Homebrew will not. Sure there are some nice features enabled by homebrew but as long as this is not standardized and as long as Sony will not support it we won't, too.

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Bluetooth: Bluetooth(R) wireless technology becoming standard in cars

At least when it comes to the the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG). Let's hope that automotive engineers will listen to them. It's interesting to see that they such big hopes in Bluetooth for streaming music to your car stereo. Is that the Bluetooth killer app everybody was waiting for?

The Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG) today announced the Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP) and enhancements to the existing Hands-Free Profile (HFP 1.5). These new profiles will greatly improve phonebook and dialing handling in the car, making it more convenient and straight-forward for drivers, car manufacturers and phone manufacturers to use Bluetooth wireless technology.

"Manufacturers and users alike recognize that Bluetooth technology is the perfect solution for hands-free systems; today's announcement of enhanced Bluetooth functionality will allow richer dialing and driving scenarios, and ensure safe phone handling in the car," said Michael Foley, Ph.D., executive director of the Bluetooth SIG.

With the PBAP, the information from the mobile's phone book will be made available in the hands-free car kit making it accessible to the user. The user can simply download and browse the phone book from any mobile phone or PDA. The HFP 1.5 is updated to include common features from the mobile phone such as enhanced call control, phone status indicators, response and hold, and information about the subscriber number. In addition, audio quality is enhanced.

"Bluetooth wireless technology will start to become standard in cars in the near future," said David McClure, head of Telematics Research at SBD, automotive technology consultants. "The next technology driver after hands-free legislation is the desire from car owners to transfer music to the car stereo system via Bluetooth technology. Though mp3 players presently only use adapters to implement Bluetooth technology, we are seeing an increasing amount of mobile phones with mp3 functionality on the market. This will further push the need for built-in Bluetooth functionality in cars."

In a study on trends for in-car audio, SBD predicts that vehicle manufacturers will also adopt Bluetooth technology to enable the connection of portable digital music players to the car. Currently, wired solutions rely on proprietary connectors and basic auxiliary inputs but Bluetooth technology will provide a universal connection between the car and any Bluetooth equipped music player. The development of enhanced remote control functions will also allow the driver to choose the music they want to hear without taking their hands off the steering wheel.

Related news: Foursprung, Bluetooth

Source: PR Newswire

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Biodiesel: Live Green, Go Yellow

GM launched a new ad campaign called "Live Green, Go Yellow" to promote its E85 ethanol-powered vehicles.
What's up with these colors? After Mercedes introduced the Bluetec diesel and VW went public with the VW Polo BlueMotion we now also have to live yellow?

Related news: Foursprung, Biodiesel, Ethanol

Source: Jalopnik

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Foursprung: Best roof boxes

If you ever went for skiing with your car you know how useful a roof box is.
What surprises us is that a UK magazine came out with a test of roof boxes! UK, roof box, skiing? Anybody remember Eddie the Eagle?

When that last holiday suitcase won't squeeze into the boot, you should look up for inspiration - not to the heavens, but to your vehicle's roof.

Bolt on a roof box and you will have space to spare. Plus, they are more cost-effective than running a car that's too big for your everyday needs all year, simply for two weeks away in the summer.

In recent times, sales of the low-profile sports boxes have dwindled, as standard carriers have become more aerodynamically efficient. It's these versatile all-rounders we are focusing on in our test, with many now available for less than £200.

Rating: 5 stars

Price: £174.95

Capacity: 375 litres

Rather an old design, but stunning value at this price. Although central locking isn't included, you really won't miss it. Sprung-action pegs lock each end of the lid down, making this box one of the easiest to close - even when slightly overloaded. Quality is what we've come to expect from Kamei, and this is evident in the gas struts and the plastic, which is probably the toughest here. It all adds up to make the 375 a worthy Best Buy.

Related news: Foursprung, Roof Box

Source: Auto Express

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Foursprung: Magnesium will Lead to Lighter Cars

A team of research engineers from Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) developed a new step ahead in vehicle's material.

New advances in a casting process that uses super lightweight magnesium alloys will make future cars far lighter but just as strong

The new technology is called T-Mag and consistently produces high-integrity magnesium alloy castings from permanent moulds, free of porosity and other defects.

T-Mag can cast lightweight magnesium-alloy engine blocks that will be only two-thirds the weight of current aluminium alloy blocks and less than one third the weight of cast iron blocks- a prospect that is already arousing the interest of high-performance car manufacturers in Europe.

It will also be possible to cast high-integrity magnesium alloy wheels. Current casting technology cannot produce wheels of sufficient integrity to be safe and practical at an acceptable cost.

A pilot-scale unit built for research and development has already produced successful demonstration magnesium castings, including road wheels, and blocks for a 750cc, water-cooled, motorcycle engine will be cast shortly.

CSIRO believes that T-Mag's technical and economic attributes will give it a competitive advantage over current casting technologies, and remove many obstacles to the economic production of high integrity magnesium parts.

Head researcher, Dr Thang Nguyen, describes T-Mag's novel, integrated design as a critical enabling technology, with a range of applications beyond the high-pressure casting technique currently used to produce 85 per cent of the world's magnesium alloy components.

High-pressure die casting has limitations which restrict its application to cast many automotive components, one of these limitations is low as-cast yields: typically, it takes six to seven kilograms of metal to produce a 3.5kg casting. The unused metal cannot simply be recycled because re-melting creates oxides and inter-metallic compounds, and both the initial melting process and re-melting the scrap consumes large amounts of energy.

'T-Mag requires only 3.7kg of alloy for a 3.5kg casting. This reduces recycling, and energy use and saves a lot of melt cost,' Dr Nguyen says.

T-Mag is a permanent-mould casting process that requires neither applied pressure nor a vacuum to fill the die. The die fills smoothly from the bottom, minimising air entrapment and oxidation, and produces X-ray-quality castings that are virtually free of defects.

Foursprung

Source: Azom

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Hybrids: New advanced braking systems

Not only the engines are the news about hybrids. A new advanced regenerative braking system is developed by TRW Automotive. The new system shall integrate the enhanced safety of electronic stability control systems for hybrid vehicles.
The Company is developing two systems -- Slip Control Boost (SCB) and Active Hydraulic Boost (AHB) -- which offer full braking functionality for Hybrid Electric Vehicles while incorporating high performance Electronic Stability Control and brake actuation within a 12-volt system architecture. The systems can cover a range of vehicles from small passenger cars to Sport Utility Vehicles.

Slip Control Boost offers a fully integrated stability and brake actuation system that replaces traditional boosters, master cylinders and vacuum pumps with an electro-hydraulic control unit (EHCU), and brake pedal simulator unit with a twin master cylinder to supply brake pressure. This offers several advantages: ease of installation with fewer components to fit; improved packaging in the front dash area versus traditional vacuum boosters and a decoupled brake pedal that is ideal for integration into autonomous or emergency braking systems. The SCB system is targeted for production in the 2007 calendar year.

The Active Hydraulic Braking system is compatible with any electronic stability control system and only replaces the brake actuation system with the EHCU, pedal simulator and master cylinder solution. AHB offers the same advantages as the SCB system and provides a single slip control system trim across a full vehicle platform of conventional and hybrid vehicles. The AHB system is targeted for production in the 2009 calendar year.

Regenerative braking allows a vehicle to recapture and store part of the kinetic energy that would otherwise be lost to heat when braking. This energy is used to recharge the electric batteries and save on fuel in a hybrid architecture.

An electric motor can either use electricity to create torque, or reverse the process to use torque to create electricity. In the case of regenerative braking, the torque created by the electric propulsion motors is applied to one or both of the axles to slow or stop the vehicle. Because this regenerative force is not able to meet all the needs for braking over all speeds and conditions, conventional friction braking is also required and is blended with the motor torque to achieve full braking.

Discussions with several global vehicle manufacturers about using these systems just started.

Foursprung, brakes, hybrids


Source: TRW Automotive

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Foursprung: Hands-free parking (with video)

Toyota's Prius comes with great features. The perfect one for me (as not an expert in parking) is the hands-free parking assistant.
I don't want to lose too much words on this as this video tells the complete story and gives me time to find my words on this.
The video is available all over the world - the technology in Japan and now also in Europe.


Related news: Foursprung, Toyota, Prius, hybrids, parking assistant

Source: You Tube

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Hybrids: Better batteries coming up

It's again those guys from MIT. Their newest hit is a way to make better batteries for hybrid vehicles.

They’re using lithium nickel manganese oxide instead of the nickel metal hydride that’s used in batteries powering today’s hybrid vehicles. These new batteries can charge up ten times faster than current batteries, which means they can be ready to go in just ten minutes. There will be other applications for these new power sources, too, including tools, electric bicycles and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).

Related news: Foursprung, hybrids

Source: Gizmodo

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Multimedia: Dual DVD drive

You don't want to chose between listening to your music or using your satellite navigation? No more need to chose with the new AVN 6600 from Eclipse Fujitsu Ten. The DVD entertainment deck allows you to listen to your MP3 files from a DVD (that's lot of music) and be guided your way using maps from the DVD in the DVD drive.
So I can't imagine a trip for that you need that much multimedia capability but anyway it's nice. And it also features HD readiness, satellite radio readiness, iPod readiness and comes with Eclipe's ESN security built in.


Related news: Foursprung, Apple, iPod, DVD, multi media

Source: OhGizmo!

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Toyota: Another hybrid model coming up?

The Prius is quite successful. Successful enough to get a sportive brother.

The car company is working on another hybrid, this one a sports car with a midships engine that may appear sometime around 2008. The all-wheel-drive sportsmobile may have a 105hp next-generation hybrid engine, and could even be called a Celica.

Looking at the photo the model does not seem to have too much in common with existing Celica models...


Related news: Foursprung, Toyota, hybrid

Source: Gizmodo

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