Audi A3 E-Tron, An All-Around Vehicle For Future Mobility Review

Audi planned to jettison certain vehicles in its E-tron electric-vehicle program because of high development costs and low projected demand, particularly in Europe, which offers an alternative scenario: It couldn’t cancel the cars because their production plans never existed. According to Jeff Curry, director of e-mobility and sustainability strategy at Audi of America, the company’s immediate E.V. production plans center on plug-in hybrids, not purely electric vehicles and Audi could be accused of feeding speculation about its battery-electric plans with frequent pronouncements about becoming the leading seller of premium E.V.’s by 2020. The A3 e-tron can travel about 87 miles on a charge and can be recharged in about nine hours with a 220-volt household socket and the driver can choose among three driving modes dynamic, auto and efficiency and also four settings that adjust the degree of energy recovery during braking and coasting. The car maker plans to begin rolling out a plug-in hybrid version of the  A3 in 2014, also under the e-tron banner with other plug -in models expected and Audi said it is still evaluating the market for pure electric models.

The Audi A3 e-tron is an all-around vehicle for future mobility. A powerful electric motor and a lithium-ion battery impart to this compact car, which weighs less than 1.6 metric tons – agile performance and impressive cruising range. This technical study has already provided a preview of potential series-production solutions. The permanent magnet synchronous motor in the A3 e-tron supplies a continuous output of 60 kW (82 hp) and a peak output of 85 kW (114 hp). Maximum torque is a potent 270 Nm (199 lb-ft), with the power delivered to the front wheels via a single-speed transmission. Energy storage is provided by the lithium-ion battery, which is located in multiple blocks under the luggage compartment floor, under the rear seat and in the center tunnel. It stores 26.5 kWh of usable energy at 380 volts and weighs 300 kilograms (661.39 lb). Water flows around the 30 modules which constitute this battery; the waste heat is utilized to heat the vehicle's interior. At low temperatures, the system is aided by an electric PTC heating element; an air conditioner is activated in hot weather.

The power electronics module in the engine compartment converts the battery's direct current (DC) to alternating current; a DC converter couples the 12-volt electrical system with the high-voltage system. The Audi A3 e-tron can be recharged in about nine hours with a 230-volt household socket. On a single battery charge, this compact car can cover around 140 km (86.99 miles). It powers the car from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 11.2 seconds and on up to a top speed of 145 km/h (90.10 mph). The driver of an A3 e-tron can decide how sporty or economical driving should be by switching among three modes of operation dynamic, auto and efficiency as well as four settings which adjust the degree of energy recovery during braking and coasting phases. This technology study, with a Glacier White paint finish, sports an understated appearance, with its set of wheels and the interior both borrowed from production models. Its special features include seat covers made of an Alcantara/leather blend, which feels warmer than pure leather in cold weather and a heated windshield. The latter keeps the glass free of condensation and ice while heating the interior much more efficiently than a conventional climate-control system. The equipment and data specified in this document refer to the model range offered in Germany.

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Microsoft Kinect-Enabled NUads On Xbox 360 Review

The Xbox team have just announced that the first advertisers to sign up to NUads and Microsoft will roll out Kinect-enabled NUads on Xbox 360 this fall . Microsoft had teased NUads at last year's Cannes International Advertising Festival, will go live with ads from Samsung, Toyota and Unilever and the ads will be available within Xbox Live and via Xbox's various TV apps. The idea is to give consumers an alternative to skipping ads on their DVRs, while the multiple-choice format seems to be of limited appeal, Seattle ad agency Razorfish recently created KinectShop, which lets consumers try on clothes and accessories virtually.

Microsoft Corp. announced the official rollout of NUads on Xbox LIVE, making the new interactive TV ad format available for sale to advertisers broadly. Toyota, Unilever and Samsung Mobile USA are the first brands to develop NUads campaigns that will appear on Xbox LIVE this fall. NUads advertisements transform standard 30-second TV spots into engaging and actionable experiences using the power of voice and gesture controls of Kinect for Xbox 360. "NUads marks the beginning of a new era for TV advertising. It delivers the one thing traditional TV advertising is missing - engagement," said Ross Honey, general manager of Xbox LIVE Entertainment and Advertising. "We developed NUads to breathe new life into the standard 30-second spot. With NUads, brands can get real-time feedback from audiences, making TV advertising actionable for the first time." Toyota's "Reinvented" ad campaign premiered during Super Bowl XLVI, promoting the reinvention of the 2012 Camry. The ad marked Toyota's return to Super Bowl advertising. Today, Toyota is reinventing that campaign for Xbox LIVE, adding a layer of interactivity enabled by NUads. In this version of the "Reinvented" ad, Toyota asks viewers what they would like to see reinvented. Viewers can then respond using Kinect-powered voice or gesture controls. This gives Toyota valuable feedback it can use for its next campaign. Following on from the successful campaign for the launch of Axe Attract for Him and for Her, Axe - called Lynx in the U.K. - will be one of the first brands to turn the digital ad into a NUad with Xbox. The creative centers around a cops-and-robbers setup with the tagline, "Nothing will ever be the same again." Using the new format, Lynx will ask the audience if the Lynx Effect should be given to girls. Viewers will have the option of voting "Yes, of course" or "No way" using hand gestures or a simple voice command.



"The creative possibilities of NUads are endless. We can take a 30-second TV spot and customize it for NUads to get an immediate response from Toyota's customer," said John Lisko, executive communications director at Saatchi & Saatchi LA for Toyota. "It allows customers to participate with our advertising, which is really exciting. The interactivity of NUads is leading the industry and changing the way we're connecting with our customers." "NUads is a game changer for the 30-second television spot, and for the first time allows customers to interact with a brand on TV. Toyota has always been at the forefront of advertising innovation, so NUads was a natural next step in our longstanding work with Xbox," said Dionne Colvin, National Marketing Media Manager for Toyota Motor Sales Inc. "Xbox LIVE Advertising has given us the opportunity to learn a lot about our customers and apply those learnings across all our media plans, and the addition of NUads will help us deepen that customer understanding." "We have always been very innovative in our communications, and as we increasingly look at Xbox as a fantastic platform to engage with consumers, NUads offer us a great canvas to penetrate the culture and establish a dialogue with them," said Babs Rangaiah, vice president of Global Media Innovation at Unilever. "NUads and the gesture- and voice-based Kinect technology have great potential for creativity. What we're seeing now is at the very early stages of what we could do. And as always, we're keen to continue to explore more ways of inviting our consumers to get involved with our brands." The first NUads format to roll out offers polling capabilities that allow advertisers to ask a multiple-choice question during the airing of a 30-second spot. Consumers can enter the poll with a simple wave of a hand or a voice command while viewing the commercial. Consumers get a real-time tally of the answers so they can see how other Xbox LIVE subscribers are voting, and advertisers get real-time feedback from consumers to help inform future campaigns.

Samsung TecTiles Programmable NFC Tags For Galaxy S III Review

Samsung is looking to make Near Field Technology (NFC) a little more accessible to everyone with the announcement of its TecTiles, quarter-sized programmable sticker tags, which is integrated in newer Android phones and it allows you to tap a phone to pay or send information. Using the NFC technology in certain Samsung phones, including the Galaxy S III and the Galaxy Nexus, users will be able to program the TecTile tags to launch a specific app or send a text message using the TecTiles app and you can program the tags to do a number of things, including launch a website, show an address on a map, or launch a Facebook status update. A pack of five tiles will cost $14.99 and it is likely that Samsung will roll out support for other NFC Android phones.

Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) is helping consumers realize the potential of NFC technology today with the creation of Samsung TecTiles and the TecTile programming application. With the largest user base of NFC-enabled devices in the United States and TecTiles available in all four major carrier stores and at major online retailers at the launch of the Galaxy S III, Samsung is ensuring NFC becomes a part of daily life. With a simple tap of an NFC-enabled phone to a TecTile, consumers are able to automate everyday functions of a smartphone including sending a "headed/at home" text message, silencing the phone when entering a meeting, setting an alarm, and dimming the display when going to bed. Samsung TecTiles will transform how businesses large and small engage with consumers. On premise, TecTiles enable consumers to check-in on Facebook or foursquare, connect to Wi-Fi or download content. Off-premise, businesses can use TecTiles as a way to market to and engage with consumers by enabling reward programs and to download discount offers or content. "With millions of NFC-enabled Samsung Galaxy smartphones currently in the market and the arrival of our flagship device Galaxy S III, Samsung saw an opportunity to expand the value of NFC beyond mobile payments," said Dale Sohn, president of Samsung Telecommunications America, the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S. and worldwide. "The launch of Samsung TecTiles is another example of Samsung's ability to innovate new products and applications that improve the way we use our mobile devices for everyday tasks."

Samsung TecTiles are easy to program with any NFC-enabled smartphone and the free application, which can be found in the Google Play marketplace. TecTiles can be reprogrammed as often as needed to complete any of the following functions on an NFC-enabled phone:

Settings & Applications

• Change phone settings (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, ringer/media volume, screen brightness, etc.)
• Launch an application
• Join a Wi-Fi Network
• Show a message

Communication

• Make a call
• Send a text message
• Start a Google Talk conversation
• Share a contact or business card

Location & Web

• Show an address on a map
• Open a web page
• Foursquare or Facebook check-in

Social

• Automatic Facebook “Like”
• Update Facebook status
• Post a tweet or follow a contact on Twitter
• Connect on LinkedIn

Samsung NFC-Enabled Android  Smartphones

• Samsung Galaxy S III on AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular and Verizon
• Samsung Galaxy S II on T-Mobile
• Galaxy Nexus TM on Verizon, Sprint and GSM Unlocked
• Nexus ^TM S  4G on Sprint
• Samsung Galaxy S Blaze  4G on T-Mobile

Priced at $14.99 for a pack of five, TecTiles programmable NFC sticker tags are now available for purchase online and in-store at AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile. The Samsung TecTiles app is now available for download at the Google Play store.

AiAiAi TMA-1 Studio DJ Headphone Review

AiAiAi takes its TMA-1 headphones out from the DJ box, into the Studio and the TMA-1 DJ Headphone is probably the most well thought-out dj headphones ever designed. Drawing input from an impressive DJ roster list (2Manydjs, A-Trak, Flying Lotus, James Murphy to name a few) AIAIAI and Danish design firm KibiSi have specifically addressed all the headphone needs of the DJ and those cushions now go fully over-ear for comfort and isolation, along with some more padding around the headband. There is a 3mm cotton fiber filter for isolation and the headphone cup out of a resistant ABS material to protect the fragile parts and the 1.7 meter cable has a mini jack connection in both ends as well as a reinforced plug with a 1/8 adapter option. You can grab them with or without a mic priced at $249 and $269 respectively.

The new AIAIAI headphones designed specifically for the on-the-go producer/musician will be shipped on the 20th of June. The TMA-1 Studio was born out of necessity. Where we prevoiusly sought to fill the need for a particular kind of durable, great-sounding DJ Headphone with the TMA-1, the TMA-1 Studio is our response to the needs of today's frequently traveling producers and musicians. Designed by longtime collaborators, KiBiSi, and engineered in cooperation with one of Scandinavias' most prominent producers and sound engineers, Jon Schumann, the latest addition to the AIAIAI headphone family provides durability for the road, comfort over longer periods of time for producing, and a meticulously engineered sound design suitable for mixing on the laptop. Where the TMA-1 enhances the DJ performance, the TMA-1 Studio enriches the music production experience. At the core of the TMA-1 Studio is a 40mm titanium driver insulated and filtrated by the most advanced speaker materials available. From the voice coil, to the yoke, magnet and speaker diaphragm, the TMA-1 Studio achieves crisp highs without compromising its ability to deliver rich mids and deep lows. The design also takes the different situations in which headphones are used into account - from long studio sessions to just being on the road and recording. What's more, it offers two types of easily changeable and different over-ear cushions. Each cushion is connected to a specially designed cushion plate. The one piece TMA-1 Studio headband is designed to provide the functionality of a DJ headphone headband but also to strip it down to the bare essentials. This ensures a stronger and more durable product, which can withstand daily use for a considerable length of time. The TMA-1 Studio is equipped with a new PU headband padding, which is softer, more durable and extra comfortable to wear over longer periods of time. 

KEY FEATURES:

• Transducer Principle: Dynamic, closed - Driver Unit Size: 40mm
• Impedance: 32+/-15% Ohm
• Load Rating: 0.1W
• Frequency Response: 20 to 20.000 Hz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.3%
• Sensitivity: 110+/-3dB Weight w/o
• Cable: 190 Gram

TMA-1 STUDIO HIGHLIGHTS:

• 40mm titanium driver, which has been tweaked for a more neutral, reference listening-friendly sound
• Over-ear PU cushions that makes details stand out in full clarity
• PU headband padding, which is softer, more durable and extra comfortable to wear over longer production sessions.

The new studio headphones from AIAIAI thus represent robust and thoroughly crafted audio technology for the frequently traveling, professional DJ/ producer who needs headphones that can perform while on the road, at the airport or in the air.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

• Transducer Principle: Dynamic, closed
• Driver Unit Size: 40 mm
• Impedance: 32±15% Ohm
• Load Rating: 0.07 W
• Frequency Response: 20 to 20.000 Hz
• Total Harmonic Distortion: <0.3%
• Sensitivity: 110±3dB
• Weight without cable: 220 Gram 

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HBO Go App With More Than 1,400 HBO Titles For Kindle Fire Review

HBO has offered its HBO GO video streaming app for Android devices for some time, but it has not supported any Android tablets and he Amazon Kindle Fire becomes the first Android tablet to get access to the HBO GO app, Kindle Fire owners will have the ability to stream over 1400 HBO titles right to their tablets whenever they want. Users can bookmark their favorite shows and movies for later viewing and HBO GO will automatically update bookmarks for TV shows as new episodes air. HBO Go offers video extras like interviews with the cast and crew and sers can create a Watchlist of shows they need to catch up on or create a season pass to shows they can’t get enough of.

HBO GO, the wildly popular streaming service from HBO is launching on Amazon's Kindle Fire. Available via the Amazon Appstore for Android, HBO GO consumers will be able to instantly access more than 1,400 titles, including every episode of every season of the best HBO shows. HBO GO is available at no additional cost to HBO customers who subscribe through a participating television provider. HBO subscribers can use the HBO GO for Kindle Fire for on-the-go viewing of current critically acclaimed and award-winning series like Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire and True Blood as well as all seasons of classic shows like The Sopranos, Sex and the City and Deadwood; plus HBO original films, miniseries, sports, documentaries and specials; in addition to a wide selection of blockbuster theatricals. "We are thrilled to offer HBO GO to the growing community of millions of Kindle Fire owners," said Aaron Rubenson, Director of the Amazon Appstore. "The HBO GO app will offer instant access to HBO's incredible lineup of shows. Kindle Fire owners already download and use apps and games frequently on their devices, and we expect that only to increase with the addition of HBO GO and all of its popular content."

The best-selling Kindle Fire is the most successful product launch ever on Amazon.com and already a major platform for content providers and app developers to reach millions of people who love entertainment, whether its books, movies, music, apps or games. Kindle Fire offers customers a fully-integrated service with instant access to over 20 million movies, TV shows, magazines, newspapers, books, songs, apps and games. And, all of your Amazon content is always backed up and stored for free in the Amazon Cloud. Subscribers can also personalize HBO GO through a custom "Watchlist" that keeps track of bookmarked content for later viewing and the "Series Pass®" capability, which automatically loads the Watchlist with new episodes of favorite HBO programs when they arrive on the service. Additionally, HBO GO customers get new titles simultaneously with their premiere on the network; the ability to resume viewing from the Watchlist on any mobile device including the Kindle Fire; bonus content including interviews, recaps and behind-the-scenes extras; customizable views showing titles in slideshow, grid or list format and the ability to pause, rewind and view at their convenience.

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GAEMS Sentry All-In-One Xbox 360 System Review

GAEMS announces new Sentry Xbox 360 suitcase, teases Project Vanguard and this being based on the fact that on top of the Xbox gaming, GAMES only went as far to tease that services like Netflix, HULU and YouTube will be increasingly central to it. The GAEMS G155 Sentry is a Microsoft licensed device that will provide individuals and the company will be showing off the G155 this year at E3 2012.

GAEMS Inc. announced they will show the latest innovations in their lineup of award-winning personal gaming and entertainment environments (PGE) at the Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) in Los Angeles, June 5-7, 2012. The GAEMS booth will be located in South Hall, #247 (right next to the G4TV stage). GAEMS recently partnered with Microsoft and will unveil the new G155 Sentry, a Microsoft-licensed device that provides individuals and families with a completely customizable personal entertainment solution to enjoy games, DVDs or even stream media like Netflix, HULU or YouTube anytime and just about anywhere. The Sentry and an Xbox 360 lets anyone transform any space into their own Personal Gaming Environment (PGE). Behind closed doors, GAEMS will unveil their latest device, code named Project Vanguard. A prototype of Project Vanguard will be available for viewing by the media by invitation only. GAEMS will also unveil 3 new accessories enabling users to transport their PGEs. The Sentry Sling, the PGE Battle Bag and the PGE B.O.T. will soon join the GAEMS accessory lineup that already includes licensed skins, remote controls and custom badges. GAEMS first device, the G155 self-contained personal gaming and entertainment environment, was initially shown at E3 2011

World's First Personally Tuned Custom In-Ear Monitors, The Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitors Review

Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitors offer custom tuning, look great with your smoking jacket and customers will be put through the paces and a device called the Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Box will be used to tweak the lows, mids and highs for each channel. This allows users to tweak the sort of sound that they want, so listeners who prefer more bass might turn up the lows, while those preferring more highs will turn the highs up and as far as the specs of the earphones are concerned, they will feature a five-armature design, a three-way crossover circuit and triple-bore sound channels and will come with detachable cables to avoid unnecessary tugging or fraying. The earphones are also expected to provide 28dB of isolation and passive noise cancellation and users will be able to choose from four custom fine-wood faceplates, well be prepared to fork out $1,999 for these.

Logitech unveiled the world's first personally tuned custom in-ear monitors - the Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitors. Engineered to your exact needs for fit, look and sound, the Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitors were created to deliver an experience as personal as your passion for music. The process begins with our exclusive Personal Reference Tuning Box, which allows you to precisely adjust the sound signature of the monitors based on your listening preferences. The Personal Reference Tuning Box captures your adjustments to the mix of highs, mids and lows, which Ultimate Ears engineers then use to craft Personal Reference Monitors to your very own sound signature based on those exact settings. "There are some people out there – and we've met many of them over the years – that know exactly what they need and want in terms of their sound signature," said Philippe Depallens, vice president and general manager of Wearables at Logitech. "Our new, handcrafted Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitors are designed with these people in mind. The Personal Reference Monitors take custom in-ear monitors to a new level of personalization – creating an audio experience tailored to each individual listener."

The Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitors showcase Ultimate Ears' expert technology, honed through years of delivering superior audio experiences and include our proprietary five-armature design, a three-way crossover circuit and triple-bore sound channels. Additionally, the detachable, low-profile, low-distortion cable eliminates burdensome Y-joint connectors and is tightly braided to reduce friction, unraveling and tangling. Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitors provide 26 dB of isolation and passive noise cancellation. Similar to our other Custom In-Ear Monitors, they are compatible with wireless transmission systems for the stage and portable media devices. For the first time, there are four custom fine-wood faceplates that will be available exclusively to Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitor customers. What's more, Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitors will be the first Ultimate Ears product to come equipped with RewardTag. Through RewardTag, if your Ultimate Ears Personal Reference Monitors are lost or stolen, whoever finds your device can return it through RewardTag and Ultimate Ears will give the individual a reward for their safe return – providing you with extra peace of mind as you travel with your earphones.

Features:

Personal in every way

Fine-tuned for your personal listening preferences. Hand crafted. Custom fit and finished. Our ultimate custom in-ear monitor.

Who’s using Ultimate Ears

Your favorite musicians depend on Ultimate Ears to deliver their best performances.

Custom-tuned sound

The same sound that made UE famous. Custom tuned based on your tastes and needs

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In The Box

Included Accessories that come with your Custom In-Ear Monitors: Cleaning Tool, Engraved Carrying Case