Automatic

22:43 November 15, 2009 PST

Ahhh, social network status updates. How would we know what breathtakingly exciting (or mind-numbingly boring) activities our friends and family are up to from one moment to the next without them? And if you sometimes find it’s a chore just reading these missives, spare a thought for those people writing them. But soon, by combining networking and messaging platforms with emerging ambient intelligence systems that use sensors and smart objects to create awareness of users’ whereabouts and activities, such status updates and other social information could be generated automatically. Read More

HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Toshiba's Regza SV series LED-backlit HDTVs

By Paul Ridden

06:27 September 6, 2009 PDT

Toshiba's full 1080p HD Regza SV series of backlit LED TVs promise great picture quality

Toshiba has chosen IFA 2009 to confirm that this month Europeans will be able to get their hands on two new full 1080p HD televisions in its Regza range, a 46in and a 55in. As well as being LED backlit for the first time, these new SV models also sport a sensor that monitors ambient light and constantly readjusts image settings so that the viewer automatically gets the best possible picture. Read More

AROUND THE HOME

Saeco Xelsis - high-end coffee for all tastes

By Darren Quick

22:30 September 4, 2009 PDT

There’s no doubting the popularity of coffee and, like creating a fine wine, the process of perfecting that ultimate brew can be somewhat complicated. Domestic coffee machines have made the job of getting a café quality coffee at home so much easier, and now Saeco has gone that extra mile by releasing a machine that allows family members to individually tailor coffee to their tastes. The Xelsis automatic coffee machine features six personalized profiles so everyone can customize their own brew at the touch of a button. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Spyker C8 Aileron Spyder prototype let loose

By Jeff Salton

23:18 August 16, 2009 PDT

Spyker Cars may not have impressed in its F1 venture, but it certainly has made up for it off the track. The exclusive sportscar-maker has kept true to its promise made in March at the Geneva Auto Show by debuting the first prototype of the Spyder version of its second-generation Spyker C8 Aileron. The 300kmh open-top model is scheduled to go into production in the first half of 2010. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Virtual co-drivers will make trucks of the future safer

By Jeff Salton

06:55 August 4, 2009 PDT

The truck of the future could have an on-board digital co-driver that can even take over i...

Trucks of the future could be equipped with an on-board digital co-driver to help the human behind the wheel, or even take over if the driver loses control. The HAVEit project (short for Highly Automated Vehicles for Intelligent Transport) has 28 million euros (USD$40 million) at its disposal and is aiming to develop an intelligent driver assist system that responds to both traffic conditions and drivers' needs. Read More

AUTOMOTIVE

Nissan's next generation CVT claims world's highest transmission ratio

By Jeff Salton

18:14 July 30, 2009 PDT

The Nissan/Jatco CVT transmission which Nissan says will be incorporated into its compact ...

Nissan and its transmission supplier Jatco have developed a next generation CVT (continuously variable transmission) that promises better fuel economy and performance in a compact and lightweight package. The new CVT combines conventional CVT belt operation with an auxiliary gearbox and has a significantly increased gear ratio range – roughly 20 percent higher than other CVTs and among the world's highest for production vehicles according to Nissan. Read More

CAMERAS AND IMAGING

Universe made simple with release of Meade ETX-LS automated telescope

By Michael Mulcahy

22:31 June 15, 2009 PDT

The Meade ETX-LS automatic self-aligning telescope

Amateur astronomers around the world have cause to celebrate as the first completely hands-off self-aligning telescope becomes available. First shown as CES in January, the Meade ETX-LS telescope uses a range of technologies, including GPS, magnetic sensors and a built-in CCD camera, to automatically determine its own location and then find any of more than 100,000 celestial objects. Read More

MOBILE TECHNOLOGY

Orbita Sparta Mini watchwinder - one for the ladies?

By Karen Sprey

01:09 April 27, 2009 PDT

The Orbita Sparta Mini is a compact single-watch winding device that is both affordable an...

As the name suggests, automatic or self-winding watches wind themselves using a moving weight mechanism inside the watch. All well and good if you are wearing your watch everyday, but if you happen to have a collection, you'll often find yourself faced with the fiddly task of manual winding and resetting features like perpetual calendars - a difficult job for large unwieldy fingers (men) and delicate fingernails (women) - which is where watchwinders come in. This one, the Sparta Mini from Orbita, is for the ladies. Read More