internet radio while you drive
The BMW announcement is a big step, a leading global auto company is fully integrating internet radio into the car - controls, display, audio.Internet radios in cars would be brilliant, but obviously you have to remeber you need a 100% all round net connection and if you have ever tried to use 3g web on your mobile in the car you will see you soon are waving your arm around to find signal.
Blaupunkt and miRoamer will announce a partnership at CES that will put internet radio into car dashboards for the first time. Blaupunkt prototypes pictured here show the technology in action.
"miRoamer’s development with Blaupunkt is the first seamless
Internet radio solution," said miRoamer founder and CEO George
Parthimos. "With the simple push of a button, users can access
AM/FM stations or Internet radio’s thousands of music, entertainment, news and talk stations from around the world, all from the same car stereo.
Bob Law, Group VP and General Manager, of Sirius XM's After Market Division described the XM Snap as such: "Offering amazing value, the new XM Snap! also gives customers the opportunity to discover what makes Sirius XM the ultimate destination for the best in audio entertainment."
Employing similar technology like the XM Skydock, there's a stem that is attached to the radio for an easy DIY installation. And while I'm slightly disappointed that it's not anything crazy in terms of technology, having a simple DIY install is very important for satellite radios.
And at a price point of $59.99 - it's a damn good value.
There's also simple controls to "make it a snap to use" - essentially making sure consumers keep their eyes on the road while operating the radio. Complete with large arrow keys navigate through categories, the XM Snap also has rotary knob changes channels, and the preset keys store favorite channels for one-touch access.
Accessories are the standard issue: a Magnetic Mount Antenna and an Aux-In Cable for vehicles with aux-in capabilities.
Here's another photo of the XM Snap:
Earlier this week, planemaker EADS released pictures of a futuristic aircraft it is currently working on – a hypersonic jet that could take you from London to Tokyo in only two hours! One 'small' issue though: you'll have to wait at least 40 years before boarding the airplane in question, as it has yet to be built and made available for commercial flights…
Image credit: PA
A model of an electric plane by EADS on display at the Paris Air Show
In the meantime, why not try and find out what flying could be like in the next few decades?
[See also: Unlikely product to be used at plane fuel]
Other manufacturers have, in the past few months, unveiled their own plans of new designs, giving us an idea of what aircraft, cabins and seats could look like in the future. Let's take a look at some of the projects…
Airbus' new Concept Cabin
Last week, Airbus revealed its own design for a futuristic plane. What's new with this one? First of all, it features a see-through cabin allowing people to enjoy great views while on a flight. Also, in case passengers get bored, they will be able to use services on the aircraft including virtual golf in the "interactive zone". One thing we should mention though – it looks like we will also have to wait about 40 years to book our ticket on this new plane!
Image credit: Airbus S.A.S.
X-ray of the Concept Cabin (artist's impression)
Image credit: Airbus S.A.S.
Airbus' transparent cabin
Futuristic plane seats
Last April, games fans were pleased to discover designs for new airline seats strangely called "NFW" (i.e. Not For Wimps). The round-shaped seats, which feature a screen and are to be used as a gaming station, also allow passengers to use their own devices. Created by Contour Aerospace Ltd and Factorydesign, the seats were unveiled at Germany's Aircraft Interiors Expo.
Image credit: CMS Strategic
Sit back and relax… or play games
NASA's planes of the future
Earlier this year, NASA released images of three concepts for planes that could potentially be seen flying in 2025. The designs were developed by three different teams - Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and The Boeing Company – who were asked to further investigate their projects during the course of the year. Take a look at the three projects the teams are working on:
Image credit: NASA/Lockheed Martin
The model designed by American defence firm Lockheed Martin looks rather similar to existing passenger planes.
Image credit: NASA/Northrop Grumman
US defence company Northrop Grumman has opted for a three-part aircraft – a rather unusual design for a plane.
Image credit: NASA/The Boeing Company
Boeing's proposal of a blended-wing design recalls already existing models previously launched by the company.
Here is the world’s most expensive television set. It’s not the size of the screen or some breakthrough technology that’s given it a huge price tag though – it’s because it’s encrusted in diamonds and covered with gold.
British designer, Stuart Hughes will only make a total of three PrestigeHD Supreme Rose televisions. Each set will have a 55-inch screen with a 28kg frame made from solid 18-carat rose gold. The outer frames will be encrusted with 72 round cut one-carat flawless diamonds.
Hundreds of tiny sunstones and amethysts are mixed into the gold frame, while inner frame will be made from hand-sewn alligator skin. As for the price, it’s a whopping £1,500,000 ($2,300,000).
Hughes is also producing 10 cheaper versions of the PrestigeHD Supreme. They will only have 19 kilograms of gold and 48 diamonds, for a price tag of £1 million ($1,500,000). I think I’ll take two. LOL
