FEATURED: Will Google subsidize data to get the next 5 billion people connected?
For as nifty and novel as Glass, Google+, and 60fps gaming on a high-end Android device are, those aren’t items that will truly drive Google’s growth in the next decade. Indeed, something far less headline-worthy will be responsible, and it’s something that piqued my interest during this week’s Google I/O keynote.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
Terrific video gives a closeup look at the most beautiful smartwatch we’ve seen
Most smartwatches that we’ve seen haven’t exactly blown us away so far, but the hardware design team at Motorola really deserves a lot of credit for the Moto 360, an Android Wear-based smartwatch that looks absolutely terrific. Motorola has now posted a new video that gives us a nice up-close look at the Moto 360 and walks us through some of its basic functions, including how to turn the device on, how to bring up and respond to notification cards and how to use voice commands to ask Google questions. We still don’t know exactly when the Moto 360 is coming out and Motorola is only saying that it will release “later this summer.” However, it’s definitely the most anticipated smartwatch release outside of Apple’s still-to-be-revealed iWatch that we expect to see this fall. The full video follows below.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
Ford’s 1 Liter EcoBoost Engine Packs a Punch
It has always been said that good things come in small packages, and Ford’s 1.0 liter EcoBoost engine is no exception; it packs a punch and gets the job done efficiently.
Ford’s 1.0 liter EcoBoost engine has been proclaimed the 2014 International Engine of the Year, following voting sponsored by Engine Technology International magazine. The 1.0 liter EcoBoost has also broken a record, becoming the first engine to win the award three consecutive years in a row, and it out-competed the second place winner, the Ferrari 4.5 liter V8, by a margin of 351 points to 281 points. The voting is done by 82 jurors from 34 countries.
The 999cc engine is a three cylinder turbocharged configuration, featuring direct injection and variable valve timing. The compact, low inertia turbocharger manages to spin at 248,000 rpm, a rate more than double even Formula 1 turbochargers. The integrated and cooled exhaust manifold lowers exhaust temperatures, lending itself towards optimizing the fuel/air ratio. The innovative flywheel and pulley system design also constitutes part of what makes the 1.0 liter EcoBoost so advanced; the inherent imbalance of a three cylinder engine is ameliorated by special counterbalancing in the flywheel and pulley system, thus eliminating the need for the conventional, and very inefficient, balance shaft. The engine produces 123 hp and 148 ft. lbs. of torque, and it’s been boosted to about 140 hp for certain model variants; though it’s probably even capable of a bit more.
Available in 72 countries, the engine is becoming the mainstay of Ford’s emerging fleet of compact vehicles, which aim to be efficient, while still retaining potency under the hood. Currently available stateside in the Fiesta, Ford aims to have the engine also available in the US-badged Focus, as well as other models, sometime in the near future.
Ford’s 1.0 liter EcoBoost engine won the sub-1.0 liter class, as well as the overall contest, but the other individual classes and the winners are as follows:
By Displacement:
- 1.0-1.4 Liter– VW 1.4 liter TSI twin-charged
- 1.4-1.8 Liter– BMW/PSA 1.6 liter turbocharged
- 1.8-2.0 Liter– Mercedes AMG 2.0 liter turbocharged
- 2.0-2.5 Liter– Audi 2.5 liter turbocharged
- 2.5-3.0 Liter– BMW 3 liter twin-turbocharged
- 3.0-4.0 Liter– McLaren 3.8 liter V8 twin-turbocharged
By Category:
- New Engine– Mercedes AMG 2.0-liter turbocharged
- Green Engine– Tesla electric power-train
- Performance Engine– Ferrari 4.5-liter V8(naturally aspirated)
Article courtesy of Speedville.com.
The post Ford’s 1 Liter EcoBoost Engine Packs a Punch appeared first on Engine Builder Magazine.
Read more here: Engine Builder Magazine
How to turn any smartphone on the planet into a virtual reality headset
When developers lined up for their free smartwatches following Google’s keynote on Wednesday, another intriguing creation made its way into the goody bag, one that appeared to be slightly more affordable than the Android Wear devices. Google’s Cardboard project lets anyone transform their Android smartphones into a basic virtual reality headset using homemade materials, most notably a piece of cardboard.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
A comprehensive list of every single new Android L feature
We’re all familiar now with all of the major new features that Google announced with Android L, including a new actionable notifications center, the new Material Design feature that will bring a more unified user interface, and compatibility with 64-bit hardware. However, there were a ton of features that Google added with Android L that didn’t get mentioned, although the company did put up a quick graphic toward the end of its presentation that listed them all.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
Google Now doesn’t need Android L to get awesome new features
Google’s voice-based virtual assistant has gotten even smarter this week, as Google issued a new Google Search update that brings some cool new features to Google Now. Android Police reveals that Google Now will work on any screen now, including the lock screen. Users can simply configure Google Now to work on any screen by going the “Ok Google Detection” menu on their devices.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
ANDROID FANS: Here’s how you can try out Android L RIGHT NOW
Anxious to try out Android L but aren’t willing to wait until whenever it finally releases? Well now you can… as long as you own a Nexus 5 phone or a Nexus 7 tablet, that is. Google has announced that developers can download a preview of Android L onto their Nexus 5 smartphones or Nexus 7 tablets right now to get an early look at the new build that Google is promising will be its “biggest release in Android history.” Of course, you shouldn’t install this preview if you aren’t familiar with Android development tools or if you don’t want to deal with crashing apps. But for those Nexus 5 and Nexus 7 owners who are feeling adventurous, head on over to the Android developer’s website for detailed instructions on how to install the preview onto your device.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
Here’s how the Dukes of Hazzard shop for a new car
Filed under:
The General Lee from Dukes of Hazzard is an automotive icon that can never be replaced, as the high-flying, haystack-leaping, cop-fleeing muscle car is the stuff stunt driving dreams are made of.
Yet that sure didn’t stop the good folks at Autotrader from finding a way to target our inner-Dukes to go online car shopping with this entertaining video featuring the legendary 1969 Dodge Charger with Bo and Luke behind the wheel.
Known for its signature horn, lengthy car chase stunts (especially its long, completely insane jumps) we’re not sure why you’d ever want to give up driving the General Lee, but who knows, maybe these more “mature” Dukes are sick and tired of their car having its doors welded shut so you have to climb in and out through the windows?!
Click here to watch the action-packed way the Dukes of Hazzard shop for a brand new car.
Here’s how the Dukes of Hazzard shop for a new car
Here’s how the Dukes of Hazzard shop for a new car originally appeared on Autoblog Canada on Thu, 26 Jun 2014 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | Comments
Read more here: Ownership & Repair
The pros and cons of innovating ‘The Google Way’
Google is probably the most unique company that I’ve ever observed, especially when it comes to being vastly more open about its innovation process than other companies. In contrast to Apple, which displays a comical obsession with secrecy, Google has no issues with opening up its garage door and showing you what it’s working on, even if it isn’t anywhere close to being finished.
Read more here: Boy Genius Report
UEM Pistons Launches New Website
United Engine and Machines’s (UEM) new website makes piston selection fast, simple and economical. As the largest piston manufacturer in North America, UEM is proud to announce the launch of its new website. UEM produces cast and forged pistons in variety of forged and cast aluminum alloys that meet and exceed the requirements of today’s high performance internal combustion engines.
Each of UEMs piston brands; ICON, Silv-O-Lite, KB Automotive, Claimer, KB V-Twin, and KB Powersports are carefully crafted with specific applications in mind. UEM’s line is crafted featuring a variety of superior design elements, technical engineering differences and specialty manufacturing processes. Their extensive in-house manufacturing capabilities enable the complete development and manufacture of piston needs, ensuring a precision balance, finish and concentricity.
The new site includes sections on all piston categories, and detailed information on each application. UEM’s unique Piston Calculator section includes analytics to determine compression ratios, ring end gaps, deck clearance and other critical needs. Also, the latest up-to-date catalogs are online for downloading and referencing.
For more information www.UEMpistons.com.
The post UEM Pistons Launches New Website appeared first on Engine Builder Magazine.
Read more here: Engine Builder Magazine