I sold my Viper, but the memories I'll keep

The following is written by auto industry veteran Tom Kowaleski. The words are his own, but the memories now belong to everyone thanks to his willingness to share. If you're an industry veteran with a story to share, contact us at tipsATautoblogDOTcom. It became the flame that started the fire of belief in the next life of Chrysler.

Viper was a major part of my education in the automobile business. I worked at Chrysler in the '80s and '90s, and the Viper's development – indeed, its whole story – was critical to Chrysler's revitalization and comeback into credibility. The Viper program was done on a shoestring.






Autoblog , I sold my Viper, but the memories I'll keep, I sold my Viper, but the memories I'll keep

McLaren MP4-12C Spider clocks 213 mph, faster than official top speed

With an official top speed of 204 miles per hour, there's no reason to ever think of the McLaren MP4-12C Spider as anything like "slow." In fact, with that top end over the critical 200-mph mark thanks to its whopper of a 616-horsepower, twin-turbo V8, the topless Mac is in a very small club of road-going automobiles. What's more, with the ability to hit the two-century mark being such a critical statistic for an exotic car, and with each digit over 200 coming a very high cost, we except the manufacturer ratings to be about as optimistic as they can be. Which is why we find this video so remarkable.



Autoblog , McLaren MP4-12C Spider clocks 213 mph, faster than official top speed, McLaren MP4-12C Spider clocks 213 mph, faster than official top speed

LG could be working on a Nexus 5 after all, device shown off to Google CEO Larry Page [RUMOR]

It was only a few days ago LG officially announced the white Nexus 4 and in our post, we talked about CEO Kim Wong's firm denial of rumors that his company was working on a follow up device. As we stated before, this wasn't your typical “We don't comment on rumors and speculation,” PR response. Mr. Wong went as far as saying that the Nexus 4 gave them the traction they needed and that another stock Android device simply was no longer desirable for the company. Ouch.

But, according to UnwiredView, somethings may have gotten loss in the translation.

Android Phone , LG could be working on a Nexus 5 after all, device shown off to Google CEO Larry Page [RUMOR], LG could be working on a Nexus 5 after all, device shown off to Google CEO Larry Page [RUMOR]

Why do a majority of smartphone makers prefer IPS technology? [SPONSORED]

The reasons why smartphone makers love IPS displays. The mobile industry has taken great strides in areas such as processor technology, RAM, and 4G LTE connectivity, but with the innovation curve being reached in those areas, it's important to refocus on one of the most important components of any device — its display. The display is the first thing you look at each time you turn your smartphone on, and it's the proverbial window into your digital life.


Android Phone , Why do a majority of smartphone makers prefer IPS technology? [SPONSORED], Why do a majority of smartphone makers prefer IPS technology? [SPONSORED]

Google says Nexus program will continue, excited about Samsung's success as much as Motorola's potential

The big bombshell that most of you cared about was already dropped in Walt Mossberg's onstage interview of Android chief Sundar Pichai at D: All Things Digital. There was a lot more talking to be done, though, and some interesting tidbits have come from the interview since then. Speaking on the Nexus program, Pichai assured us that we wouldn't have to worry about that ending anytime soon. He says the Nexus program has always been about wanting to shape the ecosystem.


Android Phone , Google says Nexus program will continue, excited about Samsung's success as much as Motorola's potential, Google says Nexus program will continue, excited about Samsung's success as much as Motorola's potential

I-O DATA - "ED-HB" series security USB memory stick - Use buttons on the stick to lock and unlock access to data

I-O DATA is releasing 3 models (4GB, 8GB, 16GB) of the “ED-HB” series security USB memory stick. They will be available in early July, with the 16GB model only available on request. There has been USB memory that supports software password authentication, however these sticks cannot be used with an OS that is not compatible with the software.




Akihabara News , I-O DATA - "ED-HB" series security USB memory stick - Use buttons on the stick to lock and unlock access to data, I-O DATA - "ED-HB" series security USB memory stick - Use buttons on the stick to lock and unlock access to data

Nokia continues assault against HTC One, asks ITC to ban sales

HTC has already run into some issues over the microphone used in their One handset. According to Nokia, the component being sourced is a proprietary technology. While HTC was found “blameless” (the component manufacturer was in the wrong in this case), they still decided to seek a new microphone elsewhere. But that doesn't mean Nokia is done.

Android Phone , Nokia continues assault against HTC One, asks ITC to ban sales, Nokia continues assault against HTC One, asks ITC to ban sales

Ford F-150 EcoBoost in NHTSA probe for acceleration issue

According to Automotive News, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is launching a probe into 400,000 Ford F-150 models over possible acceleration problems. According to the article, NHTSA has received 95 reports "alleging incidents of reduced engine power during hard accelerations" on 2011 to 2013 F-150 models equipped with the company's 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine. Automotive News reports that Ford has issued three technical service bulletins "related to intermittent stumble/misfire on acceleration from highway cruise in humid or damp conditions," according to the government agency's documents.

Autoblog , Ford F-150 EcoBoost in NHTSA probe for acceleration issue, Ford F-150 EcoBoost in NHTSA probe for acceleration issue

See the aftermath of this guy's Galaxy S3 exploding

The world can never get enough of the exploding cell phone story. Whether it's legit and leaves real cause for concern, or a fabricated story designed to falsely sue phone manufacturers (we're looking at you, exploding DROID 2 guy), we're always amazed by these accounts. That's why the story of one Reddit user's Galaxy S3 exploding caught our attention quite effortlessly. According to the poster, doing his bidding as username vizionx1208 on Reddit, the phone woke him up in the middle of the night when it made a loud noise and a weird squeaking sound.


Android Phone , See the aftermath of this guy's Galaxy S3 exploding, See the aftermath of this guy's Galaxy S3 exploding

Thanko - 32 LED Smartphone Flash - Earphone terminal mounted - Use a proper flash when taking pictures with your smart device; use it with the in-camera

Thanko just released the “32 LED Smartphone Flash” for smartphones and tablets.  Smartphones' flash is often not sufficient and the in-camera doesn't have a flash, therefore, for example, when you want to take a photo of yourself it's not easy for you to take a good photo in a dark place.  However, “32 LED Smartphone Flash” will enable you to take a good photo of yourself easily. It's got a 3.5 mm plug built in. To start using “32 LED Smartphone Flash”, simply place it in the earphone terminal of a smartphone or tablet and turn it on. You can charge it through the USB port on a PC, etc.









Akihabara News , Thanko - 32 LED Smartphone Flash - Earphone terminal mounted - Use a proper flash when taking pictures with your smart device; use it with the in-camera, Thanko - 32 LED Smartphone Flash - Earphone terminal mounted - Use a proper flash when taking pictures with your smart device; use it with the in-camera

Microsoft Revealed XBox One Console

Microsoft has finally revealed their new Xbox One console on May 21st with new design and interactive features at a special event held at its campus in Redmond. Microsoft has revealed the new console will feature new hardware, impressive graphics, connected interfaces and upcoming games. Technically, Xbox One has a 8-core AMD processor with x86 architecture, 8 Gb of RAM, a 500 GB hard drive, 3 USB 3.0 ports, and a Blu-Ray drive. It also features 802.11 n/g/b wireless with Wifi Direct and also Bluetooth.
The console will be on sale November 30 and it comes with a new controller.

Aurum3 NewTech , Microsoft Revealed XBox One Console

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, Microsoft Revealed XBox One Console

Eidos Masks: Giving Humans Superpowers (of perception)

The Eidos masks are really, really cool. New toys like Google Glass are neat, but augmented reality (AR) has been around forever. Going back to WWII-era active gun sights, forward to the heads-up displays of modern aircraft & automobiles, to smartphone apps that overlay directions, traffic conditions, restaurant reviews, or, through facial recognition, the name of an acquaintance or colleague; throughout the basic concept and implementation of AR has remained fundamentally unchanged.
The same could be said for virtual reality (VR), with one caveat: for practical purposes, it doesn't really like, you know, exist.

Akihabara News , Eidos Masks: Giving Humans Superpowers (of perception)

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, Eidos Masks: Giving Humans Superpowers (of perception)

JVC rolls out the GC-P100 a new 600fps capable HD Camera

Announced last Friday in Japan, JVC's new powerful camcorder the GC-P100 is the sport oriented or action amateur filmmaker dream comes true. Indeed thanks to JVC's Falcon Bird technology the GC-P100 is capable to shoot by default Full HD 60p videos in 36Mbps as well as stunning 600fps ones in 320×176. Announced at around 130,000 Yen and set to arrive in Japan at the end of May, the GC-P100 comes with a 12.76Mpix CMOS sensor, a JVC HD GT Lens with a 10x optical zoom, IS, Zoom Position Memory, a 3″ Monitor and additional 0.24 Viewfinder and support both SDHC and SDXC Cards.


Akihabara News , JVC rolls out the GC-P100 a new 600fps capable HD Camera, JVC rolls out the GC-P100 a new 600fps capable HD Camera

Interested in a Cord Taco?

Most cord organizers I've seen are made of Velcro or plastic or even fabric, but very few of them are made of leather.  The Cord Taco 5-Pack from the This is Ground shop on Etsy has five leather cord organizers for the price of a single leather organizer from some companies.  Each Taco is a circular piece of leather that folds around your cords, cables, or earbuds and locks closed with a metallic button (black or gold, depending on leather color) to keep everything organized.

The Gadgeteer , Interested in a Cord Taco?, Interested in a Cord Taco?

I-O DATA - Only 9 mm thin USB3.0 compliant portable 500GB HDD - "Kakuusu 9″

I-O DATA is releasing a 9 mm thin USB3.0 compliant portable HDD called “Kakuusu 9″ in late June. It has a compact body (75 x 110 x 9mm, 125g) with a stylish aluminum casing, making it a fitting accompaniment to an Ultrabook, MacBook Air, etc.










Akihabara News , I-O DATA - Only 9 mm thin USB3.0 compliant portable 500GB HDD - "Kakuusu 9″, I-O DATA - Only 9 mm thin USB3.0 compliant portable 500GB HDD - "Kakuusu 9″

Lewis Hamilton jet ski prank causes camera damage

That zany Lewis Hamilton is up to some hijinks once again, recently hamming it up on a pair of jet skis for a television film crew in Monaco with fellow Formula One driver Nico Rosberg. The F1 drivers were supposed to stay far enough away from the camera operators on a stationary boat, but Hamilton came in close, executed a sharp turn and sprayed the whole crowd with water. Early reports said the stunt did $150,000 in damage to cameras and mobile phones, but Mercedes said that wasn't the case. A source with the company said one freelancer didn't adequately protect his gear.

Autoblog , Lewis Hamilton jet ski prank causes camera damage, Lewis Hamilton jet ski prank causes camera damage

2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray 6.2L LT1 rated at 460 hp, 465 lb-ft

Chevrolet has officially dropped power figures for the 2014 Corvette Stingray. The sports car's 6.2-liter V8 can crank out up to 460 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 465 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm. Most of the torque, up to 316 lb-ft, is available from just 1,000 rpm, and wide open the LT1 V8 produces just 5 lb-ft less than the outgoing LS7 in the Z06. Mercy.
Using the standard exhaust, the engine yields 455 hp and 460 lb-ft of torque. Chevrolet estimates that's good enough to get the 2014 Corvette to 60 miles per hour in under four seconds. Even with all that thrust on hand, Chevy says the LT1 is more efficient than ever.

Autoblog , 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray 6.2L LT1 rated at 460 hp, 465 lb-ft, 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray 6.2L LT1 rated at 460 hp, 465 lb-ft

Unitcom AEX17X3-32GB 17.3-Inch High-End Notebook

Unitcom has come out with another high-end notebook, the AEX17X3-32GB. Powered by a 2.70GHz Intel Core i7-3740QM processor, the system is packed with a 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 Full HD display, an Intel HM77 Express Chipset, a GeForce GTX 680M 4GB graphics card, a 32GB DDR3 RAM, a 256GB SSD, a 1TB hard drive, a Blu-ray writer, WiFi, Bluetooth and runs on Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (SP1) OS. The AEX17X3-32GB sells for 299,980 Yen (about $3,029).

TechFresh , Unitcom AEX17X3-32GB 17.3-Inch High-End Notebook, Unitcom AEX17X3-32GB 17.3-Inch High-End Notebook

VW builds 250,000th Passat in Chattanooga in just two years

It hasn't been without incident or union organizing drive, but the Volkswagen plant in Chattanooga, TN has built its 250,000 Passat in just a little over two years. The Night Blue Passat TDI with black leather has come just two years and five weeks after the first customer car came off the line on April 18, 2011. In the last year the plant operated at the 150,000-unit capacity that it was intended for, but the downturn in Passat sales and subsequent worker layoffs mean it will be a challenge to repeat the feat.

Autoblog , VW builds 250,000th Passat in Chattanooga in just two years

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, VW builds 250,000th Passat in Chattanooga in just two years

Green House - Wireless display connection set GH-WD-HDMI - Play movies or sounds in your notebook PC wirelessly on a big display

Green House is releasing a wireless display connection set – “GH-WD-HDMI” – that allows you to play movies or sounds from your notebook PC wirelessly on a big display TV, projector, etc., in early May. It's compatible with Ultra Wide Band (UWB) whose transmission rate is maximum 480Mbps and it can play content very smoothly. 480Mbps is faster than wireless LAN 54Mbps or Bluetooth3.0 HS 24Mbps.
HDMI port, analog RGB port, 3.5mm stereo mini jack, and USB port are built-in. By connecting mouse or keyboard to the USB port, you can make a tablet PC work like a desktop PC.



Akihabara News , Green House - Wireless display connection set GH-WD-HDMI - Play movies or sounds in your notebook PC wirelessly on a big display, Green House - Wireless display connection set GH-WD-HDMI - Play movies or sounds in your notebook PC wirelessly on a big display