TECHNOVENZA

Nokia N96

2008-06-08T19:34:00.003+05:30

Display	TFT, 16M colors
Display	240 x 320 pixels, 2.8 inches

Memory	Practically unlimited entries and fields, Photocall
	Detailed, max 30 days
	microSD (TransFlash), up to 8GB
	- Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate - 16 GB internal memory - 128MB RAM, 256MB storage memor

Data	Class 32, 107 / 64.2 kbps
	Yes
	Class 32, 296 kbps; DTM Class 11, 177 kbps
	HSDPA, 3.6 Mbps
	Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, UPnP technology
	Yes, v2.0 with A2DP
	No
	Yes, v2.0 microUSB

Features	Symbian OS 9.3, S60 rel. 3.2
	SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML, RSS reader
	Downloadable
	Black
	5 MP, 2592x1944 pixels, Carl Zeiss optics, autofocus, video(VGA 30fps), flash; secondary VGA videocall camera
	- Built-in GPS receiver - A-GPS function - DVB-H TV broadcast receiver - Dual slide design - Java MIDP 2.0 - MP3/AAC/AAC+/eAAC+/WMA player - 3.5 mm audio output jack - TV out - Stereo FM Radio with RDS - Organizer - Office document viewer - T9 - Push to talk - Voice dial/memo - Built-in handsfree

2008-06-05T11:17:00.001+05:30

Sorry friends
there was no post for long time over here because i was enjoying vacations
but now i am back in action
so keep visiting
thank you

2008-03-08T16:41:00.002+05:30

Simple internet marketing by abombcall.com

abombcall is the web site which provides a great, simple, easiest and exciting internet money making program. It helps a people to earn a lot by just start joining a simple online money making program. You just have to do online marketing of some products and earn money.You can now download tell all session for free, so hurry up.

2008-03-08T16:31:00.000+05:30

Cms Forex

Cms Forex is one of the grate site to practice online and check your market trading skills.
If you are beginner and you want to test your knowledge in the actual trading market there is no need to invest your physical now you can practice and improve your knowledge by using Cms Forex. Friend i would like you to suggest this site for practice online and start earning money.
Best luck

2008-03-08T16:14:00.004+05:30

Pefeiffer defends
world stunt title

German stunt God retains world freestyle crown
Visordown Motorcycle News

BMW Motorrad's Chris Pefeiffer (37) has successfully defended the " Streetbike Freestyle World Championship " ( Zurich )

The German dominated proceedings aboard his BMW F 800, winning each of four rounds,to retain the crown he won at the inaugural event in 2007. Second place went to Portuguese rider Humberto Ribeiro, while rounding up the podium was Sebastien Desbonnet from France.

Pfeiffer pitted his skills against 16 competitors from 12 different countries, and once again proved that when it comes to freestyle stunt riding, very few can get close to the talented German.

“I feel great, having retained the title I won last year. Because I was the reigning champion, there was a massive amount of pressure on my shoulders to perform again,” said Chris . “ I'm extremely proud to have coped with that pressure and to have come through as champion again.” After initial practice rounds, the contest consisted of two runs of four minutes each, with the best score counting. Having experienced stiff competition at last year's event, Chris knew that he would have to produce an outstanding run in the final rounds to put himself in contention at the top of the leader board. And after pulling off some never-seen-before combinations, the job was done.

“I was delighted to nail the new combinations I was planning, in particular the new donut combo I had never attempted in competition. Then I tried some new wheelie combos that the crowd seemed to enjoy. In the end I managed to produce more tricks in a quicker time than anybody else, and for that I felt I deserved to win over the weekend,” said Chris.

Looking forward to the 2009 competition, Pfeiffer admits he would love to win a third consecutive title, but believes as time goes on, the competition will become tougher.

“Becoming champion can be seen as the easy part. But staying champion is difficult, and it won't be long before the judges discover a young rider who is capable of winning!” he concluded.

2008-03-07T20:50:00.003+05:30

The Mexican Decoration Products
Rocks the market

The Mexican culture has for centuries been nurturing the art of creating beautiful ceramics. Ceramics created by Pre-Columbian civilizations show why Mexico possesses an extraordinary artistic heritage. When we look at the plates, jars, vases, and tiles, we can detect the merging of several extraordinary cultures in this type of Art. We can easily observe distinctive characteristics of Spanish, Arabic, Italian and Chinese origin, and of course the magnificent creativity of the Mestizos and indigenous people of Mexico.

2008-02-23T16:09:00.002+05:30

Bajaj Sonic DTS I

In the 100-125 cc bikes segment of India, Bajaj Auto will launch Sonic DTSi. Bajaj Sonic was displayed in 2006 auto show and may hit the roads for sale by end of 2008. Powered with the latest DTSi engine technology Bajaj Sonic will be a 100 cc bike targeted to the young males, passionate for style, speed and performance.

New Sonic will be powered by the latest DTSi (Digital Twin Spark Ignition) engine with Exhaus TEC technology. This Bajaj Bike will get Direct Injection (DI) and produce an impressive 10 ps of power that will make it more fuel efficient to satisfy the mileage conscious customers. For better riding comfort and sporty handling Bajaj Sonic DTSi will be equipped with the twin Spring-in-Spring (SNS) suspension, disc brakes and 17" wide alloy wheels.

The stylish and power packed Bajaj Sonic bike will definitely rock the 100 cc bike segment with its competitive price band.

2008-02-21T18:27:00.002+05:30

World's longest arch bridge to be built in Dubai

This picture , released by the World Architecture Review.is an artist's rendition of the Dubai Arch Bridge. Inspired by the " Rythemic Grace of Dubai creek " , The $817 million bride is set to be the Worlds Longest Arch Bridge upon competion.The Bridge links to the Burj Dubai and Deria districts of Dubai and will be the 6th creek crossing in the city. The 1.7 km and 205 m bridge in Dubai is set to be an Architectural marvel,official say

Tatas to drive hydrogen bus with ISRO...

2007-12-02T16:38:00.000+05:30

BANGALORE: If everything goes according to plan, guests at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi would be travelling from the games venue to the games village and back on pollution-free hydrogen buses!

This green initiative of ISRO and Tata Motors will see the country’s first hydrogen bus. Work has already started on the project and the prototype is expected to be ready by December 2008.

The bus will not run on an engine, but on electric power produced out of a mix of hydrogen and oxygen. It will use hydrogen fuel cell technology as against combustion technology which burns gasoline. The bus will emit nothing but a cloud of water vapour.

Tata Motors will get the frame and chassis ready while ISRO will provide the fuel technology. The first bus will be a 60-seater proto-model.

Based on its performance, modified versions will be built further on, ISRO chairman G Madhavan Nair told reporters on the sidelines of the 14th session of the Asia-Pacific Regional Space Agency Forum that opened on Thursday at the ISRO headquarters here.

The bus will roughly cost Rs 80 lakh with per kg of hydrogen gas that will run it costing around Rs 120 per kg or more. A 40-kg cylinder will allow the bus to run 560 km, ie an entire day for a typical metro bus.

“In short run it may be costly, but in long run when we are on the verge of hydrocarbon extinction, people will be willing to pay anything. We are working on a bus now because that will be more economical than a car as it would carry 60 people. In Phase II we will come out with a car with lower cost of hydrogen gas. Technological challenge of conversion of gas to electricity is immediate for ISRO now,’’ architect of the bus, V Vnanagandhi, programme director, ISRO, Ahmedabad, said.

“In fuel cell technology (buses that run on cells that store hydrogen in the form of fuel), hydrogen energy is reacted with oxygen to produce water and electricity,” Vnanagandhi explained.

Live Documents

2007-11-27T21:20:00.000+05:30

Sabeer Bhatia known for his ‘Hotmail’ has gone and launched “Live Documents”, described as a ‘hybrid online-offline Office suite of applications.

Live Documents is a full-featured suite of online Office productivity applications offering functionality equivalent to Word, Excel and PowerPoint. Built using RIA technologies such as Flash and Flex, Live Documents allow users to view and edit documents within any common browser on any operating system from anywhere. Live Documents uses a Flash-based user interface that offers a richer and responsive user experience that is comparable to native Office software applications.

In addition, Live Documents is available as a optional desktop client application that wraps around Microsoft Office and embeds collaborative capabilities into these hitherto standalone software applications - Live Documents converts Microsoft Office applications from static standalone software to smart clients that are connected to the Internet and facilitate in-context document sharing (multiple people can edit a document at the same time) and management (security, access control and revision control) without requiring users to give up their familiar user interfaces. The Live Documents desktop client also ensures offline access to documents - a key failing of current online Office applications.

About InstaColl

Co-founded by Sabeer “Hotmail” Bhatia, InstaColl is a Bangalore-based software product startup offering solutions that bridge the gap between powerful, rich desktop software applications and collaborative web-based services, providing a user experience that marries the best of both worlds.

The EKA has been rated as the fourth fastest supercomputer in the world and fastest supercomputer in Asia.

2007-11-20T00:20:00.000+05:30

EKA, the supercomputer built at the Computational Research Laboratories (CRL), subsidiary of Tata in Pune has grabbed the top place in the list of Top500 Supercomputers announced at SC07, the international conference for high-performance computing, networking, storage and analysis at Reno, Nevada, USA.

The EKA has been rated as the fourth fastest supercomputer in the world and fastest supercomputer in Asia.

This Indian super computer uses nearly 1800 computing nodes and has a peak performance of 170 Teraflops (TFlops or Trillion Floating Point Operations per Second). Moreover, it delivers a sustained performance of 120 Teraflops based on the LINPACK benchmarks which are used by the world-wide community to rank supercomputers based on performance.

Celebrating this success Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata group said, “High performance computing solutions have an ever-increasing role in the scientific and new technological space the world over.”

He added, “The Tata group has supported this development activity and is extremely proud of the team that has developed and built this supercomputer, which is now ranked as the world’s fourth fastest. I am sure this supercomputer and its successor systems will make a major contribution to India’s ongoing scientific and technological initiatives.”

The supercomputer installed at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore is India’s second fastest computer and has been ranked 58th in the Top500 list. Meanwhile, the BlueGene/L System developed by IBM and National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and established at DOE’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California is the fastest supercomputer in the world.

Dell XPS M1330 Product Details

2007-11-18T16:16:00.000+05:30

Processor

Intel^® Core^TM 2 Duo Processor T7250

Operating System

Genuine Windows Vista^® Home Premium

Chipset

Intel^® 965GM Chipset

Memory

2GB Dual-channel 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM

Hard Drive

160GB ²5400RPM SATA Hard Drive

Dell Recommends 250GB ²5400RPM SATA Hard Drive

HDD Callout

StrikeZone^TM Shock Absorber

Display/Monitor

13.3" UltraSharp^TM Widescreen WXGA (1280x800) TFT Display with TrueLife^TM

I/O Ports

VGA, RJ45, 2 Headphone, Microphone, 2 mini-card slots, IEEE 1394a, consumer IR, HDMI. RJ-11 is supported via External USB Dongle. ExpressCard 54mm slot

Battery

56 WHr 6-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery
Dell Recommends Spare Battery: 85 WHr 9-cell Lithium Ion Primary Battery

Network Card

Integrated 10/100 Fast Ethernet

Controller Card

Intel^® 3945 802.11a/g Mini-card

Graphic Card
Intel^® Integrated Graphics Media Accelerator X3100

CD-ROM/DVD-ROM/Disk drive

8X max DVD+/-RW Drive with DVD+R double layer write capability

Software

N/A
Dell Recommends Microsoft^® Office Home & Student 2007 - OEM version

Warranty

1-year XPS Premier Service with 1-year CompleteCover

Anti-Virus

McAfee^® Security Center^TM 30 days Introductory Offer
Dell Recommends McAfee^TM SecurityCenter 15-months

Object of Desire

Love great art? The XPS M1330’s sleek lines and elegant form elevate it from PC to icon. Opt for Alpine White, Crimson Red or Tuxedo Black and enjoy the surprisingly sensual look and feel of MicroSatin paint.

Sleek and Sexy

As one of the thinnest and lightest notebooks in its class, the XPS M1330 is a truly portable notebook. How did we get so thin? Our optional LED display uses 32 tiny, white LEDs for a super bright, super skinny screen. Projected weight starting at just under 4 pounds (1.8 kg)¹ and featuring next-gen technologies like optional embedded mobile broadband, slot load optical drive, HDMI connection, Biometric Fingerprint Security, the XPS M1330 is the last word in leading edge high tech.

Be Free

True mobile freedom is about more than just the size and weight of your notebook. The XPS M1330 offers an exclusive set of wireless options that help you stay connected wherever you go. Enjoy a wire free environment.

Go Long

With an optional 9-cell battery, the XPS M1330 is designed to minimize power consumption while delivering up to 7 hours² of mobile power – that’s up to 3 DVDs on a single charge

Get Face to Face

With the XPS M1330’s built-in 2MP* camera and noise cancelling mic, you’ll have the power to connect with friends, family and colleagues around the globe. Video conference, chat or blog - the XPS M1330 brings the world to your notebook.

*Upgraded LED display comes with 0.3MP camera

KTM bikes will be available very soon in Bajaj Probiking Showrooms

2007-11-17T21:32:00.000+05:30

KTM bikes will be available very soon in Bajaj Probiking Showrooms

Yep!! you heard it right…."MG_Biker1806" a XBHPian revealed this news. KTM bikes will be available very soon in Bajaj Probiking showrooms. For the moment they have 3 models for India. They are:

1)990 Superduke
2)690 Duke-Adventure Sports
3)250EXC-F

250EXCF will be priced at 2.5 to 3 lakhs

KTM 990 Superduke

KTM 690 Duke

KTM 250 EXC-F

KTM 990 Superduke

You can barely find words to express the riding fun and the feeling that the KTM 990 Superduke gives you when it’s in motion. Just as KTM re-invented the Streetfighter, you try to invent new words for what happens beneath you curve after curve. The KTM 990 Superduke sweeps through curves – ultra-precise, radical and agile. The landscape flies past fast, faster, much too fast. You feel the road, the centrifugal force and want more.

KTM 690 Duke

KTM presents the 690 Duke, the ultimate single-cylinder naked bike! It's driven by the
most powerful, 65 HP (48 kW), street-legal single of all time, equipped with a superior street suspension and assembled with a discernible passion for design and technology.

KTM 250 EXC-F

If a bike can truly earn the name “muscle man” in the small class, then this super-light and extremely agile four-stroke does. Equipped with state of the art, four-valve technology, the XC-F delivers plenty of power, which it applies perfectly to the track every time. Excellent power development – from enormous force at lower speeds, to maximum performance at peak rpms.

But that is only the first key to success. Because, with its new chassis and totally new bodywork, the 250 XC-F is certainly a constant guarantee of podium placements.

Below are few models of KTM Motorcycles

990 SUPERDUKE (SERIES MODEL)

950 SUPERMOTO (PRE-SERIES MODEL)

990 RC8 (DEVELOPMENT LEVEL P1)

990 RC8 VENOM (CONCEPT BIKE)

Exactly a week after Carlos Ghosn’s high-profile visit to its Chakan plant, Bajaj Auto has announced another top-gear alliance, this time in the motorcycle market. On Monday, Bajaj picked up 14.5% in KTM from the open market for around Rs 300-350 crore as part of a ‘wide-ranging co-operation’ with the e566 million (Rs 3,200 crore) KTM Power Sports, Europe’s second-largest sport motorcycle maker.

Bajaj picked up the stake through its 100% Dutch subsidiary and sources say it may look at picking up another 5-10%. Industry sources add Bajaj Auto may also get a seat on the KTM board.

The alliance with KTM covers joint development of street bikes for both Indian and overseas markets and will complement Bajaj Auto’s efforts to hammer out a deal with another European motorcycle brand, Triumph.

Sources say talks are on with Triumph and if they go through, the focus would be more on cruisers and other higher displacement on-road products. KTM, on the other hand, makes mostly off-road sports bikes. Its jointly-developed street bikes with Bajaj will have smaller 125 and 250 cc engines.

The promoters of KTM currently own 50.1% of the company. When asked if Bajaj would increase its shareholding in the company to a more substantial 20-25%, KTM chief executive Stefan Pierer told ET: “Our company is listed on the Vienna stock exchange and Bajaj’s current stake comes from the free float shares. If there’s something free on the market they could do it and end up increasing their participation. We see this as a long-term partnership and we would be very positive about it.”

The partnership will jointly develop a high-performance, water-cooled engine platform for 125 and 250 cc bikes. "The engine platform will spawn several models," said Mr Pierer. "KTM will do KTM models and Bajaj will make Bajaj motorcycles." The two companies, he said, are focussing on their core markets for this new range of street bikes-Bajaj on India and the South Asian and South East Asian markets and KTM on Europe.

But in the second phase, that spread will increase. “We have a good presence in north America and we can figure out which models will work there," Mr Pierer said. "Also we have a footprint in Japan but not in the rest of Asia so the alliance can look at South East Asian markets like Indonesia, Philippines, China, Vietnam etc," he added.

The alliance will not only enable Bajaj to take over the distribution of KTM products in India and South East Asia, it will also enable the Indian two wheeler major to access the European market through KTM. “We are currently looking at how we can market and sell Bajaj products in European markets,” Mr Pierer said. And sourcing will also be part of the deal. “Bajaj will also support us with supplier systems,” said Mr Pierer.

Pulsar 300 cc??

2007-11-11T18:02:00.001+05:30

pulsar 300 cc ???

One of my friend called me and said in a desperate voice.. “I changed my plan of buying Pulsar 220 after i saw the pulsar 300cc! Man its sexy!”..For a second i was shocked.Pulsar 300cc? Meanwhile he opened the spec sheet.. Monoshock, dual front disc, rear disc,……

Err..I was sure that it will be another hoax! And seeing the picture of so called pulsar 300cc , i confirmed it. But i should say , it really looks great even though its a photoshopped image.

Currently there are many versions of these photoshopped images claiming that they are pulsar 300cc.

New Panasonic Toughbooks - CF-W5, CF-T5 and CF-Y5

2007-11-11T17:05:00.001+05:30

Panasonic has unveiled three new laptops that will be placed on their Business-Rugged Toughbook line, one thing is true: they have a cool design and meet the Military Specification drop-test but the specifications related to the performance could be a lot better.

The 3 newborns are called CF-W5, CF-T5 and CF-Y5 and some people might say that the first two laptops are twins since the only difference is the screen, while W5 comes with a 12-inch LCD screen, the T5 adds a touch sensitive feature that is perfect for a certain kind of business. Both have an Intel Core Solo processor and 512MB of RAM only which can't be upgraded. To continue the similarity trend, they both cost the same $1,899 and will be in stock during October, have a 60GB hard-drive and battery life has a difference of 2 hours: the W5 can handle 8 hour while the Y5 will work for 10 hours.

CF-Y5 is the best one, bigger display and better performance = a 14.1-inch display, a 1.66-GHz Intel Core Duo L2400 processor and RAM memory expandable to 1.5GB instead of the miserable 512MB. It has a built-in DVD/CD-RW optical drive, supports Bluetooth and can provide 6 hours of battery life, that's the price of better performance. The CF-Y5 will cost $2,199 and be available on December.

All the new models are light (from 3 pounds to 3.5) and tough which means they are also perfect to take for work or university because they can handle impacts and accidental drops like no other notebooks.

2007-10-20T19:58:00.000+05:30

One of the best German car coming to India: The Volkswagen Passat

Now this particular post is purely for my love for this German car: The Volkswagen Passat. I love everything about this vehicle. I drove this car in 2004 for a month and since then I have been in awe with it. Not only the engine of this is best in world (some may not agree), but it is one of the sturdiest and most reliable cars on the road.

I was so happy to read that Volkswagen would be launching their first “assembled in India” model sometime later this year. The first model that they are launching would be “Luxury Sedan Passat”.

In US, Volkswagen Passat costs in the range of $25,000/- (around 9 lakh rupees), but in India with the kind of tax structure we have on Luxury Sedans, it is going to end up costing more than 20 Lakhs - which I think is really not worth it at all. As for me, I will be happy seeing them on Indian roads.

Microsoft’s spyware strategy

2007-10-11T18:33:00.000+05:30

Microsoft’s spyware strategy

Spyware is one of the most vexing challenges to face computer users today. Industry analysts, partners, government leaders, and consumer advocacy groups all identify spyware as a serious problem that threatens to undermine public trust in computing.

As Microsoft and its manufacturing and internet service provider (ISP) partners receive ever more support calls related to spyware, Microsoft continually renews its commitment to deliver a powerful response to the threat.

Defining spyware

The term spyware (and other unwanted software) refers to a wide range of programs designed to take partial control of a computer without the consent of the owner or a legitimate user. Spyware uses this control to generate unsolicited pop-up advertising on a computer, track Web-browsing habits for marketing purposes, or change the configuration of a computer.

Effects of spyware

Spyware can be a minor annoyance, or it can have a serious impact on computer performance, security, and privacy. Common symptoms of spyware infestation include:
•

Advertisements pop up, even when you are not browsing the Web.
•

Settings change unexpectedly and are difficult to restore. For example, your browser home page or default search engine might change without your consent.
•

New, unwanted toolbars appear in the browser and are difficult to remove.
•

Performance suddenly and dramatically slows down.
•

Operating systems, Web browsers, and common applications crash more often.

Less common but potentially more harmful forms of spyware can also:
•

Record keystrokes, which allows the spyware to capture passwords and login information.
•

Collect personal information, such identification numbers, social security numbers (in the United States) or bank information, and send the information to a third party.
•

Take remote control of a computer to gain access to files, install or modify software, use the computer to help spread viruses, and more.

All forms of spyware are alike in this respect: they are installed without the user's consent and without the user's knowledge of what they will do.
Answering the spyware challenge

Microsoft is focused on helping to solve the problems caused by spyware and other unwanted software.

As the platform of choice for millions of customers and developers worldwide, the Microsoft Windows operating system provides a foundation for new growth and opportunity. Microsoft's vision rests on providing an open and extensible platform, and powerful core components and open application programming interfaces (APIs) that offer exceptional power and flexibility for software development, innovation, and learning.

The popularity of the Windows platform makes it especially attractive to hackers, criminals, and others who seek to exploit its capabilities and widespread use. The challenge for Microsoft and other responsible technology providers is to take advantage of the platform's power and extensibility, while helping customers protect the integrity of their data and configurations.

Microsoft's goal is to help customers make informed decisions about the software that installs and runs on their computers. The company uses four primary approaches to meet this commitment. Microsoft:
•

Provides technology.
•

Provides consumer education.
•

Works with the software industry.
•

Works with legislators and law enforcement.

Providing technology

Microsoft's vision includes a commitment to providing technology that helps detect and remove spyware, helps improve Internet browsing safety, and includes timely updates that address the latest spyware threats.

Detecting and removing spyware

Microsoft acquired the Windows Defender security technology from GIANT Company Software, Inc. in December 2004. Windows Defender technology can help customers identify and then disable or remove known spyware and other potentially unwanted software from their computers. The software also provides optional regular spyware scans that customers can choose to be run automatically.

Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) also helps provide protection against some of the most common ways that Web sites and programs install spyware on computers. The Pop-up Blocker in Internet Explorer helps prevent installation from pop-up ads, and the Internet Explorer Information Bar helps suppress unsolicited downloads. In addition, with the Internet Explorer Add-on Manager, advanced users and support professionals can see all installed and running Internet Explorer browser add-ons. This enables them to easily remove add-ons that were installed without their consent.

Improving Internet browsing safety

Windows Defender provides a continuous safeguard by monitoring computer software and looking for changes that are characteristic of malicious Web sites or programs. If Windows Defender detects these changes during an installation process, it alerts the user and asks whether to permit the installation.

Windows Defender uses three tools to monitor software behavior:
•

Internet agents. These agents help protect against spyware that makes unauthorized connections to the Internet or that changes a computer's Internet access settings (including dial-up or wireless settings).
•

System agents. These agents help protect against spyware that makes unauthorized changes to the computer's settings (including security permissions, password settings, and other critical system settings).
•

Application agents. These agents help protect against spyware that makes changes to applications (such as modifying Internet Explorer by adding unwanted toolbars, automatically downloading Internet Explorer add-ons from the Internet, or starting potentially unwanted programs when the computer is turned on).

Updating against the latest threats

As new instances of spyware appear and spread, Microsoft updates Windows Defender to help you protect yourself against the latest spyware threats. You can choose to have Windows Defender automatically download and install new updates, or you can choose to update the software manually. If AutoUpdater is not turned on, a yellow indicator appears in the Windows notification area to alert you when updates are available. You can click the Check for Updates button to download software enhancements and spyware definition updates.

Microsoft spyware team. Researchers at Microsoft work to discover new spyware and other potentially unwanted software, then create and release updates to help detect it.

Windows Defender customers. A network of Windows Defender users also help define which suspicious programs are classified as spyware. Any Windows Defender user can join this network and help report potential spyware to Microsoft. Those who participate in the global network help the Microsoft spyware team discover and respond to new threats quickly so that everyone gets better protection.
Top of pageTop of page
Providing consumer education

Microsoft provides up-to-date information from trusted resources on how to avoid and remove spyware. This helps customers learn what to look out for before they are tricked into downloading spyware by deceptive advertisements, alerts, or sites that bundle spyware with "free" programs. The Microsoft Web site also provides public newsgroups on spyware topics. These newsgroups are monitored by security-focused Microsoft Most Valuable Professionals (MVPs) who assist the online community through forums and discussions of spyware-related issues.

Working with the software industry

Until now, individual industry leaders have used a variety of approaches to address the problem of spyware. This lack of cohesion has limited everyone's ability to make a broad, coordinated impact on the problem. Now Microsoft and other industry leaders work together to share best practices and create common ways to identify and address spyware issues. This cooperative effort has resulted in the creation of common understandings of unwanted software, and industry-standard spyware definitions.

Microsoft is also actively engaged with other industry groups—such as the Center for Democracy & Technology and its Consumer Software Working Group—to help focus regulatory and enforcement efforts on truly deceptive spyware practices. Additionally, Microsoft works with top manufacturing and ISP partners to share best practices that help identify new instances of spyware.

Industrywide best practices provide an incentive for legitimate software publishers to distinguish themselves from less scrupulous publishers. This helps them minimize the risk of being classified with those who engage in unwanted behavior.

Working with legislators and law enforcement

Few laws apply to the development or distribution of spyware. This limits the ability of law enforcement agencies to identify and pursue spyware-related activity. Microsoft works with the appropriate government leaders and law enforcement agencies to help ensure that perpetrators of spyware are forced to cease illegal practices. Microsoft cooperates with law enforcement and regulatory agencies to assist them in their effort to enforce existing laws. (Examples include the PC Fraud and Abuse Act in the United States and similar international consumer protection laws). Consistent enforcement could put the most insidious violators out of business, which would help dramatically reduce the amount and type of spyware produced and distributed.

Microsoft also works with legislators on technologies as needed for those practices not already considered illegal under existing laws. It is important to note that Microsoft believes that any legislation should be carefully crafted to avoid unnecessary regulation on legitimate programs that enhance a computer user's experience.

Vision for the future

The threat of spyware and other unwanted software, like all security threats, is unlikely to be eradicated. Hackers, criminals, and others with malicious intent will always attempt to exploit computers and computer networks for vandalism or profit. Nevertheless, Microsoft is deeply committed to continue its intensive efforts to counteract security threats.

Microsoft is committed to help preserve the right to privacy, and fully supports a person's right to be left alone. Customers must be free to have access to any of their personal information and to control how it is used. They must be able to trust that their personal information is only used appropriately and with their consent. Microsoft regards the protection of customer information as a vital element of trust, and it regards customer trust as vital to the success of its business.

What customers can do

Microsoft invites customers to evaluate Windows Defender.

Microsoft also strongly recommends that customers:
•

Use an Internet firewall on all computers.
•

Use up-to-date antivirus software.
•

Update all computers with the latest security updates, available at Microsoft Update.

Additionally, Windows XP users should install Windows XP SP2, which includes advanced security technologies to help users protect themselves against viruses, hackers, and worms.

2007-10-06T21:50:00.000+05:30

WORLDS MOST EXPENSIVE CARS

According to Forbes, these are the world's most expensive cars. Surprisingly enough, you won't find Lamborghini, Bentley, Ferrari (where's the Enzo?) or Rolls Royce on this list. More after the jump.

10. Maybach 57S - $367,000

9. Maybach 62 - $385,250

8. Porsche Carrera GT - $440,000

7. McLaren SLR - $452,750

6. Koenigsegg CCR - $545,568

5. Saleen S7 Twin-Turbo - $555,000

4. Leblanc Mirabeau - $645,084

3. SSC Ultimate Aero - $654,500

2. Pagani Zonda Roadster F C12S 7.3, Clubsport - $667,321

1. Bugatti Veyron - $1,192,057

BladeCenter HT Chassis

2007-10-05T16:30:00.000+05:30

BladeCenter HT Chassis

BladeCenter HT is the right choice for the ultimate combination of high performance and durability in telco, military, medical, government and industrial deployments.

IBM BladeCenter HT tightly integrates servers, storage, networking, I/O and applications, allowing clients to build robust and flexible IT infrastructures using common building blocks.

Flexible modular technology integrates Intel® Xeon, AMD Opteron, and IBM POWER™ processor-based blade servers supporting a wide range of operating systems.

Take command of your Central Office or IT infrastructure with powerful IBM Cool Blue™ technology, a portfolio of products and tools to help customers plan, manage and control power and cooling — helping to build greener networks and infrastructures.

BladeCenter Open Fabric is a highly adaptable portfolio of products and tools that delivers a flexible, open, connected infrastructure to help optimize application performance.

A powerful set of management tools help simplify the IT environment. BladeCenter provides tools that are open, easy and seamlessly integrated, allowing you to focus on your business, not your networking or IT.

Dramatically increase high-speed connectivity and throughput with multi-terabit networking (more than 1.2 Tbps internal chassis throughput on backplane) and 40 Gbps aggregate internal throughput per blade server

Improve network flexibility and interoperability bridging new services to control gateways supporting SS7, VoIP, legacy PSTN, WAN devices and network interfaces with special purpose telecommunications blades

Efficiently consolidate network resources while delivering high scalability for NGN applications such as IPTV, VoD and IMS, with higher port concentrations and 10 Gbps Ethernet network bandwidth

Certified testing by Underwriters Laboratories® (UL) of the BladeCenter HT chassis is in progress, and when complete, the BladeCenter HT chassis will be covered under a UL-certified NEBS Level 3/ETSI test report, which will be available for review with customers

BladeCenter HT helps reduce network infrastructure costs while increasing network infrastructure performance and flexibility—making it the ideal platform to run your next-generation network (NGN) end-to-end infrastructure applications.

Product features		Hardware summary

Chassis features the functionality of BladeCenter with the added performance capabilities of multi-terabit networking (more than 1.2 Tbps throughput on backplane), a 10 Gbps-capable fabric and a very robust thermal solution. Delivers increased network infrastructure performance ideal for telecommunications Service, Control and Transport plane applications Improves network flexibility and interoperability via support for many blade processor types and operating systems Advanced proactive management, providing rich and broad systems management capabilities Certified testing by UL of the BladeCenter HT chassis is in progress, and when complete the BladeCenter HT chassis will be covered under a UL-certified NEBS Level 3/ETSI test report, which will be available for review with customers Three-year planned production life		12U rack-optimized chassis supporting up to 12 blade server bays Supports high-performance dual-core and quad-core Intel Xeon, AMD Opteron and IBM POWER and a wide variety of operating systems, including Linux®, Windows®, IBM AIX® and Sun Solaris 10 Up to four traditional hot-swap and redundant switch modules supporting Gigabit Ethernet and Fibre Channel Up to four new high-speed capable switch module bays supported by 10 Gbps fabric Up to four hot-swap and redundant load-balancing power supply modules, DC or AC power Four hot-swap, redundant fan modules Redundant removable media trays with optional Compact Flash, two external USB ports and full alarm management panel High-availability midplane helps enable maximum uptime and enhances investment protection for future technologies Hot-swappable midplane active components help provide maximum reliability for deployment into a telecommunications central office Demonstrated history of compatibility so operators can standardize on a particular configuration for extended period of time

BMW Debuts Its 2008 1 Series Convertible

2007-10-03T19:37:00.000+05:30

BMW Debuts Its 2008 1 Series Convertible

BMW has launched its BMW 1 Series Convertible, the fourth model in its series. The vehicle features an electro hydraulic operated soft top that closes within 22 seconds and can accelerate from 1 to 100km/h in 5.6 seconds. The convertible also includes BMW's Efficient Dynamics system in all engine models.

For those whose definition of pure driving pleasure includes wind in the face and sunshine above, the new BMW 1 Series Convertible follows the tradition established by the iconic BMW 2002 sport sedan. The essence of such driving purity - a responsive six-cylinder engine positioned within a rear-drive chassis to provide balanced, sporty dynamics - is at the heart of this compact four-place convertible.

The 128i Convertible, which joins the new 1 Series Coupe going on sale in the spring of 2008, will be powered by BMW's 3.0-liter, 230 horsepower inline six-cylinder engine generating 200 lb-ft of torque. Like its fixed-roof stablemate, the 128i Convertible will feature Valvetronic valvetrain management and aluminum/magnesium cylinder block construction-core elements of BMW's EfficientDynamics.

The 135i Convertible, on sale later in 2008, features BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque from as low as 1,400 rpm. With its direct piezo gasoline injectors, twin low-mass turbochargers and air-to-air intercooler, optimum performance and economy is achieved with no loss in engine response. For the 135i Convertible, acceleration from 0-62 mph is accomplished in 5.6 seconds and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. Both engines feature on-demand engine coolant pumps that improve fuel economy and reduce parasitic losses for increased efficiency.

What to do after a car accident

2007-10-03T19:20:00.000+05:30

What to do after a car accident

Your heart is beating hard, you're breathing fast and you can't believe you just got into an accident. Look around. You're alive? Good. Everyone else? Even better. Now here's what you need to do once the dust settles.

You should:

Keep your auto insurance information in the glove compartment, including a pre-printed form allowing you to provide the particulars of any accident, including a sketch of the scene. (Even better, use that disposable camera you keep in the car. You don't? You should.)

Stay at the scene of the accident until police have come and gone, making sure you have the name of the officer(s) and that they have your version of what happened. Do not assume a police report will "take you off the hook" or even that one will be generated in the event of a minor accident ("minor" may mean no one is injured even though your car suffers a direct hit).

Exchange names, addresses, driver's license and insurance information with the driver of the other car.

Review your policy to make sure of your coverage. Make a list of questions and related information you want to know.

Report the accident promptly to your insurance company. This may not seem wise or necessary to you. The accident may be minor, you may not want to risk seeing your rates rise or you may live in a no-fault state and think that the other driver's insurance company will pay for everything. But state laws generally protect you from higher rates unless an accident was your fault. And even though you may think no-fault lets you off the hook for the other driver's medical expenses, it does not. It simply says his insurance will pay for his expenses (up to the limits of his coverage), regardless of who is at fault. But rest assured his insurance company will come knocking on your insurer's door seeking repayment if it believes you were at fault in the accident. The point is, your insurer should be informed.

Think that's the end of it? Read on.

Admit it. You've never read your auto insurance policy, you don't want to read it and even if you're in an accident, you're still not sure if it would force you into those endless lines of fine print and insurance-speak. Assuming you can even find the policy.

If you can, look in the back for what are called the conditions of your policy -- what you are supposed to do in the event of an accident. These requirements are pretty straightforward, although compliance may seem like a hassle when you're already upset by the accident itself. But you may forfeit some of your rights if you don't follow these instructions.

Next, look at the cover sheet of the policy, which is called the declarations page and which lists the types and dollar limits of your coverage, including short-hand references to any discounts or special provisions you have elected to purchase.

Last, there's the actual insuring agreement itself, which explains what your insurer is protecting you against, including definitions of terms used in the agreement and explanations of what's not covered (called the exclusions).

If you don't understand your policy, keep calling your agent and/or state insurance department until you get clear answers to your questions. Most people have heard that ignorance is no defense under the law, but they don't think they'll ever have to find out. Auto accidents are one of the most common ways to discover the sobering cost of ignorance.

The payments

Hopefully, your accident involves only damages to things and not to people. And, hopefully, it wasn't your fault.

Even if it's just your car that's banged up, repairs can be a major headache. This is where the reality sets in that replacement cost is not the same thing as market value. Your car can easily be declared a total loss even though the money you'd receive is nowhere near what it would cost you to replace the vehicle.

The best advice about getting your car fixed is to remember that the money may be coming from the insurance company but you should control the repair process. This means refusing to settle for a repair job you don't like. And it may also mean refusing to accept the use of generic replacement parts instead of the original manufacturer's parts (your policy may give your insurer the right to use generic parts, so it's important to check the fine print to know your rights). Even if your favorite shop doesn't do the repairs, you can still have your mechanic look at the car (although this may be at your personal expense) and provide an assessment of what should be fixed. Ultimately, it's your car and your call about what's done to it.

Talk to your agent and/or insurer about your rights (better still, you should really ask these questions before you buy a policy). And if you don't like the answers, call your state insurance department.

Quad-Core AMD Opteron™ Processors: Uncompromised Design. Unprecedented Performance-per-Watt.

2007-09-29T19:34:00.000+05:30

Quad-Core AMD Opteron™ Processors: Uncompromised Design. Unprecedented Performance-per-Watt.

Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors with Direct Connect Architecture deliver industry-leading performance within a consistent footprint, and power and thermal envelopes.

Optimal Virtualization

Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors with Direct Connect Architecture enable industry leading virtualization platform efficiency.

Featuring AMD Virtualization™ (AMD-V™) technology with Rapid Virtualization Indexing, Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors can accelerate the performance of virtualized applications and improve efficiency of switching among virtual machines — so customers can host more virtual machines and users per system to maximize the consolidation and power saving benefits of virtualization.

Learn more about our virtualization technology.

Enhanced Power Efficiency

Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors are the most power efficient server CPUs we’ve ever produced, thanks to Enhanced AMD PowerNow!™ technology and the addition of innovative CoolCore™ Technology.

These innovations are designed to reduce total cost of ownership (TCO), data center power needs, and cooling costs by lowering the energy consumption of your IT infrastructure.

Find out how to decrease your data center power needs.

Investment Protection

By leveraging AMD’s Common Core Strategy and Same Socket Technology, Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors are designed to minimize changes to your software and data center infrastructure to protect your IT investment and simplify IT management.

AMD plans include a stable consistent roadmap and well-timed transitions to help decrease your IT TCO.

Learn more about how Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors can reduce your IT total cost of ownership.

Outstanding Performance

Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors are designed for optimum multi-threaded application performance.

We start with a native quad-core design — featuring four cores on a single die for more efficient data sharing — and add an enhanced cache structure and integrated memory controller designed to sustain multi-threaded application throughput.

Quad-Core AMD Opteron processors provide outstanding processing power and can increase performance-per-watt to improve IT responsiveness while maintaining costs.

Learn more about AMD Opteron processor performance.

AMD Opteron processors enable stable, long-term solutions with industry-leading performance and performance-per-watt to simplify your IT management — now and in the future.

forx trading

2007-09-29T19:15:00.000+05:30

forx trading

Forex currency trading is a great way for use to be able to easily double the currency in the forex market. Investing currency in the forex is the easiest way to earn substantial profit, because this is one of the few ways of entering into forex currency trading. We have to learn more about the currencies where we are going to invest our money.

Make sure you take the time to study about the currency you plan to put your money in. The companies we are going to be investing it in will be based on other currency, so we will have to exchange your money into that currency before investing in the stocks and forex. We have to understand about the forex currency trading market and companies in which we are going to invest before we place our money into it.

People always invest money in the stocks and forex to make money. To invest in the forex we are allowed directly to invest in the market or through a forex broker. In forex many of them will be the investing currencies in the forex currency trading and the traders will approach in the market, but it will be first time for the investors and it can appear at times daunting and this influences us to use the interactive forex currency trading. The dollar will change to some other currencies which are equal to the opportunities to purchase some additional stocks. Now even banks and the financial institution will help us by giving some currency for the low investment investors who are all involved in stocks and Forex.

The bank will provide us online services. The majority of the banks and financial institutions have clients who are all in high level trading. It tells that if someone opens a small account in forex marketing then he will have the ration of one to one hundred. There is a large investment in the trades which make up the forex market. The forex investing involves in making high profits with low amounts of investment.

In today's world most of them invest some level of currencies or transaction to be made, for trading on the stock market, futures and options, or any other market, foreign exchange is almost always involved. This has created a diverse market in the forex investing. The investors are based on the offer of forex trading online. The forex investor will receive various choices for investing in stocks and forex. This service is offered by the forex markets. A forex currency investor is also like a regular employee in the office. We can learn more about the markets and the forex trading companies, and about the value of foreign currencies

2007-09-10T09:10:00.000+05:30

Bajaj's new 125 cc 'Exceed' to hit roads in Sept

Bajaj has come up with yet another inovation for ppl who actually care for millage:-

PUNE: Bajaj Auto on Thursday announced a breakthrough with the launch of a new engine for its new two-wheeler range which the company claims gives a mileage of 109 km per litre under ideal test conditions.

The company will launch a new model `Exceed', powered by the new engine, in September, Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajeev Bajaj told reporters on Thursday.

`Exceed' is expected to be priced at Rs 40,000 ex-showroom (Pune) but the actual pricing will be decided later, Bajaj said.
The new engine called Digital Twin Spark--Swirl induction (DTS-Si) surpasses the mileage offered by all current 100 cc motorcycles. The company has applied for a patent for this engine, Bajaj said.

The breakthrough offers a huge opportunity to upgrade the 100 cc customers with an engine which offers the best of both worlds--100 cc mileage and 125 cc performance, top officials of the company said.

The DTS-Si engine is far superior to the conventional 4-stroke engines which dominate the 100 cc segment at present, the said.

General Manager, Marketing, Amit Nandi said brand Bajaj enjoys a market share of 47 per cent in the growing and profitable 125 cc and 150 cc segments against a smaller share of 24 per cent in the declining but larger 100 cc segment.

Bajaj will offer customers a value proposition much superior to the currently over-priced and under performing 100 cc products with the launch of `Exceed' next month, he said. 100 cc customers will upgrade to this 125 cc bike that gives superior mileage and power, he said.

Why Choose GEICO

2007-09-08T17:10:00.000+05:30

Why Should I Buy My Car Insurance From GEICO?

Warren Buffett on his experience with GEICO, and why it offers you an advantage
Low rates, great service, and exceptional financial strength-that’s why!

Low Rates and Great Discounts

GEICO’s competitive rates and discounts could save you 15% or more.
These are just a few of our money-saving discounts:

Multi-car discount.
Discount for cars with air bags and other safety features.
Discounts for membership in one of over 250 organizations that partner with GEICO.

Excellent Service

According to a recent *survey, 97% of our policyholders were satisfied with the service they received.

24/7 service by phone or online-even on holidays.
Claims settled quickly and fairly.
Local offices

Exceptional Financial Strength

GEICO will have the resources to pay your claims.
GEICO is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. and has assets of over $15 billion.

2007-09-05T17:14:00.000+05:30

Bajaj Auto unveils revolutionary DTS-Si engine

· All new Technology offers 100cc Mileage and 125cc Performance

· All new engine with ‘swirl induction’ technology

· Technology that will catalyse upgrade of 100cc customers to superior 125cc bike

Bajaj Auto, has achieved another breakthrough with the launch of new ‘Digital Twin Spark - Swirl induction’ (DTS-Si) engine. The new 125cc engine with DTS-Si technology will give an amazing mileage of 109 kilometers per liter under ideal test conditions surpassing the mileage of all current 100cc motorcycles. With this breakthrough there is a huge potential and opportunity to upgrade the 100cc customer with a engine which offers the best of both worlds – 100cc mileage and 125cc performance.

Designed and developed completely by ‘**Ahead’, Bajaj Auto’s R&D, the technology promises to revolutionalise the industry with India’s most fuel-efficient two-wheeler engine. Bajaj Auto presented the DTS-Si technology at their Corporate Headquarters in Pune today.

Bajaj had first dramatically improved on existing engine technology in 2003 when it launched the DTS-i (Digital Twin Spark-ignition) engine with two Spark plugs located at opposite ends of the combustion chamber (as compared to a single spark plug in conventional 4-stroke engines) to achieve faster and more efficient combustion. The DTS-i technology offered better performance, improved fuel efficiency with lower emissions and helped establish the Bajaj Pulsar and then the Bajaj Discover as leaders in their respective segments.

The DTS-i Engine can be further engineered to deliver either exceptional performance or exceptional mileage. Bajaj Auto worked on the mother DTS-i technology to design the DTS-Si engine to deliver outstanding mileage. The DTS-Si technology gives the highest possible fuel efficiency by introducing ‘Swirl induction’ to the DTS-i engine to create turbulence in order to achieve extremely efficient combustion.

The DTS-Si engine is far superior to the conventional 4-stroke engines, which dominate the 100cc segment at present. With the new DTS-Si engine the consumer now would not have to compromise between power and mileage - he gets the best of both.

Says Mr. Abraham Joseph, Head of R&D, Bajaj Auto Ltd., “We realized that at light loads on DTS-i, an opportunity existed to improve the combustion even further. When burning lean Air-Fuel mixtures through the two spark plugs, the combustion conditions could be further improved by generating high turbulence in the combustion chamber. Once the solution was arrived at, the design and geometry modifications followed.”

Bajaj enjoys a market share of 47% percent in the growing and profitable 125 cc and 150 cc segments, as against a smaller share of 24% percent in the declining but larger 100 cc segment. Says Mr. Amit Nandi, General Manager (Marketing), “Bajaj will offer customers a value proposition much superior to the currently overpriced and underperforming 100cc products with the launch of an all new bike with the DTS-Si engine next month. 100cc customers will upgrade to this 125cc bike that gives superior mileage and superior power.”

The first product, which will be powered by this engine, would be launched in September 2007.

BAJAJ 125 DTS-Si: ENGINE Specifications

Type: Four stroke Natural Air-cooled

No. of cylinders : One

Bore: 54 mm

Stroke: 54.4 mm

Engine displacement : 124.58 cc

Compression ratio: 9.5+/- 0.5 : 1

Maximum Net Power: 9.53 PS( 7.01 kW) at 7000 rpm

Maximum Net Torque: 10.85 Nm at 5000rpm

Ignition system: Microprocessor controlled Digital CDI, with TRICS incorporated in Carburettor

Ignition Timing: Variable Timing with Multiple maps

Fuel: Unleaded Petrol, 87 RON minimum

Carburetor: Side draught type,

Ucal – Mikuni VM16 with Auto choke/ Keihin FIE PTE16, with Auto choke

Lubrication: Wet sump, forced

Clutch: Wet, mulit disc type.

DTS-Si (DIGITAL TWIN SPARK - SWIRL induction)

Introduction

In a conventional single spark plug equipped combustion chamber, the rate of combustion is slow. The spark plug situated at one end of the combustion chamber, ignites the air-fuel mixture and the ensuing flame front spreads like a slowly inflating balloon. There is an inevitable delay for this inflating balloon to reach the furthest part of the combustion chamber. Thus, the combustion is slow and inefficient.

Digital Twin Spark ignition (DTS-i system)

The Digital Twin Spark – ignition, equipped combustion chamber takes care of the slow rate of combustion in a simple but novel way. The cylinder head is equipped with two spark plugs, instead of the conventional single spark plug. By generating two sparks at either ends of the combustion chamber, (approximately 90° to the valve axis) the Air-Fuel mixture gets ignited such that, there are 2 flame fronts created and therefore a reduction in flame travel of the order of 40% is achieved. A fast rate of combustion is achieved leading to a fast rate of pressure rise. The obvious outcome of this is more torque, better fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

Digital Twin Spark – Swirl induction (DTS-Si system)

The Digital Twin Spark - ignition or DTS- i is the mother technology for the latest Digital Twin Spark – Swirl induction or DTS-Si technology.

Thanks to DTS- i, a fast rate of combustion and therefore the resulting fast rate of pressure rise is harnessed, by optimally positioning this pressure, to deliver maximum possible work and hence obtain more torque, better fuel efficiency and lower emissions.

When burning lean Air-Fuel mixtures, the two plugs provide rapid combustion, but at light loads, opportunity exists to improve the combustion further.

Combustion efficiency in lean Air-Fuel mixture conditions can be further improved by generating high turbulence in the combustion chamber.

Combustion chambers having low turbulence give rise to propagation of a flame front, which is akin to that of a gradually expanding balloon. This results in a slower rate of combustion and thus slower rate of pressure rise. End result is lower efficiency.

When high turbulence is generated and combustion takes place, the surface of the ballooning flame front fragments itself, with projection like fingers, which increases its surface area, thereby improving combustion further.

The straight ports used in conventional engines have limitations in generating high swirl values due to their geometry. One of the ways to generate more swirl is to have a port configuration that promotes this phenomena. An offset port configuration was arrived upon and optimised to generate the required swirl numbers.

Incorporated in the new engine, this results in a swirling motion of the incoming charge, which decays itself into turbulence as the piston moves in the Induction and Compression strokes. This results in the Air-Fuel mixture being more thoroughly mixed and spread around the combustion chamber. Sparks provided by the twin spark plugs ignite this highly turbulent and compressed Air-Fuel mixture, leading to a flame front with high surface area, resulting in a rapid rise of pressure due to rapid combustion. The values of turbulence achieved now, are substantially higher than that of a straight port cylinder head, such as in Pulsar. A combination of DTS-i and Swirl induction thus provides extremely rapid combustion, resulting in high efficiency.

India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV-F04, is launch India’s latest communication satellite, INSAT-4CR

2007-09-03T00:45:00.000+05:30

India’s Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, GSLV-F04, is launch India’s latest communication satellite, INSAT-4CR, around 4.20 pm on Sunday, September 2, 2007 from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota. This will be the fifth flight of GSLV.

INSAT-4CR carries 12 high-power Ku-band transponders designed to provide Direct-to-home (DTH) television services, Video Picture Transmission (VPT) and Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG).

The launch campaign is progressing satisfactorily at SDSC SHAR. The satellite has already been integrated with the launch vehicle and on August 24, 2007, the launch vehicle was moved to the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.

2007-08-30T19:09:00.000+05:30

Bajaj closes Akurdi plant, blames govt

Close on the heels of announcing a four-day week at its Akurdi (Pune) plant, Bajaj Auto today said it would close down the facility from September 1.

In a statement, Bajaj Auto Managing Director Rajeev Bajaj said: “The Akurdi plant closure is necessitated not for any failure on the part of the workmen or the management, but largely due to the impact of government policies on capacity rationalisation, chiefly the regional distortions created by inconsistent tax benefits, and the continuing evil of octroi in Maharashtra in contrast to the rest of the country.”

The company had declared four-day week at the plant from last Friday. The production at the 200-acre plant had declined sharply in the last two years. Besides, it was not clear whether the plant would ever regain its lost glory as the company had already created and planned large capacities in Pant Nagar in Uttarakhand and Chakan near Pune.

Upset with the company’s decision, workers’ unions had planned agitations as they saw this as a ploy to shut down the plant. The company statement said the workers would receive full wages for five days of the week and 50 per cent for the sixth day.

Allaying speculation that the company is planning a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS) for its 2000-odd workers at the plant, the company communication said there was no such plan as the company had offered VRS several times in the past.

The statement said no vehicles would be produced at this plant from September 2007 onwards though component production for supplies to other plants would continue and other corporate functions.

GEICO

2007-08-28T20:17:00.000+05:30

Understanding Your Auto Insurance

Auto insurance can seem confusing. But once you understand the different types of coverages that make up your policy, it’s not hard at all. Your auto insurance is really a package of seven primary coverages. Taken together, these coverages make up a standard auto policy. Each of these coverages has its own separate premium. Your premium payment is the total of these separate premiums.

In addition to the primary coverages, for additional premiums you can also add on coverages such as GEICO’s Mechanical Breakdown Insurance and

Bodily injury liability provides protection if you injure or kill someone while operating your car. It also provides for a legal defense if another party in the accident files a lawsuit against you.

In the event of a serious accident, you want enough insurance to cover a judgment against you in a lawsuit, without jeopardizing your personal assets.

Bodily injury liability covers injury to people, not your vehicle. Therefore it’s a good idea to have the same level of coverage for all of your cars.
Medical payments, no-fault or personal injury protection coverage usually pays for the medical expenses of the injured driver and passengers in your car. There may also be coverage if you are injured by a vehicle as a pedestrian.
Uninsured motorists coverage pays for your injuries caused by an uninsured driver or, in some states, a hit-and-run driver, in a crash that is not your fault. In some states there is also uninsured motorist coverage for damage to your vehicle.

Given the large number of uninsured motorists, this is very important coverage to have, even in states with no-fault insurance.
Comprehensive physical damage coverage pays for losses resulting from incidents other than collision. For example, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car if it is stolen; or damaged by flood, fire or animals. To keep your premiums low, select as high a deductible as you feel comfortable paying out of pocket.
Collision coverage pays for damage to your car when your car hits, or is hit by, another vehicle or other object.

To keep your premiums low, select as large a deductible as you feel comfortable paying out of pocket. For older cars, consider dropping this coverage, since coverage is normally limited to the cash value of your car.
Property damage liability protects you if your car damages someone else’s property. It also provides you with legal defense if another party files a lawsuit against you. It is a good idea to purchase enough of this insurance to cover the amount of damage your car might do to another vehicle or object.
Rental reimbursement coverage pays for a rental vehicle (usually up to $25 a day) when the insured's vehicle is out of commission as a result of a loss covered under comprehensive or collision coverages.

Policyholder Information

Policyholder Information Packet (free video and packet)

This contains information every policyholder should know about their policy and how to be prepared in case of an accident.

Car Loans to NRIs

2007-08-25T20:05:00.000+05:30

Car Loans to NRIs

Want to buy a Car in India?

ICICI Bank Car Loans is the No.1 financier for automobiles in India and has the widest network for giving car loans.

With our preferred financier status with all leading car manufacturers in India, fast turnaround time and wide range of schemes we guarantee our customers the Best Deal on their car loan every time.

product features

Buying a car has never been so easy! Our products have revolutionized the way Indians look at car loans.

LA Auto Show Bomb - Digity : Maybach Says ,

2007-08-23T17:58:00.000+05:30

LA Auto Show Bomb - Digity : Maybach Says ,

" We're Still Dumb"

Jalopnik would like to express our deepest condolences to all the billionaires out there. Oh, how they must surely be suffering. Mercedes-Benz's MAYBACH brand, despite selling fewer than 300 cars a year and having their ascots handed to them by BMW's Rolls Royce Phantom in terms of gangsta desirability, will not give in to the insatiable haunting hotness that is the Exelereto. The company is flat refusing to build what to our eyes is one of the most stunning automotive designs of the past few decades. They're just teasing us, man! What is up with that? Don't they know that the Rolls 101 coupe is coming? It's like having a nuclear bomb and not using it. Maybach -- push the damn button! – Jonny Lieberman

Bajaj to show off car at 2008 Auto Expo

2007-08-20T22:47:00.000+05:30

Bajaj to show off car at 2008 Auto Expo

2008 Auto Expo will see a new concept car from Bajaj Auto. Production is a possibility, says Bajaj.

Talk of a Bajaj car has been around for a while. Now, the company has come out with a plan to showcase a concept car for the January 2008 Auto Expo. Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj has said that the company aims at bringing in a concept passenger vehicle by January 2008. And if the customers like it, Bajaj will opt for commercial production in three years. Better still, the first car from India’s trusted two wheeler maker will be priced between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 5 lakh.

The company has brushed off descriptions of the vehicle as a ‘cheap car’, saying that the new offering would be a four-wheel passenger vehicle. That has got everyone a little confused though. Okay, it is a concept vehicle, might go into production, and it will not be a cheap ? So it is a not-cheap, small but not too small car, possibly a hatch or even a competitor for the Indigo or Logan - so what's the big deal in coming out and saying it clearly? Probably, its just the reporters who got it all wrong - or maybe they all read a confusing press release.

Meanwhile, the company has also said that it was working on the commercial launch of a four-wheel goods carrier by 2009. The engine, transmission and platform that the company will build would be the basis for its passenger car. According to Bajaj, the reason why the company was opting for a goods carrier is that there is no competition on that front. Bajaj is learnt to be setting aside an amount of Rs 750 crore for a four-wheeler production plant, which will have an annual production figures of 40,000 to 50,000 vehicles.

The company will not be alone in the small car mart, as many a automaker has lined up many a model in the the 1.2 million passenger car market. According to statistics, small cars account for 60 per cent of domestic sales. While Tata Motors is set to unveil its model at the next Auto Expo, the Renault-Nissan combo is mulling over a sub-$3,000 passenger car. Adding themselves to the list are Honda, Toyota and General Motors who are busy readying their Rs 5 lakh cars.

Does the four wheel vehicles foray mean that Bajaj is moving away from its bread and butter two-wheelers? Not really. The company brass has made it clear that Bajaj knows that the two-wheeler market will continue to grow for 20-25 years and so there was no question of shifting focus from two-wheelers.

NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE

2007-08-09T19:39:00.000+05:30

‘Nothing happens unless first a dream’, and this ‘power’ to dream is what drives us to conquer the impossible. Proving the fact, this ravishing future iMac, conceptualized by illustrator and designer Adam Benton, stands apart, with respect to its both design and functionality and is truly an eyefreezer.

The full wireless system features a 30” LCD screen that is transparent when not in use. We are not sure whether it’s touch-sensitive or not, however, not to mention it must be. The keyboard too is transparent and is ergonomically designed for the kill embellished with light sensitive illuminated keys.

2007-08-09T19:29:00.001+05:30

APPLE I MAC

specifications:-

In the box

iMac
Apple Keyboard
Mighty Mouse
Apple Remote
Cleaning cloth
Power cord
Install/restore DVDs
Printed and electronic documentation

Processor and memory

2.0GHz or 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, or 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme processor
4MB shared L2 cache at full processor speed
800MHz system bus
1GB (one SO-DIMM) of PC2-5300 (667MHz) DDR2 memory
Two SO-DIMM slots support up to 4GB

Hard drive

20-inch model with 2.0GHz processor
- 250GB Serial ATA 7200-rpm hard drive¹
- Optional 320GB or 500GB Serial ATA 7200-rpm hard drive
20-inch model with 2.4GHz processor
- 320GB Serial ATA 7200-rpm hard drive¹
- Optional 500GB or 750GB Serial ATA 7200-rpm hard drive
24-inch model with 2.4GHz processor
- 320GB Serial ATA 7200-rpm hard drive¹
- Optional 500GB, 750GB, or 1TB Serial ATA 7200-rpm hard drive

Optical drive

Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
- Writes DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL discs at up to 4x speed
- Writes DVD-R and DVD+R discs at up to 8x speed
- Writes DVD-RW at up to 6x speed and DVD+RW discs at up to 8x speed
- Reads DVDs at up to 8x speed
- Writes CD-R discs at up to 24x speed
- Writes CD-RW discs at up to 16x speed
- Reads CDs at up to 24x speed

Display

Built-in 20-inch (viewable) or 24-inch (viewable) glossy widescreen TFT active-matrix liquid crystal display
Resolution
- 20-inch: 1680 by 1050 pixels
- 24-inch: 1920 by 1200 pixels
Millions of colors at all resolutions
Typical viewing angle
- 20-inch models
  - 160° horizontal
  - 160° vertical
- 24-inch model
  - 178° horizontal
  - 178° vertical
Typical brightness: 290 nits (20-inch models); 380 nits (24-inch model)
Typical contrast ratio: 800:1 (20-inch models); 750:1 (24-inch model)

Communications

Built-in AirPort Extreme wireless networking (802.11n)²
Built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) module
Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet (RJ-45 connector)
Works with 56K V.92 Apple USB Modem (sold separately)

Graphics and video

20-inch model with 2.0GHz processor
- ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT graphics processor
- 128MB of GDDR3 memory
20-inch model with 2.4GHz processor and 24-inch model
- ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO graphics processor
- 256MB of GDDR3 memory
Mini-DVI output port with support for DVI, VGA, S-video, and composite video connections via adapter³
Built-in iSight camera
Support for external display in extended desktop mode
- Digital resolutions up to 1920 by 1200
- Analog resolutions up to 2048 by 1536
Support for external display in video mirroring mode

Electrical and environmental requirements

Meets ENERGY STAR requirements
Line voltage: 100-240V AC
Frequency: 50Hz to 60Hz, single phase
Maximum continuous power: 200W (20-inch models); 280W (24-inch model)
Operating temperature: 50° to 95° F (10° to 35° C)
Storage temperature: -40° to 185° F (-40° to 85° C)
Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
Maximum altitude: 10,000 feet

Size and weight (20-inch)

Height: 18.5 inches (46.9 cm)
Width: 19.1 inches (48.5 cm)
Depth: 7.4 inches (18.9 cm)
Weight: 20 pounds (9.1 kg)⁴

Size and weight (24-inch)

Height: 20.5 inches (52.0 cm)
Width: 22.4 inches (56.9 cm)
Depth: 8.1 inches (20.7 cm)
Weight: 25.4 pounds (11.5 kg)⁴

Peripheral connections

One FireWire 400 and one FireWire 800 port; 7 watts each
Total of five USB 2.0 ports: three ports on computer, two ports on keyboard

Audio

Built-in stereo speakers
Internal 24-watt digital amplifier
Headphone/optical digital audio output (minijack)
Audio line in/optical digital audio input (minijack)
Built-in microphone

Software

Mac OS X v10.4.10 Tiger (includes Spotlight, Dashboard, Mail, iChat AV, Safari, Address Book, QuickTime, iCal, DVD Player, Xcode Developer Tools)
iLife ’08 (includes iTunes, iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD, iWeb, GarageBand)
iWork ’08 (30-day trial)
Front Row
Photo Booth

iMac Technical Specifications iMac Options


	20-inch iMac (MA876LL)	20-inch iMac (MA877LL)	24-inch iMac (MA878LL)
Processor	2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo	2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
L2 cache	4MB shared
Frontside bus	800MHz
Memory	1GB (one SO-DIMM) 667MHz DDR2 SDRAM (PC2-5300), supports up to 4GB
Hard drive	250GB Serial ATA¹; 7200 rpm	320GB Serial ATA¹; 7200 rpm
Optical drive	Slot-loading 8x SuperDrive with 4x double-layer burning (DVD±R DL/DVD±RW/CD-RW)
Display	20-inch (viewable) glossy widescreen TFT active-matrix LCD, 1680 by 1050 pixels, millions of colors		24-inch (viewable) glossy widescreen TFT active-matrix LCD, 1920 by 1200 pixels, millions of colors
Video	Built-in iSight; mini-DVI output port with support for DVI, VGA, S-video, and composite video connections via adapter³
Graphics	ATI Radeon HD 2400 XT with 128MB of GDDR3 memory	ATI Radeon HD 2600 PRO with 256MB of GDDR3 memory
FireWire	One FireWire 400 and one FireWire 800 port; 7 watts each
USB	Three USB 2.0 ports on computer; two USB 2.0 ports on keyboard
Audio	Built-in stereo speakers with 24-watt digital amplifier, built-in microphone, optical digital audio output/headphone out, optical digital audio input/audio line in
Ethernet	Built-in 10/100/1000BASE-T (Gigabit)
Wireless	Built-in AirPort Extreme (802.11n)²; built-in Bluetooth 2.0+EDR (Enhanced Data Rate) module
Hardware accessories	Apple Remote, Apple Keyboard, and Mighty Mouse
Other	Built-in IR receiver		Built-in IR receiver, optional VESA mount adapter kit
Configure-to-order options	• 2GB Memory Upgrade (two 1GB) • 4GB Memory Upgrade (two 2GB) • 320GB or 500GB Hard Drive • Apple Wireless Keyboard • Wireless Mighty Mouse • Apple USB Modem • Software: iWork ’08, Aperture, Logic Express, Final Cut Express	• 2GB Memory Upgrade (two 1GB) • 4GB Memory Upgrade (two 2GB) • 500GB or 750GB Hard Drive • Apple Wireless Keyboard • Wireless Mighty Mouse • Apple USB Modem • Software: iWork ’08, Aperture, Logic Express, Final Cut Express	• 2.8GHz Intel Core 2 Extreme • 2GB Memory Upgrade (two 1GB) • 4GB Memory Upgrade (two 2GB) • 500GB, 750GB, or 1TB Hard Drive • Apple Wireless Keyboard • Wireless Mighty Mouse • Apple USB Modem • Software: iWork ’08, Aperture, Logic Express, Final Cut Express
Limited warranty and service	Your iMac comes with 90 days of free telephone support and a one-year

First Drive: Fiat 500 (2007)

2007-08-03T19:40:00.000+05:30

First Drive: Fiat 500 (2007)

Summary

Fiat’s born-again city car offers the first genuine alternative to BMW’s ultra successful Mini.

Likes: Retro style, quality of the interior, easy driving characteristics, safety
Dislikes: Tight space in the rear, modest performance

First impressions

You might not remember the original Fiat 500 as well as you do the old Mini, but the Italians certainly do. They still love that car with a passion, so when Fiat launched the new model on July 5 (the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the first Fiat 500) it spent 8 million Euros on a party in Turin. Over 25,000 joined the fun, including myself and 999 other journalists from around the world. The trick will be to see whether Fiat can generate the same enthusiasm in other countries with a car that is basically a re-worked version of the budget Fiat Panda.

Retro is popular, and it’s a major part of the new 500 offering. Six of the 12 colours are ‘vintage’, harping back to the original car. The bonnet, boot, door handles, the overall shape of the new 500, all mirror the original. Like the Mini, you can personalise the car to a ridiculous degree. 15 types of upholstery, 9 wheels, a couple of dozen sticker sets and a massive list of accessories means that there are 549,936 possible variants of the 500. It promises practicality too. It may look like the old 500, but just park it alongside and you’ll see it’s at least twice the size. Fiat has been very clever in capturing the spirit without too many compromises.

Performance

The initial offerings are familiar from the Panda. 1.2 69bhp, 1.4 100bhp and a 1.3 turbo-diesel with 75bhp. With 1000 journalists scrabbling for 180 new 500s, we bee-lined for the budget 1.2 to start with. It’s smooth, refined and will bat along at motorway speeds with few problems. But quick it is not. The engine needs working to its maximum to get decent acceleration, and even then, 62 mph takes close to 13 seconds. The diesel is hardly any quicker but the extra torque does allow a lazier driving style; both are pretty refined too. A performance assessment of the 1.4 will have to wait.

Ride and handling

The original 500, with its puny rear engine, never went quick enough to worry about handling. How things change. Now we get power steering with a push button setting that lightens it further for parking. There’s a host of electronic safety features to control the brakes and chassis balance. So though outright speed still isn’t a vital ingredient of the new 500, there’s still the opportunity to have an entertaining drive in an entirely modern sort of way. For the true enthusiast the electric power steering doesn’t transmit enough feel through the wheel, but by today’s standards it’s par for the course.

The roadholding and handling are right on the mark. The 500 feels taut and well connected with the road, and it’s possible to take bends at speeds that will send the front passenger hanging on for dear life. There’s plenty of tyre squeal to telegraph the message you are going too fast, but there’s some real agility here, helped by the fast reactions of the steering. The little Fiat rides well too. Small cars almost inevitably have issues surrounding the ride comfort, and Fiat has opted towards comfort at the expense of some body lean in the corners. The lower, wider Mini is sharper in the bends, but then it has never had the most comfortable ride.

Interior and safety

If the exterior of the new 500 looks appealing, wait until you get inside. The whole architecture of the interior manages to combine a great feeling of quality with hints of the past. The top of the fascia is black, while facing you is a body-coloured slash into and around which are built the controls. These cream plastic buttons and switches look like they came from another era yet Fiat has managed to incorporate all the modern touches, including the latest Bluetooth and iPod compatibility, without any unhappy compromises. It looks just right and is certainly a pleasing improvement on what BMW has achieved with the last Mini.

The front seats, in their vast array of colours, are large enough to be comfortable for most people and the driving position is reasonable without being great – the steering wheel adjusts for height but not reach. By any standards there isn’t much room for rear passengers, through the Fiat 500 is certainly better than a Mini in this respect. It has a compact but reasonable boot too, with the world’s smallest parcel shelf and rear seats that flop forward to extend the capacity. Seven airbags are the standard offering (unless you opt for the ‘Naked’ trim level) which helps the 500 get five stars on the EuroNCAP crash tests.

Economy

The diesel will average 67mpg according to the government test stats, the 1.2 55mpg and the 1.4 45mpg. Less impressive is the fuel tank capacity just 35 litres, not even eight gallons. In Italy prices will start at €10,500, which equate to roughly £7,500. But hold back the excitement. UK cars seem unlikely to start at less than £9,500 and may be as high as £10,500. Less than a Mini, then, but lots more than the Panda on which it is based. Fiat has some amazing finance packages in Italy too, which include a 5-year warranty, but who knows if the UK will follow.

The MSN Cars verdict: 4/5

We wholeheartedly support the idea that cars can be fun and great cars at the same time. The Fiat 500 isn’t quite great yet, but the fun element of 500 ownership readily swings the balance.

Ratings out of five: Fiat 500

Performance	*******
Ride & handling	********
Interior	*****
Safety	*****
Price	********
Practicality	*******
Fuel economy	*****
MSN Cars verdict	********

Need to know

Petrol engines	1.2, 1.4
Diesel engines	1.3
Power (bhp)	69-100
Torque (lb/ft)	76-108
0-62 (secs)	12.9-10.5
Top speed (mph)	100-114
Combined mpg	44.8-67.1
C02 emissions (g/km)/tax (%)	115/15 - 149/16

On test: Toyota Land Cruiser Invincible (2007)

2007-08-03T19:31:00.001+05:30

On test: Toyota Land Cruiser Invincible (2007)

Model: Toyota Land Cruiser Invincible
Bodystyle: five-door SUV
Engine: 3.0-litre turbodiesel
Transmission: 5-speed automatic

what is it?

It’s the real deal, the Toyota Land Cruiser line stretches back 50 years and has a reputation for off-road ability matched only by Land Rover and Jeep. Unlike those two marques however, the Land Cruiser has absolutely no questions hanging over the way in which it has been put together and how long it will last – in a word, forever. No wonder so many are seen painted white and being driven by chaps in blue helmets with UN stenciled on them.

Where does it fit?

In Ultimate spec as tested this Land Cruiser sits, as the name suggests, at the top of the range with lashings of equipment thrown at it and an uprated 3.0-litre turbodiesel under the bluff bonnet, offering 210bhp (up from 164bhp) and lashing and lashing of torque, 347lb/ft of it to be exact. Size wise this is undoubtedly a full-size 4x4, easily eclipsing an old-model BMW X5 and giving the Discovery a run for its money thanks to an extra row of seats that can be deployed in the boot to turn it into a eight seater. Other rivals include the aging Volvo XC90, Mitsubishi Outlander and perhaps the only SUV with a similarly tough reputation, the Nissan Patrol.

Is it for you?

If you simply need a seven-seater for the school run then no. In fact don’t bother with an SUV at all, you’ll pay the penalty in fuel bills and poorer on-road dynamics, buy a decent people carrier. If however you regularly tow horseboxes, caravans or boats or drive further off-road than the Church fete car park then the Land Cruiser is definitely worth considering. It is perhaps not the best looking of the full-sized SUV bunch, the large chrome grille in particular is a bit bling but it could certainly be thought of as rugged.

What does it do well?

This is a serious piece of kit, dispensing with such niceties as the electronic terrain selector knob as used in the Discovery. Instead the Land Cruiser has honest to goodness levers for sliding big bits of metal around to engage low-ratios and lock diffs. We didn’t have the opportunity to test it to the full but it coped with severely waterlogged and churned up fields with ease where two-wheel drive cars and even lesser 4x4s sat uselessly spinning their wheels until a local farmer turned up with a tractor, a tow-rope and a money-making gleam in his eyes. The ride, controlled by Toyota’s EDC adjustable dampers really does make speedbumps and urban potholes disappear, albeit at the expense of float and wallowing.

What doesn’t it do well?

Toyota has retained traditional body-on-frame construction, which is much better able to deal with the sort of twisting forces encountered in extreme off-road conditions but does mean the Land Cruiser will never be able to compete with the on-road dynamics of monocoque rivals such as the X5. The steering is slow and the car isn’t exactly eager to change direction with alacrity which is just as well since despite the uprated engine, performance is best described as relaxed thanks to an all up weight of 2,850kg. 0-62mph takes a sluggish 10.8 seconds and it’s all done by 109mph. The five-speed automatic gearbox is swift to respond however and cleverly has been programmed to hold ratios when descending hills to provide engine braking.

What’s it like to live with?

It initially feels vast but visibility is extremely good, it’s possible to see every single corner of the vehicle from the driver’s seat, an advantage both when crawling over boulders and threading one’s way through urban width restrictors. We subjected it to the toughest test we could, Glastonbury Festival and it swallowed four tents and large back packs with ease although a cream leather interior is perhaps not the option to choose for a hard-working off-roader. An excellent sat-nav with integrated traffic management got us round the jams and a decent stereo kept us entertained although the silver trim around the centre console not only looked cheap but reflected badly in the windscreen. The rearmost seats fold out of the sides of the boot and are passably acceptable but with a very upright seat back and nowhere to put one’s feet are only suitable for short journeys and short people.

How green is it?

For a full-sized SUV with what Toyota claims is the most powerful four-cylinder diesel engine, not too bad. Official fuel consumption is 31.4mpg with CO2 emissions of 243g/km. Around 400 miles should be possible between fill-ups.

Would we buy it?

If we were in the market for a genuine off-roader rather than an X5 or XC90 pretender then certainly. The only thing likely to best it across rough terrain is a Chieftain tank and the only thing to stop it a substantial concrete wall. It is well equipped and keenly priced so well worth a look.

2007-07-10T19:42:00.000+05:30

New Mercedes S-Class rocks Night View Assist

Filed under: Displays, Transportation

It’s not too often that we hit up advances in car technology over here but this is just a bit too tasty to pass up. Now in addition to a PCMCIA slot, Mercedes-Benz is premiering their “Night view assist” system on their new, 2007 S-Class series which is said to increase nighttime visibility by up to 125 percent -- without blinding on-coming motorists. It uses infrared light to cast a broad beam ahead of the vehicle and then displays the 8-inch grayscale image on the dashboard LCD. Yeah, we know, what’s the big deal, other cage manufactures have offered these options in the past. But check out the vid over at AutoSpies though, we think it's worth your while.

2007-07-10T19:30:00.000+05:30

Apple iPhone: New Details, Good and Bad

With less than six days left before the Apple (AAPL) iPhone arrives, there's a flood of press coverage but new details about how the gadget actually works are hard to find. A few drops of news are dribbling out, however.

The 24 minute "guided tour" Apple released late last week (see here) is basically an infomercial designed to head off any negative feedback from independent reviewers. Mostly it delivers the same information contained in the TV commercials, but at a glacial pace. But Jason Chen at Gizmodo scoured the video for fresh information and offered this summary:

• Confirmed in-line viewer for PDFs, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel docs in email. Microsoft complained about lack of support before. This is a huge deal, even if it is read-only.
• Turning off the phone requires you to slide your finger across the top (like unlocking it) to confirm.
• You can rewind voicemail like a sound file.
• You can finger-scroll through contacts using the alphabet on the right.
• The special iPhone headphones have volume and call control.
• IMAP/POP support confirmed
• Typing with two thumbs actually looks manageable
• Limited amount of ringtones can be selected from the settings menu. Doesn't look like songs can be used.
• Confirmed turn by turn directions and up-to-date traffic info for Google maps. (link)

Over at rival Engadget, Ryan Block pried a few less-than-flattering reactions from "a very trusted source" who has spent time with a pre-launch iPhone. Excerpts:

"It won't replace a BlackBerry. It's not good for text input. It's just not a business product."
The browser "worked well" but page load speeds on EDGE were just as slow as expected. It sounds like 3G users will have a tough run with this.
Users must scroll through the address book (or use the alphabet-drag on the side) -- one cannot bring up the keyboard and type in a name, as many of us are used to.
Shocker: YouTube over EDGE didn't work well at all, and will basically necessitate use of WiFi. (For the full list go to Engadget here)

Finally, there are these observations from Balsu Thandu, one of the 200 AT&T (T) field technicians who reportedly spent the past 10 weeks putting the iPhone through its paces incognito (see here). According to Mobility Today,

2007-07-10T19:28:00.000+05:30

Now the first news report about p220 launch

Priced at Rs 84,000, about 20 units of the bike have already been booked.

Bajaj has launched its powerful motorcycle, Pulsar 220 DTS-Fi, in Pune, while Mumbaikars will have to wait till January for the bike.

The launch of Pulsar 220 was a low-profile affair, away from the media glare.

Priced at Rs 84,000, ex-showroom Pune, about 20 units of the bike have already been booked by customers with a down payment of Rs 10,000. A total of 35 units are allotted to the showroom and is sold on a first-come-first-serve basis. The next batch of the bikes will only be delivered by February.

The bike is expected to be launched in Mumbai by the second half of January next year. The bike will be in all the Bajaj showrooms across the country by the start of February.

In Mumbai, the bike will be priced in the range of Rs 87,000 to Rs 88,000, ex-showroom Mumbai.

Bajaj has gone for a soft launch technique known as ‘test launch’, wherein the company will be playing a wait-and-watch game to see the initial response.

Bajaj’s second big offering for 2007 is Pulsar 200, which is expected to be launched in January next month. Sources said the bike will be a direct launch, priced in the range of Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000, ex-showroom Mumbai.

Interestingly, only those customers who are able to produce a proof of residence in Pune will be able to buy the vehicle.

The waiting period for Pulsar 220 is 10 to 12 days and is available in three colours – blue, black and red.

The bike will be directly pitted against the company’s arch rival Hero Honda’s Karizma, which is priced in the same range with relatively same power output. Hero Honda is also currently testing the fuel injected version of the Karizma with the launch slated for February-March 2007.

Bajaj Pulsar DTS-Fi 220 has a single-cylinder, air-cooled, 4-stroke engine, belting out 20 bhp of power with 1.95 kg of torque.

This results in high combustion efficiency and low performance variability between engines, precise metering of fuel for highest outputs and lower emissions. It also helps in easy engine starts in all-weather conditions and altitudes.

The bike also boasts of the best-in-class fuel economy with natural, air-cooled, 4-stroke engine employing a oil cooler, a first in India.

Tags: Now the first news report about p220 launch