EVO 2 gaming console to bring Android games to TV

Google's Android mobile OS is certainly an open and free system attractive to many producers, even those whose products are not portable at all. One of the newest and quirkiest inventions of this kind is a recently announced gaming console called EVO 2 by Envizions. It's actually the company's second attempt to conquer the gaming console market, though many readers probably haven't heard of Linux-based EVO 2's predecessor.

EVO Smart Console was released in late 2008 and was a bold attempt to take the fight against players like Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo. It was packed with Fedora operating system, ATI and AMD hardware and just two games. The console's website disappeared and it's hard to find developers who did write games for the platform. Will the EVO 2 be more successful?

Envisions is undoubtedly trying its best to attract developers who would want to write and port games for EVO 2. At the moment, the product is only available for gaming programmers who get their units free of charge, though they must pay US$149 annually as a "software support fee". End-users can reserve their consoles paying $15 (the initial retail price is $249).

What's inside the newest Android-based gaming console? It will have an unspecified Samsung 1.2 GHz CPU (single-core is my guess), along with Nvidia graphics (Tegra 2?) and 512 MHz of DDR 2 RAM. This hardware is comparable to a high-end smartphone like LG Optimus 2X, which actually has a dual-core 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A9 CPU and Nvidia Tegra 2 chipset. Taking this into account, the price of $249 seems to be quite fair. EVO 2 will run on a modified version of Android 2.2 OS. We can also expect HDMI and WiFi connectivity, five USB ports, a remote and a game controller. What's more, "motion 3D sensor capabilities" are to be added to the system towards the end of Q4, 2011.

There are certainly some quite cool aspects of EVO 2 that could help it towards success. For example, easy synchronization with tablet or smartphone means you will be able to view the gadget's contents on the big screen without worrying for the cables. There's also cloud gaming via OnLive app and the console will have its own online applications store (the success of which depends on third-party developers enthusiasm) along with some promising media streaming capabilities.-gizmag.com

Tesla To Unveil New Model X By End Of 2011

Tesla might have started out by producing an electric version of the Lotus Elise, but that’s merely the start of their ambitious program to launch a full range of electric cars.

They already have the Model S sedan, which is set to go on sale in 2012, but now they are also working on a crossover vehicle, which is referred to as the Model X.

Tesla is hoping to debut this new model by the end of 2011 (perhaps at the next L.A. Auto Show), is offering a secondary stock offering of 5.3-million shares in order to raise funds for the project.

The Model X will utilize the same technology as the upcoming Model S, but offer it in a more practical platform. If all goes according to plan, this model will hit showrooms in 2014. Plans for the car were revealed in filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The Tesla Roadster will end its production run by December of this year.-autoguide.com

Asus Padfone - 4.3-inch smartphone docks inside 10.1-inch tablet

Asus always opens its home computer show Computex with a bang and this year it was the Padfone - a 4.3-inch smartphone that docks inside a 10.1-inch tablet dock with dynamic display switching, two batteries, a shared SIM card, a single hard drive, Qualcomm processor, Android's next generation operating system (Ice Cream Sandwich) and a Q4, 2011 launch date with a price in the US$800-1,000 area.

While specifics are thin on the ground at the moment, the ASUS smartphone will run on the latest version of Android available at launch and have all the functionality we've come to expect from such a device - browsing the internet, checking emails, watching online videos and playing addictive games like Angry Birds. If you find yourself wanting to watch movies or enjoy games on a bigger screen, the smartphone can be docked within the body of the tablet. There's no need to switch off one to use the other, whatever you were up to at docking time will be continued on the bigger screen and if you receive a call while using the tablet, you could either whip out the phone or connect using a Bluetooth headset.

ASUS says that there will be some sort of shared storage pool in the smartphone part of the device so that users won't have to concern themselves with synchronizing data between the two. This also suggests that the smartphone will likely provide the processing for the tablet too. The tablet, though, will not be a mere dumb terminal - it will also provide extra connectivity ports and some juice for the smartphone's battery.

It's another design masterpiece from ASUS, which consistently demonstrates the ability to think outside the square and the Padfone will enable users to switch between pad and phone for a best-fit user experience - too often I find myself using a smartphone and wanting more screen real estate or a tablet but finding it restrictive in the environment - the Padfone will definitely cure that problem.

It will also be interesting to see if this two-in-one approach encourages Android developers not to charge for separate phone/tablet ("HD") versions as is very common (and very annoying) on iOS devices.-gizmag.com

BMW i3 Electric Car to Debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show?

According to sources close to BMW the German automaker is reputedly working on five models to premiere at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show in September, including its long-awaited i3 electric car. 

BMW has kept details of its first mass-produced electric car quiet, although the ongoing stream of information on the car now in the public domain details aplausible set of specifications : a 112 kilowatt motor married to BMW’s preferred rear-wheel system, a battery pack capable of providing at least 100 miles of range per charge, and a price-tag of around $35,000.

Given these specifications, the BMW i3 sits at the top end of the same price-range and specification set as many electric cars already on the market, including the 2011 Nissan Leaf and 2011 Chevrolet Volt. 

But unlike most cars on the market today, the i3’s body and internal components will be made almost entirely of lightweight composite materials to keep the car’s weight down.  Gone are the steel and aluminum panels of mainstream cars and in its place, carbon-fiber plastic and other tough-but-lightweight materials. 

Shedding pounds in the frame and boy means a lighter car, and a lighter car means a more energy efficient car, so expect the i3 to produce some impressive fuel economy figures when it finally launches in time for the 2013 model year. 

Before you get excited about the other four models reputedly debuting in Frankfurt we should probably point out that the i3 will be the only pure electric model. Alongside it, more conventional gas-guzzling BMWs, including a new M5 with a 555 HP twin-turbo V8, a face-lifted 1-Series, and a new V8-powered M3GTS.

BMW has yet to officially confirm that it will be unveiling the i3 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, but given that its 1-series derived ActiveE is scheduled to enter public lease trails in selected markets later this year we think the likelihood we’ll see the i3 this Fall is pretty high.-allsmallcars.com

Mazda Shinari To Make Its Australian Debut At 2011 AIMS

Mazda has confirmed that the stunning SHINARI concept car will make its regional debut when it is displayed at the Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne from 1 – 10 July.

After being unveiled to critical acclaim at international motor shows in Shanghai, Los Angeles and Geneva, it’s now the turn of the Australian public to get close to SHINARI, the first concept vehicle to be created by Ikuo Maeda in his new role as Mazda’s global director of design.

SHINARI is a four-door, four-seater sports coupe which perfectly expresses Mazda’s ‘KODO-Soul of Motion’ design theme and truly embodies the key elements that will take Mazda design into the future.

KODO- Soul of Motion describes the ultimate form of motion, it captures the moment just as motion begins, it stirs the emotions and evokes a will to drive.

Inspired by an image of a predator ready to pounce, every element of SHINARI is designed to suggest the presence of pent up energy propelling the car forward, giving the feeling that SHINARI is a vehicle in perpetual motion.

The combination of a rearward tapering A-pillar, distinctive front fenders and dynamic body surfaces which appear as if they are constantly transforming make SHINARI look as though it is ready to leap at any second.

Front-on there is no doubt that SHINARI is part of the Mazda family, with a three-dimensional front grille proudly emphasising the Mazda lineage.

The interior of SHINARI is designed to create a completely driver oriented experience. The use of machined aluminium, soft natural leather and dedicated driving ergonomics ensure that the interior is just as striking as the exterior view.

SHINARI represents the next generation of Mazda design and is just one component of what is sure to be one of Mazda’s most exciting and engaging Motor Show displays.

Mazda Australia Managing Director, Doug Dickson is looking forward to the opportunity to showcase SHINARI in front of an Australian audience “This is a concept that truly captures KODO design and provides an insight into the future direction for Mazda design. It is really exciting to have SHINARI in Australia for the first time and to give the Australian public the opportunity to see this truly stunning vehicle up close and in the metal” he said.-theautochannel.com