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Datsun unveiling sub Rs. 4 Lakh hatchback on July 15th

India will witness the revival of the iconic Datsun brand at Kingdon of Dreams in Gurgaon, Haryana on the 15^th of July this year. Datsun has announced that the first car of their comeback will be unveiled at the event, and Carlos Ghosn, global CEO of the Renault-Nissan alliance, is expected to do the honours. The new Datsun will be a hatchback based on the previous generation Nissan Micra.

The new car is expected to arrive with a host of styling changes compared to the dated Micra, and will be smaller in terms of exterior dimensions but roomier inside. It will be powered by the Micra’s 1.2 litre petrol engine with no information about a diesel unit yet.

Datsun is aiming to sell 1.50 lakh to 2 lakh cars in India every year and is therefore expected to price their models very competitively. In agreement with their philosophy of quality at a budget, rumours are that the Datsun hatchback will be priced under Rs 4 lakh. This puts it into direct competition with the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Alto 800 and Hyundai Eon, which offer comparatively smaller engines (796 and 814cc respectively). The Datsun may already have an advantage, being more powerful than all its rivals while also matching their fuel efficiency.

A larger model with a seven-seater option is also being planned for the Datsun range of cars in India. This model is expected to compete with the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Ertiga. and the Japanese automaker plans to launch all three models at the 2014 Auto Expo.

June 13, 2013
Toyota Camry Hybrid to be launched in August

Despite the extremely poor reception to hybrid cars in India (both the Honda Civic and Toyota’s own Prius failed miserably), Toyota has announced that it will launch the Camry Hybrid in August. Toyota believes it can sell around 20-25 Camry Hybrids a month, which makes up around 5-6 percent of total Camry sales. It’s planning to locally assemble the Camry Hybrid in India alongside the 2.4-litre petrol model.

The Camry Hybrid will get a host of exterior and interior changes to differentiate it from the regular Camry. At the front, it comes with a new bumper having a wider air dam, as well as restyled fog lamps with chrome inserts. The front grille also features a chrome strip. There isn’t anything new about the rear, except for the blue badge that reads ‘Hybrid Synergy Drive’. On the inside, we get a redesigned dashboard and three dials in the instrument cluster. Toyota will also use a different seat fabric to add to the premium feel.

The 2.5-litre engine, mated to a hybrid powertrain, will see a bump up in power thanks to the use of an electric motor. This engine comes mated to an e-CVT (electronic continuously variable transmission) gearbox. The hybrid powertrain features a water cooled system that reduces the temperature of the exhaust gas and then reroutes this to the intake to control emissions. The system has also been tweaked to increase efficiency by reducing transaxial losses and improving motor control. The car will also have an EV drive mode, with which it can be driven on the electric motor alone for 2.5 km, provided the car doesn’t cross 40 kmph. Toyota will also tweak the chassis a bit to compensate for the extra weight of the electric powertrain.

Even with all the extra features, an expected price of Rs. 36 Lakh (about Rs. 12 Lakh over the regular Camry) seems too high to attract enough customers. Watch this space for updates on the Toyota Camry Hybrid!

June 12, 2013
Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom Officially Announced

Samsung has continued the expansion of the Galaxy S4 family of devices and announced the Galaxy S4 Zoom today.

This cameraphone will potentially be loved by the picture-taking crowd with its 16MP CMOS sensor, 10x optical zoom lens and a Xenon flash. Other key specs of the Zoom have it sporting a 4.3-inch QHD DISPLAY (960×540 resolution), runs Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, powered by a 1.5GHZ dual-core processor, Wi-Fi and LTE connectivity, 1.5GB of RAM with 8GB of internal storage (expandable storage up to 64GB) and a 2330mAh battery.

The Galaxy S4 Zoom comes with a dedicated shutter button. Along with the hardware, Samsung has incorporated various features and modes in the software of the device as well to add to the camera capabilities of the device.

The ISO can be adjusted up to 3200, something that is seldom seen in normal smartphones. The hybrid can be used to click continuous shots at 4fps max with auto focus. The camera also comes with up to 25 smart mode options. These smart modes are namely Beauty face, Best photo, Continuous shot, Best face, Kids shot, Landscape, Dawn, Snow, Macro, Food, Party/Indoor, Action freeze, Rich tone (HDR), Panorama, Waterfall, Animated photo, Drama, Eraser, Sound & Shot, Silhouette, Sunset, Night, Fireworks, Light trace and Smart mode suggest.

There is also an expert mode with P/S/M/C options, presumably to let you click pictures in Program, Shutter Priority, Manual and Custom modes, just like a camera.

One of the new features that Samsung has included in this category of the Galaxy S4 Zoom is called “Zoom Ring.” This is part of a “revolutionary new interface” that allows you to quickly share while on a phone call. Samsung notes that you do “a quick twist of the Zoom Ring will activate the In-Call Photo Share feature, letting you capture and send an image directly via MMS to whoever you are talking to simply.”

Pricing and availability of the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom has not been announced yet.

June 12, 2013
Airbus A350 To Make Maiden Flight On Friday

The Airbus A350 XWB will make its maiden Friday, June 14, the company has announced.

Spanning a large portion of the long-range widebody market with its three variants, the A350 is also poised to challenge Boeing’s highly successful 777 as well. And by taking a more conservative design approach to reach new heights in fuel efficiency, range, and reliability, Airbus might steer clear of the kind of new-plane growing pains that have plagued the Dreamliner.

Airbus A350 XWB is a family of wide-body, long-range jet airliners that are the first Airbus with wing structures and fuselage made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. The XWB stands for “extra wide body,” and it uses 25 percent less fuel and an equivalent reduction in CO2 emissions compared to other aircraft in its size category.

The Airbus A350 XWB has already achieved 613 firm orders from 33 customers worldwide, and will enter into service in the second half of 2014.

Meanwhile, in Canada, Bombardier is planning to fly its new CSeries single-aisle airliner by the end of the month.

Bombardier officials said earlier this month they would not make it to Paris with the CSeries but have said it will fly in Montreal before the end of the month. The CSeries is being touted as an efficient alternative to the Boeing 737 and A320, not to mention smallish airliners being developed in Japan, China and Russia. The CSeries will use geared turbofan engines from Pratt and Whitney that are projected to cut fuel costs by up to 20 percent and be noticeably quieter than other jet engines. Bombardier has potential orders for up to 400 aircraft and about 145 are firm.

June 12, 2013
Bing Maps Gets New Features Including 270TB Of Bird’s Eye Imagery

Bing Maps announced a number of new additions today, including a more expansive collection of Bird’s Eye Imagery locations, new Venue Maps and a Report a Problem feature.

Microsoft announced that it has added its largest-ever batch of Bird’s Eye imagery to Bing Maps — nearly 270 terabytes of data, or the equivalent of 100,000 DVDs, as the company tries to keep up with the 3D mapping capabilities offered by its competitors.

So far, Microsoft has published a total of 1,452,958 sq km, or half a petabyte of data, in Bird’s Eye scenes from around the world. The Bing Maps coverage for this release is shown in yellow (it’s mainly for the US, some Europe, plus a little Canada and Australia):

As for Venue Maps, these allow you to navigate your way around malls, airports, amusement parks, stadiums, and more on your computer or Windows 8 mobile device. Venue Maps automatically show up when you zoom in while using Bing Maps. Purple and green polygons will appear, and clicking on one will pop out a directory with a full list of points of interest that you can explore from a top-down view.

Bing Maps new ‘Report a Problem’ feature involves a link that appears in a box when a user clicks on a location. After clicking the link, a user is given the option to select whether a location is currently empty, if there is a new venue in the existing location, or submit comments to identify more specific issues.

[Via]

June 12, 2013
About Time! Google Glass Cracked Open In Teardown

It was bound to happen at some point, and condolences to whomever sacrificed their frames for the greater good aside, we’ve got our first look at the components from Google Glass and how they’re fitted together.

The internet owes a deep thanks to Scott Torborg and Star Simpson who did a detailed tear-down post on the Google Glass.

Some of the motivation for the tear down was purely technological while some of it was driven by the growing concerns about privacy and personal security in the US.

“Growing up on a rich diet of dystopian tech fiction, we were filled with both intrigue and concern about Glass and decided to take our model apart to bring you a detailed view into the electronics guts of the device.

It is not surprising that the camera is similar in quality and resolution to cameras found in your everyday smartphone:

“The Glass camera seems to be of typical smartphone-level size and format. It is not coaxially aligned with the wearer’s eye. The camera and display appear to talk to the CPU independently, with no direct connection between each other.

The main board, which is held in place with “lots of paste.” Removing said paste revealed a TI OMAP4430 chip and a 16GB SanDisk flash chip. Next was the battery, which also required tearing the plastic in order to get to it. Obviously, this means users cannot replace the battery on their own. The rest of the teardown is detailed in extensive pictures, which you can check out at the link at the bottom.

According to the Google Glass Tech specs page, Glass has a 5-megapixel camera that can shoot video in 720p. It supports 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Audio is provided by a bone conduction transducer, and the display is “the equivalent of a 25-inch high definition screen from eight feet away.” As for buttons and connectors, Glass has a Listen button, on/off button, capture button, touch sensitive area, and Micro USB port for charging. There’s also a status LED and rear-facing sensor array.

[Catwig]

June 12, 2013
Apple Debuts Game Controller APIs In iOS 7, Will Support Third Party Controllers

Physical controllers for iPhones and iPads have long been left to the ThinkGeeks and the Kickstarter projects, due to the lack of support. But that’s going to change with iOS 7.

Playing traditional console style games on a touchscreen has always been difficult, especially when the developer has not tailored their game enough to a touchscreen. Now gamers do not have to worry about that problem if their favorite games support Apple’s game controllers API.

A slide (pictured below) indicated that the iOS 7 SDK would support MFi game controllers, a reference to Apple’s licensing program for third-party hardware add-ons.

TouchArcade points to a vague guide that Apple posted to its developer site yesterday that has basic guidelines on how game controllers should be used.

The one on at the top looks like your typical iPhone game controller, with a large opening in the center that allows you to view your handset’s display. And the one right below is obviously more of your standard, standalone-type gamepad.

Game Center will also get a visual overhaul with the latest update to Apple’s iconic mobile operating system, iOS 7, it was revealed during WWDC today. Apple aims to curb cheating through more secure game scores and support for ranking-style leaderboards. It’s also added a new Sprite Kit tool to help developers create games

[Via, Via]

June 12, 2013
Tata Vista and Manza now offered with MapmyIndia Sat-Nav

While the top-end models of the Tata Vista hatchback and Manza sedan are shipped with an infotainment system featuring integrated satellite navigation (sat-nav), Tata Motors has now entered into an association with which the sat-nav device will be offered as a standard feature in the Vista D90 ZX+ with maps from MapmyIndia.

Tata Motors is known as a vehicle manufacturer with a deep understanding of customer needs; the car models reflect this philosophy. Similarly, at MapmyIndia we take into account customer feedback and incorporate it into our product offerings. We are extremely happy to have partnered with Tata Motors to bring a superior GPS ‘navitainment’ experience to Tata Vista D90 customers. We remain committed to developing superior products and set new benchmarks with best in-class features that meet the needs of the Indian car buyer.
– Shivalik Prasad, Executive Director, MapmyIndia

Owners of the Tata Vista D90 ZX+ and of the VX, GVX, EX and GEX variants of the Manza will now be able to use updated maps from MapmyIndia, covering 10.33 million locations, 1.9 million road kilometres, 6,00,000 villages, 4,787 cities at street-level, 50 cities at house-level, 46 cities in full 3D and driving directions to 30,000 tourist locations. The navigation system will also offer features like extended lane guidance, sign-posts, rich points of interest, regional voice guidance and regional maps, turn-by-turn and voice-guided navigation, 3D imagery for India which includes full scale 3D landmarks across the country snd 3D city models which will include 3D buildings for residential and commercial areas across 36 major cities in India.

Sat-nav systems are of great help in finding locations reducing wastages of time and fuel while also making one’s drive comfortable and safer. Sat-nav systems are yet to pick up in India due to incomplete and inaccurate mapping, however organisations such as MapmyIndia are working to provide an updated range of maps across cities outside the metros. Expect to see more indigenous cars with in-built and functional sat-nav systems in the coming years.

June 12, 2013
Nokia, Microsoft Working Even Closer, Collaborative Effort Coming Soon

During a Lumia 925 briefing in the UK, Nokia revealed that they’ve tightened its ever-growing bond with Redmond-based Microsoft, makers of the Windows 8 (mobile and desktop) platform. Nokia UK’s Ray Haddow stated that the Finnish company has been “working even closer” with Microsoft and we can expect to see new collaborative efforts in the near future. Engadget reports that Nokia and Microsoft will work to raise Nokia’s profile.

Nokia and Microsoft first entered into a “broad strategic partnership” that made Windows Phone OS its “primary smartphone strategy,” but there have been rumours of Nokia coming to market with a tablet for years now.

The company went on to discuss marketing opportunities it’s seizing upon as a result of its Microsoft affiliation, so we very well might just be talking about plans for a new promotional blitz. What was less clear is if all that might be focused on a particular product (and we certainly expect the EOS to be a big win for both Nokia and Microsoft) or if it could be more broadly Lumia- or WP-focused in general.

Could this mean that Nokia might be ready to enter the Windows-powered tablet space? No telling what these two have in store but we should know in the next few weeks.

[Engadget]

June 12, 2013
Loeb’s Peugeot 208 T16 Fastest in Pikes Peak Practice

This weekend saw Sebastien Loeb try out the Peugeot 208T16 at Pikes Peak for the first time ahead of this year’s event. His test run was split into two stages, covering the lower half of the run on Saturday and the second half on Sunday. On both occasions he was fastest overall. The divided programme was aimed at building up Loeb’s knowledge and pace notes ahead of his first full runs.

The 9-time WRC champion felt immediately comfortable with the 208T16, even though he only completed his first meaningful run in the car last month.

I feel very confident with the car. That’s a reassuring start, if only because of the speeds we get up to here. We are already getting close to the limit in many places. All we need to do now is make some detail changes and we will be ready for the big day.

– Sebastien Loeb

Peugeot’s sport director Bruno Famin was happy with the weekend’s result saying that the car suited Loeb and barely any changes to the car’s set-up were required. Loeb will participate in three more official practice sessions at the end of this week. The main event takes place on June 30.

Read more about the specially crafted Peugeot 208T16 which is being piloted by Sebastien Loeb at the 2013 Pikes Peak Hill Climb here and here.

June 12, 2013
Nissan Confirms Duster Spin-off Called Terrano

After reports from Autocar India about Nissan producing its own version of Renault’s Duster, Nissan has confirmed the rumours by announcing the Terrano and releasing an official sketch.

The Terrano will be produced at Nissan’s Oragadam plant alongside the premium hatchback Micra, Sunny sedan and Evalia urban class utility vehicle, expanding Nissan’s locally-built model range to four.

I am delighted to reveal both the name and the very first image of what will be a very important model for Nissan. You can see from the sketch that the Terrano has a bold and distinctive design that I am confident will appeal to our growing customer base in India, as will its driving performance and range of other features that will be revealed at a later date.

– Kenichiro Yomura, President & CEO, Nissan Motor India

The Nissan Terrano is expected to be launched in India in 2013.

[Autocar India]

June 11, 2013
Grand Theft Auto V PS3 Bundle, Custom Headset Announced At E3

A special Grand Theft Auto 5 package exclusive to PlayStation 3 has been announced at Sony’s E3 press conference.

Making the bundle all the more enticing, this gaming collection will come wrapped in a special box adorned with exclusive GTA 5 themed artwork.

The GTA V PS3 bundle includes a 500GB PlayStation 3, a Blu-ray copy of Grand Theft Auto V and a 30-day PlayStation Plus trial membership. Like Assassin’s Creed 3 and Uncharted 3bundles, this package is priced at $299.99.

“The custom Grand Theft Auto V audio mode for Pulse – Elite Edition takes full advantage of the BassImpact technology embedded in the Pulse – Elite Edition headset to provide the ultimate Grand Theft Auto V experience,” an official Sony spokesperson stated. “This exclusive mode enhances the game’s most epic moments like car crashes, explosions and more.”

A custom-designed ‘Grand Theft Auto V Pulse – Elite Edition’ headset has also been produced in collaboration with Rockstar Games, and will go on sale for $179 in the US. UK and European pricing was not set out at E3.

The PlayStation 3 version of Grand Theft Auto V will also have a special ‘Pulse Elite Edition’ mode, using the technology in the headset to enhance sound quality during key moments in the game such as crashes and explosions. The software to activate the audio mode can be downloaded for free via the Pulse – Elite Manager app.

Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto 5 will be released on Sept. 17, 2013 on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3.

June 11, 2013
E3 : Batman : Arkham Origins Trailer Revealed

Warner Bros. has posted the E3 gameplay trailer for the upcoming prequel, Batman: Arkham Origins, and it delivers the hits… literally. Black Mask puts a bounty on Batman’s head, which brings the combined might of Bane, Deadshot, Deathstroke, and other villains to Gotham City.

Unlike the CGI Batman: Arkham Origins teaser trailer that was released a few weeks ago, the new gameplay reveal trailer is made up entirely of in-game footage. We get out first look at Bane, and also get to hear Roger Craig Smith as Batman and Troy Baker as Joker for the first time.

Taking place before the rise of Gotham City’s most dangerous villains and assassins, the game showcases a young, raw, unrefined Batman as he faces a defining moment in his early career as a crime fighter that sets his path to becoming the Dark Knight. As the story unfolds, witness identities being formed and key relationships being forged.

Batman: Arkham Origins will be available for the Wii U, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC on October 25, 2013.

June 11, 2013
Microsoft Abandons India and other Asian Countries, Xbox One to come Late 2014

In what feels like a painful abandonment of enthusiastic gamers of Asia, Microsoft has delayed the launch of its new console the Xbox One in Asia by a whole year. Alan Bowman, Microsoft’s Regional VP for Sales and Marketing in Asia, says that the new console will launch in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and India around late 2014.

This delay even after Microsoft has declared these countries as gaming high-growth areas, with sales of consoles and games booming in 2013. Alan Bowman also said that the new Kinect sensor will require less space as compared to this generation’s Kinect and will fit right in with Asian countries “where there is a lack of living room space” (we wouldn’t be too sure of that)

in any case for all those who cant wait, there is always Palika Bazaar and Lamington Road for those imported consoles!

[VIA]

June 11, 2013
E3 2013 : inFamous: Second Son Revealed

A new trailer for InFamous Second Son was unveiled at Sony’s E3 conference, along with the news that it won’t be a launch title.

The sequel to 2011’s InFamous 2 is scheduled for a Q1 2014 release, it was announced during the conference.

“The new trailer introduces Delsin Rowe’s older brother, Reggie, who will accompany Delsin on his journey in Seattle,” said Sucker Punch’s Brian Fleming on the PlayStation Blog. “Reggie is voiced by Travis Willingham, who interestingly is close friends in real life with Troy Baker, the voice actor for Delsin. You’ll get a glimpse into Delsin and Reggie’s relationship, and also see how much fun Delsin has being a superhuman, especially when using his awesome Orbital Drop maneuver shown at the end of the trailer.”

You now have fire powers instead of electric, flying instead of gliding around or grinding power lines. It’s all good for the next evolution of this super-powered franchise.

Sucker Punch will be demoing the game, which launches in Q1 2014, at Sony’s E3 booth starting tomorrow.

June 11, 2013