the gadgets

2012-03-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

200mph+ - the world's fastest saloon cars

At the 2008 Paris show, Lamborghini's stunning Estoque concept looked like it might get the green light for production. Sadly, that never happened, so we were denied the prospect of a front-engined, four-door, four-wheel drive Lambo. The Italian firm was coy about the top speed of its 5.2-litre V10-powered car but an official was later quoted saying it was capable of reaching 200mph.

2012-03-26T11:40:00.004-07:00

WishTel launches Rs 4000 Android tablet in India

For users in India who are itching to try out a tablet experience without burning a hole in their pocket, WishTel has announced the launch of two new low-cost tablet tablet PCs. Ira and Ira Thing priced at Rs 4,000 and Rs 5,500 respectively. The number of small cheaper tablets being released in India has been increasing this past year and could ruin the fun for Aakash, the governments pet project.
tech2 reports that WishTel’s ‘Ira Thing’ comes with Google’s Android 2.2, a 7-inch capacitive touchscreen, WiFi and also supports 3G calling. Ira has the same specifications except that it has resistive touchscreen. Resistive touchscreen allows users to operate the device with gloves, a stylus etc.
PTI had also reported last week that WishTel would participate in the second round of bidding for the tender to produce ‘Aakash’, though it had lost out to Datawind in the first round.

Screengrab

“We are eagerly waiting for the same, given an opportunity we are getting ready for this project, it is a very ambitious project,” WishTel Chief Executive Officer Milind Shah told PTI.
The two need devices can also support 23 Indian languages and operate on the Linux operating system.
WishTel has a network of over 350 distributors across India. The devices are manufactured at its facilities in Maharashtra and Gujarat

2012-03-24T02:16:00.001-07:00

Audi TT Coupe Launched

Further expanding its sports car product portfolio in India, German luxury car maker Audi has now launched its TT Coupe at a price of Rs 48.36 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra) and will be available from June 2012

The 2012-13 Budget has certainly caused quite a bit of a stir amongst car manufacturers in India making it that much harder for luxury and sports car manufacturers the likes of Audi to run a profitable business going into the new financial year.

That said, Audi has over the past year or so worked hard at establishing itself as one of the country’s front-runners in the sports car segment with the launch of fabulous products like the R8 Coupe, the R8 Spyder and the RS5. Looking to keep that momentum strong going into the new fiscal year the German luxury car maker has just launched its globally successful TT Coupe here in India.

Powered by a 2.0 TFSI engine that churns out 214PS @ 6,000rpm of power and 350Nm @ 1,600rpm of torque, the TT can touch a speed of 100km/h in just 5.6 seconds, the TT Coupe is currently in its second generation worldwide and has had built a rather praise worthy reputation for itself over since being introduced in 2006. The Coupe has grown by nearly two centimetres and now measures 4.18m in length, 1.84m in width and height of 1.35m. The wheelbase now measures 2.46m. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system is standard for the 2.0 TFSI with the S-tronic.

Speaking of the TT's launch Audi India Head Michael Perschke said, "Dynamic design, enthralling performance and exemplary efficiency – the Audi TT Coupé is an embodiment of a sports car which perfectly characterises the core essence of our brand DNA, 'Vorsprung durch Technik'. The design icon already sports a fascinating and dynamic appearance and has now been revised to be even more expressive. This high performance sports coupé is targeted at individuals who are dynamic and distinct and ones who aim to seek a sense of freedom."

Early this week, Audi India has raised prices of its entire range of products in India by up to 14 per cent due to hike in excise and customs duties in the Budget. The price of the new Audi TT Coupe has been re-worked based on the same criteria and will now sell for Rs 48.36 lakh (ex-showroom, Maharashtra).

The company will start selling the car from June this year and it will be brought in as a completely built unit (CBU). Audi expects to sell over 50 units of the TT Coupe in the next year, and are very hopeful of selling as many as 25-35 units of the 2+2 seater sports coupe model in 2012 itself.

2012-03-24T02:14:00.002-07:00

Nikon launches V1 and J1 in India

Nikon has finally launched the Nikon 1 lineup in India, with the introduction of the Nikon V1 and J1 cameras. It was long debated whether Nikon would ever venture into the mirrorless-interchangeable lens camera market, but with the Nikon 1 series, Nikon has put all rumors to rest.

The J1 is the entry-level model while the V1 is its elder sibling, aimed towards more advanced users. The two cameras are identical in many respects, including the new 10 megapixel, 1-inch CX format sensor that outputs imaging data to a shared Expeed 3 processor. Nikon 1 system also incorporates a proprietary 1 lens mount. The two cameras also share the focusing system, a hybrid of phase and contrast detection methods, which allows for the cameras to acquire and track focus with great accuracy.
Despite the similarity in circuitry, these are two different cameras, aimed at two different kinds of user base. The design of the J1 is very slim, giving it the resemblance of a mere point-and-shoot. It does feature an electronic viewfinder along with a pop-up flash that can be raised with the help of a button.
The V1, regarded as the elder sibling offers a mixed bag of goodies. While it loses the pop-up flash and the electronic viewfinder, we find a convenient accessory port on the top of the camera that can be used to attach proprietary external flashes or microphones to the camera. The V1 also features the ability to switch between electronic and mechanical shutters, in case one would feel the need to take shots at a blazing 1/6000 of a second (on electronic shutter mode).
Both the cameras feature video recording at 1080p (60i) along with a slow motion and super slow motion movie mode (400 fps at 640x240 and 1,200 fps at 320x120). There is also "motion snapshot" mode that seems to resemble something like stop-motion graphics, but that is something we'd like to explore once we have the cameras in hand.
The lenses have a conversion factor of 2.7x, meaning that a 10mm lens on a Nikon 1 camera would yield a field-of-view of 27mm. The focusing system on the Nikon 1 is something to talk about. It boasts of the most focusing points in a mirrorless interchangeable lens camera system. The hybrid phase-contrast-detection based focusing also makes it the fastest focusing cameras in their class.
Nikon has also introduced a lens adapter for the 1 series that would allow users to attach their regular F Mount lenses onto the V1 and the J1. The process, however, is not without a few drawbacks. For one, the DSLR lenses were designed for bigger sensors, so the image quality yielded by them might not match their DSLR counterpart. There is also the 2.7x conversion factor to keep in mind.
The Nikon 1 system is now available at the following prices for the various kits.
Nikon 1 V1 with 10-30mm lens - Rs. 43, 950
Nikon 1 V1 with 10-30mm + 30-110mm lens - Rs. 53, 950
Freebies: 4GB SD Card.
Nikon 1 J1 with 10-30mm lens - Rs. 29,950
Nikon 1 J1 with 10-30mm + 30-110mm lens - Rs. 39,950
Nikon 1 J1 with 10-30mm + 30-110mm lens (special pink kit) - Rs. 40,950
Freebies: 4GB SD Card.
Key Specs
Sensor: 10 Megapixel, CX format 1-inch sensor.
Body Material: Magnesium and Aluminium alloy
Lens Mount: Nikon 1 mount
Focus System: Hybrid AF with 135 points in Single Point AF, 41 Point in Auto Area along with Subject Tracking
Video Recording: 1920x1080 (60i, 30p), 1280x720 (60p)
Image File Formats: NEF RAW, JPG
Video File Formats: MOV, H.264/MPEG-4, AAC Audio.
ISO Sensitivity - Auto, High Auto, Manual (ISO 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, Hi 1)
Storage: SD/SDHC/SDXC cards

2012-03-24T02:10:00.003-07:00

Maruti Ertiga :Sporty, classy, spacious

Maruti Ertiga isn’t the first MUV that Maruti has launched. There were Omni E, Versa and also the Ecoe. But what’s the big deal with Ertiga? While the others were bare and mostly featureless, the Ertiga is decently specced-out as a significant value-for-money composition. Where the earlier models were meant to be bought by fleet operators, the Ertiga aims straight for the family man.
India’s largest carmaker which sells almost 10 million out of every 15 million cars sold in India, doesn’t have a strong vehicle in the MUV section. Etriga aims to conquer that space. The car-makers are calling it the ‘Life Utility Vehicle’ or LUV that essentially offers hatchback upgraders and sedan-buyers a car that’s part sedan, part MUV.

Screengrab/ibnlive

Style: Looks familiar but it’s not
The vehicle bears a very strong resemblance to the new Suzuki Swift and the DZire. But, a bit longer than Swift and not quite the dimensions as the Innova—a compact MUV, if you may call it. The swept back headlamps are inspired from the Swift, while the bonnet looks similar to Ritze.
Clean, uncluttered, spacious, sporty and classy — Ertiga is quite impressive. And just like the Swift, you can just slide into rather than having to climb in. You can slide, recline and also get an arm-rest to your seat.
Engine Specifications:
Displacement: 1372cc, K-Series
Engine Type: Petrol
Maximum Power: 94 Bhp
Maximum Torque: 130 Nm
Expected Price:
Rs. 7,00,000 – Rs. 9,00,000 (Mumbai)
Maruti have ensured that the customer will want to upgrade to an Ertiga. This time, the car-maker looks certain to bring in the numbers. Drive it to work, take it on a month-long holiday, take your family to drives (it has room for seven people) and do all this without poor dynamics and poor efficiency—the inherent traits in a MUV. Will you buy the Ertiga?

2012-03-21T01:04:00.001-07:00

Samsung's Android projector phone coming to India in April

With Samsung Galaxy Beam, you can watch your photos and videos by beaming them directly onto walls.

Samsung has forayed into the projector phone segment with the unveiling of Galaxy Beam, which is an Android 2.3 Gingerbread based smartphone with 1.0 GHz dual-core processor.
The Samsung Galaxy Beam projector smartphone, which allows users to display and share multimedia content anywhere on a large luminous screen, was unveiled at a Samsung event in Bangkok.

According to a spokesperson of the company, "The device will be launched in India in April."
Galaxy Beam lets users spontaneously share photos, videos or other digital media with family or friends by beaming the multimedia contents stored on the device directly onto walls, ceilings or improvised flat surfaces.
The device features a projector-dedicated application which makes it easy to select content and activate projection in a few simple steps. The Galaxy Beam has a 5 megapixel camera.
Despite featuring a full built-in projector, the Galaxy Beam measures just 12.5 mm thick and features an ergonomic design. It has 8 GB of internal memory which can be expanded to 32 GB using SD card and a 2000 mAh battery.
In the past few months lot of Indian handset manufactures have launched projector phones but all of them are feature phones based on Java operating system
by admin- shrenik

2012-03-21T01:01:00.001-07:00

Sony Mobile Xperia neo L with Android 4.0 ICS announced

Xperia neo L is Sony's first smartphone that will have Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box. It houses single core 1 GHz Qualcomm processor and a 5 megapixel camera.

Sony Mobile has introduced Xperia neo L MT25i smartphone with Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system. The Xperia neo L will be the first Sony Mobile Xperia smartphone to run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich out of the box. This Xperia neo L is a direct successor of the Xperia neo and Xperia neo V handsets which come with Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system.
Though many reports claimed that this handset is meant for China only, officially Sony has not confirmed this.

The Xperia neo L has been designed by taking physical cues from the older Neo and Neo V smartphones. This Xperia neo L has a 4-inch capacitive touchscreen display that supports 480x854 pixel resolution natively. Under the chassis lies a single-core 1 GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 processor with 512MB RAM - the hardware muscle is good enough to pull off Android 4.0 ICS with Timescape UI layer.
At the rear is a 5 megapixel camera with LED Flash which can record 720p HD video. In the front lies a VGA camera for video calling or chat. By default the smartphone comes with only 1 GB on-board storage and with the expansion slot, one can add up to 32 GB card.
Measuring 12.2mm thick, the Xperia neo L smartphone houses a 1500 mAh battery. There is no clarity on the price or availability of this handset. Eventually we hope this handset is launched in India at an attractive price point.

2012-03-21T00:58:00.000-07:00

8-inch Intex Android tablet, i-Tab, launched for Rs.11,900

Many agree, and we too don't doubt the fact (at least for now) that sub-15K tablets seem to attract Indian audiences. Yes, it’s the price factor that is making the difference. Zync just launched the first ICS tablet in India priced around Rs.9,000, and now Intex has launched the i-Tab Android tablet. With a price tag that reads Rs.11,900, Intex also adds in the company’s 3G data card, LAN adaptor, leather cover and a pair of Reebok sunglasses, which come bundled along with the 8-inch tablet.

Yet another affordable Android tablet

This new tablet will further strengthen the affordable Android tablet market, only if it manages to deliver efficient performance. This way it would be able to make a mark in the market. Fuelled by 1 GHz cortex A8 core processor with 512 MB DDR3 RAM, it runs on the Android Gingerbread 2.3 version. Designed for young urban professionals on the move, it is a tad heavy at 475 grams. Intex is also planning to further expand its new tablet range with new 7-inch and 10-inch models. It is equipped with an 8-inch capacitive two point touchscreen, and packs in several applications. The 360 degree G-Sensor feature, memory capacity of 8GB, expandable up to 32GB and a 5000mAh battery giving offering back up of 5-6 hours make up the spec sheet of the device.

On the occasion of Intex’s foray into tablets Sanjay Kumar, GM, Mobile Business, Intex Technologies (India) Ltd., said, “Intex has been offering affordable user-friendly products across various categories for over 16 years now and our loyal customer base is a living testimonial to our claim. Empowering and delighting our customers through technology has been at the core of all our offerings. This makes us consistently innovate and diversify into newer portfolios enabling customers to harness the power of computing technology. The i-Tab will surely offer an engaging, entertaining and enriching experience for our customers.”
A look at the detailed specifications of the Intex i-Tab:

8-inch capacitive touchscreen
1 GHz Cortex A8 processor
512 MB RAM, 8GB internal storage
Up to 32GB of expandable memory
front facing VGA camera
Wi-Fi, GPS, USB port
3G USB dongle supported
5000mAh battery
Weight 475 grams

by admin- shrenik

2012-03-21T00:56:00.000-07:00

New Sonata planned in 2014: Hyundai Motor CEO

SEOUL: Hyundai Motor plans to launch a revamped version of its flagship Sonata sedan in 2014, its first upgrade in more than four years, its chief executive said on Wednesday, as the company grapples with increasing foreign competition in its home market.

Hyundai, the world's fifth-largest auto group along with its affiliate Kia Motors, has only one new model planned for a global launch this year. It started taking pre-orders on Wednesday for the new Santa Fe sports utility vehicle, which will be unveiled in April.

The latest version of the Sonata was launched in September 2009 in South Korea and early 2010 in the United States.

Sonata, which competes with Toyota Motor Corp's Camry, is Hyundai's top-selling model in the United States and helped the South Korean automaker achieve record sales and market share there last year. It was Hyundai's third-best selling model in South Korea last year.
Hyundai's domestic car sales are increasingly coming under pressure following free trade deals with Europe and the United States that have boosted international automakers' access to South Korea's formerly sheltered market.

Sales of imported cars topped 10 per cent of the market for the first time in January this year, according to industry data.

Toyota has started to sell US-made Camry sedans in South Korea and is considering importing cars from Europe as it seeks to boost local sales by 160 per cent to 13,000 vehicles this year, and Lexus sales by 90 per cent to 8,000.

Hyundai chief executive Kim Choong-ho also told Reuters on the sidelines of an industry meeting that the revamped version of the large-sized Genesis would be introduced in late 2013.

Shares in Hyundai fell 0.9 per cent by 0310 GMT, versus a 0.6 percent rise in the broader market.

2012-03-20T10:42:00.000-07:00

New iPad 3 review

Updated: Sharper screen, faster innards - but is it worth the update?

The definitive new iPad 3 review

The new iPad, the iPad 3, the new iPad 3… call it what you want, but it's a device that from the outside looks remarkably like the iPad 2 but with an overhaul on the innards.
The question most people ask us when it comes to the new iPad is: what's different from the old one?
Well, in this case it's pretty easy: there's a Retina Display that makes everything looks superbly crisp, an updated A5X processor bringing quad-core graphics and a 5MP camera on the rear with a VGA sensor on the front.
Oh, and the iPad 3 is also the device that brings iOS 5.1 to the masses (well, it's also on the likes of the iPhone 4S and iPad 2 as well, but hey, we're not reviewing those today, and you don't really care unless it's a new iPad.)

The design of the new iPad 3 isn't really anything different from the original duo from Apple's tablet range. Actually, while we're thinking about it, it looks almost identical to the iPad 2 – to the point you'd struggle to tell them apart when turned off.
However, in the hand, there's a little bit of a difference, especially when it comes to the weight. The new iPad is nearly 60g heavier than the previous iteration, and while it's not terrible, it does add a little arm strain during a marathon movie session.

Retina Display

Before we get onto all the normal insight over the frame of the new iPad, it's worth talking about the main feature: the Retina Display.
Apple has packed a huge amount more pixels into the 9.7-inch screen - 1536 x 2048 to be exact. However, despite the fact that the Cupertino brand makes a big thing about the 330 PPI density of the iPhone 4, we're looking at a screen that's technically a lot less sharp than its smartphone brethren - around 264PPI.

Apple has got around this fact by stating that the screen is meant to be held at 15 inches from the face, rather than the 10 inches the iPhone is supposed to from your eyes, and as such the sharpness is the same.
Given the fact the term 'Retina Display' really isn't a legally binding term, we don't care. What matters is the effect - and it's one of the most impressive we've seen on a tablet to date. If someone took an iPad, printed out a really hi-res image of an iOS system and stuck it on the front, we'd struggle to tell the difference - it's superb, and even squinting up close you'll be hard pushed to notice any pixelation.
The colour reproduction will also appeal to many, as it's pretty close to reality - it lacks the punch of the Super AMOLED HD screens seen on the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note for instance, but it will depend on personal preference as to whether that's a good thing.

We like the vivid colours of Samsung's screens, but we know plenty of people that loathe them too.
The main thing is things like internet browsing; photo viewing and movie sessions are all much, much improved over the iPad 2, and is one of the main reasons to pick up the new iPad.

Design

The new iPad, as we said, is only marginally thicker and a little heavier than the iPad 2, and if you pick it up with no knowledge of the former, you'll likely be mighty impressed.
The rest of the design is premium too - given you can be paying nearly £700 for a top end model, it needs to seem like a worthwhile investment, and it does.

The curved edges, the oleophobic scratch-proof glass and the aluminium chassis are all the kind of thing that some Android tablets have tried to ape and failed. Of course, many will prefer the feather-light frames of some of the Samsung models but, like the screen, it really comes down to personal preference.
The buttonry on the new iPad is pretty sparse though - we're talking four buttons and that's your lot.

The iconic home button is back once again, despite rumours of its demise, and is easy to reach and hit within the thick bezel.

The rest of the buttons are all clustered tightly together in the top left-hand corner of the new iPad, with the rocker/volume key, the mute/orientation switch and power/lock key all within an inch of one another.
As you can see, Apple has been pretty efficient with the button placement, with all of them performing more than one function. And they say the iPad can't multi-task... tsk.
by admin- shrenik

2012-03-20T10:33:00.000-07:00

Zync launches Android 4.0 tablet for Rs 8,990

The Noida-based Apple Group's Zync today launched a tablet running on Google Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich called the Zync Z-990 for Rs 8,990.

"The Zync Z-990 tablet has features such as control over data usage, new lock action, new user interface, new camera capabilities and five-point touch," Apple Group chairman Ashish Garg said.

The company claimed this China-made tablet is the country's first Ice Cream Sandwich tablet. Other features of the tablet include a 7-inch capacitive display with 800x480p resolution, 1GB RAM, 0.3MP camera, 3500 mAh battery, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, memory card slot and support for 3G via USB dongle.

by admin- shrenik

2012-03-20T10:29:00.002-07:00

Dell launches Ultrabook at Rs 79,990

Mumbai, March 20:

Dell launched its Ultrabook in India on Tuesday.

Easily mistaken for a MacBook Air, Dell's Ultrabook XPS 13 weighs only 1.36 kg and is equipped with an Intel processor.

The Ultrabook has a battery life of 5-8 hours and has an estimated start-up time of seven seconds. It is priced upwards of Rs 79,900. The product has a 1.3MP Webcam and no CD drive. Officials said they said they are looking at aggressive sales targets but did not give numbers.

“We provide a three-year drop and break warranty for the Ultrabook. We will soon launch touch and hybrid models of the same,” said Mr Mahesh Bhalla, Executive Director and General Manager, Consumer and SMB, Dell India.

Apple's MacBook Air, which seems to be the closest competitor to the product, is priced in the Rs 60,000 range, much below the Dell Ultrabook. “We hope the Ultrabook gives consumers the best of both the worlds of (laptop and tablets). As the demand of the product goes up, we expect that the prices will come in line with competitors,” said Ms Debjani Ghosh, Managing Director, Sales and Marketing Group, Intel South Asia. The Ultraboook was also showcased at the CES 2012 and was awarded the “best new Ultrabook.”

by admin- shrenik

2012-03-20T10:08:00.002-07:00

World’s Most Expensive Cell Phones

by admin- shrenik

Most people enjoy having a quality cell phone, but they also recognize that cellular phones are a consumable good and will have to be replaced within in a few years. For this reason, people often do not purchase the most expensive cell phone when they purchase their mobile. Some, though, must have a costly mobile phone. The world’s most expensive cell phones were made to satisfy just that type of person.
Ulysse Nardin’s The Chairman – up to $49,500

The Chairman by Ulysse Nardin is the world’s most expensive Android smartphone, and includes both a touch screen and a physical number pad. The Ulysse Nardin name is most often associated with luxury watches and that fact shows in the Chairman’s sophisticated design. The volume controls look like watch buttons and the crown between them can actually be wound to generate power for the device. In fact, the phone features a kinetic rotor power system visible through the backplate.

Nokia 8800 Arte with pink diamonds
$134,000
Designed by Peter Aloisson, this solid 18k white gold phone features over 680 pink and white brilliant cut diamonds totaling over 21.5 carats. Some of the phone’s features are a 3.15 MP camera with autofocus and video, a music player, Bluetooth and voice memo.

Peter Aloisson’s iPhone Princess Plus
$176,400
The Princess Plus got its name from the Princess cut used on 138 of the 318 diamonds on its surface. The other 180 diamonds on the phone were brilliant-cut. In total, the phone has 17.75 carats of diamonds set in 18k white gold around its rim. The iPhone Princess Plus is worth $176,400 while the somewhat more pedestrian “Brilliants only” version sold for $66,150.
Sony Ericsson Black Diamond – $300,000

The price of this phone comes from actual state of the art technology instead of a bunch of shiny rocks—but that doesn’t mean it lacks visual appeal. OLED technology underneath the polycarbonate skin that covers the phones entire face gives the 4 megapixel screen a borderless look. The mirror finish gives the phone a sleek, futuristic look.

Vertu Signature Cobra
$310,000
This gaudy phone is so exclusive that only eight will ever be made. Designed by French jeweler Boucheron, the Signature Cobra is made with two diamonds, two emeralds and 439 rubies. For buyers who are only filthy rich, rather than obscenely rich, twenty-six of the less flashy (read: no rubies) Signature Python phones will be available for a mere $115,000. Both phones will feature the real draw—they have frikkin’ snakes on them. Awesome.
Gresso Luxor Las Vegas Jackpot – $1 million

This ultra-exclusive phone, limited to only three units, truly lives up to its name. Not only is it extraordinarily expensive, but its Egypt-inspired design will look right at home in the hands of a Vegas high-roller. The phone features 45.5 carats of black diamonds decorating the bezel and a back panel made from 200-year-old African blackwood—the most expensive wood in the world. As if that weren’t enough to ensure the Jackpot a place among the world’s most expensive mobile phones, each key is cut from a hand-polished sapphire crystal. All of these luxurious materials are set in a 180-gram solid gold frame.
The Diamond Crypto Smartphone – $1.3 million

Created by luxury accessory producer Peter Aloisson of Moscow-based JSC Ancort, this luxury smartphone’s price stems from the platinum body, the cover adorned with 50 diamonds—including eight that are rare blue diamonds. Additionally, the Ancort logo and the navigation key are made of 18k rose gold. Built on the Windows CE, this expensive cell also features a high-resolution color TFT display and a 256 bit cryptographic algorithm. This expensive mobile phone features SMS, MMS, E-mail and Internet capability, WAP, JAVA support and even a media player.
GoldVish ‘Le Million’ Piece Unique
$1.3 million

Guinness World Records certified GoldVish SA’s ‘Le Million’ Piece Unique on January 29th, 2008. The Geneva-based luxury communications company’s expensive mobile phone was designed by Emmanuel Gueit as an addition to the Illusion Collection. The phone is made of 18k white gold and set with 20 carats of VVS1 (only microscopically flawed) diamonds. The phone also features Bluetooth, 2 GB of storage, FM radio, a digital camera and MP3 playback. This expensive cell phone is available only by special order.

Peter Aloisson’s Kings Button iPhone
$2.4 million
The Kings Button iPhone is, surprisingly, a jewel-bedecked iPhone. This time, however, Aloisson had the iPhone 3G to play with—and, apparently, a bit of a bigger budget. One hundred and thirty-eight brilliant-cut diamonds line the sides of the phone, but the real prize is the home button—a rare 6.6 carat white diamond.
Goldstriker iPhone 3GS Supreme – $3.2 million

Stuart Hughes of Goldstriker International is known for giving luxury devices such as phones and video game consoles the “Supreme” treatment—covering them with gold and diamonds—and the iPhone is no exception. The iPhone 3GS Supreme features a casing made from 271 grams of solid 22k gold and a screen trimmed with fifty-three 1-carat diamonds. The home button is covered with a single rare 7.1-carat diamond. That’s not all, though—the iPhone 3GS Supreme comes in a chest carved from a single block of granite and sports Kashmir gold and an interior lining made with Nubuck top grain leather.
Stuart Hughes iPhone 4 Diamond Rose Edition – $8 million

If you thought his iPhone 3GS Supreme was impressive, check out the latest iPhone from Stuart Hughes–the iPhone 4 Diamond Rose Edition. Hughes has recreated the infamous antenna band that wraps around the sides of the latest iPhone, as well as the backplate, using rose gold. The band is adorned with 100 carats of flawless diamonds, and the Apple logo is formed with fifty-three more diamonds. Once again, the home button gets the most love–it’s made of platinum and features a rare 7.4-carat pink diamond.
The phone comes in an imperial pink 7-kilogram chest cut from a single block of granite and lined with nubuck top-grain leather. It also comes with an 8-carat flawless diamond that can be used in place of the pink one.

2012-03-20T10:04:00.003-07:00

1. The $500,000 Gold plated custom chopper

This $500,000 gold plated chopper was on display at the International Motorcycle show in Seattle. This bike is more like an ornament with two wheels than an actual motorbike. This unique bike is perfect for anyone who has a lot of money to dump it. The red velvet seat sure is an addition to this most expensive bike.

2. Ultra-rare Porcupine

This porcupine was built during World War II by British manufacturer AJS and is one of the only four such bikes ever created. For the last 20 years, this motorbike was on display at the National Motorcycle Museum in Coventry but, is now being sold and is expected to bring in a whooping $750,000.

3. Ecosse Titanium Series FE Ti XX

This $300,000 motorbike has been made by Ecosse Motor works, a company already famous for making some of the world's most expensive creations. The bike can create an amazing 225 HP using its 2.4l billet aluminum power plant. The first set of these bikes is going to China, and several orders for customizing these bikes have already come in.

4. Legendary British Vintage Black

This exclusive vintage bike is worth anywhere between $400,000 to $600,000. This bike may not have broken the fastest bike record but, it sure has been one of the most expensive bikes in the world.

5. Jack Armstrong’s million dollar Harley

At $1 million, this bike is the world's first million dollar Harley and has been designed by artist Jack Armstrong. This artist is famous for his painting style called Cosmic Extensionalism, a style that gives an effect of being able to see different readings from different angles.

6. 1928 Coventry Eagle Flying-8

This bike carries along with it great history and is an example of continuity. Created in 1928 by the Royal Eagle, this iconic figure has witnessed the test of time. The bike has been owned by John Ellis, Ken Hodgson, Bruce Smith and Stephen Broadbridge.

7. Limited Edition $110K Fighter Motorcycle

The high end fashion brand Neiman Marcus has included this limited edition Fighter Motorcycle in its sale list. The bike was made by the Confederate Motor Company and is priced at $110,000. Only 41 of these bikes have been produced till date.

8. Howards Killer Customs design $150,000 Hubless Harley

This bike is worth $150,000 and took 2 years to complete. The bike is like a custom Harley as it uses their engine and engine cases. New Jersey-based Howards Killer Customs has really spent a great sum of money on creating this masterpiece but at the end it has been worth the while.

9. Harley-Davidson Rocker

This chopper is worth $22 million and includes a yacht. The bike was created by House of Thunder, a German based firm that specializes in customization. The bike is contained inside the yacht and the paint job even matched the boat. This is quite a good deal if boats and bikes are your thing.

10. 115-year-old Hildebrand & Wolfmuller

This 115 years old bike is worth anywhere between $130,000 and $150,000. This bike is the first ever bike to receive the name motorcycle and is hence truly special. Due to its history and rarity, this bike has been priced so high. It currently belongs to a private collection in America.

2012-03-20T09:56:00.000-07:00

Top 10 most expensive cars in the world

We are bringing you the list of 10 most expensive cars in the world. At the top of the list is of course the legendary Bugatti Veyron, most expensive, most powerful, and fastest production car in the world.

Bugatti Veyron $1,700,000The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is the most powerful, most expensive, and fastest street-legal production car in the world, with a proven top speed of over 400 km/h (407 km/h or 253 mph). It reached full production in September 2005. The car is built by Volkswagen AG subsidiary Bugatti Automobiles SAS and is sold under the legendary Bugatti marque. It is named after racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 while racing for the original Bugatti firm. The Veyron features a W16 engine—16 cylinders in 4 banks of 4 cylinders.

Click to enlarge

According to Volkswagen, the final production Veyron engine produces between 1020 and 1040 metric hp (1006 to 1026 SAE net hp), so the car will be advertised as producing "1001 horsepower" in both the US and European markets. This easily makes it the most powerful production road-car engine in history.

Ferrari Enzo $1,000,000

The Enzo Ferrari, sometimes referred to as the the Ferrari Enzo and also F60 is a 12-cylinder Ferrari supercar named after the company's founder, Enzo Ferrari. It was built in 2003 using Formula One technology, such as a carbon-fiber body, F1-style sequential shift transmission, and carbon-ceramic brake discs. Also used are technologies not allowed in F1 such as active aerodynamics. After a maximum downforce of 1709 pounds (775 kg) is reached at 186 mph (301 km/h) the rear spoiler is actuated by computer to maintain that downforce.

Pagani Zonda C12 F $741,000

The Zonda C12 F debuted at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It is the most extensive reengineering of the Pagani car yet, though it shares much with its predecessors including the 7.3 L V12. Power is increased to 602 PS (443 kW/594 hp) with a special clubsport model producing 650 PS (478 kW/641 hp). The company promises a 3.2 second sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h, a top speed over 374 km/h (225 mph) and it will be the queen in braking from 300 km/h to 0 (186 mph to 0). The Zonda F clubsport has a power to weight ratio of 521 bhp/ton (384 W/kg) . Compare, for example, the Enzo Ferrari which has a power to weight ratio of 483 bhp/ton (356 W/kg).

Koenigsegg CCX $600,910

The Koenigsegg CCX is the latest supercar from Koenigsegg. CCX is an abbreviation for Competition Coupe X. The X commemorates the 10th anniversary of the completion and test drive of the first CC vehicle in 1996. The CCX is intended to be more suitable for the U.S. market and thus engineered to comply with US regulations. The CCX is powered by a Koenigsegg designed and assembled, all aluminium, 4700 cm³ DOHC 32-valve V8 based on the Ford Modular engine architecture enhanced with twin Rotrex centrifugal superchargers with response system, 1.2 bar boost pressure and an 8.2:1 compression ratio. The engine produces 806 hp (601 kW) and 678 lbf.ft (920 Nm) on 91 octane (U.S. rating) gasoline, 850 hp (634 kW) on 96 octane (Euro rating) gasoline and 900 hp (671 kW) on biofuel.

Porsche Carrera GT $484,000

The Porsche Carrera GT is a supercar, manufactured by Porsche of Germany. The Carrera GT is powered by an all-new 5.7 litre V10 engine producing 612 SAE horsepower (450 kW). Porsche claims it will accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62.5 mph) in 3.9 seconds and has a maximum speed of 330 km/h (206 mph), although road tests indicated that in actuality the car could accelerate from 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds and to 0-100 in 6.8 seconds and has a top speed of 335-340km/h (209-212.5mph).

Mercedes SLR McLaren $455,500

The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren is a sports car and supercar automobile co-developed by DaimlerChrysler and McLaren Cars. It is assembled at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, England. Most people presume "SLR" to stand for "Sportlich, Leicht, Rennsport" (German for "Sport; Light; Racing"). The car's base price is £300,000 or $455,500. The SLR has a supercharged 5.5 (5439cc) litre dry sumped 90 degree V8. It produces 466.8 kW at 6500rpm (626 hp) and 780 N·m (575 ft·lbf) torque at 3250 - 5000 rpm.

Maybach 62 $385,250

The Maybach 57 and 62 were the first automobile models of the Maybach brand since the brand's revival by DaimlerChrysler. They are derived from the Mercedes-Benz Maybach concept car presented at the 1997 Tokyo Motorshow (which was based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan). DaimlerChrysler attempted to buy the Rolls-Royce/Bentley marque when Vickers offered the company up for sale. When this attempt failed (they were outbid by BMW and Volkswagen respectively) they introduced the Maybach as a direct challenger in 2002. Both models are variants of the same ultra-luxurious automobile. The model numbers reflect the respective lengths of the automobiles in decimetres; the 57 is more likely to be owner-driven while the longer 62 is designed with a chauffeur in mind. The engine is a Mercedes-sourced 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12, generating 550 hp.

Rolls-Royce Phantom $320,000

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is a luxury saloon automobile made by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, a BMW subsidiary. It was launched in 2003 and is the first Rolls-Royce model made under the ownership of BMW. It has a 6.8 L, 48-valve, V12 engine that produces 453 hp (338 kW) and 531 ft·lbf (720 N·m) of torque. The engine is derived from BMW's existing V12 powerplant. It is 1.63 m (63 in) tall, 1.99 m (74.8 in) wide, 5.83 m (228 in) long, and weighs 2485 kg (5478 lb). The body of the car is built on an aluminium spaceframe and the Phantom can accelerate to 60 mph (100 km/h) in 5.7 s.

Lamborghini Murcielago $279,900

The Lamborghini Murciélago is a GT and supercar automobile made by Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. and designed by Luc Donckerwolke. It was introduced in 2002 as the successor to the Diablo. The body style is a two door, two seat coupé. The LP640 version was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show in March of 2006. It features a 6.5 L engine, now producing 640 bhp, improving performance substantially. There were also a few minor external changes, primarily to the low air intakes.

Aston Martin Vanquish $255,000

The Aston Martin V12 Vanquish is a supercar manufactured by Aston Martin since 2001. It rose to fame after being featured as the official James Bond car in Die Another Day, the twentieth James Bond film. In the film, the Vanquish has the usual Bond film embellishments, including active camouflage which rendered the vehicle virtually invisible. The Vanquish is powered by a 5.9 L (5935 cc) 48-valve 60° V12 engine, which produces 343 kW (460 hp) and 542 N·m (400 ft·lbf) of torque. It is controlled by a fly-by-wire throttle and a 6 speed 'paddle shift' or semi-automatic transmission. A special V12 Vanquish S debuted at the 2004 Paris Auto Show with the power upped to 388 kW (520 hp) and 577 N·m (426 ft·lbf).

i tv

2012-03-20T07:36:00.004-07:00

According to The Wall Street Journal Apple’s the undoubted leader of computers, mobile phone and ipad industry is now planing the change of course of media industry by entering the TV industry. Apple is working hard to redefine the TV sets and the usage of media.
Apple is planning a wireless streaming of media contents among all its stuff like iphone ,ipad,laptop and iTV in a reversible fashion and give a seamless unified experience to the user.
The WSJ reports:

In recent weeks, Apple executives have discussed their vision for the future of TV with media executives at several large companies, according to people familiar with the matter.

One thing that will play an important part in Apple’s upcoming TV product is voice recognition software, similar to Siri. The software “might allow users to use their voices to search for a show or change channels,” the WSJsays. WSJ‘s report says it is “unclear” when the company plans to start selling such a device, and even if a date were set, Apple may change its plans at any time. There is no official confirmation from Apple.
- shrenik (admin)