Volkswagen planning Up! hybrid model using XL1 powertrain

Even though we've finally gotten a look at the production version of the 261-mile per gallon Volkswagen XL1, this aero-shaped two-seater was never intended for high-volume sales. Fortunately, it sounds like the same isn't true for the car's diesel plug-in hybrid powertrain, which, according to a report from AutoCar, could make its way under the hood of another Volkswagen model: the Up. minicar (shown above). A potential Up! Hybrid would likely be able to return some of the same impressive fuel economy numbers as the XL1, but it would be a more realistic car with more passenger space and greater production capacity.

Autoblog , Volkswagen planning Up! hybrid model using XL1 powertrain, Volkswagen planning Up! hybrid model using XL1 powertrain

North Korea Mobile Internet Coming, Residents To Sit This One Out As Usual

North Korea has been described as a failed or pariah state by many independent observers, where most of the power and wealth are all concentrated in the ruling military elite. Having said that, the country seems to care more about the pursuit of weapons rather than to make sure its citizens are well fed, and the latest development would be preparation of mobile Internet service, albeit not for residents. It is just one month after cell phone access is made available to foreigners living inside the country, and it is nice to know that 3G mobile access to the Internet will soon arrive, although residents will have to give this a miss.

Ubergizmo , North Korea Mobile Internet Coming, Residents To Sit This One Out As Usual, North Korea Mobile Internet Coming, Residents To Sit This One Out As Usual

Volkswagen XL1

261 MPG, the Volkswagen features a super futuristic body and running on both electric (27hp) and gas (a 47-hp two-cylinder TDI engine). Hit the top speed of 99mph and 0 to 62 mph in 12.7 seconds. The engine has only two cylinders and forks out only 47 horsepower while the electric motor gives another 27 horsepower. I like the Sirocco feel on front but the back is just too. ugly.







2DayBlog.com , Volkswagen XL1, Volkswagen XL1

Estimate for Sandy-damaged vehicles surpasses 250,000

Four months after superstorm Sandy blew through the East Coast wreaking havoc in its path, the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has announced its revised estimates for the number of vehicles damaged in the storm's wake. The new total now stands at a staggering 250,500 vehicles (for perspective, about 15,000 of the vehicles are shown parked on a runway in the images from New York above). Even though New York (150,000 vehicles damaged) and New Jersey (60,000) account for the bulk of the losses, the storms fury reached as far as West Virginia (1,000), Maine (500) and Vermont (500).

Autoblog , Estimate for Sandy-damaged vehicles surpasses 250,000

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aboutit, Estimate for Sandy-damaged vehicles surpasses 250,000

digems turn the iPod nano 6G into a digital necklace

The iPod nano 6G may be dead to Apple, but that won't stop companies from continuing to invent cool ways to transform it into more than just a small clip-on music player. We've seen watchbands galore, but digems will turn your nano into a digital necklace. A special bracket fastens under the nano's clip to provide a loop for your favorite chain. Once you have the nano hanging around your neck, you can listen to music normally and also display images on the touch screen, turning it a digital necklace. digems kits are available now for €17.00 + €4.50 for shipping.

The Gadgeteer , digems turn the iPod nano 6G into a digital necklace, digems turn the iPod nano 6G into a digital necklace

15 More Titles Headed For NeoGeo X Gold Limited Edition

Do you happen to own the NeoGeo X Gold limited edition console. If you have answered in the affirmative, then you might be interested to hear that there are more games heading your way, as Tommo claims that from April onwards, they will roll out NeoGeo X Classics: Volume I. The naming convention itself gives the game (pardon the pun) away, as this will definitely be the first in a series of NeoGeo X Classics Games Cards that were specially made for use with the NeoGeo X video game console.

Ubergizmo , 15 More Titles Headed For NeoGeo X Gold Limited Edition, 15 More Titles Headed For NeoGeo X Gold Limited Edition

Zylpha Automates Legal Practice Compliance Processes For Accepting New Clients

Zylpha (www.zylpha.com), the UK’s leading innovator of secure document production and distribution systems for the legal profession, has launched a new system which enables practices to automate the regulatory compliance processes required for accepting new clients. Under current compliance legislation related to KYC (Know Your Client) and AML (Anti Money Laundering) regulations, lawyers cannot start work on a case until they are satisfied that the client information provided is correct and that they are acting in good faith.

Press Release Distribution , Zylpha Automates Legal Practice Compliance Processes For Accepting New Clients

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maximum, Zylpha Automates Legal Practice Compliance Processes For Accepting New Clients

Rinspeed bringing microMAX swarm car to Geneva

A few months ago Switzerland's relentless tinkerer Rinspeed clued us into the coming of the microMAX, its latest vision of the evolution of personal and public transport. The company has unleashed all the details and a refined set of images of the "swarm intelligence" rolling cubicle before its reveal at the Geneva Motor Show. The microMAX is both a vehicle and a system of transportation like a city bus or subway system. An app allows members of the network to call for a ride.

Autoblog , Rinspeed bringing microMAX swarm car to Geneva, Rinspeed bringing microMAX swarm car to Geneva

New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe spied in revealing state of dress

During a product briefing earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz told us that 2013 would be the "year of the S-Class." Makes sense, too, since the flagship Mercedes is so very close to finally showing its production-ready face. But the high-tech saloon isn't the only S-Class to talk about this year – quite the contrary. Seen here in decidedly revealing camouflage, the new S-Class Coupe will be joining its four-door compadre in the not-too-distant future, as well. When it launches, the S-Class Coupe will officially do away with the CL-Class nomenclature. This doesn't come as a huge shock.

Autoblog , New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe spied in revealing state of dress, New Mercedes-Benz S-Class Coupe spied in revealing state of dress

Danica Patrick becomes first woman to win Sprint Cup pole

196.434 miles per hour. That's the top speed hit by Stewart-Haas racing driver Danica Patrick during Saturday's qualifying for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Not only was that speed good enough to earn Patrick pole position for the race on Sunday, February 24, it is the fastest speed recorded in qualifying for Daytona since 1990. "You can do anything you want to do, and gender doesn't matter," said Patrick. And she's right: Danica Patrick can now claim to be the first woman to win pole position in NASCAR's top racing division.



Autoblog , Danica Patrick becomes first woman to win Sprint Cup pole, Danica Patrick becomes first woman to win Sprint Cup pole

Ferrari's Enzo successor to cost 1M euros?

If you're planning to pick up the newest hypercar from Ferrari, you may need to do more than save your pennies. Automotive News Europe reports the Enzo successor will cost more than 1 million euros, or $1.34 million at current conversion rates. That's before taxes, too. All told, Ferrari will build just 499 examples of the tentatively named F150 according to reports.

Autoblog , Ferrari's Enzo successor to cost 1M euros?, Ferrari's Enzo successor to cost 1M euros?

8GB Metal 2″ LCD Screen Portable MP3 Player

This easy to use portable MP3 player comes with a metal casing, a 2″ LCD screen, an 8GB of internal storage, an FM radio, a voice recorder, an e-book reader, a photo viewer, a video player, a 3.5mm headset jack and a built-in rechargeable battery (up to 4 hours of playing time). Grab yours now for just $12.91.

TechFresh , 8GB Metal 2″ LCD Screen Portable MP3 Player, 8GB Metal 2″ LCD Screen Portable MP3 Player

Casio Exilim EX-ZS30 Digital Camera

Casio Europe has just launched a new digital camera namely the Exilim EX-ZS30. This compact camera sports a 20.1MP 1x2.3″ CCD sensor, a 26mm wide-angle lens, a 6x optical zoom lens, a 2.7-inch 230K-dot TFT color LCD, an SD/SDHC/SDXC card slot and 720p HD video recording capabilities. Unfortunately, there's no word on pricing yet.

TechFresh , Casio Exilim EX-ZS30 Digital Camera, Casio Exilim EX-ZS30 Digital Camera

Deal of the Day - 32GB Dell XPS 10 Dual-core Windows RT Tablet

LogicBUY's Deal for Monday is the customizable 10.1″ Dell XPS 10 Windows RT Tablet, starting at $399.99.  Features:. $499.99 – $100 savings = $399.99 with free shipping.
This deal expires February 18, 2013 or sooner.

The Gadgeteer , Deal of the Day - 32GB Dell XPS 10 Dual-core Windows RT Tablet, Deal of the Day - 32GB Dell XPS 10 Dual-core Windows RT Tablet

Takara Tomy releases water activated Robot Fish

Toy maker, Takara Tomy, releases nationwide on March 7th, a line up of four independent swimming robot fish. About the size of your average goldfish, these water activated fish swim around quite realistically as soon as they hit the water. Robofish comes in red or grey shark color. The Aulonocara comes in a blue straight out of Lake Malawi in East Africa. And the bright orange Clownfish looks like it could be swimming directly out of a group of soft coral. For a retail price of ¥1,500 grab a bunch for your front room to make a great conversation piece.





Akihabara News , Takara Tomy releases water activated Robot Fish, Takara Tomy releases water activated Robot Fish

Lava XOLO A1000 Dual SIM Android 4.1 Smartphone Goes On Sale In India

Lava's latest dual SIM Android 4.1 smartphone ‘XOLO A1000′ is now available for purchase in India via Flipkart. The handset can be yours for only Rs 13,999 outright (about $260). Specs-wise, the XOLO A1000 sports a 5.0-inch 1280 x 720 HD IPS capacitive touchscreen display, a 1GHz dual-core processor, a 1GB RAM, a 4GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot (up to 32GB), dual GSM SIM card slots, dual cameras (1.2MP front & 8MP rear), WiFi, a 2100mAh battery and runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS.

TechFresh , Lava XOLO A1000 Dual SIM Android 4.1 Smartphone Goes On Sale In India, Lava XOLO A1000 Dual SIM Android 4.1 Smartphone Goes On Sale In India

Baby's first 'Vroom Vroom' a touching moment for dad

There are a number of reasons why my wife and I still live the kid-free lifestyle. While we enjoy the broods that our friends and siblings are busy creating, we're plenty happy with our choice. But then, sometimes, a moment happens when one of us will think, "It'd be cool to have a kid for X reason." Juan Barnett from DC Auto Geek gave me one of those moments with this video.



Autoblog , Baby's first 'Vroom Vroom' a touching moment for dad

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techcrunch, Baby's first 'Vroom Vroom' a touching moment for dad

Windows Live Messenger Merging With Skype on April 8

After years of service, Windows Live Messenger is going to be merged into Skype. This makes sense and was largely expected since Skype has much more clout, offers more services and has evolved much faster than Windows Live Messenger did. This was inevitable. Obviously, if you're just happy with Windows Live Messenger, you may have put this under the rug, but this is coming, so you may want to look at how it's going to happen. Microsoft already has a timetable: ” The upgrade from Messenger to Skype on Windows desktop will start on April 8*. The process will take a few weeks to complete.

Ubergizmo , Windows Live Messenger Merging With Skype on April 8

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cherryapple, Windows Live Messenger Merging With Skype on April 8

Woman Uses Digital Board to Break Up With Her Lover

A woman in Manchester (England) rented a digital board to tell her ex-boyfriend that she's breaking up. The digital board is placed at a petrol station in Manchester, where the ex-boyfriend usually takes his lunch . It appears that the woman was not only angry, but wanted to humiliate her ex-boyfriend as well.  The message on the board read "I'm leaving you for Gary. Your clothes are at your mum's. I've change the locks." "Sorry to do this on Valentine's Day. Laura."

Interestingly Jordan Wilson took a picture of the digital board and tweeted it. Now the picture has gone viral on twitter.

Ubergizmo , Woman Uses Digital Board to Break Up With Her Lover, Woman Uses Digital Board to Break Up With Her Lover

Samsung Announces Refrigerator That Can Make Soda

When we walk over to our fridge, it's most likely in order to retrieve some delicious treat as a number of our meals would be planned completely differently if we weren't able to keep them cold. One treat I like to indulge in every so often is a nice ginger ale, which I can now make myself now that Samsung has introduced its refrigerator equipped with a SodaStream dispenser. Samsung's RF31FMESBSR is a 36-inch four-door refrigerator which has a number of features, but the most enticing has to be its SodaStream dispenser.

Ubergizmo , Samsung Announces Refrigerator That Can Make Soda, Samsung Announces Refrigerator That Can Make Soda

Google Now Incorporates Google Doodles

Have you checked out all of the possible love combination in today's Google Doodle to commemorate Valentine's Day as well as the life of George Ferris. My personal favorites were the ones where the bear went out with the octopus to a sushi bar, while the other would be the "Forever Alone" wolf, snacking on some popcorn on his couch while enjoying TV. Well, if you have been waiting for a good reason to have Google Now on your smartphone or tablet, wait no longer. Google Now is now fully capable of pulling in Google Doodles after yesterday's update, allowing you to see the very same Google Doodle that appears on Google.com.

Ubergizmo , Google Now Incorporates Google Doodles, Google Now Incorporates Google Doodles

Samsung ATIV S Review

. The ATIV S is the first Windows Phone 8 device released by Samsung, featuring quite the same hardware specifications as the Galaxy SIII and the look of the Galaxy Note 2 in a smaller and lighter chassis. The ATIV S gets the same 4.8x720p display and the Snapdragon S4 processor as its Android-powered alter ego. On the market, this smartphone is going head to head with the Nokia Lumia 920, the Windows Phone 8 current flagship, and the HTC 8X, which delivers a slightly lower build-quality than both contenders.
The ATIV S main advantage over the Lumia 920 is its light weight and its compact form factor alongside its larger 4.8" display.










Ubergizmo , Samsung ATIV S Review, Samsung ATIV S Review

OneAccess Optimization secures performance of LTE testbed network

Ground-breaking experimental 4G network will push the limits of application possibility 14th February 2013 Clamart, France: OneAccess Networks, a global market leader in multi-service access routers and Carrier Ethernet access devices, has completed the successful integration of its powerful UDgateway optimization solution into the ground-breaking Com4Innov project in the Sophia Antipolis area of Southern France.

Press Release Distribution , OneAccess Optimization secures performance of LTE testbed network, OneAccess Optimization secures performance of LTE testbed network

Alcatel One Touch Star In Europe

Alcatel is reportedly preparing to launch their newest Android 4.1 smartphone ‘One Touch Star' in Europe. This lower-midrange smartphone will pack a 4.0-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen display, a 1GHz dual-core processor, a 512MB RAM, a 4GB of internal storage, a microSD card slot, dual cameras (VGA front & 5MP rear), WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0, a 1500mAh battery and run on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS. The One Touch Star will be available in Sweden for 2,000 SEK (around 234 EUR or $315).

TechFresh , Alcatel One Touch Star In Europe, Alcatel One Touch Star In Europe

Valve Lets Go Employees Working On Hardware, Android

Earlier today, Valve has let go several employees who worked on Steam and Half-Life. The news was first reported on Gamasutra, but the conversation continued on the web. There is no definitive information on the motivation behind this decision but there is rampant speculation on the web. First, folks were wondering if it was the hardware group that was let go, and this sparked fear that Valve may be cancelling the Valve Steambox project.


Ubergizmo , Valve Lets Go Employees Working On Hardware, Android, Valve Lets Go Employees Working On Hardware, Android

NES Revamped By Ben Heck

We did take a look at a revamped SNES as well as read about a custom painted Nintendo 64 controller, but here we are with modder extraordinary, Ben Heck, in his element again with a revamped NES. Yes sir, an old school 8-bit NES has just been given some love by Ben Heck, where it will now come complete with automatic, slot loading capabilities. This is definitely not a modification which is a walk in the park, but rather, it will overcome system design roadblocks in the process of improving the classic Nintendo Gaming System that has kept so many pre-pubescent kids entertained over the years back in its heyday.

Ubergizmo , NES Revamped By Ben Heck, NES Revamped By Ben Heck

Consilio Becomes the New Name for First Advantage Litigation Consulting

Brand Identity Underscores Company’s Commitment to Service ExcellenceWASHINGTON, DC – February 13, 2013 – Consilio, a Symphony Technology Group (STG) company and global leader in eDiscovery software and services, today announced a new brand and name for First Advantage Litigation Consulting.

Press Release Distribution , Consilio Becomes the New Name for First Advantage Litigation Consulting, Consilio Becomes the New Name for First Advantage Litigation Consulting

Revolution DLC For Call of Duty: Black Ops II Released

If you are an avid fan of Call of Duty: Black Ops II, then you will definitely be more than pleased to hear that the first DLC pack for the game, simply known as Revolution, has been announced, and it will be made available on the PlayStation Network this coming February 28th. Of course, just like the Transformers, there is more than meets the eye, so you can expect far more within than what you might expect. Revolution is said to deliver a whole lot more content for both multiplayer and Zombies fans, with a quartet of multiplayer maps being made available, namely Hydro, Grind, Downhill, and Mirage.

Ubergizmo , Revolution DLC For Call of Duty: Black Ops II Released, Revolution DLC For Call of Duty: Black Ops II Released

Angry Birds Star Wars Hoth Arrives For Windows Phone 8

Folks enjoying Angry Birds Star Wars on the Android platform have had their fair share of new levels to play with in the past, but for Windows Phone 8 users, they had to be a whole lot more patient. Well, we are glad to announce that at long last, the Angry Birds Star Wars Hoth update is now available for everyone who totes a Windows Phone 8 device. The first release of Angry Birds Star Wars saw Tatooine, the Death Star, and the Jedi Trials on Dagobah on the majority of platforms out there, and while the Hoth update arrived elsewhere last year, Windows Phone 8 users had to wait for nearly two-and-a-half months.

Ubergizmo , Angry Birds Star Wars Hoth Arrives For Windows Phone 8, Angry Birds Star Wars Hoth Arrives For Windows Phone 8

LG Optimus G Pro Officially Has a 5.5-inch Display

Although the Japanese version of the LG Optimus G is already on the market, the world was eagerly awaiting for some certainty as for the International version, and the U.S version will most likely be derivatives of that one. First of all the LG Optimus G Pro is officially a “Phablet”, thanks to its huge 5.5″ 1080p (full HD) IPS Display. From a processor standpoint, the Optimus G Pro will use the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro just like its predecessor. There's 2GB  of RAM and 32GB of internal storage (no microSD, sorry).

Ubergizmo , LG Optimus G Pro Officially Has a 5.5-inch Display

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techage, LG Optimus G Pro Officially Has a 5.5-inch Display

Intel Set To Launch Internet TV Platform, With Set-Top Box And Camera

By the end of December, rumors had started to surface about Intel's intentions of joining the race for providing Internet TV, alongside Apple. Erik Huggers, General Manager of Intel Media, has confirmed that Intel is indeed working on providing internet television. “We have been working for around a year now to setup Intel Media — it's a new division that includes a lot of people from outside of the company. We've hired people from Apple, Netflix, Google, BBC, etc. We're aiming to develop an internet television platform.

Ubergizmo , Intel Set To Launch Internet TV Platform, With Set-Top Box And Camera, Intel Set To Launch Internet TV Platform, With Set-Top Box And Camera

Measure the time and react to the beat with the Kisai OTO watch

This watch from Tokyoflash Japan does more than just tell the time.  Bars at the bottom and top of the face of the Kisai OTO watch flash to ambient sounds.  (Oto means sound in Japanese.)  The watch has a black-anodized aluminum case and strap with a stainless steel clasp.  The face always displays the time, and the graphic equalizer display reacts to ambient sounds when they are loud enough.  The LCD face is available in red, blue, amber, or green with matching LED backlight.  The watch also has date and alarm functions.

The Gadgeteer , Measure the time and react to the beat with the Kisai OTO watch, Measure the time and react to the beat with the Kisai OTO watch

Portable Drums Concept by Kevin Depape

Whenever we hear the words Portable Drums, we think of the traditional drum kit with its stand and heavy drum-sets  Kevin Depape (seen on Yanko Design) goes one step further into the world of electronic drum sets. He introduces a portable yet very high tech drum kit called the Y-Drum portable drums. These drums are designed to be for everyone, starting from beginners to folks with good drumming skills. In fact just about anyone who wants to have more fun with percussion drumming should be able to enjoy the Y-Drum portable drum – at least, that's the idea.

Ubergizmo , Portable Drums Concept by Kevin Depape, Portable Drums Concept by Kevin Depape