Saab Infotainment with Android icon

Operation is made ​​easy by pressing icons and sliding screen

Trollhättan - Google's Android operating system used on smart mobile phone (smart phone) has already penetrated into the car infotainment system. As a result, operation of entertainment equipment in the car even easier: simply by pressing the icons and scrolling display. Amazingly, many applications allow cars and is known condition monitored remotely.

Manufacturers who have tried the Android operating system for cars is the Saab of Sweden. It is not yet commercialized or manufactured in bulk, but has been shown to the public. More precisely, a touch screen infotainment system that is named Saab icon, already installed on the company's latest concept car, which is Phoenix.

Car latter, his performance is equally interesting, namely sports futuristic with the door open scissors model, currently on display at the Geneva International Motor show 2011, Geneva, Switzerland.

Together modem

Icon Saab infotainment system is based on the computer that is accompanied by a modem. So, once the ignition is turned on, the automatic system is directly connected to the Internet. Control or operations performed by 8-inch touch screen that can access the "streaming" audio and video, online navigation, and to store songs.

The greatness of the system can use an application made by any third party. For this, the Saab uses application programming interface (API). Yes, just as smart cellular phone with Android operating system.

Third-party applications created to gain access to work with more than 500 signals from various types of sensors on the car. The sensors are working to measure the speed of the car, location, direction of travel wobble, steering angle, rotation and torque of the engine, interior and exterior temperature, air pressure in the vicinity (barometer), until the sun's position.

By using this open operating system-Saab calls it "open innovation"-infotainment systems will be updated with the latest applications at any time, including use as a means of communication, telematic, monitor, and diagnostics. In fact, the appearance of the screen can be adjusted to taste every person who drives car.

"With the Saab icon, there is no limit to innovate," said Johan Formgren, head of Saab Sales Service, and commercial project leader for icon. "We invite the global community for Android application development using the imagination, expertise, and their intelligence," he added.

To ensure the driver is busy himself with his toys, such as "Angry Birds" are more popular today, all applications must be "placed" in the Saab Store icon evaluated first.

In this way also, Saab hopes, technicians can diagnosis technical problem car from a distance, knowing the vehicle data, fix and put options or new features. Added, the version on display Saab infotainment Android now been tested, but still Beta!

Rear Glass Cars For Subwoofer

Rear glass membrane will directly serve as speaker, not as shown in the picture. Speakers mounted under the rear glass

Director of Magna International Inc. products, Greg Rizzo said the company has successfully made the rear glass as a sub-woofer for sound systems in cars. "We have successfully made the rear glass as a speaker," he explained while demonstrating AcoustiVision on Chrylser 300 and reported by the Detroit News yesterday.

Explained, Magna using the rear glass panel as a speaker membrane and attach the two eksiter at the bottom. Explained, this subwoofer amplifier that is activated by the trunk. Amplier duty to raise the voltage from 12 volts to 200 volts. Voltage flows into a eksiter and produce sound.

Manufactured in 2015

For this, the glass sealant was given which allowed him to move up and down to produce bass or low frequencies. "This is a new way to menghasilkansuara in the car," said Rizzo. Added, will also be applied to the tweeter in front. However, replacing glass technology subwoofer, according to him is a big breakthrough.

Further, the advantages of using glass as a membrane behind the subwoofer, audio systems will be reduced weight, less power consumption and space required is not much. Understandably, a large subwoofer, often confiscate luggage space, is now integrated in the rear glass.

Exposed, on the basis of the glass panel mounted electronic components. The sound produced by the rear glass is not heard outside. This technology has been developed over the past four years and only now achieving results in accordance with the desired. The next step dalah make glass components in high volume and ensure that contracts with car manufacturers. Magna estimates are able to market the rear glass that also functions as the subwoofer is in 2015.

Piezoelectric tube

Although Rizzo did not explain the details behind the development of glass as a subwoofer, is actually the invention of this concept has been discussed, car audio experts in 2005. One is the Urban Emborg, President A2 Acustics from Sweden. It is said, the glass rear speakers - also called giant subwoofer - can be installed easily. The reason, glass and electrical components can be packaged in one unit before being installed in the car

The concept behind the glass subwoofer A2 is a small tube diameter of 10 mm, fitted lined up at the bottom of the rear glass. The tube is made of material "piezoelectric". This latter material will elongate and shorten the time electrified and subsequently cause a vibration in the glass. Well, that's what produces the sound vibrations and could only be heard from inside. When mempresentasinya, A2 Acoustics already thinking about the technology to produce them in bulk.

At the same time, Colin Novak, a researcher from Auto21, Canada also has presented the subwoofer behind this glass. Some Novak same concept with Urban Emborg, using piezoelectric tube. But in the bottom of the glass, Novak uses a very sensitive spring.

It is said, this glass subwoofer no longer requires a large luggage space. Characteristics of this subwoofer, audio brother increasingly tight in the interior, is also a great increase its ability to inhibit noise from outside. Great!.

Motorcycle Auction World's Highest

Arizona - The big feet or Big Toe. He had the highest achievement in the world motorcycle version Guinness Book of World Records for six years (1999 to 2005). Big Toe's work Tom Wilberg of Sweden sponsored by the company's battery chargers, CTEK Charger Smarter.

2.3 meters tall and weighs more than 1.5 tons (1633 kilograms). It has two 1.7 meter diameter earth mover tires, painted yellow and ride of frightening. Giant iron horse is carrying machine old Jaguar Type E (1975) 5300 cc SOHC, 2-valve, 12-cylinder-powered 300 hp. Suspension and steering using a homemade system of hydraulic pumps.

Another advantage, motorcycles ever popular 2006, hanging out in Adbanstar International Motor Show 2006-2007 and campaign in 13 major cities around the U.S., is equipped with features Entertainment, ranging from CD / DVD complete with TV monitors. The unit "built" hand made for six years more and suck up the cost of 46,000 euros (Rp561, 1 million)

Now, Big Toe must end the "adventures" in the world and ready owned by private consumers. Because the unit will be on auction at the auction house Barrett-Jackson Auction Scottsdale Arizona, January 22, 2011. Even procession auction will be shown live on SPEED TV Channel at 17:00 local time.

Well, for those of you who want to have a Big Toe scary motor could be an alternative. The problem is, the cost of production is just translucent USD 500 million, how about the selling price!