I-O Data Intros HDPC-UTNS USB 3.0 Hard Drive

Source: Hermitage Akihabara]]>

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(PR) ADATA Intros Stylish Wine Bottle-Shaped USB Flash Drive � DashDrive UC500

The 50 x 19 x 11 mm (LxWxH) DashDrive Choice UC500 sports an attractive curved bottle shape, with color choices of golden champagne and sparkling red. The glossy metal exterior adds durability to the eye-catching design allowing users to carry their 'memories in a bottle' with confidence and pride. The UC500 is small and is easy to carry with an integrated strap hole for use with a keychain or lanyard. The sliding type USB connector eliminates the need for a cap. Capacities of 8, 16, and 32 Gigabytes ensure ample storage space for treasured personal data.

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DARPA's Captive Air Amphibious Transporter can drive on water, help during disaster relief (video)

A couple of months back, DARPA announced it'd been working on developing technologies to help during natural or "man-made" disasters, and this TEMP plan (Tactically Expandable Maritime Platform) included the addition of four key modular systems -- one of which was sea-delivery vehicles such as that monstrous one pictured above. Dubbed Captive Air Amphibious Transporters, or CAAT for short, the rugged wheeler gets its drive-on-agua powers from air-filled pontoons, with its main purpose being to carry "containers over water and directly onto shore." However, according to DARPA's program manager, Scott Littlefield, it is more about the big picture, saying, "To allow military ships and aircraft to focus on unique military missions they alone can fulfill, it makes sense to develop technologies to leverage standard commercial container ships." Thanks to a vid uploaded by DARPA itself, you can now get a feel for what CAAT's all about, so head over past the break -- where you'll find a quick preview of the ATV carrier in action.

Continue reading DARPA's Captive Air Amphibious Transporter can drive on water, help during disaster relief (video)

Filed under: Transportation

DARPA's Captive Air Amphibious Transporter can drive on water, help during disaster relief (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Aug 2012 13:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2013 Lexus LS [w/video]

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Lexus, First Drives, Luxury

Japan's Premier Luxury Cruiser Now Comes With An Enthusiast Option



In 1990, Nissan and Toyota both entered the luxury market with two new brands, each boasting a flagship premium full-size sedan. The Infiniti Q45 was aimed at the enthusiast with a powerful V8, limited-slip differential and a multi-link suspension. The Lexus LS 400, on the other hand, was all about luxury. The automaker surrounded its buttery-smooth V8 with aerodynamic (if banal) bodywork and lined its cabin with premium leather and fine wood.

Thanks to a clear message, a strong advertising campaign and a product solid enough to back both, Lexus sold more than 40,000 units that first year. Infiniti, in sharp contrast, was never able to capture the same momentum. By 1995, Lexus had introduced an all-new second-generation LS, followed by an all-new third-generation model six years later - and each introduction only served to drive the nails deeper into the Q45's coffin. By the time the fourth-generation LS arrived in 2007, the Infiniti Q45 was gone, and Infiniti nearly with it.

The Lexus LS continued to develop. What was originally a rear-wheel-drive sedan evolved into a model range of rear- and all-wheel-drive sedans, short- and long-wheelbase, with a choice of gasoline or hybrid drivetrains. The automaker's flagship continued to lead with technological innovation and unsurpassed luxury - but it still lacked a sporty quotient, a model seemingly necessary to run head-to-head with the Europeans.

All that will change in 2013. After a minor update in 2010, Lexus has unveiled a significant refresh for the new model year that encompasses all seven models in the lineup. But most importantly, the LS range now includes its first-ever performance-oriented model, the F Sport.

Continue reading 2013 Lexus LS [w/video]

2013 Lexus LS [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Aug 2012 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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(PR) Plextor Launches the M5 Pro Series Solid State Drive

The M5 Pro has the ability to consistently deliver high read and write speeds for all forms of data and use the multi-core controller to handle extreme high loads. This makes the M5 Pro suitable for use in a heavy workstation, server role, or Raid 0 configuration setting. The M5 Pro also makes use of True Speed Technology to prevent the drastic performance drop seen in some SSDs after intense or long-term usage.

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European Commission Goes After 13 Optical Drive Makers for Price-Fixing

The EC is investigating 13 drive suppliers, and 2 major PC OEMs (pre-built PC vendors), for conducting and participating in what is known as bid rigging scheme, a serious antitrust violation. In bid rigging schemes, the bidders and contractees conspire to rig their prices so that a particular supplier wins the bid. Penalties for such a violation include 10% of worldwide turnover set as fines.



Source: Maximum PC]]>

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Report: CAW making progress in drive to unionize Honda in Ontario

Filed under: Government/Legal, Plants/Manufacturing, Honda, UAW/Unions, Canada

Honda of Canada Manufacturing in Alliston, Ontario, is unique in providing an employee recreation center with an NHL regulation-size hockey arena. But it could soon have another claim to notoriety: The first Japanese auto plant to go union.

According to Ward's Auto, Canadian Auto Workers President Ken Lewenza is bullish on efforts to organize the facility, which builds Honda Civic and CR-V, as well as the Acura MDX and ZDX. "We're getting some enthusiastic and strong support," he told Ward's, "but we're not there yet."

Both the CAW and the United Auto Workers have been trying for decades to organize at one of the Japanese transplant factories, but have met resistance, both from employees as well as the automakers. Lewenza says Honda has devoted "resources and time into keeping the union out," according to the report, including giving employees a handout that the CAW feels misrepresents Honda's wages when compared to unionized Chrysler, Ford and General Motors plants in Canada.

The report says labor talks between the CAW and the Big Three scheduled for September will be crucial for the union, given the resurgent strength of the Canadian dollar. Canada's labor costs are viewed as too high by the automakers, setting the stage for potential conflicts at the bargaining table. Of course, if the CAW could add to its 25,000 member base with Honda's roughly 4,500 Canadian workers, it could only help the union's negotiations.

CAW making progress in drive to unionize Honda in Ontario originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 Jul 2012 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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