Audi Sport Quattro Concept

Powerful design inspired by motor sport
Plug-in hybrid drive developing 515 kW (700 hp) of system power
Impressive performance with low fuel consumption: 0-100 km/h in 3.7 seconds, 2.5 liters per 100 kilometers (94.09 US mpg)

Quattro is Audi and Audi is Quattro

The brand and the technology are indelibly linked. In celebration of the 30th birthday of the Sport Quattro, Audi will present its legitimate successor at the 2013 IAA in Frankfurt am Main. The Audi Sport Quattro concept show car continues the grand Quattro tradition, with a stunning coupe design and plug-in hybrid drive with a system output of 515 kW (700 hp).

Quattro is more than just a technology – Quattro is a philosophy. The term stands for driving safety and sportiness, technical competence and a dynamic approach to life. Since the debut of the “Ur-quattro” in 1980, Audi has sold more than five million cars with permanent all-wheel drive, far more than any other premium manufacturer worldwide. The strengths of the Quattro concept and its successes in racing have been impressively displayed for over three decades now.

One legendary Audi classic is the Sport quattro, which made its debut at the 1983 IAA and was designed as a homologation model for the World Rally Championship. With 225 kW (306 hp) and many technical innovations, it was the supercar of its day. The short wheelbase, which honed the handling, gave the Sport quattro an unmistakable look. The competition car wrote racing history. Walter Röhrl drove it to a convincing victory in the 1987 Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado, U.S.A.

Exterior design: powerful and eye-catchingWith the Audi Sport Quattro concept show car, Audi is bringing this grand tradition into the present and taking up ideas again that were first seen in the Audi Quattro concept study three years ago. The coupe combines the DNA of the Ur-quattro with dramatic elegance. It has a powerful, intense road stance, its body tautly perched over the 21-inch wheels. The overhangs are short, the proportions sportily balanced.

With a wheelbase of 2,784 millimeters (109.61 in), it is 4,602 millimeters (181.18 in) long. With 1,964 millimeters (77.32 in), the two-door model is very wide and at just 1,386 millimeters (54.57 in) unusually low-slung.

Like the Audi Sport quattro, the Audi Sport quattro concept was designed in the spirit of racing. None of its design solutions are an end unto themselves. Each is driven by a technical function, and several are an homage to the quattro models of the early 1980s. These include the angular, flat C-pillars and the rectangular double headlights featuring Audi’s groundbreaking Matrix LED technology, which will be available by the end of this year in the refreshed Audi A8.

Two very flat structures are visible inside the headlight. The wrap-around daytime running lights together with the central low-beam units and the Audi Matrix LED make for a sporty, determined look. The headlights and tail lights are a reinterpretation of lightweight construction. The headlights forsake fascia, exposing the LED heat sinks, while the tail lights reduce glass and housing to a minimum.

The LED high-beam unit of the Audi Matrix LED headlights is comprised of numerous individual diodes. The individual LEDs, which work in tandem with upstream lenses and reflectors, always deliver excellent illumination. They are activated, deactivated or dimmed individually according to the situation. With the number of LEDs, their arrangement and the size and design of the headlights, the new technology offers many fascinating possibilities.

Another design homage are the “blisters” above the fenders. The Audi designers have reinterpreted and strongly accentuated these lines. They give the body even greater emotional appeal and broad shoulders. Throughout the car, sharp contours frame tautly muscular surfaces. With their interplay between convex and concave curvatures, the engine hood, fenders and flanks define the athletic character of the Audi Sport Quattro concept.

New details: the single-frame grilleThe front of the show car is characterized by the hexagonal single-frame grille with a new, sculpted grille insert, a typical element borrowed from racing. Its lower section is virtually vertical; the upper section follows the line of the engine hood. The low grille emphasizes the width of the car. Two large, vertical blades divide each of the large air inlets, and their form is taken up by the creases in the engine hood. The CFRP splitter is shifted far to the front, as on a race car. The grille is part of Audi’s new design philosophy and provides a first glimpse at the future design of the sporty production models.

The proportions of the rear of the car are defined by the combination of a flat greenhouse and broad shoulders. The spoiler at the lower edge of the rear window underscores the car’s width. Another distinctive element at the rear of the show car is the CFRP diffuser, which extends far upward. Similar to the single-frame grille, its upper section is honeycombed, whereas the lower section houses two large, oval tailpipes. Mounted on a black CFRP facing, the tail lights are rectangular – a typical quattro styling cue – and emphasize the width of the car. A spoiler extends from the rear hatch at higher speeds. The luggage compartment, which is reinforced by a solid crossbeam beneath the rear shelf, has a capacity of 300 liters (10.59 cubic ft).

Precisely penned details round out the dynamic look of the Audi Sport Quattro concept. The flared sills are made of CFRP; the power door handles extend automatically to meet an approaching hand. The four rings adorn the front, the rear, the air outlets behind the front wheels and the C-pillars. The center-locking wheels feature a five twin-spoke design.

Interior: racing meets elegance

The concept of elegant sportiness carries over to the interior of the Audi Sport Quattro concept. The spacious cabin is awash in dark gray tones and precise lines.

The interior is focused on the driver. The steering wheel, digital instrument cluster and head-up display are all in the direct field of view. A line running below the windshield encircles both the driver and passenger and integrates all ergonomic functions such as the door openers.

The lightweight construction typical for Audi is reflected both in the design and in the choice of materials. Viewed from above, the slim dashboard is reminiscent of the wing of a sailplane. The support structure of the interior is a carbon shell that also serves as a storage compartment in the side doors. Elements like this make lightweight construction visible.

The quattro drivetrain runs beneath the continuous center console. Sporty racing bucket seats with folding backs, sculpted side bolsters and integrated head restraints up front and full rear seats offer space for four. The folding mechanism provides access to the rear. A crossbeam behind the rear seats provides for additional rigidity.

Great attention to detail is reflected in both the choice of materials and the workmanship. The multifunction sport steering wheel provides a glimpse into future sporty production models.

The control concept is also focused on the driver. All important information is displayed in the fully digital instrument cluster, another show car feature. The multifunction sport steering wheel is used to switch between a number of virtual 3D displays.

Choices include a Race mode with central speedometer, track information and a stopwatch, for example, or the Setup mode with detailed information about numerous race tracks. In addition, the touchwheel of the characteristic Audi MMI control unit makes it easy to enter information.

Another highlight is the innovative air conditioning control unit, which is integrated directly into the air vents. Temperature, intensity and air flow can be controlled using one and the same element. The display in the vents shows either important media information or the air conditioning settings.

Powerful performance: the plug-in hybrid driveThe plug-in hybrid drive makes the Audi Sport quattro concept a breathtakingly dynamic coupe. System output is 515 kW (700 hp); system torque is 800 Nm (590.05 lb-ft). Power flows through a modified eight-speed tiptronic to the quattro powertrain, which features a sport differential on the rear axle. According to the applicable standard, the show car consumes on average 2.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (94.09 US mpg), a CO2 equivalent of 59 grams per kilometer (94.95 g/mile).

The combustion engine is a four-liter, twin-turbo V8. It produces 412 kW (560 hp) and 700 Nm (516.29 lb-ft) of torque. The cylinder on demand (COD) system, which deactivates four cylinders under part load, and a start-stop system make the sonorous eight-cylinder unit very efficient.

Located between the 4.0 TFSI and the transmission is a disc-shaped electric motor producing 110 kW and 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft). It draws its traction energy from a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery in the rear with a capacity of 14.1 kWh. The show car is charged via an Audi wall box, which uses intelligent charge management to ensure the optimal feed of energy to the lithium-ion battery. The Audi Sport quattro concept can cover up to 50 kilometers (31.07 miles) on electric power alone. An intelligent management system controls the interplay between the two drives as needed, and the driver can choose between various operating modes.

The customer can choose between various characteristics for the Audi Sport quattro concept depending on the operating and driving strategy. A choice of three modes is available. EV mode is for purely electric driving; Hybrid mode for maximum efficiency and Sport mode for maximum performance.

In EV mode, only the electric motor is active. With a peak electric output of 110 kW and 400 Nm (295.02 lb-ft) of torque, electric driving both inside and outside the city is possible. An active accelerator indicates the transition to hybrid operation to the driver so that he/she can consciously control the switch between electric and hybrid vehicle.

In Hybrid mode, environmental and route data are used to compute the optimal use of the electric motor and combustion engine for fuel efficiency and implement this via the operating strategy. If navigation is active, the route is optimized for efficiency. This mode also includes the ability to customize the operating strategy. If the driver wants to retain a certain amount of electric range or to drive certain route segments on electric power, they can use the Hold or Charge function to precisely adjust the charge of the battery even without charging from the power grid.

In Sport mode, the operating strategy sets the drive system for maximum power and performance. The electric boost function supports the combustion engine in all driving situations. The energy management system ensures that the battery always has sufficient charge.

When the V8 and the electric motor work together, the Audi Sport quattro concept accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.7 seconds – much like the powerful Audi rally cars once did. Its top speed is 305 km/h (189.52 mph). The lightweight construction concept also plays a large part in this dynamic performance. The occupant cell combines ultra-high-strength steel panels and cast aluminum structural elements. The doors and fenders are made of aluminum, and the roof, the engine hood and the rear hatch are made of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer. The result is a curb weight including the battery pack of just 1,850 kilograms (4,078.55 lb).

The show car’s chassis is easily able to handle the drive system’s power. Handling is as dynamic as it is stable. The front suspension features five control arms per wheel; the rear suspension follows the Audi track-controlled trapezoidal link principle. Tautly tuned springs and dampers connect the Audi Sport quattro concept firmly to the road. The dynamic steering varies its ratio as a function of driving speed. The brake calipers grip large, carbon fiber-ceramic brake discs, and the tire format is 285/30 R 21.

Lenovo announces Yoga 2 Pro with 3,200 x 1,800 screen, slimmer design

We think we can all agree the Lenovo Yoga has been long due for an upgrade: while every other flagship Ultrabook got refreshed with Haswell, the Yoga 13 stuck around with Ivy Bridge and a relatively low-res 1,600 x 900 display. It was getting so long in the tooth, in fact, that we almost didn't recommend it in our most recent laptop buyer's guide. Well, Lenovo's finally giving us the upgrade we've been asking for, and if specs are any indication, it might have actually been worth the wait.

The new Yoga 2 takes a big step up to a 13-inch, 350-nit, 3,200 x 1,800 touchscreen, putting it well ahead of its peers, most of which max out at 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. As you'd expect, this new model runs on fourth-gen Intel Core processors (all the way up to i7), with the battery life now rated at up to nine hours. The Yoga also adds Intel Wireless Display, in accordance with the current Ultrabook spec. Equally important: the new model measures 15.5mm thick (versus 17.1mm on the original) and sheds about half a pound so that it now weighs a little over 3 pounds (3.06, to be exact, or 1.39kg). And believe us when we say that half-pound makes a difference: chalk it up to muscle memory, but we could instantly feel the difference when we picked it up for the first time. We don't remember the original ever being this thin or light.

Interestingly, though the Yoga 2 adds a backlit keyboard, it suffers from the same flaw as the original, which is that when you fold the screen back into tablet mode, you can feel your fingers pressing into the keys on the back side. (Like last time, the keyboard automatically disables in tablet mode.) That's especially curious because Lenovo also just unveiled the ThinkPad Yoga, whose keys lock up and flatten out as you fold the screen over into tablet mode. According to Lenovo, its design team had to make a tough choice between ergonomics and thinness. Right now, at least, that "Lift and Lock" keyboard setup used on the ThinkPad Yoga requires both a thicker hinge as well as extra space inside the chassis to accommodate all the bits that keep the keys clamped in place. At least as far as its consumer line is concerned, Lenovo figured customers would rather have a thinner machine than one with a self-flattening keyboard.

Some other changes: the power button is now on the the side, instead of on the front. (The previous setup apparently confused some people?) Lenovo's also added some rubber gasketing on the edge of the display, so that it holds up a bit better when you put it upside down in Tent Mode. Speaking of Tent Mode, the Yoga Pro also includes a new software utility called Lenovo Picks, which automatically detects what position the Yoga is in, and shows a list of apps that might be relevant (in Stand Mode, with the screen facing outward, you might want to use Skype or Netflix). Meanwhile, Phone Companion is an app you can use in laptop mode to copy things like documents and websites and send them to your phone in the form of a text message. Rounding out the list are Lenovo Photo Touch (photo re-touching), Lenovo Camera Man (photo filters) and Lenovo Chef (a recipe app with motion and voice control).

The Yoga 2 will be available in October starting at $1,100. Also the 11-inch Yoga 11S is getting refreshed with Haswell too, though it's unclear when it'll start shipping with those newer chips. In the meantime, we've got a sneak peek of the Yoga 2 in the form of hands-on photos (lots of 'em). Have a look and let us know what you think in the comments.

Hands On With Sony's 20.7-Megapixel Smartphone, Xperia Z1

BERLIN — After trying out Sony's new lens-type strap-on smartphone cameras, we've also gotten our hands on the company's new flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z1.

The next step in Sony's ambitious Z series of devices, the Xperia Z1 sounds like a true flagship, at least on paper, and it's currently the Android market leader in several areas, most notably with its 20.7-megapixel camera.

Add in the 2.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and a 3,000mAh battery, and you have a device that's on par (or better) with the likes of Samsung Galaxy S4 and HTC One. But how does it feel and perform in real-life usage?

Simple Does It

The device's design won't surprise anyone: if you've seen the Xperia Z, the Z1 will instantly be familiar to you. That's not a bad thing; we like the simplicity of both devices, and the Z1's aluminum frame (which doubles as an antenna) with curved edges makes it feel sturdier than its predecessor.

The 1080p screen, previously a weak point of Sony smartphones, has been improved to the Triluminos variety, already seen on the Xperia Z Ultra, which should ideally bring more vivid colors and better sharpness and contrast. In reality, the screen still lags behind, say, Samsung Galaxy S4's Super AMOLED display — tilt it a little and you'll see the blacks go gray and the whites go darker — but it's definitely sharp and beautiful to look at.

And let's not forget that the entire thing is water-resistant. It does not feel water-resistant, mind you, with somewhat flimsy covers for the USB port and the SD card, but Sony says it is, and who are we to argue. Not many flagship smartphones can claim this feat, so chalk another one up for Sony.

It's All About the Camera

In terms of performance, the phone feels very snappy, if not lightning fast. Truth be told, today the software makes all the difference, and the Z1 works as fast as any Android 4.2.2 device we've seen before.

Processor cores and gigabytes aside, what really makes the Z1 stand out is its camera. It sports a 20.7-megapixel sensor, Sony's "G Lens" with F2.0 aperture and a 27mm wide angle, and a BIONZ for mobile image processing engine. All this translates to a very fast camera that takes truly amazing photos in the daylight — better than any we've seen so far from a smartphone.

You can check out the photo quality in our gallery — all the photos (yes, even those of the device) were taken with the Z1. We haven't had a chance to try the camera at night, though, and we did have some trouble with the focus, which sometimes has a mind of its own, even after we've switched through the myriad of focusing modes.

SEE ALSO: Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Specs

The camera also comes with a bunch of different modes such as Superior auto, Panorama, Manual or Timeshift burst. A fun mode is the AR effect, which adds some virtual reality elements into a photo, such as dinosaurs or fish.

The most interesting image-taking mode is the Info-eye, which integrates with services such as Vivino or GoodReads to identify real-world objects (like wine bottles and books) and brings you reviews and other info. Sure, you can do the same directly from these apps (I've been using Vivino to identify wines for a while now), but having it all integrated into the camera software makes it just a wee bit easier.

Finally, we've mentioned the 3000mAh battery, but we haven't had enough time to fully test it out. What we can say, that in the first three hours of testing (that's heavy usage, mind you) the battery went from 49% to 15%, forcing us to whip out a portable charger.

We can't give you our final judgment on the Z1, as we need more time to learn all the device's quirks, but we're not sure we'd trade it for any other Android smartphone on the market, and that's saying a lot. The design is nice (we still prefer the HTC One's brushed aluminum frame, though), we love the camera, and we love the fact that it's waterproof. Bar some yet-undiscovered bugs, Sony might have a winner on its hands.

Galaxy Gear to support all major Indian languages

Samsung's galaxy Gear, the newly launched Smart Watch would be supporting all the major Indian languages. This is only to attract the Indian Market, which is fastest growing in the world for smartphones, into taking active interest in the new Smart Watch and boost its sales in the country.
The Samsung company think that head and director of research at Samsung research america, pranav Mistry has tweeted that the Galaxy gear would be supporting Hindi, Gujarati, Tamil, Marathi, Punjabi, and other Indian Languages. However, the exact number of Indian languages that the Smart Watch would be supporting is not known so far.

Along with the announcement of Samsung  galaxy Note 3 at IFA in Berlin, the Galaxy Gear would be acting as a companion device for selected devices from Samsung's stables. Currently, Note 3 and Note 10.1 2014 Edition are supported by the Devices, but Samsung plans to add Galaxy S4 and galaxy S 3 in this list soon.
The Smart Watch would be giving incoming notification such as calls, texts, email and alerts, delivers a preview of those messages and it would also be able to receive calls as it is equiped with a speaker and a microphone; it also comes with a 1.9 MP camera. Samsung has also stated that users will also be able to install application of Galaxy gear and around 70 apps like Evernote and pocket are available with device.

Samsung recently announced that its galaxy range of phone with support 9 Indian languages, from the base galaxy Star to the top-end Galaxy S4

Sony Xperia Z1 vs. Samsung galaxy S4 vs. Moto X

Between IFA, the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 launch, and the iPhone launch next week, this is already shaping up to be one of the busiest months for mobile ever. And first to the plate is Sony, with its big new flagship, the Xperia Z1. The Xperia Z1 is a hulking handset with a waterproof design and a 20.7-megapixel camera sensor. It sounds impressive, but how does it compare to the Moto X and the Galaxy S 4, two of the top Android phones of the moment?

Size matters

Let’s just get this out of the way: While all of these phones feature a display of 5 inches or less, the Xperia Z1 is a big phone. It measures 5.66 by 2.91 by 0.33 inches and weighs 5.99 ounces. That’s considerably larger than the original 5.47 by 2.79 by 0.31-inch (HWD), 5.15-ounce Xperia Z, and a little disappointing since both phones have the same 5-inch display. Sure, some of that bulk is to make way for the larger camera sensor, but the trend right now is to make displays larger, without adding considerable size to the phone’s overall footprint. Compared to other 5-inch phones like the Galaxy S 4, the Xperia Z1 feels a bit large and heavy.

The Moto X, meanwhile, is the smallest phone of the bunch. But at 4.7-inches, it also has the smallest display. Overall I’d say the Galaxy S 4 has the greatest advantage here, as it features the largest display in the trimmest design. So if comfort is one of your primary concerns, you’ll definitely want to consider Samsung.

On the other hand, Sony is offering a design feature that neither Motorola norSamsung can match. The Xperia Z1 has been rated IP55 and IP58, which means that it is fully dust and waterproof. This phone is tougher than it looks, which makes it your best choice if you’re the type to accidentally take your phone out for a swim every once in a while.

Dueling displays

Now let’s get to the displays. The Galaxy S 4 and the Xperia Z1 are technically an even match, since each phone features a 5-inch, 1080p panel. But the Galaxy S 4 uses a PenTile pixel arrangement, which can make text and images look a little fuzzy. The Xperia Z1, on the other hand, uses Sony’s Triluminos and X-Reality display technology, which Sony claims makes for a wider color palette and automatically optimized image quality. I haven’t seen it in person, but just knowing that is isn’t PenTile means it should look a good deal crisper than the Galaxy S 4. And the Moto X display is perfectly nice, but at 4.7-inches and 720p, it doesn’t stand out.

Processing power

Now let’s look under the hood. On paper one thing is very clear: In terms of sheer power, neither the Moto X nor the Galaxy S 4 can compete with the Xperia Z, which is one of the first phones to use Qualcomm’s next-generation Snapdragon 800 processor. The Xperia Z1 uses a quad-core chip, with each core running at 2.2GHz. This part is already becoming standard for upcoming phones (like the Galaxy Note 3 and the LG G2), but it still blows away the competition from earlier this year. 

The Galaxy S 4 remains a good performer, with a 1.9GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 chip, while the Moto X comes in last with an X8 processing system that uses a dual-core 1.7GHz Snapdragon S4 Pro processor.

Cameras compared

Things really heat up when you get down to the cameras. Sony is taking great pride in the Xperia Z1’s camera, calling it nothing short of “groundbreaking.” And with a 20.7-megapixel camera sensor, the Xperia Z1 certainly edges out the 13-megapixel Galaxy S 4 and the 10-megapixel Moto X. The Xperia Z1 uses a Sony G lens, with a 27mm angle and f/2.0 aperture, along with a custom-made 1/2.3-inch Exmor RS sensor and Sony’s Bionz mobile image processing engine.

But I’ve seen camera phones with some lofty megapixel ratings fail to deliver in the past (the first round of 13-megapixel camera phones comes to mind), so you shouldn’t judge a camera by megapixels alone. I’ve used the Samsung Galaxy S 4, and it has one of the better mobile cameras out there. And the Moto X has some cool software features, like the ability to start snapping photos within two seconds of taking the phone out of your pocket. So just how much better the Xperia Z1’s camera will be, if at all, remains to be seen.

A category a bit easier to call is battery life. The Xperia Z1 features a 3000mAh battery, which is the biggest of all three phones. That means it should last a bit longer than the Galaxy S 4, which has the same size screen but a 2600mAh battery. And while the Moto X has the smallest battery, at 2200mAh, it also has a smaller, lower-res display, so it doesn’t need as much power.

Software still matters

All three phones run Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), with customizations from Motorola, Samsung and Sony, respectively. The Moto X and the Galaxy S 4 are available in either 16GB or 32GB variants, while the Xperia Z1 is only available in 16GB. On the other hand, the Moto X doesn’t have a microSD card slot, which the Galaxy S4 and Xperia Z1 do.

And if it seems like the Moto X has consistently been coming up short so far in this comparison, it’s not because it isn’t a good phone. On the contrary, the Moto X has a lot of unique features, like the ability to custom design the phone to your liking as well as some cool software tricks like touchless control that let you active Google Now just by speaking to the phone. It’s just tough to highlight features like these when you’re looking at things based purely on specs. 

Which to buy?

So while it seems like the Xperia Z1 is pulling ahead in many of these categories, there’s one major area where it might falter: availability. Don’t forget, Sony’s previous flagship phone, the Xperia Z, only launched on T-Mobile in the United States. Sony promises to make the Xperia Z1 available before the end of the month, but carriers and pricing have still not been announced. If it only launches on one carrier again, that cuts out a significant portion of its potential audience. Motorola and Samsung both have an advantage here, as both of their phones are available (or will soon be available) on all four major U.S. carriers, and then some.

And just to be clear, I didn’t forget the HTC One. Like the Galaxy S 4, the HTC One remains a formidable Android phone months after its initial release, which is becomingly increasingly difficult to do. I left it out of this roundup because it hasn’t held up in popularity like the Galaxy S 4 has, but it’s another great choice to consider.

So ultimately this is a tough one to call. If you want the latest and greatest in terms of hardware, the Xperia Z1 is your best bet. If you’re looking for something a little lighter and more user-friendly, it’s the Moto X all the way. And if you aren’t quite sure what you want, Samsung’s everything-but-the-kitchen-sink approach might make the Galaxy S 4 the right phone for you.

Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3 review

Please turn off all electronic devices, the flight crew instructs as we approach Los Angeles. With a small phone, I might have gotten away with ignoring safety regulations. Samsung's new Galaxy Mega 6.3 phone was too conspicuous for that.

The Mega shouldn't even be called a phone, if it weren't for the fact that it makes phone calls. With a screen measuring 6.3 inches (16 centimeters) diagonally, the Mega is more like a small Android tablet computer. It shares the tablet's advantages in showing more detail in photos and video. Text is larger and easier to read, too.

That doesn't make the Mega practical, though.

As a phone, it's huge. It doesn't fully fit in the pocket of my jeans, and it sometimes pokes at my stomach when sitting. It doesn't feel comfortable in my hands. I'm unable to grip it tightly because it's so wide, so I feel as if it's going to slip out of my hands. Without that grip, I also feel that it'll be easy for a thief to snatch it away.

A friend jokingly said that it was bigger than her head as she held it up to her ear. A cousin called it ridiculous. A co-worker pointed out that cellphones used to be big, too - in the 1970s.

It could have been worse.

Samsung's Galaxy Note 8.0 tablet has an 8-inch (20.3-centimeter) screen, its diagonal length just a quarter larger than the Mega's. But the tablet is about twice the size of the Mega, in part because it has a thick frame. With the Mega, the screen stretches close to the edge, keeping the overall device relatively slim. Held on its side like a movie screen, the Mega is about as wide as a dollar bill, but slightly taller.

AT&T Inc. is selling the Mega for $150 with a two-year service contract, or $480 without one. By contrast, smaller phones such as Apple's 4-inch (10-centimeter) iPhone 5 and Samsung's 5-inch (12.7-centimeter) Galaxy S4 typically go for $200 with a contract and more than $600 without.

The Mega also costs just half of AT&T's contract price for Samsung's 5.5-inch (14-centimeter) Galaxy Note 2. It's like getting a bigger screen for less. The Mega is only a tad heavier - at 7 ounces (198 grams), compared with 6.4 ounces (181 grams) for the Note 2. (Samsung is expected to announce the Note 3 in Berlin on Wednesday evening.)

The Mega is also coming to Sprint and U.S. Cellular. Dates and prices haven't been announced.

Although I don't see myself using the Mega, I can see its appeal to those who are willing to carry along a tablet computer but don't want to carry a second device - the phone.

The Mega gives you many of the benefits of tablets. With the larger screen, I can read small print on websites without zooming in, and I make fewer mistakes when trying to click on buttons and links. For ebooks, I get a screen size that feels closer to a paperback. I see slightly more content when checking email or Facebook. I don't see a whole lot more, though. Typically, text and images simply get larger to fill out the additional screen space.

Some Android apps have been adapted to take advantage of the tablet's larger screen, but for the ones I checked, apps appear on the Mega as they would on other phones. With the Foursquare social network, for instance, a map showing nearby friends and venues is squeezed into a rectangular banner at the top when held vertically. On tablets, the map is allowed to fill out the entire right half of the display.

It's a shame that the display isn't sharper. The resolution is 233 pixels per inch, compared with 441 for the Galaxy S4 and 326 for the iPhone 5. Video looks dull on the Mega by comparison.

And fans of the Note might be disappointed with the Mega. Although the Mega has a larger screen, it doesn't come with a stylus, something the Note is known for.

I am impressed by the Mega's battery life. Despite the larger screen, which uses more energy, the Mega outlasted Samsung's flagship phone, the S4, in streaming video on Netflix. I got nearly six hours on the Mega, compared with nearly five hours on the S4. The Mega is packed with a larger, higher-capacity battery - something the S4 couldn't have because of its size.

As with other Samsung phones, the Mega comes with an array of Samsung apps, including ones for translating text, taking notes and controlling a TV by turning the phone into a remote control. There's also an easy mode with limited options for first-time smartphone users, plus ways to perform tasks without actually touching the phone. Some of these features can be useful. Others are gimmicky or duplicate what comes standard with other phones running Google's Android system.

I decided to use the Mega to finish reading the ebook "Up in the Air" near the end of my flight to Los Angeles. I figured it was fitting given that its main character spends his life racking up frequent flier miles on planes. But a flight attendant spotted it on my lap and said, "You can turn that off now, please."

Busted.

About 20 minutes later, we landed. I called my brother to pick me up at the airport. For that, I used the smaller iPhone 5.

The Mega remains a novelty that will appeal to people who primarily want a tablet and make few calls. For everyone else, small is the way to go.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 unveiled: 10 key features

Amidst much anticipation, Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Note 3, a slimmer and lighter version of the Note 2 smartphone. The device boasts of a larger screen and a 'much more enhanced' S Pen. According to Samsung, the phone has enhanced multitasking features, "you do not have to switch between tasks, one to the other."
Galaxy Note 3 comes with a wider (5.7inch) full HD Super AMOLED display, It is slimmer (8.3mm) and has a lighter (168g) hardware design. Samsung claims that the device has a longer lasting (3,200mAh) battery.
The phone is equipped with a 13 megapixel rear camera with 'Smart Stabilization' and high CRI LED flash. It also has a 2MP front camera (Full HD recording @30fps).
According to Samung, the Galaxy Note 3 has a 'soft and textured-touch' back cover. 'For the first time we have given Galaxy Note 3 a warm texture-touch cover,' claims Samsung. 
Action Memo is meant to allow users to handwrite a note, and automatically execute a function or convert that handwritten information into formatted content. 

According to Samsung, Action Memo can initiate a call, add to contacts, look up an address on a map, search the web, save a task to a to-do list.

This feature is meant to allow users to organize or track down content and information from various sources including the web, YouTube and Gallery in one place.
This allows one to capture the full screen image of the current page on the device. One can then write comments or additional information onto the captured image, claims Samsung.
This feature allows users to write, organize, edit and browse notes. 

The S Note can also be synced with Evernote or a Samsung account and be enabled for accessing and viewing from different devices.
As an example, users can read the news in one browser while conducting a web search in another, or send an instant message through ChatON to a friend while reading a message from another friend.
This is a privacy and security protection. Samsung says, "Knox allows users to run and store security-sensitive applications and data inside a protected execution environment called container." 

"The security inside the container is strengthened by system-level protection of Samsung KNOX against malware and phishing attacks as well as hacking attempts on physical devices when devices are stolen or lost," it claims.
Other specifaications: Connectivity options include Wifi, GPS; 2.3 GHz Quad-Core Processor; dual camera recording. 

Samsung also unveiled the Galaxy Gear smartwatch ahead of the annual IFA consumer electronics show. 

Samsung says the Gear can act as an extension to a smartphone by discreetly alerting users to incoming messages and calls on its display screen, which measures 1.63 inches diagonally.Users can even make calls, secret agent-style without getting out their phone. The Gear also sports a basic camera and works with popular social media and fitness apps such as Twitter and RunKeeper.

Adobe cuts Photoshop CC to $10 a month for Creative Suite users, throws in Lightroom for free

Current owners of certain versions of Photoshop Creative Suite can now take advantage of a special offer from Adobe, which is extending a considerable discount to those who want to upgrade to Creative Cloud subscriptions.

During the company's keynote at the Photoshop World conference in Las Vegas on Wednesday, Adobe announced a new deal for current owners of Photoshop CS3 or higher: they can upgrade to the Creative Cloud version of the software for a price of just $10 per month, or 50 percent off the normal going rate. 

A post on Adobe's Creative Layer blog confirmed that the price is available for a limited time only and is good until December 31, 2013. 

That $10 price tag will get users monthly access to Photoshop CC, which pushed out regular updates as soon as they become available. Subscribers also get a a copy of Lightroom 5, 20GB of online storage, a Behance ProSite and access to Creative Cloud Learn's training resources. 

Adobe's offer represents a monthly savings of $10 — or a yearly savings of $120 — off the regular price of a single-app subscription. Adobe transitioned to a subscription model in May of this year, drawing complaints from some customers who wanted to stay with the regular software purchase model.

Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 3, Gear smartwatch ahead of Sept. 11 Apple Inc. iPhone launch

Samsung Electronics unveils many new products, including the highly anticipated Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Gear smartwatch during IFA Berlin 2013.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 boasts of a larger screen and a 'much more enhanced' S Pen. According to Samsung, the phone has enhanced multitasking features, "you do not have to switch between tasks, one to the other."

Galaxy Note 3, which has a 5.7 inch Super-Amoled screen will weigh 168 grams. The device will be available in 140 countries from September 25 starting at price tag of $860 and the worldwide availability will be from October.

Kawasaki launches two new models of Ninja

MUMBAI: Japanese bike maker Kawasaki Motors, which has an assembling, marketing and distribution tie-up with Bajaj Auto BSE 2.75 %, today launched two new models of its super bike, Ninja ZX-14R and ZX-10R, priced at Rs 16.90 lakh and Rs 15.70 lakh (ex-showroom Pune), respectively. 

The bikes will be imported as completely built units (CBU) from Japan and sold through Kawasaki's upcoming exclusive outlet in Pune, a press release said here. 

The bookings for the new offerings will commence from tomorrow, Kawasaki said adding, "The company intends to sell 100 units in the first year of the launch." 

"India is an important market for us and for this reason we have brought the latest and the best of Ninja's portfolio here. We are optimistic of introducing 1-2 launches of this stature every-year," India Kawasaki MotorsManaging Director Yuji Horiuchi said. 

Stating that Kawasaki had carefully studied the 1000 plus cc segment before rolling it out in the domestic market, company's deputy managing director Shigeto Nishikawa said the segment has seen a healthy growth of 25-30 per cent year-on-year in the last two years. 

"Kawasaki has carefully monitored the 1000 plus cc market in India for the past five years. Only two years ago, the segment was almost negligible but now it is growing by 25-30 per cent y-o-y," Nishikawa said. 

There has been a noticeable demand for the super bikes in the last one year alone, he said adding, "We would like to be a part of this growth story. We are looking at cornering 20 per cent market share from the segment by 2015." 

IKM will expand its business territory in a phased manner, with its focus on Maharashtra, followed by the rest of the country, the company said. 

Sony's Vaio Flip is a new take on the hybrid

How do you solve the age-old (or at least a few years old) problem of building a tablet and laptop into a single device? We've seen plenty of possible solutions over the years, from fully detachable screens, to slide-out keyboards, to screens that twist or rotate around.

Sony is debuting a new Vaio line, called the Flip, and as one might guess from the name, its transformative abilities come from a screen that, well, flips. We previously saw a teaser videowith a papercraft mockup of the Flip, but no concrete details.

On paper, that sounds a lot like Lenovo's successful Yoga line, with a two-way hinge that folds all the way backward, forming a slatelike tablet. The main issue people have with that design is that the keyboard, while deactivated, ends up pointing out from the bottom of the tablet, which can be awkward and uncomfortable.

Sony announces Xperia Z1 with 20MP camera

NEW DELHI: Sony on Wednesday announced Xperia Z1, world's first smartphone with a 20 megapixels (MP) camera, at IFA, a trade show, in Berlin. The company said that the device has the "world's leading camera in a smartphone", implying that it can shoot better images than what Nokia's Lumia 1020, which has a 41MP camera, can manage.

"The Xperia Z1 is the absolute embodiment of that one Sony ethos," said Sony CEO Kaz Hirai. "We designed Z1 to deliver Sony's compact camera performance in a smartphone."

HTC Desire 600c dual SIM Gets Listed In Company Website In India: Coming Soon

HTC has been patronizing their One handset to the great extent and already HTC One Max has made it to the leaks and rumors. Not only that but One can be found in multiple variants like Mini HTC One and Dual SIM HTC One. However, keeping the Max variant on a background, HTC has recently put another device called HTC Desire 600C on their official Website. This could be a substitute player from the company until the they out their Max One.

Nissan launches new Micra XE diesel at Rs 5.57 lakh

CHENNAI: Following the successful commercial launch of the premium 'New Micra' compact hatchback range, Nissan on Wednesday announced the launch of the new diesel-powered Micra XE variant priced at Rs 5.57 lakh ex-showroom Delhi.

With this new diesel entry variant, Nissan now broadbases its offering to 12 variants of Micra in India, increasing customer choice.

Sales of the diesel-powered Micra entry level variant will commence from September 4, 2013.

The entry level Micra XE is based on the popular fourth generation city car with redesigned exteriors, refreshed interiors and some user friendly features adding to the new look.

The diesel-powered Micra XE variant comes with fuel economy of 23.08 kmpl (certified by ARAI) and will be available in a range of six colours: olive green (new), turquoise blue (new), blade silver, storm white, onyx black and brick red.

"The launch of new Micra range in July received an overwhelming response from our customers. The new Micra diesel variant is a good value proposition and a desirable option for the Indian customers. We are keen to replicate the success of the existing variants with this diesel-powered XE variant of the new Micra," said Kenichiro Yomura, president, Nissan India operations and MD & CEO, Nissan Motor India.

"Adding the XE variant in diesel (to the new Micra) will further augment the volumes for this model due to its aggressive entry level price point. This is not just another variant but is the right product at the right time. To ensure good sales and after sales service across the nation, we are increasing our dealer networks at a rapid pace. We have also partnered with major banking institutions to provide easy financing and loans disbursement schemes through our dealerships for our retail customers," added Nitish Tipnis, director — sales & marketing, Hover Automotive India (Nissan's national sales company).

The Nissan Micra range comes with a standard manufacturers' warranty of 2 years/50,000km (whichever is earlier).

In order to understand customer needs and resolve their queries, Nissan has established 'Nissan Care' - A Customer Contact Centre.

Nissan already has a host of customer care and service schemes including extended warranty and roadside assistance for its products including the New Micra.

Intex launches 13 megapixel Aqua i7 for Rs21,900

The phone will be available in markets across the country from September 9.

Technology and IT company Intex launched Aqua i7 with 5 inch HD display and 13 megapixel camera for Rs21,900.

The launch event was in Mumbai and the phone was unveiled by Farhan Akhtar, the brand ambassador for its mobile division.

The phone comes with a FHD corning Gorilla glass for better display. It runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean and has a 1.5GHz quad core processor. The phone has a 5 megapixel front camera for video calling. The phone is loaded with a 2GB RAM and a mammoth 32GB worth of internal memory. It also has an additional storage space of 5GB -on Intex cloud. There is no slot for external memory on this dual-sim phone.

Director of Marketing for Intex Technologies, Keshav Bhansal thinks that the Aqua i7 has everything to please the consumers. "No other competitors in this bracket are offering the same features at such a steep price," he said.

Farhan Akhtar, the brand ambassador for Intex mobiles said, "Im really happy to be associated with Intex. This is still work in progress for the company. It has many more steps to come many more areas to explore and many more technologies to develop and share with the people. I look forward to my relationship with this growing brand," he said.

The phone also has the 'look away' feature that pauses the video when you move your vision away from the screen. It has 15 free pre-loaded apps like Hungama, Matrabhasa, Online Software Update and more.

The phone will be available in markets across the country from September 9.

Key features:
* 12.7cm(5 inch), Full HD, Corning Gorilla Glass touchscreen
* 32GB internal memory + 2GB RAM
* 1.5GHz quad core processor
* Dual Sim
* Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
* 13 megapixel camera and 5 megapixel front camera
* 2000mAh battery with talk-time of 7 hours and standby time of 220 hrs.
* Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, Wifi hotspot, 3G/EDGE/WAP
* Auto call record
* Look away feature

The Aqua i7 will be available in white and black , and will come with free accessories including a flip cover and screen guard.

There will be a limited edition of this phone, which will come with Farhan Akhtar’s autographed pen and keychain with it.