Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe by Vignale

V12 / 2.563 cc / 150 PS / Vmax: 112 mph (180 km/h) <br /><br />(click images for a larger view)<br /><br /><a href="http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img825.imageshack.us/img825/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4151/ferrari212intervignalecs.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/4151/ferrari212intervignalecs.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img833.imageshack.us/img833/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a name='more'></a><a href="http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/2240/ferrari212intervignalecy.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/2240/ferrari212intervignalecy.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img26.imageshack.us/img26/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img854.imageshack.us/img854/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img837.imageshack.us/img837/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/4151/ferrari212intervignalecs.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/4151/ferrari212intervignalecs.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/5154/ferrari212intervignalec.jpg" width="480" /></a>

Ferrari 212 Inter Coupe by Vignale

V12 / 2.563 cc / 150 PS / Vmax: 112 mph (180 km/h) (click images for a larger view)

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Designing interfaces from the outside in

<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KqBI185fLAM/TqlyTlSMErI/AAAAAAAAAHw/kbo-icIujCs/s1600/nancy_young.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KqBI185fLAM/TqlyTlSMErI/AAAAAAAAAHw/kbo-icIujCs/s1600/nancy_young.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-size: small;">User interfaces are a pet peeve of mine.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I’m one of those people whose VCR always blinked 12:00. Not because I couldn’t figure it out but because I resented that I had to.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Basically, I have neither the time nor the inclination to read manuals. If I’m paying good money for a consumer-facing product then it better not require an engineering degree to use it.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Not surprisingly, then, I think UI design is every bit as important as product; maybe even more so. Because if your user experience sucks, make no mistake; I will be walking and talking to your competitors.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">It wasn’t until I entered the glamorous world of software development that I came to the following conclusion: Interfaces are complicated because development tools require an engineer (or similarly brilliant individual) to use them. </span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Of course this is a sweeping statement and I’ll gladly debate it but the point is this: Someone with unique skills and knowledge about user-centric design should be creating interfaces. Not someone who knows the product from the inside out.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I know in a traditional model this can create a lot of churn but companies like Crank Software have come up with a way to decouple the roles of embedded engineer and UI designer, allowing them to work in parallel while focusing on their individual core competencies.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">I spoke to several members of the <a href="http://qnxauto.blogspot.ca/search/label/Concept%20team">QNX concept development team</a> when they were heavily embroiled in creating the latest technology concept car. It was<span style="font-size: small;"> </span>obvious when talking to the engineers and the UI designers that <a href="http://www.cranksoftware.com/products/crank_storyboard_suite.php">Crank’s Storyboard</a> made both jobs that much easier and the process a whole lot quicker. The end result, achieved in a very short time frame, speaks for itself.</span></div><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/OV6hSAyck9c" width="560"></iframe><br /><br /><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This is great news for people like me who curse like sailors whenever using a remote, microwave, GPS, treadmill, camera, and so on. Indeed, I'm counting on teams like QNX and Crank to ensure the digital car is an enjoyable and intuitive  experience. If not, I do know who I'm gonna call.</span></div><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>

Designing interfaces from the outside in

User interfaces are a pet peeve of mine. I’m one of those people whose VCR always blinked 12:00. Not because I couldn’t figure it out but be...

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Porsche 911 (997) Turbo Avalanche GTR 650 EVO-R Cabriolet by Gemballa

B6 / 3.800 cc / 650 PS / 700 ft/lb (950 Nm) @ 1.950 - 5.000 / twin turbo / AWD / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 3,4 s / Vmax: 205 mph (332 km/h)<br /><br />(click images for a larger view)<br /><br /><a href="http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7766/gemballagtr650evor1.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/7766/gemballagtr650evor1.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2485/gemballagtr650evor2.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2485/gemballagtr650evor2.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7392/gemballagtr650evor3.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/7392/gemballagtr650evor3.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><a href="http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8412/gemballagtr650evor4.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img31.imageshack.us/img31/8412/gemballagtr650evor4.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3955/gemballagtr650evor5.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/3955/gemballagtr650evor5.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/9603/gemballagtr650evor6.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/9603/gemballagtr650evor6.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/6694/gemballagtr650evor7.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/6694/gemballagtr650evor7.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/3586/gemballagtr650evor8.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/3586/gemballagtr650evor8.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5406/gemballagtr650evor11.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/5406/gemballagtr650evor11.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/535/gemballagtr650evor9.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/535/gemballagtr650evor9.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/606/gemballagtr650evor10.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img560.imageshack.us/img560/606/gemballagtr650evor10.jpg" width="480" /></a>

Porsche 911 (997) Turbo Avalanche GTR 650 EVO-R Cabriolet by Gemballa

B6 / 3.800 cc / 650 PS / 700 ft/lb (950 Nm) @ 1.950 - 5.000 / twin turbo / AWD / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 3,4 s / Vmax: 205 mph (332 km/h) (...

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Fiat 126 Flat Out by Andy Saunders

No technical specification available<br /><br />(click images for a larger view)<br /><br /><a href="http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4411/fiat126andysaunders1.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/4411/fiat126andysaunders1.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/350/fiat126andysaunders9.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/350/fiat126andysaunders9.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/3181/fiat126andysaunders8.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/3181/fiat126andysaunders8.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><a href="http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/7349/fiat126andysaunders2.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/7349/fiat126andysaunders2.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/126/fiat126andysaunders3.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/126/fiat126andysaunders3.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/8048/fiat126andysaunders4.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img814.imageshack.us/img814/8048/fiat126andysaunders4.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/638/fiat126andysaunders5.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/638/fiat126andysaunders5.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/539/fiat126andysaunders6.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/539/fiat126andysaunders6.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/97/fiat126andysaunders7.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/97/fiat126andysaunders7.jpg" width="480" /></a>

Fiat 126 Flat Out by Andy Saunders

No technical specification available (click images for a larger view)

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The 10 qualities of highly effective hands-free systems

<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WehzNBVReYk/UQaWHzc7hxI/AAAAAAAABUs/vrBUfdmmNb8/s1600/paul_leroux_photo_crop_v3_thumb_100_px.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WehzNBVReYk/UQaWHzc7hxI/AAAAAAAABUs/vrBUfdmmNb8/s1600/paul_leroux_photo_crop_v3_thumb_100_px.jpg" /></a>The first time I saw — and heard — a hands-free kit in action was in 1988. (Or was it 1989? Meh, same difference.) At the time, I was pretty impressed with the sound quality. Heck, I was impressed that hands-free conversations were even possible. You have to remember that mobile phones were still an expensive novelty — about $4000 in today’s US dollars. And good grief, they looked like this:<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/8iE0OH5FmiU?rel=0" width="420"></iframe><br /><br />It’s almost a shock to see how far we’ve come since 1988. We’ve become conditioned to devices that cost far less, do far more, and fit into much smaller pockets. (Though, admittedly, the size trend for smartphones has <a href="http://www.phonearena.com/news/Average-display-sizes-keep-on-growing-in-tech-smartphones-lead-the-way_id35634">shifted into reverse</a>.) Likewise, we’ve become conditioned to hands-free systems whose sound quality would put that 1998 kit to shame. The sound might have been okay at the time, but because of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contrast_effect">contrast effect</a>, it wouldn’t pass muster today. Our ears have become too discerning.<br /><br />Which brings me to a <a href="http://www.qnx.com/download/feature.html?programid=24275">new white paper</a> from Phil Hetherington and Andrew Mohan of the acoustics team at QNX Software Systems. Evaluating hands-free solutions from various suppliers can be a complex endeavor, for the simple fact that hands-free systems have become so sophisticated and complex. To help simplify the decision process, Phil and Andrew have boiled the problem down to 10 key factors:<br /><br /><ul><li>Acoustic echo cancellation<br /></li><li>Noise reduction and speech reconstruction<br /></li><li>Multi-channel support<br /></li><li>Automatic gain control<br /></li><li>Equalization<br /></li><li>Wind buffet suppression<br /></li><li>Intelligibility enhancement<br /></li><li>Noise dependent receive gain<br /></li><li>Bandwidth extension<br /></li><li>Wideband support</li></ul><br />Ultimately, you must judge a hands-free solution by the quality of the useful sound it delivers. By focusing on these 10 essentials, you can make a much sounder judgment (pun fully intended).<br /><br />Recently, <i>Electronic Design</i> published a version of this paper <a href="http://electronicdesign.com/communications/essentials-automotive-hands-free-communications">on their website</a>. For a longer version, which includes a decision checklist, visit the <a href="http://www.qnx.com/download/feature.html?programid=24275">QNX download center</a>. <br /><br />

The 10 qualities of highly effective hands-free systems

The first time I saw — and heard — a hands-free kit in action was in 1988. (Or was it 1989? Meh, same difference.) At the time, I was pretty...

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Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG 40th Anniversary Edition (designo Alubeam)

V12 / 5.980 cc / 612 PS / 738 lb/ft (1.000 Nm) @ 2.000 - 4.000 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 4,4 s / Vmax: 155 mph (250 km/h) / 40th Anniversary  Limited Edition<br /><br />(click images for a larger view)<br /><br /><a href="http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a name='more'></a><br /><a href="http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/7468/mercrdescl6540thalubeam.jpg" width="480" /></a>

Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG 40th Anniversary Edition (designo Alubeam)

V12 / 5.980 cc / 612 PS / 738 lb/ft (1.000 Nm) @ 2.000 - 4.000 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 4,4 s / Vmax: 155 mph (250 km/h) / 40th Anniversary ...

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Maserati Bora

V8 / 4.719 cc / 310 PS / 339 ft/lb (460 Nm) @ 4.200 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 6,8 s / Vmax: 168 mph (270 km/h)<br /><br />(click images for a larger view)<br /><br /><a href="http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/2702/maseratibora1.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/2702/maseratibora1.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/720/maseratibora5.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/720/maseratibora5.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/8144/maseratibora2.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img191.imageshack.us/img191/8144/maseratibora2.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/3046/maseratibora3.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/3046/maseratibora3.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6050/maseratibora10.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/6050/maseratibora10.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/7415/maseratibora4.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img716.imageshack.us/img716/7415/maseratibora4.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a name='more'></a><a href="http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/8059/maseratibora7.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/8059/maseratibora7.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8173/maseratibora6.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/8173/maseratibora6.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/2015/maseratibora9.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/2015/maseratibora9.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/8374/maseratibora8.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/8374/maseratibora8.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/3825/maseratibora11.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/3825/maseratibora11.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/3909/maseratibora12.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/3909/maseratibora12.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2123/maseratibora13.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/2123/maseratibora13.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4114/maseratibora14.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4114/maseratibora14.jpg" width="480" /></a><br /><a href="http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/1759/maseratibora15.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/1759/maseratibora15.jpg" width="480" /></a>

Maserati Bora

V8 / 4.719 cc / 310 PS / 339 ft/lb (460 Nm) @ 4.200 / 0 - 62 mph (100 km/h): 6,8 s / Vmax: 168 mph (270 km/h) (click images for a larger v...

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