Autoblog

Brabus hearts Apple, launches iBusiness luxury sedan

Steven J. Ewing — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Sedan, Performance, Technology, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

Brabus iBusiness - Click above for high-res image gallery

The folks at Brabus have always been known for fitting ridiculously high-powered engines into the full line of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, but this new creation has more than just staggering performance to offer. The latest products from Apple, including the iPad, have all been integrated into a Mercedes-Benz S-Class to create the Brabus iBusiness. Not only does it promise to be exciting to drive, but the rear passenger compartment is fitted with enough tech to make an Apple junkie's head explode. ~~John Neff~~ Steve Jobs, your stupid-fast luxury sedan has arrived.

Under the hood, Brabus has shoehorned in a twin-turbocharged 6.3-liter V12 that produces 750 horsepower and 995 pound-feet of torque, though the torque output has been electronically limited to only (only!) 811 lb-ft. Hitting 62 miles per hour takes just four seconds, and with your pedal pressed firmly to the floor, you'll hit 211 mph when all is said and done. Power is routed to the rear wheels by a five-speed automatic transmission and Brabus offers a custom limited-slip differential to maximize overall traction. It's staggeringly quick, this iBusiness.

The most unique thing about this car, however, is its interior - mainly, the rear accommodations. In addition to the cushy leather seats and Alcantara headliner, the rear compartment is stocked with two Apple iPads, two seat-mounted multimedia screens, a 64GB iPod Touch and a 15.2-inch headliner-mounted Mac display. Not only can these products be used for personal use, but the two iPads also control the car's Command system, encompassing the radio, navigation and telephone systems. The whole Apple setup is powered by an ultra-small Mac Mini in the trunk that is housed in an electronically deployed drawer.

We think we've found our new mobile office.

Hit the jump to read the whole list of details in Brabus' press release, and scroll through the high-res photos below to see the iBusiness for yourself.

Gallery: Brabus iBusiness

[Source: Brabus]

Continue reading Brabus hearts Apple, launches iBusiness luxury sedan

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Video: BMW's iDrive gets improved iPod functionality

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Videos, BMW

BMW's iDrive features for the iPod - Click above to watch video after the jump

One of the next steps to evolve BMW's iDrive into Connected Drive is increasing the communication the car has with peripherals. In this case, work is nearly complete on you being able to control your iPod Touch (and, we're guessing, your iPhone) and all of its applications using the same Apple interface on the car's console screen.

Not only might it make navigation of your music files easier, but it would make any application you download for your iPod Touch immediately usable in your Bimmer. BMW doesn't give much away in terms of how this all comes together, but does say that the feature will be available on BMW's as soon as early 2011. Follow the jump to see the vid.

Continue reading Video: BMW's iDrive gets improved iPod functionality

Video: BMW's iDrive gets improved iPod functionality originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 09 Jul 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Skobbler first totally free turn-by-turn navigation app for iPhone

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 25 May 2010 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology

Skobbler has introduced a completely free, turn-by-turn navigation app for the iPhone, with one new and unusual detail: you help play the role of cartographer. Sort of like Linux for thoroughfares, you download the Skobbler app and then use CloudMade, a community-sourced mapping to add "hyperlocal" detail to the map, which Skrobbler then updates on its servers. The more information gets added by community mappers, the more detailed and up-to-date the instructions are available to the nav-app's users, with updates pushed to the program in real-time. We're unsure of how granular the details are in the current CloudMade maps, but the app is free and this could be your chance to be a pioneer.

[Source: Mac Daily News]

Skobbler first totally free turn-by-turn navigation app for iPhone originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 25 May 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chevrolet launches baseball app for iPhone/iPad... why?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 10 May 2010 08:00:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Chevrolet

Since we haven't played it, we can only potentially file this under "Um, wut... ?", but Chevrolet apparently has a new baseball app out for the Apple iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad. When you're not playing a game with teams like "Sil" (Silverado) and "Cam" (Camaro) or practicing your catching during spring training, you can head into the Chevy Dugout to learn more about the Bowtie's cars.

Naturally, there is also a chance to win a trip to the 2010 All Star Game, which might make the enterprise worthwhile if you're mad about MLB. Follow the jump for the press release or head over to the App Store to get downloading. Who knows, with seemingly the entire auto industry putting their advertising up for review, maybe there's still some life in the old "Baseball, Hot Dogs, Apple Pie and Chevrolet" chestnut.

[Source: Chevrolet]

Continue reading Chevrolet launches baseball app for iPhone/iPad... why?

Chevrolet launches baseball app for iPhone/iPad... why? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 May 2010 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: PadRacer replaces Scalextric with a whole Apple Store's worth of hardware

Noah Joseph — Fri, 07 May 2010 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Videos, Toys/Games

Click above to watch the video after the jump

Scalextric is so retro, so old school, so... analog. PadRacer takes the concept into the digital age. The top-view racing game, as you might have guessed, is designed for the iPad. But that's not the end of its hardware requirements. To control the game, each player (up to four) uses an iPhone or iPod Touch, controlling the movement of his car with the smaller device's gyroscopic motion sensor.

Sound like fun? Well, it oughta, considering you're going to need a good grand's worth or more of machinery running Apple's iPhone OS. Fortunately the game itself only costs $5. Check it out in the brief 19-second video after the jump.

[Source: Wired]

Continue reading Video: PadRacer replaces Scalextric with a whole Apple Store's worth of hardware

Video: PadRacer replaces Scalextric with a whole Apple Store's worth of hardware originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 May 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There's an app for the Rolls-Royce Ghost

Zach Bowman — Thu, 06 May 2010 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Technology, Rolls-Royce, Luxury

If we're playing the odds game, chances are you don't own a Rolls-Royce Ghost. It's okay. Neither do we. At the same time, there's a good possibility that there's either an iPhone or iPod touch on your person as you read this, which means you can now come a little closer to the dream of Ghost ownership via a brand-new app from Rolls-Royce. The company has answered the call of the masses by providing the world with a mobile Ghost configurator. Now you can wow your friends and waste time by flipping through the myriad of options that go into building your very own Rolls.

The app also features a few other goodies. For one, you can flip through a selection of Ghost photos and watch a few clips of the car as it oozes luxury all over the country side. There's even a specifications section for the tech-minded out there, and the app will also help you find the closest Rolls-Royce dealer. You can pick it up from the Apple App Store completely free of charge. Hit the jump for the press blast.

Gallery: Hands-On: Rolls-Royce Ghost

[Source: Rolls-Royce]

Continue reading There's an app for the Rolls-Royce Ghost

There's an app for the Rolls-Royce Ghost originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 May 2010 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Steering wheel for the... iPhone?

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:32:00 EST

Filed under: Toys/Games

CTA Digital iPod steering wheel -- Click above to view the video after the jump

If you've been trying to raise your high score on that iPhone or iPod Touch racing game but you just can't get your chi going without a steering wheel, this baby could be for you. Made by CTA Digital, you clip the phone into a holder, clip the holder into the wheel, and channel your Herr Schumacher.

Splurge for the top-of-the-line model and the wheel is attached to a suction cup by an adjustable arm, and you can go past Schumi straight to Kwai Chang Caine -- that's straight up Kung Fu badness. We won't mention how it might make you look, but you're not worried about that, are you? In case you're wondering, though, you can get a glimpse in the video after the jump. Hat tip to James

[Source: cnet]

Continue reading Steering wheel for the... iPhone?

Steering wheel for the... iPhone? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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People's Choice: 1.4m downloads for VW Polo Challenge iPhone game

Noah Joseph — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Marketing/Advertising, Volkswagen

Volkswagen Polo Challenge iPhone game - Click above for a gallery

What automaker isn't trying to cash in on the iCraze? Most are scrambling to include iPod and iPhone integration into their newest vehicles, and many have tried to mimic the look and feel of the Apple devices with their latest concepts. The "people's car" has as good a claim as any other automaker, and Volkswagen is looking to cement that with a new game for the iPhone and iPod touch.

Developed by German mobile game studio Fishlabs, the Volkswagen Polo Challenge, like other racing games, works with the devices' built-in accelerometer to control the car. Players can choose between eight different circuits to drive on while being serenaded by the music of Feinkost. When they're done playing, mobile gamers can find the nearest VW dealership to check out the car in person.

Just a month after its release, already 1.4 million people have downloaded the free game from iTunes. (Volkswagen's Spanish subsidiary has also released a similar game highlighting the Seat Ibiza Cupra.) If you can read German, you can check out more info in the press release after the jump, along with the images in the gallery below.

Continue reading People's Choice: 1.4m downloads for VW Polo Challenge iPhone game

People's Choice: 1.4m downloads for VW Polo Challenge iPhone game originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Apr 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford uses iPhone to (sorta) promote Flex

Dan Roth — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Marketing/Advertising, Technology, Crossover, Ford

Ford's latest promotion for the Flex really has nothing at all to do with the Blue Oval's big crossover, but it's still cool. Available for iPhone and iPod touch users, the Flex Photo Lab is free and allows Apple gadget owners to do things like adjust the brightness, contrast, hue, and saturation of images, as well as add special effects like add glowing lines or kaleidoscopic effects to photographs. What's the connection between a big station wagon and photo retouching software? Both are intended for tech-savvy consumers, says Ford. There is a tie-in built into the app. There's a "Discover Flex" functionality that allows users to tour the vehicle's interior and exterior, and iPhone users can use the "Locate The Flex" feature to beat a path to the nearest of Hank's stores. Rather than trifle with becoming an iPhone/iPod Touch developer, Ford farmed out the task to the Tao Agency, and now that we can spiff up shots on these mobile devices, we're tempted to trade our DSLRs and fancy lenses. Nah. Press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford uses iPhone to (sorta) promote Flex

Ford uses iPhone to (sorta) promote Flex originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Oct 2008 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar moves XF onto iPhone

Chris Shunk — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Marketing/Advertising, Jaguar

The Apple iPhone has been on everyone's wish list since it hit the streets this summer. Jaguar is using its web marketing savvy to piggy-back Apple's success by offering a new XF magazine made specifically for its touch-screen devices (don't forget the iPod Touch). Owners can go to jxfphone.com (it works for PC and MAC also) to view pics, rich-looking videos, and plenty of marketing info on the new four-wheeled feline. It works great on the iPhone, and with lots of new touch-enabled mobile phones on the way, Jaguar is smart to create a touch-friendly marketing site to feed the ever-growing population of mobile surfers.

[Source:Jaguar]

Continue reading Jaguar moves XF onto iPhone

Jaguar moves XF onto iPhone originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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