iGav
Mar 7, 03:05 PM
It certainly could be significantly higher. Public taste, laziness on the part of manufacturers and other things have all conspired to keep the bar set low on fuel economy.
I think that's probably accurate, general apathy on all sides really isn't it.
By way of a postscript, it's worth pointing out that today's safety and environmental regulations make it more difficult to make a car frugal, small and light than it was when Alec Issigonis designed the Mini.
Indeed, I think you've also inadvertently described the perfect engineering challenge that todays manufacturers really should be embracing, but instead seem so reticent to take up. The most remarkable thing about the original Mini, wasn't its size, it wasn't its cost� it was the whole. And in that respect alone, I cannot think of one car today that is really in anyway comparable whatsoever.
True, and that's a shame, because brand image often matters than a car's actual merits. If the new Jetta is a turd, people will still buy it because the VW badge has cachet here that GM does not, at least in the realm of small cars.
It's entirely possible to turn a brand around of course, as VW demonstrated with �koda, it's only 15 years ago that �koda was still the punchline to almost every joke.
The problem is Chevrolet is in a somewhat unique position in many respects here, it's a known brand, but by name only, usually as the carrier of good ol' boys... to a levy of course, when I think of a Chevy it's either something bright pink, with chrome� lots of chrome, or a pickup truck, not the rebadging of dreadful Daewoo cars. I suspect I'm not alone on that one.
And therein lies the problem. That and the Spark of course.
I'm not going to stand up too much for GM, I've never held a high opinion of most of their products, but I have reasonably read good reviews of the Cruze and I hope they bring the diesel here.
The Cruze is entirely inoffensive, and does the job entirely adequately by all accounts, as it should, after all it does have 4 wheels and an engine. Autocar likened it to the old Mk2 Seat Toledo saloon, and that's probably an apt comparison. Vanilla. Much like the rest of Vauxhall/Opel/Holden/Buick ranges etc actually. And that is a big problem for GM. A very big problem. One that almost sank the ship in the first place in fact. The captain might be different, but there's still no one at the helm.
the Daewoo -> Chevrolet re-branding in europe has been more or less the best business move GM has made perhaps in the last decade
Doesn't say much really does it. ;)
I think you highlight the real issue in the rest of your post. But it doesn't just affect Opel. And that is perhaps GM's biggest problem of all.
which is in a contrast to the japanese/korean brands which in europe over the last few years streamlined a lot: nearly all brands stopped offering premium sedans or upper market offerings and rather concentrated on SUVs/ crossovers and small offroaders and small minivans, compacts or small hatchbacks
It's not really streamlining when you have something like 6 suv/off-roaders in your range a'la Nissan is it? ;)
GM is doing reasonably well in Asia, and they have placed much of their small-car design duties into the capable hands of the Koreans - a wise move in my opinion.
Not if the Spark is anything to go by. Fortunately as the i10 proves, being Korean isn't the problem. ;)
I think blame can be put on both sides.
Yeah, but mainly GM for getting themselves into such a god almighty mess in the first place. ;)
The Buick Regal is the Opel Insignia( I love the US media. Before the Regal came out in the US, they went over to Europe and drove it and they loved it. Then they drive it on US shores, and all of a sudden they start panning it? ).
That'll be the marshmallows they use to replace the springs to make it a little softer for the yanks. :D
it wasn't a bad car.
It wasn't. You really don't want to think what today's hatches would be like if that car never existed. It really was that good. And its impact really was that great.
In typical bad Ford fashion
In typical Ford U.S. fashion you mean, fortunately, the profit making arm of Ford, i.e. the european division, produced the even better Mk2. ;)
I think that's probably accurate, general apathy on all sides really isn't it.
By way of a postscript, it's worth pointing out that today's safety and environmental regulations make it more difficult to make a car frugal, small and light than it was when Alec Issigonis designed the Mini.
Indeed, I think you've also inadvertently described the perfect engineering challenge that todays manufacturers really should be embracing, but instead seem so reticent to take up. The most remarkable thing about the original Mini, wasn't its size, it wasn't its cost� it was the whole. And in that respect alone, I cannot think of one car today that is really in anyway comparable whatsoever.
True, and that's a shame, because brand image often matters than a car's actual merits. If the new Jetta is a turd, people will still buy it because the VW badge has cachet here that GM does not, at least in the realm of small cars.
It's entirely possible to turn a brand around of course, as VW demonstrated with �koda, it's only 15 years ago that �koda was still the punchline to almost every joke.
The problem is Chevrolet is in a somewhat unique position in many respects here, it's a known brand, but by name only, usually as the carrier of good ol' boys... to a levy of course, when I think of a Chevy it's either something bright pink, with chrome� lots of chrome, or a pickup truck, not the rebadging of dreadful Daewoo cars. I suspect I'm not alone on that one.
And therein lies the problem. That and the Spark of course.
I'm not going to stand up too much for GM, I've never held a high opinion of most of their products, but I have reasonably read good reviews of the Cruze and I hope they bring the diesel here.
The Cruze is entirely inoffensive, and does the job entirely adequately by all accounts, as it should, after all it does have 4 wheels and an engine. Autocar likened it to the old Mk2 Seat Toledo saloon, and that's probably an apt comparison. Vanilla. Much like the rest of Vauxhall/Opel/Holden/Buick ranges etc actually. And that is a big problem for GM. A very big problem. One that almost sank the ship in the first place in fact. The captain might be different, but there's still no one at the helm.
the Daewoo -> Chevrolet re-branding in europe has been more or less the best business move GM has made perhaps in the last decade
Doesn't say much really does it. ;)
I think you highlight the real issue in the rest of your post. But it doesn't just affect Opel. And that is perhaps GM's biggest problem of all.
which is in a contrast to the japanese/korean brands which in europe over the last few years streamlined a lot: nearly all brands stopped offering premium sedans or upper market offerings and rather concentrated on SUVs/ crossovers and small offroaders and small minivans, compacts or small hatchbacks
It's not really streamlining when you have something like 6 suv/off-roaders in your range a'la Nissan is it? ;)
GM is doing reasonably well in Asia, and they have placed much of their small-car design duties into the capable hands of the Koreans - a wise move in my opinion.
Not if the Spark is anything to go by. Fortunately as the i10 proves, being Korean isn't the problem. ;)
I think blame can be put on both sides.
Yeah, but mainly GM for getting themselves into such a god almighty mess in the first place. ;)
The Buick Regal is the Opel Insignia( I love the US media. Before the Regal came out in the US, they went over to Europe and drove it and they loved it. Then they drive it on US shores, and all of a sudden they start panning it? ).
That'll be the marshmallows they use to replace the springs to make it a little softer for the yanks. :D
it wasn't a bad car.
It wasn't. You really don't want to think what today's hatches would be like if that car never existed. It really was that good. And its impact really was that great.
In typical bad Ford fashion
In typical Ford U.S. fashion you mean, fortunately, the profit making arm of Ford, i.e. the european division, produced the even better Mk2. ;)
ZoomZoomZoom
Sep 7, 03:28 AM
Dude, the MBP was updated in late April of this year, why would you think it'll be updated four and a half months later??
Because Apple is no longer in a hardware reality distortion field.
Because the MBP is a part of a Pro line, and the consumer iMacs have merom.
Because merom easily swaps in place of yonah at the same price.
I'm hopeful for the new MBP rev. They could have introduced C2D MBPs today - why didn't they? Maybe they're doing more than just a processor change, which might be why the iMacs got their update first. (Apart from the 24'' iMac, the rest of the iMac line is largely untouched.)
Because Apple is no longer in a hardware reality distortion field.
Because the MBP is a part of a Pro line, and the consumer iMacs have merom.
Because merom easily swaps in place of yonah at the same price.
I'm hopeful for the new MBP rev. They could have introduced C2D MBPs today - why didn't they? Maybe they're doing more than just a processor change, which might be why the iMacs got their update first. (Apart from the 24'' iMac, the rest of the iMac line is largely untouched.)
inkswamp
Aug 6, 09:53 PM
Blah, it should read "Mac OS X Leopard, introducing Panter 2.0"
No offense, my friend, but I'm glad Apple isn't taking any marketing cues from readers of MacRumors. ;)
No offense, my friend, but I'm glad Apple isn't taking any marketing cues from readers of MacRumors. ;)
Hisdem
Jan 23, 10:54 PM
Im jealous, im regretting not getting a Subaru Legacy. I got a 2010 Ford Fusion, should have got the legacy for the good looks and the AWD.
I got a Fusion last year too, and if the Legacy was sold over here I would have had a tough choice! I would have ended up with the Legacy though for the looks. AWD is useless here, so really not a reason to get it. :o
I got a Fusion last year too, and if the Legacy was sold over here I would have had a tough choice! I would have ended up with the Legacy though for the looks. AWD is useless here, so really not a reason to get it. :o
jessica.
Nov 28, 09:11 AM
I haven't started yet either...... just taking advantage of this weekend's sales. :D
Also, I just bought this office chair from Office Depot:
http://static.www.odcdn.com/pictures/us/od/sk/lg/301437_sk_lg.jpg
It's ACA approved, so my back also approves.
I found a 20% off coupon online, so yay.
Didn't you just buy a chair?
Also, I just bought this office chair from Office Depot:
http://static.www.odcdn.com/pictures/us/od/sk/lg/301437_sk_lg.jpg
It's ACA approved, so my back also approves.
I found a 20% off coupon online, so yay.
Didn't you just buy a chair?
protox
Apr 19, 11:38 AM
Just in time. My wife's desktop PC is on it's last leg. Lasted a good 5 years and now due for an upgrade to an iMac. When does the back to school promotion normally start?
OrganMusic
Apr 11, 10:10 PM
I've driven a friends Passat with DSG and it's better than a conventional automatic, but still meh as far as I'm concerned. Perhaps it's faster to 60 and more efficient but I don't care.
My reasons for preferring manual are:
1. Engine always feels connected to the wheels. Yes the DSG helps with this.
2. I'm always conscious of what gear I'm in without having to look down at the indicator.
3. In an AT car when driving around town (~35-40 mph) in full auto mode, it's going to be in top gear so any time you want to speed up even a little you have to give it more gas, then wait for it to decide to downshift before you get any response. And if you've given it enough gas to do that it usually slams into the new gear and you get a jerk instead of a nice smooth pull.
4. Manual shift paddles can help with this, but now you've got to drive in manual mode all the time which I find a PITA (see #2). No easy access to N for coasting etc.
5. Just feel more connected to the machine.
I even got my wife to like manual when she was driving my old Mazda3 while her car was in the shop. We now own two MINIs both in 6-speed manual.
I drive in Chicago traffic all the time and in fact hate having to stand on the brake in an AT all the time. The clutches in most smaller cars (e.g. our MINIs) are light enough it's really not that much work.
My reasons for preferring manual are:
1. Engine always feels connected to the wheels. Yes the DSG helps with this.
2. I'm always conscious of what gear I'm in without having to look down at the indicator.
3. In an AT car when driving around town (~35-40 mph) in full auto mode, it's going to be in top gear so any time you want to speed up even a little you have to give it more gas, then wait for it to decide to downshift before you get any response. And if you've given it enough gas to do that it usually slams into the new gear and you get a jerk instead of a nice smooth pull.
4. Manual shift paddles can help with this, but now you've got to drive in manual mode all the time which I find a PITA (see #2). No easy access to N for coasting etc.
5. Just feel more connected to the machine.
I even got my wife to like manual when she was driving my old Mazda3 while her car was in the shop. We now own two MINIs both in 6-speed manual.
I drive in Chicago traffic all the time and in fact hate having to stand on the brake in an AT all the time. The clutches in most smaller cars (e.g. our MINIs) are light enough it's really not that much work.
SaMaster14
Jan 11, 10:20 AM
Hopefully it's not too big an image... e90 m3. i love this this thing to bits.
Love the M3. Nice car!
And cool chrysler 300 JoeG4. We usually get the Chrysler when we get a rental on vacation.
Love the M3. Nice car!
And cool chrysler 300 JoeG4. We usually get the Chrysler when we get a rental on vacation.
kobyh15
Apr 2, 09:39 PM
Just saw it on tv. Fantastic.
Peace
Oct 23, 12:01 PM
Battery and component shortages abound ladies and gentlemen.Have patience.
http://news.com.com/2061-10792_3-6128501.html?part=rss&tag=6128501&subj=news
http://news.com.com/2061-10792_3-6128501.html?part=rss&tag=6128501&subj=news
Lollypop
Aug 25, 12:29 AM
IF the mini do get refreshed it will be minor speedbump, maybe a faster CPU, maybe bigger HDD, hopefully a better GPU (or a real GPU for that matter) :rolleyes: personally hoping for price decreases, besides a mid range, apple does need a lower costing machine as well! :D
celebrian23
Jul 18, 03:45 PM
I've watched every movie I own at least 15x, and most of them many more than that. I for one won't rent from itunes, I'd rather not is all. If they make money off of it, more power to them
zoran
Nov 21, 10:10 AM
This rumor seems to be only a rumor! Its Nov 21st today, when will octos come? Next year i guess... damn it!:mad:
danielwsmithee
Nov 27, 03:09 PM
I'm sorry, why is their target audience dwindling?It all comes down to how much extra you are willing to pay for the increased monitor specification. Most will pay 20% very few will pay 75%.
GadgetAddict
Mar 22, 09:50 AM
Article from the Guardian (http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/mar/21/gay-cure-apple-iphone) and The Telegraph (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/apple/8393974/Apple-under-fire-for-gay-conversion-app.html)
So what are your thoughts? Should Apple have rejected the app?
So what are your thoughts? Should Apple have rejected the app?
Multimedia
Sep 6, 10:32 AM
I am a little bit disappointed that it still does not have any built-in TV tuner.No problem. Just add an EyeTV hybrid (http://www.elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyetvhybridna) for $150 to one ofthe 4 USB ports and you are good to go. Hang a FW400 external 400GB HD for about $150 total - case and HD - and you have your TV server. Why would Apple do it when Elgato already has the perfect ultimate solution? :confused:
Yankee617
Apr 21, 12:41 PM
If someone breaks into my home and hacks into my Mac (using the OS X DVD to do a password reset), I have a lot more worries than whether they know how to find out what neighborhoods� cell towers I�ve used! Luckily, encrypting your iPhone backup is simple, automatic, and unbreakable; and has the added benefit that then your iPhone�s keychain gets included in the backup. (Otherwise it doesn�t, with good reason.)
If, on the other hand, they steal my phone, they�re unlikely to stop me from remotely shredding it so fast their head spins :)
That said, dumping the old cached data is good practice, and Apple really needs to do so. I�d be surprised if they didn�t patch it to do just that. So: good catch! (Of course, this was noticed months ago.)
So somebody sues you for (insert nefarious activity of your choice) and you deny it saying you were nowhere near Location-X at the time. Then, under rules of disclosure, they subpeona your iPhone/iPad/MBP/TC to obtain your data. The data shows you were at least in the vicinity of Location-X and so had the opportunity to perform (aforesaid nefarious activity). They win their case and you are required to pay $250K in damages, not to mention the $50K you already spent in legal fees. Did you do it? Maybe not... but it doesn't matter, they won and you lost.
I agree that the location data should be dumped... every few hours... so the files contain minimal information. Backups should exclude all this location data. I cannot imagine why any application needs to know my location from more than a few hours ago.
BTW> Is this location data collected on "Wi-Fi Only" iPads? I understand that such iPads do have/use location services, only its not as accurate.
If, on the other hand, they steal my phone, they�re unlikely to stop me from remotely shredding it so fast their head spins :)
That said, dumping the old cached data is good practice, and Apple really needs to do so. I�d be surprised if they didn�t patch it to do just that. So: good catch! (Of course, this was noticed months ago.)
So somebody sues you for (insert nefarious activity of your choice) and you deny it saying you were nowhere near Location-X at the time. Then, under rules of disclosure, they subpeona your iPhone/iPad/MBP/TC to obtain your data. The data shows you were at least in the vicinity of Location-X and so had the opportunity to perform (aforesaid nefarious activity). They win their case and you are required to pay $250K in damages, not to mention the $50K you already spent in legal fees. Did you do it? Maybe not... but it doesn't matter, they won and you lost.
I agree that the location data should be dumped... every few hours... so the files contain minimal information. Backups should exclude all this location data. I cannot imagine why any application needs to know my location from more than a few hours ago.
BTW> Is this location data collected on "Wi-Fi Only" iPads? I understand that such iPads do have/use location services, only its not as accurate.
Aeroflux
Mar 28, 03:53 PM
I stopped reading at "silky smooth 30fps". What the hell? Is this "silky smooth" for a timely epileptic? Talk about hype. I'm looking forward to the NGP more than anything else for portable gaming. I've been waiting for dual joysticks on a portable since playstation. Ironic, since Sony is the king of hype. Apple advertises games as part of their platform, yet doesn't have one accessory for gaming...and how many accessories for everything else? Screw that bipolar approach.
"Microsoft announced the Kinect would extend the life of the 360 by 5 years, and PS3 launched with the intention of a 10 year life span. "
This is just a misnomer for an era of 32x hardware to thrive in place of new consoles. It's killed console gaming for me. 30fps is a relic. It was mildly entertaining when, year after year, gamers defended it in light of shiny graphics. Now it's just embarassing.
Every now and then I rent a console game and end up setting it aside before beating it; because a nine foot screen and 30fps interactive media with a ton of screen tear does NOT mix well unless you include vomit and/or motion sickness. Then it's chunky goodness to the last dry heave.
"Microsoft announced the Kinect would extend the life of the 360 by 5 years, and PS3 launched with the intention of a 10 year life span. "
This is just a misnomer for an era of 32x hardware to thrive in place of new consoles. It's killed console gaming for me. 30fps is a relic. It was mildly entertaining when, year after year, gamers defended it in light of shiny graphics. Now it's just embarassing.
Every now and then I rent a console game and end up setting it aside before beating it; because a nine foot screen and 30fps interactive media with a ton of screen tear does NOT mix well unless you include vomit and/or motion sickness. Then it's chunky goodness to the last dry heave.
wolfboy
Oct 1, 02:19 AM
Assuming we got the same one, I thought so too at first. Don't try to cover the front of the screen like its a bezel I guess. Just let it wrap around the outside edges and it should stretch itself out after a couple days.
Other than that, I don't know what else you can do but get a different case.
Other than that, I don't know what else you can do but get a different case.
P-Worm
Nov 15, 08:01 AM
They say that the changes in speed aren't going to effect most people because the programs aren't written for multiple cores. Do you think that we are going to see more consumer apps optimized for multiple processors, or do you think that it just isn't needed?
P-Worm
P-Worm
holbie
Apr 2, 10:04 PM
I will not feed the trolls� I will not feed the trolls� I will not feed the trolls�
boncellis
Sep 6, 09:34 AM
My first instinct was that Apple stuck with Yonah in the Mini because of something they're about to introduce next week. The "streaming video" device could very well fill the set-top box niche that the Mini does, only at a lower price for the same remote media functions.
I was wondering which way it would go--I guess it's still up in the air. Basically I just see this as a $200 price drop, which is always welcome.
I was wondering which way it would go--I guess it's still up in the air. Basically I just see this as a $200 price drop, which is always welcome.
jettredmont
Aug 16, 02:24 PM
It's a shame there's almost no way Verizon will carry an Apple branded phone. I just don't see it happening. Looks like I'll have to get an LG Chocolate for music on the go...
If Apple does an "unlocked" phone (meaning, the kind of phone that used to be the rule, not the exception, which wasn't locked to a specific service provider) you'll be able to use it on Verizon (of course, assuming it supports Verizon's connection mechanism, which is different from Sprint or Cingular, but most of the phone manufacturers out there have no problem with this).
The downside, of course, is that you miss out on the 2-year financing offers from Verizon, and still have to pay for the 2-year financing (your rate isn't any cheaper if you don't take their "free" phone offer...). That having been said, the US phone companies offer crap for long-time customers ($100 off a phone for signing up for another 2-year contract? Puhlease!) and IMHO it makes more sense to just get the damned phone you want and throw that $100 "discount" aka high-interest loan away than confine yourself to Verizon's pathetic arsenal of hobbled (key features disabled, etc) phones.
If Apple does an "unlocked" phone (meaning, the kind of phone that used to be the rule, not the exception, which wasn't locked to a specific service provider) you'll be able to use it on Verizon (of course, assuming it supports Verizon's connection mechanism, which is different from Sprint or Cingular, but most of the phone manufacturers out there have no problem with this).
The downside, of course, is that you miss out on the 2-year financing offers from Verizon, and still have to pay for the 2-year financing (your rate isn't any cheaper if you don't take their "free" phone offer...). That having been said, the US phone companies offer crap for long-time customers ($100 off a phone for signing up for another 2-year contract? Puhlease!) and IMHO it makes more sense to just get the damned phone you want and throw that $100 "discount" aka high-interest loan away than confine yourself to Verizon's pathetic arsenal of hobbled (key features disabled, etc) phones.
Veinticinco
Apr 3, 03:54 AM
TBWA really need to step up their game. Lack of a tangible concept ("ooh it's all about the experience") and a truly awful execution especially in such a redux form. Not to mention the badly chosen score and VO.
If you're going to make something as utterly bland and pretentious as this ad is, then at least do it on a grand scale for the sake of audience recall (Chanel 'film' with Nicole Kidman the most vomit-inducing example of this type).
I actually cringed.
If you're going to make something as utterly bland and pretentious as this ad is, then at least do it on a grand scale for the sake of audience recall (Chanel 'film' with Nicole Kidman the most vomit-inducing example of this type).
I actually cringed.
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