focus

Hands-on with AT&T's Windows Phone 7 devices

As most of you have heard by now, Microsoft and AT&T took center stage in New York on Monday to officially launch Windows Phone 7.

Though handsets will launch with a variety of carriers, AT&T will soon offer three Windows Phone 7 handsets in the U.S.: the Samsung Focus, the HTC Surround, and the LG Quantum.

We got some brief hands-on time with all three phones from AT&T at the event, and you'll find first impressions, as well as some photos, below. In general, we were impressed with the hardware, and it's nice to see Microsoft and AT&T offering a variety of designs to ensure that there's a little something for everyone. … Read more

Ford introduces easy-to-use cord for remote location charging

Ford today unveiled a cord and connector designed to remote charge the Focus Electric, the much anticipated EV that ships next year. The 25-foot cord will allow owners to connect to any 120-volt outlet. Focus Electric drivers will also use a 240-volt in-home charging station to recharge the car's lithium ion, liquid-cooled battery pack.

The design teams at Ford and Yazaki were inspired by hockey sticks, curling irons, and even tennis racket handles when they created the connector on the connector cord.

When plugged in, the charger converts the battery pack's AC power from the electric grid to … Read more

Ford upgrades airbags in 2012 Focus

Most cars are more or less one size fits all, even though its occupants are not. While adjustable seats, pedals, and steering wheels address some of the size differences, there's aren't a lot of accommodations when it comes to the safety features, except to recommend that if you're short you might be better off sitting in the back seat where airbags are less likely to break your face.

Today Ford announced that it will be adding adaptive airbags in the 2012 Ford Focus. These next-generation airbags include features that modify the amount of air pressure deployed in … Read more

Focus EV to use liquid thermal battery control

Owners of the new Ford Focus Electric won't have to worry about going out to warm up the car before driving on a winter's day, the car will warm up its battery pack automatically if left plugged in.

Ford announced Thursday its Focus Electric, due out next year in the U.S., will contain a lithium ion battery pack with a liquid-based thermal management system.

In addition to keeping the car's battery within a preferred temperature range while engaged, the system also kicks in to cool or warm the car's battery pack as needed while it'… Read more

OmniFocus for iPad: Sunny with a chance of productivity

OmniFocus for iPad ( available in the App Store for $39.99) packs a powerful productivity punch, landing right on the jaw of your time management needs. And for a cool $40, it better. Suffice it to say, The Omni Group broke the mold when they created OmniFocus for iPad. I mean that literally. They didn't simply stick to the look they had already cultivated in their Mac application and they didn't just enhance their iPhone App to make it iPad-compatible.

OmniFocus for iPad is a totally new beast with some new, unique features that are really fantastic. Right … Read more

StayFocusd fights distractions

StayFocusd is a Google Chrome extension that helps Internet procrastinators focus on their work instead of browsing copious amounts of time-wasting material. This add-on is useful when you want to limit how much time you spend on a particular Web site, or even the entire Internet. StayFocusd is customizable and intuitive--it's simple to create detailed Web-surfing guidelines--but beware: this extension is harsh; make sure you really want to block your sites.

After downloading the add-on, a round blue icon will show up on the right-hand side of your address bar. While you are on the site that needs blocking, … Read more

Compact Power's lithium ion battery to power 2011 Ford Focus Electric

Ford Motor Company Tuesday announced that Compact Power Inc. (CPI), a subsidiary of LG Chem, will build the lithium ion battery packs for the Ford Focus Electric, which is slated to go on sale in the U.S. in 2011.

"CPI is an emerging leader in the lithium ion battery field and we are pleased to have them as a strategic supplier as we prepare to bring the Ford Focus Electric to market," said Sherif Marakby, Ford director, Sustainable Mobility Products and Hybrid programs. "We are moving aggressively with our electrification strategy and our work to help … Read more

Fold-down grill transforms the backyard

A good backyard grilling session can be exhilarating in the sense that when surrounded by good food, good times, and good weather, it's as if one is transported somewhere else. However, unlike a vacation in some far away land, at home we are surrounded by friends and family, completing the experience to a degree unattainable anywhere else. To complete this journey, all that is needed is some charcoal, a few select food items, and of course, a grill.

With a resemblance to a ship porthole when not in use, the Sigmafocus is a folding wall-mounted charcoal grill that transforms … Read more

Concentrated solar attracts big-name investors

The concentrated photovoltaics industry got another nod of confidence Wednesday.

Amonix, a CPV manufacturer, announced it has raised $129.4 million in Series B funding, with Kleiner Perkins named the lead investor. The Seal Beach, Calif.-based company said it will use the funds to expand manufacturing in an effort to get its CPVs out the door more quickly.

Concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar systems differ from regular solar panels in that they use lenses or mirrors to concentrate sunlight on solar cells to maximize the amount of electricity you can generate from solar rays. The technology, while more expensive than … Read more