Top Speed

Steve Jobs used the Porsche 928 as inspiration for Mac design

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Sat, 8 Oct 2011 06:00:00 GMT

October 5, 2011 was a very sad day for the American computer industry: Steve Jobs - the creator of the first commercially successful lines of personal computers, the Apple II series - passed away after losing his battle with a rare pancreatic cancer. As one of the few, true innovators of our time, Jobs took his knowledge and creativity and built up a company that is now worth about $1 trillion.

Steve Jobs did many great things for the technological world, so as homage to a great man, we thought it would be interesting to talk a little about one of his first projects. You see, the first Macintosh computer Jobs designed was actually influenced by his Porsche 928.

Andy Hertzfeld, a member of the original Apple development team, recalls the discussion in March 1981 during a late night at the office. "It’s got to be different, different from everything else." said Jobs to James Ferris, Apple’s director of Creative Services. “For some reason, they were talking about cars,” Hertzfeld recalls.

"We need it to have a classic look, that won’t go out of style, like the Volkswagen Beetle", I heard Steve tell James.

"No, that’s not right.", James replied. "The lines should be voluptuous, like a Ferrari.”

"Not a Ferrari, that’s not right either", Steve responded, apparently excited by the car comparison. "It should be more like a Porsche!" referring to his Porsche 928.

“I thought it was kind of pompous to compare computers with sports cars, even metaphorically. But I was impressed with Steve’s passion for elegance in the industrial design and his powers of discrimination continually amazed me as the design took shape.” Hertzfeld said.

The design for the first Mac was released in February 1982. Jobs had worked tirelessly, attempting to produce the best Porsche-like design for the computer.

The world has lost a true inspiration. Steve Jobs will be missed.

Steve Jobs used the Porsche 928 as inspiration for Mac design originally appeared on topspeed.com on Saturday, 8 October 2011 06:00 EST.

Order books for the new Porsche 911/991 almost open

Alexander@topspeed.com(Alexander) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 11:00:00 GMT

On your marks...get set...and get ready to order! A source has revealed that Porsche dealers are almost ready to open the order books for the new and improved 911/991. Orders may be taken as soon as next month with vehicle deliveries scheduled in March - April 2012.

That’s not all, either. Want to order the Porsche 911/991? There’s an app for that! Our source has also revealed that Porsche is developing an iPad app that will allow clients to play around with the options and place their order on Apple’s latest technological wonder. Porsche and Apple; now there’s a match made in heaven.

As a reminder for those who have been living under a rock of dullness, the new Porsche 911/991 will be powered by a 3.4L direct-injected flat-six engine that delivers a total of 350 HP at 6400 rpm and a max torque of 280 lb-ft between 4400 and 6000 rpm. The Carrera S will get a 3.8-liter flat-six with direct injection engine that delivers a total of 400 HP at 7000 rpm, leaving it with a 4.5 seconds 0-60mph sprint time and a top speed of 188mph. Both models will be offered with either a seven-speed manual gearbox or the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic, both made by ZF and both featuring launch control. These models also come with an improved fuel economy of 12-15%.

gallery: 2012 - 2013 Porsche 911/991

Order books for the new Porsche 911/991 almost open originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 26 July 2011 11:00 EST.

GT Racer apps take you back to the "Golden Age of Auto Racing"

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:00:00 GMT

Oh, the benefits of technology. We can’t live with it and we can’t live without it. In the latest example of how our items like the iPad and the iPhone are shaping the way we find entertainment these days, we got news that John Galt Films Inc, the leading international producer of high octane vintage racing films, has released ten GT Racer applications for the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. GT Racer is a documentary-style film that dives into the world of racing like no other film app we’ve seen in the past. The app is based on the GT Racer HDTV series that was aired worldwide on a number of channels and is now being transferred to the world of Apple apps.

Directed and produced by Alexander Davidis, the whole scene of GT Racer transforms your world and takes you back to the Golden Era of auto racing, one where you can take a look at the most exclusive series of international racing, featuring the 1950s and 60s Aston Martins, Ferraris, Maseratis, Porsches, Mustangs, Cobras, and so many other race cars as they compete in the some of the world’s most famous race tracks, including the Nurburgring, the Spa Francorchamps, Laguna Seca, and Carrera Panamericana.

More than the cars and the tracks themselves, GT Racer gives you the opportunity to feel the incredible atmosphere of the time, a time where high-octane racing wasn’t all about technological innovation as it was pure, unadulterated racing.

The GT Racer titles are developed by Smarphone specialists, Netframes, and include the following titles: Shaken & Stirred - Spa (Belgium); On Porto’s Street Circuit (Portugal); Big Speeds at Silverstone (England); The Nürburgring Factor (Germany); Legends of Lime Rock (Connecticut, USA); Ferraris at Laguna Seca (California, USA); The Spa Six Hours (Belgium); Nordschleife: The 500 km Marathon (Germany); Fast Curves at Magny Cours (France); La Carrera Panamericana (Mexico).

Each of the episodes are now available at Apple’s iTunes store for $22.99 each.

GT Racer apps take you back to the "Golden Age of Auto Racing" originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 19 April 2011 17:00 EST.

Brabus iBusiness 2.0

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 13:00:00 GMT

Brabus is apparently not satisfied with preparing tuning packages with blow your socks off speed and have moved on to the world where briefcases and hand held devices are key to survival. No, we’re not talking about a Brabus-tuned iPad - although that would be fascinating -, but the iBusiness 2.0, a vehicle that is fully equipped with the new iPad 2.

We’ve seen Brabus do something very similar to this before when they introduced the "iBusiness" SV12 R with the first generation iPad, but their latest package has been upgraded to the new and improved tablet computer. The setup for this new model is exactly like the first version as the iPad is offered with a WiFi network and a Mini Mac. The ultra-small, yet powerful Mini Mac serves as the central computer and is hidden away in the S-Class trunk under the rear shelf in an electrically deployed drawer.

The iBusiness 2.0 package can be applied to any model in the S-Class line-up, but prices on the package have yet to be announced.

Hit the jump to read about the Brabus iBusiness 2.0.

Brabus iBusiness 2.0 originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 22 March 2011 13:00 EST.

Fenice-Milano La Dolce Vita Gold and Diamonds 500C

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 21:00:00 GMT

Okay, just reading the name of this car should make everyone wonder just how much it is going to cost, and don’t worry, we’ll get to that. First let’s introduce the car. The Abarth 500C is typically no more than about $25,000 and features lots of little goodies, like that four cylinder inline engine that delivers a weak 140hp. Now add a tuning package from Fenice-Milano that consists of a little bling bling, and now this expensive ride starts to sparkle.

Just how expensive is this little car? Well, take the base Abarth 500C, add 24k gold inserts and an Apple iPad Supreme Edition made out of 24k gold and diamonds, and now you got yourself a $660,000 vehicle. That’s right, that is what a Chinese customer ordered and paid for this bedazzled 500. Ridiculous? Absolutely. Intriguing? Hell yeah!

Hit the jump to read more about the Fenice-Milano La Dolce Vita Gold and Diamonds 500C.

Fenice-Milano La Dolce Vita Gold and Diamonds 500C originally appeared on topspeed.com on Monday, 17 January 2011 21:00 EST.

Brabus "iBusiness" SV12 R

Simona@topspeed.com(Simona) — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 10:00:00 GMT

Brabus has gone to the extremes. First they tuned Mercedes’ most powerful sports car: the SLS AMG, and now they have turned to one of the most luxurious models in the line-up: the SL600. The new Brabus "iBusiness" SV12 R model is not only about high performance, but also about innovative multimedia technology.

We won’t talk too much about the engine, as it is one that you should be familiar with by now: an SV12 R Biturbo 750 12-cylinder engine with an output of 750 hp. This provides the luxury sedan with a top speed of 211 mph.

What we will focus on is the car’s technology. Apple seems to have given away the cow as this luxury sedan is completely outfitted with Apple components. The brains of the operation is a 15.2-inch TFT display with 16:9 aspect ratio and internet connection via UMTS and HSDPA. To that, an ultra-small Mac minicomputer is added under the rear shelf. This minicomputer is hidden by an electronic door that looks like the computer itself. Controlling these computers is made easy with the use of two iPads located in the front passenger seat as well as in the backseat. These iPads not only control the computers, put can also navigate through the entire multimedia center including the radio, navigation system, and telephone. And, of course, there is Alcantara and leather all over the interior.

Check out all of the exact specifications in the press release after the jump.

Brabus "iBusiness" SV12 R originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 26 August 2010 10:00 EST.

Tesla Hires Apple For Better Buying Experience

Bryan@topspeed.com(Bryan) — Fri, 9 Jul 2010 10:00:00 GMT

Posted on 07.9.2010 10:00 by Bryan
Filed under: Tesla | industry news | Apple | Cars | Car News

Today, Tesla announced that it was going to hire former Apple and Gap employee George Blankenship, in the hopes that his expertise would change the car buying experience.

Blankenship has a total of thirty years of experience in retail and real estate and is known for being the creator of Apple’s brand building retail strategy. He is often credited with creating one of the best retail strategies in history during his time with Apple.

He will work closely with Elon Musk, Tesla’s founder and CEO, in the hopes of creating the ultimate buyer experience. They hope to one day make their dealerships more stylish than anything we have ever seen.

“I’m excited to create a retail experience that is as thrilling as my first drive of the Tesla Roadster,” said Blankenship.

Part of the new strategy is to build new stores in Tokyo, Japan, Toronto, Canada, and Washington DC. Get ready for the next generation of the car showroom.

Hit the jump to read the press release.

Tesla Hires Apple For Better Buying Experience originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 9 July 2010 10:00 EST.

Problems with the iPhone 4 and iOS4 upgrade running amuck

Alexander@topspeed.com(Alexander) — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMT

iPhone users beware! Apparently, Apple did not fix all of the bugs in the iOS4 update before releasing the jacked up modification to iPhone users. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, the iOS4 is causing users to lose their iPhone-To-Car stereo connection causing one user to listen to "only 3 songs all day because they keep starting over when i (sic) get calls!!!!"

Complaints are simply flooding Apple support forums with iPhone users pleading and demanding for this problem to be fixed as soon as possible.

"Upgraded to iOS4 a few hours ago. Went to my car and plugged it into the USB port of my pioneer stereo and it says ’Not compatible.’ My stereo has always worked with my iphone. PLEASE FIX THIS ASAP, APPLE."

"Hi Had the same problem this morning on my way to work. I have a JVC KD-R601 and as most of you are saying it has worked flawlessly with OS3. Tried a hard reset and nothing is curing it. Will there be a further OS update to fix this?"

Apparently, the update isn’t the only thing that has caused a fumble. The new iPhone 4 is said to lose signal when held at certain angles or by its sides and the screen is susceptible to a yellow discoloration.

Did Apple jump the gun in releasing the iPhone4 and the iOS4 update? Should they have delayed sales until all of the bugs were worked out? We know how sensitive iPhone users can be when it comes to their phones (we have a slight obsession with our own iPhones) so we would have to agree that this problem is one that should be dealt with immediately. Drop a comment to let us know what you think.

Problems with the iPhone 4 and iOS4 upgrade running amuck originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 25 June 2010 12:00 EST.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs reveals new iPhone 4; contest to win a Nissan Leaf comes with it

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Tue, 8 Jun 2010 09:00:00 GMT

Apple CEO Steve Jobs finally revealed the new iPhone 4 today and while the rest of the world is already fawning over the new Apple gizmo, we in the auto industry had our curiousities picqued when in the middle of his presentation, Jobs also revealed a new ad for the 2011 Nissan Leaf.

Regrettably, the ad can only be viewed using the new iPhone 4, which, of course, we still don’t have. In the event that you’re picking one up in the near future - and by near future, we mean, like, next week - it might be in your best interest to watch the ad and enter the contest to win a 2011 Nissan Leaf. Seeing as the field would probably be thin at best, the chances of you going home with Nissan’s electric car increases. And oh, you’re going to be going up against Jobs himself, who saw fit to enter the contest. As if he needs to win one.

Apple CEO Steve Jobs reveals new iPhone 4; contest to win a Nissan Leaf comes with it originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 8 June 2010 09:00 EST.

Video: How to install an iPad inside your car

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Tue, 4 May 2010 11:00:00 GMT

Ever since Apple released the iPad, it was pretty much common knowledge that it would only be a matter of time before some genius car tuner would begin installing the iPad on some pimped-out ride. That car tuner, it turns out, is Scosche, which recently released something they’re calling, the "iKit", which, of course, is nothing more than an iPad installed on a car.

In this video, Scosche shows us exactly how they were able to install an iPad into the dash of a Subaru Impreza WRX STI. We’re not quite certain how smart it is to be using an iPad when you’re behind the wheel of a 305-horsepower sports car, but that’s not really the foremost concern of the boys from Scosche, whose only objective, we believe, is to get people so interested in having an iPad installed in their cars that they’re going to call these guys to do it for them.

Either way, the whole idea of having an iPad inside a car bothers us for the same safety reasons concerning Oprah and her "No Phone Zone" campaign. Now that America is trying its hardest to send the message regarding the dangers of texting while driving, here comes the genius idea of installing an iPad inside a car, which if you ask us, could poise a bigger problem for inattentive drivers out there on the road. Putting the safety issue aside, temporarily, Scosche does provide a clean install for the iPad with an attractive car mount eliminating the need for the driver’s radio. If only drivers would be concerned enough for their safety as well as the safety of others to only use this contraption while the vehicle is not in motion. Something tells us that is not going to happen so we will have to stick to our guns in saying that installing an iPad in a car is just plain dumb.

Video: How to install an iPad inside your car originally appeared on topspeed.com on Tuesday, 4 May 2010 11:00 EST.

Can an Apple iPad work on a Sync-enabled Ford vehicle?

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Thu, 8 Apr 2010 15:30:00 GMT

When reports came out that SoundMan was able to successfully install the new iPad in a Toyota Corolla, a lot of people wondered if other car brands would follow suit. After all, buying a car with a built-in iPad is a pretty good selling point for prospective buyers.

For its part, Ford tried to make good use of their Sync technology to determine whether the iPad would work on a Sync-enabled Ford vehicle. It turns out that, technically speaking, you can use an iPad with Sync technology, but it comes with a number of pretty glaring restrictions. The most definitive setback Ford discovered is that you can’t connect the iPad to Sync by using a USB. This will pretty much render the iPad useless, unless of course, you’re car is hooked up to an on-board WiFi hotspot.

Despite this supposed setback, we’re confident that Ford and other car brands can find a way to get the iPad working on their vehicles the same way Soundman was able to accomplish with his Toyota Corolla.

Check out the video and watch how the boys from the Blue Oval tried - with minimal success - to get the iPad Sync’d in to their vehicles.

Can an Apple iPad work on a Sync-enabled Ford vehicle? originally appeared on topspeed.com on Thursday, 8 April 2010 15:30 EST.

Instant Supercar iPod app gives your car more power than it should

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Wed, 7 Apr 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Posted on 04.7.2010 16:00 by Kirby
Filed under: | industry news | Apple | Cars | Car News

Yes, perception isn’t always reality. And when nobody’s the wiser, you can get away with just about anything. Ignorance is bliss, so they say.

Clichés aside, a lot of us don’t have the wherewithal – or deep pockets – to buy our own supercar. But even if the best we can afford are the Corollas and Civics of the world, it doesn’t mean that these cars can’t sound like V8 monsters.

Thanks to a dandy new iPod app called Instant Supercar, which you can purchase for a measly $2.99, your nice little joyride of a vehicle can sound like a Nissan GT-R or even a Bugatti Veyron without even having to spend more than the price of a Burger King Whopper. The Instant Supercar uses an accelerometer that channels in the sound of those high-priced powerhouses, making them sound exactly like them.

At the very least, it should be good to fool a couple of people who don’t know any better. But even if you do get caught with your pants down, you won’t need to sweat the three bucks you spent to make your ride sound a lot more powerful than it should be.

Instant Supercar iPod app gives your car more power than it should originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 7 April 2010 16:00 EST.

Infiniti to launch 'adeyaka' web magazine exclusively for the new iPad tablet

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 16:00:00 GMT

As is the case with just about everything Apple makes these days, people are going to line up and scoop them up as soon as it hits stores. That’s the massive leverage that comes with being a market leader and a symbol of status all over the world.

So if you’re a company that’s hoping to capitalize on the popularity of Apple, it would be a pretty easy decision to jump on the ever-growing iPad table that’s scheduled to drop in stores in the near future. One car brand that has taken the lead in using the iPad table as its own vehicular marketing tool is Infiniti. The Nissan-owned car brand is working on releasing a special version of its ‘adeyaka’ customer magazine that will be specifically produced for the iPad.

Don’t ask us what ‘adeyaka’ means because we don’t have the foggiest idea. In any case, Lutz Suendermann, Infiniti’s creative director and the tasked to head the project, said that “the iPad version of adeyaka will leverage many iPad functionalities to offer a completely unique reading experience, while maintaining the ’look and feel’ that already made adeyaka one of the most highly-acclaimed customer magazines."

According to Infiniti, the iPad version of the ‘adeyaka’ will largely complement the magazines print and web editions of the magazine. Be sure to drop by the Apple iTunes Store beginning in May of 2010 to download the first of what Infiniti hopes to be many issues of their new iPad-exclusive ‘adeyaka’ magazine.

Infiniti to launch 'adeyaka' web magazine exclusively for the new iPad tablet originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 26 March 2010 16:00 EST.

Apple iPad opens up a world of possibilities for automotive enthusiasts

Terence@topspeed.com(Terence) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 20:00:00 GMT

If you are up to date on the latest on goings in wireless technology, then you should be familiar with Steve Job’s latest offering, the iPad. Like a plus sized iPhone the new 21st century tablet will offer the world a simple, sleek and lightweight PDA that is capable of doing everything from surfing the web to playing videogames and even reading virtual magazines in a way that the much more compact iPhone never could, even if it is 3Gs equipped. This is all well and good for the techies out there, but what does this mean for us automotive enthusiasts.

Measuring in at just over half an inch thick and tipping the scales at just over a 1.5 pounds, the iPad will bring a whole new level of wireless connectivity to in car passengers. And while the iPhone has apps that can measure your car’s 0 to 60 MPH time or check error codes, an iPad could be used to tune it on the fly just like Paul Walker in the original Fast and Furious film. If you thought texting and driving was a problem, the iPad could stir up a whole other round of driver distractions, but because of the electronic tablet’s inherent popularity automakers will almost certainly be forced to offer docking stations as well as iPod cables in their future models, but until then the sky is the limit as far as what the new portable computers will be doing on the regular highway as well as the information kind.

What would you do with an in car iPad?

Let us know what you think before checking out the video after the jump.

Apple iPad opens up a world of possibilities for automotive enthusiasts originally appeared on topspeed.com on Wednesday, 27 January 2010 20:00 EST.

AT&T introduces Navigation application for the iPhone

Kirby@topspeed.com(Kirby) — Fri, 3 Jul 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Thanks in large part to AT&T, your iPhones are about to become more than just a regular handheld.

The telecommunications giant is set to release the AT&T Navigator application on the iPhone, which would, in effect, provide users their very own GPS system – all from the comforts of their iPhone.

The AT&T Navigator is the fastest and most efficient way you can get to your destinations without spending an inordinate amount of your hard-earned cash on a separate GPS system.

The Navigator also supplies a plethora of different features, which includes searching for the closest coffee shops, ATM machines, Wi-Fi hotspots, and gas stations with the lowest gas prices.

The Navigator is unique for its voice-capable, three-dimensional screen that checks all the turn-by-turn directions and at the same time, automatically updates the vicinity you are in so you can skip out on all the congested areas and get to your destination as fast as possible.

Never before has a navigation system been as cheap and as accessible as the AT&T Navigator. For only $10 a month, you’re guaranteed that you’ll never get lost out on the roads again.

AT&T introduces Navigation application for the iPhone originally appeared on topspeed.com on Friday, 3 July 2009 10:00 EST.