Ferrari outs 949HP LaFerrari hybrid, gives FF drivers iPad minis and Siri (video)

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/05/ferrari-shows-949hp-laferrari-hybrid-gives-ff-drivers-ipad-mini/

Everyone knew Ferrari was cooking up its first hybrid, and that it would be very quick when it was pegged as an Enzo successor. Still, we didn't quite expect the sledgehammer that is the LaFerrari. Never mind the very redundant naming scheme: there's a 789HP V12 mated with 160HP of electric power, the 949HP combination of which takes the supercar to 62MPH in less than 3 seconds and makes it the overall fastest Ferrari to date. There's a nod to eco-friendliness with relatively low emissions, but the hybrid component mostly powers a KERS system that fills out the few weak points in the torque band. You won't have the chance to buy the LaFerrari -- all 499 units of the €1 million ($1.3 million) flagship are spoken for -- but there's already talk of future hybrids that will run solely on electric power some or all of the time.

Don't be too forlorn if you have money to burn on a tech-centric Ferrari, though. The Maranello crew is also showing the very first results of its Apple collaboration through an upgraded FF. The four-seater GT now has Siri voice integration and ships with a pair of iPad minis to keep backseaters entertained when the 652HP V12 somehow isn't exciting enough. Ferrari hasn't! said ho w much the upgraded FF costs, although we imagine that the iOS-linked costs are drops in the bucket next to the vehicle itself. Chairman Luca di Montezemolo hints that it's just the start of the Apple relationship, too, as Ferrari will be "more precise" about the union in the months ahead.

Filed under: Transportation, Apple

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Via: Autoblog, Bloomberg

Source: Ferrari

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Apple's education-only 21.5-inch iMac gets bump in specs, now sells for $1,099

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/05/apple-education-only-new-imac/

We've already seen Cupertino's 21.5-inch iMac up for sale on the company's refurb store, and now it looks like the smaller model of the new all-in-ones is ready to be taken at a cost tailored for educational institutions. Unlike with previous education-only deals, however, Apple's pricing its newly redesigned iMac starting at $1,099 instead of $999 -- and that includes Intel's 3.3GHz, dual-core i3 CPU alongside HD Graphics 4000, a 500GB hard drive and 4GB of RAM. While the aforementioned specs are different than the ones found in the pricier entry-level variant for every-day consumers, it's worth mentioning Apple does offer the ability to upgrade some of the iMac's internals, such as memory and built-in storage. Those with the proper credentials can start ordering now from Apple, with, as MacRumors points out, orders being expected to ship within 5-7 business days.

Filed under: Desktops, Apple

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Via: MacRumors

Source: Apple

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Google said to be testing same-day delivery service from local retailers

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/05/google-same-day-delivery/

As if Google didn't have enough on its plate, it seems the Mountain View company is adding yet another feather to its cap by entering the delivery business. As originally reported on TechCrunch and then confirmed by Reuters, the search giant is apparently working on a same-day delivery service that could pit it against the likes of Amazon Prime, eBay Now and local dispatchers like Postmates' GetItNow. Known to both outlets as Google Shopping Express, it would bring purchased goods from local retailers directly to your door via third-party couriers. According to TechCrunch, Google plans to charge around $64 or $69 a year for the service, while a Reuters source said a small fee per purchase might also be a possibility. Reuters even said Google has already started testing the service in the Bay Area in "recent weeks."

When asked to comment on the story, a Google spokesperson said to us in an email:

We are always working to build a delightful shopping experience for users, in close partnership with retailers, and to empower businesses of all sizes to compete effectively. We will continue to work toward providing technology, tools and traffic to help power the retail ecosystem but have nothing to announce at this time.

Though they're clearly keeping mum on the subject, it does seem a delivery service would be in line with Google's recent moves in th! e commer ce space, such as the acquisition of locker startup Bufferbox and e-commerce firm Channel Intelligence. That said, we can't be sure exactly when or how Shopping Express will be implemented; too bad the company's Transparency Report doesn't actually reveal the inside workings of Sergey Brin's mind.

Filed under: Google

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Source: TechCrunch, Reuters

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Amplify Tablet is an Android machine custom-built for education

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/06/amplify-tablet-is-an-android-machine-custom-built-for-education/

News Corp rebranded its educational unit as Amplify in July. Since then the Joel Klein-headed company has been working with AT&T to develop a tablet expressly designed for the K-12 educational market. After months of testing the Amplify Tablet, an unspecified 10-inch Android slate loaded with custom software, is ready for its official debut. Lots of things have changed since we first caught a glimpse of the project many months ago. For one, the UI has been completely redesigned to be clean, modern and simple. The new look is much more inline with Google's Holo, with extensive use of action overflow buttons, the sharing menu and solid blocks of color-coded material. The default home page offers a grid of app icons, but it also displays student information and lists "notebooks" on the right hands side. Those notebooks deliver quick access to different subjects for students, but they also give teachers direct links to materials for their classes, categorized not just by subject, but also by period. Klein and company don't stop at simple organizational tools and reference materials, however.

Gallery: Amplify Tablet

Filed under: Tablets, Software, AT&T

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The world's smallest and lightest phone now does email, is still ridiculous

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/05/the-worlds-smallest-and-lightest-phone-does-email/

Ultrapixels, styli and Retina displays -- enough. Willcom's Phone Strap 2 has arrived and it weighs 32 grams. Does it look familiar? It should, as it's the spitting image of its predecessor, the WX03A. With the same 32mm x 70mm footprint (though it's 1mm thicker), it's a pretty absurd proposition but then perhaps that's the point. The upgraded model can now handle email (oh yes!) on its one-inch display and ten-key keyboard, as well as calls and text messages. However, a tiny phone means a tiny battery and the Phone Strap 2 has just enough power to last around two hours of voice calls. If you're looking for a music player, Bluetooth and other phone staples, we're afraid you're going to have to shop around for a bigger model. The phone launches in Japan on March 21st, but you'll have to sign up for a standalone contract to (slightly oafishly) pick one up.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

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Via: New Launches

Source: Willcom (Japanese)

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