No compact speaker system mixes art and audio quite like the GLA-55 Series from Harman Kardon.  Every detail, from the crystal facets of its bass-reflex enclosures to its custom chrome tubing, has been designed to complement its astonishing sonic quality for your computer, mp3 player or simlar device.

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OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE
Mercedes-Benz F-CELL Roadster – trainees build a car of the future

• Young people unite high tech and tradition
• Alternative drive systems as a training topic

In a hitherto unique project bridging various fields of profession, the trainees of Daimler AG at the Sindelfingen Mercedes-Benz plant have built a Roadster with fuel cell drive. For about a year, more than 150 trainees and dual education system students worked on the overall concept, development, assembly, and completion of the F-CELL Roadster. This project involved junior employees from the fields of automotive mechatronics, model-building, electronics, coating technology, manufacturing mechanics, product design, and interior appointments. The prime objective of the project was to integrate the topic of alternative drive systems into training with hands-on experience.

“This project impressively demonstrates that the topic of sustainable mobility has become an integral part of our vocational training,” said Human Resources Board member and Labor Relations Manager Günther Fleig. “I am delighted to see how much initiative and creativity the young people have put into this project.”

Tradition meets the future

The F-CELL Roadster uniquely combines state-of-the-art technologies with the history of vehicle construction. As an allusion to the Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886, the vehicle is fitted with large spoked wheels. Moreover, the F-CELL Roadster incorporates stylistic elements from diverse eras of automotive history, such as the carbon-fiber bucket seats with hand-stitched leather covers and the distinctively styled fiberglass front section, based on the component from the Formula One racing bolides.

The F-CELL Roadster is controlled with drive-by-wire technology, and a joystick takes the place of a conventional steering wheel. The vehicle is powered by the emission-free fuel cell system located at the rear. With a power rating of 1.2 kW the F-CELL Roadster reaches a top speed of 25 km/h and has an operating range of up to 350 km.

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Congratulations to CLOT for opening their new JUICE Store in Shanghai, Here goes the pictures…

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American architects Studio Gang ,  designed a modern skyscraper in Chicago, which features a unique solar shading design to reduce solar heat gain. Named Aqua Tower, the sustainable development carries outdoor terraces, which allow the tower to make the best use of natural light and ventilation. Aqua Tower is the latest addition to the Chicago Skyline. It is an 82 story mixed use high rise that includes a hotel, apartments, condominiums, parking and offices. In order to negotiate the small view corridors between the existing buildings, the Aqua Tower is designed to capture particular views that would otherwise be unattainable. Among the building’s notable features is a green roof terrace, outdoor pool, running track, gardens, fire pits and yoga terrace.

Buzz Beast

Designer: Damjan Stanković

Following up on yesterday’s preview on HB, the Hermès x Leica M7 enjoys an official unveiling. Aside from the previously seen orange version, another calfskin choice includes an “etoupe” and chrome combination as well. The limited edition cameras will be limited to 100 pieces per color with sequential numbering ranging from 001/200 to 200/200. Each camera body comes paired with a “Leica SUMMILUX-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH. wide-angle lens, a matching classic round lens hood, a LEICAVIT M rapid winder and a real leather carrying strap matched to the colour of the camera, all delivered in a linen-covered, silk-lined box.” Small subtle color changes also mark the overall design for the camera which will be released next month in the United Kingdom at select Leica dealers and at the Leica Store Mayfair. The camera will carry a suggested retail price of £8550 (approximately $14,382 USD). I wonder if I can buy just the strap?

Leica has introed a “very special limited edition” version of its classic 35mm rangefinder system camera the M7 with the launch of the new Leica M7 Edition “Hermes”.

The second Hermes partnership that Leica has entered into, the special M7 comes in silver chrome with a choice of two calfskin leather finishes – orange and “etoupe”.

Just 100 of each colour will be made available, and each individual camera will have a special sequential serial number between 001/200 and 200/200.

The Leica M7 Edition “Hermes” set includes a Leica SUMMILUX-M 35 mm f/1.4 ASPH. wide-angle lens, a matching classic round lens hood, a LEICAVIT M rapid winder and a real leather carrying strap matched to the colour of the camera, all delivered in a linen-covered, silk-lined box.

Looks-wise there’s a few changes from the standard M7. The top plate is engraved with the Leica name in classic script, the red Leica logo has been nixed to stop a colour clash and the normally red “AUTO” and settings on the shutter speed dial have been replaced by the shade of the camera’s leather.

The Lecia M7 Edition “Hermes” will be available in the UK from December from authorised Leica dealers and the Leica Store Mayfair for an eye-watering £8550.

HB

By now you would have heard all the hype about the new Ricoh GXR, but I for one am not digging the “interchangeable lens” because you are limited to only using what Ricoh brings out… but we shall see.

Tokyo, Japan, November 10, 2009—Ricoh Co., Ltd. (president and CEO: Shiro Kondo) today announced the development and release of the GXR interchangeable unit camera system featuring the world’s smallest and lightest* digital camera with the ability to change lenses.

The new GXR is an interchangeable unit camera system in which lenses are changed by using a slide-in mount system to attach camera units to the body. The lens, image sensor, and image processing engine are integrated into the camera units so the body itself does not contain an image sensor.

With world-leading small size and low weight* enabling easy carrying, the GXR interchangeable unit camera system features a highly rigid magnesium alloy body and multiple camera units that can be changed to best fit the scene to be photographed. You can enjoy easy lens changes as well as amazing image quality and shooting flexibility. Concealing infinite possibilities in its small body, the GXR is a revolutionary camera system that pioneers a new realm of photography.

Distinctive characteristics
-Lens, image sensor, and image processing engine comprise an integrated unit which can be changed to match the scene being photographed.
-World’s smallest and lightest* digital camera with interchangeable lenses
-System potential expanded through use of interchangeable units

Ideal form for an interchangeable lens camera: The interchangeable unit camera system
-By integrating lens, image sensor, and image processing engine into a single optimized unit, we were able to created a compact camera with interchangeable lenses.
-The adoption of this new system has made it possible to achieve both “pocket size for go-anywhere portability” and “the highest image quality for every photographic situation and subject.”
-Since the image sensor is not exposed when lenses are changed, the camera’s structure makes it inherently difficult for dirt and dust to get inside.
-Putting image processing engines in both the body and the camera units, our focus was on achieving the highest image quality.

Elegant design
-For the exterior, we utilized die cast magnesium, which has a strong track record in the GR series, and we covered the surface with a corrosion-resistant “pear-skin” coating. The end result is a body with superior levels of durability, light weight, and feel in hand.
-Building on the operation control designs of the GR series and GX series, the GXR has several types of customizable buttons as well as the new DIRECT button, which the photographer can use to see many current settings at a glance. Sophisticated shooting settings can now be made faster than ever before.
-The directional pad, the three My Settings, the ADJ.lever, and the function buttons all contribute to the even greater operability achieved by the GXR.
-The grip form allows the GXR to be firmly held despite its small size, and the suitably yielding rubber material on the grip surface enables the camera to feel like an integral part of the hand.

Even greater power of expression
-The automatic exposure modes include program shift mode, shutter priority mode, and aperture priority mode.
-Picture settings can be customized with nine setting levels for easy creation of a diverse range of images.
-ISO3200 facilitates shooting in low light conditions.

Enhanced rapid shooting capabilities help capture fleeting shutter chances
-The Pre-AF function accelerates focusing speed by adjusting the focus to match subject movement.
-The full press snap function shoots at a preset distance for a one-push full-press of the shutter-release button.
-When shooting subjects up close, the camera automatically switches to macro mode so macro photography can now be enjoyed without having to worry about switching modes.(Auto macro setting)

High-definition 3.0-inch 920,000-dot VGA LCD picture display
-The high-resolution LCD picture display provides a wide viewing angle and high contrast. The screen has a fluorine coat to prevent soiling, a hard coat to prevent scratches, and an anti-reflection coat to give excellent visibility even outdoors in bright sunshine.
-With 100% sRGB coverage for color reproduction, the picture display vividly reproduces image colors.

Wide range of functions
-Tilt indicator utilizing an acceleration sensor.
-Three grid guides useful for framing images while shooting.
-Image flag function to enable the quick display of specific images from among those in the camera. Up to 20 images can be flagged.
-The new DIRECT screen enabling current settings to be displayed and changed.

Features of the GR LENS A12 50 mm** F2.5 MACRO camera unit

-This camera unit uses a 23.6 mm×15.7 mm (APS-C size) CMOS sensor with approximately 12.30 megapixels. In combination with image processing engine GR ENGINE III, it achieves high-image-quality photography with high definition, low noise, and smooth tonal gradations.
-A newly developed GR LENS with an 8-group, 9-element configuration (aspherical lens: 1 element, two surfaces) is featured. Representing a further advancement in the GR tradition of high image quality, the lens thoroughly corrects for various types of aberrations. Despite the compact size, it is also a full-fledged macro lens with a floating lens structure. At shooting distances from infinity down to the 1/2x maximum magnification macro range, it achieves strong imaging power all the way to the edge of the frame. In addition, the low level of vignetting means that the photographer can enjoy rich and genuine bokeh effects.
-The manual focus ring is perfect for use in macro photography as it makes highly precise focusing possible. It can also be used to make fine manual adjustments to the focus after autofocus is done.

Features of the RICOH LENS S10 24-72 mm** F2.5-4.4 VC camera unit
-This camera unit uses a 10.00 megapixel 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor boasting high-sensitivity capabilities enhanced through the adoption of an new process. In combination with advanced image processing engine Smooth Imaging Engine IV, it achieves high-image-quality photography with high definition and low noise.
-The lens is a 24 mm to 72 mm high-performance 3x wide-angle zoom with superior usability. Utilizing a 7-group, 11-element configuration (aspherical lens: 4 elements, 4 surfaces) that includes special low-dispersion lenses, this lens achieves high dimensions of both compactness and imaging power.
-A camera shake correction function (image-sensor-shift type) is used to reduce hand- motion blur.
-The self-retaining lens cap has been a popular GX series option, and a GXR version is available as option LC-2.
-New options enhance series expandability
-Two soft cases, one for each camera unit.
-The GXR can use the GR DIGITAL III external flash (GF-1), which can do TTL flash using auxiliary flash.
-Convenient for shooting in bright outdoor situations, the newly developed 920,000-dot- equivalent high-definition LCD viewfinder is removable and can be tilted up to 90 degrees. With a 100% field of view, it displays information in the same way as the picture display, thus enabling the photographer to shoot in a film camera style.

Functions expanded using firmware
Function-enhancing firmware releases for the GR DIGITAL series have proved very popular, and this practice will be continued for the GXR. By updating their firmware, GXR owners will be able to use the latest functions.

HB

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