Volkswagen Passat turns 40

Seven generations of Passat have graced streets around the world, and today is the long-running Volkswagen's 40th birthday. Looking at the car today, it's hard to imagine that it was offered as a hatchback in its first and second generations, in addition to the sedan and wagon body styles. But there's no question Volkswagen has sold a lot of Passats over the years, with over 20 million produced. VW started delivering the B1-generation Passat on July 25, 1973, and sold it until 1980, when the second generation came out.

Autoblog , Volkswagen Passat turns 40, Volkswagen Passat turns 40

Brabus' 730-hp 2014 Mercedes S-Class is for those who can't wait for AMG

You can't even buy the 2014 Mercedes-Benz S-Class yet, but Brabus is ready to help you prepare for it. The German tuning house has engineered a suite of upgrades for the sedan that does just about everything but provide a button for its own aftermarket tune. The heart of any Brabus is the engine, and there are three heart transplants to choose from: there's the B50S for the S550 that adds 65 horsepower, for a total of 520 hp and 604 pound-feet of torque; the B63 takes the S63 AMG up to 650 hp and 737 lb-ft; and the B63S rings the bell with 730 hp and 785 lb-ft.

Autoblog , Brabus' 730-hp 2014 Mercedes S-Class is for those who can't wait for AMG, Brabus' 730-hp 2014 Mercedes S-Class is for those who can't wait for AMG

Modgy MYVAS is a flower vase that requires almost no storage space

. My better half loves to garden. She has at least 50 (I stopped counting at 40) flower pots on the deck and back porch that are planted with flowers and herbs. Most of the time we enjoy them from the inside looking out because we never seem to have a vase handy. The Modgy MYVAS is a great idea for people with limited space and storage. It's a collapsible, expandable and reusable flower vase. Available in over a dozen patterns, the MYVAS is made of a layered polymer that unbreakable and will not fade. Just remove it from the package, fill will water, add flowers and you have an arrangement that is sure to brighten your day.

The Gadgeteer , Modgy MYVAS is a flower vase that requires almost no storage space, Modgy MYVAS is a flower vase that requires almost no storage space

New Nexus 7 now available at Best Buy retail locations

Waiting to get your hands on a new Nexus 7. Wait no longer. After those pre-ordering the device from Best Buy received word that their new tablets would be available today, a quick check at Best Buy's website seems to confirm the fact. When searching for the N7 at local stores, it is appearing as available and in stock. Original estimates gave a July 30th date for the tablet's retail availability.

The refreshed Nexus 7 features a 1080p display, dual-cameras, a revamped design that is both smaller and lighter than last year's model, and plenty more. It's a serious upgrade and well worth the $229 price tag for a 16GB model.

Android Phone , New Nexus 7 now available at Best Buy retail locations, New Nexus 7 now available at Best Buy retail locations

Google Play Games Comes With Easter Egg

Surveys have shown that Google is one of the better employees in the US out there, and anyone who has been to the Google Campus would have certainly seen how it promotes an atmosphere that encourages creativity. Hey, any workplace (other than a pet shop, of course) that allows me to bring my pooch over to the office gets my vote. The recently announced Google Play Games app has already been confirmed to arrive with a specific Easter Egg, which so happens to be the famous Konami Code. You know, the Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A routine.

Ubergizmo , Google Play Games Comes With Easter Egg, Google Play Games Comes With Easter Egg

Galaxy S4 (GT-I9507) Appears On GLBenchmark

It was not too long ago that an image which depicted the Samsung "GT-I9507″ appearing on Picasa servers, but considering how easy it is in this day and age to manipulate EXIF data, it was pretty difficult to tout the GT-I9507 as the real deal. Sure enough, someone out there decided that a little bit of sleuthing was required as there is a cat to kill, which is why when looking through GLBenchmark's database, there apparently was a benchmark that involved the GT-I9507.

Ubergizmo , Galaxy S4 (GT-I9507) Appears On GLBenchmark, Galaxy S4 (GT-I9507) Appears On GLBenchmark

LG G2 Could Arrive This October

Much has been said concerning the LG G2, as this upcoming flagship smartphone certainly has had its fair share of rumors make some rounds to date. Well, LG did send out its press invites for an event that is happening over in New York this coming August 7th, where the LG G2 is tipped to be unveiled there and then. Of course, just as each passing moment draws us closer and closer to August 7th, so too, will things heat up on the rumor front, where we have new rumors which point to a possible October 2013 worldwide release date that allows all interested parties to part with their hard earned money and bring home the LG G2 along the way.

Ubergizmo , LG G2 Could Arrive This October

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Official Chromecast App For Android Released

Yesterday at its Breakfast with Sundar Pichai event, Google announced Chromecast, a HDMI dongle that is capable of mirroring content from nearby devices such as tablets, smartphones and computers. The dongle itself is powered by a simplified version of Google's Chrome OS. It will work with apps that have a special “Cast” button, pressing it will allow users to mirror the content from their devices to their TV screens. Google today released the official Chromecast app for Android, it lets users configure all Chromecast dongles that they own.

Ubergizmo , Official Chromecast App For Android Released, Official Chromecast App For Android Released

Integrated reporting will become the catalyst for ‘good’ financial reporting

AutoRek warns that changes to reporting requirements will require finance functions to combine more accurate financial information with relevant business commentaryLondon, UK – 25th July 2013 – AutoRek, the financial controls experts, has today urged finance executives to accelerate their plans to improve information management practices ahead of changes to financial reporting requirements.

Press Release Distribution , Integrated reporting will become the catalyst for ‘good’ financial reporting, Integrated reporting will become the catalyst for ‘good’ financial reporting

Panasonic - DMC-XS3 - Slim & classic designed Lumix camera

Panasonic is going to release the 14mm thin classic looking compact digital camera “DMC-XS3″ from their lumix series on August 22. “DMC-XS3″ has a 5X optical zoom 24mm wide-angle lens with high sensitivity MOS sensor. Because of the MOS sensor and Venus Engine, it is able to take high-quality night view photos in a dark situation.






Akihabara News , Panasonic - DMC-XS3 - Slim & classic designed Lumix camera, Panasonic - DMC-XS3 - Slim & classic designed Lumix camera

TNO’s DSL Seminar 2013 delivers new verdicts on the DSL industry

World’s leading DSL event revealed new insights as operators, vendors and regulators gathered to discuss regulatory and operational aspects of vectoring and future trends in hybrid FTTx and DSL deploymentsDelft, The Netherlands, 25 July 2013 – VDSL2 vectoring is rapidly taking ground in the race to provide added bandwidth to meet the broadband needs of consumers. This was the conclusion reached at the TNO DSL Seminar held last month in Scheveningen in the Netherlands.

Press Release Distribution , TNO’s DSL Seminar 2013 delivers new verdicts on the DSL industry

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, TNO’s DSL Seminar 2013 delivers new verdicts on the DSL industry

FitBark Ends Up As Kickstarter Project

Sometime in the middle of last month, we did talk about FitBark, where this bone-shaped device is meant to offer dog owners with a new way of keeping tabs on their furkids. Well, we do know that FitBark might end up as a reality, as it has set up a Kickstarter page, hoping that investments made in good faith by the general public would allow the FitBark to end up as reality. All pledges will be able to be made from tomorrow Thursday, 7x25 at 10am EST, onwards. Once again, let us go through the motions as to why FitBark is unique from all the other devices out there for pooches that are in the market.

Ubergizmo , FitBark Ends Up As Kickstarter Project, FitBark Ends Up As Kickstarter Project

Best Buy Pulls New Nexus 7 Pre-Order Page

Google is going to unveil its new Nexus 7 tablet today, they sent out invites for the event last week. We've seen a number of leaks today that reveal the new Nexus tablet in its entirety, so there's actually nothing spectacular that we can expect from the announcement. Best Buy upstaged Google today be listing the new Nexus 7 available for pre-order even before the company had officially announced it. The retailer has now pulled the pre-order page, which in all probability will now be back up after Google is done with the announcement.
As mentioned, there's really not much to expect from the Nexus 7 announcement today.

Ubergizmo , Best Buy Pulls New Nexus 7 Pre-Order Page

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BlackBerry Bold 9720 Caught On Video, Shows Off Some Of Its Features

Despite BlackBerry putting their efforts into their BB 10 devices, they have not forgotten their old customers and the upcoming Bold 9720 will be a device that will appeal to customers who prefer OS 7, and presumably its more affordable price tag when compared to some of BlackBerry's BB 10 devices like the Z10 and the Q10. In any case while the device has yet to be formally announced and hit the shelves, several videos have appeared online and they basically give us a walkthrough of the phone and some of its features.

Ubergizmo , BlackBerry Bold 9720 Caught On Video, Shows Off Some Of Its Features, BlackBerry Bold 9720 Caught On Video, Shows Off Some Of Its Features

Renault promises new concept car and Dacia Duster in Frankfurt

Renault and Dacia will be headed to the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show in a big way, with a new concept car from the French company and an all-new Duster from its Romanian budget brand. The new concept is particularly exciting, as Renault's press release mentions a "new brand identity." We can also count on this car being a bit higher on the luxury scale than Renault's traditional offerings. Dacia's new Duster will have big shoes to fill when it hits the spotlights of Frankfurt.

Autoblog , Renault promises new concept car and Dacia Duster in Frankfurt, Renault promises new concept car and Dacia Duster in Frankfurt

Insert Coin: Beacon Audio Blazar Bluetooth speaker brings back Play 360 memories (hands-on)

There's no way around it, the Blazar seems much like an unofficial followup to Nokia's Play360 speakers - and it's not necessarily a bad thing. Volume is plentiful and clear, however, the loudness-focused voicing leaves mids sounding thin. Its bottom-loaded bass port is great for loads of sub-bass, but the sound simply isn't even across the full range. Our initial concern here is that much smaller speakers, like the Beats Pill, put out a similar quality of audio, making us expect noticeably thicker results from the Blazar.

Engadget , Insert Coin: Beacon Audio Blazar Bluetooth speaker brings back Play 360 memories (hands-on), Insert Coin: Beacon Audio Blazar Bluetooth speaker brings back Play 360 memories (hands-on)

Apple Patent Details Feature That Lets Users Entertain iPhone Callers When On Hold

If someone puts you on hold right now during a call, you get a notification on the screen telling that you've been put on hold. Sometimes, you might hear “elevator music” as well. Apple has been granted a new patent which details a feature that can change all that. The feature would allow iPhone users to entertain other iPhone users that they have put on hold by allowing them to share dynamic content such as photos, videos, status updates, location information and more.
The user will first select which content can be shared and which is to be kept private.

Ubergizmo , Apple Patent Details Feature That Lets Users Entertain iPhone Callers When On Hold, Apple Patent Details Feature That Lets Users Entertain iPhone Callers When On Hold

LG G2 Teaser Video Released

Earlier we had reported that LG had begun sending out invites to its event on the 7th of August in which the South Korean company is expected to debut its LG G2 smartphone. The specs and features of the device remain somewhat of a mystery, although the invite did more or less confirm that a fingerprint scanner would be part of the device, and rumored specs include a 5.2" Full HD display, a 13MP camera with optical image stabilization, and 3GB of RAM accompanying it with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 800 chipset running the show.

Ubergizmo , LG G2 Teaser Video Released, LG G2 Teaser Video Released

Live Action Final Fantasy 7 Web Series Kickstarter Project Launched

Back in 2012, a group of Final Fantasy fans put together a proof of concept video that showed what Final Fantasy 7 might look like if it were turned into a live-action television series. Well the good news is that if you loved the idea, it looks like the project will be made a reality, assuming that the team behind it is able to raise enough money to make it happen. The team has come together with a Pittsburg studio called Shinra Productions and together movie professionals around the world numbering around 250 team members, they are looking to turn their concept into a full web series.

Ubergizmo , Live Action Final Fantasy 7 Web Series Kickstarter Project Launched, Live Action Final Fantasy 7 Web Series Kickstarter Project Launched

LG Files Trademark Applications In Korea For G Devices

LG has clearly cast their eyes on the future by filing a bunch of trademark applications in South Korea, where these trademark applications do indicate that at least a couple of them will target the wearable technology category, with a smartwatch being one of them. These trademark applications will use the letter “G” in the filings, which would more or less point out to the masses that this is a high end model. After all, LG did mention that from now on, the “Optimus” moniker would not longer stick to their high-end smartphones, having replaced that with a simple "G".

Ubergizmo , LG Files Trademark Applications In Korea For G Devices

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2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus

Ignore the naysayers who say the Audi R8 is too refined to be a proper supercar, or that it has begun to show its age - after a few tweaks for the 2014 model year, the automaker's flagship remains one of my favorite exotics. Audi has treated all of its R8 models to a host of enhancements for the 2014 model year that include new LED headlights and tail lamps, larger steering wheel-mounted shift paddles, new exhaust finishes, updated alloy wheel designs and fresh exterior colors. However, the most significant news is the arrival of a proper seven-speed S-Tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission (it replaces the six-speed R-Tronic).

Autoblog , 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus, 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus

"We have a 'little' bit of news tomorrow" - HTC UK teases HTC One mini announcement

Since we know pretty much everything about the HTC One mini already, all that's really left is the official announcement from HTC. While we speculated that HTC may announce the device within the next few weeks, it looks like we may actually have less than 12 hours to go before the HTC One mini is officially unveiled. The image above cremes to us via HTC's UK Twitter account, accompanies by the following text “We have a 'little' bit of news tomorrow.” At this point, HTC certainly isn't trying to be subtle.

HTC Source , "We have a 'little' bit of news tomorrow" - HTC UK teases HTC One mini announcement, "We have a 'little' bit of news tomorrow" - HTC UK teases HTC One mini announcement

"Flip Flop Report" Examines Beachgoer Behaviour Worldwide: UK Revealed as a Nation of Food-Obsessed Holiday Makers

Global study reveals quirky beach habits60% of Brits admitted to overindulging in food on holidayAlmost 80% of Brits looking forward to experimenting with local cuisine whilst awayAccording to the Flip Flop Report, Expedia’s annual global survey into world beach holiday habits, when it comes to a beach holiday Brits have one thing on our minds: food. From pre-holiday diets to sampling the local cuisine, food is at the heart of the British beach holiday.

Press Release Distribution , "Flip Flop Report" Examines Beachgoer Behaviour Worldwide: UK Revealed as a Nation of Food-Obsessed Holiday Makers, "Flip Flop Report" Examines Beachgoer Behaviour Worldwide: UK Revealed as a Nation of Food-Obsessed Holiday Makers

Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures Release Dates Revealed

The release dates for Namco Bandai's upcoming Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures title have finally been revealed. The game is scheduled to hit PS3, Xbox 360 and Wii U on October 29th, while the 3DS version will be available on November 26th.

TechFresh , Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures Release Dates Revealed, Pac-Man and the Ghostly Adventures Release Dates Revealed

Canon Pixma Comix app on Facebook review

Ever daydreamed of being a character in your very own comic strip. Now with Canon's new Pixma Comix App on the Canon U.S.A. Facebook page, you can do just that, for free. Use six images (either uploaded or already on Facebook) to embarrass yourself, friends, or family for many years to come in a printable personalized comic strip. You can even add images or individual frames captured from video via Canon's Full HD Movie Print technology.

Once you've racked your brain for a title and added your byline, you'll need to select the images you want to feature. Look for great expressions or action shots.






The Gadgeteer , Canon Pixma Comix app on Facebook review, Canon Pixma Comix app on Facebook review