race

Lane Splitter is a fun distance game that challenges you to weave through traffic at high speed on a motorcycle. The graphics are crystal-clear on the iPhone 4, with well-detailed cars and interesting scenery as you blow by on your motorcycle. The idea is that you're late to your wedding, and you must speed through traffic wearing your tux in order to make it on time. The game uses the iPhone accelerometer for steering and touching the screen gives you a burst of speed that results in a wheelie and less control--perfect for getting out of the way when … Read more

Since the launch of iOS 4.3, several iPhone users have complained their batteries are draining much faster. I haven't personally noticed a difference, but for those of you who have, you'll happy to know that iOS 4.3.1 unexpectedly launched today. (It was rumored earlier this week that it might launch in two weeks).

Though there aren't many details about the release besides minor security and maintenance updates, it is likely that this early launch for the iOS means that Apple is trying to smooth out the bugs and hopefully take care of battery drain quickly.

Please let us know in the comments if you've experienced issues with iOS 4.3 and whether you noticed a difference in this latest update.

This week's apps include a well-designed barcode scanner and a game that challenges you to race through traffic on a motorcycle.… Read more

Fact: developers have whipped up some mighty fine racing games for the iPhone. Off the top of my head, I'm thinking Asphalt 5, Driver, Need for Speed Hot Pursuit, and Reckless Racing, to name just a few.

However, these games share a common obstacle: controls. Either you're futzing with onscreen buttons that offer no feedback, or you're "steering" the iPhone itself--which I find too small to grip comfortably.

Enter the iPhone 4G Steering Wheel with Speakers, a slick little accessory that wraps, well, a steering wheel around your phone.

If this sounds familiar, you might … Read more

First off, you can't exactly start driving with the Playseat F1 race game simulator right out of the box. It's actually an awfully pricey $1,320 racing bucket seat on a F1 car-styled nose with built-in mounting provisions for your steering wheel and pedals, which are not included in the package.

The high cost is probably due to its Red Bull Racing livery, which is officially licensed from the Formula One team. Still, users will get durable vinyl leather upholstery and universal compatibility with all brands of steering wheel kits for PCs and game consoles. The Playseat F1 race game simulator is expected to launch in June.

Need a stronger reason to get one? Here's the sales pitch from Fernando Smit, the company's founder: "The user feels every bump in the road surface. People will experience the race as if they are real racing drivers."

(Source: Crave Asia) … Read more

The iPad 2 came out today and though I've only laid eyes on it for a few seconds (Donald Bell has been running around the office taking pictures and adding to his ongoing review), I'm definitely impressed with what I've seen so far. Apparently if you're looking to get one too, you'll need to be ready for long lines at the Apple store and an even longer wait if you order online, according to Josh Lowensohn.

Several developers have already updated their applications to take advantage of the iPad 2's upgraded processing power, which can be seen in Infinity Blade, Dead Space, and a few other top-name apps. Real Racing 2 HD also landed today, and looks great on the original iPad, but I have yet to see it in all its glory on the iPad 2.

As you have probably already heard, Apple has released a few apps of its own optimized for the iPad 2, including iMovie and GarageBand. I'll be writing reviews and shooting First Look videos for these early next week, so definitely check back for more info.

This week's apps offer a unique way to measure any object and a 2D snowboard racing game that's challenging, but great fun.… Read more

Last month, Ford unveiled it's electric Focus. This month, we've had the pleasure of tooling around with an all electric Mustang and, well, it's small. Actually, it's 1/10th scale small, because the electric car in question is the HPI Racing E10 RTR remote control car.

Okay, so it's a toy, but it's a pretty serious one. The $250-299 cost of entry will be prohibitive to many casual users.

The E10 RTR kit is the preassembled version of HPI's E10 R/C car chassis and accessories--RTR standing for "ready to run"--but there are quite a few user servicable parts. The simplicity of on out-of-the-box kit makes it easy for novices to setup and use. However, the wide array of upgrades and swappable parts makes it a great next step for users who want to get dig into the world of custom R/C.

Power flows from the removable, rechargeable 7.2V 1500mAh NiCd battery pack. THe E10 kit ships with an AC charger that recharges the battery pack in about 6 hours. However, we were only able to get about 30-45 minutes of play from a full charge, so we'd recommend that your first upgrade be either a second battery pack (about $15-20 at online retailers) or a step up to the GT 7.2v 3300mAh NiMH battery ($40 direct from HPI) for double the play time per charge.… Read more

For the producers of a reality show like "The Amazing Race," the headaches probably don't get much bigger than those caused by the TAR Detectives.

A global, loosely formed group of sleuths dedicated to uncovering and publicly revealing spoilers about TAR, or "The Amazing Race," the detectives have proven what the producers of any number of reality shows have learned: It's nearly impossible to keep what happens during filming a secret from those determined to find out.

And thanks to the growing number of online and social-media tools available, and the vast numbers of … Read more

A man who has been blind since he was 5 years old will drive an exhibition lap on Saturday, as part of the prerace activities for the Rolex 24 at the Daytona International Speedway at 11:30 a.m. ET on Saturday, January 29.

Mark Anthony Riccobono will get behind the wheel of a specially equipped Ford Escape hybrid that will allow him to drive the Florida race track.

"I am looking forward to getting behind the wheel and demonstrating to the world that being blind does not prevent me from engaging in any activity I choose as long … Read more

The Chinese government has committed $15 billion over the next 10 years to the electric vehicle (EV) industry alone, while the U.S. Department of Energy spends $4 billion a year on research and development for a wide variety of energy-related tech.

The figures paint a portrait of two countries with vastly different approaches to growing industries and jobs, according to an Accenture report released today, "The US and China: The Race to Disruptive Transport Technologies," (PDF) which parses out the advantages and disadvantages each country has right now in the realm of alternative vehicles and fuels.

China … Read more