Thursday, January 10, 2013
Man Emerges Alive After 20-Ton Boulder Drops on His Car
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Spotify to launch in US after long wait
NEW YORK | Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:22pm EDT
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Spotify, the popular European music service, is set to launch in the United States on Thursday the company said.
The digital music service allows users to stream a limited number hours of their favorite songs for free every month betting that users will eventually sign up to a paid subscription.
Spotify, which has racked up more than 10 million registered users across Europe, has spent more than 18 months negotiating with major music companies to license top artists and songs.
But in the last few months the London-based company, founded by Swedish entrepreneurs, has inked agreements with Sony Corp Music Entertainment, EMI Music, Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group and independent labels through Merlin. It is expected to close a deal with Warner Music Group by launch or soon after according to a source.
U.S. music companies had been concerned that by giving away too much free music Spotify would end up cannibalizing their most important retailer Apple Inc's iTunes Music Store and other subscription services like Rhapsody and MOG. But in April Spotify introduced new limits to the amount of free music it offers.
(Reporting by Yinka Adegoke, editing by Bernard Orr)
Friday, August 12, 2011
Spotify to launch in US after long wait
NEW YORK | Wed Jul 13, 2011 8:22pm EDT
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Spotify, the popular European music service, is set to launch in the United States on Thursday the company said.
The digital music service allows users to stream a limited number hours of their favorite songs for free every month betting that users will eventually sign up to a paid subscription.
Spotify, which has racked up more than 10 million registered users across Europe, has spent more than 18 months negotiating with major music companies to license top artists and songs.
But in the last few months the London-based company, founded by Swedish entrepreneurs, has inked agreements with Sony Corp Music Entertainment, EMI Music, Vivendi SA's Universal Music Group and independent labels through Merlin. It is expected to close a deal with Warner Music Group by launch or soon after according to a source.
U.S. music companies had been concerned that by giving away too much free music Spotify would end up cannibalizing their most important retailer Apple Inc's iTunes Music Store and other subscription services like Rhapsody and MOG. But in April Spotify introduced new limits to the amount of free music it offers.
(Reporting by Yinka Adegoke, editing by Bernard Orr)
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Lamborghini (Mostly) Confirms Aventador Roadster in Statement After EPA “Leak”
With the EPA finally posting numbers for 2012-model-year cars, folks have begun scouring the listings for any hints about future models and powertrains. (This writer once, in a stroke of genius, used that very method to discover GM’s plans for the Pontiac G3 prior to any announcement that the “excitement” brand would be getting its very own Chevy Aveo.) A fuel-economy rating for the Lamborghini Aventador roadster is in the database, giving mostly reliable confirmation to the rather obvious speculation that Lambo would build a droptop version of its latest, greatest 12-cylinder monster.
There are instances, of course, when the EPA publishes fuel-economy estimates for cars that won’t necessarily exist or be sold in the U.S.—the 2006 Suzuki Swift x is just one example that still exists in the database—but considering that Lambo has offered decapitated versions of all of its models for the past two decades, an Aventador roadster is a sure thing. We spoke with Lamborghini, which supplied this statement essentially confirming that the car will at some point be built: “Naturally, an open-top version would bring an added dimension to the unique driving experience. Initially, however, we will focus on production of the hard-top Aventador.”
Bring it on! In the meantime, you can read our first drive of the newest V-12–powered Lambo right here.
Tags: Lamborghini, Lamborghini Aventador, Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4, Lamborghini Aventador roadster |Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Electric 2012 Mitsubishi i-MiEV Priced: $20,490 After Federal Tax Credit
Mitsubishi took the occasion of the New York auto show to announce that U.S. pricing for its i-MiEV electric pod will start at $27,990; the $7500 federal tax credit for electric vehicles drops the price to $20,490. (Destination charges for the vehicle are still up in the air; it isn’t included in these numbers.) In states and municipalities that offer further tax breaks, buyers could pay even less. For another two grand, Mitsubishi will toss in an eight-speaker sound system, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a two-tone interior, 15-inch wheels, and fog lamps. Really spendy EV customers can throw another $2,790 into Mitsubishi’s kitty and get a navigation system, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, and a quick-charge port for 30-minute, 80-percent fill-ups.
Will we get the gas-powered version of the bubble-shaped four-door (called simply the i) sold in other markets? It would certainly have to cost even less, but Mitsu says it wouldn’t be able to sell the car here profitably if the electric version is already so cheap, especially with the current state of the yen/dollar relationship. As such, Mitsubishi told us that it isn’t prepared to make any sort of announcement regarding the sale of the regular i here.
Indeed, Mitsubishi already had to price the i-MiEV below the Leaf and Volt—and even many a Prius—to have any chance of grabbing some alt-vehicle spotlight, critical for the company while it pivots from a mainstream automaker to a purveyor of small cars and alternative-fuel vehicles. We’ll see if the market has any patience left for the perennially struggling carmaker by the time the i-MiEV is in showrooms for demo rides in November. Deliveries start early next year.
Tags: Electric Vehicle, EV, Mitsibishi, Mitsubishi i-MiEV |Saturday, April 30, 2011
Cadillac Planning RWD Sedan to Go After the 7-series and S-class . . . And Maybe Even the Rolls-Royce Phantom
Cadillac has talked about building a true flagship for years—the beautiful Sixteen concept, shown above, dates to 2003—and it appears that a rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan is finally taking shape. The brand’s bosses have realized that the XTS, a stretched derivative of the front-wheel-drive Epsilon platform also underpinning the Buick LaCrosse and Saab 9-5, will not quite be enough to scare the Audis and BMWs of the world, let alone cement the automaker’s position building the Cadillac of automobiles.
According to insiders, Cadillac’s new flagship model will be built on a standalone rear-drive platform, dubbed Omega, rather than sharing underpinnings with the CTS or upcoming ATS. As we predicted in the past, it will be powered by six- and eight-cylinder engines, and all-wheel drive would be optional. A hybrid version could follow later, a diesel— which would account for the bulk of the vehicle’s sales in Europe—won’t. The new, impressively styled sedan will be launched in 2014 as a 2015 model.
Naturally, offering rear-wheel drive and a V-8 won’t be sufficient for Cadillac to take on the world. A Cadillac flagship pointed squarely at the Mercedes-Benz S-class and BMW 7-series will need to be jam-packed with safety and comfort technology, and requires cabin accommodations indulgent enough to make Buckingham Palace’s interior designer weep.
And Now, to Rolls-Royce
We also have learned that General Motors is considering an even more exciting use for the Omega platform—though it’s one we’re skeptical will see the light of day. Our sources tell us that Cadillac is looking at building a super-luxury sedan to compete head-on with the likes of the Rolls-Royce Phantom. (Yes, someone at GM actually referred to Rolls-Royce’s locomotive.) It’s far from a done deal, but it would be great to see such a halo car fighting for American supremacy in billionairemobiles.
No matter what happens, we’re guessing the Cadillac Sixteen’s 13.6-liter V-16 engine won’t be nestled in the engine bay. What a shame.
Tags: Cadillac, Cadillac ATS, Cadillac Omega, Cadillac XTS |