winter

More views of the Audi Driving Experience in Finland

On Wednesday I gave lip service to the Audi Ice Driving Experience that took place roughly a month ago in Finland. Today's video is a continuation of the current topic, showing the sights and sounds of this yearly event that's been in effect since the mid-'80s. There isn't a whole lot that I can add to what this video displays--it's simply poetry in motion with cars driving around on the beautifully snowy mountainside, and that can hardly be a bad thing. Enjoy.

Sharepoint beta gets Olympic tryout

Although still in beta, the latest version of Sharepoint has already made it to the Olympics.

The United States Olympic Committee relied on the test version of Sharepoint 2010 to power the Web site used to deliver statistics, photos, news, and other information to the many journalists covering the Winter Games in Vancouver.

And the results, Microsoft says, were positive. A survey showed that 92 percent of the reporters said they found the site helpful--nearly half said very helpful--and almost three-quarters used the flash quotes (quotes gathered from athletes right after their performance or training) and press conference transcripts to … Read more

The 2010 Audi Ice Driving Experience event

So recently we've gotten a look at BMW's xDrive all-wheel traction control system, both in theory and in action. Not surprisingly, German manufacturer Audi thinks its vehicles run and handle better on snowy and icy roads to the point that the company is hosting an event known as the Audi Ice Experience; it's a racing-track-based high-performance practical driving education event that's been around for more than 20 years now. And today we've got video from the most recent Experience held this year in Finland.

The Audi Ice Experience is a winter-specific course that is usually … Read more

A closer look at BMW xDrive technology

All-wheel traction control systems can make a trip on snowy and icy roads an easier time on you and your car. On Monday we got a brief glimpse of the innovative BMW xDrive traction system in action, and in today's video blog we dive into the deeper details of the technology involved and how BMW xDrive works.

For those of you just joining the conversation, BMW's xDrive is an "intelligent" electrical all-wheel traction control system that through Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) sensors can redistribute power between the axles depending on what is felt on existing road … Read more

Tech makes Olympic-size jump in Vancouver

The 2010 Winter Games aren't just about athletes breaking records and reaching new heights in their respective sports. They're also a venue for breakthroughs in science, technology, and energy efficiency. Check this page to follow our on-site coverage for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the tech powering the Vancouver games.

Live blog: Canadian hockey vet shut out of big game Gordon Robertson won a gold medal in the 1952 Olympics, but even he couldn't land a ticket for Sunday's big game. (Posted in Beyond Binary by Ina Fried) February 28, 2010 11:00 AM PST … Read more

Holcomb, 'Night Train' team collect bobsled gold

WHISTLER, B.C.--Steve Holcomb stood proud as he and his bobsled team were honored with the Americans' first gold medal in that sport in 62 years.

Then, offstage, he did his now famous Holcy dance. Unfortunately, CBS doesn't have broadcast rights, so I can't show you that. But I will put a YouTube video at the bottom so you can get the idea.

In an interview, Holcomb told me that he's done a lot of crazy things in his life, but said, "this is a better high than anything." The huge adrenaline rush makes … Read more

Victory is golden for techie bobsledder

WHISTLER, B.C--Though clearly excited at winning a gold medal--the first U.S. bobsled gold in 62 years--Steven Holcomb wasn't quite sure what to say.

"I think I'm supposed to say I'm going to Disneyland."

In reality, the avid gamer and computer junkie is far more likely to go home and play Xbox than visit Mickey Mouse.

As for future plans, Holcomb said he wants to stay with bobsled as long as he can. "I'm a lifer," he told reporters here.

Teammate Steve Mesler also said it was impossible to describe the … Read more

Techie bobsledder wins gold

WHISTLER, B.C.--Leading at the midway point of the four-man bobsled competition, the Night Train sled piloted by Steven Holcomb is aiming to help the United States break a 62-year-old streak without a gold medal in bobsled.

Holcomb and his teammates turned in track record times in both runs on Friday, giving the team a 0.4-second lead over Canada and a 0.44-second lead over a tough German team, piloted by Andre Lange, who is trying to become the first man to twice win the two-man and four-man events at the same Olympics.

As a world champion, Holcomb … Read more

Olympic notebook: Canon, Nikon get in the picture

WHISTLER, B.C.--With snow backdrops and with subjects moving at upwards of 80 miles an hour, Canon figured that the Olympic would be a perfect testing ground for one of its new lenses.

The lens, an updated version of its 70-200mm L-series lens, is slated to ship in a few weeks. But Canon made about 300 just for the games to get some feedback and make any last minute tweaks, if necessary.

Both Canon and rival Nikon are at the Games, helping photographers with demo lenses and cameras.

I took advantage of that, borrowing a lens from Canon to … Read more

Geek bobsledder leads after day 1

WHISTLER, B.C.--American bobsled pilot Steven Holcomb, a master of sport and computers, put his four-man bobsled in strong position to win gold in Vancouver.

After two of four runs, Holcomb's USA-1 team leads by 0.4 seconds over Canada-1 and 0.44 seconds over bobsled legend Andre Lange, who is trying to be the first man to twice win the two-man and four-man events at the same Olympics.

Holcomb, who is a computer science major and Microsoft Certified Professional, has the U.S. two runs away from ending a 62-year gold medal drought in bobsled.

After the … Read more