focus

Crave Extras: Windows Phone 7 and the great button calamity

The Internet's own Bonnie Cha stops by to discuss Windows Phone 7. You're probably asking, "Why would the classy and graceful Bonnie Cha agree to discuss anything with you?" I asked the same question, which is why I was forced to dip into my bag of dark secrets about Bonnie I've collected over the years and use it as what turned out to be very effective leverage.

Tune in to find out why the Windows 7 Phone interface intrigues me so, how Xbox Live fits into this, and why Bonnie affectionately refers to me as &… Read more

First Windows Phone 7 devices on sale now

In February 2010, Microsoft introduced Windows Phone 7 to the world. With the complete overhaul of its mobile operating system, Microsoft got the tech world excited about the OS again with its fresh user interface, added features, and promises of improved performance. We've had to wait a long time since then to see if Windows Phone 7 actually delivers everything it promises, but we finally got a chance to find out, and for the most part it does. There are certainly aspects that need to be fine-tuned and features that need to be added, but overall, Microsoft has created … Read more

Ford launches educational site about EVs, hybrids

Ford just launched a new Web site to educate people about electric vehicles in an interactive way.

The site is designed to inform visitors about the differences between hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and pure battery electric vehicles like the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the Ford Focus Electric, and other plug-in vehicles Ford has in the works.

Using videos and diagrams, the Web site demonstrates how gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles work and lets visitors make their own conclusions about which vehicle is right for them. The Web site also offers links to other sites, such as EcoBoost and MyFord Touch, … Read more

Sounding the alarm: Which noises make the cut for Ford warning signals?

We're all used to the pedestrian chirps at a traffic light, the click-click of a turn signal or even the beep-beep of a seat-belt alert, but engineers at Ford are taking further steps to understand what sounds folks will actually respond to without being annoyed.

Sound engineers at Ford use scientific theory, listening clinics and on-road simulations to find the sounds that prove most effective for driver alerts.

"Ford engineers spend a tremendous amount of time finding just the right sound for just the right situation to help customers react to potential dangers," said Paul Mascarenas, Ford … Read more

Hands-on with AT&T's Windows Phone 7 devices

As most of you have heard by now, Microsoft and AT&T took center stage in New York on Monday to officially launch Windows Phone 7.

Though handsets will launch with a variety of carriers, AT&T will soon offer three Windows Phone 7 handsets in the U.S.: the Samsung Focus, the HTC Surround, and the LG Quantum.

We got some brief hands-on time with all three phones from AT&T at the event, and you'll find first impressions, as well as some photos, below. In general, we were impressed with the hardware, and it's nice to see Microsoft and AT&T offering a variety of designs to ensure that there's a little something for everyone. … Read more

Ford introduces easy-to-use cord for remote location charging

Ford today unveiled a cord and connector designed to remote charge the Focus Electric, the much anticipated EV that ships next year. The 25-foot cord will allow owners to connect to any 120-volt outlet. Focus Electric drivers will also use a 240-volt in-home charging station to recharge the car's lithium ion, liquid-cooled battery pack.

The design teams at Ford and Yazaki were inspired by hockey sticks, curling irons, and even tennis racket handles when they created the connector on the connector cord.

When plugged in, the charger converts the battery pack's AC power from the electric grid to … Read more

Ford upgrades airbags in 2012 Focus

Most cars are more or less one size fits all, even though its occupants are not. While adjustable seats, pedals, and steering wheels address some of the size differences, there's aren't a lot of accommodations when it comes to the safety features, except to recommend that if you're short you might be better off sitting in the back seat where airbags are less likely to break your face.

Today Ford announced that it will be adding adaptive airbags in the 2012 Ford Focus. These next-generation airbags include features that modify the amount of air pressure deployed in … Read more

Focus EV to use liquid thermal battery control

Owners of the new Ford Focus Electric won't have to worry about going out to warm up the car before driving on a winter's day, the car will warm up its battery pack automatically if left plugged in.

Ford announced Thursday its Focus Electric, due out next year in the U.S., will contain a lithium ion battery pack with a liquid-based thermal management system.

In addition to keeping the car's battery within a preferred temperature range while engaged, the system also kicks in to cool or warm the car's battery pack as needed while it'… Read more

OmniFocus for iPad: Sunny with a chance of productivity

OmniFocus for iPad ( available in the App Store for $39.99) packs a powerful productivity punch, landing right on the jaw of your time management needs. And for a cool $40, it better. Suffice it to say, The Omni Group broke the mold when they created OmniFocus for iPad. I mean that literally. They didn't simply stick to the look they had already cultivated in their Mac application and they didn't just enhance their iPhone App to make it iPad-compatible.

OmniFocus for iPad is a totally new beast with some new, unique features that are really fantastic. Right … Read more