[The Godfather]

Anybody tested the Prius c?

[Eug]

Too bad they didn't keep their concept car styling for the Prius C.

[The Godfather]

No one keeps their concept styling into the production vehicle.
Besides, that concept art did not represent the rear look, so you can't claim yourself a victim

[Eug]

Originally Posted by The Godfather 

No one keeps their concept styling into the production vehicle.

Well, this is the Prius V concept design.



I figured the C wouldn't look like it's concept design but in reality that concept design isn't really all *that* radical in appearance. Mind you, it looks more like what maybe a 2015 luxury sports sedan in the front should look like rather than a budget hybrid.

[Spheric Harlot]

That looks really terrible.

[The Godfather]

True aerodynamism is disappointingly non muscly looking.

[Shaddim]

Eww.

[exca1ibur]

ouch, hidious

[imitchellg5]

Originally Posted by The Godfather 

Are IO$ users who **** on Android OS without even trying it slowly becoming the Winblow$ users of circa 2003? If so, at what stage of trollism have we sunk into?

As an Android user, I feel like there is a grain of truth to iOS users who crap on Android. Android really is an inferior OS for the general public and can be a very frustrating experience. I could definitely understand someone going from iOS to Android and feeling like Android is a complete piece of crap.

[The Godfather]

Originally Posted by exca1ibur 

ouch, hidious

4 MPG greater than regular Prius
Native iPod/iPhone USB audio/charger port

[ort888]

I always thought the Prius looked a little like a Lamborghinni that REALLY let itself go.

[exca1ibur]

Originally Posted by The Godfather 

4 MPG greater than regular Prius
Native iPod/iPhone USB audio/charger port

WOW! That is an impressive, update.

[Salty]

For a long time when Android seemed like it was going to try and be it's own thing I wanted to like it. But then when it became clear that Android was never going to be anything other than a cheaper version of iOS with a few random features only the most OCD of nerds would care about, I stopped bothering trying. And when I tried Windows Phone and felt like it was better done, that's when I decided I would stop making excuses for Android. I mean, don't get me wrong, I don't like Windows Phone, but at least it's it's own thing. People complain that Android is like iOS because that's what makes sense, but Windows Phone works and is largely different. Google could come up with meaningful user paradigms but they're too busy checking off a feature list.

[The Godfather]

Toyota Drowns In Orders For Game Changing Prius C | Hybrid Cars
http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2012/ma...c-start-19710/
Prius C finally available in the US while in Japan a whole year worth of sales was preordered by February. Will the 54MPG, $19k, and full iPhone integration bring the Toyota hybrid back from its sales slump? (3% marketshare in 2009, 2% in 2002).
Perhaps it will have an edge among those who haven't defaulted yet on their 2006 mortgages.

[The Godfather]

Mmmm. I'd like to recall my posts of cheer toward the Prius C. The 19k hybrid interior is like the interior of a cheap Chevy compact, perhaps same subcontractor.

Comparing the regular Prius to the c version is like comparing an iPhone 4 to a blackberry.

It is still 55MPG, and drives like a Golf (not a golf cart), so you may appreciate the gas savings that may buy a Mac Pro every 12 months.

[Spheric Harlot]

Originally Posted by Eug 

Speaking of Google... Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is getting good reviews.
[...]
Tablets:
Ice Cream Sandwich on the Transformer Prime review: first look | PC Pro blog
Asus Eee Pad Transformer Prime Ice Cream Sandwich Update Review

It didn't appear to help.
Judge: Asus Transformer Isn’t Infringing On Hasbro’s Trademark – And Asus Reveals Embarrassing Sales Stats | TechCrunch

So when court filings reveal that pre-orders for this poster child for Android 4 tablets (and it does look great) total a whopping 2,000 units as of a month ago, it’s kind of a letdown. That and 80,000 going to retailers worldwide make the device seem rather minor even in comparison to other Android products like the Nook Color and Kindle Fire. Is there a space for “premium” Android devices running just plain Android? The market seems smaller than big players like Asus would like to believe — or at least it is not growing as quickly as they expected.

Ouch. Ouch. Ouch.

Originally Posted by Shaddim 

I liked the Transformer so much I ordered a Prime with KB doc for myself.

You were the other guy?

[mattyb]

For some really daft reason, in France you can't by the Prime without the keyboard.

[The Godfather]

Will test drive the Prius C tomorrow and check out the maintenance schedule. Perhaps it is a better deal since the battery pack would be cheaper to replace.

[Eug]

I was in Vancouver last month, and the taxi driver said he had over 400000 km on his Prius. No engine rebuild, nothing. Just regular maintenance.

I'm at about 115000 km now after 8 years, so I'll probably just keep it for the foreseeable future. No urge to upgrade.

My main problem was a fscked up multi-function display a couple of years ago, which is the touch screen that controls the audio and climate systems, and what shows what's happening with the gas mileage and engine energy usage. You can drive without it, but it's annoying not to have it. The dealership wanted an arm and a leg to replace it, so I got it repaired by some Prius parts dude in the US and installed it myself. My only other significant problem now is a locked up CD changer due to a stuck CD, but since I rarely played CDs anyway and because it's an expensive unit specific to this model car, I didn't bother getting it replaced. Oh and there is slight oxidation or something under the paint on one edge of the hood in a small spot.

P.S. Google is partnering with Asus to create a 7" tablet to compete with the Fire. I am waiting to see what this will be, but if it has external flash media support with large file size (> 4 GB) support and full MKV playback, I may just buy one.

[mattyb]

My Asus Transformer (before summer 2011 model) has stopped working. I'm jumping through hoops to get it resolved.

[Stogieman]

Tech Support... roll out!.

[Shaddim]

Bottom Line - Hybrid owners unlikely to buy another one, study shows

Ouch, that's not good for the hybrid movement.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by Shaddim 

Bottom Line - Hybrid owners unlikely to buy another one, study shows

Ouch, that's not good for the hybrid movement.

From the article above It seems for hybrids, only Prius owners are relatively loyal. 41% hybrid re-purchase rate (myself included). Nobody seems to repurchase hybrids after buying a different model hybrid.

P.S. By posting my repair record above, I must have jinxed myself. Got a flat yesterday, and used my mini-spare for the first time ever. Hopefully it can be patched. I don't really feel like spending $300 + installation for another pair of tires.

Driving on mini-spares really sucks. I wish it had a full spare.

[Uncle Skeleton]

My ipod touch just died and I'm thinking of replacing it with a Fire. I like the idea of the larger screen, but I also like the idea of a camera/microphone, which the Fire doesn't have. My last ipod had neither, so I have no first-hand experience. I don't want Siri, but I do want internet telephony, on the other hand I have a netbook that can do internet telephony, so what marginal utility does the ipod give me in that arena? I can't decide.

[chabig]

I'm not sure what you're getting at. The iPod Touch does all of the things you mentioned, works with your present system seamlessly, is supported by a plethora of accessory makers, and fits in your pocket,

[andi*pandi]

Originally Posted by Eug 

Driving on mini-spares really sucks. I wish it had a full spare.

I haven't seen a full size spare in... ages. Don't all cars come with a minispare now? 50 miles at 50MPH just to get you to the nearest repair shop?

[Uncle Skeleton]

Originally Posted by chabig 

I'm not sure what you're getting at. The iPod Touch does all of the things you mentioned, works with your present system seamlessly, is supported by a plethora of accessory makers, and fits in your pocket,

But the screen is a quarter as big, and doing anything interactive on that small screen was always a chore. Also the fact that it and its warranty replacement both died before their first year doesn't make me eager to buy another one.

[Eug]

Originally Posted by Eug 

P.S. By posting my repair record above, I must have jinxed myself. Got a flat yesterday, and used my mini-spare for the first time ever. Hopefully it can be patched. I don't really feel like spending $300 + installation for another pair of tires.

I took the tire in to a dedicated tire shop, and they fixed it for 20 bucks. However, it looked like they didn`t bother removing the tire from the rim, and therefore did a fix from the outside - a mushroom plug. So I asked and they said that while it was on the tread, it was too close to the sidewall to do a proper patch and plug from the inside.

That didn`t sit right with me so I went to a second repair shop and they said if they can`t do a proper patch and plug from the inside, they wouldn`t bother fixing it at all. So, I bought two new tires. Unfortunately I couldn`t buy just one, because my model tire`s size has been discontinued.

Originally Posted by andi*pandi 

I haven't seen a full size spare in... ages. Don't all cars come with a minispare now? 50 miles at 50MPH just to get you to the nearest repair shop?

Yeah I guess, and it was the first time I had to use it too. It was lucky it happened to me yesterday though, cuz it would have sucked if it happened to me tomorrow on a Sunday when I was on my several hundred km trip, on the highway when all the shops are closed.

[The Godfather]

Originally Posted by Shaddim 

Bottom Line - Hybrid owners unlikely to buy another one, study shows

Ouch, that's not good for the hybrid movement.

People who grow tired of their cars every 3-4 years are not representative of the hybrid movement. Surely if you trade in your Prius, you will get peanuts, keep your Prius debt, and buy a much less expensive replacement.

You gotta buy a true hybrid (Prius, equivalent or better) and use it beyond its payback period, which depends on your driving habits and the price of gas (always going up), and learn to repair it yourself.

Unfortunately, the Prius is priced for the above middle class individual, who doesn't feel the expense of gas in their daily lives, and that middle-to-lower class individuals, feel it in their pocket, yet are more likely to buy a Silverado.

[freudling]

"In further Amazon news this afternoon, the company just reported its Q1 2012 earnings. The Seattle-based company is reporting $13.18 billion in revenue for the first quarter, compared to $9.86 billion YOY, which blows out analysts’ expectations for the online marketplace. However, Amazon’s net income was down 35 percent to $130 million. You can read the full announcement after the break."

[Eug]

It's all about context of course.

Amazon.com sails past estimates - The Globe and Mail

Amazon reported net income fell to $130-million, or 28 cents per diluted share, in the first quarter, against $201-million, or 44 cents, a year ago. But that was far above the average Wall Street forecast for 7 cents a share.

“This looks like a quarter that has something for everyone, growth and margins to satisfy investors. This was a perfect balance. It looks to me there was a follow-through for the Kindle and Kindle Fire in the re-acceleration of growth in media,” said Stifel Nicolaus analyst Jordan Rohan.

AMZN Up 13%: ’3P,’ Overseas Spend Weigh on Margin - Tech Trader Daily - Barrons.com

Regarding the operating income outlook, analysts asked why the International business saw a drop in operating income margin to just 0.9% in the quarter from 5% a year earlier, while the decline in North America, from 5.3% to 4.7%, was not as drastic.

Szkutak responded that costs have been higher to start up new countries overseas, including Italy and Spain, and said the company continues to spend on building its presence in China.

Note: The Kindle Fire is only sold in the US of A.

Kindle Fire helps Amazon beat 1Q estimates | CanadianBusiness.com

Amazon's surprisingly good January-March quarter — which helped drive its stock up 14 percent in after-market trading — came on the heels of a report from market tracker comScore Inc. that said the Kindle Fire had grabbed more than half of the U.S. market for Android-based tablet computers in February, just months after its Nov. 15 launch.

P.S. I don't recall if anyone ever posted this:

http://www.isuppli.com/Display-Mater...Was-Apple.aspx

The debut performance of the Kindle Fire played a strong role in the share shift as well, particularly in the U.S. market, which accounted for more than half of global fourth-quarter media tablet sales. Amazon shipped 3.9 million Fire tablets in the fourth quarter, allowing the company to garner a double-digit share of the market, at 14.3 percent. This drove Amazon to become the world’s second-largest tablet shipper in the fourth quarter, surpassing Samsung Electronics.



It will be interesting to see what the 2012 Q1 numbers are.

[mduell]

It's almost like they're investing all their profits in growth...

[freudling]

Amazon has been a break even business for years. This isn't new at all. Go and read the several years worth of annual reports to see.

The reason their net income is so low is because they're an online junk retailer with next door to zero margins. In addition, doing business abroad has proven more challenging than they anticipated some years back when they began expanding. Their words.

Also, their spending on R&D is industry average.

Profit = 1%.

[abby]

Originally Posted by Sealobo 

Kindle Fire - Full Color Kindle with 7" Multi-Touch Display, Wi-Fi

What do you guys think? $199 is pretty "magical"...

$199 only? i mean wow! it is magical!
i bet it has a huge catch..