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The technology of the Porsche 911
Regardless of industry, there are few brands more iconic than Porsche. And, of all the car shapes that have sprung from clay over the years, few are more evocative than the classic 911. It started in 1963 looking like a slightly stretched Beetle -- which it wasn't much bigger than. It's considerably larger and heavier now, having lost much of its design purity in the ensuing 40-odd years. Still, its same basic shape and layout remain: bug eyes up front and boxer motor in the rear, slung between the back wheels. Today's 911, also known as the 997, has been around since 2005 and is about due to be replaced by a new model. This means it's at the top of its game, available in a dizzying array of flavors that include the sporty Carrera, sunny-day cruisin' Cabriolet, all-wheel drive powerhouse Turbo, all leading up to the mind-blowingly fast, twin-turbo 911 GT2. That car is as devoid of creature comforts as it is of apprehensions about sending you flying sideways into a tree. Screaming, probably. These varying trim levels offer juicy bits of tech like active center differentials, launch control, and double-clutch gearboxes. Join us as we explore the race-ready bits of technology that make these cars faster and safer on the road and then take them for a spin around Barber Motorsports Park to see how it all comes together.
BenQ intros two new digital cameras
Even after all the name changing, CEO shenanigans, and apparent scrapping of their digital camera division, BenQ still has found the time, money, and effort to release a few nice looking new cameras. The C740i (7 megapixel) and the E820 (8 megapixel) share a number of the same features, including: 3x optical zoom, Pentax lenses, a 2.5-inch LTPS screen, SD card support, continuous movie mode, face tracking, and red eye reduction. Where the cameras part ways, however, is in the details. The C740i features PASM, which gives you all sorts of control over shutter and aperture settings, and has a high ISO of up to 1600. The C820, on the other hand, can shoot in 16:9 or 3:2 modes, has an ISO of up to 1200, and uses PictBridge for direct printing. No word yet on pricing or availability.[Via LetsGoDigital]
