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Airstream's concept electric camping trailer propels itself
Airstream has unveiled an electric camper concept that propels itself, lightening the load on your towing vehicle.
Dethleffs' camping trailer uses EV tech to reduce towing strain
German automaker Dethleffs introduced the E.Home last year, an all-electric motorhome wrapped in solar panels. The company recently gave its cozy Coco camper-trailer the EV treatment as part of a new concept, adding an electric drive to reduce towing demands. This is powered by an 80-kWh battery in the caravan's floor, which is recharged by rooftop solar panels, effectively turning the trailer into a mobile -- and quiet -- power station once it's set up at camp.
Airstream brings app-based smart controls to its Classic RV
Airstream is bringing smart controls to its 2019 Classic RVs, giving users the ability to adjust lights, temperature levels and the awning, monitor battery and propane tank levels and even find their RV if they've wandered too far from it. Controls are easy to access via the new Smart Control app through which Airstream customer service, roadside assistance and the owner's manual are accessible as well. "Digital technology has improved almost every aspect of our lives," Airstream CEO Bob Wheeler said in a statement. "Shouldn't it make camping better, too? We think so. That's why, in keeping with our commitment to innovation, we're leading the way with our new Smart Control Technology and connectivity solution, starting with our Airstream Classic travel trailers."
Inhabitat's Week in Green: A Volkswagen van, and more!
Sea levels are rising as arctic ice melts, so what will cities do to combat rising tides? According to architect Vincent Callebaut, they'll set sail. This week Callebaut unveiled plans for a futuristic floating village that can be 3D-printed from plastic waste. Meanwhile, the team behind the world's largest 3D printer announced plans to create a life-size replica of Syria's Palmyra arch, which was destroyed by Islamic State militants. In other architecture news, Thomas Heatherwick wants to build a tree-covered mountain in the middle of Shanghai, and a team of Harvard students built an amazing tiny home that you can rent for $99 a night.
TomTom's new sat nav: perfect for your van down by the river
If you're prone to hitting the road in a trailer or camper, you probably know that the road isn't exactly made to accommodate to your less-than-dainty vehicle. In a bid to express its deepest sympathies (and, you know, make money), TomTom is unveiling a device made specifically for caravan owners. In addition to offering the standard TomTom Live features for keeping up to date with traffic and weather reports, the Go Live Camper and Caravan includes warnings for narrow roads, low bridges and the like, and it also highlights the nearest rest stops and other points of interest for road trippers. And because you probably trade in that motorhome for a smaller set of wheels on occasion, TomTom lets you switch to a different profile, complete with customizable specifications for size, weight and speed. The Go Live Camper and Caravan will set you back £349.99, and as the price indicates, it's currently only set up to handle roads across the pond.
Inhabitat's Week in Green: flexible OLEDs, wind-energy skyscrapers and 3D-printing spider robots
Each week our friends at Inhabitat recap the week's most interesting green developments and clean tech news for us -- it's the Week in Green. Exciting energy projects lit up the newswires this week as Inhabitat reported that Desertec will begin building the world's largest solar project in the Sahara Desert next year. We also saw a West Virginia wind farm use batteries to improve its performance, and we showcased the brand new Eco Whisper wind turbine, which is quieter and more efficient than three-bladed models. Meanwhile, Apple announced plans to build a major solar-powered iCloud data center in North Carolina, architects unveiled plans for a towering wind-energy generating skyscraper in Taiwan, and we shared ten tips for cutting down your electricity bill this winter. In other news, green transportation took off for the skies as the world's first manned electric multicopter launched its first flight. We also brought you six sexy electric cars that will be hitting the streets in 2012, plus one awesome compact camper that is a miniature house on wheels. Across the pond, Foster + Partners unveiled a massive Thames Hub plan to update Britain's energy and transportation infrastructure, and IKEA just announced plans to build a massive 26-acre suburb in East London. Researchers also brought to light several stunning new forms of energy-efficient illumination as they unveiled the world's most efficient flexible OLED, Samsung announced plans to launch a bendable OLED cell phone in 2012, and we showcased a luminous netted vest for nighttime cyclists. We also spotted several fresh life-saving gadgets -- a spindly 3D printed spider robot that can analyze hazardous sites, and a series of designer gas masks that question our psychological reliance on luxury labels. Finally, you won't want to miss the awesome tot-sized Dalek costume that is currently tearing up our Green Halloween Costume Contest for kids, and this rock-solid carbonite Han Solo costume from our Halloween contest for adults.
Sealander amphibious trailer lets you (kinda) rough it on the water (video)
With a name like the Sealander Amphibious Camping Trailer, it's pretty clear what you're getting yourself into. This German-designed trailer does double duty as both a place to rest (for those who think roughing it is not having TiVo) and a lake-worthy water vessel. The ultra-light, waterproof hitch rider can be towed by almost any vehicle -- even those cutesy sub-compacts its European creators seem to love so much. And, once you're in the water, a small electric motor ensures you won't have to wait for the currents to carry you back to shore. The Sealander should become available in early 2012 in a variety of configurations, with an expected price of about €15,000 (around $24,000). Of course, for the same cash you could probably just buy a small camping trailer and a separate boat, though that lacks the cool convergence factor. Check out the epic demo video below.
The Daily Grind: What's the worst you've ever been griefed?
Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gonna do? Whatcha gonna do when griefers come for you? My grandmother warned me of a time when online hooligans would invade the sanctity of my gaming space and do anything they could to ruin my fun. Some feel that griefing is a legitimate type of play that gives them great satisfaction. I feel that griefers should be carefully rounded up, tagged, and shipped to a small desert island where they can smack each other over the head with coconuts and leave the rest of us in peace. Just about everybody's been griefed in an MMO at one point or another, whether by an overly antagonistic camper, a con artist who swindled you out of in-game gold, or that node stealer who stalked you and swooped in to grab the ore that was rightfully yours while you tangled with a nearby tiger. Today we want to hear your testimony of a time when another player actively tried to spoil your fun. What's the worst you've ever been griefed in an MMO? Every morning, the Massively bloggers probe the minds of their readers with deep, thought-provoking questions about that most serious of topics: massively online gaming. We crave your opinions, so grab your caffeinated beverage of choice and chime in on today's Daily Grind!
Triforce Johnson gets his Nintendo 3DS first, the legend continues
There are fans, and then there are fans, if you know what we mean, and Isaiah Triforce Johnson has secured his spot in column number two with a Power Gloved fist -- here he is accepting the very first Nintendo 3DS on the east coast from Reggie Fils-Aime, president of Nintendo of America. Johnson camped out all week in front of Best Buy's Union Square location to be first in line at the launch event, replicating his feat of five years prior when he was first to purchase the Wii. Of course, Japanese gamers have had the autostereocopic handheld for over a month now, but we have to give credit where it's due -- we're already imagining Greg Packer and Triforce Johnson duking it out in a little Super Street Fighter IV 3D Edition duel. By the way, we snapped a few shots of the 3DS launch event this morning -- check them out below. %Gallery-119822%
First iPhone 4 camper spotted, one week early (update: video)
Let's hope he got his preorder in, and that he's not waiting for the white one. Otherwise, he's going to be one unhappy camper, eh? Sorry, couldn't help ourselves. Update: Video interview with the Yosemite Squatter posted after the break. [Thanks, BT228]
First NYC iPad line sitter also camped for first iPhone: a legend is born (video)
Greg Packer, we salute you. Sure, the weather in New York City is a lot finer now than it was back in the sweltering summer of 2007, but we still feel the need to tip our hat to someone who'd camp out three whole days at Apple's Fifth Avenue store (read: "The Cube") for an iPad. Tipster Tom dropped in the image after the break at around 3:15PM ET yesterday, and after a short nap in Penn Station, Mr. Packer is freshened up and holding down his spot yet again. We aren't anticipating iPhone-esque lines this coming Saturday, but considering that new pre-orders aren't being fulfilled until April 12th or later, we reckon this guy is following that whole "better safe than sorry" thing to a T. Check out a brief video captured on the streets (thanks, Zoltan Kaprinay!) by tapping that 'Read More' link, and head on over to Switched if you'd like to relive a similar interview from the iPhone campout. We'll leave you with a few choice quotes from Mr. Packer on why exactly he's doing such a thing for such a product: Question: "So, nobody took your place?" Packer: "No, nobody... nobody." Question: "So, you are the first one?" Packer: "So far, yep yep!" Question: "So you're going to be the first one to buy one, also?" Packer: "Yep, yep!" Question: "Do you have any number?" Packer: "Huh?! Yes, yes. Well, first come, first serve! They don't give you a number, you queue up for a number." Question: "Do you have something in your bag, to eat or drink?" Packer: "Just mainly a change of clothes. Nothing to eat, nothing to drink." Question: "Why do you want [the iPad] so desperately?" Packer: "Because... it's like a mini laptop! I mean, you just... you know, click it on, just like you click the iPhone on. And you don't have to open it up, and you know, go through, you know, go through everything. " Question: "So, you need to have it?" Packer: "Yes! " [Thanks, Tom and Zoltan] %Gallery-89550%
Hino Motors showcases light-controlling SPD-Smart windows
Think user-controlled Transitions lenses, but for automobiles. Got it? If so, then you've got a pretty decent idea of what makes Hino Motor's concept motorcoach -- which was being shown off at this year's Tokyo Motor Show -- unique. Developed by Research Frontiers, the SPD-Smart technology covering those expansive panels there on your right "allows vehicle occupants to instantly, precisely and uniformly control the amount of sunlight, glare and heat passing through the windows, sunroofs and other glazings." Additionally, it blocks over 99-percent of harmful UV radiation and can be darkened or lightened with the press of a button. Unfortunately, we've no idea when this tech will be headed to your everyday commuter car, but we can hear window tinters the world over grumbling in unison.[Via Gizmag]
KVH intros TracVision SlimLine satellite system: HDTV in your RV
Strapping a DirecTV antenna atop a moving vehicle is typically never a sound idea, but thanks to KVH's new lineup of TracVision SlimLine satellite systems, bringing HDTV to your RV just got a whole lot sleeker. The firm has launched four separate 12-inch systems that aim to bring "crystal-clear reception" into one's RV or camper, and those springing for the flagship R6 DX (pictured) will even receive a DirecTV H20 free of charge. Dubbed the "smallest and simplest" in the industry, these devices will actually come integrated into a number of 2008 RVs, but those looking to upgrade their current ride can look forward to "full support for standard and HD DirecTV programming," as well as access to Dish and ExpressVu. Now this is a quintessential aspect of a road trip done right.
Philadelphia mayor caught camping for an iPhone
If we ran the world Philadelphia, it's highly unlikely that we'd camp out in the dismal rain for an iPhone like all those "normal citizens," but we've got to give props to John F. Street for roughin' like the rest of us. Apparently, Mr. Street set up shop earlier this morning and made up his mind to brave the inclement weather in order to be one of the first to snag an iPhone. Currently, he's waiting patiently along Ranstead St. at 16th St. in Center City to be third in line to purchase an iPhone from the AT&T store, and while we're sure such an influential character could have just paid someone off to do the waiting for him, the reward will be that much sweeter when 6:01PM rolls around.Update: Looks like the media descended on the mayor and the dude took off about an hour ago! Looks like someone else has his spot in line (now word on whether he's waiting for the mayor), but we'll have an update in our lineblog shortly.
AT&T launches iPhone store finder for the planners
We know the pencil pushers, er, Excel gurus out there are already crunching numbers, mapping out routes, calculating the opportunity risk in ditching work entirely on Friday, and figuring if you'd rather wait for the next iteration, so here's one more asset to help you wrap your mind around an attack plan. AT&T's "Find a Store" feature now boasts a selection that enables users to find retail outlets nearby that will definitively stock iPhones, meaning that your strategy of misguiding your local "friends" to an empty store is likely to backfire. Additionally, an anonymous tipster has noted that current Cingular / AT&T customers who aren't yet eligible for a new contract can still purchase an iPhone, but it sounds like an extension to their current contract will be tacked if this does prove true. Enough chatter -- now, get back to your scheming.[Thanks, Anonymous, image courtesy of Seattle Post-Intelligencer]
First iPhone camper smelled at Apple's 5th Ave store
There he is, first in the queue at Apple's flagship 5th Ave store. Now what could he be waiting for... besides a sponge?Update: Davidjr.com went one-on-, er two with the first few people in line. Check the nonsense after the break.
AT&T preps landlords for iPhone campers
Those who've started taking notes in order to keep track of all the iPhone launch details still floating in can add one more, and thankfully for those worried about their own safety come next Friday, you'll be relieved to know that this one involves crowd control. Two documents outlining how managers should "prepare landlords for the iPhone launch" explain that stanchions (you know, those annoying cattle herders that keep you in order whilst waiting in the airport) should be made available at almost any cost, so it's pretty safe to say they know you (and your posse) are coming. Additionally, it's noted that AT&T stores will be staying open only until 10:00PM unless individual managers choose to keep the overtime clocks a-rollin', and venues located within enclosed malls will be closing at their normal times. Guess we can't blame 'em for trying to make us all happy campers.
