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Hyundai Sonata Hybrid was delayed into 2011... by 'virtual engine sound' system
Remember how at the end of last year the US legislature decided to make it mandatory for EVs to churn out an audible noise while in motion? It was all in the name of saving pesky pedestrians from getting in the way of your gliding electro-car, but the new law itself has managed to create a bump in the road for at least one company. Hyundai's Sonata Hybrid was all set to launch in late 2010, equipped with a "virtual engine sound" system that the user could toggle on and off, however the government's request that it be kept permanently on required modifications to the vehicle's wiring harnesses, UI software and user manuals, delaying its debut into late January. These tweaks had to be done "amazingly late in the process," according to Hyundai America CEO John Krafcik, but the delay will at least ensure that all of Hyundai's Sonatas will sound the same. Which is something, we guess.
Hyundai brings hydrogen vehicles to Europe, one free fleet at a time
Excited for the rise of hydrogen economies, but can't wait till 2015? If you work for the Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or Icelandic governments, you might get to see the future personally. Hyundai's signed a memorandum of understanding with the aforementioned four countries to deliver a test fleet of fuel cell electric vehicles, and the Nikkei Shimbun is reporting that the company will personally foot the (possibly quite reasonable) bill. Free hydrogen-powered SUV? Don't mind if we do!
Hyundai announces Blue Link telematics system, makes texting your Sonata a sweet possibility
At the last CES it was Kia showing off its Microsoft-backed Uvo infotainment system. This year Big Poppa Hyundai is taking the reins and showing off Blue Link, which takes at least part of its name from the BLUE-WILL concept hybrid. Blue Link isn't a fancy car, though, rather a new infotainment and telematics system that will be first installed on the Sonata this spring, then coming to the Veloster this summer before hitting all models by 2013. What does it do, you ask? Why, lots of stuff. There's voice recognition, enabling the driver to search for POIs and the like without taking a single hand off the wheel. There's also remote start, which is handy on a cold morning, and even remote disabling of the car via text message, which is handy if you find nothing but an oil stain where you left your prized ride. No word on what if anything Hyundai will charge for Blue Link, but there will be a additional premium tiers of services, like Blue Link Assurance, which sounds a good bit like OnStar to us, and Blue Link Navigation. We'll be getting our hands on with Blue Link soon, but until then you'll have to bide your time reading the PR below.
Hyundai shows off Equus iPad owners manual, available for test drives in the App Store (video)
Yeah, we know, you're still having a hard time thinking of Hyundai as a luxury car brand. Get with the times, man. The Equus ("echoos") is legitimately high-end, and not just because each and every one comes with a 16GB WiFi iPad pre-loaded with the car's owners manual. Naturally this isn't just a boring stack of info that you'll only pull out to look up tire pressures and engine oil capacity -- oh no. This is a properly interactive experience showing you how the directional headlights work, providing videos of various interior configurations (including the reclining "First Class" rear seats with legrests), and even offering what looks to be something of a driving game. Sure, it's no Real Racing, but it is free, and you can check it out in the App Store now. Or, you can just live vicariously through the video below.
Hyundai IT shows off 70-inch multitouch table concept
There's not a ton of details on this one just yet, but Hyundai IT is reportedly showing off this 70-inch multitouch table at the Korea Electronics Show this week -- in concept form, at least. While there's no specs -- apart from the fact that it's "HD" -- Hyundai is apparently saying that you'd be able to use the display either as a Surface-like multitouch table or as a TV, although it's not clear if that means it actually tilts up. Contrary to appearances, however, the table apparently doesn't function as a phone. Here's hoping Hyundai will actually show it off in action once the show gets underway.
MeeGo becomes infotainment operating system of choice for BMW, GM, Hyundai and more
It's getting to the point where it's not terribly easy to keep track of all the in-car entertainment initiatives our wondrous connected future has in store, but here's two names you'll want to remember: GENIVI and MeeGo. The former is an industry alliance that now includes automakers GM, BMW, Hyundai and Peugeot Citroen alongside the likes of ARM, NVIDIA, Nokia and Intel, and MeeGo is the Linux-based OS that they've just decided will soon be powering our cars. Don't expect this to affect your daily drive anytime soon, but in the long run we wouldn't be surprised to hear that the Moblin-Maemo base underpins future revisions of Terminal Mode and OnStar.
2011 Hyundai Equus user manual to be pre-loaded on a custom iPad
We thought of theiPad as soon as we first heard the 2011 Hyundai Equus would come with its user manual preloaded on a "multimedia tablet" instead of being printed out, and it looks like our hunch was correct: our friends at Autoblog have confirmed that Hyundai will be shipping a 16GB WiFi iPad with every Equus. The iPad will be packaged in a bespoke leather case with an embossed logo, suede interior, and even kickstand -- which'll come in quite handy as the user manual comes complete with video tutorials for many of the car's functions. Updates to the software will happen through iTunes, and the iPad sounds pretty stock otherwise, so that's a nice little perk. Just don't use it while you're driving, okay?
Hyundai-Kia looking to beat Toyota in the automotive fuel cell price wars
When Toyota made clear its aim to release a hydrogen-powered fuel cell auto to the public in 2015 for $50,000, we asked the simple question of whether you'd buy that car for that much. The overwhelming answer was "heck no!" Hyundai-Kia is glad to hear it, and is taking this time to trump up its cheaper fuel cell technology. General Manager Byung Ki Ahn explains that his company's tech does not require an onboard compressor and contains less platinum in the catalysts than Toyota's, in theory meaning reduced cost and complexity. But, will that come at the expense of efficiency? Just what will Hyundai's alternative cost? And, most importantly, will its first fuel cell car look as good as good as the Genesis coupe, or will it just be the boring Borrego prototype above? These questions could be answered as soon as 2012, when the company hopes to get the first early models into the willing driveways of consumers.
Hyundai Equus now comes with an iPad
If you're willing to spent 5 grand on an iPad, why not cough up an additional 50 and get one sweet accessory: A Hyundai Equus. For a limited time, Hyundai is cashing in on the iPad frenzy by offering one to every customer who buys a 2011 Equus. Rather than just tossing it on the back seat, the iPad will contain the car's user manual, which Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik calls, "interactive." There aren't a lot of details on the app (we assume it's an app), but customers will be able to use it to schedule maintenance appointments. We don't know which model is being offered, so you'll have to call your friendly neighborhood Hyundai dealer to find out. Of course it's free, so you can't really complain. If you get one, please let us know.
2011 Hyundai Equus to come with 'multimedia tablet,' learning tutorials from Video Professor
It's certainly not the first time we've heard of an automobile shipping sans a paper-based user guide, but unlike those other guys who toss you a CD-R with a couple of PDFs on there, Hyundai is seriously upping the ante with its 2011 Equus. Revealed today over at the New York Auto Show, the company announced that the aforementioned vehicle would ship with an Equus Multimedia Tablet, enabling users to easily and quickly pull up a slew of information and diagrams about their new whip. The outfit's US president John Krafcik didn't specifically mention the brand or model of the tablet that'd be included, but the image shown to the crowd (and to you, above) certainly reeks of iPad. What's even more interesting is that the tablet will be used as more than just an owner's guide, but as an interface for handling "customer / dealer interactions like scheduling service appointments." We suspect we'll hear more about what kind of device will be included as the vehicle's ship date nears, but if we were the betting kind, we'd say that a massive, undercover deal with Fusion Garage will put a JooJoo into each and every Equus owner's hands. Kidding.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe coming to Forza 3 for free
In one of those "We feel sort of gross about this, but it's okay 'cause we get something cool for free" kinda ways, Microsoft today announced a partnership with Hyundai to bring the Genesis Coupe to Forza 3 as DLC on November 17. And not just one measly version, but three: a Rhys Millen Racing Red Bull Hundai Genesis Coupe, an HKS Genesis Coupe, and a "one of a kind" Genesis Coupe will arrive as a pack – free of charge! And though the name Hyundai may not exactly be synonymous with high speed racing, we're assured their modded counterparts will help to clear any misconceptions.%Gallery-77166%
Hyundai Provia A7+ GPS unit adds multimedia playback, looks irresistible
It's no secret that some of our US editors have been feeling a bit of tech-envy toward our cousins from the far East, who consider 7-inch PNDs commonplace. Doing nothing to allay those emotions, Hyundai has announced the Provia A7+, which is -- you guessed it -- a 7-inch GPS-slash-PMP soon to be available in South Korea. The device comes with an integrated TV tuner (DMB), 800 x 480 resolution, video and audio playback, Navi-in-Picture functionality, and USB and SD connectivity to expand its abilities to match your imagination. If this thing's routing abilities are even half decent, it should sell like hot cakes in the middle of a particularly cold winter.[Via Navigadget]
Hyundai BLUE-WILL plug-in hybrid concept debuts in Seoul
Hyundai recently broke a few molds with its dolphin-inspired cellphone, and it now looks to be doing the same with its latest plug-in hybrid concept, which is set to make its public debut at the Seoul Motor Show next week. Of course, Hyundai isn't just letting the car, dubbed the BLUE-WILL, get by on those eye-catching lines alone, with it also cramming a direct-inject 1.6-liter gas engine with a CVT transmission and a 100kw electric motor under the hood, and taking a number of other measures to make the vehicle even more eco-minded. That includes some solar cells on the panoramic roof, which you can still see through, and some eco-friendly plastics throughout, including headlamp bezels made from recycled plastic bottles, and other plastics derived from plant extracts. No word about it actually going into production, of course, but you can get a bit of a closer look by hitting up the link below.
Hyundai's MB-490i Dolphin cellphone is ridiculously clever
You know, when we first read the image-less text describing Hyundai's dolphin-shaped cellphone, our instinctual, caffeine-injected reflex was to launch into an angst-ridden assault on the MB-490i. Then we saw the pictures and, well, dammit, we kind of like it. Somehow Hyundai managed to make the aquatic scroll-wheel on the front mirrored by cascading waves of aluminum along the backside work. Even the pale blue eyeball on the side comes across as tasteful without kitsch. Spec-wise, we're looking at a 240 x 400 touchscreen display augmented by a swipeable touchscreen surface below, a 2.0 megapixel camera (no flash), Yamaha speaker, Bluetooth, and a €250 price tag when it launches in May. Check the pictures after the break and sound-off in the comments with your opinion. [Via PMP Today]
MWC day two: a new hope
If day one of MWC was dominated by Windows Mobile, day two went to Android -- although most of the announcements were vague and Toshiba's Snapdragon-based TG01 did much to impress. Obviously the big announcement was the HTC Magic (née the G2), which'll be coming to Vodafone UK in April, but several other manufacturers committed to building Googlephones as well. What else did we learn?
Hyundai's phones are creatively ridiculous
We associate the Hyundai name more closely with cars and ten-year warranties than we do phones in these parts of the world, but Hyundai Mobile does a little business selling low-cost phones in parts of Europe, the Middle East, and Asia (cars... phones... right, makes sense). We had a chance to check out some of the offerings today, and yeah, let's just put it this way: some of these devices are a bit off the beaten path. Pictured above from left to right are the MB-400 (bearing absolutely no resemblance to any existing device), the MB-910 touchscreen watch phone, and the lovely MB-105 "Chico" (which -- interesting fact -- features a whopping 50-message SMS storage capacity). The Chico wasn't functional for us, but follow the break for some hands-on time with the unfortunate iPod rip and one of the nicer watch phones we've seen come to market. Odd couple, isn't it?%Gallery-45055%
Hyundai Mobile Europe expands to UK
Here in the run-up to this year's Mobile World Congress, Hyundai Mobile Europe is hoping to steal some attention by announcing the launch of Hyundai Mobile UK. The announcement comes hot on the heels of successful handset deployments with network operators in Europe including Pannon, Mobiltel and Eplus. At least initially, the outfit will be located at the Advantage Cellular distribution hub in Oxfordshire, and it'll utilize their warehousing and logistics facility to provide a "seamless supply chain operation for the UK and Eire." Hyundai Mobile UK is ambitiously hoping to reach a market share of three to five percent in just five years, though we can't say the company's strong branding in the automotive realm is apt to help it here. Nevertheless, we'll been keenly interested to see what it brings to MWC -- who knows, maybe it'll shock the world and introduce an Android-powered watch phone. [Via Pocket-lint, thanks Ben]
Hyundai brings AH-3110 satellite / OTA HD DVR to New Zealand
Barely a week after the MyFreeview HD emerges, in swoops some competition to keep things level. Hailed as New Zealand's first combo satellite / terrestrial HD personal video recorder, the Hyundai AH-3110 enables users to record Freeview or Freeview HD (sat or OTA) content with full EIT EPG support. Oddly, the box doesn't come with an HDD within, so you'll be required to connect your own hard drive via USB 2.0. You'll find an HDMI port, seven-day EPG, MPEG-2/4 compatibility and component / S-Video / S/PDIF sockets. The good news? It's slated to ship on December 15th. The bad? It's NZ$579 ($319 in US bucks), and remember, that's without an internal hard drive.[Via DTVForum]
Microsoft pays South Koreans $60 million to use its software
It might make for good business practice, but damn if Microsoft's plan to "invest" in South Korea's software industry "as part of the US giant's drive to strengthen its presence in the country" doesn't sound a bit desperate. After all, shouldn't your software be so compelling that governments and companies fall all over themselves for the rights to use it (eh, hem: Android)? In a $60 million deal announced after Steve Ballmer lobbied met with South Korea's president, Lee Myung-Bak, Microsoft will train software designers, support venture firms, and establish a tech center in South Korea over the next three years. The Korean government will invest about $8.4 million. In separate but related deals also announced today, Microsoft entered into a vague agreement with LG -- having something to do with convergence using LG's mobile gear and Microsoft's WinMo OS -- and opened a research center with Hyundai to develop new IT products and services for automotive applications. Thumbs up, indeed.Read -- $60,000,000 investment Read -- Hyundai deal Read -- LG and Microsoft
Hyundai IT, DDD TriDef team up on 32-inch 3D HDTVs
Not everyone can afford Philips' 52-inch 1080p 3D autostereoscopic HDTV, but DDD Group and Hyundai IT's second batch of 3D LCDs might be just what's necessary to take 3D television mainstream. Set for a Japan launch in October, the new 32-inch LCDs pack DDD TriDef hardware -- available in add-on form for Samsung DLPs and plasmas in the U.S. -- to support Nippon BS Broadcasting's BS11 3D station. DDD's CEO promises "affordable 3D TV", without more detailed specs or a pricetag our doubt level is pegged at mild, with a chance of arrogant skepticism.
