Honda has released a pretty candid teaser on its Japanese website today for the next generation CR-Z, which is set to debut on September 27. 

That date is also coincidentally the first day of the Paris Motor Show, though Honda does not explicitly say that it will be seen at the French car show. This draws us to speculate that Paris will probably serve as the venue for the unveiling of the new model.

The photos shows off a front headlight with an LED strip underneath, a new rim design, and an interior button marked “S+.”

Based on the fact that the CR-Z came to market in 2010, this will likely only be an update to the car and not a complete overhaul.

Source: [Auto Guide]

And then we finally got the announcement we’d been waiting for…

The iPhone 5 offers a larger screen, 4G connectivity and a slightly tweaked design. The new iPhone – the world’s thinnest smartphone (or is it?) at 7.6mm (0.3 inches) – is made entirely of glass and aluminium, something Apple says is “unlike anything we, or anyone in the industry, has made before.”

Read Apple announces new iPhone 5 for the full story.

iPhone 5 review

But what is the iPhone 5 actually like to use? It’s the the size, design and shape that will win the most admiring glances, while the materials used keep that premium Apple feel. The screen is fantastic and iOS 6 brings with it a wealth of new features.

iPhone 5 release date

So you want one. When can you get one?

In the US, the iPhone 5 is coming to coming to Verizon, AT&T and Sprint, from $199-$399.

iPhone 5 will have nanoSim

By the way, Apple neglected to mention that the new iPhone 5 will come with a nanoSim during the product announcements on September 12.

The smaller SIM card will be up to 40 per cent smaller than previous designs, (12.3 millimeters x 8.8 millimeters) and enables phones to be even thinner than before.

US to get CDMA and GSM

Apple announced on Wednesday that the new iPhone 5 will ship in either a CMDA or GSM model in the US.

This doesn’t affect pricing for the new handsets. Right now prices for the iPhone 5 range from $199 to $399, depending on the data.

As for the UK and Germany, these countries are only getting a single GSM model.

iOS 6

At Apple’s WWDC 2012 event in early June we learned a lot more about iOS 6, but there was no hardware (well, apart from new Macs). But now we have an iOS 6 release date and we’ve updated our iOS 6: everything you need to know article.

iPhone 5′s redesigned EarPods

Apple has finally done away with the round earbuds that never really stayed put in iPhone 5 owners’ ears.

Today, the iPhone maker introduced the new and improved EarPods. These new headsets took three years to develop and are designed to fit comfortably in your ear, in addition to delivering better sound quality.

Read more about the Apple EarPods

Source: [Tech Radar]

After extensive changes for 2012 including updated exterior styling, an enhanced interior, additional features on selected models, and an EPA fuel economy-rating² improvement, the Insight continues unchanged for 2013. The 2013 Honda Insight remains the most affordable hybrid for sale in the U.S., and pricing is unchanged for 2013, starting at $18,500³. The 2013 Insight goes on sale September 18.

The 2013 Insight is offered in three models. The value-oriented base model is simply designated as Insight, and is well equipped with a 160-watt audio system, automatic climate control, power windows, and more. The Insight LX adds a USB audio interface, cruise control, armrest console, floor mats, security system and steering-wheel mounted audio controls. The Insight EX adds alloy wheels, six-speaker audio system, heated side mirrors with integrated turn signals, Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, automatic headlights and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The Insight EX is also available with the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System⁴ with voice recognition and rearview camera.

Powertrain
A Honda Integrated Motor Assist™ (IMA™) system powers the Insight. Comprised of a 1.3-liter i‑VTEC® gasoline 4-cylinder engine and a 10-kilowatt electric motor, the combination develops 98 horsepower at 5800 rpm and 123 lb-ft. of torque at 1000-1700 rpm. To maximize fuel efficiency, friction-reducing measures are used throughout the engine and the transmission.

Fully automatic in operation, the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is an advanced unit that substitutes the gears found in more traditional transmissions and replaces them with a metal push-belt running between a pair of variable-width pulleys. Combined with the Drive-by-Wire™ throttle system, the CVT constantly adjusts to provide the most efficient drive ratio possible depending on torque load. Honda’s CVT provides better fuel efficiency and acceleration when compared to a conventional transmission. On EX models, the steering wheel includes paddle shifters, which allow manually shifting though a range of seven fixed ratios for a sporty driving experience.

The Insight comes equipped with fuel-efficiency enhancement technology called Eco Assist™. A push of the dash-mounted ECON button modifies throttle control, CVT operation, idle-stop duration, air conditioning and cruise-control operation (if so equipped) to minimize energy use and increase fuel efficiency. A sophisticated feedback system uses ambient color behind the speedometer to indicate overall driving efficiency. An Eco Display provides feedback on braking and acceleration. Plus, Eco Score provides ongoing support of an efficient driving style.

Body
The Insight was given significant updates for the 2012 model year, including a more distinctive grille design with a blue accent bar representing the Insight’s high-tech hybrid identity. To improve aerodynamic performance, the strakes ahead of the front wheels were extended by 0.4 inches to better direct air around the front tires. The shape of the engine bay underbody cover was also fine-tuned, and air diffusers were added under the rear bumper to smooth airflow behind the vehicle. The changes combined to net a 2-percent increase in aerodynamic performance.

Chassis
The Insight rides on MacPherson strut front suspension, combined with a torsion-beam rear suspension that helps maximize interior space. Electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion power steering (EPS) offers predictable and linear steering feel, while also saving fuel compared to traditional hydraulic systems that put a greater load on the engine. With its 36.1-foot turning diameter, the Insight offers good maneuverability in congested urban settings. Insight and Insight LX models have 15-inch stamped-steel wheels with wheel covers and the Insight EX has 15-inch alloy wheels.

Interior
The Insight’s roomy interior offers comfortable seating for up to five passengers. Versatility is a key Insight strong point, and the 60/40 split rear seatbacks fold down to create a large 31.5 cubic-foot cargo space and make it easy to mix passengers and cargo.

Advanced instrumentation gives the Insight an upscale look, and provides the driver with key information at a glance. A large digital speed display is positioned high in the instrument cluster, close to the driver’s sightline and easy to see. The convenient Multi-Information Display (MID) allows quick access to a range of useful information with convenient steering-wheel mounted controls. Automatic climate control is standard on all grades. The Insight LX has premium seat fabric, while the Insight EX is upholstered with a combination of synthetic leather and premium fabric.

Available on Insight EX models, the Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System™ with voice recognition⁴ includes a rearview camera and provides routing and guidance to individual addresses and more than 7-million points of interest within the continental United States. With its 16-GB memory system, it offers fast route calculation and includes FM traffic, a subscription-free service that alerts drivers to traffic conditions.

Safety
Standard safety features on all Insight models include dual-stage, multiple-threshold front airbags, front-side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS), side-curtain airbag system, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake distribution (EBD), driver’s and front-passenger’s active head restraints, and a front body structure designed to help mitigate pedestrian injuries. The Insight also features Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure, which provides improved occupant protection and crash compatibility between vehicles of different sizes and ride heights in frontal crashes.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the Insight a “2012 Top Safety Pick.” IIHS rates vehicles on performance in front and side crash tests, a rollover test, and evaluations of seat/head restraints for protection against neck injuries in rear impacts. To earn a 2012 Top Safety Pick rating, a vehicle must have good results (the highest possible) in all four Institute tests.

Source: [Honda News]

Most sculpted Accord ever is bigger on the inside and smaller on the outside

Honda today revealed the first images of the much anticipated all-new 2013 Honda Accord Sedan and Accord Coupe, set to go on sale this fall. The most sculpted Accord ever delivers an even more spacious and luxurious passenger cabin wrapped in an upscale, sophisticated exterior designed to stand the test of time.

The 2013 Accord’s styling is expressive, sophisticated and premium. Starting in the front, a bold new grille imparts a distinctive and dynamic tension that complements the powerful look of the hood’s multiple styling lines. A strong side character line flows through the door handles and flares upward toward the rear of the vehicle to further convey a sense of motion. A deep contour in the rocker panel firmly grounds its visual presence to the road and smartly turns upward to convey a sporty attitude. In the back, the inward slope where the fenders taper into the trunk and C-pillars is designed to convey a powerful, athletic stance from the rear.

True to the spirit of Honda and every Accord before it, the ninth-generation embraces a customer focus from the inside out. Smart interior packaging allows for increased passenger and cargo space in both the sedan and the coupe, while the overall exterior lengths are noticeably shortened, contributing to a sportier driving character and easier parking. An expansive greenhouse and generous rear seating area provide excellent levels of visibility and comfort for the driver and all passengers.

“This car is the most sculpted and the most dynamic Accord yet,” said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of product planning for American Honda. “Following Honda’s long-held philosophy of ‘man maximum, machine minimum,’ the beautiful exterior evolved from a focus on interior space and the needs of the people inside it.”

On the road, an overall aerodynamic shape combined with low-drag exterior surfaces including nearly flush windshield glass, flush-mounted windshield wipers and careful under-body tailoring promise enhanced fuel efficiency. Premium details like available LED daytime running lights, headlights and taillights hint at the sophisticated technology and luxury available inside.

More information about the all-new 2013 Accord will be revealed later this fall. For photos about the styling direction of the 2013 Accord, visit www.hondanews.com.

Source: [Honda]

The next generation is expected around 2016. It will have multiple body styles – a 5-door hatchback is under consideration for North America – as well as many different powertrains. Hyundai brought a five-door version of its popular Elantra to the U.S. this year.

Civic will be built in 14 different plants and sold in 160 countries although 55% of global sales currently are in Canada and the U.S., says Erik Berkman, president of Honda R&D Americas.

The next generation of the Honda Civic sedan and coupe for sale in the U.S. will be developed in North America, Berkman says. The decision was made by global top management last month, Berkman said at the Center for Automotive Research Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Mich.

“We will continue to refine the current model this fall,” Berkman said.
“They are fairly substantial styling changes.”

Source: [USA Today]

A clean windshield is not only useful during rain, sleet and snow. How many times have you experienced a windshield that is smeared with insects, bird droppings, road tar or other messy deposits? Removing such dirt with worn wiper blades is nearly impossible. Usually, you wind up smearing the mess and obscuring your vision even more. If you change your blades regularly, you can avoid these problems and keep your eyes on the road.

Generally, a blade will show physical wear signs like cracking or discoloration. Another way to know is by the quality of the wipe. Streaking or un-wiped areas are a dead giveaway. In addition, if the blades make noise or chattering sounds, then they need to be replaced. However, if you change your blades frequently, you won’t have to examine your blades looking for these signs of possible failure.
Blades can be easily damaged by snow scrapers and ice during the winter but the sun is just as damaging to a blade in the summer.

By simply doing a little preventative maintenance, you can avoid these uncomfortable situations. Wiper blades should be treated the way you treat engine oil — you don’t wait until you have engine trouble before you change your oil.

How often should you replace your blades?

The National Highway Transportation Board recommends that drivers change their wiper blades every year, however the average vehicle owner replaces his/her wiper blades only once every two and a half years. “Most people wait until they are in a downpour and nearly drive off the road before they are convinced it’s time to change blades,” says Jenifer Maddox, brand manager for PEAK Automotive Products. Some blades, such as Optix Wiper Blades, even come with simple connector systems that make installing the blades on any vehicle a snap.

So if you’ve been procrastinating about changing your windshield wiper blades, take a few minutes today to change them.
Source: [Cleveland at Home]

Source: [Brand Channel]

Video:

Excessive heat warnings are in effect for a large swath the central United States, according to the National Weather Service. And the scorching temperatures are expected to linger for the next couple weeks.
Central air conditioning and portable air conditioners can get expensive, so what can you do to avoid the heat? Can you recognize the signs of heat exhaustion? And would you know what to do if someone started to show symptoms of it?

Dr. William P. Bozeman, an associate professor of emergency medicine and the emergency services director at Wake Forest University, shared some tips with ABC News that will help you keep cool and recognize the signs of heat overexposure, and the steps to take if you experience those symptoms or see them in someone else. The Federal Emergency Management Agency also has a list of protective and first aid measures for heat-induced illnesses.
“Amazingly, the human race survived for several million years prior to the advent of air conditioning,” Bozeman told ABC News.

He cautioned that it is important to be aware of the temperature. Temperatures in the 90s and higher are dangerous, and become more dangerous the higher they go and the longer they last. The very young and the very old are at the highest risk, as their weight and age can impair their ability to handle high temperatures.

12 Tips for Staying Cool This Summer
Be aware of the heat. Pay attention to it and modify your activities appropriately.
Pay attention to your hydration status and be sure to drink plenty of fluids.
Try to stay in relatively cool areas, even when outside. Many public places, such as libraries, shopping malls and movie theatres, are air conditioned.
Avoid hot, enclosed places, such as cars. Never leave children unattended in a car parked in the sun.
Use a fan, if available.
Stay on the lowest floor of your building.
Eat well-balanced, light and regular meals.
Wear loose-fitting, lightweight and light-colored clothing.
Cover windows that receive a significant amount of sun with drapes or shades to help keep your house cool.
Weather stripping and proper insulation will keep cool air inside your home.
Cool beverages are good for cooling down the body, while alcoholic drinks can impair the body’s ability to regulate its temperature.

8 Signs of Heat Overexposure
Heavy sweating — though if heat stroke sets in, the body can no longer compensate and stops sweating.
Pale skin.
Muscle cramps.
Feeling tired and weak.
Altered mental status (confusion or disorientation).
Headache.
Becoming semi-conscious or passing out.
Nausea or vomiting.

6 First Steps to Take After Recognizing Heat-Induced Illness
Call 911.
Get the person out of the sun and into a cool area. An air-conditioned area is ideal, but moving someone into the shade will also help.
Apply water to help the person cool off.
Apply ice to the neck or armpits, where large blood vessels are close to the surface.
Remove any heavy clothing.
Immerse the body in cool water, either at a swimming pool or in a bathtub.

Source: [ABC News]

Honda has been recognized as the “Brand of the Year” in the “Full Line Automotive” category according to the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study. Honda received the highest numerical Equity Score among full line automotive brands included in the 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend® study(1). Harris Poll EquiTrend is an annual brand health assessment from Harris Interactive that surveys thousands of U.S. consumers online about their brand perceptions, measuring key touchstones including familiarity, quality and purchase consideration.

“This study offers strong evidence that the Honda brand continues to be well-regarded by American consumers,” said Mike Accavitti, vice president of National Marketing Operations for American Honda. “The combination of strong brand equity and a fresh line-up of new models that resonate with customers will drive strong growth for us this year.”

Source: [Sacramento Bee]

Honda has been playing it safe in the infotainment game, as competition from Ford and General Motors push ahead with ambitious systems that leverage driver’s devices and the cloud. But next month the Japanese automaker plans to reveal its next-generation infotainment solution, HondaLink, before it becomes available on the 2013 Accord this fall.

A cursory glance at Honda’s current navigation and infotainment offerings leaves a lot to be desired. Most of the functionality is still stuck in the mid-2000s, primarily comprised of basic navigation functionality and a complete lack of streaming audio solutions, outside of satellite and terrestrial radio.

That’s about to change with the introduction of the revamped HondaLink system, which debuts first on the Fit EV, an electrified version of the brand’s popular sub-compact hatchback.

Honda is in the midst of moving many of its connected services away from satellite data, although Honda representatives speaking with Wired haven’t determined if the automaker will move towards a built-in, always-connected modem in its vehicles or rely on driver’s smartphones to provide data services.

At CES this January, Honda announced a partnership with Aha Radio to begin providing streaming audio services in its 2013 models, and the first vehicle to benefit from that tie-up will be the all-new Accord.

The Aha Radio app – available for both iOS and Android devices – allows drivers to access thousands of streaming audio feeds, including podcasts, NPR, Rhapsody and MOG integration, through the vehicle’s head-unit.

Honda’s infotainment initiative won’t be fully disclosed until the middle of July, and that gives the automaker time to get its data situation sorted and possibly bring other content partners on board.

Source: [Wired]