Ca-Fi: Android-based car infotainment system

Hong-Kong Innotrends has launched the Android 2.3 Ca-Fi-based in-car infotainment systems to be used. Designed for 2-DIN dashboard and running at 1.2GHz Cortex A8 CPU and 512MB RAM, Ca-Fi 6.2-inch 800 x 480 (resistive) touchscreen, 3G modem to surf the web, GPS to handle in-car navigation applications, Bluetooth support for hands-free calling and audio output of 4x45W.

Displaying a custom graphical user interface (GUI), the unit comes with a built-in 8GB of storage, music streaming capabilities, two SD card slots and USB inputs, the availability of DVD playback and FM radio. Ca-Fi can be operated via controls on the steering wheel.

Most new cars today come with a specially designed multimedia equipment but some car owners might be tempted by Android unit, as long as the dashboard of their vehicle is equipped with a 2-DIN connection. Here's a list Innotrends' compatible vehicles.

Ca-Fi infotainment system is scheduled for European launch in Spring 2012 (Northern Hemisphere), while no word on pricing and availability outside of Europe at the moment (which is not surprising given that the 2-DIN connections are rare in the U.S.).

The device will be showcased during the Hong Kong Electronics Fair, 13-16 October.

Sonnet adds an ExpressCard/34 slot to Thunderbolt Macs

Thunderbolt flow peripheral to the market certainly seems to be building steam with the latest example of Sonnet brings expanded connectivity options for those with Apple's new packaging machine I / O technology. U.S. $ 150 sonnet EchoExpressCard/34 Thunderbolt PCIe Adapter to use interface for connecting various existing peripherals such as USB 3.0, FireWire 800, eSATA, Gigabit Ethernet and high-speed memory cards through a single port Thunderbolt.

Measuring 2.1 "x 3.7" x 75 "(53.4 x 94.2 x 19.2 mm), Thunderbolt Thunderbolt EchoExpressCard/34 Adapter Apple need a cable (which will set you back U.S. $ 49) for connection to Mac computer. from there, the range of ExpressCard/34 cards can be used (and hot-swap) to get up to speed transfer of 5GB / s of the various interfaces.

A complete list of compatible adapters are available on Sonnet website. The company also noted that "ExpressCard/34 expect other manufacturers products to be compatible as they are updated drivers for Thunderbolt technology-conscious."

Thunderbolt EchoExpressCard/34 sonnet Adapter is currently available for pre-order at U.S. $ 149.95 with delivery scheduled to begin in October 2011.

With new LU6200 smartphone, LG keeps pace with Samsung and HTC

After turning out streams of midrange and entry-level Android handset, the LG may be setting its sights on the high end. According to the details of which are found in Korean technology site (translated), an LG LU6200 expected to arrive later this year with specs that rival some of the smartphones out of the Samsung or HTC.

Details for LG handsets are said to include dual-core 1.5GHz processor, 4.5-inch display 720p HD, and an 8-megapixel camera. Sounds very similar to the Vigor upcoming HTC, the phone also supports 4G LTE and is equipped with front-facing camera 1.3 megapixels.

Display technology itself is listed as LG AH-IPS, and is touted as more color-accurate than the super Samsung AMOLED Plus as well as more efficient. Speaking of juice, LU6200 equipped with a 1830 mAh battery that is at the higher end of the Android phone today.

On the downside, given that the set of features including digital DMB TV tuner, do not expect to have a particular iteration of the handset in the United States in the near future. However, as we see, LG has made efforts to release the same device across multiple operators and markets.

Sprint and Verizon Wireless have a fairly strong relationship with LG so maybe we'll see something like this in early 2012. On a side note, which should give them plenty of time to load the Ice Cream Sandwich. Sounds a lot like the LG "K", is not it?