cars posts

Filed under: Design, Fun, Windows, Freeware

Windows 7 Ferrari prototype theme available for download

by Lee Mathews Aug 12th 2009

Sleek, high-end cars have always been a favorite choice for desktop wallpapers. For those of you who happen to be running Windows 7 and love automotive sexiness, you've got to check out the Ferrari prototype themepack from WindowsZone (German).

The pack is available to download from SkyDrive, and includes 5 awesome, high-resolution wallpapers. The theme utilizes the Verizon sound scheme and sets your Aero Glass to a deep oxblood.

I'm in agreement with Rob from MSDN on the sounds - they get to be a bit much. Sound schemes are easy enough to change in Windows 7, though - just head to your personalization options. You can also take the geeky route by entering mmsys.cpl [enter] in your run box and clicking the sounds tab.

[via MSDN]

Tags: automobile, awesome, cars, ferarri, theme, themepack, wallpaper, windows-7

Filed under: Fun, Games, Time-Wasters

I Love Traffic - Time Waster

by Jason Clarke Jun 22nd 2009

I Love Traffic is a unique take on a flow-management game. In it, you play the part of traffic computer, turning lights green and red to control the flow of traffic. Some roads you have control over, while others are free-flowing. This means that to avoid accidents, you need to carefully manage which lights you turn green, and for how long.

The game view is top-down, and while the graphics are simple, crashes have satisfying skid marks and believable motion accompanied by a solid "crunch" sound. Sometimes it's actually not all that disappointing to fail a level when your mistake results in a multi-car pileup, with cars being bounced into other lanes of traffic. A failed level also results in a random fact being displayed, which is sort of fun until they start repeating and you realize you're having too much trouble with that level.

I Love Traffic is a short time waster, and it should take only about 15 minutes to complete the game. My biggest pile-up resulted in about 8 cars shooting off in different directions. Let us know how badly (or well) you do.

Tags: accidents, cars, crashes, crunch, i-love-traffic, time waster, time-waster, TimeWaster, traffic

Filed under: Fun, Games, Internet, Time-Wasters

Keep vehicle traffic flowing (or not) in Crash - Time Waster

by Lee Mathews Jan 20th 2009

When I was working in downtown Cleveland 12 years ago, I remember this amazing traffic cop that used to dance in the middle of the rush hour craziness to direct the vehicles. The guy sure made traffic management seem like a lot of fun.

Fortunately for all of us, anyone that wants to give it a go can do it by playing Crash rather than throwing on a bright orange vest, grabbing a whistle, and busting a move in the middle of a four-way stop.

It's a simple concept: click on a car to speed it up, click again to slow it down. Time everything just right and avoid causing collisions, and you'll score points when cars make it safely across the screen.

When a crash car appears, things change a little. They're free game, so don't hesitate forcing another vehicle to plow into it at full speed. You'll actually lose points if they make it across unscathed.

One more thing: keep your eye on the turns signals.

Tags: cars, crash, time-waster, traffic

Filed under: Business, Developer, Web services, Google

Surprise, Google Streetview maps already has your picture

by Chris Gilmer Jul 30th 2007

google streetview cars unleashed across US

Google is hot on the task of taking streetview pictures, and Gizmodo has pictures to prove it. Earlier this month a fleet of cars was spotted in the Googleplex parking lot with cameras attached to the roofs, so we knew it was only a matter of time before they were unleashed to the world. It looks like the Chevy Cobalts have finally been allowed to roam around the US taking pictures of major cities to add to Google's Streetview maps project with their 360° cameras. So far spotting locations include southern California, Redwood City, Chicago, and Boise Idaho.

If any DLS readers come across the Google Streetview fleet, feel free to send your pictures in, and let us know where you have seen them.

Tags: cars, google, images, maps, streetview

Filed under: Business, Google

Google joins the hybrid auto market sector

by Chris Gilmer Jun 19th 2007

When we think about Google, we normally think about search, so what's the deal with the entry into the auto market?

Google is set to give out $1 million in grants to fund the development of technology for both hybrid and electric cars. They are doing this through their philanthropic Google.org. The search giant also has a request for proposals on the table with a $10 million pot for any company that can help commercialize plug-in hybrids and fully electric cars. Way to go Google for taking the initiative in this slow move to convert autos and help reduce greenhouse gases!

Google has done a lot to help the environment lately. The solar power installation at the Googleplex will generate enough to power 1000 homes daily.

Tags: auto, cars, electric, environment, google, greenhouses gases, GreenhousesGases, hybrid, power

Filed under: Fun, Games, Windows, Macintosh, Linux, Freeware, Time-Wasters

parkingZone - Today's Time Waster

by Jordan Running Jun 30th 2006

parkingZone is a deceptively simple puzzle game in which you must maneuver each of the five cars into the like-colored parking space. It's a bit like one of those sliding tile puzzles, as there's only one empty space at any given time, and only cars which have a direct connection to the empty space can be moved into it. The trick is to move the cars around in the right order, and to do it before you allotment of 50 moves per level is used up. Unfortunately, the game is a little bit buggy (no pun intended), and if you get stuck your only recourse is to click Reset, but try to think of it as a little added challenge.

Tags: cars, flash, fun, game, parkingzone, puzzle

Filed under: Google

First look at Volkswagen-Google-nVidia navigation system

by Jordan Running Mar 15th 2006

What do you get when you take Google Earth and put it in a Volkswagen? Something like this. Volkswagen has partnered with Google and nVidia to create an in-car navigation system based on Google Earth that shows a driver's route in 3D. The touch-screen system is Internet-enabled and goes online to find real-time traffic and weather information as well as other travel information like gas stations, restaurants, or hotels. AutoMotoPortal has a half-dozen screenshots for your enjoyment. For now it's just a prototype, so no word on when we could actually be seeing this in VW's lineup.

[Via Boing Boing]

Tags: 3d, automotive, cars, earth, google, navigation, nvidia, touchscreen, volkswagen

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