Up Close: 2010 Ford Mustang
KickingTires — ... this car to take on the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro: It didn't give the Mustang an independent rear suspension (it still uses a live axle like before), and it didn't significantly increase the V-8's horsepower (it gains 15 hp for a total of 315 hp). During the debut, Ford said another Mustang announcement would happen at the Detroit auto show in January, so maybe the automaker has a Cobra version up its sleeves that will address these issues. ...

Up Close: 2010 Nissan Cube
KickingTires — ... Nissan hasn’t announced pricing yet, but product manager Laura Johnson said it will be priced “very competitively” with cars like the xB. With the number of available features on higher-end models, we’d expect that to be somewhere in the $16,000-$20,000 range. ...

Up Close: 2010 Mazda3
KickingTires — ... of the model I sat in. The available seat heaters also have five settings rather than the more common one or two. However, there was also pretty basic flat-black plastic trim surrounding the power-window switches, and a fuzzy headliner. On the whole, the Mazda3 looks sharp and is nice enough on the inside to hold its own with the majority of compact cars available today. Let us know what you think of that front end in the comments. ...

Up Close: 2010 Nissan 370Z
KickingTires — ... drive – those crevices will collect crumbs like the Tennessee Titans collect wins. The seats themselves feel more comfortable than I remember the old Z’s being; alas, the steering wheel still doesn’t telescope, although it carries the gauge pod along with it when you tilt it. Nissan’s short-throw shifter feels as perfect as ever, and we’ll be interested to see how that downshift rev-matching feature works. More live shots below. ...

Up Close: Mini E
KickingTires — ... There's a little bit of cargo room behind it. The E's interior will be familiar to fans of the current Mini. Like the exterior, the cabin has been accented with yellow in the form of dash and door trim. Mini is only making 500 Es available for one-year leases to consumers in California, New York and New Jersey. The monthly payment is a sizable $850, but there's little doubt Mini will find takers for its diminutive electric car. ...

Up Close: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro
KickingTires — ... windshield. On the outside, the car looks great in person thanks to its low-slung, wide body and clean lines. The Camaro's nose is pointier than many images lead you to believe, and there are nice details, like a thin port above the grille. The Camaro has been a long time coming — it first appeared in concept form at the 2006 Detroit auto show — but it looks like the wait will be worth it for muscle-car fans. More photos below. ...

Up Close: 2010 Kia Soul
KickingTires — ... I can’t tell what this car is trying to be. It looks too nebulous from the front, too cheeky from the rear. The 18-inch wheels on uplevel models suggest go-fast capabilities … but then you pop the hood and see Kia’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which fills the engine bay like Mary-Kate Olsen fills a muumuu. Sigh. At least the Soul ought to be fuel-efficient, with an estimated 30-plus mpg, according to Kia. That beats Scion’s xB by at least 2 mpg. ...

Up Close: 2009.5 Pontiac G6
KickingTires — ... and the new layout is an improvement over what was there previously. The changes take the G6 in the direction it needs to go, but there are still nicer midsize cars available, including GM's own Chevrolet Malibu. The updated G6 hits dealerships in January with a starting price of $19,945 for the base sedan. The coupe, meanwhile, starts at $22,890, and the retractable-hardtop convertible is priced at $32,970. More photos below. ...

Up Close: 2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon
KickingTires — ... separating the rear side windows and tall taillights that climb up the back of the car. The 25-cubic-foot cargo area isn't particularly expansive for a wagon, but it is nearly twice the size of the CTS sedan's trunk. For many people in the U.S., wagons have a cool-factor that's about on par with minivans. That could change, though, as sleek sport wagons like the 2009 Audi A4 Avant and this new CTS wagon hit U.S. roads. More photos below. ...

Up Close: 2010 Ford Fusion
KickingTires — ... in the Escape and Mariner — could be tough to sort through at a glance, but it’s no worse than the Accord’s center stack. There’s enough headroom and legroom in the backseat, though legroom isn’t as generous as what the Accord and Mazda6 provide. Cheers to Ford for still having one of the best cargo setups in the biz. The trunk has a large opening, and the spring-loaded rear seat flips down on its own with a pull of a lever. ...

Up Close: 2010 Mercury Milan
KickingTires — ... areas are impressive — there’s a decent-sized center console plus a compartment atop the dash, as the old Fusion/Milan had. If it gets segment-leading gas mileage and starts at a decent price, the Milan should see relative success. For my money, though, the Fusion offers the same package in a far more attractive wrapper — a reversal from last year’s Milan, which I thought looked a bit better than its Ford counterpart. More photos below. ...

Up Close: 2010 Lincoln MKZ
KickingTires — ... an arbitrary sort of way, as there seems to be plenty of real estate for them to spread out a bit. I’d like to see Lincoln do a bit more with the car’s rear styling. The front looks like the MKS — opine on that as you will — but the rear perpetuates the outgoing car’s robotic look. I find the MKS’ rear quite attractive, actually, so it’s a shame Lincoln didn’t translate some of that look to the smaller canvas here. More photos below. ...

Up Close: 2010 Lexus RX
KickingTires — ... The seat folds in a 40/20/40 split, with levers in the cargo area releasing the spring-loaded backrests. Functionality is top-notch: If the backseat has been moved forward — which could leave a gap in the load floor — the seat springs back to its rearmost position as you fold it down. The result is a gap-free cargo floor every time and a backseat whose head restraints always clear the front seatbacks when you’re folding it flat. Clever. ...

Suburban Dad and the Econobox Invasion
KickingTires — ... wind up with Red Bull splashing over many a driver's lap when making a turn at (relatively) high speeds. In the very important mileage battle, I suspect that Nissan will win, but Kia and corporate sibling Hyundai have been getting better at focusing on achieving better mpg. Overall, for its advantages on looks, back hatch and (likely) price, I would go with the Soul for my teens (if I ever actually bought a new car for them). ...

Through Ian's Lens: Spyker C8 Aileron
KickingTires — ... of early pulp science fiction with fighter-jet design to create a unique and striking look. Scissor doors and LED taillights complete the car’s aesthetic, as “Olde Tyme” classy meets high-end modern. This car has billionaire steam-punk written all over it. Please leave your remarks in the comments section; a full set of photos is below. Feel free to use the full-screen mode on the photo browser. This car is meant to be seen up-close. ...

Through Ian's Lens: 2010 Mazda Mazda3
KickingTires — ... sedans on a much needed turn in terms of design direction. The use of similar lines along the hood, similar headlight assemblies and similar fender contours give the Mazda3 a look of upscale nobility, while retaining an individual appearance when looking at the car in its entirety. Please leave your remarks in the comments section; a full set of photos is below. Feel free to use the full-screen mode on the photo browser. ...

What we made for Thanksgiving 2008
theory.isthereason — This year’s Thanksgiving was a low-key affair… a few friends, smaller proportions of food, still fun nonetheless. I made my upgrade version of the Sweet Potato Casserole, which was well-received last year. Using the recipe from AllRecipes.com, this time I added glazed pecans under the marshmellows to top it off. Ingredients for Sweet Potato Casserole (Serves 4) * 2-1/2 sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced * 1/4 cup packed brown sugar ...

Microsoft Visitor Center
D' Technology Weblog —

Holiday Event: Unsilent Night
MAKE Magazine — ... your city for instructions. If you'd like to participate but don't have a boombox or a music player with speakers, you can just show up and join the parade. Everyone is an important part of the procession. Help us make a BIG (and joyful) noise. This is always a free event and all ages are welcome. Dates vary depending on location; learn more here. Here are photos from previous year's events around the world: Read more | Permalink | Comments | ...

Stefan Boublil Visits Adam Kalkin's Bunny Lane House
MoCoLoco — Saw this on theApt Broadcast today, "this house is basically an airplane hangar that encompasses an old-fashioned wood home, exactly as it would if this were a sitcom set.". Built in 2001, Adam Kalkin's Bunny Lane House has been well documented in contemporary architecture books, but this is the first time it's gotten the full Stefan Boublil treatment. "His home, built 2001 on the former Pfizer estate is basically an ode to the sound-stages of old, a place in which dreams are ...

Weekend Athlete: 2009 Chevrolet Aveo5
KickingTires — ... It looks kinda sporty and is easy to park, but if I were to buy this I’d know I was doing so for reasons other than to take me to the races. That kills in this category. All-around – 2: It’s just not the right car, and I really think that if I were to test other small cars it would be obvious they would do a better job. Small cars aren’t disqualified from Weekend Athlete tests, but this one just didn’t cut it. ...

HOWTO electrocute yourself -- slideshow from Vienna's Technisches museum
Boing Boing — Fabulous Maker and rogue photographer Bre Pettis paid a visit to the Technisches museum and snapped their "30 Ways to Die of Electrocution" exhibit. I like the emphasis on urine and pranks in the list. 30 Ways to Die of Electrocution (via Geisha Asobi)

Weekend Athlete: 2009 Honda Ridgeline
KickingTires — ... but it wouldn't leave your toys out in the cold in a pinch. The best way I can put it is that sometimes when I do this test I'll sum up by saying the car isn't the right tool for the job – meaning that said car falls short. In this case, the Ridgeline isn't really the right tool for the job because there are other vehicles that offer greater flexibility. However, if you're the sort who needs a truck bed, too, it is a unique offering. Weekend Athlete Scores (Out of 10) ...

Austin's Burning Clock
MAKE Magazine — Last night, Austin had a beautiful, community-grown New Years Eve celebration. Austin Bike Zoo, ArcAttack!, and others came out with improvements to their already-great shows, and the new star was a working, 34-foot wooden clock tower. Filled with resolutions, it later became a work of fire art. Here's my favorite slideshow, via zAdventure on Flickr: Some (possibly dubious) reports of minor injuries aside, this was the best New Year's art I've seen. Thanks to Community ...

Review: A week with the G50v
Boing Boing Gadgets — ... has glowing blue LED strips and a pulsating "Republic of Gamers" logo on its lid. Most striking about it is the metallic orange trim, which shouts "This machine is for playing games. Do not do work on this machine." There are 7 stickers on it. The lid is black. A glossy scratc-resistant clearcoat attracts fingerprints. Close inspection reveals countless tiny sparklies beneath it, shimmering like one of Siegfried and Roy's capes. As reviewed, the G50V has a Core 2 Duo T9400, 4GB of ...

BEAMS TOKYO CULTuART aggregates Tokyo urban culture & art
JAPAN TRENDS - LIVE FROM TOKYO — ... with a small price tag. While Modoka Morikawa’s Peloqoon stuffed figures can go for around $150, one-of-a-kind pieces like the Doraemon stained-glass lamp from Pucci (seen in the slideshow) can exceed $7000. This is surely the nature of bringing in the best of the best, and makes it a great stop for both foreign and local visitors to get a solid overview of Tokyo culture and design in a very pop-culture kind of way. Technology certainly has its place in CULTuART’s space ...

HP Pavilion DV2 runs AMD Athlon Neo CPU, looks down on netbooks
Boing Boing Gadgets — ... like the MacBook Air. Machines built on this platform will use a new AMD Athlon Neo CPU in concert with either integrated ATI Radeon X1250 graphics or—for 1080p HD video and HDMI output—a discrete HD 3410 video chipset. First up is HP, with the new Pavilion dv2. It has a 12.1" LED-backlit display, sub-4lb weigh-in, and optional Blu-Ray. Under an inch thick, it's running a 1.6GHz Neo and pricing will start at $500. The idea is to offer things that netbooks can't match, like ...

Logitech's new gaming gear
Boing Boing Gadgets — ... in that special-ops gamer sort of way, and has plenty of clout: the G19 keyboard bristles with programmable buttons, while its new G35 surround sound headset thumps eardrums and the G13 "advanced gameboard" has 25 extra keys for those for whom standard keyboards just aren't enough. The G9x laser mouse has 5000dpi, which I think officially qualifies mouse dpi for the inaugural "Megapixel" award for technological diminishing returns.

CES 2009 - Digital Experience Slide Show
Mobility Site —

Weekend Athlete: 2009 Kia Borrego
KickingTires — ... That last bit might seem like a small issue – especially if you don’t have kids – but for me it's a deal-breaker, and it's why the Borrego gets a 2 in the "locker-room cred" category. After you’ve finished a race or played with your outside toys, you should feel elated and happy, not anxious at the thought of driving through a parking lot. Between the visibility issues and the rough ride, I was more anxious than elated. Weekend Athlete Scores (Out of 10) ...

2010 Mercedes-Benz SLR 722 McLaren Stirling Moss Through Ian's Lens
KickingTires — ... designed for the race track, but rather as an homage to both an immortal figure in automotive racing and his metal steed. With production limited to just 75 units — and costing a whopping $983,100 — I'm pretty sure I'll never see one of these on the road. But what a glorious sight it would be. Please leave your remarks in the comments section; a full set of photos is below. Feel free to use the full-screen mode on the photo browser. ...

2009 BMW Z4 Through Ian's Lens
KickingTires — ... close to flawless. Creased hood lines, an upgraded grille and seamless flow from front fender to door handle give it a performance stance the previous model lacked. All-around? This was my favorite production car in Detroit this year. I can’t wait to get my hands on one in Chicago … in summer. Please leave your remarks in the comments section; a full set of photos is below. Feel free to use the full-screen mode on the photo browser. ...

Center Stack Index: Detroit Auto Show
KickingTires — ... elsewhere. In the end, a crowded stack could be the result of extra (and arguably unnecessary) controls — or it may render a cleaner cabin in other areas. And given enough time, most drivers will make some sense of even the most crowded designs. (Then again, given enough time with an owner's manual, most BMW owners can make sense of first-gen iDrive, but that doesn't make it OK.) Check out the photos below and let us know what you think. ...

More from the last Handmade Music
MAKE Magazine — ... and publisher of createdigitalmusic.com, Handmade Music Night helps connect people who are interested in making digital music but who don't necessarily have access to music institutions or some of the underground music scenes that are more difficult to infiltrate. Read more of the story - Making Electronic Music By Hand Create Digital Music also posted a visual tour of the event via Flickr photo set - Read more | Permalink | Comments | ...

Last day to enter "The SPEAK VISUAL contest at the NVIDIA Modification Station with MAKE"
MAKE Magazine — Gang, today is the last day to enter "The SPEAK VISUAL contest at the NVIDIA Modification Station with MAKE" - You can check out all the entries here or the slideshow above... It's really easy, finish up your mod, add your photos (tagged with modificationstation) or just enter some digital designs... Rules & more here. Read more | Permalink | Comments | Read more articles in Announcements | Digg this!