 Audi's first bona-fide SUV isn't even here yet, and already it's multiplying. In addition to the V8 model coming this June ($50,620), the Four-Ringed-One plans to introduce a V8 Premium trim level, which will ring up at $60,620. With all mod cons, expect the eight-cylinder Q7 to lighten your children's trust funds by about $65k. Additionally, a cheaper V6-powered Q7 will hit the U.S. a few months later, and according to Edmund's Inside Line, turbodiesel and hybrid drivetrains will be in the mix for MY 2008.
Audi also has the RS4 Avant and RS4 Cabriolet officially been released across the pond, Audi of America has confirmed it has no plans to sell either model in North America.
Both vehicles feature the RS 4 sedan’s 4.2L, direct-injection V8 that produces 420 bhp and can rev all the way up to 8,250 rpm. Like the sedan, the Avant and Cabriolet have been lowered 30mm, had their tracks widened and wear the same go-fast bits applied to the sedan, which include a single-framed grille and two large air inlets up front, new side sills, flared fenders and a pair of oval tailpipes poking out the rear.
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Shuttle slims down with XPC X100 form factor
 Not quite as tiny as the Viiv uDMS P60 machine, but Shuttle's new XPC X100 is looking like the contender for the mini PC crown. The 2.13-inch tall WMCE unit holds a 120W fanless power supply unit; 1.83GHz Core Duo T2400 processor; 512MB of dual-channel DDR 2 SDRAM; ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 graphics on an MXM module so it's upgradeable; 250GB Serial ATA II hard drive; HD Audio; Gigabit Ethernet; 802.11a/b/g Wi-Fi; four-in-one memory card reader; one front- and three rear-mounted USB 2.0 ports; DVI, TV-out and S/P DIF ports; and a six-pin Firewire connector. Shuttle hasn't quite pinned everything down, so we don't know the price yet, and those specs could change, but we'll know more soon since they'll be displaying the X100 at CeBIT.
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One off NES-themed messenger bag
 Craftster.org, the place where "crafty hipsters share clever ideas" lives up to that promise. User "frogz" has made this one off NES-themed messenger bag, saying, "The general reaction to the bag was to try to press the buttons." If you've now decided you can't live without your own, you could always get a custom design from R.E.Load Baggage, though it'll cost ya. Awesome bag frogz! Read more..!
Former Gizmondo exec. involved in Ferrari Enzo crash
 Stefan Eriksson, the former executive officer of the now bankrupt Gizmondo Europe, (who resigned, after the company found out he was convicted of financial fraud in the mid-90s) was involved in a high speed car crash which totalled a $1 million Ferrari Enzo. Police in the Los Angeles district of Malibu said in a statement that the car was owned by Mr. Eriksson, but that he was not driving. According to the former exec. a German man called Dietrich--who fled the scene--was driving the car. That's convenient considering that Mr. Eriksson's blood-alcohol level was above the legal limit. The car, which was travelling at around 192km/h, mounted an embankment, became airborne and was sheared in two on collision with a pole. Apparently the car was taking part in a street race with a Mercedes SLR, a $677,500 car.
So when Mr. Eriksson claimed to have left Gizmondo to "pursue new entrepreneurial ventures", he meant to say that he'd be throwing away a third of the $3 million in salary and bonuses he earned from his time at Gizmondo by getting involved in the writing off of his one million dollar car.
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Devi Kroell Wooden and Crystal Clutch
 Not sure what you could actually fit in Devi Kroell's Wooden and Crystal Clutch - probably just lipstick and some credit cards - but it's svelte. The colors are neutral enough that it would match almost any outfit. Made of nut wood and swarovski crystals it measures at 5 1/4" x 3 1/2". Read more..!
 Damien Velasquez is a designer in Albuquerque, New Mexico who makes simple but well-crafted designs of steel, wood, and glass. Velasquez shows his unique designs at craft shows around the country. The Don't Fall Down Dresser shown here is part of the permanent collection of the National Hispanic Cultural Center in Albuquerque, New Mexico. It sells for $2,875. Read more..!
Datel to debut Xbox 360 memory card reader
 Maxconsole has the scoop on a forthcoming Xbox 360 transfer kit from Datel that hooks up to your PC via USB and allows you to read memory cards from the system. The included Xchange 360 software merely does the backup thing, but software like Xplorer360 and wxTheme can jump in to help access, share, and edit the saved games and themes that reside on the card. No word yet on when this reader will be available, but it'll cost $15 when released. Read more..!
Pirates of the Caribbean screen booty!
HP turns 40, makes crazy coffee table
 Misto, as the table's known, developed by HP Labs, is basically a large touchscreen table that allows groups of fawning nerds to gather 'round to share pictures and play games. Apparently HP's actually shooting for commercial release by Thanksgiving of this year. Read more..!
Vin Diesel is... The Wheelman!
 Reality is Vin's Tigon Studios was responsible for Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, one of the best video game movie adaptations to date. So the announcement that Diesel and co. are working on a new project is met with less cynicism than similar announcements. ComingSoon.net reports that Tigon Studios and Midway games are creating The Wheelman video game and Tigon Films and MTV Films are making the movie, to be distributed by Paramount Pictures. Who's going to play the titular Wheelman. Mr. Diesel had this to say about the project: "With 'The Wheelman' we have created the first integrated franchise being launched for both the gaming and film industries... In collaborating with Midway, MTV and Paramount, Tigon Studios has brought together an incredible team to execute this project."Read more..!
New wireless "WiFiber" tech faster than fiber?
 Virginia startup GigaBeam set their sights high with their new wireless system: they're combating fiber. They dub the tech "WiFiber," and are positioning the product to replace fiber optic pipes in situations when they're too expensive, too harmful to the environment, or just too slow to deploy, and they're claiming one gigabit per second speeds to sweeten the deal. WiFiber operates in the 71-76, 81-86, and 92-95GHz frequencies to avoid interference and so that the signal is less impeded by light rain or fog than current high-speed wireless competitors. It also transmits in a tight beam to avoid overlap, but you still need a line of sight, so heavy rain can spoil your day. If conditions are right, though, GigaBeam's signal can make it for 10 miles, and is already shooting data from the Trump towers in NY and from a few other metro sites. Unfortunately, it's mainly for business links right now, since it's currently $30,000 for a set of radios. Read more..!
Fight Night 3 false cracks PSP
 Fight Night Round 3 may look all sweaty and pretty on the Xbox 360, but just try lugging that onto a bus, and you'll appreciate the sleek PSP now that it's finally landed, bruises and all, at a store in your neighborhood. Plus, with the twenty bucks you could save by buying the PSP version, you can pay someone to towel you after every round, saying, "your a bum!" Read more..!
Apple's "Media Cube" spotted
 MacDailyNews has some blurry cameraphone shots (they're always blurry cameraphone shots, aren't they?) of a new Apple Media Cube -- the box you see above, with a bunch of ports on the back side, and the intention to make it do something "media-related." Sure, Jobs does love Cubes -- in fact, he's obsessed with them -- and yes, the Mac mini would never have enough room to become a full DVR. Where would the tuner(s) go, where would the 3.5-inch drive go? So if we're to pretend, that this is real, could this then be the Mac mini media center box we've been waiting for! Read more..!
Half-Life 2: Episode Two confirmed by Valve
 As a follow-up to Aftermath (now entitled Episode One), Valve has confirmed that Episode Two has been in development for quite some time ("about as long as Episode One," according to IGN). No other details are available right now, but it's safe to say that Episode One/Aftermath (whatever you wish to call it) will not be answering all of the questions left open by the Half-Life 2 ending. According to CVG, who will soon post an interview with Episode One designer Robin Walker, the initial release will offer around 5 hours of gameplay and will give more details as to the G-Man's involvement and the fates of the Breen and the Citadels. Read more..!
Pass the soap and the remote
 Ever prefer a long soak in the tub with some high-def content, here's "A Bathroom Guide" where you can pine away at this soaker complete with a flat-panel set and ten jacuzzi-like jets. It would be nice if they provided us the specs on the La Scala tub, but really now: if you're soaking with a TV close enough to kick, do you really care if it's 720p or 1080i, not to mention it comes with a floating remote! Read more..!
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-Lytir1
