Prodigy jack-of-all-trades media streamer announced

As digital media streamers go, the Prodigy from Xtreamer appears to be something of a jack-of-all-trades. The budget-friendly box can store its own content in a wide variety of formats, connect to external drives or wirelessly hook up with a computer. It has a dedicated internet browser specially tweaked for TV, can play Flash media and will work with Apple's AirPlay technology. There's USB 3.0 and HDMI wired connectivity, and audiophiles will appreciate the lossless audio options, while movie buffs get treated to full 1080p high definition playback ... but it's the new Flash GUI that's said to be the real vote winner.

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The Realtek-based media player has a next generation RTL 1185 processor at its heart, which is supported by 512MB DDR3 memory. Internal storage takes the form of a 3.5-inch SATA HDD EZ-Drive bay for up to 3TB storage capacity, although you will need to slot in your own hard drive. The device can support various file systems, including HFS+, NTFS and FAT32, plus you can also hook up an external storage solution via the Prodigy's USB 3.0 (for data transfer speeds of up to 4.8Gbps) or USB 2.0 ports, which can also be used to connect peripherals like a keyboard.

Dealing with the televisual side of things first, digital media files at full 1080p high definition can be sent onto a big screen TV courtesy of the included HDMI-out port/composite AV. The included Opera browser has been optimized for use on a TV and the lush Flash graphical user interface with over 32 languages included offers sound and animation to enhance the user experience.

Gigabit Ethernet and 802.11b/g/n wireless connectivity give access to a wide selection of internet feeds and applications, including YouTube XL, MLB.tv and MediaFly. Those looking to the use the device for audio will be able to connect to services like Last.FM, GrooveShark and Pandora. There's up to 7.1 channel audio with support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS Digital Surround, and the output can be sent onto a quality audio system via S/PDIF coaxial and TOSLink optical digital audio.

In addition to the usual audio and video file formats supported by Prodigy – such as MP3, WAV, FLV and MOV – there's also BD-ISO, DVD IFO/ISO, FLAC and OGG, and various subtitle formats are also supported. There's handy one-click DVD/CD backup, the ability to feed in content via a media card reader, and to access the Prodigy's digital library remotely over the internet thanks to built-in dynamic DNS functionality. With the addition of an Xtreamer USB Antenna, users can wirelessly stream digital content from a computer to the Prodigy and then onto the TV or hi-fi.

The 9.52 x 9.88 x 2.59-inch (242 x 251 x 66 mm) Xtreamer Prodigy is priced at EUR119 (US$164) with shipping expected to start in April – have a look at the company's deals page for introductory offers.

Prototype explosives-detection system utilizes live 'sniffer mice'

Mice ... they may nibble our food, poop in our cupboards, and make us go "eek," but they may also someday keep us from getting blown up. Before they can do that, however, Israeli tech company BioExplorers has to get its mouse-based explosives detection system out of the prototype stage and into production. If it ever does see the light of day, then people at airports, arenas, and other high terrorism-risk areas may routinely be getting a sniff-down by containers of live rodents.

Although mechanical explosives-sniffing systems do exist, dogs are still said to be more reliable. Most security checkpoints will only have a limited number of dogs available, however, and if the one dog giving a person or container the once-over is having an off day, then presumably something could be missed. Additionally, dogs' olfactory systems are much less sensitive than those of mice.

The BioExplorers system would consist of detection units that people would have to walk past. Each of those units would contain multiple cartridges of four to eight "hypersensitive bioSensors" – you know, mice. As people passed by, air would be circulated past them and into the cartridges. If the mice smelled explosives in that air, they would try to escape it by moving from the cartridge's main area and into an adjoining side chamber. Their presence in that chamber would automatically cause the system to alert users to the possible presence of explosives.

The system could also be used to inspect things like air cargo, with a vacuum hose drawing air from containers and into the cartridges.

Of course, not just any old mice would do. The system would use laboratory-bred animals, that would need to be trained. That said, the system would apparently be able to train them itself, and for any number of explosives, narcotics or other selected substances. The initial basic training would take about ten days, with the addition of new odors taking a few days each. Refreshment training courses might be necessary about once a month.

The mice would not be visible to passers-by, and would work in four-hour shifts. An automated system would look after their food, water and bedding changes. The "career" of each mouse would last about 18 months.

Although the BioExplorers system certainly appears to pose some logistical (and likely ethical) challenges, its creators maintain that it would be easy to use, inexpensive to maintain, and reliable. The prototype is said to be able to detect explosives within three to six seconds.

Via New Scientist

Increasing processor efficiency by matching power with demand

For decades, chipmakers strove to develop the fastest and most powerful chips possible and damn the amount of electricity needed to power them, but these days raw grunt isn't the only consideration. As more and more devices go mobile and these devices become more and more powerful, chipmakers must also take the energy efficiency into account. Harvard graduate student Wonyoung Kim has developed and demonstrated an on-chip, multi-core voltage regulator (MCVR) that he says could allow the creation of "smarter" smartphones, slimmer laptops and more energy efficient data centers by more closely matching the power supply to the demand of the chip.

Kim's MCVR is essentially a DC-DC converter that addresses the mismatch between power supply and demand through its ability to take a 2.4-volt input and scale it down to voltages ranging from 0.4 to 1.4 V. It is able to increase or decrease the output by 1 V in under 20 nanoseconds. In a process that Kim likens to "shutting off the lights when you leave the room," the MCVR also uses an algorithm to save power by cutting power to parts of the processor that are not in use. Kim says this results in longer battery life for mobile devices and lower energy bills for stationary data centers, without a reduction in performance.

Because the MCVR is located on the chip it is able to manage the power supply of not only each processor chip, but also each individual core on the chip. Thanks to the short distance the signals have to travel between the voltage regulator and the cores, the power scaling happens in a matter of nanoseconds.

"Wonyoung Kim's research takes an important step towards a higher level of integration for future chips," says Gu-Yeon Wei, Gordon McKay Professor of Electrical Engineering at Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). "Systems today rely on off-chip, board-level voltage regulators that are bulky and slow. Integrating the voltage regulator along with the IC chip to which it supplies power not only reduces broad-level size and cost, but also opens up exciting opportunities to improve energy efficiency," added Wei.

Kim believes mobile phones are where the greatest demand for the MCVR lies but says the technology could also cut the cost of powering servers and reduce the heat output of laptop processors, which is one of the barriers to slimmer models.

"This is a plug-and-play device in the sense that it can be easily incorporated into the design of processor chips," says Kim. "Including the MCVR on a chip would add about 10 percent to the manufacturing cost, but with the potential for 20 percent or more in power savings."

In 2008, Kim's research at SEAS showed that fine-grain voltage control was a theoretical possibility and earlier this month he presented a paper at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' (IEEE) International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC) showing that the MCVR could actually be implemented in hardware. Kim has obtained a provisional patent for the MCVR with his Ph.D. co-advisers at Harvard, Gu-Yeon Wei, and David Brooks, Gordon McKay Professor of Computer Science, who are coauthors on the paper.

AQUASUN system puts floating solar panels on bodies of water

One of the potentially limiting characteristics of solar power is the fact that it takes up a lot of space. Solar panels obviously aren't going to be of much use if they're stacked one on top of the other, so instead must be spread out side-by-side, so each one can soak up the sun's rays. Although they're generally not in the way when mounted on top of buildings, large arrays of solar panels could start to become a hindrance when located on the ground. Tech companies from Israel and France, however, are developing what could be a way of avoiding that situation – floating solar panels that are installed on the surface of existing bodies of water.

Called AQUASUN, the system is the result of a collaboration between Israel's Solaris Synergy and the French EDF Group. The panels themselves utilize silicon cells, which are less expensive than other types, but also prone to inefficiency caused by overheating. Due to a cooling system that incorporates the water on which they're floating, however, overheating is said not to be a problem in this case. A system of mirrors that concentrates the sun's rays onto the panels reportedly boosts their efficiency further, reducing the number of panels needed and thus helping to lower costs even more.

In order to tailor the power output to their requirements, users could add or remove panels as needed – each modular panel reportedly produces 200 kW of electricity.

The system would not be installed on the open ocean or in ecologically-sensitive areas, but instead on reservoirs already in use for industrial or agriculture purposes. Even then, the panels are designed to allow oxygen to permeate through them, so that the water underneath won't become stagnant. In some cases, the panels could even help reduce evaporation and excess algae growth.

A prototype has already been built, and showcased at the 4th International Eilat-Eilot Renewable Energy Conference in Israel. The designers are now planning on installing it for a nine-month test period on a basin at a hydro-electric facility in southeast France, this September. They hope that by June of 2012, after observing the performance of the prototype through different seasons and water levels, they will have gathered sufficient data to make the system ready for the commercial market.

AQUASUN is part of Europe's EUREKA Network, that fosters the development of green businesses and technologies.

Is an 8.9-inch Galaxy Tab in the Works?

A teaser appears on Samsung’s Facebook page, which analysts speculate that there could be an 8.9-inch version of the Galaxy Tab to be unveiled at the upcoming CTIA trade event on March 22. This version would come after the original 7-inch tablet and the recently-introduced 10.1-incher.

The size difference between the three devices is significant, with the 8.9-inch tablet coming right in between.

Sources say the upcoming tablet would most likely have the same specs as the 10.1 with the solid style of construct found on the 7-inch version.

The question remains now is the name of the new tablet. Would it be Samsung Galaxy Tab 8.9, Galaxy Tab 9, or even Galaxy Tab Medium?

Source: CrunchGear

 

Dell Venue Pro Arrives in UK and Germany

Dell proudly announces that its new Windows Phone 7-based Venue Pro arrives in United Kingdom and Germany. The smartphone is designed with the mobile businessperson in mind, enabling users to mix business functionality and entertainment while away from the office.

The Dell Venue Pro features a vertical QWERTY keypad for faster text entry, a 4.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen made from durable Gorilla Glass, a 1GHz Snapdragon processor, 5-megapixel camera with auto-focus, 1GB Flash ROM, 512MB DDR RAM, and a non-removable 16GB microSD card.

On the business front, users can enjoy the phone’s integration with the Microsoft Office Hub including the ability to view and edit Microsoft Office documents, SharePoint syncing technology, integration with Microsoft Exchange Server e-mail messaging, and high-speed cloud-based service.

It also has Windows Phone 7 Live Tiles, as well as access to a full range of apps including Bing, Xbox LIVE, and Zune.

The Dell Venue Pro smartphone is available without contract in Dell retail points in the UK and Germany beginning March 1. Cost starts from £383 (US$623) in UK and €449 ($619.70) in Germany, excluding taxes and shipping.

Source: Engadget

 

Playstation 3 Shipments Seized in Europe After Legal Dispute with LG

Sony and LG have been suing one another over claims of patent infringements and it seems the Korean electronics manufacturer gains an upper hand after European customs officers have been ordered to seize shipments of Playstation 3. This comes after LG won a preliminary injunction against Sony.

The Civil Court of Justice in the Hague, Netherlands, has ruled out that all new PS3s that are being imported into the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe for at least 10 days have to be confiscated.

An extension of the injunction could mean the popular console disappearing from retail shelves. So far, tens of thousands of PS3s were seized in the Netherlands.

The dispute centers on Sony’s alleged infringement on the use of LG’s Blu-ray technology.

The Japanese electronics giant is trying to file an appeal to the European Patents Office as of this writing, hoping that the ban would be lifted in the soonest possible time.

Meanwhile, LG could apply to the same office to get the 10-day import ban extended. The company could even apply for a court order to get the consoles destroyed.

The two companies are involved in seven separate patent disputes. Sony is also seeking to block shipments of LG smartphones to the United States.

Source: The Guardian, photo by David Levene

KitSound Boom Dock

Not all docking stations for the Apple iPod may actually provide the sound quality that most people will actually welcome. Some may not quite make it operating at full volume. It may take a better iPod dock like the new Boom Dock from KitSound. This iPod Dock offers features that might appeal to those who may like it loud.

The new KitSound Boom Dock is built for power despite its size. It comes with satellite drivers made out of aluminum cones that provide it with a dynamic range close to 90dB. The Boom Dock features a 2.1 channel speaker system with a 5.25″ subwoofer that provides a super deep bass response. Aside from being an iPod dock, the KitSound Boom Dock also comes with additional phono inputs that allow users to connect it with other devices such as a video player or TV. It also comes with a built-in FM/AM radio and alarm clock. The KitSound Boom Dock is available at KitSound for 100 UK pounds or around US$162.

Image Source: KitSound

 

Archos Arnova 10 Tablet

With tablets recently becoming more and more visible and popular in the consumer market, people might find it quite hard to choose from a wide range of such devices available. But what might most people consider when buying such tablets might be its price point. Archos has been known to provide the market with quite a number of affordable tablets to choose from. One of the recent ones to be announced is the Archos Arnova 10 Tablet.

The new Archos Arnova 10 Tablet will be featuring a 1GHz ARM Cortex RK2918 processor, possibly an 8GB of storage with a MicroSD slot and will run on the Android Gingerbread OS. It will feature a 10.1 inch resistive touch screen display, is WiFi ready and weighs just 1.3 pounds. This new Archos Arnova 10 eyes the budget tablet market and may be available sometime around April of this year. The price has yet to be announced although an Archos Arnova 10 model with lesser specs (600MHz processor, Android 2.1 OS) is already available and may go for around US$199.

Image Source: Archos

 

Batman: Arkham City Gameplay Details Revealed

Details about the upcoming video game “Batman: Arkham City” is gradually being leaked by developer Rocksteady, the team behind the very popular “Grand Theft Auto” series. In a recent press event, parts of the gameplay details are being demonstrated.

The villain Calendar Man will appear in the game with script cues based on real time. For instance, if the player visits the character at his cell during any real-time holiday, he would narrate about the crimes he committed on that day. In the demo, he is talking about St. Patrick’s Day, which is coming soon.

Also, Batman will be able to make use of helicopters as a quick mode of transportation, apart from the usual run-and-swing-around-the-city the character does.

In the demo, Batman grapples onto a low-hovering helicopter, which then flies around the city as the player looks for innocent people who are in dire need of help as well as collect Riddler trophies.

The player would also receive “Person in Distress” messages. Accepting these calls sends Batman on new side-quests.

More details will be revealed in the coming days, especially during the GDC trade event in San Francisco next week. As a teaser, the team presented to the attendees of the press event a hand-painted billboard in the game, which may provide a clue. The billboard reads: “Turn on and tune in before someone checks out: 275.00 325.00.”

Source: Computer and Video Games

 

HTC Unveils Merge Android CDMA Smartphone

HTC has announced what they claim as its first “Android-based CDMA world phone.” The HTC Merge runs on Android 2.2 OS and includes a slider keyboard, looking quite similiar to its EVO Shift 4G, which is the slider version of Sprint EVO 4G.

The Merge features a 3.8-inch touchscreen display, a full QWERTY slider keyboard, HTC Sense interface, Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync support, a 5-megapixel back-facing camera with autofocus and flash, 720p video recording capability, integrated GPS, and WiFi.

The HTC Merge is expected to go retail on Spring 2011 in various North American operators, including Verizon (most likely).

Source: PC Magazine

 

Zerotracer takes out inaugural round the world Zero Emissions Race

It may have taken a little longer than expected, but last week the inaugural Zero Race finally wound up with the three remaining competitors returning to the United Nations Palace in Geneva, Switzerland where the race got underway in August last year. After 80 driving days, which saw the 100 percent electric vehicles travel some 28,000 km (17,398 miles) across 16 countries through freezing temperatures, snow, rain and heat, Team Oerikon Solar's Zerotracer was the first to cross the finish line, followed by Team Vectrix in second place and Team Trev in third.

Being first across the finish line on February 24, 2011, wasn't the only factor for picking a winner. The Zero Race was actually decided on a points system that took into account a number of additional criteria including range, reliability and safety of the vehicles. The teams were also given tasks to accomplish during the race and the Oerikon Solar Racing Team's good results on these tasks early on helped the Zerotracer move quickly into one of the leading positions.

"It is great that our team was able to win this very demanding race. This shows that emission-free mobility solutions are useful for everyday life even in adverse conditions. The Zerotracer is a real milestone on the path to use solar energy as a form of fuel in an economically viable manner and thus to create a real alternative for the mobile world of tomorrow," said Helmut Frankenberger, the CEO of Oerlikon Solar.

Having completed a round the world trip in 80 (driving) days, the next Zero Emissions Race is now being planned with a route beginning in Venice that will take competitors through 10 European countries before finishing in Vienna two weeks later. All EVs with a range of 150 km (93 miles) at 80 km/h (50 mph) are welcome for the race which will run from September 3 to 25, 2011. More details will be forthcoming at the Zero Emissions Race website.

MiTAC heads to CeBIT with new Android tablets

The flood of tablet computer releases seen at CES 2011 looks set to continue at this year's CeBIT trade show in Hannover, Germany with Taiwan's MiTAC first off the starting line with four new tablets heading for the show. Hoping to capitalize on the success of last year's award-winning Valinor media tablet, the company has announced a couple of media tablets, a rugged model and one featuring two GPS receivers.

While it's doubtful that the two Valar media tablets about to get a showing in Germany will have quite the same impact on the world as their Ainur namesakes, you will at least be able to watch movies like the Lord of the Rings trilogy in full 1080p high definition on the displays themselves or on a big screen TV via HDMI-out.

They benefit from a 1GHz Cortex processor, Android 2.3 with MiTAC overlay, a front-facing 1.3 megapixel webcam and a 5-megapixel camera with flash at the rear. The Valar 7, as you might expect, features a 7-inch touchscreen display while the Valar 10 has a 10-inch high definition widescreen display. Both units come with built-in GPS, with support for location-based services such as Google Maps or turn-by-turn navigation.

Continuing the Tolkien theme, the Ulmo is the tough member of the new quartet, being IPX7 waterproof and drop resistant. Its 7-inch touchscreen display is also capable of full 1080p high definition playback and there's also HDMI connectivity and stereo speakers.

Naming inspiration takes a Greek holiday for the Zeus 6-inch tablet, which has dual GPS receivers to help ensure a strong GPS signal whichever way the device is held.

Although there is specific mention of an operating system for the Valar series, what's running the Zeus and Ulmo has not yet to be confirmed, but the product images provided by MiTAC suggest Android too.

The new tablets will be on show at the MiTAC booth between March 1 and 5 atCeBIT 2011 in Hanover, Germany. As soon as we get word on pricing and availability, we'll let you know.

The Magic W3: the mini-PC with phone capabilities that's not a smartphone

Recently, devices like LG's Tegra 2-powered Optimus 2X have blurred the lines between smartphone and mini-computer but they're still geared towards the former. The Magic W3's primary function is as a handheld computer that also happens to have telephone functionality. What's the difference? The Atom-powered W3 runs on a full version of Windows 7 Home Premium for multi-tasking productivity and includes 32GB of onboard solid state storage.

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In addition to the Windows 7 OS, the Magic W3 microcomputer runs a Magic Telephony Touch User Interface to cater for user voice and texting needs over a suitable quad-band GSM network. An Intel Atom Z530 processor running at 1.6 GHz provides the computing power, with support from 1GB DDR2 RAM. The 4.8-inch touchscreen display is capable of 720p high definition playback and there's a 1.3 megapixel webcam for video conferencing or web chat.

The device also benefits from 3G, Bluetooth and 802.11b/g wireless connectivity, and in addition to the obligatory SIM card slot also sports mini-HDMI, mini-USB and microSD. Completing the specs checklist is built-in GPS, accelerometer, dual microphones, stereo speakers and a 3.5mm audio jack.

Having a full version of Windows running on a handheld device may have been enough of an attraction just a few short years ago to make the Magic W3 a huge success, but it's questionable that it will be able to compete with the many more advanced mobile offerings either already or soon to be available. That said though, there's nothing wrong with having another choice for mobile computing.

At the time of writing, there's no word on pricing or availability.

Apple Chooses Intel’s Thunderbolt Over USB 3.0

The highlight in Apple’s new line of MacBook Pro laptops is the new data transfer technology incorporated into the devices. The Thunderbolt, created by Intel Corp., replaces the USB technology found in previous MacBook Pro models.

Intel boasts that its Thunderbolt is the fastest data connection to personal computers in the market, incorporating high-speed data transfer and high-definition display into a single cable. The technology, according to Intel, can transfer a full-length HD movie in less than 30 seconds, with a speed of 10Gb per second.

This would make it twice as fast as USB 3.0, 12 times faster than FireWire 800, and up to 20 times faster than USB 2.0.

Thunderbolt works by transmitting both raw data and audio-video information at the same time. It uses existing DisplayPort for displays and PCI-Express data protocols for data transfer.

The technology was first introduced on Apple’s new MacBook Pro laptops and is expected to appear in upcoming personal computers and peripheral devices as well. However, whether Thunderbolt can replace the industry-standard USB 3.0 is yet to be seen.

Source: Xinhua English, photo from CNN

 

Samsung SENS Series 9 Super-Light Notebook

Not only are notebooks and laptops getting more advanced, they also seem to get lighter, thinner and smaller. This makes them even more convenient to bring along just about anywhere, the primary reason why such computing devices were developed in the first place. Nothing can get even more convenient when it comes to mobility with a notebook like the new Samsung SENS Series 9.

The Samsung SENS Series 9 Notebook is a super light notebook that was just recently unveiled in Korea. This super light notebook weighs only 1.31 kilograms and sports a super slim body that is only 16.3 mm thick. The body is made from Duralumin, an advanced material, durable and light, that is more known more for aircraft construction.

The Samsung SENS Series 9 Notebook is powered by an Intel Core i5 2537M CPU. It also comes with a 4GB RAM, 128GB SSD, Intel HD Graphics, 13.3 inch display, WiFi and Bluetooth 3 connectivity. What also makes it interesting is that this notebook can boot in just 15 seconds, thanks to its Samsung “Fast Start” Technology. The Samsung SENS Series 9 is expected to be released in the US sometime in March. It is expected to cost around 2.4 million Won or around US$2,200.

Image Source: Samsung

 

NEC Medias N04C, The Thinnest Android Smartphone Yet

DoCoMo, a Japanese telecom company will be introducing another Android smartphone next month. But it may not just be another Android smartphone per se. It is the new NEC Medias N04C Smartphone, considered as the world’s thinnest to date.

The NEC Medias Android Smartphone features a form factor that is just 7.7mm thin and weighs a mere 105 grams. There are other smartphones that have been made that may be thinner in some areas. But the NEC Medias is the first to have a uniformly thin body from top to bottom. And its features are in no way limited by its relatively thin profile.

The NEC Medias Smartphone features a 4 inch display and runs on Android 2.2. DoCoMo announced that it will also feature a 1Seg TV Tuner and a Felica NFC mobile wallet service. Other expected features include an infrared-based data exchange and a quick shot photo function that can take consecutive photos in about every second. DoCoMo says that the NEC Medias will be available on March 15. No word yet on how much it will cost Japanese consumers to have one.

Image Source: DoCoMo

 

ZX-10R: Trackside with Kawasaki at round one of the 2011 World Superbikes

Going really fast and riding motorcycles seems to be a genetic link going back to when a motor was first bolted on to a pushbike at the start of the last century. Just about every boy – and let's not deny it, man – who throws his leg over a motorcycle has the adrenaline rush of a Mike Hailwood or Valentino Rossi coursing through his veins.

Perhaps that's why Kawasaki have paid the ultimate tribute to this romantic notion of the racing motorcycle in a very unusual move for a giant mass-market manufacturer by starting the design process for its flagship ZX-10R sportsbike on the racetrack. Unusual because, for a consumer retail model of a motorcycle that's planned to sell in the many ten's of thousands of units in many different countries with many different road surfaces (and many different speeding laws!!!), starting from a pure-bred racebike is not what they usually do.

As you expect, the new 2011 Kawasaki ZX-10R is new in every sense of the word and not just a clone-like new release from an old design that we so often expect from the big manufacturers ever year – with the occasional breakthrough feature in one brand or another vying for our attention. It's a brand new model with a brand new frame, 200hp engine, Showa suspension and a grab bag of the highest-tech electronics riding aids.

Together they make it the fastest and most most technically advanced motorcycle ever released by the Japanese industrial behemoth – and, as you would expect from the bike's racing pedigree, amongst the most advanced by any manufacturer, large or small.

Its bundle of electronic and mechanical advantages are all designed to make it easier for the average biker to ride fast but, paradoxically, they also bring a new level of complexity and potential confusion to Kawasaki's World Superbike factory team, home to MotoGP winner and WorldSBK and Supersport legend, Chris Vermeulan, along with team mates Tom Sykes and Joan Lascorz.

To give us an insight on what it takes to keep abreast of these vast technological strides we talked with Chris and his team manager, Paul Risbridger, at Phillip Island for the Australian opening round of the 2011 WorldSBK season (although, disappointingly, in a last minute decision he had to pull out of racing this weekend at his home round while he continues his long, hard rehab from last year's major knee surgery).

For a pitside view of the new ZX-10R, have a look as Kawasaki team manager Paul Rasbridger walks us through it.