Tag Archives: car

Effekt-Etage Creates Innovative iPad App

Seemingly real paint samples that react to movements of the iPad, leather that you can actually touch as well as see, and individualised image content in many app areas. A new benchmark for innovation, interactivity and customer communication.

BMW Individual, the most exclusive way to drive a BMW, is now available as an interactive experience on the iPad. Thanks to an innovative user interface, this unprecedented virtual product catalogue enables a breathtaking experience of BMW Individual, the BMW premium range.

The app commissioned by BMW M GmbH and developed by Effekt-Etage had a simple aim: to fully exploit the interactive potential offered by the iPad medium in an innovative way, thus creating a new benchmark. The app developed by Effekt-Etage is set to establish a new trend in the category of interactive product magazines.

Its various chapters relate interesting facts about the BMW Individual philosophy, paint finishes, fine leather upholstery and other equipment options. In addition, users can create a virtual vehicle according to their preferences and view the finished result in a Visualiser.

The app is the first to achieve a near-realistic representation of paint finish samples in a virtual environment. In part this is due to Effekt-Etage’s high-quality 3D renderings, which perfectly communicate the BMW Individual paint finishes’ special appeal. In addition, the virtual paint finishes react to movements of the iPad, so the user has the actual impression of moving a real-life paint sample in relation to a light source. This virtual reality effect has also been implemented for the leather samples, allowing the user to leaf through them and touch them.

The interactive capability of this app means that almost every product image can be interacted with, creating a virtual environment that allows users to experience the look and feel of the various equipment details for themselves.

Another outstanding feature is the way the app combines the product information and vehicle configuration processes.

The conventional approach involves the user finding information about products and features such as paint finishes, equipment etc. in a physical catalogue, or on the web. They then begin a separate step of vehicle configuration in a Configurator, beginning with a default vehicle. The BMW Individual app goes one step further by combining these previously separate steps. While reading the various chapters, users are already able to bookmark paintwork finishes, leather colours or other features they like. They can effectively configure their vehicle while gathering information, performing both activities within a single process. As a result, the vehicle initially shown in the Configurator already reflects the user’s individual preferences.

Users can of course save “their” dream car, share it with friends and acquaintances on Facebook, file it in their personal photo album, or send it off in an e-mail.

The BMW Individual iPad app comes in English and German, is optimised for the iPad and iPad2, and is available free of charge in the App Store.

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Custom Auto Trim Now Stocks New 2011 Ford Fusion Racer Body Kits

April 16, 2011 – Since the release of the 2011 Ford Fusion there have been a number of  body kits for this car appearing on the market. This new racer body kit is a bit special though, and is destined to become a huge success. Many of us would like to add a bit more muscle to the look of our Fusion and this body kit is certainly going to be able to do this.

The racer body kit has been produced by Custom Auto Trim Body Kits. This company is a familiar name to those with an interest in body kits and other accessories. They have been the premier provider of this type of product for the last fourteen years. This is a company that has built their reputation on innovation and exciting products; this racer body kit is carrying on this tradition.

Since the Ford Fusion arrived on the scene it has revolutionized the car industry; in particular the world of sedan cars. This vehicle has received praise because of its great fuel economy, great passenger and luggage capacity, and power. There is no doubting the attractions of this vehicle but some owners would like their vehicle to be a bit more unique. This is why there is so much interest in accessories and body kits.

Mike Briglia heads Custom Auto Trim. He is in no doubt about the company’s ability to provide exactly what customers are looking for. His confidence appears to be warranted because already many are claiming that the latest products by CustomAutoTrim.Com are the best ever. These new additions are going to offer a lot more choice in regards to ground effects and body kits. The racer body kit is probably the star of the show, because this not only looks impressively athletic but also makes the car more aerodynamic. A racer body kit is going to make a car stand out from the common herd; it adds excitement and dynamism to the look of the vehicle.

The products of Custom Auto Trim have always won a lot of praise. Anyone who visits CustomAutoTrim.Com will have no trouble finding testimonials as to the excellence of these products. As well as their great reputation for providing body kits and other accessories for cars they also can provide the same for trucks.

Custom Auto Trim is an international provider of body kits and other vehicle accessories. Since 1997 the company has grown from strength to strength and not only sells directly to the individual but also to dealers and others in the industry. CustomAutoTrim.Com is the obvious chose for anyone who wants to make a vehicle look a bit special.

If you want more information about Custom Auto Trim and Graphics Inc. you can contact them at 4747 Morena Blvd., Suite 355, San Diego, CA 92117. 858-273-5700. http://www.customautotrim.com

Time to Get Ready for Winter

In most parts of the country, winter does not wait for December to arrive. Now is the time to get ready for the cold, snow and ice. You can start by winterizing your house. First check your storm windows and exterior doors for cracks, openings, etc. Seal any cracks and openings and caulk windows where needed.  Place weather-stripping around doors to keep the cold air out. Add extra insulation where needed. If you have an attic, adding insulation will not only lower your energy bill, it will help protect your roof from ice dams. There is currently a tax credit available on many of these energy saving items.

Have your furnace cleaned and change the furnace filters. It is recommended that you change your furnace filters monthly during the winter. Also make sure there no flammable materials near your furnace.  Installing a programmable thermostat will lower your heating costs. If you have a fireplace or wood stove, have it and the chimney inspected to make sure they are safe.

Also, clean your gutters and downspouts, and inspect your roof for any missing or worn shingles. Insulate any exposed pipes to prevent water in them from freezing and drain the garden hose. Service or tune-up your snow blower, make sure you have a good snow shovel, and a good supply of driveway salt. You should stock up on candles, flash lights, extra food, water, etc. in case the power goes out or you get snowed in for a day or two.

Next, winterize your car. Check the tires for wear or put snow tires on your car. Also check the tire pressure. Then, check the battery, belts, hoses, lights, heater, defroster, brakes, antifreeze, etc.  You should change the oil, replace the wiper blades and fill the washer fluid reservoir. You should also make sure you have a blanket, a first aid kit, tool kit, flares, cat litter, jumper cables, a snow brush, an ice scraper, a shovel, water and some food in your car. If you are not confident that your car will not get through the winter, now is a good time to consider replacing it with a more reliable one.

If you do decide to replace your car, there are many ways you can dispose of your present car.  If you donate car to charity, you will get a tax deduction of at least $500 and your car donation will help a very worthy cause.

Can I Keep My New Car from Rusting?

Car rust is caused when the metal is exposed to moisture over time. Keeping your new car waxed will help protect it from rusting since the wax forms a barrier between the metal and the moisture.

It is also important to keep moisture off your car. So, after you wash it, make sure the car and the undercarriage are completely dry before you put it in a garage. The undercarriage will dry simply by leaving the car outside for awhile.

You should also put mud flaps on your car to keep mud and other debris from collecting in the wheel wells. They will also protect your car from the dings caused by stones kicking up. Those dings will expose the metal to the elements and create an excellent place for rust to begin. If you do have any dings or small scratches on your car, you should address them before any rust begins. Some polishing compound and a little touch up paint will usually take care of them.

If you live in an area where it snows, you know how fast road salt will eat through the wax, paint and metal on your new car and accelerate the formation of rust. That is why it is very important to give your car a good coat of wax before the snow comes. During the winter, you only need to wash your car when the air temperature is above. Road salt is only active at temperatures above freezing, so you do not need to wash your car when it is very cold out. Besides, if you do wash your car when it is very cold outside, your door locks and power windows are likely to freeze. Of course, if you park your car in a garage, you will want to gauge when to wash your car by the temperature in the garage. When you do finally wash your car, you should pay special attention to cleaning the wheel hubs, wheel wells and undercarriage as these are the places where the road salt tends to stick.

You should also consider putting rubber mats on the floor of your new car during the winter months. These rubber mats will keep the salty water from melting snow from seeping into the carpets and rusting your floor boards.

Keeping your new car from rusting will take a little time. That time spend will be worth it by helping to maintain the appearance and value of your investment.