Google Chrome: Review

I've been using Mozilla Firefox for a couple years now, and I'm kind of tired of looking at the same browser everyday. Maybe its just me, but I like to change scenery every once in a while just to spruce things up a bit. So, a few nights ago I figured, why not change? I already know how much I dislike Internet Explorer from the years before Firefox, so I definitely wasn't going for that. But I do notice how more much more often I'm seeing Google Chrome come up here and there. Considering it cost me nothing, it's definitely worth my time to try it out. Fast forwarding to today, here we are and I'm ready to confide all my deepest darkest feelings about Google Chrome!
We judged chrome on Comprehendability, Features, Speed and Reliability, Safety, Compatibility, and Help Support.
Comprehendability- Chrome is incredibly easy to comprehend. It's got a very basic design, and is a lot slimmer and sleeker than other browsers. There's not a whole lot of buttons and gadgets to confuse you as soon as you open it up which helps a lot for any non-advanced users who tend to get confused easily or for anyone who doesn't really enjoy the bells and whistles.

Google Chrome: New Tab page (click to enlarge)

Features- Google Chrome offers an array of awesome features for anybody. One would be the Google Web Store which is basically an online app store for your Chrome browser where you can find many apps, themes, and even extensions. Chrome also offers an in page translater which will recognize the language of what you're reading in your browser and change it to your preferred language if it isn't already without requiring downloading any extensions to make it possible like other browsers. Another cool feature is Incognito mode which keeps all your actions in the browser 100% private and does not save them to the browser or Google's history. The removal of the address bar and the creation of the omni-box is revolutionary as Google combined your standard address bar and married it to your search box giving you the ability to type an address or a search in the same box without having to go to Google or Yahoo or Bing! to search independently. Also, the new tabs page is a convenient new feature which allows you to see all your most visited pages as well as your recently closed tabs.
Speed and Reliability- Let me be clear, Chrome is FAST. I've never encountered a problem and have noticed definite speed increases over Firefox. Another factor would be the separation of connection quality between the tabs. Time and time again have I been on Firefox and encountered a problem in one tab that screwed all my tabs over. Now, Google Chrome offers the ability for your other tabs to be completely unaffected by another tabs freezing or crashing. This makes it incredibly reliable.
Browser Safety- Browser safety refers to how secure your connection is as well as your information while browsing. It offers sandboxing which is a security mechanism employed by computers to find and remove untested codes as well as close and remove all untrusted programs run by unrecognizable third parties or users. As well as this, Google Chrome also uses Google Safe Browsing which allows applications to check suspicious URL's through Google's list of suspected mal-ware and phishing sites. (A phishing site is a site made to look like a commonly known or trusted site which attempts to scam usernames, passwords, or even credit card information out of you)
Compatibility- So far, Google Chrome has proved to have compatibility on the same scale as that of the previously established browsers. (i.e. Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari.) It can handle everything from javascript, to adobe flash from what I've tested. The compatibility issues from the original beta testing have been corrected and scored perfectly in my random webpage test.

Google Chrome- Bug Report Page (click to enlarge)

Help/Support- Google's help and support system for all issues with their software is second to none. Another thing I love about Google's support system is that they know they aren't perfect. They have pages of frequently encountered problems and answers to frequently asked questions so you can scan through and see if your problem is covered there. If not, you're able to report the bug by typing out your issue and taking a picture of the screen using your computer and sending it to them for analysis and support feedback. I tested by making up a fake bug and reporting it, I was responded to within the hour which left me feeling a tad stupid because I had to tell the Support Technician that I was lying.

Overall, I found Google Chrome to be just as good as other browsers. In fact, I find it better. Definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone. It's easy, fast, free, and secure. Why not give it a shot?

Auto Show 2011: GMC

GMC's display was located right outside of Chevy's in the North Wing. GMC differs from virtually all other car manufacturers at the caw show because their whole line up features large size trucks and SUV's only. Below are the three most appealing products GMC had to offer.

2011 GMC Yukon Denali

Yukon is the poster child for the American SUV craze. It's big, spacious on the inside, gas guzzling, and expensive. However, don't let that take away from this highly regarded SUV which won the 2011 Best Overall Value Award.

2011 GMC Yukon Denali

The hardware in this big boy is pretty solid. It packs a 6.2L Vortec V8 engine putting out a strong 407 horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque. It has active fuel management and flex-fuel capability which bring the Yukon to an EPA estimated 13 city and 18 highway mileage. The 6 speed automatic transmission is included standard to help you manage such a powerful engine. The vehicle has a tow/haul mode capability which can be activated when duty calls. On top of all this, you're able to choose between 2 wheel drive and a 4 wheel drive for less than ideal driving situations. For all this mean-machine-esque hardware, you also get the Z55 Autoride Suspension standard for the most comfortable ride possible in a GMC vehicle.

Accompanying all this strength comes the luxurious interior set up. Standard heated leather trim seats come standard, which is more than most cars can say. You also get a Bose 10 Speaker Sound System. Standard LCD display with MP3 and Navigation come standard as well. To top it off, you get a rear DVD entertainment system, ideal for super soccer moms, to keep your kids and your bro's entertainment all the same.

2011 GMC Terrain

 

 The Terrain caught my eye primarily because it's the only normal size SUV that GMC puts out. On top of that, its a solid vehicle with all your basic necessities. Overall, I recommend this to your average Joe looking for a cost effective, safe car with the roominess and capabilities of an SUV. There's not a whole lot to be said about the Terrain to be honest, except that it's a good deal on a solid vehicle which skips some of the bells and whistles but gets the job done and does it right.

2011 GMC Terrain

The Terrain has your standard air conditioning, power windows, power seat movement, heated seats, all that jazz. The neat stuff however, would be the driver console which displays accurate car information like remaining oil and gas life, and tire pressure.
The 2011 GMC Terrain offers two engine options. The standard option is a Eco-tech 2.4L I-4 which puts out a modest 182 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque while also having an epa estimated  22 mpg in the city and a stellar 32 mpg on the highway. If you're feeling adventurous, you also have the option for a 6 cylinder engine:

2.4L I-4 Eco-Tech Engine

"The available 3.0l V-6 engine offers 264 horsepower and 222 lb-ft of torque. It clocks in a 0-to-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds and delivers an unsurpassed 3500 pounds of trailering capability in its class. " -2011 GMC Terrain Brochure

 GMC All Terrain HD

GMC All Terrain HD Concept

All Terrain HD Concept Interior

If this name doesn't sound too familiar to you, don't worry, it's just a concept. But I can't tell you how excited I am to see this concept turned into reality. Essentially, The All Terrain HD was created to compete with Chevy's Silverado but even more so, Ford's new F-150 Raptor SVT (feature in an upcoming post). The All Terrain HD is a powerhouse of extreme automotive capability built with the strongest, toughest, and fastest parts around. GMC really went all out with this one. Upon speaking to the less than knowledgeable show woman, I learned a small amount but I was later told that they are not allowed to release much. What I did learn, however, was that the All Terrain HD features all the same hardcore off-roading/racing components as the SVT Raptor by Ford but has upgraded versions of some like the FOX brand racing shocks. Another thing I was told, and yet to have confirmed, was that the All Terrain HD outperforms the Raptor in sheer strength and power. Nothing was told to me about the interior other than what I was able to see. From what I could see from behind the railing, It appeared roomy and comfy yet serious and stern (Excuse me as I channel my inner interior designer). I will be sure to keep you all updated on the creation and perfection of this car up until official release upon which I plan to test drive and have a full on 100% customer review.

The remaining two pictures I managed to take of the All Terrain Concept HD:

All Terrain HD Concept Profile

All Terrain HD Concept Rear View

Weekly Flash: Robot Dinosaurs

Who doesn't love robot dinosaurs?
Y3.com - 9500+ Free Games

Y3.com - 9500+ Free Games

Controls: Use the mouse to interact.

Robot of the Week: Forager

Forager Omni-Chassis Autonomous Robot

The Forager Omni-Chassis is an autonomous robotic vehicle which means it's controlled via remote control or can be programmed to perform a task on its own. The Forager's design allows for the remote to serve multiple purposes as it can be fitted with a wide variety of tools from just carrying payloads to remote controlled appendages etc. Its movement is calculated internally as its position is constantly recorded along with any environmental and/or collision data. The Forager's tough build consists of tracks comprised of aluminum for strength and light weight versatility which are angled at 22° granting the ability to climb over objects and even operate in less-than-ideal terrain. The track pads are bolted on with urethane bolts which can also be swapped out for a sturdier or "more aggressive" metal if need be.

What I like so much about the Forager is the dynamic nature of the bot. It's frame is relatively simple and apparently so is the design. It seems today a lot of people strive for the flashy and more complex designs to show off or whatever the case may be but Forager shows that sometimes, simple gets the job done (and done well). This dynamic yet simple body allows the bot to have so many capabilities are far as who can use it and what it could possibly be used for. Just looking at it now, I can think of a few things off the top of my head like medical supply transport throughout a hospital or on the battlefield, or even a futuristic descendant of the baby carriage.

Forager fitted with 6 wheels as opposed to two aluminum tracks

Another neat thing about the Forage is the Omni-Chassis which offers different options as to how your robot would get around. In the picture above, Forager is fitted with aluminum tracks but It is also available with wheeled movement (shown left). A small idea I get while reading this over would be perhaps the potential for operation in water.. perhaps with lighter air-filled wheels which also contain paddles that are able to maintain the Forager above water while also propelling it through the surf. This is assuming that the wheels are able to be turned independently of each other to grant the most maneuverability possible.

For more on the Forager, like mechanical specifications and other highlights, be sure to check out botmag.com's article here and for a potential buyer its creator c-link systems official site here.

Auto Show 2011: Chevrolet

Chevy's display at the Auto Show was the first one I visited. It was located in the furthest back portion of the brand new North Wing in the Jacob Javits Center. They had a pretty interesting set up with a few of their big name models. So what I did in the interest of length, I cut it down to the three most promising models.

Chevy Volt - rear

Chevy Volt - front

                Chevy Volt
Volt is an incredibly promising model that Chevrolet has been pushing pretty hard recently. It's a hybrid vehicle, by definition, but is able to run solely on electric power while keep a gas powered motor to keep running the battery if the battery life expires. Now, what I've heard, and confirmed on Chevy's website, is that the Volt is able to get you 35 miles of pure electric performance with zero emissions and zero gasoline used. After that point, a gasoline generator will activate and continue to power the electric motor for an additional 350 miles. After this point, you can continue to fill up at any gas station. The Lithium Ion battery, the same in your laptop or cellphone, can be charged using the average outlet in your home and will take about 10 hours for a full recharge.

Chevy Volt - profile

Chevy Volt- Interior

The interior is surprisingly nice for a car designed to be modest and efficient. Leather trim seating.. the whole nine yards. But what's really interesting here, is the LCD displays, two of them, which display everything you'd need to know about the vehicle. The one behind your wheel will show battery power, speed, and your range left on battery or gas power. The center console will help you "get the most out of your volt". Basically, it's your navigation, audio, etc. For a better look at the interior and more check out Volt's page here.

                                                       Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD

Silverado - Front

Silverado - Interior

Silverado's 6.6L Duramax Diesel V8 Turbo Engine

Silverado had a huge display for itself in Chevy's section. The display mostly showed its 2011 Motor Trend Truck of the Year award which is not surprising when you see what Silverado has to offer. For starters, its sheer presence could leave a prospective buyer a little awe struck. This is a massive vehicle. It's almost 19 feet long and over 6 and a half feet tall! It packs a nice and comfortable interior, which is even nicer when you purchase the LT version. However, the comfortable feel and interior aren't the real story behind the Silverado.. it's the engine. It's a 6.6L Duramax V8 Turbo engine running on diesel fuel. I could probably write on about the spec's and its sheer power but I'll let the picture speak for itself. But just incase it's a little unclear, it reads:
Horsepower: 397 @ 3000 RPM
Torque: 765 lb-ft @ 1600 RPM
Compression Ratio: 16.0:1
Bore x Stroke: 103 mm x 99 mm

 Chevrolet Camaro

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1- Front

  Closing things off for Chevy, we have the Camaro. When you walked into Chevrolet's display room in the North Wing, the first thing you'd come up on would be a beautiful Red 2012 Camaro ZL1 with a black racing stripe. Now, if it doesn't floor you right off the bat like it does me, perhaps there's something wrong with you.

Camaro ZL1 - Profile

As the flashy yet knowledgeable show girl spewed out a list of spec's and other treats about this car, I became more and more enthralled. This baby packs a 6.2L Superchaged V8 engine which is a force to be reckoned with on the road (and at the pump). This engine provides the Camaro with 550 Horsepower and 550 lb-ft of Torque. Along with this, it packs a high performance Tremec Six Speed Manual Transmission for super hard and smooth power shifting to take your driving experience to the next level. The magnetic ride control suspension provides the driver and passengers with the smoothest ride possible by instantaneously shift fluids in the suspension system to adjust to any and all road conditions. I was unable to get a decent picture of the interior because the car was blocked off. However, for more about the interior and everything else in this baby you can check out Sick Tech on Deck's video coverage of the presentation below.