Sting to perform free concert for Windows XP launch
Posted by me101 on 22 October 2001 - 00:16 · no comments & 92 views
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"We're honored to be doing the Windows XP launch in New York and couldn't be happier that Sting has accepted our invitation to perform," said Bill Gates, chairman and chief software architect at Microsoft. "This concert gives us a chance to recognize the courage and resiliency of New York as we launch a new age in personal computing with Windows XP."
The hourlong free concert will take place in the heart of midtown Manhattan, in Bryant Park at 1 p.m., capping the festivities of the Microsoft(R) Windows XP launch held three blocks away in Times Square's Marriott Marquis Theatre. The park will open at 11 a.m. the day of the concert.
Tickets, which are required for the free concert, are available at Manhattan retailers including two CompUSA stores on 57th and Broadway and 5th and 38th; FYE across from the Radio City Music Hall; three Gateway County Stores on Park and 17th, Columbus Circle and East 86th; J&R Computer and Music World on 15 Park Row; and Virgin Megastore in Times Square. Best Buy stores in Secaucus and Rego Park in Queens will also be distributing tickets.
For those unable to attend this exciting event, MSN Music and Intel Corp., a key Microsoft launch participant, will provide a live webcast exclusively for fans in the United States at http://music.msn.com/sting/ on Oct. 25. This site will also include other interesting information about Sting and his upcoming album. For those who miss the live webcast, it will be available one week after the event to view on demand.
The back of the car, similar in design to the front, has a tail-like wagging antenna.
It's not quite KITT, the high-tech talking sports car in the 1980s Knight Rider TV series. The emphasis is more on "cute."
The car is driven with a joystick-type controller and does not have foot pedals, but it does have sensors to detect a driver's emotional state and give advice in driving.
It takes pre-recorded data of an expert driver, compares it with the current driver's style, and displays words of praise or warning on a centre monitor.
Calming effect
The pod can also tell when the driver is in a hurry, measuring the degree of acceleration, the distance from the car in front and the pulse and perspiration of the driver.
Not only will it display a warning, but it will try to calm the driver down with relaxing music and by blowing cool air.
Memorising its driver's driving style, the pod automatically adapts operating characteristics to the optimal level for that person--for example, by softening shock absorbers on rough roads and stiffening suspension on winding roads.
Nor does it forget those special moments, taking photos when the tone of the conversation indicates it is a happy one.
A small portable terminal, called a mini-pod will memorise the musical and TV program preferences of the driver and choose background music and provide shopping information.
Approach the car with the mini-pod and it lights up, opens the door, swivels the seat for easy entry as well as adjusting the seat's height. Switch off the engine with mini-pod, and the car falls in height and bids the driver farewell.
Toyota, which has been keen to woo younger drivers, and Sony which has been developing interactive technologies seen in its robot-dog Aibo, have been working on the car since last year.