Facelifted Toyota Innova and Fortuner by 2012

The Toyota Innova was launched almost seven years ago, and the car will features a whole new refreshed look. While most cars usually go for a new generation model at this stage, that won’t be the case with the Innova. Following a minor facelifted variant back in 2009 and upgraded BS-IV complaint engine in 2010, the latest change to the Innova will probably be its most significant.
The exterior changes include new head lights with a day time element as well. The grille is also taller and features chrome slats running across it. The front bumper is also new and features new fog lights. The tail lights have clear lens. The rear end bumper is also integrated with parking sensors available in the high end V variant.
Seeing that the Innova is not seen a lot of changes in its interiors, it is likely that Toyota could take this chance to make some changes in the instrumentation and centre console, along with new trim levels. Toyota is also expected to make the Innova roomier than before including a new design for the seats or third row seating.
There are no changes expected in the engine offerings, as the intercooler was introduced last year itself. While no significant changes are expected, they will certainly be welcome.
Apart from the Innova, Toyota is also likely to introduce some changes in its Fortuner SUV. While the Fortuner was launched not more than two years back in India, it has been available in global markets far longer. Changes expected in this model are mostly cosmetic. This could include a larger grille that has horizontal chrome slats compared to the current honeycomb grille, a new bumper for the front and rear end with new fog lights and larger head lights.
There are also some changes expected in the interior that will most likely involve the instrumentation and trims; however changes could be lesser than in the Innova. The facelifted models can be expected in the Indian auto market by early 2012 with slightly higher price tags.

Mamata welcomes SC order on Singur

Welcoming the Supreme Court's interim order on the Singur land case, West Bengal  Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee  said on Wednesday the apex court did not stop land survey and the 'process of distribution of land'.

"We welcome the Supreme court order.

"It will go in favour of the farmers and in favour of the people," she told reporters commenting on the apex court order.

The chief minister, who had a talk with government lawyer Kalyan Banerjee on the apex court order, said the Supreme Court had not stopped the land survey and process of distribution of land in Singur.

"The apex court only said that distribution of land would be stopped till the Calcutta high court passes its judgement on the case," she said.

The Supreme Court directed the West Bengal government not to go ahead with distribution and return of land in Singur to farmers which was acquired for Tata Motors' small car project Nano

"As an interim order, we direct state government not to hand over or return land to farmers concerned until further order passed by the Calcutta high court," a vacation bench comprising justices P Sathasivam an A K Patnaik said.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Tata Motors challenging the order of Calcutta high court which refused to grant any relief to it.

Image: Mamata Banerjee

Facebook Shuts Down Apps Without Prior Warning

Over the last few days, Facebook, the phenomenally popular social networking site, has begun to shutdown numerous applications that are available on the site without any warnings to users or the developers of the applications.
The decision to remove the applications came as a part of a “new enforcement system” that Facebook recently put into place to respond to complaints made by users and to reduce spamming on the platform.
A statement made by a Facebook engineer indicated that most of the applications had been disabled because of high negative user feedback or because they had very high mark-as-spam numbers.
According to the blog All Facebook, the shutdown mostly affected smaller applications with tens of thousands of users, but the move also affected some popular blockbusters like Photo Effect, which has 7.5 million registered users, Social Interview, and Good Reads.
However, Good Reads, unlike most other applications repealed the decision and was restored a few days later.
Facebook’s ability to shutdown applications without a warning and without providing a reason to the owners serves as a warning to many developers.
According to Otis Chandler, the CEO of Good Reads, “We didn’t know the reason we were shut down, but audited our app and cleaned up a few things just to be sure, and appealed again…A great reminder of the power Facebook has over all of us developers”.

Is Google+ the new Facebook?

After the lukewarm response to Google Buzz, the search giant is back again - this time with the feature-packed Google+. Touted as the rival to Facebook, the new social networking place has the online forums buzzing. While most people are going gaga over its cool features like Circles and Hangout some are just slamming it as a mere copy of Facebook

While you still make up your mind whether to love or hate Google's latest offering, here's what the experts are saying.
Expert talk
Danny Sullivan, searchengineland.com
The terrible name is a bad start. Google+? Google+! I can't even question or exclaim about the bad name without it looking bad in writing.Pronounced "Google Plus," the product is officially written as Google+ - making placing any punctuation after the name fairly awkward. And Google+ looks like and quacks like Facebook in several ways.
Ben Parr, mashable.com
No matter what Google says, Google+ is the company's response to the rise of Facebook. The two companies are in heated competition for talent, page views and consumers. While Google controls the search market and has a strong presence on mobile with Android, it hasn't been able to crack the social nut. Its most successful social product, YouTube, had to be acquired, and it still ranks as one of the most expensive acquisitions in the company's history
Mark Hachman on PCMAG.COM
Put simply, Google+ is a social network for geeks. But users used to Facebook's minimalist interface may find Google+ jarring. And, sad to say, Google's "field trial" suffered from overcapacity, an issue which may or may not have rippled into our evaluation on Tuesday afternoon. I and other PCMag.com staffers experienced numerous annoyances, which resulted from either poor design decisions, alpha glitches, or the overcapacity issue - I don't know which.
Brian Womack, bloomberg.com
With Google+, users easily share information based on the circle of friends they think would most like to see a photo or read a message, such as immediate family or people who like a certain hobby or sports team.
Ryan Tate .defamer.com
Really! Dump Facebook and tell all your friends about your new, richer social network. It's like Facebook but with much better groups (purportedly), so you can segregate your relatives and friends into different "Circles" that get different streams of information from you. You can name your circles and add whoever you want to each one; the relationships can be one way, so you can receives shares without sharing back. There are some other features, but that's the only one you need to care about. Google is touting Plus as a big improvement over Facebook.
Marshall Kirkpatrick , readwriteweb.com
With Google+, users such as immediate family or people who like a certain hobby or sports team. Once users sign up, they have a profile page with security settings that let them share or hide personal information, such as education or job descriptions. Contacts are suggested based on user e-mail accounts.

Happy birthday vijay!

thanks to cinesalsa.blogspot.com

Sun pics drops vengai

It was a back to back  twist for Sun Pictures which had snapped up Hari's Venghai with Dhanush and Tamannah in the lead have backed off and are no longer associated with the project. But despite this setback, Venghai is still on schedule for a July 7th release and all is in readiness.
The  producer of the movie , Bharathi Reddy will be releasing  and will also take care of the publicity. He is in talks with distributors to finalize things and to ensure that all goes smoothly.
In the meantime, Devi Sri Prasad's music is getting talked about and all signs point to this album becoming a big hit. This is Dhanush's first release after his National award and his fans are eager to see his next offering.


The same of kind of problem has been occured of Bala`s Avan-Ivan.But later it was also released by AGS cinemas.Sources in the Industry says that this problem occurs due to change of ruling parties in Tamil Nadu.

str updates!

sTr is one of the busy man in the Kollywood industry.His recent flick vaanam has been declared a Hit at the Box office.His upcoming Movie Poda Podi is wraaping up on it`s final schedule.Filmy portions have been completed only few songs yet to be taken and it is planned to release this year. 


And much awaited Osthi remake of Hindi blockbuster Daabang will go on floors this year but it has been planned for next year release. And another much awaited Vettaimannan has also been planned for next year.So these are updates for sTr fans.


Talks are on with Dir Aamir and Myskin for a Different story line. And after completing this movie defnitely there will be a Movie with Gautham vasudev Menon which will be a mass entertainer.

Porali shooting spot

Gautham Menon's VTV Hindi remake in Chennai

Gautham Menon's Hindi remake ofVTV, titled Prem Katha, is progressing briskly. Recently, thePrem Kathateam, including Prateik Babbar and Amy Jackson, were in Chennai to shoot some important sequences. The film is jointly produced by IN Entertainment (part of the Hinduja Group) and Gautham Menon's Photon Kathaas. Oscar winning musician A.R. Rahman will compose music for the Hindi version too. Editing is by Anthony; camera is handled by Manoj Paramahamsa; Rajeevan is the art director.




Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa is a romantic musical which has Trisha and Simbu in the lead roles. The film revolves around the love between an aspiring film maker Karthik, who wants to make it big in his profession, and a Christian girl Jessie. The film was also made in Telugu asYemaaya Chesave, starring Naga Chaitanya and Samantha.

The film which also dubbed in Russian Language recently and participated in Russiam Film Festival and have won several Hearts of Russian people`s too.

sTr fan`s celebrates 10,000th Day of sTr

Silambarasan the young super star of Tamil Industry known as sTr is the luckiest man to have a fans like this.Some of the online fans have calculated the days of sTr from his birth date(3-2-1983).

His fans have calculated that he is reaching his 10000th day on 20th of June.(today) and they have given the proof.sTr is one of the few actors who will be Discussing with his fans through Social Media like Twitter,facebook.etc.Here is the proof..

When contacted one of sTr fans, he says "I have finished my Enginnering and waiting for the chance to become as a director.This Directorial inspiration in me has came only by his Talents. It is well known that he is a multi-talented actor.He should be proud for having such a fans.Happy 10,000th day sTr..!!

OSTHI team honours Toppers.(Images)

I am not ready for marriage, says sTr

Kollywood is watching keenly on an announcement about Silambarasan’s marriage, since his sister Ilakiya got engaged recently. The star, however, seems to be in no mood to tie the knot anytime soon.


Silambarasan has said that there are more marriages that are ending in divorce these days and this keeps him away from tying the nuptial knot. He has said that if he finds an understanding partner, then he will announce his wedding and until then he prefers to retain his bachelorhood.

The star is currently busy with a number of projects to concentrate on, including Vettai Mannan, Poda Podi, and osthi.

Source: Behindwoods.com

Velayudham music to hit stands on July 5?

Ilayathalapthy Vijay’s Velayudham,  composed by Vijay Anthony, most probably it will be launched in Chennai on July 5, 2011.his mass entertainer stars Genelia, Hansika and Saranya Mohan, Santhanam, M.S. Bhaskar, Sathyan, Pandirajan and Sayaji Shinde in different roles .


As Repotedly Vijay will be a MikkMan role like Rajinikanth's Annamalai , who bashes baddies with the help of an investigative television reporter. It is produced by Aascar Ravichandran.The Movie is probably set to release on Middle of August.

Audi RS 3 Sportback

TECH SPEC
Make/model: Audi RS 3 Sportback.
Technical: Five-cylinder, 2480cc turbo-charged petrol
engine with seven-speed
S tronic direct shift
transmission and quattro permanent all wheel drive.
Performance:  0-62mph, 4.6 secs; top speed, 155mph
(governed).
Fuel: 31mpg (combined).
Emissions: 212 g/kmPrice: £39,930 OTR.

The launch of Audi’s latest model provided the opportunity to follow in the tyre-tracks of motoring history.

The company introduced the power-packed RS 3 Sportback in Austria, and a major part of our driving route was the mountainous  Turracher Hohe, a challenging alpine pass where Audi presented the first quattro prototype to their board of management in January 1978.

So we were sampling the latest all-wheel-drive model at the place of the famous system’s debut, and it soon became evident why this spot had been chosen to display those tremendous road-holding capabilities.

The new car, a high performance version of the A3 hatchback, in five-door form, has the look of poise, power and pace about it – all of which it gloriously delivers. The styling speaks of the car’s performance potential ... looking muscular yet svelte.

The front has a deeper apron that incorporates enlarged air intakes, an anthracite coloured single-frame grille with diamond patterned styling and xenon plus headlamps with LED daytime running lights. The side view is dominated by the flared, lightweight front wings (made of carbon-fibre reinforced polymer) covering 19in alloy wheels, prominent sill extensions, mirror casings in a matt aluminium look and a large roof spoiler. Two  elliptical exhaust tailpipes give an air of power to the rear.

The inside story is one of high quality, with sports seats upholstered in fine leather with silver contrasting stitching and inlays are finished in piano black or a new Aluminium Race look. There’s a flat-bottomed  RS steering wheel and an exclusive design for the instruments.

The premium quality cabin boasts an array of standard equipment that includes front seat heating, rear parking sensors, electronic climate control, posh sat nav with multi-media function and a sport button which varies throttle response and gives an even richer flavour to the exhaust sound. The car’s five-door configuration also combines practicality with its sporting nature.

Turn the key and the five-cylinder turbo-charged petrol engine delivers its superb exhaust note, a delicious soundtrack that voices the car’s power but never proves intrusive. And speaking of power, the RS 3 has 340 bhp. Performance? The figures speak for themselves ...

0-62 mph in 4.2 seconds and a governed top speed of 155mph.

And all that oomph is superbly packaged, for the car is well mannered around town, an absolutely effortless motorway mile-eater and, of course, has bags of performance on tap, while the quattro system excelled in the dramatic reaches of the Turracher Hohe, with its spiralling roads and hairpin bends.

The RS 3’s handling is taut, responsive and agile, with a firm – but never harsh – ride. The car lays down its power through a seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch transmission that can be used in fully automatic mode, shifted with the gear selector or with steering wheel paddles.

Whichever way you choose, the changes are sweet and seamless and the quattro system’s permanent all-wheel-drive means traction in action, giving the car a truly confidence-inspiring feel. Mighty disc brakes ensure plenty of stopping power.

Technology abounds in the RS 3, from a regenerative system that recovers energy as the car decelerates, to strong, weight-saving vermicular graphite for the engine block – and much more.

This handsome hunk of a car was a treat to drive – one which will be enjoyed from next month’s delivery date by owners who have already snapped up the 500 RS 3s so far allocated to the UK.

Avan Ivan review

Avan Ivan Tamil Movie Cast and Crew:

• Starring: Vishal Krishna,Arya,Janani Iyer,Madhu Shalini,Ambika,Jayaprabha
• Director: Bala
• Producer: Kalpathi S Aghoram
• Banner: A G S Entertainmet
• Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja

Avan Ivan Tamil Movie Review :

Director Bala's latest film Avan Ivan has Arya, Vishal, Janani and Madhushalini in lead roles. The music is scored by Yuvan Shankar Raja, while Na Muthukumar has come up with the lyrics. Here's a look at the album:

Rasathi begins on an angsty note, as Haricharan picks up the vocal reigns, and there are faint strains of the classic Munpaniyaa -- but the song shifts direction soon. Thelyrics are standard, colloquial fare but again, the score takes precedence here. Theinstrumental score is fascinating. An appealing number.

Dia Dia Dole, rendered by Suchithra, reminds you of Om Sivoham from Naan Kadavul [ Images ]. Impressive beats follow, to the accompaniment of a melodious nadhaswaram. An enthusiastic number.

It's not obvious right away, but there's a Malayalam twang to Oru Malayoram, sung by Vijay Yesudas, Baby Priyanka (her voice is particularly fluid and melodious), Baby Srinisha and Baby Nithyashree. The first interlude, in fact, sounds a lot like the classic Mohanam varnam; a neat flute piece leads to the charanam. The lyrics are as soothing as the song itself. A gentle number.

There's an ominous feel as Mudhal Murai begins, dripping sorrow and desolation with every note. Vijay Prakash renders the sorrowful song, singing about death.

More ethnic beats, as the nayanam begins its folksy tune for Avanappathi, T L Maharajan and Sathyan take up the vocal reigns. And as in some of the numbers above, it's the rhythm that takes centre stage. And during the charanam, the tempo increases, making for an enthusiastic listen. The lyrics, particularly approaching the finale, are impressive: 'Picchaidhaan Eduthaalum, Perasanaalum Aanaalum, puzhuvukku Iraiyaavan verae Enna?' This one is a triumph of the instrumental score, again.

When it comes to Avan Ivan, it looks like Yuvan has voluntarily tried to move out of his comfort zone, given up on his template and experimented, particularly with theinstrumental arrangement and most times, it works. Go for it.

Rating: 3/5

REVIEW: Hyundai “Fluidic” Verna automatic vs Honda City automatic – the H battle

The launch of the new Hyundai “Fluidic” Verna automatic in India has set some big tones for other car manufacturers. While many have went back to their drawing room boards, there are many others who just cannot digest that Hyundai is taking away all their sales and stuff. It has got more to do with first the Etios taking up all the pie and now the Verna. However we feel that all this is just for show sakes and after the initial ownership reports and stuff of the Etios coming up, many people are now not inclined to buy this car. Whilst Hyundai may have recorded around 5000 bookings in the initial month for the new Verna, all the reviews and reports point that the Verna has very sloppy road manners. Nevertheless, the new Verna has one of the widest engine and transmission options in its class. Two petrol and two diesel motors available with both manual and automatic transmission is something which even some of the premium car manufacturers don’t offer. So it comes down to whether the new Verna challenges the erstwhile but still very much desirable Honda City automatic in India. There are also other cars like the Maruti SX4 with an automatic tranny and the Volkswagen Vento automatic, however those don’t sell as much as the City. Due to a cut in production and lack of diesel engine, the Vento has edged past the City which has held its dominion from the last 13 years in the C segment in India. We now pit the City automatic with the Verna automatic

Looks

The Hyundai “Fluidic” Verna automatic in India benefits from an all new look which however doesn’t detract far from the odd ball design that the earlier Verna carried. In front of the City, the new Verna looks plain ugly. The Vento would have atleast looked plain Jane but it never looked ugly. However while the City looks hewn from a single sheet metal, the Verna looks as if too many designers worked on its looks. The City’s arrow shot design is a far better thing than the Verna’s “Fluidic” design. The Verna is a chunkier piece of metal while theHonda City automatic in India looks comparatively slim and also longer. 15 inch wheels as against the 16 inch ones on the Verna also are a distinguishing factor. Moreover, the Verna has got fatter rubber than the City’s low resistance ones, configured for better fuel economy. At the rear, however, it’s the Verna which looks better than the City’s just too straight design characteristics. The Verna’s all LED tail lamps coupled with the extremely clear lens configuration make the City’s neat lines pale in comparison. Moreover, the Verna has got twin tail pipes to the City’s single one.

In the design field, overall, the Honda City imparts a big car feel from outside while the Verna looks like a small alien.

Interiors

As for the interiors, the only common thing between both the cars is the steering wheel. Mind you, by this we mean only the look of it and not the exact feel or how the steering wheels behave. Like the switchgear used in its bikes, most of the controls on the steering wheel are concentrated to its left while for the Hyundai, they are evenly distributed. The meter dials for instance, on the ones on the Verna have a white backlight for them and for the City, they emit a red glow. The City’s ones have an ancient feel to them while the Verna’s ones have a nice soft ambience to them. As far as the dashboard contours go, this is no contest since the Verna wins it hands down. The City gets the aluminium fascia which looks like an after market fitment with its archaic AC controls and stuff. The new Verna in the meanwhile gets a solid build quality with a use of very good materials. Infact the materials would easily eclipse the ones used on the Civic. The Honda City’s ug bear has been a music system which recognizes only USB sticks and there is no provision for even a proper CD player. The Verna gets a 6 CD changer system with AUX and USB input to it. The silver garnish treatment by the City on the door pads looks down right cheap. However the buttons and rest of the mechanicals operate with a solid feel. As for the Verna, as discussed before, the door pads have a quality feel attached to them. Now coming onto the seating comfort, in this matter, the Honda City is the more comfortable of the two. Be it the front seat or rear seat comfort. The Verna simply cannot match its comfort factor. The City has ample of leg room, head room and also under thigh support which shows why it has been the best seller for these many years. Boot space is nearly the same however the City has much more usable space than the Verna’s which is marred by suspension intrusions.

Handling and ride quality

The Hyundai “Fluidic” Verna automatic in India has got the softer suspension of the two here. Needless to say, it has a superb ride quality going on for it. Come what may in its way, the Verna delivers a sort of air cushion like comfort. However, this very same ride quality becomes its Achilles heel while the put through a corner. The Verna feels very nervous while negotiating a corner. Infact on the highway, it seems to be floating all around. But what Hyundai have done is a commendable job and that is of keeping the NVH like a super luxury car. Rev the engine or even break it, there is no engine noise permeating inside the cabin. The Honda on the other hand is a raucous performer. It does let you know that there is something which is going to happen. It would either be the acceleration or the unlinear way in which power is built. The Honda City automatic in India has got the harder suspension setup of the two and this means that ride quality over undulating surfaces is not that good but it in this car, you can move quickly over undulating surfaces, of which the Verna has to go a bit slow. Nearing its redline, the Honda’s engine becomes coarse and loses its refinement. But then the handling is spoilt only by the weedy tyres that the City comes shod with. The steering wheel has a much more connected feel than the vague one on the Verna. Both the cars come with an electric steering wheel which is far more efficient than hydraulic units.

Engine, performance and fuel efficiency

The Verna comes with a choice of two engines, one petrol and one diesel and both are available with auto transmission. While the Honda City only has a petrol engine with a 5 speed auto option with paddle shifts behind the steering wheel. The Verna only gets a dated 4 speed auto transmission. The 1.6 liter petrol motor in the Verna automatic makes 122 Bhp of power while the torque figure is rated at 155 Nm. In comparison, the Honda City automatic makes 115 Bhp of power and 149 Nm of torque. The Verna’s torque converter may be an old unit however the engine more than makes up for the deficit with it posting 0.4 seconds quicker time for the 0-100 run than the Honda City. But the City claws back its 5 speed automatic advantage by posting higher top speed than the Verna. The Verna’s box is a dim witted thing which has a mind of its own while the City’s auto box obeys the driver’s commands. Hyundai have kitted the Verna with an all wheel disc brake configuration and this ensures that stops are nearly 15 meters before than what the City can manage. Both the cars get ABS and ESP as an added advantage. For the safety features, the Hyundai beats the Honda squarely by throwing in 6 air bags as compared with the Honda’s 2.

In the critical fuel efficiency stakes, the Honda is once again beaten by the Hyundai’s far more efficient unit. The overall figure that the City automatic returned was 12.4 kmpl whereas the Hyundai turned in 12.9 kmpl.

The City once again is beaten squarely in its own game by the Hyundai by returning better fuel efficiency and also with more safety features.

Verdict

The Honda City has had a good run for over 13 years in India however its reign has now come to an end first when the Vento overtook it in the sales figures and now when the Hyundai Verna has come in. The Verna’s looks may definitely be subjective however its exhaustive features list and wide range of engine options with both automatic and manual transmission options ensure that it comes out at the top of the hill. This is considering that the City is still the priciest car in its class by a fair margin. The Hyundai “Fluidic” Verna automatic price in India is Rs 9.95 lakhs while the Honda City automatic price in India is Rs 10.33 lakhs. All these prices are ex-show room, Mumbai ones. Our pick for the day is the Hyundai Verna automatic.

Simbu is loyal to his fan base

Silambarasan the young super star of kollywood Industry has always

been loyal to his fans.sTr online social network fan`s list have been crosed the two lackh followers.Silambarasan Simbu Fans page ,got a record number of fans signed in a short spam of time.



On Rumours about him meeting Salman khan at the recent CCL and the reports said that hte Bollywood star had agreed to visit his OSTHI the remeke of of BlockBuster Daabang to give him few tips. But young super star has said "It`s a news to me ! I have not met him or spoken to him yet"

Lunar eclipse 2011 Images