Audi R8 Model

Audi has released a special edition R8 that costs just 48 pounds. No, it’s not a joke - it’s a 1:18 scale Audi R8 model. With this Audi R8 model you can save exactly 78,150 pounds over the standard version and you can have one parked right away on your mantelpiece. The Audi R8 model is available in Audi Centers or if you call 0800 699888.

Press Release

WHAT EVERYONE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS – A NEW 187MPH AUDI R8

This special edition model costs £45 – a real one costs £78,195
You don’t have to be excessively extravagant to give a little piece of Vorsprung durch Technik this Christmas. This R8 sports car, configured specifically with stockings in mind, has been designed to make a reassuringly modest dent in the festive budget – at £45 it represents a saving of exactly £78,150 over the standard R8.

The rare and highly sought-after Audi sports car of the moment has been immortalised in zinc in 1:18 scale, enabling its fans to bypass the current twelve month waiting list for a full-size example and park one on the mantelpiece almost immediately.

The meticulously finished model is faithful to the much admired design of the full-blown original right down to the detailing of its windscreen wipers. 750 examples of its all-aluminium, mid-engined and quattro-equipped big brother will find homes in the UK in 2008, thrilling their drivers with a mighty 420PS output, 4.6-second acceleration from rest to 62mph and, for those lucky enough to be visiting an Autobahn next year, a 187mph top speed.

The diminutive R8 is now available from Audi Centres nationwide, details of which can be obtained by calling Audi Customer Services on 0800 699888.

Interactive Artificial Intelligence Robot

You have to be a bit jealous of the kids today. Their simple “toys” are probably more powerful than any government supercomputer from my youth. For example, as a wee tot I’m sure I talked to my teddy bear or had an imaginary friend, but not today’s kids, they have interactive artificially intelligent neural life form robots with attitudes like Brian The Brain. Yep, this mere toy is probably smarter and cooler than you.

Brian The Brain is a pretty advanced toy “brain in a jar” that can be interacted with using either the attached keyboard or by simply speaking to him. Brian’s advanced voice recognition, text-to-speech software and A.I. technology give him the ability to learn and speak with an almost unlimited vocabulary. He can tell jokes, play games and ask trivia questions or even help out with homework by utilizing his massive database of details from the concise enyclopedia from Britannica, dictionary or world history timeline.

Brian can also be used to initiate phone calls and be used as a speakerphone by plugging him into a phone line, play mp3 music, guard the room with motion sensors or be used as an alarm clock or personal calendar/organizer. He looks like a lot of fun, but unfortunately you’ll never be able to get the kids out of the house now. Check out the demonstration video below to see Brian the Brain in action.

Now, I know Brian the Brain is kinda for kids, but you just know it would be the talk of the cubicle farm back at the office. I’m actually tempted to get one just for myself. I also bet with enough tinkering, it could really be a hacker’s dream come true. If it could just be upgraded to work with a computer or go online, there’s endless possibilities… even a version of this technology for the car would be cool, ala Knight Rider or something. Let us know in the Comments what you think of Brian the Brain or if you know of any good ways to hack this thing.