Called the IMI WAVE, it is a camera mounted next to the gun, soldiers can sit inside and assess the situation from a video control panel that can automatically lock on to targets. Not only is it the only vehicle of its type to have this tech, but it will the risk of soldiers getting hit while standing and firing outside a vehicle. Check out this earlier Discovery Channel clip of the WAVE in action. It's like the best video game ever. [Aviation Week]

Cops Eye Laptop In Calif. Collision [CBS News]

As we learned after executing the hapless Thanko Silent Mouse, when a small, relatively flat object is run over by a rubber tire, it can stand up to two tons of weight even if that object is made out of plastic. Now if they would have placed this Nokia N76 in between two pieces of metal and then run it over with a Hummer limousine, well, the results would probably be quite different. – Charlie White

The Secret Vegas Hummer Footage: Crushing the Nokia N76 [Mobile Burn Forums]

Ah, yes, the Hummer lifestyle. So we can look forward to people carrying around a WWII-era radio that's brilliant-yellow and gets 30 minutes of battery life? Show me where I sign. – Jason Chen

Image by Ben Longo

Press Release [PR Newswire via Engadget Mobile via textually via uber phones via uber gizmo]

It ain't no O2, that's for sure. Check out more gross pictures of this thing after the jump.

First person to make the "does she come with the car" joke gets a free commenter execution. –Adam Frucci

Gizmag [via Crave]

It's a nice idea and all, but it's pretty obvious that this isn't gonna be hitting the road anytime soon and I sure don't think the H2 is getting discontinued, so this looks to be like just a lot of hot air. Nice try, Hummer. –Adam Frucci

Gotta Have One [via Shiny Shiny]

HUMMER LIMOS ENTER WAR GAMES [Defense Tech]

Engineers from Renault's 2005 Formula One team weren't merely happy they had broken Ferrari's six-year domination of the series' Constructors Championship; let's just say they were deliriously nerdy. To celebrate the win, they put one of their V10-powered cars on a dynamometer, and programmed the engine management software to play Queen's "We Are the Champions" using the differing tones of various RPMs as notes in the scale. Luckily the aerodynamics group didn't win the coin toss, or else we'd be hearing an MP3 of "Wind Beneath My Wings."

Scientists in Israel have come up with a novel way to supply hydrogen to power fuel-cell cars. Using concepts from the chemistry of metals, they designed an in-car system that separates Hydrogen out of heated water using Magnesium and Aluminum. The system, still in the theoretical stages, will need more extensive testing and lots more money (to build a working prototype) to determine whether it can produce more energy than it would require to run.

Could it be time to short spark plugs on COMEX? Honda and other automakers are working various forms of homogeneous charge compression ignition (HCCI) engines, in which ignition occurs by cylinder compression - like in a diesel engine — not spark plugs. Such engines require less fuel to run, and emit fewer fluorocarbons, but need a bag of Ruffles' worth of microchips to calculate the heat required for optimum power and adjust exhaust-valve timing to minutely compensate for changes in fuel composition, as well as engine and external temperatures. Yeah, we're talking about a ways off for these suckers.

Sun-worshiping fans of squarish SUVs may soon have something to trade in their Jeep Wranglers for. Hummer is reportedly working up a two-door ragtop, possibly called the H4, that could hit the market by 2008.

The governing body of Formula One Racing has proposed a new aerodynamic wing for F1 cars that would make passing maneuvers easier and more plentiful during races. As it turns out, 94% of viewers want to see more overtaking of cars, and less of the F1's typical follow-the-leader runs. Of course, the new wing would would allow for far less ad space, but we're figuring advertisers would rather have more viewers than more places to slap their logo. Just a thought.

[Jalopnik's The Week in Cars appears every Thursday]

As mentioned, the semi-rugged laptops will be built for durability with magnesium alloy casings, shock mounted hard drives, and spill-resistant keyboards. Itronix laptops are traditionally for industrial and military use, but the Hummer-branded version will be primarily targeted toward consumers, though it'll probably also find fans from police enforcement, firefighters, construction workers and fashionistas.

The specs on the two versions are about the same: 5.6 lbs, optional dock, 1.86GHz Intel Centrino Pentium processor, a 12.1-inch color display, auto-adjusting LCD screen, front loading battery, optional handle and strap, full cooling fan, WiFi, wireless broadband (GPRS/EDGE, CDMA), GPS, and a removable hard drive (up to 80GB on both). However, the Itronix has a few more advanced features like a fingerprint scanner and smartcard reader, and two external antenna SMA connectors (one for WLAN and for WWAN).

The Hummer version comes in three colors (Yellow, Victory Red, and Pewter Metallic), and can support up to 1.5GB of DDRII DRAM. The VR-1, while not as fancy, can fit up to 2GB of DDRII DRAM. The base unit of the Hummer model will sell for $2,988, whereas the base unit of the VR-1 will sell for $3,329. Both will be available in November.

Press Release for Hummer-brand Laptops [Itronix]
Press Release for Itronix VR-1 [Itronix]

"Both computers have a flip-out LED light to illuminates the screen and help users work in low-light conditions. The laptops also come with four wireless radios, including an integrated GPS antenna that helps Microsoft Streets and Trips map software locate your position and help you to your destination, Gerber said."

However, the 80GB removable shock-mounted hard drive isn't too shabby. Nor is the swappable radio module that will let users switch between North American and European GPRS/EDGE plans. That's what I call connectivity.

GM Drives Hummer-branded laptop [News.com]

HUMMER Night Vision Scope [Strange New Products]