Subscribe:

Monday, August 13, 2012

Shops Online

Shops Online

Google adding Lexus RX450h to driverless fleet, but what's in it for them?

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 02:56 PM PDT

Google adding Lexus RX450h to driverless fleet, but what's in it for them?


Google adding Lexus RX450h to driverless fleet, but what's in it for them?
Filed under: Hybrid, Transportation Alternatives, Lexus As driverless cars make their way to Nevada and Florida, and possibly California, in state-sanctioned test programs, Google continues to play a big part in collecting the data. It's self-diving Toyota Prius vehicles have clocked in more than 300,000 miles of testing. Google has added another car to its test program - the 2012 Lexus RX450h luxury crossover SUV. Google plans on testing driverless cars in snow-covered roadways, temporary construction signals and other tricky situations that might come up for drivers, the company said. The RX450h has an optional electric all-wheel drive, which makes it a good choice for testing such road conditions. Google dominates the search engine business, and has a few profitable side businesses like the Android phone software and cloud computing services. The question is: What is Google getting out of investing in driverless cars? And what about all the other non-search services it offers? You can use Google on your phone and find lots of useful content - driving directions with real-time traffic data, a directory of electric vehicle charging stations closest to you and an arial view of your neighborhood. Perhaps it's necessary to stay on the edge of leading technologies - too keep your users loyal and your employees on board. Rolf Schreiber, technical program manager of electric transportation initiatives at Google, spoke on a panel last month at Plug-in 2012 in San Antonio, TX. He said that, at that time, Google had installed 387 Level 1 and 2 electric vehicle chargers on campus for Google employees, and has a few fast chargers in the business plan. The main reason for this investment? In order to get talented, hard-working technology specialists to come and work for you in a competitive marketplace like Silicon Valley, charging stations are an attractive perk to offer them. Perhaps Google sees an important role to play in wireless communications, telematics and the future of transportation? Driverless cars might represent where automobiles are going, and it would be good for business to provide technologies connected to dashboards and smartphones. It also has to do with the company's sense of corporate responsibility. As a recent posting on the Google blog said, "Technology is at its best when it makes people's lives better, and that's precisely what we're going for with our self-driving car project. We're using advanced computer science to try and make driving safer and more enjoyable."Google adding Lexus RX450h to driverless fleet, but what's in it for them? originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Must See HDTV (August 13th - 19th)

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 02:56 PM PDT

Must See HDTV (August 13th - 19th)


Must See HDTV (August 13th - 19th)
With the Olympics finally concluded, it's back to our regular programming. While that includes a number of premieres this week including such highlights as Oh Sit!, a musical chairs game show (really), Stars Earn Stripes and BBC America's first original series Copper, there's also a long list of anticipated Blu-ray releases like Shaft and this weekend, The Hunger Games. Look below for the highlights this week, followed after the break by our weekly listing of what to look out for in TV, Blu-ray and videogames. Jaws Just in time for Shark Week, Steven Spielberg's classic Jaws is here on Blu-ray looking and sounding better than ever. There's a bunch of special features included but the main attraction is that massive reason to never, ever go in the water again. Check out a quick clip about the restoration embedded after the break. ($17.99 on Amazon) The Closer / Major Crimes Tonight as The Closer ends with star Kyra Sedgwick leaving the show, Major Crimes picks up the baton as Mary McDonnell (of Battlestar Galactica)'s Captain Raydor takes over the unit. We'll see if the changeover happens smoothly enough to keep this police procedural humming, but there seems little reason to believe it won't. (9 & 10 PM, TNT, August 13th) The Raid: Redemption This Indonesian martial arts flick contains some of the hardest hitting action sequences we've seen and definitely counts as a must-see for fans of hand to hand combat, currently rocking an 85 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Following a police unit trapped in a criminal-infested building on an ill-fated attempt to capture a gang leader, it doesn't have the largest budget of 2012 or the most plot development, but who needs those anyway? If you're still unsure about thisone, check after the break for a featurette on the film's score as well as a claymation remake of many key scenes. ($19.99 on Amazon)Continue reading Must See HDTV (August 13th - 19th)Filed under: Home EntertainmentMust See HDTV (August 13th - 19th) originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:39:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 02:56 PM PDT

Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET


Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET
It's Monday, which means it is time for you to listen into the recording booth when the Engadget HD podcast goes to mp3 at 5:30PM. Please be a part of it by reviewing the list of topics after the break, then participating in the live chat too. Continue reading Join the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ETJoin the Engadget HD Podcast live on Ustream at 5:30PM ET originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 17:22:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Google+ appeases audiophiles with new Studio Mode for Hangouts on Air

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 01:48 PM PDT

Google+ appeases audiophiles with new Studio Mode for Hangouts on Air


Google+ appeases audiophiles with new Studio Mode for Hangouts on Air
Since May, Google+ users have been able to show the world just how exciting their lives are via the Hangouts On Air feature. That works perfectly well for broadcasting your e-cooking lessons and all, but Mountain View has higher standards when it comes to live-streaming music. The just-announced Studio Mode for Hangouts On Air optimizes audio for music rather than speech, resulting in richer, clearer sound than what you'll get with the standard Voice Mode. Musicians simply select Studio Mode under settings -- other members of the hangout don't have to do anything. Check out a demo of the new feature below the break.Continue reading Google+ appeases audiophiles with new Studio Mode for Hangouts on AirFiled under: InternetGoogle+ appeases audiophiles with new Studio Mode for Hangouts on Air originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Google Plus | Email this | Comments

New Jersey beachfront villa for Philadelphia priests being auctioned

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 01:48 PM PDT

New Jersey beachfront villa for Philadelphia priests being auctioned


New Jersey beachfront villa for Philadelphia priests being auctioned
The Archdiocese of Philadelphia is auctioning off a $6 million New Jersey beachfront villa to help close a $17 million deficit amid a criminal trial and related lawsuits regarding clergy abuse cases.

Severe drought hurts corn production, turns ethanol into election-year issue. Again

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 01:13 PM PDT

Severe drought hurts corn production, turns ethanol into election-year issue. Again


Severe drought hurts corn production, turns ethanol into election-year issue. Again
Filed under: Ethanol, Legislation and Policy As it was four years ago during another election year, corn ethanol is once again the focal point for heated exchange in the U.S. The federal government is feeling the vise tighten in the corn ethanol debate, as the issues flip and flop between gasoline prices going up and global food prices increasing. The worst drought in more than 50 years is also playing a role. Last Wednesday, the Energy Information Administration said exports of corn-based ethanol were going to be hurt by the drop in corn production due to drought conditions. It also said that prices for America's gasoline blended with the domestic fuel shouldn't rise significantly. The story changed a bit two days later, when the Department of Agriculture stated that the terrible drought caused more damage than expected to corn and soybean crops. Food prices jumped six percent last month and it looks like they'll continue rising, experts say, bringing back the food-versus-fuel debate. International pressure is being applied. United Nations food official Jose Graziano da Silva is calling for an "immediate, temporary suspension" of the mandate to stave off another world food crisis. Some are saying that the situation isn't all that bad. Geoff Cooper, writing for the Renewable Fuels Association, says: While this year's harvest [in the U.S.] will be considerably smaller than initially expected, it is remarkable that farmers are still expected to produce the eighth-largest corn crop on record despite experiencing the worst drought in 50 years and the hottest month of July in recorded history. ... World corn production was cut 6% based on the U.S. drought, but total foreign corn production was unchanged from July. Increased production in Argentina, Brazil, and China offset yield reductions in the EU and former Soviet Union. This year's global corn crop will still be the second-largest on record, according to USDA. The White House is looking at the numbers now and will work with the Environmental Protection Agency and the USDA on carefully implementing the Renewable Fuel Standard. U.S. fuel companies are supposed to convert about 40 percent of the corn crop into biofuel to meet the federal standards, and it might receive a waiver from the White House. However, with strong farm belt support and an election looming, many political analysts say the odds of a waiver are low. Farmers and ethanol producers may have lost the 30-year-old corn ethanol subsidy at the end of last year, but they still have influence in Washington.Severe drought hurts corn production, turns ethanol into election-year issue. Again originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 16:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Motorola Droid 4's Android 4.0 upgrade clears Verizon hurdles, brings global roa...

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 01:13 PM PDT

Motorola Droid 4's Android 4.0 upgrade clears Verizon hurdles, brings global roaming soon


Motorola Droid 4's Android 4.0 upgrade clears Verizon hurdles, brings global roaming soon
The Droid 4's update to Android 4.0 has been in the making for long enough that we'd started to wonder if someone in the QA department had a grudge against keyboards. Verizon just proved that there's still plenty of QWERTY love to go around by posting a document, and starting a soak test, that gives the OS upgrade a rubber stamp. Motorola's messaging phone is getting more than just a new software layer with this upgrade: the Android 4.0.4 release will switch on global roaming for those willing to pay Verizon for access abroad. Camera quality should get a quiet lift in the process, while the rest of the phone is getting a proper polish as well. Verizon hasn't mentioned just when we'll see that update notification flit past our screens, but the carrier's tendency to push updates days after notices like these could see Droid 4 owners treated to Android 4.0 well before August wraps up.Filed under: CellphonesMotorola Droid 4's Android 4.0 upgrade clears Verizon hurdles, brings global roaming soon originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Droid-Life | Verizon (PDF) | Email this | Comments

Editorial: The future comes slowly, but revolutions are worth waiting for

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:32 PM PDT

Editorial: The future comes slowly, but revolutions are worth waiting for


Editorial: The future comes slowly, but revolutions are worth waiting for
During a trip to Switzerland, my family started off on a day hike to reach the nearby foothills of a mountain. It looked doable, but as time passed the range seemed to recede before our approach. After many hours we turned around, having apparently failed to close any distance. Crossing from now to the future in technology can likewise seem illusory. When we scrutinize and celebrate each tiny incremental invention as if it were a milestone, we lose track of time as if we were counting grains of sand dropping through an hourglass. Game-changing inventions are rare, separated by epochs in which progress adds up to a lot of sameness. Futurism is an unforgiving business. But sometimes, as in the cases of cloud computing and media convergence, redemption comes with patience.Continue reading Editorial: The future comes slowly, but revolutions are worth waiting forFiled under: Home Entertainment, Household, InternetEditorial: The future comes slowly, but revolutions are worth waiting for originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 15:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

New Fisker statement on Karma fire: batteries not to blame

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:00 PM PDT

New Fisker statement on Karma fire: batteries not to blame


New Fisker statement on Karma fire: batteries not to blame
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Fisker As we suspected yesterday, the first official word from Fisker about the Karma that caught fire in Woodside, CA this weekend is that the li-ion batteries are apparently not to blame. Fisker has released a statement, which you can find below, that says that independent investigators from Pacific Rim Investigative Group are looking into the cause of the blaze and that: Evidence revealed thus far supports the fact that the ignition source was not the Lithium-ion battery pack, new technology components or unique exhaust routing. The area of origin for the fire was determined to be outside the engine compartment. There was no damage to the passenger compartment and there were no injuries. More information will be released when Fisker and the investigators have something to report. To see a video of the fire and read our original report, here you go. According to the National Fire Protection Association (PDF), between 2005 and 2009, 1,150 spontaneous vehicle fires happened each year, half of those in passenger vehicles. So, just under 600 a year take place in an average year, out of a national fleet of around 250 million vehicles. Two Karma fires in four months is thus noteworthy, especially given the newness of the technology and general worries about the safety of li-ion batteries, but it's not something to panic about. We await further details of this investigation.Continue reading New Fisker statement on Karma fire: batteries not to blameNew Fisker statement on Karma fire: batteries not to blame originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

IBM creates consistent electron spin inside semiconductors, takes spintronics on...

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:00 PM PDT

IBM creates consistent electron spin inside semiconductors, takes spintronics one twirl closer


IBM creates consistent electron spin inside semiconductors, takes spintronics one twirl closer
A fundamental challenge of developing spintronics, or computing where the rotation of electrons carries instructions and other data rather than the charge, has been getting the electrons to spin for long enough to shuttle data to its destination in the first place. IBM and ETH Zurich claim to be the first achieving that feat by getting the electrons to dance to the same tune. Basing a semiconductor material on gallium arsenide and bringing the temperature to an extremely low -387F, the research duo have created a persistent spin helix that keeps the spin going for the 1.1 nanoseconds it would take a normal 1GHz processor to run through its full cycle, or 30 times longer than before. As impressive as it can be to stretch atomic physics that far, just remember that the theory is some distance from practice: unless you're really keen on running a computer at temperatures just a few hops away from absolute zero, there's work to be done on producing transistors (let alone processors) that safely run in the climate of the family den. Assuming that's within the realm of possibility, though, we could eventually see computers that wring much more performance per watt out of one of the most basic elements of nature.Continue reading IBM creates consistent electron spin inside semiconductors, takes spintronics one twirl closerFiled under: ScienceIBM creates consistent electron spin inside semiconductors, takes spintronics one twirl closer originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink TG Daily | Nature | Email this | Comments

YogiPlay Debuts “YogiMeter,” An Educator-Based Rating System For Children’s Lear...

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:00 PM PDT

YogiPlay Debuts "YogiMeter," An Educator-Based Rating System For Children's Learning Apps


YogiPlay Debuts "YogiMeter," An Educator-Based Rating System For Children's Learning Apps
YogiPlay, a Menlo Park-based company from husband-and-wife team Cedric and Michal Selling, is attempting to tackle the critical problem of surfacing appropriate, trusted, and carefully vetted educational apps for children. The company recently raised $1 million in VC funding from DN Capital and Richmond Park Partners, in order to develop a system for rating apps for kids, specifically targeting the ages 2 through 8. Today, YogiPlay is announcing the results of those efforts with YogiMeter, its new app rating system designed to help parents find learning apps for children that have been vetted by a team of educational experts.

Yamaha YHT-697 home theater in a box brings AirPlay, iPad connectivity to the ma...

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:00 PM PDT

Yamaha YHT-697 home theater in a box brings AirPlay, iPad connectivity to the masses


Yamaha YHT-697 home theater in a box brings AirPlay, iPad connectivity to the masses
Yamaha has outed a new high-end home theater in a box to ensure that whatever audio / visual device you use, it'll sound amazing. The YHT-679BL includes an Ethernet port for internet radio, networked music and pulling down AirPlay tunes. It's got an iOS, Android and Kindle Fire-compatible app and there's even a USB port up front that'll charge your device as you use it. Offering 4K HDMI and pass-through 3D video, the unit's clad in piano-gloss black, while a 6.5-inch, 100W subwoofer will add some floor-shaking to the two tower and three satellite speakers that are included. It'll set you back $650, plus whatever it costs to get some soundproofing done once your annoyed neighbors are done with you.Continue reading Yamaha YHT-697 home theater in a box brings AirPlay, iPad connectivity to the massesFiled under: Home EntertainmentYamaha YHT-697 home theater in a box brings AirPlay, iPad connectivity to the masses originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 14:16:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Microsoft licensed design patents at issue in Apple v. Samsung, Surface lovers b...

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:00 PM PDT

Microsoft licensed design patents at issue in Apple v. Samsung, Surface lovers breathe sigh of relief


Microsoft licensed design patents at issue in Apple v. Samsung, Surface lovers breathe sigh of relief
Last week, we found out about Apple's offer to license a bundle of IP -- including its iPhone and iPad design patents -- to Samsung back in 2010. Today, Reuters reports that Apple proposed a similar deal to Microsoft, and the folks in Redmond took them up on the offer. Details of the license itself are scarce, but the deal did, naturally, include an provision expressly prohibiting iDevice copies. So, for folks figuring that Microsoft might face a litigious future similar to Samsung's, think again. Looks like Ballmer and friends had the foresight to buy the rights to those rounded corners, edge-to-edge glass and black bezels on their forthcoming Surface tablets.Filed under: Cellphones, Tablet PCsMicrosoft licensed design patents at issue in Apple v. Samsung, Surface lovers breathe sigh of relief originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Reuters | Email this | Comments

Microsoft trumpets Windows RT OEM partners, lists ASUS, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:00 PM PDT

Microsoft trumpets Windows RT OEM partners, lists ASUS, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung


Microsoft trumpets Windows RT OEM partners, lists ASUS, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung
Following sharp comments from Acer's JT Wang surrounding Microsoft's decision to compete with vital OEM partners in the tablet space, Mike Angiulo -- the vice president of Microsoft's Ecosystem and Planning team -- has stepped to the plate with a resounding "thank you" to those very associates. Aside from praising those who will be helping to make Windows RT more than a passing fad, the company affirmed that ASUS, Dell, Samsung and Lenovo will all be shipping ARM-based products with the aforementioned operating system onboard. This pretty much confirms that the Yoga will indeed ship as a WinRT variant, and it also makes clear that Dell's hard work for a spot in the lineup paid off. Exact model details aren't being disclosed, nor are ship dates, but it's becoming abundantly clear that Microsoft is working overtime behind the scenes to give its allies equal footing come October 26th.Filed under: Tablet PCsMicrosoft trumpets Windows RT OEM partners, lists ASUS, Dell, Lenovo and Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:25:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | MSDN Blogs | Email this | Comments

Self-Driving Cars Available Soon?

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:00 PM PDT

Self-Driving Cars Available Soon?


Self-Driving Cars Available Soon?
New report details factors that will accelerate autonomous driving.

Used Cars Holding Record Value

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:00 PM PDT

Used Cars Holding Record Value


Used Cars Holding Record Value
The margin between new and used is the closest in 14 years.

Life on Mars: One week of Curiosity

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:00 PM PDT

Life on Mars: One week of Curiosity


Life on Mars: One week of Curiosity
Is there life on Mars? NASA's latest mission to the red planet might well answer that question, or perhaps the more pertinent question, was there life on Mars. At 10:02 AM EST on November 26th last year, the space agency's Mars Science Laboratory (to give the mission its full name) set off on its eight-month journey to the red planet. The most advanced equipment ever sent to the planet -- and the biggest-ever rover -- should allow exploration of some of the most interesting regions, over far larger distances than ever previously covered. On arrival, after negotiating a tricky landing, the mobile laboratory (that's Curiosity) will spend a Martian year (687 Earth days) analyzing rock samples and seeking evidence of conditions suitable for microbial life or -- we can live in hope -- actual evidence of the same. After the break, we take a look at some of the key events over the first seven days on the planet's surface.Continue reading Life on Mars: One week of CuriosityFiled under: ScienceLife on Mars: One week of Curiosity originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | NASA | Email this | Comments

Twitter Strengthens Its Mobile Platform: Buys A/B App Tester Clutch.io, Shutting...

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 12:00 PM PDT

Twitter Strengthens Its Mobile Platform: Buys A/B App Tester Clutch.io, Shutting Down Service In November


Twitter Strengthens Its Mobile Platform: Buys A/B App Tester Clutch.io, Shutting Down Service In November
Have the API wars around Twitter opened on a new front? Today comes news that the social networking site has made another acquisition: Clutch.io, a specialist in A/B testing for mobile apps. The news was announced on Clutch.io's blog. The founders Eric Florenzano and Eric Maguire say that today was their first day working at Twitter on the company's growth and international team, where they will "focus our efforts on Twitter's product at a large scale." Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. Clutch.io users will have until November 1 to port their data from Clutch.io's hosted service before it gets shut down. And in a nice twist, Florenzano and Maguire also say they'll make it possible for users to port the whole system so that developers can run the service locally and continue to use it.

Life on Mars: One week of Curiosity

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 11:26 AM PDT

Life on Mars: One week of Curiosity


Life on Mars: One week of Curiosity
Is there life on Mars? NASA's latest mission to the red planet might well answer that question, or perhaps the more pertinent question, was there life on Mars. At 10:02 AM EST on November 26th last year, the space agency's Mars Science Laboratory (to give the mission its full name) set off on its eight-month journey to the red planet. The most advanced equipment ever sent to the planet -- and the biggest-ever rover -- should allow exploration of some of the most interesting regions, over far larger distances than ever previously covered. On arrival, after negotiating a tricky landing, the mobile laboratory (that's Curiosity) will spend a Martian year (687 Earth days) analyzing rock samples and seeking evidence of conditions suitable for microbial life or -- we can live in hope -- actual evidence of the same. After the break, we take a look at some of the key events over the first seven days on the planet's surface.Continue reading Life on Mars: One week of CuriosityFiled under: ScienceLife on Mars: One week of Curiosity originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 13:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | NASA | Email this | Comments

LG Optimus Vu coming to wide-minded Americans by summer's end

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 11:26 AM PDT

LG Optimus Vu coming to wide-minded Americans by summer's end


LG Optimus Vu coming to wide-minded Americans by summer's end
If you're enamored with the 4:3 ratio of the Optimus Vu but remain disappointed that there isn't an American model to call your own, LG is bringing some sunshine to your day. The Korean company has confirmed plans to port the LTE-equipped version of the extra-wide phablet to the US sometime during the third quarter of the year -- in other words, anytime between now and the end of September. Thanks to our friends at the FCC, we even know that it's headed to Verizon first, if not exclusively. Most of the other details are scant. The timing makes it likely that Android 4.0 will ship with Big Red's edition as a matter of course; LG's me-too Q Voice interface won't speak English until 2013, however. We mostly know that, between LG's American plans and Samsung's next Galaxy Note, the Great PDA Revival of 2012 is still very much in full swing. [Thanks, FT]Filed under: CellphonesLG Optimus Vu coming to wide-minded Americans by summer's end originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:35:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Unwired View | LG Newsroom (translated) | Email this | Comments

New Denny's in Vegas to include wedding chapel

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 10:48 AM PDT

New Denny's in Vegas to include wedding chapel


New Denny's in Vegas to include wedding chapel
Denny's says its newest 24-hour diner in Las Vegas will feature a full bar and a wedding chapel.

EPA requiring 4-gallon minimum purchase at E15 ethanol blender pumps

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 09:38 AM PDT

EPA requiring 4-gallon minimum purchase at E15 ethanol blender pumps


EPA requiring 4-gallon minimum purchase at E15 ethanol blender pumps
Filed under: Ethanol, Legislation and Policy, USA The battle over E15 - that mix of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline - has apparently taken an unexpected turn. Following months of discussion about the safety of E15, the biofuel went on sale at a gas station in Kansas last month. We heard that that station was requiring anyone buying E15 to purchase at least four gallons of the stuff so as to prevent the biofuel from getting into small tanks - lawnmowers, etc. - that are not supposed to burn E15. Turns out, this rule might be more expansive than we originally thought. The American Motorcyclist Association has been in communication with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency about the use of blender pumps, which can dispense varying percentages of ethanol along with the gasoline (so, it can pump our E10 or E85, for example, as well as E15, depending). The AMA was looking for clarification because of "possible misfueling due to residual fuel left in a blender pump hose used to dispense 15 percent ethanol blend (E15) gasoline" because "our members who make a concerted effort to fuel their motorcycles or ATVs with E10-or-less gasoline may be unknowingly refueling with residual fuel left in the hose." The AMA's main question was: "What specifically does the EPA recommend that motorcyclists and ATV users do when using a blender pump that dispenses E15 gasoline?" To which the EPA wrote back: EPA requires that retail stations that own or operate blender pumps either dispense E15 from a dedicated hose and nozzle if able or, in the case of E15 and E10 being dispensed from the same hose, require that at least four gallons of fuel be purchased to prevent vehicles and engines with smaller fuel tanks from being exposed to gasoline-ethanol blended fuels containing greater than 10 vol% ethanol. The stations must also inform customers about this minimum purchase requirement. In other words, that four-gallon requirement is a nationwide rule, not just something that one station in Kansas implemented. What isn't clear is whether those blender pumps will never be able to dispense fewer than four gallons, no matter what the fuel type is. It sure reads like this is the case, but phone calls and emails to the EPA for more clarification were not returned. You can read the letters the AMA sent to EPA administrator Lisa Jackson and the response here (1, 2) and see the AMA's press release below. If we hear back from the EPA, we will let you know.Continue reading EPA requiring 4-gallon minimum purchase at E15 ethanol blender pumpsEPA requiring 4-gallon minimum purchase at E15 ethanol blender pumps originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Engadget's back to school guide 2012: gaming

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 09:05 AM PDT

Engadget's back to school guide 2012: gaming


Engadget's back to school guide 2012: gaming
Welcome to Engadget's back to school guide! The end of summer vacation isn't nearly as much fun as the weeks that come before, but a chance to update your tech tools likely helps to ease the pain. Today, we're getting our game on -- and you can head to the back to school hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides -- and hit up the hub page right here! It's time to balance out that daily grind at school with some well-deserved leisure. Fortunately, many of our choices walk that fine line between work and play -- if you're willing to stump up some more cash beyond a normal laptop, you could get something capable of handling the latest PC titles. Some of our other choices may be a harder sell in the education stakes, but we all need some stress relief, right? And with bigger consoles nearing the end of their life cycles, there's never been a more wallet-friendly time to get involved. Jump in after the break for our favorite gaming choices. If all your money's been earmarked for learnin', then you should certainly enter our sweepstakes. Leave a comment after the break for a chance to win, and visit our giveaway page for all the details. Continue reading Engadget's back to school guide 2012: gamingFiled under: GamingEngadget's back to school guide 2012: gaming originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 12:00:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

The Mobile ‘Personal Shopping Assistant’: Swirl Exits Stealth With 30K Stores Si...

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 09:05 AM PDT

The Mobile 'Personal Shopping Assistant': Swirl Exits Stealth With 30K Stores Signed On, $6M In Backing


The Mobile 'Personal Shopping Assistant': Swirl Exits Stealth With 30K Stores Signed On, $6M In Backing
Add one more startup to the hopefuls looking to corner the market for location-aware offers for shoppers: Swirl Networks today exits stealth mode with a website and free iOS app to help people find the best fashion deals closest to them, lead them to physical stores to make purchases, and then share that experience with others. It may be a crowded space, but Swirl is one to watch: it is hitting the ground running with 220 deals in place with major brands like Macy's, Nordstrom, and Old Navy, covering 30,000 stores and 100,000 items in the U.S.; and a first round of funding totaling $6 million from Softbank, General Catalyst, Longworth Venture Partners and the founders of GSI Commerce, the e-commerce company that sold to eBay last year for $2.4 billion.

WSJ: Google set to acquire Frommer's from Wiley, add trusted travel reviews

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 09:05 AM PDT

WSJ: Google set to acquire Frommer's from Wiley, add trusted travel reviews


WSJ: Google set to acquire Frommer's from Wiley, add trusted travel reviews
Just one year after its Zagat acquisition, Google has made a move on another trusted lifestyle brand. John Wiley & Sons Inc., the current owner of the Frommer's network of travel sites and guide books, confirmed the Mountain View acquisition, with a closing expected shortly. According to The Wall Street Journal, Google hasn't made a call concerning Frommer's printed guidebooks, which don't necessarily fall in line with the company's otherwise online-only model. It's also unclear whether or not the the new content arm will fall under Zagat's leadership, though a department executive did comment on the acquisition in an interview, saying that Google planned to keep Frommer's on its current path for the time being. Neither company was able to confirm pricing for the buyout, which could help Google boost its reviews portfolio, backing user-submitted travel content with professional credibility. Full details are at the source link below.Filed under: InternetWSJ: Google set to acquire Frommer's from Wiley, add trusted travel reviews originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 11:48:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | WSJ | Email this | Comments

Armchair Darwinians discover new insect species on Flickr

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 09:05 AM PDT

Armchair Darwinians discover new insect species on Flickr


Armchair Darwinians discover new insect species on Flickr
Entomologist Shaun Winterton has discovered a new species of Malaysian Lacewing from the comfort of his computer. Idly browsing Flickr, he came across Guek "Kurt" Hock Ping's snap of an insect taken while hiking in the Malaysian jungle, which bore an unfamiliar black-and-blue pattern along its wings. When his colleagues couldn't identify the markings, he realized he was staring at a new species and hurriedly emailed the photographer -- who, a year later, had captured one of the elusive creatures. Sent to Simon Brooks at the Natural History Museum, the suspicion was confirmed. The armchair explorer named it Semachrysa jade after his daughter and promptly used Google Docs to co-author the paper with Guek and Brooks on opposite ends of the world. If your mom complains that you're spending too much time on your computer, you can tell her you're searching for strange life-forms and old civilizations with a straight face. [Image Credit: Guek "Kurt" Hock Ping, Flickr]Armchair Darwinians discover new insect species on Flickr originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 11:41:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink The Verge, NPR, io9 | OrionMystery, Zookeys, Flickr | Email this | Comments

Sprint To Launch The $199, Keyboard-Toting Motorola Photon Q On August 19

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 09:05 AM PDT

Sprint To Launch The $199, Keyboard-Toting Motorola Photon Q On August 19


Sprint To Launch The $199, Keyboard-Toting Motorola Photon Q On August 19
You know what Sprint's LTE handset line-up has been missing (aside from more network coverage outside of Texas)? Some variety! Nearly all of Sprint's LTE devices are monolithic, all-touch slabs of plastic and glass -- it wouldn't hurt to mix things up a bit, and that's exactly what the carrier did. On the off chance that your thumbs still yearn to pound out text messages on a physical QWERTY keyboard, Sprint has just announced that the recently-revealed Photon Q will hit store shelves on August 19. The Droid 4 lookalike will set interested customers back $199 with two-year commitment, and the truly devoted can pre-order their units today.

iPhones Are On Sale Everywhere, But It’s A Horrible Time To Buy

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 09:05 AM PDT

iPhones Are On Sale Everywhere, But It's A Horrible Time To Buy


iPhones Are On Sale Everywhere, But It's A Horrible Time To Buy
The iPhone is on sale at multiple retailers. Sprint cut $50 off the price of the 4S while the Verizon and AT&T models are $20 through Target. The aging iPhone 4 is only $50 from Best Buy. Best of all, Apple Stores are reportedly matching these prices. But it's a bad time to buy an iPhone. The new one is coming next month. You can wait. Plus, that means the older ones will get an even bigger price cut than what retailers are offering right now.

Instant Messaging Service Imo.im Gets Even More Chatty With New iOS Voice Call F...

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 09:05 AM PDT

Instant Messaging Service Imo.im Gets Even More Chatty With New iOS Voice Call Feature


Instant Messaging Service Imo.im Gets Even More Chatty With New iOS Voice Call Feature
Cross-platform messaging service Imo.im has been keeping quiet lately, but the company piped up earlier this morning to reveal that its iOS app has just gotten a substantial update. When pecking out messages just doesn't cut it any more, iOS-based Imo users can now call each other over their Wi-Fi or mobile data connections. While the update is likely welcome news for the service's nearly 700,000 daily active users, it may seem as though Imo is a bit behind the curve. The mobile messaging space is a crowded one after all, and plenty of strong competitors — Viber, Nimbuzz, etc. — have long since offered voice calls between users.

Imo rolls out free voice calling for iOS users, hopes you'll use it to talk abou...

Posted: 13 Aug 2012 08:33 AM PDT

Imo rolls out free voice calling for iOS users, hopes you'll use it to talk about free voice calling


Imo rolls out free voice calling for iOS users, hopes you'll use it to talk about free voice calling
Imo has no doubt gotten a bit of boost in the last couple of months, when Meebo finally shuttered its Messenger offering ahead of its social-boosting Google integration, and now the service is getting a bit more robust for iOS users. The instant messaging aggregator (AIM, Google Talk, Facebook chat, et al.) is bringing free voice calling to iPhones running iOS version 3.1 and higher, a feature already available on its Android offering. Interested parties can check out a press release and not particularly informative video of the new feature after the break.Continue reading Imo rolls out free voice calling for iOS users, hopes you'll use it to talk about free voice callingFiled under: Tablet PCs, SoftwareImo rolls out free voice calling for iOS users, hopes you'll use it to talk about free voice calling originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 13 Aug 2012 11:24:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | imo.im | Email this | Comments