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Wednesday, October 24, 2012

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Official: Ford C-Max Energi PHEV can ride solo in California carpool lane

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 03:22 PM PDT

Official: Ford C-Max Energi PHEV can ride solo in California carpool lane


Official: Ford C-Max Energi PHEV can ride solo in California carpool lane
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Hybrid, Ford Interested in the C-Max Energi Plug-in Hybrid? Ford would like you to do some math. THe PHEV starts at $33,745, and the Feds will subtract a tax credit worth up to $3,750. Then, if you live in California, where the Energi now qualifies for the green carpool lane sticker, the state will offer you another $1,500 rebate. That brings the total lowest price down to $28,495 in the Golden State, if you qualify for all the incentives, minus whatever you think the HOV lane access is worth. Now that the C-Max Energi has been approved for the Green Clean Air Vehicle Sticker, Ford says it will be likely to get the same benefit in other states with similar carpool laws, like Maryland, New York and Virginia. The catch, in California at least, is that there are only 40,000 of these special green stickers available for all qualifying cars from any automaker, and they will be given out first come, first served.Continue reading Ford C-Max Energi PHEV can ride solo in California carpool laneFord C-Max Energi PHEV can ride solo in California carpool lane originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 18:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

ITC rules that Samsung violates four Apple patents covering design, touch

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 03:22 PM PDT

ITC rules that Samsung violates four Apple patents covering design, touch


ITC rules that Samsung violates four Apple patents covering design, touch
The back and forth continues. US International Trade Commission Administrative Law Judge Thomas Pender has made an initial ruling that some Samsung's devices violate four Apple patents, including one iPhone design patent (the one you see above) and three software patents. Apple didn't manage a clean sweep, as Samsung was cleared of treading on two more patents, but the verdict still carries the all-too-familiar potential for a trade ban if the ITC maintains the findings in its final review. It's bleak news for the Korean company, which faced an initial loss to Apple at the ITC just last month -- even though large swaths of the mostly Android-based Galaxy phones and tablets in the dispute have long since left the market, an upheld verdict gives Samsung one less bargaining chip in a protracted legal war.Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, Mobile, Apple, SamsungITC rules that Samsung violates four Apple patents covering design, touch originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink Bloomberg News | ITC (PDF) | Email this | Comments

Fisker salutes US racing at SEMA

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 03:22 PM PDT

Fisker salutes US racing at SEMA


Fisker salutes US racing at SEMA
Fisker partners with 3M on paint schemes evoke racing history.

The 10 scariest monster trucks

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 03:22 PM PDT

The 10 scariest monster trucks


The 10 scariest monster trucks
The most monstrous mutations of the all-American breed

Samsung Galaxy Note II to arrive at US Cellular on Friday, pre-orders ship tomorrow

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 02:36 PM PDT

Samsung Galaxy Note II to arrive at US Cellular on Friday, pre-orders ship tomorrow


Samsung Galaxy Note II to arrive at US Cellular on Friday, pre-orders ship tomorrow
US Cellular has been offering the Samsung Galaxy Note II on pre-order for over a month now, but it just sent out an email clarifying that the device will be stocked on retail and virtual shelves beginning this Friday, October 26th. This falls in line with the "late October" timeframe we were promised; pre-orders, by the way, will also begin shipping tomorrow. As a recap, the Note II will only be available in titanium gray and with 16GB internal storage, and will cost $300 with a two-year commitment and $800 without one -- a huge difference, no doubt, given T-Mobile's $650 full retail cost. Tomorrow is the last day to pre-order if you're worried about facing inventory shortages or long lines on Friday. The best part? No silly logo on the home button (we're looking at you, Verizon).Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, MobileSamsung Galaxy Note II to arrive at US Cellular on Friday, pre-orders ship tomorrow originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:13:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Where you at? Sprint Direct Connect Now brings push-to-talk to select Android de...

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 02:36 PM PDT

Where you at? Sprint Direct Connect Now brings push-to-talk to select Android devices


Where you at? Sprint Direct Connect Now brings push-to-talk to select Android devices
Sprint announced on Wednesday the availability of its new Direct Connect Now Android app, which brings push-to-talk capabilities to the Kyocera Rise and LG Optimus Elite with support for other devices "coming soon." Compatible with both Nextel and Sprint Direct Connect devices, this free app features group calls for up to 21 people, touchscreen controls, call alert notifications and contact synchronization. While we appreciate this advancement in push-to-talk communication, we can't help but shed a tear reminiscing about the good old days of Boost Mobile's "where you at?" campaign. Please join us as we pour one out and celebrate faded memories of the chirp.Continue reading Where you at? Sprint Direct Connect Now brings push-to-talk to select Android devicesFiled under: Mobile, SprintWhere you at? Sprint Direct Connect Now brings push-to-talk to select Android devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 17:05:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Sprint | Email this | Comments

Texas opens 85-mph highway

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 01:51 PM PDT

Texas opens 85-mph highway


Texas opens 85-mph highway
Privately funded toll road is controversial but appeals to commuters.

Official: Lexus wants to double North American hybrid sales

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 01:06 PM PDT

Official: Lexus wants to double North American hybrid sales


Official: Lexus wants to double North American hybrid sales
Filed under: Hybrid, Lexus, Toyota, USA They say you can't have it all, but Toyota isn't listening. The Japanese automaker may be by far the biggest seller of hybrids in the US, but it still wants to increase hybrid sales from its Lexus luxury badge. Lexus, whose hybrids account for about 10 percent of its US sales, is looking to move that number closer to its global average - about 20 percent - Automotive News reports, citing Lexus executive Kazuo Ohara. The path to increased hybrid sales might be paved with the introduction and updates of models such as the ES 300h sedan. As it is, through September, Lexus increased its US hybrid sales by 36 percent compared to 2011 numbers, to almost 26,000 vehicles. Lexus has priced the ES 300h hybrid with just a $2,750 price premium over the conventional version. The hybrid gets a fuel-economy rating of 40 miles per gallon combined.Lexus wants to double North American hybrid sales originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Alcatel One Touch Shockwave reaches US Cellular, takes your bumps and scrapes fo...

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 01:06 PM PDT

Alcatel One Touch Shockwave reaches US Cellular, takes your bumps and scrapes for $50


Alcatel One Touch Shockwave reaches US Cellular, takes your bumps and scrapes for $50
Those of us picking budget smartphones in the US seldom have the choice of a toughened smartphone, and it's even more of a challenge when we're not signed on to one of the top four carriers. US Cellular is offering the cost-conscious a (hardened) olive branch by shipping the Alcatel One Touch Shockwave. Skip past the creaky Android 2.3, 800MHz processor, 3.2-megapixel camera and 3.5-inch, 480 x 320 display -- a shock- and water-resistant shell as well as Dragontrail-based glass should keep the smartphone working through most forms of casual abuse. We also don't mind having preloaded Amazon Appstore and media apps, although the frugal 2GB microSD card in the box won't leave much room for any downloading. We'd at least keep the Shockwave on the short list when the $50 price and long-lasting design will leave ample funds for just about everything else.Continue reading Alcatel One Touch Shockwave reaches US Cellular, takes your bumps and scrapes for $50Filed under: Cellphones, MobileAlcatel One Touch Shockwave reaches US Cellular, takes your bumps and scrapes for $50 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:32:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | US Cellular | Email this | Comments

Betaworks’ News.me Shuts Down Its Apps, Team Heads Over To Digg

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 01:06 PM PDT

Betaworks' News.me Shuts Down Its Apps, Team Heads Over To Digg


Betaworks' News.me Shuts Down Its Apps, Team Heads Over To Digg
News.me, the social news service incubated at betaworks, announced today that it's officially shutting down its iOS apps and removing them from the App Store. The company is also claiming that it's yet another victim of Twitter's latest API guidelines, and states that Twitter may have even viewed its service as a competitor. We might not go that far, but it makes for a good story.

Bite-sized chocolate energy

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 01:06 PM PDT

Bite-sized chocolate energy


Bite-sized chocolate energy
Energy in the form of a bite-sized, chocolate coated candy? It's a part of the evolution of the energy food industry, which was on full display this week at the National Association of Convenience Stores Expo in Las Vegas.

Platypus airboats have a Nexus S for a brain, we go eyes-on (video)

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT

Platypus airboats have a Nexus S for a brain, we go eyes-on (video)


Platypus airboats have a Nexus S for a brain, we go eyes-on (video)
Here's another extremely cool offshoot of the Carnegie Mellon Robotics Institute. Platypus LLC build autonomous robotic airboats that can be deployed for a wide range of usages including environmental data and monitoring hard-to-reach spots after natural disasters like flooding. The hull of the boat looks a good deal like a boogie board, built from polyurethane. On top, you'll find a propulsion fan assembly, just behind a hard plastic electronics compartment that houses internals like the Arduino board. That microcontroller communicates via Bluetooth with a smartphone that sits in the front of of the boat, safely cocooned inside an Otterbox case. The models we saw this week were carrying Nexus S handsets -- relatively cheap solutions bought second-hand off of eBay. Just about any Android phone should do the trick, but in the case of this project, where phones can get wrenched loose or just outright pilfered, cheaper is certainly better. Platypus' proprietary app helps control the boat autonomously, using the handset's camera to provide situational awareness. Sensors mounted on the boat, meanwhile, offer up information on oxygen and PH levels, temperature and more.Gallery: Platypus Android handset-powered airboats eyes-onContinue reading Platypus airboats have a Nexus S for a brain, we go eyes-on (video)Filed under: Cellphones, Robots, SciencePlatypus airboats have a Nexus S for a brain, we go eyes-on (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:11:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Platypus | Email this | Comments

Japan’s GREE Acquires Game Developer Pokelabo For $173M

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT

Japan's GREE Acquires Game Developer Pokelabo For $173M


Japan's GREE Acquires Game Developer Pokelabo For $173M
Bolstering its arsenal of first-party games for the Japanese market, GREE acquired developer Pokelabo for $173 million in an all-cash deal. Asia-focused venture capital firm DCM gets a win with this acquisition as it had a little over 20 percent of the company. Sega also had a strategic investment in the company, after it was founded five years ago.

Corning touts 1 billion Gorilla Glass devices: that's a lot of face-saving surfaces

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT

Corning touts 1 billion Gorilla Glass devices: that's a lot of face-saving surfaces


Corning touts 1 billion Gorilla Glass devices: that's a lot of face-saving surfaces
You could argue that toughened glass is the cornerstone of the modern mobile industry: without the knowledge that our touchscreen phones and tablets could survive the everyday risks of scratches and minor drops, many of us would be terrified of leaving home with a glass-covered mobile device in our hands. Corning now has evidence to prove just how important that silicate can be. In addition to the mostly upbeat third quarter fiscal results you'll find after the break, the firm brags to us that more than one billion devices have shipped with some variant of Gorilla Glass in place, spread across 33 major brands and 500 individual models that are occasionally very immobile. We can't give Corning all the credit when alternatives like Dragontrail exist, but numbers like these make it hard to dispute that millions of gadgets have been spared an untimely end (or a flimsy plastic display) by some clever primate chemistry.Continue reading Corning touts 1 billion Gorilla Glass devices: that's a lot of face-saving surfacesFiled under: Cellphones, Tablets, MobileCorning touts 1 billion Gorilla Glass devices: that's a lot of face-saving surfaces originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:50:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Wireless Bandwidth Hogs Not Welcome Here: EE Defends Decision Not To Offer Unlim...

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 12:20 PM PDT

Wireless Bandwidth Hogs Not Welcome Here: EE Defends Decision Not To Offer Unlimited Data On U.K.'s First 4G Network


Wireless Bandwidth Hogs Not Welcome Here: EE Defends Decision Not To Offer Unlimited Data On U.K.'s First 4G Network
Pricing for the U.K.'s first 4G/LTE network was announced earlier this week but despite offering five consumer phone tariffs there are no unlimited data packages at all. Yet the company does offer unlimited tariffs on its 3G T-Mobile brand (on the Full Monty tariff). EE's consumer CMO, Pippa Dunn claims unlimited data is something only a marginal "super techie" minority actually makes use of.

Huawei gives Australia peeks at its network hardware and code to regain trust

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 11:35 AM PDT

Huawei gives Australia peeks at its network hardware and code to regain trust


Huawei gives Australia peeks at its network hardware and code to regain trust
Huawei has had an image problem lately among countries skittish about trusting a Chinese telecom giant with the backbone of networks that its home government might like to snoop. The company's Australian chairman John Lord thinks that's just paranoia, and he's planning radical transparency in the country to recover what trust he can after Huawei lost a National Broadband Network deal. The firm is willing to give the Australian government "unrestricted" access to both networking hardware and source code to prove that there's no espionage afoot. Lord even likes the idea a domestic inspection agency that would greenlight equipment across the industry. All of the proposals represent a one-way conversation, however -- Canberra hasn't said if it's receptive enough to drop the cold attitude. There's a distinct chance that any successful return to favor wouldn't come soon enough to recover the most lucrative contracts, which could make any Australian change of heart a Pyrrhic victory.Filed under: Networking, InternetHuawei gives Australia peeks at its network hardware and code to regain trust originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:29:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink CNET | BBC | Email this | Comments

Vizify, Home Of The Graphical Social Profile, Redesigns Mobile Experience

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 11:35 AM PDT

Vizify, Home Of The Graphical Social Profile, Redesigns Mobile Experience


Vizify, Home Of The Graphical Social Profile, Redesigns Mobile Experience
TechStars NY graduate Vizify has today launched a few new features, including a completely redesigned mobile interface for both iOS and Android, along with support for the iPhone 5. The service brings all of your social networks together into one categorized, easy-to-use interface.

Verizon's HTC DLX may be called Droid DNA, Windows Phone 8 devices get tentative...

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 11:35 AM PDT

Verizon's HTC DLX may be called Droid DNA, Windows Phone 8 devices get tentative prices


Verizon's HTC DLX may be called Droid DNA, Windows Phone 8 devices get tentative prices
Verizon is one of the more common proponents of silly Android device names, in part through its insistence on that "Droid" prefix for some hardware. When its smartphone badges practically demand a pause for breath, you know there's a problem. Android Central's purported copy of a Minimum Advertised Pricing list could show that there's hope for the carrier yet. The chart shows the HTC DLX (6435LVW) skipping the rumored Droid Incredible X name in favor of Droid DNA -- and that's it. No superlatives, no arbitrary "4G LTE" tags to remind us of the network we already know we're using. The 5-inch phone might have even been a reasonable launch, as the MAP shows a $200 contract price that would potentially take effect just before Thanksgiving. Want more? Other smartphones are on the supposedly leaked MAP list as well, primarily focusing on Windows Phone 8 gear: the as yet unconfirmed Nokia Lumia 822 shows up with a $100 price and a mid-November release window, while Verizon's take on the Windows Phone 8X is present with a $200 price and similar timing. Those who'd rather go for a Samsung phablet than HTC's aren't left out, either. The Verizon edition of the Galaxy Note II is on the list with a $300 price and availability that starts immediately -- rather convenient, that.Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung, HTC, Nokia, VerizonVerizon's HTC DLX may be called Droid DNA, Windows Phone 8 devices get tentative prices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:17:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Android Central | Email this | Comments

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to receive the Dolby Atmos treatment

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 11:35 AM PDT

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to receive the Dolby Atmos treatment


The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to receive the Dolby Atmos treatment
The CinemaCon crowd may not have been keen on 48fps footage of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, but we defy anyone to say they don't want the best sound possible. A select few will get just that, as Dolby and Peter Jackson's own Park Road Post Production have announced the film will be mixed for the speaker-packed Atmos technology. If you're lucky enough to live near one of the select establishments it's installed in, we doubt you'll be grumbling about the immersive audio, even if the frame rate makes those orcs look unsettlingly real.Continue reading The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to receive the Dolby Atmos treatmentFiled under: Home Entertainment, HDThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey to receive the Dolby Atmos treatment originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 14:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

CyanogenMod code fixed to prevent unlock gestures from being logged locally on h...

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 11:35 AM PDT

CyanogenMod code fixed to prevent unlock gestures from being logged locally on handsets


CyanogenMod code fixed to prevent unlock gestures from being logged locally on handsets
If you're one of the root-and-ROM brigade, it's also likely that you have a keen eye on what goes on under the hood of your mobile OS. It might, then, come as a surprise to users of CyanogenMod, that a line of code could have been logging your phone-unlock gestures and patterns. Gabriel Castro, a developer involved in the project, was surprised to spot the rogue logging, that seems to have been part of an update regarding grid sizes for screen locks in August. While there is no serious compromise to users (gaining access to the log file would involve a lot of work, and direct access to the phone) it will certainly be considered an unwelcome addition by many, and a reminder that open-source relies heavily on trust. The issue has been resolved in an update, so if you're at all unsettled at the thought, perhaps now is the time to get the latest build.Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, MobileCyanogenMod code fixed to prevent unlock gestures from being logged locally on handsets originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:47:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink ArsTechnica | CyanogenMod, GitHub | Email this | Comments

Apple’s 4th Gen iPad And The Pain And Power Of The Unpredictable Upgrade Cycle

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 11:35 AM PDT

Apple's 4th Gen iPad And The Pain And Power Of The Unpredictable Upgrade Cycle


Apple's 4th Gen iPad And The Pain And Power Of The Unpredictable Upgrade Cycle
Apple announced a new iPad at its event on Tuesday, one that wasn't mini, and one that wasn't presented as a a stop-gap or mid-cycle replacement. The fourth generation iPad, as it's called, was pitched as a full-fledged successor to the "new iPad" introduced in March 2012, which has some people frustrated. So why the change and what does it mean for Apple's iPad upgrade cycle going forward?

Scottish brewer unveils the world's strongest beer

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 11:35 AM PDT

Scottish brewer unveils the world's strongest beer


Scottish brewer unveils the world's strongest beer
A Scottish brewery claims to have produced the world's strongest beer, Brewmeister's Armageddon, with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of a whopping 65 percent.

Even Fisker is attending SEMA with some custom Karmas

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 10:50 AM PDT

Even Fisker is attending SEMA with some custom Karmas


Even Fisker is attending SEMA with some custom Karmas
Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Fisker, Luxury The Fisker Karma is again going where no pricey, Finnish-built, extended-range electric hybrid sedan has gone before: SEMA. Since the Karma just about touches the ground as is, and already wears enormous wheels, the aftermarket mods - for this year at least - stick to exterior treatments. The two Karmas that will greet the Vegas audience have been developed to commemorate Fisker's partnerships aftermarket companies, those partnerships giving owners more ways to customize their vehicles. One Karma will get wrapped in a new color scheme each day with 3M Scotchprint wrap featuring the co-developed Fisker Diamond Protection Film. The protection film does exactly what it says on the label, keeping the Karma's finish from getting bruised by road detritus. Show-goers can watch each of the wraps being applied: the Fall-themed Gloss Burnt Orange and Brushed Black Metallic "October Sun," the Riverside in Matte White and Gloss Blue Metallic throwing a shout-out to American racing heritage, hot-rodders get "Classic" Hot Rod Red red and a Gloss Black stripe with brushed aluminum trim, and "Onward" wears Satin Black and Gloss Burnt Orange to celebrate Fisker itself. The second Karma will be the Mobil 1 "American Icon" at the DUB stand, draped in Gloss Sterling Silver and Matte Blue Metallic. In lieu of a new wheel design, a new wheel finish will be shown on both Karmas, that being Goodrich's chrome-like PermaStar coating. You'll find the press release below and an advance screening of the color schemes in the high-res gallery above.Continue reading Even Fisker is attending SEMA with some custom KarmasEven Fisker is attending SEMA with some custom Karmas originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Nano-machines built to mimic human muscle could help power cyborgs, keep the OSI...

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 10:50 AM PDT

Nano-machines built to mimic human muscle could help power cyborgs, keep the OSI budget down


Nano-machines built to mimic human muscle could help power cyborgs, keep the OSI budget down
At today's prices, building a Six Million Dollar Man would cost around $31 million. Of course, being a TV show means the Office of Scientific Intelligence doesn't have too many bionic employees, but that might not the case in the future. Nicolas Giuseppone and a team at the Université de Strasbourg and CNRS have created thousands of nano-machines to replicate the movement of human muscle fibers. Weaving them all together, the machines are able to make a coordinated contraction movement that stretches and contracts. For the moment, the supramolecular polymers can only stretch a matter of micrometers, but in the future they could be used to create artificial muscles, small robots or even materials that can move. Hopefully it'll also give us the power to leap tall buildings, so we'll be outside practicing our sound effects.Filed under: Science, AltNano-machines built to mimic human muscle could help power cyborgs, keep the OSI budget down originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 13:26:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink PhysOrg | CNRS (Translated) | Email this | Comments

Hummingbird is a 'pre-Arduino' for kids (video)

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 10:50 AM PDT

Hummingbird is a 'pre-Arduino' for kids (video)


Hummingbird is a 'pre-Arduino' for kids (video)
It's an Arduino -- you know, for kids. Or, as BirdBrain Technologies' chief robot design Tom Lauwers put it, a "pre-Arduino." It's never too early to get kids into robot building -- or so goes the thought process behind this nectar-loving kit. At its center is a custom controller that can be used to manipulate a slew of different sensors, motors and lights, a number of which are included in the box. Getting started is extremely simple -- don't believe us? Check the video after the break, in which Lauwers connects two wires to get the whole process underway. The kit's also reasonably priced at $199 a piece. On top of the controller, you get a handful of LEDs, two vibration motors, four servos and light, temperature, distance and sound sensors. The kits are currently available through the company's site (click on that source link). Lauwers tells us that his company (which you may remember from last year's MakerFaire NYC) is working on a slightly more affordable option priced at around $130, which scales back a bit on the in-box components. Check out a conversation with Lauwers -- and a pretty awesome cardboard dragon -- below. Gallery: Hummingbird is a 'pre-Arduino' for kidsContinue reading Hummingbird is a 'pre-Arduino' for kids (video)Filed under: RobotsHummingbird is a 'pre-Arduino' for kids (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:54:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Hummingbird Kit | Email this | Comments

Official: Elon Musk explains why Tesla has its own stores, defends service program

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 10:05 AM PDT

Official: Elon Musk explains why Tesla has its own stores, defends service program


Official: Elon Musk explains why Tesla has its own stores, defends service program
Filed under: EV/Plug-in, Tesla Motors Elon Musk is taking his argument for a different kind of customer-dealer relationship directly to the people. In this case, the Tesla Motors CEO writes on his company's blog to list the reasons why the luxury electric-vehicle maker decided to own all of its dealerships instead of offering franchises. Musk, who said the Tesla Model S sedan aspires to be "the best car of any kind" in his new post, says that using the traditional dealer franchise model would have created conflicts of interest withing the salespeople. The reason is that any energy used to educate the public about electric vehicles would detract from conventional-vehicle sales. "It is impossible for them to explain the advantages of going electric without simultaneously undermining their traditional business," Musk writes. Additionally, most buyers purchase the same make as their previous vehicle, which means there are few buyers who would walk into a multi-brand dealership and be willing to take the time to learn about Tesla. Musk added that Tesla would have 19 dealership stores in the US by the end of the year, up from 10 at the beginning of the year. While the Model S has been universally praised, its pricey service program has not. Earlier this month, David Noland, a Model S reservation holder, wrote that Tesla's $600-a-year service program is more than 10 times the cost of the service program for the Chevrolet Volt extended-range plug-in hybrid. Tesla has argued that its service plan is more comprehensive than usual because it includes an inspection, replacement parts such as brakes and windshield wipers, roadside assistance, system monitoring, remote diagnostics and software updates. Finally, Musk addresses the recent lawsuits over Tesla's stores. As you might expect, Musk doesn't back down: Regrettably, two lawsuits have nonetheless been filed against Tesla that we believe are starkly contrary to the spirit and the letter of the law. This is supported by the nature of the plaintiffs, where one is a Fisker dealer and the other is an auto group that has repeatedly demanded that it be granted a Tesla franchise. They will have considerable difficulty explaining to the court why Tesla opening a store in Boston is somehow contrary to the best interests of fair commerce or the public. We're sure the case will be made, though, and we'll see how well it's delivered.Elon Musk explains why Tesla has its own stores, defends service program originally appeared on Autoblog Green on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments

Taylor Swift Doesn’t Want Me To Listen To Her New Album On Spotify. Not So Swift.

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 10:05 AM PDT

Taylor Swift Doesn't Want Me To Listen To Her New Album On Spotify. Not So Swift.


Taylor Swift Doesn't Want Me To Listen To Her New Album On Spotify. Not So Swift.
I love streaming music and I'm an avid user of Spotify for this purpose. I was pretty delighted when I saw that Taylor Swift's new album "Red" was available for listening when I opened up the app. I listened to the whole album, and I gotta tell ya...it's pretty damn good. But then something happened, it dissapeared. And then it came back. Then went away again. Apparently, Taylor Swift doesn't want us listening to her new album on any subscription service, according to Billboard.

ESRB now supports Windows 8, introduces cost-free questionnaire for rating digit...

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 10:04 AM PDT

ESRB now supports Windows 8, introduces cost-free questionnaire for rating digital games


ESRB now supports Windows 8, introduces cost-free questionnaire for rating digital games
The Entertainment Software Ratings Board has a huge responsibility -- to rate and regulate the entire medium of video games -- but only has so many resources with which to do so. With the rise of digital delivery, it's become increasingly difficult to fulfill the task of rating every single title that comes out, but the ESRB is betting on a new initiative that'll help streamline that process. The new "Digital Rating Service" employs an online questionnaire to determine a wide variety of criteria, beyond just age-appropriateness: content, interactivity, and privacy settings (whether or not it shares your data). As the name implies, the DRS specifically applies to digital delivery services: Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network (on PS3 and Vita), PlayStation Certified devices, Nintendo's eShop (on the Wii, DS, and 3DS), and Windows 8. That last one sounds new because it is -- Windows 8 games are now part of the ESRB's rating system. In addition to the new initiative and new platform, the ESRB is also adding more guidance to its game ratings. "Shares Info," "Shares Locations," and "Users Interact" are all now part of ESRB guidance, per the changing nature of digital, portable games. The ESRB says its new system will help to streamline its rating process for both itself and game creators, and this will resultant in faster ratings for consumers.Continue reading ESRB now supports Windows 8, introduces cost-free questionnaire for rating digital gamesFiled under: Gaming, MicrosoftESRB now supports Windows 8, introduces cost-free questionnaire for rating digital games originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Oct 2012 12:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Samsung Updates TecTile App, But How Many People Actually Use NFC?

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 10:04 AM PDT

Samsung Updates TecTile App, But How Many People Actually Use NFC?


Samsung Updates TecTile App, But How Many People Actually Use NFC?
Samsung really wants you to use NFC. They launched these TecTile NFC tags alongside the Galaxy S III, and they're already updating the app in Google Play to be compatible with the new Holiday flagship, Galaxy Note II. But it's more difficult to explain than tap to share. Tap, share, done. It's easy. That's why Tap to Share is all over Samsung's new commercials.

New tech warns of red-light runners

Posted: 24 Oct 2012 10:04 AM PDT

New tech warns of red-light runners


New tech warns of red-light runners
It's all part of the coming 'car 2 car communication' revolution.