Kia debuts city-only Soul EV at Chicago Auto Show
At the ongoing Chicago Auto Show, South Korean automaker Kia has not only debuted the 2015 Soul EV, but also confirmed the vehicle’s release stateside. The compact car has a markedly shorter range (80 to 100 miles) than Tesla’s Model S (206 miles), but that’s because it’s fitted with a much smaller, 27kWh battery. Obviously, it wasn’t designed for Fast and Furious-caliber driving, but Kia says it can go as fast as 90 mph and accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in less than 12 seconds, thanks to its 109-horsepower electric motor. It’s unclear when the 2015 Soul will be available throughout the country, but Kia plans to release it in New York, New Jersey, Maryland, California and Oregon by the third quarter of the year. Kia’s still crunching some numbers, though, so those interested in buying the car may want to cross their fingers for a reasonable price.
Filed under: Misc
Via: Autoblog
Source: Kia
European Teslas will have internet tunes thanks to Rdio (video)
Your dream of cruising the Autobahn in a Model S is about to get an internet-enhanced soundtrack: Rdio is coming to European Teslas. While Yanks have had access to Slacker for some time, according to Tesla CEO Elon Musk a licensing issue prevented our neighbors across the pond from enjoying such a luxury. At a recent town hall-style meeting spotted by Gigaom, Musk announced that Rdio will fill the Slacker-sized hole in the EU and also detailed why there hasn’t been Spotify integration just yet. Apparently, the Sweden-based service didn’t want to work with Musk for automobile integration at first, which prompted him to look elsewhere. Musk was quick to note that in the long-term that might change however, and that you can still connect your mobile device and stream via Bluetooth. For all of this and more (including Supercharger locations and what firmware update 6.0 entails), hit the embedded video after the break for the full meeting.
Filed under: Transportation, Internet
Via: Gigaom
Source: YouTube
A hub for terabytes of download
I today’s world everyone is leading their life one download at a time. With so many utility software and programs at a user’s disposal it has simplified a common person’s life. These applications ranges from simple messaging application to complex security based applications. A user’s search isn’t restricted to finding the right application or software, but he also has to target that particular application that properly suits his device and operating system. With such a wide range of devices running a range of operating system targeting the optimum application is a real headache. So how can an user select an application that is supported in his personal device and provides seamless user experience without crashing? Well, the answer is available in a number of sites in the World Wide Web.
Facilities provided
Generally users own various gadgets in the form of tablets, mobiles, desktop to name a few. These gadgets also run a variety of operating system like Windows, MAC, Linux, Java, Palm OS to name a few. Even the applications that run are these devices can either be native application or a web application. So to target the specific software that would be supported in a device with such intricate specifications can be a hectic task. In such scenarios such software download sites come to a user’s rescue. A number of applications for MAC programs in Teradown can be used by dedicated users. These sites segregate the applications and software on the basis of the platforms. All the user need to do is select the device and platform and opt for one click download. There are a number of free and paid applications present and the user can select the version which suits them the best. Such consolidated repository ensures download with optimum ease and utmost efficiency.
Up-to-date information
Daily numerous applications and software are added in these sites covering a spectrum of operating system and devices the like of iPhone, iPad, MAC, Android tablets. So it might be a hard job for an user to keep themselves updates with the latest addition of applications in a certain category. To evade such miscommunication, an interested user can follow the proceeding of these websites in Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus or by using a RSS feed. They also incorporate a rating system for free and paid software alike. In this way a user can keep tab of the popularity and usability of the software in various devices. Categories are also provided as Most Popular Windows applications, recently added and hot new favorites to further improve guidance for the users.
Thus we can surely state that these sites are a great platform for geeks and gadget freaks to get hold of the latest and trending software in the market. They can make use of various categories to help them target their required application with much ease. Numerous MAC programs in Teradown can help a user select the best suited one from the range of application, best suited for their personal MAC devices. Consolidated list of software helps the user get rid of the trial and error methodology adopted while installing an application. Such platform is definitely an advantage for any gadget enthusiast.
SlideLock Brings a Minimal Lockscreen that Shows Your Notifications
When it comes to lockscreen replacements, you can head into the Play Store and find an orgy of lockscreens with all kinds of features. We have featured a few of them on our site as App of the Week, and today, another has surfaced that will surely end up in the App of the Week archives.
SlideLock is a new a lockscreen replacement that is minimal and it will show you your important notifications. What else can I say about this Lockscreen app? It’s pretty great, it’s minimal, and it shows you your notifications; that should sell it right there. Oh, and I forgot to mention that this app is free in the Play Store. So if you want to try it out, you got nothing to lose. Hit the Play Store button below to go grab a download. Also, check out the video of it in action below.
LG event in Korea could reveal the G Pro 2 earlier than expected
LG was expected to announce the G Pro 2 at MWC in Barcelona but ZDNET Korea is reckoning that locals might get an early peek. A “knock-knock-knockin’ on” invite has it thinking that the LG’s new smartphone might be ready over a week ahead of arguably the world’s biggest mobile tech show. (Although, that particular Dylan song might not offer the appropriate upbeat message LG is hoping for.) The company has already promised substantial camera upgrades for the new flagship, and going by LG’s record on its Pro models — and those leaked photos — you can expect it to keep the styling of the original G2 (buttons on the back, dominating screen up front), albeit with a larger display on board. We’re hearing that it’s a smallish event for Korean media — expect the full global fanfare when it appears in Spain.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, LG
Via: Phone Arena
Source: ZDNet Korea
EA Sports’ 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil won’t be coming to Xbox One or PlayStation 4
As is the case every four years, FIFA’s biggest football competition is about to take place. To celebrate the 2014 tournament, which will be played in Brazil, EA Sports is releasing a title to give fans a chance to virtually experience the World Cup on gaming consoles. While the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil title will be available on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, we were surprised to find out that EA Sports won’t be bringing it to their next-gen revisions, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Here’s what the game’s Lead Producer, Mat Prior, told us:
When we made the decision we considered a number of factors but most importantly we wanted to create the best game we could that could reach as many people as possible and the way to do that was make our best game yet on Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. We gave our team the mandate of setting a laser focus on building the highest quality game for X360 and PS3 they could, and that’s exactly what they are doing.
The news will likely disappoint the hardcore football folk, as they were probably looking forward to playing this year’s World Cup game on their shiny new Xbox One or PS4. Not all is lost, however: “We will have a range of engaging content within FIFA 14 Ultimate Team so that fans on the new generation of consoles can experience the World Cup in fun and unique ways,” an EA Sports representative said to Engadget. Meanwhile, on the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil will be sold as a full, standalone title for $60 — this is different than what EA did with UEFA Euro 2012, which was a $20 DLC release through FIFA 12. So, what are your thoughts? Definitely let us know in the comments below.
Source: EA Sports (1), (2)
[RUMOUR] LG G Pro 2 release date apparently set for February 13th
Being so close to Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2014, we kind of assumed that most devices that were rumoured to be released around now would be announced at the industry event. It turns out our assumptions might have been wrong as it’s being reported that the LG G Pro 2 release date is going to be February 13th, 2 weeks before MWC. This contradicts some of the rumours we have previously heard, but if it’s true, LG could potentially get the jump on its competition who will be making announcements at MWC 2014.
Invites have already apparently been sent out for the announcement event in Korea, featuring the statement “Knock-knock knockin’ on” which presumably refers to the Knock On feature first seen on the LG G2; this feature allows a user to wake up the device’s screen simply by knocking on the screen.
The LG G Pro 2 is expected to be the spiritual phablet successor to the LG Optimus G Pro after dropping the ‘Optimus’ nomenclature from its premium family of devices. While expected specs of the device are pretty thin, we’d suspect the G Pro 2 to have a minimum of a Snapdragon 800 processor, and we have heard that the 13MP rear camera will be augmented with something LG calls “OIS Plus” for image stabilization and 4K resolution video recording. Whatever the G Pro 2 ends up rocking, we hope it gives Samsung’s Galaxy S5 a run for its money come MWC time.
Do you think the LG G Pro 2 will be a worthy device to compete with Samsung’s flagship devices? Let us know what you think about the device in the comments below.
Source: ZDNet Korea via Phone Arena
Security researcher disputes NBC’s Sochi ‘hacking’ experience
Hacked! As soon as you connect to the internet while at the Winter Olympics. Well, maybe not. There’s been a bit of blowback from the report, even from the expert that NBC turned to during its report on online security in Sochi, Russia. To begin with, the team actually wasn’t even there, they were in Moscow, and this points to a bigger issue: the hacking that NBC News experienced would have likely been the same regardless of location, as it happened while hitting up Olympic-themed websites and willingly downloading (hostile) Android apps. It had nothing to do with connecting to public WiFi, at least in the instances shown during the report.
As Robert Graham pointed out at Errata Security, the only increase in hacking while being in Sochi comes for the geolocation data given to Google through your IP address, increasing the chances of sketchy Russian sites appearing in your results. (This can also be disabled within your Google account settings.) Advice for avoiding hacking if you’re in Sochi (and well, anywhere) is pretty straightforward: don’t visit shady sites, patch your programs (from browsers to Flash), get rid of not-so-secure elements (like Java), and if you’re particularly nervous, switch on a VPN when you connect to public WiFi. The threat researcher quoted, Kyle Wilhoit, is looking to clarify a lot of the questions surrounding the admittedly brief report, although according to his Twitter feed, it’s turning from a blog post into an academic paper.
Filed under: Internet
Source: Errata Security
Panasonic’s GH4 clearly packs serious 4K video chops, but pricing and availability remain TBA (hands-on)
Long gone are the days when digital cameras were just for still photographers. In fact, with its GH4, it’s easy to argue that Panasonic is putting an even greater emphasis on video capture — of the 4K variety, in this case. The Lumix GH4, teased as the “next GH” just last month at CES, offers tremendous advantages over its predecessor, the GH3. Perhaps most notable are the camera’s 4K capabilities. This year’s model can shoot both 3,840 x 2,160 and a 4,096 x 2,160 “cinema 4K” format at 30 frames per second with a 100 Mbps bit rate. If you’re willing to settle for 1080p (at 60, 30 or 24 fps), Panasonic’s also added a 200 Mbps option, with 100 and 50 Mbps offerings available, too. You can capture clean HDMI video with an external recorder at 4:2:2 8/10-bit output, while a (relatively gigantic) interface unit mounts on the bottom and adds four SDI outputs with support for 4K (4:2:2/10-bit), time code, two XLR microphone inputs and a 13.8-volt Canon terminal for external power. That accessory also includes phantom power controls and LED audio level readouts.
There are significant improvements on the stills front, too. There’s a new 16-megapixel CMOS Micro Four Thirds sensor, which should benefit video captures as well. The camera supports a sensitivity range of ISO 200-25,600 (compared to a 12,800 max with the GH3), while the viewfinder has been boosted with a very sharp 2.36M-dot OLED panel and the 3-inch main tilt-and-swivel display now has a higher-res 1.04M-dot OLED screen. Panasonic is also emphasizing performance improvements, including a new 0.07-second focus speed, 12 fps burst mode or 7 fps with AF tracking and a shutter rated for 200,000 total clicks. The body is still constructed of magnesium alloy, and it’s splash- and dust-proof. Expect to snap more than 500 stills with a full charge. There’s also SDXC UHS Class 3 compatibility — you’ll need a latest-gen card to capture 200 Mbps video internally.
What we don’t have at this point is pricing or a ship date. At CES, Panasonic quoted a price below $2,000, and considering the improvements over the GH3, which currently retails for about $1,000 (and will remain on the market), we wouldn’t be surprised to see a final MSRP near the $2k mark. Reps promised more information on the availability front next month, and while the info rollout has been anything but speedy, we’re inclined to think the GH4 will be worth the wait.
Filed under: Cameras
Nikon Coolpix P600 and P530 superzooms ship this month for $450-plus
If you recently came upon a Coolpix P520 under the Christmas tree, prepare to be mildly disappointed. That superzoom just reached early retirement, with today’s P530 introduction. 2014′s refresh brings along a similar f/3-5.9, 24-1,000mm (42x) optically stabilized zoom lens, a new 16.1-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor, 1080/30p and 60i video capture, a 3-inch fixed LCD and a built-in EVF. It also comes along with full manual control, including a dedicated mode dial. There’s WiFi connectivity via the optional WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter ($50), but with a $450 price tag, there’s really no excuse for it not to be included (and embedded, for that matter).
You do, however, get built-in WiFi with the Coolpix P600, which is available for just 50 bucks more. It’s also a bit more capable on the imaging front, with an f/3.3-5.6, 24-1,440mm (60x) optical zoom lens (equipped with an ED glass element), lens-shift image stabilization, a 16.1-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and a 3-inch, 921k-dot tilt-and-swivel RGBW LCD. Like the P530, the P600 supports 1080/30p and 60i video capture and comes along with full manual control, with a dedicated mode dial as well. Both cameras also ship with a few new shooting modes, including Moon Mode, Bird Mode and a multiple-exposure option that merges up to three separate images. Both should be available later this month, with the P600 shipping in black and red for $500 and the P530 available in black for $450.
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