Series of Beautifully Crafted Google Now Inspired Wallpapers by Alex Pasquarella
Wallpapers are always a fast and simple way to update the look on your device. Most themes and icon packs come with a set of their very own walls that help you achieve an overall look and feel. While we all appreciate the efforts that the creators put into them, there are plenty of other wallpapers out there to help quench your thirst of awesomeness. Earlier this evening Alex Pasquarella shared a series of walls inspired by Google Now. We know how much you all love Google Now walls and icons and things. We really could help but bring the 16 wallpapers to the attention of our readers.
Alex has based the scenes off four different locales. You have the basic Rocky Mountains and Tahoe variety plus a set for Rochester, NY and a Canyon setup. Along with the four locales, he has 4 different times of the day, dawn/morning, dusk/evening, day, night. Each is crafted in a 1920 x 1080 resolution, so they are perfect for your laptop, Chromebook, or Desktop. They look great on tablets and phones too, you just might not get the whole image effect on the smaller screens. The walls look great with the Google Now Icons.
As I stated before, there are 16 in all with 4 different times of day to each. You can look at them all at Alex Pasquarella’s blog where he has them up for individual download along with a ZIP containing them all. He plans to bring some 4K version to light and some panorama versions for those with multiple monitors. Enjoy, have a great weekend and be sure to circle him.
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Audi’s latest hybrid concept car takes the TT family offroad, with 408HP under the hood
Audi’s latest prototype packing an E-Tron hybrid drivetrain is this TT Offroad Concept that takes the TT family beyond the coupes and convertibles we’re familiar with. Going on display at the Beijing Motor Show, it combines two electric motors (one on each axle) with a 292HP turbocharged combustion engine to produce up to 408 horsepower total. The concept is even quipped with wireless charging tech, making the “plug-in” hybrid possible to charge simply by parking in the right spot. As a result, despite having all that power available, Audi claims it can average up to 123.8 MPG. As Autoblog points out, it shares a number of characteristics with the Allroad Shooting Brake concept Audi showed off at the Detroit Auto Show a few months ago. According to Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Member of the Board of Management for Technical Development, “it shows how we might imagine a new model in the future TT family.” So tell us, are you lusting after yet another E-Tron concept, or hoping Audi goes back to the drawing board on this crossover.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: Autoblog
Source: Audi
Weekends with Engadget: Windows Phone 8.1 and Gear 2 reviews, the anonymous internet and more!
Welcome to Weekends with Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines from the past seven days — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. For even more action, subscribe to our Flipboard magazine!
Windows Phone 8.1 review: Microsoft’s mobile OS finally feels whole
Microsoft’s mobile OS just got a whole lot better. Complete with keyboard swipe gestures, a notification center and Cortana, the virtual assistant, version 8.1 brings Windows Phone into adulthood.
My connected home turned me into a spy and an addict
Ten years ago, adjusting the temperature of your home from a smartphone might have seemed like something from a science fiction movie. But in this age of hyper-connectivity, it’s easier to get wrapped up in the quantifiable aspects of life than you might think. Just ask our own Joseph Volpe.
Sony Xperia Z2 review: a big, powerful slab of a phone
The Xperia Z2 is just as waterproof as the original Z1 and it packs a slightly larger display and better battery life — not to mention it’s several grams lighter. But at 5.2-inches, Sony’s curveless flagship might be too big for its your britches.
Shh, it’s a Secret: The allure of the anonymous internet
You can say almost anything you want on the internet, often without consequence. But are there advantages to being truly anonymous? Our own Nicole Lee spent some time with an app called Secret to find out.
Samsung Gear 2 review: much improved, but that doesn’t mean you should buy it
Samsung’s next gen smartwatch, the Gear 2, is indeed an improvement over its predecessor. It sports a slimmer design and a much longer battery life, though it’s $50 more than the original. Add in a skimpy app selection, and it still might not be worth investing in Samsung’s wrist-worn platform.
Here’s Amazon’s phone: six cameras and a 4.7-inch screen
We’ve all heard the rumors, but BGR claims it’s gotten hold of Amazon’s first phone — and it has six cameras. The 4.7-inch handset (shown above) might not appear very sleek or attractive. But don’t worry, that’s just an enclosure.
Apple CarPlay coming to Pioneer’s in-dash systems this summer
Pioneer’s NEX line of five in-dash entertainment systems will get Apple’s CarPlay support through a firmware update set to arrive this summer. Owners with an iPhone 5, 5c or 5s will be able to take advantage of Apple Maps, Siri and more!
Google beats Facebook to acquisition of drone maker
Earlier this week, Google agreed to buy Titan Aerospace, a solar-powered drone manufacturer that had previously been in talks with Facebook. According to the Wall Street Journal, the company plans to use the high-flying aircraft in collaboration with its Project Loon.
MSI GS60 Ghost review: a gaming rig in Ultrabook’s clothing
Thin, light and simple: MSI’s latest gaming laptop is all of those things and more. Dubbed the GS60 Ghost, this slim aluminum machine has a bright 15.3-inch display and ultrabook-esque buttonless trackpad. All in all, the Ghost is a great choice for serious gamers, provided they can endure its less-than-average battery life.
Sony pumps up its PS4 update with game pre-loading and SHAREfactory video editor
In a recent blog post, Sony announced it’s preparing a 1.70 firmware update for the PS4 that will include a brand new video editor (called SHAREfactory) and pre-game loading functionality. Exactly when it will be released, however, is still to be known.
Feedback Loop: E3 expectations, first MP3 player and password managers!
Welcome to Feedback Loop, a weekly roundup of the most interesting discussions happening within the Engadget community. There’s so much technology to talk about and so little time to enjoy it, but you have a lot of great ideas and opinions that need to be shared! Join us every Saturday as we highlight some of the most interesting discussions that happened during the past week.
This week, we speculate on what we want to see from E3, share our fond memories of our first MP3 players and talk about strategies for securing our passwords. Head past the break to join the conversation!
What do you want to see at E3?
E3 is right around the corner and Tim Seppala wants to know what you want to see from Microsoft, Nintendo and Sony? Given all the new hardware is out in the wild, the focus this year is likely going to be on games, games, games, games and possibly a bit of VR. So, what is on your gaming wish list?
What was your first MP3 player?
Do you remember CD’s and cassette tapes? I shudder at the thought of that old fashioned technology. Thankfully, digital media players were invented and our mobile music habits have been changed ever since! Peterburk wants to know if you remember the time when you were able to free yourself from the shackles of physical media once and for all? Head over to the forums and tell us about your first MP3 player.
Do you use a password manager?
It seems like there’s a new security breach at a different website every day. Besides being a huge inconvenience, all these leaked passwords floating around have given hackers better strategies for cracking our most precious passwords. Do you use a password manager to protect yourself?
That’s all this week! Do you want to talk about your favorite gadget or have a burning question about technology? Register for an Engadget account today, visit the Engadget forums and start a new discussion!
Rufus Cuff wants to dominate the wearable market and your forearm
We told you to put on your disappointment pants for the Galaxy Gear 2, but for the Rufus Cuff we suggest rolling up your absurdity sleeves. Seriously, given its three-inch screen you might just have to. This wearable boasts a built-in mic, a camera, a speaker, web browser, voice control, GPS and full access to the Google Play store — if the Cuff sounds like a smartphone that straps to your wrist, well, that’s basically what it is. It connects to your Android or iPhone via Bluetooth for mobile data, making calls and sending texts, but it’s running a full version of Google’s mobile OS and can hook on to WiFi if you’re in a cellular dead-zone or if your phone’s battery runs out.
While the gizmo doesn’t exactly look practical (we’re pretty sure that it won’t play nice with the cuffs of a slim-cut oxford), as of this writing it’s has raised over $150,000 of its $200,000 IndieGoGo goal, with a handful of days to go. If you dig the idea of strapping one of these monstrosities on your wrist, all it takes is a $249 pledge.
Filed under: Wearables, Mobile
Source: IndieGoGo
OnePlus One phone and its swappable covers leak out in new pictures
Former Oppo exec Pete Lau announced his plans to make “the perfect smartphone” a few months ago, and now the OnePlus One is almost here. Its launch is scheduled for April 23rd, but Android Authority points out these pictures posted on a forum that claim to show press renders of the device itself and “StyleSwap” covers that will let owners customize its looks. Not-so-shockingly, what we’re seeing looks a lot like the Oppo Find 5, although the only question left is whether they’re authentic or just a fan’s creation. We’ve already gotten a sneak peek at the CyanogenMod software it will run, and we know how much it costs, but official word on everything else will have to wait until Wednesday.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Via: Engadget Chinese
Source: Android Authority, OnePlus BBS
Play: The frantic, fun and infuriating Trials Fusion
Some games are so challenging, frustrating and physically draining that your controller could easily explode against the nearest wall at any second. Trials Fusion is one of those games: A repetitive, soul-destroying platformer that’ll have you playing the same level for hours on end, all in the hope you’ll shave mere milliseconds from your previous best. However, it’s only from the epicentre of this nightmare, through the tired workings of your callused, nail-bitten hands, that one experiences true gaming gratification. As with other games of this genre like Super Meat Boy or the Super Monkey Ball series, to name a few, the premise is devilishly simple. You must successfully navigate an obstacle course in the least possible time, mistakes not recommended. As its name suggests, Trials Fusion is based on the sport of motorcycle trials, with some motocross mixed in. Just it’s more arcadey, and probably harder.
Stop, go. Lean forward, lean back. These are the tools you have at your disposal, and combined with the game’s realistic (or should we say predictable?) physics engine, all you’ll need. The baby of a long line of trials-based titles, Fusion introduces a basic trick system for use on special, stunt-orientated levels that add a little variety to the classic game mode. Track challenges, too, give you other objectives to focus on when racing the clock has you burnt out, but don’t take that to mean they’re easy. Variety’s no bad thing, but fundamentally this instalment is the same as every other Trials game before it, which is awesome. New tracks, better graphics: Sold.
Fusion doesn’t tamper with the formula of its ancestors for good reason, but that probably means you’ll either like it, or you won’t. Tracks get much longer, and much harder, pretty quickly, and there’s nothing new in Fusion that’ll prevent a casual gamer from succumbing to the grind. Only the truly committed will be rewarded with the euphoria that is nailing a perfect run and climbing the leaderboards while your friends wallow in anonymity. But, with this comes the promise of fruitless evenings, sleepless nights and premature aging.
As much as we’re suckers for classic Trials gameplay, there are some notable issues with Fusion. The game’s menu screens are a jumbled, awful mess, fand 3D models on the bike selection screen take almost as long to load as levels do (Xbox One digital copy). Then there’s the lack of true online multiplayer. Sure, the leaderboards give you one way to compete against the world, but the side-by-side supercross racing of Trials Evolution is nowhere to be found. A similar and supposedly better “Competition” mode is due to fill that void within the next few months, but that doesn’t excuse its absence at launch. Until that arrives, though, you’ll have to rely on the level creator and community-generated tracks to hold your attention outside of the main game.
Anyway, enough from us. It’s halfway through the bank holiday already, and you won’t make any impact on the leaderboards enjoying the sun with family and friends. Clock’s ticking…
Trials Fusion is out now for PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and Windows PCs.
Filed under: Gaming
Google Trends email alerts will guarantee you never miss another cat meme
You can always swing by Google Trends if you want to gauge the popularity of a given search, but visiting that website every time can be a hassle. Thankfully, there’s now an easier way: Google has added a subscription option that sends email notifications when there are changes in the interest levels for most searches, including hot searches, specific topics and the top US charts. If you want to see how long an internet meme survives or find out when your favorite team is creating a lot of buzz, you just have to visit Trends’ subscription area to get started.
Source: Inside Search, Google Trends
AllCast’s screen-mirroring magic arrives on Amazon’s Fire TV App Store
Been putting off sideloading AllCast’s SDK to your brand new Amazon Fire TV? Well, friend, your procrastination has paid off. Now, all you have to do to install the casting and screen-mirroring app is download it straight from the Amazon App Store. So long as you also have AllCast installed on an Android device, you can beam photos, videos and music from your phone or tablet to Amazon’s set-top box. Plus, you can use the app to view images and videos saved on Google+ and Dropbox. If you don’t plan to pick up a Fire TV (waiting for the second one, eh?), you can still use AllCast with a number of other devices, including Chromecast, Xbox One, Roku, Apple TV and a smattering of smart TVs.
Filed under: Household, HD, Amazon
Source: Koushik Dutta (Google+), Amazon
EFF and Sunlight Foundation come together to build Contact-Congress
If you’ve never contacted your congress person then you might not realize how difficult our politicians have made it to get a hold of them. There are 535 members of the House and Senate all whom have some arcane contact form on their websites that obscure their direct email address. It’s inconvenient for a single person to write a letter to all their elected representatives. But for organizations looking drive letter writing campaigns it’s a nightmare. Individuals wont want to visit three separate sites as part of a push to pass or block a piece of legislation. And while there are services out there that can automate part of the work by routing messages to the right email addresses, they charge thousands of dollars a year for access to their tools and databases.
The Electronic Frontier Foundation and The Sunlight Foundation saw the need for a better solution and asked the open source community for help. After just a couple of days of marathon coding, the advocacy groups had their answer: Contact-Congress. The idea is to allow easy mass messaging of members of congress through a simple form. The core of the system is a database of email addresses and contact forms that have been hacked together from the various sites for elected officials. And that database is open to be used in other ways, beyond simply sending out form letters from an angry electorate.
But, Contact-Congress isn’t really the end game. In fact, it’s not even the final product — it’s merely the open-source backbone of what will eventually be numerous projects. The Sunlight Foundation will be folding parts of this new project into OpenCongress, it’s public website loaded with information about members of the House and Senate. Voters will be able to visit the site, see their congressman’s voting record and from the same page send them an email telling them why they think it was the wrong decision.
The EFF will offer two tools: Action Center, their own messaging service that will be built around its pet projects, and Congress-Forms, a sort of middleman for those that want access to the Contact-Congress database without having to do too much tinkering in the source code. There may even be an API in the near future that developers could easily tap into from their existing apps. Though, if you really do want to poke around at its insides, you can download the open source software from Github right now.
Source: Motherboard, VentureBeat
AIVAnet 