GM wants voice-controlled cars that learn what you really mean
Voice control is easy to find in cars, but it’s not always intuitive. You often have to use specific syntax, which might be hard to remember when you’re barreling down the highway. GM may have a smarter approach in store, though. The Wall Street Journal understands that the automaker is working with machine learning firm VocalIQ on an “advanced voice-control system” that would let you control navigation, wipers and other car components in a more intuitive way.
While the exact nature of the system is under wraps, VocalIQ says that it’s working on automotive voice recognition that would learn the driver’s intentions and vocabulary over time; you might not have to guess the magic words that lower the temperature. The two companies haven’t forged an agreement, so you shouldn’t expect a fully speech-savvy Buick or Chevy just yet. However, GM’s Gil Golan is already waxing poetic about the potential. He sees in-car voice getting closer to natural language systems like Cortana, Google voice search or Siri — instead of barking orders to your car, you’ll hold a conversation.
Filed under: Transportation
Source: Wall Street Journal
Engadget Live Seattle is this Friday!
To all our wonderful friends in Seattle, let’s make it clear: there’s no better place to be this Friday (July 18th) at 7PM than the Showbox SODO for our second Engadget Live event of the year! Why is this a cant-miss event? Flip through the gallery below to find out.
Now that we’ve hopefully won you over, grab your tickets and we’ll see you on Friday. After Seattle, we’ll bring the party to Boston on August 22nd, followed by Los Angeles on October 3rd. Then, we’ll bring our flagship Engadget Expand event back to New York City on November 7-8.
If you’re interested in volunteering to help put on our Seattle event (or any other event), drop us a line: volunteer [at] engadget.com.
Filed under: Announcements
Verizon adds 4G LTE to ALLSET prepaid plans
Verizon today announced that 4G LTE connectivity will be included in its prepaid ALLSET plans. Effective July 17, the $45 rate plan includes unlimited talk and text as well as 500MB of 4G LTE data. For a limited time Verizon will double the pool to 1GB just so long as you agree to its auto pay system.
Should you need additional storage, Verizon will offer BRIDGE DATA in 500MB, 1GB, and 3GB buckets. Priced $5, $10, and $30 respectively, these add-on packs of data expire after a determined length of time; 500MB after 30 days, the others after 90 days.
For example, a customer who signs up for auto pay can get 1GB of data for $45 and then add in a BRIDGE DATA plan of 3GB to spread out over 90 days.
Verizon will allow a number of devices to take advantage of ALLSET plans, including the Moto X, Samsung Galaxy S 4, Samsung Galaxy S 5 and HTC One. Also, for a limited time, the LG Lucid 3 and LG G2 will be sold for $149.99 and $299.99, respectively.
The post Verizon adds 4G LTE to ALLSET prepaid plans appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Yahoo Japan will erase your digital footprint after you pass away
What happens to your online life after you’ve passed away? Unless you’ve left your passwords in the will, those Facebook and Twitter profiles will linger on for years to come. If you’d prefer your digital life to be as neatly tidied up as your real one, then Yahoo Japan is offering the solution. The outfit is offering Yahoo Ending, a service that’ll help locals prepare for their funerals in the real world, as well as closing down their social media profiles after notifying followers and friends of their demise. The package will also close down any digital wallet accounts held by Yahoo, and can even offer basic will-writing advice for those who need it. There’s no word on if the company plans to bring the offering to the western world, so until then, we’ll just have to hope that future archaeologists don’t use our poolside selfies as exhibits in a museum.
Filed under: Internet
Via: WSJ
Source: Yahoo! Japan (Translated)
Some new Windows Phones won’t let you change your web search provider
If you’re picking up a shiny new Lumia 630 or 930 in the near future, you may be in for an unwelcome surprise. The Verge has discovered that at least some unlocked versions of either Windows Phone won’t let you switch Internet Explorer’s default search provider to Google; it’s either Bing or nothing. Some European models of the same phones do let you change the provider, though, so this clearly isn’t a platform-wide policy. We’ve asked Microsoft if it can share more about what’s going on, and we’ll let you know if it has more to add. The move likely won’t cause that much consternation given that many Windows Phone users are inclined to use Bing, but it’s bad news if you like to use Google services on Microsoft platforms.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Microsoft, Nokia, Google
Source: The Verge
LeapTV combines Wii-style controls with educational games
Plopping kids down in front of the boob tube can be a great way for parents to snatch a few seconds of peace, but now kids can be entertained with LeapFrog’s LeapTV active video game console. The company’s been known for its educational tablets, but now there’s a bit more calorie burning involved. The LeapTV uses motion tracking and a unique controller to let kids jump, dance and generally wild out as they work through nearly 100 “educator-approved” games and videos. A TV-mountable camera captures movement for hands-free gameplay. Kids will be able to defend goals, scuba dive, run, hop and karate chop. There’s also a Bluetooth controller with a mini joystick and A/B buttons, which can also be transformed into a pointer for Wii-style control. Games come as proprietary cartridges or can be downloaded over WiFi, using the console’s 16GB of on-board storage. The system was designed for children ages three to eight and games adapt for each child’s level, with reading, math, science and problem solving challenges. The LeapTV will cost $150 and is scheduled to arrive in time for the holiday season, so you still have time to make space in that crowed media center.
Filed under: Gaming
ESPN dusts off its Fantasy Football app ahead of draft day
Football season will be here in a matter of weeks, so to help fantasy football enthusiasts keep tabs on their rosters, ESPN has updated its suite of apps dedicated to the task. In addition to a fresh coat of paint for the UI, you’ll be able to create a team or league from within, getting alerts for scoring, injuries and more all season long. If you’re unsure of your pal’s contact info, invites can be sent to those social media acquaintances worthy of a clipboard. While software for Apple’s mobile operating system was already equipped with both live and mock draft abilities, the Android faithful can now do the same. New versions of both the Android and iOS applications are now available for download via their respective app libraries, so you can get started with the pregame strategery.
Via: Android Police
Source: Google Play, iTunes
Accessory of the Day: Scosche dual 12 Watt USB car charger
Given that many of us now own multiple gizmos and gadgets which can be charged via USB it makes sense that we’re fighting over the charging port in our cars. Things get even trickier when you’re riding with a companion or two. Level the playing field a bit and turn that single output into two ports with a dual USB car charger.
Scosche’s USBC242M 12 Watt USB Car Charger lets users charge two devices at once, be it a phone and tablet, a pair of phones, an MP3 player and… well, you get the idea. This guy features twin 12w ports meaning you can opt for a Lightning adapter or tablet and charge them up quickly.
The post Accessory of the Day: Scosche dual 12 Watt USB car charger appeared first on AndroidGuys.
iPhone 6 Battery Supply Woes Alleviated With Addition of New Supplier [iOS Blog]
Following reports earlier this year that suppliers’ struggles to produce an adequate volume of wafer-thin batteries for the rumored 5.5-inch iPhone 6 may contribute to an early 2015 launch for the device rather than a late 2014 launch alongside the smaller 4.7-inch model, a new report from Chinese media sources (via GforGames) suggests the problem may have been solved as Apple has found a new supplier capable of meeting demand.
iPhone 5s with physical mockups of 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhone 6
The report claims that Dynapack has been pushed to sidelines of Apple’s supply chain as Simplo and Desai become the main suppliers of batteries for the rumored iPhone 6. While Desai reportedly is struggling to work within Apple’s design constraints, Simplo supposedly has designed a workaround that allows it to produce mass quantities of the thin, but efficient battery module. If this report is accurate, then battery supply may not be an issue for Apple going forward.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 6 at a media event around its usual September timeframe. The next-generation iPhone is rumored to feature a larger display, thinner design, improved camera optics, enhanced Touch ID sensor and a new, faster A8 processor.
Google Search Results Now Notifying iPhone Users When Websites Use Flash [iOS Blog]
Google recently implemented a feature that warns iPhone users when search results include websites that use Adobe Flash, as Flash is not supported by the iPhone.
When searching for a site, pages that primarily use Flash are clearly marked by Google with a warning that the site may not work on a particular device.
A common annoyance for web users is when websites require browser technologies that are not supported by their device. When users access such pages, they may see nothing but a blank space or miss out a large portion of the page’s contents.
Starting today, we will indicate to searchers when our algorithms detect pages that may not work on their devices.
Google goes on to recommend that websites use the universally supported HTML5 and provides both Web Fundamentals and a Web Starter Kit for website developers.
Apple received a good bit of criticism when the iPhone was first released for not supporting Flash as it was used often back then, but interest in Flash has since been dying out in favor of mobile-friendly solutions.
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