Apple CarPlay comes to Pioneer stereos as Spotify adds support
Apple’s fledgling CarPlay infotainment system just got a little more useful thanks to updates from Pioneer and Spotify. Pioneer has updated some of its stereos to include support from today, while the latest version of the popular music streaming app adds CarPlay functions for the first time, allowing users to control the app through supported systems. Spotify was listed as one of very few app launch partners for CarPlay, and was included in a demo we checked out back in March. Similar services like Beats Music, iHeartRadio and Stitcher have also pledged to support the system. Virtually every major manufacturer has promised to include CarPlay in their vehicles at some point, although at the moment your only options are to buy a Ferrari FF or an aftermarket unit from Pioneer.
Source: Pioneer, Spotify (App Store)
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Tweetbot now does justice to Twitter on your iPhone 6
Tweetbot 3 for iOS is frequently regarded as one of the better mobile Twitter apps, no matter the platform — it’s full of shortcuts and visual flair that most clients (including Twitter’s own) sorely lack. It has been lagging on support for Apple’s latest developments, however, which makes today’s version 3.5 update pretty important. The interface now scales properly on the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus, giving you much more screen real estate when you’re browsing tweets. There are also a few noteworthy upgrades that apply to everyone, including interactive notifications, sharing sheets and support for fetching your login from 1Password. It’ll cost you $5 to get the new release if you don’t already use Tweetbot, but it might well be worth the outlay if the free Twitter apps aren’t quite cutting it.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile
Source: App Store
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Netflix to launch a King Kong cartoon for kids in 2016
Kids have now two mythical creatures to look forward to on Netflix: after dragons are done invading the streaming service in 2015, a colossal gorilla’s slated to follow suit. The company has just announced that it’s pairing up with Executive Producer Avi Arad (who also produced the Spider-Man, X-Men and Iron Man movies) to create a King Kong animated series, making the absence of Saturday morning cartoons sting just a bit less. This version’s quite different from the Kong movies, as it’s set in 2050 and depicts the famous gorilla as humankind’s only hope against an army of robot dinosaurs. We’ll find out whether Kong will also scale the Empire State Building in this one when Netflix begins airing it in 2016, beginning with a full-length film that’s followed by 12 half-hour episodes.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Source: Netflix
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Google strips down its news service to pacify German publishers
Google has a tumultuous history with the German publishing industry, which has long taken issue with the search giant’s indexing of news stories. Starting next week, Google Germany will no longer display summaries and image thumbnails for news sourced from many local sites, leaving only headline links in their place.
The move is yet another concession in the wake of legal action from a group of publications including Bild, Germany’s top-selling newspaper. Just last year, Google stopped automatically indexing news in the country, asking sites to opt in instead. The industry has for years claimed that Google’s indexing was tantamount to republishing articles, and demanded compensation for lost ad revenues. It’s hoped that this latest compromise will be enough to end the dispute once and for all.
Via: iOL Scitech (AFP)
Source: Google Germany Product Blog
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First CarPlay-Compatible In-Dash Systems Now Available From Pioneer
Pioneer today became the first company to officially offer support for Apple’s CarPlay vehicle integration feature, after announcing the addition of CarPlay to five of its 2014-NEX in-dash multimedia receivers.
“CarPlay enriches the iPhone experience in the vehicle by providing a safer way to access the iPhone features they want to use most while driving,” said Ted Cardenas, vice president of marketing for the Car Electronics Division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “With Pioneer’s implementation, CarPlay can now be integrated into millions of vehicles already on the road.”
As previously announced, CarPlay is available through a firmware update for the $1400 AVIC–8000NEX, the $1200 AVIC–7000NEX, the $900 AVIC–6000NEX, the $750 AVIC–5000NEX and the $700 AVH–4000NEX. CarPlay is also compatible with Pioneer’s new $600 smartphone receiver, AppRadio 4.
First introduced in March, CarPlay utilizes the built-in dashboard display of an automobile to offer hands-free operation of the iPhone. With CarPlay, drivers are able to complete tasks like getting directions, making calls, and sending messages through Siri voice control.
Other companies that sell aftermarket in-dash systems also plan to offer support for CarPlay in the near future, including Alpine and Clarion. The first CarPlay enabled cars are expected to come in 2014 as well, with Apple partnering with a wide range of manufacturers including Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, BMW, Ford, Hyundai, GM, Honda, Mazda, Audi, and more.
CarPlay for compatible Pioneer NEX in-dash systems is enabled through a firmware update that is available at no cost. It requires an iPhone 5 or later along with iOS 7.1 or newer.
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PS Vita gets a little more custom with new system icons, music and themes
Sure, you’ve been able to change the background on your PS Vita since day one, but swapping out the system’s application icons wasn’t exactly an option. Until now, that is. With the latest update to Sony’s handheld, the custom themes that the catch-up king promised last month will soon be available. With software version 3.30 comes not only different icons for system settings and the like, but also new background music too, should still have that turned on. Aside from Uncharted and Tearaway interface skins, the PlayStation Blog notes that not-game tie-in appearance packs themed around the four seasons and arts-and-crafts will be available too. Much like the trophy-rarity ratings coming to the portable with the patch (something the PlayStation 4 has had since launch), this is likely an appreciated gesture. However, we know there’s probably at least a few amongst the PS4’s 10 million owners who’d like to see their console look a little less blue sooner rather than later.
Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds, Home Entertainment, HD, Sony
Source: PlayStation Blog, Flickr
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Hexoskin’s new wearable is a smart shirt for exercise buffs
The wearable craze isn’t only about fashionable watches and savvy glasses. After all, remember how tech giant Intel’s vision for the space included a shirt? Hexoskin, a Canada-based startup, has similar beliefs, and that’s why it recently introduced its biometric smart tee — Ralph Lauren’s doing it too. The newly developed shirt, aimed at people who are fond of exercising regularly, is equipped with sensors capable of tracking over 3,000 data points every minute. Naturally, given that Hexoskin designed its product with athletes in mind, the shirt’s bread and butter is to gather stats during physical training sessions, although it can also track daily activities such as sleep. Unfortunately, Hexoskin’s wearable is only available in the US at the moment, where the starting kit sells for a cool $399.
Filed under: Wearables
Source: Hexoskin
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Apple’s new iCloud tool can show if a used iPhone is stolen
The market for used iPhone’s is fraught with risk, because you may end up paying hundreds of dollars for a locked off device, or worse — one that appears legit but can’t make calls. Apple has just revealed an iCloud tool to nip that in the bud by letting you check a device’s activation lock status. All you’ll need is the iPhone’s IMEI or serial number. If you’re the rightful owner, you’ll get info on how to disable any activation locks before selling. If you’re buying, you’ll be shown how to remove the previous account (with the seller’s cooperation). The tool will be particularly useful at sussing out “doulCi” devices, which bypass the iCloud to disable activation but won’t actually connect to a cell network. Meaning you won’t get fooled by a stolen or lost iPhone that appears to work, but is actually… an iPod.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple
Via: 9to5 Mac
Source: Apple
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‘Duke Nukem 3D’ and leaked Yahoo passwords pass for art at this gallery
It wasn’t all that long ago that the biggest argument surrounding video games was whether or not they should be considered art — something that’s given way to more distressing topics as of late. A German gallery has an opinion on the former, however, and with the “Hurt Me Plenty” exhibit, it examines the intersection of gaming and technology and their effects on the real-world. In the video below, artist Aram Bartholl gives a guided, first-person (naturally) tour of the exhibit, explaining the reasoning behind pieces based on the idle hands animation and that of the pistol firing from Duke Nukem 3D. As Make notes, the installation melds the pixely digital imagery with physical media like wood and halftone printing to pretty great effect.
The showcase isn’t just limited to developer 3D Realms’ legendary shooter, either: there are pieces dedicated to the fetishization of GPUs and their uses beyond graphics rendering — like bitcoin mining and security cracking — too. Perhaps most interesting of all, though, are roughly 40,000 plotter-printed Yahoo passwords that were made vulnerable in 2012. Hurt Me Plenty runs through November 1st at Berlin’s DAM, but if you can’t make it in person there’s a Flickr gallery that’s just begging you to come get some.
[Image credit: agoasi / Flickr]
Filed under: Desktops, Gaming, Home Entertainment, Software, HD
Via: Make
Source: Datenform (German), YouTube
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Netflix is the exclusive home for four new Adam Sandler movies
Netflix said it had more movies coming other than the sequel to Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and it’s already lining them up, starting with an exclusive four picture deal for Adam Sandler. The comedian’s flicks have grossed over $3 billion worldwide, so we’ll count it as a win and just forget about Jack & Jill and Blended. According to Sandler, the secret to getting the deal done was because “Netflix rhymes with Wet Chicks.” Things are so early on that production meetings are apparently just starting, but Netflix and Sandler’s Happy Madison Productions team say the earliest movie could debut in 2015. The deal doesn’t cover the actor’s current studio commitments, and unlike Crouching Tiger, there’s no mention of trying to debut these on the big screen which would probably be a waste of time anyway.
[Image credit: Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP]
http://instagram.com/p/toudlYqQH5/embed/
Netflix exec Ted Sarandos says people worldwide love Sandler’s movies and watch them again and again, something the company can certainly track with its data and ratings systems. All jokes aside, it could be a good fit — Sandler has hits from Hotel Transylvania to Grown Ups to The Waterboy, and has executive produced big movies for others. Netflix gave us House of Cards and Orange is the New Black — we’ll wait for the first movie to arrive, and at best, hope for a surprise on the level of Punch Drunk Love. At worst? Sandler is about to join Van Damme and other faded stars on the direct-to-video aka direct-to-streaming shelf.
Four New Original Movies. All Adam Sandler. Exclusively on Netflix. Coming soon. #SandlerOnNetflix http://t.co/xhNiUAuJ2d
– Netflix US (@netflix) October 2, 2014
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD
Source: Netflix
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AIVAnet 