Robot agents will spare you from airport customs checks
If you’re a frequent international flier, you know the pain of the customs check — outside of the security inspection, it’s one of the biggest hurdles you have to clear at the airport. You won’t have to deal with it for much longer if Thales has its way. The electronics firm has developed a robot agent that not only checks you into your flight and prints tickets, but shares both a headshot and an iris scan with airport computers to verify whether or not you’re a known threat. You wouldn’t necessarily have to visit customs after landing in a new country — you’d just leave the airport. Also, your boarding pass would include an encrypted version of that photo to save you the trouble of an ID inspection at the gate.
There’s no doubt that the Thales tech raises privacy concerns, like other face recognition systems. Your image would be accessible on many more machines, and it’s not certain that the airport could keep that info secure. If the robot’s face detection is reasonably airtight, though, it would both save you a lot of time and reduce that sometimes overbearing security presence at the terminal.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Seth Wenig]
Filed under: Robots, Transportation
Source: AFP (Space Daily)
Third-gen Moto G leak shows a new camera, not much else
The Moto G is quite the attractive handset for someone looking for a capable phone that’s also very budget friendly. In fact, our own Chris Velazco calls it the best budget smartphone available. Thanks to a video and a few snapshots, there’s a look at the supposed third-gen model and a list of its specs. While 2014’s Moto G was a rather modest improvement over the OG device, the details served up in this leak show more of the same for the 2015 installment. The device shown here is said to keep the 5-inch 720p display, 1GB RAM and 8GB of storage. However, it does pack a Snapdragon 401 processor with 13-megapixel rear-facing and 5-megapixel front-facing cameras. That’s a 5-megapixel boost for the primary camera and a 3-megapixel increase for the one you’ll be using for selfies.
The battery is also a bit bigger, as this handset claims to carry a 2,300mAh juice pack. The previous two models arrived in the fall, so if Motorola keeps up the annual releases, we should be due for one in a matter of months. That also means that in the weeks to come, we should get more info on whether or not the “prototype” we’re seeing here is legit. For now, have a look at the video below.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile
Via: SlashGear
Super-thin E Ink watch is the latest crowdfunding casualty
You’re about to get an all-too-blunt reminder of why crowdfunding sites shouldn’t be treated like stores. Central Standard Timing has shelved its extra-thin, Kickstarter-backed CST-01 watch after running into numerous production problems. The project is nearly out of money, and the team has ditched its chosen manufacturer (Flextronics) after deciding that it wasn’t a “good fit” for a small startup designing an exotic E Ink wearable. Also, the math behind the production costs simply didn’t work out. CST-01’s unique design was twice as expensive to build as first thought — while you typically pledged $129 to get a watch during the crowdfunding campaign, the low part yields meant that the watch actually cost $260.
The team hasn’t officially called it quits, but it’s highly unlikely that you’ll ever get a watch if you were a supporter. CST is considering either selling off all its assets or, if that fails, publishing all its design documents so that those who have the means and desire to make the watch can do it themselves. The move is unfortunate for both the company and the nearly 8,000 people who poured money into CST-01 two years ago. With that said, it’s important to remember that crowdfunding is about investing in ideas with the hope that you’ll receive a product — there’s no guarantee that you’ll get a reward.
Filed under: Wearables
Via: The Verge
Source: Kickstarter
Deal: T-Mobile offering a free storage upgrade with the purchase of a Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge
We just recently named the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge two of the best Android smartphones currently available on the market, and for good reason. These devices both feature incredible internal specifications, premium build quality and an overall great user experience. One of the biggest downfalls for these devices, though, is the steep price point. With that said, if you’ve been holding off buying one of these devices until they see a price drop, now may be your big chance.
T-Mobile is throwing in a free storage upgrade with the purchase of a Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge for no extra cost. That means that for the price of the 32GB model, you can get a 64GB, or you can grab a 128GB model for the price of the 64GB option. This promotion begins Wednesday, June 24th and ends Saturday, June 27th. When you consider the fact that the Galaxy S6 doesn’t have expandable storage, this becomes an even better deal.
Which one is right for you? Check out: Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Galaxy S6 Edge
But that’s not all! If you’re interested in purchasing either these devices from another carrier or retailer, Samsung has a great deal some of you may be able to get behind. From now until Sunday, July 5th, Samsung will throw in a $100 mail-in rebate with the purchase of a 64GB Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge at full retail price from the carrier or national retailer of your choice. The $100 rebate is to make up for the difference between the two storage options. For instance, if you purchase a 64GB Galaxy S6 from Verizon at full retail price then head to samsungpromotions.com to redeem the offer, Samsung will send you a $100 rebate. Awesome, right? Well if you’re a T-Mobile customer, the deal (might) get even better.
If you purchase a 64GB Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge from T-Mobile’s site, not only will the carrier charge you for the 32GB option, but you’ll probably be able to redeem Samsung’s offer as well. I’ve checked through Samsung’s Terms & Conditions page and I can’t seem to find anything that would stop you from using both discounts. Since both promotions are coming from two different sources, I’m pretty sure it will work.
If you’re interested, head to the T-Mobile links below, or follow this link to get more information about the promotion from Samsung.
Sony 4K Android TV models get pricing and launch details
Sony Electronics just let the wraps off part of their 2015 4K TV lineup, consisting of two new models (out of six said for the year). These new TV’s come in Sony fashion, being impossibly thin, at just under 0.2 inches, and very little bezel.
The first model we have is the X900C, which will come in two sizes and prices: the 55″ model is targeted at $2,499, with the 65″ at $3,999. The even larger model is the X910C, with 75″ of beauty and a set-back of $5,499.
The thinking behind making a TV so thin is that it will appear flush with your wall, if you decide to mount it. Both of these models pack all those 4K number of pixels you desire, with content powered by Sony’s X1 processor. For inferior HD content, the X-Reality engine will upscale it up to 4K. Sony’s usual display enhancements are also present with Triluminos.
Another big attraction is that both models are run by Android TV. So if you’ve been meaning to pair Android TV’s app accessibility and streaming capabilities with Sony’s TV mastery, I hope you’ve been saving up.
Pre-sale of the X900C has begun, with availability in July. The more pricey X910C is just said to be available this summer. Are Sony’s offering right up your alley or are you taken too far back by the pricing?
The post Sony 4K Android TV models get pricing and launch details appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Motorola rolling out Android 5.1 to 1st and 2nd gen. Moto X
Today, Motorola has announced Android 5.1 for the Moto X and the Moto X (2014), which is rolling out over the air in the upcoming days.
As a recap, Android 5.1 includes notification changes, drop-down menus for Bluetooth and WiFi in the quick settings panel, device protection, and all-around performance improvements over the first iteration of Lollipop.
The update specifically is for the carrier version of the device. Should you own the 2014 Moto X “Pure Edition,” then you most likely have had 5.1 for close to a month now.
Source: 9to5Google
The post Motorola rolling out Android 5.1 to 1st and 2nd gen. Moto X appeared first on AndroidGuys.
First Chevy CarPlay Vehicle, 650-HP Corvette Z06, Heading to Dealers
In late May, General Motors and its Chevrolet brand announced that its first 2016 cars equipped with CarPlay would be available later this year. Less than a month after the announcement, the first Chevy CarPlay vehicle, a silver Corvette Z06, has rolled off the production line. Chevy shared images of the maiden Corvette with TechCrunch, and told the site its Corvette Z06 vehicles are now heading to dealerships and consumers.
Chevy’s Corvette Z06 is the second vehicle with CarPlay that’s actually available for consumers to purchase, following the Ferarri FF. The Ferarri FF has been the only vehicle sold with built-in CarPlay support since CarPlay was announced in March of 2014, but the service has also been available to consumers through aftermarket solutions from companies like Alpine and Pioneer.
Chevy’s very first vehicle with CarPlay support, courtesy of TechCrunch
The 2016 Corvette Z06 has a base MSRP of $79,000 and comes equipped with an 8-inch color touchscreen that uses Chevrolet’s MyLink system alongside CarPlay. The Z06 is the most powerful production car that General Motors has created, with 650 horsepower at 6,400 rpm and 650-lb ft of torque at 3,600 rpm.
At Chevy’s May CarPlay media event, which MacRumors attended, there was no mention of the Corvette Z06 launching as the first Chevy CarPlay car, with Chevrolet representatives instead pointing towards the Tahoe, Suburban, and Volt as the first CarPlay-equipped vehicles. Those cars are expected to go into production in July, with the rest of the Chevy CarPlay lineup rolling out later in 2015. A full list of Chevy vehicles that will be released with CarPlay support is below.
– 7-inch Screens: Spark, Cruze, Malibu, Camaro, Camaro Convertible, Silverado, Silverado HD
– 8-inch Screens: Cruze, Malibu, Impala, Volt, Camaro, Camaro Convertible, Corvette, Corvette Convertible, Colorado, Silverado, Silverado HD, Tahoe, Suburban
As we learned at Chevy’s media event, the first CarPlay vehicles from the company will not include an upcoming iOS 9 feature — wireless CarPlay support. Chevy’s 2016 vehicles will require a user’s iPhone to be connected via a Lightning cable. iOS 9 also includes new features that allow it to be more deeply integrated with in-car systems, letting car knobs control CarPlay functions, but it is not clear if Chevy’s vehicles will take advantage of this upgrade when Apple’s new operating system launches in the fall.
Several other car manufacturers are expected to launch CarPlay-compatible vehicles in 2015. Volkswagen has promised that its first CarPlay vehicles will come in 2015, and at Apple’s “Spring Forward” media event in March, Tim Cook said that more than 40 car models with CarPlay support would be available by the end of the year.
OnePlus’ next phone will have a USB Type-C port
The trend as we progress through the summer and into the fall will be the inclusion of USB Type-C ports. This year, Google and Apple have already implemented the new technology on a limited scale. Google even hinted that USB Type-C would make its way to additional Android devices in 2015. A flagship phone will already have it when OnePlus launches the One’s successor next month. The company confirmed on Twitter that the OnePlus 2 would feature a USB Type-C port and claims that it will be the first flagship to have the technology. The only other phone that we have heard to likely have a USB Type-C port is the upcoming Galaxy Note 5 from Samsung.
Source: OnePlus (Twitter)
Come comment on this article: OnePlus’ next phone will have a USB Type-C port
The US military is developing Star Wars-style hoverbikes
Last time we heard from Malloy Aeronautics, it was testing hoverbike technology with a robot-carrying drone. A few months later, it’s partnering with a Maryland-based defense company to develop a hoverbike for the US military. Working with Survice Engineering Co., the UK aeronautics company will set up shop in Maryland as part of “an ongoing research and development contract.” The duo will also work with the US Army Research Laboratory on the project that aims to create “a new class of Tactical Reconnaissance Vehicle (TRV).”
The goal is to replace some of the work a helicopter does with the hoverbikes, a vehicle that provides increased safety and costs significantly less. “With adducted rotors you immediately not only protect people and property if you were to bump into them, but if you ever were to bump into somebody or property it’s going to bring the aircraft out of the air,” Malloy’s marketing sales director Grant Stapleton told Reuters. Funds from a Kickstarter campaign for those compact UAVs was used to build scale models capable of carrying a human — one of which was on display at the Paris Air Show.
[Image credit: Malloy Aeronautics]
Filed under: Transportation
Via: Reuters
Source: Malloy Aeronautics
LSTN’s Encore headphone blends vintage looks with a feel-good factor
I first met Bridget and Joe — the duo, and driving force behind LSTN headphones — in a London pub. The enthusiasm for their altruistic headphones (a portion of each sale goes to the Starkey Hearing Foundation) went beyond the charitable cause; it was genuinely infectious. If you didn’t know, LSTN makes stylish, elemental headphones, with a charitable component to sweeten the deal. When they contacted me to tell me that LSTN was growing its portfolio — with the Encore on-ears above — I was pleased. Not only to see the range growing, but because Encore is LSTN’s most original-looking headphone yet. This is a promising step forward for the burgeoning start-up, one that should help it continue its good work.
Let’s back up a little. The idea behind LSTN is simple: you buy a nice sounding/looking pair of headphones, and money from that purchase goes toward helping others hear for the first time. LSTN may not be the only brand that gives to a good cause, but it’s one of the few where its founders get so directly hands on with it. In fact, after our London meet, Bridget and Joe were heading to Uganda the next day to deliver hearing aids.
What about the Encore? In my opinon, easily the best in the range so far. The Troubadors (the previous flagship model) was a good mix of style, sound and comfort, but the Encore ramps things up a notch in every regard. I mentioned the design was LSTN’s most original, and it’s true. Both previous models (the Troubador and Fillmore) had LSTN’s trademark reclaimed wood detail, but the basic design didn’t deviate too far from existing products. Encore’s rectangular ear cups show a more contemporary side, still carry reclaimed ebony, but throw in a modern touch with open grilles flanking the wooden sections.
The Encore doesn’t have too much in the way of additional features, there’s no Bluetooth, or in-line remote, and the lightweight build might not be your cuppa if you prefer a weighty headset. But, if you’re after a pair that don’t have brash logos or a neon color set, LSTN is that.
If you’re already on LSTN’s mailing list, the good news is you’ll get first dibs on a pair of Encores. Starting today, the first 100 pairs can be bagged for $149, after which, the standard price ($199) applies. If you’re not on the mailing list, or just prefer bricks and mortar, then you’ll have to head to Nordstrom stores, where they’ll be available as of July 7.
Filed under: Home Entertainment
Source: LSTN
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