Test-driving Audi’s new A3 e-tron plug-in hybrid
Audi built an A3 that gets over 80 miles per gallon in the right conditions. That’s the biggest thing you need to know about the new plug-in hybrid A3 e-tron. Yet with hybrids and electric vehicles it’s easy to get waylaid by batteries, range and the compromises that come from adding an electric engine to an established platform. But it’s that mileage that gets the drivers in the seats of these cars. That, and the sense you’re doing your small part for the Earth. Driving this car, you can have style and power with a dollop of the green lifestyle. Oh, and on the freeway, it eat a Toyota Prius or Chevy Volt for breakfast. Slideshow-335939
Apple Opens Cryptographic Libraries to Third-Party Developers to Encourage Security
Apple announced yesterday that the company has opened up its cryptographic libraries so that third-party developers can build more “advanced security features” into their apps (via VentureBeat). The cryptographic libraries being opened to developers are the same ones Apple uses to protect iOS and OS X, as Apple notes on its updated site.
Developers will have access to two of the company’s advanced security features, including Security Framework and Common Crypto. Security Framework gives developers tools for organizing certificates, public and private keys, and trust policies, ensuring that all sensitive information is stored privately in a “secure repository for sensitive user data.” Common Crypto library provides additional support for symmetric encryption, hash-based message authentication codes, and digests.
Both Security Framework and Common Crypto rely on the corecrypto library to provide implementations of low level cryptographic primitives. This is also the library submitted for validation of compliance with U.S. Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140-2 Level 1. Although corecrypto does not directly provide programming interfaces for developers and should not be used by iOS or OS X apps, the source code is available to allow for verification of its security characteristics and correct functioning.
Check out Apple’s official website for reference sheets, service guides, and links to the open source releases for Security Framework and Common Crypto libraries.
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Amazon updates its music app with MicroSD and Android Wear support
If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber, you’ll be glad to find out that the Amazon Music app is in the process of receiving an update that will greatly enhance its usability. The update brings MicroSD card and Android Wear support as well as a number of other improvements.
New features include:
- Prime Music artist detail pages – the one stop destination in Prime Music for top songs, albums, photos, stations, and much more for your favorite artists
- Android Wear support – now you can browse the app & control playback right from your Wear device
- “New to Prime” tab in Prime Music – highlighting newest music added to the service
- New “Popular” tab in Prime Music – see charts for top songs, albums, playlists
- Lyrics support (UK only – it was already available in the US)
The update is currently rolling out via Google Play and it shouldn’t be too long until it reaches your device.
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HTC financial struggles continue in third quarter
HTC held their quarterly conference call to discuss financial results for the third quarter of 2015. There were no surprises regarding the results as HTC continues to struggle financially with many wondering how long the company can continue to stay in business. For the third quarter, the smartphone manufacturer generated NT$21.4B ($660M USD) in revenues, which is almost half of what they did for the same quarter in 2014. The results are consistent with a downward slide for the company.
Unlike some previous quarters where HTC was able to barely make an operating profit, for the third quarter they experienced a NT$4.9B ($151M USD) loss, which followed a NT$5.1B ($157M USD) loss the previous quarter. This loss came despite HTC saying they had experienced a “significant reduction” in operating expenditures. That shows the impact of the loss of sales volume on the company. The HTC One A9 has since been released as HTC, along with most other manufacturers, start to move more aggressively into the mid-tier market. Investors will be watching to see how that impacts the fourth quarter numbers.
If there were any silver lining to be found, it is that the results ended up at the “higher end” of expectations. That may lead investors to not punish the company quite so severely on the stock markets. However, HTC did announce during their conference call that they were no longer going to issue guidance regarding future performance. That could be due to issues related to the complexity of forecasting new products like the HTC One A9 or it could be due to a lack of confidence in the business. For now though, it appears that HTC will continue to linger in the market.
source: HTC
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The Nexus 6P is not as durable as one may have previously thought
Brace yourselves! After testing the Nexus 6P’s repair ability, a new video shows off its durability. And it’s not looking good.
Just this morning a YouTuber posted a video putting the Nexus 6P to the test. If you thought the Nexus 6P’s aluminum body would apply an added durability, think again. The Nexus 6P underwent a bend test, scratch test and burn test. All in which performed well below par.
The user used different implements to help determine the display’s hardness level. Then followed up with a scratch test to the lens cover. After that, the user took a flame to the handset’s display and applied pressure to test the bendability.
The video concludes that with the addition of heat, the durability suffers and becomes extremely weak. However, many of us don’t hold our phones up to fire on a daily basis. But it may be worth re-considering before making a purchase. You can check out the test on video down below.
Click here to view the embedded video.
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Motorola shares the production process in making its ShatterShield display in new video
Just this past week, Motorola made history when it released its DROID Turbo 2 handset. It features the world’s first ever smartphone with a shatterproof display. But it didn’t come easy. Motorola executives shared their experiences and the production process it took to create this new technology in a new “In the Making” video.
We have been patiently waiting for Motorola to do something big over the years, and now we have it. The first ever smartphone with an unbreakable display. So there is no need to rush out and get a case for that brand new handset you bought. Motorola showed off multiple demos at its official unveiling in NYC thus proving the durability level of its new DROID Turbo 2 handset. And so far, the ShatterShield display has lived up to its name. You can watch the full making video down below.
Click here to view the embedded video.
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Blackberry Priv unboxing video released by Carphone Warehouse
Blackberry’s first Android powered smartphone, the Blackberry Priv, will be hitting consumers’ hands soon. U.K. retailer Carphone Warehouse has released an unboxing video for the device so buyers can get a better idea of what to expect from the new smartphone. The video is standard fare for an unboxing video, giving viewers a glimpse of the actual packaging and how Blackberry went about fitting everything in the box. The latter half of the video shows a little bit of how the software, especially the Blackberry specific apps, work on the device and how the physical keyboard is accessed. Blackberry appears to be following the path of Motorola in keeping Android pretty much close to stock and adding apps to the device as opposed to layering on their own user interface.
Hit the break to check out the video and let us know in the comments if you plan to give the Blackberry Priv a try.
Click here to view the embedded video.
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[TA Deals] Get the Aduro Surge Protector for just $17.99
Are you constantly running out of wall outlets to plug your smartphone or tablet chargers? Then you might want to check out the Aduro Surge Protector, what is essentially a power station with 6 wall ports and 2 USB ports.
When your chargers are plugged straight into a wall outlet, unforeseen and uncontrollable weather changes and power outages can severely damage your device by causing voltage spikes that can short your electronics out. But there’s no need to worry about that with the Aduro Surge Protector, which employs Safe Shutdown Technology to protect your devices from harm. There’s also an LED that indicates that your protection is on.
Here’s what your getting in this package:
- Power up to 7 devices at once
- Protect against fire & other damage w/ Safety Shutdown Technology
- Get maximum reduction of AC line noise interference w/ the EMI/RFI Filter
- Charge your tablets, smartphones & more w/ the USB outputs (combined output of 2.4 amps)
- View the light indicator to confirm protection is active
Surge protectors like these are nice things to have, and they vary in pricing. The Aduro Surge Protector normally costs $40, but for the next two days, we’re offering it to our readers for 55% off, bringing your grand total to $17.99! It’s a deal you don’t want to miss out on!
Come comment on this article: [TA Deals] Get the Aduro Surge Protector for just $17.99
Foursquare cards are popping up in Google Now, even without the app
Google Now has been serving up cards with info from your apps for a while. According to a report in VentureBeat, you might start seeing cards from apps you don’t have installed — starting with Foursquare. Cards with tips from the app were spotted alongside Google’s own regular location-based recommendations. Foursquare still isn’t listed on Google’s partner page, so likely these cards are part of a limited trial, and the search giant isn’t confirming anything when asked.
Source: VentureBeat
Sony’s new PSVR shooter is a rollercoaster ride of horror
“When we announced this, we saw a 50/50 split among the fanbase,” said Simon Harris of Until Dawn: Rush of Blood, Supermassive Games’ recently announced virtual reality shooter. The title, which debuted at Paris Games Week, is an extension of the PlayStation 4 exclusive released last August.The reason for the mixed reaction? Although its predecessor is an intense interactive drama, Rush of Blood is an on-rails arcade shooter (think House of the Dead or Time Crisis). Fans of the original want more drama, more Until Dawn, and this clearly isn’t more of the same. But after playing a brief session of Rush of Blood and talking to Harris about the studio’s plans, I’m convinced Supermassive knows what it’s doing.
AIVAnet 