Never lose your keys again Land Rover owners, Tile just teamed up

Tile is a smart Bluetooth tag that can be found using your smartphone, so it makes sense that Land Rover has teamed up with its creators to make sure you never lose you car keys, and more, again.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport features the InControl Touch Pro system which will work with the Tile tags, linking them to the car. Thanks to an app on the smart infotainment system the car can work with the Tile, meaning it can be found using the car’s display. This infotainment system will roll out across Jaguar and Land Rover vehicles so expect Tile integration to get even greater in the future.

The car will be able to let you know, before you drive off, if the Tile or Tiles are not in the car. So if you have one in your bag, or attached to your house keys, you’ll know you’ve forgotten them before setting off.

Should you lose the tag, and not be able to find it from its last know location – which is shown on the car’s 10.2-inch display – then you can activate the Tile’s 90dB alarm to find it using sound.

The Land Rover Discovery Sport 2017 is available to buy now from £31,095 – check out our first drive review below to see what we thought of the compact SUV.

READ: Land Rover Discovery Sport 2015 first drive

Uber’s app can guide its drivers to the cheapest gas

Uber drivers are (still) officially independent contractors after the company settled suits in several states, so every dime spent is a dime not earned. At least they won’t have to leave the app to find cheap gas, thanks to a new Uber driver app feature called Fuel Finder. It shows the price and relative position of service stations on a map, and when drivers tap on the icon, shows the exact distance and name. A further tap gives them turn-by-turn navigation for the quickest route.

The company tries to keep drivers in the app by offering built-in navigation and other features. Until now, though, drivers trying to juggle gas prices have been forced to use third-party apps like Gas Buddy, which means possibly carrying a second phone. That’s no longer necessary, and Uber says it also updated the app’s driver dashboard to make it easier to find things like passenger ratings, trip history and receipts without going to a computer.

Uber recently settled a $100 million lawsuit with drivers in Massachusetts and California, pending approval by a judge. Drivers sought to be reclassified as employees, rather than contractors, citing labor laws. The terms of the settlement mean drivers stay independent, so Uber still doesn’t have to pay medical, insurance and other expenses. While the drivers didn’t get what they wanted, they did squeeze some concessions — they can no longer be deactivated without explanation, for instance. New policy changes also mean tipping is easier, but unlike the gas finder, it’s still not included in the app.

Via: The Verge

Source: Uber

Nintendo to launch NX console in March 2017

We don’t know what it looks like. We don’t know how it plays. But now, we finally know when Nintendo’s next system will be launching: March 2017. The company’s mysterious “NX” platform was first teased more than a year ago, during an investor presentation that also outlined its smartphone strategy. We’ve heard plenty of rumors since then, including a console-handheld hybrid, a system more powerful than the PS4 and Xbox One, and a console with a bizarre touchscreen controller (including faked photos) based on Nintendo patents. The house of Mario has stayed quiet throughout, stating only that it will talk about the console later in 2016.

The next generation of #Nintendo is coming March 2017! #NX pic.twitter.com/u4KFIRJedw

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 27, 2016

What’s crystal clear, however, is Nintendo’s need for a new, successful console. The Wii U has been a disaster, despite offering high quality games like Splatoon, Super Mario 3D World and Bayonetta 2. The GamePad never resonated with players and the console’s reduced horsepower — at least in comparison to the Xbox One and PlayStation 4 — means that third-party support is now almost non-existent. The 3DS, while successful, is also starting to show its age. To stay relevant and turn around its recently dismal financial earnings, Nintendo needs a new system to act as a foundation. As such, there’s a lot riding on the NX right now.

Source: Nintendo

Nintendo delays new ‘Zelda’ to 2017, announces NX version

There’s good news and bad for Nintendo’s upcoming Legend of Zelda open-world title for the Wii U console. First the bad: It’s been delayed again, so it won’t arrive now until 2017. The good news is that it’s going to come out on the next-gen Nintendo NX console, which, by the way, Nintendo just revealed. In a (roughly translated) tweet, Nintendo Japan says that it pushed back the game “for further quality improvement,” adding that it will be released “simultaneously” on the Nintendo NX.

Nintendo officially confirmed that its “new concept” NX console is coming in March (in a very boring way, via its financial statement), so it’s hard not to think of the launch of another Zelda game, Twilight Princess. That title, which launched around ten years ago, was supposed to come to the Gamecube in 2005. However, it ended up being delayed until 2006, and actually came first to that era’s next-gen console, the Wii, to support its launch.

The new Legend of #Zelda will be the focus of #E3 2016. It will launch simultaneously on both Wii U and NX in 2017 pic.twitter.com/FGqEdakXkt

— Nintendo of Europe (@NintendoEurope) April 27, 2016

Source: Nintendo (Twitter)

‘Top Gear’ gets an online spinoff called ‘Extra Gear’

Later this year, there’ll be two brand new motoring shows on our screens: Top Gear, led by Chris Evans, and an original Amazon series fronted by Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May. That would normally be enough for any pertrolhead, but the BBC has found a little more room for some extra programming. Today, the Beeb announced that it will launch an online-only spinoff called Extra Gear, which will be hosted by Top Gear presenter Rory Reid and feature behind-the-scenes footage, interviews and “specially-recorded films” that aren’t in the main show.

Extra Gear will live on BBC Three, via the web-based channel and its companion website, and will go live immediately after Top Gear finishes on BBC Two. It’s a massive boost for the channel, which went online-only in mid-February, and the format is likely to suit presenter Rory Reid, who made his name making motoring videos for car websites like Recombu.

There’s some good news for Top Gear fans outside of the UK, too. The BBC says it plans to distribute the Extra Gear to international broadcasters — including BBC America and BBC Brit — and it will air alongside the main show when it premieres in May. With Clarkson and co. also launching a new online motoring community called DriveTribe, motoring fanatics will soon be spoilt for choice. Is it possible for BBC’s and Amazon’s shows to live side-by-side? We’ll have to wait and see.

Source: BBC Media Centre

Comcast is reportedly in talks to buy DreamWorks Animation

In the past Dreamworks Animation has been mentioned as a possible purchase for companies including Fox, Hasbro and Softbank, but now reports say it’s in talks with Comcast. The Wall Street Journal first reported the discussions, claiming Dreamworks CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg is courting an offer from the cable behemoth of over $3 billion. The live action arm of Dreamworks, now renamed Amblin Studios, is distributed by Comcast’s Universal Pictures which could bring the two back together in a way after the animation arm spun off on its own in 2004. Also, as The Hollywood Reporter mentions, Universal is already home to Illumination Entertainment, which created Despicable Me and Minions, and sees the two as a competitor to Disney/Pixar.

Other considerations include DreamWorks Animation’s ongoing deal with Netflix to create thousands of hours of programming, and the internet video studio AwesomenessTV, which Verizon (owner of Engadget’s parent company AOL) recently bought a stake in. Considering the deals that weren’t over the past few years, this deal is still far from certain, but we’ll see if Comcast succeeds in adding another large entertainment piece to its stable.

Source: Wall Street Journal, The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline, Bloomberg

Sony says numerous ‘Uncharted 4’ copies were stolen

Sony’s President of Worldwide Studios Shuhei Yoshida has just announced that “a number of copies” of the upcoming game Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End have been stolen in transit. A few copies have surfaced ahead of the game’s official release on May 10th — British site Videogamer reported yesterday that discs were appearing at second-hand stores in the country. Not acknowledging the irony, Yoshida says “Sony is continuing to to work with the police to resolve the matter, which is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation.” He urges gamers to be vigilant for potential spoilers resulting from the theft, and says it will be “worth the wait” till May 10th.

There could be a quick end to this tale, depending on the intelligence of the parties involved. It’s a policy of CEX, the second-hand store where one copy was purchased from, to require a valid photo ID when buying a game. If the thief in this case used their actual ID, the police will have a very simple job in identifying who was at fault. Additionally, the UK has very strict laws on handling stolen goods, and CEX itself may in trouble for not doing its due diligence (it doesn’t seem to care, though). We’ve reached out to all parties involved for more information.

Keen-eyed among you may have noticed that this all seems to have happened on April 26th, which was once the release date for the game. Despite a criminal enquiry being opened, there’s a possibility that this is not in fact a theft, and instead is an early shipment issue. For now, all we have to go on is Sony’s word, but we’ll update you on any developments to the story.

Source: Sony

‘Animal Crossing’ and ‘Fire Emblem’ are coming to smartphones

Nintendo is working on smartphone apps based on two of its most beloved franchises: Animal Crossing and Fire Emblem. The company announced both projects in a tweet, revealing little about their gameplay or how they would be priced. Fire Emblem is a tactical role-playing game, giving you control of an anime army as it battles through increasingly difficult skirmishes. The latest iteration was Fates on the 3DS, which came in three different versions called Birthright, Conquest and Revelation. Animal Crossing, meanwhile, is a more casual franchise about living in a carefree village, performing menial tasks and furnishing a beautiful home.

More #Nintendo apps are coming to smart devices, including Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing! pic.twitter.com/VIWLm8ehvH

— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) April 27, 2016

Both series are popular on Nintendo’s handheld systems, making them ideal for the smartphone treatment. They’ll join Miitomo, a new app which the Japanese company launched in March. The game is based loosely on Tomodachi Life, asking you to create a Mii and answer seemingly mundane questions. Responses are shared with all of your followers, and subsequent hearts and comments are rewarded with the app’s in-game currency. These coins can be used to buy new clothes and improve the player’s style ranking. A final “Miifoto” feature lets you dress up your Mii and snap silly photos, using any image in your phone’s camera roll as a background.

The app has already accrued 10 million users and over 20 million Miifotos. That’s impressive given the cut-throat nature of the App Store and Google Play, and bodes well for the game’s ability to generate revenue. If Nintendo can find similar success with Fire Emblem and Animal Crossing, it’ll keep investors quiet while it works on its new NX console for March 2017.

Source: Nintendo

Two SpaceX founders will build a rocket for microsatellites

Two of SpaceX’s founders have started another rocket startup, but aren’t entering the standard satellite game themselves. Instead Vector Space Systems, which just announced $1 million in angel investment, will build launch vehicles expressly designed to put microsatellites into orbit.

Its first rocket, the Vector, is still in development. When complete, it is projected to carry 5 to 50kg (11 to 110 pounds) of cargo at a potential cost of $2 to $3 million per rocket. This makes it ideal for lighter microsatellites, which range from 20 to 200 pounds. At about $60 million per Falcon 9 launch, the Vector offers a far cheaper solution to deploy microsatellites. Virgin Galactic plans to use its WhiteKnight airplane lifter and deploy from orbit, while Google co-invested in SpaceX for $1 billion to deploy its own.

Vector still has plenty of testing ahead of it, but the company claims that its prototype rockets have flown to heights of 100,000 feet without issue. The plan is to attempt a first demonstration flight of the full rocket this summer, and reach orbital flight by 2018.

Via: The Verge

Source: Vector Space Systems

KMASHI 20000mAh Power Bank charges your phone on the quick and cheap

Batteries. We love them, but sometimes, we hate them. Countless hours of manpower are spent ever year trying to improve upon a century old technology. As batteries improve at a snail’s pace, there are those of us out there who are in a never ending war with trying to keep our phones alive for even a day. We need a better solution than just buying a second battery for our phone. Enter: the power bank.

What is a power bank? In a nutshell, it’s a giant battery. By giant, I mean 3+ times the size of your phone’s normal battery. The key is finding a way to pack as much battery as you can in as small of a package as possible. A company out there named KMASHI has managed to do this with the KMASHI 20000 mAh Power Bank.

I recently had the opportunity to spend some time with KMASHI’s 20000 mAh Power Bank. Here are my thoughts:

Specifications

Model Number: Victor K6
Size: 6.69*4.13*0.63in
Weight: 424g
Battery Capacity: 20000 mAh
Battery Type: LG Polymer Li-ion battery
Input: 5V/2A(MAX)
Output 1: QC2.0 5V/2.4A, 9V/2A, 12V/1.5A
Output 2: 5V/2.4A

The KMASHI 20000 mAh power bank is a MASSIVE battery! At that capacity, you could theoretically charge a phone with a 2600 mAh battery roughly 7 times. During my time with the KMASHI, I used it to charge several devices, including:

• BLU Vivo XL
• Pebble 53BD Smartwatch
• NVIDIA Shield K1 Tablet
• iPhone 6 Plus
• iPhone 6

In my testing, I found that I could charge my BLU Vivo XL (my daily driver) roughly, three times, and the NVIDIA Shield approximately two times, before needing to recharge the KMASHI. Keep in mind, the BLU Vivo’s battery is 3150 mAh, and the NVIDIA Shield’s battery is 5200 mAh. I also liked that I could charge both of these devices simultaneously with no issues. One downside, however, is the absence of passthrough charging.

One feature I loved was the overcharge protection. The KMASHI will automatically turn itself off once a device reaches full charge. This feature is not only great for preventing device overcharge, but it also helps you squeeze every last drop of juice from the battery.

The KMASHI 20000 mAh Power Bank comes equipped with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 technology. This feature is AMAZING! I was able to charge a phone that was nearly dead, in about it 1.5 hours. It’s unbelievable. When I first started using this power bank, I would constantly exclaim to my wife how much faster this thing charged my phone than the wall outlet did! If you’ve ever had any doubts, I can tell you wholeheartedly that Quick Charge 2.0 works. Bravo to Qualcomm for inventing something so handy.

Design

The KMASHI 20000 mAh Power Bank is beautiful to look at. It has an all black color scheme with a candy apple red band around the edges. It just looks sexy. It’s also very apparent that KMASHI took a great deal of inspiration from the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 when designing this power bank, and that’s not a bad thing. The plastic the KMASHI uses has the same stitching around the edges that you see on the battery cover of the Note 3. The KMASHI’s plastic also has the rough, faux leather feel that you also find on the Note 3’s battery cover. In terms of build quality, the KMASHI feels excellent. It feels very solid, but I never felt super confident that a drop would not destroy this beautiful device.

The KMASHI boasts two full sized USB ports to use for charging up to two devices simultaneously. I never tried daisy chaining devices, and I would highly advise against it. In between the two USB ports, you will find a micro USB port that you use to charge the power bank itself. Be warned: this battery is huge and takes about 13-14 hours to charge.

On front side of the power bank, you will see a nice LED display that indicates the battery’s remaining charge. I like that KMASHI chose to use Blue for the LED color. It really stands out and is easy to read.

As far as portability goes, the KMASHI 20000 mAh Power Bank feels a little heavy, but when you consider that this is a 20000 mAh battery, the weight suddenly feels very light. The KMASHI is perfect for keeping around the house, taking with you when you go camping, or even just having something at the office to give your phone a quick boost throughout the day. You could, theoretically, put this power bank in your pocket, but more than likely, your pants would fit very weird if you did and would probably fall down, as well. However, 424 grams is a small price to pay for several days worth of device charges in a package the size of a short length paperback novel.

Conclusion

The KMASHI 20000 mAh Power Bank is one of the coolest things I own. It is in my top three favorite devices, in fact. I really tip my hat to KMASHI for making such a quality product that not only works really well, but also works as advertised. Quick Charge 2.0 is phenomenal, and it alone makes this power bank worth the price of admission.

If you’re looking for something that can give you several days worth of charging capability in a small package, look no further than the KMASHI. It works like it says it will, and it is one of the best $33 investments you will ever make.

KMASHI 20000 mAh Power Bank – Amazon.com

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