Google to add 100 Chrysler Pacifica minivans to its self-driving car fleet

Google has announced it will add about 100 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to its fleet of self-driving cars. The first of those vehicles will be on the streets in the U.S. by the end of the year.

This news confirms previous rumors that Google was engaging in talks with Fiat Chrysler to partner with its self-driving car division. Google stated:

This collaboration with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is the first time we’ve worked directly with an automaker to create our vehicles. FCA will design the minivans so it’s easy for us to install our self-driving systems, including the computers that hold our self-driving software, and the sensors that enable our software to see what’s on the road around the vehicle. The minivan design also gives us an opportunity to test a larger vehicle that could be easier for passengers to enter and exit, particularly with features like hands-free sliding doors.

The full press release on the new partnership is below:

Google Self-Driving Car Project and FCA Announce First-of-its-kind Collaboration

Google expands self-driving test program with the all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan

FCA engineers to work alongside Google engineers to integrate self-driving technology into vehicle

Self-driving cars have the potential to make our roads safer and make transportation more accessible for millions of people

The Google Self-Driving Car Project and FCA announced today, in a first-of-its-kind collaboration, that they will integrate Google’s self-driving technology into all-new 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to expand Google’s existing self-driving test program. This marks the first time that Google has worked directly with an automaker to integrate its self-driving system, including its sensors and software, into a passenger vehicle.

The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans will be used later this year for Google’s self-driving testing, more than doubling Google’s current fleet of self-driving test vehicles. Engineering responsibilities will be shared based on each company’s respective expertise. FCA will initially design and engineer around 100 vehicles uniquely built for Google’s self-driving technology. Google will integrate the suite of sensors and computers that the vehicles will rely on to navigate roads autonomously.

Both companies will co-locate part of their engineering teams at a facility in southeastern Michigan to accelerate the design, testing and manufacturing of the self-driving Chrysler Pacifica.

“FCA has a nimble and experienced engineering team and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan is well-suited for Google’s self-driving technology,” said John Krafcik, Chief Executive Officer, Google Self-Driving Car Project. “The opportunity to work closely with FCA engineers will accelerate our efforts to develop a fully self-driving car that will make our roads safer and bring everyday destinations within reach for those who cannot drive.”

Self-driving cars have the potential to prevent some of the 33,000 deaths that occur each year on U.S. roads, 94 percent of which are caused by human error. This collaboration will help FCA and Google better understand what it will take to bring self-driving cars into the world.

“Working with Google provides an opportunity for FCA to partner with one of the world’s leading technology companies to accelerate the pace of innovation in the automotive industry,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, FCA. “The experience both companies gain will be fundamental to delivering automotive technology solutions that ultimately have far-reaching consumer benefits.”

Google’s self-driving cars are currently being tested in four U.S. cities. The self-driving Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans will be tested by Google’s self-driving car team on its private test track in California prior to operating on public roads.

About the Google Self-Driving Car Project

The Google Self-Driving Car Project is working to develop fully self-driving vehicles that have the potential to make our roads safer and increase mobility for the millions of people who cannot drive. The ultimate goal is to help people get from A to B at the push of a button. In the project’s seven year history, the vehicles in the test fleet have self-driven over 1.5 million miles on public roads, and they’re currently being tested in Mountain View, CA, Austin, TX, Kirkland, WA, and Phoenix, AZ. The Google Self-Driving Car Project is part of X, a moonshot factory that’s part of Google’s parent company Alphabet.

About FCA

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles N.V. (“FCA”), the seventh-largest automaker in the world based on total annual vehicle sales, is an international automotive group. FCA is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “FCAU” and on the Mercato Telematico Azionario under the symbol “FCA”.

The transaction was executed by FCA’s wholly owned subsidiary, FCA US LLC. Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, FCA US LLC designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles under the Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram and FIAT brands, as well as the SRT performance vehicle designation. The company also distributes the Alfa Romeo 4C model and Mopar products. FCA US is building upon the historic foundations of Chrysler, the innovative American automaker first established by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, and Fiat, founded in Italy in 1899 by pioneering entrepreneurs, including Giovanni Agnelli.

Best wallet cases for the Galaxy S7 edge

Make your pocket or purse lighter. Wallet cases have it all!

Screen protectors and the Galaxy S7 edge do not mix! Have you ever tried to put one on? If you did, we are positive you either gave up after 5 minutes or you are happy living in a delusional world where you say it fits the phone perfectly. Those curvy edges are kryptonite to screen protectors everywhere.

Luckily, wallet covers fold over the screen of your phone and protect it. Most of them tend to make your phone a little bulkier to carry around. But, since most wallet cases have room for cards and cash, it’s a great way to be able to leave your wallet at home. So in the long run your pocket or purse will feel a bit lighter.

These are our picks for best wallet cases for your Samsung Galaxy S7 edge.

• Spigen Wallet S
• VRSDesign leather wallet case
• Snugg leather wallet case
• Vinso Tech money clip
• Moze wallet case

Spigen Wallet S

The Spigen Wallet S seems to have a little bit of everything. Enough cards slots to be useful (there are three), a design that doesn’t make the phone feel much bigger, and a great fitting polycarbonate shell that the S7 edge is able to snap into effortlessly.

This case continues to impress with its ability to use the case as a kickstand. So you can prop it up to watch videos or play games without having to hold the phone yourself.

It’s important to note that the clasp on the front doesn’t have a place to go when the case is open, which can be a source of annoyance when trying to type on the phone.

See at Amazon

VRS Design leather wallet case

This case looks really sharp and stylish, probably because it’s made out of real leather which gives it a great, rich kind of feel. However, it does also make your phone feel a lot bulkier, but the extra weight could help the phone rest securely in your hand.

With three card slots and a spot for cash, this case is great for staying neat and organized. The front clasp secures with a magnet, so it’s easy to close the case and keep everything together. The cutouts around all the buttons and ports leave the Galaxy S7 edge features and functionality accessible.

This case does seem to have a hard time charging wirelessly due to the thick leather. If you prefer wireless charging, this may not be the case for you.

See at Amazon

Snugg leather wallet case

The Snugg leather wallet case is the thinnest wallet case that we have come across. The case doesn’t seem to add much extra weight to the phone or feel much thicker in your hand. This is no easy feat when you are talking about wallet cases as they are typically big in nature.

The Snugg case has more than enough room to fit your most important wallet items, and it also has a kickstand feature. Making it easy to rest your case down and enjoy hands-free viewing in landscape mode.

Snugg case has a magnetic clasp much like other wallet cases. However, this clasp also attaches to the back of the case. Which means you always have full view of the screen and that darn clasp stays out of your way.

See at Amazon

Vinso Tech money clip

This entry into our round up is unique. It’s not what you would call a traditional wallet case since it doesn’t wrap around the phone and cover the screen. However, the most important of part of a wallet case is the wallet part.

Instead of having multiple card slots on the inside of the case, the Vinso Tech has a small slot on the back of the case between the hard polycarbonate back cover and the silicone casing that in which the phone sits.

If you really want some form of screen protection this isn’t the case for you, because not only does it not have a flap to cover the screen, it also has no lip to prevent scratching if it’s laying facedown on a table.

See at Amazon

Moze wallet case

The Moze wallet case looks basic enough upon first glance; however, it has three card slots and a transparent slot that is perfect for your ID. If you are looking for a wallet case that can truly replace your wallet this would be the clear winner.

This case has plenty of features that are standard on most wallet cases. It can convert into a kickstand and it has a magnetic clasp to keep everything from falling out. A unique feature of this case is it’s small, detachable wristband.

See at Amazon

In the end

Wallet cases are a great way to keep all of your important things together in one place. Having cash, cards and ID all in your phone case can be a great way to make your pockets or purse as light as possible. If you don’t see a case here you like, you can always see our round up of the best Samsung Galaxy Edge clear cases if you want something less bulky!

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge

• Galaxy S7 review
• Galaxy S7 edge review
• Here are all four Galaxy S7 colors
• Should you upgrade to the Galaxy S7?
• Learn about the Galaxy S7’s SD card slot
• Join our Galaxy S7 forums

AT&T
Sprint
T-Mobile
Verizon

Google and Fiat Chrysler might ink deal to make self-driving minivans

Google wants to take its self-driving cars to the next level.

According to Bloomberg, Google is planning to develop self-driving prototypes based on Fiat Chrysler’s Pacifica minivan. The two companies are reportedly embarking on the first phase of a joint project to create autonomous vehicles. The new Pacifica will be a plug-in hybrid and should be available with Google’s technology by sometime this year. Their partnership is not exclusive.

Keep in mind The Wall Street Journal and AutoExtremist both claimed earlier this month that Google has been in “late stage talks” with Fiat Chrysler on a partnership for several months – and they were supposedly reaching final negotiations. Now, Bloomberg has added that Sergio Marchionne, the chief executive at Fiat Chrysler, is directly involved in the more recent talks.

This partnership between Google and Fiat Chrysler is expected to be announced this week, marking the first time Google has paired with a major automaker to make a commercially-viable version of its self-driving cars, which currently look like golf cart prototypes. Google has conducted more than 1.4 million miles of tests on its self-driving prototypes.

Google’s also been linked to General Motors in recent months. A potential partnership with that automaker was being mulled around, Bloomberg said, but it ultimately never came to fruition, as there were apparently disagreements over ownership of technology and data. We’re assuming Google and Fiat Chrysler worked that stuff out.

If so, they are expected to make “several dozen” self-driving minivans.

Twitter rolls out ‘Connect’ to help you follow more accounts

Connect, Twitter’s newest feature, allows users on iOS or Android to browse a curated list of accounts to follow — it’s like having a personal stylist for your Twitter account. The recommendations will be refined over time, but they’re based on who you follow, tweets you like, popular local accounts, world events and a few other parameters. Twitter will explain why it’s showing you each recommendation, too.

Connect also lets users sync up their address books. If you do so, Twitter will send out an alert when someone you know joins the service, so you can send them a congratulatory hashtag and follow each other. If you don’t want friends and family to know you’re on Twitter, adjust your discoverability options in the security and privacy settings page. The Connect option will roll out today for all iOS and Android users.

Twitter is focused on collecting as many new accounts as it can. In April, the company announced it had added 5 million monthly active users to its base in the previous quarter, though it still generated a loss of $79 million. Twitter is close to reaching profitability and every new user helps.

Source: Twitter

Microsoft buys a company enabling the Internet of Things

If it wasn’t already evident that Microsoft is serious about becoming a big player in the Internet of Things, it is now. The tech pioneer has bought Solair, a company focused on Internet of Things services for businesses — say, making sure that factory machines are running smoothly. Microsoft isn’t divulging exact plans yet, but it expects to fold Solair’s tech into Azure’s IoT Suite. You may not witness the fruits of this acquisition first-hand, but don’t be surprised if the gadgets you buy arrive sooner and with fewer flaws.

Source: Official Microsoft Blog, Solair

‘Dishonored 2’ leaves the shadows on November 11th

Dishonored 2 will launch on PS4, Xbox One and PC on November 11th, giving fans another taste of supernatural assassination. The sequel was first unveiled at Bethesda’s E3 press conference last year, along with a tentative “Spring 2016” release window. Clearly, that date hasn’t panned out. Little is known about the game, other than it’s set in the city of Karnaca and features two playable characters — Dishonored hero Corvo Attano and Empress Emily Kaldwin. As before, you’ll be able to choose how you tackle each foe, focusing on stealth or a more ‘guns blazing’ approach.

This month’s issue of Game Informer has 14 pages dedicated to the game, no doubt revealing some fresh tidbits. Otherwise, you’ll have to wait until June 12th to find out more — Arkane Studios, the game’s developer, will be showing off some footage at Bethesda’s E3 showcase in Los Angeles.

Via: Game Informer

Source: Bethesda

Netflix knows which video images you’re likely to click

Have you noticed that Netflix’s video thumbnails follow a familiar pattern? That’s no accident — in fact, the streaming giant has developed a whole process for choosing those pictures. In a fresh blog post, the company has revealed details of a testing system that determines the artwork you’re likely to see. Based on engagement and views, it can tell that you’re more likely to click on images with faces, the fewer the better; it knows that villains are better choices for action movies and kids’ shows, too. Netflix also knows which art tends to fare best in a given country, thanks in part to a system that automatically groups related images with different languages, effects and aspect ratios. It’s aware if the Brazilian version of a picture is faring as well as the North American edition, for example.

It sounds cold and calculating, but there’s a good reason for all this effort. Netflix has conducted studies showing that it has very little time to grab your attention. It’ll lose you if you aren’t drawn in within 90 seconds, and a typical viewer spends just 1.8 seconds considering each title (82 percent of the time based on the artwork). If the service didn’t have captivating thumbnails, you might gloss over that new original series or miss a big movie that finally reached the catalog.

Source: Netflix, Netflix Tech Blog

Moog’s new app brings the iconic Model 15 synth to your iPad

Moog may be known for its analog synthesizers, but the company has also crammed those sounds inside iOS apps for making noise on the go. With its latest app for the iPhone and iPad, the company created a digital version of its iconic Model 15 instrument. In fact, Moog says the new app is the first modular synth and learning tool created for Apple’s mobile devices. Thanks to Apple’s Metal technology, you can pan and zoom around the app to situate those patch cables and tweak nobs in a way that feels natural. Without Metal, the company says this level of detail and smooth movement wouldn’t have been possible.

As far as recreating the Model 15 synth goes, the new app offers monophonic and 4-voice polyphonic operation with 160 built-in presets, a traditional Moog keyboard, 1150 ribbon controller and 8-step sequencing arpeggiator. What’s more, the Animoog keyboard brings 22 built-in scales and polyphonic modulation to the mobile software, too. With the iPad’s extra screen real estate, you can view two controllers at the same time, and yes, the app features 3D Touch support. There’s full MIDI integration as well, so you can use those external controllers, even ones that connect via Bluetooth, to control the virtual Model 15 synth.

Because the Model 15 app uses Apple Metal, you’ll need a 64-bit device that runs iOS 9.3.1 or higher to run it. This means owners of the iPhone 5s (and newer), iPod touch 6, iPad Air and iPad Pro can get in on the synth action. You’ll also have to shell out $30 to download the app from iTunes. That may sound like a lot, but it’s actually comparable to apps from other instrument makers. For example, Korg’s take on the M1 synth for the iPad is priced at $20.

Source: Moog Music

Postmates’ couriers help small shops with same-day deliveries

Small businesses use Shopify’s software to create custom online storefronts, and Shopify regularly adds features making it easier to juggle digital and physical sales. Now those customers can get a same-day delivery option through Postmates so long as they’re within the 40 metropolitan areas it delivers in. That includes 21,000 small businesses that use Shopify.
Postmates already tried out same-day last September with Etsy, though that test was only within the NYC area. The courier delivery startup has been stepping up its local game with Amazon Prime-like free delivery, 15-minute food delivery in NYC, and upcoming one-hour delivery in London. But online shops using Shopify only do about 10 percent of their business locally, according to Re/code, so it’s unclear how much business this partnership will net either startup.

The customers choosing this option from Shopify-powered stores shouldn’t be put off by the price, as the same-day delivery fee is between $5 to $20. That could end up being cheaper for non-Prime customers who pay $9 plus $1 per item, but Prime customers with orders larger than $35 get same-day for free.

Source: Re/code

Fashion (mostly) missed the point of its tech-inspired Met Gala

Since 1946, the Met Gala has hosted the biggest names in fashion and entertainment. While the prestigious event acts as a fundraiser for The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, it’s also a chance for A-listers from different industries to model the latest fashion trends. This year’s event, which was sponsored by Apple, took inspiration from a new exhibition at The Met called Manus x Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology, which uses more than 100 garments to illustrate how design techniques have evolved over the years.

With that in mind, some Met Gala attendees — each hand-picked by Vogue editor-in-chief Anna Wintour — attempted to incorporate tech into their outfit for the evening. Claire Danes, for instance, wore a long blue gown that lit up in the dark, while supermodel Karolina Kurkova donned an LED-powered smart dress designed by fashion house Marchesa and IBM. But they weren’t the only ones to go along with the theme: Katy Perry, Zayn Malik and a few others did so as well. Apple’s Chief Design Officer Jony Ive was there too, but he went for a minimalist suit.