EE Power Bars are no more – network won’t bring back charger promotion
Remember those free EE Power Bars? Yeah, they’re gone for good.
EE announced a free portable charger scheme last April and said it would be available to every network and broadband customer. Called the EE Power incentive, it offered a free portable Power Bar charger to EE customers, which could be swapped for a new full one in-store when depleted.
EE ran a similar promotion at Glastonbury in 2014, and many had assumed both schemes were big successes. But things took a turn for the worse in late 2015 when EE recalled the portable charger it gave away after learning about a medical student who was severely burned while using one.
In return for handing their Power Bars back, customers received a £20 voucher to redeem. But ever since then, many have wondered if EE plans to ever bring back the promotion. Unfortunately, according to an EE spokesperson who recently spoke to Mobile News, the answer is no:
“Our EE Power Bar promotion had a hugely positive response from our customers, however after careful consideration we’ve decided not to bring it back. We still sell a wide range of chargers and power packs to keep our customer connected. We’ll share news shortly about ways to stay connected at Glastonbury and the summer festival season, as well as some exciting new loyalty offers throughout the summer.”
The EE Power Bar had a 2,600mAh capacity and built-in LED torch. It lasted 500 charges and took 4-hours to charge back to full. It was free to EE customers who were on a 30-day, 12-, 18- or 24-month mobile or broadband contract or to Pay-As You-Go customers.
With Glastonbury just around the corner, it’ll be interesting to see what type of loyalty scheme EE offers up this time around. Hopefully it’ll be as cool as the EE Power Bar (but less dangerous, of course).
Watch this smartwatch turn an arm into a touchscreen control
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a smartwatch system that uses your arm as a touchscreen.
Called SkinTrack and developed by the Human-Computer Interaction Institute’s Future Interfaces Group at the university, the new system basically eliminates the nusiance of having to use a small smartwatch screen by extending the touchscreen experience to the skin. SkinTrack uses a signal-emitting ring and an electrode-equipped watch band. With this setup, the band can track movements of the ring-wearing finger.
When the ring-wearing finger touches skin, it emits a high-frequency electrical signal through the user’s arm, which acts as an electrical conduit, and as the finger moves across the skin, the system uses the electrodes in the band to detect the finger’s position. The system can even work through clothing and supports all the usual inputs, like tapping, swiping, and gestures.
A demo video, for instance, showed researchers drawing on wrists to launch apps and ignore calls. SkinTrack can also be used to scroll, zoom in, and control games. Researchers said the system could determine when a finger touches skin with 99 per cent accuracy. In fact, the system “compares to other on-body finger-tracking systems and approaches touchscreen-like accuracy”.
Chris Harrison, an assistant professor in the HCII and adviser to the project, explained to CMU News that SkinTrack makes it possible to “move interactions from the screen onto the arm,” thus providing a much larger interface.
Researchers plan to present the technology at CHI 2016 on 10 May.
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Amazon promises to eliminate racial gaps in delivery areas
Just two weeks after a Bloomberg report revealed glaring racial gaps in Amazon’s same-day Prime delivery areas, the online retail giant has promised to eliminate those dead zones by expanding the service “to every zip code of the 27 cities where Prime Same Day delivery is currently launched,” Amazon said in a statement today.
The controversy started when Bloomberg’s analysis showed same-day deliveries were unavailable in predominantly black or Hispanic zip codes in at least six major cities including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, New York City and Washington, D.C.
The dead zones were brought to the attention of the National Black Caucus, which immediately began monitoring the situation and initiated an FTC investigation, while simultaneously calling on Amazon to take swift action. That outcry worked, apparently. As of today, Amazon has expanded to Roxbury, a largely African American neighborhood in Boston where the service was previously unavailable despite being surrounded by same-day delivery areas.
In a statement to USA Today earlier this week, Amazon claimed race was not a deciding factor in determining which neighborhood got the service, but pointed to a number of other factors including, “distance to the nearest fulfillment center, local demand in an area, numbers of Prime members in an area, as well as the ability of our various carrier partners to deliver up to 9 p.m. every single day, even Sunday.”
Charter acquisition of Time Warner Cable approved by the FCC
It feels like forever since Time Warner Cable agreed to merge with Charter Communications, for an estimated $55 billion. But today, nearly a year after the two companies struck a deal, the Federal Communications Commission has finally granted its approval. The announcement follows FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler and the US Justice Department green-lighting the merger in April, which confirmed that it was only a matter of time before it became official.
It’s worth noting that Charter is also acquiring Bright House Networks, a regional TV and internet provider, as part of the agreement between it and the government. Additionally, last month Wheeler revealed there would be some caveats for Charter, including not being be able to impede access to streaming content. Namely, Charter can’t set data caps for subscribers or charge for service based on usage — and there might be more compromises.
A detailed release of the conditions for the merger will be released over the coming days, according to a statement from the FCC. Nevertheless, this positions Charter as the second largest cable and internet service in the US with 24 million subscribers total, right behind Comcast’s 28 million.
Persistence pays off, folks.
Source: Federal Communications Commission
Tweetbot makes it easier to go on Twitter rants
Tweetbot 4 brought some much needed features to the third-party Twitter client, such as a Stats and Activity Tab plus a revamped iPad app. Now there’s a new version of the app that’ll be sure to please those who love to post a whole bunch of tweets in a row. See, in the default Twitter app, you have to either use a hashtag or manually reply to yourself if you wanted related tweets to appear in a single chronological thread. The latest Tweetbot 4, however, has introduced a new feature called Topics, which lets you group together those tweets way, way easier.
Just tap the gear menu in the Compose screen and you’ll see the option for starting a Topic. Once you create one, you’re able to write up multiple tweets and have them automatically chain together. You can even have it so the same hashtags appear throughout. The topics are stored in the cloud, so you’re also able to start a tweetstorm on your iPhone and then continue it on your iPad (you’ll soon be able to do the same on the Mac version too).
The update brings a number of other changes, like larger images on the iPad app and a more thorough mute function (a muted user now won’t show up on Mentions, Lists or Searches either). But the ability to quickly and easily go off on Twitter rant (or live tweet an event) is by far Tweetbot 4’s latest and greatest feature. Yes, Tweetbot 4 does cost money — $9.99, to be exact — but that could be worth it if you do a lot of Twitter rants. Kanye West, listen up.
Source: Tweetbot 4 on the App Store
Watch NVIDIA announce some big news tonight at 9pm ET
If you’ve been eagerly awaiting NVIDIA’s next batch of high-end video cards, you might want to tune into its Twitch channel at 9 pm Eastern. The company will be livestreaming an elaborate media event it’s holding in Austin, Texas. While they’re not saying much about what’s being announced (only that there will be “lots” of news), recent rumors suggest that it’ll be the first public unveiling of its new cards, the GTX 1080 and 1070. They’re said to be based on NVIDIA’s Pascal architecture, which debuted on its P100 card last month.
The event also follows a mysterious marketing campaign for something called the “Order of 10,” wherein unmarked packages were sent to several technology media folks (including me) leading them to a website filled with puzzles. It didn’t take long to figure out that the whole thing was an NVIDIA joint, and that it was a not-so-thinly veiled reference of its upcoming 10-series video cards. NVIDIA is also hosting a major media event in Austin this week, so it makes sense for the company to try to make a big news splash.
I’ll be covering the event live from Austin (keep an eye on my Twitter account for updates), and you can also view the whole thing on Twitch below.
Source: Twitch (NVIDIA)
Naim mu-so Qb review – CNET
The Good The Naim mu-so Qb is impeccably designed and looks every inch a $1,000 speaker. The Qb sounds great for a product of its impossibly compact dimensions. The number of inputs it offers is obscenely good.
The Bad Equivalent performance can be had with the Sonos Play:5 for half the price, and other high-end speakers can offer bigger, stereo sound. The app is nowhere as slick, capable or easy to use as Sonos’.
The Bottom Line A luxurious wireless speaker with good sound and amazing design in a compact size, but it’s not cheap.
What comes to mind when you think of the term “wireless speaker”? Is it a $50 Bluetooth speaker? Maybe the $200 Bose SoundLink Mini? Or perhaps something even higher quality like the $500 Sonos Play:5?
Above those popular conceptions of the wireless speaker lives in a select group of “high-end” models which start at about a grand in the US and continue climbing from there. In these loftier climes reside models you’ve never heard of, like the Devialet Phantom ($1,990), the Raumfeld Stereo L ($2,400) and the Naim mu-so ($1,499) — all rich in design and sound quality, but too rich for most shoppers’ blood.
Now Naim is aiming just under the $1,000 barrier with the mu-so Qb. It’s a more compact version of the original mu-so, but still keeps much of the same technology and design elements. Arguably, it also sounds better.
The Qb is the perfect size to slot into the corner of most rooms. But it’s no shrinking violet, and can also take the limelight with a gripping musical performance. Of course you can do a lot better (with a dedicated stereo) for the money, and one major competitor, the Sonos Play:5, sounds just as good for half the price. But it’s also twice as big and not nearly as cool-looking. If you want a beautiful, compact wireless speaker and have a grand to spend, the Naim mu-so Qb stands out.
The Mu-so Qb retails for $1,000 in the US, £595 in the UK and AU$1,295 in Australia.
What’s in a Naim?
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Naim mu-so Qb is a stylish cube shaped speaker featuring an acrylic base, uniquely modern lines, and a giant touchscreen with a volume knob on top.
Sarah Tew/CNET
While the original mu-so resembles a TV soundstand, the Qb is much smaller at about 8 inches square. Despite its diminutive size it still manages to pack in five drivers, with an angled “stereo” midrange and tweeter pair in addition to a low-end woofer. Naim says it wasn’t able to build a bass port into such a small speaker, so instead it includes dual pistonic bass drivers to work in tandem with the woofer.
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Sarah Tew/CNET
As with the mu-so before it, the Qb is gorgeously designed, with an all-metal chassis and the same iconic control console at the top of the device. The console is reportedly milled from a piece of aluminum and has a great, smooth feel when used as a volume control. The front and sides are covered with a removable grille, and you can buy other colors such as orange and blue.
As part of the mu-so wireless family, the speaker supports multiroom playback for up to five other networked Naim devices, and will play music up to 24-bit/192kHz. The system supports 802.11b/g wireless, though it’s disappointing not to see N or even AC.
Of course this wouldn’t be a 2016 music player unless it included Bluetooth (with aptX) and AirPlay as well, but it also bundles a 3.5mm analog, a digital optical and a USB port.
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Sarah Tew/CNET
Naim was one of the first high-end brands to fully embrace digital media, and the mu-so line is capable of linking the company’s Uniti products into a multiroom system with the use of an app. The Naim mu-so app for Apple and Android offers streaming services such as Spotify and Tidal, as well as streaming from your network over Wi-Fi. Disappointingly it can’t play music from your phone unless you use Bluetooth (competitors can use Wi-Fi), and this is especially annoying given the company’s audiophile heritage.
2016 Toyota Prius liftback review – Roadshow
The Good The Toyota Prius exceeded its already impressive EPA estimates for fuel economy, delivering 59 mpg combined over 500-plus miles of testing. The new rear suspension boost comfort and driveability. The available suite of driver aid technologies includes automatic parallel parking and a well sorted adaptive cruise control system.
The Bad Toyota’s Entune system dumps nearly every function under the “apps” bucket and could use a rethink and redesign. We couldn’t get the automatic perpendicular parking to work consistently. The exterior design is… polarizing.
The Bottom Line The 2016 Toyota Prius is the most fuel efficient car without a plug, but it’s also surprisingly easy to live with thanks to its spacious comfortable cabin and an assortment of smart tech amenities.
“It’s hideous! What was Toyota thinking?!” “Kill it with fire.” “I wouldn’t be caught dead driving something that looks like that.” “It’s not so ba–oh, wait, yes it is.” This is a very brief selection of reactions I encountered during my week with the new 2016 Toyota Prius. I get it. The new Prius is ugly, but it’s also better. Trust me.
Between the new squinty face and too busy rear end is a revised version of one of the most fuel efficient self-contained powertrains on the road, a more aerodynamic version of one of the slipperiest production car bodies to ever grace a wind tunnel and handling that’s remarkably good… for a Prius. The new Prius is more spacious and more comfortable than ever and it’s packing a loadout of premium tech and driver aid features.
Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
Hybrid Synergy revised
Beneath the Prius’ hood is a mostly familiar version of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) powertrain. The system pairs a 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine with a 53 kW electric motor. The gasoline engine supplies 95 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque and the electric motor adds 71 horsepower and 120 pound-feet of torque to the mix. Peak system power is stated at 121 horsepower, because hybrid math is never as simple as addition; total system torque is not stated.
Surplus and recaptured energy is stored in one of two possible battery packs. Every trim level above the base model is packing a new 0.75 kWh (3.6 ampere hour) lithium-ion battery pack that is physically more compact and about 35 pounds lighter than before. Less weight means more efficient acceleration and braking for the new Prius. The base “Prius Two” trim level makes use of the same 1.31 kWh (6.5 ampere hour) nickel metal-hydride battery pack as the previous generation.
Doing more with less
Fans and followers of the previous generation Prius’ specs may notice the new model’s stated output and battery capacity is lower than before. This new Prius is about doing more with less.
The new lithium ion battery pack, for example, has a smaller total capacity, but that’s only half the story. Hybrid vehicles never use all of their total capacity because fully discharging or recharging a battery can reduce its effective lifespan and these batteries have to serve the driver for 10-plus years. So the old NiMH battery pack only used about 40-percent of its total capacity. The new Li-ion pack has a much larger 70-percent effective capacity. So the effective capacity of both battery packs is is the same 0.525-ish kWh, but the Li-ion pack has the additional efficiency advantage of being about 40-percent lighter — more from less.
The HSD powertrain is down about 13 horsepower overall, but — thanks to the new battery pack — the vehicle has less weight to accelerate than before, which helps its city fuel efficiency. Further, the Prius is more aerodynamic, which boosts the highway efficiency. The body sits 20mm lower, active shutters in the grille reduce turbulence at speed and the hybrid’s new look hides elements that help lower the coefficient of drag from an already impressive 0.25 CD to 0.24 CD — you’d be hard pressed to find a more slippery production car for sale.
Additionally, the electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (eCVT) that links the gasoline and electric motors has undergone a redesign, replacing the second of its two planetary gearset with a simpler two-axis design. That’s a lot of engineering babble, but the result is less friction in the transmission, which allows the Prius to make better use of its reduced power.
And now the answer to the question you’ve come here for: how much more efficient is this new Prius. The stated EPA estimated fuel economy for the 2016 Toyota Prius sits at 54 mpg city, 50 mpg highway and 52 mpg combined — up 2 to 3 mpg across the board. As I learned during my hundreds of miles of testing, that’s just the start…
Rear double wishbone suspension
The Prius has never been a car that’s known for its exceptional driving dynamics and this fourth-generation model doesn’t redefine that reputation. However, Toyota does make major strides in the right direction with a totally new rear suspension setup for the liftback. Out goes the old torsion beam rear axle; in its place the automaker has fitted the Prius with an independent, double wishbone suspension.
Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
The new suspension doesn’t transform the eco car into an eco carver, but it does help the Prius feel more planted over bumps, quieter on the highway and more stable during cornering, emergency lane changes and off-ramp acceleration. The new rear suspension also frees up a bit of space in the rear stowage area, which grows from 21.6 cubic feet to 27.4.
Yes, it’s still a driving appliance. Driving one isn’t engaging or exciting, but in its own way, that is freeing and relaxing when you’re stuck in a traffic jam, but you look up and see that at least you’re getting 50-plus mpg, you’re comfortable and the cabin is quiet relaxing and spacious. The Prius is sort of an un-driver’s car, which for enthusiasts can be a hard sell. Fortunately, the Prius isn’t a car for enthusiasts and it doesn’t really need your or my approval. Its numbers speak for themselves.
The Prius features a few driving modes that allow some flexibility from the hybrid powertrain. The normal mode is the baseline; power mode increases the sensitivity of the throttle, allowing the driver maximum acceleration; and the eco mode tweaks the performance of the powertrain for maximum fuel efficiency. The last setting is an EV mode that allows very limited electric-only driving, but the setting only works at very low speeds, with a very light throttle application and for a very limited range. Drivers interested in a more comprehensive EV experience should either wait for the upcoming Prius Prime or, just buy a Chevrolet Volt.
Under the influence of the eco mode, I was able to average 59 mpg over 562.1 miles driven, beating the EPA’s estimates for the Prius by 7 mpg. I didn’t hypermile. I didn’t drive like a granny. I just set the Prius to eco and drove it like a regular, boring car and it delivered amazing fuel economy that I was so so excited about that I found myself sharing screenshots of the trip computer on Twitter.
Entune Apps and nav
In the center of the dashboard is a 7-inch color touchscreen that is home to Toyota’s Entune suite of infotainment tech. I’m not the biggest fan of Entune for a few reasons.
My biggest problem is that Toyota’s organization of features seems a bit, well, stupid. Nearly every feature is tucked under the Apps submenu, which means that gaining access to basic functions requires an extra key-press just to see the list. Meanwhile, the useless Home screen has a button all its own. Navigation isn’t an “app,” Toyota, and neither is hands-free calling.
Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow
When connected to a smartphone running Toyota’s Entune host app, the Prius gains access to over a half dozen actual connected applications in its dashboard — though, not all of them are useful. In the useful column, there are Bing, Facebook Places and Yelp search that help drivers to find businesses for navigation, while Slacker, iHeartRadio and Pandora provide streaming audio. In the useless gimmick column, MovieTickets.com and OpenTable access allow the driver to find and buy movie tickets and make dinner reservations from the dashboard while parked, features that I’d rather tackle on a smartphone before I get behind the wheel.
VNYL’s wireless turntable lets your pals follow along on Spotify
Perhaps you’ve heard of VNYL: the $39 record subscription service that sends you three new albums a month based on your musical tastes. After offering the vinyl aspect of the audio equation, the company is looking to provide the gear you’ll need to spin those records, too. TRNTBL (we should’ve seen this coming), is a belt-driven wireless turntable that connects to your speakers, headphones and other devices via Bluetooth and AirPlay. Despite its claims, the gadget isn’t the first wireless turntable as both ION and Audio Technica have Bluetooth-equipped models of their own.
So what’s the hook here? Well, TRNTBL identifies what’s playing on the device while its spinning, so you can share it via your collection of social channels. It also shares what you’re playing to Spotify, where a couple of things happen. First, it builds a playlist of what’s spinning on the gadget based on that identification process — similar to the collection that’s automatically built when you Shazam songs. There’s also a “Tune-In” feature that lets your pals follow along on the streaming service in real time or access the playlist from the beginning you’ve started. VNYL says the feature is kind of like Periscope, but for music.
What’s more, the turntable works with Sonos’ audio gear, streaming uncompressed audio to the speakers just like you were pulling it from Apple Music, Pandora and others. Finer details are a bit scarce for now, but if that’s enough to temp you, TRNTBL is up for pre-order now for $351. It’s set to ship this summer, and when it does, the price jumps to $420 (yes, really). You’ll have the option of two colors, and both the black and white models feature gold accents and hardware.
Source: VNYL
AIVAnet 