Naim Mu-so gets Bentley special edition treatment… without the Bentley price tag

We’ve long been fans of the Naim Mu-so and its smaller Mu-so Qb sibling. Now, in collaboration with Bentley’s design team, the two all-in-one speaker models have got the top-end car maker’s special design treatment. Talk about British design tour de force.

Nope, there aren’t four wheels stuck on the sides and you can’t drive them – but they’re still ace speakers. As we’ve indeed found in our earlier testing, these babies are positioned as some of the best wireless speakers on the planet.

Internally the Mu-so and Mu-so Qb remain the very same products. On the outside, however, there are additional Bentley design motifs: a light-up “Naim for Bentley” logo; a textured metal control ring up top; an anodised rear metal heat sync; a warm silvery-gold front panel colour, specific to these models; and a trademark patterned top-plate, reminiscent of carbon fibre, adding a lick of quality.

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These special editions won’t be found in any old store, though, they will only be distributed by Bentley. It’s a clever tie-in to associate the British audio maker’s prestige with the car brand – which also, as it happens, offers Naim sound-system upgrades in its cars.

And what of the price? Well, the special edition Mu-so will be priced at £1,195, making it £300 more for the special treatment; the Mu-so Qb will be priced at £750, adding around £150 over the original model. No extra noughts added to the end of these price tags for these specials.

However, we doubt that you’ll easily get your hands on one, even if you do prefer the snazzier designs. Unless, of course, a Bentley showroom is your regular digs, then why not go and have a chin wag with your dealer.

VR model of Auschwitz helps convict Nazi war criminal

German police have used VR forensics tech to prosecute a Nazi war criminal who worked at the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. The team from the Bavarian state crime office (LKA), led by investigator Ralf Breker, created highly detailed digital models of the facility using maps from a Warsaw surveyor’s office and over a thousand period photos. Using an HTC Vive headset, they were then able to see exactly what the accused would have seen at the time.

“The model can be used in trials to counter the objection of suspects who claim that they did not witness executions or marches to gas chambers from their vantage point,” Nazi war crime investigator Jens Rommel told NBC News.

The technique was used in the trial of former SS guard Reinhold Hanning, who was sentenced to five years for his role in the murder of 170,000 prisoners at Auschwitz. “The advantage the model offers is that I get a better overview of the camp and can [see] the perspective of a suspect, for example in a watchtower,” Breker told the AFP. “To my knowledge, there is no more exact model of Auschwitz.” The team even recreated the original trees, allowing prosecutors, judges and others to determine if a plaintiff’s view was blocked or not.

Breker also uses 3D techniques to solve modern murders, but said that the Auschwitz project was particularly difficult. “When I got back to the hotel room each night after being at Auschwitz, I was shattered. We spent each day with the head of the [Warsaw] archive and he provided us with so many shocking details.”

During one period, for instance, 438,000 Hungarian Jews arrived at the camp, and the volume of people murdered and cremated caused the chimneys to crack. “The SS men then actually built drains for the fat to collect from the bodies, which could be used to fuel the fire for the next round of corpses,” Breker said. “There are truly no words for it.”

The team does get some satisfaction knowing that its technology could help convict the “double-digit” number of Nazi war criminals who are still alive today, though. Breker also feels the technique can be used in modern courts. “In two or three years, you’ll be able to enter the scene of every serious crime virtually,” he says. The model might also be loaned to Israel’s Yad Vashem memorial, so that visitors can see for themselves the massive extent (15 square miles) of humanity at its worst.

Via: NBC

Source: Agence France Presse

Google Chrome 55 Will Have Memory-Optimization Features for Faster Browsing

Google has announced that an update coming to its website browser, Chrome, will include an upgraded JavaScript engine to aid in reducing the memory usage on websites that were programmed using JavaScript (via CNET).

Planned for launch on December 6, Chrome 55 will see performance improvements predominantly if a device doesn’t have much memory to start with (such as low-cost smartphones), and if a user runs Chrome with multiple tabs or other apps open at the same time.

Google’s V8 JavaScript engine team said it has “significantly reduced the memory footprint of several websites,” helping to improve performance on the browser. These websites include The New York Times, Reddit, YouTube, and others, and were all picked to gauge Chrome’s specific enhanced performance features. The team discovered that Chrome used a total of 50 percent less of a device’s RAM on average in comparison to Chrome 53, which updated in September to emphasize HTML5 content over Adobe Flash.

Most noticeably, the average V8 heap memory consumption of the mobile New York Times benchmark reduced by about 66%. Overall, we observed a 50% reduction of average V8 heap size on this set of benchmarks.

Another optimization introduced recently not only reduces memory on low-memory devices but beefier mobile and desktop machines. Reducing the V8 heap page size from 1M to 512KB results in a smaller memory footprint when not many live objects are present and lower overall memory fragmentation up to 2x. It also allows V8 to perform more compaction work since smaller work chunks allow more work to be done in parallel by the memory compaction threads.

As it moves forward with more updates to the web browsing software, the focus for the Chrome team appears to be on entry-level devices that have between 512MB and 1GB of RAM.

Still, users who are conscious about performance issues with multiple tabs and apps open — or who own a system with a lot of memory — are likely to see less of a difference with Chrome 55. Chrome is available to download for iOS, Mac, Windows, and Linux systems, and users should see the new performance-enhanced update on December 6.

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HTC Android Wear smartwatch breaks cover in leaked pics

Under Amour-branded device shown on Chinese social network.

HTC has been signed up as an Android Wear partner since the early days of the platform, but so far we’ve seen no related hardware from the Taiwanese firm. Now we’re getting a look at what may be an early HTC smartwatch prototype, co-branded with Under Armour. The images spotted on Chinese social network Weibo (via Engadget) show a chunky, sporty design with a rubber strap, and heart rate sensors and charging pins behind the face. The codename “Halfbeak” is revealed revealed in the “About” screen in one of the shots.

What leads us to believe this is probably an old (and possibly discontinued) prototype, and not anything likely to come to retail anytime soon is the software. The watch is running a dev-keys build of Android 5.1.1, an almost two-year-old version of the OS. It’s likely any current hardware in development would be running Android Wear 2.0 (based on Android Nougat) or at the very least a current Marshmallow build.

That said, it’s not impossible that HTC’s partnership with Under Armour might yield a traditional smartwatch, as opposed to the more basic UA Band released earlier in the year. Time will tell — and who knows, maybe we’ll see a modern version of this watch alongside HTC’s next flagship.

Samsung suspends Note 7 production until battery issue is resolved… again

The exploding Galaxy Note 7 smartphones saga could be described as Samsung’s worst and most embarrassing period in its smartphone history and now to try and save further embarrassment, the South Korean company has suspended production of the faulty Note 7.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 recalled, sales stopped

The whole fiasco started at the beginning of September, at which point 35 cases of overheating batteries had been made. At the time, Samsung said it would replace faulty units and customers with one of the phones that hadn’t overheated, could replace theirs too, just in case. Since then, replacement units have also suffered the same fate which led Samsung to conduct a global recall of all phones to try and solve the problem.

Now, a report from South Korean news agency Yonhap, cites an unnamed source as saying Samsung will halt production of the Galaxy Note 7, however Samsung has yet to comment on that report. The BBC’s Technology Correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones has since tweeted an alleged statement from Samsung, which says: “We are temporarily adjusting the Galaxy Note 7 production schedule in order to take further steps to ensure quality and safety matters.”

Samsung statement on “adjustment” to Galaxy Note 7 production after reports of more battery fire issues pic.twitter.com/NGER6Yd7DY

— Rory Cellan-Jones (@ruskin147) 10 October 2016

It’s a huge blow for Samsung, as the Galaxy Note 7 is a genuinely good phone, when it works, although it hasn’t affected the company’s finances too much since it recently posted a 6 percent rise in profit.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 going back on sale from 28 September
• You’ll finally be able to buy a blast-free, safe Samsung Galaxy Note 7 from 28 October

As and when Samsung puts the phone back on sale, it could have a tough time of regaining consumer confidence. It would probably be a lot easier to completely shelve the Note 7 and bring the launch of the Galaxy S8 forward.

PayPal and Vodafone team to offer contactless payments from a PayPal account

Vodafone has been offering the ability for its customers to make contactless payments through Android phones for a while now, long before Android Pay made it over to the UK.

Its Vodafone Wallet app has given users the ability to pay for items through Vodafone Pay and the NFC abilities of their phone for more than a year – you just need to add your credit or debit card details during set-up and away you go. And those with a special, free Vodafone NFC-enabled SIM in their devices can even pay for items up to £30 in value with the phone off or out of battery.

Now the same service is open to PayPal accounts. You can assign your PayPal account to Vodafone Wallet and purchase items using PayPal. All you need to do is add your username and password to the app and spend away.

• PayPal takes on Visa and Mastercard with PayPal Credit, and interest starts at 0%
• PayPal.me is a social way of paying friends and family, grab your unique profile before it’s gone

That means Vodafone customers with Android handsets can pay for Tube or bus rides in London, with fees charged to their PayPal accounts. The service can also be used in all stores that also accept contactless payments globally.

While contactless transactions are limited to £30, for a customer’s security in case their device has been stolen, pricier purchases are possible through the use of a PIN.

“Our customers told us that being able to use PayPal when making mobile payments was important to them so we’re delighted to now offer this on Vodafone Pay,” said Kate Wright, Vodafone UK’s head of consumer services.

Volvo V90 preview: Superior interior

Volvo is on a roll. The Swedish company has come out of the shadows of the dowdy, safe image it once had and is managing to out-cool the established German brands with some very handsome new car designs which are awash with tech.

Nothing we’re going to write about this new V90 estate changes that. The V90 follows the XC90 SUV we were so impressed with at the turn of the year, and is the sister car to the S90 saloon – together they are Volvo’s rival to the Mercedes E-Class, BMW 5-Series and Audi A6.

So while Volvo might be on a roll with its design (we think the V90 is pretty sharp looking for a big wagon), that German competition is pretty stellar in all regards. So why might the Swede make you look in its direction?

Volvo V90 D5 Inscription review: No German grunt

On tech specs alone, if you’re a keen driver then the V90 gets off to a disadvantage: there are no 6-cyclinder engines, it’s front-wheel drive based (although this D5 Inscription version drives all four wheels) and together that means it’s unlikely to be a driver’s delight in the mould of the 5-Series.

However, spec sheets and reality are two separate stories, and out on the road the V90 aquits itself well. No doubt helped by our test car’s adaptive suspension, which keeps the ride from getting too pogo-like.

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Mated to the 235hp D5 variant of Volvo’s 4-cylinder diesel, and running through an 8-speed autobox, the V90 D5 gets off the line sharply, runs the 0-60 benchmark in just over 7-seconds and generally feels swift and relaxed.

It doesn’t suffer from the same issues of mass as the XC90 – which we felt struggled slightly with this engine. But nor is it “OMG-fast” like a BMW 535d. In fact, that’s not the Volvo’s style at all. And we quite like it – this is a machine for wafting, for crushing big mileages and for being comfortable, non-stressed and happy.

Volvo V90 D5 Inscription review: Superior interior

It’s in that slightly innocuous last line that you’ll find the Volvo’s raison d’etre compared to its rivals: it’s not a thrusting, dynamic, all-black machine. It’s more like a calm, Swedish lounge – a place to feel comfortable, relaxed, share a conversation and shut out the world beyond you as you while away the miles.

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We suspect a V90 interior is capable of lowering your heartrate. And with its sumptuous leather, beautiful hunks of sectioned blonde wood, with gloss black and crystal details it’s a frankly lovely place to sit. Quiet, comfortable, easy to use and not intimidating. It’s simply a great interior.

The tech suite is the same as we found in the XC90. It features a 9-inch “sensus” portrait centre touchscreen, a 12-inch TFT driver display and – in this D5 Inscription model – a bundled-in Bowers and Wilkins sound system that will rush you for another £3,000.

And as with the XC90, this system is largely easy to use – certainly one of the better in-car touch setups – but is frustratingly 15-percent away from being great, with it’s slightly unfinished, wire-framey on-screen graphics and a lack of customisability within the driver cluster. Still, what is there is pretty easy to use – although making Apple Carplay and two USB ports a £300 extra is frankly a little tight on a £50k car.

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Volvo also showed off its new Sensus app to go with the car – which allows you to find it, check fuel level, service needs and honk the horn/unlock the door from your smartphone or tablet. It was neatly done and easy to use, but we’ll need to spend a bit more time with one to understand if it’s truly useful.

Volvo V90 review: Not a bad seat in the car

What is useful is the space on offer. The V90 has caused a stir among the Volvo cognoscenti – because it’s a Volvo estate which ditches the upright rear screen and tailgate, causing antique dealers to mourn a loss of space.

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For everyone else, there’s still so much space in the boot that you’ll lose children and enough legroom in the back for you to act as airport chauffeur with ease. Volvo has also pulled out the stops with clever functional extra such as pull-up board, straps and buttons to drop the seats which are all integrated into the load bay. In sum total, whether you’re the driver or the labrador in the boot, we don’t think there’s a bad seat in the new V90.

First Impressions

If you’re looking for an alternative to the German brands then the Volvo V90 (and it’s saloon sister the S90) now offer a genuine alternative you don’t need to make excuses for.

However, it doesn’t wow us with technical “fazination” (as the Germans would say), whereas a car like the Mercedes E-Class does.

But as a home for the successful executive with motorway miles to cover, late night runs back from the airport where you simply want looking after, and a large family at home, a V90 would fit into life arguably better than some of its rivals.

HTC could finally be ready to release its first Android Wear smartwatch

Smartwatches are nothing new anymore, they’ve been around for a good number of years, but while smartphone manufacturers such as Apple, Samsung, Sony and LG have all produced several models, HTC has remained noticeably absent, until now.

There have already been rumours surrounding a possible HTC smartwatch with a couple of codenames flying around: Petra and One. Many analysts predicted HTC would release its smartwatch at Mobile World Congress in 2015, but to no avail. Usually reliable leakster Evan Blass said we should have seen the watch in June, but again, nothing happened.

• HTC Petra/One smartwatch: What’s the story so far?

But now Chinese site Weibo has picked up some leaked images of the alleged HTC watch, codenamed Halfbeak, a codename which has been associated with the watch before. The images have since been shared by TechTastic.nl.

The images show an almost customary circular watch face with a reported 360×360 pixel resolution but what isn’t clear is what the face is made from, but it’s likely to be metal. The strap, which on first impressions doesn’t look interchangeable, appears to be made from rubber silicone.

The watch will run on Android Wear and control will be via two round buttons and a longer oblong button on the right hand side of the face.

It’s likely HTC’s smartwatch will be aimed at fitness fanatics, as there’s a clear Under Armour logo on the back of the watch, confirming a partnership between the two companies. There also appears to be a heart rate monitor on the underside of the watch too.

• Best smartwatches to look forward to in 2016

But even though there’s pictorial evidence of HTC’s first ever Android Wear smartwach, the company hasn’t said when it will be released, hopefully it won’t be too long before we hear an official announcement.