2017 June | AIVAnet

Jun

Your wallet can be a statement piece if it’s made of carbon fiber by Pitaka

Why it matters to you

You can access the contents of this wallet with just one hand with enough practice.

Most slim wallets are just variations on the same design and the same material. But if you’re looking to stand out and make a statement with what’s in your pocket, the Pitaka may be the wallet for you.

Made of carbon fiber, the Pitaka wallet may be among the most minimalist and lightest wallets out there. It boasts a modular design, which means that you can decide just how thick you really need your wallet to be. The Pitaka wallet depends upon a number of layers that you can customize according to your needs. The layers are held together using powerful magnets, and when you need to access something, you fan the layers out, rather unfolding as you would a traditional wallet.

The top and bottom layers of any Pitaka wallet each have a recess capable of holding one card. The middle layers have two recesses (one per side) capable of holding two cards. And then there are additional layers that can be used to store other things that you might not be able to put in a traditional wallet, like keys, a bottle opener, and more. There’s even an optional tool card layer you can include in your wallet.

Once you master the art of sliding this wallet open, you ought to be able to do it with just your thumb, making it convenient (and pretty snazzy to watch, too). And because the wallet is made of carbon fiber, it’s not only lighter and more durable, but also features natural RFID blocking so no one is surreptitiously stealing your information.

We should point out that there is one very obvious drawback to the Pitaka. Because it depends heavily upon magnets, the magnetized strip of your credit cards could fall victim to the design. However, as we turn increasingly to chip technology, this may soon be a non-issue. Nevertheless, if you find that a lot of stores you frequent still require you to swipe instead of insert your card, you may want to be careful with using this wallet.

You can grab the Pitaka Carbon Fiber Wallet from the company website, starting at $80.

Jun

Uber wants its New York City-based passengers to know how sorry it is

Why it matters to you

It’s been a very difficult six months for Uber, and now, the company is doing all it can to save face.

To say that Uber has had a rough 2017 would be the understatement of the year, and we’re only halfway through the calendar. From the departure of its embattled CEO to sexist comments from its board members, the transportation giant, once a Silicon Valley darling, is now the black sheep of the tech industry — a cautionary tale on what not to do. So in an effort to improve its suffering image, Uber sent out an email to its users based in New York City, only not all of us got the apology.

The email, which was sent Friday to a number of NYC-based passengers, noted that it “failed to prioritize” some of its key stakeholders. “In expanding so quickly, we failed to prioritize the people that helped get us here,” the email read, according to Business Insider. “Ultimately, the measure of our success is the satisfaction of our riders, drivers, and employees — and we realize that we have fallen short.”

Apparently, the message was sent to users in “several of [Uber’s] markets who hadn’t taken rides recently,” according to Business Insider’s source. But it’s unclear as to what “recently” entailed, as this writer received no such email despite a lengthy lapse in Uber patronage.

It’s unclear how meaningful the email will ultimately prove, as it seems that in many cases the damage is already done. The #DeleteUber movement of earlier this year saw the company lose more than 200,000 customers, and the company’s track record since then has been one public relations nightmare after another.

But apparently, Uber is getting ready to change. The company’s board asked former United States Attorney General Eric Holder and experts from the law firm Covington & Burling to conduct a thorough investigation of the company’s culture, and you can check out the results here.

“Today, we are ready to embrace radical change,” Uber said in its email. “Uber’s board has unanimously accepted all 47 recommendations from the Covington Report and has begun to put them and others into action.” The company is promising to increase accountability, change leadership, focus on collaboration and empathy, and empower diverse perspectives.

“The past several months have compelled us to redefine who we are and who we want to be as a company,” Uber concluded. “There is still more work to be done, but we are confident that we are taking the first steps to becoming the company you deserve.”

Jun

The best electric bike you can buy

As our thoroughfares become increasingly crowded with automotive traffic, more cities are making biking around town safer and more accessible to citizens. Needless to say, these massive city planning efforts are showing plenty of return on investment. From 2000 to 2010, the number of bicycle commuters increased by 40 percent across the United States, and these numbers were as high as 77 percent in some cities, according to Forbes.

The biking industry has boomed in recent years as manufacturers look to capitalize with increasingly nuanced styles. That said, the electric bike movement has taken the biking industry by storm, as individuals look to add little pedal-assistance to their daily commutes and casual weekend outings. An ebike is certainly quite the initial economic investment, however, when considered alongside the annual costs of fueling, insuring, and maintaining an automobile, an ebike literally pays for itself over time. Here are five of our favorite ebikes on the market.

Our pick

Specialized Turbo Vado

Why should you buy this? The Turbo Vado is one of the most capable ebikes we’ve tested.

The best

Turbo Vado 5.0 (Men’s)

The Turbo Vado is a versatile ebike without the bulk of most other electric builds.

$4,600.00 from Specialized

Who it’s for? Anyone looking for more than a casual commuter.

How much will it cost? $4,600

Why we chose the Specialized Turbo Vado:

We had the opportunity to take the Specialized Turbo Vado for a spin in Palo Alto earlier this year and the model is still our pick for top ebike on the market. Utilizing a 350-watt motor and 604-watt-hour lithium-ion battery, the Turbo Vado is capable of traveling up to 80 miles on a single charge, which should be more than enough for your daily commute and then some.

A couple of pedals activates the motor to Turbo (the highest pedal-assist mode) and subsequently shuts off once the bike reaches speeds in excess of 28 miles per hour. The Turbo Vado has a built-in LED readout on the handlebar so you can better gauge your speed while you’re out and about.

We ran the Vado through the gauntlet — including some of the steepest hills in Palo Alto — and the bike easily handled even the most daunting of ascents at about 20 mph. It’s important to note that the Vado is custom-tuned for city riding. That said, if you’re looking for an ebike for more difficult terrain, there are other options on this list to fit the bill. Read more about the Specialized Turbo Vado here.

The best fattie electric bike

Specialized Turbo Levo FSR 6 Fattie

Why should you buy this? This is the best power-assisted fat boy we’ve seen.

The best fattie electric bike

Turbo Levo FSR 6 Fattie

The Specialized Turbo Levo FSR 6 Fattie is ideal for even the most rugged treks.

$4,500.00 from Specialized

Who it’s for? Year-round mountain bike enthusiasts.

How much will it cost? $4,500

Why we chose the Specialized Turbo Levo FSR 6 Fattie:

The fat boy style bike isn’t for everyone, however, there certainly exists an avid fan base for the bulky build. While slimmer tires are more nimble and efficient for urban commuting, fat tires offer better traction and also allow you to chew up terrain year-round. With these parameters in mind, the Specialized Turbo Levo FSR 6 Fattie is a solid power-assisted model for fat boy fans.

The Turbo Levo line of ebikes each includes a beast of a motor with up to 530 watts of power. And unlike some pedal-assistance models, the Turbo Levo system intuitively reacts to your pedaling rather than simply adding a jolt of power here and there. A backend algorithm senses your torque, speed, and cadence and then amplifies this sequence. This gives the Levo power-assistance a more natural feel than other more rudimentary designs.

The system easily connects to your smartphone via the Mission Control app where you can tweak motor dynamics such as acceleration response and turbo preferences. This app also monitors and records the metrics of your ride for added post-ride feedback.

The Specialized Turbo Levo FSR 6 Fattie is unapologetically one of the heftier ebikes on the market and those seeking a sleeker, more agile bike for commuting around town will need to look elsewhere. However, fat boy enthusiasts will certainly enjoy this big-boned beast.

The best commuter electric bike

Stromer ST2 S

Why should you buy this? Loaded with bells and whistles, the Stromer ST2 S is one of the most advanced ebikes on the market.

Our Score

The best commuter electric bike

Stromer ST2 S

You’ll be able to travel from home to the office and then some in style with the Stromer ST2 S.

$9,999.00 from Stromer

Who it’s for? Inner city commuters.

How much will it cost? $10,000

Why we chose the Stromer ST2 S:

The Stromer St2 S is one of the more expensive ebikes on the market and for good reason — the unit is loaded with features you won’t find anywhere else. The 983 watt-hour battery (one of the largest on the market) is capable of fueling the 500-watt motor for more than 100 miles on a single charge. Of course, this maximum capacity varies depending on your weight and power settings.

This ebike features a slew of settings to meet the needs of your commute. While in pedal-assist mode, the ST2 S has a top speed of 28mph, which is more than adequate for most inner city thoroughfares. There are multiple stock presets but you can also create custom settings in the paired Stromer app for further versatility.

This model also uses a basic throttle, allowing you to simply sit back and relax while the ST2 S chauffeurs you along at a modest (albeit enjoyable) 12 mph. The Walk mode power-assistance makes towing the 65 pound unit around town significantly less taxing.

The ST2 S has a slew of safety and security features to boot. A powerful Supernova 1,600-lumen headlight functions more like a floodlight than a traditional bike light, though if this vivid beam isn’t enough to light up the night, there are also a series of running LED lights along the bike to increase visibility. Once you “park” the bike in the app, the ST2 S alerts you if the bike moves more than 50 feet. If someone is brazen enough to attempt to snag your Stromer, the bike sends you text alerts, allowing you to track the bike in the app via GPS.

There certainly are cheaper electric grocery-getters on the market, but those looking for one of the most advanced commuter ebikes will be more than pleased with the Stromer ST2 S. Read more about the Stromer ST2 S here.

The best electric road bike

Giant Road E+

Why should you buy this? The Road E+ is an elegant touring option.

The best electric road bike

Giant Road E+

The Giant Road E+ is one of the sleekest electric road bikes on the market.

$4,000.00 from Giant

Who it’s for? Road bike enthusiasts.

How much will it cost? $4,000

Why we chose the Giant Road E+:

While the idea of a pedal-assisted road bike may seem counterintuitive, during lengthier training sessions, a little added power can help prevent overall muscle fatigue and injury. Similarly, individuals looking to enjoy longer scenic routes will appreciate the general boost.

With a top speed of 28 mph, the Road E+ uses three power modes to give you ultimate control over your ride and assistance level. A four-point sensory system monitors the pedaling force allowing the motor to amplify your movements seamlessly.

One of our favorite features with the Road E+ is the ergonomic Ride Control EVO command station. Unlike other control centers, this display is mounted onto the handlebars front-and-center keeping the controls quite literally at your fingertips. At higher speeds, balance is key, and this module enables control over the system and the fork at all times.

The frame itself incorporates a series of mounts allowing you to easily trick-out the Road E+ with a rack, fenders, or panniers to more aptly meet your touring requirements. Again, most touring purists will certainly scoff at the mere notion of pedal-assistance, however, individuals looking for more of a guided tour and less of a tour de force will swoon over the Road E+.

The best budget option electric bike

Espin Sport Black

Why should you buy this? The Espin Sport is a solid economic ebike option.

The best budget option electric bike

Espin Sport Black

The Espin Sport is an exceptionally practical ebike priced under $2,000.

$1,888.00 from Espin

Who it’s for? Those looking to test the ebike waters without breaking the bank.

How much will it cost? $1,880

Why we chose the Espin Sport Black:

Purchasing an ebike can be a rather hefty initial investment, and there are dozens of worthy makes and models to choose from. That said, some individuals may desire a solid pedal-assistance model without a bevy of extra frills and the Espin Sport is our top budget-specific pick.

Overall, the Epsin has a no-nonsense blue-collar build we absolutely love. It utilizes a 20-inch diamond frame that looks and feels like a traditional road bike. A sturdy, rear-mounted luggage rack stows up to 55 pounds of cargo, which should be more than plenty for a trip to the store, commute to the office, or a short day trip.

The Espin is powered by a 350-watt motor that’s rated for trips up to 50 miles (depending on the terrain and assist level). Once depleted, the battery fully charges in roughly five hours. Thankfully, Espin allows for removal of the battery, allowing you to quickly recharge it at home or in the office between trips. A backlit LCD control hub displays your basic metrics and battery life while in transit and LED headlights add a touch of light when needed.

The Espin Sport isn’t going to tow you around for a 60-mile round-trip endeavor but those seeking their first ebike will get plenty of bang for their buck with this model. Read more about the Espin Sport here.

Jun

Xsens body suits are getting even better at motion capture

Motion capturing is becoming more important for games and movies alike, but unless you’re ready to shell out for a complicated rig and dedicated studio space, it’s incredibly difficult. Xsens has been working to solve that problem for the last decade with its custom body suits, which handle all of the motion capturing work without the need for any external sensors. The one problem with the company’s suits so far? Metal — or anything that can disrupt its embedded magnetometers. But at E3 this week, Xsens showed off the latest version of its software, which no longer gets disrupted by metallic objects.

Now, the company claims its suits can track your movement just about anywhere — even while driving in a car, or skydiving. The suits can run for 10-12 hours, and setting them up should take only a few minutes. Xsens says just about every major game company is already using its suits, but they’ll likely be even more in demand as more developers move to VR. They can even detect when people lie, scientists found. While the Xsens suits cost between $12,500 and $30,000, the company says that’s still significantly less expensive than a typical mo-cap rig.

Follow all the latest news from E3 2017 here!

Jun

Texas explicitly allows driverless car tests

Self-driving cars have been roaming Texas streets for a while. Believe it or not, though, there hasn’t been legislation that directly permits autonomous vehicles — there just wasn’t a law banning them. The situation is clearer after this week, though. State governor Greg Abbott has signed a bill that explicitly allows driverless vehicles as long as they meet certain (fairly logical) conditions.

All self-driving cars have to obey existing traffic laws and carry insurance. They also have to record video, and the manufacturer has to accept liability as long as the self-driving tech remains unmodified. These aren’t exactly radical departures (many autonomous cars already have cameras, for one thing), but they establish a baseline. Critics are worried they’re too lenient, however. There’s no clear requirement that a human operator should be inside, and groups like AAA want a higher minimum insurance coverage than you’d see with conventional cars.

Even so, the new law is important. While it’s not going to change minds at Waymo and other companies that were already inclined to test in Texas, it could encourage others to set up shop if they were previously skittish. And testing in Texas is particularly important — numerous tech giants have offices in the state (particularly in the Austin area), and its warm climate makes it a good testing ground for vehicles that might not be ready to handle snowy roads.

Source: Texas Tribune

Jun

Gear Up: 808 Audio wants to power your summer playlists

808 Audio is an audio brand known for releasing quality products at an affordable price. We’ve reviewed a number of products over the years and are always interested in checking out new models.

As the summer season gets in full swing, it’s the time of year we find ourselves outside, riding bikes, taking walks, and lounging by the pool. For a lot of us, we love to put on some background music.

Though 808 Audio has a range of products, today we are going to look at its EarCanz Sport wireless earbuds and waterproof Canz H20 floating Bluetooth speaker. We’ve spent time with both of them and are ready to recommend each for your consideration.

EARCANZ Sport Wireless Earbuds

The EarCanz Sport Wireless Earbuds (About $50) are easy to pair right out of the box, which is convenient, and they can also be connected to more than one device at a time, so you can sync them with both your phone and tablet, and switch between the two effortlessly. We can watch a video on our tablet, and the audio will be interrupted with a phone call from the phone. Because of this one reason, they are worth it to us.

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These earbuds are also sweat and water resistant and boast up to 9 hours of playtime, which we found to be pretty accurate, depending on use. The Sport Earbuds also have flexible ear hooks for a custom fit, and are quite comfortable to use daily.

There are a few things to note about all of 808’s products though, and that is their love of both bass and treble. It seems that extra bass appears when the track doesn’t really have any, but the sound is pure, and isn’t distorted at all. Maybe it’s not the best for podcasts or telephone calls, but it still works in both realms. If you’re a music lover, then these are great earbuds.

CANZ H2O Bluetooth Speaker

The Canz H2O (about $50) is wrapped in a waterproof silicon covering, so you easily take this speaker into the pool with you. It even floats, so you don’t have to use the lanyard that comes in the box.

A USB to micro-USB charging cable is included, but you’ll need to bring your own USB power source to charge them. 808 Audio promises eight hours of battery life from Canz H2O and we found this to be pretty accurate in our time with it.

As far as features go, the Canz H2O is pretty basic. It pairs easily, right out of the box, and the only control is the single power button that also doubles as a play/pause button. The sound is good, though there was a slight bit of distortion at higher volume levels. To us, this is to be expected in a $50 speaker.

In all, this is a good speaker to leave by the pool or take it in with you for an afternoon/evening party. It will last for about eight hours and is great for an extended playlist. There aren’t any forward or back buttons, so unless you bring your waterproof phone with you in the pool, you’ll not have control over playback.

Conclusion

Either of these products would be a good fit for those of you looking for an affordable listening experience. We like what 808 Audio puts out and feel like it recognizes its place in the space. Rather, it doesn’t try to be something it isn’t. The general approach seems to be putting out good, solid audio products with budget-minded buyers in mind. You can shop for 808 Audio at its website as well as retailers such as Amazon, Best Buy, Target, and Walmart.

Jun

What it’s like to shop for smartphones in Shenzhen, a tech-lover’s paradise

If you want to buy a smartphone, there are a wealth of choices available both online and offline; but the majority of stores sell the same devices for the same price, and most don’t provide an exciting retail experience. What if you want something different like a used phone, or you want to haggle over the price?

If you’re in the U.S. or the U.K., your choices are limited to online services like eBay, Craigslist, and Swappa. If you’re in Shenzhen, China, it’s a very different story. We took a walk down the main electronic commercial street of Huaqiangbei in central Shenzhen, a street lined with stores selling everything from drones to Bluetooth speakers … and heaps of smartphones.

Gadget fans may have already heard of Shenzhen, as it’s home to most of the major manufacturing plants in which the world’s greatest devices are built. Many big and small-name hardware companies have offices and production facilities there, so it’s no surprise to find a sprawling retail area packed with the fruits of the workers’ labor on sale.

A street lined with stores selling everything from drones to Bluetooth speakers, and heaps of smartphones.

What’s it like? There’s a mixture of official, single-brand stores selling one type of phone, along with labyrinthine marketplaces that disappear deep into buildings. The latter is where you’ll find smaller shops selling all kinds of electronics and gadgets, and even single booths staffed by one person, selling everything from fidget spinners to parts and components for phones. Big-name Chinese smartphone brands have their own stores out on the main street. We passed Huawei’s store, an Honor store, an Oppo store, a Vivo store, and various others.

These shops operate like regular stores elsewhere, such as a carrier retail store, or an Apple Store. While Apple has official retail stores in China, Huaqiangbei is dotted with shops claiming to be official Apple resellers, and the Apple logo itself is a common sight strolling down the street. Samsung was also out in force when we visited, with a pop-up store showing off the latest Galaxy S8.

It seemed fitting to see what Huawei offered to its retail customers, considering Huawei is the third largest smartphone manufacturer in the world — and it’s widely popular in its home country. Perhaps its stores would be reminiscent of an Apple Store? After all, it has a strong retail presence, with a plan to build a network of retail stores in 1,000 Chinese counties. We chose to visit one which opened in 2016, that doubles as both a retail store and a service center. We met one member of staff there, named Seven, who walked us through a typical visit.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

“We have about 150 visitors each day,” he said, pointing out that in addition to coming in to buy a new phone or to get one repaired, others visit to have the intricate features explained to them in mini training sessions. There’s even a large seating area where you can relax and play around with Huawei’s phones and tablets.

What’s most impressive about this location is the repair work — a consultant checks in the phone, there are offline computers to back up your data, and a dedicated team of technicians behind a glass wall ready to restore your phone to health. It’s even possible to change a cracked screen, and most of the work is completed within an hour.

Seven said he was proud to work in the store. Huawei phones were way more prevalent around us on the street than they are in the U.S., or even the U.K. We asked him how the brand — which is less well-known internationally — is perceived in China. Roughly translated, he said the Huawei name means Chinese strength, and therefore is one that makes people proud. The store was pleasant, and we admired the methodical way of dealing with people who wanted to get their phone repaired in double-quick time.

There’s a strong chance fakes are on sale too, and you need a good eye to spot them.

Leaving the air conditioned goodness of the Huawei service center, we explored the stores nearby. Despite Xiaomi’s reputation, we didn’t pass any official Xiaomi-only stores, but the company’s devices are available everywhere, and for very competitive prices.

One such device in particular stood out, which we stumbled upon during a tour of one indoor market. A Xiaomi Mi Mix — the great-looking bezel-less phone — could have been ours for around 3,500 yuan, and that’s before we went into bargaining-mode. That’s about $515, at least $150 less than you’ll pay to import one, if you can still find one on sale.

The real gems are found in cabinets throughout these indoor markets. Apple iPhones of all generations are everywhere, along with assorted Samsung phones; but we also spotted a few Nokia phones — check out the yellow Nokia 1520 in one of the photos — and a massive Xperia Z Ultra. There are old phones, new phones, rugged phones, feature phones, phones we’d never seen before, and even a selection of luxury Vertu phones. It’s a phone-spotter’s dream.

But it was the Vertu phones that set alarm bells ringing, and kept our wallets firmly in our pockets. Walking around the indoor markets, we saw many expensive items, from Vertu phones to Beats headphones, to various big-name watches. Not all are boxed, and most are being sold by distinctly unofficial retailers, for lower-than-expected prices. While we’re sure some are genuine, there’s a strong chance fakes are on sale too, and you needed a cool head and a good eye to spot them.

This didn’t put us off, or detract from the experience. It added to it. The Huaqiangbei commercial street is an intoxicating, exciting shoppers paradise for tech-geeks, and it would take at least a day to explore everything it has to offer. We had just a few hours, and barely scratched the surface.

Online shopping is convenient, but shopping in Shenzhen is exhilarating. There are some days when only that will quell our need for some techy retail therapy.

Jun

The best true wireless earbuds you can buy

Let’s face it: No matter how excellent they may sound, we’re all tired of untangling the wires of our favorite earbuds.

Thankfully, as more and more listeners embrace the lack of a jack, an increasing number of companies have released completely wireless earbuds, pushing listeners towards the wire-free future.

So far, this burgeoning genre isn’t without its fair share of poorly functioning products. Whether it’s short battery life, poor sound, or shoddy connection, there are a number of flawed earbuds you’ll want to avoid. If we’re being completely honest, we’re strong believers that those willing to deal with a single cable between their earbuds will get better performance with halo-style and tethered Bluetooth headphones for a lot less money. That said, if you’re ready to leave the wires — all the wires — behind for good, we’re here to help.

Here are our favorite truly wireless earbuds, ranging from sweat-proof sports buds to basic in-ears.