EV chargers are coming to BP petrol stations this year

With the UK government pledging to ban the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2040, the major fuel giants will need to evolve or face losing a sizeable share of their income to the rising number of alternative energy companies.

We’ve already seen Shell begin installing charging points inside petrol stations in order to satisfy the rising number of EV owners, but it’ll soon be joined by rival BP after it announced that it has invested in electric vehicle charging company FreeWire to bring mobile charging units to a select number of forecorts.

BP has sunk $5 million (£3.53 million) into the EV charging startup. Unlike the fixed terminals you’d find in a traditional charging locations, Freewire’s Mobi units are basically repurposed EV car batteries on wheels. They can be plugged into normal wall outlets, allowing BP to place them where demand is high and not have to overhaul the layout of its forecorts.

“Using FreeWire’s mobile system we can respond very quickly and provide charging facilities at forecourts where we see the greatest demand without needing to make significant investments in today’s fixed technologies and infrastructure,” said Tufan Erginbilgic, CEO of BP Downstream. “The opportunity also to explore options for providing charging services away from our existing retail sites makes FreeWire an ideal partner for BP.”

BP says Freewire units will be deployed in the UK and across Europe throughout 2018. The company is already well established in the US: in 2015 it was chosen to provide Mobi units at LinkedIn’s Mountain View campus. The Microsoft-owned company continues to use its Concierge Charging service today.

Via: Pocket-lint

Source: BP

Apple Supplier Wistron to Explore iPhone 6s Assembly in India Following Plant Expansion

Apple’s main iPhone manufacturer in India is closing in on a land deal in the tech hub of Bengaluru that will see the firm invest around $157 million to assemble iPhone SE and potentially iPhone 6s models on the site, according to Reuters.

Unnamed Indian government officials on Wednesday reportedly confirmed the Taiwanese contractor’s intentions, which could result in its iPhone SE assembly unit taking over about 100 acres in and around the capital of the southern Indian state of Karnataka.

Wistron executives reportedly toured the area in November and met with the industries minister of Karnataka earlier this month, and a deal on the land lease could be struck in a few weeks, according to one of the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity as they are not authorized to publicly comment on the plans.

Another source who spoke to Reuters said Apple will likely begin assembling iPhone 6s models in India soon, using Wistron’s expanding manufacturing capacity in the country, as it looks to cut costs and diversify its production base beyond greater China. Launched over two years ago, the iPhone 6s is still popular in emerging markets because of its affordability relative to Apple’s iPhone 7, iPhone 8, and iPhone X.

Apple sees opportunities to save on import taxes, price phones cheaper and potentially widen its customer base in India if it assembles phones locally. However last month India raised import taxes on electronic goods, which caused Apple to raise the price of most iPhone models there except for iPhone SE.

Apple has sought tax breaks and incentives from the Indian government for months as it looks to expand operations in the country, but despite some positive comments from state officials, no exceptions have yet been made for Apple.

Related Roundup: iPhone SETags: India, WistronBuyer’s Guide: iPhone SE (Don’t Buy), iPhone 8 (Neutral)
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‘Overwatch’ update downgrades Mercy, adds 4K on Xbox One X

After weeks of testing, Blizzard has moved several Overwatch changes from their test servers to the wider gaming population. This new patch brings 4K team shooter action to players on Xbox One X, but the big changes affect two popular characters: Mercy and Junkrat. Both have seen their capabilities downgraded, with the healer Mercy seeing the biggest adjustment in what is just the latest change targeting her Ultimate ability, Resurrect.

Xbox One X 4K support, @Warcraft #BattleForAzeroth pre-purchase goodies, and hero balance updates are here!

Now LIVE on PC, PS4, and Xbox One. https://t.co/0eiXGlS0Mo pic.twitter.com/jmDhf61wFW

— Overwatch (@PlayOverwatch) January 31, 2018

Mercy

• Valkyrie

  • No longer makes Resurrect instant
  • No longer grants a bonus Resurrect charge
  • The speed bonus Guardian Angel receives when activating Valkyrie has been decreased by 50%
  • Duration reduced from 20 seconds to 15 seconds

Junkrat

• Concussion Mine

  • Now will deal less damage to targets farther away from the explosion’s center

The changes take a lot away from Mercy’s ability to resurrect teammates during her Valkyrie ultimate ability by slowing them down (before, with Valkyrie active resurrections happened instantly), shortening its duration and slowing her movement. Meanwhile, Junkrat’s concussion mines need more accurate targeting to do the most damage, preventing players from spamming them in a general direction and getting kills as easily.

A major catalyst for the adjustment is competitively ranked and eSports-level play like the Overwatch League. For more information on why it’s changing so drastically, I can point to an IGN video showing which character pros hate the most, and writer Nico D.’s essays about “Why Does Everyone Hate Mercy.”

Pro gamers who have been critical of the character seem happy with the move, even as regular players who enjoy the character must adjust to life with some new restrictions. eSports site Dexerto points out a number of reactions from league players including the San Francisco Shock’s André ‘iddqd’ Dahlström, who tweeted “Words cannot describe how happy I am. Overwatch is literally playable again.” Still, the change won’t immediately impact league play, and will only be implemented in the “Stage 2” round which begins February 21st.

Words cannot describe how happy I am. Overwatch is literally playable again. Ontop of this I went from r490 to r49 in less than five hours. Unfortunately lost the last two games on stream, but hey – ill take it. Heres one happydqd

— André Dahlström (@iddqd) January 31, 2018

Mercy is dead. Long live Lucio.#blessed

— Jake Lyon (@jakeow) January 30, 2018

when mercy changes go live 🙏 pic.twitter.com/6ClJSZCiNO

— Matthew DeLisi (@super_OW) January 30, 2018

Lucio back? :==)))))

— Benjamin Isohanni (@BigGooseOW) January 30, 2018

well…it depends on meta I think…

— ArK (@Arkyjun) January 31, 2018

Source: Battle.net

Vivaldi Web Browser Gains Vertical Reading Mode, Markdown Support for Notes, and More

Vivaldi web browser for Mac, the spiritual successor to Opera 12, released version 1.14 on Wednesday, introducing an innovative new vertical reader mode, Markdown support, and other notable improvements.

Vivaldi’s Reader View works similar to reading modes in other browsers, allowing users to view content in a clutter-free reading environment where they can change the font, adjust line height, column width and switch to dark or light background.

With the latest update, however, a new vertical reading option can be found in the Reader View settings, allowing Chinese, Japanese and Korean users to read online text in a vertical direction with no distracting page elements.

Moving on, Vivaldi has improved its notes feature, accessed in the browser’s side bar, which lets users annotate websites and attach screenshots while they browse. In 1.14, Markdown support has been introduced, making it possible to easily format note text on the fly while surfing the web.

Elsewhere, the location of individual quick-access Web Panels can now be customized in the browser sidebar, while users are also able to rearrange search engines in the list layout using drag and drop for the most convenient order.

As well as the above updates, newcomers to Vivaldi should check out the app’s in-depth browsing habits overview, which is backed by statistics and visual data, along with its tab stacking and tab tiling features, not to mention an exhaustive set of browser customization options. Vivaldi browser is a free download for Mac available directly from the Vivaldi website.

Tag: Vivaldi
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20 Netflix tips and tricks to make your streaming experience even better

It doesn’t take an engineering degree to use Netflix for its intended purpose. You navigate to the user-friendly website, choose what you want to watch, and in no time flat, you’ve got season 3 of Friends streaming on your computer or TV. Easily said, and even more easily done.

Netflix has reaped massive rewards from this tried-and-true formula, without much need for improvement. The old adage says “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but we believe even Netflix’s excellence can use some enhancing, and we’ve got 20 ways to prove it. From taking advantage of in-depth algorithms to downloading videos for offline viewing, these Netflix tips will help you get the most out of your subscription.

Additionally, take a look at our picks for the best movies on Netflix and the best TV shows on Netflix.

T-Mobile calls on Verizon, AT&T to commit to renewable electricity

On Monday, January 29, T-Mobile announced its plans to move to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2021. The “Un-carrier” is now committing $500,000 to a non-profit that is specifically dedicated to pushing clean energy initiatives. If AT&T and Verizon join in, T-Mobile will triple its total.

A video featuring John Legere, T-Mobile’s CEO and president, urges people to grab the attention of both AT&T and Verizon’s CEOs — Randall Stephenson and Lowell McAdam, respectively — by contacting them. If one of the two carriers commits to 100 percent renewable energy by June 1, then T-Mobile will throw in $100,00. If both carriers commit, then T-Mobile will raise the amount to $1.5 million.

Aside from referring to the two carriers as “dumb and dumber,” Legere also explains that while AT&T and Verizon use enough energy to power 2.6 million homes, only one percent of that energy comes from renewable sources. In order to get them on board with making the commitment to clean power, T-Mobile basically wants you to flood Stephenson and McAdam’s inboxes and social media notifications.

You will be able to do this two different ways. You can head over to Go Green America — an advocacy environmental research organization — and submit a pre-written e-mail to both CEOs stating you believe carriers should take action when it comes to addressing climate change. You can also tag both carriers on social media and use the hashtag “#CleanUpWireless.”

T-Mobile is the first carrier to join RE100, which is a global initiative that includes more than 100 businesses committed to the same cause. This includes tech companies like Google, Apple, Microsoft, Facebook, and more.

To support its commitment, T-Mobile is also backing another wind farm project in Kansas with power generation scheduled to begin in early 2019. The first wind farm project went live back in December and is located in Oklahoma.

Combined, T-Mobile claims both will generate enough energy to meet about 60 percent of the carrier’s total energy needs across the country. The company also has plans to buy more wind power each year in order to reach 100 percent.

While the entire initiative may sound like T-Mobile’s way to gain some good publicity, it does raise awareness when it comes to climate change. Whether or not the campaign sparks a response out of Verizon and AT&T has yet to be seen.

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Michael Kors’ new chatbot helps teach users more about its smartwatches

Last year, luxury brand Michael Kors launched its Access Sofie and Access Grayson smartwatches. Centered around the Access smartwatch collection, the brand has released its first-ever chatbot.

Currently available for Access Sofie — Michael Kors’ smartwatch for women — on Facebook Messenger and Google Assistant, the bot sets out to teach customers more about its features and functionalities. For those who own the watch, you can use chatbot to guide you through the setup process and to give you tips on how to get the most out of using the smartwatch.

The chatbot will be able to show style inspiration that is curated specifically from user-generated content, along with different interchangeable bands you can purchase and pair with the watch. It will also be there to offer FAQ support and if need be, can transfer you to a customer service representative to help with specific questions.

But for those who don’t own the Access Sofie, the chatbot could be of assistance as well. You’re able to explore different styles and purchase it right away or find a Michael Kors location closest to you.

The bot is also capable of guiding you through videos which showcase the watch’s capabilities, and how you will be able to use it on an everyday basis. You will see the different ways you can customize it as well.

Since the Sofie Access smartwatch uses Android Wear, it comes with three micro apps: My Looks, My Social, and My Modes. With My Modes, you can save your favorite watch faces and have them appear automatically at specific times throughout the day.

Further customization allows you to change the colors of the pre-set watch faces whether it’s the hands or the background. The Sofie’s bands are also interchangeable, so you can switch it out for either a leather or mesh option.

In order to activate the chatbot through Facebook Messenger, you have to either scan the QR code, search Michael Kors in Messenger App, or click the “Message Us” button on the Michael Kors Facebook page. It will be available through the Facebook Discover page as well.

As for Google Assistant, you can enable the bot by searching the “Michael Kors Access Smartwatch Chat” via the Google Assistant app. You will also have the voice-activated option.

Editors’ Recommendations

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• Vuzix serves up new ways to get your hands on its cool Blade smartglasses

Alexa now lets you send SMS messages, but you’ll need an Android phone

Amazon looks set to unveil a major new feature with Alexa during the Super Bowl on Sunday, but before that it’s giving its digital assistant yet another talent — the ability to send an SMS message using an Echo device.

Before now, Alexa could help you send text-based messages to people’s smartphones if you have the Amazon Alexa app and an Echo device, but it needed the recipient to also have the same setup.

The new SMS feature is definitely an improvement, but there are still a couple of limitations you’ll need to know about. First, it only works from Android phones, and second, at the current time it’s only available to folks inside the United States. Amazon hasn’t said if it plans to roll it out internationally.

If this is still you, then you can ask Alexa to send an SMS to any of your phone’s contacts. To enable it, open your Alexa app and tap on the “Conversations” icon. Next, select “Contacts” and then “My Profile.” Then it’s simply a case of toggling the “Send an SMS” button.

When you ask Alexa and your Echo device to “send a text message” or “send an SMS,” Amazon’s digital assistant will ask you to name the recipient and then dig out their details from your contacts. If the person isn’t in your contacts, you can simply say the number to which you want to send the message.

A neat touch is that while each message that lands on the recipient’s phone appears in text form, they’ll also have a link you can tap on so they can hear it as well.

Alexa messaging continues to function in the usual way, but if you ask Alexa to send “a message” (as opposed to “a text message” or “an SMS”), it’ll start by trying to push it through to the Alexa app. If the recipient doesn’t have the app, the function will send it as an SMS instead, in which case, carrier charges may apply.

Android smartphone users should find the new feature working now on all Alexa devices that support Alexa calling and messaging. At the current time it doesn’t work on third-party Alexa speakers.

The new functionality is the latest move by Amazon to get you cozying up to Alexa and the Echo devices that it powers, before you have a chance to take notice of similar alternatives.

If you’d like to learn more about how to get the most out the Alexa app on your Android phone, take a moment to check out DT’s informative article on the subject.

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Stable Oreo update is now rolling out to the Nokia 5 and Nokia 6

A month after the beta build went live, the Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 are getting the stable Oreo update.

After announcing the Oreo beta program for the Nokia 5 and Nokia 6 last month, HMD Global is now delivering the stable Oreo build to both devices. HMD’s Chief Product Officer Juho Sarvikas announced on Twitter that the OTA update is now rolling out to both the Nokia 5 and Nokia 6.

Customers that are currently in the beta program will also receive the stable OTA. The update weighs in at 1.8GB, and includes picture-in-picture mode, systemwide autofill, notification dots, faster boot up times, Play Protect branding, and the January 1, 2018 security patch.

Sweeter and Smoother. The #Nokia5 and #Nokia6 are officially joining the #AndroidOreo family. pic.twitter.com/7bbW3j7SOF

— Juho Sarvikas (@sarvikas) January 30, 2018

HMD has raised the bar for other manufacturers when it comes to updates, with the company making good on its word to deliver the Oreo update to its entire portfolio of devices. The entry-level Nokia 3 is yet to make the switch, but the company has announced that an update is “around the corner.”

As always, the rollout will be delivered in phases, so if you don’t see the OTA update on your Nokia 5 or Nokia 6 just yet, hold tight. It should be hitting either device in the coming days.

Already installed the Oreo update on your Nokia 5 or Nokia 6? Let us know how you’re liking the new features in the comments below.

Essential Phone skips Android Oreo 8.0 due to stability issues

Android phonemaker Essential is skipping over Android Oreo 8.0 despite running a beta program for the platform these past two months. Apparently, it discovered several stability issues in 8.0 during testing, which it believes will be addressed by 8.1. So, instead of rolling out 8.0 to the public, the company has decided to “focus [its] energy” on its successor. The downside is that it will push back Oreo’s release to the Andy Rubin-designed Essential phones a few weeks, but those who can’t wait that long can alway sign up for 8.1’s beta release.

In its announcement, Essential said it’s launching a beta program for Oreo 8.1 to be able to fine-tune the build with the help of users’ feedback. Interested users will have to have enough tech savvy to be able to install the platform, and they can also expect to deal with bugs until the stable release. Essential didn’t reveal when the beta will be available, so those who’d like to take part in the testing program will just have to wait for more info.

An update on the public release of Oreo: pic.twitter.com/fPJRtX7kvY

— Essential (@essential) January 30, 2018

Source: Essential Phone (Twitter)