Elon Musk promises Model 3 safety changes after crash report

Tesla has an excellent reputation for safety and it looks like the Model 3 is just as solid as its other EVs — but it still needs a few tweaks. Reddit user “Model 3 Crash Dummy” managed to walk away from an accident that totaled his car, despite the fact that “the paramedics said I should be dead,” he wrote. However, he also reported that his passenger’s arm hit the center display, breaking it and cutting her arm, while also de-activating the glove box. Elon Musk heard about this, however, and promised hardware and software updates to fix the problem.

Despite the screen issue, the driver was convinced that he was far better off in the Tesla 3 than any gas-powered car. “The car is totaled but I am fine, my right ankle is swollen from hitting the gas pedal but i can still walk fine. Had this been a regular ICE vehicle I would be dead or in a lot worse condition. Everyone from the paramedics to the tow truck driver said that people don’t usually walk away from this. I already put in another model 3 reservation,” he wrote on Reddit.

Adding software feature to open glovebox automatically when car comes to a stop after a crash. Will look at bonding a thin plastic sheet to the front or back of screen.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 16, 2018

The driver was grateful, but did point out one potential shortcoming. “My only complaint about this car is that during the crash my passenger’s arm hit the screen and shattered it which prevented me from opening the glove box [with the] title and insurance. Needs a manual option. Also my passenger got a pretty big cut on her arm.”

Musk heard about the matter from Teslarati and said Tesla would take action via software and possibly hardware fixes. “Adding software feature to open glovebox automatically when car comes to a stop after a crash. Will look at bonding a thin plastic sheet to the front or back of screen,” he said.

The center screen has always been contentious, mostly because it displays speeds and other critical info off to the side, pulling your eyes away from the road. However, the fact that not it’s integrated into the dash (unlike on the Toyota Prius, which also has an off-center display) and protrudes into the cabin a bit may be another potential safety issue.

Image: Reddit user -Model 3 Crash Dummy

Source: Reddit

iDevices Launches HomeKit-Compatible Wireless ‘Instant Switch’

iDevices today announced the launch of the latest product in its smart home lineup, the iDevices Instant Switch. The Instant Switch is a simple wireless wall switch that’s designed to attach to a surface using adhesive, so there’s no tricky installation required.

The Instant Switch, which was first announced at CES 2017, is designed to work with existing iDevices HomeKit products using a Bluetooth connection, providing an additional method of control. According to iDevices, the Instant Switch can be paired to a hard-wired iDevices Wall or Dimmer Switch to create a three or four-way control configuration, for example.

You can attach the Instant Switch to a wall or another surface using a 3M Command Strip, and it can be placed anywhere in the home. iDevices recommends using it in hard-to-reach locations, because no drilling or rewiring is required. A built-in user-replaceable battery is included, so power isn’t needed.

If you don’t want to use adhesive, the Instant Switch can also be fitted to any standard rocker faceplate because it’s been designed to mimic a permanently installed light switch.

The new iDevices Instant Switch can be purchased from the iDevices website or Amazon.com for $34.95 starting today.

Tags: HomeKit, iDevices
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Uber hopes to win back London with a 24/7 helpline

When Transport for London (TfL) refused to renew Uber’s operating license last September, issues with safety were among the primary reasons for the regulator’s decision. Specifically, TfL wasn’t enamored with how Uber reported serious offenses and conducted driver backgrounds checks, showing a lack of corporate responsibility. Since then, Uber’s been keen to win TfL over, recently imposing limits on how long drivers can work without taking a break — forced downtime of a similar nature has just been implemented for US drivers, too. Today, Uber has announced another raft of changes intended to make its service safer and curry favor with London’s transport regulator.

“After listening to feedback from drivers, riders, local regulators and the police we’re introducing a number of new features and changes to enhance driver and passenger safety,” said Tom Elvidge, Uber’s general manager in the UK. “We’re determined to change the way we do business, so we’ll carry on listening and plan to make other improvements over the coming months,” he added.

As you’d imagine, Uber has had dealings with the police in the past, but the way it reports serious incidents is changing. Uber will now forward major complaints from passengers onto the police automatically, and it’ll do the same for drivers with their consent, rather than encouraging them to go to the police directly. This has already been implemented in London, and the plan is to make this standard procedure across the UK once the finer details have been worked out with regional forces. Uber says it’s also conducting a review of past incidents “to ensure there are no outstanding issues.”

In addition to the information passengers already receive on drivers through the app, their private hire license number and issuing authority will be added to that list next month. This is being introduced so users can easily contact the license issuer with any complaints, as well as Uber. Later this year, Uber will also be launching a 24/7 telephone support line for both drivers and users so they can actually speak to someone instead of raising complaints and queries through the app. Uber actually resisted this in the past despite TfL calling it “an important safety requirement,” arguing that black cabs aren’t expected to have a centralized helpline.

Uber’s also using this opportunity to reiterate it recently expanded the trip-sharing feature to drivers, and to voice support for a single private hire license database. The ride-hailing service says it’s working closer with local councils to identify drivers who were refused a license by one authority but approved elsewhere. Uber says it’d like to see draft legislation that’s proposing a national register make it into law.

With these changes, Uber is hoping to get back into TfL’s good books by showing passenger and driver safety is a priority. While it appeals the revocation of its London license, Uber is still permitted to operate in the capital, and it’s thought the legal process could take years. That buys time for Uber to satisfy TfL outside the courtroom, but it might end up being a cat and mouse game. Just yesterday, TfL announced some new proposals that could end up being official private hire regulations in the future. One that’s particularly relevant to UberPool ride-shares stood out: “Operators should provide mechanisms to allow passengers to choose who they share vehicles with (e.g. women-only vehicles) and establishing how passengers might be able to decide on this before accepting a ride.”

At this stage, it’s just a loose idea, but Uber might want to start investigating the feasibility of such a feature so it’s not always playing catch-up.

Danish E-Commerce Payment Provider Clearhaus Announces Support for Apple Pay

Danish acquirer Clearhaus today announced support for Apple Pay, bringing Apple’s mobile payment platform to over 5,000 Nordic online merchants who use the e-commerce payment institution.

In October 2017, Apple Pay was introduced to Sweden, Denmark, and Finland, where top Nordic banks like Nordea, Jyske Bank, Edenred, N26, and ST1 quickly adopted the digital wallet system, allowing physical stores across the region to accept contactless payments with iOS devices.

Online payment gateway solutions and acquirers like Clearhaus, which has 20 percent of the market share in Denmark, have since been following suit.

“The emergence of mobile-friendly payment technology like Apple Pay proves that consumer behavior is changing – and webshops will need to adapt quickly. It’s an easy, secure payment method, with the fastest checkout in the market today. That’s why we have cooperated with our partner, QuickPay to bring Apple Pay to over 5,000 webshops in the Nordics.”

Clearhaus serves 7,500 merchants in 33 countries across Europe with secure payment solutions for accepting Visa and Mastercard online.

Related Roundup: Apple PayTags: Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Clearhaus
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Google Maps for iOS Gains Quick-Access Traffic, Transit, and Local Info Tabs

Google has updated its iOS Maps app with three new quick-access options that Android users have had access to for over a year now. The new tabs sit across the bottom of the home screen and are called Explore, Driving, and Transit.

Swiping up on the shortcuts reveals further details. For example, in Explore users can find a description of the local area, dining choices, and options to search for gas stations, ATMs, convenience stores, drug stores, and other amenities.

The driving tab provides a traffic summary for the area, including information on possible delays that might add time onto a commute. This tab will also include current ETAs for the user’s home and work addresses if they are saved in the app’s settings. Finally, the transit tab offers estimated bus and train schedules at stations in the vicinity.

Google Maps can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Tags: Google, Google Maps
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White House also blames Russia for NotPetya attacks

The White House has officially joined the UK government in blaming Russia for last year’s NotPetya attacks. Shortly after the UK publicly accused Kremlin of unleashing the wiper worm on various organizations around the globe, particularly in Ukraine, White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders issued the administration’s formal statement. She called the NotPetya attacks reckless and indiscriminate and warned that they will be met with “international consequences.”

“In June 2017, the Russian military launched the most destructive and costly cyber-attack in history.

The attack, dubbed “NotPetya,” quickly spread worldwide, causing billions of dollars in damage across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. It was part of the Kremlin’s ongoing effort to destabilize Ukraine and demonstrates ever more clearly Russia’s involvement in the ongoing conflict. This was also a reckless and indiscriminate cyber-attack that will be met with international consequences.”

NotPetya was a wiper worm that invaded companies’ and government agencies’ computers in the Ukraine, the US, parts of Asia, Europe, Australia and even Russia itself in 2017. It was disguised as a ransomware, presumably so that the media would cover it as a follow-up to the WannaCry ransomware, which infected over 200,000 computers all over the globe and also caused hundreds of millions to billions of dollars in damages. In the end, security researchers determined that NotPetya is a wiper designed to overwrite data.

Press Secretary Sanders didn’t elaborate on what those international consequences would be, but a senior White House official told Reuters that the administration is already “reviewing a range of options.” As for Russia’s response, well, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov already denied the allegations even before the White House issued its statement.

Source: Reuters, Ars Technica

Coinbase promises refunds after repeatedly charging crypto fees

A number of Coinbase customers found themselves hit with duplicate charges for a single card-based purchase over the past few days. Some even reported losing tens of thousands after being charged 17, even 50, times. In a blog post updating customers about the situation, the cryptocurrency exchange has promised to “ensure that each affected customer will be refunded in full for any erroneous charge.” The company said that after conducting an internal investigation, it has determined that the problem was a result of Visa reversing and then recharging transactions. As you know, it usually takes a while for both debit and credit card refunds to show up.

In a tweet elaborating on the results of its investigation, Coinbase said that Visa payments on its website glitched, because the credit card network has changed the Merchant Category Code (MCC) for digital currency purchases. The new code apparently allows credit card providers to treat cryptocurrency buys as “cash advance” in order to charge additional fees. A Coinbase staff member revealed the code change in a Reddit post in early February, shortly before a bunch of banks decided to ban digital coin purchases using credit cards. The banks cited cryptocurrency’s volatile nature and the risks associated with it as the reason behind the ban.

Visa, however, denied that it’s to blame for the incidents. Its official statement published by CNET reads:

“Visa has not made any systems changes that would result in the duplicate transactions that are being reported. We are also not aware of any other merchants who are experiencing this issue. We are reaching out to this merchant’s acquiring financial institution to offer assistance and to ensure cardholders are protected from unauthorized transactions.”

Regardless of who’s at fault, Coinbase VP Dan Romero said it’s “working closely with Visa to ensure affected customers are being refunded as soon as possible.” The company will also contact customers who made transactions over the past few weeks to make sure they check their banks and CC statements. On Twitter, the exchange revealed that it’s working with major credit card networks to create a brand new MCC for cryptocurrency purchases — one that won’t charge customers additional cash advance fees.

2/ Over the last few months, large banks and card issuers requested that card networks change the MCC for purchases of digital currency. Visa changed the MCC for digital currency purchases to a code that allows large banks and card issuers to charge consumers additional fees.

— Coinbase (@coinbase) February 16, 2018

4/ If you have been affected by any erroneous charges associated with purchases of digital currency with credit and debit cards, we are encouraging customers to contact their bank or card issuer and ask about the charges. In addition, please contact Coinbase support.

— Coinbase (@coinbase) February 16, 2018

Via: CNET

Source: Coinbase

Snow-C is the down jacket that wirelessly charges your smartphone

Keeping your smartphone charged while on the go is a constant challenge. Sure, you can carry a portable battery pack around with you, but running a cable to your mobile device can get awkward and unwieldy, which makes us wonder why someone hasn’t come up with a way to wirelessly provide a charge instead. As it turns out, a new jacket that recently launched on Kickstarter promises to do that very thing.

At first glance, the Snow-C looks like just about any other down jacket you might find someone wearing outside in cold weather. It features 90 percent down insulation to provided added warmth and it is designed to be lightweight and highly packable, making it easy to stuff into a backpack or suitcase when traveling. It is also wind-resistant and features a durable water-resistant coating to help keep moisture at bay, too.

But take a look inside the jacket and you’ll find some useful technology too. For instance, the Snow-C actually has a pocket that is compatible with smartphones that support wireless charging, including the iPhone 8, 8+, and X, as well as all Nexus and Samsung phones released after 2012.

The wireless charging pocket is located on the chest of the Snow-C. It includes a flexible charger embedded right in the fabric which is activated automatically when a compatible phone is placed inside. The charger connects to an included 3,000 mAh battery pack., although customers can plug in their own larger models. The battery is stored in a small pocket that is designed to make it as unobtrusive as possible.

The developers of the Snow-C are looking to raise $12,000 to get the jacket into production and are currently a little more than halfway to that goal with a few days left in the campaign. If they do manage to raise the necessary funds, the down coat is expected to go into production later this year and begin shipping to customers in August. When it does go up for sale, it is expected to sell for about $300, although early bird supporters can still reserve one for $149.

As always customers are advised to take caution when backing any crowdfunded project.

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Nomad Wireless Charging Hub review

Wireless charging pads make life more convenient, but with a majority of Americans owning multiple mobile devices, there’s a good chance you still have a tangle of charging cables cluttering up your desk or nightstand. The Nomad Wireless Charging Hub is the perfect solution to your charging cable clutter, with a capable wireless charging pad and enough USB ports to charge all your devices.

Simple yet thoughtful design

At five inches across and nearly one and a half inches thick, the Nomad Wireless Charging Hub is bulky, looking like an oversized hockey puck. While it’s definitely not as attractive as some other wireless chargers like the Grovemade Wireless Charging Pad, it blends in well and it’s unobtrusive.

The hub owes much of its heft to the stainless steel inserts that sit inside the thick polycarbonate shell. A rubber bumper wraps around the diameter of the hub to prevent scuffs and scratches. The bumper is a nice feature, but it reminds us of the RavPower Wireless Charging Pad, specifically as to how much dust it collects.

Steven Winkelman/Digital Trends

The top of the hub is where you’ll find the wireless charging pad. With a 7.5W output, it provides the fastest charging the most recent iPhones can take, though it doesn’t charge phones like the Samsung Galaxy S8 as quickly since it can accept 9W. Although there is a rubber ring around the charging coil to prevent slips, our devices did slip around the pad a little. You just need to be a little careful how you place your phone on the pad.

The Nomad Wireless Charging Hub is the perfect solution to your charging cable clutter.

There are also five small LED lights on the top of the hub that serve as charging indicators for each of the USB ports as well as the wireless charging pad. It’s easy to tell when each device is fully charged as the respective light for each port changes from orange to white. If you’re worried about the lights keeping you awake at night, you’ll be happy to know Nomad hid an ambient light sensor on the front of the hub so the LEDs turn off in a dark room.

Flip the hub over, and you’ll get access to four USB charging ports. The ports are oriented vertically, and the cables neatly come out in one opening at the back. There’s one 3A USB-C port that should provide fast charging for both the iPhone X and iPhone 8, as well as Android devices with Qualcomm Quick Charge technology.

In addition to the USB-C port, the hub has a 2.4A USB-A port for tablets, and two additional 1A USB-A ports for smartphones or smartwatches. In short, the hub can easily handle all of your devices with room to spare.

Charging speed

We tested the wireless charging capabilities with an iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy S8, attempting to see how long it would take for the phones to go from 0 to 50 percent. While the Galaxy S8 has a larger battery than the iPhone X, both devices charged to 50 percent in about an hour and 45 minutes. We didn’t feel any noticeable heat from the phones while on the pad.

With the USB-C port, it took about 43 minutes to charge the Galaxy S8 from 0 to 50 percent. With the 1A USB-A port we got to 50 percent in about 95 minutes. The difference in charging time between the 1A and 2.4A USB-A ports was negligible, about four minutes faster on the latter.

Steven Winkelman/Digital Trends

The Nomad Wireless Charging Hub sells for $80, but you get a lot of bang for your buck. Grovemade’s charging pad is the same price, but it only offers wireless charging. Mophie and Belkin’s wireless chargers go for $60, and they too only offer the capability to wirelessly charge one device. Sure, the Nomad charger doesn’t support 10W wireless charging, but the extra ports adds to the convenience of wireless charging.

If your charging needs are limited to one smartphone, you may be better off purchasing the RavPower Wireless Charging Pad. It offers an output of 10 watts, and is about $40 cheaper. If you’re looking for a charging solution that will help you charge multiple devices and keep your charging cables tidy, the Nomad Wireless Charging Hub is hard to beat.

DT Editors’ Rating: 4.5/5

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Sleep Cycle app for Android will soon allow users to track sleep using sound

Android users who rely on the Sleep Cycle app to track sleep patterns will soon no longer have to keep their devices in bed with them in order to use the app. As of February 22, a new update will allow it to track sleep using sound, which means users can place it on their nightstands instead.

When being used, the Sleep Cycle app tracks your sleep patterns and then wakes you up during light sleep.  This then helps you wake up feeling naturally rested rather than having to use an alarm clock.

Even though it’s a new capability for Android, the technology has been around for quite some time on the iOS app. For Android users, they’ve so far only had the option of placing the device on their mattress. While the iOS app won’t be receiving any updates, a new Apple Watch release is set for March 1.

The Sleep Cycle alarm clock utilizes your smartphone’s microphone as well as machine learning, to identify and track your movements in bed. The algorithm listens in on sounds such as bed sheets moving, while also filtering out any sounds that aren’t specifically caused from the user’s movements while asleep. This is part of the app’s patented technology which allows users to track sleep without their smartphone’s accelerometer.

The app will then analyze the data collected from users’ sleep, record the findings, and wake you up during the lightest sleep phase by using a predefined 30-minute alarm window. Other features include access to nightly sleep reports and sleep graphs, the ability to track long-term sleep trends, and more.

Sleep Cycle also has customizable options to choose from such as different alarm melodies to choose as a wake-up sound, and you can also choose your wake-up window which ranges from instant to 90 minutes. With its “Sleep notes” feature, it can track how different factors like drinking coffee, eating too much, or dealing with stress can affect the quality of your sleep.

Aside from helping to analyze your sleep patterns, using the Sleep Cycle app means you also don’t have to wear a device to bed — which can be uncomfortable at times. Since you can use it while it’s on your nightstand or even the floor, it means you can simultaneously charge your phone throughout the night too.

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