Google co-founder’s self-flying taxi takes flight in New Zealand

So-called “flying cars” have come a long way since 2011 when this Russian guy stuck a pair of wings on the side of his own aging motor before screaming down the runway (at 60 mph) and hoping for the best. Remarkably, the contraption flew for 180 meters, though it could only reach an altitude of 3 meters.

While the then 72-year-old driver of that 1987 ZAZ Tavria car likely invested much of his retirement money in his pet project, some far bigger beasts with much deeper pockets have since entered the race to build a truly viable “flying taxi” for short city hops as well as longer rides.

One of those with a dream of creating such a flying machine is Google co-founder Larry Page. He’s been lending support to the development of the Kitty Hawk Flyer, an ultralight electric aircraft that’s essentially a large octocopter with a seat and steering controls. But this week we learned that the team behind the Flyer has a far more ambitious design in the works — Cora.

The cool-looking two-seat machine features 12 wing-mounted rotors to enable vertical take-off and landing, and a large pusher-prop to help it fly like a regular airplane.

Cora, which was unveiled this week and is currently undergoing flight tests in New Zealand, is fully electric and autonomous. It can carry up to two passengers, has a reported range of 60 miles, and a top speed of 93 mph. Operating with a noise level far below that of a helicopter and without the need of a runway, the aircraft could take off and land in busy urban settings without causing any great disruption to people in the vicinity.

The plan is to use Cora for a commercial flying taxi service in New Zealand, launching before 2022. The antipodean nation has been chosen because of its more relaxed approach to regulation for such projects, and the development of vehicles like Cora will help the country toward its ambition of net zero emissions by 2050.

The team behind Cora is led by Kitty Hawk CEO Sebastian Thrun. He’s one of the folks who helped launch Google’s autonomous car unit — today called Waymo — and who recently hit the headlines for a new “flying car” nanodegree course at online education outfit Udacity.

“We know the technology [for a flying taxi] is feasible because we are already doing it,” Thrun said in a video (above) highlighting his latest project.

There’s certainly plenty happening in the flying-taxi space just now. Last month we saw the first test flight of the Airbus-backed Vahana self-piloting air taxi, and also learned more about EHang’s progress with its 184 flying machine. Uber is developing its own aerial vehicle, too, while Joby Aviation and Volocopter are working on their own vehicles with an eye on an airborne taxi service.

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Spring is the season to buy a new laptop

There are good times and bad times to buy a laptop — and this spring happens to be a good one. It’s not necessarily when you’re going to get all the best deals, but when it comes to the quality and selection of laptops that are out there, spring is one of the very best times to invest in a new laptop that’ll stay with you for the next few years.

The biggest laptops from CES are about to launch

CES (Consumer Electronics Show) is the biggest tech trade show of the year, and it’s usually when we see everything new in the world of laptops. All the biggest companies are there — Dell, HP, Lenovo, and Asus — all showing off flagships devices for the new year.

Waiting until spring is good way to ensure that most new laptops are up to date.

This year’s show debuted highly anticipated laptops such as the new Dell XPS 13, which tops our list of the best laptops you can buy. We also saw the HP Spectre x360 15, which comes with interesting new technology like Intel G-Series CPU with AMD Vega graphics, a combination that should offer solid everyday performance with a great gaming experience. Spring also falls just after MWC (Mobile World Congress). It’s a tech conference that’s focused more on smartphones, but a few significant laptops still appear at that show every February. With both of these conferences out of the way, you’re free to research and buy a laptop without worrying that it’s about to be replaced by a newer model.

The reason why that’s important is that unlike smartphones, which are renewed every year (and purchased every year), laptops last quite a long time, and updates to laptops are often much more incremental in comparison to match that product cycle.

That longer product cycle can make it much more difficult to keep track of what’s out there when you buy. The 2017 and 2016 MacBook Pro look identical, for example, but the former has a better processor. Buying a laptop just isn’t as easy as choosing between the Galaxy S8 or the Galaxy S9, but waiting until spring is good way to ensure that most new laptops are up to date.

Intel just launched new hardware

The computer industry is built around the CPUs that power them. Each year, Intel brings out the next generation of its processors, slowly rolling out over the course months. For example, even though we’ve been reviewing laptops with 8th-gen processors for almost six months at this point, there are a whole set of them that haven’t even been released yet.

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

By spring, however, most laptops that you’ll consider for purchase have a new 8th-gen processor. Purchasing a laptop with the most current generation of CPU is not only important because of the extra speed and power you get, but also for future-proofing purposes. Unlike many of the other components of a laptop — the display, the RAM, or even the graphics card — your processor can outdate your computer within just a couple of years.

A quick tip for knowing whether or not your laptop’s CPU is up to date. The number that starts the string of numbers is the one to watch. The Core i5-8250U is an 8th-gen processor, while the Core i5-7200U is a 7th-gen.

With all that considered, rest assured that if you go out and buy a laptop in the spring, you’re going to enjoy a top-of-the-line laptop that isn’t about to be replaced by a new model for a while — just make sure you do your research first.

Gaming-focused Logitech G560 may be most immersive computer speakers ever

Products with the Logitech G label — one of four brands under the Logitech umbrella, focused on equipment for gamers — aren’t always “cool,” even if they’re good. Last August, the company released a gaming mouse and keyboard with ordinary designs, eschewing flashy lights and futuristic builds altogether.

The new G560 speakers, however, are built with both style and substance. The 2.1-channel system includes a downward-firing subwoofer and two custom-tuned satellite speakers, each of which are outfitted with two RGB LED zones — one facing backward, intended to splay onto the wall behind your PC, and one that shines behind the grille in front.

The G560 support DTS:X Ultra surround sound imaging (which you can toggle on and off), and reach a peak of 240 watts. You can connect via USB, 3.5mm aux, or Bluetooth (you can connect two devices simultaneously via Bluetooth). The “G” key on the satellite speakers can control macros if you set them up in the Logitech G software; by default, the button adjusts LED brightness.

The G560 are designed with an open software development kit (SDK), which means game developers can actually program in scenes based upon events that happen in-game. For example, Epic Games has already built in support for its ultra-popular Fortnite Battle Royale,  so when players find themselves caught in “the storm,” all of the lights will immediately turn purple, immersing the player further into the experience. Developers can use this kit to transform the lights into indicators for health bars, ammo counts, or pretty much anything else you can think up.

That might sound limiting — after all, you can’t expect every game studio to implement such features — but the G560 have some neat tricks to improve your experience with other games, too. The software allows you to choose between five different color effects, including “audio visualizer” (which works with any audio source) and “screen sampler,” an awesome mode that allows you to select four different rectangular areas on your screen and assign those areas to the four RGB zones. The software will then pull whatever color appears most in a given area and change the LED colors accordingly. So, if your character is wandering through a forest, your lights will shine green — even if the developer hasn’t utilized the SDK.

The G560 are available for pre-order as of March 15, and will begin shipping later in the month. They retail for $200.

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Xiaomi’s Mi Body Composition Scale makes its way to India for ₹1,999

Xiaomi’s smart scale uses 10 data points to accurately measure your body composition.

Xiaomi said back at the launch of the Redmi Note 5 Pro that it would bring more ecosystem products to India this year. I’m personally excited because Xiaomi makes a lot of great lifestyle products and having to buy them locally is significantly easier than importing them from China.

The latest product from the Mi Ecosystem series to make its debut in India is the Mi Body Composition Scale. This is the second-generation smart scale, and it uses 10 data points to accurately measure your body composition. It details your muscle mass, BMI, bone mass, weight, body fat, visceral fat, basal metabolism, and the total amount of fluid in your body to give you an overall body score.

Xiaomi says the scale uses “complex algorithms” in conjunction with Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis to analyze your body score, and it can store profiles for various members of your family (it can store up to 16 profiles). It syncs the data over Bluetooth to the Mi Fit app, and you can get an overview of your weight as well as other metrics from within the app.

The scale itself is made out of ABS plastic with a polished glass coating on the top, and there are stainless steel electrode pads that are used to measure the muscle mass and BMI. The glass coating gets an anti-slip finish to ensure you don’t slide off the scale even when your feet are wet.

It works off of four AAA batteries, which are included in the box, and Xiaomi touts a battery life of over eight months. I’ve been using the first-generation smart scale for over a year now, and it works flawlessly. The ability to sync with Mi Fit is the standout feature, and the added metrics on offer with the Mi Body Composition Scale make it much better.

If you’re interested, you can get your hands on Xiaomi’s smart scale for just ₹1,999 from its website. Who’s looking to pick one up?

See at Mi India

Logitech adds what gaming speakers were missing: synchronized lights

Logitech G’s latest PC speakers aren’t just focused on sounding good — they can also create a light show around your desk. The company’s new G560 speakers come equipped with four RGB LED lighting zones, which can display around 16.8 million colors. And with Logitech’s LIGHTSYNC technology, they can also synchronize with what you’re seeing on screen, or the music you’re listening to. While extensive lighting might seem like an odd feature for a set of desktop speakers, they fit right into the latest PC gaming trend: the more LEDs, the better.

The G560 ($200) are a 2.1 system delivering 240 Watts of peak power, and 120 Watts RMS (its average output capability). While Logitech has been making high-quality PC speakers for years (I was an early adopter of its popular Z-680 line), this is the first set to come from the company’s gaming division. They also pack in DTS:X Ultra technology to simulate surround sound. With the popularity of headphones and 2.1 systems today, gamers are less interested in full 5.1 setups, Logitech representatives told us.

Technically, the G560 are an evolution of the MX Sound speakers Logitech launched last Fall. They feature a similar design: two round satellites held up with a small notch on the side. The previous system was just a 2.0 setup though — the new entry adds a huge downward-firing subwoofer for some thumping bass. You’ll be able to connect up to four devices to the G560 at once with USB, the 3.5mm jack and Bluetooth.

But back to that crazy lighting. While they’re not the first gaming speakers to feature colorful LEDs (Razer’s Nommo uses them far less dramatically), the G560 are the first set we’ve seen that can completely change the ambiance of your room. It’s reminiscent of Philips’ Ambilight technology and its upcoming Hue color matching feature. Together with Logitech’s Gaming Software, the LIGHTSYNC technology will match the colors of what you’re seeing on screen, even if you’re looking at a movie. Game developers can also integrate the tech in various ways. If you’re low on health, for example, they could flash red to give you a heads up.

During a brief demonstration with a few songs and games, the G560 delivered a clear and large soundscape, with impressive bass. And while I was skeptical of the LIGHTSYNC technology at first, I could see it being genuinely useful for some gamers. I’ve grown to love bias lighting on my OLED TV, which helps to reduce eyestrain. I could see Logitech’s technology having a similar effect.

Logitech G is also bringing LIGHTSYNC to its new G513 mechanical keyboard ($150). The company claims its latest switches respond 25 percent faster than competitors, something that serious gamers will likely appreciate. The Romer-G Tactile switch will deliver “soft tactile feedback,” while the Romer-G Linear offers a smoother feel. The keyboard will sport an aluminum top, as well as a USB passthrough port for connecting other devices.

The G560 speakers and the G513 keyboard will both be available in April.

Qualcomm adds Tobii’s eye-tracking tech to its mobile VR kit

Tobii’s eye-tracking tech was such a great fit for virtual reality that taking it for a spin at CES 2018 ruined every headset without its capabilities for Engadget editor Devindra Hardawar. Now, Tobii has teamed up with Qualcomm to create an updated version of the chipmaker’s Snapdragon 845 Mobile VR Platform. Unlike the rather underwhelming design we tested in February, the development kit’s new version will come loaded with Tobii’s eye-tracking tech.

That means future head-mounted displays (HMDs) based on Qualcomm’s standalone headset kit will feature more efficient foveated rendering. Since they can tell where you’re looking, they’ll be able to dedicate most of their graphics power to make that part of the experience as sharp and clear as possible. They can even downgrade graphics on parts of the screen you’re not looking at, which could lead to systems with lower specs and lower price tags.

Eye tracking will also make experiences more personal and interactive. Avatars and in-game characters could look at you when you look at them, which could make interactions in VR social networks much more enjoyable. Games that require hand-eye coordination (shooting, bowling, etc.) could feel more intuitive and realistic, as well.

Tobii’s partnership with a tech giant like Qualcomm could make eye-tracking in VR more commonplace. In the future, as Tobii chief Henrik Eskilsson told us, manufacturers might even see the technology as a requirement for VR headsets.

Logitech Releases New G560 Gaming Speaker System With Lights That Sync to Games and Movies

Logitech’s G brand today announced the launch of a new gaming speaker, the G560. While primarily designed for gaming PCs, the G560 Gaming Speaker has unique features that may also be appealing to Mac users.

The G560, which features two light-up speakers and a subwoofer, is the first of Logitech’s gaming speaker systems to come equipped with Logitech G Lightsync, designed to synchronize light and sounds to gameplay, movies, music, and more for a more immersive experience.

With Lightsync support, the lights built into the speaker can light up while you’re playing games that have implemented the Lightsync API to add ambiance to gameplay. Many game developers have added support for Lightsync and have custom chosen the colors that will be displayed during various aspects of the gameplay. Supported games include Dota 2, Final Fantasy XIV, Fortnite, Grand Theft Auto V, and more.

Developer-supported Lightsync options are mainly for PCs, but Lightsync also works based solely on the colors on your display. Using the screen sampling tool in Logitech’s Gaming Software for Mac, you can tie the lights to four different zones of your Mac’s display, so while you’re playing a game or watching a movie, the G560 lights will light up with colors that are linked to whatever colors are in the media you’re using.

If you’re watching a colorful movie, for example, the colors of the movie will be reflected through the G560’s lights, and the same is true for when you’re playing a game. If you’re playing music, you can also set the lights to change in time with the beat of the music, and colors can be customized using Logitech’s app. The lights support 16.8 million colors and several animation effects, and sound can be customized using a detailed equalizer tool.

According to Logitech, the G560 offers “amazing sound” with 240 Watts Peak/120 Watts RMS power, making it suitable for all kinds of media on PC and Mac. On PCs, it also includes DTS:X Ultra 1.0 support for precise positional audio.

Along with these features, the G560 supports Logitech’s Easy-Switch technology, which allows you to connect several devices to the speaker at once and then switch between them. You can connect one USB device, one device through the 3.5mm input, and two Bluetooth devices at the same time. So, for example, you could connect your Mac, your iPhone, and your iPad to the speakers and then easily swap between them, allowing you to use the G560 with all of your devices.

Logitech’s new G560 Gaming Speaker will be available for purchase from retailers around the world starting in April of 2018. It will be priced at $199.99, and it will be sold alongside the new $150 G513 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, which also supports Lightsync.

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Apple Allegedly Suspends iPhone Production at Assembly Plant Over Use of Unauthorized Parts

Apple supplier Wistron has dismissed a report claiming operations at its China-based iPhone production plant have been suspended by Apple for alleged use of “unauthorized components”.

Taiwan’s Chinese-language Commercial Times reported on Thursday that Apple ordered Wistron to halt production of iPhone 8 Plus handsets at its plant in Kunshan, China for two weeks pending a probe into alleged use of water-proof components from a supplier not certified by Apple. Wistron penalized several high-level executives in an attempt to regain Apple’s trust, according to the report.

In a morning filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange this morning, Wistron said it wouldn’t comment on matters between specific clients and denied there had been a “two-week production suspension as reported”, maintaining that operations remained “completely normal”. Wistron shares dropped on the report by more than 5 percent during early TSE trading, before recovering to close at NT$26.50, down by NT$0.45.

Wistron provides Apple with a smaller portion of iPhone 8 Plus models compared to rival supplier Foxconn, which makes up to 80 percent of the handsets, although Wistron has recently emerged as Apple’s principal iPhone manufacturer in India.

The Taiwanese firm has reportedly invested around $157 million to build a new assembly unit in the tech hub of Bengaluru, where it plans to manufacture iPhone SE and potentially iPhone 6s models for the Indian market.

(Via DigiTimes.)

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Google Maps Adds ‘Wheelchair Accessible’ Routes to Transit Navigation in Several Cities

Google Maps today announced the availability of new “wheelchair accessible” routes in its transit navigation directions for several cities around the world, recognizing that using trains and buses can present challenges for people who use wheelchairs or have other mobility needs.

Information about which stations and routes are wheelchair friendly isn’t always readily available or easy to find. To make public transit work for everyone, today we’re introducing “wheelchair accessible” routes in transit navigation to make getting around easier for those with mobility needs.

To access the new “wheelchair accessible” routes in the Google Maps app, enter a desired destination, tap Directions, select the public transportation icon, and then tap Options. The new route type can be found under the Routes section.

After selecting the “wheelchair accessible” option, Maps’ directions list routes that take mobility needs into consideration, such as if a transit station has accessible stops, platforms, entrances, and exits.

Google says the feature is rolling out across London, Tokyo, Mexico City, Boston, and Sydney, with other major metropolitan transit centers around the world to follow.

In addition to the new feature, Google has been updating its Street View imagery of transit stations and city centers to allow users to preview locations ahead of time. Google says it hopes the expanded coverage will make life easier not only for people who use wheelchairs, but also for anyone who’s using crutches or pushing a stroller.

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

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Forks not required: Pi Day celebrates our favorite infinite number

Quick! Get out your favorite circular objects to celebrate Pi Day!

As the math and science enthusiasts among us already know, March 14 (i.e. 3/14) is officially Pi Day — a day to celebrate the number Pi, identified by the Greek letter π, which is used to calculate the circumference of a circle.

Due to its length, Pi is typically shortened to 3.14. But because the number is both irrational and transcendental, it “will continue indefinitely without repeating,” as the official Pi Day website kindly explains.

With the use of handy computers, Pi now calculates out to more than one trillion digits beyond the decimal. The very mysterious nature of Pi — the fact that it can never be entirely known — helped generate the adoration for the nyumber held by the mathematically inclined.

Welsh mathematician William Jones first used the famous Greek letter as a symbol for for Pi in his work Synopsis Palmariorum Matheseos published in 1706. But the symbol didn’t really gain widespread popularity until Swiss mathematician Leonhard Euler adopted the Greek letter over 30 years later in 1737.

So what exactly is the purpose of Pi Day?

“Mathematics and science can be a fun and interesting part of a child’s education, and learning about Pi can be an engaging way to teach children about geometry and attract them to study science and mathematics,” Congress stated when it officially designated Pi Day in 2009. “America needs to reinforce mathematics and science education for all students in order to better prepare our children for the future and in order to compete in a 21st Century economy.” 

Pi Day was first celebrated in 1988 at the San Francisco Exploratorium, which remains one of Pi Day’s primary promoters. At the time, math enthusiasts paraded around the monument in a clockwise circle three and one-seventh times while singing “Happy Birthday” to Albert Einstein (March 14 is his birthday too). Today, Pi Day celebrations take place in countless grade schools across the country. 

While a wide variety of Pi Day celebrations are acceptable, some of the more popular include circle-measuring parties, watching the movie Pi (1998), Pi recitation contests (to see who can accurately recall the most digits) and, of course, eating actual pie!

So get out there, and enjoy all things circular. The celebrating will make your math teachers proud!

Updated March 13: Added details regarding Pi Day’s history.

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