Watch the first-ever NBA 2K League draft right here at 1PM ET!

Interested in watching the first-ever NBA 2K League draft? Then tune into NBA TV or Twitch today at 1PM from the Hulu Theater at New York’s Madison Square Garden. Each team in the league will pick six players. Pre-show coverage including a press conference with commissioner Adam Silver, Brendan Donohue from 2K League and Take-Two Interactive (2K’s publisher) CEO Strauss Zelnick will live on NBA TV as well, with the NBA’s website and 2K League’s Twitter account doling out additional updates. However, only the first round will be broadcast on NBA TV — you’ll have to peep Twitch for the rest.

Watch live video from NBA2KLeague on http://www.twitch.tv

Source: Twitch

What you might have missed from the New York Auto Show

Automakers used the New York Auto Show as an opportunity to show the world that they’re still all about the electrification of their fleets. From hybrids and long-range EVs to futuristic and America-centric concepts, the Big Apple was home to an impressive amount of automotive news.

Before the show even started Honda unveiled its latest Insight hybrid with an impressive 55 mpg city mileage rating. Inside the convention hall, Hyundai shared range details (250 miles) about its upcoming Kona Electric while its luxury brand Genesis took the wraps off its futuristic Essentia EV. The Korean automaker isn’t messing around when it comes to electrification.

Meanwhile, for the driver that loves the outdoors, Subaru’s new Forester continues its rugged wagon tradition but has added facial recognition so the car knows when the driver is tired or distracted. Volkswagen is targeting Americans that would rather kayak than sit at the local coffee shop with the Tanoak concept truck. No word on if the automaker will actually build the truck, but judging from the reaction from the press at the auto show, it really should get this pick up on the road soon.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from the 2018 New York Auto Show.

Photos show the epic scale of VW Dieselgate

When you think about the numbers associated with Volkswagen’s US “Dieselgate” scandal, it’s easy to zone out. $25 billion in claims and fines … 500,000 vehicles affected … 294,000 vehicles in storage — figures like that are hard to fathom. Reuters has put some of it in perspective, however, with a photo essay showing how VW and Audi are housing affected vehicles.

The scandal erupted when investigators discovered that VW used software that reduced vehicle emissions during tests, even though real world pollution levels were up to 35 times higher. As part of a $25 billion settlement, which includes claims from owners, dealers and government, Volkswagen agreed to buy back 500,000 affected cars. So far, it has fixed and resold 13,000 of those, and destroyed 28,000. But where is it keeping the rest?

Images in the article show some of the 294,000 vehicles housed at 37 facilities by the tens of thousands. Those include a defunct Detroit football arena, a shuttered paper mill in Minnesota and a desert vehicle cemetery in Victorville, California.

From afar, they’re just specs of mostly black, white red, and gray (black is not a very original car color choice, it seems). Zooming in close, however (above) you see that these are actual vehicles, some of which cost upwards of $80,000, built from the blood and talent of thousands of workers in the US and abroad.

By some estimates, VW’s corporate malfeasance caused up to 20,000 deaths a year from respiratory disease and other health issues. It’s also lamentable that perfectly good cars are being stored or destroyed, considering the amount of time and energy that went into making them and the use that they could otherwise be put to.

For all that, the automaker received a relative wrist-slap of three years probation and a $4.3 billion fine for three felony counts. US compliance officer Oliver Schmidt did get seven years for his part in the cover-up, but no higher-level executives have even been charged. That’s despite the fact that Schmidt told a judge he “was directed to follow [talking points] … approved by management level supervisors at VW, including a high-ranking in-house lawyer.”

Source: Reuters

French Renault Zoe owners can finally buy their batteries

Renault’s all-electric Zoe has been very well-received in its home country of France, but the company’s controversial battery-leasing scheme in the country has undoubtedly given potential buyers pause for thought. Either own the car and pay a monthly fee, or lease the whole car. The idea that Renault could snatch your battery away if you broke contract somehow didn’t instil a huge amount of confidence. Yet the Zoe still became the most popular all-electric vehicle in France, and today the company has revealed that buyers will now have the option of owning the battery pack outright.

The Zoe starts at €23,700, with a monthly €49 fee for battery leasing (which can increase based on your mileage), or if like many motorists you actually want to own the entirety of your vehicle, you can buy the battery pack outright for an extra €8,900. That’s a starting total of €32,600, which puts it in line with the Nissan Leaf (€33,900), the Chevrolet Bolt Opel Ampera-e (€33,300) and probably also the Tesla Model 3, which is yet to have its European costs confirmed but is likely to fall in line with its US price of $35,000.

Renault has previously said it has more than 100,000 battery packs under leases, so the original scheme, while controversial, was evidently doing a good job of alleviating consumer concerns about battery degradation. Those new to EVs might appreciate the extra peace of mind that if something went wrong, Renault would just take care of it for them. However, as Renault’s marketing director in France, Xavier Martinet, said in the announcement, “The performance and durability of our batteries have now been widely proven.” The move means Zoe fans now have the option of owning their entire vehicle (which makes sense, obviously), but it also strips back some of the uncertainties that still exist around EVs, which can only be a good thing for take-up in the future.

Via: Electrek

‘Spider-Man’ arrives on PS4 September 7th

Spider-Man swings to PlayStation 4 on September 7th this year. Of course, developer Insomniac Games’ web-head adventure comes in three flavors: standard ($60), digital deluxe ($80) and collector’s edition ($150). The digital deluxe and collector’s edition are identical in terms of bonus features, aside from the collector’s edition coming with an art book, a steelbook case, the game on a Blu-ray and a pretty cool statue. According to the PlayStation Blog, pre-ordering the digital deluxe version will net you a custom pin Both have special cosmetic items like alternate Spider-Man suits and add-on missions. The trio of post-launch narratives will feature new villains, characters and suits as well. For a sneak peek of the game in action, check out the brand new video embedded below.

Source: PlayStation Blog

Alexa hands-free mode is available on Fire 7 and 8 HD tablets

If you own an Amazon Fire 7 or Fire 8 HD (2017) tablet, then you’re in luck because your device just gained a new feature. If your device is connected to power and/or the screen is in use, you can use the device for smart home voice control thanks to Alexa. The software update that will enable the hands-free Alexa feature is currently rolling out to devices.

If you have a PIN or password set on the device, you must unlock it to enable all Alexa hands-free features. You can also opt to disable all of these features (or control whether it works while the device is password locked) in the Alexa settings menu. And if you want your tablet to respond less often when there’s another Alexa-enabled device nearby, you can change that with the “Tablet ESP Behavior” option in Alexa settings.

This is a nice upgrade for all Fire 7 and Fire 8 HD tablets running software version 5.6.1.0 or later. It turns a regular tablet into a hands-free smart home control center. This handy feature was already available on Amazon’s Fire 10 HD tablet, so it’s nice that the company is rolling it out to older models.

Source: Amazon

Apple Releases Safari Technology Preview 53 With Bug Fixes and Feature Improvements

Apple today released a new update for Safari Technology Preview, the experimental browser Apple first introduced two years ago in March of 2016. Apple designed the Safari Technology Preview to test features that may be introduced into future release versions of Safari.

Safari Technology Preview release 53 includes bug fixes and feature improvements for Service Workers, WebRTC, Loading, Rendering, Media, Accessibility, CSS, Web API, and Web Inspector.

The Safari Technology Preview update is available through the Software Update mechanism in the Mac App Store to anyone who has downloaded the browser. Full release notes for the update are available on the Safari Technology Preview website.

Apple’s aim with Safari Technology Preview is to gather feedback from developers and users on its browser development process. Safari Technology Preview can run side-by-side with the existing Safari browser and while designed for developers, it does not require a developer account to download.

Tag: Safari Technology Preview
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The best tablets for kitchen use

Tablets may not be for everyone, but they’re uncannily well suited to the kitchen. They can guide you through recipes or play Netflix shows without taking up as much countertop space as a laptop. And unlike the Echo Show and other screen-equipped smart speakers, you can move them anywhere you like while you prepare your meal. But how do you go shopping for a tablet with kitchen use in mind? It can be tricky, since some of the usual shopping advice goes out the window. Here’s what you’ll want to consider if you’re buying a tablet as a cooking companion.

Buy only the performance you need

When you’re buying a tablet with a single purpose like the kitchen in mind, don’t worry about getting the fastest, most capacious tablet you can afford; you don’t need the latest hardware to read the ingredient list. Instead you’ll want something that has just enough performance and storage to handle your recipe and media apps for the foreseeable future.

What constitutes “enough” is bound to vary depending on when you’re reading this, so we’ll spare you the deep dive on specs. However, there are some general rules. If you’re at least slightly concerned about speed, look for a device with a processor and memory that would have been cutting-edge a year ago. (As of this writing, the recently updated iPad would fit the bill, as would Android tablets with Snapdragon 400/600 series chips.) And if speed doesn’t matter much to you? You don’t have to be too picky, although you’ll generally want to avoid hardware that’s either more than two years old or cuts one too many corners. If you see less than 2GB of RAM or an ancient dual-core chip, you’ll want to steer clear.

Storage is usually easier to figure out. At this point, 32GB is common even on budget tablets, and it’s usually more than enough for recipe and streaming media apps. You’ll want to consider 64GB or more only if you either have many apps or intend to play media stored on the device itself. The microSD card slot you find on some Android and Windows tablets can be helpful if you’re not convinced that 32GB will be enough.

If there’s any doubt about what’s good, you can always use price as a yardstick. As a rule of thumb, any tablet over $500 is likely overkill for the kitchen, while $300 to $350 is the sweet spot if you’re willing to splurge a bit. Even then, that might provide far more power than you need. Amazon’s Fire HD 10 offers solid performance for as little as $150, and it’s not hard to find other tablets in the $150–$200 range that make for adequate cooking helpers.

Naturally, the situation changes if you plan to regularly use your tablet outside the kitchen. You’ll clearly have a good reason to spend more on hardware like the iPad Pro or Galaxy Tab S3 if you know your tablet will serve as an all-purpose workhorse. You may still want to exercise some restraint if you’ll be using it as part of your meal-making, though, as you really don’t want to risk losing a maxed-out iPad Pro or Surface Pro to a kitchen mishap.

Look for designs (and cases) that can handle some abuse

As we’ve hinted, the kitchen isn’t exactly kind to tablets, between messy ingredients and the flurry of activity that could send devices crashing to the floor. That doesn’t mean that you’ll want a rugged tablet, however. They tend to be costly, and they’re typically designed for in-the-field business users rather than the home crowd. You’ll be better off looking for a design with solid construction and a healthy selection of cases to protect it.

Whether the chassis is made of aluminum or plastic, a tablet shouldn’t feel flimsy or have large panel gaps where flour and other ingredients could get stuck. And when it comes to the case, be sure to get one that adds a layer of protection. You don’t have to spring for an extra-tough case, but it should offer at least a modest level of shock resistance. Ideally, it should also have a lip that prevents scratches on the screen if you lay the tablet facedown. We’d consider brands like MoKo and Urban Armor Gear if you’re interested in particularly sturdy, stand-equipped cases.

For that matter, keep an eye out for tablets that either have built-in stands (like the Yoga Tab series, if Lenovo updates it) or a selection of stand-equipped cases. Your tablet will likely need to sit upright while you’re cooking, and a built-in support can both preserve valuable countertop space and save you from having to buy a dedicated stand. While this is far from a make-or-break element, it might save you some hassle.

Make sure it has the apps you want

No matter how powerful a kitchen tablet may be, it’s nothing without the apps you want while you’re cooking. Android and iOS tablets share many of the same media apps (Netflix and Spotify are virtually ubiquitous), but that’s not necessarily true with recipe apps. Popular apps like Epicurious and Yes Chef run only on iOS, for instance. Your best bet is to focus on finding the apps that meet your criteria and then figure out whether or not they’ll run on the device you want. Be particularly mindful if you’re shopping Fire tablets. Amazon’s Appstore does have a slew of popular titles like Allrecipes and Yummly (not to mention recipe-friendly social apps like Pinterest), but the selection is considerably smaller than on Google Play.

In some cases, the most important app may already be built-in: a voice assistant. Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant can both walk you through recipes using spoken commands, making them invaluable if you don’t want to look at the screen while you’re baking dessert. Apple’s Siri doesn’t currently have the developer support needed for step-by-step voice control over recipes. That’s not necessarily a deal-breaker, but it does mean that you’ll be relying more on third-party apps with hands-free features.

And whichever apps you choose, don’t forget to take their specific features into account when you’re tablet shopping. If you’re going to depend heavily on spoken commands or music, loud stereo speakers (found on tablets like Amazon’s Fire HD 10 and Lenovo’s Tab 4) are a definite plus; if you watch a lot of video or just don’t want to squint at instructions, be ready to pay for a reasonably large (9 inches or larger) screen.

Consider accessories

Cases aren’t the only add-ons you should consider buying. Whichever tablet you get, it’s worth setting aside some money for kitchen-oriented accessories that could make your life easier.

If your tablet or case doesn’t have a kickstand, a dedicated tablet stand should be high on your priority list. You don’t normally have to worry about compatibility, but it’s worth getting a stand with both grippy rubber contact points and a wand that will let you poke at the screen without getting it dirty. (Prepara’s iPrep is a notable example.) Don’t worry about getting a tablet with stylus support — you probably don’t want to use an expensive pen with grease-covered hands.

Should counter space be at a premium, look at a tablet mount that either clamps to a table edge or sticks to your wall or fridge. We don’t have specific recommendations, but you’ll want a mount that’s sturdy, offers a firm grip and doesn’t revolve around one tablet brand or model. You don’t want to throw out your mount (or any other accessories, really) when it’s time to upgrade your tablet.

And if you work in a very noisy kitchen or want more than your tablet’s built-in audio, it’s worth budgeting for a speaker. It doesn’t need to be powerful, but it’s worth looking at Bluetooth speakers, especially compact portable models like the UE Wonderboom or Beats Pill. Kitchen tablets are alluring in part because you can place them wherever you want, and ideally your speaker has that same kind of freedom.

Images: Emilija Manevska via Getty Images (Messy workstation with tablet)

Alexa Routines can now include music and podcasts

Amazon launched Alexa Routines last year and they let users set up a list of automated smart home actions that can be triggered with a simple command. For example, “Alexa, good morning,” could launch a Routine that turns on the lights, reports the weather forecast, reads news briefings and starts the coffee maker. Missing from the Routine capabilities, however, has been music. Well, no longer, because Amazon is now rolling out the ability to add playlists, podcasts and radio shows to your Alexa Routines.

As of now, Amazon Music, Spotify, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Saavn, Deezer and TuneIn are supported. Users can add an artist, playlist, album, station or podcast from any of those services to their Routine. You can also set the volume for each Routine.

Though Google Assistant got Routine functionality after Alexa did, it already allows users to incorporate music and radio. Last week, Google also added support for working audiobooks into Google Assistant Routines — something Alexa can’t do quite yet.

You can adjust Alexa Routines through the Alexa app. The new function is rolling out now.

Via: The Verge

Facebook rewrites its data policy to make it easier to understand

In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook has been trying to make it easier for people to understand how their data is used on the service and how to keep their information private. Along those same lines, today the company has released a more straightforward reading of its terms of service and data policy. As of today, Facebook says that “we’re not asking for new rights to collect, use or share your data on Facebook. We’re also not changing any of the privacy choices you’ve made in the past.” Rather than making large-scale changes, the company is being more up-front about just what you’re giving away when you sign up for Facebook.

For the next week, users can give feedback on both documents, after which Facebook will show finalized versions to all its users and ask them to agree to the terms. As for what’s new here, Facebook outlined seven different categories, including new features and tools, personalization, what the company shares, advertising, device information, addressing harmful behavior, and how data is shared between Facebook and other companies it owns (like Oculus and WhatsApp).

While both of these documents are lengthy, they’re a lot shorter than the usual terms of service you might encounter when signing up for a service — they’re also fairly easy to understand at a high level. Naturally, the data policy is quite in-depth, but it’s worth spending the time reading to really understand exactly what Facebook can do with the information you share. If nothing else, it’ll help you figure out how to limit how much of your data the company can share with others.

Given how the Cambridge Analytica scandal unfolded, perhaps one of the most important sections to read is in the data policy where Facebook explain how third-party apps and services can gain access and share information about you:

When you choose to use third-party apps, websites, or other services that use, or are integrated with, our Products, they can receive information about what you post or share. For example, when you play a game with your Facebook friends or use a Facebook Comment or Share button on a website, the game developer or website can receive information about your activities in the game or receive a comment or link that you share from the website on Facebook. Also, when you download or use such third-party services, they can access your public profile on Facebook, and any information that you share with them. Apps and websites you use may receive your list of Facebook friends if you choose to share it with them. But apps and websites you use will not be able to receive any other information about your Facebook friends from you, or information about any of your Instagram followers (although your friends and followers may, of course, choose to share this information themselves). Information collected by these third-party services is subject to their own terms and policies, not this one.

Another noteworthy section of the data policy outlines exactly what the company knows about the various devices you use Facebook on. In short, it’s a lot, including your device’s “operating system, hardware and software versions, battery level, signal strength, available storage space, browser type, app and file names and types, and plugins.” That’s just for starters — it can also access “Bluetooth signals and information about nearby WiFi access points, beacons, and cell towers.” Being able to access is different than sharing with other companies, and there’s no indication that any of this data leaves Facebook, but it adds to the concerning thought of just how much this company knows about its users.

Finally, Facebook outlines exactly how much information it can get about your activities when you’re not using Facebook. Through technologies that third-party sites can implement like the Facebook Pixel, Facebook can get information from its partners including: “information about your device, websites you visit, purchases you make, the ads you see, and how you use [third-party] services — whether or not you have a Facebook account or are logged into Facebook.” Sadly, it’s just a fact of live in the advertising-driven world we live in now — even without a Facebook account, the company can get all kinds of data about what you do online. (That is, unless you install software to block Facebook’s tracking tools.)

Basically, if you’ve ever used Facebook for any length of time and have any interest in keeping your account active, read these two documents. After you’re done, you may or may not change your mind — but at the very least, you’ll be better informed about what the company is doing with the mountains of information it can get about you and your online behavior.

Source: Facebook