MacRumors Giveaway: Win Crossfade 2 Wireless Headphones from V-Moda

For this week’s giveaway, we’ve teamed up with V-Moda to offer MacRumors readers a chance to win a set of Crossfade 2 Wireless headphones.

Priced starting at $330, the Crossfade Wireless headphones fit over the ear with memory foam ear cushions for comfort even when listening for long periods of time. The hexagon shape is designed to reduce force on the head and ears while minimizing gap for a solid fit, and the steel frame is durable and comfortable.

There are built-in “V-Port” vents that allow for air circulation when working out or using the Crossfade on stage or in other warm environments. Passive noise isolation features are included to cut down on unwanted ambient sounds.

Inside, the Crossfade 2 features 50mm dual-diaphragm drivers engineered in Japan, which V-Moda says separates bass from bleeding into mids and highs for “extraordinary sound quality.”

According to V-Moda, the Crossfade 2 headphones have been instrument engineer verified, offering clean deep bass, lifelike vocals, and clear cymbals.

The Crossfade 2 can connect to an iPhone via Bluetooth, but there’s also an option for a wired connection so it’s versatile and will work with all of your devices. When connected wirelessly, the Crossfade 2 offers 14 hours of wireless listening.

Multitasking functionality lets the headphones pair to two devices at one time, such as an iPhone and a Mac with easy switching between the two, and there’s a built-in microphone for use with gaming or phone calls.

Though full-sized over-ear headphones, Crossfade 2 offers a built-in hinge mechanism that allows them to fold up into a small exoskeleton case when traveling.

The Crossfade 2 is available in Black Matte, White Matte, and Rose Gold, with the Rose Gold version offering Qualcomm’s aptX audio codec for improved sound over Bluetooth. All three offer the V-Moda Vamp AMP/DAC technology.

We have two sets of the Crossfade 2 to give away to MacRumors readers. To enter to win the giveaway, use the Rafflecopter widget below and enter an email address. Email addresses will be used solely for contact purposes to reach the winners and send the prizes. You can earn additional entries by subscribing to our weekly newsletter, subscribing to our YouTube channel, following us on Twitter, or visiting the MacRumors Facebook page.

Due to the complexities of international laws regarding giveaways, only U.S. residents who are 18 years or older and Canadian residents (excluding Quebec) who have reached the age of majority in their province or territory are eligible to enter. To offer feedback or get more information on the giveaway restrictions, please refer to our Site Feedback section, as that is where discussion of the rules will be redirected.

a Rafflecopter giveawayThe contest will run from today (July 6) at 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time through 11:00 a.m. Pacific Time on July 13. The winners will be chosen randomly on July 13 and will be contacted by email. The winners will have 48 hours to respond and provide a shipping address before new winners are chosen.

Tag: giveaway
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Siri at Center of Latest Patent Lawsuit Filed Against Apple

Arizona-based speech recognition technology company AVRS, short for Advanced Voice Recognition Systems, Inc., has filed a lawsuit against Apple this week, accusing the iPhone maker of infringing on one of its patents with its virtual assistant Siri, according to court documents obtained by MacRumors.

The asserted patent is U.S. Patent No. 7,558,730, titled “Speech recognition and transcription among users having heterogeneous protocols.” It was initially filed in 2001 but abandoned, refiled in 2007, and granted in 2009. Siri was first introduced alongside the iPhone 4s in October 2011.

The complaint is very exhaustive and technical, but in simple terms, AVRS believes Siri’s ability to process voice commands across multiple protocols and operating systems, such as iOS and macOS, infringes on its patented technology.

AVRS claims that Apple has been aware of the patent since at least 2013, and that Apple has cited it at least 77 times in its other speech recognition patents and in other litigation. AVRS says it also sent Apple correspondence in 2015, but to no avail, as Apple allegedly continues its willful infringement to present day.

AVRS has demanded a jury trial in Arizona district court, where it is seeking damages from Apple, in an amount no less than a reasonable royalty.

AVRS says its speech recognition software was first introduced in 1994, but it does not appear to offer any products or services that incorporate its patented technologies on its website, so it is more than likely a non-practicing entity.

“Our portfolio of intellectual property is the foundation of our business model,” the company’s website acknowledges.

Advanced Voice Recognition Systems v. Apple by MacRumors on Scribd

Apple has yet to formally respond to the complaint.

Tags: lawsuit, Siri, patent
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How to Use the New Augmented Reality Measure App in iOS 12

One of the new features in iOS 12 is an augmented reality app called Measure, which Apple has designed to make it easier for you to measure various real-world objects using 3D spatial detection techniques.

Open up the Measure app.
Follow the on-screen instructions and move your iPhone around the room so that it can get the dimensions of various objects.
Once it’s calibrated, denoted by a white dot in a circle, you’re ready to start measuring.
To take a measurement, line the white dot up with the corner of an object and then press the “+ button to create an anchor point.
From the anchor point, pan the iPhone over to the other edge of the object.
Press the “+” button again to get the final measurement of the line.
You can continue using this method to get the full dimensions of different objects in your room, with the ability to set multiple anchor points if desired.

Haptic feedback is included in the Measure app, so you’ll feel little haptic taps whenever you set an anchor point, for physical feedback. Haptic taps are also included whenever the app detects an obvious stopping point for a measurement, such as the end of a wall.

To clear your anchor points and start over at any time, tap the “Clear” button.

Once all of your measurements are in place, tap the white camera button to take a photo that displays all of the measurements overlaid on the object you’re measuring.

You can also tap on the arrow of one of the measurements to get a pop up with the current readings that you can copy and paste into another app like Messages or Notes.

Measurement Automatic Detection

For certain square-shaped objects that the Measure app detects, the detection of the dimensions will be automatic. To get an automatic measurement, choose a square or rectangular object and hold the iPhone in front of it.

If it’s going to take an automatic measurement, you’ll see a yellow square appear, which you can then tap to get dimensions. If it’s not going to do automatic detection, you’re going to need to use the tap method to draw individual lines.

Accuracy

The accuracy of the Measure app depends heavily on the precision of where the end points are placed, so there’s room for error.

It’s great for quick measurements to get an idea of size, but where precise measurements are required, it’s probably best to double check with a physical measuring method.

Level Feature

In iOS 12, the Measure app is also home to the Level feature that lets you use the iPhone to detect whether a surface is level. Prior to iOS 12, the Level feature was in the Compass app, so it’s not new, just relocated.

To use it, tap over to the level portion of the app, which is located at the bottom. Hold the iPhone in either portrait or landscape orientation with no case and balance it on an object such as a picture frame to get a reading.

If you tap the screen when using the level app, you can set a 0 degree reference angle to make measurements from, and laying the iPhone flat allows it to be used as a bubble level.

Related Roundup: iOS 12
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Elon Musk sends SpaceX and Boring Company engineers to aid in a rescue mission

The rescue team dedicated to saving the Thai soccer team that has been trapped in a cave for nearly two weeks is growing larger by the day, and its latest members are coming from SpaceX and the Boring Company. According to Elon Musk, who took to his favorite medium (Twitter) to announce the news, engineers from both his ambitious companies will be heading to Thailand on July 7 “to see if we can be helpful” to the rescue operations. It’s unclear exactly what role these engineers will serve, and whether or not their smarts will ultimately be able to contribute to the overall operation. Just a few hours ago, the rescue operation claimed the life of an experienced Navy SEAL diver.

“There are probably many complexities that are hard to appreciate without being there in person,” Musk tweeted. It appears that the executive has been mulling over the decision to send engineers for quite a few days. On July 3, a Twitter user asked the serial entrepreneur for his help in rescuing the soccer team, at which point, Musk responded, “I suspect that the Thai [government] has this under control, but I’m happy to help if there is a way to do so.” Clearly, Musk has found a way, and has already tweeted a number of suggestions as to how best to aid in the mission.

Maybe worth trying: insert a 1m diameter nylon tube (or shorter set of tubes for most difficult sections) through cave network & inflate with air like a bouncy castle. Should create an air tunnel underwater against cave roof & auto-conform to odd shapes like the 70cm hole.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 6, 2018

“We are speaking with the Thai government to see how we can help, and we are sending SpaceX/Boring Company people from the US to Thailand today to offer support on the ground,” a spokesperson for The Boring Company tells The Verge. “Once we confirm what exactly will be helpful to send or do, we will. We are getting feedback and guidance from the people on the ground in Chiang Rai to determine the best way for us to assist their efforts.”

The soccer team, comprised of 12 young boys, along with their coach, were reported missing in late June. They were exploring the Tham Luang cave complex in northern Thailand, which is known to flood during the rainy months of the summer. They were ultimately found by rescuers 10 days after originally becoming trapped in the cave, and luckily, only “light injuries” have been reported in the group. Already, food and medicine have been delivered to the complex, but as flood waters continue to rise, there is a race against time to save the group.

Editors’ Recommendations

• A lightweight sensor can help sniff out survivors in disaster zones
• ‘Star Wars: Jedi Challenges’ review
• Simon Pegg on humor, horror, a ‘Hot Fuzz’ TV show, and a Tarantino Star Trek
• The Boring Company doesn’t sound so boring anymore
• Robot bees on Mars — NASA funding a swarm of drones to explore the Red Planet

Fans petition Microsoft to save the Surface Phone from cancellation

Surface Phone fans are hoping that a grassroots campaign will help persuade Microsoft to reverse its reported decision on cancelling its unannounced dual-screen computing device. A Change.org petition is asking hopeful buyers of the Surface Phone to add their signatures in an effort to convince Microsoft to continue its course in launching the project later this year, which was known by its Andromeda code name.

“All the fans of Windows Phone want Microsoft to release the Surface Phone aka Surface Andromeda Phone Project that has been leaking out lately with the phone screen that can turn into a tablet,” the petition reads. “Money is power and if a lot of people want a Surface phone like the ones in the leaks then they will be forced into action as everyone knows Microsoft wouldn’t be able to give a reason on why not to do it to there [sic] investors, as its too much of a money opportunity to miss.”

The original writer of the Change.org petition, Zachary Hinski, speculates that consumers may not mind paying $799-$999 for the device. That cost would be in line with the price for some of today’s flagship phones, including iPhone models from Apple, but it’s unclear if Microsoft would be able to get the price that low, given the innovative size and components that would have gone into the design.

Although Microsoft never formally announced that it was working on such a device, recent leaks suggest that the Surface Phone would be a “disruptive” device that can transform into five distinct modes thanks to a 360-degree hinge. However, unlike convertible notebooks today, the Surface Phone would come in a more compact design that’s said to be pocketable, allowing it to look and feel more like a smartphone when it’s closed.

Most recently, it was reported that Microsoft is rethinking its Surface Phone strategy. “This is partially because of scheduling and quality, sources say, but more so because there’s still no compelling reason for Microsoft to come to market with its current iteration of a small, dual-screen mobile device,” ZDNet reports. However, ZDNet said that this doesn’t mean that the Surface Phone has canceled and it could still launch at some point in the future with a form factor that is more like a small foldable PC rather than a phone-sized device.

Technically, since Microsoft never formally announced the device, the Surface Phone was never really “canceled” by the company. For his part, Hinski said that he created the petition as a survey “to see how many people would buy this phone if Microsoft would release it.” At the time of this posting, the petition had 250 supporters.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Dell is reportedly working on its dual-screen version of the Surface Phone
• Microsoft leak hints dual-screen Andromeda device targets launch later this year
• Code in latest Windows 10 preview hints at a Surface Phone
• Microsoft calls its foldable Andromeda device “disruptive”
• Microsoft’s new USB-C port could enable even slimmer Surface products

Fans petition Microsoft to save the Surface Phone from cancellation

Surface Phone fans are hoping that a grassroots campaign will help persuade Microsoft to reverse its reported decision on cancelling its unannounced dual-screen computing device. A Change.org petition is asking hopeful buyers of the Surface Phone to add their signatures in an effort to convince Microsoft to continue its course in launching the project later this year, which was known by its Andromeda code name.

“All the fans of Windows Phone want Microsoft to release the Surface Phone aka Surface Andromeda Phone Project that has been leaking out lately with the phone screen that can turn into a tablet,” the petition reads. “Money is power and if a lot of people want a Surface phone like the ones in the leaks then they will be forced into action as everyone knows Microsoft wouldn’t be able to give a reason on why not to do it to there [sic] investors, as its too much of a money opportunity to miss.”

The original writer of the Change.org petition, Zachary Hinski, speculates that consumers may not mind paying $799-$999 for the device. That cost would be in line with the price for some of today’s flagship phones, including iPhone models from Apple, but it’s unclear if Microsoft would be able to get the price that low, given the innovative size and components that would have gone into the design.

Although Microsoft never formally announced that it was working on such a device, recent leaks suggest that the Surface Phone would be a “disruptive” device that can transform into five distinct modes thanks to a 360-degree hinge. However, unlike convertible notebooks today, the Surface Phone would come in a more compact design that’s said to be pocketable, allowing it to look and feel more like a smartphone when it’s closed.

Most recently, it was reported that Microsoft is rethinking its Surface Phone strategy. “This is partially because of scheduling and quality, sources say, but more so because there’s still no compelling reason for Microsoft to come to market with its current iteration of a small, dual-screen mobile device,” ZDNet reports. However, ZDNet said that this doesn’t mean that the Surface Phone has canceled and it could still launch at some point in the future with a form factor that is more like a small foldable PC rather than a phone-sized device.

Technically, since Microsoft never formally announced the device, the Surface Phone was never really “canceled” by the company. For his part, Hinski said that he created the petition as a survey “to see how many people would buy this phone if Microsoft would release it.” At the time of this posting, the petition had 250 supporters.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Dell is reportedly working on its dual-screen version of the Surface Phone
• Microsoft leak hints dual-screen Andromeda device targets launch later this year
• Code in latest Windows 10 preview hints at a Surface Phone
• Microsoft calls its foldable Andromeda device “disruptive”
• Microsoft’s new USB-C port could enable even slimmer Surface products

Samsung sees a second-quarter slump, due in part to slow Galaxy S9 sales

After four quarters of record profits, it looks like things are about to change for Samsung.  The South Korean tech giant released its earnings guidance of 14.8 trillion South Korean won ($13.2 billion) in operating profit from 58 trillion won (51.8 billion) in revenue for the second quarter of 2018. Samsung will report final results for Q2 later this month.

While the guidance shows an 11 percent increase in profit year over year, it also shows a 0.7 percent decrease in overall sales for the period ending June 30. The guidance is a far cry from analysts predictions of a 60.3 trillion won revenue with 15.1 trillion won in profit.

Industry analysts believe the lower-than-expected figures for the second quarter can be attributed to low sales of the Samsung Galaxy S9 as well as pricing volatility for memory chips.

According to Lee Seung-woo of Eugene Investments, sales of the Galaxy S9 have been sluggish. He expects the Samsung to ship about 31 million Galaxy S9 handsets in 2018. That number falls far below Samsung’s sales target of 43 million Galaxy S9 handsets.

In addition to slow sales for the Galaxy S9, analysts also believe pricing volatility for memory chips could be wreaking havoc on Samsungs earnings for the second quarter. Much of Samsung’s earnings success over the last four quarters can be attributed to its thriving components business.

Samsung Electronics became the No. 1 supplier of semiconductors worldwide in 2017 and its sales of memory chips continue to outpace its competitors by a long shot.  However, prices for NAND memory has fallen drastically in recent months and analysts believe DRAM chips will fall 10 to 15 percent in the coming months as well.

Slow sales and components pricing may not be Samsung’s only challenges in the coming quarters. Earlier in 2018, it was believed the majority of Apple’s upcoming 2018 iPhone models would use Samsung’s OLED displays. However, analysts now believe a greater proportion of the upcoming handsets will have less expensive LCD displays.

Samsung may see a boost in fourth-quarter sales, though. The company is expected to announce new hardware in August, including the Galaxy Note 9, Samsung Gear S4, and Samsung Galaxy Tab S4. The products would likely go on sale at the end of the third quarter in time for the holiday shopping season.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Samsung beats Apple in smartphone activations during the first quarter
• Apple reveals healthy iPhone sales as Cook hints at more handset variations
• Shrinking demand forces Apple to slow down iPhone X production
• Despite PC industry’s flat year-to-year growth, HP dominated first-quarter sales
• Ford to stop making almost all cars

Best Cases for Nokia 2 in 2018

Protect your phone with the best available options

Now that you have your Nokia 2 you want to make sure it’s protected. Another bonus when looking for phone cases is to see if it has the ability to serve as a useful tool for your daily life as well. Sometimes that means sacrificing a bit of the extra protection you might get with other cases, but that is worth it to some of us.

Continue on below to weigh your options for these phenomenal phone cases to see which one is the best for you!

• Linkertech dual layer
• Feitenn Nokia 2 wallet case
• KuGi SS
• Screen protector

Note: This buyer’s guide is for the Nokia 2 (2017), not the newer Nokia 2.1 (2018).

Linkertech dual layer

This case is the closest you’re going to get to something like an Otterbox for your Nokia 2. It comes in two parts, where the inner piece is a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and the outer piece is a hard plastic that clips onto it. TPU is a semi-hard silicone used in cases to protect your phone better from accidental drops by providing shock-absorption. One of the amazing parts is that you’ll be getting this dual-layer protection without the case making your phone too bulky.

While there isn’t much in the means of added features, the Linkertech case does come with a built-in kick-stand. That means you’ll be able to prop up your phone to watch some movies. But, the best part of this phone case is that you can get it for just $7.95 on Amazon in the colors black, red, or blue!

See on Amazon.

Feitenn Nokia 2 wallet case

Here we have the iconic phone case that also serves as a wallet. There is TPU inside of the case that is sealed in with leather, but it is much thinner than you would get in the Linkertech case. With two slots for cards and a larger slot to put some cash inside, the case makes it practical to keep all of your personal items in one holder. While you won’t have the same amount of protection as a thicker case, you’ll certainly be saving yourself a lot of anxiety knowing everything is all in one place.

The Feitenn is perfect for traveling or a night out with your friends. It even has a built-in feature for you to fold the crease and turn it into a kickstand for your phone. It comes in three different colors — black, blue, or orange — that you can find on Amazon for the great price of $8.79.

See on Amazon.

KuGi SS

Lastly, we have the KuGi SS phone case, which offers a decent amount of protection in an almost-unnoticeable design. KuGi SS has a thin layer of TPU coated with a soft material to ensure your case will be almost as thin as your phone and slick to the touch. If you’re the type of person that just wants a basic phone case that gives your Nokia protection and gets the job done, the KuGi is the one for you.

For $8.50 on Amazon you can get your hands on one that’s either navy blue, brown, white or orange.

See on Amazon.

Screen protectors

Last but not least, you want to complete your phone case with some tempered glass. These stick-on options act as a second form of protection to go over the screen of your phone and prevent scratches and cracks. Tempered glass will fit inside all options that were listed and you’ll hardly realize it’s there. This way, the next time you drop your phone and realize you’ve cracked the entire screen, you can take comfort knowing it’s just the second screen.

You can find a 2-pack on Amazon for $6.99 so when the first one gets ruined you already have a backup in your drawer. Trust me, the money spent on getting these cases are well worth the possible hundreds of dollars it will cost to replace the actual screen of your phone. It’s definitely worth the investment.

See on Amazon.

How to download YouTube videos to watch offline

There’s so much to watch on YouTube, you can’t possibly watch it all.

We can stay up from dawn till dusk and we will never run out of YouTube videos to watch, but what do you do when you have to stray from your faithful Wi-Fi? What do you do when you’re going to be out in the countryside with spotty data — or even worse, on a Wi-Fi-less plane? You download some YouTube videos for offline playback, of course.

Downloading YouTube videos to watch offline can save you oodles of data if you have the presence of mind to download while you’re on good Wi-Fi, and in areas where data connections can be spotty as best, offline might be the only real way to watch YouTube. Here’s how — and who — can download videos in YouTube for offline playback.

• Who can download videos to play offline
• How to download a video to play offline
• How to download a playlist to play offline
• How to change your download video quality
• How to schedule offline downloads for Wi-Fi

Who can download videos to play offline

There are two categories of YouTube users that offline playback are available to: YouTube Premium members and YouTube users in select developing countries.

YouTube accepts that in many countries of the world, mobile data is a precious commodity — assuming mobile data is available at all in some places — but YouTube still wants people in these countries to be able to enjoy YouTube. To that end, in over 120 countries/territories around the world, users can download YouTube videos for offline playback without a subscription. This includes most of Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Caribbean, and in countries like India, YouTube’s offline features are widely used and have some extra features that YouTube offline in YouTube Premium countries do not, like Smart Offline.

See if you live in a country that can use YouTube offline without a subscription

YouTube Premium is YouTube’s subscription service that removes ads across YouTube’s apps and enables premium features, including background playback and offline playback. YouTube Premium also give users premium service on YouTube Music (except in South Korea) and Google Play Music, which makes YouTube Premium the best deal in streaming today. YouTube Premium is $11.99/month for individual subscribers and $17.99/month for a family plan with up to 6 users, and it’s available in the following countries:

• Australia
• Austria
• Canada
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Italy
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Norway
• Russia
• South Korea
• Spain
• Sweden
• United Kingdom
• United States

Read more: YouTube Premium is Google’s streaming future

If you’re not on either of these lists, then I’m sorry, but you cannot download videos for offline use through YouTube’s apps. There are third-party solutions of varying legality available to help you download YouTube videos on Android, but we cannot vouch for any of them.

How to download a video to play offline

Should you be lucky enough to have the option of saving YouTube videos for offline viewing, here’s how to start downloading videos.

Open YouTube.

Tap on a video you want to download for offline viewing.

Tap Download, between the Share and Add to buttons below the video’s title.
Tap the video quality you wish to download your video in.

Tap OK.

Depending on the data settings you’ve set for offline videos, YouTube will automatically begin downloading the video or wait for Wi-Fi to begin downloading.

How to download a playlist to play offline

If you’ve got an entire playlist you want to watch offline, you can download that playlist without having to individually download every single video.

Tap on a playlist you want to download for offline viewing.

Tap Download, between the Shuffle and Edit buttons on the playlist screen.

Tap the quality you wish to download your video in.
Tap OK.

A pop-up will appear warning you that downloading a playlist can take a lot of time and data. Tap OK to proceed with the download.

How to change your YouTube download quality

By default, after you pick the video quality for your first downloaded YouTube video, all other videos will download at the same quality, but you can change that quality — or tell YouTube to ask you the quality every time — by taking a quick trip into YouTube’s settings. You can also tell YouTube to download on your SD card if your phone has one.

Open YouTube.
Tap your avatar in the top right corner.
Tap Settings.

Tap Background & downloads.

Under Download, tap Video quality.

Tap the quality you wish to download at, or if you’d prefer to choose every time, tap Ask each time.

If you have a phone with a microSD card, you’ll see a toggle on this same screen to Use SD card for YouTube downloads. If the toggle is blue, videos are downloading to the SD card. You can also see how much space your downloads are taking up by looking at the Available storage bars at the bottom of the screen.

How to schedule offline downloading for Wi-Fi

Not everyone can afford unlimited data plans, so if you want to download videos for offline viewing without burning precious mobile data, YouTube can wait to download that video until you’re off paid data and onto Wi-Fi.

Open YouTube.
Tap your avatar in the top right corner.

Tap Settings.

Tap Background & downloads.

Under Download, tap Download over Wi-Fi only to toggle it on.

Questions?

Let us know in the comments below.

Read more: Everything you need to know about YouTube

Updated July 2018: This article has been refreshed and expanded, especially in regard to what users in what countries can use YouTube offline features.

Grab the Yi Compact 1080p dashboard camera for just $26

You can never be too safe!

The Yi Compact 1080p dashboard camera is down to $25.99 with code COUM4NCB on Amazon. That is $14 off the normal price and the best we’ve ever seen. This deal beats other recent deals by a few bucks.

The Yi Compact has only been around for about a month now but it’s right in line with the other Yi dash cameras as great budget alternatives to far-more-expensive options like the Garmin 65W. With this camera, you get 1080p at 30 frames per second, a 130-degree wide angle lens, and night vision. It has a 2.7-inch LCD screen with easy-to-use navigation. The built-in Wi-Fi lets you connect to the smartphone app that lets you download and share videos. Users give it 3.8 stars based on 247 reviews.

You will need an SD card to record your footage onto, so grab the $23 Samsung EVO Select 64GB card with your new dash cam.

See at Amazon