UK to let driverless cars loose on roads by January
Anxious to start… not driving in the UK? Though late to the party, the government has announced that driverless cars will hit the streets in three UK cities starting in January 2015. The Department of Transport also launched a £10 million ($17 million) fund to spur research and reach the deadline. Once the three cities are selected for trials, two different types of self-driving vehicles will be tested: fully autonomous cars with no driver, and self-driving models that can relinquish control to a human pilot. All of that will be laid out in new road laws now being formulated to accommodate such vehicles.
US states followed a similar trajectory back in 2011 by first passing new road laws, then approving self-driving vehicles for road use, as long as they were accompanied by a human driver. There are now quite a few companies in the self-driving game, which only kicked off in earnest once Google jumped in. New projects have launched from Volvo, Audi and Google (again). A UK company called MIRA specializing in such vehicles told Sky News that though it also had driverless tech, “we lag behind actually getting (it) into some real field trials.” Now, the science minister said, “Britain is brilliantly placed to lead the world in driverless technology.”
[Image credit: AP/Michael Sohn]
Filed under: Transportation
Via: BBC
Source: Telegraph
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Google now shows what you can do near your hotel
When you land in a strange new city, your first instinct may be to see what there is to do near your hotel. However, searching Google for nearby attractions can be a hassle if you don’t remember your hotel’s name or address by heart. That memorization is no longer necessary after today, though — Google has updated its search engine to use the booking confirmation in your Gmail as a locator. If you want to look for a late-night diner, all you have to do is ask Google to “show restaurants around my hotel.” You can also get directions to or from your accommodations, so you should reach a welcoming bed (or your flight) just a little bit faster. The addition makes the most sense if you’re using voice search in one of Google’s mobile apps, but any traveler can give it a spin.
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Source: Google+
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More leaks point to a Motorola-made Nexus device
A few days ago we shared a rumor with you regarding the Motorola-made Nexus device. According to the rumor, that device, codenamed “Shamu”, is supposed to be launched later this year and sport a 5.9″ screen. That sounded really hard to believe, however, additional info points in the same direction. The Information reports that Motorola… Read more »
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Alleged Nexus 9 (Flounder) image turns out to be a dud
A recent leaked photograph on Google+ sparked excitement in the community when it was thought the image prematurely revealed the upcoming Nexus 9, which up until this point has been only known as codenamed Flounder. Whilst the image follows the profile of what we are all expecting from the Nexus 9, the image unfortunately shows nothing… Read more »
The post Alleged Nexus 9 (Flounder) image turns out to be a dud appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Google’s next Nexus device is reportedly a super-sized phablet
Don’t get too excited, but rumors are starting to break regarding Google’s sixth Nexus phone: an oversized handset codenamed “Shamu.” According to Android Police, the device is rumored to be a 5.9-inch handset made by Motorola — leveraging Google’s tradition of naming Nexus devices after sea creatures as a clever way to hint at the phone’s size. Supposedly, this device will surface in November with a fingerprint scanner. Sadly, there isn’t a lot of evidence floating around for this one: just an Google error report and a bit of good faith.
While Android Police says it’s not comfortable with showing its source information in its original form, the rumor get some credit for appearing in Google’s issue tracker: “Shamu” is listed in the build number for a Android L HTTPS bug. It’s probable that this really is the code name for a new Nexus, but the specifics are still unclear. That said, The Information is also reporting a phablet-sized device between Google and Motorola — one that may even include always-on voice control. Neat rumors to mull over — just keep it salty until we hear something official.
[Image credit: Aleksey Butov]
Filed under: Cellphones, Google
Via: Ars Technica
Source: The Information, Android Police
Shamu, the mysterious Motorola Nexus 6, is definitely a thing. Android Silver, not so Much
More information about a possible Motorola Nexus 6 has been slowly trickling out today. After hearing the first suggestion that such a device might exist, The Information apparently has it on good authority that Motorola is indeed working with Google for a new 5.9-inch Nexus device, and has been ever since Motorola’s sale to Lenovo. But why is this collaboration only happening after the sale?
Separately, Motorola is also getting a boost from working on an undisclosed phone-tablet project with Google—the type of initiative which, ironically, it could not pursue as a Google subsidiary due to concerns about favoring the house-owned Android vendor over others
After Lenovo agreed to buy Motorola, Google’s Android unit began working with Motorola to develop a co-branded “Nexus” phone that’s considered to be a “phablet,” or phone-tablet, because of its large screen size, according to three people with knowledge of the matter.
The more we hear about the secretive world of Android manufacturers, the more it sounds like the Bold and the Beautiful. But what about Android Silver, the program that was famously rumoured to be ending the Nexus line of devices, including the aforementioned Nexus 6?
According to the report, Google Chief Business Officer, Nikesh Arora, was to head up the Android Silver initiative, however he is said to be leaving Google soon:
Some in [Arora’s] camp wanted Silver to supersede the Nexus phone program. But with Mr. Arora’s absence, there are questions about how much firepower Google will give to the Silver program.
This isn’t to say that the Android Silver program won’t still go ahead and somehow coexist with the Nexus line, or even still replace it, but it does leave open the door for a few more Nexus devices to escape should it go ahead at some point. There’s definitely more going on behind Google’s closed doors than is being reported, so we’ll see how this pans out at the end of the year when Google traditionally releases a new Nexus device.
What do you think about the possibility of a Motorola Nexus 6 and Android Silver devices? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.
Source: The Information via Android Police
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A Motorola Nexus 6 Reportedly in Our Future
A new report has come about that is suggesting Motorola will be the manufacturer of the Nexus 6. Speculation from the community pointed to LG giving another go at the the Nexus phone, but according to Android Police, Motorola and Google have a phone in the works with the codename Shamu. Why Shamu? This phone is going to be HUGE is my guess.
The Moto Nexus 6 from this report says that it will rock a 5.9-inch display, and will be due out this November. That is usually the time when Google announces their new Nexus devices, and the report also mentioned it will be available on all major carriers. The evidence is there, and we know that Google hasn’t given up on their Nexus line, so let us know what you think about a 5.9-inch Moto Nexus 6.
Source: 9to5google
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Upcoming Nexus device to be made by Motorola?
The title got you intrigued? You’re not the only one, same goes for me as well. Many people would like for something like this to come to fruition. Motorola is allegedly working on yet another device we didn’t know about, as you know Moto X+1 is expected to launch soon, this summer in fact. According… Read more »
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The Tesla Model S doesn’t have onboard navigation in China
Take a Tesla Model S for a spin in the US or Europe, and you’ll have the help of a integrated navigation system to help you find your way. In China, you’ll have to unfold a traditional, paper map. Local drivers are learning that the country’s aversion to Google services keeps Tesla from employing its usual map solution, leaving the sedan unequipped to guide its users through the streets of Shanghai. It’s an unfortunate situation, but it won’t last forever — Tesla says that it’s working on a solution that supports Chinese voice and text recognition, and expects to update cars in the Chinese market with navigation features later this year. Check out Asysha Webb’s ChinaEV blog at the source link below for Tesla’s full statement.
Filed under: Transportation
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