Monthly Archives: August 2015

FCA drops $2.5 million on new 4×4 dyno for snow and ice testing

FCA drops $2.5 million on new 4×4 dyno for snow and ice testing

Cars, , , ,

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles has announced that it has spent $2.5 million to improve its Chrysler Technology Center (CTC) at the FCA HQ in Auburn Hills, Mich. The new CTC is designed to test the capability of 4×4 vehicles in a wider range of temperature extremes from -40 with snow blowing at 100mph to 130-degrees simulating a warm Texas summer day.

The drive cell housing of the new dyno can be chilled to 40 below zero to simulate blizzard conditions to determine how the vehicles will perform when dense snow clogs air intakes. The drive cell has a dyno system that and handle up to 350hp in the front and a dyno that can handle up to 650hp in the rear.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/fca-drops-2-5-million-on-new-4×4-dyno-for-snow-and-ice-testing-07395956/

Galaxy Note 5 event may have a tablet, too

Galaxy Note 5 event may have a tablet, too

Phones, , , , , , , , , ,

A teaser has been released by Samsung for the next big “Unpacked” event showing not just the Galaxy Note 5 and larger “Edge”, but a tablet too. This larger tablet is likely a 7-inch tablet made to take on the likes of the missing 7-inch spot in Google’s collection and the iPad mini. Whether or not it will have an S Pen is moot – though the non-appearance of a stylus popping out in this teaser seems to suggest it’ll be without.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/galaxy-note-5-event-may-have-a-tablet-too-06395831/

Acer rolls out Aspire One Cloudbook 11 and 14 notebooks

Acer rolls out Aspire One Cloudbook 11 and 14 notebooks

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , ,

Acer has unveiled a pair of new notebook computers that are powered by Windows 10 and one is available just in time for back to school. The new machines include the Acer Aspire Cloudbook 11 and Cloudbook 14. There will be two versions of the Cloudbook 11 that launch this month; the larger screen Cloudbook 14 won’t hit stores until October.

The most basic of the Cloudbook 11 configuration has an 11.6-inch screen with 1366 x 768 resolution. It gets power from an Intel Celeron dual-core 1.6GHz processor. With Turbo boost, that CPU can reach speeds up to 2.16GHz. All three of the Cloudbook machines use the same processor.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/

2016 Chevy Volt gets 106 MPGe fuel economy rating

2016 Chevy Volt gets 106 MPGe fuel economy rating

Cars, , , , , , ,

Chevrolet struggled this year with sales of the plug is hybrid Volt. In April, sales were so slow for the vehicle that Chevy halted production of the car for four weeks to allow unsold stock to move on dealerships around the country. Chevy hopes that the new 2016 Volt will woo more buyers with its improved efficiency and longer electric driving range.

The EPA fuel efficiency numbers are in for the 2016 Volt and the car has a 106 MPGe rating. It will have a 53 mile driving range on electricity alone. That is significant because it will allow many people to do all of their daily driving on electricity alone. The 53-mile driving range on electricity is about 40% better than the older version of the Volt.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/2016-chevy-volt-gets-106-mpge-fuel-economy-rating-04395479/

Monster SuperStar BackFloat Review: the best waterproof bluetooth speaker yet

Monster SuperStar BackFloat Review: the best waterproof bluetooth speaker yet

Wearables, , , , , ,

The Monster SuperStar BackFloat speaker is a simple concept – it pumps out the jams while it floats in water. Water to which it is resistant. You can toss it in the pool and not worry about it exploding, shutting down, or otherwise being wrecked. While the price isn’t something you’re going to want to pay for your everyday average speaker this size, what you receive is immense: reliable, full sound in a package that wont sink when you toss it in the drink.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/monster-superstar-backfloat-review-the-best-waterproof-bluetooth-speaker-yet-05395753/

Lotus Elise will roll back into the US in 2020

Lotus Elise will roll back into the US in 2020

Cars, , , ,

Of all the sports cars that Lotus ever made, my favorites were the late model Elise and Exige models. Those cars disappeared from the US back in 2011 because the cars no longer met US safety regulations and exemptions that Lotus had to continue selling here expired. That means the Elise and Exige were suddenly unavailable for sports car buyers in the US.

Word is that the Elise will be coming back to the US, but it will be half a decade before that happens. Lotus has announced that the Elsie will be coming back to the US in 2020. Part of meeting crash standards for the US likely means that the cars will get heavier.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/lotus-elise-will-roll-back-into-the-us-in-2020-05395645/

Audi prices up its 2016 A3 e-tron hybrid for US drivers

Audi prices up its 2016 A3 e-tron hybrid for US drivers

Cars, , , , ,

Audi has priced up the 2016 A3 Sportback e-tron for the US, its first – but, if all goes to plan, not last – electrified car for American drivers. The hybrid hatchback pairs a 1.4-liter TFSI engine with a plug-in electric drive system, and will show up in dealerships from October. Audi is, unsurprisingly, pitching it above a Prius or a Volt, however, with the A3 e-tron starting out at $37,900 before federal tax credits.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/

Microsoft Outlook goes to Apple Watch with app update

Microsoft Outlook goes to Apple Watch with app update

Wearables, , , , , , ,

More and more third-party email apps for iOS are expanding with Apple Watchsupport, and now Microsoft’s Outlook is joining the party. An update was released yesterday for Outlook for iOS, adding an Apple Watch app which gives users the ability to read more of a mail from a notification, as well as reply directly from the wearable. In addition to the inbox management features, there’s also access to upcoming events on the calendar.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/

Tesla Model X finally ready to hit the road next month

Tesla Model X finally ready to hit the road next month

Cars, , , , , , ,

After nearly two years of delays, Tesla is on the verge of rolling out its second electric vehicle line, the Model X. In its second quarter letter to shareholders, Tesla revealed, among other things, that Model X is still on track for a September launch. That is, if all goes well. Since nothing is set yet in stone, and delays could still happen, we aren’t going to hold our breaths yet. But Tesla does need to get the SUV out the door as soon as possible before it has an angry mob of pre-order customers banging at its gates.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/tesla-model-x-finally-ready-to-hit-the-road-next-month-06395787/

Star Wars Death Star Final Duel LEGO Review

Star Wars Death Star Final Duel LEGO Review

Wearables, , ,

Today’s LEGO review of Palpatine’s Throne Rome, otherwise known as the “Death Star Final Duel”, we’re going to do something different. Instead of just getting up close and personal with all the little bits, we’ve gone ahead and captured a number of emotional, colorful recreations of the most epic scenes from Star Wars: Return of the Jedi, the film from whens this LEGO set and its minifigures originated. Prepare yourself for the most intense and highly dramatic LEGO review we’ve done so far!
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/star-wars-death-star-final-duel-lego-review-04395590/

Google Slides now works with video calls

Google Slides now works with video calls

Wearables, , , , , , ,

This morning Google updated their “Google Slides” functionality for mobile and desktop devices to work on video calls. This system recently added functionality for Chromecast and Apple’s Airplay, now they’re bringing the slides presentation system to the remote viewing world. Users on Android smartphones or tablets will see a “video call” option when they tap the “Present” button in Google Slides starting this week.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/google-slides-now-works-with-video-calls-05395711/

OnePlus 2 vs Moto X Style – which one “potentially” deserves your money?

OnePlus 2 vs Moto X Style – which one “potentially” deserves your money?

Phones, , , , , , , , ,

Last week we saw not one but two mid-year racehorses make their way into the smartphone tracks. One an established veteran in the industry, the other almost a David in comparison, both putting out mouthwatering offers. But at the end of the day, unless you have the money to spare, you will choose only one. Is the OnePlus 2 really worthy of all the hype the startup generated? Or was the Moto X Style able to repeat the magic of the original Moto X in 2014? Pending a full blown review, we do a spec and feature side-by-side to get a preliminary appraisal.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/oneplus-2-vs-moto-x-style-which-one-potentially-deserves-your-money-04395493/

Samsung pulls plug on secret tablet TV controller

Samsung pulls plug on secret tablet TV controller

Tablets, , , ,

A Samsung scheme to oust the traditional TV remote with a dedicated media tablet has been axed, insiders claim, scuppered over content rights and in-fighting. Samsung Perfect Experience, or “PX” as it was apparently known in internal shorthand, was initially intended to be a key feature of the company’s 2015 TV line-up. However, the skunkworks-style project built in no small part on former Boxee talent was shuttered amidst delays.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/samsung-pulls-plug-on-secret-tablet-tv-controller-05395740/

Review: Inateck MarsBox wireless speaker — angular and playful

Review: Inateck MarsBox wireless speaker — angular and playful

Audio & Video, , , , , , ,

Inateck has recently launched a trio of new speakers, one of which is the Inateck MarsBox BP2002 wireless speaker. The market has no shortage of wireless speakers, and so finding a way to stand out is imperative. Inateck managed to do that with its unusual, minimalist and vaguely LEGO-like design. The MarsBox features what appears to be two different angular components fused together at offset angles, forming a puzzle-like arrangement joined by four atypical buttons reminiscent of older gamepads. How does it sound? Read our full review to find out!
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/review-inateck-marsbox-wireless-speaker-angular-and-playful-04395444/

Smartphone fingerprint scanners are still not secure enough

Smartphone fingerprint scanners are still not secure enough

Phones, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Android just can’t seem to get a break lately. After the really frightening Stagefright bug and then a slightly related vulnerability exposed by security firm Trend Micro, another component is being branded as insecure. Granted, it’s not a widespread malady this time as only Android smartphones with fingerprint sensors are affected. Tao Wei and Yulong Zhang, both researchers from FireEye, are singling out the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One Max as the most vulnerable examples of this case at the Black Hat security conference this week.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/smartphone-fingerprint-scanners-are-still-not-secure-enough-06395795/

Apple Music woos 11 million users to trial

Apple Music woos 11 million users to trial

Wearables, , , , , ,

It’s been a month since Apple rolled out its music streaming service. Apple Music offered potential subscribers a free trial membership to try the streaming service to see if they like it. The numbers are in and 11 million people took advantage of that trial according to Apple executives. Out of those 11 million users, 2 million of those users signed up for the family plan costing $14.99 monthly.

The normal Apple Music plan for an individual sells for $9.99 monthly and gives users access to 30 million songs and a bunch of playlists curated by people. Live radio stations are available as well. The free trial period is three months.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com

Ford Gives F-150 a sport mode borrowed from the Mustang

Ford Gives F-150 a sport mode borrowed from the Mustang

Cars, , , ,

The hallmark of the 2015 F-150 truck is the switch to aluminum body panels from steel, shaving 700 pounds off the truck for more performance and fuel efficiency. To make the truck perform even better Ford has announced that it has added a new Sport mode to the truck. This mode is on-demand and borrowed from a similar feature in the Mustang.

Sport mode is available with any engine option in the F-150 range and operates in 2WD, 4WD automatic, and 4WD high settings. The feature is activated by pressing the tow/haul button twice. Ford says that the feature was developed on the Mustang but since engineers often worked with the Mustang and the new F-150 back to back, the Sport mode feature was ported to the truck.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/ford-gives-f-150-a-sport-mode-borrowed-from-the-mustang-06395801/

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL flagship leaks

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL flagship leaks

Phones, , , , , , , ,

Microsoft may have been focusing on Windows 10 lately, but it also has a pair of flagship smartphones in the pipeline, photos of one of which have now leaked. The Microsoft Lumia 950 and 950 XL – otherwise known by their codenames, Talkman and Cityman – are expected to make their official debut in September or October this year, but the larger Lumia 950 XL has apparently escaped early in prototype form, at least.

The photos, shared on Chinese forum WPXAP, show what’s to be Microsoft’s Windows 10 phone flagship.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/microsoft-lumia-950-xl-flagship-leaks-04395518/

Tesla hacked: car can be shut down via connected laptop

Tesla hacked: car can be shut down via connected laptop

Cars, , , , , , , , , , ,

As the auto industry and security community is still reacting to the new about a Jeep Cherokee being hacked as it drove down the road, it comes as a surprise that Tesla, easily the most technology advanced vehicle the world has seen thus far, may have a similar vulnerability. At the ongoing hacking and security conference Def Con, researchers have revealed they were able to hack the all-electric, internet-connected Tesla Model S, the Wall Street Journal reports.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/tesla-hacked-car-can-be-shut-down-via-connected-laptop-06395809/

Nokia N1 tablet heads to the UK and Ireland

Nokia N1 tablet heads to the UK and Ireland

Tablets, , , , , ,

Back in March, we spent some hands on time with the Nokia N1 Android tabletand walked away liking the device pretty well. The big downside to the slick tablet at the time was that Nokia had no plans to offer the tablet for sale outside of China. Thankfully, Nokia has changed those plans and it has now confirmed that the N1 tablet will be officially offered in the UK and Ireland.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/nokia-n1-tablet-heads-to-the-uk-and-ireland-06395805/

Star Wars: Battlefront’ gets 20-player aerial combat

Wearables, ,
Yes, slicing your enemies with a lightsaber is one reason to buy Star Wars: Battlefront, but it shouldn’t be the only reason. At Gamescom 2015, Electronic Arts has revealed that it’s adding in an aerial combat sim to the game, entitled Star Wars: Fighter Squadron. The title is a 20-player aerial combat mode that pits Rebel forces against the Empire’s TIE Fighter squadrons, much like the Lucasarts classics of yore. 20 human players will also be joined by 20 computer-controlled ships, meaning that each glorious battle will see 40 craft zooming around at once.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.engadget.com/2015/08/05/star-wars-battlefront-dogfighting/
facebook

Facebook adds new messaging options to Pages

Wearables, , , ,

Facebook Pages have become a common way for businesses to stay in contact with their customers, allowing them to post statuses with relevant information and allowing customers to reply to the statuses. In addition, customers are able to communicate with the businesses through private messaging on Pages. Today the social network updated its Pages’ communication features, including new messaging options for users who want to talk with a company. This includes sending messages to companies through a dedicated message button on their Facebook advertisements.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/

Exploding Kittens stop-motion unboxing

Wearables, , ,

This morning our very own box of Exploding Kittens cards arrived, ready to show us what a massively successful Kickstarter campaign looks like. Using the BLACKBOX company (the same folks that ship Cards Against Humanity) along with hundreds of other contributors, the creators of this game have created a high-quality piece of work. This card game is one of the top 5 most-funded Kickstarter projects ever, and certainly one of the most entertaining. This game also holds high esteem for not losing their cool when their original goal was surpassed by an unimaginable amount.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/exploding-kittens-stop-motion-unboxing-03395349/

 

win10

A Week with Windows 10: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Wearables, , ,

It seems almost surreal to think that it has already been a week since Microsoft unleashed Windows 10 to the world. Or at least to those not privy to Insider previews. In that short span of time, a lot has already been said about the latest, and supposedly the last, version of Windows. As expected, not all of them are good, but not all of them are bad either. Here are some of the top five things you can expect to experience when your time finally comes to upgrade.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.slashgear.com/a-week-with-windows-10-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly-05395672/

XPS 13 to come with Windows 10: has Dell’s T3 Awards 2015 nominee just earned your vote?

Computers & IT, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
The XPS 13’s virtually borderless Infinity display gave us a glimpse into the future and earned it a spot on the T3 Awards 2015 shortlist.

You can now pre-order Dell’s laptop with the operating system of tomorrow -Windows 10 – which launches on July 29.

According to Dell’s website it’s currently only available on the entry-level Full HD, non-touch version, which comes with an Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of memory and a 256GB SSD for £949.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.t3.com/news/xps-13-to-come-with-windows-10-has-dell-s-t3-awards-2015-nominee-just-earned-your-vote

Here’s how you get £100 off a new iPhone 6

Phones, , ,
Who on earth doesn’t love discounts? No one, that’s who, so allow us to direct you to an amazing deal that will save you £100 on an iPhone 6 courtesy of our buddies at TechRadar.

Here’s what you get: a free phone, unlimited calls, unlimited texts and a massive 6GB of data to use watching YouTube clips on the toilet at work. The TechRadar deals boffins have also managed to work out a way to get the phone to you free and all this costs just £35 per month.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.t3.com/

Huawei’s powerful Honor 7 coming to Europe very soon

Phones, , , , , , ,
The Huawei Honor 7 has been confimed as coming to Europe. Huawei sent us the below teaser trailer which pretty much confirms the handset will be making it to the EU. It’s a good bet it’ll be out in the UK very soon.

With the Honor 7 you get all the specs of a high end smartphone including 3GB of RAM, a 20 megapixel main camera and a fingerprint scanner yet it’s priced at just $400 (£260) for the 64GB version.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.t3.com/news/huawei-honor-7

TechRadar shows off its vision for the iPhone 7

Wearables, , , ,
The phone experts over at TechRadar have been hard at work whipping up a render of what they want to see from Apple’s future iPhone 7, giving us a glimpse of what it could end up looking like – an it’s set to be an amazing device.

We’re sure that Apple has got plans in place for the iPhone 7, but if the Cupertino company takes any cues from TechRadar’s prediction, we could be in for a very special smartphone.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.t3.com/news/techradar-shows-off-its-vision-for-the-iphone-7

OnePlus 2 is here: a flagship killer that’s half the price of rivals

Phones, , , , , , , , , ,
OnePlus is back, and after the success of its debut offering – the OnePlus One – it’s now time for that tricky second album. Can it make it two from two in the ‘flagship killer’ stakes?

Building on its predecessor the OnePlus 2 comes with more power in the form of a Snapdragon 810 processor and a fancy new fingerprint scanner hidden beneath a physical home key.

Motorola’s new smartphones will catch your attention

Phones, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Say hello to the Moto X Play and Moto X Style – the latest flagship duo from Motorola looking to take on the Samsung Galaxy S6, HTC One M9 and iPhone 6.

Boasting customisations galore, two day battery life, water resistance and fast charging, Motorola is making a real song and dance about its new handsets – so should you care?

Well for those of you who live more active lifestyles the Moto X Play promises 48 hours use from a single charge, a water resistant body and sizable 5.5-inch display.
…
Read full post here:
https://www.t3.com/news/motorolas-new-smartphones-will-catch-your-attention