Volvo's permanent high beams keep other drivers in the shade (slideshow)

Credit: Volvo/ Gizmag

Rather than dimming your headlights, why not cast a shadow to protect the drivers of oncoming cars?  That's what Volvo's new headlights do!

Works for cars you are following too.

One question though: what does the system do when there are many sources of light, as in a city? Perhaps a default shadow similar to a conventional low beam.

http://www.gizmag.com/volvo-active-high-beam-control/26445/     / dazzle dazzled car high beams dip headlamps potentially dangerous Geneva Motor Show Volvo Active High Beam Control mechanical system headlamps actively selectively shields oncoming cars being followed lights high beams continually dazzling suddenly darkened road illuminate road everywhere car approaching opposite direction approached behind see sides road confidently stay in control camera already installed rear-view mirror car detection auto braking system camera detects other car calculates area shaded 1.5-degree margin Active Beam Control system activates tiny cylinder different sized metal pieces shade selected area proper degree renewed Active High Beam Control technology enhance visibility Prof. Lotta Jakobsson, Senior Technical Specialist Safety at Volvo Cars Safety Centre /

Evernote resets user passwords after being hit by “coordinated” hack

Yes, Evernote's system has been hacked. No, there is no evidence that any data you may have stored with them has been compromised. Your passsword is protected by one way encryption, so the password reset is precautionary only.

http://arstechnica.com/security/2013/03/evernote-resets-all-user-passwords-after-coordinated-breach-attempt/     / 50 million users reset login credentials site's site security team detected security breach exposed password data other personal information security notice published Evernote precautionary password reset investigation evidence stored content being accessed changed lost breach breached advisory payment information accessed user information usernames cryptographically protected passwords e-mail addresses  accessed passwords stored protected one-way encryption technical terms hashed salted digital break-in technique more time-consuming to crack security team time breach passwords password weak weaker crackers crack cracking strong stronger precaution necessary precaution reset account sign signing in automated prompt site release releasing updates application applications app apps password change process /

FlipKase Keyboard Folio case for iPad (video)

Credit: Jeff Erdfarb/ The Gadgeteer


Credit: Jeff Erdfarb/ Kickstarter

There's a problem with typing on an iPad: no real keyboard.  Plus small on screen keyboard.  Plus when the on screen keyboard is displayed, very little of the screen is left for the text being typed.

Cases with  built in keyboards are available, but they have smaller than standard keys & often non-standard key placement.

So I bought an Apple Bluetooth keyboard.  Hardly seen any use.  My preferred use of the iPad is on my lap.   Bluetooth keyboard doesn't work for me in this application.

But a solution may be at hand.  This Kickstarter project is a case which holds an iPad & Apple Bluetooth keyboard like a laptop.

See what you think:

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/03/01/flipkase-keyboard-folio-case-for-ipad/

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/401868602/flipkase-keyboard-folio-pro-case-for-apple-keyboar-0?ref=live     / iOS Apple Bluetooth keyboard full size /

Afraid you'd forget to charge an electric vehicle (or your phone)? (video)

Some people are resistant to owning an electric vehicle because they think they'll forget to charge it overnight & not be able to get to work the next day.  In my experience they are the same people who can't remember to charge a mobile (cell) phone.

One solution is inductive charging.  This is a pad on/in/beneath the surface the car drives over.  With an inductive charging pad on the floor of the garage, park the car as normal — the pad on the floor & a matching one on the bottom of the vehicle recognize one another & charging begins.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b71wC4z8its&feature=youtube_gdata_player

As indicated in the video, inductive charging would be excellent in public charging facilities.  Late for a meeting, or raining?  No problem, just park & forget.  When you come back your car will be charged.

How does inductive charging work?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Wf7aadxBkE&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Frequently forget to charge your phone?  Get a second battery & external charger.  One morning you discover that your phone is flat.  Swap batteries, put the flat one on the charger.  "Instant" recharge & there'll be another charged battery for tomorrow too.  A spare charger (or just a cable to plug into a USB port) at work can help as well.

E Ink Android phone lasts a week per charge, debuted at MWC 2013

Credit: E Ink/ BGR

Your smartphone has a big, bright, colourful display.  It looks great!

Problem: It consumes lots of power.  And it's almost impossible to read in direct sunlight.

Solution: An E Ink display consumes power only when the displayed image changes & it looks great in sunlight.

But, are you ready to give up all those colours?

http://bgr.com/2013/02/28/e-ink-android-phone-mwc-350263/#more-350263     / Mobile World Congress color colors colorful black-and-white black and white touch screen battery life power energy touch screen /

Interview with Elon Musk on Tesla Model S performance in cold weather

What happens to electric range in sub-zero temperatures?  Elon Musk says it drops around 10%, but that's mainly due to battery power being used to heat the passenger compartment for the comfort of passengers.

Hint: turn down the space heating, turn up the seat heating & wear driving gloves.  You'll be just as comfortable for a fraction of the energy consumption.

http://cleantechnica.com/2013/03/01/interview-with-elon-musk-on-tesla-model-s-performance-in-cold-weather/     / motors electric vehicle EV battery LiIon lithium ion range charge recharge New York Times road test tester pack warm heat temperature start driving liquid thermal loop transfers heat motor gearbox inverter battery pack not much incremental energy close radiator louvers lowering drag valve radiators liquid loop doesn’t reject energy to the environment ultracapacitor buffer motor gearbox inverter performance energy density /

Remote trigger for you DSLR

Credit: Satechi/ The Gadgeteer

$44.99 — that's a lot less than Canon or Nikon will charge you for a single purpose device with the same or less functionality.

A bargain!

Downside: iOS, only. Bluetooth 4.0 means less battery consumption, but iPhone 4S, or later, required.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/02/28/the-satechi-bluetooth-smart-trigger-and-an-ios-app-gives-you-expanded-control-over-your-dslr-camera/     / remote release shutter timed exposure  trigger bulb Bluetooth 4.0 technology pair iPhone 4S 5 or iPad 3 4 mini iOS app free wireless wirelessly lock timed timer delay battery life /