5 reasons you should get a Galaxy Note 4 instead of an iPhone 6 Plus

Credit: newegg.com

Something the linked article doesn’t mention is the Note 4’s adaptive fast charging – zero to 50% charge in 30 minutes – only works with the supplied charger, but could be a lifesaver.

http://www.pastemagazine.com/blogs/lists/2014/11/5-reasons-why-you-should-get-a-galaxy-note-4-instead-of-an-iphone-6-plus.html / Apple massive big screen 6 inch phone Samsung Note series phone phones smartphone smart phone make phone calls device tablet phablet large smartphone Android owners switch iPhone big screen Note 4 Galaxy Note 4 iPhone 6 Plus larger screen smaller size larger display make room circular home button large bezels massive vibrant 5.7-inch display larger smaller 5.5 inch display more display content less wasted space true stylus support Note’s biggest draws S Pen stylus proprietary stylus functional reactive third party stylus variety of options tools software slot back of the phone multitasking open up apps side by side run simultaneously copying pasting copy and paste quicker Ultra Power Saving Mode massive batteries last at least all day huge benefit power users greyscale brick phone phone calls texts SMS manually refreshed email ten percent battery hours of battery life great safety feature removable battery expandable storage unibody design aesthetically pleasing sturdy removable back access battery micro SD slot biggest advantages Android devices iPhones tipping point buyers upgrade storage cost replace your battery /

Toyota to survey electric vehicle charging facilities in Japan – updated

Credit: Charged EVs

Toyota’s effort to manufacture sustainable vehicles has, so far been restricted to the Prius hybrid. In some markets, there is a plug-in version (with a larger battery), in which petrol is augmented by electricity from the grid.

In the US, Toyota marketed a battery electric vehicle (BEV) variant of the RAV 4, with battery & drivetrain supplied by Tesla. However, this vehicle was seen as a compliance car. I.e. produced & sold in small numbers, in restricted markets, to comply with emissions rules. Toyota hasn’t renewed its contract for supply of battery & drivetrain, & has, in fact, sold its Tesla shares.

A misleading advertisement produced by Toyota’s Lexus subsidiary in the US suggests that all BEVs require 4 hours to charge at a public charging station.

Update: accuracy of Toyota anti-BEV advertisements isn't improving.

Toyota’s plan to begin marketing a hydrogen fuel cell car in the US in December, seemed to put an end to any possibility of a BEV from that company.

With an attitude to BEVs which seems to range between disinterest & hostility, Toyota’s plan to survey charging facilities in Japan is puzzling:

http://chargedevs.com/newswire/toyota-tests-evse-expansion-in-japan/ / Toyota five month test public EV chargers charging charge recharge Aichi Prefecture Japan commercial tourist accommodation facilities tests cultural social service facilities aim ascertain optimal number location charging stations ease of use 147 standard chargers newly installed identify identifying ideal charger locations operating methods monitoring charging frequency duration facility installing chargers city owned facilities in hilly and mountainous areas will allay user concerns about running run out of charge instal installation installing multiple chargers commercial facilities where usage is heavy monitoring changes use usage energy management measures peak shaving /

Machines making machines

That’s a the Volkswagen Golf Mk 7 production line in Wolfsburg, earlier this year. / VW plant manufacture robot robotic mechanise production line automation automated computer CAD CAM manufacturer mechanised work station workstation /

Best smartwatch you can buy

Smartwatches haven’t taken the world by storm, but they are selling & appearing soon on a wrist near you. Is one of them right for you?



https://www.theverge.com/2014/11/6/7166935/the-best-smartwatch / smartwatches the next big thing connected informed living in the future virtually every mobile phone maker Apple smartwatch most people need uses wear wearing traditional watch wrist consider upgrading smartwatch tell see the time notifications phone wearing a computer bag pocket notifications pedometer counting your steps web searches apps Dick Tracy impression text SMS message core features extra features smart phone smartphones shapes sizes OS operating system platforms Pebble Steel best option iPhone Android price E-paper epaper e-ink eink LCD display see the time flick of your wrist turns backlight on read it in the dark killer smartwatch feature app app store install custom watchfaces compass control music playback charge charges leather strap steel link bracelet available Motorola Moto 360 Android Wear best looking full-color display resolution strap delete emails add notes Evernote account Google Now battery life efficiency charge Qi wireless charger dock /

Voicing Darth Vader

You may be aware that the Darth Vader character in the Star Wars movies was played by English actor, David Prowse. Did you know that James Earl Jones provided the voice?

Prowse’s voice certainly doesn’t have the presence of Jones, due at least in part, to the muffling effect of the mask, perhaps also affected by Prowse’s West Country accent.



Interesting, perhaps slightly amusing, but a long way from being as hilarious as some want to suggest.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2014/11/darth-vader-sounded-hilarious-before-voice-over/ / Darth Vader sounded hilarious before voice-over voice over The Force Awakens new Sith villains James Earl Jones threatening voice body English actor just gesture around silence mime filming voiced lines West Country English accent English actor bodybuilder mugging along behind-the-scenes featurette funny George Lucas /

Google study finds email scams are more effective than you'd expect

There’s a widespread belief that phishing emails have a very low success rate, & depend on a huge volume at virtually zero unit cost to get a return. Don’t relax just yet, thought, because a recent co-operative study involving Google & UCSD, shows a success rate of up to 45%:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/11/07/phishing-scams_n_6116988.html?&ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000046 / weird emails trick handing over your information new study Google UCSD University of California San Diego websites phishing emails bogus pages imitate legitimate sites private details information data hackers hack hacking researchers tricked trick expected 100 phishing emails random sample self-reported Gmail users research random sample Google's Safe Browsing system how scams work websites Google Forms access data how people interacted emails websites worst performing phishing websites 3 percent users submitted their data most effective phishing sites 45 percent big business scammers attacker responsible millions of phishing emails access account account valuable enough Gmail's search function account looking term terms wire transfer bank get money account's contact list send emails person's friends family colleagues fake stories we were mugged send cash Google's advice staying safe enable two-step verification your email account report any suspicious emails respond responding suspect your account compromised realized something seemed off website visited friend asked you about weird email your address hackers access compromised accounts credentials scams problem online cyberattack against JPMorgan Chase hack 76 million households vulnerability vulnerable /

Gold Moto 360 hands-on – Let’s talk smartwatch luxury

Credit: Slashgear

Smartwatches – many of them are a bit plain-jane. Witness the original Pebble – now only $99. If you want something a bit more stylish, maybe Pebble Steel will do.

But for a real luxury look, check out some of the new gold variants of the Moto 360:

http://www.slashgear.com/gold-moto-360-hands-on-lets-talk-smartwatch-luxury-06354400/ / smartwatch smart watch stylish options market Moto Motorola 360 looks Android Wear OS operating system Champagne Gold version thinner 18mm band leather straps wrist glitzier wearable gold Moto 360 18mm wide metal bracelet light finish stainless steel version 23mm bracelets light black stainless steel Android Wear update standalone functionality platform offers health options Moto Health champagne gold model matching gold watch face strap leather cognac option masculine timepiece big round touchscreen style-conscious style conscious smartwatches Apple Watch ASUS clean minimalistic ZenWatch fashion form-factor form factor geek niche mass market traditional watch industry portfolio more tastes
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