Never lose your iPhone charging cable again

Have you ever:

● left you phone charging cable at home?

● had a cable fail as the internal wires break after extended use?

● been unable to find an outlet or USB port to charge your phone?

Boomerang has a solution for your iPhone 6/6s – a case with built in, retractable charge/data cable + optional built in battery.

Indiegogo project page
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/boomerang-never-lose-your-iphone-charger-again#/

Manufacturer web page
http://boomerangcase.com/ / Boomerang never lose your iPhone charger again iPhone 6/6s case with a built-in 2ft retractable charger & optional additional battery pack two part case optional battery LiIon lithium ion charge charger recharge charge protection raised lip protect screen glass /

Why selfies are important

Donald “Chip” Pugh, 45 is on the run from the Lima (Ohio) police, for failure to appear. He is also a person of interest in separate arson & vandalism cases. Police have sent out alerts, but Chip feels that the mug shots included don’t do him justice.

When interviewed on Classic Rock 104.9 (Lima OH), Chip alleged, “They did me wrong, man. They put a picture out that had me looking like I was a Thundercat or somebody man. Like James Brown on the run.”¹

So he sent the police a more flattering selfie. Lima (Ohio) police, in the spirit of fair play, agreed to add the photograph supplied by Chip to future alerts.

Justice served.


Credit: Lima Police/Facebook/The Register

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/01/12/man_sends_cops_selfie/
__________

¹ Classic Rock 104.9: “Idiot of the Day”, http://1049theeagle.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/chippugh.mp3 / court idiot of the day The Eagle police selfie /

Will next-generation iPhone ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack?

Sound crazy? Consider this:

● phone manufacturers are obsessed with making their devices thinner – apparently driven by their customers’ perceived obsession with stuffing them into skinny jeans

● removing anything from a phone allows it to be repackaged to reduce any dimension – including thickness

● Apple has shown themselves to be ready to delete components which others consider essential – floppy disk, DVD drive

● Apple has been ready to create or adopt new standards before others – USB, Firewire, Thunderbolt, Lightning

● in 2014, Apple defined a spec for Lightning connected headphones

● this is not without precedent – HTC/T-Mobile in 2008, released the first Android phone in the world, with no 3.5mm plug, using the USB port for headphone connection, in addition to charging & data i/o¹

● Lightning headphones already exist²

● an online petition asking Apple not to dump the 3.5mm jack has 200,000 signatures³

● Bluetooth headphones may be used

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2016/01/report-next-generation-iphone-design-will-ditch-the-3-5mm-headphone-jack/
__________

¹ Engadget: “Confirmed: T-Mobile G1 has no 3.5mm headphone jack”, http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/23/confirmed-t-mobile-g1-has-no-3-5mm-headphone-jack/

² Gizmodo: “These $800 Lightning Headphones Make Your iPhone's 3.5mm Jack Redundant”, http://gizmodo.com/these-800-lightning-headphones-make-your-iphones-headp-1747045839

³ Phone Arena: “More than 200,000 people petition to save the 3.5mm headphone jack in the iPhone 7”, http://www.phonearena.com/news/More-than-200000-people-petition-to-save-the-3.5mm-headphone-jack-in-the-iPhone-7_id77278 / iPhone thinner iPhone 7 rumor mill Fast Company design ditch standard 3.5mm headphone jack make phone thinner Japanese website Mac Okatara November Fast Company 9to5 Mac anonymous sources lend extra weight to the claim Apple developing different potential accessories replace ubiquitous 3.5mm EarPods ship iPhone headphones connect via Lightning port spec Apple defined Lightning headphones 2014 charge phone listening to music phone support wireless charging Apple Watch Android Windows phones completely wireless headset Apple Beats acquisition no wire connecting headphones iPhone no wire connecting left and right earbuds together Apple testing replacement headphones solutions market dongle standard headphones dropping headphone jack thinner phone important extra battery space freed up relatively deep headphone jack dumping old technology drive adoption new technology typical Apple behavior ubiquity 3.5mm jack guarantee consumer pushback Internet petition 200,000 people signing Apple dump 3.5 mm jack plug every computer tablet phone buy billions 3.5mm headphones guarantee a painful transition /

Tesla update delivers autonomous park & summon (video)

With version v7.1 of the software, Tesla Model S is able to autonomously park or be summoned using the key fob. Suitable automatic garage doors can also be controlled by the vehicle. Requires hardware fitted to Model S since October 2014.


Credit: Ricco831/YouTube

Tweaks to the Autopilot system include:

● speed restricted to 5 mph over the listed speed limit

● improved lane following at gaps in lane markings & worn lane markings

More video at:

Jalopnik
http://jalopnik.com/you-can-now-autonomously-park-and-summon-the-tesla-mode-1752037395?rev=1452385634686&utm_campaign=socialflow_jalopnik_twitter&utm_source=jalopnik_twitter&utm_medium=socialflow

Road & Track
http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/car-technology/news/a27842/telsa-software-update-limits-autopilot-adds-remote-park/

Autoblog
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/01/10/summon-tesla-model-s-new-autopilot-feature/ / now autonomously autonomous park summon Tesla Model S Tesla Motors software update Model S tweaks car’s car Autopilot feature allowing owners autonomously park summon update v7.1 Autopilot software Model S allow owners instruct cars pull into or out of parking spaces autonomously via key fob Motherboard similar BMW included newest 7 series system required owner manually guide car into the spot all on its own autonomously parking Tesla software in action video James Mejarus standard hardware every Model S built since October 2014 cameras sensors vehicle’s bumpers car will park itself come out of its parked spot upon request garage doors videos YouTube user Ricco831 Model S garage door opener connected garage door via a HomeLink connection car autonomously open garage door park itself close the garage door behind itself park car reverse parked owner summons settings second video customizable settings variable stop distance allowance for parking in tight spaces lined up flat driveways user key fob within close proximity stopped at any point pressing center button key fob update Model S park traditional parking spots perpendicular curb most Tesla charging stations v7.1 software update tweak Autopilot system Model S, restricting vehicle only five mph over listed speed limit person in the driver’s seat roads residential environment without center divider updated software parking upgrades determine types of vehicles around road better lane adjustment passing gaps in road markings highway exits faded markings Autopilot Autopilot semi-autonomous driving future /

Tim Cook calls notion of Apple avoiding US taxes “political crap”

Apple CEO, Tim Cook
Credit: Carlo Allegri/Reuters/The Guardian

Why is he laughing?

Could you make the claim in the headline & keep a straight face?

Apple is doing something similar in Australia & probably your country too.

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/dec/19/tim-cook-calls-notion-of-apple-avoiding-us-taxes-political-crap / Apple chief executive Tim Cook dismissed total political crap technology giant avoiding taxes Cook’s remarks CBS 60 Minutes show debate United States corporations avoiding taxes techniques inversion deals company re-domiciles tax base another country Apple saves billions dollars taxes through subsidiaries Ireland declares overseas profit Apple pays every tax dollar we owe Cook told 60 Minutes Charlie Rose excerpts interview released Friday Cook bringing profits back United States of America USA cost 40% reasonable thing to do Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations investigated Apple’s tax strategies company avoided paying $9 billion US taxes strategy involving three offshore units no discernible tax home residence press office subcommittee request for comment Cook’s remarks Apple holds $181.1bn offshore profits more than any other US company owe estimated $59.2bn taxes bring money back to the United States recent study SEC filings showed current tax code industrial age digital age Cook fixed Rebecca Lester assistant professor of accounting Stanford Graduate School of Business Cook’s colorful language frustration lack movement tax reform in Washington companies government game of chicken which one moves first corporations unwilling bring overseas money tax implications want Washington to act Tim Cook frustrated Apple shares closed Friday /

How well does the Tesla Model X work as a tow vehicle? (video)

Tesla Model X SUV
Credit: Green Car Reports/Tesla Motors

Almost no electric vehicles (EVs) are designed for towing. A problem for some.

Only the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV & the Tesla Model X are approved for towing by the manufacturer. “PHEV” in the name of the Mitsubishi stands for “Plug in Hybrid Electric Vehicle”. Electric-only range is actually quite short, at up to 50 km.

That leaves only the Tesla Model X as an EV with towing capability:



http://ecomento.com/2016/01/06/how-well-does-the-tesla-model-x-ev-work-as-a-tow-vehicle-video/?utm_content=bufferbc541&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer / Tesla Model X owner Max Kennedy hooked heavy 4,850 lb boat trailer drive how towing would impact range EV electric vehicle electric car SUV 4 wheel drive 4WD AWD all wheel drive towing anything heavy reduce range by 50% or more 212 miles range reduced to under 100 miles journey not surprising every vehicle uses more fuel tow a heavy trailer difference Model X vehicle that could replace typical tow vehicle pickup truck SUV refueled quickly towing chores Tesla will need stop at least a half hour every 100 miles recharge battery towing a significant load heavy substantial load Model X owners won’t be towing horse trailer cross country limited range won’t be an issue many had hoped range penalty would not be as great as it is Tesla selling many Model X cars /

First Drive – Chevrolet Bolt 200 mile electric car prototype

Chevrolet Bolt at CES 2016
Credit: Jalopnik

Green Car Reports has driven a prototype of Chevrolete's mass market, ($US30-40,000) Bolt, 200 mile (320 km), range electric car, due for release as a 2017 model.

Some interesting technical details are now available:

● flat battery under the floor, abandoning the space-robbing T-shaped battery pack the Volt inherited from the EV1

● front-wheel-drive

● performance is good – GM claims 0-to-60-mph in less than 7 seconds

● passenger volume of 94.4 cubic feet is larger than the Nissan Leaf (92.4 cubic feet) & even the 94 cubic feet of the externally much larger Tesla Model S

● cargo volume 16.9 cubic feet

● Michelin self-sealing tires instead of spare tire or inflator kit^1,2

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1101705_first-drive-chevy-bolt-ev-200-mile-electric-car-development-vehicle

http://jalopnik.com/the-chevrolet-bolt-is-exactly-what-tesla-motors-wanted-1751470440

http://www.forbes.com/sites/joannmuller/2016/01/07/first-drive-chevrolet-bolt-is-a-shocker-that-might-convince-you-to-buy-an-electric-car/

http://www.cnet.com/products/2017-chevrolet-bolt/

Tesla plans to release their Model 3, with similar range & price, in a similar time-frame. It will also have free access to the Tesla Supercharger network for the life of the vehicle.³ Given a choice between two otherwise-similar vehicles, easy, free, long distance travel is likely to tip many buying decisions.
__________

¹ Michelin’s self-sealing tires appear to make a spare, inflator kit or run-flat capability, superfluous.

² Tire Business: “Michelin claims self-sealing tire technology could be a game-changer”, http://www.tirebusiness.com/article/20110620/ISSUE/306209976/michelin-claims-self-sealing-tire-technology-could-be-a-gamechanger

³ Hitchhikers Guide 2 Tech: “More about the third generation Tesla electric vehicle”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/more-about-third-generation-tesla.html

/ production version 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV engineering development vehicles drove affordable 200 mile electric cars broad mass market Chevrolet Chevy let journalists drive integration vehicles test latest versions software GM's Bolt EV team Volt drive ride Chevrolet Bolt EV production car Nissan Leaf 2017 Chevy Bolt EV twice the range passenger space more modern interior Bolt EV drove Las Vegas parking-lot course uncloaked spy shots last year's Detroit Auto Show concept upright five-door hatchback blunt nose very short front and rear overhangs Bolt EV chief engineer Josh Tavel shortest overhangs of any vehicle in GM's global lineup Orion Michigan assembly plant Bolt EV platform suspension components body structure flat battery pack under the floor 2017 Chevy Bolt EV development GM LG Chem partnership engine transmission innovative crash engineering stubby nose lower cradle traction motor driveline upper cradle power electronics frontal transverse energy transfer absorption highest safety ratings Volt like silver vertical hatch opening spacious load bay 16.9 cubic feet cargo volume portable 120-Volt charging cord under load bay Bolt EV users owners recharge large battery pack 240-Volt Level 2 charging no spare tire inflator kit first car market to use the latest development of Michelin's self-sealing tire technology run-flat tires seal around any nails other small punctures cabin thin front seats extra inch rear legroom seating four adults sit comfortably five-passenger passenger volume two segments larger car's exterior size Pam Fletcher GM's executive chief engineer electrified vehicles short overhangs Bolt EV is wide interior space suitable long distance travel by four Chevy Bolt EV electric car prototypes testing traction electric motor engine Bolt easy to park flat floor seats comfortable occupants sit upright dashboard fully digital 8-inch instrument cluster behind steering wheel central 10.2-inch touchscreen display console graphic design user-configurable displays Bolt EV GM's new digital rear-view mirror standard rear-facing camera wide 80-degree image crisp digital display replaces mirror glass General Motors GM Chevy Bolt electric car 200 mile range enclosed test course development Bolt accelerated acceleration cornered relatively flat 17-inch alloy wheels steering positive self-centering action no motor or electronics whine audible brake feel consistent regenerative friction braking Bolt EV left-hand paddle Volt driver increase regenerative braking rate one-pedal driving Low mode one-pedal driving General motors GM variable-regen paddle accelerator paddle one-pedal driving development team felt combined long range affordability functionality performance connectivity GM engineers Bolt EV /