Google goes driverless. California agrees.

Nobody's driving: California governor signs legislation paving the way for driverless cars

Google co-founder Sergey listens to California Gov. Edmund G Brown Jr. during a bill signing for driverless cars at Google headquarters in Mountain...more
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BY TERENCE CHEA, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS SEPTEMBER 25, 2012
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - Gov. Jerry Brown rode to Google headquarters in a self-driving Toyota Prius before signing legislation Tuesday that will pave the way for driverless cars in California.

The bill by Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla will establish safety and performance regulations to test and operate autonomous vehicles on state roads and highways.

"Today we're looking at science fiction becoming tomorrow's reality — the self-driving car," Brown said. "Anyone who gets inside a car and finds out the car is driving will be a little skittish, but they'll get over it."

Google has been developing autonomous car technology and lobbying for the regulations. The company's fleet of a dozen computer-controlled vehicles has logged more than 300,000 miles of self-driving without an accident, according to Google.

"I think the self-driving car can really dramatically improve the quality of life for everyone," Google co-founder Sergey Brin said.

Autonomous cars can make roads safer, free commuters from the drudgery of driving, reduce congestion and provide transport to people who can't drive themselves, such as the blind, disabled, elderly and intoxicated, Brin said.

"I expect that self-driving cars will be far safer than human-driven cars," Brin said.

Brin predicted that autonomous vehicles will be commercially available within a decade. He said Google has no plans to produce its own cars, but instead plans to partner with the automobile industry to develop autonomous vehicles.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers expressed concern that California is moving too quickly to embrace self-driving cars and needs to first sort out liability issues.

"Unfortunately this legislation lacks any provision protecting an automaker whose car is converted to an autonomous operation vehicle without the consent or even knowledge of that auto manufacturer," the trade group said in a statement.

Autonomous cars use computers, sensors and other technology to operate independently, but a human driver can override the autopilot function and take control of the vehicle at any time.

With smartphone-wielding drivers more distracted than ever, backers say robotic vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce collisions and traffic fatalities, noting that nearly all car accidents are a result of human error.

The legislation requires the California Department of Motor Vehicles to draft regulations for autonomous vehicles by Jan. 1, 2015. Currently, state law doesn't mention self-driving cars because the technology is so new.

The regulations would allow vehicles to operate autonomously, but a licensed driver would still need to sit behind the wheel to serve as a backup operator in case of emergency.

The legislation also is aimed at keeping California at the forefront of the autonomous car industry since Stanford University and Silicon Valley companies have been working on the technology for years.

In February, Nevada became the first U.S. state to approve regulations spelling out requirements for companies to test driverless cars on that state's roads.

Carmakers such as Audi AG, BMW AG, Ford Motor Co. and Volvo have been working on autonomous car technology for years.

In recent years, automakers also have been introducing autonomous functions such as self-parking, lane departure warnings and adaptive cruise-control, which allows vehicles to automatically accelerate and decelerate with the flow of traffic.

Outside a cafe in Mountain View, customers said they looked forward to a day when their cars could drive themselves, as long as they could do it safely.

"It would make our streets safer," said Barrett Howard, 33, an auto technician. "We wouldn't have to worry about people texting or getting sidetracked. The computer will take over, and it will make life easier."

© Copyright (c) The Associated Press

Just get the iPhone 5? Want to stop advertisers in their tracks?

Did you just get an iPhone 5 or upgrade to iOS 6? Here’s how to stop advertisers from tracking you
Published on September 25th, 2012
Written by: Zach Epstein


Apple’s (AAPL) new iPhone 5 is the fastest-selling smartphone of all time thanks in part to pent-up demand for a sleek new design. The new iPhone also ships with iOS 6, the latest version of Apple’s mobile operating system, and packs more than 200 new features compared to the previous version of iOS. Among those features is a new option in the device’s settings that allows users to limit ad tracking, which prevents advertising networks from tracking iOS device owners’ usage and utilizing that data to serve targeted ads.

The setting is left off by default but iPhone, iPad and iPod touch owners who wish to prevent ad networks from collecting personal data and using it to serve them targeted advertisements can block ad tracking by opening the Settings app and going to General, then About. Scrolling down to Advertising and turning “Limit Ad Tracking” on will enable the feature.

Once turned on, ad networks will not have access to usage data or a device’s unique advertising identifier, which would otherwise be utilized to track a user and serve targeted ads. It should be noted that Apple does not yet require that all apps use the new advertising identifier in place of the previous tracking method (which uses device UDIDs), so some apps may continue to serve targeted ads until this requirement is put in place.

BGR recently reviewed the iPhone 5 and called it a class leader in almost every category.

Garmin updates iOS navigation app. Features Google Street View. Drum roll please...

Garmin Navigation App For iPhone Updated, Now Features Google Street View And Public Transportation Info
By Ben Reid | September 26th, 2012
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When Apple announced its very own Maps app for iOS 6, featuring turn-by-turn navigation and sumptuous 3D maps, companies behind some of the biggest sat-nav apps must have been quite concerned about future business. As it turns out, now is a pretty good time for said companies to plug their map-centric software, since the iOS Maps offering by Apple hasn’t been particularly popular, to put it mildly.

Garmin has come through with one such timely update to its StreetPilot navigation app for iOS, which now includes Google Street View and public transportation support, among a slew of new and intriguing features. One of my favorite new quirks to what has always been a pretty solid navigation app, is the so-called “urban guidance,” which novelly takes into consideration public transport options, such as trains, trams, buses and even boats when trying to find a practical pedestrian route.

Including the word “Google” in an app focused on navigation is certainly a good idea at this point in time, thus the inclusion of Google Street View into the StreetPilot fold wouldn’t have done the app’s image any harm whatsoever.

The advantage of Garmin, TomTom etc. over Apple Maps is that all the info is downloaded, so even if the cellular signal goes kaput, your journey won’t be interrupted whilst your device strengthens its signal.

Garmin is certainly looking to capitalize on Apple’s sub-par app, and as such, is offering Garmin for a cut-price until October 7th. Garmin North America costs $44.99, where it’s normally priced at a cent under the $60 mark. Meanwhile, Garmin USA, UK & Ireland, and Western Europe are also $15 cheaper than usual, costing $39.99, $59.99 and $84.99. Additionally, the Urban Guidance feature, which is supported a bunch of the world’s major cities, is available in the form of in-app purchase for less than normal – $2.99 as opposed to the usual $4.99.

Good savings indeed, although personally, I’ll stick with the well-functioning, and altogether more aesthetically-pleasing from TomTom. Yes, looks aren’t the end-all, be-all – particularly when you’re trying to get from A to B – but I think that cluttered look would be a bit too distracting when driving.

(Source: Garmin StreetPilot onDemand for iPhone on App Store) (via Garmin)

Would you spend 25g for a TV? Sony hopes so....

Sony's $25,000 84-inch XBR 4K LED TV

Posted: 3 hours 38 mins ago

Sony's latest television offering is an 84-inch beauty offering four times the resolution of current HD TV's on the market, and it'll set you back $25,000. Jessica Chobot is on location with Sony's Ray Hartjen getting an up close look.

iPhone 5 vs 4 S low light camera comparo

iPhone 5 camera gets tested in Iceland, panorama and low-light comparison with iPhone 4S included

BY DARREN MURPH

POSTED SEPTEMBER 24TH 2012 1:44PM

Sure, we tested the iPhone 5's camera in the well-lit streets of New York City, but if you're wondering how Apple's latest functions when used primarily as a shooter, TREK has a pretty remarkable look. Photog Austin Mann and a few of his closest pals took a pair of iPhone 5s to Iceland following launch weekend in a bid to test the unit's durability, capability and image quality next to the 4S. After two days of geyser spray and admitted "drops in mud," the uncovered 5 seemed to be a-okay, and when it comes to output from the sensor, that's worthy of praise as well.

The low-light capabilities of the 5 are perhaps the most impressive upgrade compared to the 4S, with much less noise seen in shots from the former. He also gushed over the panorama mode, which admittedly churned out some pretty seamless results of the Icelandic countryside. As for shutter speed? That too has been "significantly" improved over the 4S.

He interestingly noted that Snapseed was acting a bit wonky with iOS 6, but one has to wonder how much smoothing will be done by the Nik team now that Google's calling the shots. Hit the source link below for the full rundown, comparisons included, and a video that shows how the iPhone 5 reacts after sunset.
View Gallery:iPhone 5 shooting landscapes in Iceland

TREK, Gallery of iPhone 5 images

How much display technology is enough?

Pity. Out of my experience so far, only my Blackberry display is perfectly usable in outdoor sunlight. Sometimes, are advancements really advancements?

Let's see here...
The five-inch 1080p HTC phone could be one of five Nexus devices launching this year
Sep 24th, 2012 @ 01:40 pm › Daniel Bader
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There has been a rumour circulating for months now that Google would be expanding its Nexus line to include phones from five different vendors. The last three years the company has worked with one manufacturer (HTC then Samsung then Samsung again) to release a Nexus product but due to the relative commercial success of the Galaxy Nexus, Google plans to expand the pure Android experience.

One such device could be a variation of the Droid Incredible X, that rumoured five-inch 1080p HTC phone we saw earlier this month. Rumoured to be called either the Nexus 5 or Nexus 5X, the device is expected to pack a 1.5Ghz quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, 2GB RAM, a 12MP camera with up to 64GB of internal storage. There’s going to be a larger 2500mAh battery and LTE connectivity included, too.

Also expected is a bump in Android version to 4.1.2 with improvements to the lock screen and better performance through Project Butter. While none of this information is secured, the source is supposedly a reliable HTC informant who has provided accurate leaks in the past.

Considering the Galaxy Nexus was announced just under a year ago, it’s high time Google gets ready to make waves again.

Source: GSM Arena

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LG, Sony and Samsung Nexus devices mentioned in Japanese carrier document (Rumour)
Galaxy Nexus launching in Canada “within the next few weeks”
Categories: Mobile News
Tags: 5X, android, Android 4.1.2, HTC, nexus, Nexus 5, One 5X, One X5

OTA's and Tesla. Good idea or bad?

AUTOPIA
In Automotive First, Tesla Pushes Over-the-Air Software Patch
BY DAMON LAVRINC 09.24.12


In the future, your automobile will be locked in the same cycle of never-ending software upgrades that holds sway over computers and smartphones. For Tesla Model S owners, the future is now.

Over 100 Model S drivers will receive the auto industry’s first ever over-the-air operating system update for their new sedans within the next two weeks, Tesla says. In addition to a handful of minor code changes, the mandatory upgrade to 1.9.11 will tweak the range calculator to lower the car’s estimated driving range by 35 miles.

“Some changes may contribute to the safety parameters of the car or make material improvements to the technology,” adds Tesla spokeswoman Shanna Hendriks. ”Some changes will provide the driver the option to control/turn off any added new features — such as idle creep.”


Image: Tesla
Model S owners will notice an alarm clock icon at the top of the sedan’s 17-inch touchscreen alerting them of the update, and according to Tesla, the owner can schedule the software modification for a time of their choosing. The Model S has to be parked to perform the upgrade and Tesla says the software push should take around two hours to complete. If the Model S is plugged in, charging will pause until the update is done, and then resume immediately. There is no way for drivers to opt out of the upgrade.

While both Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler have announced plans to perform over-the-air updates to select models next year, Tesla will be the first automaker to issue an update using either the embedded 3G data connection in the car or a WiFi signal provided by the driver’s home internet connection.

The software push brings to cars the sometimes frustrating technological rite of the software patch. Once carried out over physical media, if at all, the internet turned upgrades into a standard part of the computing experience. Microsoft Windows users, for example, are accustomed to the second Tuesday of the month delivering a new bundle of security patches. Mac OS X normally checks for software updates from Apple every week.

With embedded data connections and on-board WiFi, the over-the-air upgrade path has been edging closer to the automotive industry with each new vehicle launch, as automakers strive to deliver more functionality to a generation of auto-buyers who’ve grown up with connected gadgets.

The major feature of Tesla’s reworked software will be replacing the Rated Range in Max Range mode, which is currently set at 300 miles. The new Rated Range will reflect the EPA’s 5-cycle test, which rated the Model S at 265 miles.

As we detailed in our review, there are two displayed ranges on the Model S: the Rated Range, which is based on ideal driving conditions, and the Projected Range, which utilizes data from the last 30 miles driven to determine approximately how far the driver can go on the current charge. This new Rated Range algorithm is more aggressive, and according to the automaker, “means your Rated Range will be easier to ‘beat’ with efficient driving and will be more accurate given spirited driving.”

Tesla also points out that this update will not affect the storage or driving abilities of the Model S.

The two minor, consumer-facing features of the update include the ability to display only projected or rated range in the customizable instrument panel behind the steering wheel. The other feature is a new entry/exit protocol that will turn on the instrument panel and touchscreen when any door is opened (previously this was limited to the driver’s door), and the previously played audio track resuming automatically, but beginning at a lower volume. When leaving the vehicle, the volume will descend and all the displays will stay on until the last door is closed.