Blog

Lyft offers free rides to relief centers during PG&E blackouts

[ad_1]

If you feel like you need the company’s help, input the code “POWERRELIEF19” into the Lyft app. You can access the part of the app where you add promo codes by tapping the three lines icon located at the top left of the interface, and then tapping on the “Promos” section. Lyft says the code is valid for two rides up to $15 each. The company is also working with United Way and 211 to provide free evacuations to individuals with specific needs.

The outreach is part of Lyft’s Wheels For All initiative, which has seen the company offer similar help during natural disasters like Hurricane Dorian.

[ad_2]

Source link

Watch ESPN’s first native 4K game Saturday — if you have DirecTV

[ad_1]

By now we’ve seen Ultra HD TV broadcasts of sports and other content, but for the first time ESPN is getting into the game. The network just confirmed that Saturday night’s college football matchup between Florida and LSU will be the first one it ever broadcasts live in native 4K resolution.

The only problem now is that the only way to watch this broadcast is via DirecTV with the right equipment. ESPN’s 4K productions in the future may be available via more distributors, but so far only the one satellite broadcaster has signed on.

The broadcast is the first of six planned college football 4K events this year under the “Samsung QLED 4K Game of the Week” banner, which will include a 4K feed of the National Championship BCS game on January 13th, 2020. Unlike Fox’s recent (upscaled from 1080p) NFL broadcasts, there won’t be any use of HDR, but it is high resolution.

Also unlike Fox, ESPN isn’t using its apps — or even Samsung’s apps — to stream the game in 4K, which seems like an unfortunate missed opportunity when the network has been preparing to handle 4K for many years now. Hopefully all goes well, and this doesn’t end up like its 3D push that shut down after a couple of years due to a lack of adoption.

[ad_2]

Source link

Tim Cook defends Apple’s decision to remove Hong Kong protest app

[ad_1]

According to Reuters, Cook said Apple based the decision on “credible information” from Hong Kong police and Apple users. Those sources said the app was used to “maliciously to target individual officers for violence and to victimize individuals and property where no police are present.” That kind of behavior would violate App Store guidelines prohibiting personal harm.

Critics argue that the app does not show the location of individual officers, so it could not be used to target law enforcement as Cook described. They say there’s no evidence that the app has been used to threaten police or public safety and that apps like Waze, which crowdsources information about police locations are still in the App store. So, while Cook was likely hoping to set the record straight and quell the controversy, plenty of people are still upset with the decision.

[ad_2]

Source link

Toyota’s hydrogen fuel-cell Mirai gets a new, luxurious look

[ad_1]

The car looks amazing and the automaker is targeting a 30% increase in range thanks to advances in the powertrain and larger capacity hydrogen storage tanks. Toyota just hopes that it’ll be able to sell this car in more places than the current locals of California and the island of Oahu (those are the only locations with hydrogen stations).

During a presentation earlier this week in North Carolina, the automaker was closed-lipped on most of the actual technical specs of the upcoming 2021 Mirai other than the car will be rear-wheel drive, quieter and more “engaging” behind the wheel. We’ll have to wait for actual range numbers from the EPA, but if Toyota can pull off its 30 percent range increase that should keep the vehicle on the road for about 400 miles between refuelings. Important for a vehicle with limited locations to fill up.

The latest Mirai should be in showrooms by the end of 2020. It’ll join a growing number of electrified Toyota vehicles. This past year we’ve seen the Carolla and Rav4 get batteries shoved into their frames for increased miles per gallon.

What we haven’t seen from the automaker is a battery-electric vehicle (BEV) roadmap for the United States. The automaker has plans for BEVs in China beginning next year but is mum on when a battery-electric will hit US shores. Sticking with hybrids (including the best-selling Prius) makes sense for the company that popularized the powertrain.

Toyota BEVs are coming to the US. We just don’t know when and instead the automaker will continue to rely on a hydrogen fueling infrastructure that’s continued to underwhelm with its growth. “I won’t deny that we’ve had some frustration with the build-out,” said Doug Murtha, vice president of corporate strategy and planning. But the company continues to see fuel cells as the future and Murtha said that he hoped that by the time the new Mirai comes to market they’ll see more stability in the network and more stations.

But it’s not putting all its hopes on just one powertrain. The company announced its plan to make an electrified version of every car in its lineup by 2025.

2021 Toyota Mirai unveil

That includes adding BEVs and noting that there are customers where an electric vehicle meets their needs as a daily driver. What it’s aiming for is a portfolio of automobiles that fit a wide range of use cases.

Hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are great. They use a chemical reaction to power an electric motor instead of relying on a battery. Plus they only emit water. They’re smooth, quiet and give you the warm fuzzy feeling of not driving a vehicle not directly powered by fossil fuels. Plus this new vehicle looks amazing.

What the 2021 Mirai may lack in fueling stations, it almost makes up for in design. The wider, longer and shorter Mirai is, in my opinion, the best looking Toyota sedan. It’ll even have optional 20-inch wheels will be available at launch.

Inside, the vehicle should have a refined layout with a 12.3-inch infotainment display and a rearview mirror camera. Sadly, we’ve only seen pictures. The vehicle shown off had darkened windows and was likely a shell. But it’s Toyota and there’s very little doubt in my mind that’ll deliver on time and with the targeted range increase.

2021 Toyota Mirai unveil

Toyota has been working on hydrogen fuel cell technology since the 90s. It actually started work on the tech at the same time it started working on hybrid vehicles. So it’s been an interestingly long road to get to this point. When I drove the Mirai a few years back, I noted that it essentially drove like a Camry which was a compliment. But this new car looks to bring fuel cells into the luxury world in a well-designed package. It’s a car to look forward too and it could be a hit if the hydrogen fueling infrastructure finally gets it together and gives folks outside of California and Hawaii a chance to try an electric car that doesn’t need to plug into a wall.

[ad_2]

Source link

Toyota’s 2021 Rav4 hybrid gets a plug

[ad_1]

Ahead of the LA Auto Show, Toyota announced that the Rav4 would get the plug-in hybrid treatment. Like most automotive teases ahead of a major event, we don’t know much about the upcoming vehicle. There’s no word on price, range, battery size etc.

But the current Rav4 hybrid has a 1.6kWh nickel-metal-hydride battery pack and a combined rating of 39 miles per gallon. Meanwhile, the plug-in Prius Prime has an 8.8kWh battery pack. So that might give us an inkling of what to expect in November when Toyota spills all the electrified beans about this vehicle.

The automaker also announced that all 2020 year models and beyond hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fuel-cell vehicles would get a battery warranty upgrade from 8 years/100,000 miles (whichever comes first) to 8 years/150,000 miles (whichever comes first).

So if you bought a new 2020 hybrid Toyota or you’re planning on buying one, you now have an extra 50,000 miles of warranty on the vehicle’s battery. So that’s a nice bonus.

[ad_2]

Source link

Tidal is offering a hefty discount for first responders in the US

[ad_1]

Like other music streaming services, Tidal was already offering military and student discounts. Now it’s launching a “Community Heroes” discount for first responders. In the US, they’ll receive 40 percent off the premium and HiFi plans. That makes the premium plan $5.99 per month and the HiFi plan $11.99 per month.

[ad_2]

Source link

Save $25 on an Amazon Echo Show 5

[ad_1]

Echo Show 5

Amazon

Street price: $90; deal price: $65

Down to $65 from a street price of $90, this is the first deal we’ve seen on the recently released Echo Show 5. We may see better deals over deals events like Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but at the moment, this $25 discount is well worth a second look if you’re interested in the latest Alexa smart display.

We have yet to test the Echo Show 5 and report our thoughts in our guide to the best smart display for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, but if you’re an Alexa user looking for the latest tech, this is the latest version of our top pick. Though we haven’t reviewed it yet, Wirecutter Staff Writer Signe Brewster wrote, “Amazon released the Echo Show 5, a mini version of the Echo Show, on June 26. It has a 5-inch display, a camera, and a speaker, and it sells for $90. We’ll update [our] guide with our thoughts once we’ve tested it.”

Apple iPad Pro Wi-Fi (12.9-inch, 256 GB)

Apple

Street price: $1,070; deal price: $950

Matching recurring deals we’ve seen in the past, the Apple iPad Pro Wi-Fi (12.9-inch, 256 GB) is down to $950 for the Space Gray finish, seen at checkout. Though this deal is increasing in frequency as of late, it still matches the all-time low we’ve seen for this tablet. If you’re not too worried about falling behind in terms of newer models, this deal is a good price and a good chance to pick up our current pick, despite pricing signs pointing to the potential announcement of a new gen.

The 12.9-inch iPad Pro is the larger version of the top pick in our guide to the best pro tablets. Wirecutter Editor Andrew Cunningham wrote, “Both the 11-inch and 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro models—which are almost entirely identical, aside from screen size—are great if you primarily intend to use your tablet as a tablet, controlling things primarily with your fingers or the excellent Apple Pencil add-on. It has a huge library of finger-friendly tablet apps, including lots of options for drawing; writing; or editing photos, audio, and video. Either iPad Pro also works great with Macs and iPhones in an Apple-centric workplace, and iOS is easy to use and simple to update, backup, and restore. But Apple’s Smart Keyboard isn’t as pleasant to type on as the Microsoft Type Cover, and iOS and its apps have limitations for people who want to use external devices or mice.”

Nest Hello Smart Video Doorbell + Google Nest Home Hub

Nest

Street price: $360; deal price: $230

This bundle is usually valued at $360, but from Best Buy it’s down to $230. If you’re in the market for a smart video doorbell, the Nest Hello is a good option, and this deal comes with the added bonus of a Google Nest Home Hub you can pair with it – all for the price of just the doorbell. It’s rare for us to find a bundle with two picks that are compatible together go for prices as good as this, so it’s a good opportunity to buy.

The Nest Hello Smart Video Doorbell is the upgrade pick in our guide to the best smart doorbell camera, and the Google Nest Home Hub that comes with it is our camera-less pick in our smart display guide. Stacey Higginbotham, Wirecutter Editor Jon Chase, and Staff Writer Rachel Cericola wrote of the Nest Hello, “The Nest Hello has 24/7 video recording, sophisticated facial recognition, and customizable motion detection, all of which make it a better option if security is your primary concern. However, the Hello itself is $30 more than the Ring Video Doorbell 2, and its required subscription service, Nest Aware, can cost as much as 10 times more over the course of a year than Ring’s service.”

Brondell Swash 300 Bidet

Brondell

Street price: $230; deal price: $195

In a rare deal from Amazon, the Brondell Swash 300 Bidet is down to $195 from $230. Though not the lowest price we’ve seen since tracking it, this discount is the lowest we’ve seen this whole year, and the lowest we’ve seen from Amazon. If you’ve been looking to smarten up your bathroom with some tech for your rear end, this deal is a good chance to pick up a recommended option.

The Brondell Swash 300 is the budget pick in our guide to the best bidet toilet seat or washlet. Less expensive and without the bells and whistles of our other picks, Shannon Palus wrote, “If you want to outfit your bathroom with an electric bidet for as little money as possible, go with the Brondell Swash 300. This model is bare-bones (or, as bare-bones as a luxury product can be): It has a heated seat, six options each for water pressure and temperature, and both rear and feminine wash. Unlike the pricier version of the Brondell, according to a spokesperson for the company, on this model the water stream will begin quickly but might take a moment to warm up. On the positive side, the Swash 300 has a remote that affixes to the wall, a feature typically reserved for more expensive bidets.”

Because great deals don’t just happen on Thursday, sign up for our daily deals email and we’ll send you the best deals we find every weekday. Also, deals change all the time, and some of these may have expired. To see an updated list of current deals, please go here.

[ad_2]

Source link

Canon’s cute-but-tough Ivy Rec camera hits stores later this month

[ad_1]

What’s more, the included clip doubles as the Ivy Rec’s viewfinder — as in you look through it to frame your shots. Canon says this eliminates the possibility of a broken screen. After all, you can’t break your camera’s viewfinder if it doesn’t have one.

Naturally, there’s an optional mobile app that allows you to transfer any shots and videos you capture with the camera to your phone for social media sharing, and it works through both WiFi and Bluetooth. The Canon Mini Cam app also allows you to use your phone as a live viewfinder. By default, the camera captures video at 720p and 30 frames per second, but it can also do 1080p at 60 frames per second. That said, there’s a 10-minute continuous recording limit when you shoot video at Full HD.

While Canon hasn’t said exactly when the Ivy Rec will hit store shelves, Best Buy’s website says the camera will ship on October 16th, suggesting it will be available at other retailers soon as well.

[ad_2]

Source link

Amazon Music now streams tunes to your Apple TV

[ad_1]

The timing is certainly convenient for Amazon, which now has a direct answer to Spotify’s app. However, it also underscores Apple’s (slightly) more liberal approach to competing music services as of late, including Siri integration with Spotify. Even if that’s not entirely voluntary, the end result is the same — you don’t have to be an Apple Music or iTunes aficionado to easily stream songs on an Apple TV.

[ad_2]

Source link

Corsair updates its Void Elite and HS headsets with new drivers and mics

[ad_1]

The updated series includes three models. At the top of the lineup is the $99.99 Void RGB Elite Wireless. It’s the one wireless model in the series, with support for PC and PlayStation 4 and a range of 40 feet. Corsair says the battery should last approximately 16 hours on a single charge, and includes both customizable RGB lighting and 7.1 surround sound. The Void Elite Wireless comes in two colors: carbon and white. If you want to save a bit of money and don’t mind a wired connection, there’s the $79.99 Void RGB Elite USB. Minus a USB connection, it’s identical to the wireless model — but it’s only compatible with PC.

Lastly, there’s the Void Elite Surround. With a 3.5mm headphone jack, this headset is compatible with consoles. In addition to PC, you can use the Surround with the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Included in the box is a USB adapter that allows you to get virtual 7.1 sound when you use the headset with a computer. Of the three Void Elite models, the Surround is the only one that doesn’t include RBG lighting. At $79.99, It’s also not any less expensive than the USB model. It’s available its own cherry color, as well as the carbon color of the two other models.

Corsair HS60 Pro

Corsair has also refreshed its more affordable HS series of headsets. Like the three new Void Elite models, the updated HS headsets feature new 50mm drivers and tweaked microphones. Corsair has also added additional memory foam padding on the ear cups — which should lead to a more comfortable fit. The HS series is divided up in much the same way as the Void Elite lineup. Leading the lineup is the $99.99 HS70 Pro Wireless. Like its Void Elite counterpart, it’s a 2.4GHz wireless headset with 16 hours of battery life, 40 feet range and 7.1 surround sound. It comes in two colors — cream and carbon — and is compatible with both PC and PS4.

Then there’s the HS60 Pro Surround. While it will normally cost $69.99, Corsair currently has it discounted to $49.99. It features a 3.5mm headphone jack with a braided cable, and includes a USB adapter inside the box for 7.1 sound on PC. At the lowest price is the $49.99 HS50 Pro. It comes with just a 3.5mm headphone jack. If that’s not enough choice, Corsair also has a new HS45 Surround headset. Like the HS50 Pro, it costs $49.99 but comes with a USB adapter for virtual surround sound on PC. That said, it features less premium construction than its Pro counterparts. While we can’t speak to these headsets yet, we liked the HS70 enough to include it in our 2018 holiday gift guide.

All seven new headsets are available to purchase starting today.

[ad_2]

Source link