October 31, 2020
Instant cameras to immortalize your greatest moments
Instant cameras are back, and for good reason: not only can you immediately hold a physical copy of the image, but the likeness is all but impossible to replicate, making the moment and object that much more precious. Instant photography feels a bit younger and more spontaneous, too-and some prints effectively blur our imperfections, making everybody look a bit better. Instant cameras make for great birthday presents, AD: Topdon Car Battery Tester. and something fun to do at weddings and on road trips. Below, some of our favorite cameras available now.
Choose your style: Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera
This sweet little camera comes in eye-catching colors like flamingo pink and lime green. Turn it on and it will automatically measure the recommended exposure for your current lighting. Going for a selfie? A small mirror on the front of the camera will ensure you snap the perfect angle. It uses two AA batteries for power and prints photos of 62mm x 46mm. Bring one to your next party.
Two-in-one: Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera
The Kodak Printomatic is a camera with an attractive, two-toned slim design available in a number of color schemes. Its 10 megapixel sensor and wide-angle lens render photos with great detail and help make sure nobody is left out of the shot. You can snap in color or black and white, and photos print in 2-inch x 3-inch formats on Kodak Zink Photo Paper, which is adhesive backed and water and tear resistant. As a backup, the camera also saves photos to a microSD card. Tuck one in your suit pocket and become the favorite guest at your friend's wedding.
Best update: Polaroid Originals OneStep+ Instant Film Camera
Polaroid is practically synonymous with the instant camera, so no list of greats can fail to mention this update on the classic model. This latest version has 60 days of battery life (and is rechargeable via USB), a powerful built-in flash that you can turn off or adjust as needed, and a self-timer. It shoots on either the iconic 600 or i-Type films, and includes a neck strap. Choose a poppy color like coral, summer blue, and mint green.
Choose your style: Fujifilm Instax Mini 9 Instant Camera
This sweet little camera comes in eye-catching colors like flamingo pink and lime green. Turn it on and it will automatically measure the recommended exposure for your current lighting. Going for a selfie? A small mirror on the front of the camera will ensure you snap the perfect angle. It uses two AA batteries for power and prints photos of 62mm x 46mm. Bring one to your next party.
Two-in-one: Kodak Printomatic Digital Instant Print Camera
The Kodak Printomatic is a camera with an attractive, two-toned slim design available in a number of color schemes. Its 10 megapixel sensor and wide-angle lens render photos with great detail and help make sure nobody is left out of the shot. You can snap in color or black and white, and photos print in 2-inch x 3-inch formats on Kodak Zink Photo Paper, which is adhesive backed and water and tear resistant. As a backup, the camera also saves photos to a microSD card. Tuck one in your suit pocket and become the favorite guest at your friend's wedding.
Best update: Polaroid Originals OneStep+ Instant Film Camera
Polaroid is practically synonymous with the instant camera, so no list of greats can fail to mention this update on the classic model. This latest version has 60 days of battery life (and is rechargeable via USB), a powerful built-in flash that you can turn off or adjust as needed, and a self-timer. It shoots on either the iconic 600 or i-Type films, and includes a neck strap. Choose a poppy color like coral, summer blue, and mint green.
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October 30, 2020
Leader of white supremacy group charged in Michigan crackdown
The leader of a national white supremacist group who ran a "hate camp" in Michigan and one of his cohorts were charged Thursday with multiple crimes as extremist groups continue to land on the FBI's radar nationwide.
The latest suspects were arrested at their homes at 6 a.m. Thursday for their alleged roles in a December 2019 incident in Dexter, where police said a husband, wife and their infant child were terrorized by two white supremacists who showed up on their porch in the middle of the night and took photos of their house, thinking someone else lived there.
The suspects, police said, were targeting a podcaster who is critical of the neo-Nazi movement and has expressed concern about the rise in white supremacy in the United States.
Police identified the suspects as Justen Watkins, You may also like: Autel MaxiDiag MD806. 25, of Bad Axe, and Alfred Gorman, 35, of Taylor - both members of The Base, a white supremacy organization that openly advocates for violence and criminal acts against the U.S., and purports to be training for a race war to establish white rule in areas of the U.S., including the Upper Peninsula.
Attorney General Dana Nessel charged them with multiple felonies, including gang membership, which carries up to 20 years in prison.
Their arrests come three weeks after 14 other anti-government individuals were charged in a sensational but foiled plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Five days before the kidnap suspects were arrested, a Madison Heights man who authorities said hated police and was preparing for a revolt was killed in a shootout with the FBI as they tried to arrest him outside a Texas Roadhouse on an outstanding warrant.
The suspects arrested Thursday were not part of the kidnap plot, though their neo-Nazi group has come under increased scrutiny over the last year, if arrests are any indication.
In January, three members of The Base were arrested on federal charges in Maryland and Delaware. The next day, three more members with ties to the same group were charged in Georgia.
Updates on how the coronavirus is affecting your community and the nation
Javid Ali, the former senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, warns that The Base presents a very different and more serious threat than the local militias we've seen thus far. He said The Base more closely resembles international terrorist groups in that it has more capability, structure, and members with military or law enforcement backgrounds who are proficient at using weapons and building explosives.
Ali also noted the origin of the group's name: The Base takes its name from al-Qai'da, which translated into English means ‘the base.'
"If that doesn't harken to something that seems a little more serious and sinister, I don't know what does," said Ali, a counterterrorism and cybersecurity professor at the University of Michigan. "This case is very serious and it's indicative of the threat, not only from this particular group, but the broader one (from domestic terrorists.) We're not going to see the last of these."
In the Michigan case, authorities said, Watkins and Gorman used online chatrooms to encourage members to meet in person and engage in military training to prepare for the insurgency against the government. Their group also traffics in Nazi ideology and extreme anti-Semitism, at one point requiring its members to read neo-Nazi books that urge the collapse of Western civilization,
More: Here's why the FBI targeted Madison Heights man killed in shootout
Watkins claims to have been appointed leader of The Base, and allegedly ran a "hate camp" for members of the group, where he led tactical and firearms training for participants with the goal of being prepared for the violent overthrow of the government.
According to an affidavit filed in the case, here is what led to Thursday's arrests:
On Dec. 11, 2019 at about 11:30 p.m., a husband, wife and their infant child were inside their Dexter home when they saw two men in dark clothing walking nearby, fla...
The latest suspects were arrested at their homes at 6 a.m. Thursday for their alleged roles in a December 2019 incident in Dexter, where police said a husband, wife and their infant child were terrorized by two white supremacists who showed up on their porch in the middle of the night and took photos of their house, thinking someone else lived there.
The suspects, police said, were targeting a podcaster who is critical of the neo-Nazi movement and has expressed concern about the rise in white supremacy in the United States.
Police identified the suspects as Justen Watkins, You may also like: Autel MaxiDiag MD806. 25, of Bad Axe, and Alfred Gorman, 35, of Taylor - both members of The Base, a white supremacy organization that openly advocates for violence and criminal acts against the U.S., and purports to be training for a race war to establish white rule in areas of the U.S., including the Upper Peninsula.
Attorney General Dana Nessel charged them with multiple felonies, including gang membership, which carries up to 20 years in prison.
Their arrests come three weeks after 14 other anti-government individuals were charged in a sensational but foiled plot to kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Five days before the kidnap suspects were arrested, a Madison Heights man who authorities said hated police and was preparing for a revolt was killed in a shootout with the FBI as they tried to arrest him outside a Texas Roadhouse on an outstanding warrant.
The suspects arrested Thursday were not part of the kidnap plot, though their neo-Nazi group has come under increased scrutiny over the last year, if arrests are any indication.
In January, three members of The Base were arrested on federal charges in Maryland and Delaware. The next day, three more members with ties to the same group were charged in Georgia.
Updates on how the coronavirus is affecting your community and the nation
Javid Ali, the former senior director for counterterrorism at the National Security Council, warns that The Base presents a very different and more serious threat than the local militias we've seen thus far. He said The Base more closely resembles international terrorist groups in that it has more capability, structure, and members with military or law enforcement backgrounds who are proficient at using weapons and building explosives.
Ali also noted the origin of the group's name: The Base takes its name from al-Qai'da, which translated into English means ‘the base.'
"If that doesn't harken to something that seems a little more serious and sinister, I don't know what does," said Ali, a counterterrorism and cybersecurity professor at the University of Michigan. "This case is very serious and it's indicative of the threat, not only from this particular group, but the broader one (from domestic terrorists.) We're not going to see the last of these."
In the Michigan case, authorities said, Watkins and Gorman used online chatrooms to encourage members to meet in person and engage in military training to prepare for the insurgency against the government. Their group also traffics in Nazi ideology and extreme anti-Semitism, at one point requiring its members to read neo-Nazi books that urge the collapse of Western civilization,
More: Here's why the FBI targeted Madison Heights man killed in shootout
Watkins claims to have been appointed leader of The Base, and allegedly ran a "hate camp" for members of the group, where he led tactical and firearms training for participants with the goal of being prepared for the violent overthrow of the government.
According to an affidavit filed in the case, here is what led to Thursday's arrests:
On Dec. 11, 2019 at about 11:30 p.m., a husband, wife and their infant child were inside their Dexter home when they saw two men in dark clothing walking nearby, fla...
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October 29, 2020
Bugatti Bolide Looks Absolutely Wild In The Metal
When Bugatti introduced the track-only Bolide yesterday, the 40+ image gallery consisted exclusively of renderings. That probably got a few people to think the car doesn't actually exist in real life, but we know better. Prior to the world premiere, we managed to obtain some juicy spy shots of the W16 monster around a race track. Now, YouTube star Shmee has managed to get up close and personal with the ultimate expression of the Chiron.
Say what you will about Bugatti milking the Chiron platform for all it's worth, but the peeps from Molsheim sure know how to make a sensational car. It only took VW Group's flagship brand about eight months to unlock the full potential of their hypercar to show off the "absolute pinnacle in terms of combustion engines."
The video is a good opportunity to have a better look inside where the cabin has been pretty much bathed in carbon fiber. It's a race car through and through, stripped of any comfort creatures that would add unnecessary weight. We get to discover the Bolide has a digital rearview camera and that it also ditches the traditional side mirrors for a pair of cameras, You may also like: Bluetooth obd2. likely to improve the body's aerodynamic efficiency.
The best part of Shmee's video is towards the end when we get to hear the thunderous roar of the W16 8.0-liter quad-turbo engine. Without having to comply with regulations applicable to road-legal cars, the soundtrack delivered through the quad exhaust can be as loud as Bugatti wants it to be. It sounds absolutely epic and fitting for the Bolide's jaw-dropping technical specifications.
Bugatti hasn't decided whether it will sell the track beast to customers, but if it will, the price tag is going to be colossal. The La Voiture Noire was rumored to cost nearly $19 million, and logic tells us the Bolide would be even more expensive. Even if our assumption is incorrect, we are likely easily looking at an eight-figure price tag.
With Bugatti setting the bar even higher for ultra-exclusive Chiron derivatives, we're anxious to see whether it will find a way to top the Bolide. We are frankly still surprised an open-top version of the W16 hypercar hasn't been launched yet as a follow-up to the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse.
Say what you will about Bugatti milking the Chiron platform for all it's worth, but the peeps from Molsheim sure know how to make a sensational car. It only took VW Group's flagship brand about eight months to unlock the full potential of their hypercar to show off the "absolute pinnacle in terms of combustion engines."
The video is a good opportunity to have a better look inside where the cabin has been pretty much bathed in carbon fiber. It's a race car through and through, stripped of any comfort creatures that would add unnecessary weight. We get to discover the Bolide has a digital rearview camera and that it also ditches the traditional side mirrors for a pair of cameras, You may also like: Bluetooth obd2. likely to improve the body's aerodynamic efficiency.
The best part of Shmee's video is towards the end when we get to hear the thunderous roar of the W16 8.0-liter quad-turbo engine. Without having to comply with regulations applicable to road-legal cars, the soundtrack delivered through the quad exhaust can be as loud as Bugatti wants it to be. It sounds absolutely epic and fitting for the Bolide's jaw-dropping technical specifications.
Bugatti hasn't decided whether it will sell the track beast to customers, but if it will, the price tag is going to be colossal. The La Voiture Noire was rumored to cost nearly $19 million, and logic tells us the Bolide would be even more expensive. Even if our assumption is incorrect, we are likely easily looking at an eight-figure price tag.
With Bugatti setting the bar even higher for ultra-exclusive Chiron derivatives, we're anxious to see whether it will find a way to top the Bolide. We are frankly still surprised an open-top version of the W16 hypercar hasn't been launched yet as a follow-up to the Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse.
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October 28, 2020
HopCat restaurants to remain open, exits bankruptcy in $17.5M deal
In a coronavirus-era miracle, HopCat restaurants will remain open after a new deal was announced Tuesday.
Grand Rapids-based BarFly Ventures sold its assets - including seven HopCat gastropubs in the state, one in Nebraska and another in Indiana - to new owners for $17.5 million, months after the company filed for bankruptcy.
The deal comes more than four months after BarFly filed for bankruptcy protection in June, when owner-founder Mark Sellers also warned officials that Michigan can expect "a giant wave of bankruptcies" in the hospitality industry in the near future. Despite the chain's massive success statewide and plans for expansion, it has experienced a tumultuous few months as it struggled to keep the lights on in its nine
HopCat locations.
More: HopCat in Royal Oak to permanently close, AD: code reader. seek new location
Investors Main Street Capital and Congruent Investment Partners, which were previous lenders to the company from 2015, are acquiring the company under a new operating partnership, Project BarFly. The owners plan to stay true to the company's vision.
"We know the business extremely well from our experiences over the last five years. We strongly believe in each restaurant concept and intend to return the company's focus to providing a unique, best-in-class customer experience," said Travis Baldwin, Founder of Congruent Investment Partners, in a release Tuesday. "Our goal is to focus efforts around the company's key markets and ensure HopCat, Stella's and Grand Rapids Brewing Company remain a thriving part of these communities."
More: Owner of downtown Detroit's SavannahBlue restaurant: 'This is ... survival of the fittest'
Although Sellers predicted filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy would have little to no impact on the business' daily operations, the reality of coronavirus would prove to be lethal to the restaurant industry despite alternative methods of operating like curbside pickup and delivery. BarFly Ventures also owned Stella's Lounge and Grand Rapids Brewing Company.
"The whole management team and I are very excited about the new owners," said Ned Lidvall, CEO of Project BarFly, in the release. "We think it's a great fit for the company, and the energy and collaboration they bring will only enhance our recovery and growth. We are also thankful for our loyal guests and teammates - and vendor and landlord partners who have been working hard to make our progress possible."
For now, select locations are allowing dine-in and alternative options are available as new owners are focusing on off-premise sales and restoring hours of operation at all locations.
Grand Rapids-based BarFly Ventures sold its assets - including seven HopCat gastropubs in the state, one in Nebraska and another in Indiana - to new owners for $17.5 million, months after the company filed for bankruptcy.
The deal comes more than four months after BarFly filed for bankruptcy protection in June, when owner-founder Mark Sellers also warned officials that Michigan can expect "a giant wave of bankruptcies" in the hospitality industry in the near future. Despite the chain's massive success statewide and plans for expansion, it has experienced a tumultuous few months as it struggled to keep the lights on in its nine
HopCat locations.
More: HopCat in Royal Oak to permanently close, AD: code reader. seek new location
Investors Main Street Capital and Congruent Investment Partners, which were previous lenders to the company from 2015, are acquiring the company under a new operating partnership, Project BarFly. The owners plan to stay true to the company's vision.
"We know the business extremely well from our experiences over the last five years. We strongly believe in each restaurant concept and intend to return the company's focus to providing a unique, best-in-class customer experience," said Travis Baldwin, Founder of Congruent Investment Partners, in a release Tuesday. "Our goal is to focus efforts around the company's key markets and ensure HopCat, Stella's and Grand Rapids Brewing Company remain a thriving part of these communities."
More: Owner of downtown Detroit's SavannahBlue restaurant: 'This is ... survival of the fittest'
Although Sellers predicted filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy would have little to no impact on the business' daily operations, the reality of coronavirus would prove to be lethal to the restaurant industry despite alternative methods of operating like curbside pickup and delivery. BarFly Ventures also owned Stella's Lounge and Grand Rapids Brewing Company.
"The whole management team and I are very excited about the new owners," said Ned Lidvall, CEO of Project BarFly, in the release. "We think it's a great fit for the company, and the energy and collaboration they bring will only enhance our recovery and growth. We are also thankful for our loyal guests and teammates - and vendor and landlord partners who have been working hard to make our progress possible."
For now, select locations are allowing dine-in and alternative options are available as new owners are focusing on off-premise sales and restoring hours of operation at all locations.
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October 27, 2020
Arizona Coyotes top draft pick bullied Black kid 4 years ago
The Arizona Coyotes last month boasted about having their chief executive selected to an elite National Hockey League committee that pledged to stop racism, but the team then spent its first draft pick on an 18-year-old who has admitted to bullying an African American classmate with developmental disabilities.
Isaiah Meyer-Crothers, the Black student, told The Arizona Republic that he was stunned and saddened when he learned the Coyotes earlier this month had selected Mitchell Miller, whom he grew up with in Sylvania, Ohio.
Four years ago, Miller admitted in an Ohio juvenile court to bullying Meyer-Crothers, who was tricked into licking a candy push pop that Miller and another boy had wiped in a bathroom urinal.Meyer-Crothers had to be tested for hepatitis, HIV and STDs, maxisys elite
. but the tests came back negative, according to a police report.
Meyer-Crothers, also 18 and who now lives in Detroit, said Miller had taunted him for years, constantly calling him "brownie" and the "N-word," while repeatedly hitting him while growing up in the Toledo suburb. Other students at their junior high confirmed to police that Miller repeatedly used the "N-word" in referring to Meyer-Crothers.
"He pretended to be my friend and made me do things I didn't want to do," Meyer-Crothers said in a phone interview. "In junior high, I got beat up by him. ... Everyone thinks he's so cool that he gets to go to the NHL, but I don't see how someone can be cool when you pick on someone and bully someone your entire life."
Miller was the Coyotes first pick in the fourth round on Oct 7. The team didn't have its top three picks because they were either traded away or revoked by the NHL for violating the league's combine testing policy.
[Arizona Coyotes ripped by fans, media for drafting player convicted of bullying ]
Attempts to contact Miller through the Coyotes, his family and attorney were unsuccessful. He issued a statement late Friday through the team expressing contrition.
The Coyotes chose Miller one month after Coyotes President and CEO Xavier Gutierrez was named to the NHL's Executive Inclusion Council, a group the league said will focus on combating racism and fostering diversity in the sport.
In announcing his appointment, the Coyotes issued a press release that said Gutierrez wants diversity and inclusion to extend beyond the Coyotes front offices and hockey operations.
The team has boasted that Gutierrez is first Latino president and CEO in the NHL, while owner Alex Meruelo in 2019 became the league's first Hispanic owner. The Coyotes have made clear their plans to increase their potential ticket-buying audience with expanded outreach in communities of color under the new leadership.
The Coyotes did not agree to make any of their senior management available for interviews about why they decided to draft Miller, but issued a statement from Gutierrez explaining why the organization felt the choice was justified.
"Our fundamental mission is to ensure a safe environment - whether in schools, in our community, in hockey rinks, or in the workplace - to be free of bullying and racism. When we first learned of Mitchell's story, it would have been easy for us to dismiss him - many teams did. Instead, we felt it was our responsibility to be a part of the solution in a real way - not just saying and doing the right things ourselves but ensuring that others are too," the statement said.
"Given our priorities on diversity and inclusion, we believe that we are in the best position to guide Mitchell into becoming a leader for this cause and preventing bullying and racism now and in the future. As an organization, we have made our expectations very clear to him. We are willing to work with Mitchell and put in the time, effort, and energy and provide him with the necessary resources and platform to confront bullying and racism. This isn't a story about excuses or justifications. It's a story about reflection, growth, and community impact. A true leader finds ways for every person to contribute to the solution.&nbs...
Isaiah Meyer-Crothers, the Black student, told The Arizona Republic that he was stunned and saddened when he learned the Coyotes earlier this month had selected Mitchell Miller, whom he grew up with in Sylvania, Ohio.
Four years ago, Miller admitted in an Ohio juvenile court to bullying Meyer-Crothers, who was tricked into licking a candy push pop that Miller and another boy had wiped in a bathroom urinal.Meyer-Crothers had to be tested for hepatitis, HIV and STDs, maxisys elite
. but the tests came back negative, according to a police report.
Meyer-Crothers, also 18 and who now lives in Detroit, said Miller had taunted him for years, constantly calling him "brownie" and the "N-word," while repeatedly hitting him while growing up in the Toledo suburb. Other students at their junior high confirmed to police that Miller repeatedly used the "N-word" in referring to Meyer-Crothers.
"He pretended to be my friend and made me do things I didn't want to do," Meyer-Crothers said in a phone interview. "In junior high, I got beat up by him. ... Everyone thinks he's so cool that he gets to go to the NHL, but I don't see how someone can be cool when you pick on someone and bully someone your entire life."
Miller was the Coyotes first pick in the fourth round on Oct 7. The team didn't have its top three picks because they were either traded away or revoked by the NHL for violating the league's combine testing policy.
[Arizona Coyotes ripped by fans, media for drafting player convicted of bullying ]
Attempts to contact Miller through the Coyotes, his family and attorney were unsuccessful. He issued a statement late Friday through the team expressing contrition.
The Coyotes chose Miller one month after Coyotes President and CEO Xavier Gutierrez was named to the NHL's Executive Inclusion Council, a group the league said will focus on combating racism and fostering diversity in the sport.
In announcing his appointment, the Coyotes issued a press release that said Gutierrez wants diversity and inclusion to extend beyond the Coyotes front offices and hockey operations.
The team has boasted that Gutierrez is first Latino president and CEO in the NHL, while owner Alex Meruelo in 2019 became the league's first Hispanic owner. The Coyotes have made clear their plans to increase their potential ticket-buying audience with expanded outreach in communities of color under the new leadership.
The Coyotes did not agree to make any of their senior management available for interviews about why they decided to draft Miller, but issued a statement from Gutierrez explaining why the organization felt the choice was justified.
"Our fundamental mission is to ensure a safe environment - whether in schools, in our community, in hockey rinks, or in the workplace - to be free of bullying and racism. When we first learned of Mitchell's story, it would have been easy for us to dismiss him - many teams did. Instead, we felt it was our responsibility to be a part of the solution in a real way - not just saying and doing the right things ourselves but ensuring that others are too," the statement said.
"Given our priorities on diversity and inclusion, we believe that we are in the best position to guide Mitchell into becoming a leader for this cause and preventing bullying and racism now and in the future. As an organization, we have made our expectations very clear to him. We are willing to work with Mitchell and put in the time, effort, and energy and provide him with the necessary resources and platform to confront bullying and racism. This isn't a story about excuses or justifications. It's a story about reflection, growth, and community impact. A true leader finds ways for every person to contribute to the solution.&nbs...
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Tesla Admits Full Self Driving Beta Could 'Do the Wrong Thing at the Worst Time'
Tesla's long-awaited Full Self Driving (FSD) beta rollout is here and is currently being pushed to a limited number of Tesla owners across the United States. Drivers with access have begun posting photos and videos of the feature online, and while it appears to perform quite well, Tesla and the NHTSA warn that it isn't quite time for drivers to sit back and ignore the road.
CEO Elon Musk previously announced that the limited-access beta would go live at some point this week, and like clockwork, some drivers began receiving the update late Thursday evening following Tesla's strong third-quarter financial report.
The new update, AD: Car Battery Tester. which is formally called "Autosteer for city streets" (not Full Self-Driving as the feature may allude), allows early-access drivers the ability to toggle on the feature and allow the vehicle to perform in-depth maneuvers under their supervision. This includes following a driver-defined navigation route by making turns, stopping at traffic control devices such as lights, signs, etc., and automatically navigating around vehicles and objects.
One particular owner posted a screenshot of the software update release notes which warns users that the software "may do the wrong thing at the worst time" and urges drivers not to become complacent by not paying attention to the road.
However, since Model S and X have no visual Driver Monitoring System (DMS) built into the vehicle, and the camera for the Model 3 is not used, Tesla has no way of determining if the driver is paying attention to the road other than perhaps torque on the steering wheel-which has been proven to not be the most reliable method of determining driver awareness. The NTSB has even called Tesla's efforts in the DMS space ineffective and "a poor surrogate measure of driver engagement".
Musk has previously noted that he has been using a "bleeding edge alpha build" in his personal Model S for quite some time, meaning that the feature has been tested on public roads for a while now. Although this is exciting for Tesla owners, other drivers and regulatory agencies might not feel the same way.
"[The] NHTSA has been briefed on Tesla's new feature, which represents an expansion of its existing driver assistance system," wrote the NHTSA in an email to The Drive. "The agency will monitor the new technology closely and will not hesitate to take action to protect public against unreasonable risks to safety."
The regulatory body stresses that no vehicle sold today is capable of fully automated driving as defined under SAE J3016, and that this feature rollout is still considered to be Level 2 in nature. The driver must remain attentive at all times and be able to take control of the vehicle at any time. Should a driver become complacent and abuse the feature by not watching the road, the NHTSA says that it is constituted as distracted driving at a minimum and reminds those with access to the beta that every state in the U.S. holds the driver-not the vehicle manufacturer-responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle.
Drivers who have access to the beta have spent the evening driving their vehicles around in the dark and showing off the feature to followers on Twitter and YouTube. The new visualizations shown by the vehicle are a slimmed-down depiction of the surroundings recognized by Tesla's cameras, including other vehicles, hard boundaries, lane markings, and traffic lights. A predicted route is also displayed on-screen to show how and where the vehicle will move next.
I have to admit, what I've seen so far is fairly impressive. The ability for the car to perform complex driving maneuvers reliably has yet to be proven, however, the reports from those with access have reported minimal necessary interventions. Tesla's in-car visuals also help to inspire confidence in how the vehicle will behave. Furthermore, it goes to show why Musk has so much faith in the company's vision-based system. In fact, the CEO said during yesterday's quarterly earnings call that Tesla likely wouldn't include LiDAR in its cars even if it were free.
Now that the hype train has left the station, Tesla is looking to capitalize even further o...
CEO Elon Musk previously announced that the limited-access beta would go live at some point this week, and like clockwork, some drivers began receiving the update late Thursday evening following Tesla's strong third-quarter financial report.
The new update, AD: Car Battery Tester. which is formally called "Autosteer for city streets" (not Full Self-Driving as the feature may allude), allows early-access drivers the ability to toggle on the feature and allow the vehicle to perform in-depth maneuvers under their supervision. This includes following a driver-defined navigation route by making turns, stopping at traffic control devices such as lights, signs, etc., and automatically navigating around vehicles and objects.
One particular owner posted a screenshot of the software update release notes which warns users that the software "may do the wrong thing at the worst time" and urges drivers not to become complacent by not paying attention to the road.
However, since Model S and X have no visual Driver Monitoring System (DMS) built into the vehicle, and the camera for the Model 3 is not used, Tesla has no way of determining if the driver is paying attention to the road other than perhaps torque on the steering wheel-which has been proven to not be the most reliable method of determining driver awareness. The NTSB has even called Tesla's efforts in the DMS space ineffective and "a poor surrogate measure of driver engagement".
Musk has previously noted that he has been using a "bleeding edge alpha build" in his personal Model S for quite some time, meaning that the feature has been tested on public roads for a while now. Although this is exciting for Tesla owners, other drivers and regulatory agencies might not feel the same way.
"[The] NHTSA has been briefed on Tesla's new feature, which represents an expansion of its existing driver assistance system," wrote the NHTSA in an email to The Drive. "The agency will monitor the new technology closely and will not hesitate to take action to protect public against unreasonable risks to safety."
The regulatory body stresses that no vehicle sold today is capable of fully automated driving as defined under SAE J3016, and that this feature rollout is still considered to be Level 2 in nature. The driver must remain attentive at all times and be able to take control of the vehicle at any time. Should a driver become complacent and abuse the feature by not watching the road, the NHTSA says that it is constituted as distracted driving at a minimum and reminds those with access to the beta that every state in the U.S. holds the driver-not the vehicle manufacturer-responsible for the safe operation of the vehicle.
Drivers who have access to the beta have spent the evening driving their vehicles around in the dark and showing off the feature to followers on Twitter and YouTube. The new visualizations shown by the vehicle are a slimmed-down depiction of the surroundings recognized by Tesla's cameras, including other vehicles, hard boundaries, lane markings, and traffic lights. A predicted route is also displayed on-screen to show how and where the vehicle will move next.
I have to admit, what I've seen so far is fairly impressive. The ability for the car to perform complex driving maneuvers reliably has yet to be proven, however, the reports from those with access have reported minimal necessary interventions. Tesla's in-car visuals also help to inspire confidence in how the vehicle will behave. Furthermore, it goes to show why Musk has so much faith in the company's vision-based system. In fact, the CEO said during yesterday's quarterly earnings call that Tesla likely wouldn't include LiDAR in its cars even if it were free.
Now that the hype train has left the station, Tesla is looking to capitalize even further o...
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October 25, 2020
Ford Puma 1.0 Ecoboost MHEV 2020 long-term review
Why we're running it:To find out if the class-leading crossover is as good to live with as it is to drive
Sluggish screen becoming a chore - 14 October 2020
Two niggles have blotted the Puma's near-flawless usability record. First, the slight lethargy of the touchscreen is beginning to grate, because this can distract while I'm changing audio sources and sat-nav destinations. Second, the flimsy load cover is in the way more often than not and has to be stowed on the back seat when not in use. I'd prefer a retractable, solid parcel shelf.
Ford aims to take the crossover class by storm as it revives the Puma name
The only real sign of an eco boost is on our car's bootlid - 23 September 2020
In its first two months on the fleet, our Puma has been subjected to two flat moves, See: Diagnostic Tool. a succession of arduous motorway jaunts, beach trips, dog walks and a fair few miles on London's unforgiving side streets, which we reckon is the sort of busy lifestyle this model will lead in the hands of many of its owners.
Our Puma has covered a lot of miles, granted, but it has spent much more time at the petrol pump than I would have hoped for. In fact, it was only when a neighbour approached me recently, gestured at the ‘hybrid' motif emblazoned on the Puma's bootlid and asked me "where have you been plugging it in?" that I had cause to question the car's eco credentials. Given that mild-hybrid technology such as that employed here is now so commonplace as to rarely be advertised, can the Puma really sell itself as being more environmentally friendly than its contemporaries?
We can't ignore the fact that the Puma is an SUV, and its raised ride height and high-sided cabin were never going to let it replicate the frugality of its Fiesta sibling, but an average of 45.8mpg has left me wanting more, it must be said. That's including some 600 miles on the motorway, most of which were covered in Eco mode, and some very judicious use of the throttle on my congested local streets, so it's a shame I haven't been able to grin smugly at Prius drivers in traffic.
That said, the Puma's Eco Coach function is almost like a video game in how addictive it's becoming. There's a certain pleasure to be had in attaining a 100% score in acceleration, speed, braking and shifting (so I'm told; it's a feat I've yet to achieve), but I wonder if jazzier graphics and better signposting would be more likely to incentivise owners to take it slowly. Currently, the programme is buried in the righthand side of the gauge cluster and can't be viewed at the same time as overall MPG or trip data.
An easy way to boost your score, I've found, is by taking every available opportunity to use the Puma's regenerative deceleration function. A drawback, most notably in urban environments, is the resultant lurchiness of stop-start driving, which several passengers have said is rather uncomfortable. It's especially fierce in Eco mode, so I've been leaving that for the out-of-town trips.
On the subject of driving modes, let's end on a high note: Sport is, for me, where this car is leagues ahead of itsVolkswagen T-Cross
andNissan Jukerivals. The artificially enhanced engine note and lairy red dials we could go without, but the snappier throttle response, heftier steering and more noticeable turbo inputs make the last few miles of any journey something to look forward to (maybe that's where all my petrol is going...).
Whereas hot crossover SUVs likethe T-Roc RandCupra Atecacompensate for their raised stature with meatier rubber and firmer suspension, however, the non performance-oriented Puma feels hamstrung in the corners by its skinny tyres, small wheels and stilt-like struts.
Roll isn't as catastrophic as you might think, given our ST-Line car's handling-focused suspension tune, but the natural human instinct to remain upright forces me to back off earlier before corners than I might in something a bit lower down. It will be interesting to see howthe upcoming Puma STcopes dynamically with a substantial boost in power over the standard car.
Electric bootlidA welcome touch of luxury at this price point and, crucially, always useful.
Narrow rear seatsAdult p...
Sluggish screen becoming a chore - 14 October 2020
Two niggles have blotted the Puma's near-flawless usability record. First, the slight lethargy of the touchscreen is beginning to grate, because this can distract while I'm changing audio sources and sat-nav destinations. Second, the flimsy load cover is in the way more often than not and has to be stowed on the back seat when not in use. I'd prefer a retractable, solid parcel shelf.
Ford aims to take the crossover class by storm as it revives the Puma name
The only real sign of an eco boost is on our car's bootlid - 23 September 2020
In its first two months on the fleet, our Puma has been subjected to two flat moves, See: Diagnostic Tool. a succession of arduous motorway jaunts, beach trips, dog walks and a fair few miles on London's unforgiving side streets, which we reckon is the sort of busy lifestyle this model will lead in the hands of many of its owners.
Our Puma has covered a lot of miles, granted, but it has spent much more time at the petrol pump than I would have hoped for. In fact, it was only when a neighbour approached me recently, gestured at the ‘hybrid' motif emblazoned on the Puma's bootlid and asked me "where have you been plugging it in?" that I had cause to question the car's eco credentials. Given that mild-hybrid technology such as that employed here is now so commonplace as to rarely be advertised, can the Puma really sell itself as being more environmentally friendly than its contemporaries?
We can't ignore the fact that the Puma is an SUV, and its raised ride height and high-sided cabin were never going to let it replicate the frugality of its Fiesta sibling, but an average of 45.8mpg has left me wanting more, it must be said. That's including some 600 miles on the motorway, most of which were covered in Eco mode, and some very judicious use of the throttle on my congested local streets, so it's a shame I haven't been able to grin smugly at Prius drivers in traffic.
That said, the Puma's Eco Coach function is almost like a video game in how addictive it's becoming. There's a certain pleasure to be had in attaining a 100% score in acceleration, speed, braking and shifting (so I'm told; it's a feat I've yet to achieve), but I wonder if jazzier graphics and better signposting would be more likely to incentivise owners to take it slowly. Currently, the programme is buried in the righthand side of the gauge cluster and can't be viewed at the same time as overall MPG or trip data.
An easy way to boost your score, I've found, is by taking every available opportunity to use the Puma's regenerative deceleration function. A drawback, most notably in urban environments, is the resultant lurchiness of stop-start driving, which several passengers have said is rather uncomfortable. It's especially fierce in Eco mode, so I've been leaving that for the out-of-town trips.
On the subject of driving modes, let's end on a high note: Sport is, for me, where this car is leagues ahead of itsVolkswagen T-Cross
andNissan Jukerivals. The artificially enhanced engine note and lairy red dials we could go without, but the snappier throttle response, heftier steering and more noticeable turbo inputs make the last few miles of any journey something to look forward to (maybe that's where all my petrol is going...).
Whereas hot crossover SUVs likethe T-Roc RandCupra Atecacompensate for their raised stature with meatier rubber and firmer suspension, however, the non performance-oriented Puma feels hamstrung in the corners by its skinny tyres, small wheels and stilt-like struts.
Roll isn't as catastrophic as you might think, given our ST-Line car's handling-focused suspension tune, but the natural human instinct to remain upright forces me to back off earlier before corners than I might in something a bit lower down. It will be interesting to see howthe upcoming Puma STcopes dynamically with a substantial boost in power over the standard car.
Electric bootlidA welcome touch of luxury at this price point and, crucially, always useful.
Narrow rear seatsAdult p...
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October 24, 2020
Another MUJI Closure: MUJI To Shut Down Its Jewel Changi Cafe From Oct 26
On October 23 (Friday), Japanese minimalist lifestyle brand MUJI announced in an email to its customers that it will be closing its Café&Meal MUJI outlet at Jewel Changi Airport from next Monday onwards.
In the email, it said that its last day of operations will be on Sunday, October 25.
With its Jewel Changi outlet closed, there will be only two other Café&Meal MUJI outlets in Singapore - Plaza Singapura and Raffles City.
Meanwhile, You may also like: Autel diagnostic scanner. fans of the brand will be glad to know that its retail store in the same space is operating as usual.
With global travel coming to a halt, Changi Airport has seen a drastic dip in traffic.
This month, Minister of Transport Ong Ye Kung has revealed that Changi Airport is now serving just 1.5 per cent of its usual passenger volume and 17 per cent of the pre-Covid-19 number of flights.
It has also plummeted to be the 58th busiest airport for passenger traffic, down from seventh place.
Just like many retail stores, MUJI has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic with overall decreased footfall traffic.
In June this year, it closed down its Marina Square branch. All MUJI stores in Singapore were also temporarily closed for a period of time due to the Covid-19 situation.
In the same month, MUJI also filed for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States (US), citing Covid-19 as the driver behind the move.
Its liabilities are listed between US$50m (S$69.5m) and US$100m (S$139m), and are owed to between 200 and 999 creditors.
The household name's US unit joined a slew of more than 100 companies that have declared bankruptcy in the US, and cited the Covid-19 pandemic as a key reason.
Featured Image Credit: MUJI
The post Another MUJI Closure: MUJI To Shut Down Its Jewel Changi Cafe From Oct 26 appeared first on Vulcan Post.
In the email, it said that its last day of operations will be on Sunday, October 25.
With its Jewel Changi outlet closed, there will be only two other Café&Meal MUJI outlets in Singapore - Plaza Singapura and Raffles City.
Meanwhile, You may also like: Autel diagnostic scanner. fans of the brand will be glad to know that its retail store in the same space is operating as usual.
With global travel coming to a halt, Changi Airport has seen a drastic dip in traffic.
This month, Minister of Transport Ong Ye Kung has revealed that Changi Airport is now serving just 1.5 per cent of its usual passenger volume and 17 per cent of the pre-Covid-19 number of flights.
It has also plummeted to be the 58th busiest airport for passenger traffic, down from seventh place.
Just like many retail stores, MUJI has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic with overall decreased footfall traffic.
In June this year, it closed down its Marina Square branch. All MUJI stores in Singapore were also temporarily closed for a period of time due to the Covid-19 situation.
In the same month, MUJI also filed for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States (US), citing Covid-19 as the driver behind the move.
Its liabilities are listed between US$50m (S$69.5m) and US$100m (S$139m), and are owed to between 200 and 999 creditors.
The household name's US unit joined a slew of more than 100 companies that have declared bankruptcy in the US, and cited the Covid-19 pandemic as a key reason.
Featured Image Credit: MUJI
The post Another MUJI Closure: MUJI To Shut Down Its Jewel Changi Cafe From Oct 26 appeared first on Vulcan Post.
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GM’s Original Design Sketches for the New Hummer EV Were Straight Out of Science Fiction
The General Motors Design squad almost took the 2022 GMC Hummer electric supertruck's macho vibe in a whole different, more futuristic direction. GM Design released some of the pre-production sketches for the new Hummer on its fascinating Instagram account today, and some of the earlier ideas look like they're straight out of sci-fi.
Design sketches always tend to err on the side of wishful thinking. We're probably not going to get burgundy tires, and some of these short, squatty greenhouses look like even more of a visibility nightmare than the production version. The Hummer already has a tacticool vibe going right there in the HMMWV-derived brand name, so we don't need it to have tank-style visibility.
Yet this wishful thinking got me doing some wishful thinking of my own. The production version reminds me a bit of the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer concept, AD: Bluetooth obd2 scanner. whereas a few of these renders are a bed-mounted rocket launcher away from fitting right into Halo.
The more pronounced trapezoidal fender flares with taillights that continue around the side are realy eye-catching, as are the hood that sort of floats over a blacked-out front grille area and the chunky blue side accents. The drop-down windshield is fun, too. That's right: We could've gotten a windshield that folds down, too.
The GM Design team also posted some pre-production interior sketches that look like cleaner, more streamlined versions of the production interior. If what was revealed on Tuesday is just a little too blingy for you, perhaps you'd like the smoother, frameless design of the original dashboard screen.
If you want to see more fascinating sketches from GM's present and past, give the GM Design team a follow on Instagram here.
Design sketches always tend to err on the side of wishful thinking. We're probably not going to get burgundy tires, and some of these short, squatty greenhouses look like even more of a visibility nightmare than the production version. The Hummer already has a tacticool vibe going right there in the HMMWV-derived brand name, so we don't need it to have tank-style visibility.
Yet this wishful thinking got me doing some wishful thinking of my own. The production version reminds me a bit of the new Jeep Grand Wagoneer concept, AD: Bluetooth obd2 scanner. whereas a few of these renders are a bed-mounted rocket launcher away from fitting right into Halo.
The more pronounced trapezoidal fender flares with taillights that continue around the side are realy eye-catching, as are the hood that sort of floats over a blacked-out front grille area and the chunky blue side accents. The drop-down windshield is fun, too. That's right: We could've gotten a windshield that folds down, too.
The GM Design team also posted some pre-production interior sketches that look like cleaner, more streamlined versions of the production interior. If what was revealed on Tuesday is just a little too blingy for you, perhaps you'd like the smoother, frameless design of the original dashboard screen.
If you want to see more fascinating sketches from GM's present and past, give the GM Design team a follow on Instagram here.
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October 23, 2020
Australian outback cattle station to house world's largest solar farm, powering Singapore
A cattle station halfway between Alice Springs and Darwin is set to house the world's largest solar farm, with energy generated from the project to ultimately power Singapore.
Newcastle Waters, where casino mogul James Packer worked as a jackaroo for a year when his father, Kerry, owned the 10,000 sq km property, has been earmarked for the $20bn solar farm, according to the company responsible for the project, Sun Cable.
The 10 gigawatt solar farm, which will be visible from space if built, was granted major project status from the Morrison government in July and has attracted billionaire investors including Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest and Mike Cannon-Brookes.
Related: 'Just a matter of when': the $20bn plan to power Singapore with Australian solar
Sun Cable's chief executive, David Griffin, told Guardian Australia the site would take up about 12,000 hectares, and that a referral for the project has been submitted to the Northern Territory's Environmental Protection Authority – the first stage of a lengthy approvals process that is expected to allow construction to begin in late 2023, energy production by 2026 and export by 2027.
Speaking about the reasons for proposing the Newcastle Waters site, Griffin said its location was "a meeting point of a few key criteria".
"It's on the Adelaide to Darwin rail corridor, which is brilliant for our logistics given the enormous amount of material we'll have to transport to the site," he said. It was also within 30km of the Stuart highway, the main highway running through the sparsely populated Northern Territory.
"It's a bit of a balancing act too, because it's far south enough to get away from the main patch affected by the wet season, so it's a steady solar resource throughout the year," he said. "There's plenty of sun and not many clouds."
Griffin also said the site was not so far south that it made the costs of transmitting the electricity to Darwin too high, and that the existing land was "really ideal for construction of a solar farm as it's extremely flat".
Sun Cable has entered into an agreement with the current owners of Newcastle Waters, Consolidated Pastoral Company, to use the land. However, Griffin said he could not reveal the financial details of the deal.
Overhead transmission lines will send the electricity generated by Sun Cable to Darwin and feed into the state's power grid, but Griffin said two-thirds of the power would be oexported to Singapore by high-voltage direct current undersea cables.
There will be at least two cables, each with a diameter slightly smaller than a soccer ball, with Sun Cable able to provide about a fifth of Singapore's electricity needs as the country looks to move away from its increasingly expensive gas-fired power system.
Griffin has also said the solar farm could supply power to remote communities in the Northern Territory that currently rely on expensive diesel generators for electricity.
Related: Billionaires invest in giant Australian solar farm to supply power to Singapore
Sun Cable expects the project will generate 1,500 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs during construction, and about 350 permanent jobs once in operation.
Griffin said Sun Cable was working on a training and employment opportunities plan so part of the workforce could be sourced from nearby Indigenous communities, and that supplies would be produced by local businesses.
Exporting solar energy has been flagged as a way Australia can expand its energy production while significantly reducing global emissions. Australia is responsible for about 1.4% of greenhouse gas emissions, which increases by 5% if fossil fuel exports are counted.
Newcastle Waters, where casino mogul James Packer worked as a jackaroo for a year when his father, Kerry, owned the 10,000 sq km property, has been earmarked for the $20bn solar farm, according to the company responsible for the project, Sun Cable.
The 10 gigawatt solar farm, which will be visible from space if built, was granted major project status from the Morrison government in July and has attracted billionaire investors including Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest and Mike Cannon-Brookes.
Related: 'Just a matter of when': the $20bn plan to power Singapore with Australian solar
Sun Cable's chief executive, David Griffin, told Guardian Australia the site would take up about 12,000 hectares, and that a referral for the project has been submitted to the Northern Territory's Environmental Protection Authority – the first stage of a lengthy approvals process that is expected to allow construction to begin in late 2023, energy production by 2026 and export by 2027.
Speaking about the reasons for proposing the Newcastle Waters site, Griffin said its location was "a meeting point of a few key criteria".
"It's on the Adelaide to Darwin rail corridor, which is brilliant for our logistics given the enormous amount of material we'll have to transport to the site," he said. It was also within 30km of the Stuart highway, the main highway running through the sparsely populated Northern Territory.
"It's a bit of a balancing act too, because it's far south enough to get away from the main patch affected by the wet season, so it's a steady solar resource throughout the year," he said. "There's plenty of sun and not many clouds."
Griffin also said the site was not so far south that it made the costs of transmitting the electricity to Darwin too high, and that the existing land was "really ideal for construction of a solar farm as it's extremely flat".
Sun Cable has entered into an agreement with the current owners of Newcastle Waters, Consolidated Pastoral Company, to use the land. However, Griffin said he could not reveal the financial details of the deal.
Overhead transmission lines will send the electricity generated by Sun Cable to Darwin and feed into the state's power grid, but Griffin said two-thirds of the power would be oexported to Singapore by high-voltage direct current undersea cables.
There will be at least two cables, each with a diameter slightly smaller than a soccer ball, with Sun Cable able to provide about a fifth of Singapore's electricity needs as the country looks to move away from its increasingly expensive gas-fired power system.
Griffin has also said the solar farm could supply power to remote communities in the Northern Territory that currently rely on expensive diesel generators for electricity.
Related: Billionaires invest in giant Australian solar farm to supply power to Singapore
Sun Cable expects the project will generate 1,500 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs during construction, and about 350 permanent jobs once in operation.
Griffin said Sun Cable was working on a training and employment opportunities plan so part of the workforce could be sourced from nearby Indigenous communities, and that supplies would be produced by local businesses.
Exporting solar energy has been flagged as a way Australia can expand its energy production while significantly reducing global emissions. Australia is responsible for about 1.4% of greenhouse gas emissions, which increases by 5% if fossil fuel exports are counted.
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October 22, 2020
Best TOPDON Key Programmer Immobilizer T-Ninja1000 Review 2020
TOPDON T-Ninja1000 serves as the OBD key programming tool for the automotive immobilizer system: An array of powerful features including Key Generation, PIN Reading, Key Learning, Remote Learning, Key Deletion, All Key Lost, and more, See: best bluetooth obd2 scanner 2020. are all covered. It is the newest addition to the TOPDON family of highly advanced smart diagnostic tools.
TOPDON T-Ninja1000 Key Programmer Reviews: With its real-time guided operation, immense online database, robust hardware, and intuitive software, you now have an effective and easy-to-use key programming machine for automotive locksmiths and technicians alike.
TOPDON T-Ninja1000 Key Programmer BULLET POINTS
Money Maker âž¡ Super low price with Locksmith level functions for Blade & Smart keys: Read Pin Code / All Keys Lost / Add Keys / Erase Keys and more. Includes 1-year FREE Software Update + Only 249$/Year Subscription Fee after the expiration. Recope your investment with just one use.
Designed for Beginners âž¡ Step-by-step operation tips guide you all the way to finish the key programming procedures, with all the necessary key information provided for peace of mind.
Huge Online Database âž¡ Over 5,000 vehicles with locksmith verified details and processes included, to speed up learning curve for new users, and to boost business for locksmiths.
Wide Vehicle Coverage âž¡ Covers all major manufacturers in US (Ford, GM, Chrysler etc.) and Japan. Unlimited uses, no tokens required.
No Risk Guarantee âž¡ TOPDON offers a great warranty package of the 60-day money back guarantee, 12-month warranty, and lifetime technical supports. Integrated RFID induction slot,
easy-to-store carrying box etc. are also designed for enhanced user satisfaction.
From: TOPDON T-Ninja1000 review : https://www.obd2reviews.com/best-topdon-volcano-2000a-peak-jump-starter-review/
TOPDON T-Ninja1000 Key Programmer Reviews: With its real-time guided operation, immense online database, robust hardware, and intuitive software, you now have an effective and easy-to-use key programming machine for automotive locksmiths and technicians alike.
TOPDON T-Ninja1000 Key Programmer BULLET POINTS
Money Maker âž¡ Super low price with Locksmith level functions for Blade & Smart keys: Read Pin Code / All Keys Lost / Add Keys / Erase Keys and more. Includes 1-year FREE Software Update + Only 249$/Year Subscription Fee after the expiration. Recope your investment with just one use.
Designed for Beginners âž¡ Step-by-step operation tips guide you all the way to finish the key programming procedures, with all the necessary key information provided for peace of mind.
Huge Online Database âž¡ Over 5,000 vehicles with locksmith verified details and processes included, to speed up learning curve for new users, and to boost business for locksmiths.
Wide Vehicle Coverage âž¡ Covers all major manufacturers in US (Ford, GM, Chrysler etc.) and Japan. Unlimited uses, no tokens required.
No Risk Guarantee âž¡ TOPDON offers a great warranty package of the 60-day money back guarantee, 12-month warranty, and lifetime technical supports. Integrated RFID induction slot,
easy-to-store carrying box etc. are also designed for enhanced user satisfaction.
From: TOPDON T-Ninja1000 review : https://www.obd2reviews.com/best-topdon-volcano-2000a-peak-jump-starter-review/
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Uncovering some of the oldest Chinese temples built in Singapore’s early, tumultuous years
A tiny country bursting with diverse cultures, Singapore is home to more than 1,000 Taoist and Buddhist temples mainly dedicated to its large Chinese community, with one of the earliest built not long after the British established a port here in the early 1800s.
The Fuk Tak Chi temple, for example, was built in the 1820s by a group of Cantonese and Hakka-speaking Chinese settlers in the middle of what is now Singapore's business district. The temple's signature architectural style, which includes floral roof motifs, is reminiscent of temples in Fujian, China, and stands out among the row of shophouses along Telok Ayer Street near Chinatown.
Taken together, the city's tapestry of Chinese temples are easily mistaken for a mismatched and motley collection of competing styles. But look deeper and find they speak to the identities of those who made Singapore home, bringing their architecture and preferences with them to be shaped by a common community sometimes at odds with itself. We talked to a temple guru about their history, why they differ architecturally, how they came to be, and where to find them today.
Beyond being places of worship, these elaborately decorated monuments are also places for people to socialize within the different Chinese groups and clans. Singapore is predominantly made up of Chinese, whose predecessors came from families that spoke different dialects, with Hokkien being the most common, followed by Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, and many others. Different dialects have different tones and pitches, with Mandarin having four tone levels, while Hokkien and Teochew have eight, Hakka six, and Cantonese nine.
These days, Chinese Singaporeans have largely homogenized to speak Mandarin, with other dialects obliterated from television and radio programs. Back in China, the different dialect groups do not integrate as much as they do in Singapore, with the Hokkien Chinese mostly based out of Fujian, and the Teochew Chinese from Guangdong province.
The mingling between different dialect groups is why many of Singapore's traditional Chinese temples do not strictly follow the styles of the different provinces and often incorporate designs from parts of China. The Fuk Tak Chi temple itself was designed with an exterior that followed Hokkien temples in Fujian, even though it was not built by that community.
"There are subtle differences and aesthetic preferences within the Chinese and they are not as homogenous," a local academic who spent a decade studying architectural conservation in Singapore told Coconuts recently. Professor Yeo Kang Shua from the Singapore University of Technology and Design was also involved in the restoration of the Teochew-style Yueh Hai Ching several meters from Fuk Tak Chi and the Hokkien-style Hong San See temple in River Valley.
"There are varied preferences for each dialect group," Yeo added. "But at the same time, we are also rojak (mixed). Most of the buildings we have are influenced by more than one culture, subculture and regional differences."
The different dialect groups also had to work together to sustain the rising economy of the 19th century, which meant that the Hokkien Chinese sometimes had to rely on non-Hokkien temple builders, or the Cantonese Chinese having to expand its temple-making business to other groups for more revenue.
"In Singapore, we are so small. If we are temple builders, it's economically difficult to only serve one particular dialect group. You want a wider customer base, unlike in China when they engage only Hokkien builders for Hokkien temples, for example," Yeo said.
Singapore's oldest temples were also built amid tumultuous times, with violent clashes regularly breaking out between business rivals, mostly among the two biggest groups here – the Hokkiens and Teochews. A rivalry between spice merchants led to a massive riot in the 1850s that killed hundreds of people and damaged homes. The Fuk Tak Chi temple, for example, is said to have adopted Hokkien architecture to avoid unnecessary tension.
But that's a nearly forgotten past and clashes are no longer part of Singapore's re...
The Fuk Tak Chi temple, for example, was built in the 1820s by a group of Cantonese and Hakka-speaking Chinese settlers in the middle of what is now Singapore's business district. The temple's signature architectural style, which includes floral roof motifs, is reminiscent of temples in Fujian, China, and stands out among the row of shophouses along Telok Ayer Street near Chinatown.
Taken together, the city's tapestry of Chinese temples are easily mistaken for a mismatched and motley collection of competing styles. But look deeper and find they speak to the identities of those who made Singapore home, bringing their architecture and preferences with them to be shaped by a common community sometimes at odds with itself. We talked to a temple guru about their history, why they differ architecturally, how they came to be, and where to find them today.
Beyond being places of worship, these elaborately decorated monuments are also places for people to socialize within the different Chinese groups and clans. Singapore is predominantly made up of Chinese, whose predecessors came from families that spoke different dialects, with Hokkien being the most common, followed by Teochew, Cantonese, Hakka, and many others. Different dialects have different tones and pitches, with Mandarin having four tone levels, while Hokkien and Teochew have eight, Hakka six, and Cantonese nine.
These days, Chinese Singaporeans have largely homogenized to speak Mandarin, with other dialects obliterated from television and radio programs. Back in China, the different dialect groups do not integrate as much as they do in Singapore, with the Hokkien Chinese mostly based out of Fujian, and the Teochew Chinese from Guangdong province.
The mingling between different dialect groups is why many of Singapore's traditional Chinese temples do not strictly follow the styles of the different provinces and often incorporate designs from parts of China. The Fuk Tak Chi temple itself was designed with an exterior that followed Hokkien temples in Fujian, even though it was not built by that community.
"There are subtle differences and aesthetic preferences within the Chinese and they are not as homogenous," a local academic who spent a decade studying architectural conservation in Singapore told Coconuts recently. Professor Yeo Kang Shua from the Singapore University of Technology and Design was also involved in the restoration of the Teochew-style Yueh Hai Ching several meters from Fuk Tak Chi and the Hokkien-style Hong San See temple in River Valley.
"There are varied preferences for each dialect group," Yeo added. "But at the same time, we are also rojak (mixed). Most of the buildings we have are influenced by more than one culture, subculture and regional differences."
The different dialect groups also had to work together to sustain the rising economy of the 19th century, which meant that the Hokkien Chinese sometimes had to rely on non-Hokkien temple builders, or the Cantonese Chinese having to expand its temple-making business to other groups for more revenue.
"In Singapore, we are so small. If we are temple builders, it's economically difficult to only serve one particular dialect group. You want a wider customer base, unlike in China when they engage only Hokkien builders for Hokkien temples, for example," Yeo said.
Singapore's oldest temples were also built amid tumultuous times, with violent clashes regularly breaking out between business rivals, mostly among the two biggest groups here – the Hokkiens and Teochews. A rivalry between spice merchants led to a massive riot in the 1850s that killed hundreds of people and damaged homes. The Fuk Tak Chi temple, for example, is said to have adopted Hokkien architecture to avoid unnecessary tension.
But that's a nearly forgotten past and clashes are no longer part of Singapore's re...
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October 21, 2020
Geek Review: LG TONE Free HBS-FN6 Wireless Earbuds
With many brands entering the smart earbuds market, it's no surprise that LG wants in on the action too. The LG TONE Free FN6 Wireless Earbuds (S$18
true wireless earbuds is LG's first foray into the world of wireless earbuds, with a pair of Bluetooth 5, water and sweat-resistant (IPX4) units that have AAC and SBC codec support.
The Tone Free FN6 takes aesthetic cues from the AirPods Pro, You may need: Topdon code reader. with protruding ear stems and silicone ear tips, housed in a sleek pill-shaped charging case that boasts a gentle soft-touch plastic finish that feels nice to hold in the hand. The case has built-in UV lights, which LG claims to "kill 99.9% of bacteria", such as coli and staphylococcal bacteria that tend to congregate on the silicone caps and inner mesh. With that said, the silicone ear tips do feel a little more stickier which helps with grip in the ear canal – and it's made from hypoallergenic medical grade ear gel.
Though we have to say, the light might kill bacteria but not viruses and the self-cleaning process also won't remove dirt, debris, or earwax so don't expect it to be "clean" every time.
When it comes to portability, the case comes in a very discreet and compact form factor that could easily fit in your pockets without any excess bulk, unlike some other wireless earbuds. With that, you can expect about six hours of audio playback per charge, with the case having enough battery capacity for two full charges, making that a total of 18 hours of playback. It's not the best out there, but it does provide you with ample listening time.
The minimal yet high-tech case glows blue once open which gives you the indication of the treatment the earbuds are receiving while the case is shut. You'll find a USB-C charging port on the back, as well as an LED light on the front that shows the current charge status of the case. The case also supports wireless Qi charging which makes it great for those who would like fewer cables and less clutter.
The earbuds themselves are simplistic in design with a glossy plastic finish. They are very comfortable to wear due to its lightweight and the default silicone ear tip (medium size) proved to be the perfect fit, creating a tight seal that allows for really good passive noise cancellation. The FN6 stayed surprisingly snug during jump rope and workouts and did not feel as though they were about to fall off.
Like the Airpods and Airpods Pro, the earbuds also auto-pause when the buds are removed which is a plus and the ambient sound mode, which you can toggle this mode on or off with a tap and hold, does offer some bonus accessibility, utilizing the external microphones to allow ambient noise to pass through, letting you hear your surroundings while you continue to listen to your favourite tunes or having the ability to have a conversation with someone without taking the earbuds off.
As mentioned earlier, the earbuds are also touch-sensitive, with the ability to customize the touch controls such as a single tap on the right earbud for play/pause, double-tap on the left earbud for next track and tap & hold for ambient sound – all that can be adjusted to your liking with the companion app.
The LG Tone Free companion app is offers a selection of features, such as battery status, EQ settings, ambient sound adjustment, touch control remapping, touchpad lock, and even tracking your earbuds by activating a chirping sound if they're within Bluetooth range.
The Tone Free earbuds have Bluetooth 5.0 technology, and this pair was issue-free when we paired it with our smartphones and experienced no connection drops so far. The only gripe about the connection is that the earbuds only connect to the app when they are out of the case. The "Find My Earbuds" feature also works by actually finding the individual earbuds and not the case itself.
Of course, sound quality is the name of the game here, LG teamed up with audio manufacturer Meridian to tune the drivers in a neutral manner to cater to audiophiles and hi-fi purists alike. With 6mm drivers similar to the Sony WF-1000XM3, the expectation would be rather high but the sound experience on the FN6 was just... d...
true wireless earbuds is LG's first foray into the world of wireless earbuds, with a pair of Bluetooth 5, water and sweat-resistant (IPX4) units that have AAC and SBC codec support. The Tone Free FN6 takes aesthetic cues from the AirPods Pro, You may need: Topdon code reader. with protruding ear stems and silicone ear tips, housed in a sleek pill-shaped charging case that boasts a gentle soft-touch plastic finish that feels nice to hold in the hand. The case has built-in UV lights, which LG claims to "kill 99.9% of bacteria", such as coli and staphylococcal bacteria that tend to congregate on the silicone caps and inner mesh. With that said, the silicone ear tips do feel a little more stickier which helps with grip in the ear canal – and it's made from hypoallergenic medical grade ear gel.
Though we have to say, the light might kill bacteria but not viruses and the self-cleaning process also won't remove dirt, debris, or earwax so don't expect it to be "clean" every time.
When it comes to portability, the case comes in a very discreet and compact form factor that could easily fit in your pockets without any excess bulk, unlike some other wireless earbuds. With that, you can expect about six hours of audio playback per charge, with the case having enough battery capacity for two full charges, making that a total of 18 hours of playback. It's not the best out there, but it does provide you with ample listening time.
The minimal yet high-tech case glows blue once open which gives you the indication of the treatment the earbuds are receiving while the case is shut. You'll find a USB-C charging port on the back, as well as an LED light on the front that shows the current charge status of the case. The case also supports wireless Qi charging which makes it great for those who would like fewer cables and less clutter.
The earbuds themselves are simplistic in design with a glossy plastic finish. They are very comfortable to wear due to its lightweight and the default silicone ear tip (medium size) proved to be the perfect fit, creating a tight seal that allows for really good passive noise cancellation. The FN6 stayed surprisingly snug during jump rope and workouts and did not feel as though they were about to fall off.
Like the Airpods and Airpods Pro, the earbuds also auto-pause when the buds are removed which is a plus and the ambient sound mode, which you can toggle this mode on or off with a tap and hold, does offer some bonus accessibility, utilizing the external microphones to allow ambient noise to pass through, letting you hear your surroundings while you continue to listen to your favourite tunes or having the ability to have a conversation with someone without taking the earbuds off.
As mentioned earlier, the earbuds are also touch-sensitive, with the ability to customize the touch controls such as a single tap on the right earbud for play/pause, double-tap on the left earbud for next track and tap & hold for ambient sound – all that can be adjusted to your liking with the companion app.
The LG Tone Free companion app is offers a selection of features, such as battery status, EQ settings, ambient sound adjustment, touch control remapping, touchpad lock, and even tracking your earbuds by activating a chirping sound if they're within Bluetooth range.
The Tone Free earbuds have Bluetooth 5.0 technology, and this pair was issue-free when we paired it with our smartphones and experienced no connection drops so far. The only gripe about the connection is that the earbuds only connect to the app when they are out of the case. The "Find My Earbuds" feature also works by actually finding the individual earbuds and not the case itself.
Of course, sound quality is the name of the game here, LG teamed up with audio manufacturer Meridian to tune the drivers in a neutral manner to cater to audiophiles and hi-fi purists alike. With 6mm drivers similar to the Sony WF-1000XM3, the expectation would be rather high but the sound experience on the FN6 was just... d...
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October 20, 2020
Chery: Tiggo 8 Plus launched worldwide with delivery of first batch to overseas customers
On October 15 which marks the 20th anniversary of Chery's export, Tiggo 8 Plus, a new member of Tiggo 8 series, was launched at the Yanqi Lake, Beijing. At the launch conference, tens of Tiggo 8 Plus owners, represented by Mariusz Orbach, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of Poland in China, took keys from Yin Tongyao, You may need: OBD2 Diagnostic Tool. Party Secretary and Chairman of Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. (Chery) and Dr. Gao Xinhua, Vice President of Chery and President of Chery Automotive Engineering Research Institute, to join the great family of "TIGGO M.A.N" as the first batch of Tiggo 8 Plus owners.
As an independent Chinese auto brand that went global earliest, Chery has become the most popular Chinese auto brand abroad after 20 years of overseas operations. To date Chery has been listed among "Top 20 Chinese Enterprises with the Best Overseas Image" four times, established 4 R&D centers, 10 production bases and over 1,500 sales service networks abroad, exported 1.65 million vehicles to over 80 countries and regions and been China's largest passenger vehicle exporter for 17 consecutive years.
Chery achieved substantial export growth amid the global spread of Covid-19 this year, and exported 69,371 passenger vehicles in the first three quarters, up 36.4% year on year. Chery's star models, led by New Tiggo 8, became the most popular Chinese models with record sales and market shares in countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia, Chile and Ukraine.
As a flagship SUV up to global standards, Tiggo 8 Plus is a new model integrating global wisdom and core technologies, as well as Chery's global strategic model. Chery has initially completed the global deployment of Tiggo 8, and will launch Tiggo 8 Plus in countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Uruguay, Ukraine and Chile, to take a further step towards the strategic goal of "becoming a globally competitive brand".
As an independent Chinese auto brand that went global earliest, Chery has become the most popular Chinese auto brand abroad after 20 years of overseas operations. To date Chery has been listed among "Top 20 Chinese Enterprises with the Best Overseas Image" four times, established 4 R&D centers, 10 production bases and over 1,500 sales service networks abroad, exported 1.65 million vehicles to over 80 countries and regions and been China's largest passenger vehicle exporter for 17 consecutive years.
Chery achieved substantial export growth amid the global spread of Covid-19 this year, and exported 69,371 passenger vehicles in the first three quarters, up 36.4% year on year. Chery's star models, led by New Tiggo 8, became the most popular Chinese models with record sales and market shares in countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia, Chile and Ukraine.
As a flagship SUV up to global standards, Tiggo 8 Plus is a new model integrating global wisdom and core technologies, as well as Chery's global strategic model. Chery has initially completed the global deployment of Tiggo 8, and will launch Tiggo 8 Plus in countries like Saudi Arabia, Russia, Uruguay, Ukraine and Chile, to take a further step towards the strategic goal of "becoming a globally competitive brand".
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October 19, 2020
331 MPH: Watch the SSC Tuatara Claim a Bugatti-Crushing Speed Record
The SSC Tuatara has been flying under the radar for a bit. It's been made in very limited numbers by a somewhpany, and it has a rather conventional-when compared to a Bugatti, at least-turbocharged V8 engine. However, there have been rumors floating around that it had eclipsed the production car speed record previously set by the Bugatti Chiron, though details of the secret test in Nevada were scarce. Until today, that is, when a video of the Tuatara hitting an unbelievable 331 miles per hour surfaced on YouTube.
Posted to the Top Gear channel, it's probably the least dramatic 331-mph run we've ever witnessed.
Weighing just 2, Autel Maxisys pro mk908p
. 750 pounds and packing a 1,750-horsepower turbocharged V8 from legendary engine builder Nelson Racing, it's almost unsurprising the Tuatara can go as fast as it does. What is surprising about it is how easily it does so. It rips past the previously unbelievable 267-mph of the Bugatti Veyron, crushes the Bugatti Chiron's unfathomable 304-mph, and crests at 331, looking as if it still has some juice left to keep going.
Indeed, the driver behind the wheel, Oliver Webb, claims in the press release that the vehicle was still pulling strong. The only thing preventing the team from attaining even higher speeds was a strong crosswind.
The run was not completed at a private test track either, not even a runway. It was done on Nevada's Highway 160 between Pahrump and Las Vegas. Traffic was closed on the road for the attempt, of course.
SSC's website claims the vehicle has a top speed of 316-mph, which is the average of the two runs the vehicle made on the arrow-straight highway, the slower run only clocking in at 301-mph. According to the company, the speed was verified by Dewtron GPS, using an average of 15 different satellites. In addition to now being the fastest production car ever, the SSC Tuatara also claims the record of fastest speed ever attained on a public road, as well as two closely-related others. The company's press release did not make it clear if a third party was present to verify the speed-typically somebody like Guinness or Germany's TÃœV.
So it looks like every hypercar manufacturer now has some catching up to do. Bugatti has previously stated it is done chasing lofty speeds, however, a company like Mclaren or Koeneiggsegg may be chomping at the bits to retake the production car speed record. But at 331-mph with more still left to give, the SSC Tuatara will certainly be a tough nut to crack.
Posted to the Top Gear channel, it's probably the least dramatic 331-mph run we've ever witnessed.
Weighing just 2, Autel Maxisys pro mk908p
. 750 pounds and packing a 1,750-horsepower turbocharged V8 from legendary engine builder Nelson Racing, it's almost unsurprising the Tuatara can go as fast as it does. What is surprising about it is how easily it does so. It rips past the previously unbelievable 267-mph of the Bugatti Veyron, crushes the Bugatti Chiron's unfathomable 304-mph, and crests at 331, looking as if it still has some juice left to keep going.
Indeed, the driver behind the wheel, Oliver Webb, claims in the press release that the vehicle was still pulling strong. The only thing preventing the team from attaining even higher speeds was a strong crosswind.
The run was not completed at a private test track either, not even a runway. It was done on Nevada's Highway 160 between Pahrump and Las Vegas. Traffic was closed on the road for the attempt, of course.
SSC's website claims the vehicle has a top speed of 316-mph, which is the average of the two runs the vehicle made on the arrow-straight highway, the slower run only clocking in at 301-mph. According to the company, the speed was verified by Dewtron GPS, using an average of 15 different satellites. In addition to now being the fastest production car ever, the SSC Tuatara also claims the record of fastest speed ever attained on a public road, as well as two closely-related others. The company's press release did not make it clear if a third party was present to verify the speed-typically somebody like Guinness or Germany's TÃœV.
So it looks like every hypercar manufacturer now has some catching up to do. Bugatti has previously stated it is done chasing lofty speeds, however, a company like Mclaren or Koeneiggsegg may be chomping at the bits to retake the production car speed record. But at 331-mph with more still left to give, the SSC Tuatara will certainly be a tough nut to crack.
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Michigan Militia Suspects In Alleged Whitmer Kidnapping Plot Trained With A PT Cruiser
The news deluge of the past few weeks has been a lot to deal with, but unless you've been living under a rock, you're aware of last week's alleged plot by militia members to kidnap and kill the Michigan's Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer. This wasn't just some misguided act of incel patriotism. No, authorities say this was a planned attack, categorized by the FBI as domestic terrorism. But the vehicle they apparently used to train for the plot will make you stop and say: Wait, what?
Grand Rapids' FOX17 has more details on the case today, one in which 14 people so far have been arrested and charged with crimes including terrorism, You may need: Bluetooth scan tool. conspiracy to commit kidnapping and more. Several of them face up to life in prison if convicted.
Law enforcement officials have described the suspects as members of "an anti-government, anti-law enforcement militia group" who allegedly plotted to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home. Whitmer's restrictions on the state over the coronavirus pandemic have drawn sharp criticism from conservative voters, Republican lawmakers and President Donald Trump himself.
Documents and videos from the US Attorney's office reveal text messages used to plan the plot, hand-drawn maps, surveillance photos of Whitmer's properties, plans for getaway vehicles, and in one case, video of some kind of "dry run" in... a Chrysler PT Cruiser:
Really, guys? You couldn't have done better, transportation-wise, for your brilliant act of domestic terror? I mean, I'm not a terrorist, so even though I'm in the know of best-cars-for-certain-things, (I can tell you what car is best for road trips, carting around slobbering dogs/children, even the best backseat for a little adult activity) I've never given much thought to the automotive needs of a kidnapper, sorry.
But, like, I don't know, an Econoline Van? A cursory Google search of "cars used in Taken" shows that all you need is an Audi with a big trunk. That's better than this monstrosity.
Here are the only reasons I would recommend a PT Cruiser (which, by the way, Chrysler discontinued in 2009, and which nobody particularly misses):
So if you're a loser, looking for a cruiser, I got you. Also-if you're going to plan crimes, maybe don't leave behind this many text messages and practice videos, OK?
Grand Rapids' FOX17 has more details on the case today, one in which 14 people so far have been arrested and charged with crimes including terrorism, You may need: Bluetooth scan tool. conspiracy to commit kidnapping and more. Several of them face up to life in prison if convicted.
Law enforcement officials have described the suspects as members of "an anti-government, anti-law enforcement militia group" who allegedly plotted to kidnap Whitmer from her vacation home. Whitmer's restrictions on the state over the coronavirus pandemic have drawn sharp criticism from conservative voters, Republican lawmakers and President Donald Trump himself.
Documents and videos from the US Attorney's office reveal text messages used to plan the plot, hand-drawn maps, surveillance photos of Whitmer's properties, plans for getaway vehicles, and in one case, video of some kind of "dry run" in... a Chrysler PT Cruiser:
Really, guys? You couldn't have done better, transportation-wise, for your brilliant act of domestic terror? I mean, I'm not a terrorist, so even though I'm in the know of best-cars-for-certain-things, (I can tell you what car is best for road trips, carting around slobbering dogs/children, even the best backseat for a little adult activity) I've never given much thought to the automotive needs of a kidnapper, sorry.
But, like, I don't know, an Econoline Van? A cursory Google search of "cars used in Taken" shows that all you need is an Audi with a big trunk. That's better than this monstrosity.
Here are the only reasons I would recommend a PT Cruiser (which, by the way, Chrysler discontinued in 2009, and which nobody particularly misses):
So if you're a loser, looking for a cruiser, I got you. Also-if you're going to plan crimes, maybe don't leave behind this many text messages and practice videos, OK?
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October 18, 2020
Cats Get Hiss-Terical Over Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit
Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit is just about the most exciting physical creation from the Mario franchise alongside LEGO Mario. And while the prospect of zipping around your very own living room with the mini Mario kart may seem exciting, some furry friends just aren't felin(e) this purrfect new toy.
Unlike the usual assumption that kitties have a penchant for leaping after every moving object that they see, these cats would rather scramble out of the way of the speedy Mario Kart. In fact, the poor furry friends seem to be rather traumatised by the toy, especially Unranked Podcast‘s little fluffball. (It's a wonder that they didn't just claw it out of existence due to fear.)
ã‚ã¡ã‚ƒãã¡ã‚ƒé¢ç™½ã„よ。
猫ãŒã„ã‚‹ã¨ã€ãªãŠé¢ç™½ã„よï¼#マリオカートライブホームサーã‚ット pic.twitter.com/gyN5dx3rOq
On the flip side, some bolder cattos have attempted to jump the poor toy...
沢山ã®ã„ã„ãã€RTã€ãƒªãƒ—ライã‚ã‚ŠãŒã¨ã†ã”ã–ã„ã¾ã™ã€‚
Some cats even going as far as to plonk their butts in the way of the Mario Kart, in an attempt to block the circuit. (At which the owners are probably yowling, "You've gotta be kitten me!")
マリオカートライブホームサーã‚ット〜作ã£ãŸã‚³ãƒ¼ã‚¹ã«çŒ«ã¡ã‚ƒã‚“é”も乱入ã—éŠã‚“ã§ã¿ãŸã€œ https://t.co/i5Wml1pcv3 #マリオカートライブホームサーã‚ット #MKライブ #スーパーマリオ35周年 pic.twitter.com/zLgTOepwWW
Bonus: We have a befuddled doggo who valiantly tries to bork away the Kart.
犬ã¯é€ƒã’ã‚‹ #マリオカートライブホームサーã‚ット pic.twitter.com/Vljqb5fEBd
It seems like our furry friends may not be as impressed about the Mario Kart Live as we are. However, we're pretty sure that it'll still be a pawsome toy to have around especially if you're a fan of the Nintendo game.
The post Cats Get Hiss-Terical Over Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit appeared first on Geek Culture.
Unlike the usual assumption that kitties have a penchant for leaping after every moving object that they see, these cats would rather scramble out of the way of the speedy Mario Kart. In fact, the poor furry friends seem to be rather traumatised by the toy, especially Unranked Podcast‘s little fluffball. (It's a wonder that they didn't just claw it out of existence due to fear.)
ã‚ã¡ã‚ƒãã¡ã‚ƒé¢ç™½ã„よ。
猫ãŒã„ã‚‹ã¨ã€ãªãŠé¢ç™½ã„よï¼#マリオカートライブホームサーã‚ット pic.twitter.com/gyN5dx3rOq
On the flip side, some bolder cattos have attempted to jump the poor toy...
沢山ã®ã„ã„ãã€RTã€ãƒªãƒ—ライã‚ã‚ŠãŒã¨ã†ã”ã–ã„ã¾ã™ã€‚
Some cats even going as far as to plonk their butts in the way of the Mario Kart, in an attempt to block the circuit. (At which the owners are probably yowling, "You've gotta be kitten me!")
マリオカートライブホームサーã‚ット〜作ã£ãŸã‚³ãƒ¼ã‚¹ã«çŒ«ã¡ã‚ƒã‚“é”も乱入ã—éŠã‚“ã§ã¿ãŸã€œ https://t.co/i5Wml1pcv3 #マリオカートライブホームサーã‚ット #MKライブ #スーパーマリオ35周年 pic.twitter.com/zLgTOepwWW
Bonus: We have a befuddled doggo who valiantly tries to bork away the Kart.
犬ã¯é€ƒã’ã‚‹ #マリオカートライブホームサーã‚ット pic.twitter.com/Vljqb5fEBd
It seems like our furry friends may not be as impressed about the Mario Kart Live as we are. However, we're pretty sure that it'll still be a pawsome toy to have around especially if you're a fan of the Nintendo game.
The post Cats Get Hiss-Terical Over Mario Kart Live: Home Circuit appeared first on Geek Culture.
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October 17, 2020
Sony’s WH-1000XM4 are cheaper now than during Prime Day
One of the best deals of Prime Day has returned at Newegg. Sony's WH-1000XM4 wireless noise-canceling headphones in black are down to $284 instead of $350. This actually beats the $298 pricing at Amazon and Best Buy by $14, though, unlike those retailers' deal earlier this week, this one doesn't include a gift card. That's no matter if you're just looking for the lowest price - this is it.
Sony's WH-1000XM4 improve on an already stellar XM3 formula of excellent sound, effective noise cancellation, long-lasting battery life, You may also like: OBD2 Diagnostic Tool. USB-C charging, and lots of comfort. In my colleague Chris Welch's review, he praised this model for two key improvements over the previous model: updated mics for clearer call quality and the ability to connect to two sources simultaneously via Bluetooth.
Also in the realm of wireless headphones, Jabra's Elite 75t wireless earbuds are $30 off their usual price at Amazon and Best Buy. Normally $180, they're $150 in titanium black or gold / beige colorways. This model has been cheaper before, but it's still a good price. Plus, Jabra recently announced these will soon get an active noise cancellation feature patched in for free.
The remastered version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 is discounted on both PS4 and Xbox One. Already cheaper than most full-priced games, this price drop lowers the game from $40 to $34. It's not a huge discount, but if you were waiting for a slight cut to the cost, now's your chance to dip back into these excellent remakes - complete with most of their beloved original soundtracks.
Razer's Blade 15 Base model in the silver colorway with a 4K OLED panel is cheaper at Best Buy than it is directly through Razer. Normally $2,300, it's $2,000. In addition to the OLED, it features a six-core Intel Core i7-10750H processor, 16GB of RAM, Nvidia's RTX 2070 Max-Q graphics chip, and a 512GB SSD. These specs are good for gaming, and they'll look fantastic on the OLED. However, running games at 4K will thoroughly tax this machine, so if you want a fast frame rate, you'll likely need to lower the resolution of each game down to 1440p or 1080p. This model also lacks the SD card reader found in the Blade 15 Advanced model.
Lastly, Daily Steals is offering a discount on the second-generation AirPods with wired charging case that matches the Prime Day deal of $115. To get this price, enter the code VERGEPODS at checkout. Like the AirPods Pro deal we featured yesterday, these are new / open-box but arrive with their retail packaging and all original accessories. These AirPods also include a one-year warranty through Daily Steals.
Sony's WH-1000XM4 improve on an already stellar XM3 formula of excellent sound, effective noise cancellation, long-lasting battery life, You may also like: OBD2 Diagnostic Tool. USB-C charging, and lots of comfort. In my colleague Chris Welch's review, he praised this model for two key improvements over the previous model: updated mics for clearer call quality and the ability to connect to two sources simultaneously via Bluetooth.
Also in the realm of wireless headphones, Jabra's Elite 75t wireless earbuds are $30 off their usual price at Amazon and Best Buy. Normally $180, they're $150 in titanium black or gold / beige colorways. This model has been cheaper before, but it's still a good price. Plus, Jabra recently announced these will soon get an active noise cancellation feature patched in for free.
The remastered version of Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 is discounted on both PS4 and Xbox One. Already cheaper than most full-priced games, this price drop lowers the game from $40 to $34. It's not a huge discount, but if you were waiting for a slight cut to the cost, now's your chance to dip back into these excellent remakes - complete with most of their beloved original soundtracks.
Razer's Blade 15 Base model in the silver colorway with a 4K OLED panel is cheaper at Best Buy than it is directly through Razer. Normally $2,300, it's $2,000. In addition to the OLED, it features a six-core Intel Core i7-10750H processor, 16GB of RAM, Nvidia's RTX 2070 Max-Q graphics chip, and a 512GB SSD. These specs are good for gaming, and they'll look fantastic on the OLED. However, running games at 4K will thoroughly tax this machine, so if you want a fast frame rate, you'll likely need to lower the resolution of each game down to 1440p or 1080p. This model also lacks the SD card reader found in the Blade 15 Advanced model.
Lastly, Daily Steals is offering a discount on the second-generation AirPods with wired charging case that matches the Prime Day deal of $115. To get this price, enter the code VERGEPODS at checkout. Like the AirPods Pro deal we featured yesterday, these are new / open-box but arrive with their retail packaging and all original accessories. These AirPods also include a one-year warranty through Daily Steals.
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October 16, 2020
We Tested OpenPilot, the $1,199 Device That Adds Entry-Level Autonomy to Your Car
When my wife and I were shopping for a new minivan last year, one of the requirements was to find something a bit more comfortable for long-distance driving. I don't mean soft seats and 50 cupholders-as someone who appreciates a well-executed driver-assist system, I was set on finding a vehicle that had not only lane-keeping but lane-centering for that extra... extra. In case you didn't know, though, vans aren't exactly the epicenter of cutting edge technology, unless a built-in vacuum satisfies your definition of tech.
Alas, I came up empty. And like tens of thousands of dads every year I ended up with a Honda Odyssey in my driveway. But unlike most of those chumps, I can get a little extra help from technology when it comes to actually driving the thing. On the highway, at least.
That's because, in 2020, im608 review
. there's actually an aftermarket solution for upgrading your car's ADAS suite to offer true SAE Level 2 driving assistance capabilities-think Tesla's Autopilot, or Cadillac SuperCruise. Meet OpenPilot, an open-source autonomous driving project from a small, California-based startup called Comma AI.
With the stated goal of "solving self-driving cars," Comma sells a smartphone-sized device that interfaces with your car's existing sensors, augmenting whatever features-think lane keep assist, or radar cruise control-are offered by the factory setup. And the difference is truly astounding. You may think your car's lane-keeping system is pretty good, but unless you have one of the two factory Level 2 systems mentioned above, you haven't experienced the kind of polished, holistic solution that's on tap here.
More than 100 vehicles on the road today are supported as hosts for Comma's system, including my new Odyssey. It can't be overstated what a tipping point this is. Four years ago, the idea that you could buy a simple, plug-and-play aftermarket driver-assist setup that would work as well as or better than a factory system was laughable. Today, as more cars emerge from the factory wired up with endless sensors, monitoring systems and even cameras, ADAS looks more and more like an untapped area for the ever-present aftermarket to capitalize.
But does it all work like it's supposed to? After a year of hands-on experience with my OpenPilot-equipped Odyssey, it's time to talk about the good, the bad, and if it's worth upgrading your ride.
Before we dig in, here's a refresher on the SAE levels of vehicle autonomy so you understand just where OpenPilot falls on the self-driving spectrum. It helps to set your expectations as a driver, and understand where not to get too comfortable.
So, everything Comma makes today is SAE Level 2 capable, meaning the driver can expect OpenPilot to support their driving, but not take over in a sense where they can divert their attention from the road. Just like Tesla's Autopilot...officially speaking. OpenPilot will provide the steering, acceleration, and braking instructions to the vehicle and supplement any radar-based cruise control or lane-keeping already installed from the factory.
OpenPilot also makes driver monitoring mandatory, meaning that it will know whether or not you're paying attention to the road. Its cabin-facing camera uses facial recognition to detect a driver's eyes and will intervene should a driver begin to drift off to sleep or look at their phone.
What OpenPilot does not do: Make your vehicle a "self-driving car." There is a difference between a car being able to control itself in limited situations while you're still paying attention, and a car that can safely whisk you anywhere in the country while you nap in the backseat. This is the former, not the latter.
And just as a quick refresher, because it's always good to do so: you do not own a self-driving car. This won't change that.
A cool $999 is your cost to enter the world of what comma calls "chill" driving. That price buys you a Comma Two, which is a cleverly disguised Android smartphone fitted with some sensors, thermal management, and a custom 3D-printed case to package the whole deal into a small, convenient appliance. A separate $200 wiring harness is required to interface...
Alas, I came up empty. And like tens of thousands of dads every year I ended up with a Honda Odyssey in my driveway. But unlike most of those chumps, I can get a little extra help from technology when it comes to actually driving the thing. On the highway, at least.
That's because, in 2020, im608 review
. there's actually an aftermarket solution for upgrading your car's ADAS suite to offer true SAE Level 2 driving assistance capabilities-think Tesla's Autopilot, or Cadillac SuperCruise. Meet OpenPilot, an open-source autonomous driving project from a small, California-based startup called Comma AI.
With the stated goal of "solving self-driving cars," Comma sells a smartphone-sized device that interfaces with your car's existing sensors, augmenting whatever features-think lane keep assist, or radar cruise control-are offered by the factory setup. And the difference is truly astounding. You may think your car's lane-keeping system is pretty good, but unless you have one of the two factory Level 2 systems mentioned above, you haven't experienced the kind of polished, holistic solution that's on tap here.
More than 100 vehicles on the road today are supported as hosts for Comma's system, including my new Odyssey. It can't be overstated what a tipping point this is. Four years ago, the idea that you could buy a simple, plug-and-play aftermarket driver-assist setup that would work as well as or better than a factory system was laughable. Today, as more cars emerge from the factory wired up with endless sensors, monitoring systems and even cameras, ADAS looks more and more like an untapped area for the ever-present aftermarket to capitalize.
But does it all work like it's supposed to? After a year of hands-on experience with my OpenPilot-equipped Odyssey, it's time to talk about the good, the bad, and if it's worth upgrading your ride.
Before we dig in, here's a refresher on the SAE levels of vehicle autonomy so you understand just where OpenPilot falls on the self-driving spectrum. It helps to set your expectations as a driver, and understand where not to get too comfortable.
So, everything Comma makes today is SAE Level 2 capable, meaning the driver can expect OpenPilot to support their driving, but not take over in a sense where they can divert their attention from the road. Just like Tesla's Autopilot...officially speaking. OpenPilot will provide the steering, acceleration, and braking instructions to the vehicle and supplement any radar-based cruise control or lane-keeping already installed from the factory.
OpenPilot also makes driver monitoring mandatory, meaning that it will know whether or not you're paying attention to the road. Its cabin-facing camera uses facial recognition to detect a driver's eyes and will intervene should a driver begin to drift off to sleep or look at their phone.
What OpenPilot does not do: Make your vehicle a "self-driving car." There is a difference between a car being able to control itself in limited situations while you're still paying attention, and a car that can safely whisk you anywhere in the country while you nap in the backseat. This is the former, not the latter.
And just as a quick refresher, because it's always good to do so: you do not own a self-driving car. This won't change that.
A cool $999 is your cost to enter the world of what comma calls "chill" driving. That price buys you a Comma Two, which is a cleverly disguised Android smartphone fitted with some sensors, thermal management, and a custom 3D-printed case to package the whole deal into a small, convenient appliance. A separate $200 wiring harness is required to interface...
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October 13, 2020
2022 Volkswagen Taos: Tiguan's Little Brother Takes on the Honda HR-V and Toyota C-HR
Ever since Volkswagen joined the compact crossover party with the Tiguan more than a decade ago, there hasn't been a U.S.-market VW crossover for folks looking for something a bit smaller and more affordable. That ends with the 2022 Volkswagen Taos, the automaker's all-new baby SUV birthed to take on subcompact crossovers like the Honda HR-V, Kia Seltos, and Hyundai Kona.
It'll be powered by a 1.5-liter version of the Jetta's EA211 turbo-four engine making 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Taos will be available with either front-wheel drive paired to a traditional eight-speed automatic transmission, AD: Launch diagnostic code reader. while the all-wheel-drive variant receives a seven-speed dual-clutch.
Styling-wise, it pretty much looks exactly like how one would expect a subcompact Volkswagen crossover to look. It's clean, inoffensive, and rugged-yet-friendly. Mimicking VW's new, all-electric ID.4, top trim Taos (Taoses? Taoi?) get illuminated light bars in the grille that sprout from the front badge and extend into the headlights.
Just like every other modern commuter car worth its salt, the Taos will come with a healthy dose of tech such as a standard Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, an eight-inch center touchscreen running the company's latest MIB3 software, available wireless charging, panoramic sunroof, and 10-color ambient lighting for the top trim.
Breaking out the tape measure, the Taos is precisely 9.3 inches shorter than the Tiguan while boasting just 1.6 cubic feet less passenger room than its compact sibling. Available wheels range from 17 to 19 inches in diameter.
The 2022 Volkswagen Taos will be assembled in Puebla, Mexico and launch next summer. Official pricing has yet to be announced but expect it to start in the low $20,000 ballpark.
It'll be powered by a 1.5-liter version of the Jetta's EA211 turbo-four engine making 158 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque. The Taos will be available with either front-wheel drive paired to a traditional eight-speed automatic transmission, AD: Launch diagnostic code reader. while the all-wheel-drive variant receives a seven-speed dual-clutch.
Styling-wise, it pretty much looks exactly like how one would expect a subcompact Volkswagen crossover to look. It's clean, inoffensive, and rugged-yet-friendly. Mimicking VW's new, all-electric ID.4, top trim Taos (Taoses? Taoi?) get illuminated light bars in the grille that sprout from the front badge and extend into the headlights.
Just like every other modern commuter car worth its salt, the Taos will come with a healthy dose of tech such as a standard Volkswagen Digital Cockpit, an eight-inch center touchscreen running the company's latest MIB3 software, available wireless charging, panoramic sunroof, and 10-color ambient lighting for the top trim.
Breaking out the tape measure, the Taos is precisely 9.3 inches shorter than the Tiguan while boasting just 1.6 cubic feet less passenger room than its compact sibling. Available wheels range from 17 to 19 inches in diameter.
The 2022 Volkswagen Taos will be assembled in Puebla, Mexico and launch next summer. Official pricing has yet to be announced but expect it to start in the low $20,000 ballpark.
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