Tesla's Autopilot

Once you’re on the highway, an autosteering feature can maintain your speed, keep an appropriate distance from the cars around you, and keep you in your lane — even around big bends and turns. It doesn’t just let out a loud beep when you start to drift out of your lane; it physically controls the wheel.

This would be an ideal vehicle for my commuter to Long Beach not to mention getting one of those fancy HOV stickers too!

via  Electrek

via  Electrek

Adobe Flash Vulnerable... Again

Just one day after Adobe released its monthly security patches for various software including Flash Player, the company confirmed a major security vulnerability that affects all versions of Flash for Windows, Mac and Linux computers. You read that correctly… all versions. Adobe said it has been made aware that this vulnerability is being used by hackers to attack users, though it says the attacks are limited and targeted. Using the exploit, an attacker can crash a target PC or even take complete control of the computer.

And now for the fun part: The only way to effectively protect yourself against this serious security hole is to completely uninstall Flash Player from your machine.

Another reason why Nest needs to update their Dropcam player. I haven't installed Flash in years and use Google Chrome for the sometimes necessary Flash shenanigans. And yes, I'll say it again. Steve Jobs was way ahead of his time in NEVER enabling Flash on Apple's iPhones.

SprezzaBox 24 Hours Flash Sale!!!

A few weeks ago I told you about my Sprezzabox Ambassadorship and how you could get 10% off your initial order and subscription. Well, being that today is Wednesday Humpday, take advantage and grab some 30% off goodness! Check out the lastest offerings and show me what you got!

 
 

The Best Implementation of 3D Touch a la Tweetbot

3D Touch facilitates this behavior as quickly previewing tweets and links is easier than ever. If I want to see how many faves, retweets, or replies a tweet has received I no longer have to swipe on it and then swipe back – I can just press, peek, and let go to return to my timeline. Tweets are previewed in a smaller card with the same design of a standalone detail view (which is what you get if you "pop" and choose to fully expand a tweet, entering a nested view).

Leave it up to one of the best apps on iOS to implmenet 3D Touch in the way that it's suppose to be. Way to go Tapbots team! If you haven't already, buy the latest version and best twitter client now, Tweetbot 4 only for iOS.

Microsoft's Band vs the Apple Watch

The Band has also added a new sensor trick or two, most importantly a barometer to track elevation. That joins the built-in GPS, sleep tracking, calorie counting, notifications, and the other previously available features mentioned above. It’s also got more robust Cortana integration, both because talking to your wrist feels like the future and because it’s a much easier input method that tapping that tiny display.

There are sport-specific features here as well. Microsoft exec Lindsey Matese noted that the Band makes for a capable digital caddy, able to know where you are, your distance to the green, the calories you’ve burned, and your heart rate. It can even generate a score card after you’re done, an experience Microsoft first detailed in August but will be a headlining feature of its new hardware. For athletes more concerned with oxygen debt than par fours, the new Band can even measure VO2 max.

Ever since I acquired the iPhone 6s Plus, I'll admit that the temptation to buy an Apple Watch is reaching it's fever levels but at the same time, my desires for what it lacks is what is keeping me.

Come in stage right, Microsoft's latest Band. It comes closer to Garmin's 920XT in terms of fitness capabilities. Essentially, all these new additions for a price that is less than Apple's offerings is what makes the Band enticing. If Microsoft can make a band do this, I'd hope that the Apple Watch v2 could too. The wait... Ugh...

Untill then, when and if I start up training again, Garmin's one year old 920XT will have to do.

 
 

Microsoft's Surface Book is Exciting

Tablet mode becomes possible because the battery and Intel Core processor are built into the screen half of the hybrid laptop, while that high-powered GPU is in the keyboard base. The idea is that you’d use the device in laptop mode, while connected to that graphics processor, when playing games, editing video, or typing. When you want to use it as a less-powerful clipboard-size tablet, it detaches from that GPU-packed base for lighter tasks. You can also re-attach the top half of the device display-side up for “draw mode,” which gives you access to that GPU and screen at the same time, albeit with a little more bulk.

That's one way to upend the new iPad Pro's graphics (or lack there of) capabilities. It's interesting to see the benchmarks coming out in November and December. Where's my Skylake enabled Retina MacBook Pro Apple?

 
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Austin Mann Reviews the new iPhone 6s and 6s Plus

Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) for video is hands down the most significant improvement in the iPhone 6s Plus camera upgrade. The 6 Plus has OIS for stills (mainly helpful with low-light photos), but it wasn’t active when shooting a video or time-lapse. Now, with the 6s Plus only (not the 6s), we have active stabilization of all video and time-lapse content and the improvement is dramatic.

The time-lapse piece at the top utilized the Optical Image Stabilization significantly. The ability to create stable time-lapses anywhere, anytime, opens up so many doors. I can't wait to see what everyone creates with this.

If you had any doubts about going with the iPhone 6s Plus, they should all be absolved with Austin Mann's thorough review.

JetBlue's 'Recurring Dream' Commercial

It's always nice seeing new JetBlue commercials. I wish that I was in a market to see more of them but because San Diego only has two destinations out of Lindbergh Field, I can see why the budget in this locale isn't much. Check it out though!

Love the Wi-Fi too which, if I didn't already mention, is the fastest in the Continental United States! Did I also mention that it's free!

The Search for the Commuter Car (cont.)

A few months ago, I wrote about VW's awesome performing TDI Sportswagen Wagon along with my aspirations to buy one. With the 2016s around the corner, I called up a few dealerships last Friday about deals on the 2015s. Not surprisingly, I got a response to start with that they'd be discounting them around $2k.

That was last week. Of course, we have all come to find out that VW has been duping the EPA by programming their TDI vehicles to hide the truth; that they were emmiting up to 40% of the standard requirements. All this while still producing an amazing 50+ mpg! The NYTimes and other various news outlets have created an infographic on exactly how they were able to hide the pullutants which is quite ingenious as we've come to find out that other car manufacurers have been trying to game the system for quite a while .

So what now? Looks like Honda's new 2016 Civic, their Fit (which was in the running for Motortrend's Car of the Year, losing to VW's Golf) or Toyota's new Prius might have to be the key to "saving" me money on my weekly commute to Long Beach. Although, driving up to 28,000 a mile measured at 3x a week (most unlikely), maybe a more comfortable car with autopilot would fit the bill much better. =)

I'll be updating my "search" for a while. Right now, with my current 1999 BMW Wagon, I'm at ~ $0.14 a mile where the VW would have been $0.05. The Honda Fit and Toyota Prius would respectively cost $0.08 and $0.06. These calculations do NOT include the monthly payments or maintenance fees or tax, title and insurance. But that's where I'm at right now. All the new calculations show that over time, the Fit would be the way to go. If you want to peep my Google Sheet, check it out here.

Rear-Facing Until 2 Years Old in California Starting 2017

All in the name of safety. Still don't know why it doesn't go into effect for another 15 months when January 2016 could have easily been the target date.

The bill, signed Monday, was backed by doctors and traffic safety experts. It will extend the mandated use of rear-facing seats from the current 1-year requirement when it takes effect at the start of 2017. Children taller than 40 inches or weighing more than 40 pounds will be exempt.

My wife and I, including our little Norah, favor the Diono variety. As expensive as they are, capitlize on the Amazon sale or the Toy 'R Us trade in program which is happening now!

Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program Is Perfect

PSA from AppleInsider

If you're a U.S. customer, you plan on upgrading your iPhone in less than two years, and you aren't interested in T-Mobile, Apple's iPhone Upgrade Program is your best bet, hands down. Carrier installment plans are too restrictive and confusing, while Apple's offering is simple, streamlined, and will let you get a new iPhone every year at no extra cost to you, outside of the ongoing monthly payment plan.

If you upgrade every year, this is an interest free loan with Apple Care+. Just do it and make sure to order this Saturday for a delivery by the 25th of this month! Also, iOS 9 is out on the 16th.