Most 2016 Volkswagen cars can avoid crashes and talk to your phone

You normally have to spring for higher-end cars to get semi-autonomous features that could save your hide, but Volkswagen is aiming to make them relatively commonplace. The automaker has started shipping its 2016 model line, and most of it will at least make crash avoidance features an option, if not include it as a matter of course. The majority of Golf, Jetta and Touareg models will have the choice of smart cruise control and emergency braking technology that could keep you out of an accident even if you can't react in time; they're standard on Executive trim levels for the CC and Touareg. You'll also find a lane departure system on the CC, Golf, and Touareg, and parking assistance on the Golf.

The in-car infotainment systems are also getting the upgrades promised at the start of the year. If you get a ride with VW's new MIB II unit installed, you'll have support forAndroid Auto, Apple CarPlay and MirrorLink connections -- if your phone can't talk to an equipped car, there's something wrong. There's also an optional Car-Net subscription service that brings remote control, security notifications and real-time data (such as fuel prices and weather). Most of VW's lineup won't get MIB II until later in 2015, but it'll probably be worth holding out if you want in-cabin tech that should be relevant for more than a hot minute.

Еngadget.com

New Genesis Mining Tool Seeks Industrial Bitcoin Mining Efficiency

Genesis Mining has launched a new web interface that will enable digital currency miners to gain greater control of their bitcoin and altcoin mining operations.

Initially built for internal use, Genesis Hive is currently being offered to large-scale miners at a rate that varies based on the number of mining units connected to the service each month. The new software is also expected to be made available to medium and small-sized firms at a later, to-be-determined date.

CEO and co-founder Marco Streng indicated that the project aims to reduce the rising complexities associated with industrial-scale bitcoin mining.

Streng told CoinDesk:

"While this has improved efficiency it has also lead to new problems in the mining space. A couple of years ago, no one could have dreamed of thousands of devices mining bitcoin in a single location, and there was no software to handle a setup of this size."

Genesis Mining envisions Hive as a solution to these issues, one that joins the ranks of other enterprise-level bitcoin mining offerings such as HashRabbit that have come to market in recent months.

Streng, however, suggested that Genesis Hive will be competitive as it allows for more flexibility than offerings geared for smaller mining entities.

"Hive does not require you to install any software on your individual rigs and will adapt to whatever network and hardware setup you deem most appropriate," he continued.

New controls

The new tool aims to ease the process to install a mining farm, by automatically detecting, configuring and updating mining units.

Additional control is provided over units in disparate geographies. Users will also be able to "constantly control" their mining rigs through Genesis Hive's dashboard, obtaining hashrate, temperature, rig statuses and power consumption calculations.

"Switching or adding pools, upgrading firmware, rebooting etc is done in a matter of a few clicks on any number of devices simultaneously," the company explained.

Genesis Hive also enables users to perform bulk updates, pool changes or establish automatic tasks depending on individual environmental needs.

Arms race

The launch comes at a time when efficiency is of increasing concern to industrial-scale bitcoin miners, many of whom are competing as the bitcoin price continues to be depressed relative to market highs last year.

Some bitcoin mining firms – such as CEX.io – have pivoted to other economically viable operations, citing the lack of profit as a result of bitcoin's declining price as the decisive factor behind their shift in focus.

However, as some mining outlets struggle, those that control the full lifecycle of hardware development – from the design of new machines to their eventual use – have emerged as market leaders, with BitFury and 21 Inc parlaying their successes into new and more experimental consumer products.

Image via Genesis Mining

coindesk.com

p.s. Don't forget to use the promo code  CZL5k6 to receive your special discount at https://www.genesis-mining.com 

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Britain's most promising tech companies - in pictures

1.Shazam

Shazam is a mobile app that uses audio recognition technology to help people identify music. It also features personalised music news, and features suggested songs from friends and artists. It recently become one of the first UK technology start-ups to reach a valuation of $1bn (£660m) after securing $30m of new investment from a collection of unnamed parties.

2.TransferWise

TransferWise uses peer-to-peer technology developed by the people who built Skype and PayPal to cut out traditional bank fees. Since launching in 2011, the company has transferred over £3bn worth of money – saving customers over £135m. The company is now approaching a $1bn valuation following a $58m investment from Silicon Valley venture-capital firm Andreessen Horowitz.

3.Huddle

Huddle is a secure cloud collaboration service that enables enterprise and government organisations worldwide to store, share and work on content with colleagues and partners securely in the cloud. Its customers include 80 percent of Fortune 500 and 80 percent of UK government departments. In December, the company secured a $51 million round of funding led by Zouk Capital.

4.Hailo

Taxi-hailing app Hailo is the UK's answer to Uber. Founded by three taxi drivers and three internet entrepreneurs, it allows passengers get a taxi or licensed car in two quick taps. Hailo is available in more than 20 cities, including London, Madrid, Barcelona and Osaka, and all across Ireland. The company has raised over $100m in funding, including $50 million from a group of Asian investors in its most recent funding round in late 2013.

5.Swiftkey

SwiftKey's keyboard app uses artificial intelligence to make typing on a touchscreen faster and more intuitive. The app learns from each individual user to accurately predict their next word and improve autocorrect. Its machine learning and natural language processing technology understands the context of language and how words fit together. In its last funding round in 2013, led by Index Ventures, the company raised $17.5m, bringing its total funding to $21.5m.

6.Citymapper

Citymapper is a mobile app that helps users navigate cities on public transport networks. The app pulls in live data from bus and tube companies, and combines this with estimated travel times for taxis, bikes and walking, to suggest potential routes to get to your destination. It is currently only available in New York, Paris, London, and Berlin, but last year announced a funding round of $10m, led by Balderton Capital, with which it plans to launch in new cities.

8.Darktrace

Darktrace is a cyber security company that uses artificial intelligence to uncover potential threats to companies' information or intellectual property before an attack takes place. The software is used by several FTSE 100 companies. The company has raised $20m in funding from Invoke Capital, the investment company founded by Autonomy founder Mike Lynch. It recently announced that it would be extending its US presence with a new HQ in Washington.

9.YPlan

YPlan is a mobile app that offers a curated list of live events based on the user's location, allowing them to book last-minute tickets with less than 48 hours notice. The company reached 1.5m in November 2014, and claims to be installed on 30 per cent of London’s iPhones. It raised $24 million (£15.3m) in its latest funding round, which was led by existing investors Octopus Investments, General Catalyst Partners and Wellington Partners.

10.Funding Circle

Funding Circle is an online marketplace which allows savers to lend money directly to small and medium sized businesses. In its latest round of funding, led by London-based venture capitalists Index Ventures and including Accel Partners, Union Square Ventures and Ribbit Capital, Funding Circle raised $65m, bringing its total funding to date to $123m.

Telegraph.co.uk

Windows 10 to ship on USB drives

Windows 10 is to ship on USB drives from the end of August, instead of traditional DVD

Windows 10 will ship on USB drives at the end of August, and is available to pre-order through Amazon's US branch.

Priced at $119 for the Home version and $199 for the Pro, the drives will go on sale on August 30. Amazon appears to be the only retailer selling the keys at present.

A Microsoft spokesperson told VentureBeat that Windows 10 will be available on USB drives for purchase in retail channels shortly after launch on July 29, adding “The suggested retail prices for Windows 10 in the U.S. are the same as Windows 8.1.”

A USB drive will be more convenient for users whose laptops no longer feature DVD drives, and means the software will be faster to install.

Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users can pre-register for their free Windows 10 upgrade by clicking the Windows logo that will have appeared on the right-hand side of their taskbar.

However, clicking the button does not necessarily mean they will get Windows 10 on 29 July. The update will first be rolled out to the 4.4 million people who have taken part in the Windows Insider programme.

Microsoft will then begin notifying people who have reserved their copy of Windows 10 in waves, slowly scaling up after 29 July. Once a copy becomes available, Microsoft will scan the user's computer to check it is compatible, and then download Windows 10 automatically.

If the user's system is not yet ready to be upgraded to Windows 10, Microsoft will provide more details during the upgrade process. In some cases, users will need to contact an application provider or device manufacturer to learn more.

^{Windows 10 will be available as a free upgrade to existing customers from July 29}

The update is free to anyone with a registered version of Windows 7 or Windows 8.1 who opts in within a year. Anyone who is still on Windows 8 will have to upgrade to Windows 8.1 to qualify for the free upgrade. Anyone using an older version of Windows, or buying a new computer with Windows 10 installed on it, will also have to pay.

Microsoft has announced that this will be the "the last version of Windows," meaning that future updates will be iterative rather than in the form of major software releases.

Telegraph.co.uk

Distracted Driver Rear-Ends Google Self-Driving Car

Google's self-driving cars aren't perfect, but neither are motorists.

Human error is to blame for the latest crash of a self-driving car, according to the tech giant. The vehicle in question rear-ended Google's prototype because of "distracted driving."

"Our self-driving cars are being hit surprisingly often by other drivers who are distracted and not paying attention to the road," Chris Urmson, director of Google's self-driving cars unit, wrote in a blog post. "That's a big motivator for us."

The most recent collision occurred during evening rush hour on July 1, as an autonomous Google vehicle drove toward an intersection in Mountain View, California. Despite having the green light, backed-up traffic forced Google's car to stop ahead of the junction.

"After we'd stopped, a car slammed into the back of us at 17 mph—and it hadn't braked at all," Urmson said.

No passengers in either vehicle were hurt, save for minor whiplash, and Google's vehicle sustained only a few scrapes. The second car, however, was not so lucky: its entire front bumper fell off.

"Although we don't like getting hit, there's a silver lining here," Urmson said. "We all want to know how self-driving cars are measuring up against their human counterparts, but the statistics we need to do this simply aren't ordinarily gathered."

Currently based only on police reports, national crashes-per-miles-driven rates do not include what Urmson said are "millions" of fender benders each year, which account for as many as 55 percent of all crashes, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Of course, more of Google's autonomous vehicles roaming the streets (racking up about 10,000 miles per week) means more potential accidents. Human drivers have hit the self-driving cars 14 times—including 11 rear collisions—since the start of Google's project in 2009.

"And not once has the self-driving car been the cause of the collision," Urmson insisted. "Instead, the clear theme is human error and inattention. We'll take all this as a signal that we're starting to compare favorably with human drivers."

It is becoming harder to vouch for living, breathing motorists, when technology allows for transportation methods that can see 360 degrees in all directions, and never get tired, irritable, or distracted.

It's not always a case of human error, though. Last month, a report said that two self-driving cars—one from Google and another from Delphi—almost got into an accident in California. Both companies, however, argued that it was not a near miss, but simply an example of their technologies performing appropriately.

pcmag.com

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Meet The New Samsung Galaxy S6 And S6 Edge, Arriving April 10

Samsung has indeed revealed its new flagship smartphone today, but there are actually two: The Galaxy S6, and the Galaxy S6 edge. The company’s latest premier smartphones are mostly similar on the inside, but with different external body designs, both of which push the envelope in terms of what Samsung has done with its Galaxy lineup in the past.

The Galaxy S6 and S6 edge combine metal and glass, eschewing almost entirely the standard plastic setup that Samsung has show a preference before in previous smartphone designs. A metal frame runs throughout, sandwiched between two panes of durable Gorilla Glass 4, which has also been treated on the inside with a special reflective material coating, giving them a jeweled-metal look that explains why some early leaks made it seem like Samsung had opted for metallic rear casing surfaces.

While both are marked departures for Samsung, the Galaxy S6 edge may be its most ambitious design to date, with a screen that curves away on either side of the front of the device, and a subtler, matching curve on the back surface, too. The effect is both visually stunning and pleasant to hold, as you can read in our first hands on impressions of both devices.

Of course, the S6 lineup also boasts improved specs, including a slimmer and lighter design, compared to the S5 and older Galaxy hardware. Here’s a breakdown of the primary improvements:

• 5.1-inch 2560×1440 Super AMOLED display with 577 ppi
• Exynos Octacore processor, 3GB LPDDR4 RAM
• 32/64/128GB UFS 2.0 internal storage
• Android 5.0
• F/1.9 16MP rear camera with optical image stabilization and live HDR
• F/1.9 5MP front camera with live HDR
• Category 6 LTE with 300 Mbps down/50 Mbps up max theoretical speeds
• Wi-Fi 802.11 AC with HT80 MIMO, Bluetooth LE, NFC, IR blaster
• 2,550mAh (GS6) and 2,600mAh (GS6 edge) batteries

Specs never tell the full story, and Samsung has done plenty more to try to make this a significant flagship reboot inside and out. The f/1.9 aperture on those front and back cameras should translate to improved low-light function on each, and the auto HDR and image stabilization options also help contribute to the goal of making it much easier for device owners to snap great pics. Samsung has also added a feature whereby double pressing the home button launches the camera instantly, in what it claims is just 0.7 seconds, no matter where you happen to be or from device lock. A subject lock borrowed from the NX-1 dedicated Samsung camera lets you continually autofocus on a specific subject, too.

As rumored, the phone also has embedded wireless charging tech, which includes support for both WPC and PMA standards, meaning you can use it with Starbucks, as well as with the more prevalent Qi-enabled home chargers. Samsung is also going to sell its own charging pucks, of course, and on the power front they’ve also upped wired charging by a factor of 1.5x, meaning you should get around 4 hours-worth of battery out of 10 minutes of plugged-in charging.

There’s no swappable memory card support, but the new UFS 2.0 tech Samsung used for its internal flash memory is much faster than any external card or previous internal storage, the company says, and it now offers that 128GB option for those who need ore space, as well as cloud services for remote storage.

Samsung has also redone the fingerprint scanner in the home button so that you no longer have to swipe, and they’re going to use that with the launch of their Samsung Pay tech coming later this year. Finally, they’ve lightened up their approach to skinning Android (UI add-ons removed by 40 percent, in fact, according to Samsung), and don’t even mention the word ‘TouchWiz’ anywhere, which is great news.

The Galaxy S6 and S6 edge go on sale starting April 10  in markets around the world, with White Pearl, Black Sapphire, and Gold Platinum color options for both, plus a special Blue Topaz for the Galaxy S6, and Green Emerald reserved for the Galaxy S6 edge. In the U.S., they’ll be available at AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon, as well as Samsung’s micro-stores within Best Buy locations, Amazon.com, Costco, Sam’s Club, Target and Walmart.

techcrunch.com