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Polestar has announced its latest over-the-air upgrade for the Polestar 2 EV, and it includes an integrated YouTube app right on the home screen. Volvo, a part-owner of Polestar, first mentioned its plan to make YouTube available for its infotainment in 2022 though it was through the Play Store. While you don't want to be watching YouTube videos as you cruise down the road (or play video games, Tesla), Polestar specifically denotes it as a way to entertain yourself while the car charges. Yes, the update is solely so you can amuse yourself while sitting in the stationary car, but sure, when you drop a minimum of $40,000 to $50,000 on an EV, why shouldn't it provide entertainment while juicing up? There are also some new features for when you hit the road, including Apple CarPlay's expanded information about calls or media on the home screen. Plus, you can control calls through the steering wheel (as you can in most cars) and, more uniquely, see calls and Apple Maps right on the driver display. The last bit of Polestar 2's updates focus the Range Assistant app, with a major upgrade giving you more control over your energy efficiency, with consumption monitoring extended beyond 20, 40, or 100 miles. The update also factors environmental changes and related variables into your projected range with real-time information available right on the driver display. Previously, this figure was a default range projection rather than one specific to you. The P2.9 over-the-air update has begun rolling out, so keep an eye out for when it reaches your EV.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/polestar-2-update-adds-youtube-integration-and-new-carplay-features-115027133.html?src=rss
Apples big developer conference kicks off June 5th, and all the signs point to the companys mixed reality headset making its first appearance. The tech giant has been acquiring headset-friendly startups for years, and if the rumors are true, Apples stand-alone device (possibly called Reality Pro) may be more powerful than the Meta Quest Pro and many other high-end headsets. It could pack 4K resolution per eye, with full body-motion tracking. It may require an external battery pack and last for just two hours on a charge, but it would be relatively light and slim.It will also likely land with a new platform (maybe called xrOS) designed with mixed reality in mind. Instead of controllers, youd use hand gestures, gaze detection and voice commands to navigate. It sounds like Apple is approaching the cutting-edge of mixed reality, but that comes at a cost: Rumors suggest this first model could cost around $3,000. Thats three times the price of Metas Quest Pro.Were also expecting to see a new 15-inch addition to the MacBook Air series with M2 power, as well as the first look at iOS 17 and MacOS 14. Were heading to the conference to report on everything next week. Mat SmithThe biggest stories you might have missedYou can watch the entire first season of 'Star Trek: Strange New Worlds for free on YouTubeThe best Father's Day tech gift ideasLogitech MX Anywhere 3s hands-on: An almost ideal travel mouse Google has officially stopped supporting the first-gen Chromecast The best iPads for 2023 The Morning After isnt just a newsletter its also a daily podcast. Get our daily audio briefings, Monday through Friday, by subscribing right here.Range Rovers next luxury add-on is a car seat that vibrates to music90s technology, now.Land RoverThe company's new Range Rover Sport SV Edition One includes Subpac-powered Body and Soul Seat tech (appropriately, BASS), with headrest-mounted membranes and transducers that deliver haptic feedback in response to lower frequencies in your music. Why not just make an integrated massage chair?Jaguar Land Rover and Subpac claim the vibrations can improve your health through six wellness programs. The companies point to a JLR-supported study indicating that BASS can help you relax and reduce stress by increasing the variability of your heart rate.Continue reading. Riot threatens to cancel a 'League of Legends' esports season after a player revoltPros voted 'overwhelmingly' for a walkout to protest changes to the minor leagues.GettyThe pro League of Legends scene has been upended after players voted "overwhelmingly" in favor of a walkout to protest changes Riot has made to the minor leagues, marking one of the first major instances of collective action in esports. Now, the publisher has threatened to cancel the summer season of the League Championship Series (LCS), which would prevent North American teams from qualifying for the LoL World Championship. Riot has delayed the season by two weeks to resolve issues with players and the LCS Players Association (LCSPA), the group that represents them.Continue reading.Watch the new trailer for Black MirrorThe new season stars Aaron Paul, Annie Murphy and just about everyone else.Netflix has set a June 15th premiere date for the sixth season of sci-fi anthology series Black Mirror. This latest season has been in the works for at least a year, and creator Charlie Brooker has stated it will tackle sci-fi tropes the series had previously avoided, calling it the most unpredictable season yet.Continue reading.Garmin reveals high-end smartwatches for explorers with deep pocketsThere are AMOLED displays and improved weather mapping.Garmin has just announced a pair of new high-end smartwatches intended for explorers and extreme fitness enthusiasts. The Epix Pro series packs a bright, crisp AMOLED display and dozens of new preloaded activities, like soccer, basketball, horseback riding, racquet sports. The Fenix 7 Pro series is for serious explorers, with solar charging, a powerful LED flashlight, mapping upgrades and a red safety light. The heart rate sensor also got a significant boost, with new optical sensors and sport-specific algorithms that track your pulse rate across activities.Continue reading.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadgetcom/the-morning-after-what-to-expect-from-apples-wwdc-2023-111535949.html?src=rss
It seems that guitar amp companies making Bluetooth speakers could be the new thing. UK-based Orange Amps has just launched a duo of Bluetooth speakers called the Box and Box-L. The first is a battery-powered portable model, while the latter is a wired option thats more of a homebody. Both echo the design of this iconic brands guitar amplifier and speaker series, using the same colors, logo and control panel style. The specs hint at decent stereo sound in the $300-$350 price range with Bluetooth 5.0, aptX support, a Class D amp for the subwoofer and Class AB analog amplifiers to help the full-range drivers produce a warmer sound. There are some deviations from what you'd expect, however, like the absence of USB charging, a front-facing only design and pending answers about its IP rating, if any.The Orange Box is the slightly smaller of the two models at 11 x 6.9 x 6.7-inches and 6.6 pounds with a vegan-leather carrying strap. You can choose between the classic orange exterior or a black version and it's priced at $299 (275). Theres a 4-inch subwoofer powered by a 30W Class D amp and a pair of 2-inch full-range drivers powered by dual 10W Class AB analog amplifiers for a warmer sound.The Orange Box portable Bluetooth speaker.Orange AmpsThe specs for the battery-powered Box list a charging time of three hours until full and a runtime of 15 or more hours. It also lists a 2,600mAh li-ion battery, so were interested in a real world test. Theres no USB port, so youre stuck with the DC19.5V charging cable that comes in the box.The wired model is called the Box-L and its slightly larger at 13.8 x 7.9 x 7.9-inches and 9.6 pounds. Its also available in orange or black and priced at $345 (315). As mentioned, theres no onboard battery, so its more of a sedentary beast. You can expect a slightly beefier sound, however, with a larger 5-inch subwoofer powered by the Class D amp and two 2-inch full-range drivers powered by dual 10W analog Class AB versions.The Orange Amps Box-L wired Bluetooth speaker.Orange AmpsBoth models have a 50W RMS output and a frequency range of 35Hz - 20kHz, so we expect theyll probably have a decent amount of bass. They also support Qualcomm aptX for high resolution audio, alongside AAC and SBC.The general physical design is the same for both the Box and Box-L. At the top you get a control panel with knobs and switches, much like those found on the brands line of guitar amps. Theres a power toggle, battery indicator light, knobs for bass, treble and volume adjustment, as well as a 3.5mm aux input. In addition, theres a Bluetooth pairing button that does double duty as a play/pause control and a small audio limiter light to let you know if you're driving the system too hard. The company claims to support the right to repair and will offer replacement parts in case you just cant help yourself from pushing the speaker too hard and break something.Both models are available today in the USA, UK and the rest of the world at the Orange Amps website as well as Amazon. Although, in Australia you may have to stick with ordering through either Amazon or the companys regional distributor Australis Music Group. The portable Orange Box is priced at $299 (275) and the wired Orange Box-L is $345 (315).This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/orange-amps-offers-analog-warmth-with-its-first-line-of-bluetooth-speakers-110058439.html?src=rss