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To make sure Google's Project Loon is more internet via balloon than pie in the sky, the search giant turned to data simulations. Loon Rapid Evaluator Dan Piponi's goal was to determine the possibility of a "nicely spaced flock of balloons" to provide reliable airborne internet. Proper spacing is key for this because if the gaps are too wide, coverage will be spotty -- the opposite of what the initiative is hoping to achieve. He iterated "hundreds" of times using publicly available wind info to visualize how different stratospheric factors would affect balloon travel and found that yes, they could indeed be evenly distributed. Piponi posited that in the future, the balloons could have information about what other balloons are doing around them and adjust spacing on their own, accordingly. If you ask us, that sounds like the internet of things is taking to the clouds.
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We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, then here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Zoe, who needs to help out her mum (she's in the UK) with a tricky WiFi problem. If you're looking to ask one of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.
"My mum's retirement community offers a municipal WiFi service for £130 per year, but only provides a login that can be used on a single device at a time. More annoyingly, that device has to use a web browser, which means that you can't access it using an Apple TV at all. To get around that, I've leant her my Mac Mini, and then I share the WiFi connection over Ethernet to an Airport Extreme. Unfortunately, this only works for short bursts at a time before the DHCP or connection sharing goes screwy and needs to be reset. My question, therefore, is what can I buy that will connect to this crappy WiFi and share that connection to the other wireless devices around the home? Would it be possible to use Raspberry Pi or some other small device to do the job? All it has to do is be stable and have an uptime longer than 2 hours. Thanks!"
This is the sort of question that most geeks love getting their hands on, because it's a good old-fashioned problem. You'll just have to ignore all of the people who tell your mom to move house instead of coming up with a useful solution. Either way, we did think that perhaps there was a way to share this connection using a hotspot device, but they primarily use Ethernet. As such, we're going to turn this question open to our community for some sage advice. Surely there must be a simple way to do this without depriving Zoe of her Mac Mini?
Following up on its initial tease from earlier this week, LG has officially revealed the G Pad 8.3 ahead of IFA. The slate's positioned as the next step from its G2 smartphone, and the company claims it's the first eight-inch tablet with a 1920 x 1200 WUXGA (Widescreen Ultra Extended Graphics Array) full HD screen. The device features a 4,600mAh battery, and runs Jelly Bean 4.2.2 atop a 1.7 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 processor aided by 2GB of RAM. Despite all that, it's just 8.33m thick and weighs 338 grams. Software enhancements include QPair and QSlide -- the former lets you receive messages and calls from JB-equipped Android phones on the G Pad itself, while the latter allows for three apps to run on-screen at once. What's more, with KnockOn you simply tap the screen twice to wake it up. The G Pad 8.3 will be available globally beginning in Q4 in your choice of black or white with 16 GB of storage. No word on pricing just yet, but expect a hands-on once we catch it on the show floor.
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If you didn't get enough mobile news during the week, not to worry, because we've opened the firehose for the truly hardcore. This week brought convincing signs that BlackBerry users are moving away from physical keyboards, along with a new budget Android smartphone for MetroPCS and a stumbling block that's holding up AT&T's acquisition of Alltel. These stories and more await. So buy the ticket and take the ride as we explore all that's happening in the mobile world for this week of August 26th, 2013.
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Microsoft seems intent on sanding away the Xbox brand's rough edges before launching the One this November. Following the recent switch from its arcane points system to local currency for digital purchases, Redmond has subtly changed up where you'll spend that money. What we used to know as the Xbox Live Marketplace is now the Xbox Game Store. It's clean, simple and we're pretty sure Sean Parker would approve. Oddly, in the US the web storefront reads "Xbox Games," but it says "Xbox Game Store" in the UK. Whatever -- as long as we can buy real-world presidents for Saint's Row 4, we're not too worried about the name of the store.
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Alt-week takes a look at the best science and alternative tech stories from the last seven days.
Some things become obsolete, some things rise to live again. Two of our stories over the fold demonstrate new tricks from old dogs. The third? Just, y'know, suggests that we're all actually from Mars. No biggie. This is alt-week.
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As IFA starts to slowly edge its way over the horizon, the product teasers start to rain. We've already seen hints from Sony, an outright admission from Samsung, and speculation from HTC. The latest tidbit, comes via ASUS's Facebook, which suggests it plans to show a new tablet at the event. What can we say about it? Well, odds on it's another Transformer Pad, running Android, and if you're into numerology (and consistency), Tegra 4 inside. Coincidentally, an unknown ASUS tablet (pictured after the break) with model number K00C popped up at the FCC last week, revealing little more than the usual WiFi and Bluetooth radios, and a display somewhere around 10-inches. Though the description of it as a Transformer Pad could indicate that whatever its exact configuration, it's arrival in the US won't be that far out.
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Unlike babies that wail when they're born, the three new members of Alcatel's One Touch family have silently slipped into the company's website. The two handsets, the Idol S and the Idol Mini, follow the originaltrio revealed at CES this year, sharing similar elements despite the difference in size. Both run Android 4.2, can read microSD cards up to 32GB in capacity and support quad-band GSM, as well as some UMTS (3G) bands, depending on the model.
Idol S, the larger of the two weighs 110 grams, has a 4.7-inch 1,280 x 720-pixel screen and DC-HSPA data connectivity. It's powered by a 1.2GHz dual-core processor, has 4GB of internal storage, 1GB of RAM and an 8-megapixel rear / 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. On the other hand, the Idol Mini has a smaller 4.3-inch 854 x 480-pixel display, weighs 96 grams and comes with HSPA+. It's equipped with up to 8GB of internal storage, 512MB of RAM and a 5-megapixel rear / VGA front camera.
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Think 150Mbps LTE-Advanced data is quick? KDDI could offer far more bandwidth next year. Nikkeiclaims that the Japanese carrier plans to upgrade its cellular network to 220 Mbps data as soon as summer 2014. Service would reportedly launch with an Android smartphone, and rely on new wireless technology; it's not clear whether this entails a faster LTE-A variant or something new. KDDI hasn't confirmed the rumor, so we wouldn't consider moving to Japan just yet. If there's any truth to the claims, however, even NTT DoCoMo's upgraded LTE could soon feel downright pokey.
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When Motorola announced it's first flagship since becoming part of Google's empire, it was to mixed response. But, if evleaks is right, as is often the case, then a forthcoming $100 price-drop could suddenly change all that. Currently, the customisable phone that listens to your every word will set you back $199 on your network of choice, so a drop to $99 on contract -- just in time for Christmas -- could see this rise up the ranks. Oh, and those wooden covers? Our leaker claims will come with a $50 price tag, for those that want the natural look.
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Earlier today, several top designers at HTC have been arrested in Taipei under suspicion of fraudulent expense claims, as well as stealing trade secrets ahead of leaving the company to run a new mobile design firm in both Taiwan and mainland China. Five people were interrogated, with the most notable ones being Vice President of Product Design Thomas Chien (pictured above), R&D director Wu Chien Hung and design team senior manager Justin Huang (who also personally sketched out the One's design). Their offices were also raided yesterday.
Reports say HTC chairwoman Cher Wang personally filed a complaint to Taiwan's Investigation Bureau, which has since learned that Chien, Wu and Huang planned to set up a new design company aimed at the mainland Chinese market, and that they would resign after claiming their mid-year bonuses yesterday. The real beef HTC has here is that it apparently caught Chien secretly downloading files related to the upcoming Sense 6.0 UI design, and then bizarrely enough, shared them with external contacts via e-mail.
The trio is also accused of making false commission fee claims for the One's aluminum chassis design. While the design was done in-house, the three designers partnered with an external design firm, used it to invoice HTC for over US$334,000 worth of commission fee between May and July, and then split the money between themselves.
We reached out to HTC for a statement on this matter, but the spokesperson doesn't have much to provide at this moment:
"The matter is under investigation by relevant authorities. We therefore refrain from further comments."
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There was a time when Windows Phone 7 users could only look on as WP8-using peers Like status updates on their newer and shinier Facebook app. Not anymore. An update to the Beta version is now ready for download, bringing to the table a user interface similar to the WP8 version that meshes well with the platform's aesthetics. Those who've been waiting for the update forever can hit the source link below -- it's available for both platforms, so WP8-toting folks can also join the party.
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Sawadee-krub. Hello from Thailand, where we’ve spent a day driving the new Honda Accord. Launched here at the Bangkok International Motor Show earlier this year, the ninth-generation Honda Accord will make its official debut in Malaysia next week, as you would have already found out.
This first drive report will be based on the Thai-made, Thai-spec Accord, which is identical to what we will get in Malaysia, save for slight spec and trim differences. Malaysian Accords will roll out from Honda’s Melaka plant as a CKD model in three variants – 2.0 VTi, 2.0 VTi-L and the range topping 2.4 VTi-L. The previous two Accords were launched in Malaysia with a V6 option, but there will be no six-pot this time around.
If you’re wondering, no, this is not a facelift but an all-new generation of Honda’s famous Accord lineage. The eighth-gen Accord that we’re familiar with has been around since 2007, and since then, a raft of rivals have emerged in the D-segment.
In that time, Toyota came out with a new Camry, Nissan finally brought the Teana into Malaysia, Mazda launched two generations of the 6, while an awakened South Korea rolled out eye-catching entries like the Sonata and Optima K5. We even now have some European alternatives in the shape of the VW Passat, Peugeot 508 and Ford Mondeo. It’s a brave new world, and the new Accord has its work cut out.
If the new Accord looks smaller, your eyes are correct. At 4,870 mm long, it is 80 mm shorter than the outgoing car, and its wheelbase length of 2,775 mm is 25 mm less than before. Coupled to the fact that it’s slightly wider and lower, the new Accord looks fitter and more athletic in the metal.
It is by no means a small car, not when it replaces a sedan that’s bigger than the class norm. In any case, despite the reduction in outer dimensions, the already limo-like rear legroom is up by 35.5 mm, and the vast boot holds 23 litres more, thanks to packaging magic. Honda adds that overall weight has been reduced by 4.5%, which makes it win-win for all aspects – smaller body, more space, less weight.
Under the hood, the 2.0 litre SOHC i-VTEC engine has been carried over, but is now tuned for better fuel efficiency. The Thai-spec sheet reads 155 PS and 190 Nm, which is more (+ 1 Nm) or less (- 1 PS) similar to what our eighth-gen 2.0 made. Also unchanged is the five-speed automatic transmission.
The 2.4 is new. Out goes the long-serving K-series DOHC i-VTEC unit, replaced by a brand new “Earth Dreams Technology” engine. The new twin-cam i-VTEC motor is good for 175 hp at 6,200 rpm and 225 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm.
The figures may be a touch lower than the K24A’s 180 PS/222 Nm, but they’re made lower down the rev range, and the EDT engine is cleaner and more fuel efficient. Read more about what Honda’s Earth Dreams Technology is all about here.
I started the day driving the 2.4 from Phuket to Khao Lak, and found the new Accord to be improved, yet familiar. It didn’t take long for us to notice that there’s less rolling noise than before, one of the few complaints we had about the old car. Less road roar and tyre noise, but rougher local tests such as the well-worn Federal Highway and concrete PLUS highway surfaces await.
Incidentally, the new Accord is factory fitted with the new Michelin Primacy 3 ST tyre in Thailand, which we found impressive in a recent test. This won’t be the footwear of choice for locally assembled Accords, which will come with Malaysian-made rubber.
The gains in rolling refinement co-exists with an engine that’s typically Honda in character. Ever willing to rev up to the redline, the new EDT engine works with a familiar buzzy mechanical note. Personally, I like the racy sound it makes, even if it’s not hand-in-glove with the executive theme. It’s not unpleasant because we’re talking about character, not strain.
Compared to the K-series 2.4 litre, which starts slow before it wakes up with a scream, the EDT offers more low down pull and less of the “two-phase” nature that’s undesirable in a big executive sedan. It’s better, but those looking for the ultimate silent and smooth operator would do better with a Camry 2.5V, in my humble opinion. The five-speed automatic is faultless, as usual.
The sporty nature of the engine dovetails nicely with a sharp drive, which is as good as it gets in this segment. I have not tried the new Mazda 6, but like the outgoing Accord, this new one is a great tool for a B-road cross-country drive. The steering is light, quick, and feelsome enough for what it is, the car’s mass is well masked, and there’s good body control to boot.
No lurching and rolling around, and ride comfort was good on the 2.4′s 18-inch wheels, on Thai roads. “Drives like a smaller car” may be quite cliche, but true in this case nonetheless. The Koreans may look the part as class athletes, but would do well to match the Honda’s communication and composure when driven hard.
The 2.0 litre model is as good to drive, but has to be worked harder. Not that it feels a lot slower than the 2.4 (it doesn’t), but there’s more engine sound in the cabin for sure. The auto ‘box works well, but lacks steering paddles to downshift for corners when driving hard on the twisties, which means I had to pull the lever (straight-line gate, be careful to not miss your station) down to D3 for the same effect, before pushing it up again. More work, but can do.
Away from B roads, the Accord is a comfortable car to sit in. From the driver’s seat, our range topping 2.4 “Tech” spec tester felt like a Volvo with Adaptive Cruise Control (mirrors the speed of the car in front), Collision Mitigation Brake System (BRAKE warning on the meter and flashing light when you approach the car in front, fast) and Lane Watch Camera.
Lane Watch Camera, the only one from above that will appear in the Malaysian range topper, gives you a view of the left lane when you flick the signal stalk. Captured by a camera below the wing mirror, the visual is displayed on the central eight-inch i-MID colour screen. Only for the left side, LWC can be manually turned on via a button on the light stalk. Very cool, very useful.
Speaking of toys, the Malaysian Accord will finally get keyless entry and push start. Other available equipment include a multi-view reverse camera, LED headlamps, LED DRLs and Active Cornering Lamps. Many of these things are appearing in a Honda for the first time in Malaysia. We’ll bring you the full local equipment list and spec breakdown from the launch next week.
Compared to the eighth-gen Accord, the new car’s cabin is a massive improvement in both design and functionality. Gone is the expansive, swoopy button-fest dashboard, and in its place is a more conventional layout featuring two colour screens.
The smaller of the two is a touch screen for the audio system, while the big one above displays everything else, controlled by the panel on the base of the centre stack. The parking brake is now foot-operated.
The ambience is more intimate and luxurious than before, with the colourful displays and 3D multi-layer speedometer adding to the high-tech feel missing in the outgoing car. Perceived quality is good, with soft plastics (the only hard/shiny piece on the top half of the dashboard is a small panel to the left of the steering wheel) and solid controls.
Feel aside, the dashboard is more user-friendly now, and the driver’s seat is comfortable over long distances. Compared to the main chair of the old car, the new seat allows one to sit lower to the floor, and the excessive lumbar support I found annoying in the old car has been rectified.
The new Accord introduces electric seat adjustment buttons on the side of the passenger seat, close to the driver. Borrowed from the Camry, this is a simple but very thoughtful feature I used frequently when testing the Toyota, one of those things that makes you wonder why all cars don’t have it. Our test unit also had a powered rear sunshade.
Its predecessors only had to duel with the Camry, but the new Honda Accord will face stiff competition from all corners when it enters the Malaysian D-segment arena. That said, with new tech, fancy equipment, smooth new looks and great driver appeal, it’s well equipped for the battle, and even a class win.
