Monday
Apr072014

42,000 Mazda6's recalled due to spider-related issues

Mazda is recalling various model years Mazda6 vehicles due to a recurrence of spiders appearing in vent lines and their webs being a fire hazard. The recall affects Mazda6 sedans from 2010 and 2012, specifically those equipped with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine.

Mazda says there have been nine confirmed sightings of spiders in vent lines since the original recall a few years ago. It seems that covers were applied at the factory to keep the arachnids from entering, but it hasn't quite exterminated the problem. Hit jump for the full release.

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Sunday
Apr062014

Google tipped to unveil Android TV

Google reportedly wants to take another stab at creating its own set top box that won’t be as “ambitious” as its first Google TV. According to documents obtained by The Verge, they want Android TV to be an “entertainment interface, not a computing platform.” It would have a simple user interface to access content easily and come with lightweight apps. It will even have a recommendation system that will give suggested content to you as soon as you power it on. They haven’t specified any launch dates yet but it looks like they are looking for developers to build the apps for it.

Sunday
Apr062014

Sony debuts Alpha A7s with 4k video recording

Sony has just brought 4K video recording capability into its full-frame mirrorless line with the Alpha A7s. The “s” in the name is said to stand for sensitivity, which it backs up by having an ISO range of 50  to 409,600. According to Engadget, the 12.2-megapixel sensor limits downscaling with 3840 x 2160 4K video so you have higher quality footage. It can keep 1080p video internally but it will need an external recorder to take 4k videos. The camera will output this with 4:2:2 color sampling through HDMI.

It is equipped with Wi-Fi and NFC and it can keep XAVC S-format video with a class 10 or higher SDXC card. You can shoot with APS-C cropping in 1080p and has 120 fps support when you capture in 720p. 

Sunday
Apr062014

Design concerns delay rumoured YouTube paid music service

Getting the design just right is reportedly causing the delay for YouTube’s planned music subscription service, according to Billboard. The music magazine and website cited an interview with an unnamed executive who knows of YouTube’s plans that the service will launch in the “second quarter or beyond” instead of a launch earlier in the year. The executives reportedly want the offering to be compelling as soon as it launches and not be eased out as a beta and improved over time, which Google usually does with its products. So, if you’ve been dying to see what it looks like, you will have to wait a bit more.