Consumer Reports calls on Tesla to rename Autopilot feature

Following reported accidents involving Teslas that had Autopilot engaged, well-known publication Consumer Reports is calling out to Tesla to change a few things. One is that the car manufacturer should change the name Autopilot and another is to remove the Autosteer feature. According to Laura MacCleery, vice president of consumer policy and mobilization at Consumer Reports, "By marketing their feature as ‘Autopilot,’ Tesla gives consumers a false sense of security. In the long run, advanced active safety technologies in vehicles could make our roads safer. But today, we’re deeply concerned that consumers are being sold a pile of promises about unproven technology. ‘Autopilot’ can’t actually drive the car, yet it allows consumers to have their hands off the steering wheel for minutes at a time. Tesla should disable automatic steering in its cars until it updates the program to verify that the driver’s hands are on the wheel."

Tesla stands by their decisions and the technologies they put into the car saying that they do “over millions of miles of internal testing, to ensure that drivers supported by Autopilot remain safer than those operating without assistance.” And it doesn’t plan to disable their features but will work to make sure their consumers know how Autopilot actually works.

Source: Consumer Reports | Via: SlashGear

Google Keyboard introduces new themes on Android

You no longer have to just pick between “material light” or “material dark,” there are now multiple themes to choose from as the background of your Google Keyboard on Android. Android N will be introducing themes but if you aren’t playing around with the developer preview yet, you can start by customizing your keyboard first. Aside from picking one of the preselected themes (there are blacks, reds, pinks, blues, etc.), you can also use a photo of your choice to act as your keyboard background. With features like this, Google is looking to compete with third-party launchers and keyboards that offer variety, too. Unfortunately, it isn’t on the Google Keyboard on iOS yet. But we won’t be surprised if Google brings the update there soon.

Some of the other new features include additional languages for gesture typing and suggestions, the inclusion of recently used emojis in the suggestion strip, support for Android N, and bug fixes such as including passwords with Talkback and missing key labels. You can download the app from this link.

Wireless Apple ‘AirPods’ might be coming with the ‘iPhone 7’

Rumours have spread earlier this year that Apple planned to release wireless headphones alongside the “iPhone 7,” the latest iteration of the iPhone which will supposedly not have a 3.5mm connection. Apple has reportedly trademarked the term “AirPods” adding credence to the rumours that a wireless headphone accessory will be available for the upcoming iPhone. More details have surfaced recently about these AirPods. A trademark going through the review process shows that a company called Entertainment in Flight LLC filed for it. And it isn’t exactly news that Apple uses shell companies to file for trademarks. They have done this before for “iPad,” “CarPlay,” and “iWatch.”

The latest filing for the patent was signed by manager Jonathan Brown, who shares the name of an attorney Apple employs as Senior Standards Counsel. The position has him handling things such as patents and trademarks. Whether this is just a shell company for Apple or not, Apple files patents and trademarks without necessarily using them. Perhaps this could be a case of them covering all bases (if it is a shell company) or we could be seeing wireless AirPods to go with the iPhone 7s (or be sold separately as an extra accessory).

Source: MacRumors | Via: 9to5Mac

Microsoft exec claims they won’t hit 1 billion device installs target by 2018 for Windows 10

Microsoft set the bar high for itself by aiming to have one billion devices with Windows 10 installed by the year 2018. However, the company recently acknowledged the timeline isn’t feasible. According to Windows Marketing Chief Yusuf Mehdi, the goal is still one billion but it won’t happen that soon. They attribute this to the reduction of the Windows Phone business. Mehdi says Windows 10 is “off to the hottest start in history” as they have over 350 monthly active devices—these devices include everything from PCs, laptops, tablets, to some smartphones.

Windows 10 was received better in the PC world but users have complained about being forced to upgrade with repeated messages asking them to do so. Due to the blowback from this, Microsoft is changing their approach on how to remind users to upgrade.

Source: Bloomberg | Via: Apple Insider