Netflix releases trailer for new cyberpunk sci-fi series ‘Altered Carbon’

Based on the 2002 novel by Richard K. Morgan, Altered Carbon is as Engadget puts it Netflix’s spin on Blade Runner. And now we get to see what the show looks like ahead of its February 2 premiere. The science fiction series set over 300 years in the future promises a story about murder, love, sex, and betrayal. A rich man, played by James Purefoy, looks to have his own murder solved and so he resurrects hires Takeshi Kovacs (played by Joel Kinnaman), a soldier who was killed in action 250 years ago. And from what the trailer shows us, it looks like a massive production.

50th anniversary of Hot Wheels will be a feature attraction of the 2018 Canadian International AutoShow

The number one selling toy in the world is joining with the Canadian International AutoShow in presenting an explosion of activities to commemorate its 50^th anniversary.
 
Developed by toy maker Mattel in 1968, Hot Wheels is one of the most iconic toys of all time making childhood — and adulthood — awesome for everyone.
 

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GM's 2019 self-driving cars come with no steering wheels

Challenging the notion that autonomous vehicles or self-driving cars need to have a steering wheel for when a driver would want to take over, GM's robobar slated for release next year has no steering wheel and no pedals. The modified all-electric Chevy Bolt models are expected to be used as a fleet of taxis in the US sometime next year.

“We’ve put together four generations of autonomous vehicles over the course of 18 months,” says Dan Ammann, GM’s president. “You can safely assume that the fourth generation won’t be the last.”

Self-driving functionality is already available on some flagship Cadillac models.

Source: Wired

CES 2018: Vivo and Synaptics demo the first fingerprint sensor on an OLED display

One of the most significant announcements at the show comes from phone maker Vivo and Synaptics which enables a fingerprint reader to work on a smartphone's OLED display.  This means smartphones can have thinner bezels and still offer fingerprint security. Demos from the show floor proved that Vivos solution reads fingerprints through the display which can be used as a normal display.

Placement of a fingerprint sensor has been a tricky problem for smartphone makers. Some feel having it on the front makes the most sense, while others relegate the fingerprint sensor to the back, which makes for a more natural fit for where your fingers land. As more smartphone makers opf for larger and bezel-less displays, they can now give users options of a fingerprint reader and another form of authentication like Apple's Face ID on the iPhone X.

Source: The Verge