Ford and Google looking into alliance to build self-driving cars

Photo by Donny Halliwell

By Gadjo Cardenas Sevilla

The worlds of technology and cars are on a certain collision course and we're seeing various companies looking to partner to create solutions faster and cheaper. Ford and Google are reported to be in talks to put their resources together to build self-driving cars.

Ford has been at the forefront of integrating technology into their vehicles for many years now. First with their partnership with Microsoft for Ford Sync and later on their use of BlackBerry's QNX technologies for various aspects of safety and infotainment. 

Click to read more ...

LG to unveil new version of webOS smart TV platform at CES 2016

webOS has taken quite a journey. Originally the mobile operating system of the Palm Pre family of devices (as well as the ill-received HP TouchPad), webOS was licensed to LG who made it the cornerstone of their unique and animated smart TV platform a few years ago.  While Smart TV is no longer a catchphrase many get excited about, LG hopes to shake things up at CES when it reveals the all new and improved webOS TV platform.

LG webOS 3.0 was designed to provide an exceptional user experience to allow for more intuitive navigation of the TV's features. Since its introduction in 2014, LG webOS has been praised as one of the most versatile smart TV platforms by most major industry experts and publications.

Click to read more ...

BMW and Nissan partner to create joint fast-charger network in the US

In a move that threatens Tesla’s own Supercharger network, BMW and Nissan have partnered to develop their own public network of fast-charging stations across the United States. This new DC fast-charging network is made up of 120 stations across 19 states. Each station makes use of dual 50kW DC Fast-charging station with CHAdeMO and CCS (Combo) connectors that can charge Nissan LEAF and BMW i3 vehicles. It promises that you’ll reach 80 percent charge in about 20 to 30 minutes.

But a more important point is it uses popular charger styles, which means any EV with a quick-charge port will be able to use it to charge up. LEAF and i3 drivers will be able to locate these stations using in-vehicle navigation or the i Remote app for BMW or Nissan’s EZ-Charge smartphone app. There is no word yet when the network will be completed.

Source: Mashable

‘Game Of Thrones’ Season 5 Blu-Ray to feature animated clip of the ‘Dance of Dragons’

If you are brushed up on your Game of Thrones lore, one of the biggest stories coming out of it is the epic two-year-long battle of Daenerys’ ancestors in House Targaryen just about rip themselves apart in civil war. Also known as “Dance of Dragons,” this story will be getting a special bonus in the upcoming Blu-Ray version of Season 5 of the HBO hit. Unlike other special features released before, the exploration of the Dance of Dragons gets a 20-minute animated special that will feature the voices of former and current Game of Thrones actors including Pedro Pascal (Oberyn Martell), Kerry Ingram (Shireen Baratheon), Harry Lloyd (Viserys Targaryen), Mark Addy (Robert Baratheon), Michelle Fairley (Catelyn Stark), and Jack Gleeson (Joffrey Baratheon).

This should tide you over until the next season starts or until you want to revisit (or actually read) the books. But there’s also quite a wait for this as it comes out in Blu-Ray and DVD on March 15.

Source: io9