Volkswagen plans to build EVs in North America in 2021

Volkswagen hopes to redeem and reinvent itself following the massive diesel emissions scandal the company found itself in. Now, the automaker wants to focus on making electric vehicles and part of that plan is to “evolve from a niche supplier into a relevant and profitable volume producer.” Volkswagen plans to start building EVs in North America starting 2021.

This plan is the second part of a two-stage agenda for production on the continent. According to Volkswagen’s brand Board of Management Chairman Dr. Herbert Diess, they “will be making considerable investments in electric infrastructure” there as well as “step up activities” in the US, especially when it comes to large SUVs and limousines.

Source: Engadget

Netflix 4K streaming comes to Windows 10

While UHD streaming is coming to Microsoft’s operating system, it comes with some conditions. These include using Microsoft’s Edge browser and your system needs to be running 7^th-generation Intel Core processors (Kaby Lake). The former is an easy enough to get your hands on, the latter requires a bit of a search since there aren’t that many laptops yet that have 4K displays and the new Intel processors.

You can see the 4K support as a means to market Microsoft’s latest products but also because of DRM requirements imposed to avoid streams being captured and redistributed illegally. The newest hardware decryption features don’t work on older Intel processors but Kaby Lake supports 10-bit HVEC, which is a popular 4K video codec. Either you’ll have to upgrade your PC to watch Gilmore Girls in 4K or get a Chromecast Ultra or Roku device to stream 4K with Netflix.

Moto Z and Z Force get Nougat update & Daydream VR support

You should keep your eyes peeled and glued on your screen (okay, not really) but important updates for Moto Z and Moto Z Force users are coming soon. First, Android 7.0 Nougat is coming to both devices. Verizon users will be the first one to get the updated but it should head this way soon. Aside from that, both smartphones will be certified Daydream-compatible, making them the first non-Pixel devices to have the support for Google’s Daydream View VR headset.

Apple might be saying goodbye to wireless router business

The announcement hasn’t officially been made in public but it seems Apple is ready to say goodbye to one product division: its wireless router business. Bloomberg reports that Apple has been working over the past year to shutter its internet networking division so it can focus on the products the generate most of its revenue. According to unnamed sources, these join other product development groups that have been shut down, like the group handling the Apple TV. Engineers who are working on these products are reportedly being moved to other teams.

Apple current has three wireless routers the AirPort Express, AirPort Extreme, and AirPort Time capsule. But it hasn’t refreshed this line of products since 2013. These existing products are still currently on sale but the company has reportedly started pulling it out of retail stores and some of the devices are available online at discounted prices. Apple has yet to comment on the report.

Source: CNET