Tesla shows off Model S battery swapping service [Video]

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Transportation, Videos,

Last night Tesla CEO and founder Elon Musk teased that the company would show off its battery swap service this evening, and lived up to the promise with an impressive demonstration. Tesla owners will be able to pull into a battery swap facility with their charge is running low, and a staff member will swap out the low battery with a full one. The kicker here is that the swap is performed faster than it takes to fill an empty gas tank at the pump--less than 90 seconds. Owners don't need to leave their vehicles, and the service is priced to be competitive with gas station services. The first swap stations will cost about $500,000 to build, and will appear in some of the busier Tesla corridors, including I-5 in California.

Swapping will take 90secs. You'll never get out of your car. Return the pack on your journey back or keep it & we'll bill you the difference

— Tesla Motors (@TeslaMotors) June 21, 2013

Check out the video after the break for the live demo, recorded from the crowd.

Click to continue reading Tesla shows off Model S battery swapping service [Video]

Apple’s WWDC 2013 keynote video now on YouTube

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, PC / Laptop, Software, Videos,

While Apple's WWDC 2013 keynote video has been available on the company website, iTunes, and Apple TV, many prefer YouTube for their web viewing, and now you can watch it there, too. This was a major event for Apple, the first where Tim Cook shined as a CEO stepping outside of the shadow of Steve Jobs. Get a look at the debut of iOS 7, OS X Mavericks, iTunes Radio, iWork for iCloud, the updated MacBook Air, and a sneak peek at the all-new Mac Pro in the video--we've embedded it after the jump.

Click to continue reading Apple’s WWDC 2013 keynote video now on YouTube

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active hits AT&T stores tomorrow

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Smartphones, Handhelds,

If you're a bit harder on your gadgets than most and are looking for a new smartphone, then Samsung Galaxy S4 Active may be just what you need. The Active packs in a 1080p LCD display rather than the OLED panel seen in the regular Galaxy S4, and the camera has a lower megapixel rating. The water-resistant (and dustproof!) device will be available beginning tomorrow from AT&T for $199 with two-year contract, and will be available in both gray and blue variants.

Apple TV 5.3 update brings HBO GO, ESPN, Sky TV, Qello, Crunchyroll apps

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, HDTV, Home Entertainment, Software,

Apple has just announced a new software update for the Apple TV that brings HBO Go and WatchESPN to the platform. Additionally, live UK Sky News streaming, access to Crunchyroll (an anime video site) videos, and Qello, a music/documentary streaming service.

“HBO GO and WatchESPN are some of the most popular iOS apps and are sure to be huge hits on Apple TV,” said Eddy Cue, Apple’s senior vice president of Internet Software and Services. “We continue to offer Apple TV users great new programming options, combined with access to all of the incredible content they can purchase from the iTunes Store.”

In order to activate HBO GO and WatchESPN, you'll need to be subscribed to the right cable provider, and you'll activate them using a code from your provider. Sky News provides free streaming in the US, UK, and Ireland.

You can download Apple TV 5.3 software update now for your second- and third-generation Apple TV to get the new hotness right away.

Read More | Apple

Unboxing Live 114: Samsung Galaxy S4

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Cell Phones, Features, Handhelds, Videocasts,

In this episode we open up the Samsung Galaxy S4, the latest flagship Android smartphone from the company. The Galaxy S4 features a 5-inch display, and is available on AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, making it as widely available as the iPhone 5. We give you a look at the Galaxy S 4 hardware in this episode of Unboxing Live, showing you all the contents of the box as well.

Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live on YouTube!

Bleeding Edge TV 485: JAKKS EZ Pro DJ

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: CES, CES 2013, Features, Music, Podcasts, Toys, Videocasts, Videos,

Have you always wanted to be a DJ, but didn't have the skills? JAKKS Pacific introduces the EZ Pro DJ, a $50 accessory that works with your iPhone, iPod touch, or iPad that allows you to mix beats while sounding like a pro. You get the two turntables and fader in a unit that connects to your device over USB. It can pull in tracks from your iOS device, letting you manipulate them to your hearts content, even automatically matching up the beat of both songs. There's also an optional microphone accessory that lets you bring your voice into the mix, and a headphone jack so you can sport the right cans to complete the look.

Don't forget to subscribe to Gear Live's YouTube channel!

Apple iPad running iOS 7 [Video]

Posted by Jason Diaz Categories: Apple, Software, Videos,

It appears that a somewhat legit-looking leaked video of an iPad running iOS 7 managed to make it to YouTube. The video was uploaded by Rozetked, sounds like he's speaking in Russian. If the video is indeed true, how he managed to get the unreleased beta operating system for iPad is of question since Apple has yet to release it to developers. Take a gander at what's supposedly expected to be released.

Click to continue reading Apple iPad running iOS 7 [Video]

Read More | 9to5Mac

iPhone 5S display and logic board leaked in images?

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Apple, Smartphones, Handhelds, Rumors,

We all know the iPhone 5S is coming, likely with a fall release, and now that the time is near, the typical leaks are starting to occur. The iPhone 5S (or whatever it ends up being called) is being manufactured over in China, where most of these leaks occur. Today we get a look at the display and logic board. Interestingly, these two pieces fit with the previously-leaked camera and flex cable modules. Nothing too exciting here, though, as most of the magic is in the software. If real, this just tells us that Apple has a new iPhone in the works...but we already knew that anyway, right?

Read More | MacRumors

Adobe Creative Cloud suite now available for download

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Corporate News, PC / Laptop, Software,

Earlier this month, Adobe showed off its vision for its software future. It's called Creative Cloud, and it's available now. Just head over to the Creative Cloud site and you'll be able to download what you need--no longer are you able to just buy a suite of software, like Creative Suite 6 or CS7. Instead, you pay a monthly subscription fee of $50 and get access to everything. Adobe is offering an incentive to owners of CS3 and above--the first full year subscription will cost just $30.

Being that documents are now cloud-storable, Creative Cloud offers new ways of storing and sharing that the older suites were incapable of. The question is, will users pay perpetually for monthly access?

Read More | Adobe

Tesla to show off Model S battery swapping this Thursday

Posted by Andru Edwards Categories: Transportation,

Tesla will be showing its new technology that allows Model S owners to swap battery packs in their vehicles as its design center in California on June 20th. CEO Elon Musk made the announcement on Twitter, reinforcing previous statements that Tesla would allow its customer to driver longer distances without the need to wait for the battery to charge at a Supercharger location.

We aren't sure if this applies to current Models S cards, or if this is a redesign that will be part of future models. Apparently, switching out the batteries takes just minutes--about the same amount of time that it takes an average car to be filled up with gas.

Live pack swap demo on Thurs night at 8pm California time at our design studio in Hawthorne. Seeing is believing.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 18, 2013