Hasta La Gadget!

There’s an abundance of iOS device docks, but many aren’t well-suited to deskside use when they sit too low and limit use of the audio jack. Twelve South’s new HiRise for iPhone bucks that trend. The stand raises smaller iOS devices closer to eye level, where they’re well-positioned for video chats and listening to music with headphones. Owners have to bring their own Lightning cables for power, but they won’t have to worry about case or device compatibility thanks to an adjustable rear support. That flexibility helps justify the HiRise’s relatively high $35 price — it won’t be obsolete the moment that Apple and accessory makers change form factors.

Filed under: Cellphones, Peripherals, Portable Audio/Video, Tablets

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Source: Twelve South

The USB 3.0 Promoter Group—honestly, there is such a thing—has finalized the next iteration of Universal Serial Bus, and it’s going to run at a lightning fast 10Gbps.

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They stretch 50 miles into Earth’s upper atmosphere. They shower the night sky with shimmering bursts of light. They emit a crackling "ping" over radio. And because they’re so fast, scientists have only known about them for a few decades. Today, Wired Science introduces us to the world of Transient Luminous Events—and the Santa Fe astronomer who has pioneered the art of photographing them.

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Philips has revealed its latest iPhone speaker dock, the Philips DS8400, offering both Lightning and Bluetooth connectivity for the terminally indecisive. The new dock, which has an internal battery for standalone use, can dock with an iPhone or stream music from any Bluetooth A2DP-compliant phone, PMP, tablet, or other gadget.

Inside the curved casing there are two 3-inch full-range drivers, with each getting its own bass pipe for emphasizing the low-end. Philips also claims that the shape of the speaker-dock – with no squared-off sides either front or back – reduces sound reflections and unwanted vibrations.

On the audio side, the DS8400 sucks a digital audio input from the iPhone, rather than analog, for what Philips says is better overall sound, and the dock works with the SoundStudio app for iOS which includes a graphic equalizer and “MySound” system. There, dragging a finger around an onscreen grid adjusts the sound according to whether listeners prefer it to be “powerful”, “warm”, “bright”, or “clear”.

The app also offers internet radio playback, though of course you could also find that through many iPhone (or Bluetooth streaming device) apps. On the back, there’s an aux-in connection for wired non-Apple devices.

Battery life is an estimated five hours from a full charge, and Philips includes a mains power dock onto which the DS8400 sits to rejuice. A remote is included.

Philips says the DS8400 iPhone speaker-dock will go on sale this month, priced at £250 ($377). No word on US launch plans at this stage.

Philips DS8400 iPhone speaker-dock packs Bluetooth, Lightning & a battery is written by Chris Davies & originally posted on SlashGear.
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With 156 turns over its 12.42-mile (19.99 km) course and elevation changes ranging from 4,720 ft (1,440 m) to 14,110 ft (4,300 m), Pikes Peak International Hill Climb is one of the most grueling races in the world for both humans and machines. It’s particularly challenging for gas-powered vehicles, since the air contains less oxygen at higher altitudes. As a result, electric cars and motorcycles have gained popularity at the event in recent years. In fact, 2013 marks the first time an electric bike’s beaten its gas-powered rivals, with Carlin Dunne and Lightning Motorcycles finishing the race in 10 minutes and 0.694 seconds — ahead of Bruno Langlois who managed 10 minutes and 21.323 seconds on a Ducati Multistrada 1200 S. While electric vehicles are expected to dominate Pikes Peak in the near future, it’s going to take a few more years before autonomous cars win the event.

[Image Credit: Jensen Beeler / Asphalt & Rubber]

Filed under: Transportation

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Source: Asphalt & Rubber