Texas Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN) today announced the new SimpleLink™ ultra-low power wireless microcontroller (MCU) platform that helps customers go battery-less with energy harvesting or enjoy always-on, coin cell-powered operation for multiple years. With this industry-first technology, customers have the flexibility to develop products that support multiple wireless connectivity standards using a single-chip and identical RF design. The SimpleLink ultra-low power platform supports Bluetooth® low energy, ZigBee®, 6LoWPAN, Sub-1 GHz, ZigBee RF4CE™ and proprietary modes up to 5Mbps. This platform expands TI’s SimpleLink portfolio, the broadest, lowest power and easiest to use wireless connectivity offering in the industry for the Internet of Things (IoT). For more information, visit www.ti.com/simplelinkulp.
To view the Multimedia News Release, go to http://www.multivu.com/players/English/70647527-texas-instruments-simplelink/
Wacom® today announces new Bamboo stylus products at IFA Berlin 2015. Leading the charge is the fine tip smart stylus for iPad: Bamboo®Fineline 2, a high-precision digital pen allowing creative thinkers to capture and shape their ideas.
“Our customer’s feedback drove the updates for our existing pen products,” Mike Gay, senior vice president of the consumer business unit at Wacom stated. “Wacom refined its pressure sensitive pen for the iPad to recreate the feel of writing with pen on paper. Bamboo Fineline 2 is the perfect complement to our Bamboo Paper app, allowing users to easily save, edit and share their work. Combined with the Wacom Cloud, this complete solution enables our customers to make their ideas a reality using their iPad.”
Bamboo Fineline 2’s improved industrial design provides a better writing experience and improved comfort. The battery for the Bamboo Fineline 2 lasts approximately 20 hours and is easily recharged via USB cable.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7613151-wacom-making-ideas-bamboo-fineline/
Handheld Group, a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, today announced the launch of its new Android tablet, the ALGIZ RT7. The ALGIZ RT7 is a powerful, lightweight and ergonomic 7-inch tablet designed for reliable performance in demanding environments.
The Algiz RT7, which runs Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), provides a wide range of features and exceptional value to mobile workforces. It’s fully rugged, meeting stringent MIL-STD-810G U.S. military standards for protection against drops, vibrations and extreme temperatures, and its IP65 rating means that it’s waterproof as well as fully sealed against sand and dust. Weighing just 650 grams, the Algiz RT7 is designed for mobility.
Industry-leading technology from Qualcomm — an MSM8916 (Snapdragon) chipset and 1.2 GHz quad-core processor — powers the Algiz RT7 for impressive processing speed, ultra-fast connectivity and long battery life. The Algiz RT7 comes standard with LTE data and voice capabilities as well as 802.11 b/g/n WLAN, BT Class 1 and Class 2, and NFC functionality. It also boasts dual cameras (8-megapixel rear-facing and 2-megapixel front-facing), as well as dual SIM card slots. The unit comes with a built-in accelerometer, gyroscope and e-compass and a stand-alone u-blox GPS receiver for navigation.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7688851-handheld-ultra-rugged-android-tablet/
Smart meets simple in the latest innovation from Onelink by First Alert. Pairing First Alert’s legacy of safety and innovation with Apple’s revolutionary HomeKit technology, the new HomeKit-enabled Onelink by First Alert® Wi-Fi Smoke + Carbon Monoxide Alarm – debuting this month – sets the stage for a new era of safe, secure, easy-to-use and simple connected homes. The product is offered in both hardwire (with 10-year sealed battery back-up) and 10-year sealed battery versions to accommodate different consumer needs and building requirements.
The intuitive, easy to install two-in-one alarm protects against threats of smoke and carbon monoxide (CO) and conveniently notifies users on their iOS devices (iPhone, iPad and iPod touch) or Apple Watch. The alarm also can be easily tested or silenced using the Onelink Home app. Siri voice commands allow users to check the status of their detector and ask if an alarm was triggered. Since the Onelink Alarm is HomeKit-enabled, privacy is built in and data is always encrypted, allowing users to feel secure while benefiting from the convenience and safety of a connected home.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7694451-first-alert-onelink-wifi-smoke-alarm/
Top Hybrids and Electric Cars Must Buy 2016 [ Buying Guide ]
Top Recommended Hybrids and Electric Cars
List Car you need to buy:
====== 2016 Tesla Model S ========
We owned a 2013 Tesla Model S for 18 months and despite numerous dealer visits and maintenance issues, we were ultimately sad to see it go. It's quick, comfortable, quiet, spacious, and can tote as much cargo as some crossover SUVs. The "85" version can go 265 miles on a charge, so range anxiety is a nonissue. We even drove ours from L.A. to New York in less than three days using Tesla's free Supercharger quick-charge network. We definitely have gripes, including some underwhelming interior trim pieces and a lack of small item storage. There's also the below-average reliability, although our dealer experiences were exceptional. So even though it's not perfect, the Model S remains our favorite electric car.
============2016 Kia Soul EV============
Kia's first real foray into the electric vehicle world is a success. In fact, the funky Soul is arguably more appealing when it swaps out its internal combustion engine for an electric motor. In our testing, the Soul EV went farther on a charge than its similarly sized and priced competitors, and then recharged quickly thereafter. It also doesn't suffer a reduction in cargo space versus the non-EV Soul, meaning it provides the utility of a small SUV rather than that of a small hatchback like its rivals. A long warranty and generous features are other benefits.
===============2015 BMW i3=============
BMW's i3 is a remarkable vehicle. Its main structure is made of light yet strong carbon fiber instead of the usual steel or aluminum. This helps reduce the i3's weight, which pays dividends for both electric range and performance. With its electric motor in back and the battery under the floor, the i3 boasts sporty acceleration and handling.
======= 2015 BMW i8 ===========
You want your plug-in hybrid to be a head-turning sports car? Look no further than the BMW i8, the two-door supercar for the environmentally conscious. Like the more attainable BMW i3, the i8 is built around a carbon-fiber passenger cell. But in the i8 an electric motor drives the front wheels and a turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine pushes from behind.
===== Luxury Hybrid 2016 Porsche Panamera E-Hybrid =====
Porsche's flagship sedan is the Panamera, a low-slung four-door with a hatchback trunk. The 2016 Porsche Panamera S E-Hybrid is the plug-in hybrid version, and it offers 16 miles of pure electric driving before the supercharged 3.0-liter gasoline V6 engine takes over. Acceleration, handling and braking are pure Porsche, which is something of a trick for a car this large. It's perfect for those shoppers
======= Hybrid SUV 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid =========
No other automaker bothers to offer a hybrid version of its three-row SUV. But Toyota's Highlander Hybrid doesn't earn a spot in our Buying Guide purely by default. It continues to show just how well the hybrid formula can be applied to a big, family-friendly crossover SUV. The hybrid version earns a 28 mpg combined estimate, or 7-8 mpg better than the V6-powered Highlander. In addition to that, the Highlander Hybrid offers solid build quality, respectable acceleration, a sophisticated and quiet ride quality and plenty of standard and available features.
====== 2016 Toyota Camry Hybrid 2016 Toyota Prius =====
Substantial changes last year vaulted the Toyota Camry Hybrid onto our top-recommended list. Although it doesn't quite match the fuel economy of some competitors, the real-world cost of that difference is negligible. Plus, dismissing the Camry simply because of an mpg or two would mean missing out on an otherwise compelling sedan. Comfort remains a Camry priority, but this latest Camry Hybrid also handles pretty well.
====== Hybrid Cars 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid / Energi =====
The 2016 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a great choice for car shoppers who are new to hybrids. It's quiet, comfortable and feels very much like a normal family sedan, while delivering the fuel economy you expect from a hybrid. It's also a Ford Fusion, which means you also get impressive refinement, good road manners and plenty of standard and available high-tech features.
======= 2016 Volkswagen e-Golf =====
Among entry-level EVs, the Volkswagen e-Golf is our favorite. It handles well, has a handsome interior, delivers class-competitive range and has the optimal equipment for quick battery recharging. What's even better, cargo space is unchanged from the non-EV Golf because the batteries are located under the floor.
BLACK+DECKER™ announces its new line of award-winning** SMARTECH™ Batteries, which use Bluetooth® Technology to connect to the new BLACK+DECKER Mobile App. The free BLACK+DECKER Mobile App has three components: My Products, Messages, and Projects. Combined with the new SMARTECH™ Battery USB charging feature, the app and batteries connect tools with technology to enhance the DIY experience.
The BLACK+DECKER Mobile App links with SMARTECH™ Batteries to provide a variety of functions. In the My Products section of the app, users can not only view a list of their connected batteries, but they can also select and interact directly with an individual battery when in range. From there, users can access four key functions: enable or disable the battery, view the percent of the battery’s remaining charge, turn on the locate feature to find a missing battery, or activate the battery’s integrated USB port. When activated, this port can power external devices, such as tablets and phones, connected via USB.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7517854-black-decker-smartech-bluetooth/
Think “muscle car” performance, and images of speed and power are more likely to come to mind than crash tests and safety ratings. Because no one buys a sports car to drive in the slow lane, the best all-¬ around occupant crash protection is crucial. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) recently put a trio of iconic sports coupes through their paces, and unlike more sedate sedans, none earns the scores needed to clinch a TOP SAFETY PICK award.
IIHS evaluated 2016 models of the Chevrolet Camaro, Dodge Challenger and Ford Mustang in the full battery of crashworthiness evaluations. The Mustang comes closest to earning TOP SAFETY PICK, while the Camaro falls shortin one category and lacks an available front crash prevention system. The Challenger is most in need of improvement.
To qualify for TOP SAFETY PICK, vehicles must earn good ratings in the small overlap front, moderate overlap front, side, roof strength and head restraint evaluations and have a basic-¬rated front crash prevention system. To qualify for the Institute’s highest award, TOP SAFETY PICK+, vehicles must earn good ratings in the five crashworthiness tests and an advanced or superior rating for front crash prevention.
The next generation of the Xperia brand has arrived. Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today announced that the Xperia® X series will be available in the United States this summer, with Xperia X now available to pre-order. The smartphone lineup includes Xperia X Performance, Xperia X, Xperia XA, and the recently announced Xperia XA Ultra, marking a new era of smartphone personalization and intelligence—engineered to empower users to achieve more through Xperia’s acclaimed powerful battery performance, innovative camera technologies and unparalleled design.
“Sony Mobile is passionate about creating the most intelligent and unique experiences for our users, bringing best-in-class technologies to help amplify the activities they love doing every day. Xperia X series is designed to let you interact with the world around you in exciting ways, making lives more enjoyable and delivering new intelligence that sets it apart,” said Kunihiko Shiomi, President, Sony Mobile Communications North America.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7846051-sony-mobile-us-xperia/
Expanding the functionality of Internet of Things (IoT) networks, Texas Instruments (TI) (NASDAQ: TXN) today announced availability for mass production of the industry’s lowest-power dual-band wireless microcontroller (MCU) supporting Sub-1 GHz and Bluetooth® low energy connectivity on a single chip. As part of TI’s pin-to-pin and software compatible SimpleLink™ ultra-low power platform, the new SimpleLink dual-band CC1350 wireless MCU enables developers to move from a three-chip solution to a tiny single chip, while reducing design complexity, saving power, cost and board space. The CC1350 wireless MCU offers a range of up to 20 km on a coin cell battery for building and factory automation, alarm and security, smart grid, asset tracking and wireless sensor network applications. For more information, visit www.ti.com/cc1350-pr.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7746254-texas-instruments-simplelink-dual-band-cc1350/
SunCulture Solar Inc. announces the launch of SolPad™, a new series of disruptive energy products designed to be the most advanced integrated-home or off-grid solar energy products in the world.
The SolPad’s integrated solar panel combines multiple patented technologies into a single beautiful device, including breakthrough battery storage, an innovative inverter system and intelligent software that engages and interacts with the user, giving them an unparalleled personal energy experience that gamifies energy distribution, delivery and usage.
SolPad is truly the world’s first fully integrated solar energy solution created for the modern smart home and sustainably minded global citizen.
To view the multimedia release go to:
http://www.multivu.com/players/English/7930451-sunculture-solar-solpad-energy/
Starting this May, homeowners in Stockholm can access pay-per-use power tools for the garden, eliminating the need to maintain and store hedge trimmers, chainsaws and other tools that are used less frequently. The project is a pilot, and part of Husqvarna’s commitment to explore innovative and sustainable solutions for taking care of gardens and green spaces.
The Husqvarna Battery Box, is a "smart", 8x3 meter, unattended container with 30 electronic lockers that store battery powered garden care products. Via an iPhone app, homeowners can reserve tools, get instructions, pay, and open the locker to pick up their pre-booked power tool. The "box" will be placed at Bromma Blocks, a shopping center 15 min west of Stockholm city. Renting a garden care product will cost 350 SEK a day (approx 35 Euros or 38 USD).
To view the multimedia release go to:
https://www.multivu.com/players/uk/8087051-husqvarna-pay-per-use-power-tools/
2017 Renault Zoe
Renault has introduced a new Z.E. 40 battery for ZOE. At the same, ZOE owners can benefit from a range of new connected services and equipment upgrades. Order books for the new ZOE line-up are open. The new ZOEs fitted with the new Z.E. 40 battery are made at Renault's Flins plant in France and will be available for delivery before the end of 2016.
Double the range for even longer journeys
As the pioneer of all-electric mobility and Europe's number one seller of electric vehicles, Renault has stepped up its innovation programme and the deployment of its Zero Emissions strategy.
Fitted with the new Z.E. 40 battery, the Renault ZOE now delivers a record NEDC driving range of 400km, which is twice the distance delivered by the model at the time of its original launch.
The new Z.E. 40 battery has a real-world range of 300 kilometres in urban or suburban areas, for example.
The range permitted today by the ZOE is the longest of any mainstream all-electric vehicle and motorists can take advantage of this step forward now.
The ZOE is the best-selling electric vehicle in Europe and provides a real alternative to internal combustion-engine cars, since average daily commuting distances are well within the ZOE's capabilities.
The new battery removes the final psychological barrier that stands in the way of buying an electric car since ZOE users can now travel further and enjoy a wider variety of driving situations without worry about charging. This makes weekend trips a real possibility.
The Z.E. 40 battery's charging rate is similar to that of the standard battery, so 'topping up' doesn't take long at all. For example, just 30 minutes are required on average to charge the battery for an extra 80 kilometres of driving range when plugged into one of the many public charging points in operation in Europe. The ZOE continues to be equipped with the Quick Charge function to take full advantage of the maximum capacity of fast charging points located predominantly along motorway corridors.
An innovation that doubles battery capacity with no increase in size
The ZOE's new Z.E. 40 battery boasts 41kWh of useful energy, equivalent to almost double the storage capacity of the ZOE's standard battery (22kWh of useful energy).
Developed in close partnership with LG Chem, the battery uses high-energy density lithium-ion technology.
Renault and LG engineers have succeeded in increasing storage capacity without making the battery any bigger or a lot heavier. It was optimised by working on the chemistry of the cells in order to increase their energy density, rather than stacking additional battery modules, a commonly used technique.
This major new technology has been developed while ensuring the battery's reliability or safety.
The battery's large storage capacity ensures longer range for the ZOE thanks to the meticulous work that went into integrating the battery in the vehicle. The electronic management system of the battery optimises the ZOE's energy use on the move, while the new air circulation system maintains the temperature of the ZOE's battery at a constant level, making the car economical to run in very hot or very cold weather.
