Uncategorized – Prizetrophy

2025 Audi RS3 Gets The Style And Sideways Spirit To Go With Its Oddball Engine

Administrator — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:46:24 +0000

Audi’s RS 3 sporty compact is getting an upgrade, and Audi claims its not only the fastest RS 3 yet, but the fastest vehicle in its entire segment — with a speedy Nürburgring lap time to boot. Of course, it wouldn’t be a real meaningful change if Audi didn’t give the newest RS 3 some lithe looks to match.

According to a press release from the automaker, the compact has a much lower ride height, features air vents and a huge grille to help the Audi get some air. Audi notes that drivers will be also be able to customize their RS 3’s daytime running light setup through touch screen controls in the cabin to emphasize the sportier look.

It wouldn’t be a rally-inspired Audi if it didn’t have a huge diffuser on the back and two mean looking exhaust pipes as well. The new RS 3 will be offered as both a sedan and a positively rally-tastic Sportback.

Five cylinders of might

Wild looking Audis are cool and all, but it wouldn’t be a real RS model if it didn’t have some power. The real draw of the RS 3 is its downright wacky engine setup. Its 2.5-liter turbocharged five cylinder engine (yes, five cylinders) outputs a beefy 394 horsepower and 368 pound-feet of torque. All of that translates to a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds, and a top speed of 180 miles per hour. On the track, Audi clocked a 7.33.123 minute lap time on the Nürburgring.

Audi did a complete overhaul on the RS 3’s suspension to ensure that it handled better than previous generations, making it a cornering machine and much more than a hopped-up Volkswagen. The upgraded suspension is accompanied by a number of driving modes that augment the Audi’s handling characteristics for more performance-oriented driving, whether it’s tackling long straightaways or the bendy parts of the track.

Fancy and fast

With a car as sporty as the RS 3, you’d expect an interior that features all the hallmarks of performance, like bucket seats, brightly colored stitching, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The Audi has all of those like it should, but it also has velour floor mats and Nappa leather accents on the seats. You can be fancy and fast.

Both the Sportback and sedan, according to Audi, will be assembled at Audi’s plant in Ingolstadt, Germany, and you’ll be able to order one at the end of this month. Strangely, the Sportback is the least expensive option, starting at $73,062 (66,000 euros). The Audi RS 3 sedan will set you back $75,276 (68,000 euros).

While it’s unlikely most drivers will take their RS 3 around the Nürburgring, or even around the track in general, it’s nice to know that Audi is spending no small amount of time and effort in making a wack-engined super hatchback that’s ready for the job.

Telecom news roundup: Bell, Telus must provide fibre access [Aug 10-16]

Administrator — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:43:03 +0000

After a slower week, Canadian telecom was back with tons of news this week. There were several notable pricing changes, frustration over a new Rogers ad and several CRTC-related stories.

Here’s what happened in Canadian telecom this week:

Pricing and deals

Fido added unlimited calling to seven countries, including the U.S., China, India and Mexico, to its $54/60GB plan.

Koodo offered special plans to existing customers ranging from $30/60GB to $55/90GB.

Bell offered a special $45/100GB migration plan to some Virgin customers.

Several carriers are offering the Pixel 8 for $5/mo.

Koodo boosted the data on its $39/mo plan from 20GB to 50GB.

Infrastructure

Rogers partnered with SenseNet to bring wildfire detection technology to 10 communities across Alberta and B.C.

Bell and Virgin warned of service disruptions in Montreal due to a broken water main.

Legal and regulatory

The USW won an injunction against Telus that puts the company’s return-to-office mandate on hold, giving the union time to negotiate a solution with the carrier.

Bell made over $64 million off inmate calls in Ontario jails and $39 million of that went to the province as a commission.

A new ad from Rogers featuring John Krasinski faced ire from Canadian actors.

The CRTC ruled Bell and Telus must provide access to their fibre networks to competitors nationwide. The ruling was an expansion of a temporary directive from the CRTC that was released in November.

Corus accused Rogers of weaponizing its media dominance to disadvantage independents.

You can find this week’s mobile rate plan changes here, and last week’s telecom news roundup here.

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The best movies on Hulu right now (August 2024)

Administrator — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:40:08 +0000

Hulu has now reached the point in the summer where movies that came out in May are arriving for their streaming debut. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was Disney/20th Century Studios’ first big hit of the summer, and it’s got a new home on Hulu. Somehow, we suspect that Disney’s other big hits of the season, Inside Out 2 and Deadpool & Wolverine, will only be streaming on Disney+.

Besides the latest Planet of the Apes adventure, the best movies on Hulu include new arrivals like the horror flick Immaculate, a drama called Rachel Getting Married, and O Brother, Where Art Thou?, a Coen brothers film unlike anything else in their catalog. For these films and more, check out our picks for the best movies on Hulu right now below.

Subscribe to a different platform? Not only do we have a guide to the best shows on Hulu, but we’ve rounded up the best movies on Amazon Prime Video, the best movies on Netflix, and the best movies on Disney+.

Is Goo Gone Safe For Car Paint? What You Need To Know

Administrator — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:37:21 +0000

Cars aren’t simply a mode for transportation for many drivers. They’re often an extension of one’s personality, a means to express their likes and dislikes. Although less common in 2024 than the ’90s, many car owners like to slap a bumper sticker on their car as a means of expression. For one reason or another, there comes a time that a sticker needs to come off. What happens so often when a sticker comes off of any surface? It leaves behind a little bit of its gooey adhesion? Some car owners might turn to WD-40 to remove bumper stickers without a fuss. Luckily, the smart people over at Goo Gone created a solution for removing that little bit of stickiness that tarnishes the car’s surface. But is it safe?

Goo Gone answers with “a resounding yes!” Goo Gone’s Automotive Spray Gel is specifically designed to safely remove decals, stickers, and even duct tape (you know, for reasons) from cars without taking the paint with them. It can even get rid of any residue left behind from a car’s emblem if the owner wants to swap it out for something more fitting or clever. Using Goo Gone or something like it before cleaning your car can make it easier to sell. Just be aware that there are some hazards with Goo Gone that you should be apprised about before using it.

What to know when using Goo Gone

Goo Gone Automotive Spray Gel can be used on any number of sticky objects found on a car, including bumper stickers, decals, duct tape, gum, spray paint, tree sap, and dreaded bird poo. There’s also the Automotive Goo & Sticker Remover that needs to be applied to a cloth and rubbed on the car’s surface rather than sprayed on it. However, these products aren’t to be used on silk, leather, suede, drywall, unfinished wood surfaces, unsealed stone, or faux stainless steel. If you find yourself needing to use the Goo Gone on the vehicle’s interior and you’re uncertain it will work, conduct a little spot test. The container of the spray gel specifically says, “Pre-test on an inconspicuous area.”

Don’t use Goo Gone unless you’re in a well-ventilated place. If you’re using it on the carpet of your vehicles, keep the windows rolled down. It’s best to be outside on your driveway. If you’re working in a garage, keep the garage door open. Unlike WD-40 that doesn’t have any serious side effects, Goo Gone can be harmful and potentially fatal. If any of it gets on your clothes or shoes, remove them immediately and wash with soap and water. If Goo Gone finds itself on your skin or in your eyes, it’s needs to be flushed with prejudice because it can cause irritations. Medical attention is necessary if the irritation doesn’t subside. Furthermore, Goo Gone is flammable and needs to be kept away from fire.

The Tineco Floor One S5 makes vacuuming and mopping so much more efficient

Administrator — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:35:01 +0000

Five years ago, Chris Evans made a viral humorous tweet bemoaning the inclusion of “smart” functionality into pretty much every new piece of technology. “You’re a major pain in all of our asses,” he quipped. As someone who similarly doesn’t care about smart features at all, it summed up my thoughts quite well. (Honestly, it was the most I will ever be able to relate to a buff millionaire.)

But the Tineco Floor One S5 2-in-1 vacuum and mop is one of the few “smart” products that I’ve really enjoyed. Using Tineco’s proprietary ‘iLoop Smart Sensor Technology,’ the device is capable of adjusting suction power, roller speed and water flow. This results in a remarkably seamless cleaning experience in which the only thing you have to worry about in the moment is rolling the product back and forth.

Now, before we go further, I should confess that I initially went into this review process a bit ignorant, as the only high-end vacuum I’ve used before was an iRobot. Therefore, I was under the assumption that you could switch between vacuum and mop functionalities at will, but instead, the Floor One S5 does both simultaneously. This means it wasn’t 100 percent useful in three flights of carpeted stairs, but ultimately, that’s my own fault for not doing more research.

It’s a worthwhile trade-off, though, since it can’t be understated how handy it is to have the dual vacuum-mop functionality going at once. On top of being pretty light to pick up and satisfyingly smooth to roll along the ground, it does a bang-up job of cleaning. In particular, I was impressed by its streak-free mopping, which Tineco says comes from its special brush head design. On the vacuum side of things, my mum felt the Floor One S5 was especially good in areas of high dust concentration, such as under her bed. (In the few instances where it didn’t immediately suck up every dust bunny, a second rollover would successfully finish the job.)

And back to the aforementioned smart technology, the vacuum has an ‘iLoop’ full-colour LED display ring to provide real-time information to you. Here, you’ll find the battery life, as well as what cleaning mode you’re in (‘Auto’ for basic cleaning, ‘Max’ for tougher messes and ‘Suction’ mode for vacuuming liquids and other wet messes without mopping). In general, though, the Floor One S5 is efficient enough to clean on Auto; I never needed to switch to Max.

But the best part of this display is that it uses an increasingly red-coloured loop to denote especially dirty areas. It’s a clever way to show you where certain parts of your house might be especially prone to getting messy. I can see this being even more useful for people with kids or pets who leave all kinds of spillage on the ground. You can also download the free companion Tineco Life app on Android and iOS for weekly cleaning reports, volume adjustment and, mercifully, a ‘Silent’ option for the admittedly (and sometimes annoyingly) talkative automated voice.

Maintenance is also really simple. Said automated voice will tell you when you need to return it to the base to self-clean, and from there, you only need to empty out the dirty water tank. The noise that it makes when self-cleaning is also graciously not that loud, versus the iRobot that I used, which sounded like a jet engine when emptying its dirt bag. Removing and reattaching this tank, as well as the one on the rear for clean water and/or Tineco’s cleaning solution, is also painless.

My only real issue with the Floor One S5 is its battery life. With up to 35 minutes of cordless use, it gets through most, but not all, of my 1,700 sq. foot townhouse, and that’s removing the carpeted stairs on which I can’t use it. By the last of the four floors, we had to return it to the charging stand. For context, a full charge takes about four to five hours, although we didn’t need to wait that long, of course, to get enough juice to finish the house. Plus, the short battery usage is also more reasonable when you consider that it’s handling both vacuuming and mopping, so it still saves you time in the long run with its efficiency.

On the whole, my experience with the Floor One S5 has been delightful. Being able to vacuum and mop at the same time is extremely convenient, and all of the “smart” features that enable it to go back and forth between these functionalities are most welcome. While I do wish the battery life was just a tad longer, it’s a fair trade-off for a device that makes something I normally don’t enjoy doing — cleaning — that much more smooth and efficient.

You can order the Tineco Floor One S5 from Tineco’s website for $649. A special $250 discount is also available until Monday, August 19th.

Epic Games Store Now Available for Download on Android, iOS

Administrator — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:32:59 +0000

Epic Games has done it. At long last, we have an official Epic Games Store app for Android and iOS, downloadable and providing access to titles such as Fortnite, Fall Guys, and more.

Epic announced this is what would be happening earlier this year, but honestly, we weren’t expecting launch to be this smooth. This is likely thanks to years of legal battles between Epic, Google, and Apple, but at the end of the day, the kids just want to play some d*mn Fortnite.

To get to playing, you’ll need to download the Epic Games Store app from Epic Games by following the link below. You won’t find it on either Apple’s App Store or Google Play. Once downloaded, log in or create an account, then simply enjoy your games.

The Epic Games Store is free to install, and at launch has Fortnite, Fall Guys and Rocket League Sideswipe available to download and play for free with optional in-app purchases available. In the future, you’ll be able to purchase new products directly through the app, and get weekly free games and/or content packs.

Go forth and game, people.

Download Epic Games Store: Android | iOS

NYT Mini Crossword today: puzzle answers for Tuesday, August 20

Administrator — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:31:02 +0000

Love crossword puzzles but don’t have all day to sit and solve a full-sized puzzle in your daily newspaper? That’s what The Mini is for!

A bite-sized version of the New York Times’ well-known crossword puzzle, The Mini is a quick and easy way to test your crossword skills daily in a lot less time (the average puzzle takes most players just over a minute to solve). While The Mini is smaller and simpler than a normal crossword, it isn’t always easy. Tripping up on one clue can be the difference between a personal best completion time and an embarrassing solve attempt.

Just like our Wordle hints and Connections hints, we’re here to help with The Mini today if you’re stuck and need a little help.

Below are the answers for the NYT Mini crossword today.

NYT Mini Crossword answers today

Across

That’s gonna leave a __!” – MARK
Great Lake that borders Buffalo – ERIE
Bee offensive? – STING
Greek god of war – ARES
Something you might hold around a dumpster – NOSE

Down

D.C.’s subway system – METRO
Zodiac sign for Nancy Pelosi and Tim Walz – ARIES
Hold under running water – RINSE
Bigb barrel of Bud – KEG
___ Diego, Calif. – SAN

6 iPhone 16 Pro Rumors We Hope Are Real

Administrator — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:28:54 +0000

The next wave of iPhones are barely a few weeks away, and it seems there are a few hardware surprises on the table for folks eying Apple’s upcoming “Pro” iPhones. Now, Apple plays it relatively modest when it comes to generation over generation design changes. But from what we’ve compiled across the scores of leaks and speculations so far, the iPhone 16 Pro pair will serve a few notable updates, both inside and out.

Unlike what Google did with the Pixel 9 series this year — expanding the line-up from two to four flagships in one go — Apple seems to harbor no such dramatic ambitions. As usual, we are in for two flagship phones, tentatively named the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max. The customary processor upgrade is to be expected and a fresh palette of color options, as well, tagging alongside a handful of camera upgrades.

Maybe a new physical camera button to raise the phones’ appeal among mobile photography enthusiasts? Yeah, that too. But as it goes, all the information we have on the iPhone 16 Pro pair come from varied sources with a mixed track record with accuracy. Needless to say, process them with a healthy dose of skepticism.

A meaningful button

Apple is most likely repeating a familiar design once again, but there might be a few subtle changes. Subtle, as in adding another physical button on the side, in the same fashion as the Action Button that arrived with the iPhone 15 Pro duo. Rumors suggest the arrival of a Capture Button on the iPhone 16 Pro, sitting on the same edge as the power button. But here’s the interesting part. This button will also be pressure and touch sensitive. It’s not going to be a solid-state button, unlike what was rumored for the current-generation iPhones, and would still follow the trusty clicky press format.

A quick tap will reportedly trigger focus lock, long-pressing will shift to video recording, while swiping on it will make zoom level adjustments. If the Action Button is any indication, Apple will likely let users customize the tasks assigned to this new capture button. Apple has reportedly moved around the antenna assembly underneath the phone’s chassis to accommodate this new two-stage physical shutter button on the right edge. The inclusion of a new physical button means you’ll have to fork out extra cash for buying protective cases.

Brighter next-gen OLED screens

The rumored bump in the iPhone 16 Pro pair’s dimensions has a functional purpose. Apple is said to be stretching the chassis of its next flagship phones to make space for a larger display. The iPhone 16 Pro will reportedly come equipped with a 6.3-inch display, up from the 6.1-inch panel we saw on the iPhone 15 Pro. The iPhone 16 Pro Max’s display touches a massive 6.9 inches across, a healthy 0.2-inch bigger than the 6.7-inch panel on the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Apple is reportedly using a technology called the Border Reduction Structure (BRS), which essentially adjusts the placement of circuritery and wires close to the phone’s edges. This technology allows for reduction in bezels sizes and fitting a larger active display. According to leakster IceUniverse, the iPhone 16 Pro could feature the thinnest bezels on any smartphone out there. Now, that’s definitely great news if you are preoccupied with the notion of sleek looks, but a healthy share of smartphone users out there argue in favor of at least some bezels to offer a secure grip and reduce chances of accidental touches alongside the edges.

On the more practical side of things, the iPhone 16 Pro series will reportedly employ Samsung’s next-gen M14 OLED panel. According to ETNews, the new panels are about 20% brighter, raising the SDR brightness figures to 1,200 nits. We are hoping Apple adds more granular controls for display optimizations, as well.

Leading the way with cameras

The most exciting set of rumored iPhone 16 Pro upgrades are centered around the imaging hardware. The main 48-megapixel snapper on the iPhone 16 Pro Max will reportedly be an exclusive, apparently modeled after Sony’s IMX903 sensor with upgrades to its stacking architecture and larger sensor size, as well. The more notable tweak is reserved for the secondary camera.

For the past few generations, Apple has supplied its phones with a 12-megapixel ultra wide-angle camera. That trend should change in 2024. According to reports originating out of China, the iPhone 16 Pro and its Max version will switch gears and offer a 48-megapixel sensor for ultrawide capture. If the current-gen iPhones are anything to go by, we are looking at pixel-binning as one the underlying imaging tricks to deliver lower-resolution (and smaller in size) images, alongside the facility to capture 24-megapixel composite pictures, as well.

The smaller iPhone 16 Pro trim could get a zoom upgrade as well. So far, the 5x optical zoom capability has been limited to the “Pro Max” iPhone, while the iPhone 15 Pro only delivers 3x optical zoom range. This year, the iPhone 16 Pro and the iPhone 16 Pro Max will both serve 5x optical zoom capability, according to Korean outlet The Elec. To further boost the image quality, Apple is reportedly adding a new anti-reflective coat to the camera assembly to reduce glare, streaks, and ghosting artifacts, in hopes of achieving more accurate and pristine quality images.

The return of a legendary shade

If you were hoping that Apple will finally jazz things up and deliver a fresh design language on the iPhone 16 Pro, it seems you’re in for some fat disappointment. The iPhone 16 Pro pair will carry virtually the same design as its direct predecessor and the same fundamental schematic that we first saw on the iPhone 11 Pro series over half a decade ago. After all, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right? Well, that’s only true to a certain extent, and definitely a hard pill to swallow considering the amount of money one plonks on a “Pro” Apple smartphone, only for it to look like an iPhone that was launched five years ago.

Hey there iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max. (Dummy units) pic.twitter.com/gUdM2ZlVK6

— Jon Rettinger (@Jon4Lakers) May 10, 2024

Notably, the iPhone 16 Pro and its Max version will be taller and wider than their respective predecessors. We are also hearing rumors of Apple embracing a new manufacturing technique to achieve a frosted glass look on the rear shell. The company has also reportedly slimmed down the magnetic ring that forms the backbone of MagSafe charging system. As far as color options go, there’s chatter out there about the return of “rose gold,” while a few other reports mention a new bronze shade being in the pipeline. Leaked images of purported dummy units also depict the iPhone 17 Pro in black, silver/white, and titanium silver shades.

Performance meets AI lift

The silicon situation is where things get interesting. Citing information gleaned from software code, MacRumors claims that all four iPhone 16 phones will come armed with the same A18 silicon. That’s quite a departure. Take for example the iPhone 15 Pro pair, which relies on the A17 Pro processor, while the more affordable iPhone 15 models put their faith in the A16 silicon. The biggest difference between the two was an extra GPU core on the A17 Pro silicon.

Now, it’s interesting to see Apple supposedly using the same 3 nanometer-based A18 silicon on all four iPhone 16 trims. However, it is entirely plausible that the particular A18 flavor for the iPhone 16 Pro pair could come with a “Pro” branding to set it apart. Whether it will add an extra CPU or GPU core — or none at all — remains to be seen. However, according to analyst Jeff Pu, the A18 silicon will match the core count on the A17 Pro. On the positive side, Apple could give a big push to the onboard AI hub.

As per Taiwan’s Economic Daily News, the Neural Engine destined for the iPhone 16 series packs a “significantly” higher number of cores. For example, the one inside the iPhone 15 Pro features 16 cores. A souped up Neural Engine makes sense, gives the kind of ambitious on-device AI promised with Apple Intelligence and the upcoming iOS 18 update. Let’s hope the added firepower opens the doors for more AI-driven Pixel 9-esque camera tricks on the Apple smartphones.

A few additional niceties

This year, the iPhone will reportedly make yet another massive leap. Apple is said to have finalized battery stacking technology for the iPhone 16 Pro, which could enhance the battery capacity as well as longevity. Notably, charging speeds will also get a much-needed boost, in both wired and MagSafe wireless formats.

According to ITHome, the iPhone 16 Pro could touch the 40W wired charging mark, nearly double that of its predecessor. Moreover, the pace of MagSafe wireless top-up could also reach 20W. Although Apple still won’t be close to the benchmark set by the likes of OnePlus, it’s a welcome upgrade, one that iPhone users have been demanding for years.

Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also claims that Apple is shifting to a new design that increases the battery density. More importantly, the new design also makes these batteries more accessible to ease repair and replacement. The company is said to be working on a technique called “electrically induced adhesive debonding” that would reduce the dependence on heat-based adhesives, which is great news for DIY repairs, as well.

To go with the battery upgrades, Apple is also said to have reimagined the thermal system. Specifically, the iPhone 16 Pro might adopt a graphene-based system that is more efficient at heat dissipation. So far, we haven’t come across any credible leaks regarding the asking price of the upcoming phones. But given the company’s release schedule, a September launch seems to be on the horizon.

Android’s New Anti Theft Feature Now Rolling Out

Administrator — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:26:38 +0000

Earlier this year, Google highlighted an upcoming anti theft feature for Android devices. Anti Theft Lock is now rolling out slowly to beta users in Brazil, but will be made available more widely should testing go smoothly.

When enabled, using a combination of sensors, your phone can automatically detect if your phone has been snatched from your hands and then go into a lockdown. Detailing the feature back in May, Google said, “If a common motion associated with theft is detected, your phone screen quickly locks – which helps keep thieves from easily accessing your data.”

Once Google begins a more wide rollout, all Android 10+ devices will support it.

Next time I’m in a major city, this will get enabled. Better safe than sorry!

// @MishaalRahman

Zoom expands webinar events to more people than you’ll ever need

Administrator — Tue, 20 Aug 2024 12:24:32 +0000

A new update for Zoom means that it’ll now be possible to have 999,999 people around the world simultaneously shouting, “You’ve got it on mute!”

The videoconferencing company has just announced a new feature that will allow as many as 1 million people to join a single webinar, way more than the 100,000 capacity that existed before.

Now, while most regular folks are unlikely to ever need such a feature, with five or six, or maybe as many as seven people joining the average video meeting, Zoom clearly felt there was a need for offering an option where up to a million people can join. Think celebrity events, political rallies, workforce gatherings, and so on.

Event organizers can choose from a number of options according to the size of the event, with capacities set at 10K, 50K, 100K, 250K, 500K, and 1 million attendees.

“Zoom’s expanded capacity webinar offering is revolutionizing the way organizations can seamlessly connect and engage with massive audiences,” Smita Hashim, chief product officer at Zoom, said in a release. “Now event organizers have the flexibility and power to host truly interactive experiences on an unprecedented scale and the ability to purchase large single-use webinars.”

Purchase? Yes, these larger online Zoom events don’t come free. A webinar for a million people, for example, costs $100,000, while at the other end of the scale, a webinar for 10,000 people is priced at $9,000.

The package also includes analytics that will give hosts access to data on registration, attendance, and audience engagement, with the insights potentially helping to improve future webinar efforts.

Still having issues while using Zoom? Here are the most common problems with the software and how to fix them.