Sunday 24 July 2016

NVIDIA Titan X With Pascal GP102 GPU Announced – 3584 CUDA Cores, 12 GB GDDR5X VRAM, 60% Faster Than Titan X at $1200 US

Speaking at a gathering of deep learning experts at Stanford University, Nvidia CEO Jen-Hsun Huang confirmed that the company will be launching a new flagship Titan series graphics card based on the same new Pascal architecture as the recent GeForce GTX 1080, 1070 and1060 GPUs. The new card will be called Nvidia Titan X, apparently dropping the GeForce branding for the first time since the Titan series debuted. It will be priced at an incredible $1200 (approximately Rs. 80,515 before taxes and duties) and will be targeted not only at the world's most demanding gamers, but also at researchers and corporations developing tools for deep learning and artificial intelligence.

Architectural details are light at the moment. Nvidia has not confirmed the codename of the new GPU, which is undoubtedly larger than the GP104 which both the GTX 1080 and GTX 1070 are based on. The new Titan X has 12 billion transistors in the form of 3,584 programmable CUDA cores. It runs at up to 1.53GHz and can achieve throughput of 11 Teraflops. It will also have 12GB of high-speed GDDR5X memory on a 384-bit wide bus resulting in 480GBps of memory bandwidth.

Nvidia claims performance is 60 percent faster than the previous GeForce GTX Titan X. Maximum power draw is rated at 250W through one 8-pin and one 6-pin PCIe connector. The card itself is a standard 10.5 inches long and uses a beefier version of the vapour-chamber cooler that the GeForce GTX 1080 Founders' Edition uses.

The Titan X will support all architectural features that were announced at the time of the GTX 1080 launch, including simultaneous multi-projection, which allows the GPU to render the same frame from multiple perspectives within a single pass rather than requiring multiple passes for each. This is highly useful for VR and multi-monitor applications. Nvidia's Ansel tool for high-quality in-game screenshots is also supported.

The Titan X will also support two-way SLI using Nvidia's new high-bandwidth bridge, in keeping with the company's new strategy restricting it to high-end cards. Display outputs will include DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0b, and dual-link DVI-D.

The new Nvidia Titan X will go on sale in the US on August 2, with global availability to follow. It will be available only through Nvidia's own website and a handful of authorised system builders.

Kickass Torrents Online Again, in the Form of Clone Sites

There is this thing with pirate sites, just like real pirates, you cannot keep them down for long. On Wednesday, alleged ringleader of torrent website Kickass Torrents, Artem Vaulin was arrested in Poland and the domains of his website were seized, but as expected, the piracy site is available online again in the form of clone sites.

There are multiple clones of the website available online and Verge reports that it has received an emailed statement from the creators of one such clone, named KAT.am, that says that the site is “hosted on multiple cloud servers to prevent blockade, and the hosting information is well hidden behind Cloudflare.”

The creators further claimed that they have in fact, improved on the original version of the website by adding a mobile version and further went on to say that “will has the complete torrent database of KAT, including the comments, user information intact,” The Verge reports.

In 2014, when piracy site The Pirate Bay was taken down after Swedish police seized website’s servers and computers in Stockholm, people expected piracy to die down soon enough, as at the time, The Pirate Bay was one of the most widely-used torrent websites around the world. However, mirror servers and clone sites were able to ensure that the site never actually died and resurfaced in around two months.

On Wednesday, Kickass Torrents alleged leader was hit with US criminal charges that accused the him of distributing over $1 billion (roughly Rs. 6,724 crores) worth of illegally copied movies, music, games, and other content.

Online piracy has received yet another setback but it has already grown to such a level that it is practically impossible to completely eradicate online piracy. It will be interesting to see if online pirates do get discouraged by the arrest of Vaulin and the charges slapped against him or come back even stronger than before.

Wednesday 20 July 2016

Google Ara: In 2017 Smartphones WILL Go Modular

Google's Project Ara is a modular smartphone which could re-define the market

It's been a while since we heard anything about Ara - Google's modular smartphone concept. A good long while. In fact, everything went a bit tits up with Google's failed and retracted "launch" in Peurto Rico, and because that was all a bit embarassing the firm has been quiet ever since.

Now though, modular technology is back in the news with the LG G5's modular component and rumours that the revamped Moto X (aka Moto Z) for 2016 will feature a modular capability. Google's even released a promotional video, check it out...

So now Ara is back, or at least it is for developers. Yes, it's fair to say that Google's pace has slowed recently, but this appears to be a very deliberate decision, as if it is one born out of a series of internal meetings and big board-level decisions. Previously Google has launched new Android builds at its annual Google I/O conference, where it would also usually announce a new set of Nexus phones running the software - there would then be a period of time - like a few months - for developers to get used to the changes in Android and create new apps or new versions of existing apps for it. Then the new Nexus phones would launch, and Android would be released publicly, rolling out gradually to existing phones.

The tone is different this year, Google I/O 2016 is just winding down and there's been no announcement of new Nexus hardware - in fact Google hasn't even done its usual I/O move of giving the new build a confectionery-based alphabetic moniker like Marshmallow, Lollipop and so on.

Essentially, Google revealed more projects and initiatives, and some more details of what's new in Android N, then released another dev build. So while we can still expect more Nexus hardware and a proper release of Android N later in the year, the old schedule is gone in favour of something more cautious. It seems Google would now prefer to let things cook to perfection before serving, so to speak.

And that's probably true of Ara too. The original plan was for Ara to go to public launch in 2015, but of course that never happened.

Now the firm has revealed a developer model will be released in "fall" (ie: Autumn) of 2016 with the goal of a consumer-facing version arriving inside 2017. Reports circulating as of May 23 indicate that as many as 30 Google insiders are currently using Ara phones, while Google itself claims it has "all the key components of the platform," in some kind of working order.

We don't yet know a great deal about the developer model, but it has been revealed it will pack a 5.3in display and, of course, it's Android based. There are six module slots on the developer module, although we do know from earlier reveals that there are plans for multiple size "cores" which can handle different numbers of modules; however, whether this plan has been scrapped by now isn't known.

A shortlist of confirmed OEMs working on modules includes Panasonic, TDK, iHealth, E Ink, Toshiba, Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, and Samsung. The module connectors are universal so you're not restricted in how you attach them, and attachment is software-locked so you can't accidentally pull one out. This even opens up voice control, allegedly, so you could tell the phone by voice command to eject a camera or speaker module, for instance.

What is Ara?

The concept is a simple one –– you buy a basic model Ara phone and all the bits can be pulled off and swapped as you see fit. Fancy a more powerful camera module? You'll be able to buy one through Google's dedicated store - a treasure trove of hardware modules populated by components made by third-party manufacturers, from the likes of Samsung and its ilk, right down to little independent devs working out of their basements - just like Google Play for apps, in fact. The same will be true of many other components, including things like memory, display panels, physical keyboards, sensors and scanners, ports, modems and wireless modules, and much, much more.

The Verge got a look at some Ara prototypes at Google HQ. Here's an extract from their report: "This very early version of the phone we played was functional, although we weren't allowed to turn it on and use it, in part because the touch features aren't up and running, Google said. The company showed it booting up on stage, but not working. The hardware itself feels very solid, thanks to its aluminum and steel frame, which looks like a ribcage when all the modules are popped out. The modules on the other hand feel light and plasticky, and made holding the phone feel a bit strange. If you're used to the smooth corners you'd find on most smartphones, the ribbed channels on the Spiral 2 feel bizarre. Nothing rattled or slid out while we were playing around with it, though it's hard to tell how it will really work without the magnets."

Google provided some details about what it has been up to since announcing some prior details about Ara at I/O 2014. The Big G has been busy working with Marvell and NVIDIA in order to get some reference CPUs made for Ara. Below is an extract from Google’s G+ update on the subject and what progress has been made.

“For the AP modules, we have been working with our friends at Marvell and NVIDIA to create two separate reference designs and form factor module prototypes around their PXA1928 and Tegra K1 processors, respectively, using a Toshiba UniPro bridge ASIC to connect to the on-device network. You can anticipate seeing these as part of the reference designs in our upcoming MDK v0.20 release. (The Rockchip AP with native UniPro that we blogged about previously is coming along nicely and will be ready in time for our Spiral 3 prototype in the Spring.),” said Google in a post on Google+.

Tuesday 19 July 2016

Xbox One S Arrives August 2

Today, we’re pleased to announce that the highly-anticipated 2TB Xbox One S launch edition will begin hitting shelves in select regions on August 2. That means that all pre-orders will arrive on August 2 and, for those of you that haven’t yet, you can still pre-order a 2TB Xbox One S launch edition through microsoftstore.com and select retailers. Availability is limited and demand is high so you’ll want to check with your local retailer for more information and pre-order your console soon.

Xbox One S is the most compact Xbox yet, 40 percent smaller than the original Xbox One, and includes a built-in power supply. We also shifted one of the three USB ports and the pairing button to the front of the Xbox One S alongside the newly added IR blaster for increased accessibility.

Beyond the fresh new design, Xbox One S is the first and only console that allows you to watch Blu-ray movies and stream video in stunning 4K Ultra HD with HDR. That means you’ll get to enjoy your favorite shows and movies in the clearest, most realistic video possible. With High Dynamic Range (HDR) support for video and gaming, Xbox One games like Gears of War 4, Forza Horizon 3, and Scalebound will look even better thanks to a higher contrast ratio between lights and darks, bringing out the true visual depth of your favorite games.

Xbox One S also comes bundled with the new Xbox Wireless Controller featuring textured grip, improved Xbox Wireless signal and added Bluetooth support (requires Windows 10 running the Windows Anniversary Update). The controller can be purchased as a standalone item for $59.99 USD and will also be available on August 2. All Xbox One games, accessories and Xbox Live services will work with Xbox One S.

For those of you looking for additional Xbox One S hard drive options, we will also be offering the console with 1TB and 500GB hard drives for $349 USD and $299 USD, respectively, so you can choose the right console for you. More details on the specific availability dates of these two options will be shared soon.

Netflix Will Stream the New Star Trek Series Around the World

This is a huge deal for Star Trek fans, Netflix, and CBS.

It’s only Monday, but this is already shaping up to be a great week for Trekkies across the galaxy: CBS and Netflix just announced that when the new Star Trek series kicks off in January, Netflix will be streaming the series worldwide.

The news isn’t particularly exciting for Star Trek fans in the U.S., who will still have to buy a subscription to CBS’s V.O.D. service, All Access, in order to tune in. (CBS will air the first episode of its newStar Trek series on television, but after that the show will air exclusively on All Access, which costs $5.99 per month.) But now Netflix will make it possible for fans across the globe to watch, as it will become the series’ premiere home in 188 countries: in those territories, each episode will debut on the streaming service within 24 hours of its CBS premiere.

American Trekkies haven’t been completely left out in the cold, either: the press release also announced that all 727 old Star Trek episodes will hit Netflix’s library by the end of this year. We’re talking everything from Star Trek: The Original Series, Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, Voyager, and Enterprise.

It’s a fantastic deal for CBS, which just exponentially expanded the viewer base for its show. The deal is less groundbreaking for Netflix, which announced a similar deal for Better Call Saul in February, but it’s still far from small potatoes—although the news does make one wonder how long it will be before Netflix can secure episode-by-episode debuts shortly after broadcast airings stateside, as its competitor Hulu already does.

There’s a healthy contingent of Trekkies in the U.S. who are probably not jazzed about paying $5.99 per month for All Access, especially knowing that they could watch the show without an extra subscription nearly anywhere else across the world. That said, it’s been a tough month for Trekkies, so any good news is more than welcome.

Android-based Nokia Phones with 2k Display, SD 820 SoC Leaked

Information coming in this week reveals that Nokia is about to release two new smart phones into the market. According to reports, the phones will be released based on the Nokia mobile phones brand but from the stable of HMD global Oy. Recall that Helsinki, Finland-based HMD Global Oy announced on 18 May 2016 that it had purchased part of the feature phone business of Microsoft Mobile, the company founded after Microsoft’s acquisition of Nokia’s original mobile phone business in 2014 and that it will in the future develop mobile devices under the Nokia brand.

The two mobile phones have appeared in a leak, both sporting different sizes. There’s a smaller 5.2-inch display model and a larger 5.5-inch model . Both models will use 2K display resolution and will be equipped with Z-Launcher System UI based on the latest Android 7.0 Nougat (Android N), confirming our earlier report that Android based Nokia phones are underway.

On the specs bench, the two phones will be powered by Snapdragon 820 chipset and will sport an all-metal body and also come equipped with IP68 Waterproof and Dustproof protection, similar to the one on the Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge.

It is important to also disclose at this point that previous leaks had revealed that the expected Nokia phone will feature a huge 22.6MP main camera, perhaps this should be for the bigger version and will carry a price tag hovering around 3000 yuan ($500). Currently in the phone market, an SD 820 flagship with 2K display, all-metal body and IP68 waterproof and dust proof technology, carrying a 3,000 yuan price tag will be considered competitively priced.

The $23 Xiaomi Mi Band 2 is now official

After quite a few leaks and even a couple of early pre-sales events, Xiaomi's latest fitness tracker was officially unveiled today. Despite its name, the Mi Band 2 is actually the third installment of the extremely popular wearable, but offers a major upgrade over its predecessors.

The Mi Band 2 now comes with a lot more tech on board. On top of the already familiar step counter, sleep tracker, heart-rate measurement and notification alerts, the accessory now has an OLED display instead of the usual three LED array and a round physical button on the front. This allows the Mi Band 2 to show the time - a very requested feature for the old models, as well as step count and heart rate right there on the device screen.

This will definitely help you get more use of the unit even while untethered form a phone, but the Mi Band 2 will still serve as an extension to your headset through the use of its Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity. The band will notify you for calls, messages, as well as events form third-party apps with an icon. This time around, thanks to the OLED display, Xiaomi's traditionally active community will have even more to work with when implementing custom features for an even better experience.

Other features on the Mi Band 2 include IP67 water and dust resistance, as well as an impressive 20-day battery life, which is surprisingly close to what previous generations have achieved in the absence of a display. Xiaomi has also managed to preserve the tantalizing price point as best as possible and plans to sell the Mi Band 2 for $23 on the local market.

The official retail launch in China is set for tomorrow, but, as we already mentioned, some e-tailers are already running pre-orders. TinyDeal has a listing for $42.99 and the early promotional price is even better over at Geekbuying - $39.99.

Apple's first reality TV series is 'Planet of the Apps'

As rumoured earlier this year, It looks like Apple's getting in on the TV-content game. Online applications are now being accepted for Apple's first ever original series Planet of the Apps. As the punny title suggests, the show will give app developers (yes, including you), a chance feature in the reality show. Applications must be received before August 26 if you want a chance of being selected, though.

The show is being created in collaboration with Prospect Productions (the co-owners brought you The Biggest Loser and Master Chef) and the whole series focuses on apps and their creators. Obviously, therefore, any startup or founder that makes it through the audition stage will be getting some valuable airtime for their products. 100 will be chosen in total.

Prospect says that anyone selected will need to be available for non-consecutive shoots in Los Angeles between late 2016 and early 2017 and all applicants need a functioning iOS, macOS, tvOS or watchOS app by October 21 to be considered eligible. Betas are fine too.

Successful applicants will get access to "hands-on guidance from some of the world's best experts in tech and entertainment," the chance to meet potential backers to discuss investments of up to $10 million and featured app placement in the App Store at the end of the show. Of course, having a huge metaphorical spotlight shine on you could be a curse if it all ends up going awry, but that''s reality TV for you.

Wednesday 13 July 2016

Nokia Returning To The World Of Smartphones

The Finnish multinational communications and information technology company Nokia signs a strategic brand and intellectual property licensing agreement with the HMD global just to create the new generation of Nokia smartphones and Nokia tablets with the brand.

Nokia announced plans that will see Nokia return marks for telephony and mobile tablets markets on a global basis. Under a strategic agreement covering trademark rights and intellectual property licensing, Nokia Technologies will grant HMD global, a newly established company based in Finland, an exclusive worldwide license to create Nokia mobile phones and tablets with the brand for the next ten years.

Under the agreement, Nokia will receive HMD global Technologies, royalty payments for the mobile product sales with the Nokia brand, which will cover both trademark rights and intellectual property. Hence, the devices will be produced by a subsidiary of Taiwan’s multinational electronics contract manufacturing company Foxconn.

The company, which was once the largest manufacturer in the world of mobile phones, sold its handset business to the tech giant Microsoft in 2014. However, Nokia got their patent and began preparing a return to the market through brand licensing and currently gets most of its revenue from telecommunications equipment.

The Finnish multinational communications and information technology company Nokia HMD will receive the royalty payments related to the sale of products with your brand as we mentioned earlier. “Instead of the Nokia back to produce cell itself, the HMD plans to produce mobile phones and tablets that can enlarge the Nokia brand value in global markets,” said Ramzi Haidamus, head of Nokia’s patent unit.

According to the sources, HMD plans to invest $500 million over the next three years just to develop and promote the products. The funds will apparently come from the investors and the profits will come from the newly-acquired feature phone business. Although it has been made clear that the Finnish multinational communications and information technology company Nokia’s involvement in the new devices will be very short, but it will be a part of HMD’s committee and will set compulsory brand demands and performance-related equipment.

The HMD is a newly established company, controlled by Smart Connect, an investment fund managed by Jean-Francois Baril, the former employee of Nokia. Moreover, the Finnish multinational communications and information technology company Nokia still did not give any details about releases of new handsets. So, it is still under wraps that what version of Android Nokia will offer in its upcoming smartphones.

Legendary Ford Mustang GT launched in India, priced at Rs. 65 lacs

During Auto Expo 2016, Ford announced that it would be bringing the iconic Ford Mustang GT to India, and now the company has finally delivered. The new Ford Mustang GT that comes to India is powered by a 5.0L petrol engine, which is mated to a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The best thing about the car however, is the price as Ford has priced the new Ford Mustang GT at a rather affordable Rs. 65 Lakhs (ex-showroom, Delhi).

After the launch of the first generation Ford Mustang GT in 1964, it has taken Ford more than 52 years to bring the car to India. This latest generation Mustang is the sixth generation Ford Mustang GT and while India spec version of the car gets right hand drive, it is down on power from the original version that is sold in the U.S. The Indian variant of the car delivers a max power of 396 bhp, which is about 25-30bhp less than the original variant, Ford showcased back in February. Subsequently, there is small drop in maximum torque as well.

On the inside, Ford has loaded the car with luxury features like heated / cooled seats, aluminium foot pedals, and more. In terms of entertainment, the car is equipped with a 8-inch display in the center console and a 9-speaker audio system with an amplifier. The car is also equipped with Ford’s Sync-2 system, which uses voice recognition to let the driver use certain features using voice commands.

That said, the Ford Mustang GT is more than just a car, it is a lifestyle. It is one of those cars, which is better known for its joy of riding, it’s head turning looks, and its supremely big engine. Further, GT stands for Gran Turismo, which means that the car is meant to be a long cruiser. To aid that, the Ford Mustang GT, is also equipped with features like hill launch assist, four selectable driving modes and cruise control.

SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick Review

Apple, Google, and Amazon won’t put microSD card slots in their tablets, but other companies have come up with clever ways to get around this limitation. Take the SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick, which can add up to 128GB of additional storage to an iPad, Nexus, Fire, or other device.
That extra space can be used to store files of all kinds: video, music, and thousands of pictures, freeing up valuable space in the tablet’s internal storage.
The Connect Wireless Stick can also do double duty as a standard USB flash drive. It comes in capacities from 16GB to 128GB, with prices that range from $29.99 to $99.99.

Build and Design

This accessory looks quite a bit like any other flash drive: it’s a black rectangle 3.0 x .75 x 0.4 inches (11 x 19 x 11 mm) with a full-size USB Type A jack on one end. It’s all plastic, but nevertheless feels solid and sturdy.SanDisk always goes the extra mile with items like this, designing them so they are not just functional but also attractive. The front of the Connect Wireless Stick is decorated with a slightly raised pattern of hexagons. It looks both stylish and professional.

On the right side is a power button that sits almost flush with the casing so it won’t be accidentally pushed. On the front is a status LED to indicate whether the Connect Wireless Stick is on, if the battery is low, if it is charging, if data is being transferred, or if it is connected to a Wi-Fi network.

The USB jack is protected by a removable cover. There’s the potential to lose this, but it fits tightly — and losing it wouldn’t affect the functionality of this device.

Performance

Before anything can be done with the SanDisk Connect Wireless Stick, some content needs to be loaded onto it. The most obvious way is to plug it into a USB port on a PC or Mac, where it will function like any other flash drive, appearing as removable drive.

It only supports USB 2.0, not the faster USB 3.0, giving it a maximum data transfer speed of 60 megabytes per second (MBps). The exact speed will depend a bit on the computer doing the transferring, but in our tests with a Surface Pro 2 the transfer rate was under 20 MBps, so that this isn’t a very quick drive — it will take 3-4 minutes to transfer a 4GB file.

Of course, USB isn’t the only way to put items onto this drive; they can also be transferred from a tablet or phone over a Wi-Fi connection. More about that later.

Wireless Connection

Unlike the SanDisk iXpand Flash Drive, the Connect Wireless Stick can’t be connected to an iPad via its Lightning port, and it also doesn’t have the micro-USB jack required to connect it to a Nexus 9 or other Android tablet. Instead, the connection to these devices is over Wi-Fi.

All that’s necessary is to turn this accessory on, wait a few seconds, then use the tablet’s Settings app to connect, just as if this was a regular Wi-Fi hotspot.

Three different devices can be connected at once, with each of these users able to access whichever they wish. In our tests, we were able play three different movies, play the same movie on three different devices, and play a movie on one, music on another, and access files on the third, all without interfering with each other… there was no stuttering in playing any of the multimedia files.

Accessing Files

Whether the tablet is Android or iOS, getting access to the files stored on the Connect Wireless Stick requires installing a special app called Connect Drive. This acts as a file manager for the accessory.

Internet Connectivity

If the tablet is communicating with the Connect Wireless Stick over Wi-Fi, it can’t also be connected to a hotspot, which means the tablet has no Internet access. Fortunately, SanDisk thought of this and built this accessory so that there can be both an Internet connection and file access.

The setup is potentially slightly confusing, but only has to be done once: connect the tablet to SanDisk’s accessory, then go to settings in the Connect Drive app and choose which available Wi-Fi hotspot to use for Internet access. Next, connect to tablet to that same Wi-Fi network. Even though the tablet is no longer directly connected to the Wireless Stick, its contents can still be accessed through SanDisk’s app.

Battery Life

SanDisk says the Connect Wireless Stick can run for 4.5 hours of streaming video on a single charge, but warns that connecting multiple tablets or phones to it will lower this figure.

Value

The 16GB version of this accessory is $29.99, the 32GB one is $39.99, the 64GB model is $59.99, while the 128GB version is $99.99.

For comparison, the 128GB version of the iXpand Flash Drive, which connects to an iPad through the Lightning port, is a startling $299.99, and even the 16GB version is $59.99. Compared to these prices, the Connect Wireless Stick is a bargain.

While standard USB drives are much cheaper, these can’t be used with an Apple, Google, or Amazon tablet, so a comparison wouldn’t be fair.

POKÉMON GO IS ALREADY WORTH BILLIONS

In the week following its release, Pokémon Go has become an instant blockbuster, crashing Nintendo’s servers as countless nostalgic millennials and gaming enthusiasts download the augmented-reality-based mobile app, and sending the Japanese game maker’s stock soaring.

Pokémon Go, which uses a mobile device’s G.P.S. and camera to allow players to capture, collect, and battle digital creatures while traveling around the physical world, has remained the top-downloaded app in Appel’s App Store since its July 6 release in the U.S., according to analytics firm App Annie. By Sunday morning, Nintendo’s market value had increased by $7 billion since its stock started to surge on Friday, Bloomberg reports, following its release in the U.S. on Wednesday evening. With legions of players trying to catch Pokémon and meeting up at thousands of real-world locations to battle their fellow players-in-arms, user engagement has quickly escalated to the point of a cultural phenomenon. Similar Web reports that as of Sunday, more than 60 percent of Android users who downloaded the game were using it daily, putting the game on track to surpass Twitter in daily active Android users.

As Pokémon Go downloads continue to soar, dozens of bizarre stories surrounding the game have begun making headlines. The mobile game is reportedly at the center of a battle between the Westboro Baptist Church and Pokémon Go users after it was discovered that the controversial church had been labeled as a “gym,” or battle location, within the game. Trump Tower in New York is also a gym in the game, marking the second time in as many months that the presumptive G.O.P. nominee has been linked to the Pokémon world. In a more gruesome turn of events, a 19-year-old user discovered a dead body in Wyoming while wandering along a river hunting for water-based Pokémon, and armed robbers have also reportedly used the app to take advantage of unsuspecting players in secluded areas, CNN reports.

Whether or not Pokémon Go will maintain this level of success and engagement, it is clear that the game is a hit. The bigger question for investors is whether the app’s extraordinary success will translate into lasting revenue for Nintendo, which has struggled in recent years. Before the company’s stock exploded on Friday, it was down almost 50 percent over the last year, CNN notes, amid disappointing sales for Nintendo’s Wii U gaming console. The Japanese company has had to compete both with a host of rivals, including Microsoft’s Xbox and Sony’s Playstation, as well as newer mobile apps, which have attracted a new generation of gamers away from traditional consoles. But Nintendo’s foray into the mobile-gaming space could pay off. While Pokémon Go is free to download, the game offers opportunities for in-app purchases that investors hope will create millions of dollars in sustainable, daily revenue.

Thursday 7 July 2016

Top 10 Fastest Cars In The World

When it comes to cars and their performance in general, there is nothing quite enthralling and electrifying than speed. These four-wheeled tech beasts are the finest representations of human engineering and show the real fun of adrenaline pumping through your veins. So let’s talk about these fast cars and what makes them so great.

It is because of this adrenaline pumping when driving a fast car, that many car freaks and adrenaline junkies risk their lives in pursuit of reaching ever faster speeds and accelerating to new heights. Others have sadly, even given their lives in pursuit of these superlatives, such as the legendary FOne Racer, Ayrton Senna, who will forever be remembered as one of the greatest figures in motor racing, and the famous American actor known for his role in the “Fast and the Furious” franchise, Paul Walker, whose love for cars and speed was so great he had an airplane hangar full of cars!

However, despite the obvious and ever present danger, people still aim for the stars and put all their efforts into eclipsing past records that it almost feels like our society has an addiction for speed! Are you one of those people too? Do you crave speed? Do you feel like burning the roads? If so, then here are top 10 of the world’s fastest cars that might just make that possible. Do keep in mind you will need deep pockets to buy any of these babies as these are also one of the most expensive cars in the world.

1. KOENIGSEGG AGERA R – 273 MPH

Although, Koenigsegg isn’t a household name in the world of supercars, like Bugatti or Ferrari, it has managed to develop quite a reputation over a short period of time, beating the best supercars in the market. And, the Agera R model is a perfect example of the brand’s might and power that blows all other supercars in the storm with a top speed of over 273 mph, faster than any other supercar you will find on the market today. This is why it’s also known as the fastest car in the world currently.

The car comes with a 5-Liter Turbocharged V8 DOHC engine with a compression ratio of 9.0:1 and is capable of generating an impressive 1200 pound-feet of torque and horsepower of 1140, hence enabling the vehicle to zoom from halt to 60 mph within less than 2.5 seconds and reach speeds from 0 to 186 mph within 11.7 seconds (a world record).

Available for a price tag of £1.1million, the Agera R is also the first vehicle in the market to feature a dual-clutch transmission in only one-input-shaft. This results in the faster shift times and acceleration, hence making the Agera R one heck of a race car! New details about the 2014 model include carbon fiber wheels, wind-in-the-hair thrills, and targa-style roof panels for high speed.

2. HENNESSEY VENOM GT – 270 MPH

Coming second in the world’s fastest cars category is the Hennessey Venom GT, which is a relatively new name in the industry, but has generated quite a buzz in a short period of time. The car is based on a modified Lotus Exige and has a max speed of 270 mph (just 3 mph less than the Koenigsegg). As a result, the vehicle will terrify anyone upon first glance, as it is purely a beast.

Packed with a mighty 7.0 Liter Twin-Turbocharged V8 Engine, the Venom GT is capable of generating an outstanding and dazzling horsepower of 1,244 and torque of 1,155 pound-feet, hence enabling the car to fly from halt to 62 mph within 2.8 seconds only and accelerate from zero to 200 mph in 14.51 seconds (all thanks to the intercooler upgrades and single-clutch shift system to ensure faster shift times).

All this power is packaged in an overwhelming and sexy interior and exterior design that can be yours for approximately US $1.2 million. Therefore, the vehicle is relatively cheaper than the Koenigsegg Agera R and delivers a similar performance, only 3 mph less! Which one is the better vehicle? Well, that we can only find out when the two cars RACE!

3. BUGATTI VEYRON SUPER SPORT – 268 MPH

The Bugatti Veyron held the Guinness World Record for being the fastest supercar in the world for years and was the first ever production car to exceed the 250 mph mark. However, after facing a few technical difficulties, its title was taken over by the Koenigsegg. This is when Bugatti introduced its Super Sport model that has a max speed of 268 mph.

5 mph less than the Koenigsegg, the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport comes equipped with an 8-Liter Quad-Turbo W16 Engine that is capable of generating an impressive torque of 1,106 lb-ft and horsepower 1,200 HP, enabling the car to go from zero to 60 in 2.4 seconds. The best feature of the Super Sport is it makes reaching insane speeds seem effortless. As a result, the vehicle is a breeze to drive and also comfortable and luxurious to sit in, even though it is a supercar. And, this is one of the main reasons why that despite its €1.6 million price tag, the vehicle has been selling well and the demand is high.

4. 9FF GT9-R – 257 MPH

Built by the German tuning company, 9ff, the GT9 is a supercar based on the historic Porsche 911. In fact, the looks and exterior styling of the car is also pretty similar to the 911, only with the interior of the car being stripped out for lightness and looks basic as compared to the Porsche. The car is faster than the original Bugatti Veyron, but slower than the SuperSport model.

Regardless, the GT9-R is purely a beast on the roads and comes equipped with a rather unique technology. It is fitted and modified with a 4.0-Liter Flat 6 Engine (six cylinders arranged horizontally in two banks of three cylinders) which enables the vehicle to produce an impressive horsepower of 1,120 and torque of 910 lb-ft.

This massive engine enables the vehicle to reach top speeds of 257 mph and also gives it the ability speed from zero to 60 mph in just 2.9 seconds, and accelerate from halt to 190 mph in under 16 seconds. The makers of the GT9-R have ensured no two vehicles manufactured are alike and offers potential owners with the option of customizing or personalizing their vehicles to their liking when it comes to design, color, and performance.

5. SSC ULTIMATE AERO – 256 MPH

Produced by SSC North America (formerly known as Shelby SuperCars), the SSC Ultimate Aero is a mid-engine sports car that held the title of the world’s fastest production car from Guinness World Records for 3 years (2007 to 2010), till Bugatti introduced the Veyron Super Sport. However, in 2013, the Guinness World Records disqualified the Bugatti Veyron’s record time due to some unknown reasons and reinstated the SSC Aero as the fastest production car ever.

However, this change too was reverted five days later. Regardless, for a rather new company in the market, SSC has generated a lot of attention with its Ultimate Aero car. The vehicle comes equipped with a 6.3-Liter Twin-Turbocharged V8 Engine that is capable of generating an impressive horsepower of 1,287 and torque of 1,112 lb-ft.

It has a top speed of 256 mph, just 1 mph less than the GT9-R! Nevertheless, with its beast of an engine the vehicle can easily hit 200 mph in under 16 seconds, which is quite reasonable for a car that is available for only €550,000. The only drawback of the vehicle is it doesn’t feature any electronic driver aids to help control the power of the engine. The vehicle may gain both positive and negative reviews, as some would like a purer driving experience and others would bemoan the lack of top of the line safety features.

6. KOENIGSEGG CCR – 242 MPH

Koenigsegg enters the top 10 list once again with its CCR model that is a mid-engine sports car that also briefly held the ‘world’s fastest’ title before being vanquished by the original Bugatti Veyron. The CCR model reached a top speed of 242 mph in 2005 at the Italy’s Nardo Ring and it was among the trendsetters for faster supercars, after McLaren and Ferrari of course.

The CCR is an earlier generation of Koenigsegg’s cars, but it still manages to be one of the fastest. Not to mention, the Koenigsegg was the first ever production vehicle to beat McLaren’s 8-year streak as the fastest production car on the market. The car comes equipped with a large and powerful 4.7-liter V8 Engine that is capable of generating 806 hp and 920 lb-ft torque. According to manufacturer estimates, the vehicle can zoom from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds and can complete a standing quarter mile of 9.7 seconds at 146 mph.

7. MCLAREN F1 – 241 MPH

Even after 23 years, the McLaren F1 still manages to make the fastest cars’ in the world list. The car has a unique interior design of being a three-seater with the driver’s seat at the center and two passenger seats on the sides. The vehicle is a former champion, but with its center driver’s seat, gold-line engage bay, and carbon-fiber body, it is also one of the coolest cars ever made.

Equipped with a 6.1-Liter BMW M V12 engine, the supercar produces 670 Horsepower and peak torque of 520 lb-ft, enabling the vehicle to accelerate from zero to 60 in just 3.2 seconds. The overall design of the vehicle is also impressive and has great aerodynamics to ensure maximum speed and performance. In a period of 6 years, a total of 106 McLaren F1 vehicles were produced. In 2013, chassis number 066 was sold for a record price of US $8.47 million.

8. ZENVO ST 1 – 233 MPH

Manufactured by the Danish company Zenvo, the ST 1 is a high-performance supercar hand-made by a small team of workers. It is the company’s first ever supercar model and was introduced back in 2009. The vehicle easily dishes out a max speed of 233 mph and has the ability to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in a mere 3 seconds.

It comes equipped with a 6.8-Liter V8 Engine and generates an impressive horsepower of 1,104 and torque of 1,050 lb-ft, enabling the vehicle to reach 0 to 200 mph in only 8.9 seconds. It also has great features, such as telescopic steering wheel adjustment and a keyless-entry system and is available for a price tag of €660,000.

9. PAGANI HUAYRA – 230 MPH

The Italian supercar manufacturer that has taken the supercar market by storm, Pagani, has developed quite a reputation in a short period of time. The company provides car enthusiasts and adrenaline junkies with top and high-quality cars which not only provide great speed, but also feature unique design cues, earning the title of hyper cars.

The Huayra model specifically is known for its amazing and outrageous performance that beats the best racing cars in the market. It isn’t exactly the fastest, but the acceleration is what surprises many car enthusiasts. It comes equipped with a large and power Twin-Turbo V12 6-Liter Engine that can easily produce a whopping 738 lb-ft of torque and 730 horsepower. You can buy it for €900,000 to €1,000,000.

10. ASTON MARTIN ONE-77 (220 MPH)

Built by the British Manufacturer Aston Martin, the One-77 is the most extreme and fastest road-going Aston to ever be created. It shares a similar layout with regular Astons you see on the road, but the One-77 is a completely different beast which sports a 7.3-Liter V12 Engine producing 750 HP and 800 lb-ft torque. A total of 77 cars have been produced and apart from its performance, the vehicle is primarily known for its jaw-dropping good looks. The vehicle has a top speed of 220 mph and can easily accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds.

So, now that you are familiar with the top 10 fastest cars in the world, choosing one which best suits your style and needs won’t be a problem.