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Renault's reborn Alpine team will work with Lotus on an EV sports car
Renault wants to be known as a technology-focused sports car powerhouse. To that end, the company is relaunching Alpine — a French manufacturer established in 1955 and acquired by Renault in 1973 — as an umbrella brand for all of its high-performance initiatives, including Renault Sport Cars and Renault Sport Racing (RSR). Today, though, Renault revealed that Alpine will also become a cutting-edge EV maker.
Plastic-plucking robots are the future of recycling
We are living in the Age of Plastic. In 2015, the world's industries created 448 million tons of it -- twice as much as it did in 1998 -- and the rate of production is only accelerating. However, our recycling efforts have not matched pace. In fact, according to the EPA, barely 14 percent of plastic products are recycled globally. But a new generation of recycling technology is here to keep the world's plastics in circulation and out of our landfills.
Alpine's latest receiver brings wireless CarPlay to all
Apple CarPlay has finally gone wireless. After debuting the technology at CES this year, Alpine is now shipping the iLX-107, the first CarPlay receiver with support for wireless connectivity. And considering the tech world's general disdain for wires and cables, it's a surprise it's taken this long to reach the aftermarket.
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Amazon is selling its own processors now, too
Amazon's come a long way since its humble beginnings as an online book store. It sells everything from groceries to its own Kindle and tablet hardware, runs streaming services complete with original shows, and has a huge cloud-computing business among other interests. And now Amazon's started pushing its own line of processors, plunging its finger into yet another pie. You won't find its ARM-based "Alpine" chips among the T-shirts and homeware on Amazon's online store, of course. They are being sold directly to manufacturers and service providers through subsidiary Annapurna Labs, a chip designer Amazon acquired early last year.
Renault has a futuristic 'Gran Turismo' concept car too
The Nissan GT-R and Chevy's Chaparral 2X Vision Gran Turismo are about to get some fresh company thanks to French automaker Renault. The Alpine Vision Gran Turismo is the latest Gran Turismo 6 ride turned concept vehicle, and weighing in at around 1,984 pounds (900 kilograms) it's lighter than a 2015 Dodge Dart by over 1,200 pounds. Let that sink in for a minute. Okay, still with us? It's rocking a 450 horsepower engine mid-rear, a 199MPH top speed and a rad set of air brakes you can see in the video below. Renault teases that some of the tech from the concept will make it to Alpine's 2016 production model -- which, as Autoblog notes, would be its first since 1995. Should you want a peek at the car in person, it's stationed throughout France until early next month. After that, it's doing laps in Gran Turismo 6 as a free download in March.
Improve your ski trip by using Ski Nation
We are right in the middle of the ski season and I am sure lots of you are planning ski vacations, ski weekends, or just a day or two on the slopes. Ski Nation will make that planning easier for you and provide you with live information directly from more than one thousand ski resorts and areas. This free universal app runs on iOS 7.0 or later. Once you complete the simple registration process Ski Nation will give you access to ski areas in the United States and Canada. Users can select one of the resorts or areas to receive detailed information about the current conditions. You can sort the ski areas by types of skiing available, alpine, cross country, or ski jumping. The list can also be displayed by the name of the resort, the country it's located in or what state it is in. Ski Nation lists the resort's website URL, mailing address, and current temperature on the resort home page. From there users can delve deeper to access the ski areas' trail maps, a snow and trail report, and a map showing the location of the resort. The most useful data is in the Snow and Trail report. Here users will find information on the current snow conditions such as the average depth of the base, the primary surface conditions, and the latest and most recent snowfall information. Additionally the report lists details on how many lifts and trails are available, the total acreage available for skiing and the resorts operational hours. For snowboarders and freestylers, Ski Nation provides information on what pipes and parks are open and where they can be found on the mountain. Ski Nation tracks where you ski and how many days by issuing users pins from the resorts you visit. The app awards you a pin for each day you spend skiing at the resort or you can collect pins from previous trips. All these can then be shared with friends right in the app via the major social network outlets and email. About a month ago, I reviewed the Ski Buddy app. Users might consider grabbing that app along with Ski Nation. The Ski Nation app prepares you for your day and assists you in getting around. Ski Buddy is aimed at tracking just what you do during the time you spend on the mountain. Ski Buddy records all of your runs and provides information on your downhill speeds, the distance you travel, the change in elevation from the top to the bottom of your run and how many runs you do each day. It provides all this data in real time and has an audio alert users can hear through ear buds or headphones. Ski Nation offers a lot of information you will need to know to get started on your trip and as such is worth downloading before your next ski trip. Combining it with Ski Buddy should give you all you need to enjoy your time on the mountain.
IRL: Alpine puts its car audio chops to good use... in headphones?
Some of the best headphones I listened to this year came from a car audio company. It's true. When I hear the name Alpine, I think of two things: the car stereos and the brewery in southern California. Back in October, the tech-focused Alpine announced its $300 over-ear cans with so-called Full Frequency Immersion technology to simulate the feeling of a live show. There's even a pulsing headband that keeps up with the bass line. What may seem like an odd move for Alpine actually makes a lot of sense. A company with a history in audio, even if its car audio, should be well-equipped to make a solid set of headphones. I've been using the set for a couple months now, and the sound is stellar.
Alpine's high-end headphones let you feel the music, literally
Alpine is a name that usually comes up when discussing which new audio wares to install in your car, but the company is diving into headphones, too. Its first set of cans certainly look the part with high-end aesthetics, and they boast Full Frequency Immersion tech that's meant to simulate the feeling of being at a live show. Of course, a pulsing bass transducer in the headband certainly helps with that. Alpine's offering also has a built-in 24-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC), and the battery that powers the whole thing is said to last 10 hours before needing a charge. What's more, the outfit released the Level Play iOS app for customizing a five band EQ and scanning your music collection to build playlists based on your energy level. From there, settings are beamed to the headphones via Bluetooth Low Energy. If you're interested in snagging a pair, the $300 set will be sold at your local Apple Store starting today in either Apollo White or Onyx Black -- right beside the Beats, we'd surmise.
Alpine Headphones tout "immersive" experience, Level Play iPhone app
Alpine has long been one of the big names associated with car audio systems, but the company has never really made a splash with connected personal audio until today. The company just launched Alpine Headphones that are available in Apple Stores around the world for a suggested retail price of US$299. So how did Alpine do with its first consumer headphone product? Read on for our review. Specifications Weight: 12.6 ounces (357 grams) Impedence: 30 ± 20% Ohms at 1kHz Frequency response: 15Hz - 24,000Hz Sound pressure level: 107dB ± 3dB at 1kHz max Total harmonic distortion: \<0.1% at 1mW/1kHz Colors: Apollo White, Onyx Black Includes: USB to micro-USB charging cable, iPhone audio cable with microphone, carry bag Design The Alpine Headphones are stunning. The white pair reviewed by TUAW has a very futuristic design, with a matte plastic band cushioned on the inside with a black matte foam. The earcups are diamond-shaped, with controls on the bottom of the left cup. Those controls are quite simple - there's just a power button. All the rest of the adjustments are made through the companion Level Play app (free). The app scans your music library, creating an "intensity based" playlist. What does that mean? The app looks at the beats per minute and sound wave frequency of each tune, then organizes the music library into one of three categories. Want a high-energy music experience? You swipe your finger up to the "orange" level. Looking to calm down and relax? Swipe your finger down to the "blue" level. It's a unique way at organizing music, that's for sure. I was a bit confused about the inclusion of a braided audio cable with the Alpine Headphones as I thought they were Bluetooth. You'll see my confusion when you look at the promo video below, where everybody is dancing around with the headphones on - without a cable in sight. It turns out the Alpine Headphones are actually somewhat of a hybrid. The actual audio information goes through the cable from your iPhone to the headphones, but the custom settings you make in the app are transmitted to the headphones through Bluetooth LE. No misleading advertising here... Functionality One thing about headphones is that if you listen to a lot of music (or podcasts, for that matter), you want the headset to be comfortable. Alpine did a nice job of making the headphones comfy and lightweight, and although the earcups can be a bit confining, they're perfect for hours of wear. I honestly forgot that I was wearing the Alpine Headphones after a while, which is a testament to their comfort. When I first started listening to some of my mid-level energy music (the "green" range), I wasn't too impressed as it sounded heavy on the bass end and muddy. However, I knew that the app has a built-in equalizer, so I was able to adjust the high-end to my liking. While the Level Play app provides a way to tweak your music library so that it sounds great, you're out of luck if you listen to other music sources. Sure, you can use the Alpine Headphones to listen to Spotify, iTunes Radio, or whatever else you like for streaming music, but you won't be able to adjust the equalization to your tastes as the music doesn't go through the Level Play app. Conclusion If you're listening to your own music library on an iPhone, then you may want to consider the Alpine Headphones simply for the modern design as well as for the Level Play app and its ability to let you have a modicum of control over five separate frequency ranges. For those who either need a pair of headphones that can be useful with a number of devices, or who listen to streaming video, I'm not sure I can recommend these headphones. For $50 more, you could pick up a pair of top-rated Blue Microphones Mo-Fi amped headphones that sound great regardless of what device you're connected to or what music source you're using. Rating: 3 stars out of 4 stars possible
The TUAW Daily Update Podcast for April 14, 2014
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get some the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the player at the top of the page. The Daily Update has been moved to a new podcast host in the past few days. Current listeners should delete the old podcast subscription and subscribe to the new feed in the iTunes Store here.
Alpine introduces INE-W927-HD AV and navigation system, Pandora, Sirius and more on a 7-inch touchscreen
Got car, need entertainment. Enter Alpine's INE-W927HD mouthful of a new audio, video and navigation system. The device comes with a 7-inch touchscreen, built-in HD Radio receiver plus Bluetooth. There's also access to the popular Pandora and SiriusXM services, as well as playlist support for iOS and Android audio streaming. Alpine's heritage in this space comes through in the form of an "iPersonalize" system that tunes the sound up based on various factors including vehicle type, number of speakers and even upholstery material. How much for such options? that's $1,200 when it launches sometime this month.
Alpine's INE-Z928HD in-car DVD receiver goes 8-inches in a double-DIN
Alpine's just unleashed its stash of CES paraphernalia, and it's the INE-Z928HD that's taking the lead. It's an in-car DVD navigation device, christened as the first in the category to offer an 8-inch WVGA display that tucks neatly within a conventional double-DIN opening. Moreover, it's equipped with Pandora control and creation from iPhone, Android and BlackBerry phones, a built-in HD Radio receiver, compatibility with SiriusXM (separate tuner and subscription required) and iPod / iPhone playback. There's also Bluetooth and a newfangled 3D WVGA navigation platform, touting over six million points of interest and free lifetime traffic monitoring. It'll land this June, but mum's the word on price. Moving right along, there's the CDE-HD138BT Bluetooth CD / HD Radio receiver (replete with SiriusXM support via an optional adapter). For those who couldn't parallel park if life itself relied on it, there's the VPX-B104R VPASS (Visual Parking Assist Sensor System), which consists of a black box brain and four sensors that mount on the rear bumper, and it works with Alpine rear camera systems such as the HCE-C104 Universal Rear Camera. Head on past the break for the nuts and bolts.
iOS code names head for the hills
Apple's modern desktop OS is famous for its feline monikers -- Panther, Tiger, Leopard/Snow Leopard and Lion, among others. But what about the other Apple operating system, iOS? While the code names for those versions aren't used in the public branding and promotion of the iPhone/iPod touch/iPad family the way Mac OS X leans on Lion, they still exist, and there's still a pattern to them. iOS developer Steven Troughton-Smith tweeted the full list of iOS code names over the weekend, and while they might seem a bit random they actually have one thing in common: snow. Alpine, Kirkwood, Timberline, Telluride and the rest are all ski resorts in the western US. Does Scott Forstall enjoy some time out on the slopes? These names are certainly cute, but they also have a dark side. The 'Alpine' code name was used as the default SSH password for earlier builds of iOS, and users who jailbroke their phones but didn't bother to change the password found themselves susceptible to a potentially malicious SSH worm. [via TiPB] Photo by laszlo-photo (cc)
Volvo unveils Concept You luxury sedan, dripping with touchscreens (video)
The Frankfurt Motor Show is underway in Germany, where Volvo has just taken the wraps off the Concept You -- a new luxury sedan that features some pretty nifty, touch-based controls. Directly behind the car's steering wheel lies a monitor that digitally displays your basic driving information, including speed and a map of your trajectory. The wheel also features some sensor enhanced panels, which you can use to adjust your radio or cruise control settings. A touch interface on the center console, meanwhile, uses an infrared sensor to pick up on any hand or eye movements before activating to bring up the system's infotainment control mode, which boasts an unreleased FreshAir subwoofer from Alpine. From here, you can surf the web, swipe through radio stations, check for safety alerts or control your air conditioning, using only your fingers or customized gestures. Plus, there's an extra touchscreen placed between the two rear seats, meaning your kids won't be left out of the action, either. Cruise past the break for an exclusive video of the Concept You's so-called smart pad technology, along with the full PR.
Nokia announces Car Mode with MirrorLink support for Symbian Belle and N9 smartphones (video)
It's about time some fruit emerged from the Car Connectivity Consortium, and Nokia is here to show other manufacturers how it's done -- and perhaps more importantly, why it's significant. The company has introduced Car Mode for Symbian Belle and N9 smartphones, which is an application that interfaces with MirrorLink (previously known as Terminal Mode), to provide a seamless and attractive connection between your smartphone and stereo head unit. Like we've previously seen, the system essentially works by mirroring your phone's display onto the vehicle's in-dash touchscreen. From there, you're given full access to navigation, music, contacts and videos without the need to fumble with your handset. Coinciding with this announcement, Alpine has introduced an aftermarket head unit known as the ICS-X8 that supports MirrorLink, which is expected to go on sale in November. We're loving the functionality here, but are still wondering when Android, Windows Phone and iOS will get their share of due diligence. Follow the break for video demos from Nokia and Alpine, along with the full PR.
Car Connectivity Consortium forms to bring more smartphones to more interiors
Though Terminal Mode has always been an open standard we've never really seen any tech companies outside of Espoo show much interest in the stuff, which lets a car mirror a phone's display. When Nokia sort of shifted gears and signed on with Microsoft that left us wondering what would be next for the company's infotainment efforts. Good things, as it turns out. The Car Connectivity Consortium has been founded to drive "global innovation for in-vehicle connectivity," and both Terminal Mode and Nokia will play a big part -- though a bigger part will be played by Daimler, GM, Honda, Hyundai, Toyota, and VW. They're joined by electronics companies Alpine, LG, Panasonic, and Samsung, making us think that maybe Terminal Mode's time has properly come. Also on the docket for the CCC is study of NFC, which will hopefully standardize the sort of awesome key interactivity BMW recently showed off.
Nokia and Alpine integrating handsets into cars, bringing Ovi Maps to your dashboard
What's the one biggest hurdle to throwing out your dedicated GPS nav unit and going ahead with the free turn-by-turn navigation offered by your smartphone? If your answer was that most phones don't have the great big screens or easy installation systems of some satnav devices, look out, because Nokia's about to shake up your world all over again. Alpine has just announced its partnership with the Finnish giant aimed at integrating Nokia handsets -- complete with free Ovi Maps navigation -- into car dashboard systems. Yes, that means you can use your superb six-amp speaker system to boom out music or voice nav instructions from the phone, as well as your in-dash 7-inch LCD for showing you the right way home. There's further interaction with widgets keeping an eye on your fuel levels and engine condition, leading to location-based services such as the phone notifying you of the nearest and cheapest petrol station. Connectivity is done over either USB or Bluetooth, and Nokia promises that this Terminal Mode will be showing up in its phones in the very near future. The sooner the better, we say.
Alpine intros Pandora-controlling iDA-X305S head unit, INA-W900 in-dash nav system
It's been a hot minute since we've heard the good word from Alpine, but as with pretty much every other outfit in the consumer electronics realm, said company has decided to spill its latest innovations here at CES. Most notable is the introduction of the iDA-X305S head unit, which is the firm's first digital media receiver to offer up direct control over the wildly popular Pandora iPhone app. Users simply connect their iPhone via the USB socket, and the head unit plays Pandora stations from the app -- simple as that. For those looking for something a touch more robust, there's the INA-W900 in-dash nav system. This one sports a 7-inch WVGA touchpanel, Burr-Brown 24-bit DAC, turn-by-turn guidance and six million POIs. Alpine's also unveiling new Type-R subwoofers, PDX amplifiers, the CDA-118M waterproof marine head unit and the PXE-H660 audio processor, all of which are detailed in the full release just after the break.
Alpine's NVE-M300 black box brings navigation to top head units
If you've been putting off that GPS purchase in hopes that Alpine would deliver a sleek, fully compatible solution for the head unit that you already splurged on, your lucky day has finally arrived. The altogether simplistic NVE-M300 GPS Navigation Drive is a simple black box that measures just barely more than 4- x 4- x 1-inches and is designed to interface with the company's top two selling in-dash AV head units: the iXA-W404 (4.3-inch display) and the IVA-W505 (7-inch touchscreen). The device features the outfit's own OnPoint Advanced GPS Positioning, turn-by-turn guidance, a solid-state gyro sensor and accelerometer, text-to-speech and pre-loaded NAVTEQ maps of the US and Canada. Unfortunately, all this beautiful harmony will cost you, and by "cost you," we mean "450 bones."
Alpine's PND-K3msn GPS adds a little MSN Direct to your road trips
If you love MSN Direct, and if you have a thing for the in-car GPS, you are going to go wild for this next item! Alpine has just announced its newest, the PND-K3msn. This is the MSN-ified version of the PND-K3, sporting text-to-speech functionality, an SD slot, MP3 support, Bluetooth, 3D map view, highway junction view, and a slew of services from MSN Direct (including real-time traffic, weather, gas prices, and movie times). A three month subscription comes with the $299.95 purchase price, after which the service will run you $49.95 / year or $129.95 for a lifetime membership.[Via CNet]
