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Toyota caves to pressure and adds CarPlay to new models
Many car manufacturers have joined the modern era by adopting Android Auto, Apple CarPlay or both, but not Toyota. It insisted on going its own way, and that has usually meant skipping its cars entirely if you cared about smartphone integration. Thankfully, the automaker has seen the light. The 2019 Avalon and future models (including Lexus vehicles) with an Entune 3.0 or Enform 2.0 system will support Apple CarPlay, letting you use the more sophisticated apps from your iPhone instead of making do with limited built-in features. CarPlay will be standard on all Avalon trim levels when the sedan goes on sale in late spring, although that's no guarantee it'll be standard on other models.
Catch up with Computex 2016: Day one
Computex is typically ASUS' show. Every year, the Taiwanese company takes to Taipei to unload a host of its wares and, in the process, steal the lion's share of the show's headlines. Well, 2016 is no different as ASUS has taken the wraps off a slew of devices including an ultraportable that's thinner than Apple's own MacBook, Surface-like 2-in-1 PCs, three new ZenFones, a charming robot assistant for the home and a me-too mobile VR headset. Don't fret if you whiled away the holiday weekend and need to get up to speed on day one of the show -- we've got you covered in the video above and the gallery below.
ASUS ROG unveils Avalon, a hassle-free approach to a DIY PC
If you're a serious enough gamer, you've likely looked into building your own PC for the ultimate gaming experience. But the process can be a little tedious, especially if you're new to figuring out where all the different components fit. ASUS's ROG (short for Republic of Gamers) division has unveiled a new product called the Avalon that's designed to alleviate exactly that concern. Think of it as a semi-homemade approach to DIY PC building.
Toyota is bringing automatic braking to lower-priced cars
You won't have to splurge on a luxury car (or a pricey option package) just to get a vehicle that will brake by itself in a crisis. Toyota has launched a strategy that will bring automatic braking to most of its lineup, not just premium rides. The technology will be a relatively low-cost ($300 to $635) option for just two vehicles at first, the RAV4 Hybrid SUV and Lexus' RX crossover, but the automaker hopes to have it available or included in "nearly all" of its models by the end of 2017. It'll be easy to find in the near future, too. The Avalon sedan is next in line, and a total of seven additional Toyota and Lexus models are on deck this year. Toyota certainly isn't the only company hoping to popularize smart braking, but this plan could be one of the most ambitious.
Toyota 2013 Avalon Limited packs Qi wireless charging
Few if any of us are fans of buying 12V adapters to keep our phones powered up in the car. Those who buy the just-arriving 2013 Toyota Avalon Limited, if they choose the Technology Package, won't have to. A lid in the upgraded center stack provides Qi wireless charging to keep that Lumia 920 or Nexus 4 topped up without cluttering the console. As always, convenience carries a steep price tag: a gas-only Avalon Limited with the package costs $42,195 before the usual added fees and taxes, while a hybrid bumps that to $43,945. We wouldn't go out of our way just to skip the wires, then, but the wireless power may tip the balance for smartphone fans in the market for an entry-luxury sedan.
Amazon and Avalon in a tree, publishing romance books di-gi-tal-ly
Amazon Publishing and long-running book-maker Avalon now has more in common than rhyme schemes. The pair have struck up a deal to publish over 3,00 titles from the publisher's back-catalogue, broaching its romance, mystery and western genres. It'll be the first time that these books will be digitized and, well, Oprah's always looking for stuff to read.
Wizard101 invites players into the mythical realm of Avalon
Wizard101 players have been all over, from the lush jungles of Zafaria to the pyramids of Krokotopia, but as of today there's a whole new land for them to explore: the mystical land of Avalon. Avalon, as the name implies, is a land based in Arthurian legend, and it also happens to be the former home of Ravenwood's headmaster, Merle Ambrose. But all is not well in the usually idyllic Avalon. The nefarious Umbra Queen Morganthe and her minions are causing trouble, and it's up to the players to find and recover the legendary blade of King Artorius, the Sword of Kings, and put a stop to Morganthe's mayhem. Players who are level 70 or above and who have completed the quest Through Glass, Darkly can find their way to Avalon by speaking to Merle Ambrose, who will send them on a quest to the new zone. For the full details on the new update, magick your way on over to the Wizard101 official site.
KingsIsle releases more Wizard101 expansion details
Last night we brought you news of Wizard101's new Avalon expansion. Today we've got a few more details (as well as a new screenshot gallery) to illuminate what looks to be one of the game's more interesting content drops. As you might expect, Avalon is filled with knights, castles, goblins, dragons, and other assorted medieval tropes. The expansion also "plays heavily on the Arthurian and Celtic mythologies," according to KingsIsle. Additionally, Avalon will allow players to uncover the motivations of Wizard101's main characters (including Merle Ambrose and Morganthe). The expansion boasts six new zones, 15 new areas, a level cap increase (80), 28 new spells, new gear, pets, and mounts, and the ability to achieve rank 15 in gardening. [Source: KingsIsle press release] %Gallery-23433%
Wizard101 prepares to send players to Avalon
Wizard101 always sends its players to fantastic new places with each expansion. Obviously the bar is set pretty high when the core game already features a magical setting, but each new zone seems to aim at a very different location. The upcoming new expansion Avalon is no exception; it's sending players into a realm filled with fallen knights, warrior queens, and other elements inspired by Arthurian and Celtic myths. It also gives players a chance to explore the pasts of several important lore characters, such as the villainous Morganthe. But lore alone doesn't make for a fun expansion. Avalon also offers players four new utility spells per school, new pets and mounts, and six new zones to explore as characters head to the new level cap of 80. There are also new gardening levels and new gardening spells, certain to bring a smile to the face of every burgeoning virtual botanist. So if you feel like you've seen all there is to see in Wizard101, don't worry -- that'll change soon enough. [Source: KingsIsle press release]
The Game Archaeologist and the Quest for Camelot: Interview with Mythic
After last week's expedition into the dark Dark Age of Camelot, the Game Archaeologist uncovered the mightiest weapon of them all: the Hammer of Nostalgia. The hammer may be battle-worn, but it has never seen better days. Everywhere it strikes, fond memories of epic keep battles surface, and former players feel compelled to sign up for another tour of duty. The Game Archaeologist proceeded to take the hammer back to its makers, the sweat-stained smithies at Mythic Entertainment (now BioWare Mythic), to see whether they thought there was any magic left in the game. Two burly men put down their steel tools and stepped forward to testify, and their names were Colin of the Hicks and Jeff "Soulstriker" Hickman. The air became thick with memories as the duo recalled the early days of the hammer's history, when players were initially adding to its strength with each victory and each crushing defeat. Pull up a stool to hear their tale, and when you are done, send in your own favorite DAoC memories (100 words max, please) to justin@massively.com for next week's column!
Philips' new Avalon monitors can track three babies at a time
Lovers of gadgetry, power tools and razors apparently aren't the only consumers easily appeased by the "more is better" mantra, it seems medical purchases can fall prey to its magic spell as well. Philips just busted out the new Avalon FM20 antepartum and FM30 intrapartum monitors (fancy med speak for pre-birth and birth) which can track not one, not two, but three fetal heart traces. That means mothers of triplets can have all three of their precious chilluns monitored at once, throughout the delivery process. In other baby news, a Japanese toy company has created a Mickey Mouse toy that plays soothing music for newborns, and can even create noises that can be heard by the baby while in the womb. Mickey will be hitting US shelves next February for $43.Read - Philips triplets monitor [Via Medgadget]Read - Mickey Mouse baby soother [Via Spluch]
