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Signify's LiFi system promises up to 150 Mbps internet via LED lights
This week, Signify, formerly Philips Lighting, launched one of the first commercial LiFi, or Light Fidelity, systems. LiFi transmits broadband internet through lights, using LEDs to move data and bypass radio signals. We've seen some experimental applications of the tech, but this is the most realistic deployment yet.
CarPlay and Android Auto now available on older Mazda models
Mazda has lagged behind other car manufacturers when it's come to introducing Apple CarPlay and Android Auto to its range, only bringing them in as standard from the 2018 Mazda 6 and 2019 CX-9 and CX-5. Now, though, the technology can be retrofitted to all vehicles equipped with Mazda Connect from the 2014 model year. But the upgrade doesn't come cheap.
Nauto's dash cam promises to make old cars a little smarter
As much as we would love a self-driving ride with fancy pedestrian detection technology, nobody thought to add it to our '96 Dodge Stratus. Thankfully a new startup called Nauto is hoping to remedy this issue with a plug-in kit that, when it launches, will provide you with some of the perks that come with buying a new car. Effectively, the Nauto is a dash camera that monitors the surrounding vehicles as well as your face, keeping track of your eye movements and making sure you're being safe.
Conversion kit lets you push your RAZR to the Maxx for $110
Let's pretend you went ahead and purchased a shiny new Motorola RAZR this past November. Now, just for the sake of argument, let's say Motorola -- only months later -- released a new version of that handset with a battery that had some pundits asking, 'where has this phone been my whole life?' Yeah, that happened. But if you've managed to overlook Moto's past transgression, and are willing to sink another $110 into your handset, you too can experience the battery that just won't quit. The Cellphone Repair Shop is hawking a kit that will outfit your plain old RAZR with genuine Motorola RAZR Maxx parts -- battery included. The site recommends that you send your handset to its repair facility for "professional installation," but we're sure some of you are up to the challenge. How about it, RAZR owners, are any of you tinkerers going to try and Maxx-out your handset?
Microsoft offers retrofit for Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel
Microsoft has announced plans to provide a free retrofit for its Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel which fixes a malfunction in the chassis that may cause the device to "smoke" when the AC/DC power supply is being used. According to Redmond, there haven't been any reports of fire, personal injury, or property damage -- though clearly the game-maker wants to address this problem before it's got a pile of lawsuits on its hands. Apparently, the wheel works just fine with battery power (which Microsoft suggests you use until the repair is made), though plugging it in could be a little dangerous. Unfortunate owners of the faulty product should get themselves over to the company's Xbox support page to get the ball rolling on their wheel surgery.[Thanks, Arneh]
