Hey cord cutters!
This one is quick and easy. The premier episode of Breaking Bad spin-off Better Call Saul is free on Google Play. Pretty much like the title of this post said. Who knows for how long, so I’d go grab it now.
Man Fixes $4500 “Failed” Toyota Hybrid Battery with $20 in Cleaning Products.
This is an incredible story. People often complain about the costly battery repairs on hybrids and EVs. Redditor Scoodidabop is quoted $4500 to replace the battery in a Toyota Camery Hybrid, as the car’s management system says the battery is failing.
Turns out he’s an electrician, so he removes the pack from the car and tests each individual cell. ALL of them check out. No problems.
Turns out a bunch of little copper connectors had corrosion. That corrosion was preventing the battery from operating normally. $20 worth of cleaning products later, his battery is functioning normally.
The frustrating aspect of this story is the notion that car manufacturers charge individuals to replace the entire battery pack, when individual cells sell for around $50. Let alone cases like this where there really wasn’t any need to pay almost $5000 to gut the car and replace the battery. It seems very wasteful considering how many rare elements go into producing EV battery packs.
You can read through the whole process on Scoodidabop’s IMGUR gallery.
Verizon Surprises Lumia Icon Owners with Denim Update
***UPDATE: We now have a full review of the 4K video quality embedded below!***
Coming down the pipe this morning, if you happen to own the oft neglected Nokia Lumia Icon, you’re in line for a BIG update.
Jumping the line over all the missed updates and patches, skipping over the Lumia Cyan firmware, VZW will be skipping directly to Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 with Lumia Denim. Go directly to GO, Collect $200. Fantastic.
In the updates arms race between AT&T and Big Red, Windows Phone users have been left out in the cold of late. The Lumia 1520 phablet still a ways behind it’s international brethren, but now Icon owners have a little something to brag about.
We’ll be tearing into the new Lumia Camera app soon, as we can’t wait to try out the new 2160/30p shooting mode.
An OTA should be pushing out soon, but if you don’t want to wait (and you don’t mind completely wiping your phone) you can use the Lumia Software Recovery Tool.
You can see our real world benchmark test of the Icon shooting UHD video below!
Full Review: Kingston HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset with Microphone Test
Kingston’s HyperX Cloud II is an ambitious follow up to their first Cloud headset. Not only are they refining and simplifying the cabling, they’re adding a USB DAC while only charging $20 more. Is the HyperX Team biting off more than they can chew? Let’s take a listen!
Shop the HyperX Cloud II on Amazon.
More info on Kingston products.
LG to Release Free Plastic Version of Google Cardboard VR Headset to G3 Owners
We’ve seen a few companies build out variations on Google’s “inexpensive” solution for using a phone as a VR screen.
Based on that template however, LG will be building a plastic rig, designed specifically for the G3, and if you’re looking to buy LG’s current QHD screened flagship smartphone, chances are you can score a headset for free. We don’t have details yet on how or when LG might start shipping, but you can read their full press release below for more info!
Continue reading “LG to Release Free Plastic Version of Google Cardboard VR Headset to G3 Owners”
Smartwatch Review: Asus ZenWatch Running Android Wear 5.0 Lollipop
Continuing our run of reviews through the Android Wear ecosystem, Asus has delivered one of the more attractive offerings with the ZenWatch. As a fashion piece it looks like it could go toe to toe with the upcoming Apple Watch, but how does it perform? Let’s take a look…
Sunday Silly: The Original 1994 ‘Fantastic Four’ Film is on Youtube
This last week we got a first look at the reboot for Fantastic Four, and it looks like it will be a darker departure from the first two films.
But did you know the “first” two FF films really weren’t the first?
Back in 1994 a film was produced, shot, and edited, but was never intended to be released. It was made solely for the studio to retain the rights, no small chunk of change considering the estimated budget of $1.5 million. We’re treated to some glorious, schlocky, low-budget film making from none other than Roger Corman.
Never intended for the light of day, but you can watch it on the Youtubes. Enjoy!
Tech Chat: New Cameras Announced – Samsung NX500 & Canon 5DS R!
Exciting news this past week coming from Samsung and Canon.
Samsung took the wraps off of their new NX 500 mirrorless interchangeable lens camera, and it looks like the rumors of an “NX1 Mini” were true!
Also from the Canon camp, the next versions of the 5D will feature an insane 50MP image sensor, and the 5DS R will remove the low pass filter for sharper images.
I spent some time chatting about the announcement with Enobong Etteh from BooredAtWork.com, which you can watch below.
What are your thoughts on these new cameras? Will you be shopping one of these systems?