Tag Archives: controls

Reviews

Review of Soundcore Motion X500: A Powerful Bluetooth Speaker in a Compact Size

When overlooking the app, the controls on the Soundcore X500 are straightforward, consisting of six buttons. These include a power button, a Bluetooth button, an equalizer control, volume down, play/pause, and volume up buttons. The buttons are quite simple, each performing its own specific function.

Most tasks, such as skipping songs, can be done by tapping or holding the power button in different ways. While it may take some time to get used to, it’s convenient once you’ve mastered it. Alternatively, you can control the speaker through your phone via Bluetooth. If you are using Spotify, Tidal, or Apple Music, any actions you take on the app will be reflected through the speaker itself. We initially wished for a remote control before realizing that the device we were looking for was already in our pocket.

Soundcore could have included additional features, but after using the speaker, it becomes apparent that adding unnecessary complexity and cost would not have been beneficial.

Smartphones

Is There A Better Time Of Year To Buy An iPhone? Here’s What You Should Know

Apple’s pricing controls make it unlikely to find significant sales on the newest iPhones immediately after their release, usually in September for the flagship and March for the iPhone SE. While there may be carrier promotions offering increased trade-in value or conditional bill credits, these won’t benefit those looking to buy the phone outright at a discount. So, when can you find significant iPhone discounts?

If you’re interested in the previous model year’s phone, its price usually drops after the announcement of the newest model. This also increases the chances of finding additional discounts during major holiday sale events like Thanksgiving/Black Friday/Cyber Monday, Memorial Day, Labor Day, and Amazon’s Prime Day.

Therefore, the best time to buy the current iPhone is typically during the winter through spring months, with Memorial Day being the most favorable holiday relative to Apple’s release cycle. While you may come across other sales for Prime Day and Labor Day, it is generally advisable to wait until the new model is released unless the discount is exceptionally high compared to Apple’s usual price drops year over year.

News

First drive: 2024 Tesla Model 3

When it comes to driving the 2024 Tesla Model 3, the most noticeable change is the rearranged controls. Similar to the Tesla Model S, the stalks on the steering column have been removed. Instead, the car now predicts your intended direction and asks for confirmation by tapping the brake pedal. There is also a backup slider on the touch screen. The new steering wheel features haptic buttons for controlling lights, indicators, wipers, and cruise control. While it works well, it is not quite as convenient as the traditional stalk controls.

In the back seats, there is a new 8.0-inch touchscreen with integrated air vents on the back of the center console. This allows passengers to adjust ventilation, heated seats, and enjoy movies and videos.

In terms of safety, the doors have been reinforced to provide better protection in the event of a side impact. As a result, they close with a more solid sound.

The lack of refinement and perceived quality used to be the main criticisms of the Tesla Model 3. Although these updates do not surpass the BMW i4 in those aspects, Tesla has made significant improvements.

Meanwhile, Tesla excels in electric drivetrain technology. The battery capacity and charging speeds remain the same, with the standard car offering 170kW and the Long Range version offering 250kW.

The lower drag coefficient of 0.219 improves efficiency, resulting in a claimed increase in range by 5-8%. On the standard 18-inch wheels, the standard rear-wheel drive model now has a WLTP range of 344 miles (previously 305), while the Long Range model, with its larger battery and dual motors, claims 421 miles (previously 394). Opting for the larger 19-inch wheels slightly reduces the range to 318 miles and 390 miles, respectively. These numbers are now comparable to the Polestar 2, but the Tesla is expected to have better real-world efficiency, making it more cost-effective to operate.

The performance of both versions with the electric powertrain remains the same. The only difference is that the 18-inch tires now have a lower top speed of 125mph. This translates to a 0-62mph time of 6.1 seconds for the 245bhp entry-level car and 4.4 seconds for the 351bhp Long Range model. The Performance model has yet to be officially confirmed but is expected to be available in the future.

Gaming

Understanding How Nintendo Switch’s Controllers Track Movement

The Joy-Cons, the controllers for the Nintendo Switch, come with a range of features that enable them to track movement. One of these features is motion controls, which should ring a bell if you remember the success of the motion-sensing Wii Remote from the Nintendo Wii era. The Joy-Cons possess similar technology but in a more advanced form.

The motion control setup of the Joy-Cons consists of two primary components: the gyro sensor and the accelerometer. The gyro sensor measures the orientation of the controller, such as whether it is being held vertically, horizontally, or upside-down. On the other hand, the accelerometer detects physical movement. It captures the speed and intensity of your movements as you wiggle, swing, or sway the controller. By combining the data from the gyro sensor and the accelerometer, a Joy-Con can determine when it is being swung, the direction of the swing, and the force applied. Each Joy-Con has its own set of these systems, allowing them to detect motion independently of each other.

In addition to motion input, it’s worth mentioning the Joy-Cons’ HD rumble feature. This technology enables the controllers to provide subtle and customized haptic feedback based on the events happening in a game. Alongside the movement-detection systems, this means that if you were to swing a Joy-Con like a sword, the HD rumble would make it feel as though it were actually colliding with a hard surface.

News

Volkswagen CEO acknowledges the “damage” caused by frustrating interiors and promises improvement

The CEO of Volkswagen, Thomas Schäfer, has admitted that the introduction of touch-sensitive controls in the brand’s cars had a negative impact. He has vowed to create simpler and more functional interiors for future Volkswagen vehicles.

Schäfer made these comments during the pre-production launch of the next-generation Volkswagen Tiguan. The new model’s cabin represents a departure from the interior designs of the Volkswagen ID 3 and Golf. It features two larger infotainment touchscreens and fewer physical controls.

One of the key changes is the removal of the criticized elements from the previous Volkswagen control layouts, such as unlit climate control sliders and haptic steering wheel buttons. Additionally, a new rotary controller has been installed on the center console to facilitate quick access to drive mode and volume settings.

In response to customer feedback, Schäfer emphasized the company’s efforts to address criticism and improve the usability of Volkswagen cars. He acknowledged that the unconventional interior arrangements introduced by his predecessor had caused frustration among customers and had a damaging effect on the brand’s reputation.

Schäfer explained that they spent considerable time systematically evaluating the functions that customers interact with in a vehicle. They prioritized these functions and determined which ones should be assigned to buttons or the screen. They also considered the intuitive reach for specific controls, such as the light switch.

Furthermore, Schäfer highlighted the importance of aesthetics in the design process. They aimed to create a limited number of high-quality buttons with pleasant haptics, similar to the experience of using aircraft controls.

The CEO emphasized the collaborative nature of this effort, involving a large team and extensive planning. They meticulously categorized and analyzed the functions, resulting in a comprehensive Excel spreadsheet.

Schäfer expressed his commitment to maintaining consistency across the Volkswagen lineup. Once they establish the desired formula for interior layouts, he advised against making significant changes with each new model. Instead, he recommended optimizing and refining the existing design to meet future needs without confusing customers.

His ultimate goal is for Volkswagen cars to provide an intuitive experience, ensuring that drivers know the location of all controls without hesitation.