Tag Archives: learn

Technology

5 Apps To Learn Magic And Card Tricks

With over one million downloads on the Google Play Store, Learn Magic Tricks: Easy & Fun is well one of many go-to magic tutorial apps for Android, and rightfully so. It helps three talent ranges (Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced) to accommodate your present proficiency, all whereas providing you with entry to higher-level content material when you’re prepared for the problem.

When it involves methods, Learn Magic Tricks options over 1,000 tutorials throughout 4 magic varieties (card, coin, hand, and phantasm). That means yow will discover an array of methods, from newbie ones like making a pen vanish and reappear to superior methods like drawing a spectator’s chosen card from a shuffled deck. You can even simply seek for what you wish to be taught because the app neatly organizes the tutorials into classes like meals, levitation, and matchbox methods. If, nonetheless, you do not wish to type by way of all of the tutorials your self, there is a Course part that may stroll you thru completely different methods lesson by lesson. Another cool characteristic of Learn Magic Tricks is streaks. Sort of like Duolingo, it encourages you to look at a video each day and offers you rewards as you full extra tutorials.

Most of the tutorials within the app are curated out of your favourite magician YouTubers, and you may readily swap over to their YouTube channel proper from the app if you want. It’s essential to take into account that whereas the app is free to obtain and use, it does have full-screen adverts that come out randomly. You should subscribe to the premium model to take away the adverts and get entry to different options like personalised content material and widgets.

News

First experience: Ford Explorer

What are you able to be taught from the incorrect aspect of the automobile in quarter-hour on sluggish suburban roads?

Well, we actually cannot confirm or refute Ford‘s lofty claims that the Ford Explorer can be extra dynamically adept than its Volkswagen Group platform-mates, though our chauffeur appeared to relish the chance to place it in Sport mode and throw it into among the tighter bends on our route, if that is any indication…

What struck me, watching from the passenger seat, was the extra overtly sporting posture facilitated by the ‘squircle’ (that is Ford parlance, categorically not mine) steering wheel, in contrast with a traditional spherical merchandise.

It appears to encourage a extra purposeful grip and exacerbates the responsiveness of the steering that, even from the opposite aspect of the centre console, appeared to be without delay extra direct and communicative than something I’ve tried on the MEB platform to date.

We have been within the single-motor rear-driven Explorer so had a ‘mere’ 282bhp at our disposal on the straightaways, which after all is greater than ample in such a practicality-focused proposition.

In Sport mode, there was a perceptible urgency to its acceleration, albeit delivered in a easy, fluid method that mitigated the uncomfortable head-lolling that you just is likely to be prone to as a passenger in different SUVs with this a lot energy.

I can inform you that the Explorer rode compliantly and quietly over the worst bits of our lap of Nice, with no particularly overt tyre roar or wind noise to talk of – though we solely breached the heady heights of 30mph on just a few events.

It’s most likely greatest to attend till we drive it to make any categoric conclusions on these dynamic attributes, however the parts I can speak about with a point of conviction at this stage occur to be those who Ford is keenest to point out off.

The inside design, for instance, is a reasonably radical departure from the Ford cabins to which we have turn out to be accustomed.

At as soon as extra daring in its putting, multi-layered surfacing and extra thoughtfully organized, it compares effectively with the likes of the Skoda Enyaq and Hyundai Ioniq 5 for outright aptitude and ergonomics, whereas giving promising indicators of how Ford could make its interiors as interesting as its exteriors – lastly.

Unfortunately, the Volkswagen Group’s affect extends to the much-derided haptic steering-wheel controls. Ford makes a lot of the development alternatives afforded by a six-month delay in launching the Explorer however confoundingly hasn’t rectified this. Here’s hoping for the facelift…

Motorsport

Here Are 12 More Abandoned Race Tracks Found On Google Earth

It’s in all probability no shock to be taught that Motor1 readers are the best possible. At the tip of January, we discovered a Facebook group for Google Earth pictures that, amongst different issues, featured previous race tracks. We wrote an article sharing the abandoned circuits, and also you responded with even extra locations to go to. Virtually, anyway.

Below is a group of previous deserted and forgotten tracks submitted by you, the readers. Join us for one more spherical of Google Earth excursions. Don’t see an previous highway course or drag strip you are considering of? Post within the feedback or shoot over an electronic mail. We’d love to listen to from you and have them in a future installment of this digital sightseeing saga.

Track: Speedworld Raceway
Location: Wittmann, Arizona
Coordinates: 33°43’12″N 112°28’34″W

Speedworld Raceway Whittman Arizona

Thanks to Timm for the tip on this wonderful multi-use observe in Arizona. Located roughly 25 miles north of Phoenix, what began as a drag strip within the Sixties in the end expanded to incorporate a small grime oval and motocross programs, amongst different issues. The facility was pressured to shut in 2013 based on Dragzine, nevertheless it’s not fully devoid of exercise. A neighborhood radio-controlled airplane membership operates from a small runway on the grounds.

Track: Bee Line Dragway
Location: Fountain Hills, Arizona
Coordinates: 33°30’26″N 111°45’45″W

Bee Line Dragway Fountain Hills Arizona

Motor1 reader Timm additionally shared one other defunct Arizona drag strip with us, positioned close to Fountain Hills within the jap suburbs of Phoenix. The ghostly stays of the quarter-mile observe are simply seen simply south of Highway 87, although Dragstriplist.com states it has been closed since 1982. It was a thriving observe via the Sixties and Nineteen Seventies, serving as a daily cease on the skilled drag racing circuit.

Track: Amatol Raceway
Location: Hammonton, New Jersey
Coordinates: 39°36’19″N 74°44’33″W

Amatol Raceway Hammonton New Jersey
Amatol Raceway

This observe despatched to us by reader Carl may be a bit robust to identify. So we have utilized our nifty compare-image device to assist. Click or contact the arrows within the center to tug left or proper. We’ve highlighted in blue the place Atlantic City Speedway was. Rows of bushes define the previous 1.5-mile oval, which was inbuilt 1926 and closed simply two years later. According to SouthJersey.com, a handful of 500-mile races had been held on the picket observe, which was in the end torn down in 1933.

Track: US 30 Dragstrip
Location: Merrillville, Indiana
Coordinates: 41°28’33″N 87°16’55″W

US 30 Dragstrip Merrilville Indiana

Drag strips are hiding far and wide, together with this one despatched to us by Motor1 reader Frank. Located roughly 10 miles south of the Lake Michigan shoreline and round 35 miles southeast of Chicago, the quarter-mile observe closed in 1984. Lost Indiana says it opened within the Fifties and allegedly noticed the very first humorous automotive race. Legends like Don Schumacher and Don Garlits raced there, and Google imagery from 2022 exhibits the observe remains to be largely intact.

Track: Cornhusker Dragway
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Coordinates: 41°10’41″N 96°08’02″W

Corn Husker Dragway Nebraska

We give a giant shout-out to reader Captain Stu for the following two tracks. He regaled us with tales of attending races right here as a young person within the Nineteen Seventies, although there is not a lot left of the previous quarter-mile strip. Concrete firms have arrange store on the land, leaving only a small portion of the observe and return highway seen between them. It had a brief run, working from 1969 via 1973 based on Dragstriplist.

Track: Sunset Speedway
Location: Omaha, Nebraska
Coordinates: 41°19’58″N 96°05’33″W

Sunset Speedway Nebraska

Captain Stu frolicked at this oval observe, too. Located northwest of Omaha, it was a quarter-mile grime observe for Late Model, Modified, and World of Outlaw racing. Midwest Racing Archives states it opened in 1957 and stayed lively for 44 years. As the close by metropolis of Omaha grew, Sunset Speedway turned the topic of noise complaints and closed for good in 2000. Now, it is solely recognizable by the bushes outlining the previous observe.

Track: Meadowdale International Raceway
Location: Carpentersville, Illinois
Coordinates: 42°06’55″N 88°18’16″W

Meadowdale 1
Meadowdale 2

Approximately 40 miles northwest of Chicago you will discover Raceway Woods Forest Preserve. This was Meadowdale International Raceway, a sprawling 3.27-mile highway course that opened in 1958 and closed 10 years later. But not like most locations on this listing, this previous observe hasn’t been deserted. The whole structure nonetheless exists as a part of the protect, simply seen via the bushes. You will not see vehicles crusing across the corners, nevertheless it’s open to hikers and bicyclists. The Midwest Racing Preservation Association is devoted to protecting the observe’s reminiscence alive, as are Motor1 readers Gajoseric and Joseph – each of whom emailed us about this cool location.

Track: Marlboro Motor Raceway
Location: Upper Marlboro, Maryland
Coordinates: 38°48’24″N 76°44’20″W

Marlboro Motor Raceway Maryland
Marlboro Motor Raceway Maryland

According to North American Motorsports, Marlboro Motor Raceway in Maryland opened in 1952 as a small grime oval observe, in the end increasing to incorporate a number of ovals and a 2.4-mile highway course by the late Fifties. It was the positioning of quite a few endurance races and SCCA Trans-Am occasions earlier than closing in 1969, due partially to the opening of close by Summit Point. While Marlboro’s oval is well seen, we outlined the structure of the previous highway course which is basically gone. Shout out to Motor1 reader Steve for the tip and historical past on this cool ghost observe.

Track: Granite State Park Speedway (AKA Dover Speedway)
Location: Dover, New Hampshire
Coordinates: 43°14’00″N 70°53’42″W

Granite State Park Speedway New Hampshire
Granite State Park Speedway New Hampshire

We have some unanswered questions on this observe, despatched to us by reader Channing. Located close to the border with Maine, this spot as soon as had a fifth-mile, half-mile, and one-mile oval layouts. Satellite imagery suggests the mile-long observe was really a tri-oval, however historic pictures on the Catamount Stadium web site present solely a conventional oval as we have outlined above in blue. In any case, the ability began with horse racing within the Thirties, then expanded to auto racing till it closed down in 1962.

Track: Augusta International Raceway
Location: Augusta, Georgia
Coordinates: 33°21’10″N 82°05’28″W

Augusta International Raceway Augusta Georgia
Augusta International Raceway Augusta Georgia

You can nonetheless carve some corners that had been a part of this 3.0-mile highway course, albeit at gradual speeds whereas driving round baseball fields. According to Racing Circuits, Augusta International Speedway was envisioned as the most important motorsports advanced on the planet, with a big oval in addition to a quarter-mile drag strip. That by no means occurred, however a strip and a smaller oval joined the highway course throughout its 10-year run from 1960 via 1970. These are seen on the prime of the photograph (above proper), intermingling with subdivisions, church buildings, and a college. Shout out to Motor1 reader Mitchell for the tip on this one.

Track: Rattlesnake Raceway
Location: Midland, Texas
Coordinates: 31°54’42″N 102°02’40″W

Rattlesnake Raceway

At a look, this observe appears prefer it may nonetheless be used at present. Sent to us by reader Andrew, what you see here’s what stays of the previous Chaparral Cars two-mile take a look at observe utilized by firm co-founder and racing driver Jim Hall. Built within the late Fifties, it was used for less than a brief time period. Aside from testing, North American Motorsports mentions choose SCCA races and Porsche Club occasions happening right here. Zooming in via Google, the floor appears a bit tough however nonetheless intact.

Track: Nazareth Speedway
Location: Nazareth, Pennsylvania
Coordinates: 40°43’42″N 75°19’08″W

Nazareth Speedway

While investigating a small observe close to Pittsburgh despatched to us by Eric (sorry, we could not discover something) we came across Nazareth Speedway. This observe existed in varied varieties for practically 100 years, beginning life as a half-mile grime oval for horses. According to Abandoned Online, car races started in 1910 earlier than finally rising right into a paved one-mile tri-oval within the Nineteen Eighties. As you may think, every kind of vehicles raced right here via the many years, together with these from NASCAR and IndyCar. Nazareth was additionally dormant for a number of stretches of its life, which lastly got here to a detailed in 2004.

Motorsport

BMW M3 Engine Teardown Shows The Consequences Of Suspected Over-Revving

Engine teardown movies are like a thriller story since you slowly be taught extra about the reason for the failure because the clips proceed. This explicit video, nonetheless, is like an Agatha Christie story as a result of there are such a lot of crimson herrings. Watch the items come off a BMW S55 twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six from a 2016 M3, and see what number of failures you possibly can spot all through the video.

Whenever you see a BMW engine with the prefix S, it implies that the powerplant comes from the M division. We do not know whether or not this 2016 M3 has the Competition bundle or not, so the mill’s authentic output is both 425 horsepower or 444 hp.


Motorsport

This See-Through V8 Is A Perfect Demonstrator Of How An Engine Works

Internal combustion engines are complex pieces of machinery, and it’s tough to learn exactly how they work with written explanations and diagrams alone. This see-through V8 replica is the perfect solution for teaching curious minds how cars turn gasoline into propulsion.

The SmarterEveryDay YouTube channel recently made a trip to Nebraska to get an up-close look at this V8 replica built by Brian King. Based on a 5.3-liter General Motors LS block, this pushrod demonstrator piece features most of the stuff you’d find in a real engine, including pistons, a crankshaft, a camshaft, lifters, springs, and valves. There’s even a functioning oil pump and real oil inside.

The casing and heads are made from plexiglass. In place of the spark plugs sit tiny flashing lights, there to signify the lighting of the plug during the piston’s power stroke. It gives the viewer a great visual of engine timing and how the piston is pushed down, in turn spinning the crankshaft and delivering power.

King went as far as to attach an electric motor to his demonstrator, allowing it to spin quickly enough to replicate the true speed of a running engine. It is here where you can get an understanding of firing order and balancing. With all of the “spark plugs” firing in quick succession, it’s also very fun to watch. If you’ve always been curious to learn how an engine works, this is the best real-life demonstration we’ve ever seen. 

Desktops, Laptops

Key Points to Consider When Buying a New Computer at Costco

If you are not aware, Costco is a reliable retailer for purchasing PCs, provided you have a membership. They offer prebuilt PCs with features like liquid cooling and RGB lighting, just like other brands. Additionally, Costco provides promotions such as free game copies with your purchase, as exemplified by “Alan Wake 2”. Their laptops come with enticing offers, including a free year of Microsoft Office 365 Personal subscription, which is ideal for work and leisure activities.

One of the main advantages of shopping at Costco is the warranty they offer. When you buy a new PC, it automatically comes with a two-year warranty, providing peace of mind for significant purchases. This warranty also extends to other products like televisions, phones, projectors, appliances, and even Apple products bought from Costco. Moreover, you can benefit from free technical support and troubleshooting advice whenever you need it. In case you are dissatisfied with your purchase, Costco has a 90-day return policy.

If you are in the market for a gaming PC, you can expect to spend over $1,000 for a high-end rig at Costco. However, they also offer more affordable options for casual or work use, with laptops costing a few hundred dollars. Regardless of your choice, the warranty and return policy remain the same. The only drawback is that you need a membership to access these deals if you don’t already have one.

Motorsport

Jerry Seinfeld Confesses His “Complete Addiction” to Porsche 911 GT3 RS

It probably doesn’t come as a shock that world-famous comedian Jerry Seinfeld, who is also known for his love of cars, is a big fan of Porsche. Seinfeld’s affection for Porsche has been well-documented over the years, and it seems that his passion for the brand is as strong as ever. According to a recent social media post, his latest addiction is the Porsche 911 GT3 RS, and it’s hard to blame him.

Seinfeld revealed his love for this street-legal race car in a comment he made on the Instagram account of Chris Harris, a well-known Porsche enthusiast and host of Top Gear. Harris had posted a photo of the GT3 RS online, expressing his admiration for Porsche’s audacity in creating such an extraordinary vehicle. Seinfeld simply responded, “I’m totally addicted to it. Don’t want to drive anything else.”

For those who may be unfamiliar with the current-generation Porsche 911 GT3 RS, it features several enhancements compared to the regular GT3. These include an abundance of wings and vents, as well as a naturally aspirated 4.0-liter flat-six engine that revs up to incredible speeds. With 518 horsepower being delivered to the rear wheels, the GT3 RS provides an exhilarating driving experience.

The 911 GT3 RS is the perfect choice for purists who prefer a non-turbocharged, rear-wheel-drive sports car. However, if you’re looking for a manual transmission, you’ll have to explore other options, as the GT3 RS only comes with a seven-speed PDK gearbox. Given that the GT3 RS is Porsche’s ultimate street-legal track performer, the PDK transmission is the ideal choice for those who value precise timing.

News

X-OTO: A Unique Three-Wheeled Electric Scooter

In today’s world, there are numerous user-friendly ways to learn how to ride a motorcycle. Unlike the past, where one would simply jump on a bike and start riding, newer motorcyclists now have it much easier. In addition to easy-to-ride scooters, there are various other motorcycle-like devices available, some of which have more than two wheels.

One such example is the X-OTO, a scooter that aims to revolutionize urban mobility. At first glance, it may appear to be a typical scooter with training wheels on the rear, but it is much more than that. This three-wheeled scooter is driven by an electric motor mounted on the front wheel and features X-OTO’s patented leaning technology, allowing it to lean like a traditional two-wheeler. This unique design combines the stability of a trike with the agility of a two-wheeler, making it quite intriguing.

One advantage of the X-OTO is that it lowers the barriers to entry for new riders. In California, where the company is based, this scooter doesn’t require a motorcycle license to operate due to its three-wheeled configuration. However, it’s important to check local rules and regulations in other states and countries to ensure compliance.

The scooter is equipped with a powerful 4,000-watt (5.3 horsepower) motor mounted on the front wheel. With good traction, it can reach a top speed of 45 miles per hour, making it suitable for neighborhood and urban riding. The X-OTO features two removable batteries with a combined capacity of 4.3 kilowatt hours. The claimed range is an impressive 90 miles, although achieving this mileage may require gentle acceleration.

In terms of pricing, the X-OTO is considered quite expensive, retailing at $7,499 USD. It is not intended to replace daily drivers but rather serves as a unique and quirky three-wheeler option in the market.