Connect with us

Technology

The world’s best dash cam gets a much cheaper and lighter sibling – meet the Nextbase Piqo

Published

on

Nextbase Piqo dash cam attached to a car windscreen

Nextbase makes some of the best dash cams, including the iQ, which we labelled the smartest dash cam ever. However, the UK-based company’s first smart dash cam is also the priciest add-on car security solution around, with some wide-ranging smart features that could be overkill for many users. That’s where the new Nextbase Piqo comes in.

Think of the Piqo as a baby iQ: it has a similar fresh look, but is a much smaller and simpler package, with cleverly implemented ‘Lite’ versions of IQ’s smart features that are designed to appeal to younger drivers.

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

Science & Environment

World way off target to limit warming says UN

Published

on

World way off target to limit warming says UN


Getty Images Man pours water over his head to cool downGetty Images

Little progress has been made in limiting emissions of greenhouse gases that are driving up temperatures

Global efforts to tackle climate change are wildly off track, says the UN, as new data shows that warming gases are accumulating faster than at any time in human existence.

Current national plans to limit carbon emissions would barely cut pollution by 2030, the UN analysis shows, leaving efforts to keep warming under 1.5C this century in tatters.

The update comes as a separate report shows that greenhouse gases have risen by over 11% in the last two decades, with atmospheric concentrations surging in 2023.

Advertisement

Researchers are also worried that forests are losing their ability to soak up carbon, which could be contributing to record levels of warming gas in the atmosphere.

Getty Images A woman is carried by a police officer after collapsing in high temperatures in Lisbon in 2023Getty Images

A woman collapses with heat exhaustion near Lisbon in high temperatures

UN Climate Change, the UN agency tasked with adressing the issue, has carried out an analysis on the carbon cutting plans that have been submitted by close to 200 countries.

The UN wants to see how much progress is being made in driving down emissions that are threatening to push global temperatures well above 1.5C this century, a level beyond which scientists say extremely damaging impacts will occur.

Right now, when the plans are added up, they indicate that emissions will likely fall by just 2.6% by 2030 compared to 2019.

Advertisement

This is far short of the 43% reduction that scientists say will be needed by the end of this decade to keep the world on track for net-zero carbon by 2050.

“The report’s findings are stark but not surprising,” said Simon Stiell, executive secretary of UN Climate Change.

“Current national climate plans fall miles short of what’s needed to stop global heating from crippling every economy, and wrecking billions of lives and livelihoods across every country.”

The UN says that countries are expected to submit new, stronger plans by Spring next year – discussions about increasing the ambition of these efforts will be a major theme when world leaders gather at the next UN climate conference, COP29 in Azerbaijan next month.

Advertisement
Getty Images Firefighters use a hose to try and tackle a forest fireGetty Images

Carbon from forest fires was an important factor adding to the emissions trend in 2023

Forest feedback loop

Adding to the concerns about the way the world is handling climate change, the World Meteorological Organisation says that concentrations of greenhouse gases reached a record high in 2023.

The rise last year was higher than the previous 12 months, due to record fires in Canada, and the onset of the El Niño weather event all adding to ongoing emissions from fossil fuels.

But the WMO’s scientists also says they have seen some evidence that as the world gets warmer, trees are not able to soak up the same level of CO2 as they once were.

Advertisement

Data indicates that the southeastern Amazon has now turned from a carbon sink to a source.

“In the Amazon, deforestation means you lose the forest,” said Dr Oksana Tarasova from the WMO.

“Then the temperature started increasing, then the air circulation pattern changes. There is less precipitation, less uptake of CO2, that means more CO2 stays in the atmosphere.”

The Amazon is one example of what scientists call a climate feedback – where rising temperatures can act on natural systems to enhance the causes of warming.

Advertisement

So if the forests and the oceans become less able to soak up CO2, global warming could accelerate more rapidly.

“We do see some clear signals. We cannot say it’s 100% climate feedbacks because there’s substantial variability because of El Niño and La Niña weather events, but we are seeing something happening in the system,” said Oksana Tarasova.

The WMO says that the last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of carbon in the atmosphere was 3-5 million year ago – when average temperatures were 2-3C warmer than they are now, and sea levels were 10-20 metres higher.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Technology

Yooka-Laylee remaster rolling to all consoles, including Nintendo’s next system

Published

on

Yooka-Laylee remaster rolling to all consoles, including Nintendo’s next system

Playtonic Games’ ode to the 3D platformers of the ‘90s is coming to modern consoles. Yooka-Laylee is getting a remastered version called Yooka-Re-playee for Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5 and “Nintendo platforms,” according to the press release. It’s possible the plural use of platform refers to the current-gen Nintendo Switch and Nintendo’s next console.

Yooka-Laylee is a spiritual successor of sorts to 3D platformers like Banjo-Kazooie and Spyro the Dragon. In fact, some of the people who worked on the original Banjo-Kazooie and Donkey Kong Country helped bring Yooka-Laylee to life.

Playtonic funded the development of its launch title’s with a successful in 2015 that raised more than £2 million. The game came out two years later for consoles, PC and Mac. Then in 2017, Playtonic Games released a sequel called Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair.

The remastered version comes with updated graphics, new enemies to pounce on and revised controls and camera views. The original score penned by Banjo-Kazooie’s Grant Kirkhope and Donkey Kong Country’s David Wise is also getting an update from a full orchestra.

Advertisement

Yooka-Laylee plays like an updated Banjo-Kazooie in a new, colorful, open world to explore. The titular duo are a chameleon and a bat fighting a ruthless CEO named Capital B who attempts to steal all the books in the world with a giant vacuum. Yooka and Laylee head to a world called Hivory Towers to stop Capital B from finding the “Pagies” of the One Book that can rewrite the universe.

Source link

Continue Reading

Technology

Businesses expect cyber threats to rise, but aren’t ready for them

Published

on

Businesses expect cyber threats to rise, but aren’t ready for them

It’s no secret that cyber-attacks are becoming increasingly sophisticated, while simultaneously growing in number and volume. Research from the Business Continuity Institute reports that cyber threats have increased in severity over the past year, with 75% of respondents reporting a rise in attempted breaches and 39.4% falling victim to a successful cyber-attack.

And this worrying trend is only expected to rise. In fact, our own research shows that a staggering 70% of UK business leaders expect their organizations to be hit by a cyberattack within the next year.

Source link

Continue Reading

Technology

Google Photos to soon reveal whether AI was used to edit photographs- The Week

Published

on

Google Photos to soon reveal whether AI was used to edit photographs- The Week

As part of its initiative to improve transparency in using Artificial Intelligence tools, Google Photos will soon highlight whether its AI tools were used while editing an image. According to Google, the new feature will be rolled out in the Photos app from next week. 

In a recent blog, Google said with the increasing use of AI for photo editing, especially with the use of its editing tools like magic editor and magic eraser in the Photos app, it will highlight the use of AI tools as part of its steps to improve transparency. If AI tools have been used to edit an image, it will be shown along with the file name, the tech giant said.

Google-photos-AI

“As we bring these tools (Magic editor and magic eraser) to more people, we recognize the importance of doing so responsibly with our AI Principles as guidance. To further improve transparency, we’re making it easier to see when AI edits have been used in Google Photos. Starting next week, Google Photos will note when a photo has been edited with Google AI right in the Photos app,” John Fisher, the engineering director of Google Photos said in a blog. 

Google noted that already photos edited with its tools like magic editor, magic eraser and zoom enhance include metadata based on technical standards from The International Press Telecommunications Council (IPTC) to indicate that they’ve been edited using generative AI. “Now we’re taking it a step further, making this information visible alongside information like the file name, location and backup status in the Photos app,” he said.

Advertisement

Source link

Continue Reading

Technology

NYT Crossword: answers for Monday, October 28

Published

on

NYT Crossword: answers for Monday, September 23


The New York Times crossword puzzle can be tough! If you’re stuck, we’re here to help with a list of today’s clues and answers.

Source link

Continue Reading

Technology

How technology and expertise are shaping safety standards

Published

on

How technology and expertise are shaping safety standards

As fire hazards continue to pose a significant risk across diverse industries, the role of fire watch services is substantially transforming. Once an essential compliance requirement, fire watch services now integrate advanced technology with specialized expertise to enhance safety and preparedness. Leading companies like Fast Fire Watch Guards are shaping this shift, utilizing innovative tools and skilled teams to meet today’s rigorous safety standards. In a landscape where rapid response and proactive risk management are crucial, these trends redefine fire safety practices and elevate industry expectations.

Leveraging technology for enhanced fire watch services

Integrating technology in fire watch services has transformed how professionals monitor and prevent potential hazards. Many fire watch companies now utilize GPS tracking and geo-fencing, allowing for precise guard movement tracking and area coverage. This ensures a complete, real-time log of all activities, a critical feature in locations requiring continuous monitoring. Additional layers of safety are provided by remote sensors, thermal imaging, and AI-powered surveillance systems that can identify temperature changes or early fire indicators and sound alerts before security personnel get on the scene. In addition to improving overall safety, this proactive approach to fire prevention shows how technology is changing the business. Firewatch companies are increasingly adopting these innovations to stay ahead of potential dangers, ultimately providing clients with a higher standard of security.

Expertise in action – the role of skilled fire watch guards

Effective fire protection still relies heavily on the knowledge of fire watch guards, even though technology plays a vital role. After completing extensive training, fire watch guards are prepared to manage a variety of situations, from managing building sites to protecting important public gatherings. This expertise ensures that guards can quickly assess and respond to potential fire hazards, preventing incidents before they escalate. Companies like Fast Fire Watch Guards emphasize the importance of continuous training keeping their teams updated on the latest safety protocols and fire watch standards. Combining hands-on expertise with technology enables guards to operate confidently, providing clients a co mprehensive service beyond essential monitoring. Skilled fire watch guards are proficient in fire prevention and possess the interpersonal skills needed to manage situations calmly and efficiently.

Rapid response and nationwide coverage

One of the primary challenges in fire watch services is ensuring rapid deployment across diverse locations. Businesses in high-risk industries require reliable fire watch services on short notice, and nationwide companies have responded by establishing fast-response protocols. Companies like Fast Fire Watch Guards can dispatch teams within hours, a crucial capability in urgent situations where immediate fire watch coverage is mandatory. Rapid response times not only mitigate risks but also demonstrate the agility and preparedness of fire watch service providers. This nationwide reach means that businesses can access dependable fire watch services regardless of location, contributing to a safer environment across multiple sectors. The assurance of rapid, expert deployment elevates the value and reliability of fire watch companies.

Advertisement

Ensuring compliance with safety regulations

Compliance with fire safety regulations is a primary driver behind the demand for professional fire watch services. Regulatory bodies impose strict safety standards on construction sites, commercial buildings, and event spaces to prevent fire-related incidents. A professional Fire Watch Services Company ensures businesses meet all fire safety requirements, avoiding potentially significant fines and reputational damage. In addition to supplying guards, fire watch firms also provide advice on upholding safety procedures, carrying out risk analyses, and being ready for inspections. Businesses may guarantee ongoing compliance and take advantage of the company’s proficiency in managing intricate fire safety standards by collaborating with seasoned fire watch services.

This compliance-focused approach makes fire watch services essential to operational safety for various industries.

The future of fire watch services and safety standards

As fire watch services evolve, the future holds promising advancements that will further improve safety standards. Incorporating AI in risk prediction, more sophisticated monitoring tools, and enhancement in guard training are expected to redefine the industry. Firewatch companies are at the forefront of these changes, adapting to new technologies and refining their practices to serve their clients better. Fast Fire Watch Guards and similar companies are committed to staying informed and agile, ensuring that their services meet the rising demands of safety compliance. We can expect fire watch services to become even more efficient in the future, providing clients with unparalleled peace of mind. The shift towards a technology-driven, expert-based service model reshapes fire watch services as a crucial component of modern safety strategies.

The fire watch services sector is expanding quickly as businesses invest in qualified staff and embrace state-of-the-art technology to satisfy rising safety regulations. Businesses like Fast Fire Watch Guards, who offer a dependable and competent service that meets the specific requirements of different sectors, are prime examples of striking a balance between technology innovation and human competence. Businesses should anticipate increasingly stronger assistance in protecting their operations, guaranteeing compliance, and improving general safety as fire watch services develop. Fire watch services are in a strong position to become an essential part of nationwide risk management plans as a result of these new developments.

Advertisement

Featured image source

Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2024 WordupNews.com