https://www.engadget.com/2019/05/31/lyft-aptiv-55000-self-driving-vehicle-rides-vegas/

One year ago, Lyft launched its self-driving ride service in Las Vegas. Today, the company announced its 30-vehicle fleet has made 55,000 trips. That makes it the largest commercial program of its kind in the US. Unsurprisingly, Lyft says it’s thrilled. "So far, we’ve been very pleased with what we’ve heard from our passengers taking a self-driving ride with us in Las Vegas," the company wrote in a blog post.

Last August, about four months after Lyft and its partner Aptiv dropped the autonomous vehicles in Vegas, they hit 5,000 rides. According to the company, the average ride rating remains high, 4.97 out of 5 stars. Reportedly, 92 percent of riders felt very or extremely safe during the trip. It might help that program still relies on a backup driver in case the system fails. Though, it’s unclear how often the trips require human intervention.

Compared to Lyft’s overall ridership, 55,000 trips is a drop in the bucket. The company passed the million riders per day mark in 2017, and it later cleared the one billionth ride milestone. While Lyft may have the advantage of a head start and a clean record, Uber recently infused its self-driving car unit with a significant cash investment. It’s not yet clear if Waymo will prove to be a competitor or a collaborator, as the Alphabet company is expanding but will also partner with Lyft to pick up riders in Phoenix. Either way, the fact that Lyft and Aptiv have made it one year and 55,000 trips proves that the self-driving service has staying power.

Source: Lyft

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

May 31, 2019 at 11:12AM

https://www.engadget.com/2019/05/31/bioware-baldurs-gate-neverwinter-nights-console-release-date/

A collection of classic BioWare roleplaying games will be arriving on consoles later this year. Physical and digital copies of Baldur’s Gate, Baldur’s Gate ll and Baldur’s Gate: Siege of Dragonspear, Icewind Dale and Planescape: Torment will all arrive in stores on September 24th in North America. Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition will be available on December 3rd. All of the titles will be available for PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

Game developers and publishers Skybound Games and Beamdog are responsible for bringing the collection of beloved RPGs to new systems. The companies are promising the games will be tailored for consoles, with controls optimized for controllers. All of the games have been given a graphics update and native support for high-resolution, widescreen displays that would have been rare at the time of their original release.

New content has also been added, along with new characters, classes, and player creation options. There are even multiplayer functions in some titles so you can have some nostalgia trips with your friends. Skybound Games and Beamdog say they’ve squashed some old bugs, improved character balance, and spruced up the user interface along the way, as well. Assuming the companies make good on all of those promises, the reimagined classics should have something for gamers new and old to enjoy.

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

May 31, 2019 at 10:36AM

https://www.space.com/northrop-grumman-test-fires-omega-rocket.html

via Space.com http://bit.ly/2WPkkGi

May 30, 2019 at 01:18PM

https://www.engadget.com/2019/05/30/google-maps-popular-dishes/

Google is trying to take some of the guesswork out of trying a new restaurant. The company is trotting out an update to Google Maps that uses machine learning to highlight the popular dishes at an eatery. Tap on a place and it’ll show the most popular meals in the overview section, with the menu tab showing the most discussed options. If you’re curious to know more (and prevent any rude surprises at the table), selecting a dish will show reviews and photos.

The feature is available now for Maps users on Android. The iOS crowd will have to be patient — it’s deploying to Apple devices in the "coming months." Whenever it does hit your device, it might offer the confidence boost you need to check out an unfamiliar restaurant.

Source: Google, Google Play

via Engadget http://www.engadget.com

May 30, 2019 at 11:06AM

https://www.geeksaresexy.net/2019/05/31/cheer-detergent-commercial-from-1969-parodies-star-trek/

via [Geeks Are Sexy] Technology News http://bit.ly/23BIq6h

May 31, 2019 at 06:49AM

https://www.gamespot.com/articles/smash-bros-ultimate-patch-out-now-adds-vr-support-/1100-6467274/

The newest patch for Super Smash Bros. Ultimate has arrived. Version 3.1.0 is out now, and it adds VR support for Nintendo Labo and makes a series of changes to fighters.

You need the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con VR goggles to play in VR, and it’s important to note that it only works in single-player offline.

Outside of the VR support, Version 3.1.0 makes general game balance adjustments and fixes "several" issues. Additionally, the patch allows players to use FPs in Battle Arenas.

As for the fighter adjustments, there is a long, long list of changes and one of them applies to all characters. With the new update, you now have to wait longer to complete a wall-jump after wall-jumping. In terms of character-specific changes, Pikachu’s grab range is increased while Samus’ up Smash attack is easier to hit multiple times. Donkey Kong’s neutral special now makes his super armor last longer after performing a fully charged move. You can see all the changes posted below, as written by Nintendo.

Super Smash Bros. Ultimate launched for Switch in December 2018 and has quickly become one of the system’s best-selling games. GameSpot awarded it a 9/10 in our Super Smash Bros. Ultimate review and said, "Ultimate’s diverse content is compelling, its strong mechanics are refined, and the encompassing collection is simply superb." Be sure to also check out our 20th anniversary feature on the original Super Smash Bros. game.

Version 3.1.0

• Offline
  • You can use the Toy-Con VR Goggles to enjoy Smash in VR mode via the Games & More menu.
    • VR mode is a single-player experience only.
    • The Toy-Con VR Goggles are sold separately as part of the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit or the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con 04: VR Kit – Starter Set + Blaster.
    • This is shown on Nintendo Labo’s page as well: https://www.nintendo.co.jp/labo/with_toy-con/
• Online
  • FPs can be used in Battle Arenas.
  • An option to send amiibo out on journeys has been added, through which FPs go on a journey to train via the internet. You can find it via Games & More ? amiibo ? Send on a Journey.
  • Some of the preferred rules for Quickplay battles have been adjusted.
• General
  • Game balance adjustments have been made.
  • Several issues have been fixed to improve gameplay experience.
    • Details of fixes and changes to fighters can be found here.

Fighter	Move	Change
All Fighters	Basic Movements	After wall jumping, you’ll now need to wait longer before wall jumping in the same direction again.
Donkey Kong	Neutral Special	Super armor lasts longer after unleashing the fully charged move.
Samus	Up Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Dark Samus	Up Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Fox	Neutral Attack 2	Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with a flurry attack.
Pikachu	Grab	Increased grab range.
Luigi	Neutral Attack 2	Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 3.
Luigi	Grab	Adjusted the attack range when used just before landing. It is now be easier to hit opponents in front of you.
Luigi	Down Special	When using this move on the ground and rising into the air with certain timing, the invincibility will no longer last the entire duration of the move.
Ness	Neutral Attack 2	Increased attack range and moved it forward. Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 3.
Captain Falcon	Side Tilt Attack	Extended launch distance.
Captain Falcon	Up Tilt Attack	Increased attack speed.
Captain Falcon	Forward Air Attack	Increased the high-damage range.
Captain Falcon	Back Air Attack	Extended launch distance.
Captain Falcon	Side Special	Increased attack speed when getting close to an opponent. Increased the durability of the super armor. Extended the time until launched opponents can move again.
Captain Falcon	Down Special	Extended the time hit detection lasts on the ground and in the air.
Jigglypuff	Neutral Attack 1	Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 2.
Jigglypuff	Neutral Attack 2	Increased attack range.
Peach	Neutral Attack 1	Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 2.
Peach	Side Smash Attack	Extended launch distance with the golf club.
Peach	Forward Air Attack	Shortened the launch distance.
Peach	Backward Throw	Shortened the launch distance.
Peach	Side Special	Increased vulnerability after hitting.
Peach	Up Special	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Peach	Down Special	Increased vulnerability.
Daisy	Neutral Attack 1	Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 2.
Daisy	Side Smash Attack	Extended launch distance with the golf club.
Daisy	Forward Air Attack	Shortened the launch distance.
Daisy	Backward Throw	Shortened the launch distance.
Daisy	Side Special	Increased vulnerability after hitting.
Daisy	Up Special	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Daisy	Down Special	Increased vulnerability.
Ice Climbers	Basic Movements	Ice Climbers will now recover midair jumps the same way as other fighters.
Ice Climbers	Basic Movements	Nana will no longer jump when pressing the jump button right after a grab.
Pichu	Basic Movements	Pichu is now easier to hit.
Pichu	Basic Movements	Increased shield size.
Pichu	Side Tilt Attack	Increased the amount of damage taken when using the move. Shortened the launch distance.
Pichu	Side Smash Attack	Increased the amount of damage taken when using the move. Increased vulnerability.
Pichu	Down Smash Attack	Increased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Pichu	Forward Air Attack	Increased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Pichu	Back Air Attack	Increased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Pichu	Down Air Attack	Increased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Pichu	Forward Throw	Increased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Pichu	Neutral Special	Increased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Pichu	Side Special	Increased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Pichu	Up Special	Increased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Pichu	Down Special	Increased the amount of damage taken when using the move.
Lucina	Side Smash Attack	Shortened the launch distance.
Lucina	Forward Air Attack	Shortened the launch distance.
Ganondorf	Down Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Roy	Up Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Chrom	Up Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Mr. Game & Watch	Up Tilt Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Pit	Up Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Dark Pit	Up Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Dark Pit	Side Special	Reduced vulnerability when hitting an opponent in the air.
Zero Suit Samus	Side Special	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Zero Suit Samus	Down Special	Extended the travel distance when inputting left or right with the stick.
Snake	Neutral Attack 1	Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 2.
Snake	Neutral Attack 2	Increased forward movement distance and made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 3.
Ivysaur	Neutral Special	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Charizard	Neutral Attack 1	Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 2.
Charizard	Neutral Attack 2	Increased forward movement distance and made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 3.
Diddy Kong	Neutral Attack 2	Increased attack range and made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing from Neutral Attack 1.
Diddy Kong	Dash Attack	Adjusted launch angle.
Diddy Kong	Up Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times. Extended launch distance.
Diddy Kong	Up Air Attack	Reduced vulnerability. Reduced vulnerability when landing after using the move.
Diddy Kong	Down Air Attack	Increased attack speed.
Diddy Kong	Neutral Special	Increased power. However, the power against shields will remain the same. Shortened the charge time.
Diddy Kong	Up Special	Decreased the fall speed while charging. Extended vertical distance when charged.
Diddy Kong	Final Smash FS Meter	Increased power of the explosion and jet at the start. Decreased the power of the tackle. Made it harder for opponents with lower damage to be launched with the final tackle.
Olimar	Basic Movements	Olimar is now easier to hit.
Olimar	Side Smash Attack	Reduced the high-damage window. Increased vulnerability.
Olimar	Up Smash Attack	Increased vulnerability.
Olimar	Up Special	Adjusted the flight time when the move is used repeatedly.
Lucario	Neutral Attack 1	Reduced vulnerability.
Lucario	Neutral Attack 2	Reduced vulnerability.
Lucario	Neutral Attack 3	Reduced vulnerability.
Lucario	Dash Attack	Increased attack range.
Lucario	Side Tilt Attack	Extended launch distance.
Lucario	Side Smash Attack	Increased the high-damage range.
Lucario	Up Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Lucario	Neutral Air Attack	Increased the range it will hit opponents on the ground.
Lucario	Up Air Attack	Increased the high-damage range.
Lucario	Down Air Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Lucario	Neutral Special	Reduced the range it will push opponents while charging. Increased attack range when charged to max. Reduced vulnerability.
Lucario	Side Special	Fighters can no longer move through Lucario. Increased grab range.
R.O.B.	Neutral Attack 1	Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 2.
R.O.B.	Neutral Attack 2	Increased attack range.
Toon Link	Neutral Attack 1	Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 2.
Wolf	Neutral Attack 1	Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 2.
Wolf	Neutral Attack 2	Increased attack range and made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 3.
Wolf	Neutral Attack 3	Moved the attack range forward and made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing from Neutral Attack 2.
Wolf	Down Smash Attack	Shortened the launch distance of the front attack.
Wolf	Neutral Special	Increased vulnerability.
Wolf	Up Special	Reduced the range of the last attack. Adjusted launch angle and made it easier to hit multiple times.
Wolf	Down Special	Wolf becomes invincible sooner. Increased attack speed. Increased detection speed to reflect projectiles.
Villager	Up Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Wii Fit Trainer	Neutral Attack 1	Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 2.
Rosalina & Luma	Dash Attack	Reduced Luma’s vulnerability.
Rosalina & Luma	Side Smash Attack	Extended launch distance when Luma is near.
Rosalina & Luma	Forward Air Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times. Reduced vulnerability. Increased the speed of the edge-grab range detection.
Rosalina & Luma	Grab	Increased speed.
Rosalina & Luma	Up Special	Increased fast-fall speed after using the move.
Rosalina & Luma	Down Special	Reduced Luma’s vulnerability.
Rosalina & Luma	Other	Reduced Luma’s stamina. Shortened the time it takes for Luma to reappear after being defeated when there are 1 to 3 opponents.
Little Mac	Neutral Attack 1	Reduced vulnerability. Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 2.
Little Mac	Neutral Attack 2	Reduced vulnerability. Increased attack range.
Little Mac	Neutral Attack 3	Increased attack range.
Little Mac	Side Tilt Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times when hitting an airborne opponent.
Little Mac	Down Tilt Attack	Increased attack range.
Little Mac	Up Smash Attack	Increased the amount of time super armor lasts.
Little Mac	Neutral Special	Reduced vulnerability when using the move on the ground when it is not fully charged. Reduced vulnerability when using KO Uppercut on the ground.
Little Mac	Side Special	Increased the range at the beginning of the move.
Little Mac	Down Special	Reduced vulnerability.
Mii Brawler	Neutral Attack 2	Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with a flurry attack.
Mii Brawler	Flurry Attack	Increased attack range.
Mii Brawler	Neutral Special 2	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Mii Gunner	Up Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
PAC-MAN	Up Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Shulk	Neutral Attack 2	Increased attack range.
Shulk	Up Smash Attack	Adjusted launch angle and made it easier to hit multiple times.
Bowser Jr.	Dash Attack	Adjusted launch angle.
Bowser Jr.	Up Tilt Attack	Reduced vulnerability.
Bowser Jr.	Up Smash Attack	Extended launch distance.
Bowser Jr.	Neutral Special	Increased attack speed in air.
Bowser Jr.	Side Special	Increased speed when starting to move.
Bowser Jr.	Up Special	Increased attack range of the hammer attack. Increased the amount of time hit detection lasts for the hammer attack. Adjusted launch angle of the explosion from the Junior Clown Car when used on the ground and made it easier to hit multiple times.
Duck Hunt	Up Air Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Ryu	Neutral Attack 1	Increased the amount of time you can cancel with a special move.
Ryu	Neutral Attack 2	Increased the amount of time you can cancel with a special move.
Ryu	Neutral Attack (Strong, Close Range)	Adjusted launch angle and distance.
Ryu	Side Tilt Attack (Weak, Close Range)	Increased the amount of time you can cancel with a special move.
Ryu	Side Tilt Attack (Weak, Long Range)	Increased attack range for the tip.
Ryu	Up Tilt Attack (Strong)	Adjusted launch angle when hitting an airborne opponent.
Ryu	Down Tilt Attack (Weak)	Increased the amount of time opponents will be in the damage animation when the move hits.
Ryu	Down Tilt Attack (Strong)	Shortened launch distance.
Ryu	Up Air Attack	Increased the amount of time hit detection lasts. Increased attack range.
Ryu	Neutral Special	Decreased the speed for light Hadoken and light Shakunetsu Hadoken, and increased speed for heavy Hadoken and heavy Shakunetsu Hadoken. Increased attack speed and power of Hadoken and Shakunetsu Hadoken. Increased the range Hadoken will hit opponents on the ground.
Ryu	Side Special	Increased the first attack’s range when the move is performed on the ground.
Ken	Neutral Attack 1	Increased the amount of time you can cancel with a special move.
Ken	Neutral Attack 2	Increased the amount of time you can cancel with a special move.
Ken	Neutral Attack (Heavy, Close Range)	Adjusted launch angle and distance.
Ken	Neutral Attack (Heavy, Close Range)	Increased attack power and maintained launch distance.
Ken	Side Tilt Attack (Light, Close Range)	Increased the amount of time you can cancel with a special move.
Ken	Side Tilt Attack (Light, Long Range)	Increased attack range for the tip.
Ken	Side Tilt Attack (Heavy)	Adjusted launch angle.
Ken	Up Tilt Attack (Heavy)	Adjusted launch angle when hitting an airborne opponent.
Ken	Down Tilt Attack (Light)	Increased the amount of time opponents will be in the damage animation when the move hits.
Ken	Down Tilt Attack (Heavy)	Shortened launch distance.
Ken	Side Smash Attack	Extended launch distance.
Ken	Down Air Attack	Increased the amount of time you can cancel with a special move or a Final Smash.
Ken	Side Special	Increased the first attack’s range when the move is performed on the ground. Shortened the hitstun shuffle travel distance.
Ken	Up Special	Made it easier to hit multiple times. Shortened the hitstun shuffle travel distance. Made the first attack not negate other attacks. Extended launch distance when hitting an opponent on the ground with a flaming Shoryuken. Extended launch distance when hitting an opponent in the air with a light Shoryuken or a flaming Shoryuken. Shortened the launch distance for medium Shoryuken.
Ken	Command-Input Move	Shortened the hitstun shuffle travel distance when Nata Otoshi Geri hits.
Ken	Command-Input Move	Increased attack power of Oosoto Mawashi Geri and maintained launch distance.
Ken	Command-Input Move	Increased power of Inazuma Kick. However, the power against shields will remain the same.
Cloud	Down Smash Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Bayonetta	Neutral Attack 1	Increased the amount of time hit detection lasts.
Bayonetta	Flurry Attack Finish	Extended launch distance.
Bayonetta	Dash Attack	Extended launch distance for the high-damage range.
Bayonetta	Up Tilt Attack	Made it easier to hit multiple times.
Bayonetta	Down Smash Attack	Increased the amount of time hit detection lasts.
Bayonetta	Side Special	Reduced vulnerability when landing.
Bayonetta	Up Special	Reduced vulnerability when landing.
Bayonetta	Down Special	Increased the amount of time counter detection lasts. Increased the amount of time Bat Within’s detection lasts. Increased the recovery speed of Witch Time’s duration.
Inkling	Neutral Attack 3	Increased forward attack range and made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing from Neutral Attack 2.
King K. Rool	Up Air Attack	Increased the speed of the edge-grab range detection.
Isabelle	Side Special	Opponents will not get caught when the hook is not moving quickly. After the hook touches the ground and the hook is yanked back, opponents can be caught.
Incineroar	Neutral Attack 1	Adjusted the launch distance when hitting with the elbow and made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 2.
Incineroar	Neutral Attack 2	Made it easier to hit multiple times when continuing with Neutral Attack 3.
Piranha Plant	Neutral Attack 3	Increased attack range.
Piranha Plant	Flurry Attack	Increased the amount of time opponents will be in the damage animation when the move hits.
Joker	Side Special	Made it easier to hit multiple times with Eigaon.

via GameSpot’s PC Reviews http://bit.ly/2mVXxXH

May 30, 2019 at 09:39PM

https://www.autoblog.com/2019/05/30/bmw-designed-hydrogen-powered-flying-machine/

via Autoblog http://bit.ly/1afPJWx

May 30, 2019 at 10:55AM