Saturday, 25 June 2016

United Kingdom voters push back against establishment

Great Britain’s vote Thursday to leave the European Union sent shock waves through global financial markets and political bodies worldwide. Brexit, meaning “British Exit” from the EU, was a jolting reminder that when voters are frustrated with their governments, populism becomes the most powerful political force.
In the case of Brexit, many factors played a role. Terrorism, immigration and some would even argue, xenophobia, contributed to the decision by the majority of British voters to establish their national independence. Not to mention concerns over sclerotic economic growth.
The heart of the Brexit vote, though, was also a rejection of centralized, bureaucratic government and perhaps a call for a more accountable, accessible and localized government structure.
“Leave” voters disliked the behemoth EU bureaucracy in Brussels, Belgium. As Conservative energy minister and Member of Parliament Andrea Leadsom explained during a debate over the referendum, “The truth is, 60 percent of our rules and regulations come from the European Union. As city minister and now as energy minister, all day long I’m told ‘you can’t do that, you can’t do this, because of the EU.’ ... There are five presidents of the EU. Now, can anyone name them? And did anyone vote for them? No ... and you can’t kick them out, either.”
Even still, the British political establishment supported the “Stay” position, as did President Obama. But, as the Financial Times reported, “To millions of voters up and down the country, the referendum campaign has brought home just how little faith they have in Britain’s politicians and parties, business lobbies and trade unions, think-tanks and investment banks.”
By voting for Brexit, Britons will remove a huge bureaucratic overload. But warnings of economic calamity for the U.K. are plentiful. And markets slid worldwide on Friday.
British leadership must proceed with extreme caution ensuring that their exit from the EU is not abandoning the rest of Europe. In fact, the UK’s leadership ought to look to the example of Switzerland, a country that’s never been a member of the EU but instead has treaties with it.
This is also a time of reflection for American voters who are now grappling with similar issues in the United States. Some of the parallels — campaign slogans, issues, rhetoric — used in the Brexit electoral battle are eerily similar to the arguments currently being made in our own presidential election.
Candidates in the U.S. should take note of the populist winds instead of dismissing or deriding them. Voters are frustrated because our government has become so big and polarized; and their political leaders are out of touch, out of reach and out of sync with their constituencies.
Brexit’s greatest lesson may be that voters desire a government close and accountable directly to them.

Tuesday, 21 June 2016

Galaxy S7 / S7 Edge Vs iPhone 6s / 6s Plus [Comparison]

Power and productivity

Apple’s iOS 9 is fast in general, though it can occasionally lag on older hardware. Bugs are to be expected early in an OS update’s lifecycle. Search functions and notifications are more useful and 3D Touch gives iPhone users new ways to interact with the touchscreen and OS. The iPhone 6S is powered by Apple’s new A9 processor, which is substantially more powerful than the previous model. Apple’s claim that the A9 is the most advanced smartphone chip ever built may be debatable, but the processor’s speed and power are not.
The iPhone 6S runs much faster than the previous generation, and can go toe-to-toe with any of its competitors, including the Galaxy S7. In one speed test, the iPhone 6S defats the Galaxy S7 handily. One test isn’t conclusive, of course, but it’s still interesting.
Related: iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus rumors and news leaks

The S7’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (which is the chip used in U.S. models, while phones made elsewhere have the Exynos 8890) has outstripped most competitors in early benchmark tests, and the S7’s 4GB of RAM — twice that of the iPhone 6S — give it the advantage on paper. In real life, it’s harder to tell a difference in performance between the two competitors.
iOS is efficient and runs well on the iPhone 6S with no major lag. If it’s anything like the S6, the Galaxy S7 may suffer from lag over time in TouchWiz. That’s not to say it isn’t fast. In benchmarks, the Galaxy S7 performs very well. Users who play games and other demanding apps on their phones will appreciate the S7’s Herculean strength.
Storage is another area where the S7 triumphs. While both phones offer 64 and 128GB of storage for increased prices, the base model S7 comes with 32GB of storage, while the iPhone 6S comes with a pitiful 16GB. It is bewildering that Apple would release a new flagship phone with so little storage space. Modern users devour storage with apps, snaps, and more, so the more expensive 64GB and 128GB models are a necessity. The S7 can also expand its memory with a MicroSD card up to 200GB.
Winner: Tie

Design


Apple has always embraced aesthetics. Each product it releases is as much a piece of modern art as a useful device, and the 6S is no exception. Its slim profile and brushed aluminum casing give it a monolithic look. The screen is wider and taller than previous iPhones without becoming cumbersome. The 6S is easy to hold, and the vibrant display is sure to stun users. Ever the tastemaker, Apple introduced a new iPhone color to celebrate the 6S: rose gold. Created by combining gold and copper, rose gold is essentially just a fancy shade of pink. Even if one takes that reductionist view, the pale flush of the rose gold iPhone stands out among smartphones and is a good addition to Apple’s palette.
Samsung is hardly a philistine, however, and the S7’s neo-futurist look, all chrome and curves, is impressive. The phone is layered with Gorilla Glass, and the AMOLED screen offers clear, colorful images. Like the 6S, the Galaxy S7 fits perfectly in the contours of a human hand. Unfortunately, the glass screen seems to attract not just the eye but fingerprints as well. Users who don’t buy a case may find their S7 quickly becomes grimy. It’s a matter of taste when it comes to these two gorgeous phones.

In Japanese aesthetics, the term wabi-sabi encompass the ephemeral beauty of the material world. Like flowers in the fall, both the S7 and 6S seem oh so fragile; one drop can shatter their screens or scuff their siding, and the S7’s glass is particularly expensive to repair. Whichever you choose, consider buying a sturdy case. With its aluminum back, the iPhone is more durable in falls. The Galaxy S7 does have a superpower, though: water resistance. Its IP68 rating means that you can dunk it in water for 30 minutes or spill your drink on it without fear. It’s the phone’s killer design feature.
Winner: Galaxy S7

Camera


All phones have to pull double-duty as cameras these days. It wouldn’t surprise us if people spent more time taking photos with their phones than talking on them. Both the S7 and iPhone 6S feature high-end cameras, with 5-megapixel front-facing cameras and 12-MP rear-facing cameras capable of immaculate selfies or landscapes. The S7’s rear camera has a faster F1.7 lens that allows it to catch movement better than the 6S, and in our testing it performed better in low-light environments. The S7 also tended to produce warmer colors than the iPhone 6S, however, giving photos a less natural look.

One of the latest iPhone’s biggest innovations is Apple Live Photos. This feature allows the iPhone 6S to record a brief snippet of video before and after a picture, allowing for GIF-like moving images. It’s a seemingly small addition, but one that gives iPhone users some extra avenues for creative expression. With the S7, Samsung has introduced the Motion Photo feature. Like Live Photos, it records a brief amount of video before the photo, though not after. The 6S wins by a slight edge here, though it is hardly a crucial feature for either phone.
Both can record video in 4K (2160p), enabling users to record shockingly crisp videos at the expense of huge amounts of storage space.
It’s hard to say which camera is best in the end. Samsung’s Galaxy S7 has one of the best cameras of any Android smartphone, but when it comes to producing natural results effortlessly, the iPhone 6S wins. If you want stronger low-light performance and don’t mind slightly over-saturated images, the Galaxy S7 is the one for you.
Winner: iPhone 6S

Price and availability


Both phones start in the same price range. The 6S comes with the added wrinkle of small storage; it simply might be too constricting for users, thus pushing them to buy a more expensive version with extra space. The 64 GB and 128 GB cost $750 and $850 respectively, so a comparable amount of storage to the S7 will require a slightly larger investment. Both phones offer a variety of carriers, and are widely available.
Winner: Tie


Conclusion


Over the years, Samsung’s Galaxy has been one of the few legitimate contenders for the iPhone’s throne. The rivalry only seems to grow more intense, as the newest models for both lines, the Galaxy S7 and the iPhone 6S, push the concept of smartphones to new levels. Both phones are incredible, and it is difficult to crown a definitive winner.
The S7’s mighty processing power makes it ideal for those who want to play games on their phones. The 6S, like all Apple products, is the pinnacle of user-friendly design, and features like Live Photos turn the smartphone into an instrument of creative expression rather than a mere tool for communicating. In the end, whether a user should get a Galaxy S7 or iPhone 6s depends on their own lifestyle and needs.

Tuesday, 14 June 2016

Next Audi SQ5 To Offer 365HP Thanks To Electric Turbo Tech


Most of the impressive technologies that debuted with the Audi SQ7 will trickle down in the next generation of the SQ5, including the new 48V electric system.

Audi’s powertrain chief Oliver Hoffman told Autocar that 390hp was ‘possible’ for the upcoming SQ5 but in order to maintain driveability, the final car will have closer to 365hp, a 30hp increase compared with the current SQ5 Plus

Despite the modest increase in power, the new model is expected to have a significantly improved power delivery thanks to the adoption of an electric compressor that will work in conjunction with a traditional turbocharger, instead of the twin-turbo setup of the current model. 

This is expected to reduce dramatically the turbo lag while the V6 diesel engine will also gain Audi’s Valvelift System. The adoption of the 48V electric system will allow the use of the active roll-bars in the suspension, a technology that also debuted in the bigger SQ7. 

If you were impressed by the SQ7’s technical features but you couldn’t afford one, the next Audi SQ5 might do the trick for you.






Saturday, 11 June 2016

New BMW 6 Series to morph into Porsche 911 rival

The next generation BMW 6 Series will be a sports car designed to take on the Porsche 911. Our exclusive images show how it could look

BMW is preparing a sports car rival for the Porsche 911 – as well the separate return of the 8 Series badge. Auto Express can exclusively reveal the plans for BMW's large sports car range and our images set the scene for how the car could look.
The German brand is hatching a radical plan to realign its 6 Series model as a smaller, more agile sports car - allowing space at the top of the range for the return of the 8 Series. 
• The BMW 8 Series is back! New GT range to include M8 supercar
BMW has not contemplated a Porsche 911 rival before but the new Mercedes-AMG GT’s arrival as a competitor to the 911 has changed that. BMW has earmarked the 6 Series as the car to fill the that gap in its range. 

A smaller 6 Series could feasibly be based on the shared sports car platform that BMW has been working on with Toyota. Up to now, it has been believed that the two firms would spin off different-sized vehicles from the chassis, with BMW placing it beneath the next generation of Z4 and Toyota using a larger version for the return of its Supra coupe. 
However, senior BMW and Toyota sources have already confirmed that the new platform is scalable- and with the Z4 accounting for a tiny number of sales annually, there would be obvious benefits in economies of scale if BMW were to find a further use for the new set of chassis components. It would probably result in a slightly larger vehicle than the Z4 - rising from 4.3 metres in length to around 4.5m, or about the same as the Mercedes-AMG GT and Porsche 911. This would, in turn, provide the small increase in under-bonnet capacity required to cope with V8 engines, as well as BMW’s proven six-cylinder units.

Auto Express understands that the current proposal is for the 6 Series to become a sports car and convertible only, with no Gran Coupe in the future. This model would live on as an 8 Series Gran Coupe – offered alongside the two-door coupe and a convertible

Friday, 10 June 2016

Delphin Vacuum Cleaner Review

Delphin Vacuum Cleaner

Excellent items are genuinely challenging ahead by. I’m certain that a number of us have had the encounter of buying an item in hopes that it would certainly bring us some type of benefit – and also without a doubt while the item lasts, occasionally its efficiency is short-term, by the way, making the frustration a lot more dreadful.
That’s why today, I am providing my ideas on a Delphin vacuum cleaner my spouse bought 6 years ago. Delphin Vacuum Cleaner can last for long time and it is entitled to an appropriate evaluation. Below’s my Delphin vacuum cleaner review.
You see, concerning 6 years earlier, my partner bought a vacuum cleaner from Delphin. This was up until the current New Year where my partner and also I determined to go shopping for brand-new family devices.
Normally, as we traveled along the alleys looking for that pink steam irons as well as mocha cream color rice stove (Because my partner urges that the color control is ‘Key’), I took specific notification to vacuum or even a lot more especially to their price. The majority of which sets you back regarding a quarter of the cost we spent for a Delphin Vacuum Cleaner.
And after that I had an unexpected recollection of my previous encounter with vacuum prior to possessing a Delphin. I keep in mind those accessories which came to be shed in time, I remember the should clear those troublesome paper bags, as well as certainly those lightweight paper bags wore with time as well as prior to I understood it, I needed to acquire a brand-new vacuum cleaner merely since the bags just weren’t being made any longer.
My Delphin system has actually been doing perfectly for 6 years as well as it suction power is really powerful. As well as I have actually listened to from some buddies’ testimonial concerning their Delphin system going solid after 10 years also. It certain appeared like it was made for benefit as well as made to last. As of currently, I have a brand-new gratitude for a 6 year old vacuum cleaner, my Delphin. It cleans up, leaves the bed and also couch sensation fresh as well as also detoxifies the air throughout those hazy durations we see every year. I imply, where else can you discover items which are created to last?
As we come close to the future, house devices advance to look sleeker and also much more advanced, however does not have significantly in life-span. My dependable Delphin on the different hand, never ever cannot tidy up messes time after time after year. It’s a fantastic item which does just what it states and also for a very long time ahead.
For that, I thanks Delphin.

Thursday, 2 June 2016

Driven: 2016 Honda HR-V


Soon, if trends are any indication, the bestselling car on the planet may not be a car at all.
In Canada, Civic is still top of the heap, according to 2015 figures of non-truck sales, at 64,950 sold in 2015. But crossovers such as the Toyota RAV-4, Honda CR-V and Ford Escape are closing in, with the RAV-4 within just 3,000 sales of Civic to the end of March.
And Ford has predicted the crossover will surpass cars in only a few short years. Indeed, for 2015, Escape nudged past the No.2 car, Hyundai Elantra, by four units.
Today’s subject, the Honda HR-V has a way to go to reach those numbers, with 8,959 sold in 2015 and 2,031 to the end of March, but its presence in the market, along with subcompact CUV rivals Chevrolet Trax, Mazda CX-3, Fiat 500X and others, clearly suggests nobody wants to get left behind the crossover surge.
The HR-V, based on the Fit platform, is quite a bit smaller than the Civic-based CR-V. Nearly 300mm shorter and 100mm narrower, it also has nearly 400 litres less cargo space. It lives up to its subcompact billing. Yet it has more rear legroom and only three millimetres less front legroom than CR-V.


Practically, that cargo room means if you have four people on board, they better travel lightly. More likely, the HR-V is going to appeal to folks who would otherwise buy a car, and who would normally be travelling solo or as a pair.
Such is the first caveat for HR-V shoppers: while many compact crossovers make up for their size with cargo accessories such as roof racks or trailer-hitch mounted carriers, no such factory options exist for HR-V (or for some other subcompact crossovers). While there are roof “racks” visible on higher-end models, they lack tie-downs and don’t appear tall enough to actually protect the roof. They appear cosmetic only.
As well, Honda recommends against towing of any kind, so naturally no trailer hitch is offered.
All of which means if you know you’re OK with something such as the Fit, but want a bit more height, you’re good. In that way, HR-V really does speak to the part of the market crossing over from cars.
If you’re still with me, there’s a lot to recommend adding HR-V to your list. The power is adequate, not heart-stopping, and the Continuously Variable Transmission is, well, a CVT.

With a stick, this would be a lot of fun to drive. But the truth on the market is most of the people who don’t get sticks also aren’t going to even notice it’s not a conventional automatic. The stick, a six-speed, is only offered on front-drive models.
All-wheel drive, with a CVT, is offered as an option on LX and EX models. Topline EX-L Navi models get a CVT and all-wheel drive as standard.
Handling has always been a Honda forte, and the HR-V is no exception. It’s steady on the road, hugs corners nicely and has a decent ride. The steering is precise, but offers little feedback from the front tires, thanks to the electric power steering.
Fuel economy is another strong suit, with a worst-case official number of 8.3 l/100km combined, or a bit more than $8 per 100km. Not shabby.
The level of equipment is high, with Bluetooth, heated seats, automatic climate control, three 12-volt power outlets and auto-off headlights standard. At higher trim levels, you get dual-zone climate control, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, LaneWatch (camera shows you the lane immediately to your right) and proximity key with pushbutton start. Satellite radio is standard on EX-L Navi models and comes with a free three-month trial period.
As well, the interior design and execution wouldn’t look out of place on an upmarket Acura. It’s a pleasant place to be.
The HR-V is not a pocket-rocket, nor will its styling set the world on fire. What it is is what Hondas normally are: solid, reliable and relatively fun to drive. It’s another compact crossover, it could be argued, for drivers who don’t like crossovers.
Which, considering the success of others like it, isn’t necessarily a bad thing.