Tag: program

Red-light camera grace period goes from 0.1 to 0.3 seconds, Chicago to lose $17M

Enlarge (credit: Bruce Leighty / Getty Images News ) In the wake of recommendations that were part of a recent study of its red-light cameras , the Chicago Department of Transportation has agreed to immediately increase the so-called “grace period”—the time between when a traffic light turns red to when a ticket is automatically issued. Under the new policy, which was announced Monday, the grace period for Chicago’s red lights will move from 0.1 seconds to 0.3 seconds. This will bring the Windy City in line with other Americans metropolises, including New York City and Philadelphia. In a statement , the city agency said that this increase would “maintain the safety benefits of the program while ensuring the program’s fairness.” On Tuesday, the Chicago Tribune reported that the city would lose $17 million in revenue this year alone as a result of the expanded grace period. Michael Claffey, a CDOT spokesman, confirmed that figure to Ars. Read 2 remaining paragraphs | Comments

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Red-light camera grace period goes from 0.1 to 0.3 seconds, Chicago to lose $17M

You don’t need to sign in to use Skype anymore

Unless you have Skype configured to boot-up when you start your computer, starting the program, logging in and connecting to a call can be mildly tedious. It’s not anymore — Microsoft just announced a new ‘Guest’ mode for Skype that makes user accounts almost completely optional . Now if you want to join a Skype call, all you have to do is click a link and enter your name. Skype as a Guest includes voice and video calling, group instant messaging and screen and file sharing features for up to 300 people per conversation. Users will be given a unique link to share with contacts that instantly open the Skype conversation, which can be made up of more Guests, or fully signed-in Skype users. So, what’s the catch? Not much: conversations expire after 24 hours, and you’ll still need to log-in to call a landline or use Skype’s live translation features . The account-free mode also only works in Skype.com’s web-client, but those limitations aside it seems to offer all the service’s basic free features. Not bad — particularly if you only use Skype when somebody else asks you to. Source: Skype

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You don’t need to sign in to use Skype anymore

Apple launches replacement program for faulty iPhone 6 Plus cameras

Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus has the best camera of any iPhone (at least until we get new ones next month ), but it’s not completely problem-free. Apple has announced an iSight Camera Replacement Program for iPhone 6 Plus models sold between the phone’s launch in September of 2014 and January of 2015. “A small percentage” of phones sold included a faulty part that could make pictures taken with the rear camera look blurry. The problem doesn’t affect the standard iPhone 6, so the 6 Plus’ optical image stabilization component could be at fault. The front-facing FaceTime camera is also unaffected. If your phone fits this description, head to the program page linked above and enter your serial number. If your phone needs fixed, you can take it to an Apple Authorized Service Provider or an Apple store, or you can contact Apple’s tech support and make other arrangements. Apple is warning users to back their data up to iTunes or iCloud before having the phone serviced, so phones may be wiped or replaced outright as part of the repair process. The program will cover faulty iPhone 6 Plus cameras for up to three years after you bought your phone, but doesn’t otherwise change the standard one-year warranty or the two-year AppleCare+ warranty you may have purchased. Read on Ars Technica | Comments

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Apple launches replacement program for faulty iPhone 6 Plus cameras