jump

Michelin Smart Jumper cables for easier jump-starts

We've already shown you how to jump-start your car with standard jumper cables, but if you don't trust yourself to remember all six steps in our guide, Michelin may be able to help with its new Smart Jumper cables. This set of jumpers features inline electronics that take most--but not all--of the guesswork and danger out of jump-starting a car.

There are two physical differences that seasoned automotive enthusiasts will notice between the Smart Jumper cables and, well, dumb jumpers. The first is that where standard jumpers have red and black clamps on each end, marking the positive and negative connections, all four of the Smart Jumper's connections are the same electric blue. So, how do you know what's positive and what's negative? As it turns out, it doesn't matter.… Read more

How to jump-start a car

We've all been there at least once: you've left your headlights on overnight or spent too much time listening to music in your car and when you go to start 'er up, you get nothing. What you need is a jump-start. So, call a friend or flag down a neighbor, because I'm going to show you how to do it.

What you'll need:

your disabled car with a drained battery a donor car with a charged battery jumper cables insulating gloves (optional) eye protection (optional)

Step 1: Note the orientation of the cars' batteries in the … Read more

Take measurements and jump the gaps: iPhone apps of the week

The iPad 2 came out today and though I've only laid eyes on it for a few seconds (Donald Bell has been running around the office taking pictures and adding to his ongoing review), I'm definitely impressed with what I've seen so far. Apparently if you're looking to get one too, you'll need to be ready for long lines at the Apple store and an even longer wait if you order online, according to Josh Lowensohn.

Several developers have already updated their applications to take advantage of the iPad 2's upgraded processing power, which can be seen in Infinity Blade, Dead Space, and a few other top-name apps. Real Racing 2 HD also landed today, and looks great on the original iPad, but I have yet to see it in all its glory on the iPad 2.

As you have probably already heard, Apple has released a few apps of its own optimized for the iPad 2, including iMovie and GarageBand. I'll be writing reviews and shooting First Look videos for these early next week, so definitely check back for more info.

This week's apps offer a unique way to measure any object and a 2D snowboard racing game that's challenging, but great fun.… Read more

Multiplayer jetpack space game

Globetrotters Free is a free, simple iPad arcade game with same-screen multiplayer for up to four people. The product of a 48-hour indie "game jam," this space-themed, diamond-collecting game is a "free gift" from the developers behind the inventive desktop arcade-puzzler And Yet It Moves.

You can play Globetrotters solo, but it's most fun with multiplayer: up to four people can join in, one on each corner of the device. Each player controls an astronaut (red, yellow, blue, or green) using just one thrust button. The trick is timing your thrusts while your astronaut slowly … Read more

Escape volcanoes and battle monsters: iPhone apps of the week

Obviously, the big Apple news this week was the announcement of the iPad 2 (watch our First Look video here). Just as most people expected, the new device offers front- and rear-facing cameras, a faster processor, and FaceTime capabilities, and even has a slightly different design than the original. The iPad 2 will be available on both the AT&T and Verizon networks March 11 and comes in both white and black, and there are several different models and price points to choose from.

Even though I mentioned in an earlier post that I probably wouldn't buy the new iPad 2, now that I've seen it, I can't help but try to think of ways to afford it. I'm thinking of selling my original iPad, or maybe I'll try to use my tax refund to foot the bill, but I bet I'm not the only one making these calculations. My question to you is: did any of you plan on not buying the new iPad, but, after the unveiling, couldn't help but change your mind? Let me know in the comments.

This week's apps are both games. The first challenges you to escape the fiery clutches of a volcano, and in the second you direct a band of heroes to battle fearsome foes.… Read more

Run on the ceiling!

Gravity Guy is a fun game that takes some ideas from the running-game genre and adds some unique features that keep it interesting. The main game mechanic is Gravity Guy's ability to reverse gravity, letting him run upside down on platforms and then switch back when he needs to run on the ground again. The first few levels are pretty easy, but as you get further in the game it will require precise gravity switches as you speed through complex courses. To add even more tension to the action, a security guard chases you the entire time (he has … Read more

Extreme jogging!

Grim Joggers is an interesting take on the running game genre made famous by the innovative and artistic game Canabalt. As in all games in the running genre, your goal is to survive as long as possible in a dangerous, fast-moving landscape. While you'll mostly be trying to beat your previous high scores, Grim Joggers also supports Game Center so you can match up your best distance with other players around the world.

What sets Grim Joggers apart is that instead of just one character to control, you're controlling an entire team of joggers you'll need to … Read more

The meter is on

Whacksy Taxi is a fast-paced, ad-supported racing game with old-school graphics and controls--and a surprising amount of quality content for a free game.

Whacksy Taxi looks superficially like an Out-Run-style racer, but your lateral movement is much more like Frogger: you're always driving forward, on an endlessly straight road, but you use left and right buttons to switch back and forth between three vertical lanes, dodging a maze of traffic that becomes more dense with every level. You also have buttons to jump cars (one or two at a time) and to brake (to give yourself some breathing room). … Read more

Dangerous deliveries

Mirror's Edge was already available for iPad, but it now makes its debut on the iPhone as probably the best of the running/escaping genre on iOS devices. Based on the popular 3D first-person running game for consoles and desktop computers, Mirror's Edge for iPhone manages to keep the overall aesthetic of the 3D versions, but with a side-scrolling 2D (2.5D?) variation. Even with the lack of first-person views, Mirror's Edge for iPhone manages to be very fun and visually intense (especially on the iPhone 4's Retina Display) as you run through increasingly challenging levels … Read more