The case for collaborative consumption

Do you own a power drill? How much do you use it? Did you actually want the drill or the hole?

Do you own any DVDs? How many times have you watched them? Will you ever watch them again? Would you like to exchange one of your existing DVDs rather than pay for your next one?

Time for collaborative consumption:



More video:

http://youtu.be/kTqgiF4HmgQ

http://youtu.be/K6FXZJU2-w8

More from Rachel Botsman:

http://www.rachelbotsman.com/

http://www.rachelbotsman.com/book/ /Collaborative Consumption cultural economic force transforming business consumerism the way we live 10 Ideas That Will Change the World TIME magazine hopeful book social revolution Financial Times revolution think about ownership WIRED What’s Mine is Yours rapidly growing socioeconomic groundswell technology enabling sharing exchange assets money cars skills stuff scale enormous marketplaces eBay Craigslist emerging sectors peer-to-peer travelAirbnb social lending Zopa swap trading Swap.com car sharing Zipcar disruption disrupting outdated modes business reinventing what how consume travelling global entrepreneurs established companies three systems product service systems collaborative lifestyles redistribution markets maps key principles global brands start-ups public services innovate adapt opportunity opportunities Rogers power of collaboration big ideas /

Naked & afraid: that's how open public WiFi security should make you feel

Free WiFi. Better yet: no annoying password to type in.

All true.

But ... everything you type, or see on your screen is sent in the clear, & visible to anyone with a little knowledge ...

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/10/29/naked_and_afraid_thats_how_telstras_wifi_security_makes_you_feel// sit down open up the laptop join advertised SSID go online free WiFi makes working cafe breeze transformed Sydney’s libraries most sought-after spots in town encourage tourists business residents spend more time money everything they send receive over their connection read by anyone else free network understand the risk Wireshark root access free WiFi network never has a password easy to log on in read the network traffic transmitted in the clear every packet of data Telstra public WiFi hotspots free trial period public WiFi hotspots open warnings login screen perform sensitive tasks connected smart phone smartphones weather forecast emails downloading podcast proactive script kiddie Wireshark root need secure connections public security paranoid risks WPA2 authentication access public WiFi network unsecured WiFi network consider safety of their users open networks unacceptable unnecessary risk risky environment SSID corporate secrets tablets or laptops surfing the Web secure website Google Facebook Twitter HTTPS encryp traffic between web browser server snoop metadata sites visited content of that traffic websites secure HTTPS authentication encryption authenticated and secured HTTPS website Internet known threats The Reg naughty list HTTP devs developers developer develop alerted /

Best iPhone 6 case so far

Credit: Incipio

"Best" — bold claim, but The Wirecutter has polled over 1,000 readers.

http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-iphone-6-case/ / survey surveying Wirecutter readers test testing iPhone 6 cases our current pick best all-around case NGP from Incipio available black clear frost blue teal pink red NGP has protected generations iPhones devices reputation solid protection good fit slim svelte dimensions comprehensive protection handset body buttons opening bottom compatibility wide range of accessories surveying readers testing iPhone 6 cases best all-around case NGP dock compatibility poll polled readers /

Carbon fibre for more performance & economy

Credit: Charged EVs

Weight is the enemy of acceleration, handling, braking & economy in a vehicle.

For this reason, manufacturers invest a substantial effort in weight reduction. Perhaps the most obvious method of weight reduction is choice of structural materials. Steel is the major structural material of most vehicles because of cost.

Carbon fibre is both lighter & stronger than steel. It also more expensive, because of the labour-intensive methods used in its production.

Carbon fibre is extensively used in racing cars & aircraft. BMW has made extensive use of carbon fibre in its i3 electric vehicle & i8 extended-range electric performance car.

Before carbon fibre can be more widely used, however, price must be reduced. Essentially, this means elimination of the expensive manual component. I.e. automation.

Klaus Drechsler, head of MAI Carbon Cluster Management GmbH, a research programme supported by the German govenment & BMW among others, told Bloomberg that they have, "reached a halfway point":

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-10-09/bmw-backed-researchers-closing-in-on-cheaper-carbon-fiber.html

http://chargedevs.com/newswire/german-consortium-halfway-to-goal-of-reducing-carbon-fiber-costs-by-90-percent/ / large scale manufacturing manufacture cars lightweight carbon fiber costs fall materials development group Bayerische Motoren Werke AG BMW MAI Carbon Cluster Management GmbH research federal government research reducing carbon fiber production cost cost cutting target carbon-fiber parts professor Technical University of Munich next generation of cars BMW Audi AG NSU manufacturers components weigh mass Roland Berger Strategy Consultants Holding GmbH automation production electric cars electric vehicle EV Augsburg Germany planemaker Airbus Group NV AIR engineering Siemens AG SGL Carbon SE SGL joint venture BMW carbon fiber passenger frame i8 hybrid sports car research Oak Ridge Carbon Fiber Composites Consortium Oak Ridge Tennessee Ford Motor Dow Chemical Herbert Diess development Munich /

Apple Pay/CurrentC — another standards war — this time in mobile payments

In USA, a large drug store chain (Rite Aid) has stopped taking payments through Apple Pay. Reason appears to be their interest in an alternative system, CurrentC, which is also backed by such heavyweights as Wal-Mart, Best Buy, Target, Darden Restaurants & Sears.

CurrentC has two problems:
● it won't be operational until 2015 — so customers will have to wait
● based on the information available, customers will be required to link their account to the CurrentC system, & at the time of making a payment, will have to use their phone to scan a QR code displayed on the merchant's terminal

An attempt to carve out a piece of electronic payments, in this way, is likely to be as attractive to customers as a business accepting only one type of credit card.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2014/10/26/cvs-follows-rite-aid-shuts-off-apple-pay/17959213/

http://9to5mac.com/2014/10/25/cvs-begins-disabling-nfc-terminals-in-stores-to-cut-off-apple-pay-support-in-favor-of-currentc/ / drug store chain Rite Aid Inc stopped accepting payments Apple Pay system CVS Health pharmacy stores conflict mobile payment system CurrentC developed retailer-owned mobile technology Merchant Customer Exchange MCX NFC chip generates QR code displayed merchant checkout terminal linked bank accounts system scan QR code terminal transaction completed early September Wal-Mart Stores Best Buy adopt new system partners in MCX major retailers Target Darden Restaurants Sears Holdings mobile payment solution big retailers paying fees drive adoption Apple Pay real-world testing works with existing checkout terminals retailers purchase new equipment communicate with NFC chip iPhone 6 Plus contractual solidarity backers exclusively customer demand NFC-based systems technology /

Fitness bands too expensive? How about $1 per month? – updated

Credit: Pivotal Living

Not convinced? Pivotal's Life Tracker 1 fitness band also comes with optional free replacement every year two years. At that time, your total cost is $12 $24 + if you renew, you get a free update to the latest model.

Compare that with the up-front-cost of any another tracker.

Update: apparently, at this time, its pre-order, in the USA only. Other areas promised for 2015.

http://www.cnet.com/products/pivotal-life-tracker-1/

http://www.wusa9.com/story/news/nation/2014/10/26/a-12-fitness-band-yep-and-it-looks-good/17965387/

http://www.pivotalliving.com/#!device/c1sre

If you have an Android phone, don't be put off: all of the app screen shots show an iPhone, but the FAQ promises apps for both iOS & Android at release, plus desktop apps coming in 2015.

http://www.pivotalliving.com/#!faq/c1x2j / wearables smartwatches devices track your daily activities activity trackers cheap average price $130 Seattle based startup Pivotal Living Life Tracker 1 activity tracker $12 yearly subscription access mobile app free Android iOS poor quality stylish build quality popular devices small wrist-based band 3-axis accelerometer track your steps distance traveled calories burned active minutes sleep time scroll your data device OLED screen pressing small button tracker silent alarm vibrate wake you up battery life water resistant not fully waterproof no showering or swimming mobile app user friendly set goals track daily hydration weight social platform create join teams friends like minded individuals message share your activity data preorder from Pivotal Living's website David Donovick /

Promising method for detecting pancreatic cancer years before traditional diagnosis

Early detection of a cancer means much better chance of a cure. Some cancers, such as skin & breast cancer are relatively easy to detect early because they can be detected by sight or touch. Others, such as pancreatic cancer as more difficult.

Recently, a high level of certain amino acids has been found to indicate an elevated risk of pancreatic cancer years later.

http://singularityhub.com/2014/10/02/promising-method-for-detecting-pancreatic-cancer-years-before-traditional-diagnosis/ / cancer diagnosis earlier treatments more effective survival more likely early detection regular checkups found sight touch much more difficult detect more deadly pancreatic cancer pancreas hidden deep in the body tumors discovered routine examination exams noticeable symptoms advanced stage organs 40,000 people die of pancreatic cancer USA US United States each year MIT study pancreatic cancers detectable years before diagnosis analyzing blood long-term health study participants researchers flood particular amino acids significantly more likely diagnosed pancreatic cancer later on collaboration Broad Institute researchers tested levels metabolic molecules blood proteins sugars telltale signs biomarkers disease signature predicting pancreatic cancer diagnosis three branched chain amino acids leucine isoleucine valine Matthew Vander Heiden senior author paper associate professor of biology Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research patients elevated levels three amino acids treatment /

How Elon Musk taught himself rocket science

SpaceX Falcon 9
Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

Jim Cantrell,¹ aerospace consultant & SpaceX’s first VP of business development, talks about how Elon Musk learned enough about aerospace to start SpaceX &, “... used a billion dollars to do what NASA couldn’t do with $US27 billion,”

“He is by far the single smartest person that I have ever worked with … period.”

Business Insider interview with Jim Cantrell
https://www.businessinsider.com.au/how-elon-musk-learned-rocket-science-for-spacex-2014-10

Forbes interview with Jim Cantrell
https://www.forbes.com/sites/quora/2014/07/16/how-did-elon-musk-learn-enough-about-rockets-to-run-spacex-cofounder-jim-cantrell-answers/#7f19ea1b423d

Esquire magazine interview with Elon Musk
https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a16681/elon-musk-interview-1212/
__________

¹ Wikipedia: “Jim Cantrell”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Cantrell

/ bachelor’s degrees physics economics University of Pennsylvania run SpaceX spacecraft company Jim Cantrell aerospace consultant first vice president VP business development industry mentor company launched in 2002 taught himself rocket science by reading textbooks talking industry heavyweights Internet billionaire Robert Zubrin founder the Mars Society expert in Russian rockets spacecraft Mars Quora thread two-part learning process teach himself rocket science committed textbooks to memory affinity for applied knowledge loaned textbooks study never returned Rocket Propulsion Elements Aerothermodynamics of Gas Turbine and Rocket Propulsion Fundamentals of Astrodynamics International Reference Guide to Space Launch Systems quote passages verbatim books built network smartest people network aerospace industry spaceapalooza hired the rocket engineer Tom Mueller smartest propulsion expert deep knowledge learned from years of research absorbed books truly listens to people absorb this information motivation true pioneer rocket scientist the smartest man I ever met /

Paralysed man walks again after nasal cell transplant

Unlike other cells in the human body, nerve cells are not able to regenerate. Except, for nerves in the olfactory bulbs, which are involved in the sense of smell.

In a groundbreaking procedure, one of the patient’s olfactory bulbs were removed, cells grown in culture for two weeks & then transplanted into the patient’s spine.



http://www.bbc.com/news/health-29645760

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-22/man-with-completely-severed-spinal-cord-walks-again/5831794 / paralysed man able to walk again pioneering therapy transplanting cells nasal cavity spinal cord Darek Fidyka paralysed chest down knife attack walk using a frame treatment surgeons in Poland collaboration scientists London research published journal Cell Transplantation project charting rehabilitation walking again support of a frame helpless Prof Geoff Raisman chair neural regeneration University College London Institute of Neurology research team UK research team leader Prof Geoff Raisman paralysis treatment treatment olfactory ensheathing cells OEC sense of smell pathway cells enable nerve fibres olfactory system continually renewed two operations surgeons removed patient's olfactory bulb grew cells in culture transplanted spinal cord thin strip scar tissue about 500,000 cells 100 micro-injections injury scientists believe reconnect nerve grafts bridge bladder bowel sensation sexual function
Dr Pawel Tabakow consultant neurosurgeon Wroclaw University Hospital Polish research team regeneration of the spinal cord /

Hoverboard is here just in time for 2015

Well, almost, & only $US10,000.

Or you can get a developers' kit on Kickstarter, starting at $299. With 53 days to go, as of this writing, over $215,00 has been pledged of the $250,000 goal.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/142464853/hendo-hoverboards-worlds-first-real-hoverboard / zero gravity levitation hover technology in your hands HENDO hoverboard 1 inch off the ground prototype hover in defy gravity riding it support Kickstarter community finishing touches Hendo Hoverboard produce them create places to ride them engineering team iteration iterating design four disc-shaped hover engines magnetic field pushes generating lift levitation levitates board off the ground self-propelled stabilize drive it forward altering the projected force on the surface below non-ferromagnetic conductor metals working on new compounds technology minimize costs enabling technologies time and resources Whitebox developer kit technology crowdsourced creative minds artistic vision engineers practical professional riders industrial design current technology special types of surfaces hoverpark designing a park supporters backers collaborators hoverpark brick levitation magnets Earnshaw's Theorem stable static equilibrium Lenz’s law eddy currents conductor conductive material magnetic field  Magnetic Field Architecture MFA /

Formula E update

Nicolas Prost/Nick Heidfeld collision on the last lap of the Beijing event

Previously, on these pages, the capacity of Formula E batteries was quoted as 28 kiloWatt hours (kWh). In fact, they are 32 kWh battery capacity, with 28 kWh usable. Three drivers (Alguersuari, Legge & Abt) have been penalised 57 seconds, for exceeding the 28 kWh limit in Beijing.

Prost has been penalised 10 grid places in the next race for, "causing an avoidable collision", in the last lap of the Beijing event. See video at the top of this post & the link below.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2014/sep/15/nicolas-prost-accepts-blame-formula-e-nick-heidfeld-crash

Complete video of the 1st Formula E race in Beijing, Saturday 13 September 2014.

Next Race:
Putrajaya, Malaysia
Round 2 - Saturday 22 November 2014
Practice 1 - 08:15 Malaysian local time
Practice 2 - 10:30
Qualifying - 12:00
Race - 16:00 / Formula E all electric racing series second race Putrajaya Malaysia ePrix stadium races F1 FIA electricity sport electric vehicles EV terrific acceleration pass passing possible tracks with tight corners technology range race organizers identical cars Spark-Renault SRT_01E built French company Spark Racing Technology carbon fiber aluminum chassis Dallara electric powertrain electronics McLaren Electronics Systems Williams Advanced Engineering building 200 kiloWatt battery pack batteries powertrain generate 270 horsepower five-speed paddle shift gearbox fixed gear ratios Michelin 18 inch tires wet dry conditions sound 80 decibel whine full grid 20 cars FIA Formula E strategy street courses dedicated circuits tire wear grip management battery life charge prematurely testing drivers learn knowledge teams construction constructors constructing FanBoost pit stop second fully charged car advances in battery technology battery swaps charging battery Renault Michelin DHL Qualcomm Richard Branson Virgin Racing team Leonardo DiCaprio Venturi team lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge range battery management system BMS /

How does the iPhone 6 camera compare to previous iPhone cameras?

Credit: Lisa Bettany/Camera+/Ubergizmo

Lisa Bettany, professional photographer, & one of the partners responsible for the Camera+ app for iOS, has done a comparison of the cameras in every iPhone ever made.

To get an idea, just compare the two ends of the image above.

Extraordinary progress since 2007.

More:

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2014/09/photos-compare-the-cameras-of-every-iphone-apple-has-ever-made/

http://snapsnapsnap.photos/how-does-the-iphone-6-camera-compare-to-previous-iphone-cameras/ / camera cofounder co-founder Camera+ app compare photos taken every iPhone Apple photos same subject photo types macro backlit subjects daylight lowlight photograph macro close up close-up closeup photos taken Camera+ app features default camera app accurate users expect devices Apple improvements iPhone 6 clear winner more balanced colors sharper details amazing lowlight low-light low light performance iPhones superior day light daylight portrait sunset iPhone camera technology /

Red Bull customer fails to get promised wings — sues

Red Bull, while maintaining that, "... its marketing & labelling have always been truthful and accurate ..." has decided to settle out of court. If you live in the United States, you may be entitled to a refund of $10 in cash or $15 worth of Red Bull if you've bought the stuff since 2002.

If this applies to you, go to energydrinksettlement.com before 02 March 2015.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/10/11/red_bull_wings_lawsuit/ / website Red Bull caffeine consumer consumers claim multi-million dollar award wings ad slogan promised crash crashed Austria-based drinks maker manufacturer settle US lawsuits out of court long-time user Benjamin Careathers sue sued New York court false advertising filed cases in California did not have wings improved athletic intellectual ability deceived users lawyers acting on behalf of seeking to redress pervasive pattern fraudulent deceptive false otherwise improper unproper advertising sales marketing practice Red Bull defendants have engaged in Red Bull defendants prey upon consumers Red Bull gives you wings mixture of ingredients significantly improve consumer’s physical mental performance best course of action settle out of court agreeing refund deal will cost Red Bull $13.5m $6.5m avoid cost distraction litigation spokesman said maintains denies wrongdoing liability change future advertising plaintiffs David Wolf Migeul Almarez California court documents /

Puppy-sized spider surprises scientist in rainforest

Credit: Live Science

A spider the size (& weight) of a puppy would surprise most of us. It is regarded as venemous, but doesn't pose a lethal threat to humans. Even so, with 5 cm (2 inch) fangs, it could inflict an injury best avoided. Plus it has another weapon: when it feels threatened, it rubs it abdomen with its hind legs, releasing a cloud of hairs which will sting & itch for weeks if they get into sensitive parts of the body, such as the eye, mouth & nose.



http://www.livescience.com/48340-goliath-birdeater-surprises-scientist.html / Piotr Naskrecki night nighttime walk rainforest Guyana rustling creeping underfoot small mammal possum rat entomologist photographer Harvard University Museum of Comparative Zoology brown furry mammal enormous puppy size spider South American Goliath birdeater Theraphosa blondi arachnid world world's largest spider Guinness World Records leg span foot30 centimeters body size large fist Live Science weigh 6 oz.170 grams the scientist wrote on his blog giant huntsman spider larger leg span much more delicate sounds feet have hardened tips claws clicking sound horse's hooves prickly hairs 2 inch fangs rainforest rub its hind legs against its abdomen cloud of hairs microscopic barbs eyes mucous membranes extremely painful itchy 2 inch long 5 centimeter fangs venomous deadly to humans extremely painful hairs front spider's body tiny hooks barbs Velcro eat birds killing small mammals leaf litter ground night spider species puncture drink bird eggs eat frogs insects main prey earthworms humid common spiders tropics South America lab study museum /

A charge for your phone in 5 minutes – revisited (video) – updated

Credit: Zap&Go

You may remember a recent post about a large external rechargeable lithium ion battery which could accept enough charge in 5 minutes to fully charge a typical mobile phone. It worked because at 13,500 mAh capacity, it could accept enough charge in 5 minutes to subsequently fully charge the much smaller battery in a typical smart phone.

Some of the same functionality is provided by Zap&Go, a smaller device (both physically & electrical storage capacity), which can accept a "phone-full" of charge in 5 minutes, using capacitor technology.

Other features include:
• built-in electrical wall-plug
• interchangeable international plugs for world-wide use
• can be used as a wall-charger for your phone

How do the Pronto (in the previous post) & the Zap&Go compare?
• Pronto uses a lithium ion battery of 13,500 mAh capacity
• there is a 4,500 mAh capacity Pronto, but it will not accept charge fast enough to do the 5 minute trick – more like 20 minutes
• Zap&Go uses a supercapacitor
• both will accept enough charge in five minutes to subsequently fully charge a "typical phone" – read iPhone 5s rather than Galaxy Note 4
• full charge for a Pronto will take 1 hour, but will charge a "typical phone" several times – tablets too
• full charge for a Zap&Go will take 5 minutes, & will charge a "typical phone" once only – developer claims two full charges of a Zap&Go to fully charge an iPad 2
• Pronto requires an external charger
• Zap&Go has its charger built in, plus international adapters
• Pronto is bigger & heavier than Zap&Go

Zap&Go is an Indiegogo project.



Developer's figures on Zap&Go performance charging a range of devices:

http://www.zapandgocharger.com/features.html

Indiegogo listing:

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/zap-go-5-minute-charger#home

Zap&Go website:

http://www.zapandgocharger.com/

More:

http://www.gizmag.com/zap-and-go-supercapacitor-charger/34228/

http://www.ohgizmo.com/2014/10/15/zapgo-portable-charger-fills-just-5-minutes/ / Oxford based startup crowdfunding development design develop Zap&Go phone charger speed portability graphene supercapacitor ad-hoc power supply charged charge 1,500-mAh capacity fully charge iPhone 5s five minutes more practical solution current alternatives traveling travel smartphones tablets keep getting thinner displays pixel-dense power-hungry battery life portable devices one day of heavy usage limitations LiIon lithium-ion lithium ion batteries hours fully charge need more juice external battery recharge our electronics socket wall plug fast external batteries 2,600-mAh Petalite Flux Power Practical Pronto 13,500 mAh version pack suitcase traveling charge faster typical smartphone Zap&Go speed portability phone tablet standard 5-volt USB port normal charger plugging it in electrical socket phone tablet charging device fast five minute charge cycle quick full charge connect product working prototype stage company founder Stephen Voller two major innovations replace aluminum foils super capacitor supercapacitor more conductive graphene shrink size new power supply include international plug adapters for UK Japan EU Indiegogo campaign /

Making the case for a large screen phone

LG G3, left – Samsung Galaxy Note 4, right
Credit: Pocket Now

Having recently made the case for small screen phones, today, it will be the largest, those that approach the size of tablets, sometimes called, "phablets".

So, why would anyone want a phone with a screen in the 5.5 inch, & up, range?

Obviously, part of the answer is the reverse of the arguments for smaller screen: a user with large hands & a carry method that doesn't place a premium on the pockets of tight jeans.

Other advantages of large screen phones:
• More information on the screen – reading a webpage on a phone can be a struggle to get the information on the screen at a readable point size. Even worse, can be reading PDFs, because the point size is fixed. (If this is a problem for you, on Android, have a look at qPDF Viewer &/or ezPDF Reader, using the "text reflow option".)
• Can make multitasking easier by having both apps visible on the screen at the same time
• Combine some of the advantages of phone & tablet
• Samsung's S-Pen stylus brings a unique level of precision & set of functions to its Note phablets

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 – 5.7 inch screen:

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/16/technology/personaltech/samsung-galaxy-note-4-review.html

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ianmorris/2014/10/15/samsung-galaxy-note-4-review-far-more-to-offer-than-apples-iphone-6-plus/

LG G3 – 5.5 inch screen:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/ianmorris/2014/07/11/lg-g3-review-the-perfect-smartphone/

G3 Vs Note 4:

http://pocketnow.com/2014/09/06/samsung-galaxy-note-4-vs-lg-g3

Apple iPhone 6 Plus – 5.5 inch screen:

http://www.techradar.com/au/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/iphone-6-plus-1264566/review
/ 2011 Samsung unveiled smartphone big joke mistake screen measuring 5.3 inches diagonally device criticism the most useless phone look stupid talking on it critics were wrong sell millions huge Note spawned dozens of copycats entire new category phablet smartphones big enough tablets smartphone manufacturer phone as big as the Note plus-size phones watershed device original iPhone iPad important influential digital invention bigger better Note Apple’s iPhone 6 Plus more intuitive interface half dozen half-dozen clever features sharper larger display charge battery half-full in just 30 minutes stylus transformative device big phone ambitious effort future of computing more useful powerful than PCs other kinds of computers gimmick gimmickry gimmicky features seem half-baked heart-rate monitor fingerprint scanner rough edges truly useful machine stunning display size larger display giant phone display bigger better DisplayMate technical tests digital displays significantly better color accuracy sharper more vivid Android Google mobile operating system OS TouchWiz user interface several useful features use them in different modes phones scan email look up directions morning mail plan a day calendar take notes side-key panel pop-up menu home screen previous screen open apps side key side-key panel tap under your thumb second mode two handed two-handed tasks small pop-up windows any size you wish stylus productivity select text click on links more precision notepad scribble hand writing recognition multiple windows useful learning curve phone of tomorrow /

Tesla’s first battery-swap station opening by year-end

Tesla demonstrated its battery swapping technology over a year ago, with no apparent progress since. Now, Slashgear has reported that the first operational battery-swap station will be coming soon.

http://www.slashgear.com/teslas-first-battery-swap-station-opening-by-december-15350430/

Changes to California Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) credit rules

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-04-04/tesla-to-get-fewer-eco-credits-as-california-tweaks-rules.html
/ battery swap battery-swap station electric vehicle EV lithium ion LiIon LiFeO4 iron phosphate electric car company drivers Model S ninety second refuel cars battery exchange system rapid charging Tesla's Supercharger network wholesale exchange batteries themselves fully automatic automated robot robotic systems drop existing battery pack out underneath EV replace fully charged version Tesla's demonstration battery swap technology last year CEO Elon Musk fill traditional gas tank petrol fast fastest faster Supercharger network 30 minutes 170 miles range Model S efficiency cost-effectiveness scaling battery swapping infrastructure drivers switch back original battery return journey opt pay difference upgrade fee managing battery demand start up Better Place folded last year first Tesla swap station somewhere between San Francisco Los Angeles /

Turbine-electric drivetrain for lower cost delivery

A. turbine powered generator B. battery C. plug in charging D. electric traction motors E. fuel tank
Credit: Wrightspeed/Hybrid Cars

Internal combustion piston engines have many disadvantages:
● inefficient — in lab conditions, perhaps a little more than 30% for a diesel — driving a vehicle, very much less
● not very durable — around 5,000 hours operating life — at peak efficiency (full load) closer to 500 hours
● high maintenance costs
● dirty exhaust

Gas or diesel turbines, are less efficient, but at peak load have an operating life of 40,000 hours & have much lower maintenance costs. Very clean exhaust.

Electric motors are 80 to 90% efficient — largely independent of load — durable too — only one moving part — & much lower operating costs.

Many medium duty trucks, such as delivery vehicles, have many start/stop cycles in daily operation & rarely reach peak efficiency. Add to this, heavy traffic with slow driving in a low gear + idling, to create a recipe for inefficient operation, high fuel cost & short operating life.

Even less efficient are garbage trucks. Much of their operation is: accelerate for a few meters, brake hard (throwing away the energy just consumed to get the truck moving), load the garbage, & repeat.

Wrightspeed had a better idea:
● replace the piston engine with an efficient electric motor
● batteries are expensive, so restrict battery range to reduce cost &
● add a turbine-powered generator to periodically recharge the battery

This improves efficiency because:
● 80-90% efficient electric motor drives the vehicle
● an electric motor brings with it regenerative braking, which further improves the efficiency of the vehicle by returning energy to the battery at each stop
● electric motors don't need to idle, further adding to efficiency
● although peak efficiency of a turbine is less than that of a piston engine, when it is operating, it is always driving the generator at peak efficiency

Wrightspeed claim their powertrain can improve efficiency from eight or ten miles per (US) gallon, to 25 or 30 or more. In operation, this is a saving of $35,000 fuel & $8,000 in maintenance per vehicle per year.



FedEx is trialing delivery trucks with Wrightspeed drivetrains:

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1094920_fedex-tests-wrightspeed-electric-trucks-with-diesel-turbine-range-extender

Extended interview with Wrightspeed CEO, Ian Wright:

http://chargedevs.com/features/qa-with-ian-wright-the-ceo-of-wrightspeed-on-tesla-gas-turbines-and-electric-trucks/ / EV electric passenger vehicles commercial trucks electric drive huge global fleet reduce emissions fuel costs improving efficiency alternative powertrain power train drivetrain drive train range extender electric delivery trucks diesel turbine generator WrightSpeed turbine range extended electric delivery van conversion FedEx electric powertrain Silicon Valley WrightSpeed turbine takes gasoline combustion engine Chevy Volt BMW i3 REx range extended electric cars tested 39 kilowatt hour lithium ion battery pack range urban delivery constant speed buffered battery pack power train propulsion systems /

Eight of the best pocket-sized phones for small hands

Samsung's Galaxy Note was introduced to a surprised world. With a 5.3 inch screen, most thought it too large. Apple, on the other hand had decided that 3.5 inches was ideal, as it was the best screen that could be managed with one hand, using the thumb for touch. Of course, this ignores the fact that hands come in a range of sizes – 3.5 inches is ideal for some (probably including Steve Jobs), but too big for for others & unnecessarily small for still others. For those who chose to use a phone two-handed, one-handed reach of the thumb is irrelevant.

Android phones, meanwhile, continued to grow larger. Galaxy Note expanded to 5.7 inches. Samsung's S grew as well, & now sports a 5.1 inch screen, only slightly smaller than the original Note, which surprised so many.

Apple has finally moved with the trend, & has 4.7 & 5.5 inch screens in the iPhone 6.

While bigger screens are better for many reasons, for many users, how a phone fits into a pocket of a pair of tight jeans is an important selection criterion. Another, is how well a phone suits the user's hand size.

https://gigaom.com/2014/10/13/best-phones-under-5-inches-2014/ / big demand two-handed two handed usage high-end smartphones fit pair skinny jeans upgrade powerful handset fits in your pocket huge screen carriers expensive phones bigger 5 inches powerful processors cameras replace tablet laptop easy to carry iPhone 6 Plus large screen size big phones phablet Sony Xperia Z3 Compact true flagship powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chip 3 GB RAM waterproof memory expansion expand expandable MicroSD card slot cameras phones availability smart phone smartphone device Samsung Galaxy Alpha light solid metal construction fingerprint sensor Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 HTC One Remix Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor cpu Sharp AQUOS Crystal bezel GSM network Moto X first generation smaller phone Snapdragon S4 Pro chip cutting edge mixed reviews Motorola voice activation iPhone 6 Moto X Android iOS 4.7-inch screen best Apple App Store most mature marketplace mobile apps iPhone 5S Apple’s Touch ID sensor 64-bit A7 processor Amazon Fire Phone good build quality one handed use Amazon Prime Amazon Appstore Google Play Apple App Store Dynamic Perspective Amazon’s 3D effect four front-facing cameras gimmick /

Smartwatch 33% off

Pebble Steel left & original Pebble right
Credit: Pebble/The Verge

If you've been thinking about a smartwatch, but haven't jumped yet, you might like to have a look at the Pebble, which has just dropped from $149 to $99.

Its among the most popular, with advantages including one week battery life, readable-in-the-brightest-sunlight display, hundreds of apps & watchfaces including design-your-own.

$99 is the new price for the original Pebble. Pebble Steel has dropped $50 too, now $199.

https://getpebble.com/ / smart watch smartwatch Bluetooth on sale price reduction reduced save saving /

iOS 8 shunned by refusenik fanbois

Credit: Fiksu/The Register

Analysis firms differ, & unsurprisingly, Apple paints a rosier picture than anyone else, but take-up of iOS 8 seems to be slower than any version since iOS 5.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/10/07/apple_ios8_slowest_adoption_rate_ios5/ / Apple persuade fanboi legions old versions mobile operating system OS iOS 8 adoption rates new version stalled equal numbers Apple fanfolk new and old operating system rollout of iOS 8 least successful since iOS 5 mobe app bazaar Fiksu take-up take up slower just under 40 per cent users using the latest operating system failed to persuade fanboi legions abandon old versions mobile operating system adoption rates new version stalled new and old operating system rollout of iOS 8 least successful iOS 6 iOS 7 50 per cent Fiksu analysis analysing version of iOS people running its client apps unreliabl updated visits App Store analysis firms assessments Mixpanel 45 per cent of Apple switched new version Jony Ive flat design parallax parallaxing /

Tesla D announcement — its all-wheel drive + safety features — updated

Update — Tesla D from the bottom up
Credit: Mark Ralston—AFP/Getty Images/Time

Making good on his tweet of a few days ago, at 7pm US Pacific Time, Thursday 09 October, Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, revealed "D" & "something else."

As previously suggested in these pages, the "D" stands for dual motors, one driving the front wheels, the other driving the back, providing all wheel drive.

Tesla claims that unlike fossil fuel vehicles, the addition of 4WD has improved efficiency, yielding improvements in acceleration, range & top speed.

Update 11 October: Tesla claims range at a steady 65 mph is improved from 261 miles for the standard Model S to 295 miles for the 85D.

And the "something else"? Driver assistance features, which have been referred to as "auto-pilot". They include:

● change lane on driver use of the turn indicator
● automatically apply the brakes to avoid a collision
● ability to read speed signs & reduce speed if necessary

http://chargedevs.com/newswire/tesla-d-is-more-revolutionary-than-you-think/

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/cars/2014/10/09/tesla-musk-safety-driver-aids/16986665/

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/tesla-announcement-sparks-speculation-26082605

http://time.com/3487514/tesla-motors-d-not-self-driving/ / luxury electric car maker Tesla Motors Model S sedan upgrade faster safer all-wheel-drive CEO Elon Musk something else dual motor rear-wheel-drive power front wheels powering rear heavy less efficient optimizing optimise optimize top speed 155 mph 130 mph rocket SpaceX safety features steer itself lane brake automatically move the car over a lane when driver turn signal use cameras read speed limit signs adjust car's speed auto pilot drive itself driver-assist features Raj Rajkumar pioneer self-driving cars Carnegie Mellon University /

German genius invents machine gun that makes & fires paper airplanes

Yes, it really does make paper airplanes & then launches them.



http://sploid.gizmodo.com/mad-genius-creates-awesome-fully-automated-paper-airpla-1644140869

Or, you could make something similar using Lego:

/ German genius invention inventions fully automated paper airplane machine gun machine gun folds plain paper sheets into airplanes designed design 3D printed crowdfunding mass manufacturing share his plans aeroplane /

Optical zoom for your smartphone?

Many, myself included, have argued that the best camera for the task at hand is the one you have with you & that for most of us, most of the time, that's a camera phone.

Despite the strength of the above argument, a major failing remains the lack of optical zoom, apart from such atypical & bulky examples, as the Galaxy S4 Zoom.

However, a solution may be at hand: under development is a compact zoom lens which uses elements similar to progressive focus lenses used in glasses. It allows changing focal length (i.e. zooming) by moving the elements of the lens, sideways

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/531246/lenses-that-move-sideways-could-improve-smartphone-snaps/

Galaxy S4 Zoom

http://www.google.com.au/url?q=http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s4_zoom-5447.php&sa=U&ei=yPU0VLfUH8jX8gWnpICoAg&ved=0CDYQFjAB&usg=AFQjCNG5w3qjRwV5gR8tmLAdNJQWSnPfRg / startup DynaOptics lenses move side to side forward and backward high-quality optical zoom smartphones pack a camera-quality optical zoom into a smartphone lenses magnify moving from side to side forward and backward digital zoom software pixelated photos progressive lens bifocals overlapping fashion CEO cofounder Li Han Chan samples testing phones point-and-shoot cameras curved lens concave convex aperture simple electric motor image sensor prototypes magnify image quality fine tune Allen Yi professor Ohio State University studied /

A charge for your phone in 5 minutes — update

You're leaving in 5 minutes & your phone is dead. We don't have an app for that, but Power Practical does have a piece of hardware:

Enter the Pronto: it's an external battery, which will accept enough charge in 5 minutes to recharge an iPhone 5. In the scenario above, if the Pronto is dead too, plug it in for the five minutes left before you leave. If it has some charge (indicator lights for state-of-charge), you may be good to go.

Either way, when you leave, take your phone & Pronto, & charge when convenient.

Pronto comes in two models, 4,500 mAh & 13,500 mAh capacity, with significant differences in capability. E.g. the 5 minute scenario above is for the 13,500 mAh model. With the 4,500 model, you would need 20 minutes.

Pronto is a Kickstarter project. More details at:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/powerpractical/the-pronto-fast-charge-battery

Update: after less than 24 hours, Pronto has already exceeded its funding target & all "early birds" for the 13,500 mAh variant have been taken up./ Pronto Promtus Latin quick battery pack store power fast wall outlet recharge battery pack high-power 2.4 Amp USB port capacity small milli Amp hour capacity dual high-power 2.4 A USB ports 12V adapter charge larger devices laptops DSLR cameras drone batteries Power Practical price project products fast charging design battery cells safely safe safety universal battery packs developed custom circuit boards quickly charge dedicated AC wall chargers high quality lithium polymer cell custom circuit board charging indestructible enclosure tough portable devices die cast hard anodized aluminum enclosure abuse accidents damage durable case water dirt elastic nylon strap stand charging charge blue cap orange silicone seal ports nylon strap cap protects prototype energy universal battery cell working prototypes Pronto 5 Pronto 12 designs production invention PowerPot /

Oxygen absorbing material may allow us to breathe underwater

Colour changes with oxygen saturation: black when saturated, pink after oxygen release
Credit: Credit: University of Southern Denmark/Gizmag

Scientists at the University of Southern Denmark have synthesised a new material which is able to absorb oxygen from air or water, & subsequently release it in a vacuum or when heated. A few grains could supply enough oxygen for a breath. A bucketful could absorb all of the oxygen from a room.

Possible uses include SCUBA & medical oxygen without large, heavy tanks

http://www.gizmag.com/crystalline-material-absorb-oxygen-denmark/34064/ / specially synthesized crystalline materials absorb store oxygen high concentrations release stored oxygen controlled manner few grains divers diver carry bulky scuba tanks new material element cobalt bound specially designed organic molecule available oxygen ambient temperature barometric pressure absorption of oxygen surroundings reversible reaction irreversibly oxygen absorbs oxygen selective chemisorptive process Professor Christine McKenzie University of Southern Denmark sensor container for oxygen bind store transport oxygen solid artificial hemoglobin crystalline material changes color absorbing releasing oxygen black saturated pink oxygen released varying constituent structure bind release oxygen different rates regulate oxygen supply fuel cells face masks use layers of the material provide pure oxygen directly from the air bulky air tanks lung patients carry heavy oxygen tanks artificial photosynthesis journal of the Royal Society of Chemistry Chemical Science /

After blocking personal hotspot at hotel, Marriott to pay FCC $600,000

Marriott practices were called into question when a guest complained that they were, "jamming mobile hotspots so you can’t use them in the convention space."

By way of reply Marriott claimed that, "Marriott has a strong interest in ensuring that when our guests use our Wi-Fi service, they will be protected from rogue wireless hotspots that can cause degraded service, insidious cyber-attacks & identity theft."

Apparently, they are not concerned with ensuring that guests use Marriott's own network services at between $250 & $1,000 per access point.

http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2014/10/after-blocking-personal-hotspot-at-hotel-marriott-to-pay-fcc-600000/ / hotel sells dedicated wireless services custom networks convention prices access point Gaylord Opryland hotel Nashville Tennessee block guests' personal hotspots Marriott Hotel Services $600,000 agreement penalty Federal Communications Commission settle allegations hotel chain interfered disabled Wi-Fi networks consumer consumers conference facilities Nashville hotel March 2013 nine-page jamming mobile hotspots convention space FCC employees containment features WiFi monitoring system prevent consumers connecting to the Internet personal WiFi networks personal portable Wi-Fi WiFi device data leakage violation advisories forbids blocking jamming interference authorized radio communications Jeff Flaherty Marriott spokesman /

Your fellow diners' appearance may influence how much you eat

How did you get to be the weight you are?

It's a complicated question. Well, actually, the question is simple, it's the answer that's complicated.

Exercise plays a part. Genetics too. Overweight people tend to have overweight children. But their dogs (if they have them) tend to be overweight too, so there's more than just genetics at play here.

And of course, what you eat, & how much, is of major importance too.

Researchers at Cornell university have recently found that what other diners eat, plus their appearance, can influence what you eat as well.

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2014/10/your-fellow-diners-appearance-may-influence-how-much-you-eat/ / obese obesity fat influence food intake marketing mindset chocolate cheesecake research researching study who you’re eating with larger than you how much food eating study Cornell University published journal Appetite 82 undergraduate students salad spaghetti lunches actress trim in shape she ate healthily more salad less pasta ate less healthily wore prosthesis appearance extra 20kg kilogram kilogramme weight wearing prosthesis researchers Mitsuru Shimizu Katie Johnson Brian Wansink overweight eating companion increased unhealthy food intake participants ate 31.6% more pasta served herself overweight companion serving herself healthily reduced healthy food intake participants actually ate 43.5% less salad study small results environment what you eat /

Longevity & the sense of smell

Failing heart, cancer, lung disease are all major risks to life. Even bigger is loss of the sense of smell.

https://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21621702-low-olfactory-acuity-portends-curtailed-lifespan-scent-death / hearts failing lost their sense of smell die within five years if you cannot recognise common smells obviously deadly illnesses illness research study published PLOS ONE Dr. Martha McClintock Dr. Jayant Pinto University of Chicago investigation reseaarch project olfactory problems forewarn neurodegenerative diseases Alzheimer’s Parkinson’s abnormally shortened telomeres caps on the ends of chromosomes shortening implicated in the process of ageing good sense of smell keep people healthy detecting pathogens toxins in the air stimulating appetite aid aiding memory emotions intimacy researchers measuring smell loss predict mortality National Social Life, Health and Ageing Project survey University of Chicago measure measures health well being older Americans participants three minute smell test survey’s researchers special felt-tipped pens scented five common odours fish leather orange peppermint rose volunteers presentation volunteer pictures names four possible answers answer wrong normosmic errors hyposmic smell-deficient anosmic unable to smell 430 of the respondents were dead adjusting for ageolder people gender sexwomen men socioeconomic status richer better educated people greater longevity race ethnicity ethnicities longer lifespan correlation nutrition smoking alcohol use controlled for specific diseases heart failure cancer stroke strokes diabetes researchers relationship severe liver damage stronger predictor of death causal relationship olfaction turnover of stem cells smell general inability to regenerate and renew /

Tesla to unveil "D", 09 October — updated

Credit: Tesla.Yahoo

My guess: "D" is for dual, as in the planned all wheel drive option for the Model S, using dual electric motors, previously mentioned on these pages.

http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-10-02/tesla-teases-its-next-big-d

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1094732_elon-musk-tweets-tesla-to-unveil-d-on-oct-9th-our-guesses

https://autos.yahoo.com/news/tesla-showing-everyone-d-october-9th-133052927.html

Update 03 October:


Credit: adelman/Tesla Motors Club/Engadget

Zoom in on the badge on the right. "P85D" implies an 85 kWh battery, & so, that speculation about "D" being related to increased battery capacity, is wrong.

http://www.engadget.com/2014/10/02/tesla-model-s-p85d-leak/ / Tesla Motors CEO Elon Musk Twitter tweet tweeted photo caption About time to unveil the D and something else roller letter D shadowy front end Tesla Model S date October 9 Tesla logo retweed retweeted favor favour favorited comments announcement updates new options EV electric luxury sedan vehicle 4WD four wheel drive all-wheel drive option Model X crossover utility vehicle new electronic safety systems adaptive cruise control lane departure warning additional sensor hardware retrofitted existing cars via over the air software updates larger battery pack option rumored 110 kiloWatt hour pack production version /

Soon you will be able to stream Photoshop to your Chromebook

Credit: Google

Chromebooks are low-cost/low-power devices, so how is that platform a candidate to run Photoshop, one of the most processor-intensive programmes available?

This will be a streaming version of Photoshop. Streaming Photoshop, running on the Chromebook connects to a virtualized instance of Photoshop running on Adobe servers. Images are stored on Google Drive. It's Photoshop in the cloud.

Beta testing at the moment.

http://www.extremetech.com/computing/191089-you-can-now-stream-photoshop-to-your-chromebook-a-huge-win-for-google

http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2014/09/adobe-brings-streaming-photoshop-to-chrome-os/

http://chrome.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/adobe-joins-chromebook-party-starting.html / Adobe Google announcement announced streaming version Photoshop Chromebooks Chrome OS Chrome browser Chromebook Big Software killer software suite Chrome OS laptop market Photoshop Creative Cloud suite streaming version of Photoshop Adobe running a bunch of servers running Photoshop Chromebook Chrome browser Windows install Project Photoshop Streaming app connect virtual virtualized Photoshop instances instance connect direct access your Google Drive images saved to loaded from editing cloud screen sharing remote desktop running Photoshop screen-sharing app Chromebook desktop remote computer Google Drive processing locally remotely battery life  GPU acceleration GPU dependent features beta tested Adobe’s education customers North America latency response image quality high-bandwidth link high-res 24-bit graphics Creative Cloud subscribers Chrome OS Chrome for Windows /