Levitating light bulb

It’s not anti-gravity – unsurprisingly, the bulb is supported by magnets. Power is supplied to run the LEDs by induction.

And it will wirelessly charge your suitably equiped phone too – although not while the light bulb hovers.



Flyte began life as a Kickstarter project
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flyte/flyte-levitating-light

If you want one, they are on the expensive side for a 60 Watt light bulb equivalent – actual consumption is in the 3 Watt range, although most of that is consumed just levitating the bulb – even if the light is off.

Manufacturer’s web site has levitating plant pots too
https://flyte.se/ / Flyte levitating light globe bulb hovers hover magnetic levitation power powered mid air lightbulb lightglobe free break from gravity experience something surreal appears suspended no batteries powers light induction magnet magnets magnet magnetic magnetism levitation hover /

iPhone 8 rumours

Credit: Apple Insider

Next year’s iPhone 8 is rumoured to include:
● OLED display
● 5.1 or 5.2 inch diagonal screen

● substantially or wholly glass chassis – which may be for aesthetic or to facilitate;

● wireless charging

● 4.7 & 5.5-inch LCD screen models may continue alongside the OLED screen model, due to restraints on OLED screen supply

● OLED phone may share the 5.5 LCD phone’s dual camera

http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/11/23/every-2017-iphone-to-feature-wireless-charging-and-glass-casing-analyst-says

http://www.universityherald.com/articles/52321/20161128/apple-iphone-8-specs-release-date-next-gen-will-sport.htm / 2017 iPhones expected feature wireless charging glass casing rumors Apple substantially glass chassis next-generation iPhone lineup aesthetics analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, however Apple glass sandwich design facilitate wireless charging note investors AppleInsider all 2017 iPhone models wireless charging competing handsets Samsung supplier Pegatron develop wireless charger cable hardware development outside electronic manufacturing firm Apple component comprehensive testing production Hon Hai Foxconn Taiwanese manufacturing giant Apple's OLED iPhone Foxconn Pegatron wireless charger supplier 2017 Apple wireless charging cable iPhone production introductory level wireless charging Pegatron OLED iPhone assembly manufacturer OLED iPhone orders next year offset supply risk diversifying Apple's supply chain Pegatron 4.7-inch LCD model iPhone orders next-generation iPhone mass production analyst demand new iPhone shipments OLED model 4.7 5.5-inch variants older LCD technology rumor mill Apple's first OLED iPhone expected release date OLED handset new form factor 5.1 or 5.2 inches diagonal constrained OLED panel supply analyst Apple 4.7 and 5.5-inch LCD offerings OLED variant 5.5-inch LCD 4.7-inch model dual-lens array module next year's flagship OLED iPhone celebrate 10th anniversary Apple's revolutionary smartphone monolithic all-glass design front-facing FaceTime camera earpiece Touch ID fingerprint sensor flexible OLED panel aesthetics completely seamless edge-to-edge display iPhone iPhone 8 2017 iPhone /

Is your phone charging too slowly? – the tools to identify the culprit

Credit: Twitter

Have you noticed that some chargers &/or cables take much longer to charge your phone? There are a number of reasons why this may happen, including the output of the charger & characteristics of the cable.

To identify slow cables & chargers, the quickest & easiest method is to measure the current, measured in Amps or milliAmps. A Google search for, “USB cable charger tester”, will yield a list of many devices which can measure the current flowing in a cable & charger combination. Many of them for less than $10.

Here’s a review of one which just makes it under the $10 bar
http://www.howtogeek.com/228869/how-to-monitor-your-usb-device-power-usage-and-output/

And a review of a few substantially more expensive meters which also measure a range of other parameters
http://the-gadgeteer.com/2016/11/26/qoopow-qualmeter-usb-cablecharger-testers-review/#more-207583

For Android devices, there are a number of apps which do the same thing. An advantage of this method is that it works for wireless charging too. Many have free versions. When tested side-by-side with an inexpensive physical meter similar to those mentioned in the tests above, all of the apps listed below yielded similar figures.

Ampere
from Braintrapp Tools
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.gombosdev.ampere

Ampere Charging Meter
from ZAStudio Tools
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=zastudio.com.ampere.charging.meter

Ampere Charging Meter Pro
from NovDev Tools
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.livecharger / charging mobile device charge charger cable charging cable USB microUSB micro USB plug socket male female connector phone tablet charge recharge LiIon lithium ion battery charge rate Ampere Amp milliAmp MilliAmpere Volt Voltage /

Renewable energy & the national grid

Credit: Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (USA)

Around the world, national power grids have evolved to distribute power from sources such as coal, oil & nuclear fired generation. Such sources have come to be known as, “base load”. With ~100 years of development, these systems have become very good at balancing load & supply.

More recently, new understandings, have forced a rethink. Most obvious of these is climate change, but also important has been a growing understanding of the other costs & dangers of base load.

Renewable sources of energy avoid the dangers of fossil & nuclear, but present a new set of problems which have to be overcome.

“All of our research has shown that being part of a large integrated power system makes renewable integration easier.”

“Denmark & Germany have been very successful at balancing the variability of their renewable resources because they are strongly interconnected with other countries in Europe & imports & exports minute by minute, hour by hour & day by day can balance the variability of the renewables.”

“Renewables are variable – there are clouds & the wind goes up & down, but renewables are actually very predictable. We can predict renewables a day ahead. We know what the weather will be like tomorrow & so we can actually predict the output of wind & solar tomorrow with a high degree of accuracy … California, Germany, Denmark, Spain have all evolved very advanced day-ahead weather forecasting to predict accurately, the output of the wind & solar, so that they can be accommodated & scheduled properly.”

Stream or podcast all of the above & more at:

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rearvision/renewable-energy-and-the-national-grid/7987134 / renewable sustainable energy electricity power generation renewables solar wind turbine photovoltaic photo-voltaic PV solar hydro electricity hydro-electricity storage battery pumped hydro /

More lithium ion battery fires – not just phones

It isn’t news to anyone that the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was recently discontinued due to fires originating in the lithium ion (LiIon) battery.

Less widely known is a single claim of an iPhone 7 Plus delivered after apparently having a battery fire in transit.

And it’s not just phones. Fires in e-cigarettes have demonstrated that anything containing a LiIon battery is at risk.



A solicitor said that the victim suffered third-degree burns which will require surgery.

https://www.cnet.com/news/e-cigarette-explode-in-mans-pants-lawyer-says/

Further risks are posed by the chemicals inside a LiIon battery & the toxic smoke produced by their combustion.^1,2

What you can do:

● avoid subjecting a device to any force which may deform the case – & potentially, the LiIon battery

● a pants pocket is one of the worst places to carry a device containing a LiIon battery:

◌ may be bent when the user sits down

◌ places only one layer of (usually thin) fabric between the user & the potentially pyrotechnic device

◌ better alternatives to a pants pocket include a jacket pocket, backpack, handbag, bumbag, or holster

◌ See also, "Jeans with a dedicated phone pocket", https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2017/04/jeans-with-dedicated-phone-pocket.html

● avoid exposure to smoke or other chemicals which may be released in a battery fire

● if possible, move the device to a well ventilated area, away from flammable materials – although this may conflict with the previous point

__________

¹ Energizer Battery Manufacturing Inc: “Energizer Product Safety Datasheet – Lithium Ion Batteries”, http://data.energizer.com/PDFs/lithiumion_psds.pdf

² Honeywell Batteries: “Material Safety Data Sheet – HD220R-Li, HDR202-Li Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery”,

“When exposed to extreme heat/fire batteries may rupture leaking corrosive material &/or emit toxic fumes. Burning batteries may emit acrid smoke irritating fumes, & toxic fumes of fluoride.”

“Cobalt: Suspected human carcinogenic agent.”

http://www.analog.com/media/en/technical-documentation/application-notes/hdr202li_hd220rli_battery_msds.pdf

/ Samsung Galaxy Note 7 production permanently discontinued Samsung permanently discontinuing production Galaxy Note 7 smartphones halted global sales devices reports replacement devices catching fire South Korean regulatory filing stop manufacturing Note 7s consumer safety Samsung struggling regain consumer trust recall recalls prompted criticism faulty devices company's handling of the problem global halt sales Note 7 multiple reports exploding batteries major retailers stopped selling phones Samsung recalled devices initial recall identified manufacturing defect batteries battery top-of-the-line smartphone shipping new Note 7 phones safe safer reports replacements catching fire Samsung announcement announce stopping sales devices Monday Tuesday Wednesday South Korean firm comment identified cause of the fires replacement devices officials in Seoul several possibilities including batteries more difficult analyse cause accidents various patterns of the accidents official Korean Agency for Technology and Standards met with Samsung experts company offering exchange Note 7s other products refund them Note 7 could cost Samsung $17 billion analysts Samsung's decision pull Note 7s off the shelves raises fresh doubts about firm's quality control huge financial and reputational costs analysts permanent end Note 7 sales cost Samsung $17 billion tarnish other phone products minds consumers carriers investors wiped nearly $20 billion off Samsung Electronics market value Tuesday local time shares gadget vape vaping e-cigarettes e-cigarette /

What is the Internet?

Credit: The Book of Sorrows/Tumblr

“The Internet is the repository of the greatest library of useful & valuable information the world has ever seen – interspersed with the greatest collection of misinformation, biased reporting, nonsense, myth, rumour, half truths, error, misrepresentation & outright lies the world has ever seen.” – adapted from a submission by an ABC RN¹ listener

Thanks to John for his input to this item
__________

¹ ABC Radio National (Australian Broadcasting Corporation), www.abc.net.au/radionational/ / what is the Internet what is the World Wide Web what is the WWW what is the Cloud online communications /

Tesla P85D instant acceleration for accident avoidance

A few more seconds on the end of the video above would help, but it looks like the Tesla's acceleration prevented an accident.

To a greater, or lesser extent this is true of all EVs. Because electric motors produce maximum torque at zero rpm, throttle response of an electric vehicle is much better than with an internal combustion engine vehicle – turbos even worse than normally aspirated. Although almost none can match Teslas at the moment, even EVs with moderate performance have instant throttle response. An important safety feature of EVs.

This video demonstrates the same thing in less pressing circumstances:

/ EV electric vehicle battery lithium ion LiIon charge recharge torque instant throttle response /

How many people are in space right now?

– as of this posting
Credit: howmanypeopleareinspacerightnow.com

There's an app for that (three actually – for Android, iOS & Apple Watch), plus a website.

Other features include names of astronauts & cosmonauts with bios + notifications.

Website:
http://www.howmanypeopleareinspacerightnow.com/

Android
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aeos.peopleinspace&hl=en

iOS
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/people-in-space-follow-astronauts/id901580852?ls=1&mt=8 / download new iOS Android app notifications photos videos from space astronaut profiles and more first social network for space is now at your fingertips follow the astronauts as they work play explore zero gravity keep in touch with your inner space explorer people in space shows the number of astronauts cosmonauts currently in space what countries they come from how long they've been in space access official biography each spaceman or spacewoman People in Space notify notifications when new people launch arrive in space when they return to Earth DashClock extension included see the number of people in space lock screen DashClock widget first social network for space follow the astronauts as they work play explore in zero gravity /

Google Takeout – backup all the data you have stored with Google

Just how much data do you have stored with Google? Email? Contacts? Calendar? Photos? Blogger? Other data?

How hard would it be to recover if your data was lost? Or you lost access?

Recently, some Google users who were allegedly involved in a scalping scheme with Google Pixel phones had access suspended,¹ & received a notice like this:


Credit: Dans Deals/Ars Technica

Google has since relented, but even a few days without access could be inconvenient, or worse.

A few years ago a friend had a Hotmail account hacked, password changed, & was never able to convince the administrators to restore his access.

All of the above points to the need for backups of your cloud data. Do you have backups?

Turns out Google thinks you should have backups too, & has provided a utility, called Google Takeout, to let you do it.

Google Takeout
https://takeout.google.com/settings/takeout

How to Create & Download an Archive of All of Your Google Data
http://www.howtogeek.com/216189/how-to-create-and-download-an-archive-of-all-your-google-data/
__________

¹ Ars Technica: “Don’t mess with Google: Pixel phone scalpers get their accounts shut down”, http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/11/google-bans-users-involved-in-pixel-phone-resale-scheme-later-relents/ / Google Takeout backup data stored Google Google announced download an archive all your search data download other valuable data little-known service called Google Takeout Google Takeout download all your Google Docs in one go Google has been gradually adding products Takeout download +1s calendars contacts Hangouts mail download your Blogger blogs Google product obtain regular archives all your Google data keep store export to another service Google Takeout download your Google data access your account settings click user profile button Google account click Account browsing Account settings page scroll Account tools click on Download data Select none/all button click Select none deselected download specific Google products select each one create custom archives only download one particular item Blogger data some products have further options Details Blogger example several different blogs archive one of them click on the item expand to show you more options Select specific blogs Include all blogs Blogger data exported Atom XML format format archives HTML XML JSON Google Search archive article format Google product exported to selected deselected all your products click Next Creating and Downloading Your Archive customize your download format archive everything in ZIP no problems opening it on any computer system archives larger than 2GB split among multiple files TGZ TBZ archives lesser known formats may require additional software to open handle archives larger than 2GB receive your archive by emailed link added to your Google Drive click Create archive assembled archive email notifying Google Drive route open Takeout folder new archive delivery method download your archive open your computer contents open index.html file archive was completed archive’s folders make individual archives back up backup your Google Photos select the products interested mail photos contacts other products choices are entirely up to you Google Takeout /

Tesla Model S P100D performance Easter egg & Supercharger costs

Credit: Tesla/Iulian Mitrica/Google

Tesla Superchargers are free for all Model S & Model X vehicles. But … from next year, new Tesla owners will have to pay for Supercharger use, apart from 400 kWh of free Supercharging credits per year.

Free use of Superchargers for Model 3 cars was ruled out some time ago.

Tesla will continue to honour its undertaking to provide free Supercharger use for the life of existing vehicles.

Tesla – An Update to Our Supercharging Program
https://www.tesla.com/en_AU/blog/update-our-supercharging-program?redirect=no

Wired has suggested that this is a sign of Tesla morphing from a startup to a mainstream car manufacturer.

Wired – As Tesla Grows Up, It Gives Up on Free Charging
https://www.wired.com/2016/11/tesla-grows-gives-free-charging/

On the other hand, an over-the-air software performance upgrade of the Model S P90D will require owners to work out how to enable it. I.e., an Easter egg – which is more tech-head in-joke than mainstream vehicle manufacturer.

Elon Musk tweeted about it

Looks like the Model S P100D Easter egg will allow it to do 0 to 60 mph in 2.4 sec and a 10.6 sec 1/4 mile via software update next month

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 16, 2016

Bloomberg – Tesla ‘Easter Egg’ Makes the World’s Fastest Car Even Faster
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-11-16/tesla-easter-egg-makes-the-world-s-fastest-car-even-faster / Tesla grows up free charging Supercharger Tesla gorgeous cars ludicrous acceleration Autopilot over the air updates luxury electric vehicle EV free charging automaker international network Supercharger stations Tesla customers plug in chargers add 200 to 300 miles of range per hour top up depleted battery about 30 minutes driver has a bathroom break bite to eat approach convenience pumping gas conventional car free for life new Tesla buyers plug pay up Tesla Tesla electric vehicle industry Supercharging order Tesla 400 kWh free Supercharging credits per year 1,000 miles of driving Tesla how much it will cost limit small fee cheaper than buying gas ordered charge for free for life 373,000 people $1,000 deposit reserve Model 3 order Tesla new income build new Superchargers worldwide 4605 charging points expand the network Tesla owners free lunch all you can eat buffet not unusual queue of Model S and X cars waiting busy locations August 2015 letter Tesla chided owners over-using Superchargers day-to-day charging at home something away for free harder to manage Art Wheaton studies the auto industry Cornell University’s Worker Institute small dollar amount per fill should encourage people to only take what they need help manage the lines Tesla crucial maintaining positive user experience expensive supercharger Paul Mutolo energy storage chemist Cornell University bunch of cars charging at once big spike power demand big bills from utility companies demand charges making money allow Tesla build Superchargers CEO Elon Musk vision sustainable transport solar panels batteries store energy buffer demand cutting costs at the same time more chargers are coming /

Google PhotoScan digitises your old photographs (video)

Scanning a photograph with PhotoScan
Credit: Cnet

Google has just released a phone app (iOS & Android) for scanning your printed photographs.

To scan a photograph, press the scan button. Four white dots dots will appear above the image, as shown above. Prompts appear to position the white circle over each of the white dots in turn.

Captured images are then combined, with the multiple perspectives allowing surface glare to be eliminated in the composite image.

Simple adjustments can be made before saving to Google Photos.

Results aren't as good as a flatbed scanner, but it requires no hardware apart from your phone, no set-up, & it's faster.

Google's short how-to:



Wired – Google just made it way easier to scan your old photos
https://www.wired.com/2016/11/google-photoscan-app-scan-your-old-photos/

Cnet – Google PhotoScan saves irreplaceable photos in four snaps
https://www.cnet.com/news/googles-photoscan-saves-irreplaceable-photos-in-four-snaps/

Google shows you where to get the app
https://www.google.com/photos/scan/ / Google just made it way easier to scan your old photos Google PhotoScan saves irreplaceable photos in four snaps Google Photos best photo-management tool your phone favorite photos are all in a shoebox new app built scan your prints eliminate glare taking picture stored digital form Google’s latest mobile app good news bunch packed Fotomat envelopes scanner new PhotoScan standalone app Android iOS scanning a picture manual shooting computational photography photo app recognizes four corners frame displays circular overlays each corner scanned image point phone camera each white circle robust scan image PhotoScan smartphone photo image glare shadows blown-out details four-corner scanning process eliminates reflections digital deterioration panorama app PhotoScan stitches together single image several overlapped photos eliminate glare evening out the overall exposure captured photo backed up online added to your Google Photos library app offers standard face-recognition manual enhancement tricks great showcase Google Photos’ facial recognition really good identifying same person over the course of their life computer vision old scanned photos brand-new test app’s impressive AI updates to Photos app too PhotoScan app Google announced new editing features all Google Photos users new version Auto Enhance exposure saturation levels pro photo editors new controls light and color levels new looks go beyond average Instagram filter adapting effects attributes of each photo free PhotoScan app available Android and iOS new Google Photos update /

Jaguar I-PACE electric SUV (video)

Jaguar I-PACE electric SUV concept vehicle
Credit: Jaguar Land Rover/Wired

Jaguar has just shown a concept version of an all-electric SUV which it it plans to release in 2018. No doubt, some features won't make it to production, but much of the vehicle looks production-ready.

Like other manufacturers, Jaguar is following the Tesla model: 90 kWh, liquid cooled battery pack below the floor – motors between the wheels front & rear deliver 400 horsepower, 516 pound-feet of torque & 4WD.

Promised performance is 0-60 mph in four seconds with range of 220 miles.

Acceleration figure is realistic, but range is conservative, since Tesla is getting much better range from the same size battery right now, & Jaguar has 1-2 years of development before the promised deliver date. Read: best range possible at the time the vehicle becomes available.

And expect advertising to make much of Jaguar’s involvement in Formula E.



Wired
https://www.wired.com/2016/11/jaguar-i-pace-electric-concept-suv/

Green Car Reports
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1107242_jaguar-i-pace-electric-suv-concept-breaks-cover-at-la-auto-show

Financial Review
http://www.afr.com/technology/jaguar-takes-on-tesla-with-longrange-electric-suv-the-ipace-20161115-gsq5jh

Many images at The Verge
http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/14/13628872/jaguar-ipace-concept-electric-car-suv-unveiled-la-auto-show-2016-photos / making cars for nearly a century Jaguar hot streak British carmaker massive sales surge new F-Pace SUV sharply designed fully electric concept SUV Los Angeles Auto Show Jaguar sports cars luxury sedans electric SUV automakers meet every stricter carbon emission regulations heavy batteries performance SUV I-Pace Bentley Porsche Lamborghini Rolls-Royce Aston Martin Audi Maserati Jaguar’s designers versatility compact electric powertrain power train space engine transmission steep windshield heavily curved glass extended wheelbase shorter overhangs proportions look sports car interior space visibility of an SUV fresh airy interior experience prodigious wood complex panel designs Jaguar launch I-Pace production vehicle 2018 liquid-cooled 90 kWh lithium-ion battery pack range 220 miles 36-module battery sits flat and low improve interior space handling lower center of gravity Formula E electric racing series research and development R&D production side dual front and rear electric motors sit between the wheels maximize both ground clearance interior space produce 400 horsepower 516 pound-feet of torque heavy SUV 60 mph just four seconds I-Pace production more fanciful design elements 12-inch virtual instrument cluster 10-inch center screen massive 23-inch wheels panoramic glass sunroof assembly line sleek aerodynamics flush drag-reducing door handles side skirts channel air more efficiently around the wheels steeply sloped rear window rear diffuser generates cleaner airflow at the rear I-Pace’s high efficiency designers /

Smartwatch powered by you

MATRIX PowerWatch with real time power display
Credit: Akram Boukai/IndieGoGo

Some smartwatches struggle to make it through a single day. Some have a two day battery life. In my use, a Pebble Time watch has a battery life up to 8.5 days. Any way you cut it, charging is an issue for smartwatches.

Except the MATRIX PowerWatch – the tiny amount of current required to power it is generated using heat from your body. Strictly speaking, the heat gradient from the back of the watch (against you wrist) to the front of the watch (in contact with ambient air).



Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/2016/11/14/matrix-powerwatch-hands-on/

Cnet
https://www.cnet.com/news/matrix-powerwatch-no-charge-claims-to-last-on-body-heat/

IndieGoGo project
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/smartwatch-powered-by-you-matrix-powerwatch-watch-fitness/x/9010251#/ / PowerWatch body heat-powered smartwatch does very little don’t have to worry about charging biggest problem with smartwatches avoiding dead battery forgetting to plug them in fiddle with unwieldy magnetic disk chargers keeping a wearable juiced up not as convenient as it should be startup Matrix Industries harness body heat power smartwatches technology debut PowerWatch try out an early prototype device worked only offered very basic functions body-heat energy resource isn't new watches Seiko Thermic doesn't take much energy simply move a second hand much more is needed to run a processor PowerWatch first wearable powered entirely by warmth body heat world's lowest-power-consuming microprocessor AMBI Q earlier processors too power-hungry effective Akram Boukai founder Matrix Industries processor PowerWatch thermal technology power-efficient AMBI Q PowerWatch capable displaying the time tracking your steps sleep quality setting timers stopwatches monitoring amount energy you're generating displayed power meter circling the watch face fuller your body temperature increases exercising, creating larger difference between your skin's surface temperature surrounding air power you produce more accurate measure your calories burned calorie defined as a unit of heat energy send information to your phone via Bluetooth displaying circular charts how much energy milliamp hours data set goals distance steps most fitness apps functions first-gen wearable truly smart watch smartwatch receive your phone's notifications on your wrist company features added in future iterations of the product chunky PowerWatch prototype wrist recent demo display turn on after second or two contact with my skin four-bar power meter screen one bar provide enough energy watch's basic functions generated charging device's 200mAh battery last two years when idle device goes to sleep when you remove continues keep track of the time store your collected data fully functional prototype final version watch round 1.2-inch black-and-white black-&-white black & white display 18mm or 20mm straps available for preorder Indiegogo $99 expected delivery July 2017 price ships PowerWatch very basic proof-of-concept device at the moment Matrix Industries plans for the future hearing aids wireless earbuds powered by body heat other applications for its more efficient and reliable means of generating energy /

Roof-top-solar for rental properties

Credit: SolarQuotes

Roof-top-solar is an important part of making electricity supply sustainable. Depending on the feed in tariff, it is financially beneficial to the householder too.

Renters options are much more limited.

But, those options have just been expanded. How it works: the landlord invests in solar panels on the roof of a rental house, becomes electricity supplier to the renter. Landlord makes up to $1,200 per year (typical 6kW system), & the renter gets electricity for ~20% off. Grid & atmosphere both get a little bit cleaner. Everybody wins.

Landlords could arrange all of this themselves, or they can take advantage of a complete package of services to make this happen, from an organisation called Matter.

Sydney Morning Herald: Digital Solar opens up solar power to Australian renters
http://www.smh.com.au/technology/innovation/digital-solar-opens-up-solar-power-to-australian-renters-20160304-gnajxz.html

Matter web site
http://go.matter.solar/going-solar/?utm_campaign=solar_citizens&utm_source=email_wave1_solar_citizens&utm_medium=email_wave1_solar_citizens&utm_content=email&utm_term / Australia 2 million rental properties gaining access cheap solar power new Digital Solar scheme divides savings between landlords and tenants Melbourne-based startup Matter Digital Solar brokers deals between renters landlords property owner pay installation solar panels sell electricity tenant cheaper rate power from the grid save renters average $300 per year electric power electricity bill $1500 annual profit landlord installation costs covered four to six years untapped market solar panels roof 1 per cent Australian rental properties Matter co-founder Simon Barnes problem tenant pay put solar someone else's roof landlord pay for solar panels giving tenant free power costs 8.5 cents per kilowatt hour install rooftop solar Australia average grid electricity charge 24 cents exploit difference tenant gets cheaper clean power landlord recovers expenses gets new income stream Digital Solar system monitors roof-top solar installations tiny wireless smart meters designed work any electricity provider any brand solar equipment in-home batteries make homes completely self-sufficient reduce their reliance power grid landlords pay $9 per property per month subscription fee access Digital Solar no out-of-pocket expenses tenant pay for electricity consume solar panels grid landlord tenant strike agreement lasts length of the rental agreement Digital Solar recommends tenants receive 20 per cent discount rate from the grid tenancy laws landlords can not exploit renters charging more than grid rate system tenants monitor power usage real time helping better manage energy usage Digital Solar Matter's Hana platform analyses specifics property calculate size solar system required calculate savings monitor performance system Matter's software used electricity water providers thousands of homes across country handling complex tariffs feed-in tariffs power sold back to the grid Digital Solar smart monitors retro-fitted existing solar power systems installed with a new system Digital Solar solar panels inverters act as a broker help customers find good deal solar installation Matter plans roll out multi-tenant service support apartment blocks making solar power practical 400,000 dwellings across the country /

Supermoon tonight

Credit: Sydney Morning Herald

The Moon's orbit around the Earth is not a circle, but an ellipse. Its closest approach (perigee) is 363,104 km (225,623 miles). That's 42,592 km (26,467 miles) closer than at the furthest distance (apogee), 384,400 km (238,855 miles).¹

A Supermoon occurs when there is a full Moon at perigee, which causes the Moon to appear 14% larger & 30% brighter. Tonight, the Moon will be the closest it has been to Earth since 26 January 1948 – & it will be a full Moon – the biggest Supermoon in nearly 70 years – next comparable Supermoon won't appear until 25 November, 2034.

Best times to see today's Supermoon:

Sydney from 7.07pm³
Melbourne from 7.40pm³
Perth starting at 5.20pm⁴

weather permitting.

Thanks to Miemie for suggesting this item.
__________

¹ Space.com: “How Far is the Moon?”, http://www.space.com/18145-how-far-is-the-moon.html

² Sydney Morning Herald: “Clouds expected to spoil Sydney's view of the supermoon”, http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/clouds-expected-to-spoil-sydneys-view-of-the-supermoon-20161113-gsocdm.html

³ Sydney Morning Herald, “Seven things you need to know about the supermoon”, http://www.smh.com.au/technology/sci-tech/seven-things-you-need-to-know-about-the-supermoon-20161102-gsghdv.html

⁴ WAtoday, “Perth awaits supermoon phenomenon, here's the best spots to see it rise”, http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/perth-awaits-supermoon-phenomenon-heres-the-best-spots-to-see-it-rise-20161113-gso975.html

/ Supermoon Supermoon how far is the Moon Earth's moon brightest object in our night sky closest celestial body proximity making life possible here on Earth Moon's gravitational pull stabilizes Earth's wobble on its axis stable climate Moon's orbit around Earth elliptical perigee closest approach Moon close as 225,623 miles 363,104 kilometers apogee farthest away it gets Moon 252,088 miles 405,696 km from Earth average the distance from Earth to the moon about 238,855 miles 384,400 km the Moon moving away from Earth rate of about 1.5 inches 4 cm per year clouds expected spoil Sydney's view of the supermoon Sydneysiders excited much-hyped supermoon interstate friends the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting low visibility on Monday night Moon's biggest brightest display nearly 70 years 25 November 203 4 BOM forecaster Sarah Chadwick sky watchers in Sydney hoping for an occasional gap in the clouds Moon will be at its most spectacular as the sky darkens while it is close to the horizon Melbourne Planetarium astronomer Tanya Hill best viewing window evening twilight between moonrise sunset Melbourne 14 November between 7.40pm when the moon rises and 8.09pm when the sun sets Sydneysiders between moonrise at 7.07pm and 7.36pm when the sun sets best spot see it clear view eastern horizon just before sunset amateur skywatchers full moon Supermoon telescope Moon is too bright equipment you might want with you on 14 November decent camera keen-eyed observers pick out lunar landmarks maria Moon's low-lying seas darker patches Apollo 11's famous landing site eastern edge of the Sea of Tranquility. The Tycho crater and Copernicus crater lighter-coloured circles we see the moon upside down compared to northern hemisphere astronomical showstopper 25 November 2034 another supermoon next month albeit not at perigee Moon's orbit 360,390 kilometres from Earth further away from us what is a supermoon anyway Supermoon combination two things full Moon Moon at perigee orbit approaching Earth at its closest 14 November bring the moon 50,000 kilometres closer to Earth Supermoon this monster appear up to 14 per cent bigger 30 per cent brighter than average full moon travels across the night sky November 14 biggest one is almost 70 years Moon astronomically speaking close to Earth it'll be 18 years until it's this close to us again /

Jetpack Aviation's JB10 flight (video)

Despite the impression given by the inventor's extraordinary demonstration of control, jet packs are very difficult to fly. Marketing plans substantially consist of planning how to train customers to fly these things, while avoiding the bad publicity which would come from a trainee running into a building at 200kph.

And the price? Not available, but expect something between, extremely & absurdly, expensive. If that doesn't put you off, you may be interested to know that deliveries are expected to start by May 2017.

Article about an early demonstration just a year ago
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-11/aussie-inventor-flies-jetpack-around-statue-of-liberty/6929444

Developers website
http://jetpackaviation.com/ / successful flights Europe David Mayman Australian inventor Jetpack Aviation announced JB-10 jetpack officially on sale well qualified buyers competition let anyone fly one of these amazing things delivery in April/May 2017 JB-10 backpack two turbine engines hanging off the sides it's fast JB-9 elevate climb up to 1,000 ft (305 m) per minute endurance five to 10 minutes fuel bringing the jetpack to market finding a way to safely train new pilots two jet engines on their back Jetpack Aviation team electric tethered training facility similar flight dynamics running up hours on sensitive turbine engines pilots really hurt themselves well qualified buyers stipulation early days personal jetpack flight formative technology stopped irresponsible users splatting themselves against buildings 200 km/h another jetpack under development uses three smaller turbines per side total of six redundancy in case of engine failure Mayman test flying design automatic thrust management system requiring a whole new computer ballistic parachutes failure option Jetpack Aviation isn't announcing pricing world's first real jetpack you have to ask you can't afford it the company is running a contest win jetpack flight /

Vespa Elettrica electric scooter

Vespa Elettrica
Credit: Vespa/Electrek

Vespa unveiled its electric scooter concept at the Milan Motorcycle Show. Unfortunately, that, & plans for production to start in, “the second half of 2017”, is the entire story to date.

Electrek
https://electrek.co/2016/11/10/vespa-unveils-concept-for-its-first-electric-scooter/

Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/2016/11/08/vespa-electric-scooter/
/ Vespa unveils concept first electric scooter electric scooters very popular form electric transportation Asia iconic scooter maker Vespa announcing entry segment Vespa Elettrica Concept first electric scooter Vespa unveiled design Milan Motorcycle Show didn’t release any detail electric scooter plan production start second half of 2017 Vespa press release introducing Vespa Elettrica project new mobility solution most elegant beloved two-wheeled brand in the world step into the future complete consistency history Vespa Elettrica project Piaggio Group commitment people mobility desire change the way in which people move excellence project Piaggio Group assessing most advanced players sector on a global level develop innovative technological electric motor solutions concept translated final version Vespa Elettrica production and sales planned for the second half of 2017 Electric Vespa true Vespa very latest electric technology vehicle retain all the features vital to its success style agility ease of use riding pleasure same as the Vespa we have always known addition technological innovative connectivity solutions perfect mix excitement technology environmental friendliness that only Vespa can create first seventy years of history /

Michael Moore predicted a Trump win in July

Although he takes no pleasure in being right, on or around 21 July 2016, Michael Moore predicted that Donald Trump would win the USA presidential election.

Michael Moore: “5 Reasons Why Trump Will Win”
http://michaelmoore.com/trumpwillwin/

Michael Moore’s article is undated, but this article, dated 21 July 2016, quotes him as saying the same things:

Alternet: “Michael Moore Gives 5 Scary Reasons Why Trump Will Win”
http://www.alternet.org/election-2016/michael-moores-5-reasons-why-trump-will-win / bearer of bad news Donald Trump Republican nominee president awful depressing news Donald J. Trump win in November wretched ignorant dangerous part-time clown full time sociopath our next president President Trump say the words saying them for the next four years President Trump I wanted to be proven wrong shaking your head wildly living in a bubble echo chamber you and your friends American people elect an idiot for president appalled laughing at him because latest crazy comment embarrassingly narcissistic stance everything everything is about him listen to Hillary very first female president someone the world respects whip-smart cares about kids continue Obama legacy the American people clearly want four more years of this living in denial face the truth electorate women people of color young adults under 35 Trump can’t win a majority logic vote for buffoon own best interests more bad news when something scary is actually truly happening 911 plane crash World Trade Centre World Trade Center this isn’t an accident it is happening Hillary Clinton beat Trump with facts and smarts and logic 16 Republican candidates find a way out of the mess we’re in great hope for the country left has won the cultural wars majority of Americans take liberal position every polling question equal pay for women abortion should be legal stronger environmental laws more gun control huge shift has taken place Hillary would win in a landslide leave the house and get in line to vote poor black Hispanic neighborhoods have a longer line to wait in stop them from casting a ballot most elections hard to get even 50% to turn out to vote problem for November most motivated most inspired voters show up vote candidate with the most rabid supporters crazed fans up at 5 AM on Election Day has cast his ballot high level of danger we’re in Midwest Math Rust Belt Brexit four blue states rustbelt upper Great Lakes Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania Wisconsin traditionally Democratic states elected Republican governor since 2010 Michigan primary Trump ahead of Hillarylatest polls Pennsylvania tied Ohio Clintons’ support NAFTA helped destroy the industrial states of the Upper Midwest Trump hammer Clinton support of TPP trade policies Trump Ford Motor factory Michigan primary threatened corporation go ahead planned closure factory move Mexico 35% tariff Mexican-built cars shipped back to the United States sweet sweet music working class Michigan threat Apple force them stop making their iPhones in China build them AmericaTrump walked away with a big victory that Green Bay Pittsburgh middle of England broken depressed struggling smokestacks Middle Class angry embittered working people lied to trickle-down economics Reagan happened UK Brexit happen here Elmer Gantry Boris Johnson says whatever shit he can make up convince the masses this is their chance stick it to all wrecked their American Dream the outsider Donald Trump clean house agree with him like him your personal Molotov cocktail throw right into the center bastards who did this to you send a message Trump is your messenger I am your voice math maths mathematics electoral votes cast Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania Wisconsin carry swath traditional red states Idaho Georgia four rust belt states Florida Colorado Virginia Michigan Ohio Pennsylvania Wisconsin put him over the top Last Stand of the Angry White Man male-dominated, 240-year run of the USA coming to an end how did this happen on our watch warning signs Nixon gender traitor /

MacBook Pro – still controversial

The furore continues to rage over the new 2016 MacBook Pro – but its strengths remain:

● more portable – lighter, smaller
● MacBook Pro power in a MacBook Air size package
● better screen
● more powerful
● better speakers
● larger trackpad with good palm rejection
● very fast solid state drive

Touch Bar remains controversial, & is yet to prove itself, but it has lots of flexibility & it does bring with it the security & convenience of the iPhone’s TouchID with Secure Enclave included.

And the ports – for the time being, 4 USB-C ports complicates connectivity. But USB-C is the future. After using a MacBook 12" on a daily basis for 6 months, I can’t say that its single USB-C was a major limitation. In particular, charging options will expand as USB-C becomes a widely used standard.

Jony Ive likes it



But so too does Detroit Borg



Recode: “The backlash against Apple’s new MacBook Pro from its core user base is unprecedented
http://www.recode.net/2016/11/7/13512322/apple-macbook-pro-backlash-power-users

The Verge: “The MacBook Pro is a lie”
http://www.theverge.com/2016/11/7/13548052/the-macbook-pro-lie

Tech Radar: “Hands on: MacBook Pro review”
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/macbook-pro

Fortune: “Why Apple Is Said to Be Ramping Up MacBook Pro Production”
http://fortune.com/2016/11/08/apple-macbook-pro-production/

Boy Genius Report: “The new MacBook Pro is selling like crazy”
http://bgr.com/2016/11/08/macbook-pro-sale-apple-13-inch-revenue-numbers/ / Apple’s new MacBook Pro more demand than anticipated ramping up MacBook Pro orders suppliers strong demand MacBook Pro supply chain-tracking site DigiTimes increase orders Mac OS /

CARB found a new emissions cheat in automatic transmission Audis

Credit: Car News Maagazine

Just when you thought all of the Volkswagen group emissions cheats were out in the open, it appears that yet another has been uncovered. California’s Air Resources Board (CARB) is reported to have discovered emissions measurement evasion code in automatic transmission Audis – diesel & petrol too. Emissions testing is detected in the same way as in other Volkswagen group vehicles – by monitoring for the absence of driver steering wheel inputs. The code causes automatic transmissions to enter a low emissions shifting mode on start-up, until the steering wheel is turned more than 15 degrees. Emissions testing is normally carried out on a “rolling road”, with no steering inputs – so automatic Audis, with the emissions measurement evasion code installed, remain in low emissions mode during testing. In normal use, they enter normal shifting mode after the steering wheel is turned.

It is believed that Audi stopped installing the emissions evasion code in May 2016 – the code was detected in a vehicle built before that date.

Green Car Reports: California found a new cheat device in Audi transmissions
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1107125_california-found-a-new-cheat-device-in-audi-transmissions-report

Jalopnik: America Figured Out A New Way Audi Cheated on Emissions Testing: Report
http://jalopnik.com/america-figured-out-a-new-way-audi-cheated-on-emissions-1788630969

Car & Driver: Another Emissions-Cheat Device Reportedly Found, This Time on Audi Gasoline & Diesel Vehicles
http://blog.caranddriver.com/another-emissions-cheat-device-found-this-time-on-audi-gasoline-and-diesel-vehicles/ / CARB found a new cheat device in Audi transmissions California Air Resources Board CARB found new cheat device Audi transmissions Volkswagen Group diesel emissions cheating scandal erupted September 2015 report automaker cars different type defeat device hide emissions testing regulators Germany’s Bild am Sonntag Reuters reported California Air Resources Board CARB discovered software automatic transmission Audi hide emissions both gasoline and diesel cars report software car laboratory testbed how much steering wheel being turned lower carbon dioxide emissions to suit transmission enters gear-shifting mode designed deliver low CO2 carbon dioxide car is started transmission switches regular mode higher CO2 levels steering wheel turned more than 15 degrees in regular driving normal driving laboratory testbed car drives zero inputs steering Bild am Sonntag report claimed Audi transmission-linked defeat device May 2016 CARB vehicle built prior to that date discovery Justice Department told VW Group refrain from making public results law firm Jones Day’s independent investigation original diesel emissions cheating scandal automaker request Justice Department keep confidential details other probes VW Group reach an agreement with regulators United States 3.0-liter diesel engines original defeat device /

Apple is reducing the price of dongles for its new MacBook Pro

MacBook Pro – not a single USB-A port or SD card slot in sight
Credit: Français Express

Apart from a 3.5mm audio socket, all i/o in Apple’s new MacBook Pro is via 4 USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 ports. That includes data (Thunderbolt (up to 40 Gbps) & USB 3.1 Gen 2 (up to 10 Gbps)) & video. Charging too.

To connect full-size USB (USB-A) devices, some sort of adapter will be required. New MacBooks also lack an SD card slot – another adapter required.

Good news is, that until the end of the year, Apple is reducing prices on adapters & USB-C/Thunderbolt 3 peripherals:

“Through the end of the year, we are reducing prices on all USB-C and Thunderbolt 3 peripherals we sell, as well as the prices on Apple's USB-C adapters & cables.” – Apple

http://betanews.com/2016/11/07/apple-cuts-dongle-prices/ / Apple MacBook Pro 13 inch 15 inch USB-C Thunderbolt 3 dongle adapter /

SkunkLock – the bike lock that fights back

It is fundamental to security that nothing is secure against a sufficiently determined & resourced attack. This applies to computer systems as well as physical security of premises & objects.

Case in point: bicycle theft.



Creators of SkunkLock believe they have a better solution: “The only bike lock that Fights Back.” – the lock is filled with a gas which induces vomiting & renders clothes unusable. If the structural integrity of the lock is compromised, the gas is released.





The Guardian: Bike lock developed that makes thieves immediately vomit
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/oct/21/bike-lock-developed-that-makes-thieves-immediately-vomit

Digital Trends: SkunkLock is a lock that stinks when a thief tries to steal your bike
http://www.digitaltrends.com/outdoors/skunklock-bike-lock/

SkunkLock project on IndieGoGo:
https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/skunklock-the-only-bike-lock-that-fights-back-bicycle/x/9010251#/ / SkunkLock the only bike lock that fights back bike lock bicycle lock make thieves vomit try to steal your bike Daniel Idzkowski inventor entrepreneur San Francisco like to ride bikes friends had our bikes stolen over and over how lock could deter thief start revolution SkunkLock put dent bicycle and motorcycle theft unique chemical deterrent released lock compromised SkunkLock wakeup call thieves with tools know any existing bike lock can be cut within a minute 1.5 million bikes are stolen each year U-Locks vulnerable even simple hacksaws crowbars electronic locks fancy technology GPS tracking app enabled zapped into submission inexpensive taser serious thieves use serious tools battery operated angle grinders blow torches cut through a quality lock SkunkLock hardened medium-carbon steel U-Lock difficult compromise strongest U-Locks surprise pressurized inside noxious chemical deterrent slams would-be thief with noxious chemicals chemicals disgusting induce vomit majority of cases elicit instinctive response run away immediately risk vs. return ratio bikes perfectly suited professional and amateur thief Daylight thefts with angle grinders common major cities half bike thefts go unreported estimated value stolen bike market 2012 well over $350 million gone up over the years because bicycle prices have risen dramatically explosion of electric bikes making your lovely new bike even more valuable crooks thieves criminals street value stolen bike only 5%-10% original worth sell $40 on the black market good bike great bike protect SkunkLock crossbar high tensile strength steel lock bar hardened medium-carbon steel deterrent high security locking mechanism pressurized chemical deterent multiple replaceable keys permanent steel safe everyday use unique protection distinctive color scheme colour scheme warns would-be thief impending trouble design does NOT incorporate electronics batteries fail GPS devices disabled RFID destroyed with simple tools no electronics means no chance for failure pressurized deterrent adversely affects the thief attempt to steal your bike likely attract attention another benefit of a lock that fights back /

Short-term off-river pumped hydro energy storage to smooth sustainable energy – update

“Storage is necessary to make renewables base load.” – Professor Donald Sadoway¹

Small-scale storage for domestic or small business use can be provided by the Tesla Powerwall or similar.

For grid-scale use, there are a number of technologies^2,3,4 – most widely deployed at the moment is pumped hydro-electricity – most of it as a secondary part of water storage for other purposes. E.g. Tasmania, & the Snowy Mountains in New South Wales & Victoria, Australia. Unfortunately, these systems require special geography on an existing river. Often, because these systems are designed primarily for water storage, the energy-storage function is compromised.

A hydro-electricity storage system designed solely for that purpose is able to avoid all of these problems – requirements are:

● difference in elevation between two water storages – e.g. at the top & bottom of a mountain, or a disused mine^5,6

● source of water for a one-time filling of the storage
● source of water to replace evaporation

To distinguish single-purpose hydro-electricity storage systems from irrigation-storage + hydro-electicity systems, the former are often referred to as, short-term off-river pumped hydro energy storage (STORES).

By contrast with the relatively uncommon special geography required for a water-storage system, sites suitable for STORES are much more common. With this in mind, & $449,000 from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA), a partnership of the Australian National University, ElectraNet & the VTara Energy Group will be conducting the Atlas of Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Study for Australia.

https://eng.anu.edu.au/news/hydro-may-boost-share-renewables-electricity-grid

http://www.serree.org.au/knowledge/news/article/?id=anu-to-map-pumped-hydro-storage-potential-to-back-wind-and-solar
__________

¹ HitchHiker's Guide 2 Tech: “Innovation in stationary electricity storage (video)”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/01/innovation-in-stationary-electricity.html

² HitchHiker's Guide 2 Tech: “Energy storage for renewable energy”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/10/energy-storage-for-renewable-energy.html

³ HitchHiker's Guide 2 Tech: “Farming on seawater & sunshine”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/10/farming-on-seawater-sunshine.html

⁴ HitchHiker's Guide 2 Tech: “US grid-scale battery start-up looks to Australia for R&D, manufacturing”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/10/us-grid-scale-battery-start-up-looks-to.html

⁵ HitchHiker's Guide 2 Tech: “Britain's biggest rechargeable battery”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/05/britains-biggest-rechargeable-battery.html

⁶ “Kidston solar and pumped hydro plant clears another hurdle”, http://reneweconomy.com.au/kidston-solar-and-pumped-hydro-plant-clears-another-hurdle-96381/?utm_source=RE+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=02d8cf4af3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2016_11_08&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_46a1943223-02d8cf4af3-40335897

/ hydro boost share renewables electricity grid hydro power provide cost-effective large-scale energy storage support high levels of renewable energy Australia's electricity grid Australian National University ANU leading study map potential short-term off-river pumped hydro energy storage STORES sites enable renewable energy provide larger share generation national electricity grid lead researcher Professor Andrew Blakers ANU low cost technical maturity STORES solar photovoltaic wind energy reliably reach penetration levels above 50 per cent 100 per cent renewables water constantly flowing between reservoirs balance supply and demand STORES potential support grid stability inertial spinning reserve very fast ramp rates zero to 100 per cent in minutes STORES sites pairs of reservoirs separated altitude difference between 300 - 900 metres hilly terrain joined pipe water circulated between upper lower reservoirs closed loop store generate power South Australia possible STORES site altitude difference up to 600 metres hills east Spencer Gulf site could support development solar wind resources Professor Blakers $449,000 from Australian Renewable Energy Agency ARENA ANU partnering ElectraNet VTara Energy Group conduct Atlas Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Study develop blueprint cost model integrate technology Australia's electricity grid /

Audi is quitting Le Mans to focus on Formula E

2016 Audi R18 diesel-electric hybrid racer for the World Endurance Championship
Credit: BlogQpot

Audi has won the Le Mans 24 Hours race 13 times in the past 18 years – including diesel-powered wins 2006-2011 & diesel-electric hybrids 2012-2014.

Almost as spectacularly, last year, an Audi broke the 44-year-old lap record at Le Mans.¹ How does a lap record stand for 44 years in motor racing? In this instance, because the track was lengthened, the number of corners more than doubled, & chicanes were added to the longest straight – where speeds had previously reached 405 kph (just over 250 mph).²

With all of those successes, Audi has nothing left to prove in that arena, & their involvement with the Le Mans 24 Hour race & the World Endurance Championship, of which it is a part, will end with the current season.

Audi has long been part of the ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport Formula E team. Their involvement will be expanded, ultimately leading to a full Audi factory Formula E team.


ABT Schaeffler Audi Sport team Formula E racer

Or, as Audi Chairman of the Board of Management Rupert Stadler put it, “We’re going to contest the race for the future on electric power.”

Formula E is a good fit with Audi’s plans to offer fully battery-electric road cars starting in 2018.

The Verge – “Audi just quit Le Mans to focus on Formula E”
http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/26/13416368/audi-quit-wec-le-mans-formula-e-dieselgate

Wheels: Audi ditches WEC for Formula E
https://www.wheelsmag.com.au/news/motorsport/1610/audi-ditches-wec-for-formula-e

Audi
https://www.audi-mediacenter.com/en/press-releases/audi-with-new-motorsport-strategy-formula-e-instead-of-wec-6980

FIA Formula E
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/news/2016/october/audi-commits-to-works-formula-e-programme/
__________

¹ WTF1: “Audi Just Broke The 44 Year Old Le Mans Lap Record”,
http://wtf1.co.uk/audi-just-broke-the-44-year-old-le-mans-lap-record/

² Snap|Lap: “Top 5 fastest Le Mans cars”, http://www.snaplap.net/memories-top-5-fastest-le-mans-cars/ / Audi 18-year involvement 24 Hours of Le Mans withdrawing end of the current season World Endurance Championship WEC Le Mans Prototype LMP prototype endurance racing factory participation support motor sport Audi World Endurance Championship WEC race Le Mans enduro prototype LMP1 category Ingolstadt car maker wildly successful LMP1 programme 13 Le Mans victories WEC drivers manufacturers titles strategic realignment Audi's motor sporting focus VW Volkswagen emissions cheating scandal Audi all-electric Formula E Championship Abt-Schaeffler squad change of emphasis Audi chairman Rupert Stadler production cars electric motorsport cars Audi's technological spearhead contest the race for the future on electric power electric-power competition Audi sports car racing innovative technology WEC Le Mans Audi Formula E technology-driven series Jaguar Formula E promoting Audi's all-electric production vehicles leading premium car manufacturers Dr Stefan Knirsch board member technical development responsibilities motor sport electric vehicle EV Dr Knirsch latest developments Audi Formula One Audi prototype sports car racing reduce its motor sport budget Audi acknowledgement considerable financial impact last year's global dieselgate Audi Sport Audi Motor Sport post-dieselgate decline sales turbodiesels technology Audi WEC Audi Sport development of production vehicles Audi decision Volkswagen Group brand Porsche WEC LMP1 Audi Sport customer racing R8 LMS GT3 TT Cup successful, profitable business Audi Sport product RS 3 LMS touring car primary focus Formula E more technical resources budget Abt Schaeffer team's Formula E programme full-on factory attack boss Audi Motorsport Dr. Wolfgang Ullrich Audi hasmotor sport test and develop new technologies subsequent use in production Audi quattro drive revolutionise rallying set standards circuit racing Formula E control chassis battery pack manufacturers limited development 24 Hours of Le Mans Audi first manufacturer victories TFSI engine TDI hybrid race car fully electric racing LMP1 category WEC Porsche Toyota Porsche versus Toyota fight /

Magsafe for USB-C devices

For a large number of years, Apple has protected its laptops from a catastrophic fall while charging, with its MagSafe charging cables: the laptop end of the charging cable is held in place magnetically. Any sudden impact to the cable, such as from a tripping accident, disconnects the magnet, rather than dragging an expensive laptop to the floor.

More recently, Apple has begun to abandon its proprietary MagSafe for industry standard USB-C – first in the MacBook 12" – now in the just-announced MacBook Pro.

Some regret the loss of MagSafe from MacBooks, & some others would like to add it to the emerging USB-C devices, including Google’s Pixel Chrome laptops & some Android phones. Griffin Technology has a solution in its BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable.


Griffin Technology BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable
Credit: MacRumors

MagSafe was designed for laptops, which at the time, were significantly heavier than Apple’s current line of laptops. As a result, MagSafe had magnets strong enough to ensure a good electrical contact, while still disconnecting before a trip or other impact dragged the connected laptop to the floor.

Some reviewers have criticised the strength of the magnets in Griffin’s BreakSafe. The problem appears to be that Breaksafe has been designed to protect today’s much lighter laptops, & even phones, by using weaker magnets – which are not strong enough, in some use cases, to reliably provide a good electrical contact.

Some enthusiasm at Wired: “Missing the MagSafe charger in the new MacBook? Here’s your dongle”
https://www.wired.com/2016/11/first-dongle-new-macbook-needs/?mbid=nl_11216_p3&CNDID=

Not impressed at Gizmodo: “This MagSafe ripoff cable sucks”
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/06/this-magsafe-ripoff-cable-sucks/ / new MacBook Pro Touch Bar Touch ID more power space grey variant significant loss exclusively embracing USB-C Apple abandoned MagSafe charging technology magical magnetism protects saves tripping accident expensive laptop off the coffee table MagSafe industrious accessory maker recreated experience USB-C MagSafe Griffin introduced BreakSafe Magnetic USB-C Power Cable appeal to buyers sans-MagSafe MacBook two parts tiny nubbin plugs into your laptop’s USB-C port cable that attaches magnetically manner similar to MagSafe break off cleanly saving you from catastrophic trips and tugs BreakSafe clever usefulness limited MacBook Apple’s revamped entry-level laptop only one USB-C port source of power and connectivity new MacBook Pro four USB-C ports entry model BreakSafe BreakSafe looks like a reasonable MagSafe facsimile MagSafe Apple’s patented tech BreakSafe isn’t reversible use the BreakSafe cord exclusively little donglet juts out slightly from your laptop perpetual wart MacBook’s best feature pale imitation beats no imitation at all true value of MagSafe peace of min /

There is a new MacBook Pro – reviews have been mixed

MacBook Pro – 13 & 15 inch screens
Credit: Medium

In the 13-inch MacBook Pro, Apple has crammed the capabilities of the Pro line into the space occupied, for all practical purposes, by the MacBook Air (now available only in the 13 inch size). Look at the dimensions:

13-inch MacBook Pro
Height: 1.49 cm (0.59 inch)
Width: 30.41 cm (11.97 inches)
Depth: 21.24 cm (8.36 inches)
Weight: 1.37 kg (3.02 pounds)

MacBook Air
Height: 0.3–1.7 cm (0.11–0.68 inch)
Width: 32.5 cm (12.8 inches)
Depth: 22.7 cm (8.94 inches)
Weight: 1.35 kg (2.96 pounds

Smaller in every dimension but two: the Pro doesn’t have the taper, but the height is less than the Air at the thick edge. My experience has been that the taper doesn’t make any practical difference to the space the Air can be fitted into.

And the other dimension where the Pro is bigger? Weight. The Pro, at 1.37 kg is 0.02 kg (0.06 pounds) heavier. That’s around the weight of 5 sheets of A4 photocopier paper.

Argument for the Air has always been: trade processing power & ports for portability. Price has varied – the very first MacBook Air was way too expensive. Now, lower price is its only remaining advantage.

Real, “sacrifice power for small size & weight”, option is now the MacBook 12".

In addition to processing power & small size, the new MacBook Pro adds the security of the iPhone’s TouchID – Secure Enclave included.

Wired: “The MacBook Pro’s Most Important New Feature? Touch ID”
https://www.wired.com/2016/10/macbook-pro-touch-id-secure-enclave/?mbid=nl_103016_p3&CNDID=

Medium is doubtful: “Apple just told the world it has no idea who the Mac is for”
https://medium.com/charged-tech/apple-just-told-the-world-it-has-no-idea-who-the-mac-is-for-722a2438389b#.xb9g2ejxf / Apple’s new MacBook Pro thinner faster silver space grey color colour OLED touch emoji Photoshop shortcuts most important MacBook Pro upgrade much more easily secure your digital life new MacBook Pro includes Touch ID fingerprint scanning technology iPhone fingerprint identification staple all flagship smartphones log onto our mobile devices now enterprise laptops deployed comparable biometric security measures for years Touch ID MacBook Pro represents significant advancement security Apple fans entire industry change how you use your MacBook Pro Touch passwords too hard to remember too easy to crack massive corporate server breach Myspace fans suffers deficiencies your fingerprint Touch ID unlock your Mac pay for items online replace passwords altogether recognize multiple fingerprints secure simple access multiple profiles same device huge boon for authentication Thomas Reed Mac security firm Malwarebytes stronger than password easy for even a novice to use good password manager improve user’s online security potential use cases are limitless logging on Apple push Apple Pay onto the web Touch ID more and more payments both safer more convenient bank apps already Touch ID-compatible most retailers protects them from embarrassing damaging leaks password manager 1Password MacBook Touch ID upgrade Touch ID improvement ease of use fingerprints are stored biometric information stays on your device potentially vulnerable server somewhere Touch ID similar biometric systems asymmetric cryptography Stephanie Schuckers director Center for Identification Technology Research Clarkson University no shared key MacBook Pro server you’re connecting to private key keep secret, stored on the device can’t be seen by the app service on the other end use Touch ID for your fingerprint won’t wind up on any computer but your own nearly impossible to hack direct access to your device other big addition MacBook Pro Secure Enclave /