Friday, 1 May 2015

Sent from my Apple Watch

We’ve all seen emails with a signature line: “Sent from my iPhone”, “Sent from Samsung” etc. Just now, sighted for the first time, an email with a, “Sent from my Apple Watch”, signature line. / smartphone smart phone signature line e-mail email iPad tablet Android iOS device /

Thursday, 30 April 2015

What you need to know before buying a Chromebox


Chromeboxes have lots of ports
Credit: kitguru.net

Web browsing, email, word processing, photo storage & video fulfil almost all of the computing needs of many people. This is the target audience of Chrome OS.

Chromebooks are the best known implementation of Chrome OS, but Chromeboxes constitute another. A Chromebox is attached to my TV for Netflix, Youtube & other video.

http://www.omgchrome.com/know-buying-chromebox/

http://androidpcreview.com/chromebox-buying-guide-find-best-chromebox/1899/ / buying Chromebox inexpensive little PC casual computing needs first-class security receive free software upgrades fixes new features Chromeboxes HP ASUS Chromebox replace Windows tower PC energy-efficient kiosk computer signage driver Chromeboxes use cases fantastic buy HD video editing software Chrome OS Internet access computer pros and cons Chrome OS hardware supply keyboard mouse Chromeboxes main PC unit power supply cable manual keep costs down compatible favourite keyboard mouse set Bluetooth USB-powered peripherals Chromeboxes bundles Chrome keyboard mouse Dell wired USB keyboard Chromeboxes monitor screen compatible current generation Chromeboxes full-sized HDMI out port full-sized DisplayPort out monitor VGA DVI Chrome PC DisplayPort-to-VGA HDMI-to-VGA adapter monitor cable keyboards ASUS Hewlett Packard HP LG Chromebase all-in-one Chrome OS PC computer built-in speakers keyboard mouse set hardware processor faster storage upgrade components dual-core Intel Celeron Haswell 2995U 2957U processor running at 1.4GHz CPU integrated graphics performance cost energy efficiency Intel Core i3 processor Intel Core i5 i7 benchmarks Celeron CPUs performance graphics integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 HD multimedia content immersive games memory RAM 4 GB 4GB RAM tabs operating system add extra RAM memory upgrades SO-DIMM slot Acer CXI Dell Chromebox memory modules soldered motherboard void warranty 204-pin SODIMM DDR3L @ 1600 MHz DDR3L PC3-12800 eMMC flash storage compatible M2 SATA III SSD 100GB free online Google Drive storage supports external USB hard drives thumb drives flash drive SD card MTP ports connectivity connecting devices monitors USB 3.0 full-size HDMI Out full-size DisplayPort 4x USB 3.0 full-size SD card slot Gigabit Ethernet Audio in/out jack built-in Wi-Fi Bluetooth 4.0 LE small these things are inexpensive secure PC Chromebox /

Wednesday, 29 April 2015

Next breakthrough in solar technology costs

Developments in photovoltaic (PV) solar cells:

● inexpensive, polycrystalline, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels with 19% efficiency
● double-layer PV panels which utilize different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum in each layer
● rear contact technology which increases the area available for energy collection at the front

Together, it is expected that that these developments will lead to cells with 26%+ efficiency. Using current dimensions, this will result in panels rated at 420 Watts.

Installation, including cabling, connection, racking & labour, is a substantial fraction of the total cost of PV, particularly roof-top. Fewer larger capacity panels are required for a given generating capacity, driving down installation costs & total cost of a PV system.

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2015/4/29/solar-energy/next-breakthrough-solar-technology-costs?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=1316563&utm_campaign=cs_daily&modapt= / SunPower world PV panel efficiency 24% efficient cells best solar panels highest efficiency solar panels cost quite a bit more 50% commodity panels produced market leaders Trina Yingli REC ultra-high efficiency panels reduce installation costs real-estate per unit production product high sticker price SunPower Sanyo multilayer multi-junction panel HITs heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer Panasonic leading lithium-ion battery technology market leading solar technology Panasonic’s HIT panels SunPower product efficiency laboratory HITs efficiency in excess of 25% Panasonic manufacture latest HITs panels cost effective price SunPower Panasonic technologies Trina efficiency record over 19% efficiency using inexpensive solar cell polycrystalline cell Trina expects to mass produce SunPower substantial efficiency gains existing single layer technology cutting edge research single layer panels hitting diminishing returns percentage point of efficiency below UNSW laboratory record single layer silicon cell efficiency sell homeowners roof Panasonic’s HIT technology SunPower’s more scope efficiency gains add another PV layer capture energy from another part of the electromagnetic spectrum Panasonic’s exclusive patents on HIT technology will run out soon US start-up Natcore institutional research efforts high efficiency PV cell SunPower Panasonic’s HIT technology Natcore panel suppliers HIT technology push efficiencies single-layer technology developers projects SunEdison high-pressure fluidised bed reactor HP-FBR technology reduce the energy required most energy-intensive manufacturing PV cells 90% solar industry combine continued trend high efficiency polycrystalline cells Trina developed rear contact technology SunPower front-contacts front of the cells HIT technology 26%-27% efficient cells regular sized panels pumping out 420W available solar displacing fossil fuels 15% efficient 26-27% efficiency cheapest energy source ongoing cost reductions in the hardware reduction labour cost per watt installed less physical panel installed per Watt dominate total installation costs paying 35c/W 420W 250W panel staying the same size labour cost of installation reduces 20c/W substantial saving less cables fixings less racking 5-10c/W CEC accredited installation accreditation licensed electrical contractors trade qualified installers multi-layer panel HIT thin-film silicon technology perovskites researchers rear contact technology low temperature polysilicon processing very cheap solar commodity suppliers incremental improvements polycrystalline processes lowering costs adding another layer Australian government Australian solar industry develop commercialise install next generation of solar power /

Tuesday, 28 April 2015

Iron Man’s head speaks


Credit: Brando/The Gadgeteer

Bluetooth speaker in the shape of a full scale model of Iron Man’s head. 10 out of 10 for cool, but at $US449, there have to be many better options.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2015/04/26/iron-man-sings-all-your-favorite-tunes/ / buy Bluetooth speaker life sized replica Iron Man’s head MARVEL Iron Man Mark XLIII 1:1 Scale Bluetooth Speaker from Brando plays your favorite tunes via Bluetooth USB flash drive 3.5mm audio cable pair it with your Bluetooth enabled mobile device load up selection MP3 files USB Flash drive directly pre-order shipment scheduled May 1:1 scale replica Iron Man’s head Tony Stark’s head pre-order /

Monday, 27 April 2015

Google Glass still in active development — Glass 2 for release soon


Credit: Stuff

Luxottica (Ray-Ban, Oakley) is working with Google on the next revision of Glass, which will be “out soon".

http://www.stuff.tv/news/google-glass-2-will-be-out-soon-says-collaborating-ray-banoakley-maker

Average consumers will be a target market
http://www.stuff.tv/news/google-affirms-glass-still-being-developed-average-consumers-next-target

Google Glass 2.0 looks set to be a complete redesign
http://www.stuff.tv/news/google-glass-20-looks-set-be-complete-redesign / Google shutting down Glass Explorer Programme program refocus project worked new revision Luxottica company major sunglass brands Ray-Ban CEO Massimo Vian Google next revision Wall Street Journal. The company was announced as partner Glass products initial agreement version two Glass in preparation next wave of Google’s smart eyeglasses Google version three eyewear UI user interface smart device smartwatch smart watch video camera /

Sunday, 26 April 2015

Samsung Galaxy S6 — tough enough to crack walnuts (video)

One S6 acting as anvil & another as hammer.



"Hammer" appears to be an S6 Edge, & the "anvil", a standard, flat screen, S6. / Samsung Galaxy S6 abuse videos around the internet boiled in water run over by a car ouch thrill-seeking stunt phone videos showing handset used crack walnuts damage phone video Galaxy S6 handsets crack walnuts base smash walnuts hammer crack chop chopping device damage handsets cracking walnuts brand new Galaxy S6 Galaxy S6 Edge take a beating fragile Gorilla Glass 4 rugged smart phone smartphone Android Google /

Saturday, 25 April 2015

How to get your app approved for the iOS app store — rule number 247,388*

* give or take


Credit: campaignlive.com

Apple is notorious for the unpredictability of its approval process for its app store. Apparently, an app created by SeaNav US has been rejected because the app contains references to the Pebble smartwatch.

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/133683-apple-rejects-app-because-it-mentions-watch-competitor-pebble-in-the-code / Apple reject rejection rejected rejects app mentions watch competitor Pebble code Apple rejected app App Store mentions competitor Apple Watch Pebble Time smartwatch creators app, SeaNav US Apple rejected Pebble smartwatch support app code app code two years Apple Watch appeared issue Apple clause policies four years other developers included references never been rejected enforcing this rule new reaction by Apple Apple Apps metadata mentions name mobile platform will be rejected details clause your app metadata contains irrelevant platform information app providing future platform compatibility plans platform references not appropriate App Store your app description declare support Pebble Smartwatch Apple Watch teardown battery Android Wear /