This is the ’droid you’re looking for — Star Wars BB-8

That unbelievably cute 'droid from Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens, is available for purchase. Believe it or not, it works just like the one in the movie — arguably better, given that the one in the movie is more prop & puppetry than robot. But it’s not cheap.



http://www.theverge.com/2015/9/3/9253461/star-wars-bb8-droid-toy-video-price-release-date

Physics of how that Star Wars BB-8 toy works
http://www.wired.com/2015/09/physics-star-wars-bb-8-toy-works/?mbid=nl_9415

Star Wars BB-8 toy torn apart to see how it works
http://www.engadget.com/2015/09/04/star-wars-bb-8-teardown/ / searchkeys /

LG’s roll-up keyboard for tablets

Credit: The Gadgeteer

Folding keyboards for phones & tablets are not new, but one with excellent typing response, that rolls up into a rectangular prism, is.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/09/hands-on-with-lgs-rolly-keyboard-for-tablets/

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2015/09/04/the-lg-rolly-keyboard-rolls-into-a-stick/ / LG’s IFA 2015 booth gadget tech geek attention compact portable LG Rolly Keyboard super-convenient contrivance tablet smartphone typists sending long emails responding writing stories touchscreen portable Bluetooth keyboards Logitech BLOK Pro Tablet Case cases annoying troublesome case your smart device attached keyboard accessory standalone keyboards bulky cumbersome rarely useful Rolly Keyboard solves bag long enough to store it tablet pairing folding keyboards folds itself after each row of keys controller built-in stand forms a cute little rectangular prism unfurled four rows of QWERTY keys function map additional number input Rolly Keyboard magnetic tabs hold it in place when it’s rolled up break with one hand quick flick unfurls Rolly flat layout key layout a little unconventional any Android-compatible Bluetooth keyboard Rolly is made for Android work with an iPad too tested with LG’s new G Pad II 10.1 perfectly responsive quick to mirror typing onscreen app Bluetooth keyboards a second lag fast typing almost impossible key travel OK shallow travel depth two little fold-out prongs Rolly genuinely useful and versatile stabilise keyboard whatever flat surface you’re using it on prongs will hold a tablet 5-inch-plus phone landscape mode securely
international shipping cheap /

Samsung Gear S2 pricing leaked

Credit: The Verge

Samsung’s Gear S2 smartwatch has been reviewed with enthusiasm:

http://www.theverge.com/2015/9/4/9260263/samsung-gear-s2-smart-watch-ifa-2015

And now its pricing has apparently been leaked by a German retailer — right in line with Apple’s cheapest Watch Sport:

http://9to5google.com/2015/09/07/samsung-gear-s2-pricing/ / perfectly round smartwatch smart watch porthole into the future electronics company diversity of awkward smartwatches smart watches too big unwieldy compromised Samsung launched immediately convincing wear worn first smartwatch consider buying Samsung’s Gear S2 unlike any other smart watch smartwatch size and weight of a regular watch works like a watch by show shows showing the time all the time smart watch smartwatch Android Wear Pebble always-on screens weight loss plastic surgeon Apple Watch iconic appearance big obsidian information-less block on the wrist jewelry jewelery mobile computer watch basic fundamentals regular watch useful to people unobtrusive utility comfortable fit unnoticeably light weight make smartwatch appealing Samsung’s Gear S2 handsome light watch beautiful and bright display AMOLED screen recessed slightly Gorilla Glass covering the front attractive halo effect light display internal walls of the watch delightful glow animations signal reach end of a menu list of items austere dark background natural a fit watch familiar round face rotating bezel sensible satisfying navigating Gear S2 interface ingenious obvious rotating bezel watches rotating bezels free control dial watch dramatically improves usability Gear S2 1.2-inch screen user’s finger touchscreen navigating navigation implemented rotating bezel just the right amount of resistance scrolling radial app menu hardly any lag Tizen-based UI Apple’s digital crown similar function offloading controls away from the touchscreen tactile input scheme more intuitive more satisfying experience instant synergy rotating app menu controlling bezel wraps around it hands wrist apps can take a while to load software expertise engineering prowess framework user experience intelligent simple PIN code required watch taken off the wrist Apple Watch recruited partners apps S2 integrated 3G radio smartphone plug into the Nike+ ecosystem smartwatches layer smart functionality Samsung’s integrated health tracking Gear S2’s heart rate sensor comfort watch smart smart watch smartwatch compromised design ergonomics appalling battery life smartphone-dependent software Gear S2 Tizen operating system potential /

Is your phone interfering with your life?

Mobile (cell) phone overuse (aka dependence syndrome or addiction), is a recognised condition which is negatively impacting people’s income, sleep, safety, relationships, & other aspects of their lives.^1,2

http://www.webmd.com/balance/guide/addicted-your-smartphone-what-to-do

Paradoxically, there’s an app for that:

http://www.nickjrparents.com.au/2015/05/17/adults-app-review-self-control
______________

¹ “Cell Phone Addiction Is So Real People Are Going to Rehab for It”, http://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/cell-phone-addiction-so-real-people-are-going-rehab-it

² “Mobile phone overuse”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile_phone_overuse / self-control ruled by your smartphone there’s an app for that exercise a bit more restraint checking your phone recent study parents spend too much time smartphones more negative interactions their kids difficult warning to ignore smartphone habit just that bit hard to break there’s an app for that download app smartphone spending too much time smartphone Self Control for Study app originally designed for students lock out lockout smartphones times programmed diminish study distractions great for students bit of help managing smartphone habit Google Play store more than just study helps me to get off my phone do something productive choose pre-enter timeframes throughout your week open the app immediate lock out lockout locks out of all apps phone function help with self-control programming exception apps lock out time self control help setting boundaries smartphone use /

Android phone General Test Mode

Credit: Samsung/Mashable Australia

Samsung Android Phone General Test Mode has a range of functions, including an IR remote for Samsung TVs, to test the IR LED. Other functions include indicator LED, screen colours (reveals stuck or dead pixels), & sensor test.

Can’t say how many Samsung phones this works with, but I have tested it with a few, including Ace, S3, Note 3 & 4. The number of buttons depends on the capabilities of the phone. Some tests, such as “S-pen Hovering” are applicable only to particular models.

To try it, start the phone app, call up the keypad & type:

*#0*#

No spaces — type just as you would for a phone number.

More about Samsung Android Phone General Test Mode:
http://mashable.com/2014/10/27/samsung-galaxy-hidden-menu/

More useful codes at:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/galaxy-s3/general/galaxy-s3-useful-codes-to-test-hardware-t1896748

This item indicates that the above works with all recent Android phones:
http://www.redmondpie.com/hidden-android-secret-codes-for-samsung-htc-motorola-sony-lg-and-other-devices/

Thanks to Bryan for this item. /58 key codes Samsung Galaxy S3 SGS3 Samsung Android phone key general test basic current state of phone’s LCD touch-based smartphone Google hidden menu access dialing specific string of characters troubleshoot hardware issues check your phone's functionality tool first spotted Android Central Samsung Galaxy owners menu host of service checks hidden menu open dial pad enter *#0*# no spaces like any phone number this screen pop up numerous buttons run tests vibration RGB colors touch-screen sensitivity speaker output color checks could be useful single out dead pixels menu functions technical ordinary user perform sensor checks accelerometer sensor ensures photos aligned correctly on your phone displayed upright off-axis slanted test phone displays picture sensor button hidden menu screen display raw data your phone's sensors image test function touch-screen tracker traces path your finger speaker test plays song loudly testing /

The Internet's Own Boy: The Story of Aaron Swartz

Unjust laws exist;
shall we be content to obey them,
or shall we endeavor to amend them, & obey them until we have succeeded, or shall we transgress them at once?
— Henry David Thoreau

Just saw this — definitely worth a look.

Spoiler — evil wins — unless we are all prepared to do something about it.



One more good thing that Kickstarter has done
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/26788492/aaron-swartz-documentary-the-internets-own-boy-0/description

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Internet%27s_Own_Boy:_The_Story_of_Aaron_Swartz

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3268458/ / programming prodigy and information activist Aaron Swartz, who took his own life at the age of 26 director Brian Knappenberger writer stars Aaron Swartz Tim Berners-Lee Cindy Cohn Gabriella Coleman Cory Doctorow Peter Eckersley Brewster Kahle Lawrence Lessig Zoe Lofgren Carl Malamud Quinn Norton Tim O’Rielly Elliott Peters Alec Resnick David Segal Stephen Shultze David Sorota Christopher Sogholan Bryan Stevenson Taren Karen Stinebrickner-Kauffman Matt Stoller Ben Swartz Noah Swartz Robert Swartz Susan Swartz Trevor Timm Ben Wikler Ron Wyden Reddit Stop Online Piracy Act SOPA) United States bill introduced U.S. Senat Congress Representative Lamar S. Smith Republican Texas R-TX U.S. law enforcement online copyright infringement online trafficking counterfeit goods conservative engine under the Internet hood world wide web reddit the front page of the Internet /

Motorola Moto 360 (2nd Gen.)

Credit: The Gadgeteer

And … the latest version of Android Wear will be compatible with iOS.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2015/09/03/motorola-launches-moto-360-2-smartwatch/

http://www.androidauthority.com/motorola-moto-360-2nd-gen-specs-price-features-638975/

Vs Huawei Watch
https://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CCkQqQIwAWoVChMI9LjPydzcxwIVwaumCh342Qj6&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gizmag.com%2Fmoto-360-2-vs-huawei-watch-comparison%2F39250%2F&usg=AFQjCNFREyIajSWu9z-KS-Qw1NA5g0YLcw&sig2=xAlZ0O6SGS9y9ln3qVRhrw / Android Wear compatible with iPhones Apple Watch smartwatch revolution Motorola availability pre-ordering second-generation Moto 360 smartwatch new version men’s version two different sizes women’s version sport model Motorola Web site new Moto 360 offer something for everyone men’s version two sizes 46 mm 42 mm ordered with metal bands leather band women’s version smaller 42 mm size sports model silicone band Motorola Web design watch parameters design Moto 360 designed your choice rose gold silver black case yellow stainless steel black gunmetal leather bands battery life estimated 1.5 days mixed use 42 mm version watches are water resistant activity fitness applications heart rate sensor wireless charging wi-fi connectivity ambient light sensor prices range $299.99 to $429.99 /