Samsung Galaxy S8 – what to expect – update

Credit: Samsung

Samsung’s Galaxy S8 is expected to be revealed at the Galaxy UNPACKED 2017 event on 29 March, starting at 11 am (US) EDT.

Check it at http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/

There is much speculation about the new Samsung Galaxy S8, but more revealing than most, is this image from an advertisement for an, “Olixar Ultra-Thin Case - 100% Clear”. Judging from the name of the case & the image, this is essentially how the phone looks without a case.


Samsung Galaxy S8 in Olixar Ultra-Thin Case - 100% Clear
Credit: Olixar/Samsung/Mobile Fun

It supports two of the most popular rumours about the S8 – no physical home button, & a fingerprint sensor on the back.

More detail at http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/olixar-ultra-thin-samsung-galaxy-s8-case-100-clear-p62870.htm


Samsung Galaxy S8
Credit: GSMArena

Screen is rumoured to be 5.8" (6.2" for the S8 Plus). This won't make the phone as big as you might first think. Notice a few things in the image above:

● screen is edge-to-edge – no bezel at the sides

● the top & bottom bezels are small – in part due to the absence of a home button

Taken together, this makes for a smaller phone than a 5.8" screen would suggest. Comparing with the Samsung s7, as quoted by GSMArena:

S7 dimensions 142.4 x 69.6 x 7.9 mm (5.61 x 2.74 x 0.31 in)¹
S8 dimensions 140.1 x 72.2 x 7.3 mm (5.52 x 2.84 x 0.29 in)²
This makes the S8 2.3 mm shorter & only 2.6 mm wider than the S7 .

Update 30 March – GSMArena have updated the dimensions of the S8
S8 dimensions 148.9 x 68.1 x 8 mm (5.86 x 2.68 x 0.31 in)²

This makes the S8 6.5 mm taller & 1.5 mm narrower than the S7.
On these numbers, S8 buyers will get a Galaxy Note size screen in a Galaxy S size phone.

More:

C|net – “Samsung Galaxy S8: Everything we know about Samsung's 2017 rebound phone, launching March 29”
https://www.cnet.com/au/products/samsung-galaxy-s8/preview/

GSMArena – “Samsung Galaxy S8”
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s8-8161.php

Trusted Reviews – “Samsung Galaxy S8 release date, specs, rumours, & price explained”
http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s8-release-date-specs-rumours-price-uk

Forbes – “Galaxy S8 Release Date Revealed By Samsung?” https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2017/02/23/galaxy-s8-release-date-and-price/#12be23c94b7a
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¹ GSMArena: “Samsung Galaxy S7”, http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s7-7821.php

² GSMArena: : “Samsung Galaxy S8”, http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_s8-8161.php / Trusted Reviews Samsung Galaxy S8 release date specifications specs rumours price explained Samsung Galaxy S8 Olixar Ultra-Thin Case - 100% Clear Samsung's Galaxy S8 flagship is coming on March 29 Galaxy S8 reveal date revealed by Samsung apologizing to fans yet again for its disastrous drama recalling 3 million fire explosion Galaxy Note 7 phones teasing the Galaxy S8 design and announcement date safe buyable Galaxy S8 South Korean company giant mobile show Samsung characteristically launches its Galaxy S phones Samsung's profits are soaring chips S7 and S7 Edge phone sales $5 billion lost on the Note 7 impending lawsuits Samsung truly great phone most impressive phones Samsung ever made Galaxy S8 can Samsung win back buyers' trust Galaxy S8 rumors leaks rumour speculation Samsung official Galaxy S8 announcement Galaxy S8 could start selling mid-April Samsung will reveal the Galaxy S8 March 29 in New York City Samsung's revised eight-point battery testing procedure more space inside for the battery Galaxy S8 Plus Galaxy S8 + Galaxy S8 Edge curved screen Galaxy S8 Samsung's flagship phone dual-curved screens scaled the production process curved screens two phones Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus Galaxy S8 could still come in two sizes Galaxy S8 Edge Galaxy S8 Plus sizes hardware specs S8 /

Hydro storage can secure 100% renewable electricity

Pumped storage facility at Raccoon Mountain Pumped-Storage Plant¹
Credit: Tennessee Valley Authority/Wikipedia

Professor Andrew Blakers of the Australian National University Research School of Engineering has added his voice to the chorus supporting the practicality of renewables to provide reliable & cheap electricity for Australia.²

“With Australia wrestling with how to secure its energy supply, we've found we can make the switch to affordable & reliable clean power.” – Professor Andrew Blakers, Australian National University Research School of Engineering

“The zero-emissions grid would mainly rely on wind & solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, with support from pumped hydro storage, & would eliminate Australia's need for coal & gas-fired power.” – Professor Blakers

“The cost of a 100 per cent stabilised renewable electricity system would be around AU$75/MWh, which is cheaper than coal & gas-fuelled power.” – Professor Blakers

Australian National University, Energy Change Institute – “Hydro storage can secure 100% renewable electricity”,
http://energy.anu.edu.au/news-events/hydro-storage-can-secure-100-renewable-electricity

It is worth noting that Professor Blakers’ figure of AU$80/MWh for “clean coal” was calculated by CO2CRC which is in the business of carbon capture & storage. Other authorities calculate the cost of, “clean coal”, at AUD$134-$203/MWh & solar at AUD$78-$140/MWh.³
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¹ Wikipedia: “Pumped-storage hydroelectricity”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pumped-storage_hydroelectricity

² HitchHiker’s Guide 2 Tech: ‘CSIRO: “There's no reason Australia can’t switch to 100% renewable energy”’, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2017/02/csiro-theres-no-reason-australia-cant.html

³ Clean Technica: “Pumped Hydro Storage Could Secure 100% Renewable Electricity For Australia”, https://cleantechnica.com/2017/02/28/pumped-hydro-storage-secure-100-renewable-electricity-australia/

/ CSIRO Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation no reason Australia can’t switch to 100% renewable energy Australian government’s chief scientific body no apparent technical impediment to reaching 100 per cent renewables national electricity grid levels of up to 30 per cent renewable energy should be considered as trivial current energy systems pumped hydro storage build secure cheap Australian electricity grid 100 percent 100 per cent 100% renewable energy new study The Australian National University ANU lead researcher Professor Andrew Blakers ANU Professor Andrew Blakers Australian National University Research School of Engineering ANU zero-emissions grid wind solar photovoltaic PV technology support from pumped hydro storage eliminate coal gas-fired power Australia wrestling secure its energy supply make the switch affordable and reliable clean power Professor Blakers ANU Research School of Engineering Professor Blakers wind solar PV electricity nearly all new generation capacity in Australia half the world's new generation capacity each year renewable energy accounts for around 15 per cent of Australia's electricity generation two thirds comes from coal-fired power stations most existing coal and gas stations will retire over the next 15 years cheaper to replace them with wind solar PV ANU research benefits hydro power energy storage water is pumped uphill stored generate electricity on demand pumped hydro energy storage 97 per cent of all storage worldwide support high levels of solar PV and wind cost 100 per cent stabilised renewable electricity system AU$75/MWh cheaper than coal and gas-fuelled power study map potential short-term off-river pumped hydro energy storage STORES sites much greater share of renewable energy in the grid STORES pairs of reservoirs typically 10 hectares altitude difference between 300 and 900 metres hilly terrain joined by a pipe pump and turbine water circulated between upper and lower reservoirs closed loop to store generate power Dr Matthew Stocks ANU Research School of Engineering STORES needed much less water than power generated by fossil fuels minimal impact on the environment water was recycled between the small reservoirs hydro power hydropower doesn't need a river zero to full power in minutes effective method to stabilise the grid /

Teslas’s Insight

A conductor moving near a magnet generates an electric current. Or move the magnet & keep the conductor still – works too. This is the principle that generates electricity in the alternator in your car, or any wind, hydro, gas, oil or coal power station.

Teslas’s Insight is a novel demonstration of the principle.



As of this writing When I started typing this, there are were 2 left at $US35 on Indiegogo. Right now, 97 are available at $US40 + more at higher prices.

https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/tesla-s-insight/x/9010251#/ / Tesla's Insight nifty new desk toy create electricity spinning magnetic Tesla top Nikola Tesla Nikola Tesla's vision energy spinning magnet elegant spinning top dazzle coworkers friends family enjoy exploring the possibilities Tesla's Insight red green blue power output Tesla's Insight output red green Tesla's Insight 1 Volt 6 Volts AC power electronics safe to handle Voltage speed Tesla top spin orientation arch blue Tesla's Insight slightly higher voltage blue LED LEDs higher voltage light many loops of wire power generation moving magnet causes electricity to flow through a nearby conductor wire electricity product Faraday's law of induction Nikola Tesla spinning magnet create alternating current nearby coils of wire insight made power plants possible electric shock shocked Tesla top purpose Tesla top Tesla's Insight spin desktop toy super fun law of physics illustrated Tesla top Faraday's law of induction Tesla top illustrates Faraday's law of induction Faraday's law of induction voltage wire related change in magnetic field increase the voltage increase strength magnet more loops of wire in the coil increase spinning speed magnet coil changing magnetic flux change in magnetic flux stretch goals Tesla top rose gold black stainless steel Tesla yoyo hand-powered green-energy Christmas lights kite based AM radio tower /

Pebble is no more – what next? – update 3

Update – alternatives to the Pebble smartwatch discussed below:

Samsung Gear S2 & S3

Ticwatch 2

ZeTime smartwatch with analogue mechanical hands & screen display
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Pebble has been bought out by Fitbit,¹ with just enough $ to cover Pebble’s debts. The Pebble name won’t continue.

Fitbit has also acquired Vector smartwatches, which makes a Fitbit branded Pebble clone less likely.

TechCrunch – “Fitbit acquires the Vector smartwatch startup, as the wearable giant continues its roll-up”
https://techcrunch.com/2017/01/10/vector-smart-watch-startup-acquired-by-fitbit-as-wearable-giant-expands-its-team/

Vector – “The Vector Watch software platform & team joined the Fitbit family”
http://vectorwatch.com/fitbit

So what does a Pebble owner do?

For now, nothing – my Pebble continues to do what it has always done. Fitbit has undertaken to ensure that Pebble devices will continue to work for the next year.² I expect core functions³ to continue working for many years after that.

If your Pebble isn’t performing at the end of the Fitbit guarantee, take a careful look at what they have on offer. New wearable(s) with more emphasis on smartwatch capabilities, & longer runtimes than 1 or 2 days seem likely – Fitbit has spent a lot of money acquiring the tech.

If a Fitbit/Pebble/Vector device doesn’t appear, doesn’t appeal, or you just can’t wait, have a look at:



Samsung Gear S2 & S3

Update – Samsung's smartwatches use their proprietary Tizen OS. Check this before you buy:
“Samsung’s Tizen operating system reported to be riddled with security vulnerabilities”
https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2017/04/samsungs-tizen-operating-system-is.html


Samsung Gear S3 Frontier & Classic
Credit: Amazon

Android Central – “Samsung Gear S3 vs. Gear S2: Which should you buy?”
http://www.androidcentral.com/samsung-gear-s3-vs-gear-s2

PCMag – “Samsung Gear S3”
http://au.pcmag.com/samsung-gear-s3/43198/review/samsung-gear-s3

Ticwatch 2


Credit: Wearable

ZDNet – “Ticwatch 2 hands-on: Forget expensive Apple & Google watches, this $200 smartwatch packs it all in”
http://www.zdnet.com/article/ticwatch-2-hands-on-forget-expensive-apple-and-google-watches-this-200-smartwatch-packs-it-all-in/

Ticwatch 2 Kickstarter project
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mobvoi/ticwatch-2-the-most-interactive-smartwatch

Buy Ticwatch 2
https://en.ticwear.com/collections/ticwatch

ZeTime


ZeTime smart watch – analogue hands & switchable digital display with numbers, heart rate monitor & step counter
Credit: MyKronoz Switzerland/ZeTime

ZeTime takes a 22 mm watch band, so you can use any that fit your Pebble.

More:
https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2017/03/zetime-smartwatch-with-mechanical-hands.html
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¹ HitchHiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Pebble scooped up by Fitbit”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/12/pebble-has-been-scoped-up-by-fitbit.html

² Pebble: “Pebble’s Next Step”, https://blog.getpebble.com/2016/12/07/fitbit/

³ Core functions

● vibrate/display name/number of caller

● vibrate/display SMS

● vibrate/display start of email

● next appointment

● vibrate/display warning on loss of connection to phone

● count steps with sync to fitness app(s)

● run for over a week on each charge

● even tell the time

/ Samsung wearable Gear S3 Frontier Gear S3 Classic Gear S2 Gear S2 Classic viable options lower prices smaller sizes similar functionality software updates viable reasons to choose last year's model smartwatch Samsung new Gear S3 and last year's Gear S2 design size style strong black on black finish large gnarled bezel textured side buttons definitely stands out smooth metal sculpted band flows right into the watch face appearance of a single piece very similar designs two-tone mirrored metal finishes classic design elements simpler bezel understated buttons leather strap exterior design cues size of these watches new Gear S3s significantly larger weight really large by analog watch standards particularly thickness comfortable average wrists software Samsung is updating older watches same software experience Gear S3 speaker GPS full Samsung Pay identical software hardware same processor storage screen resolution IP68 water resistance larger 1.3-inch displays 768MB of RAM 512MB battery much larger 380 mAh battery life specs speaker notifications voice calls cell connected GPS Samsung Pay Gear S3 new MST technology price value buying decision Gear Fit 2 excellent fitness tracking basic smartwatch features Bluetooth smartphone notifications fitness tracking SMS email vibration phone call control music /

Elon Musk taking advice from a 5th grader

@elonmusk Elon, my daughter wrote you a letter for a school project. She mailed it to Tesla, but I figured I'd paste here. Thank you! pic.twitter.com/ntGEL9WCh3

— Steven (@Writer_StevenL) March 2, 2017

Elon Musk tweeted back:

Thank you for the lovely letter. That sounds like a great idea. We'll do it! https://t.co/ss2WmkOGyk

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) March 2, 2017

But no news on the T-shirt :( / multi-billion dollar company Tesla marketing department take the advice of a fifth-grader on Twitter notoriously ad-averse tech firm Tesla hold a contest homemade commercials company's founder chief engineer CEO Elon Musk idea sent to him social networking site girl named Bria 5th grade fifth grade letter sent via her father's account I have noticed that you do not advertise many people make homemade commercials for Telsa some of them are very good I think that you should run a competition on who can make a the best homemade Tesla commercial winners will get their commercial aired clearly charmed Musk responded thank you for the lovely letter that sounds like a great idea we'll do it Tesla electric cars batteries solar power eschewed traditional commercials advertising methods hasn't dampened consumer awareness of the brand Twitter account promotes its products news developments technologies 1.3 million followers Reddit forum company 74,000 followers many regular posters one of Tesla's big admirers make sure the government protects the environment your idea for the Tesla cars is the best I have ever seen I hope that when I'm older I can drive a Tesla P.S. It would be so cool if you could hook me up with a Tesla t-shirt! Tesla Model S Tesla Model X Tesla Model 3 lithium ion cell battery LiIon electric car electric vehicle EV battery electric vehicle BEV Supercharger charge /

Toyota & Panasonic just announced a solar roof option for the Prius

… & quantified why you won’t want it.


Prius with new optional solar roof
Credit: Toyota/HybridCars

Solar cells on the roof of an electric car is a popular idea.

Panasonic’s solar roof for the Prius is described as having an output of 180 Watts.

Cruising at 100 kph (62 mph) on a flat road in an electric car requires about 14 kiloWatts. I.e. 14,000 Watts. That’s just maintaining speed, not accelerating, not climbing a hill.

Can you see where this is going?

As a fraction of 14 kiloWatts, 180 Watts is

180/14,000 = 0.013 = 1.3%

Putting that another way, if your drive 100 kilometres in one hour, on a flat, straight road, in good sunlight all the way, the solar roof will have added 1.3 kilometres. That assumes no losses in the system due to inefficiencies, & depending on how Panasonic/Toyota are rating their system, it probably means around mid-day, in summer, & not at high latitudes.

If the car is parked in sunlight, the solar roof could charge the battery. Ignoring the angle of the sun as it varies through the day & any inefficiencies in the charging system, in 8 hours at 180 Watts:

180 * 8 = 1,440 Watt hours = 1.4 kiloWatt hours

Driving for economy, at around-town speeds, one kiloWatt hour will propel an electric car about 6 kilometres (3.73 miles). So if you park your car in the sun at work, & live less than 8.4 kilometres (1.4 * 6 = 8.4 k = 5.2 miles) from work, you may just make it home on the power generated through the day.

If Toyota is offering its solar roof at no cost to the consumer, it may be marginally useful. On the other hand, they’re not running a charity ...

Neither is Tesla – the article linked below claims that a solar roof will be optional on the Model 3.

Electrek – “Tesla partner Panasonic unveils new 180W solar roof product for cars after Elon Musk said Model 3 could have the option”
https://electrek.co/2017/02/28/tesla-model-3-solar-roof-panasonic/

With much more roof area than is available in a sedan, say a classic VW bus, & solar panels with a generous overhang front & rear, it is possible to generate enough power for, “short trips within the city”.


Credit: Green Car Reports

HitchHiker's Guide 2 Tech: “Classic 1966 VW bus with a solar powered drivetrain”
https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/08/classic-1966-vw-bus-with-solar-powered.html / Tesla partner Panasonic unveils unveil unveiled new 180W solar roof Elon Musk Model 3 option Toyota unveiled new solar roof option 2017 Prius Prime Tesla CEO Elon Musk Tesla Model 3 solar roof option Panasonic solar cell battery cell supplier Tesla releasing new solar product automotive applications Toyota’s solar roof option Prius Panasonic HIT Photovoltaic Module for Automobile solar panels vehicles don’t generate enough electricity to do much of anything Toyota option solar roof previous PHEV Prius generating 50 W Panasonic’s new product 180 W module Prius Prime recharge the powertrain battery traction battery 12 Volt battery Panasonic’s solar cells unique structure combines crystalline silicon substrate amorphous silicon film high conversion efficiency excellent temperature characteristics automotive solar cells output auxiliary charging 12 V batteries ventilation power sources parked cars Panasonic’s solar cells high output 180 W limited area car’s roof charging drive lithium-ion batteries 12 V batteries extension of an EV’s travel distance increased in fuel economy not quite practical yet Koji Toyoshima Toyota’s chief engineer Prius plug-in solar panel increase car’s efficiency by up to 10 percent in good conditions panel add about 2.2 miles of electric range vehicle extremely optimistic Toyota’s electric estimates in the past energy usage reinforced glass sheeting not passing the US rollover crash tests working on a solution /

Patrick Stewart & Hugh Jackman on the final X-Men & its continuing relevance to world events

“Logan”, the just-released X-men movie, is the last of the line. Sir Patrick Stewart & Hugh Jackman were interviewed on Australian Broadcasting Corporation TV, & spoke about completing the last X-men & how it is still relevant to world events all these years after it first appeared in comic books.

Ageing on-screen
SIR PATRICK STEWART: I've been ageing on screen or on stage since I was 18. When I was 18, I played an 85-year-old man, so it's nothing new to me. I just got better at it as the years went by.

Brexit
SIR PATRICK STEWART: I was born in 1940. So I just have memories of the second world war & my father coming home from that. When we said officially, formally & we signed the documents, “Europe is united”, it made me so happy & now we're in the process of unravelling. This cannot come to good.



There is a slightly longer video, plus a transcript, both including the comment on Brexit by Sir Patrick Stewart at:
http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2016/s4628874.htm / Sir Patrick Stewart Hugh Jackman shed a tear over final X-Men Jeremy Fernandez presenter influence Donald Trump brand of politics Hugh Jackman and Sir Patrick Stewart President's narrative border control straight out of the script of their latest film Logan Australian TV interview together stars X-Men series from Taipei talk populist politics and sad goodbyes latest film violence violent, your character's superpowers blunted out-of-control optimism earlier films franchise has pretty much evaporated this is a very very different film deliberately different my last time playing it little more real more grey violent actually had something to say about violence the character is essentially a weapon destructive force built to be that defined by the humanity human side of that for both characters to see what the cost is what is it like in the winter of their lives what does that look like what is it like playing a character who ages on screen over a period of 17 years character who is invincible embodying so many of those changes that come to all of us with age ageing on screen aging on screen on stage preparing for this movie for 17 years Charles Xavier also knows Logan's past where he came from how damaged he is how vulnerable he is damaged vulnerable last film Berlin world premiering world premier movie festival Berlin Movie Festival two strapping actors grown men shedding a tear at our own movie ran the credits no more perfect way no more appropriate way say goodbye to Charles Xavier than what I had just watched I was a bit of a pain in the neck James Mangold film makers I wasn't settling I felt a deep sense of satisfaction and gratitude bittersweet there's nothing bitter about it it feels very satisfying X-Men franchise set in a world of make believe poignant some of these decade old Marvel themes have become current global political climate superpowers included these are human beings all of the X-Men that we have ever met going back to 1998 - 99 are real and recognisable people DNA of X-Men original allegory for the civil rights movement Charles Xavier Patrick's character Martin Luther King Ian McKellen's character Magneto being Malcolm X Bryan Singer 2000 opened X-Men filming in a concentration camp second world war first treatment talk of a border wall primaries were happening I think someone's leaked our script that's when you know you're on the right track great filmmaker like James Mangold has things he wants to say deeply personal story about family how difficult it is sometimes to connect and to love similar we close down and just look after our own or do we open up to the world theme movie could not have been predicted pertinent as it is now three principal characters have one overriding objective in this film to reach a border cross it into safety hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people whose only hope whose only chance of survival is to reach a border and to cross it to safety suddenly our film has become extraordinarily relevant cross border issues live debating point in Europe Patrick you said earlier this year you were embarrassed to be British having once been so proud to be part of the European Union rise of populist politics America Europe Austria France Germany Netherlands deeply dismayed process separating ourselves from the European Union one of the most profound and heartwarming political decisions of the 20th century memories of the second world war my father coming home from that we said officially formally signed the documents Europe is united it made me so happy now we're in the process of unravelling this cannot come to good /