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 /