Add a minimalist wallet to your phone

Minimalist wallets have become enormously popular. The Identity minimalist wallet was recently reported on these pages.

Hitchhiker’s Guide 2 Tech – “Identity – unique minimalist wallet”


Identity card wallet
Credit: The Gadgeteer

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2017/01/identity-unique-minimalist-wallet.html

Just now, a search on Kickstarter for “minimalist wallet” returned 314 matches.

Many examples from conventional manufacturers too, such as:


Bellroy Micro Sleeve
Credit: Bellroy

https://bellroy.com/products/micro-sleeve-wallet/caramel

Most minimalist wallet of all is no wallet! Some phone cases include provision for card(s) &/or cash, such as


Otterbox Strada case for Samsung Galaxy S7 with room for 1 card or cash
Credit: Otterbox

iDownload Blog – “Some great wallet cases for the iPhone 7 & iPhone 7 Plus”
http://www.idownloadblog.com/2016/09/26/wallet-cases-for-iphone-7/

If you have a case you are otherwise satisfied with, or prefer your phone naked, there are glue on pockets such as this one from Elago that can accomodate 2 cards. It is available in black, Italian Rose, & Jean Indigo.


Elago Card Pocket adds space for 2 cards to many phones & cases
Credit: Pinterest

Elago – “Card Pocket”
http://www.elagostore.com/elago-style/epocket-jin.html / Identity Card wallet review EDC quality item simple to use minimal minimalist how much space they take up never use cash anymore. When I buy something easier swipe credit card unzip wallet pull out the required cash receive change back wallets tend to be bulky accumulate extra stuff receipts other paper Identity Card wallet minimal wallet Identity Card wallet ultra small and ultra light weight light-weight lightweight minimalist wallet aerospace-grade aerospace grade carbon fiber unique folded one-piece design separate your cards into two piles wallet hold four cards on one side of the wallet and four cards on the other side wallet hold four cards on each side footprint almost the same size regular credit card smallest wallet I’ve found so far sides are smooth to the touch no rough edges Identity Card wallet offers wallet with or without a logo badge on the front crowdfunding campaign wallet logo badge offering it without the badge badgeless version edges of the logo cards that I carry in the Identity Card wallet several regular plastic credit cards along few thinner paper cards business cards held securely in place by the sides of the wallet cards inserted into the wallet still very thin diagonal cutouts on the front and back easy to slide out the top card with your thumb Identity Card wallet fits very easily into my pocket so thin that I barely even notice that it’s there zero bad things to say about the Identity Card wallet can’t use it to carry cash perfect wallet for minimalists wallet cases iPhone 7 iPhone 7 Plus Card Pocket Samsung Galaxy S7 Otterbox Bellroy phone case minimalist wallet crowd funding Italian Rose Jean Indigo Elago accomodate cards black Italian Rose Jean Indigo /

Web myth – NASA used a million dollar ball-point – USSR used a pencil

Fisher AG7 Anti-Gravity Pen – the original Space Pen first used by astronauts in 1968 on Apollo 7
Credit: Canit

Conventional ball-point pens depend on gravity to feed ink to the ball. You've probably seen this when trying to write with a ball-point using a vertical surface to support the paper – delivery of ink to the ball soon fails, & the ball-point stops writing.

Another consequence is that conventional ball-point pens don't work in micro-gravity environments, such as Earth-orbit.

You’ve probably seen the stories circulating on mail lists, that go something like this:

US Government/NASA spent thousands/hundreds of thousands/millions/many millions of dollars developing a ball-point that would work in micro-gravity, & the USSR used a pencil. Stupid/incompetent/wasteful US Government/NASA. Clever USSR.

This story is wrong at every turn:

1. neither the US Government, nor NASA, ever spent a cent on development of a ball-point pen for use by astronauts

2. pencils were used in the early days of both the American & Russian space programmes

3. a pencil is a threat to safety in a space vehicle – pencil “lead” is substantially graphite, a form of carbon, which can burn – a no-no in space vehicles, since the fatal Apollo 1 fire in 1967

4. in use, pencil “lead” can release tiny flakes or break – this poses no threat on Earth – gravity takes care of that – in microgravity, small pieces of floating pencil “lead” may be inhaled or enter other bodily openings

5. small pieces of floating “lead” in a micro-gravity environment can interfere with the operation of sensitive equipment

6. graphite in pencil “lead” is electrically conductive, adding short circuiting to the risks posed to electrical equipment

7. soon after a suitable ball-point pen became available, the USSR began using it too

Development of the Space Pen was entirely funded by the Fisher Pen Company, under the direction of founder Paul C. Fisher. A cost of $US1 million has been claimed.¹

Actually, what allows the Fisher Space Pen to write in micro-gravity is the refill.


Fisher Space Pen refil
Credit: Sidetek/Blogger

Ink is delivered to the ball in any orientation, with or without gravity, by gas pressure. Ink continues to flow at temperatures ranging from -30°F to +250°F (-34°C to 121°C).²

Fisher's original Space Pen, the AG7 Anti-Gravity Pen, first flew in space in 1968 on Apollo 7.

You can still buy an identical pen from Fisher at http://www.spacepen.com/originalastronautspacepen.aspx

Snopes – “The Write Stuff”, http://www.snopes.com/business/genius/spacepen.asp

Scientific American – “Fact or Fiction?: NASA Spent Millions to Develop a Pen that Would Write in Space, whereas the Soviet Cosmonauts Used a Pencil”, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fact-or-fiction-nasa-spen/
__________

¹ Scientific American: “Fact or Fiction?: NASA Spent Millions to Develop a Pen that Would Write in Space, whereas the Soviet Cosmonauts Used a Pencil”, https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/fact-or-fiction-nasa-spen/

² Fisher Space Pen Co: “About Us”, http://www.spacepen.com/about-us.aspx / pencil lead graphite carbon fact or fiction NASA spent millions develop biro ball point pen write in space Soviet cosmonauts used pencil problem weightless writing Soviet central planning American sub-contracting private investor space race 1960s millions of taxpayer dollars develop pen ink paper without gravity Soviet cosmonauts pencils message simplicity thrift failure common sense bureaucracy Internet NASA Soviet cosmonauts used pencils outcry NASA find something cheaper astronauts tips flaked broke off drifting in microgravity potentially harm astronaut or equipment pencils are flammable NASA avoid Apollo 1 fire Paul C. Fisher Fisher Pen Company invested $1 million create commonly known as the space pen investment money NASA's coffers 1965 Fisher patented pen write upside-down frigid or roasting conditions underwater other liquids Fisher AG-7 Anti-Gravity Space Pen NASA testing space pen spaceflights beginning in 1967 ball-point pen ballpoint pen Fisher's pen gravity ink flowing cartridge pressurized nitrogen 35 pounds per square inch pressure pushes ink toward tungsten carbide ball pen tip ink ink stays gellike solid movement of the ballpoint turns it into a fluid pressurized pressurised nitrogen prevents air from mixing with the ink cannot evaporate or oxidize oxidise February 1968 NASA ordered 400 Fisher's antigravity ballpoint pens Apollo program Soviet Union ordered 100 pens 1,000 ink cartridges Soyuz space missions 40 percent discount buying in bulk /

Samsung Chromebook Pro & Plus – with Android apps

Samsung's new Chromebooks have a 3:2 aspect ratio screen, rather than the more common 16:9, although the thick margin at the bottom exagerates the visual impression
Credit: Samsung/ZDNet

Chromebooks with their browser-centric operating system have long been suitable for those with modest computing demands – web browsing, email, word processing & spreadsheet – which can be met by the Google suite of Web apps.

In progress, is the addition of Android apps to the repertoire of Chromebooks.

Among the first to implement Android app capability are Samsung's Chromebook Plus, & the more highly specified Pro. Google had substantial input into the design.


0.51" (1.30 cm) thick closed, & 2.38 pounds (1.08 kg), with stylus
Credit: Samsung/ZDNet


Tablet mode makes use of the 360° hinge
Credit: Samsung/ZDNet

Wired – “Review: Samsung Chromebook Pro”
https://www.wired.com/2017/02/review-samsung-chromebook-pro/

Gizmodo – Samsung's New Chromebook Is A Nearly Perfect Budget Laptop
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2017/02/samsungs-new-chromebook-is-a-nearly-perfect-budget-laptop/

C|Net “Samsung Chromebook Pro review”
https://www.cnet.com/au/products/samsung-chromebook-pro/review/

ZDNet – “Samsung's new sub-$500 Chromebook Plus comes with support for Android apps from the Google Play Store right out of the box.”
http://www.zdnet.com/article/samsung-chromebook-plus-goes-on-sale/ / Samsung Chromebook Pro Samsung Chromebook Plus Android apps Chromebooks quietly infiltrated computer market Google’s affordable just a browser devices best-selling computers in schools around boardrooms cubicles more people bought Chromebook than Mac Macintosh Google’s you ought to buy Chromebook consumer Chromebook onslaught starts Samsung’s Chromebook Plus and Pro most well-rounded Chrome OS devices every normal-person laptop budget Chrome OS touchscreens support pen input run millions of apps Google’s Play Store part smartphone part tablet part laptop feels like the computer of the future using the Pro brilliantly polymorphic computer the good kind of cheap good laptop relatively light and thin body attractive well-spaced clicky keyboard spacious smooth trackpad high-res screen enough power battery extra-long day at work $500 Best Buy special Chromebook Pro half-inch thick 2.38 pounds smaller than almost every laptop doesn’t ooze class and wealth every time you open the lid magnesium alloy body silver black peel off the unsightly Energy Star sticker rounded edges exposed hinge decidedly utilitarian look laptop 12.3-inch 2400×1600 display excellent works well as a touchscreen really shines pop tiny stylus out of the body Chromebook Pro stylus matches Samsung’s Galaxy Note phones works just as well draw doodle take notes Google Keep note-taking app supports pen input tool works fabulously futuristic signing right on your computer screen Intel’s Core M3 processor four gigs RAM Chromebook Plus costs $450 lower-powered OP1 chip 32 gigs internal storage plus microSD slot for adding more specs power’s not an issue Chromebooks Chrome browser so stable upwards of ten hours battery charge flip the screen full 360 degrees turning your laptop into a tablet digital picture frame 360-degree screen power button /

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency – returning

Todd Brotzman (Elijah Wood) & Dirk Gently (Samuel Barnett)
Credit: BBC America/Netflix/MovieSteem

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency (2016 with Samuel Barnett in the title role & Elijah Wood as his sidekick) – after having seen half of the first series, I can confirm that it is, as described in Wired, “... nothing like the books – but it’s still a blast!”

Next piece of good news – there will be a season two!

Previously reviewed on these pages, with trailers, panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2016, references to the previous TV series, & the books at: https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/10/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency.html

BBC America: “‘Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency’ Will Return to BBC America for Season Two”, http://www.bbcamerica.com/anglophenia/2016/11/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-will-return-to-bbc-america-for-season-two

What’s on Netflix: “Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency Season 2: Netflix Renewal & Release Date”, https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/dirk-gentlys-holistic-detective-agency-season-2-netflix-renewal-release-date/

All incarnations highly recommended – books, original TV series, plus the 2016 TV series. / Holistic Detective Agency new Dirk Gently nothing like the books still blast makings new cult favorite favourite crammed with weird ideas gore crazy set pieces few charming moments enjoy it stop thinking of it Douglas Adams adaptation BBC America show premiering based book duology Douglas Adams also created Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy series basic concept holistic detective named Dirk Gently breezes around getting into weird situations ties all the threads together mixture of luck intuition TV show little in common Douglas Adams tone Douglas Adams Adams’ absurd wit stands out new show how American it all is new version Dirk Gently only British person U.S. city full of Yank archetypes snarky cops tattooed cultists badass bodyguards creepy shut-ins serial killers writer Max Landis wrote all eight episodes used Douglas Adams basic idea jumping-off point gonzo storyline creepy kidnappers indoor shark attacks bizarre diseases show will be about something completely different Douglas Adams books throw slew off-kilter ideas reader cram billion subplots into every episode wild spree works on its own terms don’t ever try to compare it work of the master first few episodes series delightfully perverse Electric Monk first Dirk Gently novel character save you the trouble of having to believe something believing it for you Douglas Adams creations often illuminate something of the weirdness and futility of humanity’s attempts to make sense of the universe clever storylines about Samuel Taylor Coleridge Norse mythology BBC America version rockstars bikers standard TV archetypes second Dirk Gently TV series in the past five years the first had minuscule fraction budget of this one aired minor UK channel written Misfits creator Howard Overman couple of Doctor Who writers new version throws a million dazzling science-fiction conceits at the viewer 2012 Dirk Gently show more of a weird detective show watching both Dirk Gently shows comparison Doctor Who Douglas Adams pilfered elements two Who scripts /

Turnbull knew renewables were not the cause of SA blackout the next day

More than 20 electricity transmission towers destroyed by SA storm on Wednesday 28 September 2016
Credit: Debbie Prosser/The Advertiser

On the afternoon of Wednesday 28 September 2016, a once-in-50-year storm, with winds up to 130kph & more than 80,000 lightning strikes, occurred in South Australia. Result for residents, was a state-wide failure of electricity supply.¹

At the time, & since, some, mainly on the conservative side of Australian politics, have seen this as an opportunity to attack South Australia’s high proportion of renewable energy (43%).^1,2 This despite the evidence available at the time, & the growing body of evidence which has accumulated since, that the blackout was unrelated to the source of the electricity.^1,2

These attacks generally take the form of a statement about the storm, & then an attack on renewables. Here is an example from an interview in Launceston, Tasmania on the day following the SA blackout:

“... what we know so far is that there was an extreme weather event that damaged a number of transmission line assets, knocking over towers & lines & that was the immediate cause of the blackout … Now, turning to the issue of renewables. There is no doubt that a heavy reliance on intermittent renewables by which in South Australia we’re mostly talking about wind but there’s also solar, but intermittent renewables does place very different strains & pressures on a grid than reliance on traditional base load power whether it is fossil fuel or of course hydro …” – Malcolm Turnbull

See for yourself:



Now it has been revealed that the Australian Government, including Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, & his ministers, was informed that renewables were not responsible for the blackout as early as 7:20 on the morning of 29 September. I.e. before the statement in the video above.³

‘Officials told the prime minister’s office early on 29 September the loss of major transmission lines during the storm, which led to a loss of wind power being generated and transmitted at the time, was “followed by the Torrens Island gas power station shutting down shortly afterwards”.’ – The Guardian

“There has been unprecedented damage to the network (ie bigger than any other event in Australia), with 20+ steel transmission towers down in the north of the State due to wind damage (between Adelaide and Port Augusta). The electricity network was unable to cope with such a sudden and large loss of generation at once. AEMO's advice is that the generation mix (ie renewable or fossil fuel) was not to blame for yesterday's events – it was the loss of 1000 MW of power in such a short space of time as transmission lines fell over.” – Sydney Morning Herald

The Guardian – “Malcolm Turnbull was told gas plant shut down before South Australia blackout”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/feb/13/malcolm-turnbull-was-told-gas-plant-shut-down-before-south-australia-blackout

Sydney Morning Herald – “Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and ministers were told wind not to blame for South Australia blackout”
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/pm-and-ministers-were-told-wind-not-to-blame-for-sa-blackout-20170212-guaxf0.html

Huffington Post – “The Turnbull Government Can't Stop Blaming Renewables”
http://www.huffingtonpost.com.au/2017/02/12/the-turnbull-government-can-t-stop-blaming-renewables/
__________

¹ HitchHiker’s Guide 2 Tech: “Once-in-50-year storm blacks out South Australia – naysayers rush to attack renewables”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/10/once-in-50-year-storm-blacks-out-south.html

² news.com: Politicians blame renewable energy for South Australia’s freak blackout”, http://www.news.com.au/technology/environment/politicians-blame-renewable-energy-for-south-australias-freak-blackout/news-story/e60198eb2325fca65cf11ee0a8cab80d

³ Sydney Morning Herald – “Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and ministers were told wind not to blame for South Australia blackout”, http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/pm-and-ministers-were-told-wind-not-to-blame-for-sa-blackout-20170212-guaxf0.html

/ Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull ministers were told wind not to blame renewables for South Australia blackout Turnbull government statements blaming last year's South Australian blackout high renewable energy target ignored confidential public service advice was not the cause emails obtained under freedom-of-information rules febrile debate renewable energy versus coal-fired generation raging in Canberra revelation undermine Coalition's energy messaging shatter confidence call for investment sober debate bipartisan policy solutions government denies it ignored the early advice it was the storm which brought down lines ministers canvassed publicly central state's high renewable energy reliance contributed subsequent assessment refer to the state's energy mix complicating factor security of supply advice to the government dated 29 September 2016 day after the whole of SA went black devastating storm suggested problem state's high reliance on wind generation key parts electricity distribution network wrecked during a severe weather event email trail senior official from Malcolm Turnbull department seeking explanation blackout 8.31 evening of the storm next morning outlines subsequent discussions 5am phone hook-up departmental political staff email sent Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's own officials assessment of the blackout including advice Australian Energy Market Operator unprecedented damage network bigger than any other event in Australia 20+ steel transmission towers down State wind damage Adelaide Port Augusta electricity network unable to cope sudden large loss generation capacity AEMO's advice generation mix renewable or fossil fuel was not to blame yesterday's events loss 1000 MW power such a short space of time transmission lines fell over within hours of the calamity Turnbull government capitalising on the blackout suggesting state's unsustainably high quotient wind generation failed to keep working in the conditions Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce chorus from Canberra state Labor government's unrealistic energy policies other senior ministers including Energy and Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg major storm major blackout across a whole state South Australia renewable energy target storm capacity to handle it intermittent renewables pose real challenges state Labor governments priorities renewable targets extremely aggressive extremely unrealistic energy security blackout South Australia extreme heat event energy blame game intensified evidence again suggests adequate supply gas turbine generation sitting idle wind contribution fell Labor's spokesman climate change energy Mark Butler hysterical Mr Turnbull playing politics very deep crisis enveloping our energy system /

Tesla's Model S keeps getting quicker – another record

Production Tesla Model S P100DL sets Motor Trend all-time world record to 60 mph in 2.27 sec https://t.co/sxALQrM5Ls

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 7, 2017

Difference of opinion as to whether its 2.27 or 2.28 seconds. Motor Trend actually recorded 2.275507139 seconds. Apparently, Elon Musk truncated to yield 2.27 seconds, while Motor Trend took the next decimal place into account & rounded up to 2.28 seconds.

Motor Trend – “2017 Tesla Model S P100D First Test: A New Record – 0-60 mph In 2.28 Seconds”
http://www.motortrend.com/cars/tesla/model-s/2017/2017-tesla-model-s-p100d-first-test-review/ / Production Tesla Model S P100DL sets Motor Trend all-time world record to 60 mph in 2.27 sec Tesla Inc sedan Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk Tesla Model S luxury sedan electric vehicle EV battery electric vehicle BEV lithium ion battery LiIon /

Tesla to begin pre-production of Model 3 this month

Tesla Model 3
Credit: Newsline/Tesla

Tesla is preparing for production of Model 3 (note that it's no longer spelled Model ≡ (check https://www.tesla.com/model3))

● production of current offerings (Model S & X) will shut down for a week, to prepare for production of the Model 3

● building of pre-production Model 3 units will begin on 20 February

Production is scheduled to begin in July of this year. When this was announced last year, anyone familiar with Tesla's performance against target dates was skeptical. However, pre-production beginning on 20 February is consistent with Model 3 production beginning on schedule.

Charged EVs – “Tesla pauses production to tool up for Model 3”
https://chargedevs.com/newswire/tesla-pauses-production-to-tool-up-for-model-3/

Reuters – “Tesla pausing factory for Model 3 preparation this month”
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-tesla-model-idUSKBN15N2W7 / Tesla Inc shut down production California assembly plant week prepare for production high-volume Model 3 sedan mass market company meeting target start production July Tesla brief, planned pause company add capacity existing paint shop prepare for Model 3 other general maintenance Tesla begin Model 3 production later this year planned start the ramp towards 500,000 vehicles annually 2018 Tesla spokesman pause material impact first-quarter production delivery figures added production days to compensate luxury electric carmaker planned begin test-building Model 3 20 February February 20 Tesla Chief Executive Elon Musk more than 370,000 customers deposits down Model 3 start building cars July 2017 analysts and suppliers timeline too ambitious difficult to achieve Tesla's history missing production targets Tesla starting pilot production factory Fremont California shareholders two days later reports fourth-quarter results Model 3 rollout stoke the fan base highly anticipated vehicles Tesla small number test assembly system quality of vehicle parts stoke the fan base Wall Street pre-production models earnings announcement Tesla's plans Tesla spokesman production schedule Elon Musk investors July 2017 startup target suppliers deadlines Tesla Model 3 government incentives sedan Tesla niche luxury player automotive sector Tesla $41.4 billion market capitalization equals Nissan Motor Co Ltd Elon Musk bold approach cars space exploration clean energy investor enthusiasm Tesla skeptics Elon Musk promise producing 500,000 cars per year by 2018 Tesla 373,000 refundable $1,000 deposits for Model 3 production total sales fully electric vehicles /