2013: the tech year in cartoons

Credit: John Klossner/© Computerworld

See the rest of 2013 at:

http://www.itworld.com/slideshow/133976/2013-tech-year-cartoons-397932#slide1 / Tim Cook Apple Maps navigation error errors bonus Blackberry women in IT information technology dead language COBOL programming program programme language R&D research and development Google driverless car data mine mining big data profile social media file read readable future technology technologies media Ellison Benioff Oracle sales force Steve Balmer smartphone smart-phone smart phone Windows Mobile Nokia Microsoft Digital Equipment healthcare site healthcare.gov stack ranking supercomputer super computer fund funding /

Ubuntu Phone — when? (video)

Credit: The Verge

A smartphone implementation of the Ubuntu Linux OS has been promised for some time. Now Mark Shuttleworth is saying "2014."

http://www.theverge.com/2013/1/2/3827922/ubuntu-phone-os-announcement

"Thumb gestures", sound similar to the swipe in from the side gestures which have begun to appear in Android. Examples are the swipe-from-the-side actions in the Play Store app & for bookmarks & add ons in the Dolphin browser & pull down notifications in Android & iOS.

Omission of the Dalvik virtual Java machine promises speed improvements over Android.

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/12/25/ubuntu_year_review/

Interview with Mark Shuttleworth

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/news/interviews/386080/mark-shuttleworth-interview-taking-ubuntu-beyond-desktops

http://askubuntu.com/questions/282698/when-is-the-expected-stable-release-date-of-ubuntu-phone-and-ubuntu-tablet / multi tasking multi-tasking multitasking teased promised Canonical taking the wraps off mobile version Ubuntu is built around existing Android kernel driver drivers Java Virtual Machine full power smart smartphone smart-phone phone supporting support ARM x86 processors processor Ubuntu phone OS compatible Android phone makers run it device devices minimal adaptation adapt adaption Ubuntu for Android announce announcement announced February new ecosystem ship shipping devices device Canonical chief Mark Shuttleworth definitely arrive time some point during this year carrier manufacturer support announce announcement announced first Ubuntu for Android handset provide provider provided high-end high end Android device maker hands-on hands on demo phones out here in London downloadable images development platform available Galaxy Nexus next couple of weeks only officially supported device for now develop development developers developer multi tasking multi-tasking multitasking core strength strengths handset interface unique features thumb gestures edge screen big role navigation swiping in four different edges of the screen user users switch apps search for content short swipe left side screen dock your favorite apps full left-to-right swipe pull up all of your open apps swipes apps you're running short demos Ubuntu site navigating your apps overall design perspective dynamic home screen experience different than Windows Phone Android iOS focused recently used content contacts recent recently music added apps used static grid of content searching search include global search across apps content device similar just type universal search webOS voice commands built-in text commands work in any application OS operating system historical roots PC dockable monitor keyboard mouse Motorola Webtop concept /

Algae to crude oil: Million-year natural process takes minutes in the lab

Algal slurry, crude oil, refined diesel
Credit: US Department of Energy/Gizmag

http://www.gizmag.com/algae-crude-oil-process-pnnl/30235/ / engineers engineer USA US Department of Energy DoE Pacific Northwest National Laboratory PNNL created continuous process produce produces useful crude oil minutes after harvested algae harvest new process dry drying out alga algae grow grows water, saving save time energy that final product refine refined aviation fuel diesel gasoline process mimic mimics condition conditions prehistory prehistoric plant material fossil fuel deep within the earth high pressures pressure temperatures temperature heat pressure aquatic plant biofuel source wet green plant flammable burnable fuel expensive time consuming time-consuming process processed dry drying remove removing water biomass solvent solvents extract energy-rich energy rich hydrocarbons dried material continuous process wet algae high temperatures pressures temperature pressure Laboratory Fellow Douglas Elliott leader research team faster fast /

Former BP geologist: peak oil is here & it will "break economies"

Credit: Ben Stansall/AFP/Getty Images/The Guardian

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/earth-insight/2013/dec/23/british-petroleum-geologist-peak-oil-break-economy-recession / former British Petroleum BP geologist geology warn warning warned age of cheap oil long gone danger of continuous recession increased risk conflict hunger lecture Geohazards postgraduate Natural Hazards Insurers course University College London UCL Dr. Richard G. Miller worked for BP 1985 retire retired retiring 2008 fficial data from International Energy Agency IEA US Energy Information Administration EIA International Monetary Fund IMF conventional oil peaked around 2008 Dr. Miller critiqued critique official industry line global reserves current rates consumption pointing out that peaking result declining production rates declining reserves new discoveries increasing reliance unconventional oil gas 37 countries already post-peak post peak peaked global oil production declining about 4.1% per year 3.5 million barrels a day b/d per year new production equal new Saudi Arabia every 3 to 4 years maintain grow supply new discoveries not matched consumption since 1986 drawing down our reserves reserves are apparently climbing every year growing due better technology old fields raising amount can recover production still falling 4.1% p.a. per annum Dr. Miller who prepared annual in house in-house projections future oil supply BP 2000 to 2007 ATM problem more money limited daily withdrawals production conventional liquid oil flat since 2008 growth liquid supply since then has been largely of natural gas liquids NGL ethane propane butane pentane oil sand oil-sand bitumen prestigious journal Philosophical Transactions Royal Society future oil supply introductory paper co-authored Dr. Steve R. Sorrel co-director Sussex Energy Group University of Sussex Brighton oil industry experts growing consensus era of cheap oil has passed new very different phase endorse conservative conclusions extensive earlier study government funded government-funded UK Energy Research Centre UKERC sustained decline global conventional production appears probable before 2030 significant risk beginning before 2020 current evidence tight oil shale oil resource resources resource base appears relatively modest increasing dependence worse worsen decline rates in the long run reliance tight oil resources hydraulic fracturing exacerbate rising trend in global average decline rates well wells no plateau decline extremely fast tar sands sand Canadian oil sands deliver only 5 mb per day by 2030 IEA projection project all liquids liquid all-liquids production cude oil production grew NGL petroleum crude oil energy return on investment EROI barrel consumption consume global warming climate change green house greenhouse gas Richard Miller large scale large-scale wind farm projects reduction deed in tariff feed-in tariffs renewable energy Dr Nafeez Ahmed is executive director Institute for Policy Research & Development environment guides /

Electric cars are so disruptive, internal combustion engine cars will be obsolete in 2016, says futurist • UPDATED 28 December 2013

2016 — sound a little too soon? Both General Motors & Tesla are working on mass market electric vehicles with a range of 200 miles (320 km). Elon Musk has promised the Tesla for, "Hopefully 2016, but I would say no later than 2017."

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1089325_electric-cars-so-disruptive-gas-cars-will-be-obsolete-in-2016-says-futurist

Update: More about the Tesla mass market EV:


Credit: Tesla Motors/Green Car Reports

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1084595_teslas-next-electric-car-line-roundup-of-what-we-know-now / Tesla Model S plug in plug-in electric cars 200 miles more electric range Tesla Motors prepares roll out more affordable Model E late 2016 face serious competition General Motors GM EV electric vehicle LiIon lithium ion battery cell BEV develop development developing Tesla-rivaling rival Tesla rivaling car 200 miles 321 kilometres km charge cost $30,000 The Wall Street Journal reports technology build go on sale particularly soon high battery costs Douglas Parks GM's Vice President global product programs opening expansion battery test lab at the company's Technical Center in Warren Michigan lowest battery cost per kilowatt-hour thousands of Panasonic commodity cells specially designed design less expensive laptop many patents unique approach automaker 200 mile 200-mile range sell price GM CEO Dan Akerson breakthrough breakthroughs battery technology Envia Systems Newark California-based California based company GM invested $17 million 2011 Envia specializes specialize specialise lithium-ion cathode technology create batteries greater energy density 400 watt-hours per kilogram much higher 140 Watt-hours per kilogram Nissan Leaf's battery pack Watt hours wait waiting battery technology LG Chem cells Chevrolet Volt Cadillac ELR battery electric battery-electric car Chevrolet Spark EV maximum range of 82 miles EV electric vehicle LiIon lithium ion battery cell charge recharge performance acceleration Roadster Model S X economy halve half 50% reduce reduced price /

Dynamo: magician impossible

Credit: PA/The Daily Mail

After watching these videos, I'm not ashamed to say I have no idea how any of this is possible. Definitely worth a look.

Man cut in half?

http://youtu.be/72zt6xrwNME

Bus levitation:

http://youtu.be/H7z7LyBrVhE

Longer videos:

14 minutes
http://youtu.be/xexL6EV9whI

46 minutes:
http://youtu.be/3KBbV32i8fs / rope loop wrap pull London bus levitate conjure conjurer magic illusion amazing trick playing card ring coin sweet lolly candy machine street football foot ball soccer /

Best wishes ★'°･:*:･｡

Credit: Wallpaper Arena www.hdwallpapersinn.com

Whatever your beliefs, all the very best from Hitchhiker's Guide 2 Tech! ｡･:* :･°'☆

Six reasons your next phone won’t have to run software from Apple or Google

Oppo N1 CyanogenMod Version
Credit: Oppo/CyanogenMod/DroidLife

We lost Palm some time ago & Nokia has killed off Symbian. BlackBerry appears to be circling the drain.

Still, the good folks at Quartz think we have reasons to expect some diversity in the phone market:

http://qz.com/161020/six-reasons-your-next-phone-wont-have-to-run-software-from-apple-or-google/ / two mobile operating systems Apple Apple’s iOS Google Google’s Android control 94% market competitors BlackBerry crowdfund Ubuntu Edge smart phone smartphone mobile cell phone operating system Linux target amount Nokia CEO Stephen Elop death certificate for Symbian company’s OS 2014 challengers CyanogenMod Cyanogen root flash ROM Android operating system control device devices and doesn’t contain the junk that phone-manufacturers 10 million downloads remove removed app playstore Play store download CyanogenMod Silicon Valley’s Valley venture capital firm faith, Andreesen Horowitz $23 million round of funding MeeGo Microsoft engineers SailFish avatar Jolla hybrid Sailfish OS run Android apps app store Russian web giant Yandex Windows Phone cell mobile hardware maker Nokia Ubuntu open source open-source, Linux-based based operating system mobile phones tablets desktop computers desktop Linux users, preview versions polished unified release OS all devices PC PCs ship Ubuntu phones and tablets Tizen backed phone makers biggest phone-makers LG Huawei Samsung Mobile World Congress Firefox OS adaptive app search circular icons Mozilla browser operating system web apps websites run like apps native apps written specially rewritten platform /

Settled: electric vehicles are cleaner than their fossil-fuel-burning cousins – update

Credit: SingularityHUB

It's over two years since the issues to be considered in answering this question were first discussed in these pages. Now the Union of Concerned Scientists has agreed that the question is settled.

http://singularityhub.com/2013/12/22/its-settled-electric-cars-are-cleaner-than-their-gas-powered-cousins/

Of course, the carbon footprint of an electric vehicle in your area depends on the power generation mix used there. Washington state in USA & Tasmania in Australia with largely hydro grids are obviously better than Victoria in Australia with lots of brown coal.

My solution: rooftop PV generates most of the electricity used by my EV, plus, I pay for "green energy". I.e., for a fee, my electricity provider undertakes to generate power from renewable sources &/or provide offsets for all of my power consumption, including my EV. All of the people I know who own EVs are doing at least one of these. / technological advance government consumer groups company companies sell innovative products electric vehicle Nissan Ford Chevrolet Honda Toyota Audi BMW Tesla EVs tiny fraction car cars road United States of America General Motors GM infamous electric cars car EV1 California in 1996 major issue electric vehicle complex complexity answer simple question better environment gasoline-powered cars gasoline powered petrol petroleum instinctively believe electric electricity electrical grid coal natural gas American utilities coal natural gas renewable energy sources Union of Concerned Scientists nonprofit supports scientifically sound cleaner energy policies question around emissions generated charge electric vehicles versus emissions petrol petroleum gas vehicles EV produces less greenhouse gas emissions average compact gasoline car Don Anair research deputy director UCS’s USC clean vehicles program Singularity Hub issue particulate pollution complicated overall EV electric vehicles clean cleaner track record reduce U.S. global warming pollution by four-fifths 2050 solar wind power continue become cheaper better represented electrical supply chain EVs advantage expert experts cost competitiveness solar wind geothermal biomass mix of sources Todd Foley senior vice president policy government relations American Council on Renewable Energy ACORE mix of energy sources charging your car fuel mix portfolio approach lower fueling prices better lifetime cost comparison equivalent of $1 per gallon of gasolene gasoline petrol saving fuel costs sticker price distance range charge recharge Mike Brace technical editor EVWorld niche market second household vehicle commuting workhorse Tesla charging stations inductive charging /

Levitron levitating table lamp

Credit: GeekAlerts/ThinkGeek

http://www.geekalerts.com/levitron-levitating-table-lamp// magic science Levitron Levitating Table Lamp amazing behold chrome table lamp floating lampshade light provided soft focus soft-focus LED lights light emitting diode lampshade hovers hover 3 inches above the base looking futuristic wonderful future home homes LED table lamp shade levitates 3 inches above light source fans science magic materials brushed chrome stand 6 high intensity high-intensity LED lights powered through low voltage adapter input 110v/220v output 15 VDC dimensions 16 1/2″ height max diameter 7 1/2″
Levitron Levitating Table Lamp $149.99 ThinkGeek.com coolest piece of decor cool /

The day Google had to "start over" on Android

In 2007, Google's Android, team had been working 60+ hour weeks for over a year. They were sure they were going to take the cell (mobile) phone world by storm with their revolutionary smartphone project ... then Apple announced the iPhone ... & everything changed.

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/12/the-day-google-had-to-start-over-on-android/282479/ / bar 2005, Google Google’s sprawling, college-like college like campus most secret ambitious team teams smartphone effort Android project Google’s Building 44 Google ad reps four dozen engineers on track deliver revolutionary device change mobile phone industry forever more consumer blown away wanted one immediately engineer start over again worked sixty to eighty 60 80 hour hours sixty-to-eighty-hour weeks fifteen months more than two years writing testing test code negotiate negotiating soft­ware licenses license flying over the world find right parts suppliers manufacturers been working with proto­types prototype six months planned plan launch by the end of the year Steve Jobs stage announce unveil the iPhone Chris DeSalvo’s DeSalvo reaction iPhone Silicon Valley iPhone iPhone’s unveiling January 9, 2007 done the impossible iPod iTunes wireless car­rier build a revolutionary smartphone hairy Google size Google-size problem software industry mobile phones most dysfunctional technology wireless bandwidth users surf the Internet weren’t powerful enough rudimentary software oligopoly carriers phone makers writing software for phones wireless bandwidth improve phone chips more powerful looked carri­ers phone makers would control building software one device at a time Vodafone big European carrier Google search on their phones good mobile browser ring tones tone ring-tones carriers provide all the services inside walled garden AOL control best way make money few developers built software mobile phones lost money no standardization industry every phone ran own software applications meaning software written Samsung wouldn’t run Motorola phone Nokia software platforms incompatible different versions of Symbian money pit testing company Larry Page frustrate frustration frustrating share holder share­holders smartphone smart phone phones smartphones Microsoft compete monopoly Page executives mobile business Windows CE mobile phones software niche market consumers platform search tech world co-founder cofounder Sergey Brin dressed search engine’s popularity a fad U.S. government’s successful antitrust trial against Microsoft Oracle v. Google copyright trial Lass Vegas handset makers carriers Consumer Electronics Show Tseng Stanford business school Eric Schmidt Android /

Watch "The first-ever BMW i3 hot lap" (video)

Credit: Chris Neff/Inside EVs

i3 is BMW's electric vehicle (EV). Optionally, a range extender (generator powered by a two-cylinder, 647cc internal combustion engine (ICE)) extends its 160 km (100 mile) EV range by 128 km (80 miles).

With 125 kW (168bhp) of electric power on tap, straight line performance is good: 0-100 kph (62 mph) in 7.2 seconds for the battery only car. In the extended range version, the extra weight slows 0-100 kph time to 7.9 seconds. With this kind of performance, the two i3 models have the 2nd & 3rd best straight line performances of any commercially available EV, behind the Tesla Model S.

Once the battery is exhausted, though, the 25 kW (34 bhp) ICE powered generator can provide only much reduced performance. Apparently, the trick is to turn on the range extender while the battery still has substantial charge (BMW suggests 40%), so that the entire 125 kW of battery power remains available for acceleration & hill climbing, while the 25 kW ICE provides power for cruise.

And how does it stop & turn with that tall design & those narrow tyres? Apparently better than you might expect:



http://insideevs.com/review-from-the-track-bmw-i3-gets-driven-to-the-limit-by-pro-driver-i-ride-shotgun-wvideo/

Summary: good acceleration & general performance & handling but, while the range extender is a solution to range anxiety, it will make any journey of more than 160 km a series of ~120 km "hops".

If you forget to turn on the range extender early enough, the second & subsequent "hops" could be very slow./ drive driving EVs MiniE BMW ActiveE performance ecology eco was green exotic car meets parked next to a Ferrari Lamborghini Mclaren fun daily driver funky look skinny tires fun as my ActiveE styling drive tire tyre tires tyres drivers’ EV race track track day professional professional race car driver Erin CrockervNascar racer sprint car racer stunt car driver EV newbie loves automobiles decent speeds test handling what Monticello Raceway New York video shoot ActiveE handles curves frunk garage control controls track speed increasing hairpin regenerative braking regen braking accelerator impressive closed course lap laps pits fear excitement video shoot take full electric REx extended range on track on-track abuse going flat out handling nimble handle engineer low center of gravity low weight tall weight is down low chassis stiff i3 leans lean predictable front tires grab grabbing electronic stability control sliding slide computer cutting the power fully disable anti-skid hairpin hairpins long sweeping turns corner turn quick steering turning radius brake brakes braking ride quality /

Ford: Predictive logic can boost cruise-control mpg 5 percent

Powertrain mapping for Ford predictive cruise control
Credit: Ford/Green Car Reports

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1089187_ford-predictive-logic-can-boost-cruise-control-mpg-5-percent / 2014 Lincoln MKTCruise control American long road trips reduced reduction reduce fatigue adaptive cruise control systems system commutes traffic jam jams jammed traffic-jammed holiday weekend slogs save lot of fuel up to 10 percent foot on the accelerator foot-on-accelerator driving drive smoothing smooth driving styles style adapt cruise control surrounding traffic more extreme terrain question maintain maintaining speed recover desired speed vehicle vehicles hill hills cruise control systems market adaptive cruise controls set following distance predictive throttle speed drops drop slower vehicle directly ahead ease off speed rises desired setting eliminate overcompensation built into systems predictive algorithms more sophisticated mapping Ford engineers engineer soften throttle behavior save more fuel powertrain power train mapping predictive cruise control comparing load vehicle how many people aboard load passenger passengers headwind steepness grade powertrain torque applied smooth recovery trajectory speed drops drop fall falls decrease decreases connect connected cloud based cloud-based vehicles know vehicle's onboard measurements on powertrain load accelerometers yaw sensors air-mass meter air mass numbers typical powertrain module variables samples a few seconds total running memory less than 55 seconds predicts based on recent loading and terrain load constant transient connected vehicles uphill downhill eco rubber band rubber-band-style delay throttle response /

Myth busted: renewable energy is intermittent, it is too unreliable to be the major source of electricity supply

Credit: Professor Mark Diesendorf/Climate Spectator

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2013/12/18/energy-markets/base-debate-holding-renewables-hostage?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=553416&utm_campaign=cs_daily&modapt= / edited extract Mark Diesendorf new book Sustainable Energy Solutions for Climate Change published Australia New Zealand UNSW Press December 2013; ublished overseas Earthscan April 2014 myth renewable energy intermittent unreliable major source electricity supply penetration penetrations renewable energy grid must await development baseload renewable power stations vast amount storage refute refutation computer simulation modeling electricity systems 80-100 per cent 80% 100% renewable electricity RE refutes this traditional assumption simple conception balancing baseload demand baseload supply 24-hour period outdated context renewable energy electricity RE future appropriate inflexible baseload power stations coal nuclear atomic uranium radio active activity only choice 24 hour 24-hour power large penetrations RE integrated into grid baseload power stations not needed their inflexibility inflexible liability computer simulations show baseload demand supplied reliably reliable mix RE sources source baseload power station figure David Mills mix flexible variable RE power stations output varied rapidly required flexible technology dispatchable switched on rapidly coal fired coal-fired nuclear power station electrical power electricity fed into grid upon demand high degree certainty following renewable electricity systems are flexible to varying degrees gas turbine assured source of fuel derived from biomass organic materials hydro-electric station hydro electric large dam geothermal power station concentrated solar thermal power station thermal storage definition grey areas flexibility RE source storage increases store wind solar PV without storage run-of-river hydro much less flexibleclassified variable sourcesbelectrical outputs variable power stations decreased required cannot increased beyond level offered weather flow conditions dispatched reliably part mix flexible renewable power stations label variable RE technologies intermittent misleading implying incorrectly large scale large-scale renewable electricity production generally cuts off abruptly wind drops cloud blocks the sun output single wind turbine solar PV moduleintermittent in this sense wind farm spanning tens kilometres solar power station spanning kilometre take much longer cut-off system of geographically dispersed wind farms solar power stations take many hours short term short-term changes wind sunshine predicted quite well weather observations challenge predominant predominantly RE system supply peaks in demand baseload, achieve achieved both geographic dispersion mix flexible variable power stations flexible conventional generation, grid storage, transmission responsive loads changes power system operation Mark Diesendorf associate professor deputy director Institute of Environmental Studies UNSW university of NSW New South Wales /

Gmail announces the ability to download your email & calendar data

Credit: Gmail Blog/Zagg

http://www.zagg.com/community/blog/gmail-announces-the-ability-to-download-your-email-and-calendar-data/ / new technology Google ability export copy your Gmail Google Calendar data download mail email calendars subset subsets label labels calendar calendars prefer preference possible download single archive file multiple products copy Gmail Drive Youtube Google+ calendars calendar other Google data Google owns half Internet file hold a whole lot make backing up back up backup data moving different service easier secure security ensure safety emails email documents email ability download gmail messages rolled out over next month everyone should be able download calendar data today going Account Download your data /

Fleksy keyboard for Android receives a big update & a beautiful new vanilla thyme

Credit: Droid Life

http://www.tomsguide.com/us/fleksy-keyboard-app-faq,review-1979.html

iOS too

http://www.theverge.com/2013/12/12/5201868/fleksy-wants-to-become-your-new-ios-keyboard-everywhere / Fleksy Android update fully resizable fully-resizable reduced reduces file size application app enhancement enhancements vanilla theme dark theme beta test group Google+ free original developers of BlindType blindly type away fully hide keyboard ultimate full-screen typing experience feature showing off Swiftkey resizable Full Tiny Vanilla reduced file size 25% memory usage 15% configurable configure haptic feedback duration feed back smoother animations animation mproved web typing removed white text box hiding hide app landscape improved increased accuracy tutorial dictionary backup cloud stock Jelly Bean bugs bug squashed S4 flicker swap invisible bullets facebook tag KingSoft Office /

Road trips in a Tesla Model S electric car: lessons learned

Tesla Model S at a Supercharger fast charge station
Credit: George Parrott/Green Car Reports

Most electric vehicles (EVs) have short battery range: less than 160 km (100 miles). This is more than enough for the vast majority of daily use, but not for the much less frequent road trip. For a road trip, short range is compounded by slow charge times. An exception is the Tesla Model S with an EPA certified range of up to 426 km (265 miles). Using a Tesla Supercharger, the Model S can recharge to 80% of full charge in 20 to 30 minutes.

All of the above problems are compounded by cold weather. Charging is slower & the ability of the battery to release its stored energy is compromised, reducing range.

Use of the heater further reduces range in cold weather. This can be minimized, by using seat heating (a common fitting in EVs), rather than heating the entire passenger compartment. One quarter of the power use is representative. Warm gloves required.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1089093_road-trips-in-a-tesla-model-s-electric-car-lessons-learned / battery EV electric vehicle car automobile lithium ion LiIon DC AC alternating current direct Amp Volt Watt kiloWatt kilo Watt hour kWh Supercharge Supercharger recharge level 2 Nissan dealer charge station park 85 kWh 60 kWh lessons learned road trip heater air conditioner West Coast road tripper winter heating battery pack gasoline diesel petrol publish published reports report West Coast East Coast nationwide network quick-charging quick charging quick-charge quick charge quick-charger quick charger /

Take the pain out of standing all day with these simple exercises (video)

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2013/12/take-the-pain-out-of-standing-all-day-with-these-simple-exercises/ / Sitting your health feet standing desk job stand a lot stand stood movements strain standing exercises problem problems sore swollen legs feet tight calves lower back pain standard recommendations wear wearing comfortable shoes compression socks shoe sock alternating sitting standing good anti-fatigue mat lacrosse ball massage feet restore vitality quick 1-5 minute massage foot feet leg ankle circles place leg chair hamstring stretch make ankle circles stimulate nerves begin relief split squats: squat long stance one leg forward drop straight down touch back knee floor should feel stretch top thigh Dr Melissa West legs up the wall move relieve tired legs feet mild backache video demonstrates knee to chest pose figure four stretch lie on the ground try other yoga poses standing half moon side-bending pose side bending tree pose balance one leg angle thigh standing forward fold desk stretches standing fit stretches exercise exercises standing desk quad stretches examples example single leg balance reach calf raises raise heel pain suffer plantar fasciitis strain ligament supports support foot arch foot pain video stretches morning walk walking work exercise exercises daily schedule good to go /

Cheaper way to make fuel from carbon dioxide

http://www.technologyreview.com/news/522246/a-faster-and-more-efficient-way-to-convert-carbon-dioxide-into-fuel/ / CO2 carbon dioxide greenhouse gas green house gas global warming climate change methane carbon monoxide CH4 catalysts catalyst silver carbon fibre matrix making burning hydrocarbons novel catalysts researchers University Illinois Chicago practical reverse converting carbon dioxide water into fuel convert conversion energy reaction economic economical CO2 liquid fuel Volcano process processes commercial commercially liquid fuels exhaust gases gas fossil fuel fossil-fuel power plants plant journal Nature Communications discovered last year that more efficiently turn carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, petrol petroleum gasoline other products slow slowly expensive research researchers demonstration demonstrated relatively inexpensive carbon fibers same efficiency technique produces carbon monoxide about 10 times faster Amin Salehi-Khojin professor mechanical engineering University of Illinois at Chicago larger amounts membrane stable development work require industrial partners artificial leaf process run on sunlight solar panel generate electricity reactor form the carbon monoxide artificial leaf photosynthesis economic economical economy /

22 awesome science & infrastructure webcams from around the world (video)

Credit: Shark Tank Webcam/Gizmodo

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2013/12/22-awesome-science-infrastructure-webcams-from-around-the-world/ / web cam webcam World Wide Web WWW dull boring repetitive amazing live stream construction construction collection construction snapshot new safe confinement protective metal structure Chernobyl nuclear power plant progress online science technology ocean liner container ship hi-res webcam Gatum Loch Lochs Panama Canal Building 29 cleanroom clean room NASA Goddard Flight Centre Flightcentre Center ISM structure Webb Webb's science instrument instruments 6.5 in inch mirror ESA ESA's 35m 35 meter metre Cerevos Spain antenna dish diameter remote remotely operated operate composite operating Kennedy Space Center Centre VAB Super Guppy shark tank Long Beach California 26kg Foucault pendulums pendulum Prof Professor Guido Pegna Cagliari University Physics Museum Sardinia Polar Science Center monitor large Acoustic Ice Tethered Profiler AITP ocean bouy laser lazer cloud sensor North Pole Environmental Observatory National Science Foundation blinking lights webcam axis 2100 network camera Netgear network switch MicroscopeCam Microscope Cam camera light microscope simple life forms living drop water Canada France Hawaii telescope summit dormant Mauna Kea volcano big island USA Gemini Observatory Top Thrill Dragster Cedar Point Amusement Park thrill ride roller coaster Sandusky Ohio Pitch Drop Experiment science history ninth drop bitumen School of Mathematics and Physics University of Queensland Australia Centennial Bulb longest burning 60 Watts 4 112 112th year location Fire Station 6 4550 East Avenue Ave Livermore California incandescent lamp Adolphe A Chaillet Shelby Electric Company /

How Americans were deceived about cell phone location data (video)

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2013/12/how-americans-were-deceived-about-cell-phone-location-data/282239/ / earliest articles sourced Edward Snowden pocket pockets NSA collect location data generate possibility proved worrisome concern public privacy experts surveillance state routinely tracked our movement movements feel dystopian enable abuse various TV Web print commentators commentator Congress concerned letter signed 26 senators declared NSA bulk collection phone records significant impact privacy records collected includes cell phone locational data effectively turning Americans American America USA United States of America cell phones tracking devices cell sight site tower mobile phone cell-site location data in bulk National Security Agency gathering 5 billion records a day whereabouts of cellphones around the world Washington Post reported vast database stores information about locations hundreds of millions of devices affected tactic NSA target Americans’ location data Information whereabouts domestic cellphones incidentally foreseeable not deliberate result mobile phone senior collection manager, speaking condition anonymity permission NSA getting vast volumes location data tap tapping cables connect mobile networks globally serve U.S. cellphones domestic foreign cellphones every year location information under this program Clapper wrote Director of the National Security Agency Senate Select Committee on Intelligence notify Congress cell site location information notify Congress collect cell location data Wyden NSA's rhetorical evasions misleadingly played department of justice DOJ /

1TB Samsung SSD for just $515 (video)

Credit: Samsung/Amazon

Big, fast, cheap, encrypted.

http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/deal-1tb-samsung-ssd-just-515-free-shipping-video#more-42124 / video tutorial boost Mac PC performance old hardware upgrade component more RAM replace hard disk disc drive HDD solid state drive SSD upgrade SSD one 1 terabyte 1TB Samsung EVO-Series evo series SSD fast performance low pricing first SSD market storage space limited capacity TurboWrite Faster Performance technology innovative write acceleration algorithm high performance high-performance write buffer dramatically boost sequential write speeds overall improved performance RAPID Mode for Efficient Data Caching 840 EVO includes Samsung Magician software RAPID mode innovative DRAM caching enhancement boosts PC performance using idle DRAM ultra fast ultra-fast buffer improves system performance over time optimum optimise drive optimizes your tasks encryption encrypt technology to secure your data 840 EVO features self encrypting Self-Encrypting Drive SED technology encrypt your data keep personal files secure technology hardware-based eliminates performance degradation can occur software based software-based encryption design only 7 millimeters mm thick weight weigh weighing 2 ounces 840 EVO Series SSD features feature sleek lightweight design stunning brushed aluminum design durable protect your data from loss shock dust corrosion /

Your brain on poverty: why poor people seem to make bad decisions

http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2013/11/your-brain-on-poverty-why-poor-people-seem-to-make-bad-decisions/281780/#comments / Science published study conclusion conclude concluding poverty hurt reduce reducing reduction hurts ability make decisions school finances life imposing impose imposition mental burden similar lose reduction losing 13 IQ points counter argument counter-argument claims poor people blame bad decisions rebuke policies withholding withhold money poorest families unless they behave in a certain way being poor leads bad decision making decision-making giving cash alleviate cognitive burdens of poverty science anecdote why make terrible decisions comment published Gawker Gawker's Kinja platform person poor poverty devastating illustration Science study insight insightful portions testimony make poor financial decisions matter long term sacrifice result improved circumstances holding me back life devoid of small pleasures single large purchase have large pleasures money in your pocket never have enough money poverty bleak cuts off your long-term brain long term a bit of connection survive worthwhile more basic than food compatible long term long-term powerful valuable indifferent none of it matters plan long-term long term because we’ll just get our hearts broken best not to hope just take what you can get neuroscientists Joseph W. Kable Joseph T. McGuire studied time uncertainty decision making decision-making virtues like patience self-control weren't as simple previous studies suggested ubiquitous Marshmallow study deemed impatient wait waited self-control lead more productive lives study rational self control self-control real world black and white black-and-white patience wait poverty poverty's stress interferes ability make good decisions long term long-term planning person context /

Blind curve

Credit: Wired

Yes, it is a curved phone. Should you buy it? Apparently not.

http://www.wired.com/reviews/2013/12/lg-g-flex/#slideid-74771 / curious phone smartphone smart phone smart-phone large phone great resemblance large phones equipment equip equipped curved screen arc runs lengthwise grasp grasping your hand 6 six impressive inches extend extends away from your body curving gently skyward concave glass panel most noteworthy you should not consider buying it curved screen many problems massively proportioned difficult to carry in a pocket comfortably comfortable modicum of comfort monstrosity tucked into pants bulge device device’s plastic back double tap double-tap screen device sluggish sluggishness animations struggle complete launch app white background Instapaper Twitter Chrome detect fine graininess screen paper-like paper like texture accurately video grainy grain /

MiniSuit BluBoard Bluetooth keyboard for iOS, Kindle, Android & Blackberry

Credit: The Gadgeteer

Bluetooth keyboard, full size keys, support for your tablet or phone & only $39.90! Where do I sign up?

Try here:

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/12/05/minisuit-bluboard-bluetooth-keyboard-for-ios-kindle-android-blackberry-review/


And here — video (updated 01 January 2014):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcqdSKMxl30&feature=youtube_gdata_player / OS operating system Android iOS Apple Google pair connect connected type keyboad key board desktop computer Kindle Fire mobile work station touchscreen keyboard BluBoard keyboard wireless keyboard MiniSuit pair with mobile device running Bluetooth 3.0 iPad iPhone iPod smartphone slot top sliding device two hinged bracers keep keeping device upright in place test review tested Droid Razr place placement brace bracers were too wide held up the phone just fine best orientation devices portrait landscape vertical portrait orientation visible wobble wobbling device Kindle iPad Razr typing seat flat surface sitting seated lounged on the couch keyboard my lap operation felt very unstable in its seat fell out while repositioning myself flat surface care is definitely needed lap full sized full-sized QWERTY board Mac user at home aesthetics button placement carbon copy Apple’s wireless keyboard desktop transition for me comfort keyboard feels great aluminum case casing hard plastic keys are responsive easy to hit travel action provide a nice amount of resistance keys textured textureApple keyboard tactile standpoint preferable only real issue depending on the device function keys work volume function Kindle brightness keys no effect keys seemed to work on the iPad Pairing the device was pretty simple and quick top of the keyboard Bluetooth pairing button press search for Bluetooth devices enter activation code paired pair pairing iMac on off on/off slide switch prevent prevents accidental shut off case fit over tablet or phone aesthetics foldable prop cover prop it position collapse remove removed from the keyboard micro USB micro standard USB cable included charging full charge indicator lights charge full keyboard charge charger charging USB to AC adapter comfortable typing keyboard additional bulk travel bag full-size Bluetooth keyboard under mobile Bluetooth device devices Inexpensive easy Bluetooth pairing /

Tesla: Vampire Slayer

At least some some Tesla Model S' have had a problem with vampire current draw. I.e. processes in the vehicle consuming a significant amount of power when the vehicle is parked, with power, ostensively, "off". Draw was up to 4.5 kWh (7.5% of a 60 kWh battery, 13 miles, 21 kilometre) per day. A series of system software updates had apparently failed to cure the problem for some users.

For David Noland of Green Car Reports, the problem was finally traced to the lead-acid 12 Volt battery, which was failing to hold a charge & so was constantly being charged from the traction battery.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1088929_life-with-tesla-model-s-electric-draw-vampire-slain-at-last / LiIon Tesla Model S Elon kiloWatt kilowatt kilo Watt LiIon lithium ion battery lead acid 12 Volt battery charge recharge battery self discharge metre meter kilometer range Exide over charge overcharge warranty service replace defect defective replace fail /

Apple is winning the OS war

http://blogs.computerworld.com/mac-os-x/23229/apple-winning-os-war?mm_ref=http%3A%2F%2Fm.computerworld.com%2F / future of computing fragmentation redux undermine undermines post PC age Apple fragmented fragment fragmentation mobile future mobile devices supplanted ambient computing. OS operating system Microsoft Windows dominant on PCs PC personal computer sales free fall tablet tablets TV TVs mobile devices significant presence mobile operating system fragmented not upgrading Android dominates dominate dominating dominated mobile OS terms of dumb sales devices market share running old versions OS upgradable Android devices sold current OS version obolete dated future OS X Mavericks tiny player PC landscape improving free OS mobile operating system heart of OS innovation platform platforms Mac continue make gains at the expense of Windows eventually mutate sub-branch of iOS Apple's iOS king of the jungle astonishing 70 percent iOS devices device running Apple mobile operating system most modern widely distributed OS mobile space update available devices over two years old contrast third Android devices stuck with ancient Jelly Bean hype surrounding introduction KitKat built-in obsolescence inherent to Google's mobile business plan/

I don't believe in global warming

Credit: Banksy/Today & Tomorrow


Credit: Banksy/The Wall Street Journal

The views expressed above do not necessarily represent the views of this site, nor the water bird.

More about this work:
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2009/dec/21/banksy-copenhagen-regents-canal / Politicians discussing global warming – when it is important to appear to be doing something climate change global warming greenhouse gas CO2 carbon dioxide methane carbon monoxide greenhouse effect fossil fuel fossil carbon heatwave weather heat wave flood rising sea level rise greenhouse green house gas carbon dioxide CO2 anthropomorphic anthropocene global warming climate change climatologist anthropogenic human methane CH4 /

Amazon has plans for delivery by drone

Credit: Amazon/USA Today



US federal regulations mean that this organization in Sydney, Australia may do it first. / Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos correspondent Charlie Rose 60 Minutes interview mystery room Amazon offices revealed secret R&D project Octocopter drone drones fly packages directly to your doorstep in 30 minutes audacious plan Bezos says requires more safety testing FAA Federal Aviation Administration approvals delivery-by-drone Amazon Prime Air available customers 4 to 5 four five years Charlie Rose story Amazon PR team octocopters octocopter pick up packages small yellow buckets Amazon’s fulfillment centers whiz through air deliver items individual customers 30 minutes hit the “buy” button online Amazon.com octocopter package delivery safe safety safely /

Trial complete: electric vehicles can work in Australia

Some of the converted Ford Focus cars used in the trial.
Credit: WA EV Trial consortium/The Conversation

Probably work in your country too.

https://theconversation.com/trial-complete-electric-vehicles-can-work-in-australia-18843

In the comments, mention is made of the oft-heard claim that, coal is burnt to generate electricity, so fossil fuel & electric vehicles must have the same carbon footprint. Not surprisingly, reality is much more complex than this simple argument suggests. See a discussion of the issues at:

http://hhg2t-long.blogspot.com/2011/06/why-does-electric-car-generate-less.html / Australia’s first electric vehicle trial completed early 2010 end 2012 11 electric Ford Focus foci 23 fast-charger fast charger charge fast-AC charging bays Level-2 level 2 found few technological barriers adopt adoption electric vehicles EVs EV vehicle Australia government incentive incentives early adopter adopters government program programme programs roll out roll-out fast-DC charging stations station Australia fully embrace start started trial electric cars major manufacturers availability available convert converted Ford Focuses conversions performed Western Australian WA company EV Works equipment equip equipped 23kWh battery pack 27kW DC motor 1000A motor controller used as regular fleet vehicles 11 project partners government and business demonstrate demonstrating usable use usability everyday driving cars achieved road tested test road-tested driving range 131km single charge dyno dynamometer testing resulted 143km range significantly exceeds exceed driving range Mitsubishi i-MiEV achieve achievement achieved 112km range identical road test road-test conditions charge charged charging stations installation instal installed 23 charging stations Level 2 AC fast Level-2 fast-AC charging charge charger Perth CBD international charging standard normal norm IEC 62196 European Type-2/Mennekes Mennekes connectors connector two advantages Type 1 2 Type-1/J1772 charging stations Type-1 US Japan US/Japan Type-2 Europe inlets outlet three phase provide three-phase power electricity charges three times faster achieves better grid balance stations charged 3.5 hours empty full slower home charge 10 Amp 10A power socket 10 hours data collection software development data recorded data loggers 3G modems modem picture vehicle movement charge charging patterns record vehicle vehicles' driving paths charging times use of air conditioning air-conditioning heating other major energy consumers team developed smartphone app useful drivers check EV’s status car on charge let driver know charging completed finished finish finishes complete car collect collected charge longer cars charged drivers charged cars renewable energy used charging emission-free emission free electric electricity utilities utility increase increased peak demand graph summarises summary results fleet EVs charging morning until mid-day mid day charging energy supplied by solar photovoltaics PV PVs company fleets early adopter adopters new car technologynlargest customer segment new vehicles market Australia power usage trial period public charging stations charging curve peak curve that almost ideally matches match solar PV curve graph below customer /

You've seen a joystick controlled wheelchair, but this is a tongue piercing controlled wheelchair

Credit: Digital Trends

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/new-tongue-piercing-gadget-can-drive-wheelchair/ / experiment experimental develop development gadget device test tested paralysis paralyze paralyze paralyzed wheelchair users user move around controlling control equipment magnetic piercing miniature joystick disable disability disabled people restricted movements movement independent independence researcher esearch teams team Atlanta Chicago coordinated staff Georgia Institute of Technology developed Tongue Drive System wireless technology pass communications between stud piercing other devices wheelchair computer provide viable alternative existing sip suck blow puff sip-and-puff control system users must blow straw intentions known group of patients paralyzed neck down test testing new tongue operated tongue-operated system maneuvering maneuver wheelchairs wheelchair variety of obstacle courses gadget control PC really powerful because so intuitive Jason DiSanto 39 Atlanta tester testers details research published Science Translational Medicine journal attracted attention medical experts expert limited ability control power wheelchair options Dr. Brad Dicianno rehabilitation specialist University of Pittsburgh Medical Center interesting promise tongue control technology used within laboratories laboratory study studies device production product available biomedical engineer Maysam Ghovanloo natural versatility tongue piercing advantage /

PowerUp turns your homemade paper airplane into an smartphone controlled flyer (video)

Credit: Shai Goitein

Make a paper airplane, attach a PowerUp, & fly, controlling it with an iOS or Android device (with Bluetooth 4.0/Low Energy).

PowerUp is a Kickstarter project. You can still get on board for as little as $30.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/11/30/powerup-turns-your-homemade-paper-airplane-into-an-smartphone-controlled-flyer/

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/393053146/powerup-30-smartphone-controlled-paper-airplane / aeroplane air plane PowerUp 3.0 Kickstarter project fly control pilot homemade paper airplane smartphone PowerUp arbon fiber frame propeller battery powered BLE Bluetooth Low Energy LE receiver other opposite end receiver powered lithium polymer battery provides 10 minutes fly flight per charge 180 ft 55 meter range. fold favorite style paper airplane clip PowerUP special clips smart phone smartphone controller cool tilt gestures fancy maneuvering PowerUp 3.0 flown past $50,000 funding goal $200,000 stretch goals goal Android support toy May 2014 timeframe lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge /

Fast & economical

Credit: Porsche

Hybrid Porsche 918 Spyder sets Nürburgring record.

Connecting rods are forged titanium, though crankshaft is merely forged steel, but it spins past 9,000 rpm none-the-less.

Charged EVs:

http://chargedevs.com/newswire/porsche-918-spyder-sets-nurburgring-record/

Car & Driver:

https://cdns.gigya.com/gs/gigIDsProxy.htm?APIKey=2_XKlHhnfMYoreHKd3Fw8ePNY6z4WE6PwBeR1wRUBr8W6NpfdL4-zJsuRQ-bWNs88k&domain=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.caranddriver.com&apiDomain=US1.gigya.com

Porsche press release:

http://press.porsche.com/news/release.php?id=787 / lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge range EV electric vehicle four wheel drive 4 all traction rear wheel steering 7 seven speed gearbox electric motors internal combustion engine ICE AC DC /

ZEROHOUR USB battery backup flashlight (video)

Credit: Amy Truong & Aaron Son/The Gadgeteer

It's a torch (flashlight), its very bright (up to 1000 lumens), its a charger for your phone (or any other USB charged device) & takes 3 x 18650 lithium ion cells (operates normally on 1 or 2), plus it's a Kickstarter project.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/11/28/zerohour-tactical-usb-battery-backup-flashlight/ / LiIon battery multi purpose multi-purpose flashlights different options sizes ZEROHOUR modular tactical USB battery backup flashlight Kickstarter project Amy Truong Aaron Son versatile modular backup battery pack recharge mobile phone cell phone smart phone smartphone cellphones tablet tablet replace replaceable rechargeable batteries device backup battery packs sealed ZEROHOUR designed design designing access battery compartment use uses three 18650 lithium batteries replace batteries failure fai replacing entire whole device modular design allow allows easy replacement part parts remove removal battery light housing cavity light waterproof container lot of thought went into design practical useful longevity main body 6061 aircraft aluminum 304 stainless steel bezel CREE XM-L U3 LED light source emitter charging charge ZEROHOUR 1.5 amp USB port 2.1 amp USB port ZEROHOUR being funded main options battery batteries Sanyo 2600mAh batteries Panasonic 3400mAh batterie many pledge options project pledge flat cap open cap AC adapter USB charging cord carry carrying bag successfully funded scheduled to ship /

How dangerous is road debris? Very! (video)

The story so far:

• Three Tesla Model S electric vehicles (EVs) have been involved in significant motor accidents in recent weeks.

• Extreme reaction by the media.

• One of the accidents, in Mexico, is just one more example of a drunk/incompetent/irresponsible person in charge of powerful machinery that has, unfortunately, become a daily occurrence over the past century. Nothing about this event was peculiar to EVs.

• Two events demonstrate something which is, in part, peculiar to the Model S: the battery beneath the floor from axle to axle, is susceptible to penetration by road debris in extreme circumstances.

• When penetrated in this way, the battery of the Model S has, in two cases, caught fire.

• All vehicles are at risk from penetration of the floor pan. This includes the fuel tank, oil pan & fuel lines in internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

• Over 500 ICE vehicles catch fire every day in the United States.

• No one was was injured in any of the three events. Amazingly, this included the extreme event in Mexico.

Green Car Reports has this about a road debris penetration event in an ICE vehicle:

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1088789_how-dangerous-is-road-debris-its-this-dangerous-video

In a road debris floor pan penetration event, I'd take my chances with the armoured floor pan & battery pack of a Model S rather than the millimeter thick floor pan of an ICE vehicle.

More road debris accidents:

http://youtu.be/_oeCe6ff2IY

http://youtu.be/HdAF2nvq3xQ / armored Tesla Model S Elon Musk EV electric vehicle lithium ion LiIon battery cell charge recharge energy electricity kWh Volt Watt kiloWatt hour discharge range safety fire petrol fuel first fire October 1 Kent Washington outside Seattle Model S ran over piece road debris later described curved section fell semi trailer semi-trailer Tesla Model S in flames Kent Washington punched 3 inch 3-inch hole quarter inch thick 1/4-inch-thick armor plate protecting battery pack force 25 tons according report Tesla car alerted driver fault pulled over exited exit car car's owner Robert Carlson Tesla investor performed very well extreme test during accident plan plans buy replacement Model S National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration NHTSA release released statement Thursday indicate recent battery fire involving Tesla Model S result of a vehicle safety defect non-compliance with federal safety standards second fire October 18 Mérida city Mexican Yucatán apparently occurred Model S driver jumped curb took out several feet concrete wall hit a tree driver reported drunk under the influence alcohol Jalopnik fled the scene not uncommon in Mexico video of the aftermath here NSFW issued statement saying driver appreciative safety performance car expedite delivery of his next Model S fire generated less controversy driver at fault floor pan floorpan /

Watch this: iQi wirelessly charges iPhones without the bulky case accessory (video)

Credit: GigaOm

http://gigaom.com/2013/11/26/watch-this-iqi-wirelessly-charges-iphones-without-the-bulky-case-accessory/ / Indiegogo campaign iQi super thin super-thin wireless charging accessory iPhone iPhones iPod touch devices Apple Apple’s Lightning port review unit wireless charging puck use using two days iPhone 5s works as advertised 0.5 millimeters thin adding wireless charging without adding bulk wireless wirelessly charging iPhone need bulky case accessory iQi adds choose your own case or cover works work video demonstration thin use soft case cover iOS device wirelessly charge capability works best Koolpuck charging pad Qi charging charging pad sends audio feedback isn’t quite lined up right charging Qi charging pad demonstrate in the video Indiegogo campaign, so you can get a iQi for $25 early bird deals deal /

Another Tesla fire (video)

Credit: Fox/YouTube

R.I.P. Brian Griffin.

Brian Griffin, star of the long running TV drama, Family Guy, is dead, struck down by what it is alleged might possibly be a Tesla Model S electric vehicle.

Mr. griffin was 8 years old.

Another Tesla tragedy. Video of the tragedy is available, but law enforcement has indicated that an early arrest is not expected, because, tragically, the number plates had been obscured! See image at the top of this item, & the tragic video linked below.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors was unavailable for comment.

Readers are advised that some viewers may find this video tragic:

http://youtu.be/adzkOv0vvDI

Surprisingly, it has been alleged that the vehicle involved in this tragedy may not have caught fire! / Fox News video tragedy tragic EV electric vehicle LiIon battery penetration charge recharge range armored Tesla Model S Elon Musk EV electric vehicle lithium ion LiIon battery cell charge recharge energy electricity kWh Volt Watt kiloWatt hour discharge range safety fire petrol fuel first fire October 1 Kent Washington outside Seattle Model S ran over piece road debris later described curved section fell semi trailer semi-trailer Tesla Model S in flames Kent Washington punched 3 inch 3-inch hole quarter inch thick 1/4-inch-thick armor plate protecting battery pack force 25 tons according report Tesla car alerted driver fault pulled over exited exit car car's owner Robert Carlson Tesla investor performed very well extreme test during accident plan plans buy replacement Model S National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration NHTSA release released statement Thursday indicate recent battery fire involving Tesla Model S result of a vehicle safety defect non-compliance with federal safety standards second fire October 18 Mérida city Mexican Yucatán apparently occurred Model S driver jumped curb took out several feet concrete wall hit a tree driver reported drunk under the influence alcohol Jalopnik fled the scene not uncommon in Mexico video of the aftermath here NSFW issued statement saying driver appreciative safety performance car expedite delivery of his next Model S fire generated less controversy driver at fault /

Via Motors to make a solar tonneau for its plug-in pickup — video — update

Credit: Via Motors/Charged EVs

Think GM Volt: electric vehicle (EV) with an internal combustion engine (ICE) connected to a generator to provide power to the electric motor when the battery is flat. 100+ mpg (US) overall (better than 120 mpg UK, 2.35 litres/100 km).

Via Motors thought Volt too. Backed by Bob Lutz (driving force behind GM's Volt), they took a big GM V6 pickup, removed the tailshaft & added 800 horsepower of electric motors. Result: a large GM pickup with all of the advantages of an EV drivetrain, (including stump pulling torque — perfect for moving heavy loads & really shines in poor traction conditions) that gives 100+ mpg (US). Just like a Volt.

In a power outage, it can power an entire suburban street.

Have you ever thought, "Electric vehicle — put some photovoltaic (PV) solar cells on the roof, sun shines on roof, PVs make electricity, charge battery, battery drives electric motor, drive for free. Easy!

A lot of people have had the same thought.

Unfortunately, it's not that easy. Problem is, the surface area of a car isn't big enough, the angle to the Sun is less than optimal, & the curved roof of a car makes fitting PVs difficult & expensive.

Things are just a little better with a big pickup. Fit a tonneau cover over the load space & you have a surface which reduces most of the problems of fitting PVs to the roof of a car. That's what the folks at Via Motors thought:

http://chargedevs.com/newswire/via-motors-presents-solar-tonneau-for-its-plug-in-pickup/

Jay Leno, Bob Lutz & Via Motors VTRUX
/ solar panel technical details surface area insolation voltage levels level vehicle design produce energy cost effective Via Motors VTrux commercial market fleet operators but buying stylish looks environment environmental statement demonstrable fuel savings Bob Lutz company’s company new solar tonneau pay for itself bed full size full-size pickup ute utility vehicle surface area soak up the sun run power tools VTrux power outlet remote construction sites site additional source of energy tonneau improve improves fuel economy aerodynamic drag reducing wind resistance roof of a vehicle Jeffrey Esfeld reporter reporters LA Auto Show industrial grade industrial-grade solar panels rigid hinged bed cover handle a fair amount of abuse new solar tonneau 400 800 Watt versions version VIA says add up to six ten miles of range release released price solar tonneau taking orders Vtrux pickup starting at $79,000 /

Why this shepherd loves Twitter

Credit: Constable/HerdyShepherd/Twitter

http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2013/11/why-this-shepherd-loves-twitter/281702/ / shepherd sheep herd photograph photography picture Twitter twit tweet post social media follower followers follow shepherding work England English Lake District continuity part living cultural tradition work little changed when Vikings first settled these valleys our dialect peppered Norse words I like old things old ways doing things stories places people deeply conservative half decent economist most new ideas are a waste of time new ideas fail way of life fairly conservative people suspicious pointless chatter new technologies for the sake spend your life working with sheep fells mountains fens connect connected fancy techno gadgets your pocket our world mountains meadows dry stone walls wall dry-stone-walls sheep sheepdogs managing landscape ancestors ancestor many century centuries nominated World Heritage status unique landscape culture iPhone free upgrade cell phone old mobile died camera Twitter app pocket connect old quirky way /

Mini Boom Ultimate Ears

Credit: Amazon

Pro:
Impressive sound
Easy NFC pairing
Can connect 2 for wide stereo separation

Con:
Excessive packaging

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2013/11/22/ue-mini-boom-portable-bluetooth-speaker-review/#more-143858

http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/reviews/ultimate-ears-mini-boom-hands-on-review-16121440

http://www.digitaltrends.com/wireless-speaker-reviews/ultimate-ears-mini-boom-review/#/5/ portable Bluetooth speaker review little speaker UE MINI BOOM and it’s made by Ultimate Ears Logitech in ear in-ear headphones manufacturer headphone maker speaker speakers images image hardware specs specifications spec specification maximum sound level SPL 86dBC frequency range 130 Hz – 20 kHz drivers two 1.5″ 4 Ohm drivers one 3″ x 1.5″ passive radiator dimensions: 4.4 x 2.6in 11.1 x 6.1 cm UE MINI BOOM review gripe product packaging unusually cool noteworthy packaging UE MINI BOOM isn’t cool over the top wasteful. thick plastic box promptly be trashed UE use packaging make it more universally recyclable plastic base accepted recycler recycling recycleable recycle center centre package contents UE MINI BOOM speaker nicro USB charging cable instruction sheet 5 colour colour color colors green version front back made of perforated metal top bottom sides covered black rubber like look and feel speaker feels solid well made appreciate lack overly noticeable branding UE carved into each side back power switch status LED micro USB charge port 3.5mm audio input jack top volume button buttons Bluetooth pair button doubles answer end button speakerphone feature has an NFC tag top UE MINI BOOM tap NFC enabled phone on the speaker automatically do the Bluetooth pairing for you near field communication NFC initial indifference the feature like convenience not having drill down into my phone’s settings manually pair speaker NFC capable device still pair manually speaker 10 hr battery life 50 ft range Bluetooth no loss of audio install the UE app iOS Android device connect 2 UE MINI BOOMS together wide stereo separation application app also shows battery level EQ setting ability turn off notification tones texts other alerts won’t interrupt your tunes unexpectedly huge sound little speaker crazy impressive volume sound quality too bass surprisingly thumpy highs mids lows high mid low balanced all types of music sounded good through the speaker fingerstyle ukulele instrumentals each plucked string crisp clear each strum warm soothing pop rock dubstep tunes listen listening through much larger speaker vocals drums piano horns sound sounded clear listening through streaming service Pandora Google portable Bluetooth speakers speaker price range sound quality UE MINI BOOM best smallest speaker tested my favorite portable Bluetooth speaker on a budget limited space UE MINI BOOM speaker keeper /

The quest to end influenza

Credit: Kevin Van Aelst/The Atlantic

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2013/12/the-quest-to-end-the-flu/354677/ / isolate isolated virus viruses Doris Bucher lab laboratory colleagues New York Medical College life death lives might virus flu influenza 2009 H1N spread spreading across North America appear country countries around the world scientist scientists center centre centres Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed analyze vaccine production next flu season effective immune systems system stop virus global outbreak pandemic 2009 H1N1 expert experts capacity flu pandemics pandemic previous century Spanish Flu 1918–19, killed an estimated 50 million people H1N1 virus research researchers CDC make a new vaccine /