Disruptive battery price drop to continue

Electric vehicles (EVs) are generally expensive when compared to internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles of apparently similar performance & size. Limited range is also a problem for many potential buyers.

Cost & limited range of EVs is a consequence of the price of lithium ion (LiIon) batteries, which are, at least for the moment, the only viable energy storage option. Tesla's cost-is-no-object approach produces a superlative vehicle. If an EV has enough batteries, range is no longer a problem, & performance is spectacular.

It is widely believed that the LiIon battery market is "mature". I.e. that a degree of stability has been achieved & price drops in future will be relatively slow. More recently, it has been suggested that disruptive market pressures, such as forward-pricing & pre-emptive actions to grab market share, will continue to prevent market maturity. Price drops in the range of 20% per annum have been suggested.

For EVs, Dr. Rudolf Krebs of Volkswagen has said that they will be price competive with ICE vehicles in 2015. Elon Musk has promised a "mass market" EV, "Hopefully 2016, but I would say no later than 2017."

Business Spectator on the LiIon market:

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2014/1/20/smart-energy/disruptive-battery-price-drop-continue?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=557876&utm_campaign=cs_daily&modapt= / ABB electric vehicles vehicle e-mobility Hans Streng cell battery prices coming down transform auto energy markets market drop falling precipitous precipitously dropping gradual effect e-mobility industry volumes volume increasing increase exponentially climb leap prices decline exponential recent price movements report reported different media price declines decline per cent observed in the market extrapolation extrapolated erosion basis of disruptions supply chain companies company Samsung Panasonic forward pricing forward-pricing pre emptive preemptive pre-emptive actions grab market share cut throat cut-throat longterm battery-battle battery battle samsung panasonic battery price war high-level insight prevailing EV forecasts sharpen the battle in battery prices Dr. Rudolf Krebs heads Volkswagen E-mobility program price electric vehicle equivalent combustion-motor combustion motor vehicle Increase EV volume battery price battery-price decline battery prices declined 14 per cent YoY and 30 per cent battery prices to go down straight extrapolation disruptions Bloomberg analysis battery price battery-price decline 40 per cent steeper decline normal erosion exponential effects storage capacity prices year on year year-on-year YoY mature market decline avalanche effect similar to what happened in the PV industry collapsing prices LCD industry exponential disruptive effects trendwatch analysis Germany current battery prices Tesla projections compare price levels price curve far from mature market erosion-profile erosion profile typical early market disruptions driven strategic moves anticipated market explosions ABB Conversations CleanTechnica /

Get off the couch, it's killing you

Credit: NextDesk/YouTube


Credit: ABC Catalyst/YouTube / lesson learn learned fit fitness active life spend hunch posture time spent hunched computer countless hours feckless seat sit sitting seated procrastination benefits exercise muscles slackened slack fat seeped seep insidiously blood liver ventricles stupor infiltrated brain sedentary inactive health unhealthy inactive inactivity studies day daily movement patterns pattern typical modern exerciser exercise run runner running walk walking runs sits hours afterward moving less over all does not work out exercise program programme health consequences swift consequence pervasive punish punishing noteworthy recent experiment conducted scientists University of Massachusetts institution institutions group of healthy young men donned don clunky platform shoe 4 inch 4-inch heel right foot ground hop men hopped about using crutches muscle muscles fully sedentary research scientist scientists biopsy biopsied muscles both legs finding found multiple genes now being expressed differently two legs gene activity DNA repair mechanisms compromise compromised disrupted insulin response decreased depressed dropping oxidative stress increasing rising metabolic activity within individual muscle cells slowing after only 48 hours of inactivity similar similar experiments experiment lab animals animal laboratory casts cast placed back legs rapidly developed noxious cellular changes throughout their bodies immobilized muscles produced substantially less of an enzyme dissolves fat bloodstream result animals humans human animal fat accumulate accumulate migrate heart liver potential potentially leading to cardiac disease diabetes see result results such inactivity scientists scientist National Cancer Institute eight years following almost 250,000 American adults participants answered detailed questions questionnaire how much time they spent commuting watching TV sitting computer exercise exercising general health none suffered from heart disease cancer diabetes watched TV much higher risk premature death measure of sedentary time upright Diabetes Care scientists Baker IDI Heart and Diabetes Institute in Melbourne Australia, had 19 adults sit completely still stand up rise every 20 minutes walk leisurely treadmill two minute blood sugar spiked insulin levels movement two minute short two-minute stroll blood sugar levels remained stable jogging improve blood sugar regulation standing walking important scientists concluded simply breaking up the long interminable hours of sitting University of Massachusettsbvolunteers stood all day balance physical confidence have improved aerobic workouts have been shown to improve brainpower /

Tesla Model S: New York to Florida road trip

Credit: Tesla/Green Car Reports

Another Tesla road trip, taking advantage of the growing Tesla Supercharger network. This is the first installment, the first 2 days, as far as South Carolina.

Days 1 & 2:
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1089948_tesla-model-s-ny-to-fl-trip-from-home-to-south-carolina

Update 02 February 2014

Day 3:
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1089976_tesla-model-s-ny-to-fl-trip-day-3-south-carolina-to-florida

Day 4
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1090017_tesla-model-s-ny-to-fl-trip-day-4-florida-destination--made-it

Also, if you haven't seen it yet, check out the recent east-to-west USA road trip. / New York-to-Florida electric-car New York Florida road trip 2013 Tesla Model S progressing according to plan learn learned traveling via newly-completed network Tesla Supercharger DC quick-charging stations quick charging cold weather cut the range of electric cars 85 kWh battery pack range charge recharge quick charge LiIon lithium ion battery pack Day 1 Hudson Valley New York Newark Delaware left Supercharger Newark Delaware home in New York's Hudson Valley fast charging Tesla Supercharger fast-charging system electric cars car vehicle EV temperature departure degrees charge 90 percent plan top off just before departure warm warms battery minimize minimise minimizes reduces huge initial energy draw stone cold stone-cold start very slow charge rate battery nearly full drive off away rated range showing 251 miles drive driving fast in the cold topping off topping-off process partially effective Battery Heating heat heater indicator comes on after a few minutes, and the regen braking limited initially cold weather regenerative braking energy consumption 600 Wh per mile normal consumption driving rated range New Jersey Route 17 Ramsey Nissan Level 2 charging station Newark cell battery 85-kWh 85 kWh pack range test for the new battery cruise heat degrees drive range display compares compare actual miles driven everything fully warmed energy consumption stabilized 370 kWh/mi kWh per mile indicated range lost Tesla Motors lithium-ion battery pack calibrate calibrating range speed cabin temperature Newark indicated range remaining triggering trigger low battery low-battery warning cutback reduce available maximum power plug plugging in local Tesla rep drives up demo drive Florida Supercharging power electricity is free Newark service area food court car charges range indicated Kilowatt hours kilo Watt Newark Delaware Santee South Carolina temperature 26 degrees ambient /

Swirling time-lapse nudes capture the allure of bodies in motion

Credit: Shinichi Maruyama/Wired

http://www.wired.com/rawfile/2013/12/shinichi-maruyama/#slideid-117201 / nude time-lapse time lapse photography photograph image photographer unique ability reveal hidden dimensions most familiar forms Japanese photographer Shinichi Maruyama’s nudes nude capture human body never seen before image combines combine 10,000 individual frames snapped while dancers perform meticulously choreographed choreography choreograph gestures gesture straddle result straddles line between sculpture performance art express beauty beautiful both human body body’s figure motion concept of time images flowing flow organic appear utterly spontaneous result of months careful planning technical details process shoot shooting image images required day choreography five months prepare layering layer layers images create final pieces required another eight months plan planned final form Maruyama studio New York Jessica Lang developed finalized movements dancers dancer cites Marcel Duchamp Nude Descending a Staircase major inspiration project Duchamp, Maruyama drew inspiration early sequence photography Étienne-Jules Marey work invoke invokes Zen Buddhism notion impermanence photo photos appear one fluid motion accumulation of distinct events everyday life time is flowing endless repetition one moment appears disappears another moment appear disappear Zenbevery moment independent one another /

Making you phone into a better camera

Credit: Ztylus/YouTube

Samsung Galaxy S4 only for now, iPhone & Note 3 coming soon.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/01/25/ztylus-wants-to-turn-your-samsung-galaxy-s4-into-a-more-capable-point-and-shoot-camera/ / Samsung Galaxy S4 smartphone smart phone Ztylus Camera case RV-1 Revolver Lens Kit phone multi-lens digital camera lens attachment accessories Ztylus replace replaces back cover S4 snap off unsnap rear cover snap off Ztylus handy ergonomic hand grip threaded tripod mount stand speaker enhancer two eyelets attach neck strap Ztylus case used alone paired remove removable RV-1 Revolver Lens Kit, add adds 4 lenses lens CPL Circular Polarizer Filter polarizing Wide Angle Lens Super Micro Lens Extreme Fish Eye Lens case lens kit Ztylus /

WhisperSystems creates a "suicide pill" for phones

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/01/28/whispersystems_creates_suicide_pill_for_phones/ / develop development developer developers Arab Spring create created encrypt encrypted communication comms communications app Android crafting craft geofenced self-destruct wipe erase phone based location WhisperSystems.org Zones app, release released Google Play keep backups data smart phone smartphone phone cell mobile smart phone smartphone founded Moxie Marlinspike WhisperSystems prominent prominence announcement announced TextSecure text SMS Redphone voice encryption apps app Egypt support anti-government protests downfall former Hosni Mubarak regime acquired Twitter software released open source dot-org domain Zones developer Rhodey Orbits The Register Zones public release publishing Google Play Store device-wipe capability find my phone feature set feature-set external Web service internal capabilities phone location awareness lock lost phone unlock found delete deleting call history contacts SMS messages authentication password location updates Audio alarm Battery level alert Super lock device swipe unlock swipe-unlocked Super unlock reverses reverse Super-lock Clear call history Clear contacts Factory Reset geofenced define zones map assign a range of actions arrested dangerous border crossing /

Tesla Model S electric vehicle USA trans-continental trip

Tesla Model S, road grime, Supercharger station
Credit: Tam on Tesla Motors Forum

A Tesla Model S electric vehicle has today, completed an east-to-west crossing of the United States. Fuel cost to the drivers was zero, using the barely-complete Tesla Supercharger network.

"Barely-complete", in that speeds had to be restricted early in the trip to stretch range, & not all of the Supercharger stations were completed when the journey began, but came on line in time to allow the trip to continue. Coverage by the driver (myfastlady@aol.com) & others at:

http://www.teslamotors.com/forum/forums/heading-cross-country

Earlier post from Green Car Reports:

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1089907_tesla-electric-car-cross-country-trip-underway-with-eta-today

Update: Image at the top of this item now loading correctly. Apologies if any of the links above are broken. Can't check them at the moment because the Tesla web site is being updated. What do you suppose that could be about?/ lithium ion lithium-ion LiIon battery charge recharge range 2013 Tesla Model S traveling cross-country electric car vehicle EV plan planning time slow 265 miles EPA rated EPA-rated range 60 85 kWh cross-country network cross country free to use free-to-use Supercharger fast-charge stations trip Model S owner voyage update updates appearing Tesla Motors forum trip two drivers father daughter team this weekend start began begin started Kentucky driver John New York Jill setting off set Tuesday driven west headed north Minnesota headed west once more meandered south-west Wyoming Colorado Utah New Mexico Arizona existing Supercharger network descriptions forum thread path traces current Supercharger map cross country some of the distances required slower driving extreme cold heavy snow northern states range Los Angeles final stop Arizona Southern California Tesla /

Protect your phone from water (video)

Credit: Liquipel/Jailbreak Nation

http://www.jailbreaknation.com/liquidpel-coating-waterproofs-your-iphone-without-a-case

Just before you send off you phone to be waterproofed, be aware that there are limits to what Liquipel can do. This video is from someone who found out the hard way:



An Aqualife waterproof case might be a better bet:

http://www.funkyspacemonkey.com/aqualife-waterproof-iphone-case#more-25944

If you don't have an iPhone, check out the universal model:


Credit: Case Logic

http://shop.pinewayasia.com/Universal-Mobile-Phone-Waterproof-Case-CL-unvaqu-bl.htm/ gadget gadgets CES new technology Liquidpel invisible coating waterproof totally waterproofs iPhone drop worry dropping toilet water leak service post transport send away ship iPhone Liquidpel apply applied apply 2 days device in your hands shipping cost costs expense totally waterproof caution internal coating disassemble disassembled possibly void the warranty mist fog penetrate gas droplet H2O /

How to tap the sun’s energy through heat as well as light

Photovoltaic (PV) cells are not able to convert all of the photons which fall upon them into electricity. Only a limited range of frequencies can be utilized. MIT researchers are investigating a two layer solution in which an upper layer heated by incident light re-emits the energy in the infra-red range to a second layer tuned to this frequency.

http://web.mit.edu/newsoffice/2014/how-to-tap-the-suns-energy-through-heat-as-well-as-light-0119.html / new approach harvesting harvest solar energy develop development developed MIT researchers research researching improved improve efficiency sun light sunlight heat high temperature high-temperature material infrared radiation collect collector collected conventional photovoltaic cell technique easy easier store energy later use researchers improve improves performance take advantage wavelength photon wavelengths Sun sunlight light paper published journal Nature Nanotechnology graduate student Andrej Lenert associate professor mechanical engineering Evelyn Wang physics professor Marin Soljačić principal research scientist Ivan Celanović conventional silicon-based solar cell take advantage photons photon Wang convert converting energy photon electricity photons photon’s energy level match characteristic photovoltaic PV material bandgap silicon bandgap responds many wavelengths light respond wavelength wave address limitation team inserted two layer two-layer absorber-emitter absorber emitter absorb emit device novel materials material carbon nanotubes photonic crystal between sunlight PV cell intermediate material collects collect energy broad spectrum sunlight heating up process heats up glow glows red hot emit emits light particular wavelength tune tuned match bandgap PV cell mounted nearby solar-thermal solar thermal photovoltaic improved efficiency /

An insider's story of the global attack on climate science

Climate change deniers are an alliance of contrarians, vested interests & those in denial who just don't want to face the responsibilities inherent in climate change. One more example:

http://theconversation.com/an-insiders-story-of-the-global-attack-on-climate-science-21972

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merchants_of_Doubt / recent headline failed doubters trust taxpayers six-figure loss six figure loss secretly funded secretly-funded climate denial deny denier harassment harass scientists science scientist tying-up valuable government resources New Zealand familiar story scientist colleagues around the world who to believe global warming greenhouse green house gas climate change New Zealand fight climate data ongoing war against evidence-based science evidence based number crunching controversy produced seven station 6 7 seven-station New Zealand temperature series 7SS monitor historic temperature trends vary variation variations Auckland south Dunedin southern New Zealand NZ Meteorological Service revise revised homogenisation homogenisation approach temperature records more accurate adjusting adjust adjustment temperature gauges moved move new sites site 1928 Wellington’s Wellington temperature gauge relocate relocated nner suburb near sea level into the hills at Kelburn where higher cooler location recorded cool temperatures temperature city before statistical analysis work out how much Wellington’s temperature gone up or down city’s temperature records began 1862 change gauge being moved uphill examine re-examining NZ temperatures controversy controversial uncontroversial government-owned government owned research organisation National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research updated seven stations across the country Auckland Dunedin 1909 2008 warming trend 0.91 degrees Celcius heat heated New Zealand Climate Science Coalition global climate change denial group International Climate Science Coalition contact contacting explanation of the science determined conspiracy shonky claims attack science MP free market ACT New Zealand party Rodney Hide claim claimed NZ Parliament February 2010 NIWA raw data official temperature graph shows no warming NIWA shifted the bulk of the temperature record pre-1950 pre 1950 post downwards bulk of data post-1950 upwards produce sharply rising trend argument for warming result adjust adjustment adjustments data which can’t be justified checked Mr Hide’s attack continued more than 80 parliamentary questions NIWA between science minister asked NIWA re-examine temperature record methodology reviewed endorsed Australian Bureau of Meteorology warming trend of 0.91 degrees High Court Justice Geoffrey Venning delivered a 49-page ruling NZCSET challenges against NIWA NZCSET Trustee Terry Dunleavy’s lack of scientific expertise tediously lengthy particularly unsuited taxpayers foot the bill appeal withdrawn at the last minute NIWA $NZ89,000 in costs from the original case plus further costs from the appeal /

Firestorm

Credit: Wikimedia Commons

18 January 2003 a major fire hit Canberra, Australia. Four lives lost, over 490 injured, plus over 500 homes destroyed & other property damage. But this was something more than just a fire: there was severe wind damage; a police car was picked up & dumped in a storm water drain; plus the fire spread faster than was predicted by the literature.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation's Catalyst programme takes a look:

/ fire firestorm Canberra ACT Australian Capital Territory Canberra bushfires brushfire fire 2003 several deaths fatalities 490 injured injuries severe damage outskirts Canberra Australian capital city 18–22 January 2003 70% pastures, forests pine plantations nature parks severely damaged most renowned Mount Stromlo astronomical astronomy Observatory destroyed burn burning week around the edges ACT fire flame smoke fires entered suburbs Canberra 18 January 2003next ten hours four people died death fatality 500 homes were destroyed severely damaged significant relief reconstruction effort bush fire brigade emergency services On 8 January 2003 lightning strikes started 4 fires in close proximity to Canberra. Despite their proximity and very small initial sizes, low intensity and low rate of spread these fires were not extinguished or contained by emergency services personnel. Subsequent inquiries into the bushfires including the Roche report, the McLeod inquiry and the Coroners Report identified poor management of the initial response as a key contributor to the disaster that unfolded on 18 January 2003 13 January helicopter water bombing bomber waterbombing fires forests west Canberra crashed crash Bendora Dam one person pilot injured ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope Chief Fire Officer Peter Lucas-Smith reviewing review fires nearby Snowy Hydro SouthCare helicopter pilot Southcare chopper cautiously positioned aircraft Stanhope Lucas-Smith paramedic board dive dam rescue injured pilot helicopter pilot later received awards bravery Emergency Services Bureau ESB released final media release format content clues overlooked assessment risk Canberra faced bush fire bushfire logistical support staging areas relocated Bulls Head Orroral Valley far outside urban Canberra North Curtin District Playing Fields far inside urban Canberra major retreat fire fighters imminent danger to the city /

Sugar powered bio-battery has ten times the energy density of lithium — Your phone may soon run on enzymes

Credit: Virginia Tech

http://mobile.extremetech.com/latest/103553-sugar-powered-biobattery-has-10-times-the-energy-storage-of-lithium-your-smartphone-might-soon-run-on-enzymes / sugar sucrose glucose dextrose fructose maltose enzyme enzyme sugar sugars carbohydrate coke glycemic index load insulin electricity sugar high durability enzymatic pathway energy ATP adenosine triphosphate molecules energy density pathway LiIon lithium ion lithium-ion Virginia Tech /

Penn State Lunar X Prize team plans to crowdfund its way to the moon (video)

Google Lunar X Prize Challenge: land a spacecraft on the Moon & then move it to a new location, at least 500 metres away, by the end of 2015. And the prize? $30 million.

http://gigaom.com/2014/01/20/penn-state-lunar-x-prize-team-plans-to-crowdfund-its-way-to-the-moon/ / accomplish in college university Penn State Pennsylvania State University 80 students noble goal land landing spacecraft Moon earn earning $30 million Lunar Lion team compete competing Google Lunar X Prize challenge challenges private teams land moon move craft second location at least 500 meters away end of 2015 Lunar Lion director Michael Paul former NASA spacecraft systems engineer university asked him to look into opportunities become more involved space exploration OK’d to pursue the X Prize idea build building robot robots our eyes and ears around the solar system industry student oriented team competing 18 private national teams team unique challenges emerge money tight tighter turnover high team began by investigating investigate most realistic affordable option lander to the Moon one aspect space systems engineering frugal frugality engineering can can’t afford it design for any spacecraft mission do we really need to do this mindset came into play Lunar Lions lander would move 500 meters reached the Moon wheels hop system lander takes off lands land again less expensive doesn’t require rover totally new mode of transit built into the lander staff turnover goes team organize organise organizing organizing ensure continuity underclassmen replace graduating upperclassmen STEM careers can be exciting after Apollo director of development Steve Blake school build rocket ships rocket science crowdfunding campaign engine, test lander more infrastructure, complexity rocket science /

Amazon anticipatory shipping patent granted

"Anticipatory shipping?" The mind boggles!

http://bgr.com/2014/01/17/amazon-anticipatory-shipping-patent/ / buying history Amazon big box retailers retail retailer new system The Wall Street Journal Amazon granted patent anticipatory shipping consumer consumers consumers’ past buying habits ship products will buy nearby warehouses warehouse anticipation anticipate order orders books book Amazon company book shipped ship shipping shipment warehouse near you order company same day the Journal notes Amazon’s system past shopping history product searches search wish lists list shopping cart shopping-cart contents content return returns how long Internet user user’s cursor hovers hover over item Amazon implement system eliminate days long days-long waits that customers product products pay for standard shipping brick and mortar brick-and-mortar retailer /

Carbon nanotubes can now fireproof your furniture

Credit: Gawker Assets

... just have to make sure the little devils aren't carcinogenic first ...

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2014/01/carbon-nanotubes-can-now-fireproof-your-furniture/ / sofa right warm crackling fireplace dangerous carbon nanotubes come to the rescue researchers National Institute of Standards and Technology NIST created carbon nanotube-based nanotube based coating foam furniture considerably less flammable revolutionary coating created microscopic club sandwich nanotubes squeezed between two layers polymers process repeated four times multi layer multi-layer plastic-like plastic like coating produced researchers develop special technique material stick to foam resulting coating thinner one-hundredth thickness of a human hair cushions other padding still feel the same when sat on after treatment about 35 per cent less flammable carbon nanotubes safe as we hope carbon nanotubes are actually carcinogen new coating safer alternative fire retardant chemicals currently use serve that candle covered birthday cake in the living room, or even in bed /

Flying or driving — which is greener?

At first glance, the answer seems obvious: a 747 uses 1 US gallon (~3.79 litres) of fuel per second — 5 US gallons per mile — 36,000 US gallons (150,000 liters) in a 10 hour flight — case closed. However, there is much more to be considered, including:

• number of passengers — cars typically have only one passenger, whereas a 747 can accommodate up to 660.

• efficiency varies between car & aircraft propulsion method, model & configuration, & even driving style.

Green Car Reports takes a look:

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1089680_which-is-greener-flying-or-driving-to-your-destination / transport methods method truly green input fuel generate energy required move flying fly amount amounts fuel aircraft burn through worse than cars better cross-country cross country University of Michigan Transport Research Institute report looking scenario surprising conclusion for the most part main mainly greener to fly than drive car cars more efficient means moving people about average fuel economy light duty light-duty vehicles increase efficiency around 50 percent average passenger numbers would need to double report making driving less energy intensive than flying author Michael Sivak analyzes analyse analyze analyses amount energy needed transport person USA U.S.A U.S. given distance EV electric vehicle scheduled airline flight automobiles automobile generally become more efficient airline industry leapfrogged road transport green greenest moving people about Popular Mechanics table report energy intensities intensity flying less energy-intensive energy intensive current fuel economy fleet of light-duty vehicles increase 21.5 mpg to 33.8 mpg average passenger numbers trip passenger passengers /

Snoopy at the tennis

Credit: Charles Schulz

"I was dizzy from the middle of the first set & then I saw Snoopy & I thought, 'Wow, Snoopy, that's weird.' I couldn't keep my balance anymore & I leaned over the fence & when I woke up people were all around me." — Canadian professional tennis player Frank Dancevic, after collapsing from heat stress at the 2014 Australian Open

http://theconversation.com/how-heat-can-make-your-body-melt-down-from-the-inside-out-22042?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+16+January+2014&utm_content=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+16+January+2014+CID_95854a17c5e2c6ceaff8c10da6a5a39f&utm_source=campaign_monitor&utm_term=Donna%20Green%20explains / tennis game match Australian Open world temperature tennis players hallucinate about Snoopy too hot heat stress stressed heat-stressed players player play fainted faint vomit vomited Snoopy court dangerous conditions Melbourne Australia stop play international sporting events sport event Australian Open tennis match US military 1950 1950s identify levels of heat stress restrict activity monitor required rest intervals water needs for soldiers soldier Wet Bulb Globe Temperature takes into account temperature humidity wind speed exposure to sunlight combine information better indicator how comfortable weather Wet Bulb Globe Temperature formula produces adjusted temperature measure measuring outside air temperature few degrees heat make all the difference body bodies function core body temperature too hot organs will start to fail heat stress can be deadly eating heating body bodies work properly eat calories calorie energy muscles organs nervous system work properly biochemical reactions turn calories food energy produce heat enzyme outside conditions temperate heat comfortable core body temperature around 37° 37 C degrees Celcius external temperature increases increase heat needs to be lost body bodies dissipate dissipation dissipating through our skin when you are hot sweat take off layers of clothes stand near a fan go into the shade less exercise drink water quickly get heat out of core through your skin temperature gradient reduce reduction reduced increase temperature humidity get getting rid of this heat fast enough vital organs equivalent self spontaneous self-combustion point temperature stop working core body temperature reaches 40°C 40 organs begin to fail cooler conditions immediately you will die hot core body temperature rise to lethal levels level a few degrees range of conditions Wet Bulb Globe Temperature, it’s commonly thought that your skin needs to be below 35°C body effectively dissipate heat producing Wet Bulb Globe Temperature must be well below 35°C inhabited places on the Earth daytime heat extreme longer term factor higher temperature conditions relent at night run of hot days hot nights heat wave heatwave people will die heatwaves many parts of the world last decade acclimatise acclimatize extremes extreme temperature physiologically resting inside during the heat of the day vulnerable people children elderly especially susceptible to heatwaves /

10 inch tablet not big enough? Try Samsung's 12.2 inch offerings

Multi window mode — now up to 4 apps open, on screen, simultaneously
Credit: AndroidPit

Galaxy 12.2 Note & Tab:

http://www.androidpit.com/galaxy-note-pro-12-2-hands-on

http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/review/2321919/ces-samsung-galaxy-tab-pro-122-hands-on-review

9,500 mAh battery suggests good battery life, but 12.2 inch screen suggests high battery consumption. We'll see.


Samsung Galaxy 12.2 inch tablet in Zagg keyboard case
Credit: Zagg

Zagg has a keyboard case in development. A problem with keyboard cases for existing tablets is that the keyboards are the same width as the tablet & so are less than full size. Cases for these larger tablets will be full size, or at least closer to.

Sign up to be notified when it's available:

http://www.zagg.com/keyboard-cases/cover-fit/8778?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=CES%20Roundup%202014%20-%20All%20C&utm_content=&spMailingID=7757554&spUserID=Nzc4MTg2NzU4OTES1&spJobID=114462960&spReportId=MTE0NDYyOTYwS0 / Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 highlight highlights mobile mobility presented Consumer Electronics Show CES Note Pro 12.2 Galaxy Note 3 added software features feature improved user interface Magazine UX space tools productivity first look Samsung Samsung's behemoth Android tablet design faux leather new Galaxy trend Note 3 Note 10.1 aluminium aluminum frame polycarbonate bezel dimension dimensions 259.5 x 203.9 x 7.95 mm weight 750 gram 753 g LTE model width infra red infra-red IR blaster power/lock power lock sleep button top dual speaker speakers found either side micro USB port microSD SIM S Pen slots slot home button located usual central position under display horizontal mode micro USB microUSB charging port one handed one-handed S Pen user users surface faux leather fake false display Super Clear LCD display Full HD resolution 2560 x 1600 247 ppi pixels per inch point points pixel density 12-inch model excellent viewing angle great color representation rendition individual pixels naked unaided human eye LCD display battery set constant brightness any high performing screen save battery life software hardware software Samsung tablet manufacturer manufacturers bloat bloatware unnecessary software features use up internal storage suck battery life Note Pro implemented new tweaked user interface usual home screen user users load full folder folders application applications app apps widgets widget Magazine UX newsfeed app Flipboard interface presents dashboard full of content news books book magazines apps more tab form visually appealing look Kobo UI user interface Berlin IFA content hidden app drawer user flip pages page magazine app drawer Magazine UX can be customized Samsung keep what matters at your fingertips Samsung makes a point of implementing multitasking device devices Note Pro upped the ante employ up to four apps Multi Window mode user can choose apps adjust the proportions proportion drag content app to another press long pressing middle point menu will pop up providing options expand close out switch apps /

It's not the heat, it's the carbon dioxide

Credit: Adam Hardy/Dan Ly/YouTube

Jumping allows the conch snail to escape from the predatory cone snail. Previous experiments had shown that rising temperature had left the conch's predator avoiding ability unimpaired.

No such luck with rising carbon dioxide levels:

http://www.coralcoe.org.au/news/jumping-snails-left-grounded-in-future-oceans / sea snails mollusk mollusc Mollusca leap escape predator predators jump jumping ability rising human carbon dioxide emissions team international scientists discover discovery discovered research lead author study published today Dr Sue-Ann Watson ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies Coral CoE James Cook University observed observe observation conch snail strong foot leap away approaching predators predator predate stop stops jumping takes longer to jump when exposed levels carbon dioxide projected end this century Dr Watson explains increased carbon dioxide ocean acidification levels disrupt particular neurotransmitter receptor snail’s nervous system delaying vital decision making decision-making escape snail more vulnerable poisonous dart slow moving slow-moving nemesis marbled cone shell effects quite profound altered behaviours behaviour behaviors behavior between predators predator prey potential disrupt ocean food webs web study shows show disrupted decision making decision-making elevated carbon dioxide levels level occur marine invertebrate invertebrates scientists observe observed similar effects before fish co author co-author Professor Göran Nilsson University of Oslo neurotransmitter receptor common many animals evolved quite early animal kingdom study suggests suggest human carbon dioxide emissions directly alter behaviour many marine animals including seafood part human diet Professor Philip Munday Coral CoE past studies effects ocean acidification animals mostly focused happen shell shells marine snails calcifying animals shell shells built more acidic environment study shows dual threat both weaker shells impaired behaviour Professor Munday critical study understand extent behavioural disturbances disturbance question sea creatures adapt fast enough rapid pace rising carbon dioxide levels ocean acidification /

New Corning Gorilla Glass

Credit: 123RF®

Mobile phones — so many uses — clock, calculator & SMS were amongst, if not the, first uses, apart from voice. Current smartphones include Web browsing, email, games, GPS navigation, word processing, document scanning & storage, programming environment, photography, photo editing, astronomy & banking in their repertoire.

And the next killer app is:

killing germs?

Apparently so:

http://applefansite.com/2014/01/new-gorilla-glass-will-kill-germs-phone/ / hard scratch resistant penetration tough Gorilla Glass public health Corning latest version toughened screen protectors protect protection company prevent growth fungi mildew mold algae bacteria nasty things live phone phone's phones screen new products product contain ionic silver coating ion bacteria germ killing services version last lifetime buy Corning guarantee health related benefit benefits germ free devices AppleFanSite germ virus antiseptic antisepsis screen protection protector surface anti bacterial anti-bacterial fungal viral germ-free germ free /

10 app trends for 2014: privacy, wearables, education & more

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/10/app-trends-2014-privacy-wearables-education / iOS Android smartphone smart phone pad tablet iPad iPod Google Apple app application hand mobile cell device free-to-play gaming evolution free to play iOS versus Android sharing economy regulation apps industry industries entertainment publishing game games enterprise education sector attracted big investment generated lucrative acquisitions billion billions dollars revenue revenues privacy regulation Dotcom dot com dotcom-style bubble pop 2014 big trends trend apps developer developers startup startups brand brands create creating release releasing crash relatively small number apps make making big money rubbish spare time hobbyist projects project startup startups raise raised seed venture financing catch on users money photo-sharing photo sharing health tracking health-tracking tools tool freemium games messaging apps overstuffed category cull 2014 search audience business model good technology acquihirers Facebook Snapchat hack security ID privacy password passwords mobile free-to-play gaming free to 2 play f2p freemium software free games messaging apps WeChat Line KakaoTalk WhatsApp Kik Snapchat the Blackberry mail BBM Facebook Myspace games game shop shopping music video social networking network education device /

Tesla Model X spotted on public road in Culver City, California

Credit: Instagram ID jmtibs/Inside EVs

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1089596_2015-tesla-model-x-prototype-seen-testing-on-southern-california-roads / 2015 Tesla Model X spotted sighted seen on public roads Instagram sighted spotted Tesla Model X electric crossover prototype testing street streets Southern Culver City California plug in plug-in crossover spotted 10 miles from Tesla Tesla's design center in Hawthorne Tesla show showed Model X opening Palo Alto store October appearance Model X public indicates Tesla is preparing prepare unveil production model to public 2014 Detroit Auto Show Tesla press conference scheduled 11:40 am Tuesday Model X revealed headquarters of CEO Elon Musk SpaceX all electric electric vehicle EV all-electric crossover falcon doors crowds auto shows Tesla showed revised prototype new interior 2013 Detroit show Model S rides platform Model X sedan same hardware 85 killoWatt hour kWh 85-kilowatt-hour battery pack SUV crossover design Model X all wheel 4 wheel four wheel all-wheel drive production line assembly line volume production beginning begin first quarter 2015 /

Google has built a neural network to identify 100 million house numbers for Streetview

Credit: ExtremeTech

http://mobile.extremetech.com/latest/40259-google-has-built-a-neural-network-to-identify-100-million-house-numbers-for-streetview / Internet prove your humanity type typing words number letter letters numbers captcha Google Google’s recaptcha variant bot automaton spam bots at bay search giant identify text scan scanned books house numbers number Streetview Google brain cycles new research paper Google details company trained neural network read millions unidentified house numbers captured Streetview cameras camera human intervention artificial neural network computational model seek seeks replicate parallel nature living brain system works directly pixel images captured by Streetview cars car brain many previous models model break breaking address image individual digits identify identifying each one look looks whole number recognize recognizes recognize type address Google Map return correct location right addresses structure essential area building numbers not non linear front door company build building synthetic brain train neural network Google used publicly available Street View House Numbers SVHN Dataset massive dataset 200,000 addresses split up into number blocks total 600,000 numerical images train electronic brain six days system learn dataset identify digits Streetview pictures high level accuracy /

Gemini Planet Imager snaps first direct image of exoplanet Beta Pictoris b (slide show)

Credit: Christian Marois, NRC Canada/Gizmag

Although its not the sharpest you've ever seen, the photograph above is a direct image of a planet (Beta Pictoris b) which is orbiting a star 63 million light years away. In addition to the distance, there is the problem of overcoming the dazzling light of the star. Think of pointing your camera directly into a searchlight & trying to take a photograph of a moth flying just to the side.

Gemini Planet Imager has done something similar, except that the star is very much brighter, & both star & planet, very much further away.

http://www.gizmag.com/gemini-planet-imager-pictoris/30379/ / 10 years development develop developed developing Gemini Observatory advanced planet imaging instrument capture captured direct image exoplanet Beta Pictoris b image breakthrough analysis analyze extrasolar planets planet planetary body Gemini Planet Imager GPI tool advanced optics system infrared spectograph recover retrieve direct images young planet planets orbit orbiting distant stars star GPI collaboration collaborate collaborative project developed institute institution institutes several countries test deployed 8meter 8-meter Gemini South telescope Chile first light first-light team targeted Beta Pictoris system capture direct images image imaging Beta Pictoris b some 63 million light years away detecting detection detect exoplanet exoplanets direct imaging image dazzle overpower overpowering light majority known exoplanets exoplanet detected detect detection indirect methods method transit method rely relies detection drop reduction brightness parent star pass passes in front Transit Timing Variation method compare comparison compares deviations deviation orbit caused gravitational pull computer based computer-based predictions predict prediction /

New Pebble smartwatch: Pebble Steel (video)

Left to right: Pebble Steel, original Pebble
Credit: Pebble/The Verge

What's good: improved appearance.

What's bad:
• More expensive at $249.
• No longer, "... designed to fit most 22mm watch bands." Ability to accept standard watchbands was proposed as an advantge of the original Pebble, but photographs make it obvious that this doesn't apply to Pebble Steel.

What's good or bad, depending on your point of view: functionality of Pebble Steel is unchanged from the original Pebble.

Why that's good:
• With deliveries starting ealier this year, owners of the original (including myself) would be lesss than pleased if their (almost) new device was already superceded.
• Retains all the functionality of what is arguably the most practical & useful smart watch to date.
• Retains compatablity with all existing Pebble watch faces (numbering in the hundreds, if not thousands) & other software.

Recode takes a look:

http://recode.net/2014/01/06/first-look-the-new-pebble-steel-smartwatch/

The Verge too:

http://www.theverge.com/2014/1/6/5276698/pebble-steel-launch-interview-ces-2014

What's perhaps best of all: the original Pebble is still available for $150. Get both old & new at:

https://getpebble.com/checkout / 300,000 Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky E-Ink good holiday season Silicon Valley startup shipping ship stainless steel Gorilla Glass version first Pebble Bluetooth watch consumers little more refined less sporty sport plastic Pebble watch two versions version Steel brushed stainless matte black swappable metal leather bands band cost $249 a hundred dollars more ship ships end of January Pebble Steel original Pebble watch connect pairs pair iOS iPhone Android devices device devs developer developers dev created hacks hack hacked BlackBerry Windows phones phone smartphone smart phone notifications runs run same apps app waterproof same battery life five to seven days Pebble app store company optimized apps Yelp Foursquare GoPro quick flick wrist Yelp local wild card spot bar restaurant GoPro controller product production produce Kickstarter prototype competition competitor compete release releasing Sony Samsung Qualcomm released release review Samsung Galaxy Gear Qualcomm Toq 50 person 50-person Pebble team Consumer Electronics Show CES launchpad company’s company Palo Alto offices office assess full assessment testing test tester Pebble bandwagon like watch wear plastic swimming swim serious athletic activities activity active smartwatch smartwatches smart watch watches geeky geek mainstream Pebble Steel sleeker sleek style stylish alternative versions version masculine-looking masculine looking Pebble Migicovsky design current customer base male consultant consulted consult consultation watch designers design develop development developer building build manufacure make appeal women video tape record taped Migicovsky /

He’s behind you!

Credit: R.J. Mataleone/Worth1000.com

Anecdotal evidence suggests that sharks generally take swimmers from behind. If true, this suggests that they are attempting to avoid detection as they approach & so, that they have an understanding of which is the back & front of a human being.

All of this calls into question the widely held belief that shark attacks on humans are experiments or mistakes.

Dr. Erich Ritter of the Shark Research Institute has conducted an experiment that throws further light on these questons:

http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21591551-some-sharks-know-how-stay-out-sight-nearby-people-hes-behind-you / human beings believe top food chain victim victim’s friends friend relative relatives natural order attack attacks aberration aberrations predators’ predator normal behaviour sharks fish mistake mistaken experiment human swimmers seals seal turtles turtle Dr. Erich Ritter Shark Research Institute American charitable foundation attack data prove proof sense shark’s point of view approach would detect detected mistake experiment results publish published Animal Cognition scuba divers kneel seabed site Bahamas reef sharks divers stationary direction travel front kneel kneeling body shapes shape person divers knelt alone back to back pairs pair camera surface 12 metres above recorded record statistics statistician colleague Raid Amin University of West Florida analyse 312 encounters approaching shark passed behind undetected back /

2013 Tesla Model S electric vehicle: Consumer Reports is still in love (video)

Credit: Consumer Reports/Green Car Reports

Even after 12 months, rocket launch acceleration, low running costs, plus brilliant handling, ride & brakes don't lose their shine -- the Tesla Model S is still the best car Consumer Reports has ever tested.

That's not just best electric car, that's best car.

Green Car Reports

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1089437_2013-tesla-model-s-electric-car-consumer-reports-still-in-love

Consumer Reports

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/12/update-tesla-model-s-one-year-on/index.htm / year Tesla Model S ownership mile miles tire tyre tyres tires impressed mild irritations car Ratings road test road-test score 99 100 point 100-point scale highest rated highest-rated extended test tested last five years accolades highest ever highest-ever marks mark owner satisfaction latest annual auto survey reliable average reliability score based experiences 637 CR subscribers good early production niche luxury vehicle California start-up start u company Tesla’s thoroughly rewarding driving experience rocket rocketlike launch feel supreme quietness overlook drawback drawbacks notable quirks have emerged range cruise cruising range Tesla’s major drawing draw cards top spec top-spec 85 kWh version 300 mile 300-mile range charged normally maximum max range manufacturer company maker advice advises 225 miles electric vehicle EV EVs 245 EPA calculated electric car indicated range drops drop freezing weather cabin heat remaining miles remaining-miles calculator display displays software update Model S Teslas vampire losses off charger for 24 hours Supercharger stations 30 minutes reduce range anxiety commuter car Updates via cloud software updates road debris penetrated battery pack from below ride height highway speeds road debris /

Simulated nematode? (video)

Credit: OpenWorm/Gizmag

You've heard of open software, well ... this is an open worm!

http://www.gizmag.com/openworm-nematode-roundworm-simulation-artificial-life/30296/

Video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2OBznK6HkI&feature=youtube_gdata_player / OpenWorm project create created creating first artificial lifeform bottom-up bottom up computer model millimeter-sized millimeter sized size nemotode worm simplest known multicellular organisms organism step forward OpenWorm research researching researcher researchers complete completed simulation nematode's 302 neurons 95 muscle cells cell worm wriggling around in fine form wriggle C. elegans nemotode simplest multicellular organisms known hermaphroditism hermaphrodite hermaphroditic life form 959 cells 302 neuron neurons simple simplify simplicity nematode usual challenges challenge living feeding feed food reproduction reproduce reproducing avoid avoiding eat eaten model the complex behavior organism OpenWorm collaboration develop development developing bottom up bottom-up description describe making models model individual C. elegans cells cell cellular interactions observe observation observed functionality real world real-world nematodes realistic behavior will emerge individual cells act real organism artificial animal input-output input output models individual cells cell model muscle cell size shape relaxed mechanical properties membrane interior innards connect connected contact cell membranes reuron neurons contact structure produce following list behaviors stimulate stimulation stimulated passive active responses cells surrounding model approach homeostatic dynamic behaviors modeled complete description underlying chemical reactions reaction /

iFixit tears the 2013 Mac Pro asunder, finds an actually repairable Mac

Credit: iFixit/Ars Technica

http://arstechnica.com/apple/2013/12/ifixit-tears-the-2013-mac-pro-asunder-finds-an-actually-repairable-mac/

http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Mac+Pro+Late+2013+Teardown/20778?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Mac+Pro+Teardown+PR&utm_content=Mac+Pro+Teardown+PR+CID_833b53074cc4aa2c0712edc7265b1748&utm_source=CampaignMonitor / Apple iFixit company company's products thin customer consumers incredibly difficult end users user repair battery glued into case CPU CPUs RAM solder soldered motherboard proprietary teardown tear down connectors Mac iPhone iPad iPod iOS OSX iFixit tore new Mac Pro apart break computer down teardown accompanied high-resolution photographs pictures detailed notes found computer despite more integrated nature fair number proprietary parts part easy repair upgrade Macintosh Mac RAM easily easiest component remove replace requires require slide case case's cover push button special screwdrivers suction cups MacBooks MacBook iMacs iMac standard 1866MHz ECC DDR3 DIMMs DIMM trivial purchase upgrade your own RAM replace replacing replaced SSD simple connector proprietary drive held in place single Torx screw PCI Express SSD very similar PCIe drives 2013 MacBook Air Retina MacBook Pro display difficult remove FirePro GPUs GPU case each held four screws screw clamp proprietary PCI Express connector connects daughterboard computer main logic board CPU socket RAM slots rear panel port ports GPUs can be removed theoretically possible upgrade Apple third parties new GPUs fit into the Mac Pro's case cooled system system's single fan connect daughterboard /

Free iBook: "Yellow Submarine"

Credit: Apple (Parlophone)/EMI/Wikipedia

Available now: Yellow Submarine book with music, video, illustrations, text & audio. Have to get one at the price!

http://new.itunes.com/r?v=2&la=en&lc=au&a=AZjv3KDaipFbJa1YG1eBNOsQ%2B2TQZhkLVniCGIWNaMzphNUoX1oCw08LwIutSKbB&ct=Ab2m0e8

If the page above has been removed, try:

https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/yellow-submarine-english/id479687204?mt=11 / Apple iTunes iOS ebook iBook iBooks iPhone iPad iPod touch tablet smartphone smart phone App Store book cover art album Yellow Submarine artist The Beatles George Harrison Ringo Starr Richard Starkey Paul McCartney John Lennon George Martin records vinyl music Blue Meanies Meaney Meanie Pepperland Yellow Submarine studio album Beatles released Apple Records soundtrack film album album's release /

iPin turns your smartphone into a laser presenter (video)

Credit: iPin/The Gadgeteer

For some time, the iPin Laser Presenter has been available for iOS devices. Now, iPin have plans to introduce a variant for Samsung Galaxy devices at CES (7-10 January).

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2014/01/03/ipin-will-introduce-their-laser-presenter-for-samsung-galaxy-devices-at-ces/ / iPin Laser Presenter review reviewed iPhone very small device plugged plug socket iPhone iPhone’s iPod iPad headphone jack laser pointer Powerpoint controller cool device compatible iOS devices Samsung Galaxy smartphone users iPin introducing new Laser Presenter CES Las Vegas Samsung Galaxy S3 S4 Note devices iPin site YouTube video /

AllThingsD shuts down as Mossberg & Swisher introduce Re/code

http://gigaom.com/2014/01/01/allthingsd-shuts-down-as-mossberg-and-swisher-introduce-recode/

That's midnight, US eastern time, 18 hours from now. Will anyone be surprised by something very similar to the entertaining, informed & informative coverage we've come to expect from AllThingsD? / last day 2013, Kara Swisher Walt Mossberg announced announce announcement web site Web website AllThingsD close closed shut down September deal breakdown owner Dow Jones stroke of midnight newest venture recode re code Re/code launch midnight 2 2nd second January 2014 enterprise venture ATD format domain name redirect redirects Wall Street Journal new tech offering title entitled named called titled WSJ.D paywall /

GM developing Tesla Model E Rival: 200-Mile, $30,000 electric car? Maybe not.

General Motors' plans for a 200 mile mass market electric vehicle have been mentioned previously on these pages. Unfortunately, lithium ion battery company, Envia Systems has dealt this hope a blow:

http://qz.com/158373/envia-the-mysterious-story-of-the-battery-startup-that-promised-gm-a-200-mile-electric-car/

Not hard to see why major manufacturers are reluctant to deal with small suppliers.

No such question mark over the Tesla effort so far.

Tesla & Elon Musk's record of delivering on promises with the Roadster, Model S, Model X (prototype only to date), PayPal, Solar City & SpaceX give reason for confidence. / Atul Kapadia Sujeet Kumar staff startup company Palo Alto California CEO CTO LiIon lithium-ion battery company Envia Systems email General Motors GM deal rare industry newcomer contract worth tens hundreds millions dollars provide electric next-generation Chevy Volt untested small suppliers world world’s major automakers too risky rely on world’s best cell that company industry electric car travel traveling traveled 200 miles single charge motorists range anxiety vehicle vehicles high-end Tesla S range cost much more IPO rich talk talking uncertain uncertainty staff scientists scientist engineer engineers deal confident news affect share price Envia lab laboratory Kapadia’s cell mobile phone rang Senior management sign signed documents contract email phone bay industry industrial city Newark company employees conference room regularly scheduled office meeting papers company’s first licensing deal customer business staff sounded administrative staff deal is in tatters accuse accusation accused Envia misrepresent misrepresented misrepresenting technology unravel unraveling electric-car industry federal grants grant critic critics US government funding advanced battery companies /