What you need to know before buying a Chromebox

Chromeboxes have lots of ports
Credit: kitguru.net

Web browsing, email, word processing, photo storage & video fulfil almost all of the computing needs of many people. This is the target audience of Chrome OS.

Chromebooks are the best known implementation of Chrome OS, but Chromeboxes constitute another. A Chromebox is attached to my TV for Netflix, Youtube & other video.

http://www.omgchrome.com/know-buying-chromebox/

http://androidpcreview.com/chromebox-buying-guide-find-best-chromebox/1899/ / buying Chromebox inexpensive little PC casual computing needs first-class security receive free software upgrades fixes new features Chromeboxes HP ASUS Chromebox replace Windows tower PC energy-efficient kiosk computer signage driver Chromeboxes use cases fantastic buy HD video editing software Chrome OS Internet access computer pros and cons Chrome OS hardware supply keyboard mouse Chromeboxes main PC unit power supply cable manual keep costs down compatible favourite keyboard mouse set Bluetooth USB-powered peripherals Chromeboxes bundles Chrome keyboard mouse Dell wired USB keyboard Chromeboxes monitor screen compatible current generation Chromeboxes full-sized HDMI out port full-sized DisplayPort out monitor VGA DVI Chrome PC DisplayPort-to-VGA HDMI-to-VGA adapter monitor cable keyboards ASUS Hewlett Packard HP LG Chromebase all-in-one Chrome OS PC computer built-in speakers keyboard mouse set hardware processor faster storage upgrade components dual-core Intel Celeron Haswell 2995U 2957U processor running at 1.4GHz CPU integrated graphics performance cost energy efficiency Intel Core i3 processor Intel Core i5 i7 benchmarks Celeron CPUs performance graphics integrated Intel HD Graphics 4000 HD multimedia content immersive games memory RAM 4 GB 4GB RAM tabs operating system add extra RAM memory upgrades SO-DIMM slot Acer CXI Dell Chromebox memory modules soldered motherboard void warranty 204-pin SODIMM DDR3L @ 1600 MHz DDR3L PC3-12800 eMMC flash storage compatible M2 SATA III SSD 100GB free online Google Drive storage supports external USB hard drives thumb drives flash drive SD card MTP ports connectivity connecting devices monitors USB 3.0 full-size HDMI Out full-size DisplayPort 4x USB 3.0 full-size SD card slot Gigabit Ethernet Audio in/out jack built-in Wi-Fi Bluetooth 4.0 LE small these things are inexpensive secure PC Chromebox /

Next breakthrough in solar technology costs

Developments in photovoltaic (PV) solar cells:

● inexpensive, polycrystalline, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels with 19% efficiency
● double-layer PV panels which utilize different parts of the electromagnetic spectrum in each layer
● rear contact technology which increases the area available for energy collection at the front

Together, it is expected that that these developments will lead to cells with 26%+ efficiency. Using current dimensions, this will result in panels rated at 420 Watts.

Installation, including cabling, connection, racking & labour, is a substantial fraction of the total cost of PV, particularly roof-top. Fewer larger capacity panels are required for a given generating capacity, driving down installation costs & total cost of a PV system.

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2015/4/29/solar-energy/next-breakthrough-solar-technology-costs?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=1316563&utm_campaign=cs_daily&modapt= / SunPower world PV panel efficiency 24% efficient cells best solar panels highest efficiency solar panels cost quite a bit more 50% commodity panels produced market leaders Trina Yingli REC ultra-high efficiency panels reduce installation costs real-estate per unit production product high sticker price SunPower Sanyo multilayer multi-junction panel HITs heterojunction with intrinsic thin layer Panasonic leading lithium-ion battery technology market leading solar technology Panasonic’s HIT panels SunPower product efficiency laboratory HITs efficiency in excess of 25% Panasonic manufacture latest HITs panels cost effective price SunPower Panasonic technologies Trina efficiency record over 19% efficiency using inexpensive solar cell polycrystalline cell Trina expects to mass produce SunPower substantial efficiency gains existing single layer technology cutting edge research single layer panels hitting diminishing returns percentage point of efficiency below UNSW laboratory record single layer silicon cell efficiency sell homeowners roof Panasonic’s HIT technology SunPower’s more scope efficiency gains add another PV layer capture energy from another part of the electromagnetic spectrum Panasonic’s exclusive patents on HIT technology will run out soon US start-up Natcore institutional research efforts high efficiency PV cell SunPower Panasonic’s HIT technology Natcore panel suppliers HIT technology push efficiencies single-layer technology developers projects SunEdison high-pressure fluidised bed reactor HP-FBR technology reduce the energy required most energy-intensive manufacturing PV cells 90% solar industry combine continued trend high efficiency polycrystalline cells Trina developed rear contact technology SunPower front-contacts front of the cells HIT technology 26%-27% efficient cells regular sized panels pumping out 420W available solar displacing fossil fuels 15% efficient 26-27% efficiency cheapest energy source ongoing cost reductions in the hardware reduction labour cost per watt installed less physical panel installed per Watt dominate total installation costs paying 35c/W 420W 250W panel staying the same size labour cost of installation reduces 20c/W substantial saving less cables fixings less racking 5-10c/W CEC accredited installation accreditation licensed electrical contractors trade qualified installers multi-layer panel HIT thin-film silicon technology perovskites researchers rear contact technology low temperature polysilicon processing very cheap solar commodity suppliers incremental improvements polycrystalline processes lowering costs adding another layer Australian government Australian solar industry develop commercialise install next generation of solar power /

Iron Man’s head speaks

Credit: Brando/The Gadgeteer

Bluetooth speaker in the shape of a full scale model of Iron Man’s head. 10 out of 10 for cool, but at $US449, there have to be many better options.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2015/04/26/iron-man-sings-all-your-favorite-tunes/ / buy Bluetooth speaker life sized replica Iron Man’s head MARVEL Iron Man Mark XLIII 1:1 Scale Bluetooth Speaker from Brando plays your favorite tunes via Bluetooth USB flash drive 3.5mm audio cable pair it with your Bluetooth enabled mobile device load up selection MP3 files USB Flash drive directly pre-order shipment scheduled May 1:1 scale replica Iron Man’s head Tony Stark’s head pre-order /

Google Glass still in active development — Glass 2 for release soon

Credit: Stuff

Luxottica (Ray-Ban, Oakley) is working with Google on the next revision of Glass, which will be “out soon".

http://www.stuff.tv/news/google-glass-2-will-be-out-soon-says-collaborating-ray-banoakley-maker

Average consumers will be a target market
http://www.stuff.tv/news/google-affirms-glass-still-being-developed-average-consumers-next-target

Google Glass 2.0 looks set to be a complete redesign
http://www.stuff.tv/news/google-glass-20-looks-set-be-complete-redesign / Google shutting down Glass Explorer Programme program refocus project worked new revision Luxottica company major sunglass brands Ray-Ban CEO Massimo Vian Google next revision Wall Street Journal. The company was announced as partner Glass products initial agreement version two Glass in preparation next wave of Google’s smart eyeglasses Google version three eyewear UI user interface smart device smartwatch smart watch video camera /

Samsung Galaxy S6 — tough enough to crack walnuts (video)

One S6 acting as anvil & another as hammer.



"Hammer" appears to be an S6 Edge, & the "anvil", a standard, flat screen, S6. / Samsung Galaxy S6 abuse videos around the internet boiled in water run over by a car ouch thrill-seeking stunt phone videos showing handset used crack walnuts damage phone video Galaxy S6 handsets crack walnuts base smash walnuts hammer crack chop chopping device damage handsets cracking walnuts brand new Galaxy S6 Galaxy S6 Edge take a beating fragile Gorilla Glass 4 rugged smart phone smartphone Android Google /

How to get your app approved for the iOS app store — rule number 247,388*

* give or take


Credit: campaignlive.com

Apple is notorious for the unpredictability of its approval process for its app store. Apparently, an app created by SeaNav US has been rejected because the app contains references to the Pebble smartwatch.

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/133683-apple-rejects-app-because-it-mentions-watch-competitor-pebble-in-the-code / Apple reject rejection rejected rejects app mentions watch competitor Pebble code Apple rejected app App Store mentions competitor Apple Watch Pebble Time smartwatch creators app, SeaNav US Apple rejected Pebble smartwatch support app code app code two years Apple Watch appeared issue Apple clause policies four years other developers included references never been rejected enforcing this rule new reaction by Apple Apple Apps metadata mentions name mobile platform will be rejected details clause your app metadata contains irrelevant platform information app providing future platform compatibility plans platform references not appropriate App Store your app description declare support Pebble Smartwatch Apple Watch teardown battery Android Wear /

Google gives search a makeover

Ranking in Google search results is worth a lot of money to many businesses. And it's not just online businesses.

Last year, for the first time, more searches using the Google search engine came from mobile devices than laptops & desktops. Google is about to roll out a new ranking algorithm which will list mobile friendly websites first.

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2015/4/24/technology/google-gives-search-makeover / mobile mobilegeddon Google latest search ranking algorithm update mobile phones driving Internet uptake innovation update favouring mobile devices websites mobile-friendly search results ranking downgraded downgrade commercially sensitive secret formulae Google calculate rank search results constantly refined minor refinements algorithm Google major updates Google Panda Google Penguin search engine optimisation SEO industry search engines vast amounts of information online Customer Journey to Online Purchase study organic search googling customer growing importance search engines SEO becoming a hygiene factor digital marketing time and resources search ranking algorithm search page ranking major impact organisation’s finances case studies JC Penney Interflora BBC major brands online customers search engines revenue e-commerce site eBay web pages Google search ranking updates size market penetration SEO search engine penalty financial reporting latest Google search algorithm change search engine users mobile devices phones tablets businesses ranking search terms Google’s Display Planner tool keyword mobile tablet mobile friendly website mobile devices Google AdWords Display Planner first rank Google’s search results problem for every business findings repeated studies proportion click-throughs search results first page first result visitor numbers makes a big difference to sales click-throughs top-ranked search result Google Analytics Google Analytics data visitors website keywords searched numbers rapid falling-off click-throughs website progressively lower rank search results page link first search result second placed link mobile shift conducting industry surveys digital marketing firms agencies web designers research mobile-first website design approach priority design usability mobile users Google tools help website owners website large text visible small mobile screen links close to each other difficult navigate using a finger the year of mobile first time more visitors Google phones tablets desktops laptops Google’s mobilegeddon update web sites websites /

Is ad-blocking software legal?

So far, the answer is, "Yes," at least in Germany.

Despite its popularity with users, ad-blocking software is unpopular in some quarters: the advertisers & the people & organisations they pay for advertising. Some time ago, these pages reported on threats of legal action from Google, Microsoft & others against creators of ad-block software.

In fact, the first legal action against ad-block software creators has taken place in Germany, where a coalition of newspapers sued AdBlock Plus.

The newspapers lost, but are considering an appeal.

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-32409952

http://www.techworld.com.au/article/573230/making-software-block-annoying-ads-legal-german-court-rules/

http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/22/germany-likes-adblock-plus/

http://www.ubergizmo.com/2015/04/german-court-rules-that-using-ad-blocking-software-is-legal/ / software stops adverts appearing websites defeated two news publishers technology tech web pages Germany Germany's Die Zeit Handelsblatt AdBlock Plus's anti-competitive threatened their ability to make money income court in Hamburg ruled users have the right to use the plug-in judgement implications other disputes tool Hamburg court decision important sets a precedent avoid additional lawsuits expenses defending consumer right control screens block annoying ads protect privacy AdBlock Plus's project manager Ben Williams blog legalities publishers advertisers content creators work with Adblock Plus against us publishers fight on AdBlock Plus illegal anti-competitive practice infringes freedom of the press written reasons for the judgment examine the prospects of an appeals procedure AdBlock Plus Cologne firm Eyeo three separate but related cases media groups ProSiebenSat.1 RTL Interactive Axel Springer white list court case contested the legality AdBlock Plus's software suppressing adverts pages Zeit Online Handelsblatt Wirtschafts Woche news sites publishers sought damages challenge software provider's wider business model Ebba Schroder spokeswoman Zeitverlag Gerd Bucerius AdBlock Plus web browser add-on free makes money operating a "white list" adverts get through filters criteria must not include animations sounds pop-ups that cover other content Website operators white list buy their way onto the white list charge fees support services 30% of the extra revenues ads on its platform unblocked racket service popular many users AdBlock Plus downloaded nearly 400 million times charge fees smaller businesses and blogs block its white-listed ads if desired racketeers 90% of the people on the white list don't pay anything criteria ruling unalienable right online self-determination lawyer other European courts provisions of EU Law not bound to reach the same legal conclusions Paul Henty law firm Charles Russell Speechlys factual economic circumstances jurisdictions different result Hamburg judgment persuasive authority AdBlock disputes /

Two can play that game ... (video)

Youtube is littered with videos demonstrating the extraordinary acceleration of Tesla electric vehicles.

There’s the phone pinned to the seat-back


Startled response of passengers

Roadster


Model S — warning uncensored version


And the numerous videos at the drag strip — here, Tesla Model S vs Dodge Viper


Energica recently decided to do the same thing with its Ego electric superbike & a range of electric & internal combustion powered vehicles


Energica web site:
http://www.energicasuperbike.com/energica-ego-electric-superbike/ / Energica recently released video Energica Ego electric superbike direct competition high-powered cars motorcycles quarter-mile races highlight 3-second 0-to-60-mph accelerationEnergica Ego solid competition competitors include Tesla Roadster BMW 1000RR HP4 Ferrari 45B Italia Zero S Tesla Model S P85D electric gas powered competition odd choice Zero S electric motorcycle motorbike motor bike cycle 4.8-second 0-to-60-mph time more powerful Zero SR 3.3-second 0-to-60 time Energica win much closer race video sounds each vehicle sound generated electric motors gas powered motors electric motorcycles quiet not silent Energica Ego now NHTSA US EPA certified driven on roads legally Q3 deliveries in 2015 Captain America quote races close electric vehicle EV battery charge recharge range LiIon lithium ion battery cell internal combustion engine engine ICE /

Reduced red meat consumption — better for you — better for the environment

Red meat is meat from all sources apart from fish & fowl. Consumption of red meat, at levels typical in western nations, is associated with increased rates of heart & arterial disease as well as digestive tract cancers.

Raising cattle is responsible for at least 18% of greenhouse emissions — carbon dioxide, methane & nitrous oxide.

http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/scienceshow/reduced-red-meat-consumption-aids-health-and-the-environment/6286218

http://www.abc.net.au/health/thepulse/stories/2013/04/11/3734774.htm / we’re eating too much red meat chicken fish high consumption increased risk cancers bowel cancer World Cancer Research Fund Australian Dietary Guidelines2013 maximum weekly intake 500g consumption processed meat flexitarianism flexible vegetarian average Australian consumption 111Kg/year recommended amount 26Kg/year reduction livestock environmental benefits large quantities grain water emissions 50% of total greenhouse gas emissions human activities New Scientist 24th January red meat health environmental impact Talia Raphaely lecturer Curtin University Perth we are eating too much highly credible literature sources World Health Organisation American Cancer Foundation European Prospective Investigation into Cancer biggest cancer study in the world excessive amounts of meat consumption consuming health public health costs World Bank Food and Agricultural Organisation greenhouse gas emissions at least 18% of greenhouse gas emissions livestock health implications environmental implications human humanity Michael Mosley's documentary flexitarianism reduced meat consumption World Cancer Research Fund Australian 2013 dietary guidelines Australian Health Institute 500 grams of red meat a week maximum Vanessa Hayes Garvan Institute paleo diet paleo diet occasional red meat annual consumption Curtin University researchers Health Department CSIRO total well-being diet risk colon cancer research evidence high meat based diet healthy excessive consumption medical evidence cured meats bacon produce nitrosamines carcinogenic effect steak which cook without burning steroids hormones inbreeding genetic modification bred intensively dire conditions antibiotic use dangerous directly linked colon cancer ferments gut nitrate processed meat World Cancer Research Fund EPIC don't eat processed meats at all Australian health guidelines cancers colon cancer Dora Marinova healthy recommended guideline reduced meat consumption flexible vegetarianism researcher research healthy levels healthy recommendations significant reduction health environmental impact lamb pork chicken fish white meat environmentally human health personal health public health mutton lamb pork veal beef /

Serial knuckle cracking

Notice the white spot in the joint as the bones separate.
Credit: Gregory Kawchuk, University of Alberta/Plos Media/Wired

Most surprising part of this for me — the revelation is that the cracking sound is caused by bubble formation as the joint comes apart — this was always my understanding.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/04/mri-video-reveals-what-it-actually-looks-like-when-you-crack-your-joints/

http://www.wired.com/2015/04/watch-gross-mri-knuckle-cracking/ / knuckle cracking crack joints scientists never really understood physics chilling noise 1970s experts collapse gas nitrogen air bubbles synovial fluid lubricates joints new evidence sound formation gas-filled cavity joints stretch apart study researchers University of Alberta crack his knuckles multiple scientists fingers magnetic resonance imager watching cracking events researchers video bones in the joint separate negative pressure gas nitrogen synovial fluid sudden formation of bubbles scientific term tribonucleation crack pop flash space joint surfaces separate MRI signal cavitation tribonucleation joint surfaces come together bubble rapidly collapses popping phenomenon medical insight study Jacob Jaremko radiologist University of Alberta bubble collapse shock damage surrounding structures cavitation latest study provides some new information on the physics behind joint cavitation researchers research effects bubble collapse places of the human body flow dynamics heart circulation bloodstream fluid under pressure tribonucleation effects large consequences crack /

Moore’s law turns 50

Moore’s Law has been widely quoted & misquoted. Possibly the most popular misquote is: “Moore’s Law states that computing power doubles every 18 months.”

In fact, what Gordon Moore was talking about in 1965, was transistor density: that the number of transistors in a given area would double every two years. Performance impact is only indirect.

Despite frequent predictions of its imminent demise, Moore’s Law is alive & well at 50.

http://www.itworld.com/article/2911275/moores-law-at-50-the-past-and-future.html / smartwatch smart watch iPhone Moore’s Law computers smaller cheaper faster Moore’s Law computers Microsoft’s HoloLens holographic wearable develop development developed decades modern electronics scientific theory set of observations and predictions Intel co-founder Gordon Moore first published Electronics Magazine April 19 1965 core prediction states that density of transistors number of transistors on a given die area double every two years double the performance loosely translated in 18 to 24 months buy a computer that is significantly faster same amount of money tech industry cheaper with scaling transistor density doubles chips shrink in size processor processing speeds cost per processor declines smaller cheaper faster devices manufacturing advances chips power-efficient more battery devices smartphone Randhir Thakur Silicon Systems Group Applied Materials engineers predicted physical economic challenges conventional computers quantum computers systems brain-like neural chips function differently current processors silicon replaced chips new materials graphene carbon nanotubes Intel memory products benefit lower cost per bit integrated circuits 4004 had 2,300 transistors latest chips billions of transistors faster more power efficient changes in computing computer performance lowering power consumption last decade Mark Bohr performance desktops laptops smartphones wearables Internet of Things devices robots recognize objects make decisions products cars health devices home appliances integrated circuits engineers chips scale down atomic scale IEEE Spectrum innovations technology advance FinFET transistors chips new factories strained silicon high-k metal gate FinFET Xian-He Sun professor computer science Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago etch features smaller chips errors defects designing processes new materials technologies silicon gallium arsenide indium gallium arsenide new materials Alex Lidow semiconductor industry CEO of Efficient Power ConversionEPC gallium nitrideGAN better conductor electrons performance power-efficiency advantages digital chips EUV extreme ultraviolet lithography semiconductor /

Biofuels — green energy solution?

At first sight, biofuels look like the ideal solution to our energy needs — simply grow all the fuel we need.

Unfortunately, it’s not that simple:
● creating fuel from foods, such as soyabeans & sugarcane requires diversion of the food supply
● growing fuel crops requires arable land & fresh water
● commercial food production requires many fossil fuel calories for each food calorie — 10 in USA*

http://www.economist.com/news/science-and-technology/21648630-investment-biofuels-dwindling-and-scepticism-growing-thin-harvest
___________
* Melissa C. Lott: “10 Calories in, 1 Calorie Out – The Energy We Spend on Food”, http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/plugged-in/2011/08/11/10-calories-in-1-calorie-out-the-energy-we-spend-on-food/

Thomas Starrs: “Gas Guzzling Food”, https://www.organicconsumers.org/old_articles/btc/gasfood112105.php / making fuel solar energy stored living organisms photosynthesis green biofuel fermenting starch recycling cooking oil algae jet fuel investment Bloomberg New Energy Finance BNEF research Venn diagram sets biofuels compete commercially green green compete commercially ungreenness biofuels food crops plants grown on land produce such crops hurt food supplies committee European Parliament first-generation biofuels current European target renewables energy used in transport by 2020 new proposal first-generation fuels waste feedstocks food production European demand advanced biofuels Claire Curry of BNEF advanced fuels large-scale production waste cooking oil fats diesel ethanol from cellulose enzymatic hydrolysis commercial production renewable jet fuel South African Airways SAA Boeing fuel seeds tobacco plant crop specially bred strain tobacco nicotine-free seeds fertiliser food crop residue animal feed Ian Cruickshank cost tobacco-based product jet fuel refined fossil sources airline blended 50-50 jatropha bush toxic vegetable investors grow grown grower animal fodder oil diesel fuel biofuel sweet spot Venn diagram damage environment food security grown controversial issue genetic modification improve yields insects resistance biofuel crops grown on unirrigated marginal land GM crop researchers University of Manchester University of Turku Finland Imperial College London enzyme currently produce bio-butanol propane commercialised at scale algae-to-fuel high-value chemicals sunlight source energy biology /

Huawei P8 Max — when only too much will do

Credit: Huawei/Android Central

Larger & smaller screen phones both have their advantages, & this has been argued back & forth on these pages.

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/making-case-for-large-screen-phone.html

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2014/10/eight-of-best-pocket-sized-phones-for.html

Apparently, Huawei sees a case for phone with a 6.8 inch screen in their Huawei P8 Max

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cell-phone-reviews/huawei-p8-max-hands-on/#/10

http://www.androidauthority.com/huawei-p8-max-hands-on-601694/ / 6.8-inch P8 Max stretch your hands limits Huawei features P8 smartphone smart phone P8 Max much bigger phablet absolutely massive large hold up to your face tablets iPhone 6 Plus size big one-handed mode swipe across the navigation bar two hands activate massive Sony Xperia Z Ultra 6.4-inch screen possible to hold it in one hand big phone big battery giant phone giant battery inside 4,360mAh battery recharge day-and-a-half heavy use not heavy aluminum Gorilla Glass 4 edges chamfered slightly recessed oversized power button 13-megapixel camera lens flush dual-LED flash plastic section antenna array sharp colorful screen octa-core Huawei Kirin 935 processor new features slower shutter speed display 1080p 6.8-inch screen very sharp colours colors vibrant looks great quirky device small niche oversized phablet tablet phone smartphone sharp colorful 1080p screen two day battery life camera high-end build quality massive body one-handed use almost impossible /

Wisdom, Justice, Moderation? — update

Credit: State of Georgia, USA/Charged EVs

Georgia, USA, substantially through its forward thinking policies, such as a $5,000 tax credit for EV purchases, had established itself as second only to California in adoption of electric vehicles (EVs).

http://www.ucsusa.org/clean-vehicles/electric-vehicles/georgia-electric-vehicles#.VTCqrBxW-iw

http://www.wsj.com/articles/why-electric-cars-click-for-atlanta-1401922534 (free registration may be required)

However, last week, the Georgian state legislature passed a bill that not only eliminates the tax credit for EV purchases, but imposes a yearly user fee — $200 for personal vehicles & $300 for commercial EVs.

Brionte McCorkle, a spokesperson for the Sierra Club, Georgia: “When we asked Representative Jay Roberts [the author of the bill] how he arrived at 200 dollars, he said that the average driver pays 85 dollars per year in gas taxes. He said he took that, doubled it, & rounded up.”

http://chargedevs.com/newswire/georgia-reverses-policy-on-evs-eliminating-tax-credit-and-imposing-yearly-fee/

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1097641_insult-to-injury-ga-kills-electric-car-incentive-adds-last-minute-luxury-car-tax-break

Update — On the other hand, Massachusetts has extended its EV rebate program:

http://chargedevs.com/newswire/meanwhile-massachusetts-extends-its-ev-rebate-program/ / Georgian Georgia’s legislature passed highway funding bill eliminates state $5,000 tax credit EV purchases imposes a yearly user fee personal vehicles commercial EV electric vehicle states fees for EV drivers highest in the nation legacy vehicles pay gas taxes Georgia resident gallon user fee arbitrary punitive Representative Jay Roberts average driver petrol gas taxes tax break for Mercedes employees bill Mercedes-Benz North America exempt from the state’s standard car tax Fiscal Research Center of Georgia State University legislation Governor Nathan Deal sign LiIon lithium ion battery cell Wisdom Justice Moderation /

iOS is better than Android — or not

Credit: The Gadgeteer

iOS is better than Android

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2015/04/14/julies-gadget-diary-5-reasons-why-i-think-apple-devices-are-better-than-android-devices/

Um … actually, no ... scrub that, Android is better

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2015/04/15/julies-gadget-diary-5-reasons-why-i-think-android-devices-are-better-than-apple-devices/ / mobile devices fans very vocal when chosen platform personal insult sensitive smartphones tablets Apple devices Google Android devices prefer hardware premium design platform OS operating system buy hate Apple physical design appearance tech sexy thin metal cases curved edges premium camera fingerprint scanner Retina display newest phone smartphone smart phone cool accessories app application software first add-on app application compatible iPhone iPad case cover cases platform fragmentation closed open platform too many variants hardware features specs specifications devices physical buttons devices mega pixel cameras fingerprint scanners microSD card slots Qi wireless charging replaceable battery iPhone 6 Plus 6 5S 5C button on the front volume button mute button power button consistent user interface Android devices vendors skin theme on top of the operating system Touchwiz Sense Samsung HTC user interface skin themes skins platform no consistency rigid consistency Apple devices Android users argue Apple’s walled garden boring restrictive search around apps settings waiting for carriers and vendors for OS updates new iOS version updates immediately wai various carriers vendors approve updates Verizon branded LG G3 Android 5.0 Lollipop Google Nexus devices updates Nexus 7 LTE tablet update updated version of the operating system more choices smartphone tablet microSD card slot replaceable batteries heart rate sensors built-in stylus fingerprint sensors gaming controls wireless charging IR blasters screen size storage capacity Motorola Moto X customize options customize user interface skin skinning skins install launchers customize interface install 3rd party ROMs widgets home screen NFC Near Field Communication pair devices Bluetooth speakers USB OTG On-The-Go connect standard USB keyboards flash drives mouse mice USB hubs terminal PDA /

Macbook alternatives

Credit: Wired

People have a range of different requirements for laptops. Some would actually prefer the facilities of a desktop, but need to be able to pack it away when not in use. For such users, weight is much less important & screen size & disc capacity are at a premium.

Apple’s new Macbook is aimed at users at the opposite end of the spectrum: those who value light weight, & the ability to fit into a briefcase or backpack, above all else.

On the other hand, for some users, some specs, such as the relatively slow processor, single USB-C port for i/o, & OS X itself are a barrier. Wired has some alternatives:

http://www.wired.com/2015/04/macbook-alternatives/ / Apple’s newest Macbook polarizing machine buy one sleek design tiny case mid-level specs one-port connectivity solution price tag slim fancy wedge laptop notebook note book laptop lap top Ultrabook first MacBook Air golden age of laptops uber-portable PCs solid performance impossibly slender frames weighing less than 3 pounds machine prices low consumer-friendly struggling PC business MacBook fetching design OSX OS X tack-sharp screen keyboard trackpad unique more capable affordable ultraportables core components weight price connectivity options lean-and-light heavy high octane 14-inch Razer Blade base versions MacBook Air MacBook Pro Retina Display specifications specs chart table base configurations laptop list touchscreen touch screen options screen resolution options higher-priced configuration Apple MacBook design screen resolution effortless portability Macintosh Mac OS X above-average battery life storage 1.1 GHz Core M processor price single USB-C port Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon pounds heavier priced competitor screen real estate keyboard multiple ports base configuration 2.7 GHz Intel Core i5 CPU 4GB RAM USB 3.0 ports HDMI-out Mini DisplayPort 1080p screen lower-res 157ppi. 226ppi higher-resolution touchscreen configuration ASUS Zenbook UX305 tradeoffs lower-end Core M processor 0.8GHz 1.1GHz lower-resolution 1080p display heavier load 13.3-inch 8GB RAM 256GB version three USB 3.0 ports MicroHDMI out SD card reader higher-resolution configurations Dell XPS 13 bargain power lower resolution 165ppi 226ppi storage 128GB RAM 4GB 2.1GHz Core i3 CPU ports Mini DisplayPort SD card reader touchscreen higher-resolution panel Microsoft Surface Pro 3 TypeCover lighter thinner screen resolution 64GB storage TypeCover keyboard typing accessory Samsung Ativ Book 9 MicroSD MicroHDMI Google Chromebook Pixel web apps 32GB storage Lenovo LaVie Z Razer Blade powerhouse 14-inch portable MacBook Air 11-Inch ultraportable Mac Macintosh MacBook Pro Apple laptop Macbook notebook PC /

Tesla has confirmed its first road-trip-relevant Supercharger in Austrlalia

Tesla has had two Supercharger stations within a few kilometers of one another in Sydney, NSW, for some time, & announced plans for a network linking Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane in January of this year.

Today, Tesla has confirmed the first Supercharger outside a major metropolitan centre. Eight bays!

Today we confirmed we are building a Supercharger station with 8 bays in Goulburn NSW. Free long distance travel. Let the road trips begin.

— Tesla Motors (@TeslaMotors) April 13, 2015

/ travellers car park resides panel solar grid newly constructed car port electric revolution charging stations electric cars petrol bowsers driving longer distances electric cars the way of the future electric vehicle EV new car sales figures demand for electric cars, Australia big infrastructure investment technology American electric car company Tesla 16 high-powered supercharger stations between Melbourne Brisbane 2016 stations Tesla customer travel supercharger network exceeding 140 stations established luxury brands BMW local electric market rollout free electric charging stations build it and they will come Tesla spokesman Heath Walker supercharger network hotel partnerships high powered wall units motles hotels single three phase Darling Hotel in Sydney Marriot Melbourne range anxiety high purchase prices infrastructure charging at home barrier 40 amps of power home house charge overnight up to 500km of range next morning forward thinking Elon Musk design range car charging station free for public use /

Do you dream? Why?

Some people report frequent dreams. Others claim to dream rarely. Others not at all. Do dreams have a purpose?

A number of different types of sleep are recognised. Dreaming occurs during REM type sleep, which begins some time after falling asleep. People deprived of REM sleep will begin to enter REM sleep immediately after falling asleep. Apparently, attempting to make up a REM & dreaming deficit. This implies that REM sleep & dreaming perform an important function.

Rats deprived of REM sleep for four weeks, die. Perhaps more puzzlingly, this has not been demonstrated with any other species.

Strange but true: less sleep means more dreams
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/strange-but-true-less-sleep-means-more-dreams/

Why some remember dreams, while others don't
http://www.livescience.com/38856-why-people-recall-dreams.html

People who do not dream
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/dream-catcher/201204/people-who-do-not-dream

And how much sleep do you need? Is three or four hours enough?
http://nymag.com/scienceofus/2015/02/what-its-like-to-need-hardly-any-sleep.html?mid=outbrainrc / need much less sleep than the average person short sleepers Eva Salem crocodile she woke up dreams vivid crazy active breast-feeding daughter crocodile-attack dream living on four hours of sleep a night sleep a full night dreams vivid lack of sleep soon after eyelids close sleep deprived greater sleep intensity greater brain activity during sleep dreaming definitely increased more vivid neurologist Mark Mahowald University of Minnesota director Minnesota Regional Sleep Disorders Center Minneapolis phenomenon REM rebound REM rapid eye movement darting of the eyes under closed lids dream the most brain activity resembles that of waking life muscles go slack lie paralyzed toe might wiggle essentially we can't move brain protecting body bodies acting out dreams REM four stages non-REM distinct brain wave frequency stage one of non-REM nodding off period between sleeping and waking sensation of falling into a hole stage two brain slows only a few bursts of activity brain practically shuts off stages three four shifts into slow-wave sleep heart and breathing rates drop dramatically 70 minutes non-REM sleep first period of REM lasts only five minutes total non-REM–REM cycle 90 minutes pattern repeats five times over the course of a night non-REM stages shorten REM periods grow 40-minute dreamscape just before waking study REM deprivation torturous sleep deprivation electroencephalogram subjects moving into REM wake them up psychologist Tore Nielsen director Dream and Nightmare Lab Sacré-Coeur Hospital in Montreal rob them of REM pressure for them to go back into REM starts to build go directly into REM as soon as they are asleep non-REM rebound as well brain gives priority slow-wave sleep REM states are independent of each other 2005 study published journal Sleep losing 30 minutes of REM 35 percent REM increase the next night subjects 74 minutes of REM rebound of 100 minutes dream intensity increased REM deprivation subjects quality of dreams REM deprivation subsequent rebound alcohol nicotine both repress REM blood pressure drugs antidepressants REM suppressants take away the dreams the depression lifts scary rebound persistence of REM rats are robbed of REM for four weeks die we spend 27 years dreaming average life scientists can't agree on why it's important Psychiatrist Jerry Siegel head of the Center for Sleep Research University of California Los Angeles UCLA REM nonexistent some big-brained mammals dolphins whales dying die death lack of REM species other than a rat helps regulate body temperature neurotransmitter levels evidence dreaming helps assimilate memories fetuses babies spend 75 percent of their sleeping time in REM platypuses experience more REM than any other animal Minnesota Mahowald rats run through dream mazes lab mazes some purpose meaningful information in dreams John Antrobus professor psychology sleep research City College of New York dream content tied to our anxieties extreme vividness REM rebound higher level of brain activity action-packed dreams brain interpretive organ purpose of thought /

A few things you probably didn’t know about the Apple Watch (update)

Credit: Apple/Deccan Chronicle

Did you know that there are no third party watch faces for the Apple Watch? Or that there is an ultra-low power mode that continues for hours, & only tells the time? This is, apparently, Apple’s work-around for the 19-hour battery life.

http://www.cnet.com/news/11-surprises-i-learned-about-the-apple-watch/

Update: 3,000 third party apps at release.
http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/apple-watch-app-store-launched-with-3000-apps-24-03-2015/ / Apple's Apple new watch secrets quirks tidbits wearing mystery device on sale worn wearing Apple watch review discovering surprises extremely new little tricks up its sleeve most interesting revelations third party watch faces Apple's 10 watch faces beautiful design designed Pebble Samsung Gear Google's Android Wear watches other watchfaces download install when how watchfaces sold distribute distributed distribution power reserve mode Apple Watch odd coma Apple Watch battery gets too low Power Reserve pared-down watch mode tells the time lasts for hours deactivate Power Reserve reboot start up again regain functions pay for things without Apple Pay QR codes Passbook app phone iPhone Apple Watch Starbucks card into the watch no Apple Pay required accept Apple Pay watch bands worn swapped across Apple Watch models same size fancy band Apple Watch Sport easily swappable bands work across models same-sized Apple Watch 38mm 42mm bands fit differently can't use your watch to start and stop calls on your iPhone make and answer calls on the Apple Watch hand them off to your iPhone continue the call other wireless phone-charging accessories don't work with Apple Watch Qi A4WP Alliance for Wireless Power don't charge the Apple Watch Apple's unique magnetic inductive charge cable actual Apple Watch-ready accessory Siri shortcut through the Apple Watch's many menus swiping tapping digital crown pressing and holding the crown down for Siri hey, Siri launch apps place calls dictate messages taptic Prominent Haptic vibrate vibration vibrational haptic subtle sound and haptics settings screenshots iPhone's photo library saves a backup on your phone unpair reformat wipes the data restore local backup on your phone settings apps pair external Bluetooth health device external Bluetooth heart rate monitor onboard heart rate measurement health and medical gadget wearable tech technology /

Are you addicted to your phone?

Are your sure?

How would you know?

Take the quiz:

http://dailytekk.com/2015/04/08/i-can-prove-youre-addicted-to-your-phone/?reading=continue

http://www.wikihow.com/Beat-an-Addiction-to-Cell-Phones

http://www.outlish.com/will-digital-addiction-cost-you-more-than-1500/ / devices phones tablets laptops smart watch smartwatches our gadgets lack of a phone most anguish panic we society have become serious phone addicts physical and digital lives fuse general population reads articles phones laptops desktop computers appendage accessory Internet large portion of our lives actually lived online connected disconnect disconnecting from your smartphone event sleeping questions how to tell if you’re a phone addict someone in your life complain complained spend too much time on your phone more than 60 times per day first thing you reach for in the morning before you get out of bed your phone in another room anxiety feel anxious retrieve felt bad missed something important too absorbed in your phone digital addiction check your phone in the bathroom toilet more than 25 minutes a day wasting time giving your full attention to an important conversation family friends coworkers your phone bored phone used it too much always spend the night in the same room phone close by people you’re closest to bored entertain yourself with your phone last thing you interact with at night phone constantly running out of power unhealthy dependence on your phone under the age of 40 own a smartphone definitely addicts kick your phone addiction addiction kick your phone habit don’t sleep in the same room as your phone phone’s do not disturb mode important give yourself limits conversation bathroom rearrange your phone’s app extras folder focus folder uninstall time-wasting apps games news reader programs Moment app tracks track phone usage /

Something wicked this way comes? — update

Update: And the big announcement is: Consumer Reports has taken delivery of a Tesla Model S P85D for extended testing.

Video: First impressions of our new Tesla Model S P85D on the CR test track: http://t.co/BdsUY4cLsb http://t.co/QqHyYEtdR8

— Consumer Reports (@CRcars) April 9, 2015

Something wicked this way comes 4.9.2015 07:00 EST #CRCarFest pic.twitter.com/SwClYlWqjO

— Consumer Reports (@CRcars) April 8, 2015

At the moment, it’s 04:19 EST (USA) on 04 April 2015. So, in just under 3 hours, Consumer Reports, or maybe someone else, will announce, “something wicked”.

The video in the tweet includes the tail light from a Tesla Model S & the carbon fibre spoiler option for the P85D. Consumer Reports currently has a booth at the New York Auto Show. All of this points to something automotive, most likely, Tesla automotive. But Tesla has just made a significant announcement — the 70D. A few possibilities:

● a repeat of the 70D announcement
● wider availability of P85D-only options
● improved performance for the 85D / Tesla battery range charge recharge LiIon lithium ion iron phosphate regenerative braking /

Tesla upgrades base model to 70 kWh

Tesla has just announced that its base model has just been upgraded from a 60 kWh to 70 kWh battery. Also included is:

● an upgrade to Dual motors for all wheel drive
● access to the free Supercharger network
● many of the features previously included in the tech package
● performance now slightly exceeds the standard 85

No fanfare for the apparent improvement in the 85D 0-100 kph time. As recently as last week, on the Australian site, the Model S 85D was shown as 5.4 sec for 0-100 kph (0.2 seconds faster than the 2wd 85). Today, the 85D is down to 4.6 sec. Power of the two 85 configurations are now 85 — 270 kW, & 85D — 315 kW.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1097683_breaking-new-75000-tesla-model-s-70d-awd-240-miles-of-range

https://transportevolved.com/2015/04/08/breaking-tesla-kills-entry-level-model-s-replaces-it-with-tesla-model-s-70d-makes-dual-motor-standard/

http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/08/tesla-new-model-s-70d/ / Tesla lithium ion LiIon updating lineup arbitrary model year changeovers Tesla Motors all-new Tesla Model S 70D 4WD all-wheel drive version Model S luxury sedan EPA-approved range 240 miles per charge 275 miles NEDC test cycle announcement entry-level Model S 60 EPA-approved range 208 miles per charge Model S 70D additional 32 miles range outgoing model raises entry-level price 70D best value premium sedan official press release earlier cost advantages over internal combustion engine fuel savings incentives cost of owning ownership Model S 70D single-motor Model S Tesla Model S 85 70D, 85D P85D all-wheel drive dual-motor autopilot hardware built in safety features lane departure warning automatic braking activated with Tesla’s 6.2 operating system standard additional autonomous driving features enabled in time via Tesla’s free over-the-air update system free of charge performance improved new higher-capacity model all-wheel drive optional-extra top speed has been increased 140 mph 0-60 mph dash taking place in 5.2 seconds increased battery capacity 70 kilowatt hours 60 kilowatt hours Tesla’s Supercharging network previous entry-level Model S standard on the 70D /

Solar powered bike

Credit: Solarbike/Slashgear

Photovoltaic cells in the wheels charge the torpedo-shaped battery mounted on the down tube.

Charging will be slow when riding the bike, as the angle to the Sun will be far from optimal except at sunrise & sunset, when little light will be available anyway. For this reason, it will be necessary to park the bike carefully to optimise sunlight exposure. At some latitudes, e.g. at the Equator, it will be best to lie the bike flat on the ground.

Note that full wheel covers which are part of the mounting system for the photovoltaics will improve the aerodynamics of the bike.

My guess: solar charging may make a worthwhile contribution to electric power use, depending on where & how it is parked, as well as the latitude, but plan on charging from a power point as well.

http://www.slashgear.com/solarbike-has-solar-panel-wheels-07377736/

http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/06/the-solarbike-is-a-very-real-thing/ / cities walk public transportation bicycle bike ride bikes peddling swear sweaty work electric bikes battery packs recharged Solarbike battery electric motor plugged recharge battery solar panels embedded both sides wheels parked power gathered solar panels battery solar panels sideways power solar panels face towards sun range 43 miles battery fully charged plugged in charged charging charge
/

LEAPTech — many more propellers for better performance

Credit: NASA/Wired

Aircraft create lift by driving an airfoil (wing) through the air. Airfoil & fuselage are moved through the air by an engine which creates thrust using a propeller &/or jet exhaust.

NASA’s latest research uses 18 propellers to directly drive air across the wing to generate lift. Leading Edge Asynchronous Propeller Technology — LEAPTech — is the name NASA has coined. Combustion engines are not practical for such an application, but electric motors are ideal.

At the moment, Solar Impulse 2 is part way through the first round-the-world flight by a solar-powered aircraft. It is a proof-of-concept, rather than a practical means of air travel. LEAPTech is a step towards practical electric-powered air travel.

Expected advantages include:
● shorter take off
● wings can be optimised for cruise, rather than take off & landing
● shorter (front-to-back — see image above) wing is lighter & generates less drag
● individual motors can be can run at different speeds to optimise performance



http://www.jobyaviation.com/LEAPTech/

http://www.wired.com/2015/03/nasa-straps-18-propellers-wing-science/

Follow the Solar Impulse 2 round-the-world solar-powered flight. / Solar Impulse 2 plane powered power Sun electric aircraft news journey around the world build alternative environmentally environmental green fly NASA experimental wing massive advantage exploding jet fuel batteries sky new design 18 propellers powered lithium iron phosphate batteries 31 foot wide carbon composite wing Leading Edge Asynchronous Propeller Technology project LEAPTech flight test experimental wing mounting truck dried up lakebed Edwards Air Force base California 70 mph NASA in development agency’s X-Plane program developed advanced prototype airplanes planes developed first rocket-powered airplane break the sound barrier prototypes development of the Space Shuttle propellers IEEE Spectrum blow wind directly over the wings generate lift conventional planes forward motion jet engine create lift LEAPTech take off shorter runways optimized cruising efficiency takeoff landing motor run at a different speed asynchronous optimize performance ride quality noise reduction LEAPTech new X-Plane X-57 fly at 200 mph 12,000 foot ceiling range 450 miles X-Plane aircraft vehicle new technology NASA’s real goal aviation industry electric /

Formual E, round 6, Long Beach, 04 April 2015 — video

Qualifying


Race


Complete results, including the race & qualifying:
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/results/long-beach-eprix.aspx / Formula E Long Beach California USA sixth race all electric racing series fourth race Long Beach California USA open wheeler ePrix stadium races F1 FIA electricity sport electric vehicles EV terrific acceleration pass passing possible tracks with tight corners technology range race organizers identical cars Spark-Renault SRT_01E built French company Spark Racing Technology carbon fiber aluminum chassis Dallara electric powertrain electronics McLaren Electronics Systems Williams Advanced Engineering building 200 kiloWatt battery pack batteries powertrain generate 270 horsepower five-speed paddle shift gearbox fixed gear ratios Michelin 18 inch tires wet dry conditions sound 80 decibel whine full grid 20 cars FIA Formula E strategy street courses dedicated circuits tire wear grip management battery life charge prematurely testing drivers learn knowledge teams construction constructors constructing FanBoost pit stop second fully charged car advances in battery technology battery swaps charging battery Renault Michelin DHL Qualcomm Richard Branson Virgin Racing team Leonardo DiCaprio Venturi team lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge range battery management system BMS /

April fools prank in mathematics class

In the light of such brilliance, all I can add is: over 4 million views as of this writing.

Enjoy:

/ viral youtube video maths math professor lecture professor teacher every year April Fools’ Day interesting pranks tech companies tech jokes Google fresh April Fools stunts Samsung HTC rose to the challenge interesting fake products maths math teacher Matthew Weathers in class the other day fake video tutorial showed in class character in the video gets some trigonometry wrong math teacher correct himself chaos ensues video YouTube hit 2 million views clever professor tech video you see is un-edited what the students saw in class Reddit used Adobe Premier After Effects on-screen video practiced about 20 times to get the timing right hilarious April Fools prank video /

jamstik+ ultra small guitar & MIDI controller

Credit: Zivix/GuitarPlayer





That’s most of the story above: it’s lots of fun, & jamstik+ with the right apps on your iPhone (or iPad or Mac) can make real music.

The detail

● still available on Kickstarter for $US229, as of this writing

● as with all portable devices, there is a tension between the competing requirements of portability & usability — a longer neck would be good when you’re playing, but not when trying to stuff it into your luggage

● only 5 frets, but via the D-pad, it has settings that give access to more than twice the range of a 21 fret guitar

● jamTutor is just what it says — a tutor program

● connects to iOS & OSX devices via Bluetooth LE

● overcomes the latency some users complained of in the original jamstik

● charges via supplied micro USB cable — no power adapter supplied, but you can use the adapter for your iOS device, or a USB port on your OSX device

Kickstarter page

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/80789521/jamstik-the-smartguitar

TechCrunch is enthusastic

http://techcrunch.com/2015/01/22/the-new-jamstik-is-a-musicians-best-friend/

http://techcrunch.com/2015/01/22/fly-or-die-the-jamstik/

Other reviews are generally positive

http://www.guitarplayer.com/gear/1012/jamstik-gets-serious-with-hexaphonic-pickup-and-bluetooth-capability--video/51477

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/news/general_music_news/introducing_jamstik_smartguitar_the_possible_future_of_guitars.html

An educator’s view

https://techinmusiced.wordpress.com/2015/03/25/jamstik-kickstarter-campaign-begins-today/

On the other hand

This negative review is about the original jamstick, but doesn’t mention the latency some have complained of:

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/feb/09/emmy-the-great-tries-jamstik-midi-controller / playing guitar one of the most rewarding experiences you can have listen learn make music jamstik+ jamstik+ works wirelessly iPad iPhone iPod Touch Mac Macintosh iOS OSX app apps get you playing right away so easy to use strumming your first chord included apps guide how to hold a pick correctly creating your own song fingering strum finger fret frets plectrum pick watching listening people play guitar lessons afford the lessons playing chords dream creating music a reality everyone pros YouTube sensations YOU start playing Kickstarter crowd funding funded making the jamstik+ first-time jamstik players jamstik+ senses sensors where your fingers are infrared pluck a string learning incredibly intuitive always in tune connect wirelessly iOS device via Bluetooth LE low energy download launch jamTutor app walked through a series of lessons launch jamMix just start playing everything sounds good in jamMix free companion apps jamstik+ guitar MIDI controller can sound like almost any instrument you can think of drums samples synths banjo create mix entire songs companion apps your favorite music apps like GarageBand Loopy SampleTank Ableton Live build an entire song in GarageBand with the jamstik+ infrared sensors in the fretboard detect precise variations of your fingers instant feedback no delay between what you play and what you hear traditional guitar users hands hexaphonic magnetic pickup more realistic guitar feel higher resolution signal wireless Bluetooth LE connectivity works seamlessly latest BLE MIDI Protocol supported by Apple /

No batteries, no motors, this boot allows you to walk 7% more efficiently

Credit: Gizmodo

Not quite 100% efficient, the human gait. This boot captures back 7%. Not impressed? Every little bit helps.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/04/this-exoskeleton-boot-saves-energy-in-an-ingenious-way/ / millions of years of evolution your feet not perfectly energy efficient exoskeletons exoskeletons researchers created a new boot unlike other exoskeletons makes walking more efficient without extra battery power source boot contraption reduces energy walk by about 7 per cent without a bulky battery pack power works differently from exoskeletons give you superhuman strength total energy expenditure is the same finding tiny inefficiencies correcting them human walking, optimised inefficiency muscles use energy even when they’re locked mechanical clutch Davide Castelvecchi Nature research exoskeleton structures lightweight carbon-based materials spring connects back of the foot just below the back of the knee attaches with a mechanical clutch Achilles tendon stretched clutch is engaged spring additional tendon stretches store energy standing leg pushes down push unleashing elastic energy clutch releases absorbs slack in the spring next cycle video sound like a robot squeaking through the woods researcher refine the boot energy gains regardless of speed and terrain squeakiness /

Do you want to have a better memory?

Almost everyone seems to complain about their memory. Aids, such as a diary & a notebook can help (mine are in my phone), but is there a way to improve memory itself?

An interview with Nelson Dellis, three time winner of the USA Memory Championship gives some clues, & recommends some books & websites that can help:

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2015/04/ask-an-expert-all-about-memorisation-techniques/ / memorisation techniques train yourself better memory brain games scepticism memorise memorize memory remember practising techniques help you increase your ability to recall Nelson Dellis USA Memory Championship memorising 117 faces names memorisation techniques brain health not an inherent talent Alzheimer’s disease improve memory practice Alzheimer’s research fairly good memory recall information better recall information already know improve use it or lose it memory often enough gets better wired to remember better with less effort memory exercises daily ability to recall information when you want it will improve techniques books web sites resources most useful learning retention learn retain best books Quantum Memory Power by Dominic O’ Brien Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer best websites training practice memo method students method of Loci study subjects like physics calculus chemistry list format technique math maths mathematics physics mental image memorise best way to organise structure images memory palace linked list tried a variety of techniques remember anyone’s name acute mental block word associations re-picturing events plain repeating the name a million times take people’s photo store in my phone creepy remember names focus when you meet someone choose a feature pick something distinguishing face picture name turn it into a mental picture attach the two imagine that picture name interacting with the feature be creative repeat advice kids memorise recommend imagination visually exciting silly imagery memorising kids imagine crazy silly things memorise words memorise jokes lines monologues methods this type of memorisation numbers sequences remembered actual words recite commit jokes to memory memory palace store key image images path palace order Josh Foer Ted talk speeches memorisation practice practising improve your memory nootropics brain growth memory retention practice being healthy eat well DHA Omega-3 stay fit Kwik Learning Lumosity exercises memorisation motivated /