Tesla store, Sydney Australia, 7 am

Credit: HH

Reservations for the Tesla Model 3 began in Tesla stores at start of business Thursday 31 March 2016. That meant that the first stores, world wide, to accept reservations were on the East Coast of Australia at 08:00 am local time (21:00 GMT (aka Zulu, UTC, UT1, etc,) the previous day) on Thursday 31 March.

As you can see, quite a few people arrived early. The line ran around the corner. Number 11 in the queue was a hire car driver, who arrived in a black Model S. Around an hour before the opening, he received a phone call, said, “I have a customer,” & left. Good luck for most of the queue – everyone behind him moved up a place.

How can you reserve a Tesla Model 3? Reservations begin in Tesla stores at the local time indicated above, in your time zone, so you can reserve a car any time after that. Alternatively, you can make a reservation online at Tesla.com when the live unveil starts at 8:30pm PDT 31 March. That's 3:30 am Friday 01 April 2016 GMT. / live streaming Tesla Model 3 unveil event on Tesla.com beginning at 8.30pm PDT March 31st reservations Model 3 worldwide two ways to make a reservation queue visit your local Tesla make a reservation online Tesla.com live unveil starts 8:30pm PDT March 31st 8:30 pm PDT 31 March 2016 3:30 am Friday 01 April 2016 GMT Tesla model 3 III electric car mass market car electric vehicle EV /

Apple’s new challenge – Learning how the FBI cracked its iPhone

Subtext of the Apple vs FBI case was: “No one, not even the FBI can can decrypt an iPhone.”

Now that the FBI’s has found someone, (just who, they refuse to disclose) who can decrypt it, Apple will want to restore the reputation of its devices.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/30/technology/apples-new-challenge-learning-how-the-us-cracked-its-iphone.html?mabReward=A1&moduleDetail=recommendations-0&action=click&contentCollection=Opinion®ion=Footer&module=WhatsNext&version=WhatsNext&contentID=WhatsNext&src=recg&pgtype=article

What does this mean for iPhone owners?

● rule of thumb for the security of any device, computing system, or premises – any sufficiently determined & resourced attacker will eventually overcome any security system

● if your iPhone has attracted the interest of an organisation as well resourced as the FBI, its security is under threat

● all other cases, assuming you have taken the appropriate measures, you device is secure, at least for now

● in time, Apple will upgrade iPhone security, but since the FBI isn’t saying how the San Bernardino shooter’s phone was decrypted, it is hard to see how it can ever be certain that this particular security hole has been closed

Caveat to the above: the iPhone in Apple vs FBI was a 5c – more recent devices may not be susceptible to the same hack.

View from Yahoo:
https://www.yahoo.com/politics/who-are-the-winners-and-losers-in-the-apple-v-fbi-192703478.html / United States government cracked open iPhone gunman San Bernardino California mass shooting Apple’s help tech company under pressure find fix flaw cases security vulnerabilities cropped up Apple higher set of hurdles repairing iPhone government hacked challenges start method law enforcement authorities third party break into iPhone Syed Rizwan Farook attacker San Bernardino rampage last year federal officials identify person organization helped crack the device declined specify procedure unlock decrypt hack open iPhone Apple obtain device reverse engineer hacking situations trickier Apple’s security operation in flux operation reorganized late last year manager responsible handling government’s data extraction requests left the team work in a different part of the company four current former Apple employees spoke on the condition of anonymity not authorized speak publicly changes employees tasks included hack Apple’s own products left the company cat-and-mouse game Apple engaged in with hackers hacking hacker United States government predicament for the company Apple business earn trust of its customers Jay Kaplan chief executive tech security company Synack former National Security Agency analyst fix this vulnerability as soon as possible Apple statement government filed to drop case demanding company help open Mr. Farook’s iPhone continue increase security our products threats attacks our data more frequent sophisticated Apple increase security devices company’s chief executive Timothy D. Cook Apple’s road map roadmap encrypt everything stored devices services information stored Apple’s cloud service iCloud customers back up data mobile devices Apple engineers begun developing new security measures tougher government open locked iPhone information flaw Farook’s iPhone 5C runs Apple’s iOS 9 operating system security experts how government broke into smartphone forensics experts government attacked Apple’s system method extract information protected area phone removing chip mechanism blocks password guessing user’s password unlock data authorities procedure mirrors phone’s storage chip NAND chip copied another chip NAND-mirroring F.B.I. FBI replace original NAND chip copy content tried 10 passcodes unlock phone failed generate a new copy phone’s content try another password guess restoring saved game Jonathan Zdziarski iOS forensics expert newer iPhone models less susceptible NAND-mirroring upgraded chip A7 security processor Secure Enclave unique numerical key not known essential secure securing information stored in the phone security vulnerabilities Apple products hackers mobile devices attacking Apple’s hardware software security teams Apple two main security teams group called Core OS Security Engineering product security team product security team privacy group examined data properly encrypted anonymized functions former Apple employees product security team reacted to vulnerabilities found people outside Apple proactive team RedTeam actively hack Apple products product security team broken up privacy group reporting to a new manager former employees product security proactive and reactive pieces absorbed Core OS Security Engineering team leader Core OS Security Engineering team Dallas DeAtley left security division Apple Mr. DeAtley employees government requests to extract data from iPhones Apple acquired a handful of security outfits LegbaCore found and fixed flaws for Apple departures market forces security professionals most sought-after engineers technology sector Apple’s security operation obtain information government hacked Mr. Farook’s iPhone proprietary to the company that helped the F.B.I. Stewart A. Baker lawyer at Steptoe & Johnson Department of Homeland Security’s security community researchers professionals Apple little debate everyone’s best interest Apple find out about this vulnerability Alex Rice CTO chief technology officer HackerOne security company San Francisco helps coordinate vulnerability disclosure corporations /

Tesla has removed 70 kWh battery from Model X option list

Tesla Model X
Credit: automobilemag.com

You may have seen evidence on these pages that Tesla is about to release a 100 kWh battery. One more data point is removal of the 70 kWh option from the Model X options list.

http://gas2.org/2016/03/28/tesla-drops-70-kwh-battery-model-x/

http://www.teslarati.com/tesla-removes-model-x-70-kwh-option-website/ / Telsa Model X SUV choices option list dual motor version 70 kWh battery 70D dual motor version 90 kWh battery 90D high performance dual motor version P90D P90D Tesla removed all reference 70D 90D website Teslarati all wheel drive version car no reference to battery size Tesla Tesla Motors Club forum 7% of Model X customers ordered 70 kWh battery cars manufactured make economic sense offer version few people want Tesla Model 3 rumored 60 kWh battery 200 miles of range Tesla hacker new 100 kWh battery buried deep inside the software Model S 70 kWh 90 kWh battery build stock 60 70 90 100 kWh batteries new top level battery 100 kWh unit Model X 70 kWh option new lineup 60 80 100 kWh options Tesla Model 3 battery slightly less powerful larger more profitable Model S same performance considerably less money later Model S 80 kWh battery basic option entry level Model 3 list for $35,000 rear wheel drive only dual motor all wheel drive version option buyers option choice larger battery 60 kWh entry level battery 70 kWh unit currently available in the Model S optional battery 80 kWh price increase Model S new 100 kWh battery announced new entry level battery part of the price increase price of the Model S base battery 60 kWh 70 kWh 80 kWh battery standard base Model S /

Electric vehicles are even more environmentally friendly than you thought – update

You’re probably aware of many of the environmental advantages of electric vehicles (EVs) – reduced carbon footprint, reduced air pollution etc.

But you may not have heard of their reduced heat island effect.

Heat island effect? – human activities are concentrated in urban areas. Almost all human activities produce heat – some obviously – such as household heating, some less obviously – such as household cooling. (Have you ever walked past the outside outlet of an air conditioner?) Heat released by human activity in an urban area raises the local temperature – creating a heat island.

NASA explains the heat island effect


Heat island effect leads to more air-conditioner use in hot weather – which further contributes to the heat island effect.

What internal combustion engines do best, is make heat. In practice, only about 20% of the energy in fossil fuel powers the vehicle. The remaining 80% escapes directly as heat – in urban areas, contributing to the heat island effect.

Electric motors are many times more efficient than internal combustion engines, releasing only 20% of the heat energy.

Canbing Li et. al. have shown that in Beijing, “The replacement of CVs [conventional vehicles] by EVs in 2012 could have mitigated the summer heat island intensity (HII) by about 0.94°C, reduced the amount of electricity consumed daily by air conditioners in buildings by 14.44 million kilowatt-hours (kWh), & reduced daily CO2 emissions by 10,686 tonnes.”¹

Obviously, the same principle applies to other cities too.

https://research.msu.edu/electric-vehicles-emit-significantly-less-heat/
__________

¹ Canbing Li et. al: “Hidden Benefits of Electric Vehicles for Addressing Climate Change”, published in Nature, https://www.nature.com/articles/srep09213

/ electric cars electric vehicle EV environmentally friendly benefits electric vehicle EV diminished carbon footprint less air pollution more subtle benefits as well new research Michigan State University research EVs emit less heat urban heat island effect reduced large-scale adoption of EVs phasing out heat-spewing gas-powered vehicles hot cities summer hotter global warming reduced improving livability reducing cooling bills energy use petrol gas powered vehicles switch to electrics big picture electric cars global warming study Jianguo Liu Rachel Carson Chair Sustainability Michigan State University director Center for Systems Integration and Sustainability heat waves kill climate change one degree research Professor Canbing Li Hunan University Changsha China visiting scholar conventional vehicles air conditioners biggest contributors heat island effect intensity difference between urban temperatures cooler temperatures rural areas electric vehicles are cooler 20% of the heat a gas vehicle emits researchers Beijing summer of 2012 calculate switching vehicles gas electricity reduce heat island intensity 1 degree Celsius saved Beijing 14.4 million kilowatt hours slashed carbon dioxide emissions 11,779 tons per day paper Hidden Benefits of Electric Vehicles for Addressing Climate Change effects aerosol pollution heat island intensity potential factor research new findings recently published journal Scientific Reports /

Dyson is developing an electric car

Dyson, the vacuum cleaner manufacturer, is developing an electric car – very few details are available, except:

● a single paragraph (since withdrawn) in a UK government document, saying that the government will provide some funding

● Dyson bought Sakti3, a company which has developed battery technology James Dyson described as, “breakthrough” – new battery technologies are announced every week,¹ but almost none of them are bought up by an established, engineering driven, international company

http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/24/11299802/dyson-electric-car-vacuum-UK-government

http://jalopnik.com/expensive-vacuum-maker-dyson-is-developing-an-electric-1766856309?utm_medium=sharefromsite&utm_source=Jalopnik_twitter

http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/mar/23/dyson-developing-electric-car-government-documents
__________

¹ “Elon Musk is sick of inventors pitching him the next big thing in batteries”, http://qz.com/400314/elon-musk-is-sick-of-inventors-pitching-him-the-next-big-thing-in-batteries/ / expensive vacuum cleaner maker manufacturer Dyson developing electric car electric vehicle EV battery electric vehicle BEV National Infrastructure and Delivery Plan UK United Kingdom Great Britain Infrastructure and Project’s Authority vacuum maker Dyson building car government funding Dyson develop new battery electric vehicle headquarters Malmesbury, Wiltshire secure £174m investment creating over 500 jobs engineering Dyson developing new battery electric vehicle help from public money Dyson all British developed electric vehicle Dyson developing electric car great history designing products innovative take risks decades experience designing building advanced efficient electric motors bought Sakti3 battery maker radical technology James Dyson breakthrough development /

FBI finds another organisation to unlock San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone – postpones court hearing

So the FBI postponed a court hearing in its ongoing case to force Apple to unlock an iPhone. Story is that the FBI found another organisation to unlock the phone.

A few things remain unexplained:
• the purpose of this case was widely believed to be the FBI selecting the best case to establish a precedent for forcing a tech company to decrypt a phone
• Cellebrite, the company believed to have been engaged to decrypt the iPhone, has a long standing association with the FBI – why did it take them so long to think of using Cellebrite again?

Unexplained, unless the FBI expected to lose in court.

Plus, the subtext of this case has been, “Nobody but Apple can decrypt an iPhone & they won’t do it.” And now the FBI claims it’s found someone who can & will.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/03/the-company-helping-unlock-the-san-bernardino-iphone-has-a-long-history-of-selling-gear-to-us-police/

http://fortune.com/2016/03/26/apple-fbi-tim-cook/ / company helping unlock San Bernardino iPhone long history selling gear US Police company helping FBI access San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone data USA data-extraction tools Cellebrite has been helping US law enforcement arsenal surveillance gear FBI postponed hearing yesterday force Apple write software decrypt unlock weaken security San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone unidentified outside third party solution Apple’s help Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth outside party Cellebrite forensics firm specialises getting data off mobile devices unconfirmed report not able to comment identity outside party FBI spokesperson Cellebrite cosy relationship US law enforcement Intercept catalogue government surveillance gear ACLU staff attorney Nathan Wessler Cellebrite device favourite of police departments everywhere Cellebrite making millions FBI contracts Motherboard reports
public records Cellebrite’s US subsidiary $2 million worth of purchase orders FBI purchase order agency software renewals Apple hearing was order Chicago San Bernardino FBI Cellebrite US federal contracts Drug Enforcement Agency Patent and Trademark Office US Immigrations Custom Enforcement Transportation Security Administration State Department Cellebrite’s gear high-profile terrorism cases federal agencies state local law enforcement equipment get data off mobile devices Universal Forensics Extraction Device investigative tool sophisticated surveillance technology Cellebrite gear potential abused abuse Michigan State Police Cellebrite technology access smartphone data getting a warrant ACLU records Cellebrite device usage Freedom of Information Act retrieving records cost hundreds thousands of dollars ACLU has not received records prohibitive cost Cellebrite salvage data San Bernardino shooter’s iPhone law enforcement let Apple off the hook Cellebrite a ton of positive publicity FBI avoid embarrassing precedent-setting loss in court FBI set a precedent forcing tech companies assist in investigations Pyrrhic victory for the Bureau Cellebrite company’s technology Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI frequent customer /

Encryption is a basic prerequisite for privacy & free speech – Amnesty International

Credit: http://sputniknews.com/

Apple has always pushed the view that it shouldn’t decrypt a user’s iPhone. Now Amnesty International has weighed in on Apple’s side:

“Encryption is a basic prerequisite for privacy and free speech in the digital age. Banning encryption is like banning envelopes and curtains.” – Amnesty International

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/03/amnesty-international-weighs-in-on-apple-v-fbi/

http://www.nbcnews.com/tech/apple/encryption-enabler-human-rights-amnesty-international-says-n542906

https://www.amnestyusa.org/research/reports/encryption-a-matter-of-human-rights / government attacks encryption of online communication threaten human rights around the world Amnesty International briefing tech giant Apple challenges US Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI court order provide software bypass iPhone encryption briefing encryption human rights Amnesty International’s first official stance encryption human rights people everywhere should be able encrypt their communications personal data essential protection rights privacy free speech at stake Apple case whether future administration exploit next national moment crisis access our phones target journalists persecute activists minorities Naureen Shah director of security and human rights Amnesty International USA Encryption basic prerequisite privacy free speech digital age banning encryption like banning envelopes curtains takes away basic tool keeping private life private Sherif Elsayed-Ali Amnesty International’s Deputy Director Global Issues governments undermine encryption think twice before open this Pandora’s Box weakening privacy online disastrous consequences free societies human rights activists and journalists hold our leaders to account demanding backdoors violate human rights briefing warns attempts make companies create backdoor in encryption software these measures violate international human rights law indiscriminately undermine security communications private data anyone using the software Apple v FBI case seeking access data phone may be legitimate method of accessing it require company customize software defeat its security features risks US government other governments compel technology companies modify their products weaken circumvent encryption backdoors threaten online privacy chilling effect on exercise free expression expose online communications individuals' data security threats criminals stealing credit card data Apple versus FBI case what is at stake encryption debate phone whether governments should be able dictate security of software protects privacy of millions people Sherif Elsayed-Ali Opening a backdoor security governments risks opening door cyber criminals hack phone governments world spy on repress critics US authorities force world’s biggest tech companies make products less secure danger governments around the world follow suit demand similarly intrusive powers hundreds smaller companies developing privacy technology encryption under threat online censorship surveillance growing threat human rights undermining encryption threaten freely communicate use Internet human rights activists challenge authorities journalists uncover corruption lawyers holding powerful governments to account Amnesty International countries limit encrypt communication strength of encryption allowed Cuba Pakistan India Russia Morocco Kazakhstan Pakistan Colombia banning altogether Amnesty International’s briefing limited circumstances encryption can be restricted restrictions necessary achieve legitimate end proportionate imposed blocking encryption Amnesty International calling on governments actively promote protect online communications facilitating use encryption tools services everyone means to defend themselves unauthorized access theft monitoring personal information foreign states international organisations corporations private individuals Amnesty International calling on companies provide adequate level of encryption protect personal data banning undermining encryption one clear result making us less secure undermining our privacy governments limit encryption ostensibly security reasons fails take into account serious ramifications weakening encryption online security short-sighted misguided Sherif Elsayed-Ali /

Tesla Model S P90D Ludicrous top speed & acceleration test on the Autobahn (video)

Tesla’s Model S P90D is software-limited to 250 kph (155 mph). In Ludicrous mode, it gets there in around 29 seconds, so the movie below is quite short.



http://electrek.co/2016/03/23/tesla-model-s-p90d-ludicrous-top-speed-acceleration/ / Tesla Model S 0 to 60 mph acceleration tests car top speed 155 mph 250 km/h speedometer turns red approaching top speed logistics testing vehicle speed roads tracks fun quick test legal legality AutoTopNL Autobahn 2016 Tesla Model S P90D Ludicrous mode about 29 seconds Tesla 20% faster standard Model S Performance Model S top speed software-limited 155 mph battery lithium ion LiIon charge supercharger fast charge /

Rockefeller Family Fund divesting from fossil fuels

“While the global community works to eliminate the use of fossil fuels, it makes little sense—financially or ethically—to continue holding investments in these companies. There is no sane rationale for companies to continue to explore for new sources of hydrocarbons. The science and intent enunciated by the Paris agreement cannot be more clear: far from finding additional sources of fossil fuels, we must keep most of the already discovered reserves in the ground if there is any hope for human and natural ecosystems to survive and thrive in the decades ahead.”

“We would be remiss if we failed to focus on what we believe to be the morally reprehensible conduct on the part of ExxonMobil. Evidence appears to suggest that the company worked since the 1980s to confuse the public about climate change’s march ...” – Rockefeller Family Fund

http://www.rffund.org/divestment / decision to divest The Rockefeller Family Fund proud announce intent divest from fossil fuels as quickly as possible complications of modern finance increasingly dominated alternative investments hedge funds global community eliminate the use of fossil fuels makes little sense financially ethically continue holding investments companies no sane rationale continue explore new sources hydrocarbons science intent enunciated Paris agreement finding additional sources of fossil fuels must keep most of the already discovered reserves in the ground human and natural ecosystems survive thrive remiss morally reprehensible conduct ExxonMobil evidence company worked since the 1980s confuse public climate change’s march spending millions fortify infrastructure climate change’s destructive consequences track new exploration opportunities Arctic’s ice receded appropriate authorities company violated any laws as a matter of good governance cannot be associated company exhibiting apparent contempt for the public interest Board instructed its advisors eliminate holdings of ExxonMobil all coal tar sands companies portfolio exposures investment entire portfolio Family Fund’s Finance Committee divestment work suitable alternatives Socially Responsible Investing options oil industry ExxonMobil past time for all people of good will goodwill deep interdependence between humanity’s future and the health of our natural systems /

Chain Monkey delivers consistent chain tension for motorcycles & karts (video)

Chain Monkey for karts
Credit: Tru-Tension

How-to for motorcycles



How-to for karts



More

http://www.gizmag.com/chain-monkey-review/42441/

https://biker47.com/chain-monkey-review/ / Chain Monkey takes the guesswork out of motorcycle chain adjustment dirty work adjusting motorcycle chains kart go kart gokart go-kart bike clean cleaned trial and error back and forth right amount of chain slack this jigger helps Chain Monkey clamps onto chain gives correct chain tension first time every time simple effective good idea adjusting your motorcycle chain a bit of stuffing around play with the adjusters check the slack repeat until fingers thoroughly blackened chain lube sprocket grime Triumph Speed Triple single-sided swingarm adjusting collar behind the sprocket carrier adjusted by tiny degrees takes quite a bit of effort to move easy to overshoot the mark adjust the chain a lot Speed Triple this device garage Chain Monkey very simple idea ensures consistent correct chain tension every time work out what setting you need chain amount of slack needed settings designed deliver precision set the Chain Monkey setting wind up little rubber ring to act as a stop clamp it onto chain wind it up stop puts a little bend in the chain adjust the chain until you can't tighten it any more take the chain monkey off perfect amount of chain slack simple consistent effective rubber ring stop isn't the best solution slip replace rubber ring nylock threaded nut Tru-Tension go-kart version Chain Monkey simple jigger good idea very handy chain adjusting /

When is Easter?

Credit: Android Central

Have you noticed
● Easter is on a different weekend each year
● there’s often a full moon just before Easter

● there’s a full moon right now (10:25 GMT 23 March – may not be visible, depending on where in the world you live)

● Easter is this weekend?

When is Easter? – simple answer
Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon on, or after, 21 March each year. Other days of Easter are positioned around the date of Easter Sunday – Easter Friday (Good Friday etc.) is two days before – Easter Monday the day after, etc.

Applying this rule to 2016
● today is Wednesday 23 March
● today is a full moon

● so Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after today – Sunday 27 March 2016

Earliest possible Easter Sunday
“In 1818, as a paschal full moon fell on Saturday March 21 (the Spring Equinox), Easter was the following day – Sunday March 22 – the earliest date possible. It will not fall on this date again until 2285, a span of 467 years.” – Wikepedia¹

Latest possible Easter Sunday
“In 1943 a full moon fell on Saturday March 20. As this was before the Equinox the next full moon, which fell on Sunday April 18, determined the date of Easter – the following Sunday, April 25. It will not fall on this date again until 2038, a span of 95 years.” – Wikepedia²

When is Easter? – complex answer
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecclesiastical_full_moon
__________

¹ “Ecclesiastical full moon”, “Earliest Easter”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecclesiastical_full_moon#Earliest_Easter

² “Ecclesiastical full moon”, “Latest Easter”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecclesiastical_full_moon#Latest_Easter / ecclesiastical full moon 14th day ecclesiastical lunar month ecclesiastical moon) ecclesiastical lunar calendar ecclesiastical lunar calendar spans the year lunar months 30 29 days approximate observed phases of the moon true synodic month length vary 29.27 29.83 days moment of astronomical opposition 14.75 days after the previous conjunction sun moon 28 days lunar month ecclesiastical full moons Gregorian lunar calendar dates of astronomical opposition day beginning midnight at 0 degrees longitude within a day or so astronomical opposition single moment entire earth hour and day opposition measured having taken place vary with longitude ecclesiastical calendar 14th day of the lunar month reckoned in local time considered day of the full moon at each longitude schematic lunar calendars get out of step with the moon checking their performance compare variation astronomical new moon standard time of 6 A.M. last day of a 30 day month 6 P.M. end of day last day of a 29 day month medieval period age of the ecclesiastical moon announced daily office of Prime reading of the martyrology Book of Common Prayer Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States of America dates paschal full moons 19 years Gregorian Easter cycle Golden Number date in March or April paschal full moon falls year of the cycle practice some editions Book of Common Prayer of the Church of England /

Bumprz anti-case for iPhone 5 & 6 (video)

Bumperz 2 fitted to iPhone 6
Credit: Case of Steel/Kickstarter

A case is a good way to protect your expensive smartphone against an unsympathetic world, but some users prefer to take the risk with a naked device. If you incline towards this view, & own an iPhone in the 5 or 6 families, you might like to take a look at Bumprz.

Check this drop test video of Bumprz for the iPhone 5 family



Bumprz 2 for iPhone 6 family is funding now on Kickstarter. As of this writing, there are still 2 left for $15. If you miss out, expect to pay $20. One other thing – Bumperz 2 will only proceed to production if at least $15,000 is pledged by Saturday 26 Mar 2016 3:00 PM US AEDT. At this time, only a little over $10,000 has been pledged. So if you are thinking about it, don't think too long.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bumprz/bumprz-2-freedom-for-your-iphone-6-family-get-your/description

Review of pre-production Bumprz 2
http://the-gadgeteer.com/2016/03/20/bumprz-2-anti-case-for-iphone-66splus-review/#more-195865

Bumprz (the original) for the iPhone 5 family is available from the manufacturer
https://caseofsteel.com/what-is-bumprz/ / BUMPRZ 2 anti-case iPhone 6 6s Plus review case dangers clumsiness cover iPhone beautiful design iPhones hide elegance drop buy insurance two competing primary values risk avoidance BUMPRZ protection safety fall falling phone lands on a corner damage falls shatter shattering screen protecting corner corner of the screen prevent nearly all damage falls drops BUMPRZ 2 Kickstarter campaign iPhone 6 all variations 300 supporters $10,000 toward their $15,000 goal campaign product, so if you are thinking about it, don’t put off pledging pledge test sample original BUMPRZ Kickstarter campaign iPhone 5 5s campaign, 1,000 backers pledged rewards campaign samples attention to detail sample Bumprz cleaning pad adhesive phone pre-production sample plastic covering adhesive installed BUMPRZ mounting guide instructions application instructions BUMPRZ corner of the phone smart phone smartphone BUMPRZ video correct bumper correct corner install installed protection corner of the screen antenna area on the back of the phone cover the corner of the screen affix BUMPRZ adhesive black stretched stuck to the phone stretched adhesive provides a substantial amount of shock absorption solid metal BUMPR spreading the shock provide strong drop protection Case of Steel free replacements 3 colors black space gray silver gold bronze copper Kickstarter campaign /

Everything Apple announced on Monday 21 March (video)

iPhone SE
Credit: Apple/digitallife.gr

iPhone SE
4-inch screen
12-megapixel camera shoots 4K video
A9 processor
CPU & GPU performance similar to 6s
TouchID sensor
Supports Apple Pay
16 or 64 GB
no mention of 3D Touch

9.7 inch iPad Pro
iPad Pro in iPad Air size package

supports iPad Pro accessories, including Pencil, keyboard cases

True Tone display adjusts colour temperature to match the colour temperature of ambient light – analogous to the way this & other devices adjust screen brightness to match ambient brightness

12-megapixel camera with LED flash

iOS 9.3

numerous relatively minor enhancements to to existing features

Night Shift mode is new – adjusts screen to a warmer colour temperature at night

Apple Watch
new bands
reduced starting price for 38mm model

New tvOS
easier onscreen text

Siri supports voice dictation – including passwords & App Store searches

folders
iCloud photos on your tv

Security
Tim Cook took took the opportunity to re-iterate Apple’s commttment to customer security



http://www.wired.com/2016/03/everything-apple-announced/?mbid=nl_32116

http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/21/11255472/apple-iphone-se-ipad-pro-event-recap-highlights

https://www.apple.com/apple-events/march-2016/ / Apple Tim Cook announcement keynote key note Apple CEO Tim Cook stage Apple's Cupertino campus introduce smaller four inch screen version iPhone iPhone SE thinner faster bigger iPhones original 3.5-inch display iPhone 6S Plus 5.5-inch screen Apple announced new iPhone smaller new iPad Pro new Watch bands software updates event previewing Apple's court battle FBI Tuesday 22 March 2016 iPhone encryption big announcement smaller iPhone SE 4 inch iPhone updated internals iPhone 5S Apple's 4-inch phone same processor graphics performance iPhone 6S Apple A9 chip doubles speed iPhone 5S Hey Siri hands-free voice assistant 12MP camera shoots 4K video NFC chip inside smart phone smartphone work with Apple Pay smaller iPhone appeal fans more pocketable devices 4 inches smaller Apple customers have resisted upgrading recent 4.7 inch 5.5 inch smartphones Mixpanel 16 GB iPhone SE orders Apple's other big hardware news iPad Pro smaller iPad Pro new 9.7-inch version many of the same powerful features larger 12.9-inch Pro model A9x chip screen less reflective brighter more color saturation pros primary work device true tone display measures color temperature ambient light new light sensors adjusts screen colour temperature smaller iPad Pro Apple Pencil stylus new line of snap on keyboards original iPad Pro cameras tablets new iPad Pro 12-megapixel camera LED back-facing flash tablet 32 GB Wi-Fi version 129 GB model new larger 256 GB option silver gold space gray rose gold grey Apple Watch cheaper more colorful Apple AAPL Tech30 Apple Watch Tim Cook new line of straps wearable new woven nylon bands space black Milanese Loop additional sport leather bands variety of colors colours Apple dropped price Watch smaller small Apple sold 30 million four inch iPhones smaller cheaper iPhone software updates latest version Apple mobile operating system iOS 9.3 available starting today key new features Night Shift adjusts screen late night reading better sleep finger print lock top secret documents Notes app small update Apple TV OS folders apps Siri voice dictation new health related jSDK CareKit personal care apps app help patients application partnership medical centers monitoring Parkinson's encryption iPhone SE Watch announcement Cook encryption iPhone customers deeply personal device iPhone power government should have our data our privacy responsibility /

SCAMP – Stanford Climbing Aerial Maneuvering Platform (video)

SCAMP climbing a wall
Credit: Stanford University

A major use of drones is for surveillance, where their ability to fly & hover, can provide unique video coverage. Downside is high energy consumption, which limits endurance. SCAMP is able to maximise run-time by landing on a wall or other convenient structure, perching, climbing up, down, or across the wall, as necessary, to optimize camera angle or signal (for video feed or control).



More:

http://www.engadget.com/2016/03/18/stanford-scamp-robot/

http://bdml.stanford.edu/Main/MultiModalRobots#SCAMP / Stanford's SCAMP robot fly climb perch on walls perfect drone for surveillance missions Stanford's SCAMP quadcopter fly hover in the air Stanford Climbing and Aerial Maneuvering Platform perch on climb walls like insect team university's Biomimetics and Dexterous Manipulation Lab learned previous projects create machine projects Stickybot robotic wall-climbing gecko team climbing technology developed Stickybot version modified faster greater ability to maneuver modifications designing drone take longer steps adding microspines feet similar praying mantis robot can climb walls perch SCAMP can stick wall long periods without falling off team climbing mechanism on top of the quadrotor press its body against the surface more stability slips walking up drone briefly switches on its rotors stay perched vertical surfaces drone save energy stop taking videos images first responders military team SCAMP extend mission anywhere improve machine research perching climbing robots quiet fixed-wing gliders /

Domino’s has delivered pizza by robot

Credit: indiansnews.com/

Drones as delivery robots have been mooted by a number of companies, including Flirtey Zookal & Amazon.

But drones are not a good mix with human beings, as some have found to their cost, including 18-month-old Oscar Webb, when he had an eye sliced in half by a drone.

Much of the danger of drones is due to the relative instability of flight, & propellors spinning at thousands of rpm. A robot with wheels would eliminate those dangers, & that is what Domino's used for its first trial delivery in New Zealand on 08 March 2016.



http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/03/dominos-pizza-delivery-robot/ / pizza delivery boys girls beware pizza giant Domino’s autonomous pizza delivery robot trialled New Zealand unveiled Domino’s Robotic Unit DRU announced bot already carried out its first successful pizza delivery March 8 DRU autonomous delivery vehicle statement website vehicle development commercialisation Domino’s Australia based skunkworks DLab promotional video DRU uses software developed Australian military contractor Marathon manufactures autonomous robots obstacle avoidance capabilities feature incorporated DRU Domino’s dodge hurdles using on-board sensors autonomous four-wheeler one metre tall two different compartments keep beverages cool pizzas hot customers can unlock order specific code delivery within 20 kilometres from the store battery charge designed move both footpaths and roads /

What killed your smartphone?

Credit: techandroid.net

Check the article below about the threats to your smartphone. Comments are useful reading too.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2016/03/17/what-is-the-worst-thing-to-happen-to-your-mobile-phone/

Take home message from the article above, is that the major dangers to your phone are being dropped onto a hard surface, or submerged under water.

So, what can you do?

Drop protection – a good case. Most cases are not good when it comes to impact protection. Most only offer protection against abrasion & very short falls onto a hard surface. Unfortunately, the most likely falls are from waist height. Otterbox’s Defender is the only case I have used which can reliably protect against falls from waist height onto a hard surface. They are also available for a wide range of phones. Biggest disadvantage is that they add more to the bulk of a phone than other, less protective cases.

https://www.otterbox.com/

I also hear good things about LifeProof cases, which also claim to be waterproof. LifeProof was acquired by Otterbox in 2013¹.

https://www.lifeproof.com/

Cases can also protect against drops by preventing the drop altogether – phones constructed of metal & glass are popular, but are relatively slippery. Most cases are grippier than a bare phone.

Water protection is more difficult. LifeProof, mentioned above, are the only waterproof cases I am aware of. Samsung’s S5 & S7 phones are themselves waterproof. As an older model, the S5 is now available quite cheaply, & the S7 is the very latest.


__________

¹ “LifeProof”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LifeProof / smartphone with a broken screen smartphones bigger bezels smaller glass plastic screens glass area larger screen easier to hold onto thin light devices recent study Verizon Wireless KRC Research mobile phone owners lost broken devices survey conducted consumers mobile phone users lost broken mobile devices results survey mobile phone owners dropped damaged phone throwing sitting on it respondents broken phone driving over it submerging damaged at home bathrooms study mobile phone owners drop handsets once a week some demographics more buttery-fingers millennials drop mobile phones twice as many times previous generations survey parents more likely lose break devices don’t have children embarrassing survey participants broken phone embarrassing smartphone-damaging story /

BMW & Nissan in talks to join all-electric Formula E racing series

Credit: aficioncentral.com

Negotiations are in progress for BMW & Nissan, to join Jaguar, in Formula E for the 2016-2017 season.

http://www.theverge.com/2016/3/16/11246782/bmw-nissan-formula-e-manufacturers-electric-racing

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/123280 / BMW Nissan join Formula E global all-electric racing series started in 2014 manufacturers teams series third season BMW's motorsport division series drivers swap cars mid-race battery capacity Formula E implementing a single-car format series fifth season Nissan fact-finding mission series long-term motorsport strategy Formula E organizers series manufacturers 10 teams spec car inaugural season teams develop new drivetrain components cars including electric motor inverter gearbox transmission rear suspension open competition attracted international manufacturers Renault Citroën Mahindra McLaren Jaguar joining the series season three teams begun developing cars third season BMW Nissan develop drivetrain technology join the series partner with existing teams Formula E CEO Alejandro Agag series manufacturers /

Apple vs FBI iPhone encryption – new perspectives

The Apple vs FBI iPhone encryption case has many facets, both technical & ethical, but, just in case you thought you finally had your head around all of the issues, here are a couple of other things to consider:

At least some Apple engineers would rather quit than develop an iPhone backdoor for the FBI
https://bgr.com/2016/03/18/iphone-hacking-apple-engineers-fbi/

Florida sheriff on Tim Cook – “I’d lock the rascal up.”
http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2016/03/florida-sheriff-pledges-to-arrest-ceo-tim-cook-if-apple-resisted-cooperation/ / Florida sheriff pledges arrest CEO Tim Cook Apple resists crypto cooperation Apple wouldn't comply court order sheriff vows lock the rascal up Florida sheriff threatened arrest Apple CEO Tim Cook situation similar Apple's resistance government pressure ongoing San Bernardino terrorism investigation jurisdiction government obtained unprecedented court order All Writs Act obscure 18th-century statute compel Apple help order legal challenges Apple forced create customized iOS firmware remove passcode lockout seized iPhone 5C Apple court filings fight order drawn support cryptographers tech companies husband survivor of the attack press conference Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd detectives passcodes unlock phones Apple’s refusal create custom-firmware FBI brute-force seized iPhone 5C San Bernardino sheriff federal judge state judge above the law CEO of Apple not above the law United States locked iPhones Cook being put behind bars contempt of court order this county state attorney's office prosecute judge lock the rascal up Judd Apple comment Apple legal wrangling FBI mobile encryption Department of Justice DoJ compel Apple hand over iOS source code electronic signature run modified version of iOS iPhone Tim Cook FBI Apple Tim Cook encryption FBI’s FBI Apple’s Apple engineers FBI creating an entirely new version of iOS backdoor engineers rather quit Apple create code moral compass Apple employees law enforcement authorities balk at the work quit undermine security software current former Apple employees engineers tasked with the job FBI prevail in court Apple’s top software engineers engineer who developed software for the iPhone iPad Apple TV engineer senior quality-assurance engineer expert bug catcher testing Apple products iPod employee security architecture operating systems iPhone Mac Apple TV Apple FBI court /

Hautlence Labyrinth watch

Hautlence Labyrinth watch
Credit: PortalGram

Smartwatches take a conventional timepiece & add features.

Luxury Swiss watchmaker, Hautlence, had a different idea: ditch the timekeeping function & add – a labyrinth.

And only $US12,000!

Not convinced?

18k gold ball!

Still not convinced?

Hautlence explains it this way:



http://toyland.gizmodo.com/12-000-labyrinth-maze-watch-doesnt-even-tell-the-time-1764729636 / play games wrist feature smartwatches smartwatch smart-watch smart watch Swiss watchmaker Hautlence peculiar piece Playground Labyrinth tiny 18k gold ball navigated around complicated maze moving your wrist ball destination falls through tiny hole into watch’s inner workings turning Playground Labyrinth crown wheel dial side activates hidden mechanism brings ball up through another hole start of the maze watch’s dial retrieve that tiny ball how do you wind it Playground Labyrinth doesn’t actually tell time keeping mechanism roughly $12,000 Hautlence simple ball maze flashy upgrades what time it is smartphone /

HitchHiker's Guide 2 Tech turns 5!

Credit: bluewallpaperbackground.weebly.com/

Yes, HitchHiker's Guide 2 Tech has turned 5!

First post was on 16 March 2011, an article titled: “Cold Fusion – Didn't we do this already?” My article took a cautious approach to renewed claims on this topic, & despite many changes in energy production, management & use, in the intervening five years, cold fusion has yet to be demonstrated.

Check it out at http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2011/03/cold-fusion-didnt-we-already-do-this.html

In those 5 years, there has been at least one post every day – over 7,800 in total, & just short of 150,000 page views.

Check back tomorrow – new material every day! / blog 5th fifth 5 five birthday years /

Protect your packages with Package Guard – video

Credit: Package Guard

Package Guard is pretty much just what its name says. Its purpose is to prevent theft of parcels left at your front door. As implied in the image above, it depends on the delivery driver placing the parcel on the Package Guard. Anyone else seeing a problem?

When a parcel is placed on the device, it notifies you, &/or others you choose, via email or SMS. If the parcel is removed without disarming the Package Guard, it sounds an alarm & sends another notification.

Although the video below indicates that the Package Guard can protect more than one package if they are stacked on top of each other, some further potential problems suggest themselves:

● once the first package is placed on the Package Guard, the instruction about package placement will be wholly or partly covered

● if large package(s) is/are placed on top of smaller ones, the stack may become unstable & fall, triggering the alarm

● a helpful delivery driver may try to stabilise an unstable stack by re-arranging the packages & trigger the alarm

As of this writing, you can still reserve a Package Guard on Kickstarter with a $50 pledge.

Kickstarter project at:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/packageguard/the-package-guard/rewards / Package Guard protects your delivered delivery driver unattended packages thieves Package Guard Frisbee-sized alarm device sits at your front door clear delivery location UPS FedEx DHL United States Post Office other courier services PLACE PACKAGE HERE delivery safely delivered Package Guard alarm armed remove package disarm disable reply replying text email with OFF remove removes your items armed Package Guard sets off alarm similar car fire alarm device attached semi-permanent hard surfaces use a screw steal thief theft package device device pressure attach surface integrate major surveillance camera brands picture of the thief share with police Facebook warn neighbors growing problem package packages parcels delivered package theft crime criminal crimes commit inexpensive solution Package Guard solution demo demonstration video funds device IOS app backers Kickstarter app Package Guard using existing technologies /

Australia’s Environment Minister claims “peak emissions” – "No" say climate experts

Australia’s Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, claimed on ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) radio this morning that Australia, “... reached peak emissions in 2005-06 ... & the course of history to come for Australia is that we will continue to be below that figure.”

Brought responses including:

● “... there is no peak in sight … Australia’s emissions growth rate is projected to be among the highest of all developed countries.” – Hugh Grossman, Executive Director of RepuTex

● “Australia’s emissions have been rising for the past two years, land clearing is escalating in Queensland & New South Wales, there are big question marks over the future of the emissions reduction fund & we have a wet lettuce safeguards policy & no limits on coal-fired electricity generation.” – John Connor, Chief Executive of the Climate Institute

● “And Australia's fossil fuel emissions continue to rise, jumping 3% in the 2014-15 year – unlike the European Union & the US, whose emissions have genuinely peaked.” – Climate Council

● “There is no time to waste. Every year that we don’t significantly reduce fossil fuel emissions matters. We cannot solve climate change through questionable carbon accounting that hides increases in fossil fuel emissions." – Prof. Will Steffen, Australian National University

More:

Australian emissions rising towards historical highs and will not peak before 2030, analysis finds –
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/australian-emissions-rising-towards-historical-highs-and-will-not-peak-before-2030-analysis-finds-20160131-gmhw7y.html

Greg Hunt's claim of 'peak emissions' attacked by climate experts –
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/mar/15/greg-hunts-claim-carbon-emissions-have-peaked-attacked-by-climate-experts

Peak emissions?! Tell him he's dreamin' – http://www.climatecouncil.org.au/peak-emissions-greg-hunt / climate change carbon dioxide CO2 global warming Greg Hunt claim peak emissions attacked climate experts Australia’s emissions almost certainly rise policies that don’t put limits increases from industry experts expressed deep scepticism prediction environment minister Greg Hunt Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions peaked 10 years ago peak emissions Hunt told ABC’s AM program best estimate surpass 2005 levels best judgment advice information department peak emissions 2005-06 history Australia below that figure government’s most recent forecast projected emissions 2020 emissions slightly below 2005 levels emissions rising 560m tonnes 2014–15 593m tonnes 2019–20 level slightly below 2005 highs government projections following decade until 2030 showed emissions rising latest data longer-term predictions government’s Direct Action policies independent experts predict Australia’s emissions rise under current policies limits on emission increases industry electricity generation land-clearing deeply sceptical Hunt’s peak emissions in 2005 claim Hugh Grossman executive director RepuTex analysis government’s own data Australia’s emissions would continue to grow no peak in sight latest government figures showed emissions growing again Australia’s emissions growth rate among the highest of all developed countries almost all developed economies have begun to cut their emissions China United States Australia’s national emissions remain on a growth pathway exceed historic high no peak emissions RepuTex analysis government’s figures national emissions growth continue to rise climate policies emissions reduction fund Australia’s projected emissions growth projected net increase in emissions 2020 Australia’s calculated abatement task actual national emissions government policy government’s updated estimates strong upward trajectory chief executive of the Climate Institute John Connor extraordinary comments Greg Hunt enormous credibility gap government’s current policies Australia’s emissions rising for the past two years land clearing escalating Queensland New South Wales future of the emissions reduction fund safeguards policy no limits on coal-fired electricity generation safeguards policy stop increases industrial emissions imposes very few limitations emissions peaked decline government’s current policies government spending $2.5bn buy emissions reductions Direct Action policy review policy next year /

Tesla Model S racing series

Credit: Tesla/autogazette.de

We’ve all seen the endless parade of Tesla Model S cars at the drag strip on YouTube. Now get ready for Tesla Model S circuit racing – the Electric GT World Series.

For now, it will be a one-model series – Tesla Model S P85+. All teams are required to enter two cars. This may be following the Formula One model – two cars, two drivers from each team, but is more likely to be following the Formula E model – two cars for each driver, with a car swap around half way, to avoid charging or battery swapping. It’s worth noting, though, that the Tesla Model S was designed to permit battery swapping.

Modifications will be permitted to aerodynamics, suspension, brakes & weight. Motor, control software & battery will be stock, apart from battery cooling.

Battery cooling? While the battery cooling system of the Model S is adequate for any legitimate road use, or even drag racing, sustained high power demands lead to the battery overheating, & reduced power mode. This has been demonstrated at the Nurburgring race circuit. Text & video at:

https://jalopnik.com/heres-what-a-tesla-model-s-can-do-around-the-nurburgrin-1600644908

Another possibility is that battery temperature may become another parameter to be balanced against speed, as happens in other forms of motor racing with brake wear, tyre wear, fuel consumption & engine durability.

Long term, the plan is to open up the series to other makes, but for now, there's nothing that can keep up with a Tesla Model S.

http://arstechnica.com/cars/2016/03/tesla-model-s-electric-gt-racing-series/

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/03/the-electric-gt-world-series-will-use-teslas-model-s/

http://www.slashgear.com/tesla-model-s-sedans-to-finally-race-each-other-in-new-ev-series-12431258/ / Tesla Model S racing series Electric GT World Series grid modified Model S zero-emissions GT road car based racing championships begin 2017 car grid Tesla Model S P85+ new championship Electric GT World Series seven-race season 2017 races Europe America Asia organisers tracks used Barcelona Spain Donington UK Mugello Italy Estoril Portugal 10 teams team two modified Tesla Model S P85+ road cars power unit control software unchanged standard road car 416hp horsepower 601Nm torque changes aerodynamics suspension brakes more suitable for racing car's weight reduced tearing out unneeded upholstery battery's cooling system improved drivers foot on the throttle longer Agustin Paya professional racing driver promoter Electric GT World Series P85+ rear-wheel-drive newer P90D all-wheel-drive chosen more suitable for racing easier to fix in a pinch drivers prefer RWD track future Formula E plan Electric GT World Series allow range different cars grid Tesla Model S one of the best cars ever made best 100 percent electric cars luxurious super tourer made for racing weight distribution low centre of gravity considerable mass more than two tons allows unbelievable cornering speed unending torque add up great racing car testing Barcelona Catalunya F1 Circuit Madrid Jarama circuit Model S GT champion Electric GT pull in the punters Formula E engine noise Model S much larger battery Formula E cars car-switching battery back swapping races last more than 100 or 150 miles Tesla racing exciting techies Teslaphiles tune in favourite car electric race car racing car lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge range /

2012 Chevrolet Volt – 300,000 miles – no battery degradation

Erick Belmer, his daughter & the 300,000 mile Chevrolet Volt
Credit: Erick Belmer/InsideEVs

Longevity of electric vehicle batteries has been queried, not only by the naysayers. Well here is a data point for all interested parties:

On 06 March, Erick Belmer posted on a Volt owners' group on Facebook that his 2012 Chevrolet Volt had passed 300,000 miles (483,000 km), 103,000 miles (166,000 km) on battery. Just as importantly – no detectable loss of battery capacity or range!


Credit: Erick Belmer/Green Car Reports

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1102736_durable-2012-chevrolet-volt-300000-miles-no-battery-loss

https://www.facebook.com/groups/chevyvoltowners/permalink/1142935922385698/ / electric cars hybrid expensive high-voltage battery packs last the life of the car electric vehicle ev thousands of dollars cost evidence hybrids largely positive less evidence for electric cars Erick Belmer's 2012 Chevrolet Volt range extended electric car 300,000 miles last week posted to a Volt Owner's Group Facebook shows no apparent degradation battery capacity electric range 35 miles that model year 140 comments 800 Likes consensus among owners Volt hugely durable battery electric mode recharge their Volts Ol' Sparkie more than one-third of the total miles grid power 103,000 300,000 miles petrol gas gasoline Volt combined 37-mpg EPA rating cutting fuel costs substantially commute from Bellville Ohio GM's assembly plant Lordstown Ohio local GM factory minimize total commute costs high miles 2012 Volt GM employee discount 300,000 miles four-year-old Volt battery cell LiIon lithium ion charge recharge range /

Formula E, season 2, round 5, Mexico City, Mexico – video – update

Race starts 16:00 (4pm) Saturday 12 March, Mexico City time.

Race timetable
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/calendar/2016-mexico-city/mexico-city-timetable.aspx

Race preview


Update – Race highlights


Complete results, including race & qualifying
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/all-results/season-2/mexico-city-eprix.aspx

Driver standings
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/all-results/season-2/driver-standings.aspx

Team standings
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/all-results/season-2/team-standings.aspx / Formula E all electric racing series Formula E, season 2, round 5, Mexico City, Mexico – live video ePrix stadium races F1 FIA electricity sport electric vehicles EV terrific acceleration pass passing possible tracks with tight corners technology range race organizers 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 /

Tesla has a secret – wanna see?

Seems a Tesla owner & hacker named Jason Hughes has been investigating the Tesla Model S operating software, found something interesting, & decided to share it in this cheeky tweet:

@elonmusk @teslamotors #tesla I know your secret. SHA256 of best part: 5fc38436ec295b0049f186651ebba5fd55e8d7b81eb61cbd00d3f1bf18dd9c81

— Jason Hughes (@wk057) March 4, 2016

So, what is the secret, & why is a string of gibberish the, “best part”?

Actually, it's gibberish only to human eyes – soon after, this was posted on a Tesla Motors Club discussion thread:


Check the "Result" at the tight hand end
Credit: Tesla Motors Club

P100D? Well, a P85D was a performance version of the Tesla Model S with dual motors (i.e. 4WD) & 85 kWh battery. P90D is similar, but with a larger 90 kWh battery. So a P100D is ...

More:
http://electrek.co/2016/03/04/tesla-os-hacker-model-s-p100d/ / Tesla discontinued Model S 85 kWh battery pack automaker’s next battery upgrade company offers the battery packs highest most energy capacity electric cars on the market cryptic message Elon Musk best clue next improvement higher-end version Model S secret tweet notorious Model S hacker Jason Hughes Tesla community salvaging two Tesla Model S battery packs massive energy storage system off-grid residential solar installation Tesla stationary energy storage products latest project hacking operating system salvaged Model S posts tidbit information Tesla car thread Tesla Motors Club TMC forums information TMC tweet Tesla CEO Elon Musk cryptographic hash functions TMC members trial and error hash cracker decoded value original hash string is P100D hacking Model S Tesla working 100 kWh battery pack performance dual motor Model S references P100D firmware badges badge getting close to release significant 11% increase capacity 90 kWh pack introduced Tesla last year 8% increase battery capacity Tesla industry every year translate increased capacity range full charge energy density improvements add more cells current Model 90D can travel 288 miles single charge performance version Tesla P100D releasing 100D version EPA rated range over 300 miles option Model X 70D 90D P90D Tesla hacker automaker car software /

Wired's best line

At the bottom of a Wired post entitled:

“Never Mind Trump. The Internet Wants to Watch What’s Behind Him”

This:

‘Correction at 9:58 a.m. on 3/09/2016: Due to an oversight involving a haphazardly-installed Chrome extension during the editing process, the name Donald Trump was erroneously replaced with the phrase “Someone With Tiny Hands” when this story originally published.’

See the Wired article at:
http://www.wired.com/2016/03/chris-christie-marginal-media/?mbid=nl_3916

Gizmodo had something to say:
http://gizmodo.com/wired-keeps-publishing-trump-stories-with-its-someone-w-1763771660

More about text-swap extensions:
http://www.wired.com/2016/03/political-chrome-extensions-donald-trump/ / installed the Drumpfinator famous Chrome extension launched John Oliver Last Week Tonight replaces Trump with Drumpf ancestral name appears in your browser wanted understand appeal extensions why emerged cultural force install extensions replace Trump’s name your drunk uncle at Thanksgiving actual Trump quotes every time his name appears remove any mention of him whatsoever beyond Trump target text-swap extensions started about five years ago means scrubbing away celebrities’ names news feed change millennials snake people scrub any reference Hillary Clinton Kim Kardashian substitute list of words suggested xkcd Randall Munroe Witnesses these dudes I know allegedly kinda probably install an extension replace whatever words you like swap extensions jokes that you play on yourself something clubby anti-Trumpness installed Chrome extension share Facebook Twitter something inherently fun culture-jammy seeing ridiculous phrases reprinted staid fonts Wall Street Journal New York Times joke grows old anti-Trump extension installed on their browser someone with tiny hands candidate’s famed defensiveness finger-length production team phrase meta-gag let it through correction delighted Internet personal joke very public Dan Sinker Internet prankster who wrote the extension Chrome extension installed Chrome extensions powerful pop up in odd contexts reporting of election results browser window see the world is totally changed disorienting had the extension turned on inundated information distracting trivial see the world through Drumpf-colored glasses exerting control seemingly chaotic world inundated information distracting trivial hated media phony objectivity just call things as they really are urge to see the world through Drumpf-colored glasses our error wasn’t viewed so kindly by Trump fans unfair institutional bias candidate insinuations microphallus pernicious thing Chrome extensions create a fantasyland your own beliefs biases reflected back at you people at opposite ends of the ideological spectrum inhabit different worlds get their news from different sources band together different like-minded social circles process information in different ways text-replacement extensions filtering out editing anything you might disagree with comfort amuse yourself political social cultural protest John Oliver launched the Drumpfinator Trump won twelve state primaries or caucuses Chrome extensions preaching to the choir preaching to the preacher /

Jon English 1949 – 2016

Jon English – rock star, singer-songwriter, actor – British by birth, Australian by education & habit.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-10/australian-singer-jon-english-dies-at-age-66/7235366

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_English / Jonathan James Jon English 26 March 1949 – 10 March 2016 Australian singer songwriter All Together Now star dies age 66 performer Jon English died aged 66 complications of surgery well known his work music television on the stage roles Judas Iscariot Jesus Christ Superstar 1970s Pirate King in The Pirates of Penzance Gilbert & Sullivan agent talent representatives Ambition Entertainment his passing surrounded family members four children wife Carmen sister Janet brother Jeremy other close family members hospitalised unexpected ill health his management postponed shows Tamworth Dubbo scheduled surgery Robert Rigby manager record label sudden death shocked everyone Jon was truly an Aussie rock legend news come very big shock family friends expecting routine operation complications unfortunately passed away midnight close friend musician Simon Gallaher text message partner middle of the night very heavy heart message absolutely devastated send you my love born Hampstead London 1949 came to Australia parents siblings age of 12 immigrant lead role Bobby Rivers 1991 television sitcom All Together Now cast Judas Jesus Christ Superstar toured show Australia and New Zealand recorded four albums songs Handbags and Gladrags Hollywood Seven Turn the Page first number one hit songwriting successes theme song television miniseries Against The Wind Six Ribbons number one hit great sadness A public service celebrating his life is set to be held /