The bullshit asymmetry

The bullshit asimmetry: the amount of energy needed to refute bullshit is an order of magnitude bigger than to produce it.

— Alberto Brandolini (@ziobrando) January 11, 2013

The unbearable asymmetry of bullshit – Brian D. Earp 2016
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/294584001_The_unbearable_asymmetry_of_bullshit

iPhone has fire too :(

Credit: iPhoneAddict

Reported on Reddit – iPhone 7 Plus delivered as shown above. Nowhere near as spectacular as some of the Samsung Note 7 fires, but not what a customer expects. Everyone who has come into contact with this phone has probably had a near miss.

More photographs:
http://imgur.com/a/LrhYz

https://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/54te00/running_a_little_hot/

This type of failure is fundamental to the battery chemistry used in phones & laptops, & there are easy solutions:

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/09/samsung-galaxy-note-7-fires-cause-what.html

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/09/samsung-galaxy-note-7-fires-continue.html / iPhone fire Apple iPhone 7 Plus iPhone 7+ exploding battery retailers Apple smartphones replacement device exploding batteries problem Apple AT&T replacement device high-end gadget launched just weeks ago battery fault phone explode catch fire smartphone return phone product smartphone leader's market share strong sales momentum Apple Inc latest iPhone exploding LiIon lithium ion battery cell lithium ion phosphate battery chemistry removeable battery /

Warning – you may be in a feudal relationship with your printer!

Credit: Ars Technica

If you have a Hewlett-Packard OfficeJet, OfficeJet Pro, or Office Jet Pro X printer, chances are, third-party ink cartridges no longer work.

Reason? HP would prefer that you buy their cartridges, rather than reasonably priced third-party alternatives.

“When you buy a device that’s designed to update itself automatically & the company reserves to itself in law the right to take away something [that device] had when you bought it, you’re really buying a device whose long-term feature set is unknowable,” says Corey Doctorow, special advisor to the Electronic Frontier Foundation.

“The people who make your microwave don’t get to tell you what kinds of frozen dinners to use,” says Doctorow. “That’s not a property relationship. That’s a feudal relationship, in which you are a tenant of these things that you’ve nominally purchased.” Credit: Wired

What can you do?

● third-party cartridges with chips designed to circumvent HP’s effort to control their customers’ property, are in the pipe-line

● don't buy HP printers

Wired:
https://www.wired.com/2016/09/hp-printer-drm/?mbid=nl_92316_p3&CNDID=

The Verge:
http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/19/12979766/hp-firmware-drm-printers-third-party-ink-cartridges

Ars Technica:
http://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/09/hps-drm-sabotages-off-brand-printer-ink-cartridges-with-self-destruct-date/ / HP Hewlett-Packard DRM Ink cartridges printer and ink business revenue is down obsolescence knock-off cartridges third party third-party cartridges cheap alternative HP solution DRM OfficeJet OfficeJet Pro Office Jet Pro X printer reasonably priced third-party third party ink cartridges no longer work 123inkt Dutch sells HP-compatible cartridges HP protect HP innovations intellectual property WIRED HP customers HP security chip cartridges printers warning HP-approved HP approved last year HP implemented firmware update enterprise printers last week locked out cartridges other cartridges may not function stash third-party cartridges company that sells them tough luck device designed update itself automatically take away something device] had when you bought buying a device Corey Doctorow special advisor Electronic Frontier Foundation consumers other products imposing DRM after the fact you never really own it property relationship feudal relationship tenant nominally purchased HP HP rival Lexmark fought contentious lawsuit Static Control Components microchips circumvent Lexmark’s printer DRM court rejected Lexmark’s claim Digital Millennium Copyright Act protects underlying software security hand-off ACRA v. Lexmark patent law protected consumers sending cartridges third-party companies refill old Lexmark cartridges with cheaper ink HP’s locked-in model Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor blades /

Tesla P90D Vs P100D at the drag strip

No surprises about how this goes, but interesting none-the-less

/ Tesla P90D Vs P100D Ludicrous Insane battery cell cells 85 lithium ion lithium iron phosphate LiIon Supercharger charge recharge range performance car drag strip /

Sea level rise is already driving people from the Marshall Islands

Credit: World Corporate Services Limited

One of the impacts of climate change is rising sea level. Many of the world’s major cities & millions of people are predicted to be impacted in coming years.¹

Most immediately at risk are the Marshall Islands – with highest point just 10 metres above sea level² & an average elevation of 2 metres,³ rising sea level is already impacting day-to-day life. Many have seen the writing on the wall – one third of the population of the Marshall Islands live in the United States.

Wired
https://www.wired.com/2016/09/sea-level-rise-already-driving-people-marshall-islands/

The New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2015/12/02/world/The-Marshall-Islands-Are-Disappearing.html?_r=0
__________

¹ Business Insider Australia: “Rising Sea Levels Could Cause Staggering Damage To These Cities”, http://www.businessinsider.com.au/cities-exposed-to-rising-sea-levels-2014-4

² Wikipedia: “Geography of the Marshall Islands”,
“highest point: unnamed location on Likiep 10 meters / 33 feet above sea level”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_the_Marshall_Islands

³ Embassy of the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Washington DC: “The mean height of the land is about 7 feet above sea level (2 meters).”, http://www.rmiembassyus.org/index.htm / sea waves low-lying fragments of land Marshall Islands tides support life latest temporary sea wall cleaves her property waves knocked down floods plants face a salty demise Marshall Islands corrugated metal wall Heine president of the Pacific island nation rising seas need a better wall climate change declared a state of emergency drought water rationed nation faces existential threat sea level rise and potential exodus of its population numbers are increasing people leaving people thinking about the sea level rise secure land departing Marshallese USA United States of America 20,000 people located between Hawaii and Australia largest Marshallese community has gathered New York Los Angeles Springdale Arkansas better job prospects college education climate change third Marshall Islands 60,000 strong population now resides in the US archipelago unique culture departure Marshallese government massive out migration population left seas rise compact of free association Marshallese people live and work US without visa extended living in the US Marshall Islands hopeful migrants expiration American deal more people will leave these are our homes Marshall Islands island paradise 29 coral limestone sand atolls five islands 750,000 sq miles of ocean vulnerable ocean advancing melting glaciers thermal expansion islands arranged broken arcs around large lagoons islands coin-flat incredibly narrow just a dozen yards separate one coast from the other water graves sliding into the sea spilling bones what remains of the beach labour of repatching flood defenses gnawed-away coastline five-meter swells inundated Majuro US Geological Survey sobering research mix of sea level rise marauding waves many atoll islands flooded annually salinizing limited freshwater resources forcing inhabitants abandon their islands decades centuries salination escape route option moving USA Marshall Islands under US administration during cold war US conducted nuclear weapons testing islands Bikini atoll 23 bombs Bravo shot vaporized three small islands Bikini evacuated wind blew radioactive detritus inhabited atolls Rongelap Utrik evacuation Rongelap radioactive fallout cancers thyroid radioactivity wounds dispossession run deepest Marshallese Majuro island US military base Kwajalein missiles Marshallese legacy of trauma Bikini atoll global warming climate change nuclear bombs global warming climate change We are going to go under Marshall Islands remote everything needs to be imported unemployment rate is around 36 percent country produces coconuts breadfruit sells fishing licenses international trawlers scour Marshallese waters tuna international aid Marshall Islands population Peace Corps member administer trust fund people’s houses washed away Marshallese /

Good news – Australia’s dirtiest power plant is closing

Credit: The Australian Greens

“While we haven’t yet heard confirmation from the owners of Hazelwood, an important board meeting is expected in the coming weeks that will seal the fate of Australia’s dirtiest power station.”

https://www.facebook.com/Australian.Greens/photos/a.188144713662.125246.6442438662/10153902723728663/?type=1&theater / climate change global warming carbon dioxide CO2 greenhouse gas /

Impeccable 1965 Volkswagen Beetle electric vehicle conversion

Elon Musk says that the real purpose of Tesla Motors is to create a sustainable personal transport system. Carlos Ghosn, Chairman & CEO of Renault-Nissan saw the writing on the wall early on, & the Nissan Leaf is one of the results. Other manufacturers are making an effort too, some somewhat reluctantly.

On the other hand, an existing vehicle represents a substantial investment of energy for its production. Converting an existing motor vehicle to electric requires far fewer resources than constructing a vehicle from scratch. Some have given an existing motor vehicle a new lease on life by replacing the internal combustion engine with an electric motor & adding batteries to produce a serviceable motor vehicle. Case in point – Robert Llewellyn takes a look at an impeccable conversion of a 1965 Volkswagen Beetle:

/ electric vehicle EV conversion converted battery batteries cell cells lithium ion LiIon battery pack charge recharge range /

Back to the Future year – hoverboard a no-show – self lacing sneakers ...

2015 being Back to the Future year, some of us were hoping for our hoverboards & self lacing sneakers. All of the hoverboards that appeared had very limited functionality &/or didn’t turn up untill 2016.

Also a year late, is Nike’s self tightening sneakers:



... but you'll have to wait until 28 November.

Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/2016/09/20/nike-hyperadapt-november-28/

Nike
http://news.nike.com/news/hyperadapt-adaptive-lacing / Nike self-lacing HyperAdapt shoes go on sale November 28th November shoe laces shoelaces tighten themselves right fit Nike designer Tinker Hatfield power-lacing shoes mimic kicks from Back to the Future 2016 go on sale Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 available select retail locations by appointment beginning November 28th Wired shoe's development appointment pricing coming weeks Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 innovation Nike Tinker Hatfield anticipate needs athletes we know them better than anybody Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 first performance vehicle Nike’s latest platform breakthrough adaptive lacing shoe translates deep research digital electrical mechanical engineering product designed for movement challenges traditional understanding fit proposing ultimate solution individual idiosyncrasies lacing tension preference functional simplicity reduces typical athlete concern distraction step in your heel hit sensor system will automatically tighten Tiffany Beers Senior Innovator Nike Inc project technical lead two buttons side tighten loosen adjust until it’s perfect innovation solves another enduring athlete equipment make swift micro-adjustments undue pressure caused tight tying slippage resulting from loose laces precise consistent personalized lockdown manually adjusted on the fly important step feet undergo an incredible amount of stress during competition mechanics making adaptive lacing reality figure project Nike Inc President CEO Mark Parker design designer brainstorming engineers test testing theories snowboard boot original goal embed technical components small space design moves body absorbs the same force the athlete is facing /

Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous – how quick is it? (video)

Underscore indicates Ludicrous
Credit: Auto Evolution

Tesla famously claims 2.5 sec 0-60 mph for a TeslaModel S P100D in Ludicrous mode – is that accurate? Other measures – 0-100 mph? – ¼ mile?

Drag Times managed to score one for a very quick run. Somewhat surprisingly, it was fitted with 19" wheels, rather than the usual performance option – 21".



0-60 mph      2.54 sec
0-100 mph     6.5 sec
¼ mile       10.7 @ 124.5 mph

More from Drag Times at:
http://www.dragtimes.com/blog/tesla-p100d-ludicrous-model-s-performance-testing / Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Tesla test out P100D Tesla enthusiast family 5 Teslas P100D real world performance tests Supercharger top off charge check power output Power Tools App P100D peaking 567 kW 760 HP test data latest P90D Ludicrous 500-512 kW P100D 70-90 HP peak gain over it’s predecessor P100D configured standard 19" all season 245/45/19" tires no panoramic roof autopilot premium upgrades package ultra high fidelity sound weight 4,945 pounds 2243 kilogramme topping off the charge Tesla showing 317 miles range Racelogic Performance Box test out how quick new Tesla 0-60 mph 2.54 seconds 0-100 mph 6.5 seconds ¼ quarter mile time 10.7 @ 124.5 mph video races all new P100D Ludicrous battery cell LiIon lithium ion charge recharge electric motor /

Does the iPhone 7 Plus hiss?

It may seem of little consequence beside the spectacular flammability of the Samsung Note 7, but …





Definitely something there in both sound tracks.

Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/09/hissing-iphone-7-coil-noise/

Gizmodo
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/09/the-mystery-of-the-hissing-iphone-7s/ / mystery hissing iPhone 7 iPhone hissing iPhone 7 pushed limits processing power 512 Pixels sounds like certainly is a hissing sound what is going on here Stephen Hackett 512 Pixels strange sound emanating from phone immediately confirmed having the same issue TechCrunch Darrell Etherington several theories no real answers Engadget‘s Jon Fingas suspect coil whine similar electromagnetic effects not a universal problem tested iPhone 7 using 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme performance benchmark puts the processor under serious strain heard no hissing at all author iOS developer Marco Arment more poetic take phone equivalent hearing the fans spin up loudly Mac’s CPU gets used to its actual potential Apple Insider involve RF transmitter some other form of interference speaker system contacted Apple confirmation cause Apple is replacing the phone affected wait 5-7 days replacement /

Uber is running a trial of its self driving cars

Uber self driving Ford Fusion – in addition to the obvious array of sensors on the roof, notice the much smaller sensor just ahead of the rear tail light cluster
Credit: PC World

While much of the publicity goes to Tesla’s Autopilot, other manufacturers are making a big autonomous vehicle effort too.^1,2 Case in point, Uber has recently introduced its autonomous cars to limited service: a 12-square-mile part of downtown Pittsburgh, & offered only to select Uber clients. Two Uber staff are on board – one behind the wheel, ready to take over driving duties if necessary, & the other monitoring the computer system.

Alex Davies from Wired, booked a ride.



https://www.wired.com/2016/09/self-driving-autonomous-uber-pittsburgh/#slide-8

PC World
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3120356/tech-events-dupe/self-driving-ubers-are-now-arriving-in-pittsburgh.html
__________

¹ “We have seen the future & it is delightfully dull”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/03/we-have-seen-future-its-delightfully.html

² “Google's autonomous car had an accident”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/03/googles-autonomous-car-had-accident.html / take a ride self driving self-driving Uber Pittsburgh Uber ride phone app confirm my location destination request ride robot shows up white Ford Fusion spinning lasers cameras Uber’s latest attempt disrupt transportation pre-selected Uber 12-square-mile downtown Pittsburgh option ride self-driving car human engineer at the wheel take over if necessary Uber become more efficient profitable jettison human drivers majority customers money Uber engineer getting rid of the overhead annual global rate 1.2 million road deaths every year pilot trial Raffi Krikorian Uber’s Advanced Technologies Center Pittsburgh big red button autonomous mode kill switch streams of data laptop fully autonomous cars publicity benefits launching first human backups Uber engineers how non-engineers feel product sensors on the roof developing transparent experience riders information trip vehicle system feel safe and confident Emily Bartel Uber product manager screen when the car’s driving itself your route spinning LIDAR unit on the roof robot car navigates four-way stops traffic light-controlled intersections ride is mostly smooth scattered moments of aggressive acceleration or braking engineer at the wheel takes over control not happy with how long the car is waiting before slowing for a pedestrian manually steers around a double parked truck system will just stop and wait for it to move Uber autonomous cars Carnegie Mellon University Uber partnered autonomous tech Uber poached dozens of researchers challenging test conditions rain and snow tangled grid of narrow streets enthusiastically pro-tech startups autonomous tech taking the wheel full autonomy Uber runs its car only in areas mapped in extreme detail maps provide key context focus on temporary obstacles other cars people human-driven, sensor-laden car software traffic light locations crosswalks speed limits Uber /

Linux turns 25 – “just a hobby” now powers the Internet

Linus Torvalds at LinuxCon Europe 2014
Credit: Wikipedia

Linus Torvalds^1,2 was a student at the University of Helsinki when this appeared on a mail list:

From: torvalds@klaava.Helsinki.FI (Linus Benedict Torvalds)
Newsgroups: comp.os.minix
Subject: What would you like to see most in minix?
Summary: small poll for my new operating system
Message-ID: <1991Aug25.205708.9541@klaava.Helsinki.FI>
Date: 25 Aug 91 20:57:08 GMT
Organization: University of Helsinki

Hello everybody out there using minix —

I’m doing a (free) operating system (just a hobby, won’t be big and professional like gnu) for 386(486) AT clones. This has been brewing since april, and is starting to get ready. I’d like any feedback on things people like/dislike in minix, as my OS resembles it somewhat (same physical layout of the file-system (due to practical reasons) among other things).

I’ve currently ported bash(1.08) and gcc(1.40), and things seem to work. This implies that I’ll get something practical within a few months, and I’d like to know what features most people would want. Any suggestions are welcome, but I won’t promise I’ll implement them :-)

Linus (torv…@kruuna.helsinki.fi)

PS. Yes — it’s free of any minix code, and it has a multi-threaded fs. It is NOT protable (uses 386 task switching etc), and it probably never will support anything other than AT-harddisks, as that’s all I have :-(.

Recently, the operating system that emerged from that casual announcement turned 25. In those years, 41,000 person-years of development effort (equivalent to about $5 billion in developer salary) has produced 115 million lines of code which largely powers the Internet (serving this page too), Android, Chrome OS & others.

But you're probably not pronouncing it correctly


Business Insider – A conversation with Linus Torvalds, who built the world's most robust operating system & gave it away for free
http://www.businessinsider.com.au/linus-torvalds-qa-2014-6

FreeCodeCamp
https://medium.freecodecamp.com/linux-is-25-yay-lets-celebrate-with-25-rad-facts-about-linux-c8d8ac30076d#.61ddow952

Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2016/08/on-linuxs-25th-anniversary-development-has-gone-corporate/

The Register
https://www.theregister.co.uk/2016/08/26/linux_at_25/

Dice
http://insights.dice.com/2016/09/01/linux-turns-25-years-old/

The Hacker News
http://thehackernews.com/2016/08/happy-birthday-linux.html
__________

¹ The Linux Information Project: “Linus Torvalds: A Very Brief & Completely Unauthorized Biography”, http://www.linfo.org/linus.html

² Wikipedia: “Linus Torvalds”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Torvalds / Hello everybody out there using minix free operating system hobby big and professional like gnu 386 486 AT clones features implement 22-year old Finnish computer programmer Linus Torvalds released operating system Linux fans posted source code online contributed abilities improve Linux is everywhere powers your Android smartphone sorts mail for the US Postal Service runs the controls for CERN world’s largest particle physics laboratory steers nuclear submarines powers 95% world’s 500 fastest supercomputers Linux free open incredibly capable Torvalds brand name guy work started just for fun development Linux non-profit Linux Foundation outspoken guy well-informed opinions intellectual property law computer science education how far Linux has come programming is fun community kernel project has to be relevant too patent system fundamentally flawed not all patents are crap systemic incentives out of whack patent application granting side litigation side no regrets over making Linux open source make a business around Linux total disaster the kind of community around Linux instrumental in making Linux what it is today family computers largely Linux-based we’re a Linux household originally come with Windows or OS X pre-installed they all run Linux in the end computer programming is not for everyone specialised it’s not like knowing how to read and write and do basic maths key in powering all kinds of things today phones stock exchanges purely technical side Linux used very wide set different areas important for development being used in different niches makes the system much more balanced input from many different use cases technologies developed for one area really important in another one servers became very important for Linux pushed SMP development SMP became very important in the embedded area power management code developed for mobile devices server people became very aware of power use everybody wants to do something that matters Linux has had a huge impact on the tech market used virtually everywhere very personally satisfying I think programming is fun community around the kernel is great project has to be relevant major software companies intellectual property nowadays mixes things up that shouldn’t be mixed up the main black spot tends to be patents US patents are just a horribly broken system you inevitably see companies gaming it most egregious patent trolls patents themselves are crap Patent and Trademark Office isn’t seriously able to say no to them examiners skilled in the art really wanted to say no to something just generates more work for them applying company just amend application try to push it through again companies actually prefer vague over-broad patents hard to judge apply them in wildly inappropriate situations not like the threat is the patent itself it’s the litigation insane licensing cross-licensing agreements aren’t even about the worth of the patent itself about the cost of litigating it vested interest everybody knows it’s all horribly broken you’ll certainly find shills from the legal side helps innovation and innovators bullshit US patent system help US companies not about the law not about the patent neither the judge lawyers nor the jury will understand anyway honest people who are trying their best to do what they really think is right not all patents are crap Copyrights have much fewer problems some of the same issues on the litigation side companies like Microsoft or Apple development box for pre-production Intel hardware MacBook Air laptop right form-factor correct form factor for a laptop obviously 12 inch and 2 lbs 11 inch Sony Vaio Pro lighter than my 2 lbs target weight has a reasonable screen Android phones tablets Chromebooks MakerBot Replicator 3D printer /

Yes you can charge your iPhone 7 & listen to lightning headphones at the same time*

Belkin Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar
Credit: Belkin/Steve Garfield/Off On A Tangent

* from 10 October

So the iPhone 7 has no 3.5mm earphone socket.

Why? – the major parameter of smartphone design is skinny jeans compatibility – that means small & above all, slim. For the internals of a phone this means make everything smaller (nano SIM) or eliminate it altogether – what happened to the 3.5mm earphone socket in the iPhone 7.

One widely canvassed concern is that it is not possible to connect headphones, speakers, etc. to an iPhone 7 & charge at the same time. There was never any doubt that solutions would be quick to appear. First out of the gate is Belkin's Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar – although not until October.

Macworld
http://www.macworld.com.au/news/charge-and-listen-at-the-same-time-belkin-lightning-audio-charge-rockstar-143706/#.V9udG5N95E4

Cnet
http://www.cnet.com/au/products/belkin-lightning-audio-plus-charge-rockstar/preview/

Belkin
http://www.belkin.com/us/p/P-F8J198/ / Two female Lightning ports 2 female Lightning ports male lightning plug lightning socket lightning plug connector port Belkin new Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar adapter iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus developed closely with Apple paid licensing fee officially brand genuine MiFi certification Made for iPhone Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar plugs into Lightning connector socket Lightning Audio headphones Apple Lightning to 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter charge your iPhone at the same time charging adapter connected connect iPhone battery Belkin Lightning Audio + Charge RockStar dual functionality charging listening charge in the car Belkin adapter ecosystem Lightning Audio headphones compatible Lightning Audio headphones Apple Lightning 3.5 mm Headphone Jack Adapter Apple iPhone 7 Smart Battery Case battery packs available mid-October Belkin Apple retail stores /

Chevrolet Bolt – Wired gets 240+ miles from one charge

Wired staff drove a pre-production Chevrolet Bold electric vehicle down the California coast from Monterey to Santa Barbera. When they had racked up 240 miles (386 kilometres) the range estimator still showed 20 miles (32 kilometres) remaining.

/ Chevy Bolt electric car electric vehicle EV cell battery charge recharge charger fast charger Supercharger lithium ion LiIon LiFeO4 lithium iron phosphate Tesla 60 kWh kilo Watt hour battery 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV electric car 240 miles single charge lowest range achieved driving four Bolt EVs along the California coast same trip 32 miles remaining car’s display 2017 Chevy Bolt EV electric car 238 mile EPA range rating 119 MPGe combined Bolt EV EPA range rating 238 miles combined real-world use six-hour drive route 235 miles Monterey California south Santa Barbara scenic coastal Route 1 one of the most frustrating routes in the world Chevrolet team member comparatively free slow-moving rented motorhomes gawking tourists half the drive route covered speeds 40 to 60 mph country roads highway toward the end trip keep up with traffic 70 to 75 mph crested 2,000-foot pass over coastal mountains descending sea level our destination air conditioning low counter temperatures more than 90 degrees Fahrenheit miles before final grade Bolt replaced miles-remaining number instrument cluster orange Low Range warning halfway up the grade warning began flash insistently GM passenger it’ll be fine warning comes up based variety factors kicked in on the early side some battery capacity remaining traveling up to 75 mph before starting the steep climb 60-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack motor rated up to 150 kilowatts 200 horsepower relatively light Bolt EV remaining range inescapable physics energy used overcome aerodynamic drag increases exponentially with speed mix of speeds Bolt EV delivered 4.1 miles per kilowatt-hour 240 miles used 58.7 kwh 97.8 percent total stated pack capacity of 60 kwh less aggressive driver achieved 4.8 mi/kwh 4.5 mi/kwh remaining range price half average Tesla sold today electric car market second-generation Nissan Leaf Tesla Model 3 electric BMW crossover utility compact-sized electric car Volkswagen other vehicles 200 or more miles of range Bolt EV pre-production Bolt EV may not quite correspond final vehicles hit dealer floors before the end of the year Bolt EV’s shape short length tall height boxy bigger car substantially larger Chevy Spark Mitsubishi i-MiEV interior wide remarkably spacious four tall adults can sit easily inside unlike Volt flat floor center position rear real seat seating position perched on a hump Bolt’s interior large crisp displays central touchscreen touch screen fully digital instrument cluster size resolution brightness easier to read information simple speed range remaining energy cluster total energy consumption other data central display thin seats comfortable room in the back full-sized adults normal Drive mode gear selector lever just like automatic transmission idle creep keep foot on the brakes alternative Low range increases regenerative braking considerably smoothly slow the car complete stop without using brakes one-pedal driving Tesla Bolt EV regen Chevy electric cars mimic automatic-transmission driving experience various modes that increase regen one-pedal driving conventional mode Bolt EV genuine one-pedal driving conventional feel idle creep entirely absent in Low hill-hold function mode Sport mode remaps accelerator deliver power more quickly weight 3,580 pounds relatively light 60-kwh battery size 94-cubic-foot interior volume handling and roadholding predictable 200-hp motor more than enough performance keep up with traffic acceleration is good too looks considerably smaller than it actually is tall wagon small minivan interior volume 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV more interior volume than you'd expect superb instrumentation electric-range cars costing twice as much enjoyable performance electric vehicle Bolt EV usual test route recharge speed winter 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV pricing features trim levels options released car on-sale /

Timeline of Earth’s average temperature

20,000 BC – much of the Earth was still covered by the glaciers of the last ice age. Temperatures were cooler than today – around 5 Celsius degrees on average.


Credit: xkcd

More wisdom at https://xkcd.com/ / climate change climate change evidence climate change global warming carbon dioxide CO2 greenhouse gas industrial revolution glacier proof evidence human cause empirical evidence element climate change global problem absolute consensus human action leading increase average temperatures try to argue with that but you can't global warming warming depends how you measure Richard Feynman scientist believes empirical evidence quoting consensus graph draw a slightly straighter trend line on there misunderstanding misrepresentation NASA conspiracy Tony Jones interpretation highly qualified scientist I don't believe that data has been corrupted manipulated NASA audience began to laugh Steve Goddard 1930s were warmer recent decades Bureau of Meteorology Greg Hunt squashed investigation BoM Bureau of Metrology moon landing NASA Australian Academy of Science adversarial report is superb accusation NASA Australian Bureau of Meteorology Met Office UK collaborating manipulate global temperature data model answer question making projections based on models providing models validated proven accurate models have already been proven inaccurate IPCC Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change empirical data that's flat out wrong deception flat out incorrect snapshot evidence 2015 global upper ocean heat content highest record 2015 global sea level highest on record in 2015 70mm higher than that observed in 1993 global surface temperature highest on record El Nino 10-40 per cent contribution tropical cyclones well above average overall key point is if you don't accept that the only way to try to formulate policy what we do with emissions build models predict the future tarot cards tea leaves anthropogenic climate change /

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 – fires continue – simple solution

Fire in a Jeep Grand Cherokee has been attributed to a Note 7 charging on the dashboard
Credit: Fox News/news.com.au

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phablets continue to catch fire – most spectacularly as shown above. If garaged, its hard to imagine such a fire not consuming the garage + any connected house. There are many other examples on the ‘Net.


Samsung Galaxy Note7 smartphone reportedly burst into flames while charging, causing $1800 damage to a hotel room.
Credit: news.com.au

Fires seem to have occurred only in phones which are charging – as in both images above – but if you have one of these phones:

● turn it off
● place it in a fireproof area
● contact Samsung for a replacement

Fires are a potential problem with all devices fitted with the type of lithium ion battery currently in use in laptops & phones. While researching this article, I was told by a representative of another phone manufacturer, “If it starts to puff up, or the screen starts to push out, bring it in to us.”

How phone manufacturers can prevent this happening again. / fire Jeep Grand Cherokee Note 7 charging on dashboard Samsung Galaxy Note 7 halt sales Galaxy Note 7 exploding battery retailers stop selling phones Samsung halt sales Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones prepare replacement devices phones already sold multiple reports exploding batteries Australia's biggest phone retailers stopped selling phone reported problems were being investigated Samsung take about two weeks prepare replacement devices phones already sold high-end gadget launched just weeks ago users have complained battery fault caused phones explode catch fire while being charged 35 cases of problems smartphone concerned customers return the phone outlet where they purchased it JB Hi-Fi Optus Telstra remove phones unclear how many phones been affected telecommunications provider paused sales Samsung Galaxy Note 7 investigation by Samsung customers concerns Samsung Galaxy Note 7 handset visit nearest Optus store discuss their options Telstra investigating problem Galaxy Note 7 phones Samsung precaution paused Galaxy Note 7 sales Telstra spokesperson contact existing owners directly issue affecting their phones unclear how many phones have been affected problem nip it in the bud right now analysts expect the Note 7 problems to be resolved quickly ongoing major problems derail Samsung's mobile recovery string of product successes reversed the smartphone leader's declining market share South Korean firm maintain strong sales momentum stiffening competition Apple Inc release its latest iPhone Samsung name exploding battery injury Investors stripped about $7 billion off Samsung Electronics' market value shipment delays on Thursday /

New drug clears malaria from mice in a single dose

Credit: World Health Organization/David Darling

Malaria is a major disease world-wide from both a public health & financial perspective. Last year, there were over 200 million new cases, & nearly half a million deaths.

The situation is deteriorating:

● malaria parasite is developing resistance to current treatments

● global warming is extending the range of the Anopheles mosquito which transmits the disease

● Anopheles mosquito is developing resistance to control measures

It is timely then, that a new drug has been developed. Mouse trials only so far, but very promising:

http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/09/new-drug-clears-malaria-from-mice-in-a-single-dose/ / New drug clears malaria mice single dose hasn't been tested in humans yet looks very promising drug chemist pharmacologist last year over 200 million cases malaria nearly half a million deaths efforts control disease limited success mosquitos carry rapidly evolved resistance insecticides DDT parasite causes disease resistant most effective treatment develop new drugs malarial parasite plasmodium eukaryote shares basic biochemistry find drug targets parasite human cells plasmodium complex life cycle stages makes generating vaccines difficult treatment new approaches screening drugs success Nature drug targets Plasmodium protein drug tests on mice drug clear infection single dose report huge international collaboration screened approximately 100,000 new chemicals activity against malaria designed adopt three-dimensional structures similar known biomolecules more likely chemicals tested stick to protein occupying site protein chemical found inside cells binding of the drug disrupt normal activity protein drugs tested ability slow down parasite growth cultured red blood cells related chemicals bound to proteins targets known drugs being useful not anything new entirely new structure of the chemical provide many clues Plasmodium evolve resistance parasite survived the drug sequenced its genome changes associated with the resistance gene encodes protein attach amino acids RNA incorporated into proteins protein helped attach phenylalanine RNA phenylalanine amino acid ring structure explain how drug interfere with its metabolism drug originally isolated water soluble half-life blood single dose persist for several days revised chemical tested mice side effects single dose drug completely clear any sign of infection effective ingested orally drug appeared several different stages parasite's life cycle clearing infections blood liver effectiveness limit spread parasite mosquitos researchers single dose malaria drug-resistant varieties medical facilities sparse nonexistent evolution of drug resistance clear the parasite with a single dose human testing results promising testing /

Chrome OS – the great leap forward

Acer Chromebook R13 convertible Chromebook
Credit: Google/Wired

Chrome OS is secure, simple, & boots in under 10 seconds. But its, “just a browser”. Android on the other hand has millions of apps.¹ The strengths of those two operating systems are about to come together.



And Chromebooks recently outsold Macs for the first time
http://www.theverge.com/2016/5/19/11711714/chromebooks-outsold-macs-us-idc-figures

How Chromebooks are about to totally transform laptop design
https://www.wired.com/2016/09/chromebooks-totally-transform-laptop-design/?mbid=nl_9916_p3&CNDID=

Attention, college students: Chromebooks are about to get awesome
http://www.wired.com/2016/08/attention-poor-students-chromebooks-get-awesome/?mbid=nl_81216_p3
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¹Statista: “Number of available applications in the Google Play Store from December 2009 to February 2016”,
http://www.statista.com/statistics/266210/number-of-available-applications-in-the-google-play-store/ / college students Chromebooks are about to get awesome back-to-school advice don’t buy a laptop wait a couple of months Apple release new MacBook Pro Windows PCs a few made by Microsoft itself new breed of Chromebooks on their way lots of good Chromebooks cheap ones ridiculously expensive ones straightforward laptops Google Play Store Chrome OS millions of Android apps on your Chromebook change Chromebooks completely touchscreens will be more important new sensors processors integrated detachable hybrid laptop-tablet things buy a recent Chromebook support Android app integration when it launches full app-y experience HP Chromebook 13, for instance great laptop more versatile device from Asus Chromebook Pixel has a touchscreen timeframe you should seriously consider buying a Chromebook ChromeOS secure and simple lose or break your device all your settings and data restored in a few minutes Chromebooks have great battery life don’t require much power pretty portable too Chromebook is plenty of computer for reading Wikipedia and writing your papers what’s great about ChromeOS how little setup it requires you just log in. tweak and fiddle Chrome Web Store full of extensions apps Plex torrented get JSTorrent downloading LastPass 1Password keep all your logins in order Line Google Hangouts Chrome apps Facebook Messenger WhatsApp have decent web apps Evernote for taking notes download New Tab Draft notepad every time you open a new tab Word and Excel Chrome Google Docs Sheets work offline great apps learning math reviewing flashcards reading textbooks Android app a few tweaks Chromebook Android Google Pushbullet links files photos device OneTab many tabs dock at the bottom of the screen right-click icons enable OK Google start a search biggest change Chromebook Mac Windows PC ChromeOS device powerful feature-rich a Chromebook’s exactly what most people browser Android biggest ecosystem apps laptop laptop /

Jaguar Formula E ready for the new racing season

Jaguar Formula E car in its Panasonic livery on Thursday 1st September 2016 at Mallory Park, England
Credit: World Copyright: Andrew Ferraro/LAT/Jaguar/Electrek

In December of last year, Jaguar announced its intention to enter Formula E in the 2016-2017 season. With the 1st race of the new season in 09 October in Hong Kong, Jaguar has announced more of its plans:

Drivers: Adam Carroll & Mitch Evans with Ho-Pin Tung as a reserve
Sponsor: Panasonic
Car:



Electrek – Jaguar unveils its all-electric race car ‘I-TYPE’ for the Formula E, Panasonic joins the team
https://electrek.co/2016/09/08/jaguar-unveils-all-electric-race-car-i-type-formula-e-panasonic-team/

The Verge – Jaguar names Panasonic as title sponsor of its Formula E team
http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/8/12846824/jaguar-formula-e-sponsor-announced-panasonic

Jaguar – Jaguar Electrifies
http://www.jaguar.com.au/jaguar-racing/index.html / sounds new Formula E race cars Jaguar officially unveiled all-electric I-TYPE compete Formula E championship partnership battery maker Panasonic Panasonic EV industry supplying battery cells Tesla joined Jaguar all-electric racing championship create Panasonic Jaguar Racing team Adam Carroll Mitch Evans team drivers Ho-Pin Tung reserve driver team vehicle debut first race few weeks season 3 Formula E October 9, 2016 09 October 2016 Hong Kong new I-TYPE serve test bed Jaguar’s upcoming electric vehicle technology rumours Jaguar plans release all-electric SUV 2017 all-electric prototype camouflaged F-Pace exterior spotted in the wild Jaguar’s official plans bringing electric vehicles to market Jaguar automaker comeback racing Formula E all-electric Championship lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge battery swap two cars change cars battery pack gearbox gear box /

iPhone 7 announced – no 3.5mm headphone socket

iPhone 7 Plus with revised antenna lines, dual cameras, in Rose Gold, Gold, Silver, Black & Jet Black
Credit: Digital Trends

Once more, the new iPhone has been announced at the Apple September event. Specs of the 7 & 7 Plus are very much as expected:

● revised antenna lines

● additional camera only in the iPhone 7 Plus – doesn’t take advantage of the most recent developments in dual cameras for phones – implementation is simply 2 cameras – one with the same focal length as previous iPhones, the other, used wholly independently, with twice the focal length + digital zoom

● solid state home button – click simulated, as in the MacBook 12" – pressure-sensitive

● water resistant
● no 16GB version – iPhone 7 comes in 32GB, 128GB & 256GB capacities
● no 3.5mm headphone socket
● new headphones using the Lightning socket

● a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter will be included for owners who want to continue using their existing headphones

● no option to charge & use headphones at the same time for now, unless using wireless headphones

● which Apple will be happy to sell you



LA Times – Can I charge & listen at the same time? No.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-apple-iphone-can-i-charge-and-listen-at-the-same-1473283039-htmlstory.html

CNet – Jet-black Apple iPhone 7 is here with a water-resistant body, better cameras, 256GB capacity – & no headphone jack (hands-on)
http://www.cnet.com/au/products/apple-iphone-7/preview/ / iPhone 7 iPhone 7 Plus Apple announced launch event San Francisco water resistance better battery life iPhone 3.5 mm 3.5mm headphone jack feels the same funky home button hands-on Apple's event water resistant water resistance demo room Apple's iPhone 7 seems bunch of upgrades no headphone jack home button solid-state Force Touch Jet black Apple's new glossy black color iPhone iPhone slim black obelisk iPhone 7 iPhone 6S same 4.7-inch screen HD Retina display 25 percent brighter last year's model pressure-sensitive 3D Touch layer buzzes slightly press and hold the screen static home button solid state physically press click pressure-sensitive taptic feedback three levels of pressure haptic feedback light or strong buzz doesn't feel like a button takes getting used to water-resistant water resistant IP67 no headphone jack Apple's new EarPods headphones Lightning connector port adaptor new funky-looking AirPods headset connects wirelessly auto-pairing worked well sounded pretty good new camera 12-megapixel camera larger aperture optical image stabilization stabilisation keeps images steadier camera sticks out more from the back second 56mm telephoto lens built-in zoom feature new front-facing camera iPhone 7's 7-megapixel front-facing camera 5 megapixels iPhone 6S auto-image stabilization stabilisation optical image stabilization digital image stabilisation stereo speakers second speaker joins Apple longer battery life greater battery capacity longer battery life 12 hours LTE browsing iPhone 7 Plus two more hours faster processor iPhone 7's new A10 Fusion chip 64-bit quad-core processor 40 percent faster last year's A9 processor two cores are high-performance two are high efficiency conserve battery while handling tasks deeper visual graphics gaming Super Mario is coming to the iPhone more storage! 32GB, 128GB, 256GB capacities colors colours color colour Glossy jet black matte black gold, silver rose gold new jet black /

Economics of away-from-home charging infrastructure for electric vehicles

Ecotricity away-from-home charging facility
Credit: New Atlas

Electric vehicles (EVs) are a new technology, so the economics of the emerging industry are not yet clear.

Charging outside the home is part of the puzzle. Most EV owners, most of the time, are able to charge at home. Charging away from home only becomes important to enable high use days, such as a trip out of town.

Installing £30,000+ ($US40,100, $AU51,500 – see the video with Dale Vince below) worth of equipment, which most users will use rarely, is a hard way to make money. Witness Better Place.¹

Another problem grows out of the length of time it takes to charge an EV. Not directly – charge time is not a problem in & of itself. In practice, where fast-charging is available, after a journey of 100km, 200km, or more, most people are glad of 30 minutes to stretch their legs, use a toilet, get a cup of coffee, &/or a meal. Closer to home, 30 minutes for shopping may be convenient.

Petrol pumps are installed at a density which ensures that customers almost never have to wait. In times of extraordinary demand, people will wait for one or two other cars ahead of them at a petrol pump. Not so so easy for an EV at a charging bay, where 30 minutes for an 80% charge is typical. It follows that charging stations need to be installed at a sufficient density that an EV driver can always find a free bay.

Electricity generators & distributors are impacted by the above only to a limited extent. Over the medium term, wide-spread EV adoption will drop the business of the fossil fuel distributors in their collective lap. This is already happening. While away-from-home charging may never be profitable, practical overnight charging is returning a profit to electricity providers right now, & this will only grow over time.

At the moment, there is a chicken-&-egg situation with consumers unwilling to buy EVs, because there is limited away-from-home charging infrastructure, & electricity generators & distributors unwilling to provide charging-away-from-home infrastructure because demand is low.

In the video below, Robert Llewellyn interviews Dale Vince,^2,4 founder & CEO of Ecotricity,³ on progress, & some of the issues encountered, rolling out away-from-home EV charging in Britain.


__________

¹ Wikipedia: “Better Place”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Better_Place

² The Engineer: “Dale Vince, founder & CEO of Ecotricity”, https://www.theengineer.co.uk/issues/october-2013-online/dale-vince-founder-and-ceo-of-ecotricity/

³ Wikepedia: “Ecotricity”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecotricity

⁴ Dale Vince appeared previously on Fully Charged in an October 2010 episode:

/ Ecotricity The Electric Highway Fully Charged road electric relatively short ranges long charging times current lithium-ion battery packs development electric carry supply electricity onboard provide power electrified long-haul all-electric powers project backing electric motors powertrain drive electric-only driver connect disconnect lithium-ion battery pack storage capacity electric-only driving technology LiIon lithium ion battery charge EV electric vehicle range miles tire tyre tyres tires battery charge recharge discharge owner satisfaction vehicle supreme quietness range charged normally maximum max range range anxiety software updates app smartphone app /

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fires – cause – simple solution

Under some circumstances, lithium ion batteries can fail, with emission of heat, smoke, & fire. PC Pitstop demonstrated with a laptop in 2006. Keep in mind that they did something unspecified to the laptop to generate the failure, but this merely initiated a failure mode inherent in the lithium ion battery.



In 2013 they repeated the demonstration – no sign that the technology in use had been made any less dangerous in the intervening years:



Something similar in a Samsung Galaxy S5, with the failure being initiated by a hammer – most of this is, “abuse a phone & see what happens”, nonsense, but as soon as the hammer directly impacts the battery, it rapidly fails, just after the 3:40 mark:



This is fundamental to lithium ion batteries, as fitted to phones, tablets & laptops.

None of the instances above represent normal operation, but reports of battery failures in phones & laptops have appeared over the years, such as when a phone was caught in the reclining mechanism of an aircraft seat on Tuesday 21 June, 2016 on a Qantas flight from Sydney to Los Angeles.

ABC – Plane fire sparked by passenger's phone to be investigated
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-30/plane-fire-investigated-after-passenger-sets-seat-alight/7558416

In the last few days, reports have surfaced of a number of spontaneous battery failures in the recently released 5.7" Samsung Galaxy Note 7, phablet:

ABC – Samsung halts sales of Galaxy Note 7 over exploding battery concerns, retailers stop selling phones
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-09-02/samsung-galaxy-note-7-phones-pulled-from-shelves/7810474

Android Authority – Galaxy Note 7 recall: another phone just blew up in Australia
http://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-note-7-recall-714419/

Although the Note 7 failures are, apparently, due to faulty batteries, there are two things that Samsung (& other manufacturers) can do to reduce, or eliminate the risks inherent in phones & laptops with LiIon batteries:

1. Replace fire-prone lithium ion batteries with the fundamentally safer lithium iron phosphate chemistry.

Lithium ion phosphate cells are fundamentally safer, & have been available for a number of years.^1,2

How safe? – in the video below, a slow reaction, with less smoke, & no flame, produces an apparently lower temperature – not beyond, “uncomfortably hot”:



2. Return to making batteries removeable

If the Samsung Note 7s had removeable batteries, they could all be defused by simply removing the battery. Storing the battery away from flammable materials would render it safe too. When Samsung has a solution to the problem, they could supply new batteries to customers at a considerable saving of time & expense.
__________

¹ Wikepedia:“Lithium iron phosphate battery”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_iron_phosphate_battery#Safety

² Battery University: “Types of Lithium-ion”,
http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/types_of_lithium_ion / Samsung halt sales Galaxy Note 7 exploding battery retailers stop selling phones Samsung halt sales Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones prepare replacement devices phones already sold multiple reports exploding batteries Australia's biggest phone retailers stopped selling phone reported problems were being investigated Samsung take about two weeks prepare replacement devices phones already sold high-end gadget launched just weeks ago users have complained battery fault caused phones explode catch fire while being charged 35 cases of problems smartphone concerned customers return the phone outlet where they purchased it JB Hi-Fi Optus Telstra remove phones unclear how many phones been affected telecommunications provider paused sales Samsung Galaxy Note 7 investigation by Samsung customers concerns Samsung Galaxy Note 7 handset visit nearest Optus store discuss their options Telstra investigating problem Galaxy Note 7 phones Samsung precaution paused Galaxy Note 7 sales Telstra spokesperson contact existing owners directly issue affecting their phones unclear how many phones have been affected problem nip it in the bud right now analysts expect the Note 7 problems to be resolved quickly ongoing major problems derail Samsung's mobile recovery string of product successes reversed the smartphone leader's declining market share South Korean firm maintain strong sales momentum stiffening competition Apple Inc release its latest iPhone Samsung name exploding battery injury Investors stripped about $7 billion off Samsung Electronics' market value shipment delays on Thursday /

Android to iOS – how to swap from the Google to the Apple mobile platform

Apple's Android app to assist users to move to iOS
Credit: Apple Inc./Google Play

“Everything about iOS is designed to be easy. That includes switching to it.” – Apple – http://www.apple.com/au/iphone/switch-to-iphone/

Move to iOS – app available on the Google Play store
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apple.movetoios

Move from Android to iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch
https://support.apple.com/en-au/HT201196

How to move from Android to iPhone: Transfer contacts, photos, music & apps from Android to iOS without losing everything (including your mind)
http://www.macworld.co.uk/how-to/iphone/transfer-contacts-music-photos-apps-from-android-iphone-move-to-ios-3459466/

Join the Apple club with our complete guide to switching from Android to iOS
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-switch-from-android-to-iphone-guide/
__________

On the other hand, if you're swimming in the opposite direction, have a look at these:

Get going on Android
https://www.android.com/intl/en_au/switch/

Apple detox – how to switch from iOS to Android without missing a beat
http://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/how-to-switch-from-iphone-to-android/ / move from Android to iPhone transfer contacts photos music apps from Android to iOS without losing everything explain how move from Android iPhone transfer contacts from Android to iPhone transfer apps from Android to iPhone transfer photos from Android to iPhone how to transfer music from Android to iPhone Apple's user-friendly Move To iOS app alternative methods you may prefer making the switch easiest way transfer all my data old Android phone iPhone Android user thinking about switching iPhon already made switch from Android to iPhone transferring all your data music photos contacts calendar nothing lost in the process transferring contacts from Android phone to iPhone Google is good at this stuff basic principle back up backup to the cloud desktop machine sync to iPhone Apple recently launched Android app guide through process move from old iPhone new iPhone transfer music from one iPhone to another how transfer contacts music photos Windows Phone to iPhone move from BlackBerry to iPhone transfer contacts from Android iPhone Move to iOS app iOS 9 new Move to iOS app wirelessly transfers user's contacts message history camera photos videos web bookmarks mail accounts calendars wallpaper DRM-free songs books from Android phone to new iPhone switching process suggests install free apps Android device also available on Apple's App Store switchers quickly get back on their feet favourite apps Facebook Twitter paid apps Android with iOS versions available added user's wish list iOS App Store Android app helpfully prompts users recycle Android phone Google's mobile platform Apple Move to iOS app app available on the Google Play store app makes process moving Android to iPhone far simpler alternative methods prefer transfer contacts Android to iPhone use Google the simple way transferring contacts from Android to iOS Android phone transfer contacts from BlackBerry to iPhone Android phone Google account Gmail Google Play your contacts will be associated with your Google account use most often should be back up backup backed up Android phone Settings Android phone choose Accounts and Sync enter your GMail account details enable synchronisation phone contacts Google Contacts synchronise new iPhone Settings > Mail Contacts Calendars Gmail account Contacts enabled account all of your Google contacts in your iPhone iPhone productivity app reviews transfer contacts from Android to iPhone Google belt and braces make sure this process always works in future iPhone followed the steps above Android before you make the move open Settings application on your iPhone select Mail Contacts Calendars Add Account… Other Add CardDAV Account account information server enter google.com User Name enter your full Google Account Google Apps email address password Google Account Google Apps password enabled 2 Step verification generate enter application specific password description Personal Contacts select Next Contacts option turned ON completed setup process open Contacts app your device syncing automatically begin iPhone Google smartphone Google should hold the key to all of your contacts transfer contacts Android to iPhone swap SIMs Android phone same sized SIM micro-SIM nano-SIM micro SIM nano SIM later iPhone models cut down any SIM to fit last resort SIM contacts save all contacts Settings Import SIM Contacts transfer apps from Android to iPhone pay app Google Play pay to buy again on Apple App Store app Android available iOS login details content service purchased Android app accessible on your iPhone using iPhone sign up Apple App Store Transfer photos videos Android iPhone installing data-transferring app data transferring app data transfer app data transfer app Apple App Store Android Google Play store recommend Copy My Data PhotoSync install your chosen app both your Android and your iPhone guided moving files from one to the other move photos from Android to iPhone use computer with iTunes find photos videos your Android phone move your computer sync iTunes sync your new iPhone with iTunes similar process music transfer photos Android to iPhone connect Android phone PC Mac choose photos videos want to move drag folder your computer create new folder Desktop called Photos for transfer plug in your iPhone PC Mac iTunes click your iPhone click Photos select Sync Photos from checkbox choose folder saved your photos click Apply photos sync your iPhone transfer music Android to iPhone transferring photos Android to iPhone music files Android files iTunes sync up your iPhone simple to transfer critical stage back up backup Android PC or Mac Android devices mounted used as external storage simple dragging your music files mounted Android phone's folder structure moving into music folder your PC or Mac install open iTunes on your computer Library click Music open the folder your music files drag Music view iTunes iPhone click iPhone click Music sync your entire library select songs artists just added click Sync songs added to your iPhone owning music use Spotify Apple Music Best ways to back up photographs How to transfer photos from iPhone to PC move from iPhone to Android swapping handset from iPhone to Android smartphone transferring contacts music other data Apple create tool company has firmly contradicted this assist its customers pro-Android detailed advice swapping from iOS to Android How to move from iPhone to Android summary process bullet points contacts open contacts iPhone swipe down select the tab share via email email download contact your new Android device music back up backup your music from your iPhone Mac or PC software TrustCopy WideAngle Software your music your computer attach your Android USB and drag-and-drop the music files photos & videos save video photos your iPhone your Mac or PC drag and drop your Android device install third-party media player play the videos /

The New iPhone – Apple September event 2016

iPhone 7 showing revised antenna lines
Credit: weibo.com

Apple has a major event every year in September, at which the new iPhone is announced. This year it will be at 10:00am US West Coast time on 07 September (5pm GMT, 3am 08 September Australian EST).

Apple upgrades its iPhone to a new number every second year, with a minor, “s” upgrade on the alternate year. Last year was the 6s (& 6s Plus), so this year should be the 7 (& 7 Plus).

What to expect on Wednesday:
● new design with revised antenna lines
● no earphone socket

● new earphones utilising the Lightning socket – an earphone plug to Lightning adapter is almost certain to be offered – just what combination will be included in the box is another question – & other manufacturers are ready to take up any slack

● additional camera – probably only in the Plus – depending on the implementation, may yield better definition, &/or low light performance &/or performance equivalent to an optical zoom

● rumoured iPhone 7 Pro is unlikely to appear

Watch the keynote live at:
https://www.apple.com/apple-events/september-2016/

The Verge – Apple’s iPhone 7 announcement: what to expect
http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/2/12639648/apple-iphone-7-event-rumors-watch

Forbes – Apple Loop: iPhone 7 Launch Confirmed, iPhone Features Being Killed, Apple's Super iPhone Cancelled
http://www.forbes.com/sites/ewanspence/2016/09/02/apple-news-digest-iphone-launch-dates-confirmed-pro-cancelled/#1d20ef8b1582

9 to 5 Mac – iPhone 7 – Apple's next flagship iPhone is expected to arrive fall 2016
https://9to5mac.com/guides/iphone-7/

MacRumours – Spec Sheet Shows iPhone 7 Plus With 256GB Storage & Lightning EarPods
http://www.macrumors.com/2016/08/31/spec-sheet-iphone-7-plus-256gb-earpods/ / Apple’s iPhone 7 announcement September tech world time for Apple news Apple holding event unveil next generation biggest products 07 September 7th new versions iPhone Apple Watch launch generational leap iPhone Apple different approach this year subtle subtler physical changes phone first Apple updated Apple Watch changes San Francisco iPhone 7 new iPhone new number usually brand-new design Apple tweak existing formula improving things here and there laying the foundation bigger changes down the road new(ish) design iPhone 6 iPhone 7 look pretty much the same cleaner look unsightly antenna lines disappearing off the back small change strong effect no headphone jack new feature The Big Story of the iPhone 7 Apple expected remove the headphone jack standby of consumer electronics invention consumer electronics iPhone all headphones wireless connect Lightning port upsides Lightning headphones downsides, too devices work with 3.5mm headphone jack annoying tradeoff to consider new Pods headphone jack Apple Apple new EarPods terminate Lightning connector headphone jack wireless earbuds AirPods another camera Apple add second camera onto back iPhone higher-quality photos zoomed-in view zoom lens Huawei’s P9 uses second black-and-white black-&-white b&w camera added sharpness detail LG’s G5 second camera zoomed-out perspective zoomed-in view Plus model larger iPhone model 7 Plus smaller model camera updates image stabilization goodbye 16GB finally no more 16GB model Apple stop putting 16GB storage entry-level iPhones bump up 32GB clickless home button home button won't click in new button pressure-sensitive haptic feedback feel like you're pushing it in won't physically move as in MacBook 12 inch blacker black space gray black phone faster new processors more RAM removal of the headphone jack iPhone 7 more water resistant waterproof bit thinner dual SIM tray blue color option wireless charging smart connector /

Tesla cell size comes from the first principles of physics & economics

AA cell left, 18650 cell right
Credit: Kaayee Electronics

Last year, I reported that the Tesla Gigafactory would be producing 20700 cells (20mm diameter 70mm tall), rather than the 18650 (18mm x 65mm) size used in all Teslas to date.

I was wrong! Size was wrong & the naming system too!

Turns out they’re going for 21700 size. I.e 21mm x 70mm.

Plus they are changing the naming system from the industry standard. Tesla is calling their battery size the 21-70.

In other applications, the last 3 digits specify the cell length to one tenth of a millimetre because it is a more critical dimension for making a good electrical contact. But other applications don’t include 7,104 cells¹. Maybe with that many cells, alignment problems mean that getting the diameter correct is just as critical to getting a good electrical contact.

Names aside, why is 21-70 (or 21700) better than 18650? (Or is that 18-65 now?) In the Electrek article linked below, Elon Musk is quoted as saying: “It really comes from the first principles of physics & economics.”

Economics

A slightly larger cell of 21-70 size (i.e. 3 mm wider, 5 mm longer than 18650) will be 47% larger in volume², with a similar effect on storage capacity, for negligible increase in cell cost.

For a given pack capacity, using 21-70 cells will yield a battery pack containing 47% fewer cells, & a similar reduction in wiring & connections, further reducing cost.

Physics

A larger object has less surface area for each unit of volume. This impacts cooling. There is a limit to how far the individual cells can be increased in size, without compromising cooling, &/or increasing complexity & cost of the cooling system.

https://electrek.co/2016/07/28/tesla-gigafactory-tour-roundup-and-tidbits-this-is-the-coolest-factory-ever/
__________

¹ 7,104 cells in 85 kWh battery – “Tear down of 85 kWh Tesla battery pack shows it could actually only be a 81 kWh pack”, https://electrek.co/2016/02/03/tesla-battery-tear-down-85-kwh/

² 18650 versus 21-70 cell volume

18 x 65.0 mm cylinder = pi x (18/2)² x 65 = 16,540 mm³
21 x 70.0 mm cylinder = pi x (21/2)² x 70 = 24,245 mm³
Relative volume = 24,245/16,540 = 1.47 = 147%

/ Tesla Motors Elon Musk LiIon lithium ion lithium iron phosphate LiFeO4 charge recharge battery Model S Model 3 III range capacity kilo Watt hour Supercharger /