Mophie Juice Pack adds battery & protection to your iPhone 6 or 6+ — update

Credit: Mophie/TechRadar

Many phones have the option to replace the standard battery with a larger one, or just another standard battery, when the original goes flat late in the day, or capacity deteriorates after a few years of use.

iPhone batteries are not user-replaceable. To overcome this, Mophie has been manufacturing cases for iPhones, which contain a battery, for a number of years. When the iPhone’s battery is substantially discharged, it can be recharged from the battery in the Mophie case. Other features include:
● switch to control charging from the Mophie battery
● LED lights to show Mophie level of charge
● pass-through charge & sync
● protection for the phone similar to other cases

Most recent is a Mophie battery case for the iPhone 6 & 6+:
http://www.techradar.com/sponsorship/transform-your-iphone-6-and-iphone-6-plus-with-mophie-s-powerful-juice-pack-cases-1292876

Mophie battery cases for other iPhones include the Mophie Space Pack which also adds flash memory storage to the iPhone 5:
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2014/07/mophie-space-pack-adds-storage-battery.html

Manufacturer’s web site:
http://www.mophie.com/

Update — some alternatives:
http://dailytekk.com/2015/05/08/the-5-best-battery-cases-for-iphone-available-now-2015/?reading=continue / mophie number one selling battery case manufacturer battery cases mophie's UK website Juice Pack family iPhone 6 iPhone 6 Plus boost battery life handset handsets smart phone smartphone device Apple Apple's latest flagship smartphones notorious battery guzzlers life use consumption mophie's juice pack cases charge recharge charged battery booster juice pack air for iPhone 6 protects new phone knocks drops more than doubles battery life handset juice pack plus for iPhone 6 delivering more than 120% extra battery more power juice pack ultra for iPhone 6 increases device's battery life 150% charger owner Apple's larger iPhone 6 Plus juice pack air for iPhone 6 Plus delivers more than 60% extra battery super sized smartphone charge your iPhone 6 or iPhone 6 Plus don't need to remove the case pass through pass-through charge sync connect cable case juice pack family is mophie's thinnest battery cases extra 17 hours talk time 15 hours of web browsing black white gold Apple certified mophie's juice pack range iPhone 6 iPhone 6 Plus mophie battery product Triple Test Certified three different stages of production capacity efficiency built quality long-lasting performance digital power management devices completely safe power quickly charging charge vault technology best in class battery life mophie's products charge extended periods of time iPhone 6 iPhone 6 Plus boost reliable efficient industry leading battery life /

CHIP — the $9 computer

Credit: Next Thing Co./Kickstarter

1 GHz processor
512 MB RAM
4 GB on board storage
Linux operating system
Bluetooth & WiFi
Connects to any screen — composite on-board — VGA & HDMI optional

Many more features. Check it out on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1598272670/chip-the-worlds-first-9-computer?ref=nav_search / chip CHIP C.H.I.P. computer tiny easy to use C.H.I.P. computer work in LibreOffice save your documents C.H.I.P.’s onboard storage surf Web check your email Wi-Fi wifi play games Bluetooth controller applications tools preinstalled C.H.I.P. power it on computer students hackers C.H.I.P. computer computer based projects built in WiFi + Bluetooth Internet attach keyboard mouse wirelessly work with any screen C.H.I.P.’s built-in composite output add simple adapter VGA HDMI LibreOffice edit spreadsheets create Word documents Chromium browser surf the web check websites send emails watch videos pre-loaded with Scratch easy to learn language teaches the basics of programing connect bluetooth controllers C.H.I.P. games retro new DOS game MIDI keyboard C.H.I.P. jam portable music player attach powered speakers C.H.I.P.'s open source operating system easy to use navigate graphical display C.H.I.P. preinstalled dozens of useful applications tools games free applications open source community PocketC.H.I.P. Pocket C.H.I.P. portable QWERTY keyboard /

SpaceX Crew Dragon pad abort test

Credit: SpaceX/Space

Launching people into space has many difficulties, not the least of which is caused by placing said people at the top of a rocket filled with a lot of energy-dense chemicals which stand a reasonable chance of starting a runaway reaction which may blow said people to pieces.

If a catastrophic failure occurs, those people need to get out of there really fast. Spacex has successfully tested their launch abort system for doing just this. A launch abort system is like an ejector seat, but instead of ejecting seat & pilot, the entire crew capsule is ejected.

Previous launch abort systems have involved a rocket tower mounted on top of the crew capsule. In the event of an abort, a rocket tower would tow the crew capsule to safety. Rocket towers were jettisoned soon after launch.

SpaceX places its launch abort system below the crew capsule. It remains attached & provides an abort capability all the way to orbit. On return from space, the same thrusters can be used to provide a controlled descent to land.

SpaceX expects its first crewed flights in 2017.



http://www.spacex.com/news/2015/05/06/crew-dragon-completes-pad-abort-test

http://www.engadget.com/2015/05/06/spacex-dragon-pad-abort-test-video/

Written before the test was run, but has excellent background information:
http://www.spacex.com/news/2015/05/04/5-things-know-about-spacexs-pad-abort-test / SpaceX first key flight test of its Crew Dragon spacecraft vehicle designed carry astronauts to and from space successful Pad Abort Test first flight test SpaceX’s revolutionary launch abort system data captured here Crew Dragon first human missions 2017 test simulated Dragon would carry astronauts to safety emergency on the launch pad Crew Dragon’s abort system powered eight SuperDraco engines produces 15,000 pounds of thrust engines integrated directly into the sides of the vehicle carried on top of the vehicle previous launch abort systems configuration astronauts escape capability launch pad all the way to orbit spacecraft use the same thrusters land propulsively at the end of a mission Pad Abort Test eight SuperDracos ignited ignite simultaneously reached maximum thrust propel propelling spacecraft launch pad half a second vertical flight Crew Dragon pitched controlled burn SuperDraco engines throttled throttle control trajectory real-time measurements vehicle’s sensors accelerate 0-100 mph in 1.2 seconds maximum velocity 345 mph abort burn terminated propellant trunk jettisoned spacecraft heat shield small parachutes drogues deployed trunk separation drogue parachutes stabilized vehicle three main parachutes deployed spacecraft splashdown ignition Dragon splashed down Atlantic Ocean downrange launch pad test Crew Dragon test dummy equipped with sensors gather data necessary safe environment future crew humans provide valuable data future flight testing Crew Dragon spacecraft high-altitude abort test uncrewed mission Space Station /

No third party watch faces for the Apple Watch

Credit: Forbes

As previously indicated in these pages, there are no third party watch faces for the Apple Watch, & it looks like Apple intends to keep it that way:

http://www.tgdaily.com/mobile/132176-no-new-time-telling-apps-for-apple-watch

Maybe, in time, Apple will liberalise the rules, as they did with the iPhone. / Apple update App Store Review Guidelines new rule 10.7 states "Watch Apps whose primary function is telling time will be rejected." Apple Watch battery problem Apple’s website states choose face customize 9 nine faces Apple built into the Watch problem third-party developers new faces for the Apple Watch Apple carefully thought out iconic face designs people wearing the devices instantly recognize nine built-in faces Apple Watch changing the look of the face confuse other people you spent all that money Apple Watch Apple Watch face display displaying using customers marketing efforts Apple public facing image apps users ability customize faces Apple Watches trivial apps a lot of people out there some pretty imaginative designs new faces Apple loosen up their restrictions /

Is the Galaxy S6 Edge worth $100 more than the Galaxy S6? (video)

For me, the only advantage of the Edge over the standard S6 is location of the power button in my preferred position at the top, rather than at the side, opposite the volume buttons. Scratch that one — Note 4 Edge has the power button on the top, but S6 Edge has it on the side opposite the volume buttons.

As noted in the video, the surface area at the sides for gripping the Edge is considerably reduced by the curved edges.



Transcript:
http://www.phonedog.com/videos/galaxy-s6-edge-worth-100-more-galaxy-s6

Review from The Gadgeteer:
http://the-gadgeteer.com/2015/05/06/samsung-galaxy-s6-edge-smartphone-review/#more-177794 / Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge battery LiIon lithium ion edge screen personal device smartphone smart phone review unit video topic best smartphones Samsung Samsung Galaxy S5 two devices, use using daily basis hard to recommend standard Samsung Galaxy S6 tech enthusiast casual user hardware looks really sleek futuristic premium both edges display curve around the side really hard good grip device few millimeters space each side device fingers grip curved display actually grip device Gorilla Glass front back cover Galaxy S6 easier to hold grip Galaxy S6 best better Edge $100 $200 less good amount of money screen curves left and right hand side device same resolution same display size same display technology slightly larger battery 2600mAh 2550mAh difference curve curved display unique effect watching videos content looks great effect appear content Edge screen features Edge Lighting People Edge Information Stream Night Clock Edge Lighting lights up edge of the display calls notifications received 5 people contact most frequently most contacted Edge Screen Edge Lighting Information Stream view feeds edge screen main screen is turned off dash clock unique features aren’t very practical most practical People Edge open up Dialer app Messenger app contact retrain yourself People Edge feature features worth $100 S6 display appears slightly larger edges aren’t tapered displays phones bigger save your money /

Convert a disposable lighter into a pocket torch

Credit: sotooutdoors.com/The Gadgeteer

Fits on the top of a disposable lighter & adds:

● temperatures up to 1,300°C (2,372°F)
● wind resistance
● increased lifespan for the lighter

Soto notes that the Soto PT-14SB Pocket Torch may not work at altitude or low temperatures, but this is a limitation of the lighter, rather than the torch.

http://the-gadgeteer.com/2015/05/04/convert-a-disposible-lighter-into-a-pocket-torch/

Not all disposable lighters fit:
http://www.sotooutdoors.com/where_to_buy/lighter.html / Soto PT-14SB Pocket Torch transform standard disposable lighter strong wind-resistant wind resistant proof burner electronic ignition Soto enclosure lighter produce flame temperatures 2300 degrees Farenheit Celcius 1300°C light stoves lamps solder metal melt snow torch increased lifespan up to 60% lighter tool outdoor may not ignite colder temperatures altitudes above 5,000 ft /

Test driving a fossil fuel car

Linked below is a tongue-in-cheek test drive of a fossil fuel car, by a Swedish Tesla electric vehicle (EV) owner. Some of the humour may be lost if you aren’t familiar with EVs in general, or Teslas in particular, so a few points to note:

● it is not necessary to start a Tesla — sit in the driver’s seat with the “key” — select drive (which releases the hand brake) — go
● similarly, no need to turn a Tesla off — shift to park/engage hand brake, get out, lock — if preferred, let the Tesla lock itself
● EVs use the electric motor to generate electricity when the accelerator is released — this produces a braking effect — in the Tesla, the braking effect is quite strong & the brake lights are activated — use of the mechanical brakes is generally necessary only for coming to a complete stop, or in an emergency
● owners routinely charge their EVs overnight, at home, at little cost
● Tesla have installed free-to-use, ultra-fast chargers (Superchagers) to facilitate cross-country travel
● electric motors have only one moving part, while fossil fuel engines have hundreds
● in practice, fossil fuel engines use approximately 20% of the energy in fuel to propel the vehicle — the remainder is lost as heat — EVs use approximately 90% of the energy in the battery to move the vehicle
● Tesla sells its cars through Tesla-owned stores, rather than independently owned dealerships

Fossil-fueled test drive
http://teslaclubsweden.se/test-drive-of-a-petrol-car/

Thanks to Canberra EV for the link. / Tesla Model S electric vehicle EV battery internal combustion engine ICE battery LiIon lithium ion charge charger recharge Supercharger efficient inefficient /