Best Android camera apps — 2015

Credit: Android Central

In most cases, the camera app supplied with your phone will be completely adequate for your photographic needs. On the other hand, there are many other camera apps available which add a range of features, including panorama, a range of filters & effects, the ability to set ISO, & exposure compensation.

http://www.phonearena.com/news/Best-Android-camera-apps-camera-replacement-2015-edition_id41120#6rKlRoLMZuOqI7wr.99

http://www.androidcentral.com/best-photography-apps-android

http://www.androidauthority.com/best-camera-apps-for-android-188148/ / Camu Google Camera Camera Zoom FX IgCameraPro Camera FV-5 Perfectly Clear ProCapture Camera Awesome Vignette Google Photos Instagram VSCO Cam Camera 2 Snapseed Pixlr Camera MX Camera360 Ultimate Camera Fun Pro Camera JB+ Cymera DSLR Camera Pro GIF Camera HD Camera Ultra Line Camera Open Camera Otaku Camera Paper Camera Snap Camera HD amateur photography taking photos iPhone camera stock camera apps access to exclusive features phone HTC Zoe Samsung’s Drama Shot little different unique take a look at the best camera apps Android our list of best camera apps Android Camera MX feature set professional hobbyist sharing pictures via Google+ Instagram Camera MX best camera apps Android Camera Zoom FX filters effects applying pre-made filters effects choose multiple effects create their own filter pre-made highly functional popular. in app purchases among the most popular camera apps Android one of the best go-to camera replacement app Camera360 Ultimate packed full of features updated it recently more settings better camera experience all the standard features filters and effects niche market filters available fun theme more serious artistic filters effects taking the picture adding the effects got the shot take the picture professional filters fun pictures popular camera AOSP Jelly Bean camera three camera modes regular shot video capture panorama mode lightweight image editor built in minor adjustments images stock Android camera recommend KitKat Camera KK app free in app purchases camera apps for Android popular downloads Cymera most popular camera apps camera apps focuses faces standard features filters effects editing face shots set of features and filters camera application software DSLR camera change ISO exposure compensation white balance grids gama contrast HDR high dynamic range color effects geotagging features hardware app supports features device camera Internet GIF open source software /

A new kind of masking tape will save the aerospace industry millions

That’s not a typo. But how is it possible? Mainly by avoiding clean up after the the tape is removed, which minimises damage to parts & saves time.

http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2015/08/a-new-kind-of-masking-tape-will-save-the-aerospace-industry-millions/ / engineers build planes use heavy aluminium masking tape cover up surfaces during production engineers BAE Systems created new kind of tape leaves surface clean peeled away save $US70 million masking tape aerospace engineers heavy masking tape made of aluminium protect working surfaces during production industrialgrade material tough removal leaves tough sticky residue damaging material beneath sharp tools used to remove it BAE Systems developed new kind of tape doesn’t leave behind a residue peeled off light pre-cut vinyl tape adhesive tape make easier to remove peeled off by hand cuts processing process time component hours production F-35 Lightning II aircraft used during assembly Hawk Typhoon aircraft save $US23,000 production of each plane total saving of $US70 million over the next 20 years /

Classic 1966 VW bus with a solar powered drivetrain

A common idea is: “Put solar panels on top of an electric vehicle & drive without recharging.” The vast majority of vehicles which do this with any degree of success have just one seat & look something like this:


Solar racers
Credit: University of California Irvine

Pictured below is a Volkswagen van (a.k.a. bus, micro bus, Microbus, Kombi Van etc.) which has been fitted with a solar electric drivetrain. Although it has a roof area much larger than a sedan, in order to have enough solar collection area, the solar panels have extreme overhangs, particularly at the rear, to power, "short trips within the city", (Cambridge, Massachusetts).


Credit: Green Car Reports

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1099382_classic-1966-vw-bus-with-green-drivetrain-solar-powered-electric-motor / solar-powered cars custom-built prioritize function over form aerodynamics placement of solar panels solar powered vehicle style 1966 Volkswagen bus converted electric power solar panel roof conversion Daniel Theobald CTO healthcare IT company Vecna Technologies Cambridge, Massachusetts electric vehicle EV VW Volkswagen modifications solar panel bus roof building plug-in electric car onboard solar power carbon footprint emissions grid electricity electric Volkswagen Bus VW solar panel energy VW's battery pack plugged in modifications Volkswagen Beetle convert solar power Volkswagen bus classic styling 1960s '70s pop culture electric-car converters VW urban runabout /

Faster charging for electric vehicles

Credit: Jack Bowers/Charged EVs

Volkswagen anticipates that they will have electric vehicles with 500 km range in the foreseeable future. Charging the large capacity batteries required, in a practical time frame, will require fast chargers. VW is considering charging rates of 80 to 150 kW, possibly higher. They anticipate that such charging rates will require thick cables, & liquid cooling may be necessary. Liquid cooled cables will dissipate heat more effectively & so allow faster charging, but will be thicker, heavier, & less flexible. Just one more reason to use a robot to automate the process.

https://chargedevs.com/newswire/volkswagen-working-on-automated-dc-charging/

News flash: Tesla has already solved fast charging, with its Supercharger network charging at up to 135 kW. Liquid cooled cables? Tesla has found they can be thinner & more flexible. They have one installed at their Mountain View Supercharger location. See image above.

https://chargedevs.com/newswire/teslas-liquid-cooled-supercharger-cable-could-enable-faster-charge-times/

Tesla has a prototype robotic metal snake charger.

All of which adds a bit of perspective to this article:

http://blog.caranddriver.com/the-continental-cracks-form-in-the-tesla-story-as-germans-assemble-luxury-ev-assault/

“They don’t even know what they don’t know ...”? Maybe because they haven't invented it yet. / Volkswagen automated DC charging EV drivers more range new set of challenges batteries hold more energy consumers longer charging times higher charging power levels thicker water liquid-cooled charging cables Volkswagen range of more than 500 km foreseeable future charging quick convenient Wolfsburg automated DC charging system e-smartConnect next generation higher-capacity batteries charging levels 80 to 150 kW even higher rapid DC charging technology use of thick cables press release weight and stiffness cables difficult to handle research goal e-smartConnect project automatically couple a DC connector automated parking feature Kuka industrial robot hook up DC connector profile data charging station vehicle’s automated parking system where it should park recharging charge recharge range LiIon lithium ion Tesla’s liquid-cooled Supercharger cable enable faster charge times Tesla liquid-cooled cable Supercharger system liquid cooling cable thinner more flexible /

Hacker locates, unlocks GM OnStar-equipped vehicle

Samy Kamkar’s OwnStar WiFi device used in the hack
Credit: Julian Berman/Samy Kamkar/Wired

You may recall last year a Tesla Model S was hacked in a competition at SyScan360 in Beijing.

More recently, a hack effecting Fiat Chrysler vehicles, resulted in a recall of 1.4 million vehicles.

That article mentioned that vehicles from other manufacturers remained an unknown quantity.

Now, a hack has been demonstrated on an OnStar-equipped General Motors vehicle. It is a man-in-the-middle attack on a vulnerability in the OnStar phone app. As a work-around, until GM releases a fix, the hack can be defeated by uninstalling the OnStar phone app.

It is different to the Fiat Chrysler hack in a number of other ways, including:
● no danger to human life
● limited functionality available to the hacker
● requires the OwnStar WiFi connected device (image above) close to, or attached to the target vehicle

Good news
● requires an OwnStar device close to, or attached to the target vehicle
● device is relatively large, which reduces deployability
● threat is limited to nuisance (sounding horn or alarm), or theft of property from the car
● no evidence of threat to life (unlike Fiat Chrysler hack)
● engine can only be run briefly, one time, unless the vehicle key is present
● vehicle can’t be moved by this method
● can be defeated by uninstalling OnStar app from phone

Bad news
● this hack was developed with many fewer resources than the Fiat Chrysler hack (single hacker, just a few weeks of effort, much less expense)
● device is relatively large, but, since it is a prototype, a smaller, more easily deployed version is certainly possible
● uncertainty over whether this vulnerability has been successfully patched at this time

http://www.wired.com/2015/07/gadget-hacks-gm-cars-locate-unlock-start/?mbid=nl_73015

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/07/30/us-gm-hacking-idUSKCN0Q42FI20150730

http://www.cnet.com/au/news/ownstar-onstar-hack/ / token General Motors GM WIRED fixed the vulnerability Kamkar’s proof-of-concept device exploited exploit OnStar users problem is not yet resolved GM company is still working on it GM’s Onstar service features any connected car locate the vehicle unlock it start its ignition Google Android Apple iOS iPhone smart phone smartphone app hacker Samy Kamkar hidden small $100 box OnStar equipped car truck vehicle conveniences unintended hands consequences DefCon hacker conference Kamkar plans present details new attack GM’s OnStar RemoteLink system develop developed allow hacker track target vehicle unlock it trigger horn alarm start its engine put the car in gear drive it away function requires presence driver’s key fob token Kamkar’s hacker can plant cheap homemade Wi-Fi hotspot device car’s body under bumper chassis capture commands sent user’s smartphone results vulnerable vehicle owners could range nasty pranks privacy breaches theft intercept that communication take full control user indefinitely Kamkar well-known security researcher freelance developer geolocate your car unlock it function functionalities RemoteLink software within Wi-Fi range OwnStar hacker jargon own control a system impersonates familiar Wi-Fi network trick user’s phone silently connecting modern smartphones constantly probe known networks paperback-sized box three radios Raspberry Pi computer listen for impersonate friendly network default attwifi appear common Starbucks connection user launches GM RemoteLink Android iOS app phone’s within Wi-fi range connected OwnStar designed exploit vulnerability GM’s app steal user’s credentials send data 2G cellular connection hacker my network open the app user’s RemoteLink login credentials hacker patiently track a car retrieve hacking device unlock car’s doors steal anything inside across the Internet start the vehicle’s ignition use horn alarm access user’s name email home address last four digits credit card number expiration date accessible OnStar account Kamkar demonstrates attack tested attack 2013 Chevy Volt works with any RemoteLink-enabled vehicle takes advantage authentication problem OnStar smartphone app vulnerability specific to any vehicle installed million Android devices Google’s Play store app use SSL encryption doesn’t properly check certificate ensures user’s phone communicating only OnStar server OwnStar deviceman-in-the-middle attack impersonating server intercept user’s data GM Onstar fix the problem, simple update RemoteLink app company’s security team working on a patch Kamkar’s hack enhanced security potential threats arise GM Product Cybersecurity representatives reviewed potential vulnerability immediate fix being implemented address this concern GM vehicles larger problem cars being vulnerable digital attackers devices internet of things computerized networked lack of security pay more attention devices connected smart proof of concept car hacking Black Hat DefCon hacker conference most interesting security research vehicles vulnerabilities /

Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, Noam Chomsky, Steve Wozniak call for ban on autonomous weapons & military AI

Credit: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems/Akamai Technologies

An open letter was presented at the opening of the International Joint Conference on Artificial Intelligence (IJCAI) on 28 July. It warns of the dangers inherent in autonomous weapons & military artificial intelligence (AI). Signatories included Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, Noam Chomsky, Steve Wozniak & 1,000 artificial intelligence researchers. Read it at:

http://futureoflife.org/AI/open_letter_autonomous_weapons

Now the number of signatories has expanded to over 16,000:

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/30/opposition-autonomous-warfare-artificial-intelliegence / Artificial intelligence community comes together in unprecedented numbers to call for a ban on AI-controlled weaponry open letter artificial intelligence AI researchers urging ban offensive autonomous weapons reached 16,000 signatories signed by more than 15,000 people in the three days released letter AI technology reached a point deployment autonomous weapons practically legal legally feasible within years initially signed Tesla’s Elon Musk Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak Google DeepMind chief executive Demis Hassabis professor Stephen Hawking over 2,000 experts another 14,000 individuals outside the AI community warns: stakes are high autonomous weapons described third revolution in warfare after gunpowder nuclear arms endpoint technological trajectory autonomous weapons become Kalashnikovs of tomorrow key question humanity start global AI arms race prevent it from starting Toby Walsh AI professor University of New South Wales Australia launched in Buenos Aires momentum gathered entirely through word of mouth huge support means universal AI community issues black and white arguments both sides opinion thousands of colleagues balance of arguments favours a ban before next arms race arguments against a ban robots more precise able minimise civilian casualties risk human lives robots can take their place fear of an arms race weapons falling into the hands of terrorist organisations impetus for a ban hypothetical robots available today capabilities build autonomous weapons Google autonomous car high level goal make a plan how to achieve that goal sense computer vision radar executing that plan identify when the plan breaks find a new plan start executing take evasive action identify when it has reached goal essentially the capabilities build an autonomous weapon system find locate track target terrorists means or capabilities build a Google-like car technology is smaller cheaper better computing killer robots fear most small ones swarms of tens or hundreds of robots hard to defend against such an opponent small robots cheap easy to replicate AIs explicit go-ahead to murder ethical challenges ahead challenging important ethical decisions AI life or death decision car on the wrong side of the road UN conference in Geneva future of weaponry killer robots ban development of autonomous weapons Campaign to Stop Killer Robots /

Dammed if you do, damned if you don’t — using Apple Pay on London transport (video)

Credit: Apple Inc/appadvice.com

Apple Pay is a system allowing users to make payments for goods & services using selected Apple mobile devices.



It launched in Britain on 14 July¹. Transport for London (TfL) will accept payment via Apple Pay². In common with other automated payment systems for public transport, users have to “tap on & tap off”. This allows the transport provider to know the length of the user’s journey, & so, how much to charge. A user who doesn’t “tap off” is charged the maximum fare.

If the phone battery runs out during the journey, or the device becomes inoperative for any other reason, the user will be unable to “tap off” & will be charged the maximum fare.

TfL carriages have power points fitted. A few minutes of charging could give enough charge to "tap off". Not worth it, as Robin Lee, found, when he was arrested for charging his phone on a London train.

Like the Robin Lee story, using Apple Pay on TfL gets worse.

If a ticket inspector boards the train, & the device is inoperative (i.e. unable to provide evidence of having "tapped on"), the user is also liable to be charged a penalty.

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/apple-pay-tfl-says-users-will-face-penalty-charges-if-their-battery-runs-out-on-the-tube-10394417.html

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2015/jul/16/tfl-cautions-pitfalls-apple-pay

Lessons learnt:
● don’t use Apple Pay on TfL

● don’t use Apple Pay for public transport in other places unless you are aware of the possible consequences

If you decide to ignore the advice above:

● before you decide to use a power point on public transport, make sure you understand the applicable rules (see the Robin Lee story, linked above)

● always carry a backup battery
__________

¹ “Apple Pay Now LIVE In UK! HSBC & First Direct Join The Party”, http://www.knowyourmobile.com/ios/apple-pay/23175/apple-pay-now-live-in-uk-how-it-works-setting-up-card

² “Apple Pay UK: how to get it & how to use it in shops & on the Tube”, http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/apple-pay-how-to-get-it-and-how-to-use-it-10386268.html

/ Apple Pay TfL Transport for London users face penalty charges battery runs out on the Tube users Apple Pay face hefty charges phone runs out goes flat battery discharges on the Tube newly-released technology users pay for things journeys tube TfL network iPhone phone tap on unable to tap out tap off pay the maximum fare slapped with a penalty charge iPhone Apple Watch must be switched on use it to travel TfL warns official Apple Pay page check that you have enough battery iPhone Apple Watch complete your journey traveller travellers run out of battery station can’t tap out charged a maximum fare inspector users touch phone on the reader liable penalty fare TfL running out of charge train plug it into any available outlets arrested charging phone Overground journey accused abstracting electricity running out of battery warnings TfL using Apple Pay journeys warns use the same device Apple Watch iPhone iPad tap in and out card clash phone other contactless cards Apple Pay Transport for London users face penalty charges battery runs out on the Tube /