Samsung Galaxy S7 Android phone coming soon (update)

Samsung Galaxy S7 left, S7 Edge right
Credit: Gotta Be Mobile

Update: S7 & S7 Edge have just been announced, exactly as described here. Get the latest news at:
http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/samsung-galaxy-s7-announced.html

● 21 February announcement at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona Spain

● appearance almost exactly the same as S6, except

● corners more rounded

● back too, will be rounded

● 5.1 inch screen on S7

● 5.5 inch screen on S7 Edge

● 4GB RAM

● 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor in USA

● Samsung Exynos processor in other markets

● 32 or 64GB flash storage

● micro SD slot for removeable storage

● micro USB with quick-charge capability

● 3,000 mAh, non-removeable battery

● 3,600 mAh battery in Galaxy S7 Edge

● water & dust resistance makes a return, IP67 standard

● smaller camera bulge

● camera will be 12 megapixels – combined with a sensor with more surface area, & a fast f1.8 lens to yield much improved low light performance

● Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow

http://www.gottabemobile.com/2016/02/01/samsung-galaxy-s7-release-5-things-you-need-to-know/ / leaks rumors Samsung Galaxy S7 release officially confirmed Samsung press invites Galaxy S7 February 21st launch event press photos brand new refined Samsung Galaxy S7 announce announcement announced Barcelona Spain Mobile World Congress on February 21st countless rumors launch release date Galaxy S7 Galaxy S5 Galaxy S6 new phones Galaxy S7 details Samsung Galaxy S7 bigger Galaxy S7 Edge announced February 21st rumors release date Galaxy S7 leaked benchmarks Galaxy S7 release Galaxy S7 design new Samsung Galaxy S7 round the edges slimmer more powerful same overall look and feel leaked information corners all been rounded off back will be rounded easier to hold smaller camera bulge improvements in the camera device 5.1-inch Galaxy S7 5.5-inch Galaxy S7 Edge all glass and aluminum design power button upper right side volume controls on the left micro-USB slot on bottom Quick Charge 3.0 charging no USB Type-C micro-SD slot sleek all aluminum premium handset IP67 dust water resistant Galaxy S7 Edge Samsung Galaxy S6 Galaxy S6 Edge 5.1-inch screens Galaxy S6 Edge Galaxy lineup 5.1-inch Galaxy S7 bigger Galaxy S7 Edge 5.5-inches Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge+ Galaxy S7 bigger 3,600 mAh battery curved edges both sides screen measuring tape quick access contacts popular apps notification lights face-down Galaxy S6 Edge Edge+ like Galaxy S7 Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge 5.1-inch 2560 x 1440 Quad-HD AMOLED display 5.5-inch Galaxy S7 Edge 8-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor 4GB of RAM Samsung Exynos processor 32/64GB of storage micro-SD slot user-expandable storage Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow Samsung TouchWiz UX 12 Megapixel f/1.8 aperture camera optical image stabilization 5MP front camera fingerprint scanner front home button iris scanner rumored IP67 dust water resistant 3,000 mAh battery 3,600 mAh Galaxy S7 Edge Quick Charge 3.0 technology Wireless Charging Fast Wireless charging Samsung Pay more Snapdragon 820 processor Quick Charge 3.0 technology recharge phone fully recharge phone bigger battery charges extremely quick SD slot micro-SD slot expandable storage Galaxy S6 Iris eye scanner enhanced security pressure sensitive display Apple’s 3D Touch USB Type-C reversible charging port Samsung’s Galaxy S7 Galaxy S7 Camera 12 megapixel camera Galaxy S7 16MP camera size of the images 16 megapixel photo more pixels better faster bigger sensor 12 megapixels Google Nexus 6P Galaxy S6 iPhone 6 cameras 12 megapixel camera Galaxy S7 Galaxy S7 Edge bigger sensor captures more light shoots faster more accurate better in low light less blur distortion hand-shake amazing photos video f/1.8 aperture lens fastest Samsung faster camera /

“Error 53” – Apple software update threatens to kill your iPhone 6 – update

Credit: ikream.com

Update: Apple now has a complete solution for Error 53

If you have had repairs done to the home button on your iPhone 6 by anyone other than Apple, do not upgrade to iOS 9.

Why not? Your iPhone is likely to be bricked!

Some owners claim the same problem has occurred in phones which have been damaged, but no repair has been done.

Any data not backed up, will be lost, & Apple will be unable to repair the iPhone, although they will sell you a refurbished phone of the same specification.

http://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/feb/05/error-53-apple-iphone-software-update-handset-worthless-third-party-repair?CMP=fb_gu

Error 53 has been causing problems since at least 18 August last year:

http://www.ikream.com/2015/08/troubleshooting-error-53-on-the-iphone-6-23300 / iPhone 6 users claim almost worthless phones Apple’s latest operating system permanently disables the handset detects repair carried out non-Apple technician tech world error 53 problem specialist journalist will kill your iPhone handsets home button touch ID fingerprint recognition built-in repaired non-official company individual reportedly affected customers phone damaged carry on using it without repair problem latest version Apple’s iPhone software operating system iOS 9 installed working perfectly weeks or months repair being damaged installation phone rendered photos other data handset is lost irretrievable tech experts Apple done nothing to warn users bricked install iOS upgrade Freelance photographer self-confessed Apple addict Antonio Olmos upgraded software handset repaired while on an assignment Macedonia Balkans covering the refugee crisis September dropped my phone desperately needed it for work fixed at a local shop no Apple stores in Macedonia repaired the screen home button worked perfectly standard notification Apple install the latest software accepted the upgrade phone was displaying error 53 dead spent thousands of pounds Apple products took it to an Apple store London told him there was nothing they could do his phone was now junk pay £270 for a replacement furious company deliberately make their own products useless upgrade warn customers about it big industrialised nations Apple stores are few and far between damaged phones brought back to life small third-party repairers potential problem Google iPhone error 53 no shortage people reporting Apple Support Communities forum dropped it small amount of damage install iOS 9 November error 53 lost all my data error fix my screen fix the error 53 Apple’s contravene competition rules Apple charges £236 repair home button iPhone 6 UK California-based tech expert Kyle Wiens iFixit website error 53 page website more than 183,000 hits big problem for Apple users problem occurs repairer changes home button or cable software upgrade checks still using the original components locks out the phone no warning deliberate move force drops phone use Apple for a repair Apple’s does not want third parties carrying out repairs its products allow customers recalibrate phone after a repair Daily Dot website article by tech writer Mike Wehner Error 53 will kill your iPhone iPhone 6 Plus article by tech writer Reuben Esparza iCracked phone repair service software fix no way to access the phone’s memory fix new iPhone hardware failure home button assembly spokeswoman for Apple protect fingerprint data secure enclave uniquely paired touch ID sensor iPhone serviced authorised Apple service provider Apple retail store changes touch ID sensor pairing re-validated check device iOS touch ID remain secure unique pairing malicious touch ID sensor could be substituted gaining access secure enclave iOS detects pairing fails touch ID including Apple Pay disabled device remains secure iPhone serviced unauthorised repair provider faulty screens invalid components affect touch ID sensor cause check fail pairing cannot be validated subsequent update restore additional security checks result error 53 displayed customer unrecoverable error 53 contact Apple support /

Training eagles to take out drones (video)

Drones of all sizes have rapidly become popular. Prices continue to fall & capabilities to rise. Few regulations exist to control their use.

Few recognise the dangers to privacy & physical safety of people & aircraft.

Police, in the Netherlands, are investigating using trained eagles to down drones.



http://www.theverge.com/2016/2/1/10884586/drone-vs-eagle-dutch-police

Animals around the world seem to take a dim view of drones:

Wedge tailed eagle


Chimpanzee


Kangaroo


Ram
/ Dutch police are training eagles to take out drones Netherlands Nederland anti-drone arms race got serious tech firms law enforcement experiment radio jammers net-wielding interceptor drones take down rogue quadcopter police Netherlands trialling simpler solution eagles country's law enforcement raptor training company Guard From Above birds of prey safely intercept quadcopters video demonstration eagle plucking DJI Phantom out of the air dangerous bird raptors talons sharp grip is strong crush bone indestructible carbon fiber props spinning full speed easily cut human flesh video handlers scales eagle's legs feet keeps them safe extra protection animals instinctively want to take down drones kangaroos gorillas geese dogs eagles animal backup /

Run across seven deserts in seven continents in seven weeks

Credit: Runner Today

Population growth continues apace, & with consequent growth in demand for water, the UN has predicted a 40% shortfall in water supply by 2030, if we continue our current wasteful use.^1,2

An average American household uses around 100 US gallons (379 litres) per person per day.³ Surprising as that figure is, it is only about 5% of average daily use.⁴ How is this possible?

Most water use in first world countries is water used on behalf of consumers, outside the home. E.g., to make a T-Shirt consumes 2,495 litres of water.⁵

Jeans – 9,982 litres of water
Coffee – 132 litres of water per cup
Loaf of Bread – 48 litres of water
Paper – 13 litres of water per sheet⁵

To highlight the danger, Mina Guli (CEO & founder of Thirst, an education water conservation charity), is running across 7 deserts, in seven continents – total length equals 40 marathons.

Interview with Mina Guli
http://vergemagazine.co.uk/40-marathons-seven-deserts-and-seven-continents-one-womans-mission-on-tackling-water-scarcity/

Mina Guli’s web site
https://minaguli.com/

ABC podcast
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/seven-deserts,-seven-continents,-seven-weeks/7142418

BBC – includes Flash video
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03gn7w9

Runners’ World
http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/interview/qanda-mina-guli/14499.html

Mina Guli’s entry on Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mina_Guli
__________

¹ Aljazeera: “Risk of water wars rises with scarcity” – “Almost half of humanity will face water scarcity by 2030 and strategists from Israel to Central Asia prepare for strife.”
http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2011/06/2011622193147231653.html

² The Weather Channel: “UN Predicts Serious Water Shortages by 2030”, https://weather.com/science/environment/news/water-shortage-united-nations-report

³ National Geographic: “Water Footprint Calculator Methodology & Tips”, http://environment.nationalgeographic.com.au/environment/freshwater/water-calculator-methodology/

⁴ National Geographic: “Change The Course”,
http://environment.nationalgeographic.com.au/environment/freshwater/change-the-course/water-footprint-calculator/

⁵ Gizmodo: “It Takes a Hell of a Lot More Water Than You Think to Make Jeans, Burgers, Pizza & Other Stuff”, http://gizmodo.com/5920267/it-takes-a-hell-of-a-lot-more-water-than-you-think-to-make-jeans-burgers-pizza-and-other-stuff / 40 marathons seven deserts seven continents woman mission tackle water scarcity shortage Australian water advocate Mina Guli most challenging approach raise awareness CEO Thirst education water conservation charity running 40 marathons across seven deserts seven continents challenge raise awareness issue unfortunately overlooked scarcity of water water big problem water demand continuing to outpace supply growing global population alarming rate 40 percent greater demand water than supplies available by 2030 staggering statistics running 1,040 miles 1,688 km deserts Spain Jordan Antarctica Australia South Africa Chile United States highlight risks facing next generation showcase simple solutions we can take in our daily lives make a difference questions challenge cause close to her heart life’s mission running equivalent 40 marathons intimidating plan prepare running long way extreme climates incredibly intimidating terrified doubting myself immense pain just want to give up the next generation grow a world where 40% less water available than we need send me messages of encouragement raise awareness water crisis help to avert it exciting inspiring reality check issues of water scarcity understand the full implications research researching deserts talking local people issues dealing with every single day water crisis training sacrifice absolute focus 40+km to run tomorrow terrific support team campaign cause running a desert Marathon Des Sable 250km run across the Sahara toughest foot race Thirst the water conservation charity CEO good way raise awareness water crisis run suffered enormously broken hip finish the race messages about saving water reached hundreds of thousands of young people power to make a difference water scarcity World Economic Forum Young Global Leader Peter Brabeck Chairman of Nestle Climate Change water grown up through a 10 year drought Australia Invisible Water jeans 11,000 litres of water coffee 140 litres paper 10 Litres most of the water we use in our daily lives is outside our homes water used at an unsustainable rate by 2030 we will have a 40% shortfall supply demand water supplies available new way of thinking about water get people to understand their real water footprint invisible water visible make saving water famous Thirst apply it to their everyday lives vegetarian much lower water footprint than meat eating eaters catch public transport walk run drink coffee in small quantities waste eat the food on my plate we waste two-thirds of all the food on the planet avoid soft drinks try not to use too much paper takes water protect and preserve our precious water resources educate future generations /

Better weather information for your phone

Check the two screenshots above. Both claim to show the temperature in Canberra, Australia. at the same time – check the times at the top of each image.

At the top is a page on the web site of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM). Other information available by scrolling around the screen includes, maximum & minimum temperature, relative humidity, wind velocity, & weather predictions for the rest of the week.

Second is the display from a popular weather app for Android. An iOS version is also available. The creators of this app claim to use the BOM as one of their sources.

Notice the different temperatures displayed: 17.9 - 15.2 = 2.7 Celsius degrees difference!

Frequently, the app & it’s widget will display different temperatures for the same location, at the same time. I won’t name the app, because, in my experience, there is no other which is more accurate.

Want the best weather information on your phone?

In Australia:

● go to http://www.bom.gov.au/places/

● in the “Change location” field, type the name of the town/city you are interested in, & press return

● if you will require weather information about this place frequently, bookmark it, or save a bookmark icon on your home screen

● works on your laptop too

● delete your existing weather app

Outside Australia: I have no knowledge of the accuracy of weather apps, but if you check the web page of your local weather authority, you may find a better source of weather information. / weather app Android iOS temperature precipitation relative humidity prediction wind speed velocity Australian bureau of meteorology BOM /

Battery powered homes

Credit: Getty Images/ABC

Battery storage is set to increase the capability of renewables to power the grid, & Australia has a unique set of circumstances which are likely to make it first to embrace this technology:

● among the highest electricity costs in the world¹

● technically aware community

● largest interconnected power system in the world

● lots of sunshine & many cloud-free days to generate solar electricity

● South Australia, from time-to-time has an excess of renewable electricity (mainly wind) & has begun subsidising battery storage

__________

¹ Australian Broadcasting Corporation, “Background Briefing – The big disconnect”, transcript & podcast available at:
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/backgroundbriefing/the-big-disconnect/6972114#transcript / Australian electricity bills among the highest in the world analysts driving consumers embrace new solar technologies including batteries big energy networks shot themselves in the foot electricity in Australia was cheap we pay some of the highest prices in the world I haven't seen network charges higher in any other region or country of the world Bruce Mountain Carbon and Energy Markets Australia dramatic increase driven cost of energy massive spike in network charges over-investment poles and wires otherwise known as gold-plating network charges higher any other region country of the world Bruce Mountain director of Carbon and Energy Markets Australia longtime advisor electricity regulators around the world networks are still seeking to milk the system taking account of the extraordinary expenditure profits businesses coming attention customers solar user big increase fixed network charges bill Sunshine Coast team coordinator advocacy group Solar Citizens Solar Citizen increase I did the sums my next bill my current bill fixed network charges costing Country Solar Steve Madson price increases angry told that their electricity price is going down and it's continued to go up they want to leave the grid electricity networks Tesla announced Powerwall lithium ion battery system stores solar power during the day so it can be used at night investment bank UBS total cost use less grid power Powerwall no better place for batteries right now than Australia Europe Paul Nahi CEO of Enphase Energy American company Australia global launch new solar battery system Australia very forward-looking leader of solar very mature solar market next step in energy beyond solar storage Penelope Crossley specialist in energy and resources law senior industry advisor to the Australian Energy Storage Alliance excellent solar resources very high penetration of residential solar we've got exceptionally high electricity prices driving up their charges networks have helped make Australia the best market in the world for solar storage enable network customers to get away from using the grid investment banks making staggering predictions about how big the market could get Morgan Stanley research predicting size of the battery market around 2.4 million households by 2030 Australia's official national forecaster AEMO very different view of the future battery storage revolution Ian McLeod head of Queensland network Ergon Energy trialing new projects using solar storage across its vast network passive price increases problem-led solutions using batteries early adopters edge of grid 70 per cent of solar users in Queensland still make good money selling their solar power back to the grid value storing that energy feeding it in feed in tarift market customers aren't just driven by price Australian Energy Storage Alliance Penelope Crossley consumers Australia 1.4 million homes have actually already taken steps to put solar on their roofs not passive consumers consumers actively interested in their own energy usage consumers drive the uptake of solar and storage electricity networks speed at which the uptake is occurring apartments vested interest in maintaining the status quo zinc bromine bromide flow cell gell /

Self-heating lithium-ion battery could improve EV range in winter

Credit: Penn State/EC Power/Green Car Reports

Cold weather reduces the range of electric vehicles (EVs). There is a small effect due to running the heater, but the major cause is that batteries become less efficient at converting the chemical energy stored inside them into electricity when they are cold.

Range loss is up to 40%.

Less widely recognised is the negative impact on regenerative braking & increased charging times.

Pennsylvania State University & EC Power researchers may have a solution. It is essentially a resistance-heater inside each individual cell of the battery. Warming the battery consumes less than 6% of battery capacity, depending on temperature. This compares very favourably with the 40% capacity loss from operating a cold battery.

Researchers hope that a similar approach will allow active management of batteries for improved safety, performance, & extended service life.

http://news.psu.edu/story/388410/2016/01/20/research/self-heating-lithium-ion-battery-could-beat-winter-woes

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1102141_self-heating-lithium-ion-battery-could-cut-winter-range-woes / University Park Pa Pennsylvania State University A lithium-ion lithium ion LiIon battery self heats temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit 0 zero defrees Celcius Celsium multiple applications most impact relieving winter range anxiety electric vehicle owners team of researchers Penn State EC Power State College long standing problem batteries do not perform well at subzero temperatures Chao-Yang Wang William E. Diefenderfer Chair mechanical engineering professor of chemical engineering professor materials science and engineering director Electrochemical Engine Center issue for phones laptops huge barrier electric vehicles drones outdoor robots space applications conventional batteries below freezing temperatures suffer severe power loss leads to slow charging cold weather restricted regenerative braking reduction vehicle cruise range as much as 40 percent researchers Nature magazine problems larger more expensive battery packs compensate cold sapping of energy electric cars lose 40 to 50 percent cruise range frigid weather reported American Automobile Association don't want cold weather exacerbate range anxiety cold winters range anxiety researchers previous patents EC Power developed all-climate battery weigh only 1.5 percent more cost only 0.04 percent battery designed -4 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit 20 seconds -22 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit 30 seconds consume only 3.8 percent 5.5 percent cell's capacity far less than 40 percent loss conventional lithium ion batteries all-climate battery uses nickel foil 50-micrometer thickness one end attached negative terminal extending outside cell create third terminal temperature sensor attached switch causes electrons flow through nickel foil complete circuit rapidly heats up nickel foil resistance heating warms inside battery battery 32 degrees Fahrenheit 0 degrees Celsius Celcius switch turns off electric current flows normal manner other materials resistance-heating element nickel low cost works well broaden work new paradigm Smart Battery SmartBattery Professor Wang use similar structures principles actively regulate battery's safety performance life working project Guangsheng Zhang Yongjun Leng research associates mechanical engineering Xiao-Guang Yang postdoctoral Fellow Penn State Terrence Xu Shanhai Ge Yan J, innovation engineers EC Power collaborated research Professor Wang Chief Technology Officer founder startup EC Power EC Power supported project /