Samsung Galaxy Note 7 announced

● 4GB RAM

● 64 GB flash storage – no other capacities available – although Samsung is offering a free 256GB Micro SD card with pre-orders

● faster performance

● higher-capacity battery – 3500mAh

● smaller & lighter than Note 5

● USB type C replaces Micro USB for charge & sync

● iris scanning

● waterproof (IP68) – S-pen too – so you can write on the Note 7 screen under water – if you can think of a reason to – more likely to be useful is resistance to momentary immersion, splash, rain, or spray without damage to S-pen or phablet

● pre-orders start today



https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2016/aug/02/samsungs-galaxy-note-7-is-waterproof-and-has-iris-scanning

http://www.smh.com.au/technology/mobiles/samsung-unveils-irisreading-galaxy-note-7-20160802-gqjn6e.html

http://www.cnet.com/products/samsung-galaxy-note-7-preview/

Galaxy Note 7? – what happened to the Note 6?

http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/07/samsung-galaxy-note-7-for-release-on-02.html

Galaxy Note 7 Vs Galaxy S7 Edge: what's the difference?



http://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2016/08/03/galaxy-note-7-vs-galaxy-s7-edge-whats-the-difference/#6b56dab26d23 / Samsung unveils Galaxy Note 7 phablet unlock with your eyes Korean smartphone manufacturer high-end features curved glass premium materials shift latest phablet category creator Samsung’s latest phablet Galaxy Note 7 first smartphone iris scanning technology biometric identification Samsung’s latest Galaxy Note 7 phablet first smartphone ship iris scanner read your eyes let you into your phone in seconds invented phablet 2011 original Galaxy Note Samsung skipped Note 6 Note line up numerical par popular Galaxy S7 line new phone features high-end premium design build Galaxy S7 Edge popular fit and finish Korean firm’s smartphones infrared transmitter receiver iris scanning front-facing selfie camera Galaxy Note 7 biggest selling feature new biometric option infrared iris scanner just seconds to set up unlock phone glance either eye fingerprint scanner home button glasses-wearers appreciate remove glasses contact lenses make the iris scanner work Note 7 similar specifications the Galaxy S7 Edge IP68 rating waterproof to depths of 1.5m for 30 minutes 12-megapixel camera back 4GB of RAM 64GB of flash storage microSD card slot 256 GB microSD Galaxy Note 7 first Samsung smartphone new USB-C connector phablet 5.7in quad HD screen USB-C integrated S-pen stylus waterproof work screen is wet Samsung screen ready new high dynamic range video standard high-end televisions supported content Amazon’s Prime video service Samsung Note 7’s Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow software turn video into gifs screen stylus-related tools write on smartphone’s screen asleep without having to wake it up S-Pen stylus 4,096 pressure sensitivity levels waterproof screen even when wet Samsung Galaxy Note 7 curved front and back edges Galaxy S7 Edge feel premium ergonomic in the hand Note 7’s USB-C port Gear VR headset Samsung more comfortable new Gear VR accessory port side revamped controls Samsung more than 1 million users Gear VR headset VR headsets top-end smartphone sell phablets larger-screen smartphones popular differentiate high-priced phablets large-screened smartphones primarily designed media consumption Korean firm stylus functions premium materials Knox security platform fingerprint iris scanners most secure easy to use smartphones lure customers Galaxy Note 7 Galaxy Note 7 three colours black silver/gold colour light metallic blue with gold sides /

A brief history of climate change

A couple of things that may surprise you in this video:

● Many believe, that the idea that carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas, is recent. Actually, it was discovered in 1896.¹

● A conservative politician like Margaret Thatcher speaking about, “the global threat of climate change”, all those years ago, may seem surprising. Actually, before she was a barrister or a politician, Margaret Thatcher was a research chemist, so she was well qualified to understand the science.²

__________

¹ S.M. Enzler MSc, “History of the greenhouse effect & global warming”, https://www.lenntech.com/greenhouse-effect/global-warming-history.htm

² Wikepedia: “Margaret Thatcher”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Thatcher / world wide climate change global warming carbon dioxide CO2 carbon carbon monoxide fossil fuel petroleum black coal brown coal petrol gas gasolene gasoline Diesel internal combustion engine burn water vapour vapor greenhouse effect greenhouse gas green house Svante Arrhenius 1859-1927 Swedish scientist first half 2016 blows away temp records record hot June 2016 will be the hottest year on record globally data released running average global temperatures during 2016 monthly numbers from NASA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration NOAA planet on track surpass 2015 hottest on record 2016 blown that out of the water Gavin Schmidt director NASA’s Goddard Institute for Space Studies 2016 boost exceptionally strong El Niño record temps excess heat built up in Earth’s atmosphere accumulating greenhouse gases heat raising global sea levels disrupting ecosystems more extreme weather events every month this year has been record warm globally among the first ever recorded exceed 1°C 1.8°F above average NASA NOAA all six months of the year so far exceeded that remarkable benchmark compared to preindustrial temperatures El Niño temperature departures record-high levels June above 20th century average NOAA above 1951-1980 average NASA June record warm for the contiguous U.S intense record-breaking heat wave NOAA record unprecedented 14 consecutive record-hot months streak Deke Arndt head climate monitoring division NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information long-term warming trend setting records beyond anything we had seen before early 2015 June’s record heat year-to-date above the 20th century average NOAA above average NASA temperatures excess global temperature data baselines comparing temperatures long-term warming trend nations have agreed goal keeping warming under 2°C 3.6°F above temperatures from preindustrial times manmade greenhouse gases increasing in the atmosphere end of the century current global temperatures into perspective NASA NOAA data two datasets averaged compared average from 1881-1910 preindustrial era above the average Arctic sky-high temperatures this year record-low sea ice levels roasting Arctic temperatures extended into Alaska hottest temperature Arctic coast oceans persistent warmth NOAA global average ocean temperature above the 20th century average largest such departure in 137 years of records elevated temperatures record third year of a global coral bleaching event water changes temperature air land global ocean heat temperatures record pace forecasts predictions La Niña global temperatures year warmest long-term trend of warming is clear record heat of the 15 warmest years on record, 14 have occurred in the 21st century warmest on record climate variability factors strength of the La Niña warmest years on record /

Wet macroburst over Phoenix

@chopperguyhd Here's a closer look at today's microburst over Phoenix pic.twitter.com/jkXuRvXL3k

— Bruce Haffner (@chopperguyhd) July 19, 2016

Some of the predictions of climate change models include:
● warmer, more moist atmosphere
● more energy in the atmosphere
● more variable weather
● more violent weather
● less frequent, but more intense rain

All of these come together in a wet microburst,¹ less formally known as a rain bomb. Winds up to 250 kph (150 mph) are generated.² On Tuesday 19 July in Phoenix, much the same thing happened, but because the radar footprint was larger than 4 kilometres (2.5 miles), it is called a wet macroburst.¹



http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-07-29/forget-tornadoes-rain-bombs-are-coming-for-your-town

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/07/19/microbursts_like_the_one_that_hovered_over_phoenix_work_like_tornadoes_in.html
__________

¹ Wikepedia: “Microburst”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microburst

² NOAA: “What is a microburst?”, http://www.srh.noaa.gov/ama/?n=microbursts / Tornadoes rain bombs evidence sky water larger and larger cascades storm an inch of rain down 23 people died West Virginia flooding peak more than 8 inches fell within half a day once-every-1,000 years rain storm maelstrom dropped five times as much rain as normal Houston more than a dozen people died city's fifth major flood rainfall is trending higher most dramatic recent image Bruce Haffner Phoenix TV helicopter pilot looks like 20-megaton warhead going off rain bomb phenomenon known meteorology circles wet microburst supposed to happen rarely conditions must be just right thunderstorm dry patch of air sucks moisture away air underneath the storm cloud cools making it more dense air around it cooler air drop into even warmer air accelerates air can blast out of the sky more than 150 miles per hour 250 kilometres per hour deflects off the ground pushes winds outward tornado strength Phoenix event macroburst radar footprint wider than 2.5 miles Amber Sullins chief meteorologist ABC-15 News scientists understand mechanics small-scale weather events rain bombs tornadoes severe thunderstorms modest improvements projections storms behave changing atmosphere region research showing rain events less frequent more intense climate change our new reality Sullins known much greater confidence climatologists storms continue intensify stockpiling water vapor atmosphere building worldwide arsenal rain bombs wet microbursts macrobursts typical Noah-scale deluges study climate change relationship to war sky keeps falling is clearer human activity increased amount carbon dioxide CO2 air atmosphere more than 40 percent above pre-industrial levels CO2 climate pollutants trap more heat in the atmosphere hotter atmosphere holds more water 4 percent more degree Fahrenheit rise average temperature more water vapor energy more intense storms lots more water once-every-five-year storms occurred 40 percent more often normal U.S.A. USA every three years five-year storms 80 percent more frequently than expected Ken Kunkel scientist NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Centers for Environmental Information amount of rain is increasing amount extreme rain increasing Earth's land masses year 2010 88 percent more broken records occurred stable climate study German researchers from 1981 to 2010 12 percent more record-breaking rainstorms occurred worldwide than would have happened without human influence implies that over the last 30 years, roughly one in ten record-breaking events would not have occurred without climate change scientists rain bomb land lightning will strike next clear wide-ranging research human activity climate change global warming /

Charles Sturt University first in Australia to be declared carbon neutral

Credit: Charles Sturt University/ABC

Charles Sturt University is an institute of higher learning with nine campuses spread over a thousand kilometres in regional New South Wales & Victoria in Australia. On Tuesday 26 July, 2016 the organisation was certified as Carbon Neutral under the National Carbon Offset Standard – Carbon Neutral Program, which is administered by the Federal Department of the Environment.

Measures taken include more efficient lighting & air conditioning, generation of solar electricity + purchase & onsite generation of offsets. A particular problem for such a widely dispersed organisation is energy required for travel between campuses.

When interviewed, Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann said that the carbon neutral programme was saving the university a lot of money.

ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-07-28/csu-becomes-first-in-australia-to-be-carbon-neutral/7667430

Charles Sturt University
http://news.csu.edu.au/latest-news/business-and-commerce/australias-first-and-only-carbon-neutral-university / Charles Sturt University first Australia declared carbon neutral Charles Sturt University slashed environmental footprint first Australia declared carbon neutral university status reducing emissions buying offsets nine campuses New South Wales Victoria $1 million contract lower energy use installed solar panels new buildings bought carbon credits projects Australia and overseas CSU Vice Chancellor Professor Andrew Vann being carbon neutral saving university a lot of money managing to offset additional costs university must set an example challenge need to engage with species important universities show leadership Professor Vann university biggest challenges declared carbon neutral distance staff travel between campuses effort pay-offs pay off pay-off payoff major source of emissions vehicle fleet driving between campuses major thrust more energy efficient vehicles challenge working many years lot of work worth it 26 organisations country given the status modelling good practice we have to engage with species dealing with our emissions footprint graduate learning objectives students are environmentally conscious thinking about these issues raise awareness student population /

Britain reconsiders Hinkley C nuclear power – renewables cheaper, faster, safer

Credit: Wikimedia

Britain has put its new Hinkley Point nuclear power plant¹ on hold. Vested interests are vocal,^2,3 but nuclear prices continue to rise, (never on time, never on budget) – while renewables keep getting cheaper.

UK Tories wake up to nuclear folly, as wind & solar found to be cheapest
http://reneweconomy.com.au/2016/uk-tories-wake-up-to-nuclear-folly-as-wind-and-solar-found-to-be-cheapest-92800

Hinkley C's future is in doubt. Let's turn our sights to offshore wind
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/14/hinkley-cs-future-is-in-doubt-lets-turn-our-sights-to-offshore-wind

Scrapping Hinkley for renewable alternatives would save 'tens of billions'
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/apr/05/scrapping-hinkley-for-renewable-alternatives-will-save-tens-of-billions
__________

¹ Wikipedia: “Hinkley Point C nuclear power station”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinkley_Point_C_nuclear_power_station

² The Independent: “Hinkley Point: Government’s decision to put contract on hold is bewildering, unions say”, http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/hinkley-point-c-nuclear-power-government-s-decision-to-put-contract-on-hold-is-bewildering-unions-a7162976.html

³ The Guardian: “Hinkley Point: China warns UK not to drive away investors”, https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/aug/01/china-warns-uk-over-suspicious-approach-to-hinkley-point-deal / UK Tories Conservatives Conservative Party nuclear folly wind solar cheapest decision UK’s Tory government hold approval world’s biggest single energy investment Hinkley C nuclear plant concerns potential role Chinese state companies realisation new nuclear horrendously expensive boondoggle cost wind solar falling cost of nuclear little surprise anyone involved energy markets nuclear industry supporters news new data previously unheralded National Audit Office report United Kingdon Great Britain England government cost wind solar half new nuclear 2025 nuclear renewable technologies more expensive nuclear cost Hinkley built expects renewables cheaper option Hinkley Point nuclear project blown out costs relies significant government guarantees subsidies tariff pay built tariff rises with inflation 35-year contract more than double price 2050 cost wind solar fall energy department forecasts levelised cost electricity wind solar decreased since 2010 cost forecast for gas has not changed nuclear has increased detailed energy department findings assessment important Australia facing major decisions generation fleet next decade UK has decided end coal-fired generation last two months amount solar production beaten coal production smitten new nuclear evident folly project blown out in cost falling price wholesale electricity lifetime subsidy Bridget Woodman University of Exeter accommodating Hinkley UK government redesign electricity market every major policy design Hinkley Point C government stepped back from the brink UK government head National Grid called for a complete rethink about the nature of energy systems idea of baseload power is already outdated from a consumer’s point of view baseload solar on rooftop heat pump baseload electrons free at the margin industry based on meeting demand extraordinary amount of capital tied up unusual set of circumstances ensure supply at any moment turned on its head experts David Elmes head Warwick Business School Global Energy Research Network megaprojects solution new mix between smaller and larger considering consumption as well as supply more decentralised central industries companies institutions government departments important implications for Australia, whose official energy blue-print, apart from ignoring climate change fascination nuclear energy large centralised power plants coal generators push-back decentralised energy emerging cheaper cleaner alternative current business models extend life assets conservative politicians smaller distributed energy smartest way forward solar Australia cheapest technology storage smart technology alternative centralised gold-plated networks account half consumer electricity bills recent price surge gas concentration of market power transferred this cost wholesale electricity prices South Australia distributed energy increasingly attractive option competition South Australia at the forefront Australia proposes to move forward dabbled nuclear power suffered forces powerful oligopoly consumers are being burnt by retailers long-term vision for the future trap of power system security euphemism for the status quo meeting of state and federal energy ministers /

Titanium-gold is three times harder than steel

Credit: Francais Express

Professor Emilia Morosan, of the physics departmen at Rice University, discovered the extraordinary hardness of this titanium-gold alloy, largely by accident. She was testing the alloy for its magnetic properties. Part of the testing required that the alloy sample be ground into a fine powder – which proved to be impossible.

Titanium & gold are both unusually well tolerated by the body (biocompatible), which makes them suitable for implants. This new alloy appears to be even more biocompatible. Combined with its extreme hardness, it is likely to be ideal for applications such as hip replacements.

Gizmag
https://www.gizmag.com/hardening-up-titanium/44520/?li_source=LI&li_medium=default-widget

Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/2016/07/25/extra-strong-titanium-gold-alloy/ / chance discovery physics lab Rice University ultra-hard material titanium knee hip replacements scientists melting gold titanium mix non-toxic metal four times harder than titanium more durable longer lasting medical implants Professor Emilia Morosan professor physics Rice University experiments magnetic material nonmagnetic elements titanium-gold mix one-to-one ratio team's process developing new compounds grind it up into powder X-rayed X-ray identify composition structure purity grind up titanium-gold diamond-coated mortar and pestle grind it up series of tests hard compound alloy titanium-gold compounds alloy three parts titanium to one part gold formed at high temperature preparing compound high temperatures creates purely crystalline form beta version alloy four times hardness of titanium researchers compound impressive properties high temperature cooked material prepared at lower temperatures atoms arrange themselves cubic structure alpha form titanium-3-gold hardness similar regular titanium assessed hardness materials alpha arrangement of atoms Beta titanium-3 gold three four times harder steel four times harder than pure titanium currently being used dental implants replacement joints researchers material use medical implants titanium and gold more biocompatible materials testing showed titanium-3-gold more biocompatible wear-resistant pure titanium team exploring treating with chemicals even harder /

Turn your Android phone into a laptop

Superbook with processing power & storage attached
Credit: Andromium Inc./Kickstarter

Your phone has a lot of processing power (4 or 8 cores now common) & storage, (32 GB & above common + option of 128 GB microSD). Actually, the biggest limit to phone productivity is the small screen & keyboard.

Superbook leverages the strengths of an Android OTG phone, & overcomes its productivity shortcomings, by adding an 11.6 inch 768p screen (1080p $30 option), keyboard, 10 hour battery, plus USB-C & Micro-B sockets. Full size USB-A allows connection of additional storage, mouse &/or USB hub.

Funding on Kickstarter has passed $1 million, at this time.



Most of the expensive parts of a laptop are provided by the phone, so you can still get a Superbook for as little as $US99.

Kickstarter project
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/andromium/the-superbook-turn-your-smartphone-into-a-laptop-f

Gizmag
http://www.gizmag.com/andromium-superbook-android-laptop/44511/

Trusted Reviews
http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/the-superbook-turns-your-phone-into-a-laptop / smartphones incredibly powerful run productivity apps games size input displays power Andromium new Superbook Android smartphone 11.6-inch screen full-size keyboard trackpad Andromium leverage power smartphone processing grunt laptop 4G smartphone engine laptop PC crowdfunding campaign Andromium fully-functioning phone-based workstation phone funding goals peripherals cables laptop shell connects Android smartphone single USB cable Superbook laptop 11.6 inch LCD display 1,366 x 768 resolution full-size keyboard built in trackpad Superbook phone supports USB-OTG running Android 5.0 USB-C MicroUSB cable built in battery charging connected phone over ten hours of work Andromium OS app enables desktop OS-like features mouse cursor keyboard shortcuts full-screen operation Play Store apps full compatibility Microsoft Office suite upgrade your smartphone updating your computer project Kickstarter goal most basic Superbook pack gold laptop USB-OTG cable wall adapter $99 pledge level Superbook blue or gold universal smartphone mount screen-edge wall charger shipping should start in February 2017 /