New features in Android 7 Nougat

Android 7 split screen
Credit: Android Authority

● smarter notifications
● multi-window mode

● Quick Switch back & forth between apps with a double tap of the menu button

● adjust size of icons
● upgraded file manager

● Data Saver – when activated, prevents non-essential apps from using data

● Doze mode – low power mode when phone is not in use, to save battery

● customise Quick Settings
● direct replies from notifications bar

● Multi Locale language settings – use two or more languages at the same time

● 72 new emojis – Android now has over 1500

● JIT Compiler – smart compiler optimises for each individual phone, for faster updates & smaller executables

● Virtual Reality mode

http://www.lifehacker.com.au/2016/08/the-best-new-features-in-android-7-nougat/?utm_source=Lifehacker+Australia&utm_campaign=3abd05cb17-lifehacker_2016_08_25&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_9fc709844c-3abd05cb17-278953185

http://www.androidauthority.com/android-7-0-features-673002/ / Google rolling out latest mobile operating system Android 7 Nougat select Nexus devices major changes operating system OS Android N officially out today range of Nexus phones dubbed Android Nougat new mobile operating system improvements new productivity tools Nexus models currently supported update Nexus 6 Nexus 5X Nexus 6P Nexus 9 Nexus Player Pixel C General Mobile 4G Android One official Android Beta program receive update marter notifications Android 7 new notifications pane overhauled new options notifications app bundle themselves together easier viewing tap main icon rest app its own notifications settings adjust features vibration silence notifications app level Multi-window mode Android Nougat biggest new features OS support multi-window mode most apps activate multi-window mode simply long-press square Recents button open two apps at once nothing new Samsung Galaxy users first time built directly into Android OS Quick Switch switch back and forth between apps double tap menu button Icon size adjustments text size change size of the icons on your device vision isn’t the best nice option to have Advanced file manager Android built-in file manager third-party tools like File Commander ES File Explorer new-look menu easier access specific file types directories rename files move them different folders Data Saver new tool limit how much data your device uses activated non-essential apps run in the background won’t be able to access your data Doze mode new battery saving feature automatically activates low power usage carrying phone around without using it customise Quick Settings rearrange Quick Setting tiles prioritise the ones you use most neat little time saver direct replies from notifications bar reply directly to messages emails notifications bar without opening the required app multi Locale language settings bi-lingual mulri-lingual use two or more languages at the same time 72 new emojis Android has over 1500 emoji built in Vulkan API Android’s latest application programming interface API designed work across different mobile console desktop gaming platforms easier develop boon anyone into mobile gaming uses graphically taxing work applications JIT Compiler latest version Android JIT compiler optimises apps your phone’s unique hardware specifications potential significantly reduce storage space apps should make updates run faster Virtual Reality mode Android inbuilt Virtual Reality mode compatible with Daydream-ready phones download auto-updates enabled received prompt update operating system manually download Android Nougat diving into your phone’s settings mass updates users receive update Google could take several weeks reach all devices OS Google’s official Android website /

Aliens in orbit around a distant star? – Probably not, but $100k raised on Kickstarter to find out

Star KIC 8462852, a.k.a. Tabby’s Star, image on Astronomy Picture of the Day. See more at http://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap160613.html
Credit: Shannons

KIC 8462852, was just an unremarkable star 1,480 light years away, until citizen scientists noticed its extreme & irregular dimming. Tabetha Boyajian, an astronomer at Louisiana State University, set up a Kickstarter project which raised over $100,000 (largest single pledge, $10,000) to fund use of a telescope to find out more.

Tabetha Boyajian on Ted Talks


Kickstarter project
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/608159144/the-most-mysterious-star-in-the-galaxy/description

Tabby’s Star has its own Subreddit
https://www.reddit.com/r/KIC8462852/

Wired
http://www.wired.com/2016/08/mysterious-star-universe-became-brand/?mbid=nl_82316_p2&CNDID= / revealed first data telescope survey very special star using Las Cumbres Observatory Global Telescope Network watch unpredictable dimmings KIC 8462852 star 1,480 light years away strange flickering pattern many explanations stars asteroids or comets passing between there and Earth turned this star into a star making Boyajian’s new survey possible aliens new research wouldn’t exist support 1,762 people who signed on Boyajian’s Kickstarter campaign emailed sneak data-peek yesterday entire subreddit devoted discussion Tabby’s Star we’ll get to the bottom greatest mystery ever faced scientific community user named Pringlecks member shared Boyajian’s email forum Tabby’s Star logo moniker figurehead cohesive online presence fan base brand now points to new way of doing science Tabby’s Star began celebrity ascent more than five years ago Kepler exoplanet telescope collected weird data March 2011 scientists believe something huge passed in front of KIC 8462852 whatever it was big enough block 15 percent of its light 28 February 2013 happened again blocking 22 percent reference Jupiter transit darkens the Sun just 1 percent data also showed bunch of smaller irregular dips in brightness group citizen scientists Planet Hunters were the first to notice saw KIC 8462852 weird behavior Kepler data alerted Boyajian member Planet Hunters science team brainstormed astronomical explanations discovery paper subtitle Where’s the Flux WTF idea that astronomer Jason Wright proposed what if alien megastructures big construction projects circled the star Boyajian eventually embraced megastructures last-resort hypothesis harness monetize excitement aliens work solving mystery KIC 8462852 star’s dips don’t come regular intervals needed long-term program catch the action Kickstarter project page Most Mysterious Star in the Universe $100,000 Boyajian’s team monitor star one year using private Las Cumbres telescope network long shot scientist regular outlets blast the notice millions of people 1,762 backers donated more than $107,000 overwhelmed humbled public support WTF science megastructures Kickstarter page most of the backers cheering astronomers wary associating themselves alien hypothesis lumped with UFO spotters accused hyping unlikeliest explanation publicity people get more excited about hypothetical extraterrestrials swarms of comets current leading explanation comet swarms are also cool community psyched for this science unfolding an help unfold Tabby’s Star star of the people story non-professionals interacting inexplicable data uncovered it in the first place put it on Boyajian’s radar their clicks made it popular their disposable income funding private project get more data informational website called Where’s The Flux new faculty job Louisiana State University official website reddit official /r/KIC8462852 page some posts are technical Gaia data release Tabby’s Star crowd new data Las Cumbres follow-up project Tabby’s Star multiple colors check out public data-processing software code citizen observers backyard telescopes contribute their own observations American Association of Variable Star Observers hypotheses science data SETI scientists official protocol Declaration of Principles Concerning Activities Following the Detection of Extraterrestrial Intelligence other research other scientists aliens disseminate promptly openly widely through scientific channels public media observing procedures declaration International Academy of Astronautics post it to Reddit /

Two Tesla's hacked, stolen – update

Tesla Model S, Supercharger
Credit: Shannons

Security, tracking & monitoring available in the Tesla Model S would seem to make it a bad target for theft. Case in point – a Model S stolen in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada late last year, was able to be tracked & the thief quickly apprehended. And how did the thief gain entry & drive the Model S away? Apparently, a recently purchased electronic key fob was left in the vehicle – a definite no-no in any vehicle with keyless entry.

On 11 June & 02 August, two Teslas were stolen in Germany, & have since been untraceable. It is understood that the thief or thieves were able to breach the owner’s Tesla account, in each case, to gain entry, & take the vehicle away. Whereabouts of the cars remains unknown.

Hacking of Tesla’s Model S is not completely without precedent. Other breaches, have required physical access to the vehicle & apparently achieved less control. Tesla quickly released an update.^1,2,3

One of the attractions of a Tesla Model S is the perception that Tesla’s monitoring of its vehicles makes them virtually theft-proof. Apparently the thieves in Germany disabled this capability. Most likely these thieves wanted the vehicles for parts, most obviously, the battery which is worth tens of thousands of dollars.

This brings up once again the question mark over the security of any internet-connected device. Note too, the suggestion that the hacks were actually against the owners’ Tesla accounts, rather than the vehicles themselves.

http://bgr.com/2016/08/22/tesla-model-s-stolen/

http://cleantechnica.com/2015/11/04/i-could-tell-the-911-operator-was-excited-tesla-owner-about-tracking-stolen-model-s/
__________

¹ “Tesla Model S hacked”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/08/tesla-model-s-hacked.html

² “Tesla Model S hacked at Beijing symposium”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2014/07/tesla-model-s-hacked-at-beijing.html

³ “Hacker locates, unlocks GM OnStar-equipped vehicle”, https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/07/hacker-locates-unlocks-gm-onstar.html / nobody can steal Tesla Model S Model X advanced tracking system thieves try to get away with it easily caught on-board GPS not really the case Tesla cars incredibly valuable thieves do whatever it takes grab one leave no traces behind two such thefts reported in Europe two Tesla owners Germany Tesla Model S cars stolen brand new Tesla Model S P90D August 2nd disappeared on June 11th how it happened owners will ever get them back hackers breach owners’ Tesla accounts use iPhone or Android apps access drive cars away still has the keys to the car jam GPS signal on the cars Model S briefly stolen Vancouver owner direct police location of the car using tracking data from his account how thieves plan to use these stolen Teslas painting the cars over changing plates won’t suffice take advantage Tesla’s features use car’s software Tesla keeps track of what happens with each car able to find these stolen vehicles if they ever reconnect to the system Tesla comment ways retrieve stolen cars prevent similar thefts in the future /

July 2016 was the hottest month ever recorded

Credit: Matthew S. Urdan/Twitter

On 21 July 2016, I posted:
“June 2016 was the 14th consecutive month of record heat for the globe. Fourteen consecutive record hot months is, in itself, a record.”¹

Make that 15:
“June July 2016 was the 14th 15th consecutive month of record heat for the globe. Fourteen Fifteen consecutive record hot months is, in itself, a record.”

July 2016 was world's hottest month since records began, says NASA
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2016/aug/16/july-2016-was-worlds-hottest-month-since-records-began-says-nasa

July 2016 was the hottest says NOAA
http://www.ktts.com/storm-shield/storm-shield-featured/july-2016-was-the-hottest-month-ever
__________

¹ hhg2tech: "2014 was the hottest year on record – until 2015", http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/07/2014-was-hottest-year-on-record-until.html / 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 landglobal 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 /

Sandisk Extreme 900 SSD – 10Gbps USB 3.1 performance at last!

Sandisk Extreme 900 SSD
Credit: Hardware Zone

Good:
● fast
● rugged
● runs cool

Bad:

● drive contains 2 SSDs configured as a RAID 0 array¹ – which accounts for some of the speed – but 2 drives, all other things being equal, have twice the failure rate – the “R” in RAID stands for “Redundant” – but RAID 0 doesn't have any – perhaps that’s what the zero stands for

● larger & heavier than alternatives^2,3



PC World
http://www.pcworld.com/article/3046549/storage/sandisk-extreme-900-review-10gbps-usb-31-performance-at-last.html

Cnet
http://www.cnet.com/au/products/sandisk-extreme-900-portable-ssd/

AnandTech
http://www.anandtech.com/show/10245/sandisk-extreme-900-usb-31-gen-2-portable-ssd-review
__________

¹ Wikepedia: “Raid 0”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_RAID_levels#RAID_0

² hhg2tech: “Small, fast, cute — Samsung T1 Portable SSD”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2015/09/small-fast-cute-samsung-t1-portable-ssd.html

³ hhg2tech: “Samsung T3 Portable SSD (video)”, http://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/05/samsung-t3-portable-ssd.html / testing Sandisk new Extreme 900 portable SSD 10Gbps USB 3.1 device Extreme 900 800MBps performance specs specifications pricing Samsung pint-sized T1 T3 Extreme 900 dimensions typical external 2.5-inch hard disk drive chunky heavy slide it into larger pockets heftiness drive’s incredible performance reasons Extreme 900’s size heat dissipation shock resistance SanDisk two TLC Triple Level Cell/3-bit NAND-based 6Gbps SATA SSDs controller bridge chip running RAID 0 6Gbps SATA 10Gbps performance SATA RAID next performance step PCIe SSDs multi-lane PCIe-to-USB bridge chip Extreme 900 features USB Type C port ships Type C-to-Type C Type C-to-Type A SuperSpeed cables nice inclusion USB-C device plug storage drive support 10Gbps USB 3.1 USB-C port USB 2.0 speeds 10Gbps USB 3.1 Thunderbolt messy world of Type C ports Type C reversible connector older Type A USB connectors 50-50 chance plugging in correctly first time 50-percent happen more often Sandisk Extreme 900 available 480GB 960GB 1.92TB three-year warranty on par Samsung’s T1/T3 price-wise other external USB hard drives roughly six times the price you get roughly six times the performance performance first test AS SSD Extreme 900 796MBps reading sequentially Extreme 900’s TLC NAND AS SSD write performance 781MBps TLC-as-SLC Single Level Cell/1-bit cache 598MBps cache normal use external drive almost 400MBps faster reading minimum 200MBps faster writing closest competitor Sandisk TLC SLC cache total capacity reading/writing single 20GB file hit speeds 666MBps between 550MBps and 454MBps speed dependent whether cache consecutive operations numbers dropped real-world copy tests always slower numbers generated by synthetic benchmarks Extreme 900 formatted universally readable/writable exFAT any device USB mass storage exFAT performance kiss-of-death writing small files folders formatted exFAT Extreme 900 84MBps copy 20GB mix files folders reformatting NTFS 224MBps NTFS considerably slower sequential backup copy times drastically USB 3.1 10Gbps card Extreme 900 results reflect NTFS formatting exFAT formatted to 10Gbps USB 3.1 newer PCs benchmark SanDisk’s drive testbed Atech Flash Technology Blackbird MX-1 USB 3.1 Gen II Host Card laptop users Thunderbolt 3.0 ports 10Gbps speeds Extreme 900 good performer 5Gbps USB 3.1 3.0 write speeds 420MBps read speeds 410MBps fast faster external USB SSD speed bonus 10Gbps USB Extreme 900 bested Samsung’s T1/T3 considerable margin USB 3.1 Generation 2 faster USB 3.x Gen 1 up to 780Mbps writing slower results SanDisk first major player 10Gbps USB drive implemented it extremely well MLC Multi-Level Cell/2-bit NAND more consistent write performance TLC numbers impressive Sandisk Extreme 900 drive that can hit 10Gbps USB 3.1 speeds USB Type C USB Type A cables speed portable drive big as a portable hard disk drive not exactly cheap 10Gbps USB 3.1 port is needed to take advantage of it /

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 /

Huawei’s Honor 8 is proof you’re paying too much for phones (video)

Dual cameras, rear fingerprint sensor
Credit: Huawei

● $US400 outright – $US450 with 64GB flash

● 5.2-inch, 1080 x 1920 pixels display (~423 ppi pixel density)

● octa-core CPU

● 4GB RAM

● 32GB or 64GB flash storage

● microSD, up to 256 GB in second SIM slot

● dual 12 megapixel rear cameras – second camera captures a monochrome image – clever software combines images for improved sharpness, contrast & performance in low light

● 8 megapixel front camera

● 3,000 mAh battery – fast-charging to 47% in 30 minutes

● USB-C Type-C 1.0 reversible connector for charging & data sync

● nice price :)

Huawei Honor 8 goes after millennials with fancy dual cameras
https://www.engadget.com/2016/08/16/huawei-honor-8-us-hands-on/

The Huawei Honor 8 Is Proof You’re Paying Too Much for Phones
http://www.wired.com/2016/08/huawei-honor-8-proof-youre-paying-much-phones/?mbid=nl_81816_p7&CNDID=

Hands-on with Huawei’s Honor 8 — $400 for flagship-class specs
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/08/hands-on-with-the-huawei-honor-8-a-budget-flagship-with-a-heavy-software-skin/

Manufacturer's web site
https://store.hihonor.com/us/honor-8

Specs
http://www.gsmarena.com/huawei_honor_8-8195.php / Huawei’s Honor 8 proof you’re paying too much for phones released new phone this week outrageous specs specifications nice design funky new camera tech bunch bizarre ideas about software two companies fit description Samsung Huawei only costs $400 considered Huawei phone-buying decisions Huawei’s new device Honor 8 every bit spec monster smartphone glassy colorful design 12-megapixel camera second sensor ultra-fast processor four gigs RAM fingerprint sensor doubles clickable shortcut key latest version Android lots storage room add more most practical ways simialr to Samsung’s new Galaxy Note 7 other Android phones like new Moto Z Honor 8 absurdly high VR-friendly screen resolution what else missing $800 price tag globally Huawei’s third-biggest smartphone seller only Apple and Samsung sell more phones hardly made a dent in the US most people flock carrier stores every two years wait in line sign stacks paperwork pay way too much for new phone Honor 8 won’t be Verizon store won’t contract $400 $450 with more storage click buy end of transaction that’s how it’s so cheap don’t pay AT&T carry market your phone pay rent retail stores sell your phone for a lot less definitely things you get your extra money Samsung’s extra design flourish superior camera gap vanishing $400 smartphone truly exceptional beast Honor 8 latest entrant group marketing budget overcharging you smartphone smart phone phones great phone for much less price for truly great smartphone $400 you’re paying for retail stores Lil’ Wayne commercials next time shopping for phone your carrier store use your current phone go online buy your next one /