Strongest hint yet Apple is working on self-driving tech

Credit: Fabrice Coffrini/Getty/Wired

There has been speculation for some time that Apple is building a motor vehicle/electric vehicle/autonomous vehicle – including in these pages.

And Apple registered some motor-vehicle-related domain names such as apple.car & apple.auto some time ago.¹

In the last few days, Apple has been reported as having written a five page letter to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Quotes include:

● [Apple is] “... excited about the potential of automated systems in many areas, including transportation”

● “... significant societal benefits of automated vehicles”

Despite some of the headlines, the only way that the Apple letter to NHTSA advances the speculation is that in indicates that:

● Apple has an interest in autonomous vehicles

● this interest may extend to an Apple autonomous vehicle, or something less ambitious, such as hardware &/or software for integration into vehicles by other manufacturers

BBC
http://www.bbc.com/news/business-38199880

Wired
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/apple-self-driving-car-plans

MacRumours
http://www.macrumors.com/roundup/apple-car/

Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/apple/2016/12/apple-is-excited-about-the-potential-of-self-driving-cars/
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¹ Apple Insider: “Apple registers apple.car, apple.auto and apple.cars domain names”, http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/01/08/apple-registers-applecar-appleauto-and-applecars-domain-names / Apple letter clearest hint working on a self-driving car letter transport regulators Apple excited about automated systems transportation Apple given its clearest indication yet working on a self-driving car working with car manufacturers letter National Highway Traffic Safety Administration NHTSA Washington Apple uses machine learning products and services smarter investing heavily study machine learning automation excited about potential automated systems transportation comments response proposed Federal Automated Vehicles Policy Apple policy fundamental ensuring safety public acceptance automated vehicles providing flexible path for innovation five-page letter stops short explicitly admitting Apple working on self-driving car despite some headlines suggesting hopes new entrants industry same opportunities established manufacturers testing technology public roads Apple would be so vocal on this matter some stake in its progress rumoured Apple's self-driving car resemble a minivan initial reports design Apple told Wired does not comment on rumours or speculation Apple in talks acquire Formula 1 team owner McLaren Technology Group rumours potential F1 acquisition surfaced July tech giant approached car firm full takeover McLaren later denied claims reports Apple's car development report McLaren claims Apple's car program dubbed Project Titan responsible design and development car Apple has also hired driverless car experts engineers Tesla other car firms Apple /

AirDroid vulnerability threatens millions of users – Update: fix released

AirDroid
Credit: GreenBot

Update 01:50 Saturday 10 December GMT: just updated to version 4.0.0.3 which claims to fix the vulnerability described below.

AirDroid is a utility for the Android phone OS which allows sharing messages & files on phones with desktops & laptops – this functionality accounts for the 10 million + downloads indicated on the Google Play store.

All of those users are now at risk due to a vulnerability in the app which makes phones susceptible to a man-in-the-middle attack. Affected versions include the latest, version 4.0.0.1 (frequently misreported as 4.0.1). Claims have been made that the author has known about the vulnerability for 6 months – although a fix is promised within 2 weeks.

What should you do? Mobile security firm Zimperium, which discovered the vulnerability, advises that users should uninstall AirDroid until a fix is available.

GreenBot
http://www.greenbot.com/article/3146640/android/severe-airdroid-vulnerability-threatens-tens-of-millions-of-android-users.html

Ars Technica
http://arstechnica.com/security/2016/12/at-least-10-million-android-users-imperiled-by-popular-airdroid-app/ / popular remote management utility AirDroid attracted millions users sharing messages files phones PCs firing it up today mobile security firm Zimperium published report several major vulnerabilities threaten threat hijack your device security issue latest 4.0.0.1 release Zimperium insecure communication channels send the same data used to authenticate the device to their statistics server same network simple man-in-the-middle attack intercept user’s email address password AirDroid hacker download malicious updates app give them full control over the device Zimperium contacted Sand Studio vulnerability last month’s release version 4.0.0.1 vulnerability has not been patched advises users uninstall AirDroid until a fix is available Betty Chen, chief marketing officer Sand Studio Greenbot working on the solution roll out within next two weeks security vulnerabilities Google accounts Google Play store AirDroid popular utility 50 million Android users developers obligation users app safe and secure as possible quickly patched similar bug exposed by Check Point /

Amazon Web Services Snowmobile – when a one gigabit per-second connection just doesn’t cut it

Amazon Web Services Snowmobile – 100 petabyte on board
Credit: Amazon

Amazon Web Services (AWS) is in the business of providing cloud storage. If you have made use of such a service, you will be aware of how long transferring even a few gigabytes to the cloud can take (depending on the speed of your connection).

For organisations with storage requirements in the 100 petabyte range (that’s 100,000 terabytes¹), AWS has a different kind of Internet connection – an 18 wheeler containing a 100 petabyte hard drive array. To upload the customer’s data to its cloud:
● Amazon delivers a Snowmobile (or a several) to the customer
● customer copies data to Snowmobile
● Amazon delivers Snowmobile(s) to its server facility
● Amazon copies customer data to its servers

For multi-petabyte data uploads, Snowmobile is faster than even a one gigabit per-second connection.

And Snowmobile? The name is derived from a similar service called Snowball – a device which can hold 80 terabytes – Amazon ships one to a customer – customer ships it back to Amazon Web Services (AWS) for upload to its cloud.

Wired – “Amazon’s Snowmobile Is Actually a Truck Hauling A Huge Hard Drive”
https://www.wired.com/2016/12/amazons-snowmobile-actually-truck-hauling-huge-hard-drive/?mbid=nl_12216_p3&CNDID=

Engadget – “Amazon's new Snowmobile collects data instead of blasting through powder”
https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/02/amazons-new-snowmobile-collects-data-instead-of-blasting-throug/

Mashable – “Amazon just unveiled its most impressive tech yet, and it's an actual truck”
http://mashable.com/2016/12/02/amazon-unveils-a-truck-to-carry-all-that-data/#2pTt5NPMH8qn

Amazon – “Amazon Web Services Snowmobile”
https://aws.amazon.com/snowmobile/
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¹ High Scalability: “How Big Is A Petabyte, Exabyte, Zettabyte, Or A Yottabyte?”, http://highscalability.com/blog/2012/9/11/how-big-is-a-petabyte-exabyte-zettabyte-or-a-yottabyte.html / Amazon new Snowmobile collects data instead of blasting through powder Amazon’s Snowmobile Is Actually a Truck Hauling A Huge Hard Drive new service that makes Google Fiber seem slow rides on 18 wheels today’s speediest internet connections faster to download movies downloading uploading large amounts of data take days months years film studio’s entire video archives satellite imagery collections government agencies lag problem Amazon companies store their information lucrative cloud logistics company solve strangest ideas yet tractor trailer transport your data to Amazon’s own data centers information superhighway joke Amazon new service named Snowmobile Re:Invent conference Las Vegas designed shuttle 100 petabytes around 100,000 terabytes per truck storage five copies of the Internet Archive comprehensive backup web present and past 18.5 petabytesof unique data Amazon businesses ship hard disks full of data Amazon uploading retail giant’s cloud copying 100 petabytes to individual hard drives isn’t practical Snowmobile acts like a giant hard drive comes to you using multiple semis shuttle data around massive amounts of data hitting open road most efficient way to go one gigabit per-second connection Google Fiber uploading 100 petabytes over Internet take more than 28 years average speed 65 mph drive Snowmobile San Francisco to New York City about 45 hours about 4,970 gigabits per second time it takes to actually transfer data onto Snowmobile Amazon take less than 10 days Snowmobile Amazon’s servers truck much much faster Amazon has data centers throughout the country data won’t need to travel cross-country security Snowmobile multiple layers logical physical protection chain-of-custody tracking video surveillance Amazon cloud /

Nikola One hydrogen fuel cell electric semi trailer tractor – making progress

Nikola One hydrogen fuel cell electric semi trailer tractor
Credit: Electric Cars Report

You may have previously read about the Nikola One semi trailer tractor on these pages in June of this year.

In the interim, the specs have changed somewhat, but there is still reason to hope for reduced pollution & improved energy efficiency compared to diesel powered equivalents.

Previously, some details were lacking, but now it appears to be a conventional hydrogen fuel cell installation, with the fuel cell charging a lithium ion battery. Fuel cell vehicles do not compare favourably with battery electric vehicles, but when the competition is diesel ...

Specs include:
● 800-1,200 mile range

● sustainable hydrogen supply produced by electrolysis of water using solar electricity

● 15 minute refill time
● 2,000 ft lbs torque
● 1,000 horsepower
● 320 kWh lithium ion battery
● up to 1,200-mile range
● regenerative braking
● reduced braking distance

● Nikola will be building a chain of 364 solar powered hydrogen refueling facilities in North America

In practice, the claimed advantages include:

● 2,000 pounds lower mass, translates into more load, & more income for the operator

● approximately double the power of diesel powered alternatives translates into reduced speed loss when climbing hills, shorter trip times & more income

● substantially improved acceleration reduces trip times

● regenerative braking reduces energy consumption & fuel costs

● fuel consumption 2 to 3 times better than diesel vehicles

AutoBlog
http://www.autoblog.com/2016/12/01/nikola-one-hydrogen-powered-semi-zero-emisson/

Engadget
https://www.engadget.com/2016/12/01/nikola-unveils-its-hydrogen-powered-semi-truck/

Green Car Reports
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1107560_nikola-one-hydrogen-range-extended-electric-truck-to-be-unveiled-tonight

Manufacturer web site
https://nikolamotor.com/one#specs / This truck will come to market, I promise you that Nikola Motor Company founder CEO Trevor Milton big reveal event new zero-emission semi truck semi trailer tractor industrial area near downtown Salt Lake City Utah Milton Nikola One truck new company change the US trucking industry videos America needs trucks truckers improve vehicles lives lower costs no dirty emissions better cab lower costs mass weight Nikola One compared traditional diesel rig about 2,000 pounds lighter weight cab add payload move more goods more goods means more money purchase or lease price lease $5,000-$7,000 a month 72 months Nikola website million miles of free hydrogen drivers refuel fill up network 364 planned Nikola hydrogen stations US and southern Canada vertically integrated Nikola make hydrogen liquefy it truck it stations solar energy electrolyze water hydrogen H2 no emissions on-board hydrogen fuel cell energy 320-kWh lithium ion LiIon battery frame rail power truck's electric motors hydrogen tailpipe water vapor diesel powertrain Nikola One reduced maintenance semi trucks powertrain 1,000 horsepower 2,000 pound-feet of torque 1,200-mile range tank battery options 15.4 miles per gallon double the average diesel semi /

Samsung removing mobile network support for the Galaxy Note 7 in Australian

Most spectacular fire attributed to a Note 7 – charging on the dashboard of a Jeep Grand Cherokee
Credit: Fox News/news.com.au

The story so far:

Soon after its release, a number of Samsung Note 7 phablets caught fire. Most, or all, while charging.

Samsung instituted a replacement programme, but fires occurred in replacement phones too.

In response, Samsung ceased production & recalled all Note 7s.

Customers were offered a choice of a refund, or replacement with an S7 or S7 Edge, with cash adjustment.

Samsung also released an over-the-air update which caused the Note 7 to only charge to 60% – presumably, to reduce the chance of fire & hobble the phone to encourage its quick return.

Despite all of the inducements indicated above, some owners have apparently failed to return their Note 7s: “Galaxy Note7 customers in Australia have responded well to the recent recall, with only a small number of affected devices still in customers’ hands.”¹

Samsung is serving notice today, that Note 7s remaining in customers’ hands will have support by mobile networks withdrawn on 15 December.

Refund & replacement options continue as before, plus there are two further inducements:
1. customers will also, “receive a specific partner offer to the value of $250”, &
2. offer will end on 22 December

Gizmodo: Samsung Is Cutting The Galaxy Note7 Off From Australian Mobile Networks
http://www.gizmodo.com.au/2016/12/samsung-is-cutting-the-note7-off-australian-networks/?utm_source=Gizmodo+Australia&utm_campaign=23c917e9af-gizmodo_2016_12_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_7a0c493e18-23c917e9af-278887065

Cnet: Samsung works with Australian carriers to cut Note 7 network access
https://www.cnet.com/au/news/samsung-australian-telcos-carriers-cut-note-7-network-access-telstra-optus-vodafone/
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¹ Samsung: “Samsung Electronics Australia announces Galaxy Note7 Australian network discontinuation”,
http://www.samsung.com/au/galaxynote7-notice/note7-network-discontinuation-release-dec-1.pdf / Samsung removing mobile network support Galaxy Note7 Australian cell phone carriers Samsung Galaxy Note 7 production permanently discontinued Samsung permanently discontinuing production Galaxy Note 7 smartphones halted global sales devices reports replacement devices catching fire South Korean regulatory filing stop manufacturing Note 7s consumer safety Samsung struggling regain consumer trust recall recalls prompted criticism faulty devices company's handling of the problem global halt sales Note 7 multiple reports exploding batteries major retailers stopped selling phones Samsung recalled devices initial recall identified manufacturing defect batteries battery top-of-the-line smartphone shipping new Note 7 phones safe safer reports replacements catching fire Samsung announcement announce stopping sales devices Monday Tuesday Wednesday South Korean firm comment identified cause of the fires replacement devices officials in Seoul several possibilities including batteries more difficult analyse cause accidents various patterns of the accidents official Korean Agency for Technology and Standards met with Samsung experts company offering exchange Note 7s other products refund them Note 7 could cost Samsung $17 billion analysts Samsung's decision pull Note 7s off the shelves raises fresh doubts about firm's quality control huge financial and reputational costs analysts permanent end Note 7 sales cost Samsung $17 billion tarnish other phone products minds consumers carriers investors wiped nearly $20 billion off Samsung Electronics market value Tuesday local time shares gadget Samsung halt sales Galaxy Note 7 exploding battery retailers stop selling phones Samsung halt sales Samsung Galaxy Note 7 smartphones prepare replacement devices phones already sold multiple reports exploding batteries Australia's biggest phone retailers stopped selling phone reported problems were being investigated Samsung take about two weeks prepare replacement devices phones already sold high-end gadget launched just weeks ago users have complained battery fault caused phones explode catch fire while being charged 35 cases of problems smartphone concerned customers return the phone outlet where they purchased it JB Hi-Fi Optus Telstra remove phones unclear how many phones been affected telecommunications provider paused sales Samsung Galaxy Note 7 investigation by Samsung customers concerns Samsung Galaxy Note 7 handset visit nearest Optus store discuss their options Telstra investigating problem Galaxy Note 7 phones Samsung precaution paused Galaxy Note 7 sales Telstra spokesperson contact existing owners directly issue affecting their phones unclear how many phones have been affected problem nip it in the bud right now analysts expect the Note 7 problems to be resolved quickly ongoing major problems derail Samsung's mobile recovery string of product successes reversed the smartphone leader's declining market share South Korean firm maintain strong sales momentum stiffening competition Apple Inc release its latest iPhone Samsung name exploding battery injury Investors stripped about $7 billion off Samsung Electronics' market value shipment delays /

Levitating light bulb

It’s not anti-gravity – unsurprisingly, the bulb is supported by magnets. Power is supplied to run the LEDs by induction.

And it will wirelessly charge your suitably equiped phone too – although not while the light bulb hovers.



Flyte began life as a Kickstarter project
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flyte/flyte-levitating-light

If you want one, they are on the expensive side for a 60 Watt light bulb equivalent – actual consumption is in the 3 Watt range, although most of that is consumed just levitating the bulb – even if the light is off.

Manufacturer’s web site has levitating plant pots too
https://flyte.se/ / Flyte levitating light globe bulb hovers hover magnetic levitation power powered mid air lightbulb lightglobe free break from gravity experience something surreal appears suspended no batteries powers light induction magnet magnets magnet magnetic magnetism levitation hover /

iPhone 8 rumours

Credit: Apple Insider

Next year’s iPhone 8 is rumoured to include:
● OLED display
● 5.1 or 5.2 inch diagonal screen

● substantially or wholly glass chassis – which may be for aesthetic or to facilitate;

● wireless charging

● 4.7 & 5.5-inch LCD screen models may continue alongside the OLED screen model, due to restraints on OLED screen supply

● OLED phone may share the 5.5 LCD phone’s dual camera

http://appleinsider.com/articles/16/11/23/every-2017-iphone-to-feature-wireless-charging-and-glass-casing-analyst-says

http://www.universityherald.com/articles/52321/20161128/apple-iphone-8-specs-release-date-next-gen-will-sport.htm / 2017 iPhones expected feature wireless charging glass casing rumors Apple substantially glass chassis next-generation iPhone lineup aesthetics analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, however Apple glass sandwich design facilitate wireless charging note investors AppleInsider all 2017 iPhone models wireless charging competing handsets Samsung supplier Pegatron develop wireless charger cable hardware development outside electronic manufacturing firm Apple component comprehensive testing production Hon Hai Foxconn Taiwanese manufacturing giant Apple's OLED iPhone Foxconn Pegatron wireless charger supplier 2017 Apple wireless charging cable iPhone production introductory level wireless charging Pegatron OLED iPhone assembly manufacturer OLED iPhone orders next year offset supply risk diversifying Apple's supply chain Pegatron 4.7-inch LCD model iPhone orders next-generation iPhone mass production analyst demand new iPhone shipments OLED model 4.7 5.5-inch variants older LCD technology rumor mill Apple's first OLED iPhone expected release date OLED handset new form factor 5.1 or 5.2 inches diagonal constrained OLED panel supply analyst Apple 4.7 and 5.5-inch LCD offerings OLED variant 5.5-inch LCD 4.7-inch model dual-lens array module next year's flagship OLED iPhone celebrate 10th anniversary Apple's revolutionary smartphone monolithic all-glass design front-facing FaceTime camera earpiece Touch ID fingerprint sensor flexible OLED panel aesthetics completely seamless edge-to-edge display iPhone iPhone 8 2017 iPhone /