Tesla's Melbourne to Brisbane Supercharger route opens

Credit: Tesla

Tesla's Melbourne to Brisbane Supercharger route has opened with the addition of Tesla Superchargers at

● Knockrow (just below Gold Coast in the map above)

● Coffs Harbour

● Heatherbrae (just north of Newcastle)

For the time being, it will be necessary to plan around non-availability of a Supercharger in Brisbane. This should not be difficult – Google Maps indicates Knockrow-Brisbane CBD is only 176 km.

And Coffs Harbour is a temporary installation with just two bays.

Reaching either of the two Superchargers in Sydney requires a substantial deviation from the most direct route, for many journeys, through relatively heavy traffic. Best plan may be to bypass them. Google Maps reports Goulburn-Heatherbrae as a distance of 349 km.

Interactive map
https://www.tesla.com/en_AU/findus#/ / battery charge recharge electric vehicle battery BEV EV LiIon lithium ion cell travellers car park resides panel solar grid newly constructed car port electric revolution charging stations electric cars petrol bowsers driving longer distances electric cars the way of the future electric vehicle EV new car sales figures demand for electric cars, Australia big infrastructure investment technology American electric car company Tesla 16 high-powered supercharger stations between Melbourne Brisbane 2016 stations Tesla customer travel supercharger network exceeding 140 stations established luxury brands BMW local electric market rollout free electric charging stations build it and they will come Tesla spokesman Heath Walker supercharger network hotel partnerships high powered wall units motles hotels single three phase Darling Hotel in Sydney Marriot Melbourne range anxiety high purchase prices infrastructure charging at home barrier 40 amps of power home house charge overnight up to 500km of range next morning forward thinking Elon Musk design range car charging station free for public use Tesla Melbourne to Brisbane Supercharger route opened addition Tesla Superchargers Knockrow Gold Coast map Coffs Harbour Heatherbrae north Newcastle Raymond Terrace Supercharger Brisbane Coffs Harbour temporary installation two bays two Superchargers Sydney most direct route journeys heavy traffic bypass distance interactive map /

AirBar gives your laptop a touchscreen

AirBar fitted to a MacBook Air
Credit: Stereopoly

Touchscreens are widely available in phones, tablets, smart watches, some laptops & a very small number of desktops.

If you want to add touch to your not-touchscreen computer, AirBar may have the answer.



Airbar is available for 15.6" Windows laptops. In March, a MacBook Air 13.3" version will be available.

Apple has been saying it will never release a touchscreen Mac since at least 2010,^1,2,3 so if you are a Macbook user, Airbar is your only touchscreen option for the foreseeable future.

The Next Web: “AirBar adds touchscreen & gesture control to non-touch PCs”
https://thenextweb.com/gadgets/2017/01/07/airbar-adds-touchscreen-and-gesture-control-to-non-touch-pcs/

Engadget: “AirBar gives your MacBook Air a touchscreen for $99”
https://www.engadget.com/2017/01/04/airbar-macbook-air-touchcreen/

Manufacturer’s web site
http://www.air.bar/
http://air.bar/mac
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¹ Cult of Mac: “Why Apple Will Never Ship a Touchscreen MacBook”, (2010) https://www.cultofmac.com/75179/why-apple-will-never-ship-a-touchscreen-macbook/

² Cnet: “Touch-screen Mac unlikely, says Apple's Federighi”, (2014) https://www.cnet.com/au/news/touch-screen-mac-unlikely-says-apples-federighi/

³ Cult of Mac: “Here’s why Apple will never give MacBook a touchscreen”, (2016) https://www.cultofmac.com/451511/heres-apple-will-never-give-macbook-touchscreen/ / AirBar MacBook Air touchscreen USB accessory below display held in place magnets MacBook Pro Touch Bar Apple laptop owners machine full touchscreen display AirBar PC faithful USB accessory 15.6-inch screen tactile function CES 13.3-inch MacBook Air device plug-and-touch plug and touch drivers use the gadget Airbar MacBook Air touchscreen touch screen accessory installation process couple magnets laptop hold AirBar in place plug into USB port device emits light field infrared infra red infra-red display pick touch navigation pinch-to-zoom scrolling gestures remove completely close your laptop addition touch relatively painless install tried AirBar MacBook Air CES performed well navigating around Google Maps Paintbrush OS X display working prototype zoom scrolling functionality physical object handle input stylus paintbrush one size one Apple laptop expand the line more sizes accommodate more computers 13-inch MacBook Air AirBar accessory /

Alpine Labs Pulse DSLR camera remote

Alpine Labs Pulse DSLR camera remote mounted on a Canon EOS 70D
Credit: Alpine Labs/The Gadgeteer

Camera manufacturers generally have a smartphone app which can be connected to your smartphone to control a range of functions. Alpine Labs Pulse connects to Canon & Nikon SLR & mirrorless cameras via Bluetooth (both standard & the new Low Energy supported) & adds:

● control of aperture, shutter & ISO
● thumbnail & histogram review
● advanced time lapse
● exposure ramping
● time delay
● timed & manual Long Exposure
● HDR bracketing (7 EV steps)
● long Exposure
● control up to 3 cameras
● firmware upgradeable
● all in just 1.5 ounces (43 grammes)

The Gadgeteer – “Alpine Labs Pulse DSLR camera remote review”
http://the-gadgeteer.com/2017/01/06/alpine-labs-pulse-dslr-camera-remote-review/#more-210196

Wired – “Review: Pulse Camera Remote”
https://www.wired.com/2016/11/review-pulse-trigger/

Shutterbug – “Get Pro-Level Wireless Control Over Your Camera with Your Smartphone Using the Pulse Remote”
http://www.shutterbug.com/content/new-pulse-remote-trigger-offers-pro-features-easy%E2%80%93%E2%80%93use-interface#13PY07Ftkb0f6YEI.97

Alpine Labs Pulse DSLR camera remote first appeared as a Kickstarter project
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/alpinelabs/pulse-your-camera-upgraded

Manufacturer’s web site
https://alpinelaboratories.com/ / stills timelapse time lapse video complete control your DSLR mirrorless camera from your smartphone wirelessly Alpine Labs Pulse DSLR camera remote Pulse most powerful way control your camera from your smartphone Pulse plugs into DSLR mirrorless camera USB port shooting photos time lapse video complete creative freedom remotely from your smartphone your current camera 100 foot bluetooth low energy radio advanced USB control software beautifully designed interface product your biggest project ideas day-long time lapses backpacking trip size take Pulse anywhere wireless image preview image preview view thumbnails on your phone take a photo range 100 feet camera Pulse get the perfect shot Pulse plugs into your camera's USB port compatible with Canon Nikon DSLR Panasonic GH4 Pulse app free iPhone and Android devices camera compatible Pulse FAQ compatible with Nikon Canon cameras trigger remotely Pulse set up your camera trigger from anywhere in the room Pulse's Bluetooth connection range 100 feet from camera shooting low light keep camera absolutely still Pulse shot leave your shutter open up to several hours few seconds long exposure mode lock the shutter down manually set exposure timer count down Pulse supports HDR capabilities differing lighting conditions Pulse blinks photo lighting of your shot turn it off dim it smartest time lapse products on the market Pulse time lapse easier expanding features level of control experienced shooters traditional triggers Pulse's USB control single frame app low battery buffering time ruin your shoot remote triggers take photos Pulse plugs into your camera's USB port not the trigger port let you control video Pulse control up to three Pulse-equipped cameras at once from the same smartphone useful independent film makers Pulse all the right angles for your shot Pulse's Exposure Ramping feature ramp your ISO shutter speed capture day-to-night transitions time lapse LRTimelapse shooting Aperture Shutter Priority Exposure Ramping your camera in manual your photo's EXIF-Data written properly for LRTimelapse workflows /

Tesla limits lifetime use of launch mode

Credit: Electrek

It has emerged that Tesla is limiting the number of lifetime uses of launch mode in at least some of its cars. One owner has been quoted, “... my car would pull around 1600 amps from the battery & 512 KW of power when fully charged, now the car will only pull around 1500 amps & 480 KW of power ...”

P90D cars are impacted, although P100Ds are not.¹

Greencar Reports: “Tesla quietly limits lifetime full-speed launches via over-the-air update”
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1108187_tesla-quietly-limits-lifetime-full-speed-launches-via-over-the-air-update

Electrek: “Tesla confirms that it limits the power of performance vehicles after too many launches with ‘launch mode’”
https://electrek.co/2016/12/23/tesla-limiting-power-performance-launch-mode/
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¹ Teslarati: “What makes the Tesla 100 kWh battery so different?”, https://www.teslarati.com/what-makes-tesla-100-kwh-battery-so-different/ / Tesla limits lifetime use launch mode Tesla 100 kWh battery so different launch control electronic aid assist drivers accelerating from standstill have a negative effect on vehicles used too often result premature wear components due high stress placed on them some performance car manufacturers limit power predetermined number of launches void the warranty after a certain limit Tesla introduced version of launch control Launch Mode performance versions vehicles first production electric car Tesla limiting launch mode in a similar way power output permanently limited reported earlier this year Tesla quietly increased total power output performance vehicles added over 50 hp power Model S P90D Tesla’s top performance model at the time Ludicrous mode increased the battery pack capacity to 1,600 amps Tesla owners Tesla Motors Club forum started thread rumor that Tesla limiting the power output unspecified number of launches using Launch Mode thread Ingineer root access to his Model S thread confirming the real usable capacity of Tesla’s battery packs revealed another hacker root access to his vehicle launch mode issue Tesla Model S P90D owner situation my car was limited just after the 8.0 update lots of testing emailed Tesla my findings limitation my car 1600 amps battery 512 KW power fully charged 1500 amps 480 KW of power loss of about 40 HP response Tesla representative using launch mode places increased stress entire powertrain accelerating aging fatigue various components computer systems automatically track launch mode usage continually estimate fatigue damage how launch mode is used computer may eventually limit available power during launch mode protect the powertrain common strategy employed in other high performance cars upgrading P100D ludicrous remove this limit will not be limited in the future P100D does not have this limit for launch mode limiting output Tesla spokesperson sent us the following statement like other automakers performance vehicles continually monitor condition various components may employ limiting strategies reduce fatigue on the powertrain launch control systems performance vehicles Tesla Model S P90D in Ludicrous mode accelerate has over 500 hp problem communication limitation owners using their vehicles as intended limited power output Tesla’s owner manual Launch Mode limitations number of launches temperature when using the feature Tesla CTO JB Straubel calculating its power output dual motor vehicles complaints from owners Tesla owners remain largely loyal to the company new survey released 91% of Tesla owners would buy again power limiting issue only affect P90D vehicles other dual motors could have a launch counter solution expensive upgrade 100 kWh battery pack Tesla’s latest top-of-the-line P100D model apparently not affected by the problem Tesla order page limiting controls /

Lancet study shows living near busy roads increases risk of dementia

Credit: Autonet

Researchers in Ontario, Canada have discovered that people who live near busy roads have an increased risk of dementia. Among those living within 50 metres of a main road there was a 7% higher risk. Between 50-100 metres the risk fell to 4%, & between 101-200 metres, down to 2%. No increase in risk was detected beyond 200 metres.

This was no small study – over 6 million people were tracked over the 10 years ending in 2012.

Although demonstrating an association between proximity to busy roads & dementia, this study does not suggest a mechanism. One possibility is provided by a small study (37 people), which shows that magnetite nanoparticles (abundant in the airborne pollution found in urban settings, especially next to busy roads) in human brains are also associated with diseases such as dementia.¹

Whatever the cause, electric cars are most likely not implicated – one more reason to hurry their widespread adoption.

Something else not defined in any of the references I have been able to locate is a, “major road”.

There is a positive aspect to this study – the incidence of multiple sclerosis & Parkinson's disease were also monitored, but no association was detected.

The Sydney Morning Herald – “Living near busy roads increases dementia risk: Lancet study”, http://www.smh.com.au/national/health/living-near-busy-roads-increases-dementia-risk-lancet-study-20170105-gtm8r1.html

The Guardian – “Living near heavy traffic increases risk of dementia, say scientists”
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/jan/04/living-near-heavy-traffic-increases-dementia-risk-say-scientists

Lancet article – if you don’t already have access, be prepared to pay for anything more than a summary http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(16)32399-6/fulltext
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¹ CNBC: “Alzheimer's link? Study finds air pollution particles in human brain”, https://www.cnbc.com/2016/09/06/alzheimers-link-study-finds-air-pollution-particles-in-human-brain.html / living near busy roads increases dementia risk Lancet study dementia more common people who live near main roads major study raising more concern impacts impact traffic pollution people's health researchers tracked 6.6 million people Ontario Canada decade 2012 closer people lived busy roads greater their risk dementia 7 per cent higher risk developing dementia living within 50 metres main road 4 per cent higher risk at 50-100 metres 2 per cent higher risk 101-200 metres no increase risk living more than 200 metres away study highlights association air pollution experts crucial global health concern millions of people warranted further investigation preventative measures could be found Dr Hong Chen lead author research published The Lancet busy roads source environmental stressors may give rise to dementia increasing population growth urbanisation placed many people close heavy traffic widespread exposure traffic growing rates dementia modest effect from near road exposure pose large public health burden more research understand link needed effects different aspects traffic air pollutants noise researchers long-term exposure two common pollutants nitrogen dioxide fine particulate matter associated with dementia other scientists linked air pollution traffic noise reduced brain matter lower cognition first study investigate connection between living near heavy traffic onset major neurodegenerative diseases good news researchers found no link living close to major roads Parkinson's disease multiple sclerosis research designed control people's wealth education levels body mass index smoking link explained factors researchers could not eliminate all potential confounding factors Professor Michael Woodward director aged care research Austin Health chief medical advisor Alzheimer's Australia dementia linked lower socio-economic socioeconomic socio economic status chronic stress insomnia factors more common people living near main roads study prove traffic pollution caused dementia knock-on effect respiratory cardiovascular problems linked living built-up environments dementia linked cardiovascular problems Professor Woodward study trigger more research toxin cause dementia new target preventative drug treatment issue public health warnings living near heavy traffic busy road dementia /

Withings Steel HR smart analogue watch

Withings Steel HR left, smartphone app right
Credit: Wareable

Smartwatches are struggling to find widespread acceptance. For some, what is missing is the look of an analogue watch. Enter, the Withings Steel HR.

In addition to all of the functionality & looks of an analogue watch, it adds a tiny screen (the small circle between the hands in the image above) which is able to display:
● notifications – text, call & event alerts

● activity tracking, including swimming, tennis, basketball, running, walking, boxing

● heart rate
● sleep

Progress toward the users’ daily activity goal is tracked by the small, circular, analogue dial at the bottom of the watch face.


Withings Steel HR attached to magnetic charging connector
Credit: Smart Gadgets News

Other features:
● water resistant to 50 metres

● battery life is 25 days, after which it changes to low power mode, which tracks steps & swimming, for a further 20 days – a standout against the Apple Watch (barely one day for some users) & even the now-discontinued Pebble which maxed out at 10 days

Hands on: Withings Steel HR review
http://www.techradar.com/reviews/wearables/withings-steel-hr-1327395/review

Withings Steel HR Smartwatch Is A Clever Melding Of Analog & Digital
http://www.forbes.com/sites/anthonykarcz/2017/01/03/withings-steel-hr-announcement-ces/#1900fcc062d8

Withings Steel HR review
http://www.wareable.com/withings/withings-steel-hr-review

Withings Steel HR: Everything you need to know about the smart analogue watch
http://smartgadgetsnews.com/withings-steel-hr-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-smart-analogue-watch/

Manufacturer's web site
https://www.withings.com/fr/en/products/steel-hr / Withings Steel HR smartwatch analog digital Withings unique approach Steel fitness trackers analog watches special tracker dials bulked-up bracelets LEDs screens Withings analog aesthetic smartwatch maker Pebble Steel HR full production run Withings smartwatch CES Steel HR classic analog watch black and silver casing small screen small circular screen notifications activity tracking built-in heart rate monitor water resistant to 50 meters shower or pool swimming several activities tennis running boxing Steel HR automatically track metrics heart rate functions sleep tracker your sleep cycles restful wakeful periods duration heart rate notification features Pebble full-screen smartwatch Apple Watch at-a-glance indicator texting calling calendar alerts Steel HR test out integration rich notifications Pebble 2 testing Steel HR’s battery life Withings claims average 25 days plus extra 20 days time activity tracking-only power reserve mode heart rate monitor constantly Steel HR last up to five days real-life battery testing Withings Steel HR fitness wearable market heart rate monitor analog watch wear wrist doesn’t look like a prop from an 80s science-fiction TV serial keep track progressing price wise comparable competitors 36mm version 40mm version large bezel limited first batch released late last year pre-orders Steel HR shipping end of the month hands-on review Steel HR website /

Battery electric vehicles outperform hydrogen fuel cell vehicles – even Toyota has noticed

Jaguar I-PACE battery electric SUV concept vehicle planned for 2018 production
Credit: Jaguar Land Rover/Wired

Disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) compared to battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have been recorded in these pages before:
https://hhg2tech.blogspot.com/2016/01/can-fuel-cells-compete-with-batteries.html

Despite the overwhelming disadvantages, some manufacturers, perhaps most notably, Toyota, but including Hyundai & Honda, persist with limited HFCV programmes.

It is timely then, that a new study from Stanford University has once again confirmed the superiority of BEVs (Battery Electric Vehicles).

Clean Technica – “Study: Battery EVs Better For Emissions Reductions Than Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles”
https://cleantechnica.com/2016/11/17/study-battery-evs-better-emissions-reductions-hydrogen-fuel-cell-vehicles/

Even Toyota appears to have noticed – as indicated by formation of a unit with a staff of four [sic] to plan a BEV strategy.

Reuters – “Toyota sharpens focus on electric cars through new in-house unit”
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-toyota-electric-idUSKBN13C0HW / battery EVs battery electric vehicles BEVs emissions reductions hydrogen fuel cell vehicles HFCVs new study Stanford University corroborated common sense battery electric vehicles battery electric vehicles BEVs reduction of greenhouse gas emissions hydrogen fuel cell vehicles hydrogen ideologue quantified in detail new study communities investing in electric vehicles hydrogen infrastructure additional energy benefits community clean transportation large-scale adoption electric vehicles total energy use community buildings transportation lead author Markus Felgenhauer doctoral candidate TUM visiting scholar Stanford Global Climate and Energy Project GCEP investing in all-electric battery vehicles more economical choice reducing carbon dioxide emissions primarily lower cost significantly higher energy efficiency researchers focused their work California state consumer hydrogen fuel cell vehicles available substantial state incentives subsidies press release study researchers created future scenarios Town Los Altos Hills sunny affluent community 8,000 residents located Santa Clara County a few miles from the Stanford campus scenarios focused 10 to 20 years in the future battery and fuel cell vehicles much wider use solar power electrolyzers cost competitive electric grid scenario year 2035 assumed assumption electric vehicles town’s vehicle fleet assumed fuel cell vehicles powered by locally produced hydrogen made cheapest available electricity solar generated obtained from the grid data Los Altos Hills computational model developed study co-author Thomas Hamacher professor electrical and computer engineering TUM provided data amount of energy Los Altos Hills needs financial data cost building new energy infrastructures study coauthor Matthew Pellow former GCEP postdoctoral scholar Electric Power Research Institute cost making solar panels electrolyzers batteries model scenario 2035 most economical way meet total energy demand of the community researchers compared carbon dioxide emissions associated with each scenario two scenarios compare overall costs battery electric vehicles better than fuel cell vehicles reducing emissions Felgenhauer noted analysis showed cost competitive fuel cell vehicles priced much lower battery vehicles fuel cell vehicles significantly more expensive battery vehicles foreseeable future supposed benefit hydrogen storing surplus solar energy analysis 2035 small amount solar hydrogen storage heating lighting buildings new findings detailed paper published journal Energy work focused specific part of California researchers findings are widely applicable demonstrate future examinations of other regions Toyota Motor Corp setting new in-house unit develop electric cars strongest endorsement yet technology not embraced wholly take up rival technology pioneered remains slow Japan's biggest automaker Toyota launch unit start with four persons responsible planning strategy developing and marketing electric cars tightening global emissions regulations unit expand engineers designers other personnel various sections company announcement Toyota invested heavily hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles FCVs option developing full-sized electric vehicles rivals Nissan Motor Co Volkswagen AG Tesla Motors touted pure electric cars most viable zero-emission vehicles future Toyota reserve electric vehicles short-distance commuting high price rechargeable batteries lengthy charging times Toyota developing ultra-compact electric vehicles longer-range models product range promoting FCVs plug-in petrol-electric hybrid cars alternative conventional cars position changing hybrids fuel cells recognition battery electric cars traction CASA analyst Chris Richter fuel cells competitive alternative electric vehicles battery electric cars new unit one person each from automaker three group companies machine manufacturer Toyota Industries Corporation parts suppliers Aisin Seiki Co Denso Corp regulations lower emissions vehicles changing very quickly respond quickly spokesman Itsuki Kurosu small size new venture develop electric cars Toyota vehicles essentially emissions-free by 2050 /