A few things you probably didn’t know about the Apple Watch (update)

Credit: Apple/Deccan Chronicle

Did you know that there are no third party watch faces for the Apple Watch? Or that there is an ultra-low power mode that continues for hours, & only tells the time? This is, apparently, Apple’s work-around for the 19-hour battery life.

http://www.cnet.com/news/11-surprises-i-learned-about-the-apple-watch/

Update: 3,000 third party apps at release.
http://www.geeky-gadgets.com/apple-watch-app-store-launched-with-3000-apps-24-03-2015/ / Apple's Apple new watch secrets quirks tidbits wearing mystery device on sale worn wearing Apple watch review discovering surprises extremely new little tricks up its sleeve most interesting revelations third party watch faces Apple's 10 watch faces beautiful design designed Pebble Samsung Gear Google's Android Wear watches other watchfaces download install when how watchfaces sold distribute distributed distribution power reserve mode Apple Watch odd coma Apple Watch battery gets too low Power Reserve pared-down watch mode tells the time lasts for hours deactivate Power Reserve reboot start up again regain functions pay for things without Apple Pay QR codes Passbook app phone iPhone Apple Watch Starbucks card into the watch no Apple Pay required accept Apple Pay watch bands worn swapped across Apple Watch models same size fancy band Apple Watch Sport easily swappable bands work across models same-sized Apple Watch 38mm 42mm bands fit differently can't use your watch to start and stop calls on your iPhone make and answer calls on the Apple Watch hand them off to your iPhone continue the call other wireless phone-charging accessories don't work with Apple Watch Qi A4WP Alliance for Wireless Power don't charge the Apple Watch Apple's unique magnetic inductive charge cable actual Apple Watch-ready accessory Siri shortcut through the Apple Watch's many menus swiping tapping digital crown pressing and holding the crown down for Siri hey, Siri launch apps place calls dictate messages taptic Prominent Haptic vibrate vibration vibrational haptic subtle sound and haptics settings screenshots iPhone's photo library saves a backup on your phone unpair reformat wipes the data restore local backup on your phone settings apps pair external Bluetooth health device external Bluetooth heart rate monitor onboard heart rate measurement health and medical gadget wearable tech technology /

Are you addicted to your phone?

Are your sure?

How would you know?

Take the quiz:

http://dailytekk.com/2015/04/08/i-can-prove-youre-addicted-to-your-phone/?reading=continue

http://www.wikihow.com/Beat-an-Addiction-to-Cell-Phones

http://www.outlish.com/will-digital-addiction-cost-you-more-than-1500/ / devices phones tablets laptops smart watch smartwatches our gadgets lack of a phone most anguish panic we society have become serious phone addicts physical and digital lives fuse general population reads articles phones laptops desktop computers appendage accessory Internet large portion of our lives actually lived online connected disconnect disconnecting from your smartphone event sleeping questions how to tell if you’re a phone addict someone in your life complain complained spend too much time on your phone more than 60 times per day first thing you reach for in the morning before you get out of bed your phone in another room anxiety feel anxious retrieve felt bad missed something important too absorbed in your phone digital addiction check your phone in the bathroom toilet more than 25 minutes a day wasting time giving your full attention to an important conversation family friends coworkers your phone bored phone used it too much always spend the night in the same room phone close by people you’re closest to bored entertain yourself with your phone last thing you interact with at night phone constantly running out of power unhealthy dependence on your phone under the age of 40 own a smartphone definitely addicts kick your phone addiction addiction kick your phone habit don’t sleep in the same room as your phone phone’s do not disturb mode important give yourself limits conversation bathroom rearrange your phone’s app extras folder focus folder uninstall time-wasting apps games news reader programs Moment app tracks track phone usage /

Something wicked this way comes? — update

Update: And the big announcement is: Consumer Reports has taken delivery of a Tesla Model S P85D for extended testing.

Video: First impressions of our new Tesla Model S P85D on the CR test track: http://t.co/BdsUY4cLsb http://t.co/QqHyYEtdR8

— Consumer Reports (@CRcars) April 9, 2015

Something wicked this way comes 4.9.2015 07:00 EST #CRCarFest pic.twitter.com/SwClYlWqjO

— Consumer Reports (@CRcars) April 8, 2015

At the moment, it’s 04:19 EST (USA) on 04 April 2015. So, in just under 3 hours, Consumer Reports, or maybe someone else, will announce, “something wicked”.

The video in the tweet includes the tail light from a Tesla Model S & the carbon fibre spoiler option for the P85D. Consumer Reports currently has a booth at the New York Auto Show. All of this points to something automotive, most likely, Tesla automotive. But Tesla has just made a significant announcement — the 70D. A few possibilities:

● a repeat of the 70D announcement
● wider availability of P85D-only options
● improved performance for the 85D / Tesla battery range charge recharge LiIon lithium ion iron phosphate regenerative braking /

Tesla upgrades base model to 70 kWh

Tesla has just announced that its base model has just been upgraded from a 60 kWh to 70 kWh battery. Also included is:

● an upgrade to Dual motors for all wheel drive
● access to the free Supercharger network
● many of the features previously included in the tech package
● performance now slightly exceeds the standard 85

No fanfare for the apparent improvement in the 85D 0-100 kph time. As recently as last week, on the Australian site, the Model S 85D was shown as 5.4 sec for 0-100 kph (0.2 seconds faster than the 2wd 85). Today, the 85D is down to 4.6 sec. Power of the two 85 configurations are now 85 — 270 kW, & 85D — 315 kW.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1097683_breaking-new-75000-tesla-model-s-70d-awd-240-miles-of-range

https://transportevolved.com/2015/04/08/breaking-tesla-kills-entry-level-model-s-replaces-it-with-tesla-model-s-70d-makes-dual-motor-standard/

http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/08/tesla-new-model-s-70d/ / Tesla lithium ion LiIon updating lineup arbitrary model year changeovers Tesla Motors all-new Tesla Model S 70D 4WD all-wheel drive version Model S luxury sedan EPA-approved range 240 miles per charge 275 miles NEDC test cycle announcement entry-level Model S 60 EPA-approved range 208 miles per charge Model S 70D additional 32 miles range outgoing model raises entry-level price 70D best value premium sedan official press release earlier cost advantages over internal combustion engine fuel savings incentives cost of owning ownership Model S 70D single-motor Model S Tesla Model S 85 70D, 85D P85D all-wheel drive dual-motor autopilot hardware built in safety features lane departure warning automatic braking activated with Tesla’s 6.2 operating system standard additional autonomous driving features enabled in time via Tesla’s free over-the-air update system free of charge performance improved new higher-capacity model all-wheel drive optional-extra top speed has been increased 140 mph 0-60 mph dash taking place in 5.2 seconds increased battery capacity 70 kilowatt hours 60 kilowatt hours Tesla’s Supercharging network previous entry-level Model S standard on the 70D /

Solar powered bike

Credit: Solarbike/Slashgear

Photovoltaic cells in the wheels charge the torpedo-shaped battery mounted on the down tube.

Charging will be slow when riding the bike, as the angle to the Sun will be far from optimal except at sunrise & sunset, when little light will be available anyway. For this reason, it will be necessary to park the bike carefully to optimise sunlight exposure. At some latitudes, e.g. at the Equator, it will be best to lie the bike flat on the ground.

Note that full wheel covers which are part of the mounting system for the photovoltaics will improve the aerodynamics of the bike.

My guess: solar charging may make a worthwhile contribution to electric power use, depending on where & how it is parked, as well as the latitude, but plan on charging from a power point as well.

http://www.slashgear.com/solarbike-has-solar-panel-wheels-07377736/

http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/06/the-solarbike-is-a-very-real-thing/ / cities walk public transportation bicycle bike ride bikes peddling swear sweaty work electric bikes battery packs recharged Solarbike battery electric motor plugged recharge battery solar panels embedded both sides wheels parked power gathered solar panels battery solar panels sideways power solar panels face towards sun range 43 miles battery fully charged plugged in charged charging charge
/

LEAPTech — many more propellers for better performance

Credit: NASA/Wired

Aircraft create lift by driving an airfoil (wing) through the air. Airfoil & fuselage are moved through the air by an engine which creates thrust using a propeller &/or jet exhaust.

NASA’s latest research uses 18 propellers to directly drive air across the wing to generate lift. Leading Edge Asynchronous Propeller Technology — LEAPTech — is the name NASA has coined. Combustion engines are not practical for such an application, but electric motors are ideal.

At the moment, Solar Impulse 2 is part way through the first round-the-world flight by a solar-powered aircraft. It is a proof-of-concept, rather than a practical means of air travel. LEAPTech is a step towards practical electric-powered air travel.

Expected advantages include:
● shorter take off
● wings can be optimised for cruise, rather than take off & landing
● shorter (front-to-back — see image above) wing is lighter & generates less drag
● individual motors can be can run at different speeds to optimise performance



http://www.jobyaviation.com/LEAPTech/

http://www.wired.com/2015/03/nasa-straps-18-propellers-wing-science/

Follow the Solar Impulse 2 round-the-world solar-powered flight. / Solar Impulse 2 plane powered power Sun electric aircraft news journey around the world build alternative environmentally environmental green fly NASA experimental wing massive advantage exploding jet fuel batteries sky new design 18 propellers powered lithium iron phosphate batteries 31 foot wide carbon composite wing Leading Edge Asynchronous Propeller Technology project LEAPTech flight test experimental wing mounting truck dried up lakebed Edwards Air Force base California 70 mph NASA in development agency’s X-Plane program developed advanced prototype airplanes planes developed first rocket-powered airplane break the sound barrier prototypes development of the Space Shuttle propellers IEEE Spectrum blow wind directly over the wings generate lift conventional planes forward motion jet engine create lift LEAPTech take off shorter runways optimized cruising efficiency takeoff landing motor run at a different speed asynchronous optimize performance ride quality noise reduction LEAPTech new X-Plane X-57 fly at 200 mph 12,000 foot ceiling range 450 miles X-Plane aircraft vehicle new technology NASA’s real goal aviation industry electric /

Formual E, round 6, Long Beach, 04 April 2015 — video

Qualifying


Race


Complete results, including the race & qualifying:
http://www.fiaformulae.com/en/results/long-beach-eprix.aspx / Formula E Long Beach California USA sixth race all electric racing series fourth race Long Beach California USA open wheeler ePrix stadium races F1 FIA electricity sport electric vehicles EV terrific acceleration pass passing possible tracks with tight corners technology range race organizers identical cars Spark-Renault SRT_01E built French company Spark Racing Technology carbon fiber aluminum chassis Dallara electric powertrain electronics McLaren Electronics Systems Williams Advanced Engineering building 200 kiloWatt battery pack batteries powertrain generate 270 horsepower five-speed paddle shift gearbox fixed gear ratios Michelin 18 inch tires wet dry conditions sound 80 decibel whine full grid 20 cars FIA Formula E strategy street courses dedicated circuits tire wear grip management battery life charge prematurely testing drivers learn knowledge teams construction constructors constructing FanBoost pit stop second fully charged car advances in battery technology battery swaps charging battery Renault Michelin DHL Qualcomm Richard Branson Virgin Racing team Leonardo DiCaprio Venturi team lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge range battery management system BMS /