New technology for Apple keyboards

Programmable function keys with programmable key-tops
Credit: Trusted Reviews

Update: the programmable function keys (above) made it into the new MacBook Pro announced at the Apple event in October 2016.

A source, with some claims to credibility, has revealed that Apple will soon release an updated MacBook Pro with programmable function keys, as shown above. Also claimed to be in the works is an Apple Magic Keyboard with programmable keycaps. Apple is in the process of acquiring a startup called Sonder which developed the technology. Check the video:



Boy Genius Report – This video might be our first look at a new Apple device no one even knew was in development
http://bgr.com/2016/10/12/macbook-pro-2016-rumors-magic-keyboard-2/

Trusted Reviews – Is this Apple’s new MacBook keyboard design?
http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/apple-new-macbook-keyboard-design-leaked-sonder / Apple new MacBook keyboard design Sonder spokesperson confirmed TrustedReviews Trusted Reviews company recently attend Foxconn Innoconnn demo day Sonder procurement contracts third-party laptop companies integrate technology products Apple spokesperson Sonder discussions Apple’s procurement board Sonder’s laptop module Foxconn International Holdings E Ink Holdings strategic partners Sonder Design Pty. Ltd. assisting discussions Apple comment Foxconn confirmation Sonder’s claims Apple introduce customisable keyboard tipster from China Reddit user posted intimate details new keyboard design rolled out future MacBook laptops poster Foxconninsider chief Apple supplier Foxconn secret Apple designs Tsinghua University campus China user Taiwanese manufacturing giant Foxconn hosted demo day campus Australian start-up Sonder Sonder hit headlines revealing smart keyboard module feature backlit e-ink display shortcut language-swapping users claims executive Foxconn Apple’s Procurement Board Office closing an acquisition Sonder company Foxconn invested DFT design for testing versions new MacBook keyboard module Apple 2018 E Ink Magic Keyboard moderators /r/Apple subreddit verified identity Reddit user confirm information provided post Apple accurate Sonder’s technology quick demonstration technology Sonder keyboard performance design right at your fingertips Sonder website meticulously designed engineered Sonder keyboard final product advanced elegant keyboard transparent keys bespoke display work of art state of the art Apple MacBook Magic Keyboard feature technology Apple plans invest company designs genuine Apple products report healthy degree scepticism MacBook redesign launch later this month rumours Apple plans replace top row function keys MacBook touch-friendly OLED display secondary screen show notifications customisable buttons recent reports asked Apple Sonder comment article response /

Samsung pulls the plug on the Note 7

Fire in a Jeep Grand Cherokee has been attributed to a Note 7 charging on the dashboard
Credit: Fox News/news.com.au

After the recall of the incendiary Note 7 smartphone, some customers found that the replacements were also prone to burst into flames. In response, Samsung has permanently ceased production & recalled all Note 7s.

Next problem – Note 7s still pose a fire-risk, so how to protect all those involved in the return?

Samsung has created a “Note 7 Return Kit”, which includes a, “Recovery Box”, that's lined with non-flammable ceramic fiber paper – it’s essential to avoid surrounding a Note 7 with fuel for a potential incendiary incident.

Next problem – some people have a bad reaction to the ceramic fiber paper, so protective gloves are included in the kit.

Samsung advises customers to do the usual data back-up, & complete a factory reset to delete personal information before returning Note 7s. Given the history, this is a potentially risky operation – place the phone on a non-flammable surface in a well-ventilated area, & wear eye-protection. Anyone who thinks such precautions are not warranted, check the image at the top of this item.

Compensation is offered to customers, in the form of replacement with S7, S7 Edge (with cash adjustment) or complete refund.

And if you are thinking, “Mine seems OK. I'll see how it goes,” check the image at the top of this item again. They all seem OK, until they start belching fire & smoke.

Ars Technica – Samsung ships flameproof boxes for Note 7 returns
http://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2016/10/heres-how-to-return-your-note-7-without-blowing-up-the-mail-service/

ABC – Samsung Galaxy Note 7 production permanently discontinued
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-10-11/samsung-galaxy-note-7-production-permanently-discontinued/7923988

Samsung:
http://www.samsung.com/us/note7recall/ / 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 /

Tesla events 17 & 28 October

Tesla product unveiling on the 17th (unexpected by most), followed by Tesla/SolarCity on the 28th

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 9, 2016

Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, tweeted about a, “product unveiling on the 17th”, recently. Looks like the event promised for the second part of the Model 3 unveil, “later in 2016.” In June, he said this second part of the unveil would be, “the obvious thing.”

Existing solar installations mount solar cells above a conventional roof. Consensus appears to be that, “Tesla/SolarCity on the 28th”, will be a solar roof, in which the roof itself is composed entirely of solar cells.

Inverse – 3 theories about Tesla’s surprise product announcment
https://www.inverse.com/article/21957-new-tesla-product-is-coming

Wired – Tesla to unveil 'unexpected' product next week
http://www.wired.co.uk/article/tesla-event-october-17-elon-musk

Electrek – Tesla CEO Elon Musk announces unexpected product unveiling Oct. 17th & Tesla SolarCity event Oct. 28
https://electrek.co/2016/10/09/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-announces-unexpected-product-unveiling-oct-17th-tesla-solar-city-event-oct-28/ / Elon Musk promised new product electric car company Tesla tweeted unexpected product launched company 17 October 17 launching two new products this month new unknown product solar roof battery created Tesla SolarCity Tesla product unveiling Tesla/SolarCity 28th tweet launched could second part Tesla's Model 3 launch March revealed most affordable electric car Model 3 more than 400,000 preorders high-quality electric vehicle range over 215 miles range greater than 215 miles reach 60mph six seconds support Tesla Supercharger network car launched May Elon Musk big event second part car's launch later 2016 Code Conference June Musk second event for the car would unveil "the obvious thing" 28 October 28 Tesla SolarCity reveal solar roof integrated Powerwall 2.0 battery Tesla charger billionaire new energy efficient roof publicly seen first time San Fransisco Bay 28 October 28 roof made entirely solar cells integrate products Musk's electric car company integrated home battery Powerwall 2.0 Tesla charger customise design fit specific housing design new roof sustainable energy sustainable renewable environmental energy /

Tesla in New Zealand in 2017

Tesla Powerpack utility & business energy storage
Credit: electrek

To date, Tesla has not marketed in New Zealand. They plan to change this in 2017, with a Tesla Store, service centre & sites for Superchargers. Product range will include cars, Tesla Powerwall & Powerpack.¹ Orders will be taken on-line from this November, & local recruiting will begin immediately.

Although not “marketed”, there have been accounts of private imports. https://teslamotorsclub.com/tmc/threads/how-many-teslas-in-new-zealand.46754/

EVs are a particularly good match for a country where around 73 percent of electricity is generated from renewable sources: hydro (60%), geothermal (10%) & wind (3%). Solar is less than 1%. Wave & tidal are in design & testing.²

NZ Herald – Tesla coming to New Zealand next year
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/news/article.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=11723975

Stuff – Tesla confirmed for NZ launch in early-2017
http://www.stuff.co.nz/motoring/news/85061582/tesla-confirmed-for-nz-launch-in-early2017
__________

¹ Tesla: “Powerpack”, https://www.tesla.com/en_AU/powerpack?redirect=no

² consumer.powerswitch: “Green energy – Answers to questions about renewable & non-renewable energy sources”, https://www.powerswitch.org.nz/powerswitch/site-info/powerswitch-faqs/green-energy / Powerpack bi-directional inverter inverter converts AC grid power DC Powerpack storage converts DC power AC grid interconnection Powerpack Controller onsite computer interface creates control signals relays commands inverter DC combiner integrated application control software control signals relayed SCADA system Powerpack Combiners combiners allow for multiple Powerpacks wired controlled together software state of the art battery management software controls performance cell pod pack level built in control software dispatch locally hosted interface direct Modbus DNP3 connection scheduled autonomous operation additional software integration demand response peak shaving microgrid installations utility-scale grid integration Tesla customer testimonies customer testimony commercial Powerpack Powerpacks Tesla Energy energy management operational efficiency renewable energy systems Advanced Microgrid Solutions Tesla Energy Tesla Model 3 available New Zealand customers overwhelming demand Model 3 enthusiasm owners imported Tesla Tesla New Zealand future site Tesla Store Service Center sites Superchargers Tesla Powerwall Powerpack products begin taking orders online recruiting local talent New Zealand launch Tesla topped sales estimates Elon Musk boost staff raise profit ramp up production Model 3 /

Tesla Model S racer for Electric GT World Series makes an appearance

Electric GT
Credit: Electric GT/The Verge

News of a racing series for Tesla Model S cars first began to appear in March of this year. Now, more news has emerged, including a car & a driver.


Interior gutted, wheel replaced, central screen retained
Credit: Electric GT/The Verge

Compared to Formula 1 (3 day event – race not over 305 km (189.5 miles), nor more than two hours), Formula E is a compact format – an entire event – practice (1 hour sessions), qualifying (1 hour), & race, are packed into a single day. Electric GT will be even more compact, with a 20-minute practice, 30-minute qualifying, & two races of 60 km (37 miles) each.

Unlike Formula E, which uses street circuits, all Electric GT races will be held on traditional race tracks.

A seven race series will start in 2017.

Leilani Münter,^1,2 ARCA^3,4 racer, environmental activist, vegan, biology graduate, & hippie chick, has been contracted to drive. She is credited as the author, of the maxim, “Never underestimate a vegan hippie chick with a race car,” an insight which is rarely challenged.



The Verge – How to start a racing series with Teslas — an interview with the CEO of Electric GT World Series
http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/1/13124944/electric-gt-tesla-world-series-fia-interview-ceo

Green Car Reports – Tesla Model S race car for Electric GT shown
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1106347_tesla-model-s-race-car-revealed-for-electric-gt-series

Electric GT World Series home page
http://www.electricgt.co/#closer
__________

¹ Wikipedia: “Leilani Münter”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leilani_Munter

² “leilani.green Official Site of Leilani Münter”, http://www.leilani.green/

³ Wikipedia: “ARCA Racing Series”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ARCA_Racing_Series

⁴ ARCA Racing Series: http://www.arcaracing.com/ / Tesla Model S racing series Electric GT World Series grid modified Model S zero-emissions GT road car based racing championships begin 2017 car grid Tesla Model S P85+ new championship Electric GT World Series seven-race season 2017 races Europe America Asia organisers tracks used Barcelona Spain Donington UK Mugello Italy Estoril Portugal 10 teams team two modified Tesla Model S P85+ road cars power unit control software unchanged standard road car 416hp horsepower 601Nm torque changes aerodynamics suspension brakes more suitable for racing car's weight reduced tearing out unneeded upholstery battery's cooling system improved drivers foot on the throttle longer Agustin Paya professional racing driver promoter Electric GT World Series P85+ rear-wheel-drive newer P90D all-wheel-drive chosen more suitable for racing easier to fix in a pinch drivers prefer RWD track future Formula E plan Electric GT World Series allow range different cars grid Tesla Model S one of the best cars ever made best 100 percent electric cars luxurious super tourer made for racing weight distribution low centre of gravity considerable mass more than two tons allows unbelievable cornering speed unending torque add up great racing car testing Barcelona Catalunya F1 Circuit Madrid Jarama circuit Model S GT champion Electric GT pull in the punters Formula E engine noise Model S much larger battery Formula E cars car-switching battery back swapping races last more than 100 or 150 miles Tesla racing exciting techies Teslaphiles tune in favourite car electric race car racing car lithium ion LiIon battery charge recharge range Electric GT Holdings race series Tesla Model S electric car electric vehicle EV Electric GT Formula E fastest longest-range longest range electric road car production Model S Model S P85+ high performance Model S dual motor all wheel drive D variants /

Politicians discussing global warming – when it is important to appear to be doing something

“Politicians discussing global warming” – a sculpture by Isaac Cordal
Credit: Isaac Cordal/Twitter

Sniping at those who are actually getting on with it is another way to appear to be doing something – particularly valuable if you need to deflect attention from your own inaction.

“What if climate change is just a hoax?” has been used to good effect too.

Some have found, “I don’t believe in global warming”, appropriate in some circumstances.
__________

See more work by Isaac Cordal on his website:
http://cementeclipses.com/works/

Isaac Cordal on Wikepedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Cordal / politicians discussing global warming when it is important to appear to be doing something climate change global warming greenhouse gas CO2 carbon dioxide methane carbon monoxide greenhouse effect fossil fuel fossil carbon heatwave weather heat wave flood rising sea level rise greenhouse green house gas carbon dioxide CO2 anthropomorphic anthropocene global warming climate change climatologist anthropogenic human methane CH4 /

Samsung Galaxy Note 7 fires – fire in a replacement phone

Fire in a Jeep Grand Cherokee has been attributed to a Note 7 charging on the dashboard
Credit: Fox News/news.com.au

Fires in Samsung’s Galaxy Note 7 & the resulting recall have been widely publicised.

But it gets worse:
● a fire has occurred in a replacement phone – ostensibly fixed

● previous fires have occurred exclusively in phones which were charging – which implied that a Note 7 could be rendered safe by turning it off

● in this most recent case, the phone had been powered down shortly before it began smoking

The Verge – Replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 phone catches fire on Southwest plane
http://www.theverge.com/2016/10/5/13175000/samsung-galaxy-note-7-fire-replacement-plane-battery-southwest

If you have a Note 7:
● stop using it now
● place it in a non-flammible area
● power it down
● return it as soon as possible

Here's everything you need to know:
https://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-galaxy-note-7-return-exchange-faq/

Cnet – Here's why Samsung Note 7 phones are catching fire:
https://www.cnet.com/news/why-is-samsung-galaxy-note-7-exploding-overheating/ / fire Jeep Grand Cherokee Note 7 charging on dashboard Samsung Galaxy Note 7 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 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 on Thursday /