Elite soldiers will soon ride into battle on stealthy hybrid motorcycles
The US’ special forces units frequently can’t rely on conventional ground transportation for their covert ops — a loud engine is guaranteed to blow their cover. To tackle this problem, DARPA has just awarded Logos Technologies a contract to build a stealthy hybrid motorcycle for the military. The design modifies BRD’s all-electric RedShift MX (pictured here) with a quiet hybrid power system that can run on multiple fuel types. The overhaul lets soldiers travel long distances while keeping a relatively low profile, and they can run solely on electric power for shorter periods if silence is absolutely vital. It’s too soon to say when the bike will go into service or just how well it will perform, but it could be a lifesaver for troops that need both speed and secrecy.
Filed under: Transportation
Via: Wired
Source: Logos Technologies
Alleged iPad Air 2 Front Panel with Integrated Display Shown in New Photos
Following the leak of an alleged iPhone 6 front panel earlier this week, the iPad is now getting its turn with a pair of photos showing what is said to be a front panel for the next-generation iPad Air, shared by Dutch site One More Thing [Google Translate]. Notably, the part appears to include an integrated display in contrast to the separate panel and display parts used on the current model. A move to an integrated front panel/display would reduce overall thickness, potentially allowing Apple to further slim down the iPad Air or make room for other components such as a slightly larger battery.
MacRumors spoke with iFixit co-founder Kyle Wiens, who noted that the assembly could indeed be legitimate and use a manufacturing process similar to that seen on the Retina MacBook Pro. The move to an integrated panel/display would increase repair costs, but ease of repair has not been a particularly major focus for Apple and the company already uses an integrated display on the iPhone.
The next-generation iPad Air is expected to launch later this year, with notable analyst Ming-Chi Kuo predicting that upgraded iPad Air and Retina iPad mini models will debut in the third quarter of this year and adopt the Touch ID system introduced on the iPhone 5s last year.
(Thanks, Rogier!)
Employees File Request to Include Steve Jobs Evidence in Anti-Poaching Lawsuit [Mac Blog]
Apple, Google and two other large technology companies should not be allowed to block evidence in an upcoming trial involving their participation in “no solicitation” agreements that date back to 2005. This request to expand the evidence presented in the trial was filed on behalf of tech workers who initiated the class action lawsuit in 2011, reports Reuters.
In this latest filing, the tech workers argue that all evidence pertaining to the companies involved, including the “bullying” personality of Steve Jobs, the personal wealth of Google co-founder Sergey Brin and other information gleaned from outside sources should be included in the case.
“That the jury might draw conclusions about Mr. Jobs’ character based on evidence showing the manner in which he pursued the conspiracy at the heart of this case is not grounds to exclude such evidence,” they wrote.
Additionally, the plaintiffs seek to introduce evidence about the personal wealth of executives like Google co-founder Sergey Brin – and how it could be enhanced by holding down workers’ salaries and boosting margins, according to the filing.
The plaintiffs also seek to include information on an earlier investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice that prevented the companies from entering into future no-hire agreements. “The jury should know the reason the companies eliminated their no-hire agreements,” argue the employees.
Apple, Google and five other large technology companies were caught signing “no solicitation” agreements that prevented the companies from trying to hire away each others’ employees. Engineers, programmers, and other technical professionals who believe they were negatively affected by these non-poaching agreements filed a class action lawsuit in 2011 that is slated to begin this May. Damages could reach $9 billion in this case.
Currently, both sides are locked in negotiations, with the hope that a settlement can reached before the trial begins next month. Some companies, such as Pixar and Intuit, have already agreed to settle the case with Disney paying about $9 million and Intuit paying $11 million.
MetroPCS now offering Samsung Galaxy S5
MetroPCS on Friday announced the immediate availability of the Samsung Galaxy S5 smartphone. Priced at $649, the flagship handset can be paired with the carrier’s rate plans that start at $40 per month. Interested parties can visit MetroPCS.com or one of their retail stores across the country to pick up the Galaxy S5
The post MetroPCS now offering Samsung Galaxy S5 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
[RUMOUR] Is a budget, Mediatek-powered Nexus device coming some time in 2014?
For some people, the only news worth holding out for in 2014 will be the expected announcement and release of yet another Nexus device, generally referred to as the Nexus 6. This so-called Nexus 6, if real, will likely marry high performance hardware with great value as the previous two iterations have done. If a report coming out of China is to be believed, however, we might be getting a second, slightly different Nexus device prior to the Nexus 6′s release. According to MTKSJ who specializes in Mediatek-related news, Google is looking at making a budget, Mediatek-powered Nexus device sometime in 2014.
For a bit of background, Mediatek is one of the biggest mobile processor players in the world, however, their influence is mainly concentrated in the Asia region. The primary reason why they are so successful in this region is the low cost of their processors, a game that Qualcomm, the major player in Western markets, is unwilling to play. Logically then, if a budget, Nexus device were to be made, a Mediatek processor could be a possibility, which could imply that a manufacturer in the Asia region would likely work with Google on making the device. However, as with all rumours surrounding Nexus devices, this rumour should be taken with a grain of salt as many stories relating to Google’s plans have generally been pure conjecture.
What do you think about the suggestion that there could be a budget, Mediatek-powered Nexus device? Would you buy such a device? Let us know what your thoughts are in the comments.
Source: MTKSJ via Phones Review
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NASA just crashed a satellite into the moon on purpose
You might remember NASA’s LADEE as the satellite where the administration tested a new broadband-fast laser communication system for sending data back to Earth. Now, however, the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer is no more, since NASA just crashed the craft into the surface of the Moon. Unfortunately, the vehicle didn’t have the power to maintain its orbit, so the bods in Florida decided to send the hardware on a one-way trip. On the upside, the satellite managed to grab some super-detailed scans of the lunar surface before burning up, and it probably looked really cool when it exploded, which probably justifies the wanton destruction of a multi-million dollar spacecraft.
Filed under: Transportation, Science
Via: AP
Source: NASA
Analysts Predict Q2 2014 Decline in iPad Sales, Slight Increase in iPhone Sales
Sales of Apple’s iPad and iPhone remained strong during the holiday season with record quarterly sales reported in Q1 2014. Analyst predictions for Apple’s second quarter of its fiscal year suggest iPhone sales may rise slightly, while iPad sales may decline slightly, reports Philip Elmer-DeWitt of Fortune’s Apple 2.0 blog.
The consensus estimate from 21 Wall Street professionals and 13 amateur analysts predict iPad sales of 19.3 million, a 0.7 percent decline in Q2 2014. This is a significant change from Q2 2013, which saw a 55 percent year-over-year increase.
The consensus estimate, at 19.3 million, would represent a 0.7% decline, with the pros slightly more optimistic (at 19.4 million) than the amateurs (19.2 million). Dragging down the amateur numbers is the 15 million estimate submitted by the Braeburn Group’s Matt Lew. Tugging in the other direction is Horace Dediu’s 21.8 million. One represents a year-over-year decline of 23%, the other an increase of 12%.
This dip in sales may only be temporary as Apple is expected to launch updated models of the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina Display later this year, and may launch a larger-screen iPad Pro sometime in future after production issues are solved.
Apple will announce its earnings for the second fiscal quarter (first calendar quarter) of 2014 on Wednesday, April 23. The earnings release is posted just after 4:30 PM ET following the close of regular stock trading, and the conference call is scheduled to follow at 5:00 PM Eastern / 2:00 PM Pacific.
Wu-Tang fans hope to liberate ‘Shaolin’ for $5 million but have a ways to go
When you have the cultural cachet of someone like the Wu-Tang Clan, there are a handful of luxuries afforded to you that few others have. Like selling the only copy of your upcoming album for $5 million, for instance. But in an effort to free Once Upon a Time in Shaolin‘s music to less-than-rich listeners, two fans have launched a Kickstarter in an attempt raise enough cash so everyone can hear the exclusive double album. The Staten Island rap group’s original idea for the release was to sell it as an ultra-limited edition package after it completes a world-tour where fans could pay between $30 and $50 apiece to listen to it once, in a single sitting, in a museum.
Update: This Kickstarter bid — ambitious as it may be — likely violates the Kickstarter guidelines. We’ve reached out to Kickstarter for the official word.
After that, it would reside with whomever could pony up the $5 million asking price. To hopefully circumvent “some über-rich bastard from keeping it to himself like a collector’s item,” a pair of Wu fans are trying to raise enough cash to buy the album, pay the RZA, the GZA, ODB (R.I.P.), Inspectah Deck, Raekown the chef, U-God, Ghostface Killah and the M-e-t-h-o-d Man for it, and then spread the tunes online gratis. In the event that the funding goal is met but somehow the duo is outbid, there’ll be a vote to either refund the money or to fund a Wu-Tang-related project like a free concert for backers — the project’s creators stress that they won’t profit from the venture at all. As of this writing, they’ve only managed to raise $1,103 of the multi-million dollar goal, so if you’d like to hear what the Wu’s been working on for the past few years you should throw a couple of bucks their way.
Filed under: Internet
Via: The Verge
Source: Kickstarter
Microsoft’s now letting developers respond to app store critics
If a Windows Phone app disappoints you, it’s probably right that you call out its failings and warn others to steer clear. Don’t be surprised, however, if the minds behind the software start responding to your gripes directly. Microsoft is slowly rolling out a program whereby developers can comment on your reviews of their handiwork. Fortunately for you, however, the devs won’t get access to your personal details, and, if they overstep the mark, you can report them for poor conduct. Still, the notion that coders will now get the chance to openly gain feedback from users seems like a step in the right direction — just as long as everyone remains civil.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile, Microsoft
Via: The Next Web
Former Apple CEO John Sculley: Forcing Steve Jobs Out Was a ‘Mistake’ [Mac Blog]
Former Apple CEO John Sculley states that he now regrets his decision to remove Steve Jobs from the company in 1985 and that the move to force the co-founder out was a “mistake,” according to a new report from the Times of India.
Steve Jobs (left) and John Sculley (right) in 1984
Sculley, who recently launched Obi, a low-cost smartphone brand for India, added that differences between he and Jobs began over the founder’s desire to subsidize the Macintosh. Sculley said that he ultimately opposed the idea, feeling that there was no “merit” in lowering the cost of the computer.
However, he still feels that some way would have been found to have them both work for the company and this could have been facilitated by Apple’s board then. “I think there could have been a way, in hindsight, where Steve and I did not need to have a confrontation, and we could have worked it out. And, perhaps the board could have played a bigger role in that. But you can’t change history.”
Jobs hired Sculley from beverage company Pepsi in 1983, however the two clashed over management styles and conflicting visions for the future of Apple. After his departure from Apple, Sculley went on to remain involved with a number of companies, including his role as a founding investor in Metro PCS. The former CEO also stated last March that Apple was experiencing a temporary lull in innovation, and that an iWatch smart watch from the company would be a key product going forward.
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