Watch NASA launch its hypersonic LDSD this afternoon
In preparation for a potential trek to Mars, NASA’s launching its UFO-like low density supersonic decelerator into the stratosphere to simulate an arrival on the red planet. The best part? You can tune in live via the organization’s website today from 1:45-3PM ET.
Filed under: Misc
Amazon’s smartphone expected at June 18 event
The long-rumored Amazon smartphone may finally be unveiled in just two weeks. The company is currently teasing a new product, which will be unveiled by CEO Jeff Bezos during an event June 18 in Seattle.
In the teaser video, which you can see below, it shows people’s reactions to a new product, but doesn’t show the device itself. Many of the reactions are that it’s something they’ve never seen before, and one person notes, “It moved with me,” suggesting a 3D experience. It has been rumored for some time now that Amazon has been developing a smartphone with a 3D display.
Some of the other rumors we’ve covered in the past include that it will feature a 4.7-inch display, run a heavily customized version of Android just like Amazon’s Kindle range, will feature four low-powered infrared cameras on the face of the device which will be used to track the users facial position in relation to the device, enabling users to navigate through apps and integrate with the device in a way which has never been seen before, as well as will be an AT&T exclusive and carry a feature called “Prime Data,” essentially giving the user free data while using sanctioned apps, and will not effect their monthly data allotment. It is speculated that the “free” data will cover Amazon’s portfolio of apps including Amazon MP3 and quite possibly a Prime Instant Video app.
Although Amazon isn’t revealing the device yet in the video, it is teasing it even more with a photo of the corner of the supposed device seen at the top of this post.
Something interesting about this unveiling is that Amazon is allowing anyone to request an invitation, you just need to request one, but space is limited.
It’s been rumored that while the device is going to be unveiled in June, it won’t ship until September, but we don’t have too much longer now to wait and see.
Via The Verge
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NVIDIA Shield successor spied at FCC
A successor to the NVIDIA Shield could soon find its way into the hands of gamers and multimedia entertainment lovers, according to new findings. A filing from the FCC for a very Shield-like device known as the P2570 has been spotted, leading many to assume the second-gen portable console is looming on the horizon. Considering the newly discovered drawings and that first device bears a P2450 model number we’re totally on board with the rumors.
It’s likely that the next model keeps the design language and form factor of the original; the refresh could come in a bigger, higher resolution display and/or faster Tegra K1 chipset. Whatever it is, we’re interested.
The NVIDIA Shield is one of our favorite Android devices of the last year and gets better with each software update. One area where we’d like to see some changes is the price tag. Debut at the $300-$350 again and it could be a slow adoption. We’re in love with the $200 sticker we’ve seen lately and think it’s about what consumers expect in a portable device.
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Barnes & Noble turns to Samsung for latest NOOK
Barnes & Noble has turned to Samsung for its latest version of the Nook experience, reports the two companies. Arriving in August, the Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 Nook will be a 7-inch device which will be sold online and at the nearly 700 stores across the country.
“Partnering with Samsung brings our customers great new products and evidences our commitment to our Nook customers and growing our digital content business” – Barnes & Noble Chief Executive Michael Huseby
It’s not immediately clear what Samsung gets out of the deal nor how it will differ from the standard Galaxy Tab 4 (7-inch). As some may recall, Nook tablets already have access to Google Play Store.
Will this be branded as a B&N product with pre-selected apps, games, and content? What about pricing? We’ll find out more as we get closer to the release date.
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Jony Ive and Bono to Appear at Cannes Lions Festival to Discuss (RED) Partnership
The organizers of the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity today announced that they will be honoring Bono with the first ever LionHeart Award later this month at the 61st annual festival. The award is being given for Bono’s work with the (RED) campaign to raise funds for the fight against AIDS.
Alongside the honor, Bono and Apple design chief Jonathan Ive will participate in an on-stage interview to discuss their collaboration on the campaign, which has seen contributions from the purchase of (PRODUCT)RED Apple products reach $70 million. Ive last year also partnered with friend and designer Marc Newson to auction off a number of one-of-a-kind items, including a unique red Mac Pro and rose gold-plated EarPods, to benefit the (RED) campaign.
In an exclusive seminar for Cannes Lions delegates, Bono will join Jonathan Ive, Apple Inc’s Senior Vice President of Design, in a discussion moderated by Shane Smith, CEO and Founder of VICE Media, and introduced by Anne Finucane, Global Strategy and Marketing Officer of (RED) partner, Bank of America. Bono and Jonathan Ive will discuss the success of (RED) and [its] unique collaboration with global partners – including Apple, (RED)’s largest corporate contributor to the AIDS fight – and the record-breaking (RED) Design Auction curated by Jonathan Ive and Marc Newson. The auction resulted in $44 million for the Global Fund on World AIDS Day last year.
The 45-minute interview, which will represent a relatively rare public appearance for Ive, will take place on June 21. It is unclear whether video of the interview will be made available after the event, but we have contacted festival organizers to inquire about the possibility.
(Thanks, Joe!)
LaCie Upgrades Rugged Hard Drive With Integrated Thunderbolt Cable [Mac Blog]
LaCie has upgraded its Rugged Hard Drive, adding an integrated Thunderbolt cable and improved damage resistance. The SSD version, available in 250 and 500GB capacities, achieves transfer speeds of up to 387MB/s. There is a USB 3.0 interface as well, though only the Thunderbolt cable is permanently attached.
The integrated Thunderbolt cable allowed LaCie to increase protection against water and dust because the dust cap can be left on even when the device is in use. When not in use, the bus-powered Thunderbolt cable tucks into the case and is protected by the cover. LaCie says the SSD version of the drive can withstand up to two-meter drops and conforms to the IP54 durability standard. LaCie has also increased the warranty from two years to three.
“My assignments take me to the top surf spots all over the world,” said Surfer Magazine staff photographer Zak Noyle. “So it’s imperative that my equipment is ready for any challenge. The LaCie Rugged’s speed allows me to deliver projects quickly, and its resilience to water, sand and drops make me confident that my photos are protected. From the beaches of Oahu to Tahiti, the LaCie Rugged has never let me down.”
The new LaCie Rugged drive goes on sale today in 250GB ($300) and 500GB ($500) solid state versions, plus 1TB ($220) and 2TB ($300) 5400RPM hard drive versions.
Apple Researching Solar Cell Ambient Light Sensors Embedded in Displays
Apple continues to explore the various ways solar cell technology can be used to enhance the operation of electronic devices with a new patent application no. 20140152632 published on Thursday by the U.S. Patent and Trademark office. The document describes a method of using solar cells as ambient light sensors for an iPad, iPhone, or other display-equipped device, reports Patently Apple. The patent application was filed in December 2012, but was just published today.
One advantage to integrating the ambient light sensor into the display would be the ability to reduce bezel sizes around the display, allowing more of the device’s surface to be dedicated to display. For example, the iPhone currently includes several components embedded in the bezel above the display, including the earpiece, FaceTime camera, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor. Moving at least some of those components into the display itself could allow Apple to reduce the height of the top bezel.
According to the patent, a solar cell’s ability to sense incoming light could be connected to circuitry that adjusts the display brightness in response to the solar cell input, as with current sensors. When not being used to adjust the display, this solar cell technology could provide a trickle charge to the device’s battery.
An electronic device is provided with a display and a solar cell ambient light sensor that receives light through a portion of the display. The solar cell ambient light sensor may include one or more thin-film photovoltaic cells. A voltage that accumulates within the thin-film photovoltaic cell in response to ambient light is sampled and converted into ambient light data. The device includes control circuitry that modifies the intensity of display light generated by the display based on the ambient light data from the photovoltaic cell. The solar cell ambient light sensor is attached to a transparent cover layer, a color filter layer, or any other layer of the display. When the accumulated voltage is not being sampled for ambient light measurements, the voltage may be used to provide charge to a battery in the device.
Apple has long expressed an interest in solar cell technology with patent applications and solar-related rumors extending back at least six years. More recently, Apple was awarded a patent that describes a method of integrating a solar panel into a mobile touchscreen device with a flexible display.
Get the Samsung-like MultiWindow Sidebar on any Android device [APK Download]
One of the better features of Samsung’s TouchWiz is the ability to house regularly accessed apps in a sidebar that recesses at the side of the screen at the touch of a button. Samsung also allow multiple windows to be stacked allowing two different apps to be viewed or worked on at the same time.
The guys over at XDA have created an APK that mimics the Samsung MultiWindow and Sidebar and it supports all devices running Android 4.0 and above. The split view has been made to compliment XMultiWindow & XHaloFloatingWindow Xposed Modules, so it is recommended to install those also.
• Choose the apps to appear in the sidebar with Select Apps
• Choose the method to launch apps using App Launch Mode
• (Optional) Enable Start on Boot
• Start the sidebar using Toggle Service
To Launch Apps, there are 2 modes.
• Tap an app to open it
• Drag an app to the respective location on the screen
You can customize what apps (PA Halo, XHaloFloatingWindow, XMultiWindow or Normally) to open when tapping or dragging.
MultiWindowSidebar_v1.2_250514.apk
VIA: XDA
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YouTube v5.7 debuts with streaming quality picking
After updating Hangouts, Google gives some love to YouTube as well. YouTube gets yet another great and long-awaited feature in the newest update. Choose the quality of your YouTube video stream.
This feature is long overdue if you ask me. Every time I watch a YouTube video via mobile data I wish I could see exactly in which quality is video being streamed. You might say: “well you could choose whether the video will be HQ or not thus far”, that is true, but there are times when you have enough data to watch a video in 360p, there are times when you’re trying to save as much as you can, so you want to lower it to 144 or 240p and so on. In this new update you can do just that, as long as you don’t go over 720p, that is the highest stream quality you can pick at this time.
You can download the update via the link below although it might not be yet available to your device. If you’re not prone to waiting you can manually sideload it, you can find the APK here.
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Philips helps to re-create Times Square in a Moscow shopping mall
Russia and the US may not be best buds right now, but that hasn’t stopped the former building a homage to one of New York’s famous landmarks in its newest shopping mall. The VEGAS Crocus City teamed up with Philips’ booming lighting business to build a scaled-down version of Times Square, complete with the red bleachers found on the TKTS booth on 47th street. Naturally, the lighting company supplied both jumbo screens and its Color Kinetics LEDs for the inside and outside of the building, which can show off 16 million colors and broadcast text and graphics depending on what’s required. We bet the team over at the Allianz Arena are now casting some envious glances east.
Filed under: Misc
Source: Philips
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