Next-generation lithium cells will double your phone’s battery life
The lithium ion batteries in your mobile devices are inherently limited by the “ion” part of their name; they can safely use lithium only in the part of the cell that supplies ions, wasting a lot of potential energy. It’s good news, then, that researchers at Stanford have developed a new lithium battery that could last for much, much longer. The technique allows for denser, more efficient lithium in the battery’s anode (which discharges electrons) by using a nanoscopic carbon shield that keeps the unstable chemical in check — uncontrolled, it can quickly shorten the device’s lifespan.
The result is a power pack that lasts considerably longer on charge, won’t decay quickly and remains relatively safe. Stanford’s Steven Chu (the former US Secretary of Energy) reckons that a cellphone equipped with these advanced lithium cells could have two to three times the battery life, and automakers could build cheap electric cars that still offer a healthy driving range. There’s more engineering work required before you see any shipping products, but it’s entirely possible that future portable gadgets will run for more than a day on a charge without resorting to giant battery packs.
Filed under: Cellphones, Laptops, Tablets, Science
Via: Phys.org
Source: Nature
[DEALS & STEALS] You can get JayBird BlueBuds X + Ultimate Ears Mini BOOM bluetooth speaker bundle for only $170 ($100 off) at BestBuy
If you’re in for a great audio bundle or in need for top of the line wireless bluetooth earphones and a great speaker, look no further. BestBuy has a great deal for you, they’ve bundled in JayBird BlueBuds X and Ultimate Ears Mini bluetooth speaker for only $170, which is $100 off the regular price…. Read more »
The post [DEALS & STEALS] You can get JayBird BlueBuds X + Ultimate Ears Mini BOOM bluetooth speaker bundle for only $170 ($100 off) at BestBuy appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Amazon is reportedly making a Square-like payment card reader
Amazon may revolve around online shopping, but it apparently has some interest in brick-and-mortar retail — there are now hints that it’s launching a Square-style payment card reader. The crew at 9to5Mac has obtained Staples documents showing that a $10 “Amazon Card Reader” is launching sometime in the near future. While there’s no exact release date on hand, the supply store is expected to start advertising Amazon’s gadget on August 12th; logic suggests the peripheral would go on sale around then.
The company hasn’t confirmed any plans, so take the apparent leak with a few grains of salt. We’ve reached out to Amazon to see if it can shed more light on the subject. Such a move would make sense for the e-commerce giant, though. It launched a wallet app mere days ago, so it clearly has an existing interest in the mobile payment sphere. Provided the leak is accurate, the real question is whether or not Jeff Bezos and company can lure stores away from the likes of Square or PayPal. This is already a fiercely competitive space, and many retailers are already wary of Amazon given that it thrives on luring customers away from conventional shops.
Filed under: Peripherals, Internet, Amazon
Source: 9to5Mac
Feedback Loop: Yosemite beta, Kindle Unlimited and more!
Ready for a fresh edition of Feedback Loop? This week featured discussions about Apple’s OS X Yosemite beta, Kindle Unlimited, Nokia’s naming conventions, MMO mice and iWatch speculation. Head past the break to talk about all this and more with your fellow Engadget readers.
Share your impressions of the OS X Yosemite beta
Apple just made the beta version of its upcoming operating system update available for download. Engadget Managing Editor Dana Wollman took a look at what we can expect in her Yosemite preview. Are you one of those brave souls who likes living on the bleeding edge? If so, share your own impressions of OS X Yosemite and let us know what you think!
Is Kindle Unlimited worth the cost?
Amazon’s new Kindle Unlimited service gives you all-you-can-read access for $10 per month, competing against services like Oyster and Scribd. Engadget’s product database manager, Kris, wonders whether the service is worth it. She argues that it’s easy to binge-watch shows and movies on services like Netflix, but it’s much harder to binge-read a series of novels. Will you be subscribing to Amazon’s new service? Sound off in the Engadget forums!
Silly model numbers from Microsoft and Nokia
It should be pretty easy to figure out which devices are better based on model numbers alone, right? A “2″ is bigger than a “1,” so “2″ must be better. Take the Nokia Lumia 520 and Lumia 530 for example. TgD examines the differences between each device and wonders whether the Lumia 530 is really better than the Lumia 520. How do you feel when manufacturers do this?
Where are all the MMO mice?
Massively multiplayer online games are some of the most popular types of titles that people play. There was a time when hardware manufacturers like Razer and Logitech made gaming mice that specifically catered to this group. However, Quaddragon feels there’s been little innovation in this area. Where are all the good MMO gaming mice?
Should Apple’s rumored smartwatch include a SIM card?
Apple’s smartwatch has long been rumored and we may finally see it as soon as this fall. Engadget forums user Korrekturlesen speculates on whether or not the watch would have a SIM card. Does this sound like a good idea? Share your thoughts right here.
Other discussions you may also like:
- What’s a good homepage for your browser?
- Sony RX-10 vs. Canon T3i Rebel
- Why is OS X sooooooooo slow to access SMB shares over a network?
That’s all this week! Want to talk about your favorite gadget or have a burning question about technology? Register for an Engadget account today, visit the Engadget forums and start a new discussion!
AIVAnet 