Apple Releases Second OS X Yosemite Public Beta, iTunes 12 Update
Apple today released the second Yosemite public beta for beta testers, following the release of the sixth Developer Preview earlier this week. Apple has also released a new version of iTunes 12 for Yosemite.
The software update can be downloaded through the software update function of the Mac App Store.
It’s likely the new public beta bundles the content introduced in the last several developer updates, including multiple design changes added with DP 6. The last beta included new wallpapers, new System Preferences icons, and more.
Apple is expected to release OS X Yosemite to the general public later this year, possibly following an October event that may also introduce both the iWatch and new iPads.
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We took a nostalgic look around Seattle’s Living Computer Museum
If you’re reading this site, chances are you’ve got a growing collection of obsolete, outdated tech in a closet somewhere, stuff you’re certain will be “collector’s items” some day. Seattle’s Living Computer Museum, created by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, is full of that kind of history, detailing computer milestones from the past few decades. Earlier this month, the museum hosted its first-ever Vintage Computer Faire, a chance for tech fans to mingle and, of course, play around with a “greatest hits” collection of hardware. More than 1,200 folks took time out on a sunny Saturday in Seattle to stop by. Check out the gallery for some of the highlights.
Filed under: Desktops, Science
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California requires manual controls before Google’s car hits public roads
One of the unique features inside Google’s self-driving car is that it doesn’t sport a steering wheel or a set of pedals. That won’t fly on public roads in California though, so the folks in Mountain View are faced with adding them or sticking to closed-course testing. New regulations that go into effect next month require autonomous vehicles to let the driver take “immediate physical control” should the need arise. Google says it’ll adhere to the rule by installing a temporary steering wheel and pedals in its 100 prototype cars set to begin testing on private roads in September.
Filed under: Transportation, Google
Source: Wall Street Journal
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The Big Picture: That’s no moon, that’s a movie theater
What do you do after you’ve retired from running the Official Star Wars fan club and magazine? You recreate the iconic space opera in your own home, of course — at least that’s what Vic Wertz and Lisa Stevens did. Not only is the above home theater a stunning tribute to George Lucas’ films, but it was also designed by Doug Chiang: the lead designer of The Phantom Menace and Attack of the Clones. In addition to drawing inspiration from Darth Vader’s Imperial Star Destroyer, the theater features raised floors and halls that resemble the Death Star, sliding doors, a poster-laden lobby and a door shaped like a carbonite-frozen Han Solo. Most impressive. The project is a few years old, but the designer just posted a fresh gallery on Imgur. Check it out at the source link below.
Source: Imgur, ElectronicHouse, Dillon Works
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Apple Reveals Furthers Details on Reversible USB Cable With Flexible Internal Connector
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today published another Apple patent application that describes a reversible USB connector with a “double orientation design.” (Via AppleInsider) Today’s patent application, filed in February and titled “Reversible USB Connector with Compliant Member to Spread Stress and Increase Contact Normal Force,” differs slightly from a separate application made a few weeks earlier by highlighting a key design detail that adds flexibility to the USB connector contacts.
According to the patent description, the USB connector would feature a flexible tongue allowing it to bend to fit an existing USB port regardless of the insertion orientation. This flexible plug connector was mentioned briefly in the January patent, but Apple has expanded upon this idea in this latest patent application to address various types of support elements that would minimize stress on the flexible portion of the tongue while still ensuring strong contact between the connector and a USB port.
As mentioned previously, some plug connectors of the present invention may include structural support elements made from materials chosen to allow plug connector tongues to deflect. Connector 1610 may also include a structural support element, e.g., a structural support 1635. Structural support 1635 may provide flexure to PCB 1632 to reduce stress and fatigue on PCB 1632 and allow tongue 1630, along with PCB 1632, to deflect toward and away from first or second inner surfaces 1620a, 1620b during insertion/extraction events. In order to provide this flexure, structural support 1635 may be made from an elastomer that deforms in response to stress, e.g., a mating event, but holds tongue 1630 centrally located between first and second inner surfaces 1620a, 1620b otherwise.
As shown in the patent drawings, Apple’s solution allows the contact portion of the tongue to be thicker and sturdier, while positioning it on a thinner, flexible “stalk”. This stalk will deflect in either direction in order to provide room for mating with existing USB ports while maintaining a strong connection with the contacts.
Apple’s proposed USB connector with tongue showing durable contact portion (1939) on a thin, flexible stalk
This flexible tongue provides a distinct advantage over current solutions from competing products, which typically use a rigid tongue that has been slimmed down to fit existing USB ports. Though these cables can be inserted in either orientation, the very thin tongue is susceptible to breakage. With Apple’s proposed solution, the contact portion of the tongue can be thicker and more durable, with the flexible portion of the tongue minimizing the possibility of breakage and providing room for the thicker tongue to still fit in either orientation.
Recently leaked photos and videos suggest Apple may be working on a new Lightning cable with this reversible USB connector. These cables may ship with future iOS devices and also may contain other features such as support for high-definition audio playback on Made For iPhone (MFi) audio accessories.
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Lawyers Researching Possible Class Action Lawsuit Over 2011 MacBook Pro Graphics Issues
Back in January, we profiled growing concerns from owners of 2011 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pro models over failing graphics chips and system crashes. While Apple has assisted some customers with logic board replacements, the issues have been known to reoccur after servicing and some users have been faced with expensive repair bills to address the problem.
With a Facebook group exceeding 2,200 members and a change.org petition requesting a more substantial response from Apple having surpassed 10,000 signatures, the issue appears to be a fairly widespread one, and now lawyers are getting involved in the situation.
Attorneys from Washington, DC-based Whitfield Bryson & Mason LLP have addressed the Facebook group, launching a survey to gather information from affected MacBook Pro owners as the firm considers a possible class action lawsuit.
Alerted to the pervasive failures concerning the 2011 MBP GPU’s, we commenced an investigation leading us to your community.
Your posts are a great source of information, but to determine if any legal claims may exist, we need your help. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey below.
The firm touts its experience with lawsuits against other technology companies including topics such as Google Buzz privacy issues, Lenovo IdeaPad hardware problems, and more. While it is not certain that a class action suit will be filed against Apple, it’s clear the issue is a substantial one.
The discrete graphics chips used in the affected machines are from AMD, and Apple previously launched a replacement program for AMD graphics cards used in 27-inch iMacs from a similar time period. While the graphics chips used in the two machines are different, the iMac repair program indicates that Apple would be willing to launch a similar program for the MacBook Pro if it is able to diagnose the issue and be convinced the problem requires such a program. Typically such programs provide for free repairs and reimbursement for those who had previously paid for repairs to fix the issue.
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Google Chrome now freely available in Cuba
If Chrome were human, he’d/she’d be puffing on authentic Cuban cigars right about now. The browser’s finally made its way to the Caribbean country, where it was blocked, along with other Google services, for the longest time. While Mountain View didn’t directly blame US trade sanctions for the delay, the company intimates in its announcement post that it’s the reason why the country’s residents couldn’t officially install the browser. Of course, enterprising Cubanos have likely found a way to download Chrome long ago, but now people can easily install it across platforms (iOS, Android, Windows, Mac OS X, etc.) by accessing a special portal.
Google says it’s always working to make its products available in more areas as trade sanctions evolve, like how it released Picasa, Chrome and Google Earth in Iran and Syria years ago. So, we’re crossing our fingers that our friends in the island nation (where phone and computer sales were allowed but a few years ago and internet access is still very limited) can enjoy the tech titan’s other services.
[Image credit: Wikipedia (Cuban cigar)]
Via: CNET
Source: Google
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You’ll soon be able to start a Tesla Model S just with an iPhone
It appears that Tesla Model S owners get as excited by firmware updates as gadget nuts get when a new phone operating system gets released. Someone on the Tesla Motors Club forum has posted some plausible-looking screenshots from what purports to be Model S OS v.6.0. The changelog promises some nifty improvements, like being able to start your EV with your iPhone if you forget your keyfob. If the leak is accurate, the car will also integrate your phone calendar into its dashboard, offer better power management options and a Google Now-esque navigation system that predicts busy routes on your commute to-and-from work. The notes also promise that Android handsets will get similar abilities in the near future, although with the update still in beta, we’d presume that it won’t be a few more weeks yet. Still, being able to start your car with your phone takes us one step closer to being able to recreate that scene from Tomorrow Never Dies.
Filed under: Transportation, Software
Via: Electrek
Source: Tesla Motors Club
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Hailo matches Uber by letting other apps use its cab-hailing features
Uber and Hailo are forever playing catch-up with each other, and this week is no exception. Just hours after Uber announced it’s now allowing developers to bake Uber features into their apps, Hailo’s following suit by opening up its own platform. Information on ride availability, the time a car will take to get to you and, of course, the ability to hail one are among the first features third-party developers can make use of. Hailo first showed off these capabilities after it teamed up with travel app CityMapper, but is now opening them up to everyone. Given that Hailo only operates in a small number of cities across the US, Europe and Asia, these features will likely be added to just a limited number of apps for now. As Hailo expands its taxi and private car service further afield, however, there’s a chance big name hotels, airlines and travel sites could get on board, too.
Filed under: Transportation
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Leaked Schematics Suggest 128 GB Storage Option for iPhone 6
Leaked schematics from phone repair company GeekBar (via G 4 Games) suggest Apple may be preparing to release a 128 GB iPhone 6 model. An accompanying part supply list contains entries for NAND flash modules from Toshiba and Hynix in capacities of 16 GB, 64 GB and 128 GB. The 32 GB storage option is notably absent from the list, although the reason for its exclusion is unknown.
Previous rumors have suggested Apple has been working on a 128 GB iPhone model, with one rumor claiming the higher capacity module would debut in the 5.5-inch model only. The same leak also predicted Apple would drop the 16 GB option, introducing a 4.7-inch iPhone 6 model with two storage options (32 and 64 GB) and a 5.5-inch model with three storage capacities (32, 64 and 128 GB).
This new parts list from GeekBar appears to refute that claim, opening the door for Apple to add the 128 GB model as a fourth storage option for consumers. Apple launched its first 128 GB iOS device in early 2013 with a mid-cycle upgrade to the fourth-generation iPad. The option expanded across the iPad lineup with the October 2013 introduction of the iPad Air and iPad mini with Retina display, which also are available in 16 GB, 32 GB and 64 GB capacities. The 128 GB option has, however, yet to make its way into the smaller iPhone and iPod touch form factors.
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