Costa’s only gone and swapped coffee reward cards for apps
Is that Costa Coffee Club rewards card weighing down your wallet and generally just giving you the hump? Well, slice it up and chuck it in the bin, because now there’s an app for that. With Costa’s new Coffee Club app (new to Android, anyway, and updated on iOS) you can, instead, perfect your aggressive posture and sighing volume as a junior barista struggles to scan your grubby smartphone screen. As well as being useful for collecting and cashing in reward points, it’ll also direct you to your nearest Costa in case the only thing in your vicinity is an indy outlet serving Lavazza — I’ve seen the logo at service stations, which means it probably tastes like warm, caffeinated Carling. The app will even keep you up to date with offers and breaking news regarding your favourite beverage vendor. And who needs a fancy, Starbucks-like mobile wallet feature when you can have a user-defined profile image? (Mine’s going to be an on-theme selfie, with half my face obscured by a coffee cup, and maybe a little latte foam on the tip of my nose for comedic effect). On a serious note, though, if you frequent Costa then you might actually wanna download this.
Filed under: Cellphones, Software, Mobile
Source: Costa Coffee Club app (Android), (iOS)
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An F1 racer burning rubber in infrared is trippy
FLIR has just shown a dramatic spectrum of Formula 1 racing you may not have even realized you were missing: full infrared. The company filmed Red Bull’s RB8 F1 car doing donuts at the Gamma Racing Day in Assen using its FLIR X6580sc and other infrared cameras. As shown in the video below, the drivers are literally surrounded by flames and heat coming off the tires, engine and exhaust. You can also see the still glowing tracks left by the tires, Back to the Future style, and the hot bits of rubber that flew off. The only thing missing is the smoke, which is a good thing — as shown by a regular camera, it almost completely covers the car at one point.
Filed under: Cameras, Transportation
Via: Slash Gear
Source: FLIR
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Is this the Samsung Gear VR being made on the production floor?
We’ve heard precious little about the Samsung Gear VR in recent weeks, but with IFA 2014 bearing down on us and a rumoured release of Samsung‘s virtual reality hardware at the event possible, it was only a matter of time before it was spotted somewhere. These leaked photos appear to come from the production floor of where the Gear VR is being made and they looking, for lack of a better description, shiny. It’s a bit hard to picture exactly where this piece of the puzzle fits into what we know of the VR headset, but it definitely looks like production is underway.
The headset is being developed in tandem with Oculus VR, the VR experts behind the Oculus Rift, however while the Oculus Rift is self powered (and allegedly uses a Galaxy Note 3 screen inside its headset), the Gear VR will instead use the route of the Google Cardboard and use a device as its interface. It’s this dependence on an interface device that is fueling the rumours that the Gear VR will be making its first official appearance at IFA 2014 next to the Note 4, but we’ll only have to wait a few weeks to find out if that is true.
Is the Samsung Gear VR something you’re looking forward to seeing? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Cafe Naver via SamMobile
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Crowdfunded project uses 3D motion capture to catalog ancient Kung Fu styles
The influence of Hong Kong action cinema stars like Bruce Lee lives on in today’s cinema, but the ancient styles they based their techniques on are slowly dying out. There’s now a crowdfuding project aimed at preserving the heritage of different Kung Fu fighting styles, called the Hong Kong Martial Arts Living Archive. It’s a collaboration between a martial arts society called the International Guoshu Association (IGU) and the City University of Hong Kong. The goal is to use photos, high-speed video, panoptic video and motion capture to capture and quantize the different techniques.
The project organizers believe that fighting styles like Hung Kuen and Wing Kong from the south of China, along with various northern styles, are best preserved in Hong Kong. That’s because many of the Kung Fu masters from the nation’s north and south converged on Hong Kong due to political instability on the mainland around the turn of the 20th century.
Rather than preserve such techniques in traditional 2D forms as shown above, the group wants to capture them using a rigorous 4D analysis. On top of storing images, video and mocap data, it plans to include physical data like speed, torque, torsion and force data. It’s also capturing a large amount of 3D panoptic camera data shot from six different angles. That’s because different Kung Fu techniques use different body mechanics, which can’t be conveyed by mere drawings or oral descriptions. The archive will create a benchmark for teachers and historians, easily searchable using keywords from a Kung Fu lexicon.
While a large amount of motion capture has already been performed by the City University of Hong Kong, it says funds are starting to run dry. As a result, they’ve launched a crowdfunding campaign on FringeFunder, with the hope of raising $47,000 to hire motion capture experts. The minimum pledge is about $39, which will get you perks like a framed certificate and project poster, with higher level pledges snagging Kung Fu tours in Hong Kong and even dinner with local celebrities. Check the video below for more information — and as a reminder of what they’re trying to preserve, watch Bruce Lee single-handedly transform US television.
Filed under: Misc, Home Entertainment
Via: Off the Reservation
Source: FringeBacker
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Apple blocks access to Secret in Brazil after anti-bullying ruling
A few days ago, a Brazilian judge ordered Apple and Google to pull Secret from the local app store and wipe it from the handsets of whose who had downloaded it. The same ruling covered Microsoft, who was ordered to do the same to Windows Phone clone Cryptic. So far, however, only Apple has begun to comply with the order, after suspending fresh downloads of the app to iOS accounts registered in Brazil. According to local news media, the company hasn’t started pulling the software from individual handsets, but that’s still more than Google or Microsoft have done. Both companies claim that they’ve not been directly notified of the widely-reported ruling, although it’s more likely that they’re waiting on a final decision from the courts before taking any action.
Filed under: Internet, Software, Mobile, Apple, Microsoft, Google
Via: GigaOM
Source: CenarioMT (Translated), DM.com (Translated)
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Samsung reveals how the metal Galaxy Alpha is manufactured
It’s not often that we get to see intimate details about the manufacturing processes involved in making smartphones, but Samsung seems perfectly happy to reveal how the metal Galaxy Alpha is manufactured during the development phase. As Samsung’s latest smartphone, the Galaxy Alpha serves as somewhat of a change in design language for the Galaxy line, ditching plastic for metal, something which Samsung appears to be quite proud of. As Samsung describes, the process involves plenty of CNC (computerized numerical control) work to machine the frame of the device down to the shape we now recognize.
Next comes an anodizing process which colours the frame to the desired colour, be it blue, gold, black, silver or white. Following this, the frame is diamond cut and then has the display melded to it to create seamless integration. Samsung also talks about the quality tests they put then Galaxy Alpha through, including drop tests, bend tests and twist tests which challenges the device’s physical strength which Samsung says is necessary to “produce high-quality devices that meet the needs of consumers worldwide”. Can’t complain with vision like that, right?
For more pictures and info, be sure to hit the source link below to check out Samsung’s blog post. What do you think of the manufacturing process for the Galaxy Alpha?
Source: Samsung Tomorrow
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iPhone 6 Information Leak Sourced from Foxconn Details Dimensions of 4.7-Inch and 5.5-Inch Versions
French Apple website IGen.fr (Google Translate) has shared a variety of new details about Apple’s upcoming iPhone 6, including dimensions for each model, info about the protruding camera ring on the rear of both devices, and more. The photos appear to be of internal information residing in a Foxconn factory, as the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 and 4.7-inch iPhone 6 carry code names of N56 and N61, respectively.
The information states that the final version of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 will measure 158 mm long, 78 mm wide, and 7.1 mm thick (7.7 with the protruding camera), weighing 184.6 grams, or 6.5 ounces. Also spotted is information for a first prototype, which retained the same length and width but was 7.0 mm thick and weighed 168.5 grams, or 5.9 ounces.
Supposed measurements of the 5.5-inch iPhone 6
Meanwhile, the 4.7-inch iPhone 6 is said to measure at 138 mm long, 66 mm wide, and 6.9 mm thick, as the weight of the device is not listed. For comparison, the iPhone 5s measures 123×58 and is 7.6 mm thick.
A comparison of both the 5.5-inch and 4.7-inch model, as well as the iPhone 5s
A source close to the production of the 5.5-inch version claims that it will feature a battery with a large capacity, possibly 2915 mAh. That number comes from a in line with a component leak spotted earlier this month. The source did not specify whether the larger device was equipped with a sapphire display, however Apple reportedly shipped 28 containers of displays to Foxconn from the United States. It is possible that those containers could have come from GT Advanced Technologies, which Apple partnered with to produce sapphire displays at a factory in Arizona. However, no additional evidence suggests that is the case.
A schematic showing the protruding camera on each iPhone 6 and the iPhone 5s
Specifics around the protruding camera ring on both devices are also seen in the photos, as the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 will have an external camera ring that protrudes at 0.67-0.77 millimeters while the one 4.7-inch iPhone 6 will protrude at 0.77 mm. Both protruding camera rings appear to be similar to the one on the fifth-generation iPod touch, although it is unknown at this time what specific purpose they serve. The schematic of the protruding camera ring on the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 was spotted a few days ago, however that was originally interpreted to be for the 4.7-inch iPhone 6.
Finally, the source notes that the iPhone 6 features a well cut-out logo on its rear, which is said to be made from a very durable material and lines up with previous leaks. The device’s rear bands sighted in previous leaks are also said to be featured on the iPhone 6, and will act as refined antennas. Apple was also said to be working to feature a 2.5mm headphone jack on the iPhone 6, however the company scrapped it to avoid complaints about compatibility.
Certification tests for both models were said to take place last week, with mass production reportedly beginning this week. Apple is said to have ordered 40 million 4.7-inch units of the iPhone 6 for the rest of 2014, and is aiming for a 100 million devices by the end of this year. It was also stated that the launch 5.5-inch version may be delayed until a later time, although both are scheduled to be introduced at the same time.
Apple will reveal the iPhone 6 at a media event on Tuesday, September 9. In addition to a refined design as mentioned above, both models of the device will feature a faster A8 processor, an improved camera, and more.
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Apple Suppliers ‘Scrambling’ to Produce Enough iPhone 6 Displays After Issues With New Backlight
Apple’s supply chain is scrambling to get enough displays ready for the iPhone 6 ahead of its launch next month, reports Reuters.
Front panel said to be from the 4.7-inch iPhone 6
The report notes that production issues were made prevalent when the backlight film for the device’s display panel had to be redesigned, halting production for two months:
Two supply chain sources said display panel production suffered a setback after the backlight that helps illuminate the screen had to be revised, putting screen assembly on hold for part of June and July. One said Apple, aiming for the thinnest phone possible, initially wanted to cut back to a single layer of backlight film, instead of the standard two layers, for the 4.7-inch screen, which went into mass production ahead of the 5.5-inch version.
After the backlight film component was revised, Apple reportedly rejected it and went back to add the second layer to the panel causing a delay. As it stands, production of the display has resumed as suppliers are attempting to work quickly to make up for lost time before the device’s launch.
Concerns over the iPhone 6′s backlight design surfaced last month from supply chain, which also suggested that Apple’s desire to use only one backlight film to minimize the size of the handset would cause production delays. Current generation iPhone displays are supplied by Minebea and use two layers in order to improve readability in these backlit displays.
In a single layer setup for the device’s display, one layer has to be of a very high quality to take the place of the standard second layer. To meet the demand for the part, Apple had allegedly gone to OMRON and Radian to add them as suppliers alongside Minebea, however the outcome of that effort is not known. Previous reports of production issues surrounding the iPhone 6 had pinpointed challenges with the device’s in-cell touch panel and metal casings.
Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 6 at an event on September 9, with a launch for the 4.7-inch version likely come a week later. It is unclear if the 5.5-inch version will ship at the same time, as Apple is also said to be experiencing other production issues with the larger device. Both models of the iPhone 6 will likely feature a thinner, rounded chassis and incorporate a new A8 processor, a refined camera, and iOS 8.
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Apple Adding Samsung as RAM Supplier for iPhone 6 [iOS Blog]
Samsung will reportedly supply Apple with RAM for the iPhone 6, according to a report from Digitimes. Samsung’s return to Apple’s list of RAM suppliers for the iPhone comes after it was excluded from the list in 2013, with Apple electing to partner with SK Hynix and Elpida Memory for the iPhone 5s.
The logic board of the iPhone 5s featuring 1GB of RAM
Apple made a drastic move to begin expelling Samsung from its supplier list for a number of key components, including application processors, mobile RAM, NAND flash chips and batteries, starting 2013, the sources noted.
The report adds that Elpida and SK Hynix have become unsatisfied with Apple’s buying price for the components. With Elpida and SK Hynix reluctant to increase their shipments because of the dispute, Apple has once again added Samsung into its RAM supplier list to ensure a steady launch supply for the iPhone 6. Samsung had also previously supplied RAM to Apple for the iPhone 5 in 2012.
Apple has diversified its supply chain in recent years in an attempt to reduce its reliance on its rival Samsung, however the Korean company’s reputation for mass producing components with quality has made them a favorable choice. It was reported recently that Apple’s supply chain diversification has hit Samsung’s chip manufacturing business, as Samsung has been Apple’s only manufacturer of Apple A-series processors over the past few years.
The iPhone 6 will be unveiled at an event on September 9, and will likely be sold about a week or so later. It is also possible that the 4.7-inch version will launch ahead of the 5.5-inch version, as the latter is said to be experiencing production issues. In addition to a larger display, the iPhone 6 is expected to feature a thinner chassis, a faster A8 processor, an improved camera and iOS 8. While it is not known how much RAM the iPhone 6 will contain, some features in iOS 8 may require Apple to give the handset an adequate amount of RAM for smooth performance.
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White House cybersecurity chief is proud to know nothing about cybersecurity
Even if their intentions are good, there’s a reason that we don’t let amateurs do brain surgery or design housing complexes. That logic doesn’t seem to apply at the highest levels of government, however, after Michael Daniel boasted that about his lack of knowledge in his specialist field. In an interview with GovInfoSec, the White House cybersecurity co-ordinator has revealed that he’s not technically-minded, but that he doesn’t “have to be a coder in order to do really well.” He added that “being too down in the weeds at a technical level could actually be a bit of a distraction.” Sure, being able to see the wood for the trees when you’re in charge of the nation’s electronic safety is a good thing, but as Princeton’s Ed Felten remarked, there’d be uproar if the attorney general bragged about a lack of legal expertise. Maybe we’ll start working on our application to become the next surgeon general, after all, we have seen at least four episodes of ER.
Filed under: Internet
Via: Vox
Source: GovInfoSecurity
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AIVAnet 