New NASA and environmental bosses don’t like science
Well, this is more than a little depressing: The politician who tried reducing NASA funding (and successfully shut it down for over two weeks) is now in charge of the senate subcommittee that effectively controls NASA. More than that, one of the most vocal climate-change detractors is now in charge of the United States Senate’s Environmental committee. Let’s let that sink in for a minute, shall we? Despite all the progress we’ve made so far with things like unmanned, deep-space space-flight and our efforts toward limiting the negative effects that humans have had on the environment, any future plans are now up in the air. Any major scientific progress is now at the mercy of Republican senators Ted Cruz and James Inhofe. With their actions and words over the recent years, the pair have proved just how little they understand about each area they’re now controlling.
In addition to exploring the reaches of space, NASA also has done a number of climate change studies — something that Cruz also is an opponent of. He once told CNN that climate change was a hoax and a bogus theory that was designed to be immune to detractors. “They’ll [scientists] say, well, it’s changing so it proves our theory.” He maintains that the problem with climate change is there’s no data to support it and that “there has never been a day in the history of the world in which the climate is not changing.” If you’re curious why he was on camera in the first place, it was to espouse his energy bill that, among other things, would repeal “harmful” EPA regulations and promote more oil drilling.
In 2013, however, he said that it’s “critical” that the US maintains its continued leadership in space. How he intends to do that isn’t exactly clear given his track record.
Inhofe, on the other hand, is even more keen to undo emissions regulations, according to The Independent. Why? He thinks that rising world-wide temperatures might be an asset:
“It’s also important to question whether global warming is even a problem for human existence. Thus far, no one has seriously demonstrated any scientific proof that increased global temperatures would lead to the catastrophes predicted by alarmists. In fact, it appears that just the opposite is true: that increases in global temperatures may have a beneficial effect on how we live our lives.”
That stands in stark contrast to what the some 97 percent of scientists — including Stephen Hawking — have to say about climate change. For his part, Hawking compares climate change to a threat on par with nuclear weaponry.
The pair of lawmakers have proven time and again that they have a shocking misunderstanding of the world around them and now they’re in positions of direct power over topics they don’t grasp. Whether it’s due to willful ignorance or a simple refusal to accept fact is anyone’s guess. To quote Neil deGrasse Tyson, the good thing about science is that it’s true, whether or not you believe in it. Unfortunately, “science” can’t write legislation or filibuster, but Ted Cruz and James Inhofe can.
[Image credit: Shutterstock/ Stephen Rees]
Filed under: Transportation, Science, Alt
Via: The Verge
Source: United States Senate
UK Prime Minister wants to ban encrypted messaging apps
In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in France, UK Prime Minister David Cameron has come out in support of banning encrypted messaging apps. According to a new report, Cameron alluded that he would be for banning encrypted communication apps, which could include iMessage, WhatsApp, and Snapchat.
From The Independent:
The Prime Minister said today that he would stop the use of methods of communication that cannot be read by the security services even if they have a warrant. But that could include popular chat and social apps that encrypt their data, such as WhatsApp.
To justify such an action, Cameron was quoted by Ars Technica as saying the following:
“Are we going to allow a means of communications which it simply isn’t possible to read?” Cameron said Monday while campaigning, in reference to apps such as WhatsApp, Snapchat, and other encrypted services. “My answer to that question is: ‘No, we must not.’”
This is just the latest in a much larger privacy battle that has been ramping up as smartphones have become more and more ubiquitous. Late last year, the NSA was accused of spying on citizens through the use of fake towers. A few days later, a bill that would have curbed the extent of NSA spying just barely fell short of passing the senate.
However, keep in mind that there’s no telling if such a ban would actually be possible, but it would stand to impact a large swath of popular messaging apps in the UK if instituted.
Sources: The Independent, Ars Technica
Messaging apps face potential ban in the United Kingdom
In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo shooting and its succeeding events in France, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom has expressed concern over the encryption of messaging applications. David Cameron, who has held the position since 2010, made it clear he would serve a ban to messaging apps that failed to uncover messages even with the inclusion of a warrant. The government wants access to the data because it provides the chance to prevent, identify, or act on a crisis.
Snapchat, Apple iMessage/FaceTime, and WhatsApp are just some of the services to encrypt their data. Those services, and others, are highly unlikely to give access to the government; therefore, expect this situation to drag out for months before any actual progress is made.
Source: The Independent
Via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: Messaging apps face potential ban in the United Kingdom
Manifest brings members new 5K wallpapers every month
Sebastiaan de With, who has designed interfaces for Apple and DoubleTwist, has just launched his own design agency, Pictogram. One of his first projects is Manifest, a “5K periodical”.
Manifest members get a pair of 5K wallpapers every month. You also get instant access to a growing library of 5K wallpapers; there’s currently 12 ready to download.
An extra perk is early access to icons I design that you can use to customize your Mac or reduce eyesores. And hey, maybe some more cool things in the future.
If you like de With’s work, and want to help support his new agency, head on over and sign up!
Lollipop coming soon to Motorola 2013 and 2014 devices
Owners of Motorola devices made in 2013 and 2014 have reason to be excited, a software engineer for the company has confirmed that Android Lollipop will be rolling out to your hardware ‘soon.’
First of all: peace!
There is so much anger floating around this topic, I just want to reassure we’re working really hard on it, and, as promised, our Moto products from 2014 and 2013 will be updated to Lollipop really soon.
– Luciano Carvalho Google+
We can’t be sure what version number of Android Lollipop will roll out to which devices. Motorola has a great track record with Android updates and they already have the latest Android 5.0.1 Lollipop out to their flagship devices, including the Moto X (2014) and back to the Moto G (2013) GPe.
While there is no exact time frame for the release, the same announcement recommends that all 1st generation device owners check for an update to the Motorola Update Services app, free from the Google Play Store. If the update does not show, or shows as not available for your unit, don’t worry, it’ll be there soon.
Perhaps the most interesting tidbit is a reference to a Motorola Android 5.0.2 Lollipop soak test, available to only certain devices in a short list of locations around the globe. So far, we’ve only really seen a 5.0.2 reference for the 2012 WiFi Nexus 7, which still has not received an OTA Lollipop itself.
Time for you to sound off, what Motorola device do you have on hand, anxiously awaiting Android Lollipop?
Use your iPhone to access Google’s Chrome Remote Desktop
Google said it would allow both iOS and Android users to leverage its Chrome Remote Desktop feature on-the-go, but Apple faithful have yet to get the chance… until today. Once you’ve installed the desktop app from the Chrome Web Store, access to that machine with an iPhone or iPad is a few taps away. The Android version rolled out last April, and despite a lengthy wait, those who prefer iOS can now make use of the tool. Looking to take it for a spin? The app is available for download at iTunes.
Filed under: Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Google Chrome (Google+), iTunes
LG G2 Shown Running Android 5.0 in Video
A YouTube video has surfaced of the LG G2 running on Android 5.0 Lollipop. The nearly three minute video below, filmed with a Galaxy Note 3, shows a person take a tour of the software.
There is no doubt this is indeed Lollipop as can be seen from the presence of Material design. For example, just 14 seconds in, you can see the multitasking view has the carousel effect that is present in Android L.
Since the LG G2 was the company’s flagship of 2013, hopefully, this should mean an update is also coming to its successor, the G3.
Source: TalkAndroid
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Motorola Still Working on Lollipop for 2013 and 14 Products
Motorola is working on putting the finishing touches on the Moto X Lollipop update. It turns out, 5.0 had some bugs originally, which means that Motorola had its work cut out for itself. Now, soak tests are starting around the world, which means we are in penultimate phase of an update rollout.
If you own a 1st generation Moto X, you need to make sure you have the latest version of Motorola Updates Services from the Google Play Store. That update may involve a wait as well, but it’s important to remain vigilant with checking back with the app in order to get the update.
Motorola is also begging for patience from its loyal users. As anyone with some technical knowledge knows, updating an operating system is an arduous task, and Google makes the OS to work on Nexus devices, not Motorola devices. However, if there are no more huge bugs, we can expect the update soon.
What do you think about Motorola’s handling of the update? Not nearly fast enough, or will you cut the manufacturer some slack? Leave a comment below and let us know what you think.
Source: Google+
Come comment on this article: Motorola Still Working on Lollipop for 2013 and 14 Products
You can install custom code on Chrome OS with a USB drive
Currently, it is possible possible to install and work with custom code (such as Linux) on a Chrome OS device. The entire process of installing custom code is possible but it is not necessarily easy. That all changes because Google is adding Debugging Features for Chrome OS devices in Developer Mode. It means that Chrome OS users will be able to take a USB drive, connect it to the device, and install the custom code.
The following are what will be possible with the new feature:
- Remove rootfs verification² so you can modify OS files
- Enable SSH access to the device using the standard test keys so you can use tools such as cros flash³
- Enable booting from USB so you can install an OS image from a USB drive
- Set both the dev and the system root login password to a custom value so you can manually SSH into the device
You can access it right now by heading to the Dev Channel and selecting “Enable debugging features.” From there, follow these directions.
Source: +François Beaufort
Come comment on this article: You can install custom code on Chrome OS with a USB drive
You can now get a BlackBerry Passport in gold, platinum or rose gold
Have some money to burn in your pockets and want to get your hands on a BlackBerry Passport in gold, platinum or rose gold? If so, the folks at Gold Genie are willing to help out. They’re now taking orders for your choice of BlackBerry Passport with prices ranging from $1,893.83 USD to $2,020.26 USD.
Luxury retailers have seemingly been loving the latest batch of BlackBerry devices as several of them now have come out with their own variations, some slathering more gold on them than others. Karalux being one of the most impressive thus far having even gone into detailing the frets on the device.
AIVAnet 