Watch how DARPA plans to launch small rockets from flying jets
Small satellites are usually launched to space as secondary payloads aboard big rockets, but DARPA’s Airborne Launch Assist Space Access (ALASA) program could change that. Folks under that project have been working on small rockets that can carry 100-pound satellites into orbit since 2011, but now DARPA has released a video showing how the takeoff process works. As you’ll see in the animation below the fold, those rockets have to be light, because they’re designed to be carried by unmodified jets into the air, before they’re released to make their way into space. Since the planes will serve as the “first stage,” (hence, reusable) the government/military/companies with access to the technology will be able save money.
In fact, each launch will only cost $1 million (a SpaceX launch costs around $55 million, but that’s already cheap for a big rocket), and rockets can be deployed within 24 hours of being commissioned. But enough about the project’s details: you should seriously watch the video below to see how a jet-small rocket combo can take a satellite to space.
Filed under: Misc
Source: Youtube
Satya Nadella talks about cricket, Microsoft Band and Windows Phone in latest interview
On the occasion of his first-year anniversary as the CEO of Microsoft, Satya Nadella sat down with ABC News to talk about a wide range of subjects, including his passion for cricket, Microsoft’s work in the wearable segment, and of course Windows Phone.
Rogers notes BlackBerry 10.3.1 updates coming this month
Although this one likely won’t come as much of a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention, it might help ease some minds of those waiting. Rogers has now updated their upcoming OS release form that gets posted to their community forums and according to the list, all BlackBerry 10 devices they sell or have sold will be updated at some point in time this month.
Regulators looking at possible stock manipulation in Samsung buying BlackBerry rumors
When it was rumored that Samsung was in talks to purchase BlackBerry last month, one of the major side-effects was that BlackBerry‘s stock price skyrocketed. Now, regulators from both the U.S. and Canada are reportedly investigating trading activity around the time of the rumor in order to ascertain whether it was started to profit from the resulting surge in BlackBerry’s stock price.
Leaked image claims to show Galaxy S6 and dual-edge Galaxy S6 Edge
An image of what is alleged to be Samsung’s Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge has been leaked to CNET Korea. The publication mentioned that the leak came from a South Korean electronics distributor, with the image itself featuring a render of both the Galaxy S6 and a Note Edge-style variant of the device.
Samsung to add more Galaxy Tablets to Lineup in 2015
Although some analysts had predicted (and recommended) Samsung reducing its breadth of devices available to the consumer this year, it seems that Samsung still has some surprises up its sleeve.According to GalaxyClub, Samsung has applied for three new trademarks with the Korean IPO: the Samsung Galaxy Tabs A, E and J. These are obviously names for new tablets, which will most likely join the ranks of the Galaxy Tab and Galaxy Tab S in the coming tech release season.
The new names follow Samsung’s current trend of using other letters besides ‘S’ for devices, like the Galaxies A5, A7, E5, E7, and J1. The move to letters instead of longer, heavily-worded names is a good move for simplicity, as well as a good move for showing some sense of progress as a company, which, in a world of rehashes and Galaxy S16s, and Note 11s, may be a good move for the company altogether.
Source: Galaxy Club
Via: Phone Arena
Come comment on this article: Samsung to add more Galaxy Tablets to Lineup in 2015
Chrome OS lets you lock lost or stolen computers
Losing a gadget sucks, but having to change all your passwords to make sure no thief gets to your bank accounts is much worse for some people. That’s why it’s awesome that Chrome OS devices can now be locked when stolen or lost — if they’re Enterprise/Business or Education computers, that is. Google has introduced the feature as an update to the admin console, and according to Google employee François Beaufort, there’s no way to do it for personal devices yet. That’s unfortunate, but seeing as Chromebooks are doing especially well in the education sector, we’re not entirely surprised. Those who do use a school/work-issued Chromebook only have to ask their IT admin to lock it remotely from the web-based control system. After that, people who switch the device on will only see a lock screen with the company’s or school’s address and phone number, in an attempt to guilt them into finding the rightful owner.
Via: François Beaufort (Google+)
Source: Chrome Releases
Xbox One’s first update of the year adds hubs for your favorite games
Green with envy about folks having access to Xbox One’s Game Hubs and transparent dashboard tiles? Well, now everyone has access to ‘em — not just people in the Dashboard Preview Program. That means relevant content related to every Xbox One game (like people currently broadcasting it, game clips, leaderboards) now ties into neat and friendly individual cards on the dashboard. The February update also brings in tweaks to controller connection time and party chat improvements for those operating on different NAT settings. Also in store is some absurdly specific stuff for folks across the pond. We’re talking live streaming TV via SmartGlass to Android and Windows devices in Europe, and expanded Trending TV in Brazil, France, Germany and Mexico. America is apparently too passé for Redmond these days. Regardless, if you’re feeling impatient you can force the update from the system settings menu starting now.
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/1QxV0xzY4YI?rel=0
Filed under: Gaming, HD, Microsoft
Source: Xbox Wire
Swype gets Update, Floating Keyboard Features
Swype, the Android keyboard that originally popularized gesture typing, received an update today with both exciting and less exciting developments. The less exciting developments are, of course bug fixes and stability improvements. We all find them boring, but without them, we’d still have apps running with the reliability of Cupcake or Donut. Other more exciting improvements include Emoji support in English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Korean, and Chinese, a return key in apps that have a default smiley button, and three new themes: material light, dark, and high visibility.
The most exciting updates are the inclusions of Vietnamese Telex, Swiss German, Swiss Italian, Burmese Zawgyi, and Sinhala, and the new floating keyboard feature. Now you can move the keyboard anywhere on your screen and type—the perfect addition for anyone who enjoys multitasking.
If you have the Swype keyboard, head on over to the Google Play Store and get your update today.
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