NASA competition pays you to design a 3D-printed habitat
If NASA is going to put humans on Mars and other distant worlds, it’s going to need a place for explorers to stay — and it wants your help building those extraterrestrial homes. The agency has launched the 3D Printed Habitat Challenge, a competition to develop the best artificial housing for space exploration. The first phase of the challenge will award a $50,000 prize based on pure architectural merits, while a second will hand out two $1.1 million prizes for those who figure out how to manufacture individual components and whole shelters from “indigenous materials,” such as rocky soil. NASA hopes that the winning ideas will make it possible to settle alien terrain without bringing mountains of Earth-made construction supplies. That would not only let crews pack light, but fix their own abodes if something goes wrong millions of miles from Earth.
[Image credit: ESA/Foster + Partners]
Filed under: Science
Source: NASA
Samsung teases Iron Man Edition of the Galaxy S6 Edge
In a tweet that has since been removed, Samsung gave us a teaser of the Iron Man edition of the Galaxy S6 Edge.
It is not known what the device looks like, but the renders below, courtesy of TechCrunch, may not be too far off from what its actual design.
The tweet also included a disclaimer, saying that availability for this limited edition of the S6 Edge would “differ by region.” There is no guarantee that the phone would come to the U.S., but it is likely considering the fact that Iron Man is an American trademark.
The post Samsung teases Iron Man Edition of the Galaxy S6 Edge appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Huawei produced Nexus smartphone based on Mate 8
Sources in China claim that the forthcoming Huawei-produced Google Nexus smartphone will be based on a prototype of the manufacturer’s Mate 8 smartphone. Previous leaks have suggested the next Nexus smartphone will have a 5.7-inch 2K display which would be consistent with the Mate 8 from Huawei.
However, the Mate 8 is slated to be powered by Huawei’s in-house produced Kirin 930 processor. The next Nexus is believed to be equipped with a Snapdragon 810 processor despite the controversy swirling around that chip. This newest source indicates the Nexus device could be powered by a Kirin 950 chip, which is likely Huawei’s next generation following the Kirin 930.
Other hardware details are still unclear, especially the construction of the device. If based on the Mate 8, the new Nexus device should give the impression of a high quality smartphone, possibly employing a metal chassis and lots of glass.
source: MyDrivers.net
via: GizmoChina
Come comment on this article: Huawei produced Nexus smartphone based on Mate 8
Android Wear update brings limited Google Play Music browsing
The latest version of Android Wear, version 5.1.1, available on the new LG Watch Urbane or the ASUS ZenWatch, has a new option available for users wanting to access their Google Play Music library. Choices for Listen Now, Recent Playlists, and Radio are now available to users.
Listen Now gives users the ability to scan through albums, playlists and radio stations that have recently been accessed. Recent Playlists can be viewed and users can drill down to songs that they have given a thumbs-up to and recently added content. Finally Radio will bring up a list of Google Play Music radio stations.
Users will notice that they do not have the ability to go through their entire catalog of music via Android Wear. This mimics the functionality of Android Auto in keeping users from focusing for too long on the interfaces of Android Wear or Auto.
source: androidcentral
Come comment on this article: Android Wear update brings limited Google Play Music browsing
Luxury brands sue Chinese online shopping giant for allowing fakes
It’s no secret that luxury designers see Chinese online stores as a haven for fake goods, but they’re now taking concerted action to shut down these less-than-official outlets. Kering, the parent company behind brands like Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent, is suing shopping giant Alibaba for allegedly letting counterfeiters sell their wares in the US and elsewhere. The company did nothing to shut these operations down even when told what was going on, according to the complaint. Kering had tried suing Alibaba last July, but it dropped the case in hopes of hashing out a deal — clearly, those negotiations didn’t get very far.
For its part, Alibaba insists that it has a “strong track record” of working with companies to shut down counterfeits. It sees the lawsuit as “wasted litigation” whose energy is better spent on a cooperative hunt for ripoff peddlers. Whether or not the company is doing enough, the stakes are high. If Kering prevails in court, it may get Alibaba to pay $2 for every bogus product its merchants sell. As you might imagine, that could become very expensive if the retailer doesn’t succeed in cracking down.
[Image credit: AP Photo/Kin Cheung]
Filed under: Internet
Source: Reuters
Sprint activates free data roaming in six more countries
Sprint has expanded its free international roaming plan to six more countries: Colombia, Denmark, Honduras, Ireland, Italy, Paraguay and Sweden. That makes the new total 22, including the original 16 locations the company named when it launched the free data and unlimited text messaging in April. Obviously, it still can’t compare to T-Mobile’s similar service that works in 120 countries, but it’s still good news for the carrier’s subscribers. That said, it doesn’t sound like the plan’s 64kbps max speed — yes, that’s the maximum — has gone up since launch. So if customers need something a little less, um, glacial, they might have no other choice than to pay up.
[Image credit: JeepersMedia/Flickr]
Source: Sprint
Russia grounds Proton-M rockets following an accident
Russia’s space program just can’t catch a break, it seems. A spokesperson tells RIA that the country has suspended all Proton-M rocket launches following an accident that destroyed one model carrying a Mexican satellite. Officials reportedly want to know why this vehicle failed before they let any others take off — all they’ve determined so far is that the third stage’s engine booster suffered a glitch. The move is understandable (both Russia and private launch services lean heavily on the Proton-M), but it also suggests that the nation’s rocket problems are boiling to a head. Unless it finds a permanent solution, there may well be more incidents in the future.
[Image credit: Roscosmos via AP]
Filed under: Transportation, Science
Via: Reuters
Source: FSA (translated), RIA (translated)
[Deal] Pebble smartwatch available for $89, Pebble Steel for $149
This month, backers of the very successful Pebble Time campaign on Kickstarter will receive their smartwatches. Once backers receive their units, the Pebble Time will likely replace the older models on the company site. That could by why both the Pebble and Pebble Steel smartwatches are discounted right now directly from the company. The original Pebble is available for just $89 and a selection of six straps cost $15 each. The Pebble Steel’s discount is even steeper at $149 and buyers can include a metal strap for an additional $20.
The same discount also applies to models sold through Amazon with eligibility for the retailer’s free two-day shipping for Prime subscribers.
What smartwatch, if any, do you have your eyes set on? Let us know in the comments.
[Pebble] [Pebble Steel]
Come comment on this article: [Deal] Pebble smartwatch available for $89, Pebble Steel for $149
Browse your recent Google Play tunes on your Android Wear watch
Google Play Music just got a lot more convenient… if you’re using a cutting-edge Android wearable, that is. Smartwatches running the new Android Wear 5.1.1 update (such as the LG Watch Urbane) now let you browse your recent Play Music items. If you’re bent on finishing an album or can’t stop revisiting a favorite playlist, you no longer have to pull your phone out of your pocket. You can also check out All Access radio stations if you’re in the mood for some variety. This upgrade won’t be much help if you want to sift through your whole collection, but it could save you a lot of time when you’re listening on the move.
Filed under: Wearables, Software, Mobile, Google
Source: Android Central
WSJ: Google will add buy buttons to search results on mobile
Google’s getting ready to face Amazon and eBay, according to The Wall Street Journal, and will be adding buy buttons directly to its search results. You’ll see those buttons accompanying sponsored results under a “Shop on Google” heading — they won’t be used for non-sponsored links returned by the algorithm — when you search for products on mobile devices. Upon clicking one, a separate product page will load where you can pick sizes, colors and ultimately complete your purchase. Any product you buy will still come straight from retailers, the WSJ says, so it doesn’t sound like Google’s stocking up warehouses with goods like Amazon does.
However, some major retailers are apparently worried that they’ll get stuck with back-end order fulfillment with no real customer interaction. Since Google wants to remain in good terms with them (they are some of its largest advertisers, after all), it will give shoppers the choice subscribe to their marketing programs. That typically means mailing lists and the like, so the company’s giving them access to customers’ info, most likely names and addresses.
In addition, Google promised them that the product landing pages will be heavily branded with their names and will link to more of their products. The company also won’t take a cut from their sales and will only get paid for every person that clicks their links. Mountain View will reportedly offer several payment options, “including digital payment methods from other providers,” but it (thankfully) won’t be giving retailers access to payment details. If you input credit card info to make a purchase, the website will save it for future transactions, but it will remain with the company.
As for why the feature will only be available on mobile, well, Google has a plethora of reasons. The biggest one is most likely the fact that more people now perform searches on their phones than on computers. According to the WSJ, you might spot a buy button or two as soon as the coming weeks. We don’t have a list of official partners yet, since Google hasn’t officially announced anything, but Macy’s might be one of the first retailers available.
[Image credit: shutterstock]
Filed under: Cellphones, Internet, Mobile, Google
Source: The Wall Street Journal
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