The Navy is testing out a bigger, badder Fire Scout UAV
The Department of Defense is reportedly readying it’s larger and more capable iteration of the MQ-8 Fire Scout UAV for use aboard its Littoral Combat Ships beginning in 2018. Military.com reports that after two years of flight tests, the Navy is prepping its new MQ-8C Fire Scout for operational testing ahead of its eventual deployment. It’s predecessor, the MQ-8B, entered service last November aboard the USS Fort Worth.
At 31 feet in length, the MQ-8C isn’t just larger than the 24-foot MQ-8B, it offers longer endurance, greater range and larger payloads as well. As Capt. Jeff Dodge, program manager, Multi-mission Technical Unmanned Air System Office, told Military.com, the MQ-8C can remain aloft for more than twice as long as its earlier version and carry more than 700 pounds of equipment — 100 pounds more than the MQ-8B. This added capacity will allow the new Fire Scout to carry a new maritime search radar array with a range of more than 80 nautical miles. Once the new version passes operational testing, it’s expected to be incorporated into the LCS surface warfare mission package as a reconnaissance device. The Navy has already placed orders for 17 of the anticipated 40 total MQ-8Cs it thinks it will need.
Filed under: Misc
Source: Defense Tech
Buyer’s Guide: Deals on iPad Mini 3, MacBook Air, Apple Accessories, and More [Mac Blog]
Father’s Day is this weekend and there are some decent deals on iPads, iMacs, and the MacBook Air. Best Buy’s running a promo discounting some iPad mini 3 models by $100, so now is an excellent time to pick up an iPad mini 3 if you’ve been waiting for a sale. Best Buy’s also discounting the 2015 13-inch MacBook Air by $100.
We’ve also rounded up some deals on Apple accessories including Beats headphones and iTunes gift cards, plus we’ve highlighted a long list of apps and games that are on sale this week.
iPad Air 2
B&H Photo is offering a small discount on most of its iPad Air 2 models, dropping prices by $30 to $50. With the discount, the 16GB WiFi only iPad Air 2 is priced at $469 and the 64GB model is priced at $559. Prices vary somewhat by model, but there are slight discounts to be had.
MacMall is also offering some discounts on iPad Air 2 models, dropping the prices by $30 to $50. With the discount, the 16GB entry-level Wi-Fi only iPad Air 2 is priced at $459, while the Wi-Fi-only 64GB iPad Air 2 is available for $549.
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Review: ShuttenWorks ‘Wave’ is a Compact, Elegant Apple Watch Charging Stand [iOS Blog]
Most of the Apple Watch stands and docks that we’ve reviewed so far have been from major manufacturers, but the Wave Apple Watch Charging Stand from SchuttenWorks is made by a small team in Oregon. Available in several different woods, the Wave is named for its shape, which resembles the crest of a breaking ocean wave.
Visually clean and simple, the Wave uses a clever split design and magnet system to hide away the Apple Watch cable and lock the charger in place. It’s more expensive than most Apple Watch stands at $75, but it’s also arguably more elegant and certainly an aesthetic that some Apple Watch owners will love.
The Wave comes in two pieces, which snap together with a series of magnets and wooden pegs. Each side has cutouts for the Apple Watch charger and cable, which is routed through the middle of the stand and out the back. Setup is super simple — just pull the two pieces apart, nestle the charger at the top, snap the cable in place, and put the two pieces back together again.
All of the cutouts in the wood are perfect and the two pieces of the Wave are flush with almost no visible seam. Snapped together, it looks like a single piece of wood that was designed around the charger. At the top, the Apple Watch charger is held in place with micro suction tape, but even without the tape, the fit is tight enough that it the cable would stay firmly in place.
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‘Toca Hair Salon 2′ selected as Google Play’s Free App of the Week
This week, a kid-friendly game has been selected by Google to be the Free App of the Week. Toca Boca, developer of various age-appropriate games, is offering its Toca Hair Salon 2 game to everyone at no cost when it normally has a $2.99 price. The game allows you to cut, curl, color, and style a model’s hair in any way imaginable. Toca Hair Salon 2 encourages creativity to blossom through its customization features making each model unique.
Hit the break for the gallery and download links.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Come comment on this article: ‘Toca Hair Salon 2′ selected as Google Play’s Free App of the Week
Twitter is testing new ways to better discover relevant products and places
Twitter today announced its initiative to dish out “timely and relevant” pages, products, and places on your new feed. These new pages will feature video and images about the product, along with other helpful information, such as a description, price, and an avenue of purchase.
Products and places work differently, actually showing you a top curator’s collection over a full blown ad like pages seem to do. Twitter says you will be able to “browse rich collections from influencers you care about and get more information about the products or places you find interesting.”
Twitter invited a few top curators on the social networking service to demonstrate how it works, such as HBO’s Game of Thrones and Nike’s LeBron Elite collection. From the looks of it, these collections wont pop up in your Twitter feed, but are something you can find on your favorite curator’s profile.
Twitter said in its blog that users will be able to view collections like these on Android, iOS, and the web. There’s only a handful of top curators that have been invited for testing this new avenue for advertising, but more will be added over time.
These new features seem to be apart of Twitter’s new initiative to enhance the users experience over catering to advertisers, which it has done very blatantly in the past. However, between the Project Lightning announcement and what they’ve revealed today, it seems like they’re truly going back to focusing on the user.
The beautiful thing about these new features is that Twitter is integrating in a way that isn’t intrusive to the user experience. If you’re interested, make sure you’re running the latest version of Twitter for Android.
What do you think of this new way to curate content? Sound off in the comments!
source Twitter
Come comment on this article: Twitter is testing new ways to better discover relevant products and places
‘Hotel Tonight’ update encourages spontaneous adventures with low rates
Popular hotel booking app Hotel Tonight has introduced two new features into its app, Escape and GeoRate. Escape aims to find you best driving-distance getaways ahead or even for that night–there’s no need to plan ahead!
Hotel Tonight already makes booking a quick and easy process, while offering staggering discounts on hotel rates. Escape makes it even better by showing you the most popular weekend getaways, its top picks for hotels, and some of the best deals around. Not only that, but you’ll also see Hotel Tonight’s top 20 most popular destinations for planning future trips.
While Escape is definitely a helpful feature for a weekend of decompressing, GeoRate makes it even better by offering additional discounts on Hotel Tonight’s already sweet deals on booking rates. You’ll see GeoRate anytime you’re looking for same-day bookings after noon-day when you’re near a hotel. Discounts are said to be even better if you’re searching for a same-day booking after 6pm. In other words, it makes it easy to be spontaneous with little to no risk.
The Geo in “Rate” comes into play by offering you location-based discounts. While you’ll see a lot of these when you’re near a hotel, you’ll also see GeoRates when you’re at an airport, train station, and etc.
All in all, this new Hotel Tonight update with Escape and GeoRate makes booking a room hassle-free while offering you steep savings. If you haven’t gotten the update yet, be sure to scan the QR code or hit the download link below.
Come comment on this article: ‘Hotel Tonight’ update encourages spontaneous adventures with low rates
You can now unofficially unlock the ASUS ZenFone 2 bootloader
For those of you who have been waiting patiently to begin tinkering around with the ASUS ZenFone 2, now is your chance. According to a thread on XDA, the ZenFone 2’s bootloader has been unofficially unlocked by the community, and there’s a list of instructions available on the thread that explains how to do it yourself.
First and foremost, you’ll need to be running the latest firmware, version 2.19.40, and your ZenFone 2 needs to be rooted. After typing in a handful of adb commands and downloading a small file, your phone should be unlocked.
Don’t miss: ASUS ZenFone 2 review
Now that the bootloader is unlocked, developers can begin building custom recoveries and ROMs for users to flash on their devices, which is where all of the fun starts. Keep in mind that while this is arguably one of the most enjoyable aspects of Android, unlocking the bootloader isn’t for everyone and can result in a bricked smartphone. If you feel like you’re up for the challenge, however, go ahead and follow the source link below to get all of the details.
Do you own a ZenFone 2? If so, will you be unlocking the bootloader? Be sure to let us know in the comment section.
Deal: Learn to code for just $40 with the Supreme Android Coding & Design Bundle
Looking for an easy and inexpensive way to start coding for your favorite mobile operating system? We’d suggest you check out the Supreme Android Coding and Design Bundle, which is currently available for 89% off in the AA Deals Store.
With this bundle, you’ll learn how to create Android applications through Java and learn to develop apps for Android 5.0 Lollipop. There’s even a course available for folks who are new to the Java language. Take a look below for more details on each course:
- Learn Android Lollipop Development and Create Java Android Apps – Code Your Way to Android Lollipop Expertise w/ 14 Practice Apps ($199 value)
- Build Android Apps with the Lollipop Studio Course – Android Tutorial for Students of All Levels ($79 value)
- Java Programming for Beginners – Learn In-Demand and Currently Used Programming Language ($99 value)
Sounds pretty nice, right? To sweeten the deal, the Android Authority Deals Store is currently offering this entire bundle for just $39.99. With over 160 total lectures and over 44 hours of content included in this course, you’ll be writing your own Android applications in no time. Be sure to head to the link below if you’re interested!
Best cheap Android tablets (June 2015)
While high-end devices are generally the stars of the Android world, there is a growing emphasis on quality on a budget, and that’s very visible in the tablet arena.
From companies that are willing to sacrifice profits for the sake of market share, to established players looking to improve their game in the mid-range, several companies have brought to market affordable Android tablets that are actually worth buying. Unfortunately, for every great cheap Android tablet, there are tons of poorly made, clunky, and underpowered slates out there, which can make buying tablets on a budget a pain. We’re here to help.
No budget limitations? See The best Android tablets money can buy
If you’re looking for a good budget-friendly gift for a loved one, or just want to treat yourself, check out our list of best affordable Android tablets. Let’s get started!
Update, June 2015: Joining the Nexus 7 (2013) and the Asus MemoPad 8 on our list, are some new devices like the 10-inch Lenovo Tab 2 A10, as well as tablets that have received significant price cut that put them in the range of $200 or below, including the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4.
Nexus 7 (2013)
Despite being almost two years old, the Nexus 7 (2013) is still one of the best tablets you can buy, and with newer tablets making their way to consumers, the already attractive price tag of the Nexus 7 (2013) is bound to get even better.
The Nexus 7 (2013)’s quad-core Snapdragon S4 Pro processor, clocked at 1.5 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 320 GPU and 2GB of RAM is still more than capable of handling all but the most processor-intensive activities. Its display resolution is still the highest you can get in this size category, and most importantly, you get a great software experience, helped along by the guarantee of timely updates, including Android 5.0 Lollipop. This is why the Nexus 7 (2013) opens our list of best cheap Android tablets.
Specs
- 7-inch LCD IPS display with 1920 x 1200 resolution (323ppi)
- 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor
- Adreno 320 GPU
- 2GB RAM
- 16/32GB storage
- 5 MP rear camera, 1.2 MP front-facing camera
- 200 x 114 x 8.7 mm, 290 grams
- 3,950 mAh
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
Read more
- Nexus 7 (2013) review
- Best Nexus 7 (2013) cases
- Best Nexus 7 (2013) accessories
- Common Nexus 7 (2013) problems and how to fix them
Asus MeMO Pad 8
Asus refreshed the affordable Android tablet it first launched last year, bringing to the new MeMO Pad 8 improved specifications and a better overall performance. The new MeMO Pad 8 combines a 8-inch IPS LCD screen with a quad-core Intel Atom Z3745 processor running at 1.33 GHz and 1GB of RAM. A thin and light design makes this tablet very portable, and a ton of extra goodies worth around $270 makes this a good choice for budget buyers.
Specs
- 8-inch IPS LCD display with 1200 x 800 resolution (189 ppi)
- 1.33 GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3745 processor
- 1 GB RAM
- 16 GB internal storage, expandable
- 5 MP rear camera, 2 MP front-facing camera
- 211.7 x 124.9 x 8.3 mm, 320 grams
- 3,040 mAh battery
- Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4
While the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 is priced slightly above $200, it’s a difficult device to ignore, given all that it offers for only a slightly higher price tag compared to the other devices on this list of cheap Android tablets. With its very high resolution display, making it a fantastic media-consumption companion, and a processing package that powered flagship devices only a short time ago, the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 is more than impressive when you consider its price point.
Samsung is known for packing their devices to the hilt with software features, and that is also available here for those that are looking for it. Samsung has refreshed their mid-range tablet portfolio since the release of this device, but the Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 remains one of the best choices of the lot, and not only because of its comparatively cheaper price point.
Specs
- 8.4-inch Super Clear LCD display with 2560 x 1600 resolution (359 ppi)
- 2.3 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor
- Adreno 330 GPU
- 2 GB RAM
- 16/32 GB storage, expandable via microSD up to 64 GB
- 8 MP rear camera, 2 MP front-facing camera
- 219 x 128.5 x 7.2 mm, 331 grams
- 4,800 mAh
- Android 4.4 Kitkat (upgrade to Android 5.0 Lollipop arriving in Q3 2015)
Read more
- Samsung Galaxy Tab PRO 8.4 Review
- Best Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 8.4 Cases
- Quick look: Samsung Galaxy TabPRO 8.4 vs Nexus 7 (2013)
Dell Venue 8
The already budget-friendly Dell Venue 8 saw a significant price cut following the release of its successor, making this one of the cheapest Android tablets currently available. Powered by an Intel processor that is backed by 1 GB of RAM, the specifications of this tablet may not be as impressive as some of the others on this list, but it is still quite a capable performer, with a display resolution that is great for watching videos or gaming. Of course, it is hard to overlook its unbeatable sub-$130 price point, making it a great choice for those on a budget.
Specs
- 8-inch display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution (283 ppi)
- 2.1 GHz dual-core Intel Z3480 processor
- 1 GB RAM
- 16 GB storage, expandable via microSD by up to 64 GB
- 5 MP rear camera, 1.2 MP front-facing camera
- 130 x 216 x 8.95 mm
- 4,550 mAh battery
- Android 4.4 KitKat
LG G Pad 8 (LGV480)
Following the success of the LG G Pad 8.3, LG added three new devices to their G Pad tablet line last year, featuring three different display sizes. Falling in the middle of the pack was the LG G Pad 8.0, with its 8-inch display big enough to enjoy gaming and video watching, without being too unwieldy. On the specifications front, the device may not feature a display with a particularly high resolution, but the Snapdragon 400 processor has proven itself to be a very reliable processing package.
This is also one of the few budget-friendly tablets to receive an upgrade to Android 5.0 Lollipop, making for a very compelling package overall.
Specs
- 8-inch IPS LCD display with 1280 x 800 resolution (189 ppi)
- 1.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor
- Adreno 305 GPU
- 1 GB RAM
- 16 GB storage, expandable via microSD by up to 64 GB
- 5 MP rear camera, 1.3 MP front-facing camera
- 4,200 mAh battery
- 210.8 x 124.2 x 9.9 mm, 342 grams
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
Acer Iconia Tab 8
The Acer Iconia Tab 8 is another great option for those looking for a low-cost tablet that offers solid specifications and performance. The device also comes with a premium design and build quality that goes beyond what its price point suggests, a high resolution display, and dual rear speakers that allow for a good audio experience, along with a large battery and the promise of an impressive battery life. Overall, the Acer Iconia Tab 8 is certainly one of the best options when it comes to cheap Android tablets.
Specs
- 8-inch IPS LCD display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution (283 ppi)
- 1.33 GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3745 processor (1.86 GHz Turbo)
- Intel Gen 7 (Ivy Bridge) GPU
- 2 GB RAM
- 16/32 GB storage, expandable via microSD up to 64 GB
- 5 MP rear camera, 2 MP front-facing camera
- 4,600 mAh battery
- 215 x 130 x 8.5 mm, 360 grams
- Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7
The Kindle Fire HDX was another fantastic addition to the popular tablet line from Amazon, offering features and specifications that allow for solid performance and a high resolution display and dual Dolby Digital speakers that makes it a great media-consumption companion. While the software iteration is far removed from the traditional Android experience, this take on Android is ideal to take advantage of the Amazon ecosystem and everything it entails, including games, books, movies, and more. If you’re in the market for a low-cost Android tablet, the Kindle Fire HDX is a great choice for you.
Specs
- 7-inch IPS LCD display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution (323 ppi)
- 2.2 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor
- Adreno 330 GPU
- 2 GB RAM
- 16/32/64 GB storage
- 1.3 MP front-facing camera
- battery allows for battery life up to 11 hours
- 186 x 128 x 9 mm, 303 grams
- Fire OS 4
Read more
- Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7 review
- 9 common problems with the Kindle Fire HD and how to fix them
- Amazon’s new Kindle Fire HDX tablets official: specs, features, pricing and availability
Lenovo Tab 2 A10
The Lenovo Tab 2 A10 has a lot going for it when compared to the rest of the devices on this list. For starters, this is the only device to be released in 2015, introduced back at MWC this year, while being the only 10-inch tablet in this roundup as well. This is also the first tablets to feature Dolby ATMOS 3D Cinema audio enhancements, which aims to make your audio experience much clearer, while taking advantage of the beautiful, large Full HD display. Performance is impressively smooth, and while mobile photography isn’t a key feature when it comes to tablets, this device does offer a solid camera experience. If you’re looking for a large-screen tablet experience on a budget, look no further than the Lenovo Tab 2 A10.
Specs
- 10.1-inch IPS LCD display with a 1920 x 1200 resolution (218 ppi)
- 1.7 GHz quad-core MediaTek MT8165 processor
- 2 GB RAM
- 16 GB storage, expandable via microSD up to 64 GB
- 8 MP rear camera, 5 MP front-facing camera
- 7,000 mAh battery
- 247 x 171 x 8.9 mm, 509 grams
- Android 4.4 Kitkat (planned upgrade to Android 5.0 Lollipop at the end of June)
Read more
- Lenovo announces the Tab 2 A10 and Tab 2 A8 tablets at MWC 2015
- Lenovo Tab 2 A10 hands-on and first impressions
And there you have it – our list of the nicest affordable tablets on the market right now! We’ll be keeping this post updated, so be sure to check back. You can’t really go wrong with any of the tablets listed above. Let us know what you think are the best cheap Android tablets!
Prototype roboglove gives patients with weak grips a hand
For patients suffering from the effects of a stroke, ALS or muscular dystrophy, routine tasks like picking up a cup or grabbing a doorknob can be infuriatingly difficult. That’s due to their lack of hand strength or fine motor control. However, this prototype “soft robotic” glove may soon restore their gripping abilities by doing the heavy squeezing for them. Developed by a research team at Harvard University, the glove is designed to augment the user’s remaining hand strength and mobility. The device works by filling small water bladders located in each finger. When water from a reservoir on the wrist is pumped in, the fingers (and thumb) curl over in a grasping motion. Right now, that’s all the glove is capable of doing. Still, that’s enough for users to be able pick up and manipulate small objects they were not able to before.
“It’s really simple, because all you do is pressurize it and you get this nice complex motion,” Conor Walsh, professor at Harvard’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, told MIT Technology Review. “The downside is, it’s that one motion all the time.” Still, it’s better than the alternative.
The research team, led by Harvard fellow Panagiotis Polygerinos, believes that the technology should be ready for medical applications within three years. Hopefully they can eliminate some weight from the nearly 8 pound device by then.
[Image Credit: Harvard]
Filed under: Science
Source: MIT Tech Review
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