Apple’s North Carolina Data Center Suffers Chlorine Leak, Injures 5 People [Mac Blog]
Apple’s data center in Maiden, North Carolina has been affected by a chlorine link that has injured at least five people, reports The Charlotte Observer. The leak was reported at 2:30 p.m. Eastern Time and hazmat crews are said to be on site.
Little else is known about the leak, including its cause, but it follows a fire last week at Apple’s former GT Advanced facility in Mesa, Arizona. The two-alarm fire was extinguished shortly after it began and it appeared to originate at the solar panels on the rooftop. No one was injured in that incident.

Apple’s Maiden, North Carolina data center is the company’s largest, at 183 acres. Its accompanying solar farm puts out more than 50 megawatts of power at peak efficiency, and Apple began expanding the data center in February of 2014.
MacRumors will update this post if any additional information on the chlorine leak becomes available.
Apple’s New Streaming Music Service and Revamped iTunes Radio to Debut Next Week
Apple’s much-rumored streaming music service is set to debut at the Worldwide Developers Conference on June 8 alongside a revamped iTunes Radio, The Wall Street Journal confirmed today. Apple’s Beats-based streaming music service will not include a free listening tier like Spotify, but it will include unlimited on-demand streaming for $10 per month.
Rather than offering its music catalog for free, Apple will supplement its upcoming streaming music service with free music available through iTunes Radio. As has been rumored, iTunes Radio will be gaining new channels created by and hosted by DJs. Apple has made several hires for iTunes Radio, most notably snatching DJ Zane Lowe from BBC Radio in February.
The radio push is said to be aimed primarily at users who are not located in the United States, and has been rumored earlier, Apple has plans to debut its streaming music service and iTunes Radio in multiple countries around the world. Apple is hoping that users outside the U.S. who do not have access to Pandora will use the radio service and later subscribe to Apple’s streaming music service.
According to The Wall Street Journal‘s sources, Apple is fully prepared to cannibalize its iTunes music downloads with its new streaming service and it plans to promote it heavily to iTunes customers. For example, a customer purchasing a $10 album may be encouraged by Apple to subscribe to the music service instead.
Apple has not yet closed deals with Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, or Warner Music Group, but the negotiations are expected to be completed in the near future. Because deals are not complete, there’s a possibility that the new service will not debut at WWDC, but the WSJ‘s sources say this is “unlikely.”
Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off next week, with a keynote event taking place on Monday, June 8. Along with its new streaming music service and updated iTunes Radio, Apple is also rumored to be debuting a new Apple TV set-top box, a streaming television service, and updates to HomeKit and Apple Pay. iOS 9 and OS X 10.11 will also be announced.
Netflix is testing ads surrounding its shows (update: only its own)
Anxious to see what happens next in Daredevil? In the future, you might have to endure an ad first. Netflix has confirmed to Cord Cutters News that it’s publicly testing ads both before and after shows. What you see as a test subject varies in length and whether or not it’s skippable, so it’s not certain just how tolerable these promos would be. However, Netflix is quick to note that a lot of things are up in the air, and that you might not see these clips at all — it warns that many experimental features “never see a rollout,” so your subscription may remain blissfully ad-free.
The company isn’t discussing its ultimate aims, to no one’s surprise. However, the ad trial is likely meant to open the door to new pricing options that do more than tweak the number of simultaneous streams. Netflix could offset price hikes (and undercut streaming rivals) by launching a cheaper, ad-supported tier; alternately, it could compensate for slowing growth by asking you to pay more for ad-free viewing. We’re certainly hoping it’s the former rather than the latter. Either way, it’s clear that Netflix isn’t completely satisfied with its status quo.
Update: Don’t panic just yet! Netflix tells TechCrunch that there are currently “no plans” to run third-party ads. Instead, this would be more to get you checking out other exclusive shows (say, Bloodlines) once you’re looking for something new to watch.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, Internet, HD
Via: AmongTech
Source: Cord Cutters News
Apple’s new music service will reportedly cost $10 a month
Rumors that Apple is going to debut its retooled music offering at WWDC next week are nothing new. However, in a report by The Wall Street Journal comes word that the streaming service will be priced at $10 a month when it’s announced in a matter of days. That would put the unlimited Beats Music/iTunes listening option right in line with Spotify, Rdio and Tidal in terms of pricing. Previous reports indicated that Apple thought Beats’ price was too high, but it seems knocking a few dollars off of the monthly subscription may not be part of the strategy to lure new users.
What’s more, that free tier we’ve heard about won’t be and all-you-can-eat buffet like Spotify’s. Instead, the folks in Cupertino will serve up ad-supported internet radio that’s run by real DJs at no cost. And it seems Dr. Dre, Q-Tip and Drake are part of the talent Tim Cook & Co. plans to put on air as hosts. With a new option that’s reportedly not unlike broadcast stations, Apple will take another stab at internet radio after its first foray didn’t take off. WSJ also notes that the company has locked in licensing deals with Universal Music, Sony and Warner Bros — three of the biggest labels in the industry. We’ll have to wait to hear whether or not the subscription tier will provide exclusive content and releases like Tidal. If you’ll recall, Taylor Swift, Florence and The Machine and others were rumored to be part of Apple’s exclusive push. Either way, we should have all the details early next week.
[Image credit: Kim White/Getty Images]
Filed under: Portable Audio/Video, Internet, Software
Source: The Wall Street Journal
U of Oregon’s robo-ostrich can blindly clamor over obstacles

So what if some mechanical cheetah can hop curbs in stride? The ATRIAS bipedal robot from University of Oregon can now step over obstacles without even looking. For this experiment, the ATRIAS was not outfitted with an imaging or navigation system and could only react to obstacles once it ran into them. As you can see in the video below, a 15-cm step is no match for this robo-ostrich. Even when planting its foot awkwardly or catching a toe, the ATRIAS soldiers on. It’s only a matter of time until climbing stairs is just a walk in the park for the high-stepping automaton.
Filed under: Science
Source: University of Oregon
Use Foursquare to hail your next Uber ride
Since it gave check-ins the boot, the main Foursquare app became a directory of restaurants, coffee shops, retail locations and more. Thanks to a partnership with Button, though, the mobile software is more useful. After you find a new spot for dinner, you’ll be able to book a ride with Uber from inside the app. Once you select the option, you’re given the choice of car and the wait time for each. If you’re not familiar with Button, the company that links apps together, leveraging tools and services to enhance the experience. The new feature is already live in the Foursquare app, so if you fancy it, you can give it try right now.
Via: Re/code
Source: Button
Asus ZenWatch 2 will reportedly offer 3 to 4 day battery life, and beyond

Earlier today Asus took the wraps off the ZenWatch 2. Amid improved water/dust resistance, a revamped design, and the addition of a new smaller size was the promise that the device could offer improved battery life as well. Although Asus didn’t initially reveal any further details, reportedly an Asus spokesperson has since clarified the device will offer about double the original’s battery life, which should translate into about 3 to 4 days of battery power.
If that’s not enough juice for you, Asus will also reportedly offer an external battery extender that could add another half day’s charge. The add-on battery is said to plug into the magnetic charging port on the back of the watch. Considering how easy it should be to attach/detach this, it’s possible you could buy multiple of these battery extenders for situations where you need to push your battery for a day or two longer than normal. It is worth noting that the optional battery will only work with the larger version of the watch, and not the more slender model.
One of the biggest weaknesses for wearable devices is battery life, and while devices like the Pebble manage to still get around 5-7 days (or sometimes slightly longer) on a charge, they do so by having less power intensive specs and displays. If Asus can really deliver a powerful smart watch that offers 3-4 day life and can be pushed even into the 5-day territory with an optional b think of the Zenwatch 2attery pack — they may have a winner on their hands.
What do you think of the ZenWatch 2? Let us know in the comments.
Galaxy S6 vs Huawei P8 vs LG G4: Your Questions Answered
setTimeout(function()
brightcove.createExperiences();
,
3000);
Choosing a new smartphone can certainly be a challenge and while reviews will obviously provide a lot of detail, sometimes you just don’t get the information you wanted. Maybe it’s a specific question that applies to you only or maybe you want some comparisons; either way, sometimes a review and comparison just doesn’t give you the detail you need.
A couple of weeks ago, we offered you the chance to have your questions on the Galaxy S6, Huawei P8 and LG G4 answered in the first of our Ask Us Anything series. Having read through the comments on that post, we’ve picked the top 6 voted questions to answer below.
Question 1 from Bernard:
With octa-core LPDDR4 chipsets coming out, is it worth getting the LG G4? Is the Samsung S6 the better buy for performance? How long will the Snapdragon 808 last against the competition?
The video shows that the Galaxy S6 is by far, the best for performance in the benchmark tests and in actual usage, this is also the case. The optimised software on the Galaxy S6 provides the fastest experience from a Samsung smartphone to-date and Samsung’s choice of using its own Exynos 7420 processor means they’ve been able to optimise the entire experience.
The LG G4 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 CPU and the question about how long it will last against the competition is certainly difficult to answer. Sure, it’s a “lower number” than the latest Snapdragon 810 processor but LG have worked closely with Qualcomm to optimise the 808 CPU just for the G4 and the result is a super slick experience.
It’s certainly not as fluid as the Galaxy S6 but this will improve with future software updates and certainly, the performance is good enough that it should alleviate any of your concerns.
Question 2 from Mr AAKuljami:
Which camera performs better when it comes to AUTO mode (Simple AUTO mode, just open camera and shoot, no manual tweaking of settings) ? G4 or S6?
This is arguably the biggest thing everyone wants to know; which is the better camera? When comparing cameras, I always use Auto mode and the average joe will also use the automatic settings (as opposed to tweaking the settings manually).
setTimeout(function()
brightcove.createExperiences();
,
3000);
For me personally, the LG G4 takes slightly better images than the Galaxy S6 in daylight conditions as the color spectrum sensor definitely produces a more accurate-looking image. However, in low light conditions and in video recording, the Galaxy S6 appears to be that little bit better and given that the daylight images of the S6 are slightly oversaturated but look better to the eye, I would say the Galaxy S6 has the better camera.
Question 3 from Bob:
Can we get a chart with stats? Mostly battery life and camera stats? you know for easy compare…
We couldn’t add the chart to the video so we’ve decided to publish it here instead. The table below reveals average battery stats, LTE antenna strength, camera stats etc and hopefully provides enough information for you to make your decision!
| Detail | Galaxy S6 | LG G4 | Huawei P8 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware: | |||
| Display Size: | 5.1 inch Super AMOLED | 5.5 inch IPS | 5.2 inch IPS |
| Display Resolution: | Quad HD (1440×2560) | Quad HD (1440×2560) | Full HD (1080×1920) |
| Display Density: | 577ppi | 538ppi | 424ppi |
| Processor: | octa-core Eyxnos 7420 4 x 1.5GHz, 4 x 2.1GHz |
hexa-core Snapdragon 808 2 x 1.82GHz, 4 x 1.44GHz |
octa-core Kirin 930 4 x 2GHz, 4 x 1.5GHz |
| Storage: | 32/64/128GB | 32GB | 16/64GB |
| Expandable storage? | No | Yes | Yes |
| RAM: | 3GB | 3GB | 3GB |
| Software: | |||
| OS version: | Android 5.0.2 | Android 5.1 | Android 5.0.2 |
| User Interface: | TouchWiz | LG G UX 4.0 | EMUI v3.1 |
| Themes: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Optimisation Rating (out of 10): | 9 | 8 | 6 |
| Camera: | |||
| Sensor size: | 16MP | 16MP | 13MP |
| Autofocus: | Yes | Laser | Yes |
| Optical Image Stabilisation: | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Video recording (1080p): | 60fps | 60fps | 30fps |
| Video Recording (4K): | 30fps | 30fps | None |
| Front camera: | 5MP, 1440p@30fps | 8MP, 1080p@30fps | 8MP, 1080p |
| Manual controls: | Partial | Full | Partial |
| Battery: | |||
| Capacity: | 2600mAh | 3000mAh | 2680mAh |
| Removable? | No | Yes | No |
| Wireless Charging? | Built in: Qi + PMA | Optional: Qi | None |
| Average Battery Life: | 14 to 18 hours 3 hours Screen On Time Galaxy S6 Edge Battery Review 5 tips to improve Galaxy S6 battery |
16 hours 3 hours Screen On Time |
14 to 16 hours 4 hours Screen On Time |
| Review Rating: | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Review Link: | Galaxy S6 Review Galaxy S6 Edge Review |
LG G4 Review | Huawei P8 Review |
Question 4 from Donovan Richards:
Quick question about audio quality out of the 3.5mm jack.
I’m a major music freak like most people and have my IEM’s in all day everyday at work, on the motorcycle and definitely whilst running. Due for an upgrade and aiming at the lg g4 and samsung galaxy s6.
Using your ears and the standard earphones that come with s6 and g4 how would you describe the sound of each? As it’s been said the s6 has a wolfson audio chip for better quality sound? ( Not sure about g4?)
Which would you say in your terms sounds the clearest and detailed
We would have loved to answer this question Donovan but sadly, my LG G4 sample didn’t come with LG’s headphones included. However, using a pair of Beats headphones, the G4 audio is really, very good but the Galaxy S6 sounds clearer (to my untrained ears at least) with less hiss at the high end.
Related: Galaxy S6 Edge vs Huawei P8
It’s worth noting that the G4 does sound a little tinny at high volumes and lacks the clarity of the Galaxy S6 but the differences are certainly negligible. We’re going to try and get an answer to this question for you as soon as possible so stay tuned for an update as soon as we can answer this.
Question 5 from Razor:
If you could choose between only one of the three, what handset would you choose.
A question that was asked many times, both by Razor and several others and it’s a question I get asked a lot when people talk to me about which phone to buy. Choosing between these three devices is certainly not easy but my personal opinion is that the Galaxy S6 ticks more boxes than the Huawei P8 or the LG G4.
.rvs_wrapper
width: 350px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
font-size: 24px !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
.rvs_wrapper
width: 100%;
text-align: center;
body .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
display: inline-block;
float: none;
vertical-align: top;
The S6 and the S6 Edge both offer the latest specs, an outstanding display, innovative design, optimised software and excellent camera and while the G4 and P8 tick some of these boxes, they don’t tick all of them. The LG G4 has almost everything – save for the optimised software and the build quality – while the P8 again ticks plenty of boxes but doesn’t have the performance, software optimisation or display of the S6.
Question 6 from Syed Askari:
Which device has the best display and camera? Which one gives the premium look?
In the video, we answered this in three parts and we’ll do the same here, first looking at the display, then the camera and finally the premium look and feel.

Best Display
The display on the Huawei P8 is the least pleasing of the three devices but this is due to the 1080p resolution, compared with Quad HD on both, the Galaxy S6 and the LG G4. For me personally, the LG G4 is very impressive and the 98% compliance with the DCI standard means that watching films on the screen offers the closest cinema-like experience on any smartphone to date.
By way of comparison, the over-saturation on the Galaxy S6 display results in it exceeding the DCI standard but the display is arguably nicer to look at. The display is vibrant, colors are rich and blacks are deep and while the G4 does very well here, I personally prefer the Galaxy S6. This is just my opinion however, so you may find the LG G4 is the better display for you.
Best Camera
The question that most people seem to be asking is: which is the better camera, the Galaxy S6 or the LG G4? Personally, I find the oversaturated images on the Galaxy S6 to be more pleasing to the eye but the LG G4 images are certainly more lifelike. Which is the better camera? It’s too close to call so we’ll call it a draw; which do you think is the better? Have a look at the images below (in this order: Galaxy S6, LG G4, Huawei P8) and let us know in the comments below!
Premium Look and Feel
If there’s one thing I don’t like about the LG G4, it has to be the build. The design of the handset is certainly premium enough but the use of plastic – even though there is a leather back cover available – means the handset just doesn’t look or feel as nice as the Galaxy S6 or the P8.
The Galaxy S6 has that stunning metal and glass build but the Huawei P8 packs a very impressive specs list into a body that’s just 6.4mm thick. I personally think the Galaxy S6 has a great design but the all aluminium-build of the Huawei P8 is incredible as well. Far too close to call this so we’ll leave it as a draw; let us know which you think is the more premium looking smartphone in the comments below!
setTimeout(function()
brightcove.createExperiences();
,
3000);
Wrapping up
Picking a new smartphone is certainly a challenge with a myriad of platforms, specs, designs and features to consider and hopefully, this series has helped you with your decision. Each handset has their Pros and Cons and it’s worth looking at the links below to read each review in more detail.
Huawei P8 Review
LG G4 Review
Samsung Galaxy S6 Review
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge Review
We couldn’t answer all the questions you had but hopefully, we’ve picked the ones that give you the detail you were looking for. Got other questions that you want answered? Leave them in the comments below and maybe the community can help answer the questions we’ve missed!
.rvs_wrapper
width: 350px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
font-size: 24px !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
.rvs_wrapper
width: 100%;
text-align: center;
body .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
display: inline-block;
float: none;
vertical-align: top;
The Carrera Wearable 01 will be TAG Heuer’s first Android Wear device

Luxury watch maker TAG Heuer’s high-end Android Wear device isn’t slated to launch until November 2015, but it looks like a few early details are starting to surface regarding the wearable. In an interview with Wearable, TAG Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver outed that the company’s first Android Wear device would be called the Carrera Wearable 01. The Wearable 01 will be largely influenced by the recently-launched Carrera Heuer 01 (pictured above).
The CEO explains:
There is no other choice for Tag Heuer than to have all its DNA, all its watchmaking emotion and flair into the connected watch. Somehow, one should not see from a certain distance the difference between a Carrera Heuer 01 and a Carrera Wearable 01.
Related Videos
.rvs_wrapper
width: 350px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left
float: left;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none
width: 100%;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center
text-align: center;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
float: none;
display: inline-block;
vertical-align: top;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos:not(.align_none) ul li:nth-child(2n+1)
clear: both;
.rvs_title
font-weight: 600 !important;
margin: 0 !important;
font-size: 24px !important;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right .rvs_title
padding-left: 20px;
.rvs_title a
font-family: ‘Roboto Condensed’;
color: #3a3a3a;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul
padding-top: 10px;
.rvs_wrapper.align_left.cbc-latest-videos ul li,
.rvs_wrapper.align_none.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 15px 0 0;
.rvs_wrapper.align_right.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 0 0 15px;
float: right;
.rvs_wrapper.align_center.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a
font-weight: 400;
.rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li > a .yt-thumbnail
margin-bottom: 0;
@media only screen and (max-width : 480px)
.rvs_wrapper
width: 100%;
text-align: center;
body .rvs_wrapper.cbc-latest-videos ul li
padding: 0 7px;
display: inline-block;
float: none;
vertical-align: top;
Not only are we given a hint as to what the new wearable will look like, the report also implies that the Carrera Wearable 01 may be able to withstand the test of time. TAG Heuer’s UK communications manager Alexandra King talks about the potential lifespan of the device:
If your child completed their Masters degree, you might want to give them a watch. We want to create something that will stay on your watch for a lifetime, that’s what Tag Heuer does. And as the technology changes, it will change.
No clarification was given regarding King’s statements, so it looks like we’ll have to wait until the wearable’s launch later this year to find out more. According to past reports, the smartwatch is slated to launch for around $1,400 and potentially come with a 40-hour battery life.
So, what are your thoughts on the wearable so far? If the Carrera Wearable 01 turns out to look just like the Carrera Heuer 01, could this be a viable option for you?
Tag Heuer names its first Android Wear Device, the Carrera Wearable 01
Tag Heuer, the watch company famous for its high-quality (and very expensive) Swiss-made watches, has unveiled the name of its first Android Wear watch, the Carrera Wearable 01.
The watch, according to Tag Heuer CEO Jean-Claude Biver, will be upgradable “for a lifetime,” and will cost around $14,000. Powered by Intel silicon, the watch will run the latest version of Android Wear. As for the “lifetime” upgradability, we’re not so sure what this entails, but Biver says the watch will be upgradable as time goes on and technology matures. The goal is to have the watch “last a lifetime.”
Expect a Q4 release for the Carrera Wearable 01.
Source: Forbes
Come comment on this article: Tag Heuer names its first Android Wear Device, the Carrera Wearable 01






















