Construction drones can keep track of progress and lazy workers
Cameras that keep an eye on construction sites aren’t anything new, but the folks in charge of building the new Sacramento Kings stadium in California are using something a bit more high-tech than usual. Several camera-equipped drones operated by a company called ImageInFlight patrol the site to collect footage, which are then converted into 3D images. These images are run through software developed by a team from the University of Illinois, which compares them to architectural plans and previous images to measure progress. The method makes it easy to see if anything’s behind schedule and which group of workers need to be more efficient.
As you can imagine, though, being observed by an autonomous drone can feel a bit disconcerting, if not downright post-apocalyptic, for some people. One of the software’s developers, Mani Golparvar-Fard, however, says cameras or people observing construction isn’t new to the industry. “Yes, making this autonomous has a different feeling for the workers,” he told MIT’s Technology Review, “But you have to keep in mind that it’s not really questioning the efficiency of the workers, it’s questioning what resources these guys need to be more efficient.”
The University of Illinois team is also working on getting drones to attach cameras on construction sites, as well as on a crowdsourcing platform that sounds like a micromanaging boss’ dream. People can use the platform to categorize workers in video footage to see what they’re doing with their time during work hours.
[Image credit: Golden 1 Center]
Filed under:
Misc
Source:
Technology Review
Tags: constructiondrone, drone, sacramento
Moshi Sensecover for the Samsung Galaxy S6 Review: elegance and minimalism meet the Galaxy S6
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The S-View folio case has had less emphasis in Samsung’s marketing of late, however that doesn’t mean it’s not an incredibly useful thing to have around. The fact that it allows for interaction with a small part of the screen for menial tasks means you save battery life and is generally quite convenient. The only problem is that the S-View case is usually not included with the purchase of a Samsung device, and it tends to be a little overpriced. Accessory maker, Moshi, wants to be your second option as it has its own S-View product, the Moshi Sensecover for the Samsung Galaxy S6 – and we’ve been checking it out.
What’s in the box
Inside the minimal white box you’ll find the Sensecover case itself and a statement of lifetime warranty from Moshi – not a bad start. This isn’t the first Sensecover that we’ve had a look at: we also had a look at the version for the Samsung Galaxy S5, and this one for the Samsung Galaxy S6 is much of the same, though with a few new tricks.
The Sensecover is made from two main materials – what Moshi calls a “leatherette” covering and an inner shell that is most probably polycarbonate. What this makes for is a very hard inner case covered with a soft, cloth-like exterior that is durable and doesn’t look out of place anywhere. In case you haven’t heard of Moshi before, this is what they excel at – unassuming, elegant accessories that compliment your device, rather than overpower it.
There are two coloured versions of the Sensecover for you to choose from: we’ve got the Steel Black version which gives off a distinct gunmetal vibe, and there is also a Rose Pink version, for those who are so inclined.
How does it perform
As far as case formats go, the folio case can be considered pretty protective as it inherently has protection for your screen, but the Sensecover gives you additional insurance by adding a sizeable lip around the edge of the inner shell to protect your screen in case you do manage to drop it that way.
Despite all this protection, the Sensecover is actually extremely light – that’s thanks mostly to the nature of polycarbonate, but in general the materials are just lightweight. This is really what you want in a case so that it doesn’t change too much how your phone feels. In terms of accessibility, you will have ample space to access all ports of the device, and all buttons are covered by the sides of the inner shell.
Unfortunately, as I only have a Galaxy S6 dummy, I can’t test the functionality of the S-View itself, but I’ve got no reason to believe it shouldn’t and the plastic appears to be quite durable too.
As an added bonus, the front cover of the Sensecover can be folded back, allowing your Galaxy S6 to sit at a tilted angle, which is useful for those of you who watch lots of videos on your phone. It should be noted that there’s not really a stopping mechanism for what angle the case sits at, so you’ll be fiddling with it to try and sit at the angle that you really want, but it’s a handy feature nonetheless.
What I like about the Moshi Sensecover for the Samsung Galaxy S6
I’m a big fan of how the Sensecover looks – it has the benefit of looking like a normal folio case, but on closer inspection you can see that it has bits of flair that really make it a quality accessory. The “leatherette” material is particularly good as it is one of the most interesting materials I have seen on any case as it combines durability and style.
Another little thing that I really like is the Moshi-branded magnet buckle on the side of the case. It’s not a huge thing, but it’s elegant and gives some class to the case.
What I don’t like about the Moshi Sensecover for the Samsung Galaxy S6
At $44.99 USD, the Sensecover is marginally cheaper than the official Galaxy S6 S-view flip cover, which retails for $49.99 USD. While I like the build and feel for the Sensecover, its price point makes it a direct premium competitor to the S-View as opposed to a cheap alternative. It’s a bit of a bummer to me as the Sensecover is very good, but I feel that its price proximity to the S-View could bode ill – you can always prove me wrong though.
Final Thoughts
The Moshi Sensecover for the Samsung Galaxy S6 upholds Moshi’s standards for an elegant and minimalist accessory and is a solid alternative to the official Samsung S-View flip cover.
If you’re interested in finding out more about the Sensecover, you can visit its product page on the Moshi website here. We’ve also provided Amazon links below to the products if you feel inclined.
http://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&Operation=GetAdHtml&ID=OneJS&OneJS=1&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=wwwandcom-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B00UX8PA5O&asins=B00UX8PA5O&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&MarketPlace=UShttp://ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&Operation=GetAdHtml&ID=OneJS&OneJS=1&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=wwwandcom-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B00UX8PE3C&asins=B00UX8PE3C&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true&MarketPlace=US
Gallery of Photos
- Extremely lightweight
- Elegant appearance
- Still quite expensive
2015-08-28
The post Moshi Sensecover for the Samsung Galaxy S6 Review: elegance and minimalism meet the Galaxy S6 appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Google Search starts connecting you directly to plumbers, locksmiths
Amazon launched a home services directory in 41 cities a few months ago, and now Google is dipping its toe in the water. According to the Wall Street Journal, for those “in and around” San Francisco, searching for terms like lock repair or clogged toilet will bring you a list of prescreened professionals in the area prepared to take care of those problems. As you can see in the screenshot (after the break), we gave it a try with “clean house” and got not only the list with contact info, but a way to send a few interesting parties a request quickly. The key here, is that you never have to leave Google.com for any of that, and the people listed pay for the privilege (plus screening for licenses and background checks) through Google’s AdWords Express.
Homejoy was a startup operating in the same space, and Re/code reported recently that Google hired some of its employees after the business shut down. Angie’s List and Yelp have been filling the Yellow Pages-sized home services gap already, but now instead of Googling for a YouTube tutorial on how to fix your problem, someone who actually knows what they’re doing will be just a click away.
[Image credit: Getty Images]
Source:
Wall Street Journal
Tags: cleaning, google, HomeServices, locksmith, maid, plumber, sanfrancisco, search
Hands on with People Edge on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+
When Samsung unveiled their new Galaxy S6 Edge+, they also brought with it one new feature that it’s smaller sibling doesn’t have. That new feature is App Edge, which is an expansion on People Edge.
Like the old People Edge feature, you can swipe from the top right or left of the edge screen (depending on what you picked in the settings) and out will slide a menu. This will show you your top 5 favorite friends and will let you call or text them directly. Any contacts can be added and colors can be changed for each one. The new App Edge is exactly the same, only with apps. To open it, open People Edge and swipe one more time. The menu will now show your favorite apps. Select your favorite top 5 apps and you now have quick access to them no matter where you are on your device.
Click here to view the embedded video.
While this feature is definitely wanted by many, it’s not as good as Glovebox. I have written a full guide on how amazing Glovebox is and why I love it on my S6 Edge. It does basically the same thing, but can also add widgets, more apps, folders, almost anything you would like. Plus, it works on any Android device. However, for those of you who don’t want to install any additional apps, App Edge is a great new feature.
Come comment on this article: Hands on with People Edge on the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+
NASA’s Pluto probe is heading for the Kuiper belt
It’s been over a month since the New Horizons spacecraft flew as near as possible to Pluto and took the closest photos of the dwarf planet we’ve ever seen. Now, NASA has decided on its next destination: a small Kuiper Belt object (KBO) called 2014 MU69. Since the probe was always meant to go beyond the once-ninth planet from the start, it was loaded with more fuel than needed and equipped with a communications system that works even in the Kuiper region. However, it still took a while for NASA to find an object near enough to explore. It was only when the Hubble telescope discovered KBOs in the probe’s flight path in 2014 that the agency found the perfect target.
2014 MU69, now known as “Potential Target 1” or PT 1, has around one percent the mass of Pluto and is under 30 miles across. Scientists believe small KBOs like the PT1 are similar to the building blocks that created the dwarf planet. And, since the sun barely reaches that region, it’s a well-preserved, frozen sample of the outer solar system from the time of its birth around 4.6 billion years ago.
By the way, it’s still called a “potential” target, because the New Horizons team still has to turn in a proposal and get it approved by 2016. Nevertheless, the spacecraft will have to perform a series of maneuvers in October and November to make sure it’s not wasting fuel and to get it ready for the journey. If the proposal gets approved, New Horizons will take off for the Kuiper belt and reach the object by January 1st, 2019.
Filed under:
Science
Source:
NASA
Tags: nasa, newhorizons, space
Google updates new mobile app search design
Google is updating how searching for apps on mobile will look. If you search for virtually any app and add the word “app”, at the end, you will get to see this new grid layout above the normal layout. The color of the box is determined by the app’s icon. If you click “More apps”, more apps will flow down.
This can be done in the Google Now search bar or you can say “Ok Google, camera apps”, and a list of apps will appear like in the picture. When I tried it, it showed me just one camera app, but once I expanded to show more it looked like the grid picture above.
Right now this is only for Android phones and does not work for Google Search on iOS just yet or possibly ever.
Come comment on this article: Google updates new mobile app search design
Razer is making its own customizable Xbox One controller
The Xbox One already has an expensive controller tailor-made for competitive gamers, but Razer believes there’s room for another one. Today at PAX, the company announced its new $150 Wildcat controller for Microsoft’s latest console. Razer says that it built the controller under the direction of competitive gamers, something that led to a 25 percent weight reduction over the standard Xbox One controller. The controller also has four additional buttons that can be remapped in any way you see fit and a “quick control” panel along the bottom of the controller to let you quickly switch profiles, adjust chat volume or muting audio.
Beyond the lighter weight, the controller also includes rubber palm rests and analog stick covers for increased grip as well as some superfluous-sounding “aircraft grade” aluminum triggers. Naturally, as a Razer product, there’s a lot of Mountain Dew green here — it’s certainly more garishly appointed than the Xbox Elite controller. If that’s your style, or you’re just really interested in having the lightest controller possible, the Wildcat will be available this October.
Razer is also finally ready to officially release its Nabu wearable wristband, something the company first announced way back at CES 2014. The company released a different band called the Nabu X since then, but now the original Nabu is ready to go after some pretty big changes. The most notable difference between the Nabu and the Nabu X is that the new Nabu features a screen for notifications, rather than the simple LED-based system the Nabu X features.
It also includes the expected step-tracking and sleep tracking features as well as some notifications, but Razer’s also releasing a new companion app for iOS and Android, and Razer says that the band will work with “connected apps” like Google Fit, Facebook, Instagram, and a few others. How exactly those apps will interface with the Nabu remains to be seen, but we should find out more when it finally launches in October. It’ll cost $99.99 and pre-orders start on September 15th.
Filed under:
Microsoft
Tags: microsoft, nabu, razer, razernabu, wildcat, wildcatcontroller, xboxone
Fancy the default Moto X Style wallpaper? You can get it here now
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The Moto X Style is a pretty exciting device – boasting solid specifications and an attractive pricing, Motorola‘s latest flagship looks like a contender for best device of 2015, if not biggest surprise of the year. While an official release for the device is still some time away – Motorola has refused to specify anything more specific than “September” – you can enjoy a piece of it today as we have the default Moto X Style wallpaper available for download. You can check it out below in all its abstract glory:
Our website has actually downsized the image a little bit, so if you’re keen on getting the full-sized, 2160×1920 wallpaper, you can download it here:
Default Moto X Style wallpaper download
What do you think about the Moto X Style wallpaper? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: TalkAndroid
The post Fancy the default Moto X Style wallpaper? You can get it here now appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Unique indie puzzler, Framed, is now available on Android
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The first time I saw Framed was at PAX Australia 2013 where the game was being demoed. The one thing that killed me then was that the game was only on iOS devices because the unique gameplay had by puzzle bones shaking in all the right places. Thankfully – though 2 years later – Framed has been brought to Android thanks to the collaboration of Australian studio Loveshack and all-round awesome company Noodlecake Studios. If you want to get more of an idea why Framed had me so excited, and still excited, check out the Android launch trailer below:
Taking the format of a comic book, Framed puts you in control of how the story unfolds as the protagonists tries to escape his assailants and/or police. As you progress through each page, you can rearrange the comic book panels so that your protagonist doesn’t meet an unfortunate end, and it makes for an incredible visual experience as well. If this all sounds great to you, you can now get Framed on the Google Play Store for $0.99 – Play Store link is below:
http://playboard.me/widgets/pb-app-box/1/pb_load_app_box.js
What do you think about Framed? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Android Police
The post Unique indie puzzler, Framed, is now available on Android appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
ARCHOS announces the Diamond Tab ahead of IFA
ARCHOS recently announced the high-end Diamond S smartphone ahead of IFA, and didn’t stop there. The French manufacturer just announced their new flagship Diamond Tab, running Android Lollipop with 4G/LTE connectivity. ARCHOS didn’t cut any corners, they are powering the Diamond Tab with a Mediatek octa-core processor, with 3GB of RAM for multitasking and 32GB of storage for apps, media, and games.
The tablet will have a 7.9″ IPS display with a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels living up to the Diamond name that ARCHOS gave it. Other specs include expandable memory via microSD, 5MP rear camera, Android 5.1, 4G/LTE, and a 4800mAh battery. Expect the Diamond Tab to makes its debut in Berlin on September 4th at IFA.
The ARCHOS Diamond Tab will go on sale in October 2015 for 179GBP or roughly $275 in the ARCHOS webstore.
The post ARCHOS announces the Diamond Tab ahead of IFA appeared first on AndroidGuys.
AIVAnet 