ISS astronauts mimic nature to turn urine into drinking water
Recycling water is key for astronauts on the International Space Station since sending water to the crew is heavy and expensive. The current systems work well and the tech is being used here on Earth in places where clean drinking water is in short supply. In an effort to increase efficiency, astronauts will test a new filtration system from Aquaporin Space Alliance. The so-called AquaMembrane employs nanotechnology and proteins to transform waste water (sweat and urine) into clean drinking water, proteins that regulate water in living things like human kidneys and bamboo shoots. Those aquaporin proteins are situated on a membrane and as water passes through tiny protein tubes, an electrostatic charge stops things like salt from getting through. The water flows continuously from side to side without using extra energy thanks to forward osmosis.
Aquamembrane setup for the upcoming test.
What’s more, the process happens on a molecular level, so the AquaMembrane doesn’t clog up as often as the gear that’s currently being used. European Space Agency astronaut Andreas Mogensen will use collected samples with the membrane kits aboard the ISS and bring samples back to Earth for testing. If the new system works, it could provide a smaller and lighter solution for water filtration both in space and in remote areas where clean water is scarce.
[Image credit: AFP/Getty Images, Aquaporin Space Alliance]
Filed under:
Science
Via:
Motherboard
Source:
European Space Agency
Tags: aquamembrance, aquaporin, esa, europeanspaceagency, ew, iss, science, space, sweat, urine, water, waterfiltration
Google Photos will now automatically surface pictures you took in years past
The revamped Google Photos service that was introduced at I/O this year is already one of our favorite ways to manage our ever-growing image collections, and Google keeps on adding features to make it better. The latest is a new tool that lets you walk down memory lane, so to speak. The Google Photos “assistant” will now show you cards that contain images that you shot on the same day in years past, letting you reminisce about whatever exciting things you took pictures of way back when. It’s not clear yet if this new feature will show you every single photo you snapped on a given day or just a curated selection, but either way it sounds like a smart way to surface images that you may have forgotten you ever took.
Google has wisely chosen to make this an opt-in feature, so if you’re worried about being reminded of past exes or other memories you’d like to avoid, just keep the feature turned off. It otherwise seems like a smart addition to the ever-growing Google Photos feature set — the Timehop app is just one example of a service that’s found a place for itself by surfacing old memories and photos you’ve posted to social media, and Facebook has its own “on this day” feature to tickle the old nostalgia bone. Google says its new memory-surfacing features will roll out today on iOS, Android and on the web.
Source:
Google Photos (Google+)
Tags: google, GooglePhotos, nostalgia, photos, update
Here are the most popular emojis by state (kind of)
Emoji are insanely popular, despite the near-endless stream of stickers and GIFs that dominate our messaging apps these days. But depending on where you live, some emoji are more popular than others. The folks behind SwiftKey, the predictive keyboard app for iOS and Android, have been mining their community’s usage via SwiftKey Cloud to see which icons rank highest across the US. They’ve come up with an interactive map, but to be clear — each state’s pick isn’t based on sheer volume. As a spokesperson explained to Gizmodo: “To identify the ‘top’ emoji per state, we cross-referenced the list of emoji each state uses more than the US average with the emoji each state uses more than all other states.” So there you have it. You might be able to poke a few flaws in the methodology, but it’s still fun to see where different emoji are used more often. Georgia really likes the moon, for instance, and Utah has a soft spot for lollipops. Who knew?
[Image Credit: MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images]
Filed under:
Internet
Via:
TechCrunch, Gizmodo
Source:
SwiftKey
Tags: emoji, icons, maps, popularity, smileys, stickers, swiftkey, US, USA
‘Calendula’ wants to be a weird mix of ‘Twin Peaks’ and ‘PT’
Why would anyone play a game that doesn’t want to be played? It’s a question with an answer, though it may be buried within the spastic, terrifying scenes of Calendula, the game in development at Blooming Buds, a small studio in Madrid, Spain. Developers describe Calendula as a game with roots in experimental art and classic horror, taking inspiration from famed thriller TV series Twin Peaks and PT, Hideo Kojima’s spooky demo for the PlayStation 4. Designer Aleix Garrido says that Calendula aims to break classic video game conventions and the fourth wall in one weird blow. It all begins with a question posed by Calendula itself: How do you play a game that doesn’t want to be played?Slideshow-313747
So far, here’s what we know about Calendula‘s gameplay: It has some kind of narrative and a vast variety of mechanics. Also, it looks super trippy. That’s about it.
“In the end, the combination of all the elements is what builds Calendula‘s uncanny atmosphere,” he says. “The game is full of symbolism and abstractions that will help players figure out what has really happened. We want every player to find their own meaning.”
Garrido is aware of the challenge inherent in marketing a mysterious, nebulous game that might not be a game at all. Blooming Buds does describe it as a video game, but also as an “experience” and “your deepest secret.” The teaser trailer is intriguing, but it does little to explain how Calendula actually plays. And this is just how Garrido likes it.
“We want mystery to become one of our marketing points,” he says. “It can be risky nowadays with the huge amount of great games out there, but we think that this mystery fits within the kind of game that we present.”
Despite the mystery (or perhaps because of it), Calendula is gaining traction via word of mouth, mainly from fellow developers who have played it at conventions. Steve Gaynor, co-founder of Gone Home studio Fullbright, recommended Calendula to video game fans on Twitter this week, and Rami Ismail, one half of Nuclear Throne studio Vlambeer, similarly described his 15 minutes with the game as “pretty damn intense.“
Calendula is due to blow your mind — or so Blooming Buds hopes — in 2016.
Tags: bloomingbuds, calendula, hdpostcross, horror, Indie, mystery, PT, TwinPeaks
Android 5.1 rolling out to T-Mobile & Verizon HTC One M9
HTC One M9 users on Verizon and T-Mobile have something to look forward to in the coming days: Android 5.1. HTC execs have pegged the two carrier versions of the flagship device to get updates today that include Stagefright patches along with the most updated Lollipop version, which brings some new features over Android 5.0. Users can expect new animations in Quick Settings, as well as battery improvements via a native battery saver built-in to the system. On the Verizon-specific M9, LTE bands 3 and 7 will be activated with the update, giving users more connectivity when traveling out of the U.S.
While the updates are scheduled to be sent out today, OTA updates can take a few days to reach every owner of that device. If you’re an M9 user on either of these carriers and you haven’t gotten a notification to update, you may be able to check the update manually by going into your Settings –> About Phone –> System Updates. HTC is advising users to make sure the battery is charged above 50% and to connect to a WiFi network to download the update.
Source: Talk Android, 9to5 Google
The post Android 5.1 rolling out to T-Mobile & Verizon HTC One M9 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
[TA Deals] Check out the ‘Never Too Late To Learn’ package
It’s never too late to learn! Age, experience, and time (or anything else) are completely irrelevant. As long as you are motivated, you can learn anything. Don’t worry, I’m not getting into motivational speaking. The reason I want to emphasize those things is because people look at any type of coding as a hill too steep to climb. The ‘Never Too Late To Learn’ package on Talk Android Deals focuses on bundles that will take you from novice to knowledgeable at a pace that you dictate.
Be sure to use coupon code TADOFF10 with any or all these offers to take 10% off.
The Complete 2015 Learn to Code Bundle
What’s included:
- The Complete Web Developer Course – Build 14 Websites
- ‘Python Training: From Scratch to Penetration Tester’ Course
- ‘Node Program: From 0 to Hero with Node.js, MongoDB & Express’ Course
- ‘Build a Website from Scratch with HTML & CSS’ Course
- ‘Ruby on Rails: Training & Skills to Build Web Applications’ Course
- PHP ‘Punch in the Face’ Course
- ‘Become a Heroku Rails Ninja’ Course
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The total value of each course combined is over $1,000 but you can get the entire bundle for only $59.
Complete Arduino Starter Kit & Course Bundle
Go ahead, start building circuits to control lights, buzzers, and other mechanisms without any experience.
What’s included:
- ARDX Arduino Starter Kit
- Arduino Step-by-Step ‘Your Guide to the Internet of Things’ Course
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- Beginning Arduino ‘Make Your Own Environment Monitor System’ Course
Through Talk Android Deals, you’ll save 85% by spending $76 on this bundle.
BaseRails Ruby on Rails Training: 2-Yr Subscription
Many web applications are powered by the Ruby on Rails language. Get this bundle for in-depth training that includes thirty of content with seven courses.
Forget about shelling out hundreds of dollars for these tools because you can get them for just $29.
Linux Learner Bundle
What’s included:
- Learn Linux In 5 Days
- Learning Ubuntu Linux Server
- Learn To Run Linux Servers From Scratch
- Learn To Run Linux Servers Part 2
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Learning to navigate Linux with this the Linux Learner Bundle normally costs $502; however, Talk Android Deals has knocked that price all the way down to $49.
Come comment on this article: [TA Deals] Check out the ‘Never Too Late To Learn’ package
Google is lowering the amount of pre-installed apps on your Android device
Android users have been complaining for the longest time about lots of unwanted bloatware coming pre-installed on their devices. According to a new report, Google is willing to change that.
As most of you know, when you first boot up an Android smartphone or tablet, there is a group of apps that come pre-loaded. Although Google’s applications are very useful to some, many complain that there should at least be an option to uninstall them. Many manufacturers have attempted to remove some of their own bloatware apps, and carriers have done the same. Most of the pre-installed apps on your Android device belong to Google, but a new report suggests the company is willing to help that. Google has decided to remove some of the mandatory apps. These will include:
- Google Newsstand
- Google Play books
- Google+
- Google Play games
The above list of apps will no longer come pre-loaded on your Android device, but will always be available to download in the Play Store. No word has been mentioned on when this will go into action, but you can expect it to start shortly. Even though many manufacturers and carriers are beginning to solve this issue, we are far from a bloatware free device. Hopefully this will include more open storage space straight out of the box.
Via: Android Central
Come comment on this article: Google is lowering the amount of pre-installed apps on your Android device
Samsung might be working on a 12-inch Windows 10 tablet
Samsung really wants to replace your laptop. This isn’t the first time we are hearing about Samsung working on a Windows powered device. However, it’s been over a year since the company has released any sort of Windows powered hardware. A new leak on Weibo suggests the company is working on a Windows 10 powered 12-inch tablet guided for highly productive users.
Samsung might be prepping the large screen tablet to compete with Microsoft’s upcoming Surface Pro 4, which is scheduled for an unveiling this fall. We are likely looking at a display resolution of either 2560×1600 or 3840×2400, a 14nm Intel Core M chipset backed with 4GB of RAM all inside a thin and light body. The tablet may also include an S Pen (or similar digital pen) to that of the Galaxy Note 5. Maybe we’ll even see interchanging features. The tablet is still in its early stages so take this report with a grain of salt. There is no word on when or even if this tablet will ever be officially announced, hopefully we’ll find out more details in the fall.
Come comment on this article: Samsung might be working on a 12-inch Windows 10 tablet
Bing’s new Snapshot feature on Android aims to rival Google Now on Tap
First announced at Google I/O 2015, Google Now on Tap might be the most anticipated feature that will be baked into the consumer-ready version of Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Now on Tap will be able to give you information when you need it without having to exit what you’re doing. With a simple long press of the home button, Google will scan what’s currently on your screen and pull up relevant information about what it thinks you’re looking for. For instance, if you’re talking to your friend about a certain movie in your messaging app, Now on Tap will recognize the movie name and pull up an IMDB page or any other relevant info pertaining to that movie.
Related: Google Now on Tap Demo at Google I/O 2015
To rival Google’s efforts, Microsoft has just pushed out an update to its Bing for Android application that brings a new feature called Snapshots. The new feature can be triggered by a long press of the home button inside any application. Bing will be able to detect things on the page and will show you “snapshots” of relevant information and actions. Once you’re done with Bing, all you need to do is dismiss the Snapshot and go right back to what you were doing.
One benefit of using Google Now on Tap is that it’s baked into the OS, whereas Bing Snapshots won’t be able to integrate easily with other system level apps. With that said, Google Now on Tap isn’t here yet, so you should try this out in the meantime. Once Android 6.0 Marshmallow comes to your phone, though, you’re probably going to want to switch back to Google’s version.
If you’re interested in trying it out, head to the Play Store link below for the download.
Google announces big Android Wear update that brings support for interactive watch faces
Google has just announced a big update to the Android Wear platform that will make your wearable much more functional. The headline feature of this update is support for interactive watch faces, which will make it easy to change the watch face’s design, get more information or even launch a specific application with just a tap.
Developers will need to utilize the newly-announced Interactive Watch Face API to bring these new features to their applications. Once support has been added, devs can add additional information to their watch faces that can be revealed with just a single tap. For instance, with ustwo’s new Bits watch face (shown below), you’ll be able to choose whatever information you’d like to be displayed by simply tapping on the complication. If you want to see the weather, tap on the weather complication bubble, or if you’d like to just see the time, click on the clock bubble in the center.
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There’s also a new Together watch face that will let you easily connect with someone else throughout the day. Once you’ve paired with your partner’s watch, you can share things like photos and emoji, as well as your activities (like if you’re working out, on the phone, or stuck in traffic).
Google says all Android Wear watches will get the update over the next few weeks, but no specific roll out information has been released yet. While you’re waiting for the update, feel free to check out the new Interactive Watch Faces page in the Play Store.
The last big feature coming in the update is the expansion of Google Translate to all Android Wear devices. Even if you don’t have Translate installed on your phone, you’ll still be able to use the service on your Wear device. To use it, just speak into your watch and the conversation will translate for you right before your eyes. Google elaborates:
Flip your wrist to show the translation to a friend. When they respond in their own language, flip your wrist back, and you’ll see in your language what they’ve just said. Google Translate will automatically recognize which of the two languages is being spoken, so once you tap to start the conversation, all you and your buddy need to do is keep talking naturally.
Quite frankly, we’re really happy to see Translate support making its way to the Wear platform. Are any of you excited for the new update? Let us know what you think!
AIVAnet 