Virgin Media’s next superfast city is Nottingham
Earlier this year, Virgin Media pledged to rapidly expand its cable broadband across the UK. Dubbed “Project Lightning,” its aim is to offer speedy 152Mbps internet to an extra 4 million homes over the next five years. The company kicked off the project in Manchester, and today it’s announcing the next city on its hit list: Nottingham. Roughly £25 million of its promised £3 billion investment will go towards fitting out 50,000 homes and businesses in the area. Specifically, this is the NG postcode — so Nottingham’s city centre, suburbs and surrounding towns, including Mansfield and Newark-upon-Trent. If you’re desperate to get hooked up, you can register your interest now at Virgin Media’s “Cable My Street” site — there’s no guarantee, but it just might move your neighbourhood further up the list.
[Image Credit: Virgin Media]
Filed under:
Internet
Source:
Virgin Media
Tags: broadband, bt, fibrebroadband, openreach, projectlightning, virginmedia
Protein prevents your ice cream from melting quickly
In the future, you might not have to rush to eat your ice cream cone on a hot summer’s day. Scottish researchers have discovered a naturally occurring protein that binds the air, fat and water in ice cream, which slows melting. The move would prevent your dessert from becoming a puddle, and spare companies from deep freezing their treats for as long as they do today. You could see higher-quality ice cream, too — the protein promises a smoother texture without as many ice crystals or saturated fats.
The best part? It’s entirely possible that this augmented ice cream will reach store shelves. It doesn’t introduce significant headaches into the manufacturing process, and you can get it from sustainable materials. Scientists are hopeful that protein-packing confections will be available in 3 to 5 years. That’s a long time to wait, but your patience may pay off if it means fewer disappointed kids and stained shirts.
[Image credit: Shutterstock]
Filed under:
Science
Source:
University of Dundee
Tags: dessert, food, icecream, protein, science, universityofdundee, universityofedinburgh
This is Google’s new logo
Google has a new logo. A few weeks after the company announced a huge restructuring effort that will split the search, advertising and internet giant into several different organizations, the new Google is showing off a new identity. The iconic four colors and “Google” over a white background remains unchanged, but the font is significantly different, removing the serifs that have been part of the letters for years. All in all, it’s a flatter, slightly more modern design — one that also evokes the company’s new Alphabet logo — but it’ll certainly take some getting used to.
Beyond the new wordmark, Google’s also doing away with the someone iconic blue and white “G” logo and replacing it with a new, four color version to match the four colors the company is so closely associated with. The four colors will also be used in the “microphone” that shows up in the many places where Google’s voice search is enabled. There’s a lot of updating to be done before this branding is seen across the many places where you can interact with Google, of course, but this new branding will likely spread far and wide before long.
For design enthusiasts who want to dig deep into the process behind how Google created its new logo, the company has posted extensive details on its design blog.
Filed under:
Google
Source:
Google
Tags: google, googlelogo, logo
Citizen Mars: five ordinary people, one extraordinary mission
More than two years ago, Mars One began its search to find those it will send on a one-way trip to the Red Planet. In the time since, plenty of questions have been asked about the organization and its plans to colonize a world 140 million miles away. Will we have the technology and scientific know-how to deliver four humans safely to the Martian surface by 2027? Can those people build a sustainable settlement so far from Earthly aid? What are the psychological and physical tolls of both the six-month trip and the ensuing mission? Can a reality TV show actually pay for it all?
Despite those and other questions, people from around the world pledged their time and money to Mars One for the opportunity to go on its mission. Earlier this year, the pool of applicants seeking to live and die on Mars (starting in 2027) was whittled down to a group of 100. Citizen Mars is a five-part series about a group of those would-be astronauts.
Filed under:
Science
Tags: citizenmars, mars, marsone, video
Citizen Mars: five ordinary people, one extraordinary mission
More than two years ago, Mars One began its search to find those it will send on a one-way trip to the Red Planet. In the time since, plenty of questions have been asked about the organization and its plans to colonize a world 140 million miles away. Will we have the technology and scientific know-how to deliver four humans safely to the Martian surface by 2027? Can those people build a sustainable settlement so far from Earthly aid? What are the psychological and physical tolls of both the six-month trip and the ensuing mission? Can a reality TV show actually pay for it all?
Despite those and other questions, people from around the world pledged their time and money to Mars One for the opportunity to go on its mission. Earlier this year, the pool of applicants seeking to live and die on Mars (starting in 2027) was whittled down to a group of 100. Citizen Mars is a five-part series about a group of those would-be astronauts.
Filed under:
Science
Tags: citizenmars, mars, marsone, video
Nextbit Robin smartphone up for pre-order via Kickstarter campaign
Earlier this summer we learned of yet another company hoping to jump into the crowded smartphone market, Nextbit. The founders of the Google Ventures backed company include individuals key to Android’s early success and development, Tom Moss and Mike Chan, along with former HTC honcho Scott Croyle. When initially revealed, Nextbit indicated their Android-based smartphone would be unique. We now have a better idea of being different means to Nextbit thanks to the launch of a Kickstarter campaign to take pre-orders for the Nextbit Robin.
One of the key features of the Robin will be cloud storage available through Nextbit’s Baton platform. Nextbit is including 100GB of cloud storage with the purchase of a Robin to augment the 32GB of onboard storage. According to a statement from Nextbit, integration with the cloud will be built into the Android operating system to make it easier for users:
“Robin has the cloud integrated right into Android OS, seamlessly expanding your storage online so you always have the space you need for what you want most. By tapping the unlimited potential of the cloud, Robin delivers far beyond its specs. Robin intelligently adapts to your storage needs, and automatically optimises the space on your phone when it sees you need it. By learning the apps you use and the space you need, Robin offloads the stuff you don’t use to the cloud”
Nextbit also plans to add other enhancements to Android, without forking it, that it describes as “supercharging” the operating system.
Through the Kickstarter campaign, those willing to take the risk of being an early adopter can get the smartphone for $299 if they are amongst the first 1,000 backers. A second tier is available offering the device for $349. When it eventually hits the retail market, if the Robin makes it that far, it will be priced at $399. According to the Kickstarter campaign, Nextbit thinks they can start delivering units in early 2016.
As far as hardware goes, the Robin will get a 5.2-inch full HD IPS LCD display, a Snapdragon 808 processor and 3GB of RAM. For cameras, Nextbit will include a 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera. Other hardware includes a 2680 mAh battery, dual front facing speakers, a fingerprint sensor, NFC, and quick charge capabilities. The Robin will be available in either Midnight or Mint.
If you are interested in checking out more details, hit the source for the Kickstarter project and maybe even place a pre-order.
source: Nextbit (Kickstarter)
via: International Business Times
Come comment on this article: Nextbit Robin smartphone up for pre-order via Kickstarter campaign
Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 goes on sale through Sprint on September 3rd
Sprint has announced they will start selling their 4G LTE capable version of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 on Thursday, September 3rd. The tablet will be available online, through Telesales, or in Sprint retail locations. Buyers can opt for one of three payment methods for the Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 including the Sprint Easy Pay program with payments as low as $27 per month with zero down, on a two-year service agreement for $548, or full-retail with no contract for $648. Along with the up-front cost of the device, buyers will have to select a Sprint data plan starting at $10 per month for 100MB of data and going up or add the device to a Sprint Family Share Pack for a $10 per month access charge.
source: Sprint
Come comment on this article: Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7 goes on sale through Sprint on September 3rd
Sprint to carry Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 on September 3
Sprint on Tuesday confirmed that it, too, will soon offer the Samsung Galaxy Tab S2. Arriving later this week (September 3), the 9.7-inch tablet can be purchased in a number of ways.
With an all-in, no-contract price tag of $648, the tablet can be paired with a two-year service agreement for $548. Customers who qualify for Sprint’s Easy Pay can spread payments out for 24 monthly payments of $27 each.
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 runs Android 5.1 Lollipop and features a 9.7-inch 2048 x 1536 pixel resolution display. Powered by a Samsung Exynos 5433 octa-core (quad 1.9GHz + quad 1.3GHz) application processor, the tablet packs 32GB internal storage.
In terms of camera, the Tab S2 has an 8-megapixel F1.9 rear shooter with a 2.1-megapixel sensor around front. Additional hardware includes a 5870mAh battery, microSD expansion, and Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac).
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 can be activated on a tablet data plan from Sprint: 100MB for $10; 1GB for $15; 3GB for $35; 6GB for $50: 12GB for $80; and 30GB for $110.
The post Sprint to carry Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 on September 3 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
PUGZ wireless earphones are here to change the earphone experience
I’m sure you know what an annoyance it is when you pull out your earphone and they’re tangled. If you’ve had a wireless set, they’re probably a lot more convenient , until the battery runs out. PUGZ Wireless earphones are set to change that by bringing in the best of both worlds, namely wireless with the ability to charge the set with your phone.
The high-end headset comes with the main ear pieces on the head cord, along with the 18k Gold magnetized charging pin. This connects up to a separate cable which plugs directly into your phone. But won’t this drain your phone battery? No, PUGZ claims it will use around 3-4%, in most cases. Granted you have the appropriate adapter, they can be charged through USB or Apple’s Lightning port (MicroUSB is the standard connection). And yes, you can use them while they’re being charged.
It’s compatible with most phones that support Bluetooth. They’re available in two styles (Sealed or leaked) and 4 colors, which should make an excellent combination with the design and sound quality. There’s lots of awesome features, so head over to their kickstarter page to read it all and support them if you would like a pair.
The post PUGZ wireless earphones are here to change the earphone experience appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Amazon Prime Video adds new offline watching feature
Amazon Prime Video gets even better with a new offline download option for select content.
One of the biggest flaws of today’s streaming video services is that they are, in fact, streaming services. While this is perfectly fine, and in many cases ideal, when we are connected to Wi-Fi or if we don’t mind using up some of our mobile data, what about those situations where you can’t access the web? Whether you are on a flight or just in an area where web access is limited, the ability to download content from a streaming service would be a nice extra.
Keep dreaming, right? No, actually we can wake up, as that’s exactly what Amazon is now delivering. Today Amazon has rebranded its streaming service as simply Amazon Prime Video and with an update to its renamed “Amazon Video” app, Prime subscribers can now download a select number of streaming titles for offline watching.
As you might imagine, Amazon can’t just instantly make its entire library available for offline using, it first needs to reach an agreement with its content providers. At the moment that means Amazon’s original shows will be offered, as well as several shows from NBCUniversal, CBS, Fox, and more. There’s even a number of movies including The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Wolf of Wall Street, and more.
While Netflix remains an arguably superior option to Amazon Video due to the sheer number of movies and shows available, the ability to download Amazon Video content for offline watching is a major plus that puts the two services on much more even ground. What do you think of the new offline downloading feature? For those that have avoided Amazon Prime Video, does this new feature change your mid about the service?
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