Bloodhound’s land speed record attempt delayed until 2017
It looks like we may have to wait a little longer to see a car break the 1,000mph barrier. After wowing crowds with its supersonic car back in September last year, the British-led Bloodhound SSC team has announced that it’s pushing back its land speed record attempts after failing to secure the funding it needs.
The car — which is powered by a Rolls-Royce EJ2000 jet engine from an RAF Eurofighter Typhoon, a cluster of Nammo hybrid rockets and a supercharged Jaguar V8 engine — was originally meant to fly out to South Africa later this year to try and beat the record (763MPH) set by the Thrust SSC in October 1997. If that was a success, they would then return to the perfectly flat 12-mile Hakskeen Pan track to break the 1,000MPH barrier.
Under the new plans, the first land speed record attempt will be rescheduled for April or May of 2017, ensuring that higher speeds won’t be attempted until 2018. The team also planned a “slower” UK test in Cornwall this year — that remains on track. It’s a frustrating setback considering that the course has already been prepared and the car is a few tweaks from being ready.
“What we need now are the funds to run the car and money is just a function of perseverance and timing,” says Project Director Richard Noble. “Doing something truly unique, on a global scale, with such high technology, is never easy – ask Richard Branson or Elon Musk, but that makes the story we’re sharing with millions of supporters all the more interesting.”
Noble insists that money is coming in from sponsors, but not at the rate it needs. By pushing back the launch, the team hopes it can secure enough to continue its tests, iron out any inefficiencies and get the car running at its very top speed.
Via: BBC News
Source: Bloodhound SSC
Second Nintendo mobile game will feature a “familiar” character
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Nintendo is a company in flux at the moment with its traditional means of sales (i.e. consoles and associated video games) slowly faltering. 2016 promises to be a year full of surprises from the Japanese game company as it embarks on its foray into mobile gaming, the opening chapter of which is going to be Miitomo, a game focused on interactions between people and the avatars people have created for themselves. Speaking about the second Nintendo mobile game that will be released (of a known 5 games being developed with DeNA), Nintendo president Tatsumi Kimishima said that “we plan to adopt one of our characters that fans are very familiar with.”
What exactly that means is up for interpretation, but note that Nintendo probably isn’t going to bringing said character to mobile in the format you might be expecting. In fact, Nintendo is far more likely to put its well-known characters into a game format that better suits mobile – this probably won’t have hardcore gamers cheering, but it makes a lot of sense given that a game about Kim Kardashian can make $200 million. Miitomo isn’t expected to be released till March 2016, so you can probably expect this second Nintendo mobile game to come out sometime in the second half of 2016.
What do you think about the second Nintendo mobile game featuring a familiar character? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
The post Second Nintendo mobile game will feature a “familiar” character appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Microsoft buys SwiftKey in latest mobile acqusition
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Microsoft has been doing a pretty spectacular job recently of getting its tendrils into the Android (and iOS) world, whether it be via first-party developed apps or purchasing well-established companies to compliment its existing capabilities. In the latest example of this, Microsoft buys SwiftKey in an acquisition that allegedly saw $250 million change hands, though there’s been no official confirmation on the amount involved. Regardless of the financial details, Microsoft gets one of the most popular keyboard apps on Android and iOS and suggests it will “integrate SwiftKey technology with our Guinness World Record Word Flow technology for Windows,” though exactly how they’re going to do that is to be determined.
Across the pond at SwiftKey, the founders wrote an impassioned post that thanked its workers for getting them to where they are now, and that they would continue to be supporting their Android and iOS apps going forward. We’re guessing for the foreseeable future that nothing will change with either company, though expect this to change in the long term as Microsoft starts influencing SwiftKey’s development direction.
What do you think about Microsoft buying SwiftKey? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Microsoft Blog, SwiftKey Blog via Android Police
The post Microsoft buys SwiftKey in latest mobile acqusition appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Samsung hints at stock stylus support in Android N
Samsung may have just revealed a new Android N feature: stock stylus support. On Samsung’s developer page for its Look API, Samsung notes than the majority of the Look API S Pen features “will be deprecated in Android N”. The question must then be asked: why would Samsung remove key software features for its stylus unless stylus support was about to baked into stock Android?
On the Look API page, Samsung lists three S Pen-specific features out of four that will be deprecated in N: AirButton, SmartClip and WritingBuddy. One other feature for the edge display – Edge Immersive Mode – will also be deprecated in N. While the deprecation of existing features in future Android releases is hardly confirmation of stock Android stylus support, it’s certainly an interesting possibility.
Rumors of stylus support in stock Android have been around for a while, but considering Samsung is the only company doing a good job with a stylus (with the possible exception of Nvidia), it seemed unlikely. Of course, Samsung sells way more Android phones and tablets than anyone else, so adding a stock Android feature for Samsung alone isn’t necessarily out of the question. Better stylus support would benefit not only the Galaxy Note phone series but also Samsung’s Galaxy Note tablets.
See also: Samsung has quietly fixed the Galaxy Note 5 S Pen issue
Google has already committed to providing better tablet support in Android N, so adding Android stylus support would be a significant step in that direction. Taking popular features from OEMs and third-party developers and rolling them into stock Android is hardly anything new. Themes, heads-up notifications, multi-window, fingerprint recognition, power saving mode, lock screen notifications, all of these appeared elsewhere before they appeared in stock Android.
What do you think? Is stylus support coming in Android N?
Nintendo explains its rewards program and that smartphone app
Nintendo’s first smartphone entry is gradually, actually, happening. During investor call earlier today, the company showcased what is actually going on, how it’ll make attempt to make most of your smartphone. You can also start registering for the game (and its corresponding “My Nintendo” online service) starting February 17th. This dovetails with the company’s new rewards scheme, which was also elaborated on further today. You’ll have to ensure you have your “My Nintendo” account ready for all the above when it launches globally in March, but until then, here’s what the gaming company had to say.
Rewards will be separated into two different tiers: Gold Points (received from buying Nintendo games, consoles and digital content), and Platinum points that you’ll get from logging into your “My Nintendo” account, playing games on your phone, and other non-transaction based things.
How you earn the points differs, as does how you use them. Platinum points can be exchanged for digital contents (wallpapers, game DLC), while gold points will change into discount vouchers — for buying more Nintendo stuff. Wait, no more Mario caps and frivolous Nintendo toys, a la Club Nintendo? Not quite: Nintendo’s investor briefing slides add that you will be able to swap Platinum points for “original goods”, mentioned separately to digital swag.
The “My Nintendo” service will launch in full in 16 countries when it starts mid-March, coinciding with the release of Miitomo, the company’s first smartphone title, what it’s calling an “entertainment app” — and not a game. I think Nintendo’s splitting hairs, because Miitomo still looks very similar to the 3DS’ Tomodachi Life title, with your own avatar living alongside other similarly-made Miis — presumably your real-life friends.
The app will come to both iOS and Android next month, and it’ll be the first of at least five smart device launches that Nintendo will make between now and March 2017. To make the most of its smartphone home, a feature called Mii Photo will allow you to blend together your Mii character with photos and captions, ensuring Nintendo’s first smartphone gambit is easily shared on social networks — outside of just the app itself. Until then, you can show your support for all things Nintendo on your phone with this (Japanese only) Mario Maker Wallpaper… Maker.
Source: Nintendo UK
NYT: Amazon plans to open more brick-and-mortar bookstores
Amazon’s physical bookstore in Seattle might not be its first and last. According to The New York Times, the e-retailer is planning to open more brick-and-mortar bookstores in the future. Sandeep Mathrani, the chief executive of a mall operator, claimed during an earnings call (and before NYT published its scoop) that Amazon is looking to open as many as 400 outlets. That would put the company in direct competition with chains like Barnes & Noble that operates over 600 stores. NYT’s source said, however, that the online retailer’s plans are much more modest than that.
The company has neither confirmed nor denied the news, but Shelf Awareness’ EIC John Mutter said independent sellers’ success wouldn’t have escaped Jeff Bezos’ notice. “There are all kinds of studies that show the best way to find things when you don’t know what you’re looking for is an old-fashioned bookstore,” Mutter told the publication. “I think that’s a major part of what Amazon is trying to do with this bookstore in Seattle. They seem very thorough in terms of competing.”
Even if the online retail giant really is planning to open new outlets, it could take some time before we see more Amazon Books. The company still has to look for locations where people are most likely to peruse and buy from traditional book shops.
Source: The New York Times
Lenovo finally profitable on mobile after buying Motorola
Lenovo is making money in PCs despite a flaccid market, and declining mobile sales apparently aren’t bothering it, either. The company made a solid $300 million in net profit this quarter, even though overall sales were down eight percent over last year. And its mobile phone business finally stopped losing money, fulfilling Lenovo’s vow to return to mobile profitability within four to six quarters after buying Motorola. Sales of Motorola devices (soon to become Lenovo Moto) jumped 25 percent over last quarter.
Its bread and butter PC sales aren’t doing bad, either. Even with the “Superfish” security PR disaster, Lenovo increased its PC share to 21.6 percent, though the overall PC market declined 10.9 percent. That was helped in large part by sales in its home country of China, where Lenovo dominates with a 40 percent chunk of the market.
Despite the profits, PC and mobile sales dropped dramatically this year for Lenovo, as they did with every other company, including Apple. The Chinese company managed to make money by running a tight ship and is on track to cut $1.5 billion in costs for the year. Its other saving grace is the server business, which it expects will reap $5 billion this year. In any event, the company’s string of 24 consecutive profitable periods was broken last quarter, so it’s no doubt glad to be back in the black.
Source: Lenovo
Apple bought the company that exposed its flawed firmware
What do you do when researchers create a worm that infects your company’s firmware? If you’re Apple, you buy the researchers. Last August, news broke of a exploit named “Thunderstrike 2.” Delivered by a simple link, the worm could silently modify a Mac’s firmware, meaning that even an OS reinstall wouldn’t remove it. Thankfully, the researchers responsibly informed Apple of the issue, and the company had mostly solved this particular problem before it went public.
All was quiet after the researchers’ announcement, and for good reason: Apple purchased their security firm — LegbaCore — just two months after news of Thunderstrike 2 broke. According to the company’s founder Xeno Kovah, the team is going to be working on “low-level security” at Apple, which we’ll take as shorthand for making sure that OS X’s firmware is less susceptible to attacks in the future.
Via: MacRumors
Source: Xeno Kovah (Twitter)
Microsoft is officially acquiring SwiftKey
The rumors were true. Keyboard app developer SwiftKey has been swooped up by Microsoft for an undisclosed fee. The company stresses its apps will “continue to be available on Android and iOS,” although as we’ve seen with Microsoft’s other acquisitions — namely Acompli — there’s a good chance it’ll eventually be rebranded or folded into another service. For instance, Microsoft’s says it’ll be exploring “integration of the core technology across the breadth of our product and services portfolio.” That means it’s interested in the underlying smarts — the predictive word suggestions and drag-to-type interface — as well as the app itself.
Microsoft isn’t hiding this fact. In a blog post Harry Shum, executive vice president for technology and research, confirms that SwiftKey’s technology will eventually be integrated with Microsoft’s Word Flow keyboard. Yep, the same keyboard that won a Guinness World Record for speed typing (it was later broken by Fleksy.) The acquisition is, therefore, another move by Microsoft to make sure it has competitive productivity apps on mobile. Along with Sunrise, Accompli and Wunderlist, it’s gathered a powerful set of tools to compliment Office. They’re also cross-platform, which is notable as Microsoft further embraces Android and iOS.
Rumor: Sony may be ending the Xperia Tablet series
In a decision that is sure to upset many of the fans Sony has left, it has been reported by a Sony store manager in Japan that the conglomerate may be ending the Xperia Tablet series. Dozens of websites – and even some stores – have now made mention of the story.
The origin of the speculation was apparently pending promotional material that reflected sales would be ending in early March. The caveat is that this apparently pertains to Wi-Fi only models, so in theory the cellular variants may still stick around.
The source responsible for the news also made note that any future tablet product is currently “pending” or “undecided” depending on how one wishes to translate the word “未定”. It is unclear as to if this refers strictly to Wi-Fi variants, or all of the company’s tablets in general.
What’s the cause for concern?
Before addressing the issue at large, it is important to consider the Japanese market in and of itself. Should this news pan out, it would come as a somewhat serious blow to Sony’s already limited selection of Android-based products on sale in the country. Unlike in outside Asian markets, as well as in Europe, many – if not all – of Sony’s low and mid range smartphones are not sold in Japan. This means the Xperia Tablet is a more prominent product when it comes to overall offerings.
In addition, while the idea of a Wi-Fi only model might not seem as important, it is relevant to point out that the Xperia Z Ultra was originally released in Japan as a Wi-Fi tablet, which was then later picked up by the country’s smallest major carrier, KDDI au and sold as a traditional phone like it was elsewhere.
The Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
Perhaps even more relevant and – somewhat – more recent, the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact was only released as a Wifi device in Japan, despite numerous Asian markets receiving it as a full blown cellular consideration. For explanations unknown, not a single carrier offered the mini’s mobile make.
Still, Sony’s tablets have consistently been sold at extremely high price points, with even the Z3 Tablet Compact selling for over $450 when it released here. The full-blown carrier models are even more expensive, usually retailing for around $800 when purchased at full price. This puts the Xperia Tablet brand in direct competition with Apple’s iPad. Apple in and of itself, almost always outsells Sony in Japan with respect to the mobile space, especially in recent years.
Meanwhile, similar products are often significantly cheaper. As Sony’s brand name value decreases over time for some, so too may the perceived benefit of spending such money for a tablet from the famous OEM. Another problem? When push comes to shove the differences between the Xperia Z2 Tablet and the Xperia Z4 Tablet, for example, may not be strong enough to justify the financial outlay for some.
What future may follow
The Xperia Z4 Tablet
Sony didn’t release a Z5 Tablet last year which came as a bit of a surprise given that there has been an Xperia Tablet released along side each of its major Z-series smartphone offerings. The Z5 of course, was released mere months after the Z4 (or Xperia Z3+ depending on the market’s naming convention) and it may have been decided that another tablet would be redundant.
Nonetheless, Fall 2015 would have been an excellent time to put out a follow-up to the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact, however the opportunity was thus passed on.
The decision to terminate tablets – if true – may make more sense when considering a post on this subject by XperiaBlog.net which stated:
We know that tablets made just 5% of Sony Mobile’s revenues back in 2013 and that was expected to shrink even further. Given the R&D costs of developing and supporting new devices, Sony may feel that producing another tablet for 2016 might not be commercially viable.
It remains to be seen what exactly will transpire this year. A leak has already surfaced that purports to picture the Xperia Z6 smartphone, and the design is a dramatic departure from the more easily identifiable image the Z series has used since its inception.
Wrap up
Should Sony formally withdraw from the tablet marketplace, it will mean the end of a brand that many users loved, and the end of yet another high end tablet offering for customers to choose from.
We want to hear what you think about this situation. Would you care if Sony dropped its Xperia Tablet line, or are you a loyal fan who will deeply miss it? Be sure to take our survey below, and then leave your thoughts in the comments section so all can hear what you have to say!
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