No, Verizon hasn’t blocked Samsung Pay on the Galaxy S7

… it just might not be available yet.

There’s been a little bit of confusion over the Galaxy S7 and whether Verizon has blocked or removed or otherwise squashed Samsung Pay from being loaded on the new phones. Here’s the deal:

Verizon has not blocked or removed or otherwise squashed Samsung Pay from being loaded on the Galaxy S7. As we noted in our Galaxy S7 review, the app itself isn’t preloaded on the phone. But the framework very much remains in place, and in fact we’ve been using Samsung Pay without issue on our review unit GS7, as loaded from Google Play on March 1.

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge

• Galaxy S7 review
• Galaxy S7 edge review
• Galaxy S7 edge with Exynos: A Canadian perspective
• Here are all four Galaxy S7 colors
• Details on the Galaxy S7’s camera
• The SD card is back on the GS7
• Join our Galaxy S7 forums

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Verizon Wireless spokesman Albert Aydin reiterated to Android Central that Samsung Pay absolutely is not being blocked.

“Samsung Pay is supported on the Verizon S7 models,” Aydin said in an email. “It’s accurate that it’s not a preload but we have not blocked or prevented the app from working on the device. Once it’s available for download, customers can add or remove it whenever they’d like.”

But Samsung Pay currently cannot be loaded from Google Play on the GS7, nor does it show up in Samsung’s own app store. So what gives? Most likely is that Samsung Pay is missing because the Galaxy S7 isn’t officially available until March 11. While that doesn’t really make a whole lot of sense, it’s certainly more rational than thinking Verizon’s blocking an app it clearly isn’t blocking, and says it isn’t blocking. (We’ve got Samsung checking on things as well and will update when we hear back.)

Why’s this a big deal? First, Samsung Pay is a really good mobile payment system. While it’s still adding banks (and doesn’t have the same workaround for that as Android Pay), it makes up for that deficit with a its MST feature — that’s magnetic secure transmission — which allows the phone to pay for transactions anywhere there’s a traditional card reader.

But moreover is that Verizon not supporting a major feature of a new Samsung phones that it supports on its other Samsung phones just doesn’t make sense. And in this case isn’t true anyway. We should see Samsung Pay available very shortly.

Imgur is now even more beautiful to look at while searching for cat GIFs

Imgur has rolled out quite the update for Android smartphones. The company has implemented performance improvements, app-wide design enhancements, as well as some notable changes to improve the user experience.

Here’s what else is new in the latest release:

• Various crash and bug fixes
• More text without covering the photos in grid view
• New topic picker screen
• Camera icon used for Upload
• Moved vote and favorite buttons to the top in details view
• To quickly upvote, double-tap an image
• Quick way to scroll to comments on long posts
• Share button is moved to the bottom right
• Native Google Login
• Muzei integration for phone wallpapers

It’s a comprehensive changelog for a bunch of improvements we’re sure will come as a pleasant surprise to those who enjoy firing up Imgur every now and then to check out what GIFs have been submitted. Download Imgur from the Google Play Store.

Which wireless charging pad should you buy for the Galaxy S7?

Don’t fumble around with charging cables anymore — get a wireless charging pad instead!

So you just got the Galaxy S7 and now you want to charge it without having to plug it in each time? Samsung has once again opted to include multiple wireless charging standards on their latest phone, so you will have a variety of options available to purchase. Qi and Powermat have some differences, and not everyone will have the same needs in their chargers.

So, if you just got the phone and wanted a wireless charging pad, which would we recommend? Well, let’s take a look at a few options.

Samsung Wireless Fast Charging Pad

Want that Samsung branded charging pad to match your brand new phone? Well, be sure to grab the fast charging version so you can get the most out of it. Samsung offers two versions of the charger, with the key difference being how long it will take to charge up your phone. Since time is money, you’ll want to opt for the faster one and get your phone juiced up as quickly as possible. You can grab Samsung’s official charger at Amazon for around $50.

See at Amazon

GMYLE Qi Charging Pad

The GMYLE Qi Charging Pad has a similar look, being all round and flat, but when you compare it to Samsung’s offering you’ll notice a distinct difference: the price. You’ll sacrifice fast wireless charging in the process, but at the same time you can buy three of these for the price of one from Samsung. Built into the pad is an LED which lets you know when your phone is charging, and the anti-slip rubber rim holds your phone in place. The charging pad comes with a 24-month warranty from GMYLE, and it comes in both black and white. You can grab one of these for around $15 at Amazon.

See at Amazon

TYLT Qi Charging Stand

TYLT has been making wireless charging accessories for years, and has been a name that is trusted in the space. With TYLT products, you often have a variety of colors to pick from, making things a bit more fun. It is angled at 45 degrees for optimal viewing while your phone is charging, and it also has a LED to indicate its charging progression. You can grab one in red, black, blue and yellow for around $50 at Amazon.

See at Amazon

Spigen Qi Charging Stand

Spigen is a well-respected accessory maker, and their Qi Charging Stand is a prime example of why. This charging stand has a base to rest your phone on, and is angled so you are still able to see your display easily while it is charging. If you need a way to quickly top off your phone on your desk, or a new place to keep it safe on your nightstand, this may be the choice for you. You can pick one up for just under $30 at Amazon.

See at Amazon

Samsung Fast Charging Stand

Samsung has also introduced a new wireless charging stand with the Galaxy S7: the Samsung Fast Charging Stand. This allows you to both charge your phone rapidly while tilting it up from the horizontal so you can more easily view notifications and even use the phone. Right now this charger is only available as a pre-order, but should you find yourself interested you can grab one for $70.

See at Samsung

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge

• Galaxy S7 review
• Galaxy S7 edge review
• Galaxy S7 edge with Exynos: A Canadian perspective
• Here are all four Galaxy S7 colors
• Details on the Galaxy S7’s camera
• The SD card is back on the GS7
• Join our Galaxy S7 forums

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Which Fitbit is right for me?

Fitbit is no stranger to the activity tracking market. It’s been kicking around for a good few years now, sitting at the top of its class smugly watching as its competitors hope to raise the same brand awareness.

Chances are if you are reading this feature, you too have heard of it. The problem you have probably since found however, is deciding which of the eight Fitbit activity tracking devices is the right one for you.

We have broken each of the Fitbit trackers down into how much each costs, what features each offers and why you might considering buying each one. This feature is all about helping you work out which Fitbit will suit you and your lifestyle best.

Fitbit

Fitbit Zip

The Fitbit Zip is the cheapest activity tracker available within the company’s portfolio. It measures steps taken, distance travelled, calories burned and active minutes. There is also a clock feature and it will sync wirelessly to the smartphone app or your computer.

The Zip is a clip-based device that can be worn on a belt, pocket or a bra. It has an LCD display and its replaceable coin battery should last between four and six months. The Zip is also sweat, rain and splashproof.

Through the Fitbit app, Zip users will be able to see their progress, complete challenges with friends, log food, record workouts and earn badges. The Fitbit Zip comes in charcoal, lime, midnight blue and magenta colour options.

WHY BUY?

The Fitbit Zip is cheap and allows you to monitor basic activity discreetly.

PRICE: £49.99

READ MORE Fitbit Zip review

Fitbit

Fitbit One

The Fitbit One is similar to the Zip, only it adds sleep tracking to its list of attributes, as well as a more slender design. Like the Zip, it will sync wirelessly to the app or your computer and it is also a clip-based device so you can wear it on a belt, pocket or bra.

Rather than an LCD display, the One opts for an OLED screen and its battery type changes to a lithium polymer rechargeable number rather than a replaceable one like in the Zip. The One is said to offer between 10 and 14 days on a full charge.

The same app features apply as the Fitbit Zip, but users with the One will also get access to sleep trend graphs, sleep goals and sleep quality data. The Fitbit One comes in black or burgundy colour options.

WHY BUY?

The Fitbit One is a little more expensive than the Zip but it adds sleep tracking to the mix so this device is good for someone who wants basic sleep and activity tracking without having to wear anything on their wrist.

PRICE: £79.99

READ MORE Fitbit One news

Fitbit

Fitbit Flex

The Fitbit Flex sits within the “Everyday” category of the Fitbit products, like the Zip and the One. It offers exactly the same as the Fitbit One in terms of tracking features so that means steps, distance, calories, active minutes and sleep tracking.

The OLED display is replaced by four LED lights, meaning more visits to the app for progress details, while the design moves from a clip-on device to a wrist-worn band. As there is no display, there is no clock feature like there is with the Zip and One, and battery life drops to five days.

The Flex’s tracker is removable so while you can stick with the standard rubber band comes with, you can also buy a special Tory Burch bracelet or necklace if you want to increase your fashion status with your step count. For those happy with the rubber band, it comes in 10 colours including black, orange, pink, teal, red and navy.

WHY BUY?

The Fitbit Flex is a simple, stylish activity tracker that will do the activity basics, plus sleep tracking. It is easy and comfortable to wear and a little more on trend than clip-on devices currently are, which might be a reason to select it over the One.

PRICE: £79.99

READ MORE Fitbit Flex review

Fitbit

Fitbit Charge

The Fitbit Charge is £20 more expensive than the Flex but it adds floors climbed and caller ID to its features, as well as reintroduces a display. The OLED display will not only show you the time and who is ringing, but it will also provide you with your stats for that day without you needing to pick up your smartphone and open the app.

Battery life increases back up again from the Flex, with Fitbit claiming the Charge will give you between 7 and 10 days. It is sweat, rain and splash proof again, but like the other Fitbit devices mentioned above, it is not swim proof.

The app functions are the same as the Fitbit Flex and Fitbit One, apart from the addition of floors climbed. The Fitbit Charge comes in black, slate, blue and burgundy colour options.

WHY BUY?

The Fitbit Charge gives you all your basic activity tracking information on its display so there is no need to look at the app to see your progress. Caller ID is also a useful additional function and one the cheaper alternatives don’t offer, as well as the elevation measuring.

PRICE: £99.99

READ MORE Fitbit Charge news

Fitbit

Fitbit Alta

The Fitbit Alta is the most recent addition to the company’s line up and the final device in the “Everyday” range. It sits at the same price as the Charge and offers many of the same features. Floors climbed isn’t present on the Alta, but in its place is automatic exercise recognition, something which is present on the more expensive devices further down this list.

The Alta is slimmer than the Charge, sitting more in line with the Flex in terms of size. It comes with a larger OLED display than the Charge however, allowing you to see your progress and alerts, including text notifications which is not something the Charge offers. The same app functions apply as the Flex, along with the same battery life, which stands at five days.

The Fitbit Alta comes in four standard colours comprising black, blue, teal and plum, but there are also two leather band options for an extra £50 each or a metal bracelet for £80 extra. It is sweat, rain and splash proof like the others.

WHY BUY?

The Fitbit Alta is the tracker for those that are after basic activity tracking information at a glance, in a slim and stylish design.

PRICE: From £99.99

READ MORE Fitbit Alta news

Fitbit

Fitbit Charge HR

The Fitbit Charge HR is the first of two devices within the “Active” portfolio. As you might expect, all the features present on the Charge come in the Charge HR, but the HR device also adds continuous heart rate monitoring and Alta’s automatic exercise recognition.

The Charge HR looks identical to the Charge in design, offering a small OLED display to present daily stats, the time and the ID of anyone calling you. Battery life is sits at up to five days, so around the same as the Flex and it is sweat, rain and splash proof like the rest.

App functions are the same as the other devices but you’ll get the added bonus of being able to monitor your heart rate data, as well as see more detailed analysis of workouts. The Fitbit Charge HR comes in black, plum, blue, orange and teal.

WHY BUY?

The Fitbit Charge HR offers more advanced activity tracking thanks to the continuous heart rate monitoring. It is a little more expensive than the models above it on this list, but it brings a lot to the table. Great for gym geeks.

PRICE: £119.99

READ MORE Fitbit Charge HR review

Fitbit

Fitbit Blaze

The Fitbit Blaze is the second in the “Active” range and one of the newest devices on this list, succeeded only by the Alta. It offers everything the Charge HR offers, along with a couple of extra features, as you are probably starting to expect.

A feature called Multi-Sport is introduced on this model, allowing you to choose various sport modes and see real-time stats. The Blaze also offers text notifications like the Alta and introduces music control and GPS tracking. It is worth mentioning that it is connected GPS tracking though so you will still need your phone with you. There is a five-day battery life and it is sweat, rain and splash proof.

The Blaze is more like a smartwatch than the other activity trackers we have already mentioned, offering a coloured touchscreen and the option of various straps and frames. The classic band comes in three colours comprising black, blue and plum, but there are three leather options and a metal links model too.

WHY BUY?

The Fitbit Blaze is for for those that want an activity tracker that is a little smarter looking, as well as one that offers a couple of extra functions such as music control. It is the Fitbit for those after an activity tracker that could potentially replace their watch.

PRICE: From £159.99

READ MORE Fitbit Blaze first impressions

Fitbit

Fitbit Surge

The Fitbit Surge is the most expensive and most feature-rich Fitbit device, categorised by the company on its own under “Performance”. It is more of a watch than a band, like the Blaze, but the Surge comes with a monochrome display (rather than coloured) and proper GPS tracking, meaning you can track a run without your phone.

The Surge offers everything the Blaze does in terms of other features, which means a few more on top of the Charge HR including music control, text message notifications, and the multi-sport feature. It is tested up to 5 ATM but it remains just sweat, rain and splash proof so you still shouldn’t take it in the shower and certainly not for a swim.

In terms of battery life, the Surge is said to last up to seven days and it offers the same app functionality as the Blaze and other Fitbit devices, with the added advantage of maps of where you have gone for a run or walk with the GPS on. The Fitbit Surge comes in black, blue and orange.

WHY BUY?

The Fitbit Surge has all the features available within a Fitbit device so it will track basic activity, as well as more specialised activities like free running. It’s not cheap but if you want all the features Fitbit has to offer, this is the one for you.

PRICE: £199.99

READ MORE Fitbit Surge review

Best Samsung Gear VR Oculus apps 2016

Samsung and Oculus have released their combined effort to bring virtual reality to your face in the Gear VR. The result is an affordable virtual reality headset combined with the accessibility of the Android platform for apps.

Google has already been blazing a VR trail thanks to its Cardboard headset that turns most phones into VR headsets. This has been combined with YouTube 360 to offer plenty of content to experience already.

Gear VR goes beyond this and offers bespoke apps that take advantage of that Oculus sensor hardware. From using head movements for games to watching Netflix in a virtual mansion, there’s plenty to experience.

We’ve been spending time in the virtual world to find the best experiences the Gear VR has to offer. These are the best apps on the Samsung Gear VR right now.

UsTwo

Samsung Gear VR apps: Land’s End

This game, built by Ustwo which also made Monument Valley, is an accolade to what VR could bring us. Its simplicity translates to minimalism appeal and beauty. The game is totally immersive and original.

We sat down to try this game and ended up playing the whole way through. Granted at five hours it’s not a long game, but it’s mentally challenging, visually breathtaking and consistently atmospherically moving.

This is everything VR should aspire to be and is almost worth the price of the headset alone.

READ: Land’s End review: Glimpsing the future of VR gaming

PRICE: Free

Netflix

Samsung Gear VR apps: Netflix

Watching Netflix on your TV, tablet or smartphone is all good and well, but watching it in VR is on another level. The Netflix app takes you into a virtual mansion with floor to ceiling windows, stone walls and a view of the mountains outside that you’re sat atop.

While the virtual room, which dims when a show starts, is cool it is also a bit gimmicky. Once underway you’re only focused on the virtual screen, which is like watching a 100-inch TV. The only issue is that TV is very slightly granular on wider shots since you’re limited by the resolution of the Samsung Galaxy smartphone held right up to your eyes. Even a 2K screen can’t quite so it justice unfortunately. But for a soap opera or drama, where it’s mainly face focused it works well.

But it’s bearable and a fun way to enjoy Netflix for a change. Presuming you don’t mind wired headphones as Bluetooth wont work with the app, and you can handle the headset sitting our your face for a long time.

PRICE: Free

Samsung

Samsung Internet

Now even when locked into the virtual world you can still access the 2D web. Samsung has added a browser capable of taking you anywhere you need to go, as if a window were virtually hovering in front of you.

You can open site using voice controls or type using your Gaze mode, aka moving your head, thanks to an onscreen keyboard. Not bad considering it’s gratis.

PRICE: Free

Altspace vr

Altspace VR

This is very exciting indeed. It left us feeling the same as the first time we went into an online chat room and made contact with other people. That feeling of the potential of connectedness is taken to another level in this virtual world where you can meet other Gear VR users.

We popped into one room and chatted to another user while watching a giant Nyan Cat, then moved into another room to play air hockey where head movements controlled the mallets. At any time you can bring up a browser to surf the web, making it feel even more like an alternate reality. You can share that browser or a video window with others to enjoy experiences together from afar.

This has huge potential for social virtual reality and is already a lot of fun.

PRICE: Free

Gunjack

While you will have to pay for this game, it’s a cracker. Set in the Eve Universe everything looks amazing with detail that’ll really immerse you.

Of course, being on a VR headset the game is fairly simple. Look to aim and shoot everything that moves. But power ups like homing missiles help to mix up the gameplay and with long range graphical abilities it’ll keep you busy for your £8 worth.

The latency is so good that you feel comfortable throughout. Just don’t expect the battery to last as long as you.

PRICE: £8

Esper

Esper 2

If you want a mentally challenging game akin to Portal this is the one to go for.

The guide character is witty while the game play is self-explanatory and graded to become more complex as you progress. Very addictive stuff. There’s a free demo and the full game is only £8.

PRICE: £8

Google

Vrse

This is a really artistic platform that puts virtual reality to good use. This is a place to watch VR videos that were created to help place you in the heart of real life events. Spike Jonze’s NYC protest broadcast is on here along with Vice News and the Chris Milk short film that features at Sundance.

This is free and will no doubt become a regularly used app, it even has potential to become the next Vimeo of the virtual world.

PRICE: Free

Google

StreetView VR

One of the great thing about Google Street View is that it’s already shot for a 360-degree view of the world. This app uses that to its advantage.

Explore the world in virtual reality through the eyes of Google’s Street View cameras. It’s a good bit of fun and a nice way to check out an area, say if you’re going there and want to see parking options. Or you can explore sites of significance and even pull up information on them to view floating virtually in front of you. Just don’t get too addicted or you may start to forget about the real world.

PRICE: Free

READ: Best VR headsets to buy in 2016, whatever your budget

ViviSat has a plan to breathe new life into aging satellites

The wealth of space junk idling around Earth is becoming such a serious problem we’ve taken to dreaming up supervillain schemes to address it. No one solution has been settled on quite yet, but in the meantime ViviSat — a joint venture between aerospace firms US Space and Orbital ATK (formerly Orbital Sciences) — has an idea that should cut down the amount we’re adding to the dumpster in the sky. Satellites have a lifespan defined by how much fuel they carry into orbit, but with the help of ViviSat’s Mission Extender Vehicle (MEV), they could survive up to 15 years longer than they were originally destined to.

As the concept goes, an MEV (twiddling its thumbs in orbit at this point) would dock with a satellite on its last legs and take over altitude and orbital control using its own propulsion mechanisms. This would allow the satellite to continue doing its job for the lifespan of the MEV (roughly 15 years), though it can always detach and move on to new friends if required. ViviSat has been working on the idea for several years already, but its now looking like there could be a market for satellite servicing.

As the Wall Street Journal reports, ViviSat is on the cusp of signing up Intelsat as its first customer, with the current plan to test an MEV in space by the end of 2018 before launching a commercial service a few months later. Should other companies come to the conclusion its cheaper to fix up satellites than launch new ones, future MEVs could be built to refuel, repair, recover and even upgrade satellites with new parts and features.

Source: Orbital ATK, Wall Street Journal

Peeple is boring

When Peeple entered the online limelight in October, it was instantly pilloried as an app that went too far for no good reason. It was hastily described as “Yelp for people,” a tagline that’s about as appealing as “dog food for people.” Denizens of the internet expressed concern over the app’s potential unintended consequences — surely it would be used to harass and defame some humans, regardless of whether they signed up for the service.

After months of defending, beta testing and tweaking Peeple, creators Julia Cordray and Nicole McCullough released the app unto the wild this week. It’s slightly different than the service they first described; it appears the founders have taken the early criticism to heart and stripped out some of the most concerning features. Unfortunately, what remains is largely useless.

Originally, Peeple was designed to allow any adult with a Facebook account and a cellphone to rate their fellow humans on a scale of one to five across three categories: personal, professional and romantic. Even if you didn’t sign up for Peeple, anyone with your phone number would be able to rate your behavior in those fields. To dispute negative reviews, you’d have to catch the unfavorable rating within two days.

That’s not the case anymore. The final version of Peeple won’t allow any ratings to go live without the rated person’s consent. No more two-day time bomb. This means, if you sign up for the app, you get to choose which recommendations actually make it to your profile page. On the one hand, this is an effective way to prevent public shaming. On the other, it makes the app incredibly sterile. The online ecosystem provides plenty of ways to collect and share favorable quotes about ourselves: about.me, LinkedIn, Google Plus, Facebook or any resume site can get the job done. By solving the bullying issue this way, the creators have neutered the app’s core concept.

The rating system also receives a spit shine in the launch version, and people are no longer judged on a five-star system. The Dating category (formerly called “romantic”) isn’t live yet, but there are three rating options in the Professional and Personal sections: positive, neutral and negative. Users are able to rate someone and then write a recommendation for (or against) that person. Submitting the recommendation shoots it to the rated person’s inbox, where they can then publish it to their own profile, delete it, report it or block the user who sent it.

If you rate someone who doesn’t have Peeple, the app handily creates a text nudging them to read your review and register. If they never sign up, your review will never see the light of day, however glowing it may be.

Publishing other people’s recommendations is how you level up your overall score — there’s a small orange circle with a number in it next to every user’s profile picture, and it ticks up as you publish the recommendations other people have sent your way. The more reviews you allow on your profile page, the higher your number. Since you can cherry-pick the recommendations that hit your profile, that little orange circle essentially shows how many flattering reviews you’ve received, which is almost an intriguing concept. Almost.

The app itself is attractive enough, but it’s infected with a few bugs. You need two things to use Peeple: a Facebook profile that’s been active for at least six months and a cell number. Peeple is supposed to import your Facebook friends so you can rate them all and prompt them to download the app, but that function appears to be busted at the moment. Otherwise, it pulls from your phone’s address book, so when you search for a name it displays results from your contacts. You need to have the phone number of every person you review, after all.

That’s all fine and dandy, but without the imported Facebook contacts, Peeple is fairly barren. It has a “Nearby” search function, and after one day on the market, there are just five people with the app installed near me in Phoenix, Arizona — and one of them is my boyfriend (and app-testing partner).

Here’s the crux of Peeple’s problem: If users can’t freely publish positive and negative reviews of the people they know, it’s not an honest “rating” app. Now, it’s a bragging service or perhaps a narcissist’s dream, but it doesn’t offer legitimate reviews of the people around us. That was the app’s initial pitch, and as unsettling as it was, at least it was novel. In its current iteration, Peeple might as well be called Humblebrag, The App.

Founders Cordray and McCullough are aware of the shift in their branding. On the app’s official site, they’re adamant that Peeple is “a positivity app for positive people.” It’s all about building your personal brand in a safe, controlled space and sharing happy reviews of your character with the world (wide web). That’s a fine goal, but there isn’t exactly a hole in the market for this kind of thing. We have plenty of places to talk ourselves up online, and most of them are infinitely easier to use.

Peeple doesn’t feel malicious anymore — but it doesn’t feel like anything else, either. Essentially, Peeple is a more boring, less accessible version of a LinkedIn profile page. And, sure, the tagline “More boring than LinkedIn” may be better than “Yelp for people,” but that doesn’t mean it’s good.

Then again, Peeple may revive its malicious vibe soon enough. Cordray and McCullough are considering implementing a feature called “The Truth License” that lets anyone pay to see everything written about you, regardless of whether you publish it (or whether you register for the service). To use one of Peeple’s favorite words, that sounds positively gross. But, at least it’s not boring.

NOAA records the biggest annual increase in CO2 levels

The Mauna Loa Observatory, which has been monitoring carbon dioxide levels since the 1950s under NOAA, has recorded the steepest rise ever within a year-long period. Apparently, the average CO2 level for February 2016 is 404.02 parts per million, 3.76ppm higher than February 2015’s and 50ppm higher than what scientists consider a safe level. It broke the previous record set in September 1998, when the observatory detected a 3.70ppm growth over the span of 12 months.

As New Scientist noted, CO2 levels grew this past year partly due to wildfires/deforestation caused by El Niño’s warming effects. Thing is, the more carbon dioxide there is in the atmosphere, the hotter it is — it becomes a cycle. That’s why people are urging companies to conjure up ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from their factories or to capture the gas and put it to good use.

Want to know what a year’s worth of carbon dioxide looks like? NASA released a video showing the gas swirling like ominous clouds over the planet back in 2014. Carbon dioxide levels were lower then, though, so you’ll have to visualize even heavier clouds blanketing our home.

Via: Gizmodo

Source: NOAA, New Scientist

NASA’s asteroid explorer faces tests that simulate space

Before NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft can visit an asteroid to collect samples, it’ll have to run a tough gauntlet. The probe is undergoing a 22-day thermal vacuum test that will see whether or not it can function in the unforgiving conditions of space. On top of working in an atmosphere-free environment, it’ll face temperatures as cold as -274F and the periodic heat of a simulated Sun. So long as OSIRIS-REx makes the grade, it’ll largely be ready for its September launch and the epic 7-year journey toward the asteroid Bennu.

Source: NASA

Nissan Europe and Foster + Partners predict a fuel station-free future

Nissan believes that your car in the future will be able to not only drive you around, through piloted drive technology, but also refuel itself without you having to visit a fuel station.

In a new visionary concept realized by the manufacturer and renowned architects Foster + Partners, the two companies predict that electric cars in the future will be able to not only wireless charge themselves on streets, but be able to move once charged so other cars can use the charging spot.

Incorporating a range of Nissan technologies, the vision hints at how vehicle-to-grid, battery storage, wireless charging, autonomous drive technology and over-the-air connectivity could combine to revolutionise energy usage and distribution of power across Europe.

Nissan’s fully connected vision of the future of mobility concludes that the Fuel Station of the Future could actually be your home, your street, your city, your car.

Places once occupied by fuel stations and car parks could be replaced by green spaces. Building a cleaner, kinder, urban environment for our children and our children’s children.

“Technology holds many of the answers for the challenges we face in our cities today. However, the true power comes when those technologies are integrated with each other and the world around us,” says Paul Willcox, Chairman, Nissan Europe.

“We’ve been at the forefront of zero emission technology since 2010, but our vision does not stop there – we believe that the future of transportation is reliant on both infrastructure and the environment. We’re looking for real, workable solutions that go beyond the product.”

Nissan is currently trialing an innovative vehicle-to-grid system in Europe which, when coupled with advances in its second-life batteries, will allow drivers to operate as individual ‘energy hubs’ able to store, use or return clean energy to the grid.

For more information, visit Nissan