NASA gets a better picture of Pluto’s surface
Back in December, NASA shared its best Pluto close-ups gathered by New Horizons. It was a detailed, but incomplete set — now, the plucky probe has transferred more data back to Earth, allowing researchers to stitch together the rest of the picture. The new “mosaic strip” covers a larger part of Pluto’s surface — a diagonal segment crossing the face of the dwarf planet while New Horizons flew by on July 14th, 2015. You can take a look at the full image here, or watch a brief tour video NASA has put together.
“This is the most detailed view of Pluto’s terrain you’ll see for a very long time.”
The top of the image begins at Pluto’s craterous “limb,” before descending through some “washboard” terrain, a collection of sharp, chaotic mountains and a stretch of nitrogen ice plains. Towards the bottom, near the “terminator” line — which separates day and night — these fields give way to rugged highlands punctuated with deep, dark pits. The width of the strip varies from more than 55 miles (90 kilometers) at the top to roughly 45 miles (75 kilometers) at the bottom. It was captured with the LORRI (Long Range Reconnaissance Imager) camera on board New Horizons.
Source: NASA
Whirlpool’s Vessi is a homebrew fermentor that pours a pint
There’s no denying the popularity of homebrewing beer among DIYers, and we’ve seen a number of devices that aim to make that process easier. The latest small appliance comes from a familiar name: Whirlpool. With the Vessi fermentor and tap system, the company says it is reducing the time it takes to make beer from a month down to seven days. Of course, that fermentation time depends on what style you’re brewing, but for a 3.3% “light blonde ale,” Whirlpool says that 7-day turnaround is possible.
The Vessi looks to be about the size of a kegerator tap system, only this setup also includes those fermentation and carbonation components. A single-tank design is sealed and pressurized with temperature controls to ensure the process goes smoothly (in theory). Whirlpool says that this design reduces the risks of issues like contamination and oxidation that are common to homebrewing. It also skips the process of bottle conditioning by “retaining” the beer’s carbonation throughout fermentation. The company didn’t explain exactly how that works in the press release, so we reached out for more info and we’ll be sure to update when/if we hear back.
Whirlpool’s Vessi is a project from W Labs and is the result of “researching, testing, designing and rethinking the entire beer brewing process.” In an effort to get turn the system into a real addition to homebrew setups, the company is leveraging the crowdfunding prowess of Indiegogo. Part of the enterprise initiative it launched in January, Indiegogo wants to be a spot where big companies go to gauge public interest in an R&D product and, of course, drive pre-order sales. If you’re willing to commit funds for a Vessi, doing so during the campaign that launches today will save you 37 percent off the regular price for $1,899. That discount brings the cost to around $1,200.
Source: Indiegogo
Origin PC, Velocity Micro jump on Intel’s 10-core processor
Now that Intel has officially trotted out Core i7 Extreme Edition processors based on its shiny new Broadwell-E platform, gaming PC makers are coming out of the woodwork with systems that tout these extra-fast chips. You’ll now find up to a 10-core processor in models from Origin PC (the Chronos, Genesis, Millennium and Neuron) and Velocity Micro (the Raptor Z95, Raptor Signature Edition and ProMagix HD80). If you like to run multiple apps at once or use software that thrives on multi-core CPUs (such as video editors), you’re in paradise.
Get ready to pay a tidy sum for one of these systems. Origin hasn’t mentioned pricing for Extreme Edition-equipped models as I write this, but Velocity Micro notes that the lowest-cost PC of its bunch, the ProMagix HD80, starts at $1,799 (and that’s likely without the 10-core CPU). That’s practically par for the course, mind you. If you’re the sort who wouldn’t flinch at paying $600-plus for a GeForce GTX 1080 video card, springing for an Extreme Edition processor isn’t that much of a stretch.
Source: Origin PC, Velocity Micro
Lightning-to-Headphone Adapters Appear Ahead of iPhone 7 Launch
While interest in the possible new features of the iPhone 7 remains as high as ever, perhaps the most controversial potential change to Apple’s upcoming device is the removal of one long-standing feature – the headphone jack.
Rumors suggest that Apple will drop the 3.5mm audio jack to make its next-gen iPhone even thinner, and rely on an upgraded Lightning port, currently used only for charging, to transmit sound to wired headphones. Elsewhere, at least one competing smartphone maker has already announced its intention to drop the headphone jack.
MacRumors recently ran a Twitter poll that showed 59% of 7,542 respondents preferred the 3.5mm headphone jack over an all-in-one Lightning connector.
In anticipation of the divisive potential switch, Macotakara notes that Chinese accessory maker Tama Electric is now advertising three Lightning-to-headphone jack adapters, two of which also include a micro-USB port for charging while using headphones.
The Tama accessories have no price listing and don’t seem to be ready for shipping yet, and are unlikely to be sold as certified Made for iPhone accessories anytime soon, but could offer a sign of things to come. While Lightning headphones are already available on the consumer market, Lightning-to-3.5mm headphone adapters are unlikely to be pitched as iPhone accessories until closer to the iPhone 7 launch in September.
Other rumors suggest Apple will release Lightning-equipped EarPods to support the new audio output on future iOS devices, and push Bluetooth as an alternative way to connect headphones to the device.
It’s not all bad news for headphone jack fans though, as the latest claimed leak of an iPhone 7 spare part making its way through the supply chain appears to show a Lightning cable assembly with a headphone jack included.
Along with the above-mentioned rumored features, Apple’s iPhone 7 and 7 Plus will also include an upgraded A-series processor and it could include features like an improved camera. Other rumors specific to the iPhone 7 Plus have suggested it could include a 256GB storage option, a 3,100 mAh battery, and 3GB RAM.
(via AppleInsider.)
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
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‘Workflow’ for iOS Gains Apple Music Playlist Support, 20+ New Actions
Popular automation app Workflow has been updated with a number of new features and now provides added support for over 20 new actions.
For anyone not familiar with the app, Workflow is an automation tool that lets users create a variety of workflows to accomplish tasks like creating GIFs from a series of photos, pulling images from a web page, translating an article, calculating a tip, and more.
Users can create their own workflows or download them from the Workflow gallery and other third-party sites.
With the release of Workflow 1.5, the Workflow Composer has been optimized, a search function has been included, and a number of new app actions have been added, introducing enhanced support for integration with the iTunes and App Stores, Safari browser, Ulysses, and more.
For example, the dedicated “Search App Store” action lets users search the App Store and scrape details of selected iOS apps (such as price, release date, and artwork), which can then be passed into subsequent actions inside a workflow.
Additionally, Workflow includes new Apple Music actions that enable users to create playlists and add songs to an existing playlist in their Apple Music library. Support for project management tool Trello has also been included in the latest version.
Workflow 1.5 costs $2.99 and is available for iPhone and iPad on the App Store. [Direct Link]
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iPhone 7 Rumored to Include 32GB of Base Storage, Potentially Dropping 16GB Tier
According to supply chain research conducted by an analyst in China, Apple’s upcoming iPhone 7 might finally drop the base 16GB storage model from the lineup when it launches in the fall (via 9to5Mac). The IHS Technology analyst claims that the new introductory storage level for the iPhone 7 will be 32GB for $199, an option that is currently not available on iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus devices.
This change could alter the iPhone line’s storage tier offerings from 16GB, 64GB, and 128GB currently available to possibly 32GB, 128GB, and 256GB. Earlier in the year, it was rumored that the iPhone 7 Plus could gain a high-end 256GB storage capacity option for users, but that it would be limited to the 5.5-inch version of the device and not available on the smaller smartphone.
Although the removal of the 16GB tier seems inconsequential to those who have long since moved onto higher storage capacity iPhone models, it’s no doubt been a suitable enough solution for lower-capacity users who take advantage of Apple’s iCloud system. Anyone who signs up for iCloud automatically gets 5GB of free storage, but users can upgrade to an impressive 50GB/month for $0.99 to massively offset the limitations of a smaller storage iPhone device.
The iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are rumored to include a handful of upgraded specs and features this year, but for the first time in Apple’s tick-tock cycle the new devices are believed to keep their designs largely similar to that of the iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. A new report out of Nikkei today corroborates previous rumors that Apple is moving to a three year mega cycle release for the iPhone, “largely due to smartphone functions having little room left for major enhancements,” not to mention “a slowing market” in the industry hampering iPhone sales this year.
As such, the iPhone 7 is believed to have a design largely similar to the iPhone 6s, with no major visual overhaul expected in this year’s device. The biggest differences will come in changes like the possible removal of the 3.5mm headphone jack, introduction of a Smart Connector, and a dual-lens camera. Similar to the 256GB storage option, there’s also potential for some of these features to be limited to the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus device.
Related Roundup: iPhone 7
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Dell Inspiron 11 3000 2-in-1 (2016) Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
You’ll never find a cheap laptop that doesn’t cut corners, but 2014’s Dell Inspiron 11 3000 2-in-1 came close. For $400, it was one of the very best budget convertibles you could buy. (I know because I tried them all.) Now, Dell’s bringing back the 11-inch portable with a new price and some fresh coats of paint: Just $249 (roughly £170) or AUD$599 in your choice of a beautiful blue, red, white, or silvery grey.
The new Dell Inspiron 11 3000 2-in-1 (2016).
Dell
Now, you might be a little bit confused. Wasn’t this laptop already on sale? Not quite, that was the regular $199 Dell Inspiron 11 3000, which doesn’t come with a fancy hinge to let it flip over backwards or a touchscreen display.
But other than those two characteristics, they seem like basically the same machine. Your $250 buys you the same dual-core Intel Celeron processor, paltry 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, low-resolution 1,366×768-pixel screen and a decent 10 hours of manufacturer-estimated battery life with those particular specs. You can also upgrade to 4GB of RAM (which we recommend) or add a faster processor if you’re willing to sacrifice some battery life as well as your cash.
Dell’s 13-inch entry level 2-in-1 at Computex 2016.
Nic Healey/CNET
So how does it feel? A little cheap, but cheerful, especially in more vibrant colors like the blue and red. At just under 0.8 inches (21mm) thick, it’s pretty slim for an entry-level laptop and surprisingly solid too, like something you can trust a kid not to break in a few minutes. The low-resolution screen doesn’t dazzle and the hinge feels a little stiff at first, but for the price it seems like a well-built product.
We’ll have to spend a good bit more time with the Dell Inspiron 11 3000 2-in-1 to let you know if it’s the new budget laptop champ, but if you were already eyeing the standard Inspiron 11 3000, now you know you can get a touchscreen, too, for an additional $50. It’ll go on sale in the US and China on June 2nd.
Dell Inspiron 17 7000 2-in-1 Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
The Dell Inspiron 17 7000, codename “Starlord.” Don’t ask us, ask Dell.
Dell
What if you never had to type your Windows password again? The technology exists. If your computer has an infrared camera, Windows 10 can automatically log you in using advanced facial recognition. Trouble is, most computers don’t have them, and you often have to pay extra for those that do. But an infrared camera is just one of the many premium features that come standard on Dell’s new Inspiron 7000 series laptops.
Starting at just $749/AU$1,699 (roughly £510 converted), the new 13-inch, 15-inch, and 17-inch Inspiron 7000 laptops come with all of these things, guaranteed:
- An infrared “Windows Hello” camera to log you in with a glance
- A brushed aluminum chassis
- A precision touchpad certified for Windows 10
- A 1080p touchscreen that bends over backwards into a tablet configuration
- A backlit keyboard
- An Intel Core i3, i5 or i7 processor and DDR4 memory
- Fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi
- A USB-C port that can be used to charge the laptop, adding hours of battery life with one of Dell’s $99 external battery packs (though they’ll ship with a standard barrel-jack AC adapter instead of USB-C)
- One USB 3.0 port, one USB 2.0 port, one HDMI jack, and a full-size SD card reader
The 17-inch Inspiron on display at Dell’s Computex press conference.
Nic Healey/CNET
The 13- and 15-inch models also come standard with solid-state drives — a must-have for speedy multitasking and the ability to quickly wake the machine.
But it’s the new 17-inch model that’s the real star of the show. Not only is it the first 17-inch laptop that can turn into a touchscreen tablet (according to Dell, but we’re pretty sure it’s true), the 17-inch Inspiron 17 7000 can also come with discrete Nvidia GeForce 940MX graphics for some light gaming. And unlike many larger midrange machines, it offers up to 10 hours of manufacturer-estimated battery life — the most of any of Dell’s Inspiron 7000 series. The 17-incher will start at $899, a bit more than the other models.
My colleague Nic Healey got an early look at the Inspiron 7000 series, and he had this to say:
“You’d expect a top of the line flagship to look good and the 7000 doesn’t disappoint. From 13-inch to 17-inch, the brushed aluminium body screams premium quality, something you don’t always associate with the Inspiron name.”
The new Inspiron 7000 series goes on sale June 2 in the United States and China. It won’t be the only way to get a facial recognition camera from Dell — the newly refreshed Dell Inspiron 5000 series will also have optional infrared cameras on laptops starting at the $749 mark.
MSI Backpack PC Release Date, Price and Specs – CNET
MSI’s Backpack PC will let you VR anywhere.
Aloysius Low/CNET
MSI believes you should be able to immerse yourself in VR anywhere you are, and here at Computex in Taipei, the company’s latest Backpack PC makes this ideology a reality.
Like the name suggests, the 5kg-ish (around 12lbs) Backpack PC is something you carry around like a normal backpack — but instead of a bag, you’re lugging around a computer. For the virtual reality part of the experience, MSI is using HTC’s Vive, though the company says the system is also compatible with other VR devices, such as the Oculus Rift.
The Backpack PC has a battery life of around one and a half hours if you’re using it for GPU-intensive VR games. If the processor load is light enough, the device should be able to last for five hours without a charge.
MSI says it plans to make the retail version under 5kg. It will likely also launch with the latest Nvidia GTX 1080. The demo unit, which also made an appearance at Intel’s press event, used a GTX 980.
Expect the MSI Backpack PC to release in the later half of this year, with prices yet to be announced. I’m personally not quite sold on the concept, having to use VR while carrying a 5kg load around isn’t my cup of tea, and I suspect I may not be the only one.
Be sure to check the rest of CNET’s Computex coverage here.
Key specs
- 6th generation Intel Core i7 processor
- Nvidia graphic card
- 16GB RAM
- SSD
- Launching second half of the year
Win two tickets to Goodwood to see the Lexus LC 500 sports coupe
The amazing new Lexus LC 500 sports coupe is making its first UK appearance as one of the star cars at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed and we are giving you the chance to witness its debut as part of an exclusive prize package courtesy of Lexus.
The Festival of Speed is renowned as one of the world’s greatest celebrations of motorsport and motoring, hosted within the beautiful grounds of Goodwood House in Sussex. It will provide a brilliant arena for the new V8-powered Lexus LC 500 to demonstrate its award-winning styling and its superb performance and handling, prior to going on sale next year.
Our competition winner will receive entry tickets for the Goodwood Festival of Speed on Sunday, 26 June and enjoy exclusive access to the lounge and balcony on the Lexus stand, giving a great view of the LC 500 on display and in action as it tackles the festival’s famous hill climb course.
The flagship coupe of the Lexus range, the LC 500 will be launched in spring 2017 with either hybrid or 5.0l, V8 engines. Drivers of both will benefit from have a newly developed, 10-speed automatic transmission – a first ever on a luxury vehicle.
The car’s development marked a significant shift in approach for Lexus, with unprecedented collaboration between the design and engineering teams. This close co-operation from an early stage was critical in successfully preserving so much of the original concept’s quality in a viable production model. The visual drama of the LF-LC has been maintained in the LC 500, signalling a future exhilarating and progressive design direction for Lexus.
Lunch and tea will be provided in the stately surroundings of Goodwood House and the day will include the chance to test your own driving skills with two tickets for the Lexus F Drift Experience.
To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following questions:
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- The Goodwood Festival of Speed
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- Lexus
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Where will the new Lexus LC 500 make its UK debut?
- The Ideal Home Exhibition
- The British Grand Prix
- The Goodwood Festival of Speed
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