NASA launches searchable database of public domain patents

NASA has not only released 56 carefully selected patents to the public domain, but also launched a searchable database containing thousands of expired patents. While it might seem like private space companies like SpaceX will get the most out of this initiative, let’s not forget that a lot of NASA technologies could be adapted for non-aerospace applications. There are tons of NASA spinoffs, and the agency’s work contributed to the development of artificial limbs and breast biopsy, among many other things.

Daniel Lockney, NASA’s Technology Transfer program (which oversees this project) executive said in a statement:

“By making these technologies available in the public domain, we are helping foster a new era of entrepreneurship that will again place America at the forefront of high-tech manufacturing and economic competitiveness. By releasing this collection into the public domain, we are encouraging entrepreneurs to explore new ways to commercialize NASA technologies.”

In the past, the agency made thousands of patents available for licensing and even offered small businesses the right to use its technologies for free. These public domain patents are, however, “freely available for anyone to use.” The agency decided on which ones to release to the public by identifying those that “are less likely to be licensed by outside companies because of low demand for resulting products (e.g. spacecraft)” or still require “significant development before [they are] marketable.” NASA’s final list includes patents for advanced manufacturing processes and various rocket-related inventions. You can find the full list, along with thousands of previously expired patents, on the agency’s public domain database.

Source: NASA, NASA Public Domain

Launcher App for iOS Notification Center Gains Grouped and Time-Aware Widgets

Once-banned iOS widget app Launcher received its first major update yesterday, more than a year after its return to the App Store.

Launcher was one of the first apps to take advantage of Notification Center widgets introduced in iOS 8 by letting users add shortcuts to apps and tasks, thereby avoiding the need to swipe through screens or perform a Spotlight Search.

Apple originally approved Launcher in 2014 and allowed it to exist in the App Store for over a week, but then subsequently removed it, calling it a “misuse” of widgets. However, a few months later, Apple reversed course and the fully featured app gained approval.

In addition to app shortcuts, Launcher lets users configure workflows and add one-touch actions to the Notification Center, such as the ability to launch a favorite playlist or call a spouse.

The new version introduces support for multiple widgets that can be grouped together by theme. Widgets can also now be customized to display or become hidden based on day, time and location. This allows users to set a group of specific widgets that only appear when they’re at work or at the gym, for example.

A new auto-setup feature means the app can set up contact launchers for the people most important to users as well as their most frequently used apps. The update also includes widget support for 3D Touch Quick Actions, along with the option to backup and restore custom widgets to iCloud.

Launcher is available as a free download on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, with paid upgrades for additional widgets available in-app. [Direct Link]

Tag: Launcher
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Apple CEO Tim Cook to Visit China, Meet Government Officials This Month

Apple CEO Tim Cook will visit Beijing later in May to meet with high-level government officials as the company looks to counter a series of recent setbacks in the country (via Reuters).

According to sources familiar with the matter, Cook plans to meet senior government and Communist Party leaders to discuss a range of issues, including weakening iPhone sales and the company’s loss of control of its smartphone trademark in China, now its second biggest market.

The news comes after Apple’s earning call last month revealed sales fell 26 percent in greater China in the second quarter of 2016. Following the earning’s call, billionaire Carl Icahn, who has been buying large amounts of Apple stock over the past three years, sold his stake in the company and expressed worries over China’s attitude towards Apple.

As part of his visit, Cook will also meet with officials from the Communist Party’s propaganda wing, in order to address concerns after Apple fell foul of a state campaign to control online content and enforce strict localization of data storage, according to the Reuters source.

Last month, Apple’s iTunes Movies and iBooks stores were reportedly forced offline in the country by the Chinese State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television. One Hong Kong-based news outlet linked the store closures to the release of controversial independent movie Ten Years, which won best picture prize at April’s Hong Kong Film Awards, despite being banned in China. The dystopian film imagines Hong Kong in 2025 with language police, mini Red Guards, radical protest and social alienation rife. News of the store closures broke shortly before the movie became available on iTunes in Hong Kong.

Apple is one of eight companies that China has targeted for being “too deeply established in the country’s core industries” according to The New York Times. Other companies on China’s list include IBM, Qualcomm and Microsoft.

Last November, when asked whether Apple had run into censorship problems in China, Eddy Cue said that the company had a “great working relationship” with China and that the launch of Apple Music and the iTunes Movies and iBooks stores showed that Apple knew how to work in the country.

Note: Due to the political nature of the discussion regarding this topic, the discussion thread is located in our Politics, Religion, Social Issues forum. All forum members and site visitors are welcome to read and follow the thread, but posting is limited to forum members with at least 100 posts.

Tag: China
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Google is firing out last minute I/O 2016 invitations

Google is sending out last minute I/O 2016 invitations, meaning should you be among those who have been unable to purchase one thus far for this year’s big event, you potentially have another opportunity to get your name down. It’s strongly recommended you check your emails if you haven’t yet got an invite as you could be one of the lucky ones this time around.

Should you finally have an invitation from Google, you’ll need to part with $900 required for a general admission ticket, or $300 for an academic pass. Those of you who have managed to jot your name down and purchase your entry passes, check out the official Google I/O 2016 app. We’ll also be attending I/O this year so be sure to remain tuned to our feeds for the latest from the conference.

Google I/O 2016 will take place on May 18-20.

Samsung Galaxy Note 6 Lite not tight on specs: 5.8-inch screen, 4G RAM and more

The Samsung Galaxy Note 6 may not arrive alone but as part of a trio, including an affordable Lite model.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 6 Lite should accompany the main handset and potentially a curved variant too. That Lite name usually means a smaller screen and far weaker specs but in this case it appears pretty decent.

The Galaxy Note 6 Lite, according to a Weibo leak, lists a handset the same size as the main smartphone at 5.8-inches but with a lower resolution 1080p display, rather than QHD. Also taking a hit is the processor which should be a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 rather than the main phone’s 823. This will be backed by 4GB of RAM rather than the reported 6GB that the lead Note 6 should feature. There is also thought to be a 4000mAh battery onboard.

While these are indeed Lite name worthy specs, when compared with the lead Galaxy Note 6 expectations, they’re not bad. That’s still a large and decent screen with lots of RAM and a fast processor. If Samsung can manage to offer a great build quality, include an S Pen and all its productivity smarts, while keeping the price low, it could be a very appealing handset indeed.

Of course all of this is still rumour and we’ll have to wait until the expected unveil in August or September to find out what Samsung really has planned for the next step for phablets.

READ: Samsung Galaxy Note 6: What’s the story so far?

Adhesive ‘patch’ monitors blood glucose without needles

Researchers from Cardiff University’s School of Engineering have developed a glucose monitor that doesn’t require you to prick your finger. It doesn’t even need blood after the initial calibration, because it uses microwave to keep track of your glucose levels. The device then sends the data it gathers to an accompanying app. Professor Adrian Porch, one of its creators, told the BBC that its microwave levels are very low and nowhere near what’s used for cooking. “Think about a mobile phone,” he said, “we’re about a thousand times less than that level.”

The device sticks to your skin with an adhesive and has a longer shelf life, since it doesn’t use chemicals. For diabetics who hate having to draw blood frequently — type 1 diabetics have to prick their fingers up to six times a day, for instance — this non-invasive monitor could be a godsend. However, it’ll take at least five more years of testing before it becomes widely available. Thus far, it’s been tested on at least 50 patients at the Swansea University College of Medicine, with more tests to follow this summer.

Source: BBC, Wales Online

Backers of cancelled e-ink watch won’t get their money back

If you were wowed by the CST-01 e-ink watch back when it appeared in early 2013 and threw down some of your hard-earned cash for it, we got some bad new for you: you’re probably never getting your money back.

The watch was shelved in the summer of 2015. Central Standard Timing, the team behind the doomed timepiece was hoping to sell off its assets after cancelling the timepiece which might have meant backers would get some of their money back. But, according to SlashGear, bankruptcy papers posted to the Kickstarter page indicate that its highly unlikely that backers will ever see their cash.

The vaporware bracelet was a hit when it appeared on the scene. In fact, Central Standard Timing was able to raise $1,026,293 during its Kickstarter campaign. But, according to the legal papers posted to the backer page, its assets currently only total $30,000. So nearly a million dollars have vanished since the end of the campaign and now.

The legal papers are only visible to the poor souls that gave the company money with no update or statement from the now defunct company or its founders. It’s a sad reminder that crowdfunding campaigns don’t always pay off and sometimes its better to wait and see if a product actually comes to market before buying it.

Source: SlashGear

Apple VP of Online Retail Resigns From Company

Bob Kupbens, Apple’s Vice President of Online Retail, has resigned from the company, reports 9to5Mac.

The former Delta Airlines VP was hired by Apple in March 2014 shortly after Angela Ahrendts was confirmed the company’s next senior VP. The hires came as Apple sought to beef up its retail division following two years without a retail leader since John Browett’s dismissal in 2012.

Kupbens took over from Apple VP Jennifer Bailey – now in charge of Apple Pay – and was directly responsible for all online retail initiatives, such as Apple’s recently redesigned online store and its online iPhone upgrade program.

Apple’s retail leadership has had a relatively high staff turnover in recent years compared to other divisions in the company. In January 2013, VP Jerry McDougal left Cupertino after playing a key role in the company’s retail development for 12 years. Ahrendts’ division shake-up later made way for the 2015 retirement of Bob Bridger, the last Apple retail executive of the Steve Jobs and Ron Johnson era.

A former CEO of Burberry, Ahrendts famously revamped the company’s entire shopping experience. Apple has aggressively expanded in China under Ahrendts’ retail leadership, with stores opening last year in Chongqing, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Nanjing and Tianjin, and several more on the way throughout 2016.

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