NASA wants ideas for how to survive on Mars

Have you been tossing around a practical, well researched idea that could revolutionize space travel, but just don’t know how to pitch it to the folks at NASA? You’re in luck — the space administration just announced the launch of NASA iTech, a program calling for ideas from the public, government sectors, academia and the aerospace industry that could shape the future of space travel and help in a potential mission to Mars. Specifically, NASA wants 5-page white paper proposals for technologies in radiation protection, life support systems, astronaut health, in-space propulsion and high-resolution greenhouse gas measurement tools.

NASA does it’s own research into new technology, of course — but the organization hopes that seeking innovation from non-traditional sources could present it with new, different ideas. Unfortnatly, the window for submission is pretty short: NASA iTech is accepting white papers only from now until October 17th. Over the next few months ten finalists will be selected to be presented at NASA headquarters in December — and the top three will be given resources and mentoring for development.

Source: NASA iTech

What to expect from Google’s 4 October event: Pixel, Pixel XL, Google Home, and more

Google’s getting ready to show off new hardware for us drool over.

The company recently invited the media to a press event scheduled for 4 October in San Francisco. At the same time, it posted a video to Twitter that showed a traditional Google search bar morphing into a smartphone shape. Even though it only showed an outline, the shape looks like the Pixel and Pixel XL, which are rumoured to be Google’s upcoming flagships meant to showcase Android.

But they’re not the only things expected. Here’s everything we know so far.

When is Google’s event?

Google has officially confirmed that it is holding an event on 4 October. The company is advertising its event under the slogan “Made by Google”, which fuels existing rumours about the company ditching the Nexus brand.

Will Google’s event have a live stream?

Google has launched a new website specifically for the 4 October event. You’ll presumably be able to view the event’s live stream from there. We will update this piece when the event kicks off with more information about how to watch.

What will Google unveil at the event?

Pixel and Pixel XL

Pocket-lint

Google will reportedly ditch the Nexus brand when it unveils its 2016 flagship smartphones under the Pixel brand. These phones are thought to be called Pixel and Pixel XL, and they will be manufactured by HTC. The Pixel will be the smaller of the two devices, featuring a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1920×1080, while the Pixel XL will sport a 5.5-inch Quad HD AMOLED display.

Pixel XL will likely contain a larger battery. Other than that, both devices will share a Snapdragon 821 processor, Adreno 530 graphics, 4GB RAM, and at least 32GB of on-board storage. A 13-megapixel main camera and 8-megapixel front camera has also been rumoured. The Pixel might also come in black or white colour options. You can read more about what the phones might feature in Pocket-lint’s roundup.

Google’s reference Android smartphones usually come with bargain price tags. The high-end Nexus 6P cost $499 when it was new, for instance. But according to Android Police, Google’s upcoming Pixel phones will start at $649, which is a price range usually reserved for devices like the iPhone 7 or Galaxy S7. The Pixel XL, which is thought to be the higher-spec’d, will likely cost even more.

Also, both phones will most certainly run the latest version of Android Nougat, which adds support for Google’s Daydream VR platform.

• Google Pixel and Pixel XL: Everything you need to know

Google Daydream

Google

Google is placing big bets on virtual reality in 2016. It plans to expand its existing Cardboard initiative and directly challenge the mobile VR market. The company announced its new Daydream VR platform at Google I/O in May, but it hasn’t said much since, despite the rollout of Android 7.0 Nougat, which brought support for Daydream, and that manufacturers are currently building Daydream-ready handsets.

Google’s event will likely showcase Daydream VR running on its latest mobile devices. The company has reportedly spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on ensuring there will be plenty of VR content for the platform when it officially launches. Also, Google has confirmed it is working on a headset and controller of its own. Android Police said the headset should launch alongside the Pixel phones. It will cost around $80.

• What is Google Daydream and when is it coming?

Chromecast 4K

Pocket-lint

It’s been a year since Google updated Chromecast by releasing Chromecast 2 with a new design, improved internals, and a refreshed app. The Mountain View, CA-based company has likely been developing a third-generation model since then, and according to a recent report, that new device should debut this autumn, and it’ll bring support for 4K streams.

Google launched the first Chromecast in 2013. It’s an affordable HDMI dongle that lets you wirelessly “cast” content to a television. It basically makes most TVs smart. Then, in 2015, Google launched Chromecast 2. It’s faster, more responsive, and just as affordable. And it arrived with an updated Chromecast app that serves as a one-stop shop for finding compatible apps and specific content across those apps.

Google was reportedly going to launch a 4K version of the Chromecast in autumn 2015, but it instead released Chromecast 2. Android Police has claimed that Google will finally announce a 4K-capable Chromecast alongside its two new Pixel smartphones. Google currently sells the current-generation of Chromecast for £30 ($35). It is unknown whether the 4K version of Chromecast will cost more.

• Google Chromecast 4K: Everything you need to know

Google Home

Google

Google in May announced an Amazon Echo-like device called Google Home.

It’s a Wi-Fi speaker that also works as a smarthome control center and an assistant for the whole family. You can use it to playback entertainment throughout your entire house, effortlessly manage every-day tasks, and ask Google what you want to know. The device itself has interchangeable bases available in various colours and finishes (such as metal and fabric, allowing you to match it to your decor).

Underneath that swappable shell there is a speaker that can playback songs and allow Google Assistant to talk to you. It appears to be pretty small, as a Google executive was able to easily hold it in one hand while unveiling Google Home on stage at Google I/O. Also, at the top of the device, there is a display with four small LEDs. You’ll use these apparently to interact with the device.

As for buttons, there are none at the top (just dual microphones that listen for your voice). There is a single mute button on the shell. While it was showing off Google Home, Google said we could expect the speaker to be released “later this year”. Since it’s already September and we don’t know of any other Google event this year, we expect to hear more about Google Home on 4 October.

• What is Google Home, how does it work, and when can you buy it?

Want to know more?

Related news is available through Pocket-lint’s Google hub.

Oppo’s first Ultra HD Blu-ray player is coming later this year

Lately we’ve paid more attention to Oppo’s mobile devices, but it’s still the home of some well-regarded audio/video equipment. The company revealed its first Ultra HD Blu-ray player at CEDIA 2016 last week, and now is taking sign-ups for more information on its website. We don’t have detailed specs for the UDP-203, but Oppo told Chris Heinonen that it would sell for $499. The pictures he took show dual-HDMI ports, two USB jacks, analog 7.1 audio output, RS-232 and Ethernet. HDTVTest, meanwhile, cites UK journalist John Archer reporting that he’s been told the player will be available with a step-up UDP-205 model, and both will support Dolby Vision HDR.

So far, customers can choose from Samsung, Panasonic, RCA or Microsoft’s Xbox One S (which unfortunately lacks bitstream audio capabilities necessary for Dolby Atmos), with Sony’s first 4K-ready player due next year. We’re still a bit shocked that the PS4 Pro isn’t included in that group, but at least there will be one more option due in 2016, if this one ships on time.

First photos of the @OPPODIGITAL UHD-103 UHD Blu-ray player. $499. pic.twitter.com/0RLBtomF6B

— Chris Heinonen (@chrisheinonen) September 15, 2016

Source: Oppo Digital, Chris Heinonen (Twitter)

Apple Reportedly Looking to Open Flagship Store at Washington, DC’s Carnegie Library

Apple has proposed opening a flagship retail store and events center at Washington, D.C.’s historic Carnegie Library, according to The Washington Post. The new store is reportedly reminiscent of Apple’s Union Square store in San Francisco, serving as both a retail outlet for the company and event center where it can host events for locals.

Photo by Bobak Ha’Eri
The 63,000-square foot Carnegie Library was one of the many buildings built with funds donated by steel tycoon Andrew Carnegie. The building, which was opened in 1903, is historically significant in the nation’s capital as it’s the first desegregated building in the city. Carnegie Library is publicly owned and funded with taxpayer money raised through hotel occupancy taxes.

However, the building’s historical legacy and importance to D.C. has made it a difficult development project. As The Washington Post notes, a local history museum only lasted a year at the library, a planned music museum never opened and an International Spy Museum was turned away by the city’s historical preservation panel.

Local government officials have been supportive of the idea, with The Post noting that an Apple retail presence in the area would punctuate a rapidly developing section of the city.

“Apple would be a huge attraction,” said D.C. Council member Jack Evans (D-Ward 2), who represents downtown. Evans said he first heard about Apple’s idea for the store earlier this year and that the addition would accelerate momentum for an area that is quickly adding new apartments, shops and office buildings just south of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

Of Apple’s handful of stores in D.C., its Georgetown store is the closest to the Carnegie Library. Across the Potomac, the Cupertino company also has Apple Clarendon and Apple Pentagon City. The Clarendon store will be having its grand reopening on September 24, while the Pentagon City store will close on September 25 for remodeling.

Related Roundup: Apple Stores
Tag: WashingtonPost.com
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Evening brief: Between a Note and a hard place

Software updates, hardware recalls, and Allo’s essential features!

Earlier today, I spoke to Samsung Canada’s COO about the Note 7 recall, and he told me the same thing I’ve heard the company’s executives say in every market: Samsung dealt with the recall properly, quickly, and safely. And that it is sorry.

The question of whether this is going to have lingering negative effects on the Samsung brand isn’t in question: it’s for how long, and how severe. The consequences of a recall like this reverberate for months, maybe years, largely because people — the average buying public — now balances the strength of a product against the trustworthiness of a brand. There isn’t much more to say about this, either: soon, people will start receiving their replacement units, if they haven’t already, and many will likely forget that this issue arose in the first place. But what about the 100 or so people injured or traumatized by a phone that was safe one moment and ablaze the next? Let’s hope they’re not forgotten once things get back to normal.

And with that, tonight’s news.

Allo is here. Let us show you why you should care

Allo was released at midnight eastern last night, which meant we on the AC team spent the day sending each other weird stickers and trying to trip up Google Assistant. If you’re not yet convinced why you should about Allo, let us show you. More

Galaxy Note 7 sales to resume mid-October in Canada

The Galaxy Note 7 is sporadically back on sale in the U.S., but isn’t expected to be widely available until mid-October. The same is true of the smaller Canadian market, which bodes well for anyone looking to buy some new handwarmers before the cold season. More

Verizon pushes out security patches for Moto Z, Galaxy Note 5, and Galaxy S6 Edge+

Midway through the month, Verizon is finally pushing out the September security patches for the Moto Z and Moto Z Force. Look for software version MCLS24.246-36-3 as you refresh for the update. Last year’s Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 edge+ are also receiving patches today, labeled as VRS3BPI1. You can read more about those respective updates here and here. Happy updating!

Alcatel’s BlackBerry is coming to Canada later this month

Alcatel is bringing its Idol 4 to Canada this month with a single regional carrier, Videotron. The phone has been available in the U.S. for a few months now — and even in Canada as the DTEK50 — but it appears that at least one carrier is interested in the real McCoy. No word on pricing just yet, but you can expect it to come in around $350 to $400 CAD. One piece of good news, though: each unit will come with Alcatel’s cool VR headset in tow. More

HTC 10 down from “crazy expensive” to “too expensive” in Canada

HTC must recognize that even with the poor exchange rate, $1000 is just too much to charge for its HTC 10 flagship in Canada. To wit, it is putting the thing on sale, offering 20% off until September 29 with offer code ufo7ebpb3. The device is still $599 in the U.S., which is a pretty good price.

Wi-Fi Calling and Advanced Messaging come to AT&T’s 2015 Galaxy lineup

It’s not Nougat, but the 2015 lineup of Galaxy devices — the S6, S6 edge, S6 edge+, and Note 5 — are all getting nice updates on AT&T. Specifically, updates issued yesterday and first spotted by the good guys at Android Police, offer Wi-Fi Calling, a super useful feature made famous by T-Mobile, and support for Advanced Messaging, which is basically the bloatware version of SMS.

Nougat not so sweet for some Nexus 5X owners

Google has acknowledged that a small number of Nexus 5X owners are getting stuck in boot loops after upgrading to Android 7.0. According to a Google employee, it is “strictly a hardware related issue.” In other words, the problem was going to happen, it was just a matter of when.

Google’s latest Android Experiment is, like, totally awesome

Fancy sending a virtual paper airplane to someone around the world? The latest Google Experiment, which was first shown off at Google I/O in May, is now available available to all Android users in app form. Paper Planes is a great showcase for the marriage of web and native code to live in harmony — and it’s also really fun to receive plane notifications. More

Have a great evening!

iPhone 7 Plus users on 23 September can finally try Portrait camera mode

When Apple unveiled the iPhone 7 Plus earlier this month, it introduced a depth-of-field camera trick that’s exclusive to the device.

The feature, dubbed Portrait mode, wasn’t quite ready for release when iOS 10 started rolling out last week. However, according to Matthew Panzarino of TechCrunch, iPhone 7 Plus owners will be able to test the new feature in the public beta of iOS 10.1, which will reportedly release starting 23 September for anyone enrolled in Apple’s public beta programme. It’s free and easy to join.

• Pocket-lint explained how to become an iOS 10 beta tester here
• These pics show what the iPhone 7 Plus dual camera is capable of

The developer version of that beta is actually available now, but of course, you must be a developer to get it up and running on your phone. Still, it includes the new camera mode, which is designed to mimic the kind of shallow depth of field you see in images taken with a high-end DSLR. In other words, these types of images usually have a front subject that stands out over a blurred background.

In addition to the usual wide-angle lens, a telephoto lens is located on the rear of iPhone 7 Plus. Apple has devised a way to use both lenses at the same time to mimic depth of field when taking portrait shots. To use the new mode after installing the iOS 10.1 beta, go to Apple’s Camera app, then slide over to the Portrait mode, and the mode should prompt you to move back.

• Apple iPhone 7 Plus camera: Dual camera tech explained
• What is bokeh? Here’s the photography effect explained

When you capture in Portrait mode, the camera snaps two photos: one regular and one with blur applied to the background. Apple’s built-in image signal processor scans the scene, then applies machine-learning techniques to recognise people in the image, and ultimately creates a depth map using the device’s two cameras, which results in an image where the people are in focus while the background has a bokeh-like effect.

Apple previously said Portrait mode would roll out in an official update scheduled to hit consumers’ phones “later this year”.

Hulu is planning two VR-only original shows

Hulu’s original programming ambitions are well-known at this point, but the company has a plan for a pair of new shows that’s both totally expected as well as somewhat unusual. According to Variety, Hulu’s is planning two new shows made specifically with virtual reality in mind. The Big Picture: News in Virtual Reality will be a daily news program and Virtually Mike and Nora will be a comedy featuring Nora Kirkpatrick (The Office, Greek) and Mike O’Brien.

Right now, Hulu has committed to five episodes for the comedy and 10 episodes of the news program, though there’s no word yet on when they’ll start airing. Both programs will be exclusively available in VR; there’s no plan to make them available as 360-degree videos you watch over the web. The Big Picture: News in Virtual Reality will air every two weeks, with three segments in each episode picked out specifically because they’ll work well in VR.

Virtually Mike and Nora will similarly use VR to pull viewers into the world. “I think we’ve come up with a way to break down the wall between performer and audience member, and explore comedy in 360 degrees,” Kirkpatrick told Variety.

How Hulu will measure the success of these shows is unclear yet — it’s been almost a year since Samsung’s Gear VR launched alongside a Hulu VR app, but the number of people with VR headsets still has to be significantly smaller than the company’s total subscriber base.

Source: Variety

Formula E’s New York City race is set for Brooklyn next year

We already knew Forumla E was planning to race in New York City and now we have more details about the event. The all-electric race series announced during a press conference today that the final race of the 2016-2017 season, the New York City ePrix, will take place in the area around Pier 11 and the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal in Red Hook. The two-day event is currently scheduled for July 29-30, 2017 with a 1.21-mile course that winds around the terminal’s parking lot with two straightaways that run down the side of Pier 11.

If you happen to live in the area don’t fret, no public streets are being used for the race. The 13-turn race course does include views of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and Governor’s Island along the way, so there should be some scenery for spectators to enjoy. This won’t be the first time Formula E has raced in the US. Previous events were held in both Miami and Long Beach, California. However, it will be “the first FIA-sanctioned open-wheel race to take place within the five boroughs of New York City in modern history,” according to Formula E. The upcoming season kicks off October 9th in Hong Kong with 13 total races scheduled to take place in Africa, Asia, Europe and both North and South America.

Source: Formula E