Coal’s sharp decline leads to a drop in US energy production

Whether you like it or not, coal power is on the decline… and that’s having a marked impact on American energy output. The US Energy Information Administration has published data revealing that the country’s 2016 energy production dropped over year-over-year — the first such drop since 2009. Most of it can be pinned on coal, whose output fell a steep 18 percent compared to 2015. Other energy sources dipped as well, but not by nearly as much. Natural gas and crude oil were down ‘just’ 2 and 7 percent respectively.

The one bright spot was renewable energy. Technologies like solar and wind power put out 7 percent more energy in 2016 than they did a year earlier. The increase isn’t all that shocking, of course. The cost of renewable energy is dropping quickly enough that it’s becoming increasingly practical, particularly for large-scale projects that can power whole urban centers.

This doesn’t mean that the US is losing its clout in energy exports. Those actually increased by 6 percent, a large chunk of which came from a 7 percent spike in crude oil shipments (coal dropped a steep 19 percent). However, the figures suggest that it may be too late to prop up the coal industry. It could be more effective to convert power plants, retrain workers and otherwise prepare for a renewable-focused future.

Via: Ars Technica

Source: EIA

Galaxy S8 Plus vs. Galaxy S7 Edge: Which Samsung smartphone has the edge?

If Samsung’s stylish curves have seduced you and you like big screens, then you’ll be looking at the new Galaxy S8 Plus with longing in your eyes. If you’re due an upgrade it may just tempt you to bite, but what if your budget is a bit more limited, or you snagged an S7 Edge last year? Is the new S8 Plus worth the extra cash? After all, the S7 Edge isn’t exactly hard to look at, and it’s no slouch under the hood, either. If this is proving to be a dilemma for you right now, then join us for a closer look at the specs, as we pit Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus vs. Galaxy S7 Edge in a battle for your affections.

More: Samsung Galaxy S8 rumors and news leaks

Specs

Galaxy S8 Plus

Galaxy S7 Edge

Size
 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1 mm (6.28 x 2.89 x 0.32 in)
149 x 72 x 7.62 mm (5.85 x 2.85 x 0.30 in)
Weight
 6.1 ounces (173 grams)
5.54 ounces (157 grams)
Screen
 6.2-inch Quad HD+ Super AMOLED
5.5-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED
Resolution
 2,960 x 1,440 pixels (529ppi)
2,560×1,440 pixels (534ppi)
OS
Android 7.0 Nougat
Android 7.0 Nougat
Storage
 64GB
32/64GB
SD Card Slot
Yes
Yes
NFC support
Yes
Yes
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 (U.S.)
Samsung Exynos 8895 (International)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (U.S.)
Samsung Exynos 8890 (International)
RAM
 4GB
4GB
Connectivity
Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, GSM, CDMA, HSPA+
Wi-Fi, 4G LTE, GSM, CDMA, HSPA+
Camera
 Front 8MP, Rear 12MP with OIS
Front 5MP, Rear 12MP with OIS
Video
 2,160p 4K HDR
2,160p 4K UHD
Bluetooth
Yes, version 5.0
Yes, version 4.2
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Other sensors
Barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, heart rate, proximity sensor, iris scanner
Barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, heart rate, proximity sensor
Water Resistant
Yes, IP68
Yes, IP68
Battery
 3,500mAh
3,600mAh
Charger
 USB Type-C
Micro USB
Quick Charging
Yes
Yes
Wireless Charging
Yes, Qi and PMA
Yes, Qi and PMA
Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store
Color offerings
Black, silver, orchid gray, coral blue (international), gold (international)
Black, white, gold, silver
Availability

AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile

AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile

DT Review
First take
4 out of 5 stars

The world of smartphones is always moving forward, and newer is generally better in the performance department. That’s certainly the case with the Galaxy S8 Plus, which sports a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor in the U.S. or Samsung’s octa-core Exynos 8895 in some international markets. The Galaxy S7 Edge has the older Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 or the Exynos 8890. The newer Snapdragon 835 chipset is smaller, faster, and less demanding in terms of power. It also enables faster charging and better download speeds. In short: The new processor is significantly better than the old one. Both phones sport 4GB of RAM, so there’s nothing else to separate them here.

Winner: Galaxy S8 Plus

How to delete cookies in Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Internet Explorer

Cookies, small data files used by websites to track your internet usage, pose no threat to your computer. Some cookies can, however, compromise your privacy. They can also take up space — albeit, a small amount — depending on how your operating system stores and retrieves data. Advertising companies also often embed cookies with web advertisements, allowing them to easily track your browsing history and tailor ads toward your individual habits.

More: Web page out of date? Here’s how to clear your browser cache

You may decide you want to toss your cookies, however, because of one or all the aforementioned issues. If so, we’ve put together a guide outlining the various ways you can customize your cookie settings and delete them with Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, and Opera, along with data-cleaning apps such as CCleaner. That said, keep in mind that cookies also have legitimate functions. Websites use them to track login activity and data, which can be essential to their functionality. After all, some sites don’t work properly without them.

Google Chrome

Google Chrome users can easily delete cookies, browsing data, and specify what sort of files Chrome should accept or block.

Access content settings: Click on the “Menu” tab in the upper-right corner, and select “Settings.” From there, click on “Show Advanced Settings,” at the bottom of the menu, and then “Content Settings.”

You may also simply type “chrome://chrome/settings/content” into your address bar and Chrome will take you to your intended destination.

Manage cookies: Chrome gives you four options when it comes to how to deal with cookies. You can store all cookies without discretion, store all cookies but delete them once you close your browser, block cookies entirely (we don’t recommend this), and block third-party tracking cookies.

Chrome also allows you to manage exceptions for the above settings. This could be useful in the event you want to keep your auto-fill information for a specific website while deleting them from others.

Delete cookies: Click on “All cookies and site data…” to see a list of all the cookies Chrome has stored on your hard drive. From there you can delete specific files individually, or delete everything by selecting “Remove All.”

For Android, iOS: Access Chrome’s menu, go to “Settings” and then find the “Privacy” tab under advanced settings. From there select “Clear Browsing Data” at the bottom and check “Clear cookies/site data” as well as anything else you want to wipe from your hard drive.

YouTube wants you to translate video descriptions

YouTube has had community-sourced subtitle translations since 2015, but they’re only useful if people can find the videos in the first place… what about labeling the videos? You now have a chance to help. The internet video service has expanded its Community Contributions to let you translate video titles and descriptions, not just captions. If you think a video in your preferred language would be helpful elsewhere in the world, you don’t have to ask the clip creator to do you a favor.

The user-powered tools could be important to spreading YouTube’s international reach. There are 76 languages in use on the site, but those groups exist in relative isolation from each other. You probably won’t search for videos in Korean if you only know Hindi, for instance. If all goes well, the community translations will expose you to a raft of videos that you’d otherwise have never seen, regardless of your native tongue.

Source: YouTube Creator Blog

17 corporate pranks that aren’t April Fooling anybody

It’s (ugh) that time of year again. That magically obnoxious season wherein every tech startup, thought influencer and blog worth its weight in snark attempts to pull a fast one on the rest of us with a clever April Fool’s Day prank. Only problem is, they’re rarely clever, usually terrible and almost assuredly obvious to anyone with a functioning brainstem. Don’t believe me? Here are 17 of the weirdest prank pitches to come through the Engadget tip box this year.

Keep it secret, keep it safe: 8 homes with awesome hidden rooms and passages

Hidden passages were once reserved to sprawling, labyrinthine abodes of barons and kings. Nowadays there are plenty of modern passageways discretely built into even the most modest of homes. From underground wine cellars to “Batcave”-like garages, homeowners are designing living spaces with plenty of concealed nooks and crannies to ensure a quick getaway — or perhaps to simply take their home to the next level. Below are some of the more innovative hidden spaces from around the globe.

More: 10 outrageous treehouses that will make you question life on solid ground

Rainbow House — London

Architecture firm DA Studio and artist Richard Woods created the four-story Rainbow House in downtown London. With transforming furniture, rotatable rooms, and a vibrant spiral staircase that spans four floors and showcases the entire color spectrum, this home is a sight to behold. One of the true gems inside of the Rainbow House, however, is the secret passage built directly into the floor of the master suite. Using this hidden doorway and a connected slide, individuals can quickly transition from the bedroom to the recreational room below.

Transformer Apartment — Russia

Plain walls and doors are boring. Why not jazz up your living room and add a rotating wall? This wall, made of a black metal framework and plywood, transforms the living room into a kitchen and reveals the home’s TV set. The faceted panels can also be set apart and used to separate two individual rooms.

Spiral Cellars — United Kingdom

Love wine but can’t find a fresh spot in your home to store your collection? United Kingdom-based company Spiral Cellars can solve this problem for you. The company is well known for its dynamic wine cellars, like this underground beauty that be installed in your ground floor.

Secret Passage in the Kitchen — Jefferson, New York

Need to escape after dinner for some quiet time to think and reflect (and digest)? This stunning Jefferson, New York home has a secret doorway installed in the kitchen ground floor that leads to another section of the house.

Secret Bookcase Wine Cellar — Tacoma, Washington

Sometimes what’s behind a bookcase is even better than what it holds on its shelves. A spacious wine cellar rests behind a bookshelf in this beautiful home in Tacoma, Washington, for example. It definitely comes in handy while you’re submerged in a Danielle Steele novel.

Secret Bathroom — Maine

This country-style house is straight out of a fairy tale and rests on a hill in rural Maine. A hidden passageway lies behind a bookcase that’s located in the turquoise-painted common room, allowing quick entry into a secret bathroom. Talk about a great escape.

The Wayne Residence — Melbourne, Australia

We thought a house like this only existed in The Dark Knight films. Made to replicate the iconic superhero’s pad, this house was built with an underground parking garage that’s accessible from the house’s tennis court. With illuminated lights on the ceiling and grey tiles on the floor, this will make any average Joe instantly feel like Batman.

Creative Home Engineering — Various locations

Please enable Javascript to watch this video

The architecture firm Creative Home Engineering specializes in an array of custom hidden doorways for your home. The company features one of their electronic models at the nine-second mark in the video above. With the click of a button, a staircase lifts, allowing individuals to access a hidden recreational room.

This article was originally published on April 17 and updated on March 24 by Dallon Adams to include the Rainbow House and Create Home Engineering.

Best Screen Protectors for the LG Watch Style

Keep your LG Watch Style looking fine with a screen protector.

The new LG Watch Style is one of the most affordable of the stylish smartwatches that run Android Wear 2.0. Whether you’ve got one in gold, black, or silver, you’ll want to keep it protected. So get a screen protector! The last thing you want is a giant scratch or nick on your fashionable little smartwatch. Many companies sell them in bulk, too.

• OMOTON Tempered Glass Screen Protector [3-pack]
• Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector [3-pack]
• Wimaha Screen Protector
• iLLumaShield Anti-glare Screen Protector [3-pack]

OMOTON Tempered Glass Screen Protector

Tempered glass is an ideal material for protecting your smartwatch’s screen. This 3-pack from OMOTON will do the job just fine. It’s layered cut, so it fits the LG Watch Style perfectly, and it’s easy to install. The tempered glass screen protector can also handle a fall if the watch lays face flat. Its oleophobic coatings are also resistant to sweat and oil residue from your fingers – maybe even your toes.

See at Amazon

Supershieldz Tempered Glass Screen Protector [3-pack]

More tempered glass screen protectors! This one is from Supershieldz, a trusted name in the world of device screen protection. This particular screen protector is anti-scratch and anti-fingerprint, and it also comes in a pack of three! But if you’re looking for a lifetime commitment, Supershieldz offers a lifetime replacement warranty.

See at Amazon

Wimaha Screen Protector

You don’t have to invest in a pack of three if you don’t plan to hold on for the LG Watch Style for long. This 2-pack of screen protectors from Wimaha encourages you to contact the company for a replacement if you find yourself needing the second screen protector. Challenge accepted. The screen protectors come with an installation guide for first timers and they’re specially designed for the LG Watch Style. You can’t use this screen protector on any other brand of smartwatch — don’t even think about it.

Wimaha also promises a no-hassle return policy.

See at Amazon

iLLumashield Anti-glare Screen Protector [3-pack]

IllumiShield’s screen protectors are made of PET film and not of rugged tempered glass, but that’s because there’s another objective. This 3-pack of screen protectors aims to help you with glare, particularly if you find you’re having a tough time seeing the LG Watch Style out in the sun. The protectors have a matte finish

You get three screen protectors in this pack, all featuring a self-adhesive backing and are resistant to bacteria, oil, and fingerprints.

See at Amazon

Android Wear

• Everything you need to know about Android Wear 2.0
• LG Watch Sport review
• LG Watch Style review
• These watches will get Android Wear 2.0
• Discuss Android Wear in the forums!

And the winner of an IOU for a BlackBerry KEYone from CrackBerry Kevin is…

The time has come to announce the winner in our Win an IOU for a BlackBerry KEYone from CrackBerry Kevin giveaway

In total, we had just over 10,000 Android Central readers enter the Win an IOU for a BlackBerry KEYone From CrackBerry Kevin giveaway.

This morning we put that list of entries into our contest winner picking machine to choose a winner who will become the lucky recipient of the BlackBerry KEYone courtesy of yours truly when it becomes available.

And the winner is…

The name that got randomly spit out was Android Central Member jeffreytz.

Big congrats to jeffreytz for winning. As soon as the KEYone becomes available, I’ll get him hooked up with a unit.

As you all know, I’ve been super excited for the BlackBerry KEYone – it’s a communication-centric phone built for power users (that has crazy good battery life and a solid camera), and think it’s going to find a similar-minded audience of users who will love the heck out of it. So be sure to keep reading and checking in often as we wait for the BlackBerry KEYone to go on sale. I’m sure between now and then you’ll have one, or two, or more chances to win. Beyond reading Android Central (and CrackBerry.com of course), you can follow @crackberrykevin on Twitter and Instagram so you never miss a beat.