Made from molten glass, world’s largest convex mirror will take a year to cool
Why it matters to you
This record-breaking mirror will eventually form part of the world’s biggest optical telescope.
Casting of the secondary mirror for the European Southern Observatory’s Extremely Large Telescope has been completed in Mainz, Germany.
Weighing 3.5 tons and measuring 14 feet in diameter, the finished piece is the largest convex mirror ever produced.
“This secondary mirror is one of several that focus the light coming into the ELT and help to create a very sharp final image,” Marc Cayrel, lead engineer for optics production, told Digital Trends. “It will sit at the top of the telescope, high above the main mirror, with its reflective surface facing down. It is exciting as it is the largest such secondary mirror ever made for an optical telescope.”
The giant convex mirror was created using a ceramic-glass material called Zerodur. It was made by Schott, a German glass-making company which also made the mirrors for the ESO’s previous Very Large Telescope.
As you might imagine, creating a convex mirror weighing several tons isn’t exactly easy. “Convex mirrors like this are much harder to shape and test than concave ones,” Cayrel continued. “The ELT secondary is also significantly different from a spherical surface, which again makes it harder to make. Up to now the largest convex mirrors did not exceed 1.4 metres (read: 4.5 feet) in diameter.”
SCHOTT/ESO
Don’t think that the hard work is over yet, either. Now that the mirror’s been cast, the team must wait more than year for it to cool down from its casting temperature of 2,552 degree Fahrenheit, to the point where it can be safely used.
“The full process is in several stages and takes more than a year, it has to cool slowly to avoid the creation of stresses in the glass ceramic material,” Cayrel said.
First of all, the mold is placed in an oven that will control the cool-down over a three-month period. This allows for the minimizing of stress. After that, the mirror will be heat-treated to transform the glassy part into a ceramic, which is a process that will last another six months. Finally the M2 meniscus shape will be extracted by machining.
Still, it will all be worth it when the Extremely Large Telescope — the largest optical telescope on Earth — is completed in 2024!
Futuremark’s PCMark 10 launching in June to test the PCs of tomorrow
Why it matters to you
Coming June 22, PCMark 10 will offer faster and more accurate benchmarking for contemporary computer systems.
Futuremark, which produces computer benchmark applications for home users and businesses, has a brand-new version of its long-standing PCMark software, dubbed PCMark 10. It’s not quite ready for prime time yet, but the Finnish company is sending out preview builds to the press, and the Professional, Advanced and Basic editions of the software will be launched throughout June.
A little different from the 3D and gaming-focused 3DMark benchmark, PCMark 10 looks to ape the tradition of its predecessors and test a system’s overall performance. It does still throw a few tasks the graphics card’s way, but it also looks at a PC’s ability to handle media viewing, office software, and creative applications, as well as tests the onboard storage system.
Futuremark hasn’t revealed what new features we can expect with PCMark10, but did say that it will base its tests on real-world applications and activities, to give users an idea of how capable their system is at the tasks they perform on a regular basis. We’re told that the new workload PCMark 10 offers, reflects the variety of tasks performed in the modern workplace.
It also takes less time to run, as little as half the time as the previous-generation benchmark of the same name. Incidentally, that was PCMark 8. Futuremark skipped PCMark 9, taking a page out of Microsoft’s book to keep its software’s nomenclature in line with Windows 10.
The first look we’ll all have of PCMark 10 will be at Computex, which runs from May 31 through June 3, though the Professional Edition of the software will debut on June 5. For those not looking to shell out quite that much, you’ll be able to buy the Advanced version on June 22, or download the Basic Edition for free on the same day.
If you’ve ever wondered how Futuremark puts together its benchmarks and how it got into the business of doing so in the first place, check out our interview with one team member who’s been there from the very beginning.
The Best 2-in-1s You Can Buy
One of the fastest growing segments of the PC market is the 2-in-1, machines that can morph from one form factor to another, make use of touchscreen displays and, sometimes, active pens as well. Microsoft kicked off the modern Windows 2-in-1 market with the original Surface in 2012, and since then Microsoft, its OEM partners, and even Chromebook makers have continued to grow the segment with increasingly high-quality options.
Like all PCs, 2-in-1s vary in their configurations, performance, and battery life. They also span a range of price points, from the low-end to the stratospheric. The 2-in-1 has become so popular that there seem to be as many different models produced as traditional notebooks. And that makes some sense, because the best 2-in-1s really can become your primary machine.
Our pick
HP Spectre x360 13
Why should you buy this: It’s fast, has great battery life, offers a lovely display, and swivels around into multiple modes.
The best
HP Spectre x360 13-w023dx
The HP Spectre x360 13 is a no-compromise notebook that can also serve as a useful tablet PC.
$1,099.99 from Best Buy
Who’s it for: Anyone with around $1,000 to spend
How much will it cost: $1,090 – $1,960
Why we picked the HP Spectre x360 13:
The competition among 13-inch 360-degree convertibles is fierce, with many excellent options fighting for the top spot. It’s also an important segment, given that it’s right in the sweet spot of performance and mobility — given the trend of reducing chassis size via smaller display bezels, the 13-inch 2-in-1 is just right to bring the benefits of both traditional clamshell notebooks and tablet form factors.
We picked the newly refreshed HP Spectre x360 13 because it offers the best combination of performance, battery life, display quality, and price, among a very loaded field. We had already rated the Spectre x360 13 as one of the best machines around at the end of 2016, and the early 2017 refresh added in the only things we found missing from the machine.
Namely, HP added a 4K UHD display option that many potential buyers were demanding. Also added is an active pen, for drawing and handwriting on the screen.
The best thing about today’s 360-degree convertible 2-in-1s is that they work extremely well as traditional notebooks, and the Spectre x360 13 epitomizes the segment. It offers seventh-generation Core i7 processors, up to 16GB of RAM, and up to 1TB of fast SSD storage, meaning that it can be configured as well as any competing notebook. And its battery will easily last a full workday.
Our full review
The best budget 2-in-1
Samsung Chromebook Pro
Why should you buy this: It’s a solid performer that makes good use of Chrome OS, and it also incorporates all the technology needed to fully support Android apps.
The best budget 2-in-1
Samsung Chromebook Pro
The Samsung Chromebook Pro is arguably the best Chromebook around, and is a great platform for Android apps, too.
$449.00 from Best Buy
$449.00 from Amazon
Who’s it for: Anyone wants the flexibility of the 2-in-1 form factor but doesn’t care for Windows 10 – or needs to save some cash
How much will it cost: $550
Why we picked the Samsung Chromebook Pro:
The Windows 10 ecosystem doesn’t have a monopoly on the 2-in-1 form factor. If you haven’t bought into Windows 10 or you just don’t have the cash for some of these Windows 10 machines, then you’ll likely be looking for a different option.
That’s where the Samsung Chromebook Pro comes in. Samsung’s machine comes in two flavors, the Pro with an Intel Core M processor, and the Plus with an ARM CPU. The difference in price is only $100, meaning that you’re getting significantly more performance by going with the higher-level machine.
Of course, the Chromebook Pro runs Google’s Chrome OS platform, which is incredibly lightweight compared to Windows 10. But you can also download Android apps, which are fully compatible. That helps fill some gaps in services not supported by Chrome OS.
Samsung also includes its S Pen for some nifty drawing and handwriting capabilities. Samsung has also included all the technology needed — like an accelerometer — to ensure that Android apps work properly.
The Chromebook Pro punches above its weight class in hardware, too. It sports a 2,560 x 1,600 resolution display, offers multiple Thunderbolt 3 ports, and is equipped with 4GB of RAM and a 32GB SSD. The memory and storage configurations might seem on the small side but they’re actually more than sufficient to comfortably run the lightweight Chrome OS, with its emphasis on cloud storage.
By choosing the Chromebook Pro, you’re getting a solid 2-in-1 compared to the Windows 10 machines you’ll find at the same price point. You’re limited in what applications you can run, but the arrival of Android app support will change that to a degree. If you’re good with Google’s Chrome OS platform, then the Samsung Chromebook Pro is a great lower-cost 2-in-1 option.
Our full review
The best for tablet use
Surface Pro 4
Why should you buy this: It’s a great tablet PC because of its thin and light form factor, but it offers a solid physical keyboard for real productivity.
The best for tablet use
Microsoft Surface Pro 4
The Surface Pro 4 truly is the tablet that can replace your notebook.
$1,233.49 from Amazon
$1,299.99 from Microsoft
Who’s it for: Anyone who just can’t decide between a tablet and a traditional notebook
How much will it cost: $699 – $1,799, $60 for Surface Pen, $130 for Type Cover
Why we picked the Surface Pro 4:
Note: The newest Surface Pro has been announced, and is available for pre-order. It’s not a major overhaul, so most of what we’ve said here applies to the new model. Waiting for the new version is a good idea if you’re not in a hurry to buy.
Like the Surface Book, the Surface Pro 4 uses sixth-generation Intel Core processors, but it has gone through its own growing pains as well, and is now a stable and reliable machine for most people. It also offers solid configurations at reasonable price points, and so you can even save a little money by picking one up.
In terms of design, the Surface Pro 4 is a tablet first. It’s thin, light, and features a solid pane of Gorilla Glass 3 that covers the entire face of the machine. It features a detachable keyboard called the Type Cover that attaches magnetically to the bottom and performs without the lag associated with many Bluetooth keyboards. The Type Cover can be connected via a second magnet that props it up at a more comfortable angle.
Though small, the Surface Pro 4 doesn’t sacrifice much performance. If you pick an Intel Core i5 or Core i7 processor, then you won’t notice much performance difference compared to other similarly equipped machines. You can configure the Surface Pro 4 with a full 16GB of RAM and 1TB of PCIe SSD storage, making it a solid productivity option. As with all Surface machines, Windows Hello support is via infrared camera and facial recognition.
With the kickstand that can rotate out to 150 degrees and support for the Surface Pen, the Surface Pro 4 can also work as a kind of highly mobile electronic drawing easel for artistic types.
Our full review
The best large 2-in-1
Surface Book
Why should you buy this: It’s a great solid performer for just about any productivity task, but converts to a tablet for on-the-go use.
The best large 2-in-1
Microsoft Surface Book with Performance Base
The Surface Book has a luscious display, serious power, and market-leading battery life.
$1,499.00 from Amazon.com
Who’s it for: Business and creative professionals with money to spend on the best
How much will it cost: $2,399 – $3,299
Why we picked the Surface Book:
If money is no object, then Microsoft’s Surface Book with Performance Base remains the best overall 2-in-1 choice among large devices. The original model was introduced in October 2015, which was eons in computer time, but the design was so forward-looking that it still seems futuristic even today.
The Surface Book’s claim is its detachable keyboard. The 13.5-inch display contains the main processing components, and can be popped off the base to become a surprisingly thin, light, and powerful tablet. The keyboard base is more of a dock, one that contains discrete graphics on some models, and that carries most of the combination’s battery capacity.
It also supports the Surface Pen, which is a great choice for creative types. And of course, the Surface Book supports Windows 10’s Hello password-less authentication via an infrared camera and facial recognition.
Yes, the Surface Book hasn’t yet been upgraded to Intel’s seventh-generation Intel Core processors, but it’s been tweaked and updated so much since its introduction that it’s now a rock-solid performer. The Performance Base update was launched in October 2016, and it added a faster Nvidia GeForce 960M discrete GPU, and a serious bump in battery capacity. RAM can be configured to a solid 16GB, and up to 1TB of fast PCIe SSD storage can be selected.
Add in one of the best displays available in a notebook, a solid keyboard, and a very good touchpad. and you have an excellent machine for anyone who needs to get some real work done. And it offers some of the best battery life we’ve seen, at least as long as you’re using it as a notebook – the keyboard base contains an additional battery.
Our full review
Should you buy now or wait?
There’s never been a better time to buy a Windows 10 2-in-1. The market is full of great options, and we’re convinced that the machines we’ve listed here will serve you well for years to come. Performance, battery life, displays, and connectivity are all top-notch, and will handle everything you need them to do now and well into the future.
And there’s not much coming soon to give you pause. Intel has just released it’s seventh-generation Core processors, and there’s no reason to believe that the next generation will make Windows 10 2-in-1s any better at their primary productivity purposes.
How We Test
We spend a tremendous amount of time reviewing notebooks of all shapes and sizes — and that’s saying something today, when notebooks come in so many shapes, sizes, and configurations. To make sure our recommendations provide real value to our readers, we live with the machines for a time and use them in writing our reviews — to make sure we can assess how they’ll work for real users.
But we do have a method to our madness in conducting these reviews, and you can look behind the scenes here. Hopefully it will be obvious that our reviews are real labors of love — or hate, depending on the notebook – and therefore you can at least recognize that we don’t arrive at our conclusions without some serious consideration.
What’s on MrMobile’s phone?
As we approach the one-year anniversary of MrMobile’s launch, it seems only right to fulfill one of the most common viewer requests. You see a variation of the question in the comment section of nearly every video: “what’s on your phone, MrMobile?” And while I personally find my app selection really predictable, I figure there’s probably a gem or two in here that some of y’all haven’t heard of yet. So dive on in to the How MrMobile Works catalog to take in my Top 40 Apps video – and if you agree with me that this collection could use some spicing up, drop a comment down below with your top app alternatives!
Stay social, my friends
- YouTube
- The Web
- Snapchat
HTC made a new VR headset that pairs with its U11 smartphone
HTC has unveiled a new VR headset.
Called the HTC Link, it is made to work specifically with the company’s latest U11 smartphone. It offers six degrees-of-freedom tracking – something that no other smartphone-based VR headset offers – and it seems to use an external camera sensor to track its motion controllers with lights. According to UploadVR, the camera and controllers come with HTC Link, but the kit will only be available in Japan.
- HTC is making a mobile VR headset unlike anything we’ve seen so far
- HTC U11: Release date, specs and everything you need to know
HTC
Keep in mind HTC also revealed in early 2017 that it was making a new mobile VR headset. At the time, the mysterious device was described by HTC as something different than Google Daydream View and similar headsets. But, according to CNET, which spoke to Chief Financial Officer Chia-lin Chang, HTC was developing the VR product – or new “virtual reality toy” – to be compatible with the U Ultra.
HTC already sells the Vive headset, which is a lot like the Oculus Rift in that it needs to be tethered to a PC, and it also offers an add-on that turns the headset into a standalone device. HTC specified that it’s new VR product wouldn’t work like Daydream View, which uses a phone for its screen, sensors, and processing power, but claimed it would sit somewhere between the Oculus Rift and Daydream View.
Although it’s unclear right now, the new HTC Link could be the VR headset that Chang was talking about in February. However, as we said, the HTC Link is designed for the U11. It features two 3.6-inch 1080 x 1200 LCD displays with a 110-degree field of view and support for 90Hz refresh rate. That means the HTC Link won’t use the U11’s display, though both devices connect via a USB-C cable.
We’ll let you know if HTC ever plans to expand the HTC Link beyond the Japanese market.
- Google Daydream: What does it do and what devices support it?
- Standalone Daydream VR is now a reality, HTC and Lenovo onboard
- HTC Vive standalone Daydream headset: What’s the story so far?
- HTC is making a mobile VR headset unlike anything we’ve seen so far
- HTC U11: Release date, specs and everything you need to know
HTC
Keep in mind HTC also revealed in early 2017 that it was making a new mobile VR headset. At the time, the mysterious device was described by HTC as something different than Google Daydream View and similar headsets. But, according to CNET, which spoke to Chief Financial Officer Chia-lin Chang, HTC was developing the VR product – or new “virtual reality toy” – to be compatible with the U Ultra.
HTC already sells the Vive headset, which is a lot like the Oculus Rift in that it needs to be tethered to a PC, and it also offers an add-on that turns the headset into a standalone device. HTC specified that it’s new VR product wouldn’t work like Daydream View, which uses a phone for its screen, sensors, and processing power, but claimed it would sit somewhere between the Oculus Rift and Daydream View.
Although it’s unclear right now, the new HTC Link could be the VR headset that Chang was talking about in February. However, as we said, the HTC Link is designed for the U11. It features two 3.6-inch 1080 x 1200 LCD displays with a 110-degree field of view and support for 90Hz refresh rate. That means the HTC Link won’t use the U11’s display, though both devices connect via a USB-C cable.
We’ll let you know if HTC ever plans to expand the HTC Link beyond the Japanese market.
- Google Daydream: What does it do and what devices support it?
- Standalone Daydream VR is now a reality, HTC and Lenovo onboard
- HTC Vive standalone Daydream headset: What’s the story so far?
HTC already sells the Vive headset, which is a lot like the Oculus Rift in that it needs to be tethered to a PC, and it also offers an add-on that turns the headset into a standalone device. HTC specified that it’s new VR product wouldn’t work like Daydream View, which uses a phone for its screen, sensors, and processing power, but claimed it would sit somewhere between the Oculus Rift and Daydream View.
Android’s co-founder might unveil his new Essential phone next week
Andy Rubin is getting ready to unveil a phone from his new company.
Here’s the situation: Rubin is a former Google executive who once oversaw the development of Android. He left Google in 2014. In January, he started a new company, called Essential, and said it would be developing a high-end smartphone with an edge-to-edge display and minimal bezels. Then, in March, he teased what appeared to be the first smartphone – and, as he already hinted, it has almost no bezel.
Hi, welcome to our Twitter page. We’re here to let you know something big is coming May 30th! Stay tuned…
— Essential (@essential) May 25, 2017
Google’s Eric Schmidt later confirmed that the device will run Android. Now, after a couple months of silence, Essential has announced via Twitter that “something big” is coming 30 May. We’re assuming we will get a glimpse of the first Essential smartphone in five days. But that’s pretty much all we know. From a picture teased earlier this year via Twitter, we can see that the phone has a speaker cutout at the top.
- Does this leak prove Motorola is working on a new Android tablet?
- Nokia 8 flagship Android phone: Release date, rumours and specs
- When is Android 7.1.1 Nougat coming to my phone?
It looks like it has a volume rocker on the side, too. Essential’s Twitter page doesn’t yet offer any other clues. But we do know that Essential plan to focus on connected tablets, smartphones, mobile software, and maybe even 360-degree cameras.
Hopefully we’ll know more next week.
Remember Beam? No? That’s OK, Microsoft calls it Mixer now
Microsoft has relaunched its Twitch competitor.
The company acquired Beam, a video game live-streaming platform, last August, in response to the popularity of Amazon’s Twitch and debut of YouTube Gaming. But, now, it has given Beam a new name: Mixer. In addition to the re-branding, Microsoft has introduced new features to Mixer, including a mobile streaming app and the ability to combine up to four separate streams into one experience.
- What is YouTube Gaming and could it kill Twitch?
- Amazon Prime adds Twitch Prime to offer game discounts, free loot
- Twitch unveils Steam-like store so it can sell games on top of streaming
Like Twitch and YouTube Gaming, Mixer allows you to stream your game play directly to fans and followers. The new co-streaming feature lets four PC streamers combine their broadcasts into a single stream with “split-screen” views. It’s available on PC starting 25 May, while Xbox Insiders will be given the chance to test it before it generally rolls out to Microsoft’s gaming console.
Microsoft has also launched the Mixer Create mobile app for iOS and Android. It’s available in beta and will support self-broadcasting. It will also soon offer the ability to stream mobile games, allowing you to join co-streaming broadcasts with players on PC, console, and other mobile devices. These features may also come to some of Microsoft’s titles as well, according to a blog post.
Mixer co-founder Matt Salsamend said:
“The Minecraft team is experimenting with the interactivity that Mixer offers as a possibility for official game integration. And, some Minecraft community members have already created interactive experiences using this technology that allow viewers to do things like spawn in zombies or change the weather.”
Microsoft also said Mixer will be used to stream Microsoft’s E3 2017 press conference in June. Check out Pocket-lint’s E3 guide for more details about what companies may announce at the show this summer.
- Battlefield 1’s next DLC has a female soldier class, due this summer
- Xbox Game Pass: Release date, price and all the games you can play
- Red Dead Redemption 2 has been delayed, see new screenshots here
The Wirecutter’s best deals: Save $60 on a PlayStation VR
This post was done in partnership with The Wirecutter, a buyer’s guide to the best technology. When readers choose to buy The Wirecutter’s independently chosen editorial picks, they may earn affiliate commissions that support their work. Read their continuously updated list of deals here.
You may have already seen Engadget posting reviews from our friends at The Wirecutter. Now, from time to time, we’ll also be publishing their recommended deals on some of their top picks. Read on, and strike while the iron is hot — some of these sales could expire mighty soon.
PlayStation VR
Street price: $400; MSRP: $400; Deal price: $340
This is a new low price on our PS4 owner’s pick for best VR headset (for now). The PS VR hasn’t moved much from it’s $400 price point, and this deal brings it $10 below the previous best price. It should be noted that this is the standalone headset only – no Move controllers or cameras.
The PlayStation VR is our PS4 owners pick in our guide to the best VR headsets for PC and PS4. Signe Brewster writes, “Sony’s PlayStation VR headset can’t track you quite as well as the competition can, but it’s good enough to provide a fun, solid virtual reality gaming experience. If you own a PlayStation 4 or 4 Pro (or would rather buy one than an expensive gaming PC), the PSVR’s $500 price tag makes it an easy pick. There are plenty of games to choose from—including PSVR exclusives like Rez Infinite as well as games like EVE: Valkyrie that are available on Vive and Rift—its camera and controllers are PlayStation accessories you may already own, and it’s easy to get into if you’re already familiar with the PlayStation’s user interface. Two of my testers also chose it as the most comfortable headset (the other two picked the Rift).”
Refurbished DJI Phantom 4 Drone
Street price: $1000; MSRP: $1400; Deal price: $700
Here’s a new low price on our former upgrade drone pick. While we’ve seen deals on this refurbished model in the past, this is about $35 below the previous best price. This refurbished Phantom 4 comes with the same standard warranty that a new DJI drone does – 12 months for major components and 6 months for most parts and accessories.
The DJI Phantom 4 is our former upgrade pick in our best drones guide. Mike Perlman wrote, “If you need advanced photo and video capabilities, and you want to fly for a longer duration, and you really want to make sure you don’t crash your $1,400 flying machine into the side of a barn, the Phantom 4 is for you. The Phantom 4 has a forward-collision sensing system that will stop the drone in its tracks before it gets too friendly with a tree. It also benefits from a longer battery life and rugged, redesigned body, including a totally new recessed gimbal that should better protect the camera assembly. Propellers can now be changed in the blink of an eye with a new press-and-lock system, and in addition to 4K recording, the Phantom 4 offers 120 frames per second at 1080p. Its newly designed lens cuts distortion significantly (compared to the Phantom 3) and it offers new modes including ActiveTrack (which automatically follows a moving subject), TapFly (which flies wherever the pilot taps on the FPV screen), and Sport Mode (in which the Phantom 4 can reach 45 mph for racing). Battery life has also been increased to a stated 28 minutes (about 22 minutes in our real-world testing). The Phantom 4 is the ultimate pick for seasoned photographers and videographers.”
L.L.Bean Quad Pack Backpack
Street price: $80; MSRP: $80; Deal price: $64 with code SUMMER
A nice discount for those thinking ahead to school in the fall. L.L. Bean is currently offering 20% off the Quad Pack backpack with the use of a coupon code in cart. All colors are still available, but the last time we posted a 20 percent off promo on these backpacks several quickly sold and were moved to backordered status. Make sure to use code: SUMMER to get your 20 percent off and act quickly if you need a backpack in the near future. This promo runs through 5/31. Shipping is free.
The L.L. Bean Quad Pack is our top pick in our guide to the best school backpack for high school and college. Mathew Olsen writes, “Offering versatility at an appealing price, the L.L.Bean Quad Pack is a great backpack for taking to class, bringing on a walk through the park, or carrying on a day trip on the trails. First and foremost, the Quad is exceptionally comfortable even when loaded up in warm weather. It’s spacious, capable of carrying a lot in its sensibly organized pockets. The Quad also boasts a unique outer pouch that can be the only storage you need for a short outing. On L.L.Bean’s site the Quad has great reviews from high schoolers, hikers, law-school students, and archaeologists alike. It isn’t a revolutionary bag, but for this price, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a backpack as thoughtfully designed.”
Coleman Classic Camping Stove
Street price: $43; MSRP: $55; Deal price: $36
While we’ve seen it for a couple bucks cheaper in the past, this is very close to the best price we’ve seen. It’s been $33 before, but that was only once and the deal lasted for less than a day. This is a nice $7 drop below the average street price this year. Plus, now that this camping stove is back in stock, it’s immediately available for Prime shipping.
The Coleman Classic Camping Stove is our top pick in our guide to the best camping stove. Kit Dillon writes, “Though it didn’t boil water the fastest or slow-cook the longest, we decided it just didn’t matter. Who cares if your water boils a minute faster or slower? The most important feature of the Coleman is that after getting tossed in and out of your car over and over again, it has the best chance of not breaking. With that in mind, it still boiled water faster—6 cups in 5 minutes on high—than anything except our upgrade pick. It is gentle enough to griddle golden-brown pancakes when turned down low, can cook with both burners on high on a single 16.4-ounce tank of propane for roughly an hour, and has the barest minimum of parts for easy maintenance. This model does not have a Piezo ignitor—that little red button you see on a lot of stoves that lights the gas—so you’ll have to bring a lighter. To us, that’s just one less thing to break (and they always break).”
Because great deals don’t just happen on Thursdays, sign up for our daily deals email and we’ll send you the best deals we find every weekday. Also, deals change all the time, and some of these may have expired. To see an updated list of current deals, please go to The Wirecutter.com.
Tesla’s Model 3 budget EV can do 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds
Some of the performance details of Tesla’s Model 3, which is set to begin production in July, were leaked today by insiders at the Tesla Model 3 Owners Club. An infographic comparing the new, $35,000 model with the fancier and more powerful Model S reports a 0-60 time of a zippy 5.6 seconds.
While that’s slower than the Model S, the cheapest version of which is $69,500, it’s a bit quicker than the comparably priced Chevy Bolt, which takes 6.5 seconds to hit 60MPH. The leaked specs, which were confirmed to Road & Track by a Tesla spokesperson, also note a range of 215-plus miles. And while that number isn’t confirmed yet by the EPA, it’s just short of the Bolt’s 238-mile rating.
The highly anticipated Model 3 pulled in a whopping 252,000 pre-orders in the first two days of its availability alone and reached around 400,000 in total. But while the car is fast, the production is slow. And unfortunately for those waiting, the infographic also appears to confirm the expected mid-2018 delivery date. Your electric car road races will just have to wait.
Via: Road & Track
Source: Tesla Model 3 Owners Club
Popular iOS notes app Bear adds sketching (and stickers)
Bear, a fast, lightweight and lovely note-taking app for iOS and the Mac, has been building a following over the past year or so. The app’s excellent design, small but essential feature set and steady stream of updates have made it worth its subscription cost ($14.99 per year or $1.49 per month, though you can get most of its features for free). Today, a pretty major update is rolling out to the iOS app: Bear now supports sketching. In keeping with Bear’s focus on essentials, the sketching feature includes two different brushes, each with three different widths and a variety of colors.
You can use your finger or a stylus, including the Apple Pencil on the iPad Pro, and drawings sync across your iPhone, iPad and Mac provided you’re a subscriber. But you can only create and edit drawings on the iPhone or iPad; on the Mac you can just view your scribbles. Those images live as attachments to text notes just like any other picture you bring into Bear.
Another iOS-only feature is stickers for iMessage, because why not? As you might expect, they encompass a cute bear doing a variety of cute things. The last little update pertains to the app’s visual themes — now, when you change the app’s theme, it’ll also change the home screen icon on your phone or the dock icon on your Mac. But the main attraction is obviously sketching. While I don’t want Bear’s developers to add too many features and make the app into a bloated monster, pretty much every notes app out there (including Apple’s Notes app) supports drawing to some extent. Having it in Bear just makes good sense.
Source: Bear Writer
AIVAnet 