NASA backs deep space habitat made with old ISS cargo module

NASA has given Lockheed Martin the go-ahead to build a full-scale prototype of the deep space habitat it proposed for the NextSTEP program. That means in around 18 months’ time, it might start testing new space travel technologies for the agency. No, not in orbit, but right inside a facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. To meet the agency’s affordability goals, the aerospace corporation won’t be building the habitat from scratch — instead, it will refurbish an old container space shuttles used to transfer cargo to the ISS. Plus, it will rely on a mixture of virtual and augmented reality to design the prototype.

NASA launched the NextSTEP program in 2016 in an effort to develop a suitable habitat for astronauts traveling farther than low-Earth orbit. The idea is to create a vehicle with living quarters that can also carry enough supplies to support spacefarers’ journey that could last months, or even years. Since it could be used as a homebase for astronauts visiting cislunar orbit, as well, it must be able to fly on its own and be rugged enough to survive if there’s nobody onboard. NASA’s Orion spacecraft will transform it into livable environment when docked.

Bill Pratt, Lockheed Martin’s NextSTEP program manager, explained:

“It is easy to take things for granted when you are living at home, but the recently selected astronauts will face unique challenges. Something as simple as calling your family is completely different when you are outside of low Earth orbit. While building this habitat, we have to operate in a different mindset that’s more akin to long trips to Mars to ensure we keep them safe, healthy and productive.”

Lockheed Martin isn’t the only company that’s building a NextSTEP prototype for NASA. In June, the agency also signed a Phase II contract with NanoRacks, which plans to turn the upper stages of a rocket into a deep space habitat.

Source: Lockheed Martin, Physorg

BMW denies conspiring with rivals on diesel emissions systems

VW isn’t the only German automaker reeling from the effects of diesel emissions scandals. BMW is denying Der Spiegel allegations that it not only colluded with Daimler and the Volkswagen Auto Group (including Audi and Porsche) on the designs and prices for AdBlue diesel emissions treatment systems, but fell short of European exhaust standards. While the newspaper claims that BMW’s thousand-plus meetings with rivals amounted to a “cartel,” BMW insists that the meetings were simply meant to create a Europe-wide infrastructure for AdBlue. It also claims that the technology (which injects urea into the mix to help reduce emissions) meets the latest European requirements, and that it can update the software on older cars to meet that standard.

Not that these statements will help BMW avoid scrutiny. The European Commission’s antitrust regulators are already investigating the claims, and politicians in BMW’s home country are calling for transparency. The Bavarian brand isn’t facing any formal accusations, but it’s clear that officials view the report as credible enough to warrant a closer look.

Whether or not BMW is in hot water, the allegations reflect a rapidly growing effort to scrutinize diesel emissions among car makers around the world. Regulators are worried that numerous companies cheat on emissions tests for the sake of their bottom line, and that they’re hurting the environment to the point where they shorten lives. Recent efforts by BMW, VW and others to embrace electric cars may be as much about moving past diesel’s controversies as they are preparing for the future.

Via: Reuters

Source: Der Spiegel (sub. required)

8 of the best Honor 8 cases to keep your Huawei smartphone looking perfect

You’ve put down the money for Huawei’s latest smartphone, the Honor 8, and, like every other device you’ve owned, you want to keep it protected from the outside world. How do you avoid dirt, dust, scratches, dents, and cracks? The best way to accomplish this is with a case, but since the Honor 8 is not as well-known as the iPhone 7 or the latest Samsung Galaxy, cases — especially great cases — are more scarce than usual. There’s no need to worry, however, as we’ve found several of the best Honor 8 cases available, all of which should keep your phone in pristine condition for a good, long while.

Still looking for other accessories to make your Honor 8 the ultimate smart device? We’ve put together a roundup of the best Bluetooth speakers, along with one that outlines the best smartwatches in existence.

PhantomSky Handmade Wooden Case ($13)

Wood as a material is somewhat of a rarity in smartphone cases, but PhantomSky offers a great wooden case with the Rosewood Compass. While a bit thicker than your standard leather wallet or gel case, the Rosewood Compass still does a great job of protecting your Honor 8 with its two-part design, which allows your phone to slide in and out of its protective, wooden cocoon. It also provides full access to your phone’s various features and is available in a Rosewood Skull design, which should make your Honor 8 feel like a totally different device (in a good way).

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Spigen Rugged Armor ($12)

Spigen is one of the most well-respected case manufacturers on the planet — and it’s easy to see why. The Rugged Armor is the only Spigen case available for the Honor 8, but it’s a great one. Soft to the touch, with a firm structure, the Rugged Armor offers all-round protection for your phone, including button covers. The case’s tough but flexible TPU will shield your smartphone from damage, while Spigen’s Air Cushion Technology will work to defend your device against impact shock. The raised edge on the outside also keeps your Honor 8’s precious display from potential damage when placed face down. If you’re worried about damaging your device, then this is the case for you.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Mulbess PU Leather Flip Wallet Case ($10)

Looking for something with a bit of style? This classy flip-wallet case by Mulbess comes with a stylish, layered look, with variants in traditional brown and the red-and-black combination shown above. A thin line of stitching on the outside of the case completes the look, and the inside flap allows you to stow three credit cards and a few spare notes. The case clips closed with a magnetic fastener, too, while providing full access to your phone’s power buttons, volume, and ports — even when closed. Simply put, it offers protection with a touch of class.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

VVIA Armor Case ($9)

VVIA offers a very simple case that mostly adds grip to your phone. It’s incredibly slim, so it won’t take up much more room inside of a pocket or bag, and it’s also very lightweight. The armor case provides a small amount of protection against dirt, scratches, and bumps. Its raised edges should keep the Honor 8’s display just far enough away from surfaces to avoid damage if it ends up face down. Precise cut–outs allow for easy access to ports, and keep the speakers and camera from being obstructed.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Vinve Slim Hard Cover ($6-$10)

This case has a very unique take on adding more grip to a phone, and that’s the round ring found on the back. After adjusting it to fit your needs (it supports full 360 degree rotation), you can hook your finger through it and prevent falls. It can also be used as a stand to prop your Honor 8 up. It’s a fairly minimalist case beyond that, but if you’re not confident in your ability to keep a firm grasp on your phone and don’t want anything that qualifies as “bulky,” it could be the case for you.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

iVoler Crystal Clear Back Cover ($7)

If you want to maintain the original design of the Honor 8 and let the whole world know about it, you invest in a clear case like iVoler’s. It’s made of a TPU material, making it easy to handle, and perfect for dealing with drops, scratches, and simply holding the phone. Its flexibility also allows it to be applied and removed without hassle, but even when the case is on, all buttons, ports, and external features are usable and will function as expected. Raised edges keep the phone from meeting with the ground or surface, and a lifetime warranty ensures iVoler has you covered in case something goes wrong with the case.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

J&D Wallet Case ($11)

J&D is back with another one of their wallet cases, and it’s the perfect replacement for the traditional wallet if you’re in the market for one. There are 3 slots for credit/debit cards and IDs, and a pouch for money. This version of the case was also made exclusively for the Honor 8, so expect a snug fit when using it with your phone. A magnetic strap is used to keep the case closed, sealing the phone safely within, but leaving the buttons, speakers, and camera exposed and ready to use. Lastly, there’s the PU leather used to craft J&D’s wallet case, providing a smooth, high quality feel. If you get tired of holding it, you can fold the cover back to make a horizontal stand.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Official Huawei Honor 8 Flipcover Case ($10+)

The official case from Huawei for the Honor 8 has the most unique and useful feature on this list, which is the front cover that allows owners to quickly see the time, date, weather, and their notifications without having to open the case or wake the phone. The back of the case is also clear and doesn’t hide the phone’s design, but when the entire case is closed, the Honor 8 is completely covered, with only the ports, buttons, camera, speakers, and microphone left exposed. The Flipcover case provides all the protection and functionality you could ask for. The only downside is it only comes in two colors: blue and white.

Buy one now from:

Mobile Fun Hi Honor

Update: Added cases by PhantomSky, Spigen, and Mulbess.

App Attack: Trick your kids into learning with Leapfrog Academy

App Attack is a weekly series where we search the App Store and Google Play Store for the best apps of the week. Check out App Attack every Sunday for the latest.

Having trouble keeping your kids from being glued to their tablets this summer? If you can’t stop them, you might as well make sure the content they’re consuming is educational. For parents who don’t want to splurge on a LeapFrog Epic — or any other high tech toys for that matter — LeapFrog has another alternative. With the release of LeapFrog Academy, your kids might not even realize they’re spending vacation time actually learning.

The app — available for iOS and Android — offers curriculums in adventure form for preschool students through first grade. There’s a wide selection of more than 1,000 learning activities covering subjects like math, science, and reading, along with social-emotional skills and creativity. The app curates personalized content depending on the child’s progress throughout the different adventures.

There can be up to five profiles on one single account and parents can track each child’s progress independently, depending on the particular child, through the Parents Tab. This section is password protected and shows progress based on a rating system represented through balloon icons — three balloons being the best. It’s also a completely cloud-based platform so children can play without Wi-Fi by adding up to 24 activities of their choice to the “Favorites” section — which is then downloaded to the device.

There are 32 pre-designed tracks known as Learning Adventures — each one is made up of three to eight lessons with six activities per lesson — and by the time you’ve reached the end of an adventure, you’ll have been exposed to a full range curriculum. As for a rewards system, currency is represented through marbles collected from completing activities, logging in everyday, or finding hidden ones throughout the game. There are also fun facts included about the pieces you’ve unlocked or collected to add to the learning process.

While Learning Adventure is a fixed path — with some variety thrown in — “My World” is where kids can get more personalized and creative. It’s essentially a large main menu that can provide them with quick access to all the different features. There’s also a character to guide them through the game and provide help when needed which kids can also customize with quirky outfits, accessories, and even pets. You can also gather collection pieces like a carousel and pirate ship, among others once you complete certain levels — yes, I went for the carousel.

“We wanted it to feel like an open dynamic environment that encourages kids to explore and have fun. We think that self expression is really important so we built out a whole system that allows them to represent themselves in this kind of rich 3D world,” David Perkinson, senior vice president of LeapFrog Enterprises, told Digital Trends.

I personally went with the green skin tone, red hair, purple skirt and a flower crown for my avatar. In terms of self expression, the choices really let kids’ imaginations and creativity go beyond the norm.

The graphics are super colorful and fun but still stick to the theme of learning, by scattering school supplies and learning material throughout the 3D world. There are bridges built by rulers and colored pencils, gardens growing musical notes, and tents made of notebooks and paint palettes. The interface is easy to use with a narrator letting you know which direction to go in to get to the next activity. One downside is the content takes a little long to load and you’ll sometimes find yourself rebooting the app if switching from one activity to another leaves you with a frozen screen.

When I went on my own Learning Adventure, I’ll admit the games were actually fun and kept me entertained. Even for adults, it can definitely substitute for those more adult brain games like Sudoku — on days you don’t want to challenge yourself too much. I was taken through different activities like puzzles — my worst nightmare but the hints definitely helped — and mathematical games where you have to guess the highest number. Even though I was playing on the same level a first grader would, I found myself as dedicated to completing each challenge as I would have been with a mobile game tailored for an older audience.

For kids, the customization and unique graphics will definitely keep them busy for hours. If there’s ever a time where they don’t want to go through the different levels, they can use the catalogue tool — which separates different activities based on the category — to choose any one they’d like. All of the content has been made specifically for LeapFrog Academy, and the company plans to continuously add more. Parents can even keep a closer eye on exactly what areas their child is struggling in and curate which learning adventures to expose them to the next time they play — without the kids knowing it’s actually for their own educational benefit.

Leapfrog Academy is available to download through the App Store and Google Play Store. It will run you $8 per month but that includes the five free user profiles per subscription. If you’re unsure whether or not it’s worth the money, you can also sign up for a free trial on Leapfrog’s website.

Wells Fargo accidentally leaks 1.4 gigabytes of information on high net worth clients

Why it matters to you

Wells Fargo is having a tough time of things these days, and this accidental leak is just the latest faux pas.

The latest high profile leak to make headlines wasn’t the result of an attack, a security breach, or even a bug. Rather, the leak of thousands of sensitive documents from embattled bank Wells Fargo was the result of an accident. As the New York Times reported, “Wells Fargo … turned over — by accident, according to the bank’s lawyer — a vast trove of confidential information about tens of thousands of the bank’s wealthiest clients.”

It is estimated that a staggering 50,000 individual customers had their data inadvertently shared with lawyers as part of 1.4 gigabytes of files (on a CD, no less) that Wells Fargo willingly turned over. And that data included quite a bit of sensitive information, including customers’ names, social security numbers, the size of their investment portfolio, and the fees the banks charged. The majority of the affected customers are clients of Wells Fargo Advisors, the branch of the bank that serves high-net-worth investors.

Initially, the documents requested from Wells Fargo were part of a defamation lawsuit against a bank employee, and were intended to be no more than a few emails and documents directly related to the case. But clearly, lawyers for Gary Sinderbrand, the employee in question, received much more than they bargained for. According to the Times, “The files were handed over … with no protective orders and no written confidentiality agreement in place between [a former employee’s] lawyers and Wells Fargo’s.”

That means that it would be totally legal for the recipients of these files to simply release the materials or include them in legal findings, making them publicly available.

So how did this happen? According to Bressler, Amery & Ross, the law firm Wells Fargo hired to deal with the case, was working with an outside vendor who apparently failed to adequately vet the documents to ensure that only necessary files were being sent over. Lawyer Angela Turiano called the disclosure was “inadvertant” and in an email exchange, noted, “Obviously this was done in error and we would request that you return the CD asap so that it can be properly redacted.”

Lawyers for Sinderbrand noted that the former employee plans on keeping the CD and its contents confidential. “We are continuing to evaluate his legal rights and responsibilities,” laywers said. “Wells Fargo has not identified what specific documents it asserts were inadvertently exposed.”

The OnePlus 5 stomps most big-name superphones, and this video is proof

Competition is good for consumers, and nowhere is that truer than in the smartphone market. There are plenty of great phones out there right now, and given that all of them have variations in hardware and software, consumers might be overwhelmed by the choices. Which phones are truly more powerful than others? One of our favorite phones right now is the OnePlus 5, a svelte, Android-powered device that packs a ton of performance in its slender frame. We gave it an 8 out of 10 in our review, commending it for its powerful hardware and gorgeous — if derivative — appearance. But even knowing that, you may be wondering: How does the OnePlus 5 compare to other popular phones like the Galaxy S8 or iPhone 7?

As far as appearances go, the OnePlus 5 will seem familiar to iPhone fans. It has a design that is very similar to modern iPhones, with a sleek, black case, dual lens camera, and shiny logo near the top of the body. A curved display gives the phone an aerodynamic look, although it feels like it could slip out of your hand without warning.

Beneath the hood, however, the OnePlus 5 blazes its own trail. With a Snapdragon 835 processor and 8GB of RAM, this phone is a workhorse, opening apps quickly and smoothly. The experience is enhanced by the Oxygen user interface, which uses smooth animations and intuitive inputs to guide users.

Digital Trends contributor David Cogen decided to see just how quick the OnePlus 5 is relative to other powerful phone on the market. He ran the OnePlus, Galaxy S8 Plus, iPhone 7 Plus, and LG G6 through a series of tests to see which one comes out on top.

When testing the fingerprint scanners, the OnePlus 5 opened up first among the phones, a nice thing to note if you frequently whip out your phone. The OnePlus 5 also tended to open games, apps, and webpages more quickly than the others, although the Galaxy S8 performed the best in terms of battery life. The OnePlus 5 is a great choice for anyone looking for speed and power in their phone, especially those who like stock Android.

David Cogen, a regular contributor here at Digital Trends, runs TheUnlockr.com, a popular tech blog that focuses on tech news, tips and tricks, and the latest tech. You can also find him over at Twitter discussing the latest tech trends.

The funniest Amazon reviews

You can find pretty much anything on Amazon. Have you been searching high and low for a life-size wall decal of an elderly woman using an inhaler? Sure you have! How about a book of delicious, placenta-based recipes? No, not polenta — placenta. If so, just head on over to Amazon and download it for your Kindle Oasis! The online marketplace is full of amazing items you never knew you needed until now. Still, buying stuff online can be risky — after all, it’s difficult to trust strangers on the internet. That’s why Amazon allows customers to review items on the website, giving prospective buyers a way to learn about the item they’re purchasing. Unsurprisingly, the funniest Amazon reviews often get pretty ridiculous.

For years, the reviews section has been a place to post honest feedback, product photos, and hilarious reviews. In fact, so often were users posting parodical accounts of their experiences with products that Amazon decided to go ahead and create an entire page dedicated to humorous reviews. We loved the idea, so we scoured the depths of Amazon to bring you the reviews below. If you like these, we’ve also got some similar stuff you can check out:

• The worst Pinterest fails
• Hilarious questions you can ask Siri
• The dumbest Kickstarter projects ever
• The weirdest Japanese toys

Note: These reviews have been copied verbatim, without edits to content. There may be typos or grammatical inaccuracies, as well as offensive content. Read at your own risk.

“I didn’t hear a thing.” — Adam

Product reviewed: HyperX Cloud II Gaming Headset

Apparently, Amazon reviewer Adam lives in a dangerous neighborhood. We’re not sure how much truth there is to his story, but it’s a glowing recommendation for the headset nonetheless.

“So, not so funny story: Someone in the apartment unit above us got STABBED. According to the cop who interviewed us, the attacker rang the upstairs doorbell, and when the guy answered the attacker forced his way in and stabbed the guy. You want to know what scary part is? I didn’t hear a thing, thanks to my amazing HyperX Cloud 2 headphones. I got them on Amazon for $99.99 (free shipping). These things work as advertised! Probably the best noise cancelling headphones I’ve ever owned. 10/10 would buy again.”

“May have hatched. Don’t know what came out.” — A Trustworthy Human

Product reviewed: Guardian Angel

Ostensibly, the Guardian Angel is some sort of acupuncture device designed to relieve pain via pressure points in your hands. It’s definitely got a creepy, ominous look about it, though, which reviewer A Trustworthy Human picked up on, and ran with.

“It’s in here somewhere. With me.

Woke up this morning to find that my Guardian Angel had shattered. The inside was slimy and green. Moments later, heard a skittering sound behind some furniture. Found that during the night, phone lines had been cut, and all the doors and windows are shut with some kind of Super Glue like substance. My cell phone has been smashed. I can’t get out. It didn’t cut the cable internet, so I’ve got online to warn you, don’t buy the guarslkdj;al b bbbbbbbbbbbbbb,,,,,,,,,,,wke;lj

feeling better now. Everything is fine. I will be sending a Guardian Angel to all of it’s friends, family, neighbors, and associates. All humans must get one. Five stars. The most relaxing experience ever. I will never have another worry ever again after buying this product, and you will feel total fulfillment in service of a force infinitely greater than yourself. Buy it. You will never know pain after you feel the slight pinching at the back of your skull.”

“Slide Back Into The Game!” — Jerome Albertson

Product reviewed: Passion Lubes Natural Water-based Lubricant, 55-gallon drum

As you might expect, the page for this comically large drum of lubricant is peppered with jokes. After all, who would actually buy this? In any case, Jerome Albertson’s review takes the cake here. It’s … just read it.

“I knew getting back in the ‘dating game’ would be a challenge after being out of it for over 5 years. When I was released from Joliet, I had to learn all the new things ‘the dating crowd’ was trying. I knew about scented candles and Luther Vandross CDs, and sure was glad to hear people still use them. But I had no idea that ‘lube’ was so popular with the ‘romantics’ out there. All it took was one stroll through the Walgreens personal hygiene aisle to prove I had to learn a new thing.

‘Where to start?,’ I wondered. I wanted something simple. However, all I saw in the stores were lubricants that were flavored with cinnamon and paprika, or designed to somehow ‘heat’ your private parts. No way, Jose! (I experienced the ‘heat’ thing personally once after an adventurous incident with a toaster. I’ll stick with ‘room temperature’ from now on, thank you very much.)

Luckily, I found a plain, old-fashioned lubricant that would not make me smell like a dessert topping. And it came in this HUGE tub! No more awkward late-night Walgreens runs for me, once I could get my hands on this lubricant bin. Now, I admit the price tag was kinda hefty. But after selling the ol’ Pontiac Sunfire and borrowing some cash from Aunt Gladys, I was ‘ready to place my order.’

The product only took a week to arrive, and got to my apartment just in time for my first real ‘date’ since the gas station incident. You can bet I was nervous for this one. When I got off the bus to meet Carla in front of the Chili’s, I just about had a heart attack! The only thing keeping me calm was knowing that I could not possibly run out of lube that night. I gave Carla a reassuring nod and smile, as if to say ‘Don’t worry, Carla, I have plenty of lubricant for later.’

The dinner was great, and after knocking back a couple Mojo Mango Margaritas, we were ready to head back to my apartment. I winked and told Carla, ‘Let’s SLIP on out of here,’ to see if she understood the lubricant lingo. I think she did. Throughout the bus ride back, I grinned and hummed Luther Vandross tunes to set the mood.

When we got to my place, I already had a candle burning. It was by ‘Glade,’ which I think you pronounce like the singer Sade, because it is an exotic candle that smells just like real pine. After we got comfortable, I asked Carla if she could help me with the lube. She looked at me weird, and I couldn’t tell if it was because she thought it was ‘too soon’ or because I was pushing a mechanical lift to get the drum barrel out of the storage closet.

So I ‘took the initiative,’ as women like men to do, and rolled the barrel out into the living room. ‘Ready to tap the keg?’ I joked, and by ‘keg’ I meant ’55-gallon barrel of personal lubricant.’ She looked at me all shocked, and said ‘That’s it, I’m out of here!’ I asked why, since she didn’t need to run to Walgreens for more lubricant — there was plenty right here. But she didn’t answer, and got up to leave anyway. Then, as Carla was about to pass me and the barrel, she tripped on my dog Poochie and fell right into the lube barrel! The force of the impact downed the barrel and knocked its lid off, sending 55 gallons of water-based lubricant across my faux-hardwood floors.

“Carla was completely drenched, and her momentum slid her to the front door – which she somehow managed to pry open with a pair of oven mitts. The last thing I knew, ‘No-Fun Carla’ was screaming profanities and sliding down three flights of steps. I didn’t pay much attention because I was too busy trying to salvage the lube. I managed to get about half of it back into the barrel – the other half probably seeped into Mrs. Pulaski’s unit below me. I never bothered to ask if she appreciated the free gift of lubricant.

Anyway, despite my ‘user error,’ I was quite pleased with the product. These days it’s hard to find 55 gallons of scent-free water-based lubricant, and you can find it right here at a discount rate! I had to give it only ‘4 Stars’ because it didn’t come with a lifting apparatus. I had to buy my own mechanical lift separately to haul the bin to my future ‘dates.’ So if you’re ready for fun, ‘slide’ on down to a high quality product at a bargain price!”

“The Aerobie Epic is just a myth.” — Stranger

Product reviewed: Aerobie Epic Golf Disc

Aerobie claims that its Epic disc can be thrown further than any other disc golf projectile, but Amazon reviewer Stranger was still blown away by its aerodynamic arc. The review itself is ridiculous, but also kind of beautiful in a way.

“I never thought I’d be here quivering, burrowed in the blackest crevice of my dwelling, frazzling with fright and scribbling this review. ‘The Aerobie Epic is just a myth,’ I’d heard from various voices before. But according to believers’ claims, this disc could soar through time and space with the ravishing finesse of a raving gypsy’s hips. Cautious whispers on the course warned of saucers spewing forth dark magic vortexes within the violent whirlwinds of a vicious ‘thumber’ drive. I scoffed at such fanciful tales of plastic acrobatics and occultist wind sails. Superstitions cannot persuade me; I am a man of science, you see! But the same unyielding curiosity that brought you to this page led me to purchase one and see, just in case.

Thirty-seven suns have since succumbed to the horizon. My perception of this universe, and all the laws that make it one, has transformed irreversibly, I fear to say. The only scientific explanation for the flight path of this product — a 500 foot cosmic pirouette — is that which disconcerts my slumber every shivery night of the southern summer. I feel a dire responsibility to share the findings of my inquiry. Although all other discs, whose flights expire humbly at a mere 380 feet, are made of compact plastic polymers, the Epic almost certainly comprises antimatter.

Soon, undoubtedly, military machinery will exploit Aerobie’s discoveries (i.e., those unveiled at the Epic’s release). The only question now to ask is: how much time do we have left? Let us hope and pray that this technology is used for good, and never evil. For antimatter weaponized could end us all, efficiently, faster than light! Godspeed!!’

“This is the toughest, most evil bike lock ever conceived.” — MrDrCol

Product reviewed: Kryptonite New York Fahgettaboudit Lock

Most people buy chain-based locks to protect their bicycles from theft. If you buy Kryptonite’s New York Fahgettaboudit Lock, however, you’re in store for a whole lot more, as Amazon reviewer/newly-anoited man MrDrCol will tell you:

“When this sucker showed up, the delivery guy, after putting the forklift away, came back and punched me in the face. I was not upset as I had just tried to pick the box up and realized I had put his life in danger by ordering this burley, tough, heavy bastard.

The first time I took it out, slung over my shoulder like one of those huge automatic weapons slung by our favorite action movie stars, I inflicted $26,000.00 in damages to the bicycle rack I locked my bike to. When the police showed up to investigate the massive damages to the otherwise innocent rack, I merely swung the chain over my head and they made me their leader out of fear, and awe. And they were right.

Two days later, I came out of a coffee shop to a disturbing scene: A craven thief had seen my bad-ass bike and tried to break this behemoth in order to steal it: he simply exploded. Needless to say, I had to find a hose to clean the 150-plus pounds of meat and guts and hair from my bike and the surrounding landscape. I was late to band practice and am considering legal action against the Kryptonite Corp for damages due to being summarily fired as the hamonica player for my (former) band.

I am currently in talks with local organized crime figures as they want to rent or lease the chain from me on occasion to sink stool-pigeons, uncooperative football teams, and other undesirables in the river.

Even when I leave it at home, I am no longer allowed to fly on domestic airlines as they feel the mere ownership of this unstoppable theft-ender makes me too dangerous for their formidable insurance policies to bear.

And it’s worth all this. This is the toughest, most evil bike lock ever conceived by mankind. It weighs in at 2,300 kilos and can (and has) withstand a 40 megaton nuclear detonation.

The warnings on the package state clearly to NEVER store this chain in a pile because its intense density will trigger a major cosmological event generating a deadly black hole as the absolute cruelty displayed will fold in on itself and create a singularity.

Plus if you lose your keys, they’ll send you new ones.”

Two guys talk about the Galaxy Note 8 and stuff [#acpodcast]

With the announcement of the Galaxy Note 8’s launch date, we break down all of the latest rumors and what we think Samsung needs to do to knock it out of the park. Looking back at three months with the Galaxy S8 gives us some perspective as well. We also have some quick takes on Google Play Protect, Android O’s Bluetooth improvements and YouTube’s strong-handed new filtering of some search results.

Show notes

• Android is an open road, not a dead end
• Google’s ‘Andromeda’ looks to be hiding in plain sight
• Samsung Galaxy S8 review: Three months on
• Bixby Voice now available for every Galaxy S8 and S8+ in the U.S.
• Samsung confirms Galaxy Note 8 launch for August 23
• Galaxy Note 8 renders give clean look at boxier design, Infinity Display
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8: What we know so far, the video
• Galaxy Note Pro: Why Samsung should sell a $1500 phone
• Google Play Protect now widely available
• Android O fixes a lot of what’s wrong with Bluetooth
• YouTube is taking an even stronger stance on ‘extremist’ videos

Podcast MP3 URL: http://traffic.libsyn.com/androidcentral/androidcentral345.mp3

This is the Galaxy S8 Active

Leaked photos and answers from a person holding the unreleased phone tell us most of what we wanted to know.

If you wondering about the details surrounding the coming Samsung Galaxy S8 Active, buckle in because here’s most everything you could want to know about it. A user in the AC Forums has an AT&T Samsung Galaxy S8 Active and posted some photos and answered some questions, only to go back and delete much of the information. (Android Police was able to snag most of the photos beforehand).

Once something is posted to the internet, you can never erase it. Here’s a gallery of Galaxy S8 Active photos and a excerpt from a Q&A series of posts:

• How did you get the S8 Active? I’m guessing it’s for AT&T only?
  • Connection with Samsung. Poster goes on to confirm his unit is SIM-locked to AT&T
• Does it scratch easily? Does screen have plastic layer on top?
  • No it doesn’t scratch easily. No plastic layer.
• Is the active button still there or is it replaced with Bixby? Is the Active/Bixby button customizable for shortcuts?
  • only bixby button. 6 no customization
• What are the materials made of? (Metal bezels, rubberized plastic back?)
  • Metal frame, bumpers feel like metal polymer mkx that’s screwed into the sides. Middle of back feels like last year’s.
• How thick is it compared to regular S8?
  • it’s about 1.5x thick at the normal s8.
• How slim are the bezels?
  • The bezels aren’t thin at all. I’ll post a pic.
• Is the display 100% flat, meaning easier to install screen protector? (None of that 2.5d glass curve?)
  • Yes screen is completely flat.
• Price?
  • No answer given.
• Any underwater camera features?
  • No underwater mode that I can see, it’s the exact same camera software as on my s8+.

The full thread available in the AC Forums

The poster continues for a few more posts and tells us that the phone has a 4,000mAh battery and all the buttons and various ports and holes in the case are in an identical spot to the Galaxy S8+. Unfortunately(?) the lack of physical/capacitive front buttons rumored earlier has is confirmed by these photos.

We knew the Galaxy S8 Active was coming eventually, and the phone in this leak holds no surprises. Expect a phone with identical specs to the Galaxy S8, with a flat screen and a more rugged case. Which, frankly, sounds perfect.

Update: A series of screen captures of a now-deleted video are available at imgur.com. We’ve saved them in case they get lost and you can find them below.

Forecast data model warns you of tornadoes hours in advance

Meteorologists usually only issue warnings for tornadoes when they’re imminent, which gives you precious little time to take cover — the American average is just 13 minutes. NOAA researchers may soon give you much more time to get to safety, though. They recently conducted the first practical test of a new model, Warn on Forecast, that gives you up to 3 hours’ notice. The technique merges radar, satellite and surface data into a highly detailed prediction model. When you make frequent-enough predictions (every 15 to 20 minutes), you can tell when incoming weather patterns are very likely to trigger warnings.

How much lead time you get will vary based on the weather, of course, but even a little extra time helps. This first real-world use warned western Oklahoma of likely tornadoes and hail about 30 minutes in advance, which may have minimized casualties.

Warn on Forecast isn’t officially in use yet, as NOAA wants to refine the model. If it takes off, though, it could easily save many lives and help communities recover sooner. If you can reliably evacuate or reach a dedicated shelter, the focus is less on basic survival and more about preserving what you can.

Via: ScienceAlert

Source: NOAA