New Windows Insider build focuses on bugs, resumed reading on mobile

Why it matters to you

The latest release of Windows 10 for the Insiders club shows that the Fall Creators Update is getting close to mass distribution.

Heads up Windows Insiders: A new build of Windows 10 is out, but don’t expect a major release. Now that the Fall Creators Update is essentially baked in the Redmond, Washington oven, the team is now ironing out the bugs and performing tweaks to get the update pushed out to the masses. That said, the new Windows 10 Insider Preview Build 16291 is hitting the Fast Ring only, and will likely be followed by another build in the coming days.

For this build, Microsoft enhances the capabilities of Windows 10’s “resume” feature so that you can load up the Cortana app for iOS and Android, and pick up where you left off from where you were reading news and articles on the PC. This aspect joins the current cross-device features already stuffed into Windows 10 such as getting SMS messages on the PC, and reminders across all synchronized devices.

Outside the new resume addition, Build 16291 doesn’t offer anything new. Instead, you get a load of fixes for Windows 10 on PC. There are six in the entire list, addressing issues in the Skype UWP app, Outlook 2016, Microsoft Edge, Windows Update, and the F12 Developer Tools.

In the related blog posted on Tuesday, Dona Sarkar of the Windows and Devices group also posted an update for Insiders hitting a nasty bug on the Surface Pro 3. According to the post, these device owners are experiencing an infinite load where Windows 10 will remain on the “spinning dots” screen if you installed Build 16288.1 last week, or Build 16291.

The workaround, listed here, includes creating a bootable USB image to reboot into the current build. That is only a temporary fix and gives you time to download an executable patch onto the device and install via Administrator mode. Microsoft is currently incorporating the fix into Windows 10 itself, but the team warns that if Surface Pro 3 owners have not come across the bug thus far, it’s still possible. Cross your fingers the Surface Pro 3 will hold out until the release of Build 16294.

“As we mentioned previously, we are now at the point of the development cycle for the Windows 10 Fall Creators Update where our focus is now on stabilization for release to the world,” Sarkar said on Tuesday. “This means that we are releasing new builds to Insiders more quickly and that these builds will include mostly bug fixes.”

Microsoft introduced a new feature for Windows Insider Fast Ring participants called “Skip Ahead” in July. Located under Settings > Update & Security > Windows Insider Program, this branch provides all the updates currently in the pipeline for the Redstone 4 update (Fall Creators Update is Redstone 3). That is why Sarkar said the current build is only meant for participants in the Fast Ring.

Lyft offers 400 scholarships for online self-driving car course

Online learning portal Udacity launched its first 36-week “nanodegree” course for self-driving car engineering last year. There’s a new, introductory course available now as well, focused on bringing students with minimal programming into the larger program. Even better, Udacity has partnered with Lyft (which has self-driving plans of its own) to provide scholarships to the intro course in order to increase diversity to the program. 400 scholarships are available to US-based students with “varying levels of experience;” the application window closes October 1st.

Lyft says that people “from all backgrounds and perspectives” should have the opportunity to contribute to the future of transportation in the form of self-driving cars. “Diversity is crucial for creating solutions that serve everyone, and ridesharing is for everyone,” the company writes on its website. “That’s why these scholarships will specifically target communities that are underrepresented in technology in the US.”

In addition, Lyft will provide mentorship opportunities through its lyf, which is where the company houses its self-driving division. The nanodegree itself will cover topics like “machine learning, object-oriented programming and probabilistic robotics.”

Of course, if self-driving cars aren’t your thing, you can always enroll in Udacity’s new Flying Car nanodegree (which really focuses more on drones than actual airborne autos).

Via: The Verge

Source: Udacity, Lyft

Lilu is a pumping bra that promises more breast milk in less time

Breast pump technology have come a long way from the awkward manual tools of old. Now there are smart pumps that can pump out milk as nursing mothers carry on with their everyday lives; one even won our Best of CES award this year for its simple unobtrusive design. Yet, most breast pumps only do one thing: suction. Some doctors and lactation experts also advise to massage the breasts, pressing all around to get the milk out, which can be a tedious task. Lilu, however, is one company that aims to fix this. It’s made what it calls the first-ever pumping bra with automated compression, that applies the pressure for you.

On its own, the Lilu looks kind of like a large sports bra, though it can be worn over an existing nursing bra. But when the mother is ready to pump, she can pull the two flaps down and apply a regular breast pump through the opening. She can then snap it on, attach the bottle and have it pump as it normally would. To turn the bra on, just press the button in the middle. The bra will then start massaging the breast in a compression pattern recommended by lactation experts, that helps bring forward all of the breast’s milk. This, Lilu says, will help prevent clogged ducts, which are often a source of pain for new mothers.

Evi Triantafyllides, a Lilu spokesperson, told me that the automated compressor helps produce 50 percent more milk than with just a normal pump. “It massages the whole breast, which helps empty the ducts,” she says. Doing so will apparently bring forward the “hindmilk” of the breast, as well as reduce the chances for mastitis, which is an inflammation of breast tissue. You can also adjust the pressure of the compression by pressing the button until you get to the level of your liking. The compressor can be taken out of the bra and charged via a microUSB cable.

Still, Lilu is not for every mother. For one thing, it’s pretty expensive at $249. Also, not every nursing mom wants or needs constant compression, and the fact that you still need your own pump is a downside. Plus, it just looks rather cumbersome. Willow, the smart breast pump we saw at CES this year, definitely wins out in the design category.

Yet, if you’re a mother who’s interested in getting every last bit of your breast milk for your child, the Lilu offers a solution that you might not have thought you needed. If Lilu sounds like a good idea to you, you can pre-order it starting this week from the Lilu website.

Source: Lilu

How to Use the New Files App in iOS 11

The new Files app in iOS 11 replaces iCloud Drive, offers a lot more functionality than its predecessor, and provides perhaps the best argument yet for using an iPad as your go-to mobile computer.

In Files, you have access not only to the files stored on your device and in iCloud, but also to those stored in third-party services that support integration with the app. Files also exploits all of the new multitasking gestures in iOS 11, making its file organization capabilities even more powerful.

The Files Interface

The Files app interface is very straightforward, although it varies from device to device and based on orientation, with various combinations using multiple columns, single columns with pages, or pop-overs. For the purposes of this overview, we’ll look at using an iPad in landscape orientation, the most common setup for those doing productivity work.

Down the left side of the screen, in the Browse column, are links to your file sources, Favorites, and Tags to view files that are tagged with a particular color.

Over in the main window you’ll see the files and folders in the selected location, which you can view by name, date, size, or tags. There’s a button on the right of these options that you can tap to switch between list and icon view, while the button on the left lets you create a new folder.

At the bottom of the screen are two buttons to switch between the default Browse view and a Recents view, which is useful for returning to the files you were last working with.

In either view, you can open a file in the main window simply by tapping it, or you can perform a long press on a file or folder to access a range of options, including rename, share, tag, favorite, and more. However, the best thing about the Files app is that you can organize multiple files quickly and easily by utilizing the new drag-and-drop features exclusive to iOS 11.

Moving Files With Drag and Drop

Tap and hold a file you want to move, and it will expand slightly, ready to follow your finger around the screen.
To move additional files, tap them while holding the original file and they will stack up underneath your finger.
Keeping the same finger on the screen, use another finger – preferably one on your other hand – to browse the Files interface and locate a destination folder for the selected files.
With the destination folder open, simply lift your finger from the screen to drop the files inside.
There’s nothing to stop you from using iOS 11 drag-and-drop gestures to take files out of the Files app and move them into other iOS apps, as long as the app in question supports the file type. You might drag an image file into the Photos app to add it to your Photos Library, for example.

Organizing Your Files Manually

If you’re uncomfortable using drag-and-drop gestures, you can organize your files using more traditional touch controls. Here’s how.

Navigate to the folder containing the files you want to work with, and tap the Select button at the top-right of the screen.
The Browse column will dim to put the focus on the currently selected folder. From here, you can tap one or more files to add a check mark against them indicating they’ve been selected for an action. A list of possible actions will appear along the bottom of the screen, including the option to duplicate or delete the file(s).
Tap “Share” to bring up the iOS Share sheet, where you can send the file(s) to other people or apps, as well as access copy, print, and other actions.
Tap the “Move” option and the Files app will present you with a directory tree, allowing you to navigate to the desired location for the file or files you’ve selected.

Tagging Documents

Using tags in the new Files app will help you locate particular files more easily, and they work much the same as tags do in macOS. As you’d expect, tapping a colored tag in the Browse column shows you all the files you’ve assigned that particular tag. To tag a file or folder, simply tap and hold it, and then drag it onto a tag in the sidebar.

Linking Third-Party Storage Services

If you install a third-party storage app on your iOS device, it should automatically appear in the Files app under the Locations list. If the service doesn’t appear, then it doesn’t yet support Files integration. Services that do support Files app integration include Google Drive, Box, Dropbox, OneDrive, and Transmit, with more to come soon.

Related Roundup: iOS 11
Tag: Files
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T-Mobile Subscribers Can Now Use 50GB of Data Before Facing De-Prioritization

T-Mobile today announced that its prioritization point is being increased from 32GB to 50GB, allowing customers to use more data before facing slower speeds during periods of high network congestion.

As the company explains, it uses a prioritization system to manage network traffic and prevent a small subset of its most active users from affecting other users. After a customer has used 50GB of data during a month, their data is de-prioritized when connected to a cellular tower that’s experiencing congestion. In these situations, a customer who uses a lot of data will experience slower speeds than customers who have not hit that 50GB cap.

Even when the 50GB cap is reached, no de-prioritization takes place if the network is not congested.

All of the major carriers have a similar system in place for their unlimited data plans. Both AT&T and Verizon de-prioritize customers after 22GB of data usage, while Sprint does so after 23GB of data usage. At 50GB, T-Mobile offers more than twice the data before any network de-prioritization takes place.

According to T-Mobile, 50GB of data usage represents the top 1 percent of data users.
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Trump’s NASA nominee is willing to study climate change… on Mars

Good news: NASA’s administrator nominee is fine with studying climate change! Just not Earth’s climate change. In answers to a Senate questionnaire, Rep. Jim Bridenstine says it’s important to understand why Mars changed so dramatically, losing its magnetic field and oceans to become the barren world it is today. If we know more about the Red Planet, he argues, we could “inform our understanding of Earth.” There’s a degree of truth to this, but history and Bridenstine’s actions suggest it could be about diverting attention away from climate change issues on our homeworld.

As Scientific American explains, climate science deniers have regularly tried to use Mars’ changes as an explanation for patterns here on Earth. Mars saw a dramatic shift through strictly natural causes, so humanity can’t be responsible for what’s happening back home, can it? The problem, of course, is that Mars’ changes likely occurred over billions of years. The increase in carbon emissions on Earth (and the resulting increase in temperature) on Earth has taken mere decades, aligning roughly with the rise of industry and fossil fuels. Bridenstine’s willingness to study Mars’ climate, but reluctance to study Earth’s, suggests that he might be looking to other planets as justification for inaction on climate issues.

That’s not helped by Bridenstine’s own history. When he was a new politician, he asked President Obama to apologize for allegedly wasting money on climate research. He blamed the Sun for climate shifts and falsely claimed that temperatures had stopped rising. As recently as the start of 2017, Bridenstine had floated the idea of removing Earth science from NASA’s scope and assigning it to another agency — as if Earth science isn’t inherently connected to NASA’s studies.

There are signs that he may be changing his mind, if slightly. He writes in the questionnaire that NASA should still “advance both Earth science and planetary science,” and that it’s not right when these camps have to battle each other to get funding. The question is whether or not Bridenstine will let NASA study the full range of Earth science if he’s approved in the coming weeks. Given his past and a White House that bristles at the mere mention of climate change, it won’t be surprising if he’s hesitant to support any science that contradicts the administration’s agenda.

Source: Scientific American

A new company is trying to revive the Skully AR helmet

Last year, Skully, the startup that crowdfunded its AR motorcycle helmet, shut down following many delays, mounting financial woes and an attempted sale to LeEco that didn’t go through. But TechCrunch got its hands on an email that was sent to those still registered to the Skully email list and it says the original company’s technology might not be lost forever.

Skully, Inc. is still dead and gone, but under the helm of co-founders Ivan and Rafael Contreras, a new company — Skully Technologies — has formed in its place. In the email, Ivan, the new company’s president, said that Skully Technologies would be bringing back the Skully helmet. “We are happy to inform you that the assets of Skully, Inc., have been acquired by Ivan Contreras and Rafael Contreras, successful businessmen in a variety of global turnaround industrial and technology ventures, with the goal of fulfilling Skully’s destiny,” he said.

The Contreras’ iteration of Skully is headquartered in Atlanta. Ivan goes on to vaguely suggest in his letter that those who backed the original helmet may get something for their efforts, but doesn’t say in any concrete terms what that might be. “Although Skully Technologies has no formal obligation to the customers of the now defunct Skully, Inc., we recognize that hundreds of Skully helmet enthusiasts around the world have contributed to this product and were understandably disappointed that they never received one. We are determined to make this right.”

That last bit also appears on Skully Technology’s website, the homepage of which prominently features the phrase “Determined to make it right.” How the new company will do that is unclear and it’s very possible that it won’t at all. Plus, only time will tell whether it can actually get the helmet on the market. But backers of the original Skully can have slightly more hope today than they did yesterday that they might finally get something for their investment.

Source: TechCrunch, Skully Technologies

What’s New in Maps in iOS 11: Indoor Mapping, Lane Guidance and Speed Limits

The Maps app in iOS 11 is outfitted with several new features that significantly improve the app’s functionality. Indoor maps let you find restaurants, bathrooms, and other locations in airports and malls, while other new features like speed limits and lane guidance improve turn-by-turn directions.

Fun fact: In iOS 11, Apple has also updated the Maps icon. The new version is meant to show off a corner of Apple Park, Apple’s new campus with its now-famous enormous ring-shaped main building.

Indoor Mapping

For the first time, Apple is introducing detailed indoor maps in iOS 11, finally making use of all those mapping companies that it’s purchased over the course of the last few years.

iOS 11 includes indoor maps of select malls and airports around the world, displaying full layouts of each location with icons for restaurants, elevators, bathrooms, shops, and other notable indoor landmarks. In airports, you’ll see a clear view of the different terminals and gates so you can find your way to your flight.

Right now, indoor mapping is limited to a handful of malls and airports, but Apple says support will be dramatically expanded over time.

Lane Guidance

If you’ve ever missed a turn because the Maps app didn’t let you know what lane to be in, you’re going to be happy with the changes made in iOS 11. With a new lane guidance feature, Maps will always let you know what lane you should be in so you’ll never miss a sudden turn or an exit.

Lane guidance displays the number of lanes on the road and highlights the lane you’re supposed to be in. It is currently available in the United States and China.

Speed Limits

Speed limits, initially launching in the United States and United Kingdom, is a small but highly useful change, and it’s one of those features that makes you wonder why it wasn’t in the Maps app all along. Speed limits displays the speed limit of the road you’re on right on your iPhone’s display when you’re using turn-by-turn directions.

Light Guidance

For routes that you travel often, there’s an option to enable “Light Guidance.” Light Guidance, previously available to CarPlay users, cuts down on the directions you receive, since you likely know the route, and instead displays an overview of the trip and alternative routes.

Augmented Reality Flyover

When using the Flyover feature in iOS 11, you can explore cities by tilting and moving your device, mimicking the feel of actually being in the citing you’re looking at. You can rotate the iPhone or iPad 360 degrees in the new Flyover mode for a much more immersive experience, and it will even move forward as you walk forward in real life.

Related Roundup: iOS 11
Tag: Apple Maps
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World’s tallest solar tower will cap off the world’s largest solar park in Dubai

Why it matters to you

The giant solar park will contribute to Dubai’s clean energy goal of having renewable energy make up 75 percent of its total power output by 2050.

Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, a giant single site solar park in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, is set to become even bigger courtesy of a new 700-megawatt solar extension. A contract to build the extension was awarded over the weekend. The additional construction will give the park the ability to generate 5,000 megawatts by 2030 after construction is completed. Following the construction, the solar park will cover around 83 square miles, and be capable of reducing carbon emissions by 6.5 million tons per year. At the center of the facility will stand an enormous 260-meter (853-foot) solar tower, the tallest in the world.

The bid for developing the project’s fourth phase was awarded to a consortium consisting of Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power and China’s Shanghai Electric. “Our focus on renewable energy generation has led to a drop in prices worldwide, and has lowered the price of solar power bids in Europe and the Middle East,” said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, managing director and CEO of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), in a statement. “This was evident today when we received the lowest CSP project cost in the world.”

The solar park first became operational in 2013, with a meager 13-megawatt solar first phase. Earlier this year, the second 200-megawatt phase became operational, while a third 800-megawatt phase will start operations by 2020, when the newly announced fourth phase will begin construction. The facility generates its solar power using a number of lenses and reflectors which concentrate the sun’s rays to heat fluid, which produce steam and drive a turbine: An approach which is more flexible than regular photovoltaic solar plants.

While there are some other impressive solar projects around the world (look no further than the 40-megawatt world’s largest floating solar power plant which just went online in China), the Dubai effort stands alone. When the 700-megawatt phase is completed, Dubai will cement its status as being home to the world’s largest single-site solar park. It will also greatly contribute to the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to increase the share of clean energy in Dubai’s total power output to 7 percent by 2020, 25 percent by 2030, and 75 percent by 2050.

The best iPhone car mounts to keep your smartphone in sight and stable

Car mounts are perfect for when you’re on the road and need to see your phone’s GPS, control your music, or keep up with the messages and calls coming your way. There are a ton of car mounts and docks out there for the iPhone that may suit your needs, but not all of them are as effective or reliable as you’d expect. That’s why we’ve singled out the best iPhone car mounts currently on the market. Whether you’re looking to use your dashboard, windshield, air vent, cigarette lighter, or CD player, we’ve got you covered.

iOttie Easy One Touch 3

• Car placement: Dashboard or Windshield
• Adjustable: Yes
• Warranty: 1-year warranty
• Price: $25

The iOttie Easy One Touch 3 is, as the name suggests, the third version of the company’s Easy One Touch car mount. This particular mount is capable of sticking to either your car’s dashboard or windshield, and features an arm that can extend up to 5 inches, as well as an adjustable base that can be moved up, down, left, and right, in order to make it as simple as possible for people to see and interact with their iPhone while driving. You can have the phone close to you if you need it, or keep it out of sight when you’re using Apple CarPlay. The dock in which the phone sits supports devices of all sizes, so your iPhone 6S Plus will rest perfectly and, more importantly, remain stable throughout your drive.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

WizGear Universal Air Vent Magnetic Car Mount

• Car placement: Air Vent
• Adjustable: Yes
• Warranty: Limited/30 days for Returns
• Price: $7

WizGear’s car mount is the one to opt for if you want to save space. It will also save you some time when it comes to placing your iPhone on the mount, because there’s no fiddling with arms and you won’t have to remove your iPhone’s protective case. This mount doesn’t stick to the dash, or come with a holder for the phone, but instead clips onto your air vent. It holds your iPhone in place magnetically, without harming or interfering with any aspect of the phone. You can affix your iPhone to the mount by placing the included metal plate in your case — between the back of your phone and the case — or by placing the round magnet on the back of your phone. You can then hold it in front of the mount and feel the magnetism pull it securely in. Once attached, both the phone and mount can be rotated or tilted to whatever angle you prefer.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

IPOW Silicone Pad Dash Mat

• Car placement: Dashboard
• Adjustable: Yes
• Warranty: 1-year warranty
• Price: $14

IPOW’s car mount offering may be the most simplistic one on our list. Like WizGear’s magnetic mount, it doesn’t stick to the dashboard or windshield, or even clip onto the air vent. It just sits on the dashboard, and relies on a silicone rubber mat to keep it in place. As far as adjustments go, it comes with two pairs of rubber holders that stick directly into the rubber base, allowing it to accommodate both 9 and 14-millimeter-thick phones. Both can be moved left or right for wider devices, too, so it should be able to accompany most iPhones equipped with cases in either horizontal or vertical positions — even the newest iPhone 7.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Jamron Universal CD Player Mount

• Car placement: CD Player
• Adjustable: Yes
• Warranty: Lifetime warranty
• Price: $11

If you’re no longer using your car’s CD player, why not use it to hold up your iPhone’s car mount? That’s exactly how Jamron’s universal mount attaches itself in your car. If you’re thinking that sounds like something that would damage the inside of the CD player, don’t worry, this mount is specifically made to use the CD player’s slot, and utilizes different rubber pads to get a better fit. The mount can hold smartphones of all sizes, including the iPhone 6S Plus, and when the time comes to remove the phone, you can do so with the touch of a button. Once it’s properly installed, you can take advantage of 360-degree rotation and, more importantly, you can still play CDs. If you’re done with CDs for good, check out our list of the best MP3 players on the market.

Buy one now from:

Amazon