First-ever ‘negative emissions’ power plant goes online
Unfortunately, it’s no longer enough to cut CO2 emissions to avoid further global temperature increases. We need to remove some of the CO2 that’s already there. Thankfully, that reversal is one step closer to becoming reality. Climeworks and Reykjavik Energy have started running the first power plant confirmed to produce “negative emissions” — that is, it’s removing more CO2 than it puts out. The geothermal station in Hellsheidi, Iceland is using a Climeworks module and the plant’s own heat to snatch CO2 directly from the air via filters, bind it to water and send it underground where it will mineralize into harmless carbonates.
Just like naturally forming carbon deposits, the captured CO2 should remain locked away for many millions of years, if not billions. And because the basalt layers you need to house the CO2 are relatively common, it might be relatively easy to set up negative emissions plants in many places around the world.
As always, there are catches. The Hellsheidi plant capture system is still an experiment, and the 50 metric tonnes of CO2 it’ll capture per year (49.2 imperial tons) isn’t about to offset many decades of fossil fuel abuse. There’s also the matter of reducing the cost of capturing CO2. Even if Climeworks improves the efficiency of its system to spend $100 for every metric ton of CO2 it removes, you’re still looking at hundreds of billions of dollars (if not over a trillion) spent every year to achieve the scale needed to make a difference. That will require countries to not only respect climate science, but care about it enough to spend significant chunks of their budgets on capture technology.
It could be a long while before you see systems like this implemented on a global scale as a result. With that said, the very fact that CO2 capture prices are falling so sharply (they were estimated to cost several hundred dollars per ton in 2011) is important. It’s now realistic enough to use capture technology that it’s being used at a real-world power plant, and it’s easy to see countries like China adopting this to tackle smog and the other immediate short-term effects of runaway CO2 emissions.
Via: Quartz, Popular Mechanics
Source: Climeworks
Amazon drops big-budget series following Weinstein scandal
The sexual assault claims against Harvey Weinstein and Amazon’s Roy Price are having repercussions for The Weinstein Company’s involvement in online video. Amazon has dropped a TWC-produced drama series that would have starred Robert De Niro and Julianne Moore, and it’s wresting control of its period piece The Romanoffs from TWC. The internet giant didn’t detail its reasons for severing ties, but De Niro, Moore and director David O. Russell said they backed Amazon’s decision “in light of recent news and out of respect for all those affected.”
The assault allegations may have served as an opportunity to jettison a show that wasn’t going very smoothly and would have been costly even if successful. Hollywood Reporter sources have claimed that the unnamed De Niro/Moore series struggled to get off the ground thanks to scripting trouble, and that the deal would have cost $160 million over two seasons. The Romanoffs, meanwhile, cost Amazon ‘just’ $75 million and is believed to be progressing well. In short: why carry on with a flawed, expensive series that could be tainted by association when taking control of The Romanoffs is a much safer bet?
Amazon’s rapid about-face underscores the dangers of betting its future on international blockbusters and scoring A-list actors. While it’s doubtful that the online tech giant could have anticipated the scandals, that eagerness to score top-tier projects makes it relatively vulnerable to incidents like this. It’s not going to have as many big-name projects lined up as a conventional studio, so it’s more likely to be left scrambling if it has to make sudden cancellations.
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Project Loon might soon become its own company as per an FCC filing
Why it matters to you
There have been plenty of successful Alphabet spinoff companies already, and Project Loon could be joining their ranks.
Project Loon, Alphabet’s balloon-based internet service, might be taking flight in a new way. As per a recent FCC filing, it would appear that Project Loon is being spun out into its very own company. This marks an upgrade from its research lab project status, and could make Project Loon the latest business to come out of the Google parent corporation.
For years, the high-flying project has been housed under Alphabet’s X division, which is home to many of the company’s more outlandish and creative endeavors. But now that Project Loon has truly proven its mettle (it was recently deployed in Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria to help restore cell service), it looks like it’s being given more latitude to do its own thing. Previously, Project Loon balloons were deployed over Peru, where they provided LTE coverage to the nation following a major flood. By relying on a telecom provider, the balloons were able to beam signals down to the ground.
Given these successes, it comes as little surprise that Project Loon is being given the opportunity to spread its wings even further. As per regulatory filings, the company would be named Loon Inc. As per a Business Insider report, Loon has long been a strong contender for being the newest spinoff from Alphabet’s X business. Just a few months ago, Project Loon got a new CEO, which already seemed to signal preparations for a more mature business.
When Alphabet allows a project to become its own business, it generally indicates a certain degree of confidence that the venture is ready to be commercialized. Loon would be able to set its own business objectives, but would become independently responsible for its well-being (something it doesn’t necessarily have to worry about while still under the wing of X).
In any case, plenty of Alphabet spinoffs have met with success, including smart home company Nest and navigational app Waymo.
While nothing is entirely official yet, we could soon be seeing more of these internet-beaming balloons in the sky. We’ve reached out to Project Loon for comment, and will update you with any further developments.
Stay safe with the best Google Pixel 2 XL screen protectors
Google’s Pixel 2 XL packs in a class-leading camera, a big battery, and the latest tricks Android has to offer, but the real star of the show is that 6-inch P-OLED screen. With a resolution of 2,880 x 1,440 pixels, this vibrant, sharp display is a dream come true for movie-watching and games. But it may not stay that way. An encounter with keys in your pocket or bag could lead to scratches and scrapes. A fumble could lead to a shattering sidewalk collision. We’ve looked at the best Pixel 2 XL cases already, now it’s time to think about the best Google Pixel 2 XL screen protectors.
Griffin Survivor Glass Screen Protector ($35)
Tempered glass is your best for solid screen protection and Griffin is a name you can trust. This screen protector scores 9H on the hardness scale, it’s only 0.5mm thick, and it has been subjected to keys and hammer impact testing. It should fit with most cases and it also sports a special coating to repel fingerprints and smudges. It’s quite pricey, but you get a decent application kit with it and it will keep your Pixel 2 XL screen in tip-top condition. It comes with a lifetime warranty, too.
Buy one now from:
Griffin
AmFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector ($15)
At only 0.3mm thick and with curved edges, this screen protector has a small footprint that makes for easy pairing with a case. It is 9H tempered glass that’s scratch resistant and it sports an oleophobic coating to shrug off smudges. The design is a bit different than you might be used to, because only the black frame edges are adhesive. According to AmFilm this allows for greater sensitivity on the touchscreen and bubble-free installation.
Buy one now from:
Amazon
Skinomi TechSkin Screen Protector ($8)
If your budget is blown, then you might consider this reasonably priced two pack from Skinomi, but be warned – this is a TPU screen protector and plastic won’t safeguard your screen as well as tempered glass. It will provide a bit of impact absorption and guard against small scratches. It also has UV protection, so it shouldn’t yellow, and there’s a lifetime replacement warranty. If you already have a case with a decent bezel or extended frame to protect the screen, then this might be enough.
Buy one now from:
Amazon
Incipio Plex Plus Shield Edge Screen Protector ($50)
You may recoil at the $50 price tag here, but replacing your Pixel 2 XL screen is going to cost north of $200, so it may prove worth it. This screen protector has everything – tempered glass, curved edges, and precise cut-outs. Your 6-inch screen will be safe from scratches and cracks, it won’t impact touch sensitivity, and there’s a one-year warranty to cater to problems.
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Incipio
Power Support Brilliant Tempered Glass ($40)
For a perfect fit, this completely clear tempered glass screen protector for the Pixel 2 XL might tempt you. It has accurate cut-outs to ensure there’s no interference with normal phone usage. It’s just 0.3mm thick, so it doesn’t add much to the profile of your phone. Not only will it guard against cracks and scrapes, it should also keep smudges at bay thanks to a special coating. It’s quite expensive, but the fact that it’s on sale at Google’s store is a vote of confidence in its protective capabilities and fit.
Buy one now from:
Check out our best Made for Google accessories roundup for more ideas on the best Pixel 2 XL screen protectors.
China’s Baidu, Changan enter the autonomous vehicle fray
The race for truly widespread driverless technology is now seriously burning up the pavement. The international competition is on like never before as China pursues the development of its very own autonomous vehicles. Asian giants like search engine Baidu and manufacturer Changan have joined the race previously spearheaded by American companies like Google and Tesla. Last year, two autonomous Changan cars made a 1,200 mile trip from the southwestern city of Chongqing to Beijing, marking the nation’s first long-distance test of this technology. And now, Baidu has unveiled plans of its own to start mass producing autonomous cars by 2021.
According to Boston Consulting Group projections, China will soon corner more than a quarter of the driverless car market, which is expected to hit 12 million by 2035. Contributing to the popularity of this technology in the eastern nation appears to be the widespread public acceptance of driverless cars. In 2015, a survey by Roland Berger found that 96 percent of Chinese citizens would consider using an autonomous vehicle in day-to-day transportation, whereas only 58 percent of Americans said the same. And given the often gridlocked traffic scene in China and the high prevalence of accidents, some are hopeful that self-driving cars could improve the overall transportation situation.
Baidu’s partnership with Chinese automaker BAIC Group could certainly help with that improvement. The automaker is already one of Baidu’s parters in its Apollo self-driving program, and this open platform will be leveraged to build Level 3 autonomous vehicles (where drivers can safely take their eyes off the road for some time while the car drives itself). Indeed, Level 3 cars are expected to be in production by 2019, and the company is hoping for fully self-driving Level 4 vehicles two years later.
Ultimately, experts say, the goal for China would be to employ driverless cars in taxi and car service businesses. “The real payoff for truly driverless technology will come when cars on the road are no longer owned by people, but are owned by fleet management services,” Bill Russo, managing director of the consultancy firm Gao Feng, told the AFP. “That’s where you want to think about taking the driver out of the equation. Mobility on demand is hugely popular here.”
Citing “very positive feedback” from the Chinese government, Baidu already has routes mapped out for its new public transportation system, and seems confident that autonomous cars and buses will usher in a new era for transportation in a seriously congested traffic situation. And as the company grows its team dedicated to self-driving cars, it looks like the new frontier for vehicular innovation may be slowly moving overseas.
Update: Baidu has plans to start mass producing self-driving cars by 2021.
OnePlus announces it will allow users to opt out of data collection program
Why it matters to you
Privacy is important to everyone and OnePlus’ new policy represents a step in the right direction.
OnePlus recently found itself embroiled in a bit of controversy when the extent of its data-collection efforts was revealed. In short, it was discovered that Oxygen OS, the Android-based OS that powers OnePlus phones such as the OnePlus 5, has a built-in data collection service that users are automatically enrolled in. The goal of the program was similar to others of its type, which was to allow OnePlus to collect data from a large number of users in order to address issues with the phones. However, it was also reported that the company was collecting personal information such as telephone numbers, Wi-Fi information, and other sensitive data.
OnePlus responded to these reports by ensuring users that the data was kept secure and private and insisted that it was only collected in order to aid in customer service. On Friday, OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei took to the company’s official forums in order to reassure the company’s userbase that their privacy was valued and their personal data was not being shared with any third parties.
The post also added that the company would take steps to ensure that users would be made aware of the data-collection program and would be prompted to opt out during setup. The option is already available on the Oxygen OS, but it is buried in the settings menu, so users may not be aware of it. However, that will change later this month. Pei said that by the end of October, an update would be rolled out which would ask users, during set-up, if they would like to opt into the user experience data collection program or not.
Pei’s post only seems to address the collection of analytical. Obviously, this is important, but some users questioned why OnePlus needed Wi-Fi information or phone numbers in order to help with customer service. Obviously, concerns that data such as phone numbers might be sold to third parties such as telemarketers was a prime concern for some users, and its one that OnePlus hasn’t directly addressed. It is unclear whether or not opting out of the user experience program will also prevent OnePlus from collecting personal data such as telephone numbers.
OnePlus will start prompting users to opt out of data collection
OnePlus will give users the option to opt out of data collection when setting up an OxygenOS phone for the first time by the end of October.
As it has a tendency to do every now and then, OnePlus found itself in hot water earlier this week when users were reminded as to just how much personal data OnePlus smartphones were collecting and sending back to the company. Essentially, the operating system on OnePlus devices (OxygenOS) has a “user experience program” that users are automatically entered into.
The goal of the program is to collect data from phones so that OnePlus can then analyze it and then provide better customer service as a result, and while there was your typical stuff such as which apps were being installed on phones, how they’re being used, etc., OnePlus was also collecting IMEI numbers, Wi-Fi network information, MAC addresses, and telephone numbers.
OnePlus responded to us shortly after people started raising a fuss, and while this helped to clear some things up, the company co-founder, Carl Pei, has since issued a more formal response in the form of a blog post on OnePlus’s forums.
By the end of the month, customers will be able to opt out of data collection from day one.
Pei starts out by reiterating a number of times just how much OnePlus values its customers’ personal information, and he reminds everyone that you can choose to opt out of the company’s data collection practices by going to Settings -> Advanced -> Join user experience program. This reminder is nice, but it’s not readily apparent that you can do this without a proper explanation first.
Thankfully, by the end of October, OnePlus will be adding a new prompt when setting up an OxygenOS device for the first time that will give customers the option of opting in or out of the program right out of the box.
Although this is something that should have been made available in the first place, it is a step in the right direction. Pei doesn’t outline why OnePlus was collecting MAC addresses, Wi-Fi networks, and other info to begin with, but I wouldn’t hold your breath for a proper explanation on that anytime soon.
OnePlus responds to OxygenOS data collection concerns
OnePlus 5
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OnePlus 5 is mysteriously unavailable to purchase
A sign of things to come?
The OnePlus 5 might not be perfect, but its price-to-specs ratio is undeniably great. With smartphones like the Galaxy Note 8 and Google Pixel 2 XL reaching dangerously close to that $1000 price tag, options like the OnePlus 5 can start to become even more appealing than they were before. Unfortunately, if you were hoping to purchase a OnePlus 5 from OnePlus soon, you won’t be able to do so.
OnePlus has had inventory issues ever since it launched with the OnePlus One back in 2014, whether it be with an irritating invitation system or regularly running out of devices for its customers to purchase. The OnePlus 5 has been out of stock for a number of weeks at this point, and while this on its own wasn’t all that odd, something interesting recently happened.
For at least 24 hours at the time of publishing this article, OnePlus has removed the “buy now” button for the OnePlus 5 from its website. The OnePlus 5 JCC Limited Edition and a link to learn more about it accompanies the site’s home page (a version of the phone that isn’t even available for purchase in North America), and clicking on the OnePlus 5 tab at the top of the site will reveal no option at all to buy the device.
No phone for you!
You can still access the OnePlus 5’s sale page by clicking on the Accessories tab and then the OnePlus 5 header at the top of the page, but doing so will reveal that all models of the phone are out of stock.
At this point, we can think of a couple explanations for OnePlus’s decision to effectively end sales of the OnePlus 5. Either the company is having production issues with the phone and wants to get those worked out before encouraging people to go to the sales page, or it’s already pushing the OnePlus 5 to the curb in anticipating for its follow-up.
A render recently surfaced for what’s supposedly the OnePlus 5T, and it was suggested that the upcoming phone will be made available for purchase in November. We had some issues with the legitimacy of that rumor (and still do), but the timing of it and OnePlus’s recent removal of the OnePlus 5 is interesting to say the least.
What do you think’s going on here? Speculate away in the comments below.
OnePlus 5
- Complete OnePlus 5 review
- OnePlus 5 specs
- Which OnePlus 5 model should you buy?
- Camera comparison: OnePlus 5 vs. Galaxy S8
- The latest OnePlus 5 news
- Join the discussion in the forums
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Iran blamed for cyberattack on UK parliament
When hackers attacked UK parliament email accounts in June, it was tempting to blame Russia. After all, it’s been rather busy lately. However, it looks like people were pointing their fingers in the wrong direction. The Times has learned that British intelligence has pinned the campaign on Iran — it’d be the country’s first cyberattack against the UK, in fact. While the actual damage was relatively limited (about 30 Members of Parliament were compromised out of roughly 9,000 total accounts), the intrusion supports beliefs that Iran has become a serious player in cyberwarfare after years of being little more than a target. Officials aren’t commenting on the attack, but there are a few theories as to why Iran would take this risk.
One theory suggests that this was really an exploratory mission: Iran may have been looking for data that could compromise the UK’s interests or force it to make concessions. Iran may have been looking for an advantage in trade, too. There’s even the possibility that factions in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard were trying to undermine the country’s anti-nuclear proliferation deal in a bid to cancel it, giving officials the excuse they needed to resume full nuclear technology research.
It’s that last part which has politicians worried. Reportedly, officials said the link between Iran and the cyberattack has “complicated” Prime Minister Theresa May’s attempts to protect the nuclear deal. They didn’t believe it changed the argument in favor of the deal (if anything, it shows why Iran must be contained), but it’s no longer as simple as claiming that Iran has turned a corner.
Via: Reuters
Source: The Times
Uber decides against leaving Quebec over tough ridesharing rules
Uber vowed to leave Quebec if it starts implementing stricter rules on October 14th. A few hours before the deadline, though, the ride-hailing firm has changed its tune: Uber has decided to stay, hoping to have a “constructive dialogue” with new Transport Minister André Fortin. Quebec is requiring Uber drivers to undergo 35 hours of training similar to the one taxi drivers go through. It also wants drivers to be background-checked by the police. The company obviously wasn’t happy with these proposed rules and is likely aiming to sway the young transport chief, who’s only been on the job for a few days, in its favor.
Perhaps Fortin’s clarification on one of the proposed regulations has given Uber hope. According to CBC News, the new minister said authorities are willing to give Uber drivers time to get their background checks done. He said the original proposals’ wording didn’t make that obvious.
Further, the company said it has confirmed with the local government that the new training requirements won’t be enforced in the next few months. A group of taxi owners didn’t like that the government is giving the ride-hailing firm leeway and complained about how they “must always patiently wait while Uber gets compromises and exceptions” in an open letter.
Fortin made it clear, however, that Quebec intends to push through with the new regulations. “My job is to put a regulatory framework in place” he told CBC Montreal’s Daybreak. “Whether a specific private company decides to operate within it, it’s not for me to be for or against that.”
Source: The Guardian, CBC News
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