Solar Challenge sets sun-powered cars in race across Australia

Why it matters to you

Improving designs and falling costs point to the exciting possibility of a marketable solar-powered car one day trundling along the street.

Being cooped up inside one of the cars racing in Australia’s biannual World Solar Challenge from Darwin to Adelaide looks like the most uncomfortable experience ever for those behind the wheel. You can imagine the drivers having to be lifted out of the vehicle by a small crane once they cross the finish line, their limbs having seized up somewhere south of Uluru.

Aimed at inspiring research and development work in sustainable road transport, the 30th anniversary of the 1,860-mile race kicked off on Sunday with 42 solar-panel-laden cars from 40 countries hitting the road across three classes of vehicle.

The Challenger category tends to get the most attention thanks to the cars’ often striking designs that allow them to reach speeds of just over 60 mph using only the power of the sun.

Lined up and ready for action, the first out of #Darwin get ready to roll. #BWSC17 pic.twitter.com/LSL3UbAEQs

— World SolarChallenge (@WorldSolarChlg) October 7, 2017

This year the race organizers decided to make things a little tougher for the designers and engineers who create the cars by decreasing the permitted size of the solar collector area on each vehicle.

The favorite to reach the finish line first is Nuna9 from the Dutch Nuon Solar Team, which is aiming for its eighth World Solar Challenge win. The team says it has tweaked Nuna9’s design for this year’s event by removing its overhanging nose to reduce aerodynamic drag.

“With our successes in previous years, every year is harder to get a great result,” the team said. “This means our students have to become more innovative every year.”

We told you these cars can seriously move – @uitm_EcoSprint sitting on 90 clicks coming out of Darwin #BASC17 pic.twitter.com/LsaUuDQMDF

— World SolarChallenge (@WorldSolarChlg) October 8, 2017

U.S. participation includes the Sundae solar car from Stanford University. The team said its design aims for “reliability and safety … rather than focusing primarily on speed, paying special attention to car handling when possible,” adding that the race is “a unique opportunity to exercise our car in the most intense way possible, truly proving its mettle and testing our team at the same time.”

Racers in the Challenger class will be out to beat the fastest time to date, set by a Japanese team from Tokai University, which crossed the line with a driving time of 29 hours and 49 minutes in 2009.

Besides the Challenger class, the Cruiser category focuses more on practical designs that you might actually want to ride in for more than a few minutes, and includes at least two seats. The Adventure class, meanwhile, comprises cars from previous races and could include those that don’t quite meet the requirements for the other two categories.

The vehicles, which make several stops along the route through Australia’s barren outback, are expected to cross the finish line in Adelaide on Thursday, October 12.

Walmart shopping app to challenge Amazon by speeding up in-store returns

Why it matters to you

Anything that improves the online shopping experience — including when you want to return something — has to be a good thing.

When you consider that nearly a third of items ordered online end up getting returned, ecommerce companies need to ensure that the process of sending something back is as simple and straightforward as possible.

Walmart, which has been steadily building out its online shopping service to take on the likes of Amazon, is about to unveil a new system via its smartphone app that aims to expedite the returns process, Bloomberg reports.

Launching in November just as the busy holiday season moves into full swing, shoppers with an unwanted item bought online can hit the app to notify Walmart they no longer want it, and then head straight to the nearest Walmart store to offload it. Using the app to notify the store of their impending visit means the average time it will take to return an item will be cut from five minutes to just 30 seconds, with customers directed to a dedicated express lane for customer service. Funds will be returned to the customer’s account within 24 hours.

At launch, Walmart’s speedier returns service will only apply to items bought online, though it may be introduced for goods bought in stores starting in 2018. The service can’t be used for anything bought via its site from resellers and dealers, and customers will of course still have the option to return goods by mail within 90 days of receiving them.

Bloomberg reports that some items, such as shampoo and cosmetics, will be credited without the customer even having to hand them over, though the store will have to have a robust system in place to ensure no one abuses the process, an issue that hits rival firm Amazon from time to time.

Walmart: ‘Saving time is the new currency’

Commenting on the imminent launch of the new returns service, which is expected to be officially announced by the company on Monday, October 9, Walmart’s Daniel Eckert told Bloomberg, “We recognize that saving time is the new currency for customers, as much as saving money.”

Walmart’s effort to improve its returns process comes less than a month after Amazon announced a partnership with retail chain Kohl’s that allows Amazon shoppers to return items, for free, via one of 82 Kohl’s locations in Chicago and Los Angeles. If all goes well, Amazon could seek to expand the service to all of Kohl’s 1,100-plus stores across the United States.

The Morning After: Monday, October 9th 2017

Hey, good morning!

Welcome to your week! Over the weekend, we mention a few ghosts from smartphone past, we pour one out for the end of AIM, and there’s the return of our robotic table-tennis rival.

It’s a KEYOne for the less-traditional crowd.BlackBerry Motion arrives with no keyboard and a giant battery

That didn’t take long. Mere days after images emerged, BlackBerry has launched the Motion. As expected, it’s effectively a KEYone without the keyboard… and a couple of extra perks. You’re still looking at a mid-range device with a Snapdragon 625 chip, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and a 12-megapixel rear camera, just with a 5.5-inch 1080p display taking up most of the front (there’s still a fingerprint reader). However, it’s what you can’t see that makes the difference. The Motion is IP67 water-resistant, and it packs a whopping 4,000mAh battery. Given the middling processor, this likely translates to a phone that can easily handle a full day off the charger.

He’s confirming that Windows for phones is basically on life support.
Microsoft exec says Windows 10 Mobile is no longer a ‘focus’

It’s no secret that work on Windows 10 Mobile has wound down given the lack of new devices, but what’s happening with it, exactly? Well, Microsoft’s Joe Belfiore has just settled the matter. The Windows VP (and former Windows Phone program manager) informed Twitter users that new features and hardware for Windows 10 Mobile “aren’t the focus” anymore. There will be fixes and security patches, of course, but you shouldn’t expect more than that.

And it’s probably not too late to apply for the 2020 Olympics.
OMRON’s updated ping-pong robot can serve and handle smashes

At Japan’s eccentric tech show, CEATEC, we knew OMRON would once again bring out its massive table-tennis robot to belittle us humans, but what Senior Editor Richard Lai didn’t expect was a significant performance jump this time. FORPHEUS, now in its fourth generation, features improved AI to boost its responsiveness — so much that it can now predict and attempt to deal with smashes. Better yet, there’s now a companion robot arm that throws a ball up and lets FORPHEUS serve. Which should mean less mid-training ball chasing, right?

Where words are not, feeling remains.
AIM: AFK 4EVA

For the better part of two decades, AIM (previously AOL Instant Messenger) was the way to communicate online. For a certain generation, which most of the Engadget staff happens to be a part of, it defined their youth. We made friends from across the globe, and a few of us even found love. Now the OG of instant messaging apps is being put out to pasture. On December 15th, AIM will finally shut down. But first the Engadget staff wanted to give it a proper send off.

But wait, there’s more…

• Recommended Reading: The ‘Blade Runner’ effect on electronic music
• MLB fines coach for wearing an Apple Watch during a game
• Casio’s 2.5D printer can mimic leather and fabric
• Facebook aims to balance its fact checking with a right-wing magazine

Google’s Store is now just a click away from its homepage

Google is making its minimal homepage that little bit busier. Keep your eyes peeled the next time you land on Google.com and you should spot two new links in the upper left hand corner. “About” and “Store” are the debutants. One gives you the lowdown on the company’s history, software, team, and search Trends. The other is aimed at your wallet. Yes, Google wants you to know that it’s a serious hardware player now. And, what better way to do that than to navigate you to its store.

The company recently unveiled its flagship Pixel 2 phones, a new Daydream VR headset, and little and large additions to its smart speaker family, among other (equally impressive) items. This is its (unobtrusive) way of serving them directly to you. The new links were spotted by Android Police, which also saw a bunch of text ads for the new products below the search bar on October 5th (but they seem to have vanished since).

So, the next time you jump on Google.com in search of a smartphone, you may not have to look very far. If Google has its way, you’ll shop directly from the source — just don’t go expecting to buy an Android Wear smartwatch while you’re there.

Via: Android Police

Apple Quietly Releases iTunes 12.6.3 With Built-In App Store

Apple has quietly released iTunes 12.6.3, which reintroduces the ability to download App Store apps and ringtones from within the iTunes desktop software.

Apple is making this version of iTunes available because “certain business partners might still need to use iTunes to install apps”, but the download is basically available to anyone looking to reinstate the functionality that was removed in iTunes 12.7.

If you’ve already installed a newer version of iTunes, you can download this version of iTunes on your Mac, PC 32-bit or PC 64-bit and run the installer. After installation is complete, you can continue to deploy apps with iTunes. You won’t be prompted to download new versions of iTunes after you install this version.

Installation packages for Mac and PC (32-bit and 64-bit) are available for download on the support page. After the installation, most users will need to rebuild their iTunes Library. To do this, hold down the Option key when the app launches and in the dialog window that appears choose “Create Library…”. Give the new library a name that’s different to your existing library, and then migrate over your albums using the Add to Library… option under the Files menu.

Apple released iTunes 12.7 in September and said the new version was designed to focus solely on music, movies, TV shows, and podcasts, audiobooks, which was the reason behind the removal of the built-in App Store. Following the change, apps and ringtones could only be downloaded on an iOS device.

This special “business edition” of iTunes includes compatibility with iOS 11, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X. It’s not clear how long Apple will offer iTunes 12.6.3, and the company does not provide technical support for this version, but for those who want the functionality it could be a useful makeweight until Apple comes up with an alternative solution.

(Thanks, Luming!)

Tag: iTunes
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Microsoft Admits Windows Phone is Basically Dead

Microsoft has publicly admitted for the first time that its Windows Phone is dead. In a series of tweets, Windows 10 chief Joe Belfiore said that the company is no longer developing new features or hardware for Windows 10 Mobile, with only bug fixes and security updates to come for existing users.

Belfiore explained that his team had tried “very hard” to incentivize app developers by paying them and writing apps for them, but the low volume of users meant it was no longer worth the investment in Windows Phone.

Microsoft officially ended support for Windows Phone back in July, but the software giant never owned up to the fact that the move was essentially the final nail in the coffin for its flagship mobile platform. Today’s news that the Windows 10 Mobile hardware is no longer a focus for the company now puts that beyond doubt, and makes the possibility of a long-rumored Surface-branded phone seem further away than ever.

Of course we’ll continue to support the platform.. bug fixes, security updates, etc. But building new features/hw aren’t the focus. 😟 https://t.co/0CH9TZdIFu

— Joe Belfiore (@joebelfiore) October 8, 2017

Windows Phone was released in 2010 and quickly became the world’s third most popular mobile operating system, but the platform couldn’t compete with iOS and Android, which accounted for a combined 99.6 percent market share earlier this year.

In another sign of the times, the New York Police Department recently confirmed it will begin transitioning from Windows Phones to iPhones for its 36,000 police officers in the fall.

In Belfiore’s series of tweets, the corporate VP also revealed that he had switched away from Windows Phone to a rival mobile operating system, but didn’t say which one.

Tags: Microsoft, Windows 10, Windows Phone
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Engadget UK giveaway: Win an iPhone 8 courtesy of Casetify

Even the sweet scent of autumn rain can’t beat that new iPhone smell, and that’s exactly what we’re giving away this week. And not just that, but an actual gold iPhone 8 (64GB) to go with it, thanks to our friends at Casetify. They’ve also been kind enough to bundle that with a £35 voucher for the winner to put towards one of their standard or personalised cases. If you’ve got your heart set on an iPhone X, you can prepare for its arrival with one of Casetify’s covers for that device, too. As always, you can enter the competition up to three times, but not before you give the rules a once-over, capiche?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

• Entries are handled through the Rafflecopter widget above. Comments are no longer accepted as valid methods of entry. You may enter without any obligation to social media accounts, though we may offer them as opportunities for extra entries. Your email address is required so we can get in touch with you if you win, but it will not be given to third parties.
• Contest is open to all residents of the UK, 18 or older! Sorry, we don’t make this rule (we hate excluding anyone), so direct your anger at our lawyers and contest laws if you have to be mad.
• Winners will be chosen randomly. One (1) winner will receive one (1) iPhone 8 and one (1) £35 Casetify voucher code.
• If you are chosen, you will be notified by email. Winners must respond within three days of being contacted. If you do not respond within that period, another winner will be chosen. Make sure that the account you use to enter the contest includes your real name and a contact email or Facebook login. We do not track any of this information for marketing or third-party purposes.
• This unit is purely for promotional giveaway. Apple, Casetify and Engadget / Oath are not held liable to honour warranties, exchanges or customer service.
• The full list of rules, in all its legalese glory, can be found here.
• Entries can be submitted until October 13th at 11:59PM BST. Good luck!

Source: Casetify

Blackberry Announces New All-Screen ‘Motion’ Smartphone With 4,000mAh Battery

Blackberry announced its latest crack at an all-screen smartphone during the GITEX Technology Week in Dubai on Sunday. The Motion is the company’s third Android phone to ditch the keyboard following the release of the DTEK50 and DTEK60 in 2016. Blackberry also released the KEYone earlier this year, but that device includes a keyboard below the touchscreen.

The Motion’s 5.5-inch AMOLED display and Snapdragon 625 system-on-a-chip is powered by a large 4,000mAh battery (the iPhone 8 Plus has a 2,675mAh battery), which Blackberry hopes will appeal to business users looking for all-day battery life. Like all of the company’s branded handsets these days, the Motion is actually made by Chinese company TCL Communication.

The Blackberry Motion (Image: Evan Blass)
The phone will be initially available in Middle Eastern markets for approximately $460, with availability in the U.S. likely further down the line.

Blackberry officially discontinued its keyboard-rocking Blackberry Classic in July 2016 and later declared it would cease internally developing its own handsets, relying on partnerships with other companies instead while it focuses on software development.

The rise of the iPhone famously wiped out Blackberry’s smartphone market share, but the company’s pivot towards mobile security has been a profitable one, with its recent quarterly earnings report exceeding expectations.

The company reported record gross margins of 76 percent, up from 67 percent last quarter and 62 percent a year ago, despite the fact its hardware market share essentially remains zero.

Tag: BlackBerry
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China denies carrying out cyberattacks against US-based activist

China claims it wasn’t behind the hacking of a US think tank that was set to host exiled Chinese tycoon-turned-activist Guo Wengui. The Hudson Institute abruptly canceled its event with Guo last week, claiming it had detected a Shanghai-based attack aimed at crippling its website.The incident was raised by US Attorney General Jeff Sessions in his meeting with Chinese government officials on Wednesday, according to The Wall Street Journal. Guo himself also claimed that the law firm representing his US political asylum bid backed out after it was targeted by Chinese hackers. In a statement, China’s Ministry of Public Security told Reuters it had found “no evidence” of government involvement in the alleged cyberattacks.

Guo, who left China in 2014, is an outspoken critic of the country’s Communist Party. The New York-based tycoon’s unsubstantiated accusations against top-tier Chinese officials on Twitter and YouTube have garnered him quite the social media following. For its part, China has issued a global “red notice” through Interpol for Guo’s arrest. Although the exact charges against him remain unclear, the country’s state-run media has previously accused him of bribing a vice-minister. And, in August, Chinese police opened a new investigation against the billionaire on rape charges. Guo is also facing a series of defamation lawsuits in the US from various Chinese individuals and companies. He denies all the allegations against him.

China is no stranger to charges of state-sponsored hacking. Last year, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation pointed the finger at the Chinese military for a spate of cyberattacks launched against it since 2010. And, in August, the FBI said it had arrested a Chinese national linked to the massive data breach that struck the Office of Personnel Management back in 2014 to 2015.

Source: Reuters

Black lawmakers call on Facebook and Twitter to purge racist ads

Facebook and Twitter are facing renewed calls from US lawmakers to ensure ads on their respective platforms aren’t used to spread hate. The two firms are currently cooperating with Congressional investigators looking into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. And now, black Congress members are urging them to probe new ads, and make leadership changes. In a letter obtained by Recode, Reps. Robin Kelly, Bonnie Watson Coleman, and Emanuel Cleaver further press the companies to clamp down on ads “aimed at inciting racial discontent” or “voter suppression.” They also suggest the companies appoint people of color to their boards of directors, and conduct new audits of targeted advertisements.

Facebook recently handed over evidence to Congress on the 3,000 Russia-linked ads that were allegedly used to sow discord among US voters. And, it followed up by hiring 1,000 people to review targeted ads based on “politics, religion, ethnicity or social issues.” Twitter, too, presented congressional investigators with data relating to alleged Russian bots on its service. Like Facebook, the company explicitly forbids ads containing hate speech. But, neither firm has been able to fully prevent the misuse of its respective system: Twitter’s fallen prey to ads containing racist terminology, and Facebook recently allowed advertisers to target anti-semites.

It’s an issue the Congressional Black Caucus has raised in the past. In the wake of a 2016 ProPublica report into racially segregated Facebook ads, black lawmakers claimed these types of promos were in violation of the Fair Housing Act of 1968. The backlash prompted the social network to update its ad policies to ban discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or age, among other factors.

You can bet Facebook and Twitter will have to field these types of questions once more when they face the House and Senate Intelligence Committees next month.

Source: Recode