Daimler and HPE want to power green data centers with hydrogen

Hydrogen fuel cells have mainly been used to power vehicles so far, but they could soon find another use: the server farms powering your internet services. Daimler, HPE, Power Innovations and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory are expanding fuel cell use to “micro-grids” inside data centers. Solar and wind power would provide the bulk of the energy, but fuel cells would fill in the gap when power demand is too high or an outage leaves no other choice. Companies wouldn’t have to rely quite so heavily on diesel generators or other not-so-eco-friendly backups to cope with demand. And unlike battery backups, there’s no limit — the fuel cell can keep running as long as there’s hydrogen.

Work is starting on prototypes this year, though it’s safe to say that it will take a while before you see this in the field. HPE is working with its partners to tie fuel cells into its existing IT systems. This could go a long way toward completely green data centers when it is ready, though. And importantly, it gives fuel cells a viable future even if the automotive industry moves entirely to electric cars. It may not find many mainstream uses on the road, but it could make sure your favorite social network is running even if the server faces a total blackout.

Source: Daimler

Hasbro offers to buy Mattel as tech pressures the toy world

Toys ‘R’ Us may not be the only major casualty of technology’s influence on the toy industry. Wall Street Journal sources claim that Hasbro recently made an offer to buy Mattel. It’s not clear what terms Hasbro offered or how receptive Mattel was, but it would put two of the best-known kids’ brands together — My Little Pony and Hot Wheels would exist side-by-side. Neither side is commenting on the apparent leak.

Hasbro is likely taking advantage of Mattel’s relative weakness. While Hasbro has been riding high on sales of Disney-themed toys (including Star Wars) as well as licenses for movies and TV, Mattel is in the midst of turning around years of failed toy lines that weighed it down. Also, the two are complementary: where Hasbro ditched its manufacturing facilities a while ago, it would get some back with a Mattel deal. There are concerns that a Hasbro/Mattel pact could violate US antitrust law by creating a dominant toy maker, but it’s not certain that a union would face scrutiny as tough as for, say, a telecom.

If a deal did go ahead, it would reflect the tech industry’s increasingly firm grip on kids’ free time. Although Hasbro clearly has the upper hand, both it and Mattel have to compete with consoles and tablets — how do you get parents to buy Barbie playhouses when video games beckon? It could have long-term consequences for connected toys, too. Hasbro would have a larger stable of tech-driven toys, and could fold Mattel’s know-how into its own projects.

Via: The Verge

Source: Wall Street Journal

The Pixel 2 XL has another screen issue: unresponsive edges

It looks like Google still isn’t done fielding complaints about the Pixel 2 XL’s display. While some users are experiencing premature screen burn-in and seeing a bluish tint, others are apparently having trouble with its responsiveness. Comments posted on the Pixel 2 community website have revealed that some units are having issues getting their phones to register touches near the edges of the screen. One poster even conducted a test and found that while the edges on his display can recognize swipes just fine, they can’t always recognize taps.

Here’s a video of the experiment:

According to Android Police, this happens because the device’s accidental touch protection feature is just bit too effective. The good news is that it’s a software issue, and Google is already working on a fix. Orrin, a Pixel 2XL Community manager, posted on the thread to inform people that the Pixel team is already investigating and addressing the problem in an upcoming over-the-air update.

In an effort to preempt similar complaints about bluish or greenish tinted screens and burn-ins, Apple recently updated its support page to explain that those are perfectly normal for OLED displays like the iPhone X’s and Pixel 2 XL’s. Nevertheless, iPhone X’s screen seems to come with its own set of issues. Some of them have a nasty green line going down their edges, while others stop responding to touches in cold temperatures.

Source: Android Police

Internet giant Alibaba crushes one-day online shopping record

If you needed evidence that internet shopping still has room to grow, you just got it. Chinese e-commerce powerhouse Alibaba has confirmed that its annual Singles’ Day sales event racked up the equivalent of more than $25.3 billion in sales, easily setting a record for the most online purchases in one day. For context, Alibaba sold just short of $18 billion last year — this year, the company surpassed that figure slightly past the halfway mark. The 2016 Cyber Monday sale was downright tiny by comparison, mustering ‘just’ $3.45 billion in the US.

The record was helped by the strength of the Chinese yuan versus the US dollar, but it also stemmed from growing access to online shopping in China. Alibaba’s Joseph Tsai attributed the surge to “rising disposable incomes” among the over 300 million middle-class buyers in the country. Imagine if the vast majority of the US population saw a dramatic boost in its spending power and you’ll get a sense for how Alibaba could manage this feat.

The hype swirling around the event certainly helped as well. Alibaba started Singles’ Day as a promo for lonely hearts, but it quickly grew into an all-encompassing sales event that makes Black Friday seem timid. This year, Alibaba held a launch event with western stars like Nicole Kidman and Pharrell Williams joining Chinese celebrities like actress Zhang Ziyi. It wanted buyers to get excited about spending money, and this clearly paid off.

Alibaba and its rivals can’t rest easily. There are concerns that online shopping may soon hit a wall, and Alibaba even turned 100,000 retail stores into internet purchasing hubs in a bid to attract shoppers who might have ignored the online blitz. That still leaves potential for significant growth as China’s middle class grows, though, and those that are already entrenched in the middle class may spend more online as they become comfortable with shopping from home.

Via: TechCrunch, Reuters

Source: Alizila

A cut above the rest: Here are the best circular saws money can buy

Everyone knows the circular saw is a job site favorite for chopping up plywood and lopping off two-by-fours, but this small, portable tool is good for a lot more than just that. For DIYers, makers, and remodelers of all stripes; a decent circular saw is a must have. It will make straight cuts in all sorts of wood, from solid lumber to plywood and medium-density fiberboard (MDF), and boasts an unbeatable combo of price, power, and portability. In this post, we’ve rounded up the best circular saws on the market.

If you are just starting to get into DIY, a decent circular saw is one of the first tools you should buy. With the right tricks (more on that in a moment), a circ saw will do everything a miter saw or table saw will do — and then some.

But the basic circular saw you know has morphed and multiplied into cordless models, mini saws, track saws, and more — making your choice a bit confusing. The good news is that most of you can ignore half the saws on the market. Although cordless is always cool, corded saws are half the price while offering more power and cutting capacity. If you already own the right cordless batteries, however, you can buy the “bare tool” from the same manufacturer for roughly the price of a corded saw.`

The track saw also cannot be ignored. Its genius is in the long, grooved track, which guides the saw and guarantees smooth, straight cuts in any direction. If you cut a lot of sheet goods (plywood and MDF) for cabinetry, or you want to try making furniture but don’t have the space or budget for a table saw, consider spending a bit more to get track saw.

For the rest of us, a standard saw will suffice. You can ignore the heavier “hypoid” (or “worm-drive”) circular saws, which offer more power but are heavier and harder to control.

The saw you want is the standard “sidewinder.” Go with a 7.25-inch blade. Bigger blades are attached to bigger motors that are harder to handle, and smaller blades won’t cut thick boards. Read on for the rest of the story.

Our pick

DeWalt 7.25-inch Lightweight Circular Saw

Why should you buy this: The DeWalt 7.25-inch Lightweight Circular Saw is powerful and makes straight, smooth cuts with excellent control.

The best

DeWalt 7.25-inch Lightweight Circular Saw

The most lightweight, powerful, stable, and accurate circular saw for the money.

$125.00 from Amazon

$139.00 from Home Depot

Who it’s for: DIYers, hobbyist woodworkers, and contractors looking for a great medium-duty saw.

How much will it cost: $120-140

Why we picked the DeWalt 7.25-inch Lightweight Circular Saw:

You’ll see less-expensive circular saws at the home center, but they come with compromises. For $120 at Home Depot, just $40 or $50 more than the low-end saws, the DeWalt offers pro-level power and accuracy in a lightweight build that is easy to handle and control.

It has 15 amps of power for cutting through hardwoods and softwoods alike, and the all-important flat, stable base plate, one of the keys to accurate cuts. It also feels comfortable (in my hands, anyway), with excellent balance.

A pile of other pluses include excellent sight lines to the front of the blade, for following a line; a smooth-operating guard that won’t snag on the edge of a workpiece; and an automatic brake that stops the blade when you release the trigger, which is a great safety feature.

When I replace my old, entry-level saw, this DeWalt is the one I’ll buy.

The best value in a track saw

Grizzly Track Saw Master Pack

Why should you buy this: The Grizzly lets you see what the track saw fuss is about without ripping through your wallet.

The best value in a track saw

Grizzly Track Saw Master Pack

This solid track saw is half the price of the competition.

$199.95 from Walmart

$259.95 from Ebay

Who it’s for: DIYers who want guaranteed straight cuts in plywood and other wide lumber.

How much will it cost: $260.

Why we picked the Grizzly Track Saw Master Pack:

There are better track saws out there (see below), but for occasional use, the Grizzly will make excellent cuts in all sorts of material, at about half the price of its competitors.

Like the rest, its track has rubber on the bottom to keep it in place on a board, but the Grizzly track is less sticky than some. That’s OK because this Grizzly kit includes track clamps that lock it down. All track saw tracks also have a plastic edge that gets trimmed slightly by the saw the first time you use it, so you can just line up the track with your pencil marks forever after. It’s magic.

These saws also plunge, meaning you can start a cut in the middle of a panel and stop it before the end, letting you make perfect cutouts.

The best track saw for professionals

Festool TS 55 REQ

Why should you buy this: The first track saw on the market, the Festool still has no equal.

The best track saw for professionals

Festool TS 55 REQ

This is hands-down the best track saw for cutting sheet goods.

$660.00 from Amazon

Who it’s for: Pro cabinetmakers, and lovers of amazing tools.

How much will it cost: $660.

Why we picked the Festool TS 55 REQ:

Festool turned the U.S. tool market on its head by revolutionizing portable power tools, treating them as precision instruments, not crude contractor tools. It all started with the track saw, which changed everything for DIYers, contractors, and anyone else who could pay to play.

The German company continues to improve its flagship tool, and it has too many wonderful qualities to list here. Let’s just say it’s dreamy. Let’s also say the trigger and plunge action are perfect, the depth-setting adjustment is the easiest to use, the dust collection is shockingly effective, and the cuts are crazy clean, even when beveling.

And as with all the best track saws, the Festool’s track is rock solid on almost any material, meaning you don’t need no stinking clamps.

The best value in a cordless circular saw

DeWalt DCS391B Cordless Circ Saw

Why should you buy this: If you’ve already got a good set of big cordless batteries, or need to make cuts far from power outlets.

The best value in a cordless circular saw

DeWalt DCS391B Cordless Circ Saw

Cordless saws travel with no limits, and today’s models offer more power than before.

$99.00 from Amazon

$88.55 from Ebay

Who it’s for: Folks willing to trade a little power for a lot of portability.

How much will it cost: $99 for the bare tool (no batteries).

Why we picked the DeWalt DCS391B Cordless Circ Saw:

In this case, my pick is not about this specific product, though the DeWalt 20V cordless saw is getting rave reviews in many tests. Any of the best cordless models will offer surprising power — Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee, DeWalt, Porter-Cable, Rigid, etc. — and unmatched portability, letting you bring the tool to any little job anywhere. The question is whether you already own a set of the batteries the saw uses. If you do, you can buy the tool only, and save a bundle, making cordless the way to go for those who don’t mind a little less power. And I do mean only a little less.

The rap on cordless circular saws used to be weak power and short battery life, but today’s lithium-ion models have changed that. You won’t get the power and stamina of a corded saw, but if you keep that second battery charged, you’ll be ready for almost anything.

How We Test

I’ve tried most of these saws, either the specific model shown here or an earlier one that is closely related. My friends have tried the others (I was the editor of Fine Woodworking magazine in another life, and I still write for them, as well as Fine Homebuilding magazine).

Most importantly, I’ve used circular saws for many years, as a remodeler, woodworker, and maker of many things, and I’ve taught lots of folks to do the same. So I know what I value most in a saw, and where people tend to struggle.

And of course, I always dig deep into user reviews, to make sure there are no surprises.

Tips and tricks for circular saws

First, some buying advice: When it comes to a standard circular saw, more money gets you more power and durability, and a better base plate. You can’t try out the power in the store and you probably shouldn’t conduct a drop test either, but you can raise the blade all the way up and sit the base plate on a flat surface. If the plate rocks, the tool doesn’t.

Aside from its MUCH lower price tag, the big advantage a circular saw has over a table saw is the way you can bring it to the work. Even for hardcore furniture-makers, this portability is invaluable for chopping big lumber and big sheet goods (plywood and MDF) to rough size before attempting to hoist them onto machines.

But armed with a few accessories, your basic circular saw can make furniture-quality cuts, too. Combine your sweet sidewinder with any sort of straightedge clamped to the work, or better yet a cutting guide like this one, and you can make long, straight cuts, right on your pencil marks.

For short crosscuts, such as cutting a board to length, the long cutting guide is unwieldy. But an inexpensive “speed square” steps in to guide the saw perfectly. Be sure to clamp down the board first so you have one hand free to hold the square in place and the other to control the saw.

Bottom line: You don’t have to have pricey tools to build great things.

Here are two more tips: Lay down a sheet of rigid foam insulation on the floor or workbench, and cut on top of that. You will get much better support than a pair of sawhorses give. Also, most power tools come with crappy blades, so consider an upgrade if your blade is struggling or leaving burn marks.

Would you mind if someone openly used your phone to mine cryptocurrency?

Botnets are generally associated with a collection of computers that have been backed by malicious users in order to use those computers to earn revenue either by spreading malware, mining cryptocurrency, or other endeavors. However, Russian developer Alexey Khripkov claims to have created a legal botnet by installing bitcoin mining software onto the phones of users who download his popular Android games.

Khripkov has released a number of popular Android games and has an unusual plan to monetize those games. Rather than simply relying on micro-transactions or direct purchases, Khripkov uses his customers’ phones to mine for bitcoins.

In an interview with Forbes, Khripkov stressed that he was breaking no laws and wasn’t doing anything unethical in by setting up this botnet.

“‘Legal botnet’ is only words. It means I have control over thousands of devices,” he told Forbes. “I do not do any evil things like illegal botnets … In my app you can control mining, you enable if it’s acceptable for you or disable if you do not want it. It is not hidden for users, so it is fully legal.”

While Khripkov insists that he has done nothing wrong, some cyber-security firms disagree and many anti-virius companies have started blocking Puzzles, the game which includes the mining software. In a blog post, Ixia, said that programs such as Khripkov’s represented “the next generation of adware software” noting that “thousands of users of users are actively mining for the personal profit of app’s creator.”

Khripkov has denied that he is creating any form of malware, and even accused the anti-virus companies of being the real evil, saying that they create fake threats to scare users, but don’t do anything about real dangers. As an example of his concerns, Khripkov discussed the anti-virus software doesn’t block apps which request access to a device’s SD card, which could contain sensitive information. For his part, the Russian developer stressed that his app did not access any personal information.

While there is still room for debate surrounding Khripkov’s actions, it is undeniable that this year has seen an increase in the number of cryptocurrency-related exploits as the currency’s value has increased. Previously, these attacks were associated with the shady corners of the internet, but a recent report indicates that they have spread to legitimate websites across the internet.

This remote-control sex toy app is secretly recording your intimate adventures

The rapid rise of the Internet of Things has certainly raised some privacy concerns, but when the “thing” is a sex toy, that takes it to a whole new level. The Lovense vibrator app, which allows a user to remotely control a “bullet vibrator,” was found to be secretly recording and storing audio files while it was in use.

A Redditor named tydoctor discovered the sound files while he was reviewing his phone storage in advance of a factory reset. “The file was a FULL audio recording 6 minutes long of the last time I had used the app to control my SO’s remote control vibrator (We used it at a bar while playing pool),” he wrote.

A representative of Lovense responded on Reddit with a post claiming it was just a “minor bug” and the audio files were only saved locally. “Rest assured, no information or data is sent to our servers,” the company rep said. “This cache file currently remains on your phone instead of deleting itself once your session is finished. Also, when the file is created it overwrites itself (no new files are created).”

Lovense confirmed that the bug only affected Android users, and a later post announced that an new version of the app is now available for download from the Google Play Store. If you use this particular app, make sure you’re updated to version 3.0.7.

This isn’t the first time that Lovense and its “teledildonic” sex toys have seen some backlash over the connected nature of their products, as the International Business Times points out. Several months ago, a Bluetooth remote-controlled sex toy was hacked and activated, easily bypassing Lovense’s authentication.

In 2016, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the makers of the remote-control We-Vibe vibrator and associated phone app, which collected user’s data on company servers. In addition to email addresses, which linked specific users to their sex toys, the company also collected data on where and how often its customers used its products. Earlier this year, We-Vibe shelled out $3.75 million to settle the lawsuit, according to NPR.

The strange world of tech-friendly sex toys is booming, from sex robots to wearable devices, and security is not always the primary concern of manufacturers or users. Proceed at your own risk.

This remote-control sex toy app is secretly recording your intimate adventures

The rapid rise of the Internet of Things has certainly raised some privacy concerns, but when the “thing” is a sex toy, that takes it to a whole new level. The Lovense vibrator app, which allows a user to remotely control a “bullet vibrator,” was found to be secretly recording and storing audio files while it was in use.

A Redditor named tydoctor discovered the sound files while he was reviewing his phone storage in advance of a factory reset. “The file was a FULL audio recording 6 minutes long of the last time I had used the app to control my SO’s remote control vibrator (We used it at a bar while playing pool),” he wrote.

A representative of Lovense responded on Reddit with a post claiming it was just a “minor bug” and the audio files were only saved locally. “Rest assured, no information or data is sent to our servers,” the company rep said. “This cache file currently remains on your phone instead of deleting itself once your session is finished. Also, when the file is created it overwrites itself (no new files are created).”

Lovense confirmed that the bug only affected Android users, and a later post announced that an new version of the app is now available for download from the Google Play Store. If you use this particular app, make sure you’re updated to version 3.0.7.

This isn’t the first time that Lovense and its “teledildonic” sex toys have seen some backlash over the connected nature of their products, as the International Business Times points out. Several months ago, a Bluetooth remote-controlled sex toy was hacked and activated, easily bypassing Lovense’s authentication.

In 2016, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the makers of the remote-control We-Vibe vibrator and associated phone app, which collected user’s data on company servers. In addition to email addresses, which linked specific users to their sex toys, the company also collected data on where and how often its customers used its products. Earlier this year, We-Vibe shelled out $3.75 million to settle the lawsuit, according to NPR.

The strange world of tech-friendly sex toys is booming, from sex robots to wearable devices, and security is not always the primary concern of manufacturers or users. Proceed at your own risk.

This remote-control sex toy app is secretly recording your intimate adventures

The rapid rise of the Internet of Things has certainly raised some privacy concerns, but when the “thing” is a sex toy, that takes it to a whole new level. The Lovense vibrator app, which allows a user to remotely control a “bullet vibrator,” was found to be secretly recording and storing audio files while it was in use.

A Redditor named tydoctor discovered the sound files while he was reviewing his phone storage in advance of a factory reset. “The file was a FULL audio recording 6 minutes long of the last time I had used the app to control my SO’s remote control vibrator (We used it at a bar while playing pool),” he wrote.

A representative of Lovense responded on Reddit with a post claiming it was just a “minor bug” and the audio files were only saved locally. “Rest assured, no information or data is sent to our servers,” the company rep said. “This cache file currently remains on your phone instead of deleting itself once your session is finished. Also, when the file is created it overwrites itself (no new files are created).”

Lovense confirmed that the bug only affected Android users, and a later post announced that an new version of the app is now available for download from the Google Play Store. If you use this particular app, make sure you’re updated to version 3.0.7.

This isn’t the first time that Lovense and its “teledildonic” sex toys have seen some backlash over the connected nature of their products, as the International Business Times points out. Several months ago, a Bluetooth remote-controlled sex toy was hacked and activated, easily bypassing Lovense’s authentication.

In 2016, a class-action lawsuit was filed against the makers of the remote-control We-Vibe vibrator and associated phone app, which collected user’s data on company servers. In addition to email addresses, which linked specific users to their sex toys, the company also collected data on where and how often its customers used its products. Earlier this year, We-Vibe shelled out $3.75 million to settle the lawsuit, according to NPR.

The strange world of tech-friendly sex toys is booming, from sex robots to wearable devices, and security is not always the primary concern of manufacturers or users. Proceed at your own risk.

Join friends and family for a group purchase with PayPal’s new Money Pools

PayPal has launched a service that makes it easy to fundraise from friends and family members to reach a group goal. The new feature, called Money Pools, could be used to collect funds for anything from a surprise birthday party to raising money for a family member in need. It can also be used to collect money you’re owed, like when you picked up that $300 bar tab on your credit card and everyone promised to pay you back.

The service is safe and secure, but everyone who participates must have a PayPal account. The pools can be shared on Facebook and Twitter, or via messaging services WhatsApp or Messenger. If you prefer, the fundraising details can also be kept completely private and confidential.

You can put your friends on notice if they fail to pony up, like that one guy in your fantasy league who never pays his dues until the last minute. There’s no fee for the service if you’re transferring money from your PayPal or bank account, but there is a small charge when using a debit or credit card to contribute to the fund.

It’s basically a small-scale GoFundMe page for your circle of friends and family. When you set up a page, you can personalize it with a description and photo, as well as the goal and the deadline. The pool’s activity feed keeps you abreast of who’s already contributed. Similar to other fundraising services, the organizer only receives the money if the goal has been met, although you can easily extend the deadline if it has not been reached.

It’s easier than ever nowadays to share money between friends and chip in for various expenses. You can send cash while you’re Skyping, or chatting in Slack, using Facebook Messenger, or even tack it on as a Gmail attachment.

The cashless economy could already be upon us, thanks to digital transactions like MoneyPools. In 2014, most Americans carried less than $50 with them and half had less than $20, according to Forbes. The number of retailers that don’t accept cash continues to increase. It may not be long before physical bills and coins are a thing of the past.