The best headlamps

Think your flashlight does the trick when camping? Try camping with a headlamp just once and the experience will be … illuminating. After all, even simple tasks such as lighting a match and chopping wood require two hands. While your precious Maglite may moonlight as a weapon against rampant bears, it’s far too cumbersome when you’re trying to cook a backcountry meal under a banner of stars.

Alas, not all headlamps are created equal. Like most camping gear, they become more durable and functional as their price tags rise. Fret not, however, as we’ve picked the best headlamps which represent what’s available at different price points, whether you’re looking for a low- or high-budget source of light.

However, there are a few things to consider before purchasing. Depending on how you intend to use your headlamp, factors such as weight, comfort, durability, beam distance, and regularity all play a major factor. Though manufacturing specs tend to exaggerate when it comes to said categories — ahem, lumen output — the headlamps below rarely disappoint.

Our pick

Ledlenser MH10

Why you should buy this headlamp? The MH10 is as well-rounded as they get for under $100.

Who it’s for? Individuals looking for a high-lumen output headlamp that won’t break the bank.

How much will it cost? $80

Why we chose the Ledlenser MH10:

The Ledlenser MH10 is the most versatile headlamp we’ve seen and is our pick as the best overall unit. The Adjustable Focus System enables quick single-handed lighting adjustments from spot to flood with a simple twist of the front bezel. Nowadays, most top of the line headlamps are rechargeable, however, unlike some models, the MH10’s 18650 Li-ion rechargeable battery can reach an 80 percent charge in just four hours and a full charge in roughly six.

To prevent accidental battery drains during transport, the MH10 has a lock switch to keep it from powering on in a stuffed duffel. A built-in rear light isn’t necessary for all situations, however, cyclists will enjoy the added luminescence on evening rides. As anyone who’s ever slept overnight in a stuffy tent knows, the last thing you want while setting up a tent and bedding is excess heat coming from your headlamp. Thankfully, the MH10 has a temperature control system to keep the LED headlamp cool on your skull during use — even while emitting up to 600 lumens of light.

Buy one now from:Ledlenser L.L.Bean

The best lumen output

Petzl Ultra Rush Headlamp

Why you should buy this headlamp? This sleek unit lights up the night like no other.

Who it’s for? Anyone looking for more than 700 lumens of light in a sleek, rechargeable build.

How much will it cost? $295

Why we chose the Petzl Ultra Rush Headlamp:

The Petzl Ultra Rush is one of the best headlamps on the market, however, it’s also one of the pricier models. The powerful beam dishes out a whopping 760 lumens up to 560 feet. Unlike most headlamps, the Ultra Rush utilizes a “constant lighting” feature, meaning the beam doesn’t progressively fade towards the end of the battery life.

In fact, as the battery gets close to depleting, the Ultra Rush automatically switches to reserve lighting to maximize its remaining energy. The mixed beam has four power options to choose from, allowing greater flexibility for an array of tasks. Situationally, the full power 760 beams may be a bit unnecessary, therefore switching to a lower setting uses an ideal beam for the task at hand and also extends battery life. The rechargeable battery is also ergonomically mounted on the back of the headband.

The entire unit is IP67 graded, meaning the Ultra Rush is capable of being submerged in up to one meter of water for 30 minutes without damage. At nearly 300 dollars, the Petzl Ultra Rush is certainly not for everyone and at 1.6 pounds, it is on the bulkier side. However, if you’re in the market for a powerful, rugged headlamp, the Ultra Rush is hard to top.

Buy one now from:Petzl Amazon

The best design

Petzl NAO

Why you should buy this headlamp? This stylish unit is as comfortable as it is powerful.

Who it’s for? Individuals who want a versatile headlamp that won’t slide out of place — even during strenuous activities.

How much will it cost? $140

Why we chose the Petzl NAO:

The Petzl NAO is one of the pricier options on our roundup, and for good reason. Most headlamps often utilize a basic, elastic strap design. Unfortunately, after a few hours, these thick bands become quite uncomfortable and still somehow manage to slide out of place. The Petzl NAO uses an adjustable dual rope strap to more evenly displace the weight of the headlamp, while a slight taper of the top strap keeps the unit in place even during technical activities.

The headlamp features an array of handy features and a maximum brightness of up to 575 lumens. The Petzl NAO also has a lock function to prevent it from unintentionally turning on while stowed, along with two power options — Max and Max Autonomy — which result in a brighter output while extending battery life. When the beam does go out, you can recharge it via an integrated USB connector, allowing you to replenish the battery with an array of portable devices. As an added bonus, Petzl offers an optional belt kit, enabling individuals to move the rechargeable battery pack to their belt, further reducing its overall weight.

Buy one now from:Amazon

The best intuitive lighting

Petzl – REACTIK+

Why you should buy this headlamp? The intuitive lighting technology takes manual lighting adjustments out of the equation.

Who it’s for? Glampers and casual campers.

How much will it cost? $110

Why we chose the Petzl REACTIK+:

Headlamp tech is on the rise. Petzl, for instance, now outfits some of its high-end headlamps with a responsive technology that auto-adjusts the brightness of your headlamp based on what you’re looking at. This is particularly convenient when you’d like to leave your headlamp on high for prolonged periods and look at close-range things which may not require as much light — such as a map or nearby sign.

The feature helps save your battery life, too, and can be turned off in situations where other sources of light — i.e. a campfire or reflective snow — might hinder its performance. This intuitive technology, alongside 300 lumens of illumination, enables adventurers to simply activate their headlamp and let it do all the work.

Buy one now from:Amazon REI

The best budget

Coast FL11

Why you should buy this headlamp? For under 20 bones, you’ll be hard-pressed to top Coast’s FL11.

Who it’s for? Anyone looking for a basic headlamp for a casual weekend outing.

How much will it cost? $18

Why we chose the Coast FL11:

We ran the Coast FL11 through the gauntlet earlier this year and this headlamp is our favorite budget option, hands down. While certain conditions and activities demand a more powerful beam, for most outings, the 130 lumens ought to fit the bill. The backside of the headlamp itself uses an adjustable hinge to pivot lighting as needed while on the trailhead or setting up camp. Unlike white light, the red light mode won’t cause your pupils to shrink, minimizing the amount of time it takes for your eyes to adjust to keep you from stumbling around the campsite.

Buy one now from:Amazon Coast

Feel free to check out our roundup of the best camping hacks for your next outdoor adventure.

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The best 17-inch laptops you can buy

17-inch laptops are about as big as they come (except for the insane Predator 21X, of course)  — and they aren’t exactly in vogue right now. You won’t find them as part of the current laptop lineups from Microsoft or Apple (remember the 17-inch MacBook Pro?). Most people these days prefer smaller laptops like the 13-inch or 15-inch, with a big focus on portability.

However, that doesn’t mean there are some important use cases for them. Plenty of gamers prefer the larger displays for their gaming on the go, and even some businesspeople desire the extra screen real-estate for better multitasking and productivity.

Here are our picks for the best 17-inch laptops you can buy right now.

Our pick

HP Envy 17

If gaming isn’t your reasoning behind wanting a 17-inch laptop, the HP Envy 17 is our pick for pretty much every other circumstance. The Envy has a bunch of different configurations, starting as low as $850, coming packed with a 1080p display, the high-powered Core i7-8550U, 8GB of RAM, and 1TB of7200 rpm SATA space. It even comes with a dedicated graphics card, the Nvidia GeForce MX150.

Those are some impressive specs, especially at that price. So what’s the catch? Well, it’s not nearly as thin or light as the 13-inch models of the Envy, coming in at 6.7 pounds and almost an inch thick. It also comes with an optical drive, which will either be seen an extra bonus, or a completely strange thing to have a laptop in 2018, depending on your perspective.

Either way, if you’ve been looking for a high-powered work laptop with a big display, you’ve found it.

The best 17-inch gaming laptop

Acer Predator 17x

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

Gamers are always looking for a laptop that can actually compare to the kind of performance they get on their desktop gaming PCs. Acer’s Predator 17X does that in spades, boasting a monster Core i7-7820HK, 1TB of hard drive capacity, a 1080p display, and 32GB of RAM. You won’t be disappointed with the CPU or GPU performance here, no matter how much raw power you need.

The Predator 17X doesn’t pretend to be something it isn’t. It weighs 10 pounds and costs $2,700. It’s chubby, chock full of colors and fans, and has a numpad. But all that is exactly what you should expect in a serious gaming laptop. When it comes down to it, the Predator 17X is not only the best 17-inch gaming laptop you can buy, it’s the best gaming laptop period.

Best budget 17-inch laptop

Dell Inspiron 17 5000

17-inch laptops are usually beefier, more powerful laptops — and thus, more expensive. However, Dell’s Inspiron 17 5000 offers some surprisingly affordable entry-level configurations. Starting at just $580 for its Core i3-7100U configuration, this is smallest amount of money you can buy for this large of a laptop. From there, it can be beefed up with the Core i7-8550U, dual drives, and 16GB of RAM — for $1,300.

Don’t be mistaken, there are definitely compromises here. Most notably, it doesn’t come with 1080p display or a discrete graphics card like many of the other 17-inch options. Also, the Inspiron 17 5000 isn’t much of a looker — it looks about as generic as it comes. But for the cheapest possible 17-incher, look no further.

Best (relatively) thin 17-inch laptop

Razer Blade Pro

Bill Roberson/Digital Trends

A well-designed 17-inch laptop is hard to come by — and strangely enough, the best-looking one out there is a gaming laptop. The Razer Blade Pro is an absolute beast, sporting a 4K touchscreen display, 32GB of RAM, a 512 GB solid state drive, and an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 graphics card. In our tests, the Razer Blade Pro demolished everything we threw at it, whether that was Destiny 2 in 4K or Deus Ex: Mankind Divided on Ultra settings.

More interestingly, the Razer Blade Pro affords itself an actual mechanical keyboard, with Razer’s distinctive, Chroma backlighting — as well as a touchpad positioned to the right of it, instead of below. All of that is bundled in a package that looks surprisingly trim and light for a gaming laptop. There are plenty of better deals for 17-inch gaming laptops, but not one with this much style.

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Samsung registers ‘DeX Pad’ trademark, may launch accessory with Galaxy S9

Last Friday, December 29, Samsung Electronics filed a trademark application for a new term with the European Intellectual Property Office. According to a document found by Dutch news blog Galaxy Club, the application is for “DeX Pad” — which could be its new wireless dock launching alongside the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus.

While no other details have been revealed, the DeX Pad is expected to allow you to use your smartphone as a virtual keyboard or a touchpad once it’s resting flat. This allows you to leave your keyboard or mouse at home, instead of having to carry around the extra equipment.

The Samsung Dex Station has a similar use case — but it instead gives you the opportunity to leave your laptop at home.  When connected to a monitor — along with a few other accessories — the docking station turns your Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 into an Android desktop operating system.

The docking station includes an HDMI port to plug into your monitor, and a Type-C port that charges your phone using the dock. There’s also two USB Type-A ports to plug in other peripherals, but there’s a separate option to use Bluetooth to connect a wireless keyboard or speakers.

But in terms of the DeX Pad, it’s still unknown whether or not you’ll actually be able to use the accessory wirelessly. Based on the name, though, it will most likely be a charging pad that will wirelessly charge your smartphone while you’re using it.

Also kept under wraps is the Galaxy S9, which is rumored to be announced in February of this year and may start shipping as early as March. When it comes to the design of the latest flagship, it’s been said the device might look extremely similar to the Galaxy S8.

Under the hood, the device could have the next-top-of-range Qualcomm Snapdragon chip — the Snapdragon 845. A recent tip also suggests Samsung might be working on a few software innovations that incorporate artificial intelligence. Recent leaks suggest it could include a single lens camera as well, while the Galaxy S9 Plus might have a dual-lens camera.

While more information has yet to surface about the DeX Pad accessory, it’s possible it will be comparable in functionality to the Dex Station. If the pricing is based on its predecessor, we could see it listed for around $150.

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Samsung registers ‘DeX Pad’ trademark, may launch accessory with Galaxy S9

Last Friday, December 29, Samsung Electronics filed a trademark application for a new term with the European Intellectual Property Office. According to a document found by Dutch news blog Galaxy Club, the application is for “DeX Pad” — which could be its new wireless dock launching alongside the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus.

While no other details have been revealed, the DeX Pad is expected to allow you to use your smartphone as a virtual keyboard or a touchpad once it’s resting flat. This allows you to leave your keyboard or mouse at home, instead of having to carry around the extra equipment.

The Samsung Dex Station has a similar use case — but it instead gives you the opportunity to leave your laptop at home.  When connected to a monitor — along with a few other accessories — the docking station turns your Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 into an Android desktop operating system.

The docking station includes an HDMI port to plug into your monitor, and a Type-C port that charges your phone using the dock. There’s also two USB Type-A ports to plug in other peripherals, but there’s a separate option to use Bluetooth to connect a wireless keyboard or speakers.

But in terms of the DeX Pad, it’s still unknown whether or not you’ll actually be able to use the accessory wirelessly. Based on the name, though, it will most likely be a charging pad that will wirelessly charge your smartphone while you’re using it.

Also kept under wraps is the Galaxy S9, which is rumored to be announced in February of this year and may start shipping as early as March. When it comes to the design of the latest flagship, it’s been said the device might look extremely similar to the Galaxy S8.

Under the hood, the device could have the next-top-of-range Qualcomm Snapdragon chip — the Snapdragon 845. A recent tip also suggests Samsung might be working on a few software innovations that incorporate artificial intelligence. Recent leaks suggest it could include a single lens camera as well, while the Galaxy S9 Plus might have a dual-lens camera.

While more information has yet to surface about the DeX Pad accessory, it’s possible it will be comparable in functionality to the Dex Station. If the pricing is based on its predecessor, we could see it listed for around $150.

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New DNA vaccine could lead to a one-dose universal vaccine for the flu

One of the reasons it’s so difficult to create a cure for the flu is because the virus continually shape-shifts from year to year. That means getting annual flu shots, instead of a more permanent solution to the problem. Researchers from the University of Washington School of Medicine may have just changed the game, however. Investigators in Professor Deborah Fuller’s lab have developed a DNA vaccine that could lead to a universal, one-dose flu vaccine.

“The current flu vaccine is an inactivated virus,” Fuller told Digital Trends. “The whole virus is first grown in eggs, then it’s inactivated and injected. DNA vaccines are different. Instead of producing the vaccines in eggs, we instead inject a genetic code for proteins from the virus into our own cells. Our cells then read the code and produce the viral proteins, [aka] antigens. When our immune system sees the antigens, it makes immune responses that can protect against influenza infection.”

The problem with current flu vaccines isn’t just the discomfort of having to undergo regular needle jabs. Because the vaccines take nearly nine months to manufacture in sufficient quantities to protect the population, they are based on a prediction surrounding what the following year’s flu virus is going to look like. As with all predictions, this can be inaccurate, meaning that the vaccine won’t be as effective as it could be. DNA vaccines can be produced far more quickly (in three months or less), which makes them a valuable tool in the face of a potential pandemic.

“In our paper, we replicated experimentally in monkeys a situation that [was] similar to the 2009 influenza pandemic, where a new strain of influenza unexpectedly emerged and current vaccines offered little or no protection,” Fuller said. “We vaccinated the monkeys with the same antigens included in the inactivated vaccine that year, but then also added, via our DNA vaccine, the genetic code for conserved influenza antigens. When we challenged the monkeys with the 2009 pandemic strain of influenza, we saw significant protection in the group that got the vaccine. They experienced only a transient low infection that was quickly cleared, when compared to the group that didn’t get the vaccine.”

As to when a final universal flu vaccine will be rolled out to patients, Fuller says that, “it’s no longer a matter of if but rather rather when.” While it’s difficult to predict an exact timeline, she believes the first universal vaccine will come to market in 5 to 10 years. Her team is also working on a special “gene gun” for injecting these vaccines, for which Fuller has co-founded a biotech startup.

A paper describing this work was recently published in the journal PLOS One.

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LG’s 2018 TVs include new ‘Alpha 9’ processor for natural language processing, Google Assistant

In the week before CES, LG’s announcements for the show keep coming.

CES is always a big show for TVs, and LG is using the opportunity to announce a new version of its TV-focused “Alpha” processor and software to further modernize its big-screen offerings. With its 2018 lineup, LG is bringing its webOS-based TV software into the growing “ThinQ” brand, denoting its AI and smart home capabilities. It’s all fueled by a new “Alpha 9” processor, replacing the previous Alpha 7, which has even more power to handle not only advanced image processing but also all of the increasingly useful AI software.

The new, more-powerful Alpha 9 processor is designed specifically to power artificial intelligence and natural language requests using a microphone in the TV remote. With these new TVs, you’ll simply be able to tell it what to do in regular words, and it’ll handle it — things like “show me the soundtrack to this movie,” which is useful, but also lesser-seen features like “turn off the TV when this show is over” and hundreds of others.

That capability also sets it up perfectly to now run Google Assistant, where LG says it will hand off any voice requests that the TV can’t handle directly. So asking for information on a show or a schedule will be handled by the TV’s software, but Assistant will take care of knowledge base questions, timers and requests from Google services like Maps or Photos. The TV will also let you control all sorts of smart home products through both LG’s smart home platform and anything that interfaces with Google Assistant. Provided the integration works as expected, it sounds like it’d be the best of both worlds.

As for the image processing side of things, which is may not be as headline-grabbing but is ultimately the most important part of a TV, the Alpha 9 provides what LG calls “picture quality close to perfection.” It claims that the Alpha 9 processor has a four-step noise reduction process for the clearest possible picture, even better colors than the last generation, and is ready to handle 120 fps content in the future. The 2018 range of LG SUPER UHD TVs also have denser FALD (full array local dimming) backlighting, leading to deeper blacks and better control over scenes with mixed lighting.

The new processor and capabilities will debut across LG’s high-end lineup, including the B8, C8, E8 and W8 in 55- to 77-inch sizes depending on the model. Naturally LG isn’t saying anything about the pricing or availability of the new 2018 TV lineup, but we should learn the specifics when CES kicks off on January 9.

Press release:

LG LAYS GROUNDWORK FOR TV OF TOMORROW WITH THINQ® AND α (ALPHA) PROCESSOR

Already Delivering Category-Leading LG OLED TVs and Impressive LG SUPER UHD TVs, LG Revolutionizes the Brains Behind the Displays

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Jan. 2, 2018 — At CES® 2018, LG Electronics (LG) will raise the home entertainment experience to another level with the introduction of ThinQ® artificial intelligence (AI) and an advanced image processor in its newest smart TV lineup, including LG OLED and LG SUPER UHD TVs. ThinQ allows the implementation of hundreds of voice requests utilizing the company’s own open smart platform as well as third-party AI services.

“As a leading innovator in the TV industry, LG is pleased to introduce the LG ThinQ and α (Alpha) 9 processor for an unrivaled viewing experience,” said Tim Alessi, head of product marketing at LG Electronics USA. “LG is dedicated to providing cutting-edge technology that elevates user lifestyles and offers unmatched convenience. In 2018, our ‘Best TV Ever’ gets even better.”

With AI functionality embedded in 2018 LG TVs, LG’s customers can speak directly into the remote control to enjoy all the convenient features of today’s advanced voice assistant technology. LG’s ThinQ TVs also function as smart home hubs, offering access to other smart home products such as robotic vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, air purifiers, smart lights, smart speakers and many other connected devices.

With LG’s newest α (Alpha) 9 processor powering the company’s market-leading LG OLED TVs, viewers will experience further improvements in what many already consider to be the best TV picture quality. LG Nano CellTM SUPER UHD TVs employ Full-Array Local Dimming (FALD) backlighting to provide deeper blacks and enhanced colors, as well as nuanced shadow details for more life-like images.

Transforming Modern Lifestyle Through Intelligence

LG’s ThinQ offers an enhanced interactive experience in all of the company’s newest smart TV lineup, including LG OLED and LG SUPER UHD models by employing Natural Language Processing (NLP) to deliver intelligent voice-activated control and connectivity based on LG’s own deep learning technology, DeepThinQ. With a dramatically streamlined setup process, viewers can easily connect to gaming consoles and external soundbars. Users can also search for information, images or videos featuring specific content by making a verbal request through the TV’s remote control such as “show me all of the movies this actor has starred in” or “show me yoga videos.”

LG TVs with ThinQ AI supports services based on Electronic Program Guide (EPG) to deliver real-time information or to change to a channel that offers requested content. Instruct the TV to “search for the soundtrack of this movie” or “turn off the TV when this program is over” without repeating the name of the program or entering a specific time. What’s more, users in certain countries will be able to utilize Google Assistant to control smart home devices, such as lights, or activate third-party services.

Picture Quality Close to Perfection

LG’s newest α (Alpha) 9 intelligent processor provides true-to-life images with incredibly rich colors, sharpness and depth for greater realism. A core innovative element of the α (Alpha) 9 is the four-step process of noise reduction, which boasts twice as many steps compared to conventional techniques. This algorithm allows for greater finesse in noise reduction, improving the clarity of images affected by distracting artifacts and enabling more effective rendering of smooth gradations. The processor also improves other aspects of the image such as sharpness, contrast and color.

The processor also improves color performance, thanks to the advanced mapping capabilities making colors look closer than ever to the original content; and the improved color correction algorithm that allows for more natural colors with over seven times the reference color coordinates compared to those previously used. α (Alpha) 9 is ready to support next generation high frame rate (HFR) content created at 120 frames per second for better rendering of fast-action content with smoother and clearer motion such as sports and action movies. As a result of the new image processor, 2018 LG OLED TVs will create a truly spectacular viewing experience.

Maximizing Nano Cell with FALD Backlight and α (Alpha) 7

In 2017, LG made a significant achievement toward its highly ambitious vision for producing the ultimate LCD TV picture with its LG Nano Cell SUPER UHD TVs. By combining Nano Cell, FALD backlighting and the α (Alpha) 7 processor, LG’s 2018 SK9500 and SK9000 SUPER UHD TVs offers a host of technological advantages including deeper blacks, enhanced image rendering, improved shadow details and accurate color from wide viewing angles.

This year’s LG SUPER UHD TVs with FALD allow for denser backlighting zones throughout the display, contrary to edge-lighting, where backlights are positioned on the edges of the TV panel. LG’s technology improves black levels and picture dimensions by independent control of LED light zones, improving shadow details and reducing light bleed resulting in enhanced contrast and superb picture quality.

Best Possible 4K Cinema HDR Experience

LG’s 2018 OLED and SUPER UHD TVs feature 4K Cinema HDR, which introduces a truly cinematic experience to the home, regardless of the format. LG’s 2018 OLED and SUPER UHD TVs add support for Advanced HDR by Technicolor, building on a legacy of supporting most major HDR formats, from the superior viewing experience of Dolby VisionTM to HDR10 and HLG (Hybrid Log-Gamma). LG’s 2018 OLED and SUPER UHD TVs process HDR images dynamically frame by frame using LG’s proprietary algorithm, Enhanced Dynamic Tone mapping. Both 2018 OLED TVs and SUPER UHD TVs come with Dolby Atmos object-based surround sound for the best audio-visual experience possible.

Canada will track suicide risk through social media with AI

The Canadian government is partnering with AI firm Advanced Symbolics to try to predict rises in regional suicide risk by monitoring social media posts. Advanced Symbolics will analyze posts from 160,000 social media accounts and will look for suicide trends. The company aims to be able to predict which areas of Canada might see an increase in suicidal behavior, which according to the contract document includes “ideation (i.e., thoughts), behaviors (i.e., suicide attempts, self-harm, suicide) and communications (i.e., suicidal threats, plans).” With that knowledge, the Canadian government could make sure more mental health resources are in the right places when needed.

Canada isn’t the only one turning to technology in order to provide better support for those considering suicide or to prevent suicides from happening. In November, Facebook began a global rollout of its AI suicide prevention tools that reach out to users who post content that could be a sign of suicidal thought and allow other users to report content that they think might show signs of suicidal risk. Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, also released tools last year that allowed users to report live videos that showed signs of suicidal thought, which would prompt an offer of mental health resources to the person posting the content.

The project is scheduled to begin later this month and would initially end in June. During that time, Advanced Symbolics would monitor social media accounts for a period of three months as a pilot of the program. Afterwards, the Canadian government will determine if the program should be extended. It’s authorized for up to five one-year extensions. The initial program period will cost the government just under $25,000 and if extended fully, would cost up to $400,000.

“To help prevent suicide, develop effective prevention programs and recognize ways to intervene earlier, we must first understand the various patterns and characteristics of suicide-related behaviours,” a Public Health Agency of Canada spokesperson said to CBC in a statement. “PHAC is exploring ways to pilot a new approach to assist in identifying patterns, based on online data, associated with users who discuss suicide-related behaviours.”

Canada residents suffering from suicidal thoughts can reach out to the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention for help. US residents can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.

Via: Gizmodo

Source: Advance Contract Award Notice

Judge sides with Airbnb in lawsuit from US apartment landlord

Airbnb may have just dodged a bullet. A Los Angeles federal judge has ruled against major American landlord Apartment Investment & Management Co (AIMCO) in its lawsuit accusing Airbnb of helping tenants violate their lease agreements through unapproved short-term rentals. The judge determined that Airbnb was protected by the Communications Decency Act, which protects internet services against liability for the content posted by their users. It’s the tenants that are responsible for the rule-breaking listings, the court said, not Airbnb for hosting them.

AIMCO sued Airbnb in 2017 after some of its tenants in upscale LA apartments complained about Airbnb tourists making noise, damaging property and putting residents at risk. It hoped to bar Airbnb from listing any of its properties. Airbnb already has terms of service that requires rental hosts to obey lease agreements and local laws, but that clearly hasn’t stopped some customers.

Airbnb is unsurprisingly happy with the outcome. The decision lets it “continue to support tenant hosts” who use rentals to “help pay the bills,” according to a statement (you can read it in full below). It also used the remark to take a not-so-subtle dig at AIMCO, arguing that “forward-looking landlords” could join its Friendly Buildings Program to make money alongside their tenants.

The verdict won’t help the tenants themselves, since they did break their leases. Moreover, it won’t address gripes from apartment dwellers concerned that their buildings are becoming makeshift hotels, which tends to drive up rental rates and spur complaints. However, it could prompt greater clarity from landlords. If their agreements do forbid Airbnb-style rentals, they may be more likely to explicitly warn tenants knowing that they can’t sue Airbnb for compensation.

“We are pleased with the court’s decision that ensures Airbnb can continue to support tenant hosts who use our platform to help pay the bills. The partnerships we have established with landlords have made it clear that home sharing can be a win-win situation for everyone. The Airbnb Friendly Buildings Program allows tenants to leverage their greatest expense to make extra money and can create new economic opportunities for landlords. We are excited to have many such partnerships in place and we continue to see tremendous interest from forward-looking landlords and developers who understand that home sharing is going to be part of the solution, especially for Millennials who are facing historic debt.”

Source: Bloomberg

Galaxies stop making stars earlier if they host supermassive black holes

A supermassive black hole can mass more than a million times that of our Sun; these astronomical entities seem to lie at the center of all massive galaxies. They’ve been theorized as the gatekeepers to galaxy growth and star formation for a while now, as they pull in all the cold gases in a galaxy that can be used to make more stars. A new study from a team at the University of California Santa Cruz shows a relationship between the gas cooling rate (or quenching) of galaxies with the size of their black holes.

The researchers measured the different wavelengths of light coming from nearby massive galaxies with data from the Hobby-Eberly Telescope Massive Galaxy Survey. This allowed the team, led by Ignacio Martín-Navarro, to create a historical snapshot of the gas cooling rate of the early Universe. Comparing galaxies and their rate of new star formation, the team found that the quenching in any given galaxy is more efficient, and thus takes place earlier, in galaxies that contain a massive central black hole. “The observed relation between black-hole mass and star formation efficiency applies to all generations of stars formed throughout the life of a galaxy, revealing a continuous interplay between black-hole activity and baryon cooling,” the team wrote in their paper at Nature.

This isn’t the first time researchers have found a connection between star formation and black holes. An earlier study with the Herschel Space Observatory showed that galaxies with powerful, active black holes produce fewer stars than those with less active black holes. And back in December, researchers from University of California San Diego detailed how supermassive black holes affect galaxy formation. The new research shows that the mass of the black holes have an effect, as well.

Via: Gizmodo

Source: Nature, UCSC

Microsoft stops selling the Xbox One Kinect adapter

You knew Kinect peripherals weren’t long for this world when Microsoft stopped producing the Kinect in October, but it’s still a sad day. The company has stopped making the Xbox Kinect Adapter that lets Xbox One S, Xbox One X and Windows PC users attach the depth-sensing camera without the presence of the original Xbox One’s proprietary port. Microsoft wants to focus its efforts on “higher fan-requested gaming accessories,” a spokesperson told Polygon. In short: there wasn’t exactly rampant demand for an adapter to support a peripheral that had effectively been declared dead.

As it stands, many of those who wanted the adapter already have it. Microsoft gave the adapter away for free for 8 months after the launch of the Xbox One S, and started selling it in April for $40. And if it wasn’t already clear that you had to hurry to get one, major retailers like Amazon and Microsoft itself have listed the adapter as out of stock for months.

This still creates issues for Kinect fans who want to keep using the pioneering device and aren’t content to settle for a headset or a USB webcam. Unless you can keep a first-generation Xbox One hanging around, you’ll either have to find the adapter at a reseller or score a used example on an auction site. And if none of those are options (such as for PC-based Kinect users)… well, you’re stuck. There hasn’t exactly been an abundance of Kinect-ready software to justify the adapter (though one did just arrive a few weeks ago), but this still hurts if you wanted your Kinect sensor to remain relevant for a little while longer.

Source: Polygon