Contact lens-based tech could lead to better EV power source

A team of scientists from the UK have developed a material made of polymers that could become the answer to humanity’s battery woes. It could apparently lead to supercapacitors — battery alternatives that can charge really quickly — up to 10,000 times more powerful than usual. Thus, if an electric vehicle uses the material, it can theoretically travel farther than current EVs. It can even go from empty to fully charged in a matter of minutes instead of six hours or so. Imagine what it can do for smaller devices. You could plug in a smartphone that uses it as a power source and literally watch its battery indicator fill up in a few seconds.

The team from the University of Surrey and Augmented Optics Ltd. applied the principles used to make soft contact lenses to create the material. In fact, the person who conjured up the technique to create soft lenses 40 years ago was one of the people behind this project. The material was designed to replace the electrolyte supercapacitors use, because while the devices can gulp electricity quickly, they’re typically not as dense (i.e., they don’t hold as much energy) as batteries. It also has other potential applications, as Dr. Ian Hamerton from the University of Bristol explained:

“While this research has potentially opened the route to very high density supercapacitors, these *polymers have many other possible uses in which tough, flexible conducting materials are desirable, including bioelectronics, sensors, wearable electronics, and advanced optics. We believe that this is an extremely exciting and potentially game changing development.”

*the materials are based on large organic molecules composed of many repeated sub-units and bonded together to form a 3-dimensional network.

Augmented Optics Ltd. already set up a company called SuperCapacitor Materials Ltd. with the intention of building a full scale prototype next year, so you might see the new technology in action much sooner than you think.

Source: SuperCapacitor Materials

Netflix Becomes Top Grossing iOS App in the U.S. for the First Time

Netflix yesterday briefly became the number one top-grossing iOS app in the U.S. for the first time, holding at bay the likes of Spotify and Candy Crush Saga for most of Monday.

The app also occupied the coveted top spot on iPhone in India, Mexico, and Colombia yesterday, as noted by app tracking company SensorTower, which offered a timeline leading up to the achievement in a blog post.

Image via SensorTower.
The accomplishment comes approximately one year after Netflix introduced the ability for users to pay the monthly subscription fee as an in-app purchase. Over that time, its weekly net revenue has grown from less than $50,000 to nearly $2.9 million. In November, it was the No. 7 grossing iOS app overall in the U.S.

Apple takes a 30 percent cut of all in-app fees, but last month announced it was lowering the amount to 15 percent for subscription-based streaming video apps like Netflix and Hulu. Apple will soon extend the 15 percent rate to all subscription video services that are integrated with the company’s upcoming TV app.

Last week, Netflix added the ability to download select programs via its mobile apps for offline viewing.

Tags: App Store, Netflix
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Nougat update rolling out to unlocked HTC One M9, coming to carrier variants early next year

Unlocked HTC One M9 is now receiving the Nougat update.

HTC has announced that it is rolling out the Nougat update to the unlocked HTC One M9 starting today. The company also stated that carrier variants of the phone will pick up the update early next year.

Android Nougat will begin rolling out to the unlocked #HTCOneM9 starting late this evening. Carrier variants to follow early next year. pic.twitter.com/O5YP1l2Mdp

— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) December 5, 2016

HTC already commenced the Nougat rollout for this year’s HTC 10, starting with the unlocked model. European variants of the HTC 10 are slated to pick up the update shortly, and carrier variants are also likely to get updated in the coming weeks. No word as of now regarding the HTC One A9, but we should hear more soon.

Samsung Galaxy S8 could be first Samsung phone with dual speakers

Samsung only acquired audio technology expert Harman for $8 billion last month, but fingers are already pointing to Harman branded speakers for the Galaxy S8. Fone Arena has cited sources as saying the next Galaxy will have double the number of speakers as the Galaxy S7, which will put it on a level playing field with the Apple iPhone 7, which has also just received dual stereo speakers for the first time.

• Samsung acquires Harman for $8 billion

It seems it could be another case of where Apple goes, Samsung follows. It would be a wise move from Samsung, since Harman owns several companies including JBL, AKG, Harman Kardon, proving it knows what it’s talking about when it comes to audio.

It’s not clear if the Galaxy S8 will sport front-facing stereo speakers like HTC smartphones and their BoomSound technology, or dual speakers on the bottom of the device.

We’ve been impressed by HTC’s audio prowess in the past, so we will of course be intrigued to see what Samsung can come up with.

While this rumour should be taken with a pinch of salt, especially since Samsung it bought Harman for its in-car technology expertise, it wouldn’t be surprising to see some of its audio technology find its way into Samsung’s flagship device.

It’s also likely that Samsung will want to make the best phone possible following the failure that was the Galaxy Note 7.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is expected to be launched at or around Mobile World Congress in February 2017 and should come in two variant, one with a 5.7-inch display and one with a 6.2-inch bezel-less OLED display. Rumours are also pointing to either a Qualcomm Snapdragon 830 processor or Samsung’s own Exynos 8895. However, Qualcomm has recently introduced the Snapdragon 835 processor, so there’s a chance Samsung will want to install the very latest chip to the S8.

• Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Edge: What’s the story so far
• The Samsung Galaxy S8 could give you super sharp selfies
• Amazing leak claims Samsung Galaxy S8 models will both have edge display, with larger screen sizes

With all the rumours flying around right now, the Galaxy S8 is shaping up to be one hell of a device, our only hope is that the majority of them are true. The good news is there is just over 2 months to wait.

Best Christmas films and TV shows to watch on Netflix, Amazon and Now TV in the UK

Christmas is just a few sleeps away… yes, really. But while for many it signals a time of eating too much, visiting the in-laws and more wrapping paper than you know what to do with, it’s also one of the best times of the year to watch some great films and TV shows.

The broadcasters in the UK will have their own Christmas content, but streaming services are getting in on the action just as much. Netflix, Amazon and Now TV all have an extensive range of films and TV shows, all revolving around Christmas.

There are soppy family movies, comedies and even the odd action film or two – plenty for everyone no matter your tastes. And what’s more, because you can stream them, you don’t have to thumb through the Radio Times with a red marker to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

Choosing a streaming service can be tricky admittedly, as each of the three has a different subscription model, but if you haven’t signed up to one, you may want to check out our handy guide to tell you about each one’s pros and cons. 

Now click here to see the best Christmas films and TV shows on streaming services in the UK

TiVo appears to be testing cloud DVR recording

While a few companies have tried on network/cloud DVR features, TiVo has always been associated with storage that’s sitting right in your living room. Previous leaks pointed to a new TiVo box, codenamed Mantis, that might do network recording of OTA channels, but now Dave Zatz posted this picture, showing that there may be similar features in the works for the existing Bolt DVR.

In the time since the Mantis popped up in FCC filings, another leak (and still-live TiVo webpage) shows it could arrive branded as the “Mavrik.” Additionally, there’s an app listing that confirms it as the “OTA Streaming, Diskless Cloud DVR TiVo Device Mantis.” While that seems like the best bet to actually ship sometime soon, we’re a bit more interested in the prospect of cloud recording of cable channels — if TiVo actually update old boxes to do it.

Source: Zatz Not Funny, TV Predictions