‘Mass Effect: Andromeda’ cinematic trailer goes full space opera
Kick off this N7 Day (an unofficial Mass Effect holiday for November 7th) with a close look at BioWare’s long-awaited Mass Effect:Andromeda. The game’s cinematic trailer shows off many of the things we’d expect: space exploration, shootouts and an ominous sounding villain. We also get our closest look yet at the male main character, Ryder. He’s one of two twins you’ll be able to control; Bioware notably showed off the female Ryder sibling first at E3.
While the trailer itself is a mix of pre-rendered and in-game graphics, the company also revealed that we’ll be getting more gameplay footage at The Game Awards on December 1st. Mass Effect: Andromeda will be released sometime in the spring of next year. Previously, BioWare said that it would be coming in early 2017, following a delay from late this year.
“Take the role of the Pathfinder, leading humanity’s search for a new home in this unexplored and unforgiving region of space,” BioWare wrote today. “You’ll chart your own course, navigating the Andromeda galaxy to unravel its mysteries, discover vivid alien worlds, and lead the charge to find the human race a new home among the stars.”
Source: BioWare
3D-printed titanium hips will last longer with less pain
A mechanical engineering professor at McGill University has designed a new 3D-printed titanium hip replacement that will not only take the place of your aging femur, but can also fool the living bone into working harder for longer. According to the University, Damiano Pasini’s femoral stem is printed with a “hollowed-out tetrahedra” design that resembles the porousness of actual bone, rather than dense materials of older hip replacements.
The biggest issue with existing hip replacements is that they are actually too rigid and tend to take some of the stress off of living bone, which causes it to weaken and deteriorate. Over time, this leads to painful joints and eventually the need for a second hip replacement — which can be difficult if there’s no living bone left for the artificial joint to graft on to. In much the same way that 3D-printed “dough” can encourage bones to heal, Pasini’s design helps the body heal itself.
“So because the implant loosely mimics the cellular structure of the porous part of the surrounding femur, it can ‘trick’ the living bone into keeping on working and staying alive,” Pasini explained. “This means that our implant avoids many of the problems associated with those in current use.”
While the new hip replacements aren’t the most dramatic 3D-printed bone replacements we’ve seen, they will work with existing hip replacement techniques so surgeons won’t need to undergo any additional training when they start putting these to use in the next three to five years. And, assuming Pasini’s research holds true, they’ll also lead to fewer complications in the long run.
Via: McGill University Newsroom
Source: Journal of Orthopaedic Research
How the internet can help you vote tomorrow
Tomorrow is election day in the United States. More than a year of political maneuvering, partisan fundraising, polarizing debates and 24-hour election coverage comes to a close on Tuesday, November 8th. However, that’s not where this wild ride ends. Tomorrow, US citizens and the electoral college will choose a new president to lead the country for the next four years, ushering in a new political era with any outcome — whether Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Gary Johnson or Jill Stein.
If you’re an eligible voter and you want to be a part of this historic decision, there are plenty of digital tools designed to help you figure out where, when, how and why to vote.
Where, when and how to vote
Voting Information Project: Founded by the Pew Charitable Trusts, Google and the states, VIP aims to organize and distribute information about polling places, times, restrictions and local ballot initiatives. It does so in two main ways: an online widget and a texting service. Enter your address into the widget below to see your polling place and links for more information about your ballot.
Or, text “VOTE” or “VOTO” to GOVOTE (468-683) to receive polling place details, contact information for local officials and other election information.
Get to the Polls: Actually, VIP has one more tool designed to help people vote. Alongside VIP, Get to the Polls is backed by Google, Facebook, Tumblr, Twitter, Amazon, AT&T and other major tech companies. It’s a simple service, allowing users to input a home address to see the location of their polling place on Google Maps.
Washington Post voting tool: This one doesn’t discuss where to cast your ballot, but it provides clear information about the voting requirements in each state. For example, this tool outlines the 14 states with new voting restrictions and confirms whether you’ll need photo ID, proof of citizenship or other identification when you hit the polls.
Google: Google offers personalized ballot information and voting locations based on common search phrases like, “Where do I vote?” or “Who’s on my ballot?” This follows Google’s previous initiatives to help citizens vote early or in person and get people registered on time. The company is also sending out alerts straight to potential voters’ phones with information about polling places and restrictions.
Who and what to vote for
Vote411: Powered by the League of Women Voters Education Fund, Vote411 features ballot details and information about candidates for national and local elections. Simply enter your address and see what your ballot has to offer. Keep in mind that information about specific candidates is provided by the campaigns themselves, meaning some candidates are simply missing platforms altogether. Vote411 also provides polling places for those who want to triple-check that they have the correct location.
USA.gov: If Vote411 doesn’t offer information on your candidates, go directly to the source. USA.gov makes it easy to find your official state election site — just choose your state from the dropdown menu to be taken directly to your local, official voting information hub.
Election day reminders and tools
HelloVote: This is a good one for all the forgetful, stressed or overwhelmed folks out there. HelloVote sends you text messages with your polling location, election day reminders including a calendar invite, details on voter ID laws and other important information. Text “HELLO” to 384-387 or enter your phone number on the HelloVote website to take advantage of these SMS tools.
HelloVote comes from Fight for the Future, a nonpartisan, non-profit organization that advocates for internet rights and freedoms.
Electionland: Once you get to the polls, if you see instances of intimidation, attempts at suppression or voter fraud in action, text “ELECTIONLAND” to 69866 or submit a report directly on the website. Electionland is an initiative led by the independent, non-profit journalism outlet ProPublica and a handful of news organizations from across the country, including Google News Lab, WNYC and The New York Times.
Google Trends powers the real-time Electionland map that shows instances of people searching for long wait times, provisional ballots, inactive voter status, voter intimidation and voting machine problems across the country.
Hillary for America: This one clearly comes from the Hillary Clinton camp, but it’s a useful service regardless of your political preferences. If you have a voting question, get an answer from a team of more than 50 staffers and volunteers by tweeting @HFA, posting on Clinton’s Facebook page or texting “QUESTION” to 47246.
Election Protection: As the largest non-partisan voter advocacy group in the nation, Election Protection has a live hotline available to answer your voting questions at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683). On Monday, November 7th, the hotline is live until 8:30 PM local time in most areas. On Tuesday, November 8th (election day), the hotline will be live 30 minutes before polls open and 30 minutes after they close in each state.
The candidates on tech
Engadget election guide: Now that you know where, when and how to vote, let’s get down to the why. Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump, Gary Johnson and Jill Stein have vastly varied views on technology and science issues — and one of these people will soon be in a position to enact nationwide change in these fields over the next four years. That means control over net neutrality, government surveillance, NASA, STEM education and the country’s response to climate change, among other topics.
In the Engadget election guide, we’ve graded each of the candidates and provided details about their stances within the science and tech industries. Study up, and once you find the candidate that best speaks to your own views, get out and vote.
T-Mobile’s parent company is launching an anti-drone system
Anti-drone defense systems are about to become big business. T-Mobile parent company Deutsche Telekom has confirmed to Welt am Sonntag that it’s developing an anti-drone defense system that should launch this year. It’s not discussing details, but it would be offered as a security feature for airports, stadiums and other venues where robotic flyers are unwelcome or outright dangerous. Reportedly, car manufacturers are particularly eager for Deutsche Telekom’s help — they’re annoyed by journalists (and no doubt competitors) using drones to snap photos of pre-production cars.
Welt sources understand that the system (which was tested in July) involves technology from multiple companies, including US-based Dedrone. Its system can spot drones from over half a mile away using a mix of audio sensors (including ultrasound), frequency scanners and cameras. The tricky part is fending off those drones that enter forbidden airspace. You don’t have the legal authority to take down trespassing drones in Germany, so clients may have to resort to more peaceful methods like signal jamming, which forces aircraft to return home. Don’t expect to see firearms, nets or birds of prey plucking drones from the sky.
If the Deutsche Telekom effort takes off, it might spur wider adoption of anti-drone systems both in Germany and abroad. A ready-made, big-name defense option could be just what companies and governments want when they’re not sure how to protect themselves against aerial invaders. It could also spur competition from security firms that see anti-drone tech as a fresh source of revenue.
Via: Reuters
Source: Welt am Sonntag (translated)
Genealogy service’s DNA test helps you find your roots
Genealogy services are all about tracing your family’s history, so it makes sense for one of these services to identify your genetic history, doesn’t it? MyHeritage sure thinks so. It’s introducing a $79 MyHeritage DNA kit that offers a detailed look at not only your ethnic roots, but your geographic connections as well. Are you from eastern Europe, or northern Africa? You might just find out when your swab test results are ready in 3 to 4 weeks. Your report will even show you potential DNA matches with others, in case someone else is a distant relative.
The initial reports only account for 25 ethnic groups, but that should grow to 100-plus over time. Also, MyHeritage is jumpstarting its DNA library by giving away 5,000 free testing kits to existing members. Even if you’re an early adopter, there will likely be some point of comparison.
Of course, ancestry-oriented gene testing is nothing new — 23andMe revolves around it. However, MyHeritage is counting on both its existing genealogy customers (it has 85 million registered users) and its higher-resolution tests as ways of beating rivals. If you can settle the question of where your origins lay with a high degree of precision, you might be more willing to fork over cash.
Via: TechCrunch
Source: MyHeritage
T-Mobile’s SyncUP Drive adds 4G LTE to your aging vehicle
For the road warriors and frequent drivers who want a connected vehicle without shelling out for a new car with built-in WiFi, T-Mobile’s just announced SyncUP Drive should fill the coverage gap between your cell phone and your home internet. The new device brings the big pink carrier up to speed with competition at AT&T and Verizon (both of which already have similar devices) and adds smart vehicle diagnostic features as well as a phone-free connection to T-Mobile’s 4G LTE network.
With the ability to connect up to five different devices to its WiFi network, the SyncUP Drive should help families keep a full carload entertained and saves carpool drivers the trouble of fiddling with phone tethering while they’re on the road. Plus, as the little ones graduate to driving age, the on-board diagnostics will be able to track their driving behavior, monitor the vehicle’s location via GPS and provide instant notifications through a new companion app if there’s any sign of car trouble.
Like other aftermarket hotspots and vehicle tracking devices, the SyncUP plugs into your vehicle’s on-board diagnostics (OBD) port, so it should be compatible with any internal combustion engine vehicle built after 1996. (T-Mobile says the device isn’t compatible with electric, hybrid or diesel engines yet, but you can check compatibility here.) The device goes on sale November 18th, 2016 for a full retail price of $149.99, or free after bill credits when you tie it to a 24-month plan with 2GB or more of data.
Source: T-Mobile
T-Mobile’s New SyncUP DRIVE is a 4G LTE Hotspot and Vehicle Monitor
T-Mobile has launched the SyncUP DRIVE, an all-in-one solution for in-vehicle 4G LTE connectivity, driving analysis, vehicle tracking, and maintenance monitoring.
The accessory plugs into the on-board diagnostic port, standard on most vehicles manufactured in 1996 or later. The OBD-II port is typically located underneath the driver’s side dashboard, often within close proximity of the steering wheel. It is the same port used by mechanics to diagnose vehicle and engine problems.
The plug-in device can create a Wi-Fi hotspot that allows up to five devices to use 4G LTE cellular data. Meanwhile, the companion app uses GPS to track the vehicle’s location, and it can provide maintenance reminders, recall info, speed limit warnings, and car trouble notifications with Diagnostic Trouble Codes.
SyncUP DRIVE is similar to the Automatic Pro, which also plugs into the OBD-II port and provides trip logging, business expensing, engine light diagnostics, fill-up logging, crash alerts, parking tracking, and more through a companion iPhone app. Automatic Pro costs $129.95 and includes unlimited 3G syncing for five years.
SyncUP DRIVE will be available on November 18 for $149.99. For a limited time, customers purchasing the device on a 24-month installment plan with at least 2GB of data per month will get the accessory for free after 24 monthly bill credits. The device is not compatible with electric, hybrid, or diesel vehicles.
The companion SyncUp DRIVE app for iPhone, developed by Mojio, will be available for free on the App Store.
Tag: T-Mobile
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Verizon Adds 5GB and 10GB Prepaid Plans
Verizon has introduced two new prepaid data plans with 5GB for $50 per month and 10GB for $70 per month. Both plans include unlimited talk and text in the United States, Always-On Data, Carryover Data, Mobile Hotspot for 4G LTE tethering, and messaging to more than 200 countries at no additional cost.
Carryover Data allows Verizon customers to keep their unused data for an additional month. The feature automatically rolls your unused data for one month into the next. If you have 1GB of unused data remaining in November, for example, it would be added on top of your regular December data bucket.
Always-On Data provides unlimited data at up to 128 kbps speeds at no additional charge when a customer meets their monthly limit for high-speed data.
The 10GB plan also includes unlimited calling to Mexico and Canada.
The new tiers accompany Verizon’s existing prepaid plans, including 6GB of data for $60 per month, 3GB of data for $45 per month, and Wi-Fi only for $30 per month.
Verizon’s Prepaid Plans
- Wi-Fi only: $30/month
- 3GB: $45/month
- New — 5GB: $50/month
- 6GB: $60/month
- New — 10GB: $70/month
All prices require signing up for automatic payments with Verizon.
Verizon’s postpaid data plans, by comparison, include 2GB for $35/month, 4GB for $50/month, 8GB for $70/month, 16GB for $90/month, and 24GB for $110/month. Each plan includes unlimited talk and text in the United States.
Verizon customers can review and make changes to their account using the revamped My Verizon app, available as a free download on the App Store [Direct Link].
Tag: Verizon
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What’s New in iOS 10.2 Beta 2: SOS Feature, Music Changes and New ‘TV’ App
Apple seeded the second beta of iOS 10.2 to developers this morning, introducing a few new features that join changes introduced in the first beta of iOS 10.2.
As can be seen in the video and outline below, iOS 10.2 includes the TV app Apple promised at its October 27 event, some Apple Music design tweaks, and support for a new SOS feature.
TV app – The TV app is designed to serve as an Apple-designed TV guide to help users discover new content and decide what to watch. It’s going to be available for iOS devices and the Apple TV, and it features support for Single Sign-On and Siri Live Tune-In, along with a store for purchasing iTunes content and TV subscriptions and recommendations for new shows and movies to watch.
SOS – There’s a new SOS feature that will call emergency services when the power button on the iPhone is pressed five times. According to Apple’s release notes, SOS works in Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, India, Italy, Japan, Russia, Spain, UK, and US. Settings for SOS are available in the Settings app under the General section.
Music – There are more prominent Shuffle and Repeat buttons available in the Music app when playing a song.
The first beta of iOS 10.2 introduced a selection of new emoji and emoji redesigns, plus it included new wallpapers, a new “Celebrate” Screen Effect, a new option to save camera settings, a Videos widget, and support for Single Sign-On, a feature designed to let those with a cable subscription sign in once to access available content across multiple apps.
The second beta of iOS 10.2 is only available for developers, but Apple will likely make the beta available for public beta testers later this week. Apple has promised a December launch for several of the features in iOS 10.2 (including Single Sign-On and the TV app) so a public launch could come in the early days of the month.
Related Roundup: iOS 10
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HTC Bolt tipped for Nov 11 launch with water resistance, ‘adaptive’ earphones
Bizarre new mid-ranger reportedly a Sprint exclusive in the United States.
Rumors have been swirling around the HTC Bolt in recent weeks, suggesting that the Taiwanese company will bring to market mid-priced, big-screened variant of the HTC 10 to market sometime this month.
The deck of slides obtained by TechnoBuffalo breaks down a bunch of hardware features:
- 16-megapixel f/2.0 main camera with OIS
- 8-megapixel front camera
- 3,200mAh battery with quick charging — 20 hours talk time with “power to last a day” in 30 minutes of charging.
- Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box.
- Amazon Assistant preloaded.
- Water resistance, rated IP57
- 4K video recording and 24-bit Hi-Res audio
- Bundled with “the world’s first adaptive earphones” — “HTC BoomSound Adaptive Audio.” The new earphones are said to automatically measure and calibrate sound to adapt to your ears.
The HTC Bolt is also rumored to ditch the regular 3.5mm jack in favor of USB-C audio, because that’s working out so well for Apple.
Bolt owners can also keep warm this winter with a toasty Snapdragon 810 processor under the hood, if earlier reports are to be believed. Joking aside, at least the relatively large battery should offset the demands of a notoriously power-hungry chip. But if the rumors are true, the choice of an almost two-year-old SoC with a dubious reputation for performance and thermals is a strange one indeed.
The slides refer to the new phone by the “Bolt,” name, as opposed to the alternative “HTC 10 evo” monicker that’s been doing the rounds in recent days, but we wouldn’t necessarily read too much into that.
With a reported launch date set for November 11, we shouldn’t have to wait long to find out more about this oddball device.
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