China’s elevated bus demoed with cars driving underneath

Six years ago, China came up with a super wacky idea: A large straddling bus that can let cars drive under it, which could be a cost-effective way to skip over congested traffic while carrying hundreds of passengers a pop. Today, this concept has evolved from a miniature model to a full-scale moving mockup, as unveiled in Hebei province’s Qinhuangdao city yesterday. This “Transit Elevated Bus” or “TEB” in short is designed to handle 300 passengers, and it comes in at 22 meters long, 7.8 meters wide plus 4.8 meters tall. That’s right, it’s only a tad taller than a double-decker bus for the sake of existing bridges in China, so only cars less than two meters tall can drive under the TEB.

Based on the photos, the TEB runs on sixteen tired wheels and is guided by eight pairs of rail wheels. It’s supposed to reach 40 to 50 km/h (about 25 to 31 mph), but the experimental electric vehicle moved cautiously slow on its disappointingly short 300-meter demo track yesterday. It was more of a proof of concept demo rather than a technical test run, because the vehicle here isn’t the real deal. No bridges, no traffic lights, no crosswalks and no turns. Still, it was able to wow some folks, especially those who were allowed to board the TEB to get a taste of the large space inside — a bit like an enlarged subway train as opposed to having long rows of seats like a ferry.

Song You Zhou, the inventor and chief engineer of the TEB, told WCC Daily back in May that if all goes well, it’ll only be a year to a year and a half before the vehicle enters the market. But if you ask us, we’re still not fully convinced. For one, what’s the purpose of this proof of concept demo? Why just 300 meters instead of the original 1km distance as mentioned by Song? And given that not all roads are straight, how safe is it for the cars driving underneath a TEB while on a slightly bendy road? (For the big turns, cars will have to stop and let the TEB go first.) Hopefully these questions can be answered shortly.

Via: Shanghaiist

Source: Xinhua (1), (2)

US Air Force says the F-35 is ready for combat

The F-35 Lightning II has faced more than a few technical problems and cost overruns in the 15 years since Lockheed Martin first won its production contract, but it’s nearly done overcoming those hurdles. The US Air Force has declared that the F-35A (that is, the conventional takeoff model) is officially ready for combat. The first squadron to get the advanced jet, the 34th Fighter Squadron at Utah’s Hill Air Force Base, can now deploy it on real-world missions if necessary.

Of course, theory and practice are two different things. While the F-35 is technically combat-ready, the Wall Street Journal’s Jon Ostrower notes that it won’t really be capable until “at least” October. The fighter’s current software prevents it from making full use of its capabilities (such as launching certain weapons) at the moment. As it stands, it’ll likely take some time before the F-35 deploys to an active theater, like the fight against ISIS — Air Combat Command estimates 2017. Think of this more as passing a base level of combat-worthiness than anything else.

There’s also the question of other military branches’ aircraft. While the Marine Corps said its F-35 model (the short/vertical takeoff-capable F-35B) was ready in July 2015, it was glitchy and missing key functionality at that point. And the Navy’s carrier-friendly F-35C isn’t active, either. It could be a long, long while before the Lightning II is polished enough that it’s a mainstay across the US military.

Via: DefenseNews, Jon Ostrower (Twitter)

Source: US Air Force

Google to sprinkle quick-loading AMP pages throughout mobile search results

Google will soon offer Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP) as part of its larger set of search results in Chrome and other mobile browsers. While these pages have previously surfaced in the Top Stories section of mobile searches, the company will soon be mixing them in with standard results.

From Google:

To clarify, this is not a ranking change for sites. As a result of the growth of AMP beyond publishers, we wanted to make it easier for people to access this faster experience. The preview shows an experience where web results that that have AMP versions are labeled with AMP. When you tap on these results, you will be directed to the corresponding AMP page within the AMP viewer.

You can actually try out AMP links in search results for yourself right now. Google’s set up a handy demo for mobile browsers, which let you see AMP results together with standard search results.

Google says that it’s started this preview in order to gather feedback from developers and regular users, along with websites so that the experience can be improved over time. The company is not giving a rollout timeline for AMP search results at the moment.

Here’s where you can buy the Galaxy Note 7 in Canada

Where can I buy the Galaxy Note 7 in Canada?

The Galaxy Note 7 is a big, beautiful phone, and Samsung Canada knows it. That’s why it is going to be offered at almost every possible carrier, along with the company’s four retail locations spaced out across the country.

When the Note 7 is released on August 19th, it will be offered at:

• Samsung Experience Stores
• Rogers
• Bell
• Telus
• Wind Mobile
• SaskTel
• MTS
• Videotron

Buy the Galaxy Note 7 from the Samsung Experience Stores

If you’re looking for the best out-of-box experience with the Galaxy Note 7 — and have over $1049.99 to spare for an unsubsidized handset — buying it from one of the four Samsung Experience stores across the country is the way to go.

Not only does the phone come without any carrier bloatware, but each box comes with an unlock code that will allow the phone to be used on any Canadian carrier, as well as most providers around the world.

It will be available for purchase on August 19 for:

• $1049.99 outright

It will be available in Black Onyx, Silver Titanium, and Coral Blue.

See at Samsung

Buy the Galaxy Note 7 from Bell

The Galaxy Note 7 will be available on August 19 from Bell for:

• $549.99 on a 2-year contract with a minimum $85/month plan
• $1049.99 outright

It will be available in Black Onyx, Silver Titanium, and Coral Blue.

See at Bell

Buy the Galaxy Note 7 from Rogers

Rogers has not made the Note 7 available for pre-order yet. Check back soon.

See at Rogers

Buy the Galaxy Note 7 from Telus

Telus has not made the Note 7 available for pre-order yet. Check back soon.

See at Telus

Buy the Galaxy Note 7 from Wind Mobile

Wind Mobile has not made the Note 7 available for pre-order yet. Check back soon.

See at Wind Mobile

Buy the Galaxy Note 7 from MTS

MTS has not made the Note 7 available for pre-order yet. Check back soon.

See at MTS

Buy the Galaxy Note 7 from SaskTel

SaskTel has not made the Note 7 available for pre-order yet. Check back soon.

See at SaskTel

Buy the Galaxy Note 7 from Videotron

Videotron has not made the Note 7 available for pre-order yet. Check back soon.

See at Videotron

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!

The Galaxy Note 7 can make GIFs out of just about anything

The Note 7 isn’t a smartphone. It’s an $800 GIF machine.

However you pronounce it, you can’t avoid GIFs on the Internet. But as universal as they’ve become, making them is still hard — unless you own a Galaxy Note 7. Yes, buying a Note 7 will surely make your wallet significantly lighter, but at least you’ll be able to turn just about anything into a GIF, ready to fire out at admiring followers on your social network of choice.

Getting there is simple — pull out the Note 7’s S Pen, hit “Smart Select,” then tap the “Animation.” You’ll then see a grid outline which you can align over the thing you want to record — for example, a YouTube video (DRM-protected videos won’t work, we’re told). Then tweak the recording quality if you like, and tap “record.” Once you’re done, stop recording and it’s saved to your gallery. From there it can be trimmed further, even allowing you to cut out specific frames if needed.

Whether you need a $800+ smartphone to help you make GIFs on the go is debatable — as is whether you really need an S Pen for a feature like this. (Surely a finger would work just as well?)

But hey. GIFs!

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!

Where to buy the Galaxy Note 7 in the U.S.

The Galaxy Note 7 is here, and it can be yours from the major U.S. carriers.

It doesn’t come as much of a surprise that the Galaxy Note 7’s going on sale from the major carriers in the U.S. — with Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and U.S. Cellular all getting in on the game. You get the same phone from all of the carriers, leaving your decision up to how the network will work for you, and what incentives it can offer with the purchase.

Here’s a breakdown of all the details for buying the Galaxy Note 7 from the major U.S. carriers.

Where to buy the Note 7 in the U.S.

AT&T

AT&T has announced that pre-orders of the Galaxy Note 7 will be available starting on August 3, with full availability on August 19. As for pricing, you’ve got a few options: 30 payments of $29.34 using AT&T Next or 24 payments of $36.67 for AT&T Next Every Year.

In addition, AT&T will be offering a few other promotions with the Galaxy Note 7:

• Buy one Galaxy Note 7 and get a $695 in monthly AT&T Next credits to purchase a second
• Buy a Galaxy Note 7 and get a free Samsung Gear S2 with 2-year agreement
• Buy a Galaxy Note 7 and get a Galaxy Tab E for $0.99

See at AT&T

T-Mobile

T-Mobile is offering the Note 7 for $69.99 down and $32.50 for 24 months — or a total of $849.99 — starting August 3. In-store availability commences August 19.

For a limited time, you’ll be able to have your choice of a gift with purchase:

• A Gear Fit 2
• One-year Netflix subscription
• 256GB SD card

See at T-Mobile

Verizon

Verizon will begin accepting pre-orders for the Galaxy Note 7 on August 3, and it will arrive in stores on August 19. The carrier has not yet announced its pricing, but for a limited time you’ll be able to grab the following free accessories:

• A Gear Fit 2
• 256GB microSD card

See at Verizon

U.S. Cellular

U.S. Cellular has announced that it will begin accepting pre-orders on August 4, with it becoming available in-store on August 19. The carrier will offer 20, 24 or 30 month payments, with payments as low as $27.80 per month. Those who opt for the 20 month plan will be able to upgrade in 12 months.

Once again, not to be left out, U.S. Cellular is also offering the same free accessory deals:

• A Gear Fit 2
• 256GB microSD card

Unlocked

At this time, Samsung hasn’t announced any plans to sell a U.S. unlocked model of the Galaxy Note 7 in the same way that it currently does with the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge. Looking back at previous phone launches we’d expect it to take a few months for an unlocked model to arrive, so up until that point you’re going to have to either purchase from a carrier, or buy an international model and import it to the U.S.

Samsung Galaxy Note 7

• Samsung Galaxy Note 7 hands-on preview
• The latest Galaxy Note 7 news!
• Here are all four Note 7 colors
• Complete Galaxy Note 7 specs
• The Galaxy Note 7 uses USB-C
• Join the Note 7 discussion in the forums!