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- Space Shuttle Atlantis hands-on: a look inside (video)
- AT&T cutting returns and service cancelation period from 30 to 14 days, starting tomorrow? (update)
- Huawei Ascend P1 LTE hands-on
- AMD Trinity APU overclocked at 7.3 GHz, kept cool with liquid nitrogen
- McAfee shows how major Android scamware ticks, prevents us from learning first-hand
- LG's Smart TV platform starts renting out Disney 3D movies, offers new buyers $50 worth
- Workers at Foxconn's Zhengzhou factory strike in reaction to new iPhone 5 quality standards
- Chevy Volt EcoHub app tells drivers how little they pay to charge, goads them into staying green (video)
- Seeing is believing, Disney crafts 3D printed optics (video)
- Adafruit releases WebIDE alpha for Raspberry Pi, eases beginners into coding
- Verizon Windows Phone 8X may have passed through the FCC
- Jay-Z streaming Brooklyn show live tomorrow, in a YouTube state of mind
- Kindle Paperwhite gets its own jailbreak, E Ink spews everywhere
- AT&T launches VoteHub, brings the presidential election to your pocket
- Leap of faith: Felix Baumgartner's historic jump from the edge of space
- Dude recreates first-gen iPod in-browser, won't put 1,000 songs in your pocket
- Parrot Zikmu Solo reaches US in November, makes a tower of wireless sound yours for $999
| Space Shuttle Atlantis hands-on: a look inside (video) Posted: 06 Oct 2012 11:41 AM PDT Space Shuttles Discovery, Endeavour and Enterprise have all left Kennedy Space Center for new homes, but Atlantis? She's staying. Come November 2nd, the orbiter will be wheeled out to a 65,000-square-foot exhibit, which is still being constructed at KSC's visitor complex. Though the craft's cargo bay doors will be open and its remote manipulator arm extended when its displayed, visitors won't be able to climb aboard it -- or any of the other shuttles, for that matter. However, we got the chance to visit Bay 2 of the Orbiter Processing Facility, step inside Atlantis and give it the hands-on treatment. Look out below for the gallery or hit the jump for the full video tour. |
| Posted: 06 Oct 2012 09:22 AM PDT Prone to bouts of buyer's remorse? Well if you were planning an AT&T flavored purchase, you might want to start the car. A tipster has sent in what appears to be a notice to staff advising that the returns period for equipment and service cancellations will be shrinking from 30- to 14-days -- effective tomorrow. Purchases made today would benefit from the longer period, and our tipster claims that there may be a grace period until November where returns could be processed as if still under the original scheme (what sounds, to us, like a courtesy for those who didn't read the fine print). We don't have all the fine print, but head past the break for a little more on the specifics. [Thanks, Anonymous] Update: The fine folks over at Phonescoop managed to get an official response from AT&T, and the change has been confirmed. Essentially, after October 7th the 14 return policy will indeed go int effect for devices -- except for "select AT&T business customers." Hit the more coverage link below for the full response. |
| Posted: 06 Oct 2012 08:08 AM PDT We've had the unexpected early opportunity to try what should be a production-grade Huawei Ascend P1 LTE -- early enough that the phone has yet to formally ship to its initial carrier. While we've seen hints of the 4G model towards the start of the year, what's landing in our hands is at least different than devices like the original Ascend P1, P1 S and P1 XL; months of extra engineering time, the LTE chipset and that bigger 2,000mAh battery have clearly had an effect. But by how much? Read on past the break for a quick tour of the refreshed design. In practice, the P1 LTE is a more rounded, comfortable smartphone than its peers, with a finely textured back and (on the black version we tried) just a slight hint of HTC One-like attention to detail through its red camera trim. The body is undoubtedly thicker than the iPhone 5 or other very recent 4G-toting smartphones, although we wouldn't call it portly; it's just thicker than we'd like given how little of a size penalty 4G carries these days. That does reflect the high-capacity removable battery we were missing before, though, and should satisfy data junkies who like to keep spare battery packs on hand. You'll still find the same 4.3-inch, qHD AMOLED screen, which unfortunately leads to visible pixels even as it still provides a reasonably bright display with good viewing angles. Most of the spec sheet reads out like a photocopy of the P1. The LTE edition keeps its ordinary counterpart's 1.5GHz TI OMAP 4460 processor, 4GB of built-in storage (plus microSD), 8-megapixel rear camera and 1.3-megapixel front camera, all running on Android 4.0.4 with a variation of Huawei's very light custom skin. We did notice a few changes from the earlier formula in our tester. The navigation keys are noticeably closer to Google's official design in appearance and layout, with just the menu key as a giveaway that it's not completely stock. Huawei's new hardware runs about as quickly as the old, netting a reasonable 1,897ms in SunSpider web browser testing, and the unbranded, unlocked model we used had little in the way of bundled apps that weren't Google's own. That last point is likely to change if an American or Canadian carrier gets control. As for the namesake LTE? We were testing what appears to be the North American model that we saw floating through the FCC just days ago, although we weren't in a position to get a proper test of the LTE, especially in an area where HSPA+ wasn't already perfectly stable. Yes, we understand the irony. Still, the data speed is arguably the most predictable element of the entire phone, and even the HSPA+ led to speedy browsing and social networking. Our take so far is much like what we gave for the base Ascend P1. The LTE variant is a solid if unspectacular smartphone that will likely do best when it's priced like the entry-to-mid-level handset that it is, rather than trying to compete with the Galaxy S III and iPhone 5 flagships of the world. And we're fine with that if it holds up in real world use. Not every LTE device must be high end, and Huawei has struck a careful balance between our desires for a big, fast phone and the reality of our pocketbooks. |
| AMD Trinity APU overclocked at 7.3 GHz, kept cool with liquid nitrogen Posted: 06 Oct 2012 06:04 AM PDT AMD's Trinity APUs have only been in the wild for a few days, but some have already taken on the challenge of pushing the new desktop silicon to its limits. By giving the A10-5800K model 1.956 volts, disabling two of its cores and cooling it with liquid nitrogen, overclockers were able to push the chip to 7.3GHz. Air-cooling and 1.616 volts squeezed out 5.1GHz without sacrificing any cores. If you're a mere mortal who's fresh out of liquid nitrogen (or never had any to begin with), you should be able to comfortably bump CPU performance by roughly 10 percent and GPU speeds by 15 to 17 percent. For the full specs on this particular overclock, hit the source links below. |
| McAfee shows how major Android scamware ticks, prevents us from learning first-hand Posted: 06 Oct 2012 03:19 AM PDT Most Android malware lives in the margins, away from Google Play and the more reliable app shops. It's nonetheless a good idea to be on the lookout for rogue code, and McAfee has stepped in with thorough explanations of how one of the most common scamware strains, Android.FakeInstaller, works its sinister ways. The bait is typically a search-optimized fake app market or website; the apps themselves not only present a legitimate-looking front but include dynamic code to stymie any reverse engineering. Woe be to anyone who's tricked long enough to finish the installation, as the malware often sends text messages to expensive premium phone numbers or links target devices to botnets. The safeguard? McAfee would like you to sign up for its antivirus suite, but you can also keep a good head on your shoulders -- stick to trustworthy shops and look for dodgy behavior before anything reaches your device. |
| LG's Smart TV platform starts renting out Disney 3D movies, offers new buyers $50 worth Posted: 06 Oct 2012 12:56 AM PDT Although these have been accomplished by two different branch entities, there's no doubt the folks over at Disney are in a deal-making mood as of late. Having recently announced a deal bringing new content to Cablevision subscribers, Disney has also partnered up with LG to bring an array of 3D films over to its Smart TV platform -- so long as the units are 3D-ready and you are in the US, of course. This means movies from studios such as Disney Pixar, Walt Disney Pictures, Marvel and Touchstone Pictures will available to rent in three-dee directly from LG's 3D World, including The Avengers, Toy Story, Alice in Wonderland and, later next year, Finding Nemo. Better yet, LG's currently offering a deal which hands you $50 in credit (which expires December 31st) to spend on 3D rentals -- naturally, however, you'll have to shell out some cash on one of its qualifying TVs in order to take advantage of this promo. To learn more about that, check out the press release after the break. LG Electronics Brings 3D Disney Blockbusters To LG Smart TV Platform LG Promotional Coupon Lets Consumers Experience New 3D Titles ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J., Oct. 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics USA has entered into an agreement with The Walt Disney Studios to add popular 3D movies for rental to the "3D World" application on LG's Smart TV platform. Disney 3D content now available for rental includes such popular titles as the "Toy Story" trilogy and "Alice in Wonderland," among many others. Additional 3D blockbuster titles are scheduled for the coming months, including "Marvel's The Avengers," and Disney-Pixar's "Brave" on Nov. 13. "Providing consumers with the latest blockbuster hits from Disney is another boost for Smart TV in the home and a perfect fit for our family approach to enjoying our home entertainment products," said James Fishler, senior vice president, marketing and go-to-market operations, LG Electronics USA. "Having these titles available through our Smart TV platform and on our CINEMA 3D HDTVs speaks volumes about LG's commitment to continuously broadening the breadth of our offerings and partnerships so that consumers of all ages have access to an endless amount of entertainment, from online games to applications, broadcast and now Disney movie titles," Fishler said. The addition of Disney content to the Smart TV platform addresses the desire for more 3D programming and complements LG CINEMA 3D Smart TVs most of which come with six pairs of 3D eyewear and are designed to deliver a comfortable, movie-theater-like 3D experience for the whole family. To give families a chance to experience this new 3D content, LG is offering a $50 redeemable coupon to new Smart TV buyers through Oct. 6. New Smart TV buyers can get the coupon at www.lg.com/3Dworld. The 3D World LG Smart TV application already features multiple titles from Disney. By spring 2013, additional titles will be made available, including "Finding Nemo," "Bolt," "Gnomeo & Juliet," "Tangled" and "Tron: Legacy," among others. LG's 3D World contains 2-day rental movies and also more than 300 free 3D videos from multiple categories like sports, kids and documentaries. Prices for rentals range between $4 and $8 dollars. LG's 3D World is available via all LG Smart TVs including these series: LS5700, LM6200, LM6700, LM7600, LM8600, LM9600, PM9700, PM6700 and PM4700. In addition to enjoying 3D content from the 3D World app, Blu-ray Disc players and other sources, consumers can use LG's upgraded 2D to 3D Conversion (with improved depth effect) to watch virtually any normal TV programming in immersive 3D. Smart TV devices include HDTVs, Blu-ray Disc Players and Network Home Theater Systems. Internet connection and certain subscriptions required and sold separately. Content and services vary by product and are subject to change without notice. For a small percentage of the population, the viewing of stereoscopic 3D video may cause discomfort such as dizziness or nausea. If you experience any of these symptoms, discontinue using the 3D functionality and contact your health care provider. Designs, features and specifications subject to change without notice. LG LED TVs are LCD TVs with LED backlighting. |
| Workers at Foxconn's Zhengzhou factory strike in reaction to new iPhone 5 quality standards Posted: 05 Oct 2012 10:17 PM PDT Unbox that shiny new iPhone 5 only to find it marred with scratches and blemishes? Good news: Apple is asking Foxconn to adhere to stricter quality demands for its flagship handset. Not so great news: workers at the firm's Zhengzhou factory are striking over the demands. According to China Labor Watch, three to four thousand workers stepped off the production line to protest the new standards, which only allow for a 0.02mm appearance defect. "It's tough under such stringent quality requirements," writes Sina Weibo user and Foxconn employee Yefudao. "A 0.02mm appearance defect is already beyond that of our vision. With such a demanding task, workers' mental pressure becomes so immense that they have to vent it out." China Labor Watch reports that the issue stems not only from the higher quality demands, but the fact that workers are being asked to meet them without receiving the training necessary to do so. The situation hasn't broken out into a riot, but a dispute between line workers and quality control inspectors reportedly sparked a fight that led to property damage, injury and some hospitalization. Production lines have temporarily been frozen by management while Foxconn deals with the situation. |
| Posted: 05 Oct 2012 08:53 PM PDT GM's OnStar team would really like us to stay on the electric side of the Chevy Volt's powertrain as much as possible. That's the selling point, after all. Rather than simply preach green driving and hope for the best, the division is testing a new EcoHub app that reminds Volt drivers just how miserly their plug-in hybrids can be. Qualifying owners who opt in or subscribe to OnStar have the Volt's energy usage costs compared to their home's total electricity bill, showing how much cheaper it can be to avoid the gas pump. There's more if money isn't enough of a motivator -- the app also builds in a counter that estimates how much gas Volt drivers are saving nationwide. The eco-friendly ego boost is currently limited to Android users participating in Pecan Street's smart grid project in Austin, but long-term plans have the app reaching iOS and all Volt fans eager to justify their ride. How Much is Your Charge Charging You? OnStar's new EcoHub connected app shows cost of Volt charging AUSTIN, Texas – OnStar is testing an app capable of telling Chevrolet Volt owners how much it costs to charge their battery – and compare the Volt's energy use with the total energy consumed in their home by day, month or year. The new app, called EcoHub, will initially be tested with and available to residents of the Pecan Street demonstration project, a smart grid living community in Austin. "For the first time we're able to put one of our Smart Grid solutions into the hands of actual consumers, thanks in part to our partnership with Pecan Street," said Paul Pebbles, global manager, Electric Vehicle and Smart Grid Services. "Down the line, we hope this app can be a beneficial tool for all drivers of electric vehicles." The EcoHub app works by pulling overall home energy usage data, provided by an energy data source, such as a utility or smart meter company. The app also collects Volt charging information from OnStar subscribers and Volt owners who opt in for EcoHub. The energy use data is then aggregated to show vehicle owners exactly how much energy is being used on a daily, monthly or yearly basis, while showing what percentage of that energy went to charging the Volt. Based on electricity rates, the data is broken down to show the cost of both total energy usage and Volt charging energy use. The 2013 Volt can travel an average of 38 miles on one full electric charge before its onboard gas-powered electric generator seamlessly switches on. "We've found that Volt owners love to keep track of and compare their personal driving stats, like electric miles driven for example," said Cristi Landy, Chevrolet Volt marketing director. "The EcoHub app is another great example of using the vehicle's embedded technology to provide Volt owners with useful information." In addition, the EcoHub app will include a "Ticker" screen that shows drivers the national values for Total Miles Driven, Total EV Miles Driven and Gallons of Fuel Saved. "The 'Ticker' screen is a nice addition because it allows drivers to see that they are part of a national effort to reduce fuel use by contributing to the growing number of electric miles driven." said Pebbles. While the app will be tested with and only be available to Volt drivers in Pecan Street project at first, OnStar hopes to make the app available for all Volt owners in the near future. OnStar's Smart Grid research is made possible by the U.S. Department of Energy. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Seeing is believing, Disney crafts 3D printed optics (video) Posted: 05 Oct 2012 06:57 PM PDT A group of engineers from Disney Research have crafted a new method to create interactive objects using 3D printers. Referred to as "printed optics," the lure of this technology is the ability to transform inert 3D models into interactive subjects by embedding 3D printed light piping into an object with minimal electronic components. Illuminated by LEDs and mobile projectors, this new breakthrough in optics has the potential to replace LCD and LED screens to display information on smaller interactive devices. If you find yourself scratching your head trying to visualize such a mojo in action, then check out the video after the break. It will enlighten you. |
| Adafruit releases WebIDE alpha for Raspberry Pi, eases beginners into coding Posted: 05 Oct 2012 05:19 PM PDT If you've been intrigued by the Raspberry Pi but were hesitant to get one because you're new to Linux, Adafruit has a solution for you. The team that brought us the Raspberry Pi Education Linux Distro has come up with a special WebIDE (Web Integrated Development Environment) designed to run on the affordable barebones computer. It's entirely web-based so there's no need to install any software -- just launch a browser, hook up your Pi, and you're ready to go. To make life easier for coders, the platform has a terminal built in, plus there's an automatic updater included to keep folks running only the freshest version of WebIDE. It's currently at the alpha stage, so only experienced users should install it for now, but Adafruit's hoping to roll out a stable release suitable for programmers of all levels sometime soon. |
| Verizon Windows Phone 8X may have passed through the FCC Posted: 05 Oct 2012 04:27 PM PDT Now, we don't know for sure what the PM23100 that just made its way through the FCC is, but we'd put pretty good odds on it being Verizon's Windows Phone 8X. Only a couple of hours after what appears to be the AT&T-bound 8X was given the thumbs up by regulators, yet another HTC Windows Phone appeared, with an incredibly similar model number, CDMA radios and compatibility with Big Red's 700MHz LTE. Knowing that it's an HTC Windows Phone and that it packs NFC really doesn't leave too many possibilities. The one pleasant surprise, it's also compatible with GSM frequencies 850 and 1900,, so you'll be able to roam the globe with just the swap of a SIM. Hit up the source to see the filling for yourself. |
| Jay-Z streaming Brooklyn show live tomorrow, in a YouTube state of mind Posted: 05 Oct 2012 03:34 PM PDT Between the end of an eight night string of shows, the whole Brooklyn Nets thing and the launch of a new YouTube channel, Jay-Z's got plenty to celebrate. And just to show he cares, he'll be streaming the last of his shows from the Nets' own Barclays Center tomorrow at 9:30 PM ET to celebrate. Sure it's not quite like being there, but at least you don't have to deal with the post-show traffic at the Atlantic Avenue station after the show.
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| Kindle Paperwhite gets its own jailbreak, E Ink spews everywhere Posted: 05 Oct 2012 02:40 PM PDT If you're an avid tinkerer who managed to secure a Kindle Paperwhite before they sold out, then we have some news that may well brighten up your day. A jailbreak based off of the hack for the Kindle Touch has been developed for Amazon's new e-reader and is now available for fearless Paperwhite owners. If you're up to the task, your bravery will award you some elite features which include: using your device as a weather station display and serial terminal access with Raspberry Pi systems. If all of this sounds like a fun weekend project waiting to happen, head on over to source link for step by step instructions. |
| AT&T launches VoteHub, brings the presidential election to your pocket Posted: 05 Oct 2012 01:51 PM PDT Need yet another constant stream of election information? AT&T's joined up with the Pew Center to bring election coverage to your pocket, courtesy of VoteHub. The new app is a "nonpartisan clearinghouse for essential voter information," including candidate info, AP press coverage, election results and the requisite social sharing through sites like Twitter, Facebook and Google+. The app's available now for Android, with an iOS version coming in the near future.
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| Leap of faith: Felix Baumgartner's historic jump from the edge of space Posted: 05 Oct 2012 01:00 PM PDT BASE jumping might just be about to enter the mainstream. What has typically been considered a fringe activity, reserved for thrill seekers and adrenaline junkies, could soon be firmly cemented in the public view. For the uninitiated, BASE jumping is like skydiving, without the plane. Participants throw themselves off bridges, antennae, buildings, cliffs, and well, whatever high object they can find. It's not illegal, "in theory", but as many of the chosen launch spots are public or private property -- or pose a risk to public safety -- gaining access to, or jumping from them, can mean stepping over the legal line. This otherwise obstreperous activity has largely kept to itself, occasionally popping up in magazines, or YouTube videos, but -- all going well -- on Monday that changes. Serial boundary pusher (of wing suit across the English Channel fame) Felix Baumgartner is set to leap, in the most literal sense of the word, from relative obscurity into the history books. How? By jumping to earth from the edge of space, likely breaking the sound barrier as he does so. How does one go from humble Austrian beginnings to a capsule 120,000 feet (about 23 miles) above the Earth's surface? Make a comparatively tiny leap past the break to find out.
As you can imagine, leaping out of a capsule 23 miles above Roswell, N.M., isn't a project you cook up in a week or two. It was 2005 when Baumgartner started planning the idea with Red Bull. The core goal of the mission, dubbed "Stratos," is to break a 52-year-old record set by former US Air Force command pilot Joe Kittinger. That record? A 19-mile skydive, aka Project Excelsior, a military initiative to design a parachute system that would allow pilots to survive high-altitude ejection. One part of which involved Kittinger jumping from a capsule 102,800 feet above the planet. Since the Stratos project's inception seven years ago, Kittinger himself has become part of the team, whose primary role will be mission control's radio contact with Baumgartner during his ascent. Joe Kittinger jumping in 1960 Unlike the government-backed '60s effort, Red Bull Stratos is an entirely privately funded endeavor. This means that all the design, planning and technology has to be brought in. Enter Art Thompson, technical project director. Thompson has over 30 years' experience in the aerospace field, and was part of the team that conceived the B-2 stealth bomber. It's his expertise that has been instrumental in designing the capsule that will lift Baumgartner to his launch point in safety, and -- dare we say it -- comfort. Thompson was also the first collaborator on the project and helped assemble the rest of the mission's team. While Baumgartner and his predecessor clearly have a lot in common, their respective efforts also throw up some significant differences. Back in the '60s, most of the equipment used was reportedly off-the-shelf gear, modified for the purpose. Everything on the current mission is bespoke, including the David Clark Company space suit -- the first ever for a non-government space program. Likewise, the original record height was reached using a 3-million-cubic-foot helium balloon, while Stratos is using one 10 times the capacity, a whopping 30 million cubic feet. Left to right: Joe Kittinger, Felix Baumgartner, Art Thompson and Mike Todd EquipmentA balloon and a suit is a good start, but if you plan to be the first human to break the speed of sound in freefall, you'll need some serious kit. The custom-built capsule, for example, with its pressure sphere, cage and outer shell are positively palatial compared to Kittinger's open gondola. The Sage Cheshire Aerospace design also means that Baumgartner stands a far better chance of avoiding decompression sickness -- aka the bends -- and can keep his suit uninflated for most of the ascent. Once inflated, movement is restricted, so the longer he's able to avoid that, the better. The 1,315-kilogram capsule will be lifted by the aforementioned 30 million cubic feet of helium. Holding that gas in place will be a balloon made of strips of 0.008-inch-thick high-performance polyethylene. Laid out flat, the material would cover 40 acres, and once full of the gas, and ready for launch, it'll stand tall and thin -- some 55 stories high. As it ascends, the helium will expand, giving the balloon a much more rounded appearance.
That's not the only thing that is at risk of extreme expansion though. Above around 62,000 feet, the liquid in the human body can turn to gas, which we imagine isn't much fun. That's why you need a pressurized suit. The one used in this mission contains a "brain" that will maintain an even pressure automatically over the descent, as its wearer passes through different parts of the atmosphere. It's not just a tool to keep Baumgartner alive, either. The Stratos team has had to make some additions to overcome problems caused by restriction of movement. These include mirrors and added mobility features which could serve as a prototype for future high-altitude or full-pressure suits. What about enjoying the view on the way down? That's where the visor and helmet come in. The glass used is distortion-free, and the pressurized helmet contains a regulator that will feed Baumgartner pure oxygen throughout all the legs of his journey via liquidized sources while on the ground and in the capsule, and from gaseous oxygen in cylinders on his suit during the descent. Other important bits of kit include a microphone and earphones for radio contact, as well as a drinking port for hydration. Whether it'll feed him Red Bull, however, is unclear. The JumpSo it's a long way down. We get that. But let's try and get some perspective. 23 miles. That's a reasonable drive in anyone's book, now imagine that just at the mercy of gravity. Of course, it'll be much quicker without all the roads and traffic and normal Earth stuff to worry about. It's estimated that within 40 seconds of his jump, Baumgartner will break the sound barrier, which at that altitude means going faster than 690 miles per hour (as sound moves more slowly through cold air). It's not just a case of taking a step forward, either. To prevent entering into an uncontrollable spin, with no atmosphere to slow him down, Baumgartner also needs to make sure that he keeps a stable body position when he makes that important leap. No one knows this more than Kittinger, who found out at great cost when his stabilizing parachute deployed too early during one of his test jumps, getting tangled around his neck and causing him to spin his way down at an estimated rate of 120 times a minute, unconscious, only to be saved by the automatic deployment of his main parachute.
Once diving, and safely in position, this is where the fun really begins, and records -- hopefully -- start to tumble. As well as being the first person to go faster than the speed of sound in freefall, Baumgartner expects to jump from 120,000 feet, nearly 18,000 feet above Kittinger's record. Over this distance, Baumgartner is also expected to achieve the longest ever freefall duration, estimated at about five and a half minutes (previous record: 4:36) as well as get the record for highest ever manned balloon flight bundled into the deal for free. Despite having accomplished all that, the journey will be far from over. The last 5,000 feet represent only a fraction of the total distance, but account for at least two-thirds of the total jump time. At this height is when the parachute will finally be deployed, and the -- relatively -- leisurely descent to earth can begin. All that remains now is for Baumgartner to land back in the desert, safe and sound, and stake his claim in the history books. Then and nowThe last seven years of preparation haven't been spent entirely at the drawing board. The team has already performed two successful test runs -- jumps that would, to any other normal person, be a once-in-many-lifetimes event in itself. The first back in March from a height of 71,615.2 feet (about 13 miles) put them into the stratosphere and passed without problem. The second test jump in July measured in at 97,145.7 feet (approx. 18 miles) which saw our protagonist reach 536.8 miles per hour with a freefall of three minutes and 48 seconds. While Baumgartner landed safely, the capsule came down to earth with something of a thud, causing some external damage, and inevitably concern. On September 24th, the repaired capsule underwent simulation testing and was officially declared fit for purpose, putting the project back on track for a third and final jump attempt. Soon after, the team announced a proposed launch date of October 8th, and now all that stands between them and the event is a weekend of tortuous waiting, and the New Mexico weather. Thompson optimistically reminds us that this is "one of the best times of the year to launch stratospheric balloons." And a good thing, too, we say. So, as the morning sun prepares to light up the arid plains of New Mexico on Monday, the team will be on the proverbial edge for a little while longer, before -- all going well -- Baumgartner stands on the literal one, with just one step between him, and glory. Of course, one other major difference between this jump and Kittinger's 52 years ago? All you have to do to watch it live is click on the source link below.
[Image Credits: US Air Force Museum, Red Bull] This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Dude recreates first-gen iPod in-browser, won't put 1,000 songs in your pocket Posted: 05 Oct 2012 12:27 PM PDT Here's a bit of web fun to liven up your weekend: a digital artist by the name of Pritesh Desai has recreated a fully functional first-generation iPod that you can play directly in your browser. In remembrance of Steve Jobs, Desai built the faux iPod using HTML5, CSS3, and a touch of jQuery. You can drag the click wheel around just like with the real deal, change the volume, hit play / pause and even skip tracks. Especially nice is the addition of Extras like the Clock and the Calendar. Unfortunately, you won't be able to play any of your own tunes, but Desai had compiled a list of Creative Commons songs, so you can see how the player works. The next step is for someone to fill this up with hits of the early aughts ("Last Nite" by The Strokes, perhaps?) so you can truly travel back in time to the heydays of Windows XP and the Enron scandal. |
| Parrot Zikmu Solo reaches US in November, makes a tower of wireless sound yours for $999 Posted: 05 Oct 2012 11:54 AM PDT Parrot has taken some time trotting out the Zikmu Solo speaker since we first saw it at CES, but those enamored with very vertical audio can rest easy now that the unit has a North American release schedule. Both Canada and the US can buy the Philippe Starck-crafted speaker in November, when it will cost $999 for Americans in its black and white guises (sorry, no red for now). While that's a lot to pay for a 100W speaker, Parrot is counting on the unique acoustic design, a conventional iOS dock and a mix of Bluetooth, NFC and WiFi to tempt people away from the land of horizontal sound. It's undoubtedly one of the easiest ways to make a speaker dock the focus of a room -- and that's part of the point, isn't it? Parrot Zikmu Solo by Philippe Starck Revolutionizes the Codes of Wireless Audio Parrot once again revolutionizes the codes of wireless audio and lifts the veil on Zikmu Solo, a stereo speaker tower. Zikmu Solo virtually recreates a stereo musical image on a single speaker and with a total power of 100W – a true technological challenge! Zikmu Solo offers universal compatibility by providing a wide range of connectivity options, and an application dedicated to Smartphones enables the ability to adjust the audio settings of the speaker depending on its environment... Parrot Zikmu Solo: the excellence of wireless sound Parrot Zikmu Solo integrates the most advanced technologies in terms of sound in an architecture that has been entirely rethought by the engineers of the French brand. Parrot Zikmu Solo offers an optimal stereo output, true prowess on a single unit speaker, thanks to three loudspeakers located on the upper part of the Zikmu Solo: - Two HARP (High Aspect Ratio Panel) drivers diffuse the sound on the right and/or left side of Zikmu Solo; The capability to also adjust the audio settings of Parrot Zikmu Solo according to the size of the room (room size compensation) and the position of the speaker in the room (room position compensation) contributes to this balanced sound image. This unique combination enables Parrot Zikmu Solo to virtually reproduce the stereo sound image of a classic two-speaker configuration... The bottom part of Parrot Zikmu Solo dissimulates a powerful Neodymium woofer that projects the music toward the floor before it "bounces" in the room, at 360°. Very complex Parrot-patented algorithms complete and perfect this acoustic performance: - Bass Extender[1]: enables to reach bass sound up to 30Hz, without modifying the volume. In addition to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and NFC[2] wireless technologies, Parrot Zikmu Solo offers a wide range of connectivity options. A line-in input that is both analog and optical digital allows one to connect the speaker to any source (TV, stereo, amplifier, etc.) and an integrated Ethernet port enables the extension of the home network to areas not covered by Wi-Fi. The main functions of the speaker are available via a remote control, via tactile buttons located around the dock and via a dedicated web interface: http://zikmu-solo.local. In addition to volume and equalizer control, this application allows the user to browse the audio sources connected to the speaker or to adjust the Zikmu Solo's audio settings according to the size of the room ('Room Size Compensation') and the position of the speaker in the room ('Room Positioning'), that is to say 'standard' position, in a corner or against a wall. With Zikmu, and now Zikmu Solo, Parrot has changed the relation to sound by offering a beautiful object, highly technological and fully intuitive, that adapt to all music uses and to all environments. Height: 29.52 in (750 mm) Canada - Available in November 2012 from selected retailers including Bay Bloor Radio and The Bay. Other points of sales available at www.parrot.com |
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