Month: December 2016
http://hackaday.com/2016/12/24/raspberry-pi-and-alexa-make-teddy-ruxpin-smarte
RASPBERRY PI AND ALEXA MAKE TEDDY RUXPIN SMARTER THAN THE AVERAGE BEAR
Behold the unholy union of Amazon’s Alexa and that feature-limited animatronic bear from the 80s, Teddy Ruxpin. Alexa Ruxpin?
As if stuffing Alexa inside a talking fish weren’t bad enough, now Amazon’s virtual assistant can talk to you through the creepy retro plush thanks to [Tinkernut]’s trip down memory lane. Having located a Teddy Ruxpin on eBay for far less than the original $70 that priced it out from under his childhood Christmas tree, [Tinkernut] quickly learned that major surgery would be necessary to revive the Ruxpin. The first video below shows the original servos being gutted and modern micro servos grafted in, allowing control of the mouth, eyes, and nose via an Arduino.
With the bear once again in control of its faculties, [Tinkernut] embarked on giving it something to talk about. A Raspberry Pi running AlexaPi joined the bear’s recently vacated thorax with the audio output split between the bear’s speaker and the analog input on the Arduino. The result is a reasonable animation, although we’d say a little tweaking of the Arduino script might help the syncing. And those eyes and that nose really need to get into the game as well. But not a bad start at all.
This isn’t the first time that Teddy Ruxpin has gone under the knife in the name of hacks, and it likely won’t be the last. And the way toy manufacturers are going, they might just beat us hackers to the punch.
https://electrek.co/2016/12/24/tesla-supercharger-v3-over-350-off-grid-solar-powerpack-elon-musk/
Elon Musk teases new ‘Tesla Supercharger V3’ with over 350 kW power output and off-grid solar + Powerpacks
Tesla CEO Elon Musk was on Twitter this morning responding to a few questions – primarily about the new Easter Eggs the company included in its latest updates, but I thought maybe we could get a proper ‘Elon Tweetstorm’ on Christmas eve so I asked him about an update on Tesla’s plans to install solar arrays at Supercharger stations? He had this to say:
Tesla indeed operates a few Supercharger stations with solar arrays – like the Hawthorne Supercharger pictured above – but they only represent a small fraction of Tesla’s 760+ stations. But more importantly, It’s the first time we’ve heard about a third generation of Tesla’s Supercharger and that’s not all, Musk also hinted at a power output greater than 350 kW – up from the current ~150 kW. We recently reported on automakers and charging station manufacturers starting to build what they are referring to as ‘ultra-fast’ charging stations with a power output of up to 350 kW. Five major automakers recently joined forces to deploy 400 of those stations in Europe and more recently, EVgo announced a similar station in California.
I asked Musk if we are talking about a similar power output for Tesla’s upcoming ‘Supercharger V3’ and the CEO, as he is wont to do got a little cocky:
It looks like Musk is teasing a power output greater than “a mere 350 kW”. It would be a significant upgrade and depending on the deployment schedule, it could blow past the stations from other companies planned only for late 2017 and 2018.
The latest version of the Supercharger brought the capacity to 145 kW – meaning that over 350 kW would be something else entirely.
After unveiling the Supercharger in 2012, Tesla CTO JB Straubel said that Tesla aims to bring the charging down to 5 to 10 minutes:
“It’s not going to happen in a year from now. It’s going to be hard. But I think we can get down to five to 10 minutes,”
It looks like this new Supercharger version could enable Straubel’s vision for electric vehicle charging depending on how many kW greater than 350 we are talking about here.
Musk also hinted that with solar arrays and Tesla’s new Powerpack, some Supercharger stations in sunny regions could be off-grid:
The timeline for this updated Supercharger network is not clear, but as Musk mentioned, “pieces are now in place” with the acquisition of SolarCity and the release of the new Powerpack 2.
Of course, the greater power output is not the only new feature expected to be introduced with the Supercharger V3. It is also expected to feature the “robotic snake cable” to enable autonomous charging without having to get out of the car or for self-driving vehicles without anyone in them.
A little back of napkin math here:
700kW x 1 hour= 700kWh so divide by 10: 6 minutes would give you 70kWh. That’s enough to drive for about 4 hours or 250 miles. Gas fuel pumps in the US pump 5-10 gallons per minute so add a 2 minute credit card transaction and you get about 20-40 gallons in the same time period. We’re now coming close to parity with gasoline.
The fast supercharger speed may also be why Tesla has abandoned the battery swap stations for consumer vehicles.
http://vancouversun.com/life/relationships/pet-therapy-educational-toys-can-bring-your-dog-joy-this-christmas
http://www.prokerala.com/news/articles/a704443.html
Decision making potential of the brain relies on interaction with others”, study states.
DEC 24, 2016
Traditional concepts and cognitive psychology have always given us the idea that the brain’s decision making exercises are similar to that what happens as in a computer. This aspect has now been challenged by a latest study conducted under Mr Gaelle vallee-Tourangaeu , Professor at Kingston University in Britain.
Our decision-making is higly influenced by our interaction with people aroubnd us. “The idea that thinking is done only in the head is a convenient illusion that doesn’t reflect how problems are solved in reality”, said Vallee-Tourangeau “When you write or draw, the action itself makes you think differently. If you give them something to interact with they think in a different way,” Vallee-Tourangeau added.
For the study the researchers inspected how maths anxiety – the distorted emotional response to mental arithmetic that can cause the affected ones to avoid even simple tasks like splitting a restaurant bill — could potentially be mitigated through interactivity. “We found that for those adding the sums in their head, their maths anxiety score predicted the magnitude of errors made while speaking a word repeatedly. If they’re really maths anxious, the impact will be huge,” Vallée-Tourangeau explained.
“But in a high interactivity context — when they were moving number tokens — they behaved as if they were not anxious about numbers,” Vallée-Tourangeau said. Understanding how our brain and its decision making skills get enhanced on higher interaction can be a significant development especially regarding how it can help businesses improve productivity – and helps an individual maybe to get hold of a job. The study was published in the journal Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications.
http://www.ctvnews.ca/health/7-major-medical-breakthroughs-of-2016-1.3201264
7 major medical breakthroughs of 2016
The world’s first baby with DNA from three people was born this year. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)
Researchers in Canada and around the globe made a number of significant discoveries over the past year that will undoubtedly change the way we understand and treat human bodies and minds. From yet another DNA innovation to the discovery of new genes, here are seven of the most important medical breakthroughs of the year:
1. First three-parent baby
The world’s first baby with DNA from three people was born this year, thanks to a controversial technique. Scientists announced in the fall that the baby was born to Jordanian parents earlier in 2016.
The mother carries DNA that could have given her child Leigh syndrome, a severe and usually deadly neurological disorder. Scientists removed some of the mother’s DNA from an egg, and left the disease-causing DNA behind. The healthy DNA was slipped into a donor’s egg, which was then fertilized with the father’s sperm. As a result, the baby inherited DNA from both parents and the egg donor.
2. Successful Ebola vaccine
Final test results have confirmed that an experimental Ebola vaccine, developed by the Canadian government in a Winnipeg laboratory, is highly effective. The publication of those results is a major milestone that could help prevent the spread of Ebola outbreaks in the future.
3. AIDS ‘patient zero’ story debunked
For more than three decades, a French-Canadian flight attendant was believed to be the source of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in North America. A study published in the American Journal of Medicine in 1984 dubbed Gaetan Dugas “patient zero” in the growing epidemic, suggesting that he brought the deadly virus to this continent.
But a new study published in 2016 debunked that theory by concluding that Dugas’ blood sample contained a strain of HIV that had already been circulating within U.S. borders, as far back as 1970. The scientific exoneration of Dugas came 32 years after his death.
4. ALS gene discovery
Some criticized the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge craze as just another social media fad, but researchers announced this year that money raised from the campaign helped fund the discovery of a new gene linked to the disease.
The gene, identified as NEK1, has been found to contribute to hereditary Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. The gene is associated with three per cent of all ALS cases, according to the ALS Association.
5. Gene mutation linked to multiple sclerosis
Scientists at the University of British Columbia found a genetic link to multiple sclerosis, marking a breakthrough that could one day allow doctors to identify and treat the disease before symptoms surface.
The direct genetic link, which was long thought not to exist, was identified in two Canadian families where several members have a fast-acting form of MS that cannot be treated. Seven out of ten members of those families who carried the mutation developed the disease.
6. Study pinpoints genetic conditions behind intellectual disabilities
With a genetic screening study, researchers in British Columbia were able to identify the genetic underpinning of certain intellectual disabilities in children.
Researchers were able to diagnose 68 per cent of the 41 families in the study with a precise, underlying genetic condition, and offer targeted treatments to the children in more than 40 per cent of cases. One parent called the discovery a life-saver.
7. Cancer’s ‘Achilles heel’
An international team of researchers believes an important discovery has been made about the genetics of cancer tumours. The researchers said the discovery could offer a new way to deliver customized cancer-killing therapies.
Scientists discovered that even as tumours mutate, they still produce distinct “flags,” or antigens, which appear on the surface of all the tumour’s cells. Finding these unique flags within a tumour is the equivalent of finding the cancer’s “Achilles heel,” and could help improve existing immunotherapy treatments used to fight various types of cancer, researchers said.
http://www.itechpost.com/articles/67378/20161221/what-seems-impossible-nasa-china-made-possible-space-propulsion-technology.htm
What Seems To Be Impossible For NASA, China Has Made Possible: The Space Propulsion Technology
By Sai , Dec 21, 2016 07:46 PM EST
With the swift emergence of various space missions, China has once again proven that in terms of technological space innovation, they will not be left unnoticed. But how essential is the space propulsion technology designed by China to their mission in space? The details, find out (Photo : David McNew/Getty Images)
Chinese scientists have recently revealed that they were able to come up with a working prototype of a reactionless engine which NASA had previously thought to be impossible. Experts claim that they are already on the testing stage particularly in orbit aboard the Tiangong-2 space laboratory. It was also found that China’s space agency have already confirmed that it has been funding research into the controversial space propulsion technology EmDrive, and that it plans to add the technology to Chinese satellites imminently.The Space Propulsion Technology: How Essential Is It In Future Space Missions?
In one of their statements revealed by The International Business Times, Science and Technology Daily, the official newspaper of China’s Ministry of Science and Technology, China has been allegedly carrying out the “key technology research” for the last five years into the EmDrive in order to find possible “engineering applications”.
Furthermore, with no fuel to eject, the EmDrive would violate Newton’s third law, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. As Daily Mail reports it, head of the communication satellite division at Cast Dr. Chen Yue has explained that the National research institutions in recent years have carried out a series of long-term, repeated tests on the EmDrive.Meanwhile, chief designer of Cast’s communication satellite division Li Feng has revealed that the team has built a prototype that so far generates just a few millinewtons of thrust. The chief designer has also claimed that the technology is currently in the latter stages of the proof-of-principle phase, with the goal of making the technology available in satellite engineering as quickly as possible. Ultimately, despite the difficulty in doing the said project, experts have been found to be confident that they would be successful in finishing it.
http://www.techtimes.com/articles/189809/20161224/best-drones-of-2016-dji-mavic-pro-parrot-disco-and-more.htm
Best Drones Of 2016: DJI Mavic Pro, Parrot Disco, And More
Like virtual reality, drone technology really took off this year especially amid the series of regulatory initiatives that seek to recognize and establish its use.
If you are in the market for a drone this holiday season, here are the top five products awaiting at your favorite retail stores.
DJI Mavic Pro
This unmanned aerial vehicle is perfect as a camera drone. The body and the peripherals that ship with it scream compact, but those should not fool you into thinking that it is similarly constrained in what it can do. It is really stable and powerful with wide array of features. Its camera alone is capable of shooting 4K and FHD videos. To top it all, it is also very user friendly. You can set it up in minutes. It retails for $999 at Amazon.
DJI Phantom 4
This is the latest drone in DJI’s high-end consumer drone range and is priced at $999, but be prepared to spend more for bundled deals. It comes with numerous improvements in comparison to its predecessors. Phantom 4 also enjoys some technologies outfitted in the Mavic Pro. Everything boils down to the fact that this drone is both stable and easy to fly. You will also have nifty features such as obstacle avoidance and subject tracking.
(Photo : DJI)
Parrot Disco
This drone has bucked the quadcopter trend, opting for a streamlined build. You cannot expect it to excel in hovering, but the really cool thing about this device is the headgear that ships with it. It is connected to the drone’s built-in camera and will allow you to watch the video it is capturing as if you are actually right there inside the flying vehicle. This used to sell for more than $1,000, but Parrot has slashed the price to $800 at Amazon.
(Photo : Parrot)
Skeye Pico Drone
Now, this device can qualify as a toy for the simple fact that it is minuscule, but if you are in the market for such a drone, then it is easily the best. You will be amazed how its makers have constructed the nuts and bolts under its hood because its precision is impeccable. You can also get the drone do tricks like flips, dives, and spins. It is being sold for $49.
GoPro Karma Drone
We are tempted to include the GoPro Karma drone in this list for two reasons: First, it goes perfectly well with the GoPro Hero camera, which is an excellent device in itself. Secondly, there is a removable stabilizer that can also serve as a handheld gimbal. Unfortunately, this device has been recalled after some users began complaining that the drone loses power midair, causing it to crash.
http://learnbonds.com/132776/microsoft-2017-surface-kills-apple/
Microsoft 2017 Surface Line-up Takes Out Apple Inc: Surface Pro 5
With the new year just around the corner, Microsoft (MSFT:NASDAQ) fans have their ears planted firmly on the ground, paying attention for any sign of the tech giant’s new releases. 2017 promises to be a revolutionary year for MSFT and its hardware. The company is surrounded by talks of a juiced up Surface line-up. Among its most anticipated products is the new Surface Phone. Sources claim the device will come in to revamp its smartphone range. It aims to correct the failure of the firm’s adopted Lumia phones, taken off Nokia’s hands a few years back.
However, Microsoft has its eye set on redefining the pro technology scene, too. By the looks of it, the firm is already winning consumers over. The new Surface Studio did nothing less than wow the creative PC market when it was unveiled several weeks back. This beautiful piece of tech flaunts a vivid 27-inch, high-resolution touchscreen monitor which can be set to any convenient angle. It can even be leveled and used as digital drafting desk. All this, coupled with a few other features, has experts labeling MSFT as the tech industry’s next big comeback kid.
Microsoft Corporation is said to be knocking Apple Inc. off its long-held pedestal. The iPhone maker has had the creative PC market in the palm of its hand for years now. However, failure to innovate has many fans looking elsewhere for relevant products. The Studio is said to be one of the products that is set to win the market’s focus.
“Either their brewing something up, or maybe it’s time for someone like Microsoft to start coming in and take some of their market.” That comment came from Nick Cronan, the founding partner of Branch Creative. “Their long overdue to blow us away,” he said.New Microsoft Surface Pro
Now there is an even newer product said to be in the works — the Surface Pro 5. Industry experts believe Microsoft won’t hold anything back with the upgrade. However, the firm will continue to move forward by its own standards, making sure it only uses features it sees fit to form part of its new machines.
To see a list of high yielding CDs go here.
When it comes to hardware, MSFT says it is no longer just competing with other gadget leaders. Its claims to be done trying to outdo tech giants by cramming the most alluring features into it devices. This strategy has proven less than successful in the past. CEO Satya Nadella says the firm has learned from this mistake and will now define its own path through hardware segments.
MSFT switches things up
Who says your laptop can’t double as a tablet? Microsoft Corp. (MSFT:NASDAQ) was ridiculed when in it first rolled out its Surface products and now the device range is thriving. The company’s diverse take on what consumer and business tech should essentially offer appears to be paying off. One need only look at the new Surface Studio to see how serious Nadella and his company are about redefining industry trends. The Surface 2-in-1 laptops are also a massive hit. Better yet, according to rumors, there is a new edition set to arrive in Spring next year.
“Three years ago, the 2-in1 as a form factor was questioned,” Nadella tells the Australian Financial Review. The CEO recalled the backlash and caution the firm got from both MSFT rivals and aides “Does anybody need one? And now guess what, even our competition has decided that it’s not a refrigerator and a toaster but it’s actually a 2-in1.”
Nadella claims that Microsoft[ qm q=NASDAQ m=MSFT c=Microsoft Corp.] will not launch new products without evaluating what new elements can be brought to the table. The corporation now aims for something distinct, something alluring, something that will be the envy of other leaders in the market. That being said, lets look at what the industry expects from the upcoming, all-new Surface Pro 5.
“We don’t want to be driven by just envy of what others have,” Nadella reasserted. “The question is, what can we bring? That is where I look at any device form factor or any technology, even AI.”
Display
If the Surface Studio is anything to look at, Microsoft clearly has a growing obsession with high-end screen tech. The display of the Surface Pro 5 will be rivaled by no other, offering more than clear, high-res quality, but support for the Surface Pen as well.
Presumptions say the Surface Pro 5 will come in two variants. An entry level 2K resolution laptop as well as a 4K. Considering the device will come with a detachable display, the company will also have among the first 4K tablets out in the market next year if this is true. It is reported that both versions will be able to support the Surface Pen.
Surface takes in Kaby Lake chips and a Windows Redstone 3
Reports claim next year’s Surface Pro 5 will run the latest in Windows 10 software. Namely that would be Redstone 3, set to be at the fore by the time of the Pro 5’s release. In terms of processing power, it looks like just about every tech giant is waiting to for Intel’s Kaby Lakes to drop. They will offer some of the best processing of 2017 and companies are itching to incorporate the chips into their leading devices.
This appears to be true for the Surface Pro 5 as well. The Kaby Lake chips will give the upcoming 2-in-1 laptop the processing power it needs to stand at the fore of the market. Such power will also complement the alleged 16GB of RAM on the device. The Surface Pro 5 is expected to house 512GB of standard storage.Microsoft (MSFT:NASDAQ) is set to rake in much of the creative PC user base that is currently dominated by Apple and its Macs. However, the iPhone maker has noticeably dropped the ball in this regard and fans are now turning to other device makers for that little extra edge.
http://www.dailystar.co.uk/tech/news/572676/Samsung-Gear-S3-Frontier-review
Samsung Gear S3 Frontier review – A smartwatch built for Bond but there’s a BIG issue
DAILY STAR ONLINE
WATCH THIS: The Samsung Gear S3 Frontier is built for Bond
With an all-metal, rugged design this new tech timepiece is built for a secret agent and has even been tested to military level durability.
Samsung aren’t strangers to the smartwatch concept with the Frontier becoming the Korean firm’s fourth attempt at convincing consumers to adopt this wearable tech.
But this new device has to be their most bold and daring to date and, having had it strapped to our wrists, we really like it.
Along with its big and brash appearance the Frontier comes fully loaded with plenty of technology.
DAILY STAR ONLINE
REVIEW: The Frontier looks huge against the Apple Watch
DAILY STAR ONLINE
APP POWERED: The Gear S3 links to your Android smartphone
This makes it a decent device for monitoring your daily fitness routines and it can even auto detect what exercises you’re putting your body through.
We’ve suffered a few erratic readings with heart monitoring but, other than that, this is a good companion if you’re trying to get fit after the festive period.
Alongside its fitness capabilities, the S3 Frontier brings your digital life straight to your wrist.
All of your emails, texts, Facebook messages and tweets are beamed to the stunning round display and you can even respond via speech recognition or by handwriting on the screen – which is actually far more intuitive than it sounds.
You simply scribble the letters on the screen and the watch instantly turns it into digital text.
Samsung Gear S3 smartwatch in pictures
Wednesday, 31st August 2016
SAMSUNG has revealed its new Gear S3 Classic and Frontier smartwatches
1 / 5
DAILY STAR ONLINE/DAVE SNELLINGSamsung’s new Gear S3 Classic and Frontier smartwatch
Information, such as fitness data, emails and texts can be viewed by simply turning this spinning bezel.
Another neat feature that you won’t find on any Apple Watch is the always-on display.
Samsung’s Gear S3 can be set to show a digital face at all times and it makes a huge difference to the usability of the device.
Even with the always-on display activated the watch lasts for around two days and this can be extended to around four days with the feature turned off.
As well as market-leading battery life Samsung has been really clever by allowing any standard watch strap to be clipped to the face.
With a quick release button built sitting on the rear of the watch, removing the supplied Samsung strap is easy and means you can change the style in seconds.
DAILY STAR ONLINE
Like last year’s Gear S2, Samsung has stuck with its Tizen operating system and there’s simply not enough popular apps currently available for it.
And although the S3 has Samsung Pay built in, the service isn’t yet available in the UK so, unlike the Apple Watch, you can’t pay for your weekly shopping with it.
If you own an iPhone the Gear S3 is also totally useless as it only connects with the latest Android smartphones and at £349 it’s also pretty pricey.
DAILY STAR ONLINE
ABOUT TIME: Samsung has built a solid smartwatch but it will be too big for some
Samsung has built a solid smartwatch with the Gear S3 Frontier.
This device is big, bold and definitely built for Bond.
The always-on screen is excellent, battery life beats most of the competition and the rotating bezel is still one of the best ways to navigate on such a tiny display.
We’ve really enjoyed our time with the Gear S3 but it’s not without its issues and the biggest is its size.
This device is huge and its rugged styling is only going to appeal to a limited number of users – not good for a technology that’s still trying to win fans.
Although its Tizen OS looks good and performs well the app store can’t compete with Apple or Google’s Android Wear and it’s a shame you can’t connect the watch to an iPhone.
However, if you’re after an almost indestructible smartwatch and you are already hooked into Samsung’s eco system, the Gear S3 Frontier could be the gadget you’ve been waiting for.
Bruce's Blog 