THE TECH-LICIOUS

Curiosity marks two years on Mars

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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="Artist's impression of Curiosity (Image: NASA)" height="358" src="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/curiosity-2nd-year.jpg" title="Artist's impression of Curiosity (Image: NASA)" width="640" /> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Break out the party hats – NASA’s Curiosity rover
 is celebrating its second anniversary on Mars. On August 5, 2012 at 
10:31 pm PDT (August 6, 05:31 GMT), the unmanned spacecraft touched down
 at Bradbury Landing in Gale Crater on the start of a multi-year mission
 to seek out areas where life could or may once have existed, and is now
 preparing to carry on for a third year.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The nuclear-powered explorer had a very busy first year.
 As the largest, most advanced rover ever built, nothing like this had 
ever flown before and since the nearest garage was a hundred million 
miles away, the first months that Curiosity spent on Mars involved an 
array of system tests before it took it first tentative rolls across the
 Martian sands on its roundabout path to Mount Sharp.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Curiosity’s main mission was to find out if there are any places on 
Mars where life could have once existed – specifically, areas displaying
 minerals and geology that could have been produced by water. In this, 
Curiosity was very lucky. Bradbury Landing turned out to be very close 
to an ancient dried lake bed in an area named Yellowknife Bay. According
 to NASA, this lake bed may have been able to sustain microbial life 
billions of years ago because it contained all the general 
prerequisites; water, the right chemical elements, and a chemical source
 of energy.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.gizmag.com/curiosity-2nd-year/33248/pictures#1" target="_blank"><img alt="Image of tracks left by Curiosity taken the day before the second anniversary (Image: NASA..." src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/curiosity-2nd-year-0.jpg" width="530" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Image of tracks left by Curiosity taken the day before the second anniversary (Image: NASA)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">"Before landing, we expected that we would need to drive much farther
 before answering that habitability question," says Curiosity Project 
Scientist John Grotzinger of the Caltech. "We were able to take 
advantage of landing very close to an ancient streambed and lake. Now we
 want to learn more about how environmental conditions on Mars evolved, 
and we know where to go to do that."</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Compared to its first year, which was marked by many firsts, such as 
the first drilling operation on Mars, the first laser firing, and first 
UV night scans, Curiosity's second year on the Red Planet has been more 
routine. However, it hasn’t been without incident. In February, the 
rover cleared a dune
 that blocked its progress and in July it negotiated a detour around 
rocky terrain at Zabriskie Plateau. The latter was of particular concern
 because NASA has noticed that the six aluminum wheels that carry 
Curiosity are wearing faster than anticipated.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">NASA says that time is taking its toll on the computer systems as 
well with mission control nursing Curiosity’s two computers to make sure
 they both remain in proper working order. It had to switch to its B 
computer after the A computer started acting up, and in July the rover 
got a two-day holiday as technicians confirmed that the A computer could
 still act as a backup should the need arise.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.gizmag.com/curiosity-2nd-year/33248/pictures#3" target="_blank"><img alt="Diagram of Curiosity (Image: NASA)" src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/curiosity-2nd-year-2.jpg" width="530" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the science side, year two has had its share of surprises. The biggest one is the total lack of methane gas
 detected in the Martian atmosphere. Because methane is a key indicator 
of biological activity, this was a blow to chances of finding life on 
Mars today. Worse, it meant that other sources of methane are absent on 
Mars as well, which poses some head-scratching questions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">On the plus side, Curiosity has been monitoring the radiation on the 
Martian surface as a prelude to manned expeditions. NASA says that 
though the levels are high, they are consistent with predictions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Currently, Curiosity is making its way toward new areas of study 
about 2 miles (3.2 km) from its present position. It’s next stop is a 
rock outcrop called "Pahrump Hills,” which lies about 1 mile away on 
Zabriskie Plateau.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">source-<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/curiosity-2nd-year/33248/" target="_blank">gizmag </a></span></span></div>
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Curiosity marks two years on Mars

Break out the party hats – NASA’s Curiosity rover is celebrating its second anniversary on Mars. On August 5, 2012 at 10:31 pm PDT (August 6, 05:31 GMT), the unmanned spacecraft touched down at …

06 Aug 2014

1,400-hp Hennessey Venom F5 guns for a 290-mph speed record

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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><img alt="The Hennessey Venom F5 will become reality next year " height="359" src="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/hennesseyvenomf5.png" title="The Hennessey Venom F5 will become reality next year " width="640" /> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Earlier this year, the ultra-powerful, Lotus-based Hennessey Venom GT
 made good on the world record-level speeds Hennessey had been promising
 since before the car's 2010 introduction. The car set an unofficial world speed record
 of 270.49 mph (435.31 km/h). Lesser men might be content to take a long
 summer vacation after such a feat, but John Hennessey is busy preparing
 an even more powerful Venom to set a new record … and fend off any 
competition from the likes of Bugatti or Koenigsegg.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The Venom F5 is billed as the official successor to the GT. The "F5" 
seems like simple alphanumeric nomenclature at first, but it has a 
deeper meaning to the boys in Texas – it's the strongest tornado rating 
in the Fujita scale, signifying a twister with winds between 261 to 318 
mph (420 to 512 km/h). Sounds like a fitting designation for a car built
 to land square in the middle of that speed range.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Koenigsigg's new One:1
 may have the marketing, but the 1,200-bhp Lotus Elise/Exige-based Venom
 GT beat it to the punch of a 1 hp/1 kilo weight ratio when it arrived 
on the scene at a 1,200-kg (2,685 lb) fighting weight. The Venom F5 is 
positioned to improve upon that ratio slightly, potentially packing more
 than 1,400 bhp in a package weighing less than 1,300 kg (2,866 lb). 
"F5" definitely sounds better than 1.0769: One, so we're glad Hennessey 
avoided that particular opportunity for oneupmanship over its Swedish 
competitor.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hennessey is still hard at work on the F5's powertrain, so those 
numbers are only soft estimates for now. The driveline will use 
beefed-up twin turbochargers, with fuel system and intercooler upgrades 
built to handle the extra boost. The longitudinally-mounted, rear-drive 
twin-turbo V8 will be mated to a new single-clutch paddle shift 
transmission with quickened shift times. Hennessey also plans to offer a
 standard H-pattern manual. A GPS-based stability/traction control 
system will help drivers in safely harnessing all the car's magnificent 
grunt.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.gizmag.com/1400-hp-hennessey-venom-f5/33242/pictures#2" target="_blank"><img alt="The Venom F5 includes mechanical and aerodynamic improvements over its GT predecessor" src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/hennesseyvenomf5-1.png" width="530" /></a></span></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"We learned a great deal during the development of the Venom GT in 
breaking the 270-mph barrier, and we bring that experience to this new 
design as we look toward raising the performance bar even higher," says 
company president and founder John Hennessey.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Aerodynamic improvements will help the F5 in reaching its speed and 
acceleration potential. Hennessey says that the car's drag coefficient 
will limbo below 0.4 (down from 0.44 on the Venom GT), while a 
combination of the body shape, underbody venturis, rear diffuser and 
retractable rear wing will develop plenty of downforce.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The "clean-sheet carbon-fiber body," as Hennessey describes it, has a
 more angular appearance than its predecessor, most noticeably in the 
nose and side intakes. The entire front and rear ends have undergone a 
serious restructuring that includes a brand-new set of lamps.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">With development underway, it's hard to get too excited about 
performance estimates, but we'd be lying if we said that "290 mph (467 
km/h) is within reach" didn't look awfully intriguing scratched at the 
top of a press release. Hennessey also believes that its new car will be
 able to best the Venom GT's 13.63-second to 186-mph (300 km/h) and 
14.51-second 0-200 mph (322 km/h) acceleration records.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">

</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hennessey is thinking relocation for its next speed record attempt, its founder telling Top Gear
 that he's considering putting the F5 to the test on the hard salt of 
Bonneville. There, he won't have to deal with NASA staff preventing his 
team from a return run and keeping the new Venom out of the big Guinness
 book.</span></span><br />
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</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Hennessey will unveil the Venom F5 next year and begin deliveries in 
late 2016. It plans to build 30+ examples – the minimum needed to be 
considered a "production car" for the world speed record – at a price 
exceeding the US$1.2 million sticker of the Venom GT. It will continue 
to offer the Venom GT, having sold 16 of its planned 29-car production 
run.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">source-<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/1400-hp-hennessey-venom-f5/33242/" target="_blank">gizmag </a></span></span><br />
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1,400-hp Hennessey Venom F5 guns for a 290-mph speed record

Earlier this year, the ultra-powerful, Lotus-based Hennessey Venom GT made good on the world record-level speeds Hennessey had been promising since before the car's 2010 introduction. The car set…

06 Aug 2014

Mark your calendars: Apple's iPhone 6 event date reportedly set

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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">According to a report from <a href="http://recode.net/2014/08/05/codered-apple-to-hold-iphone-event-on-sept-9/" target="_blank">Re/code</a>,
 Apple has set an event date for Tuesday, September 9. The outlet 
reports that the theme will indeed be new iPhones, which should mean the
 company's official unveiling of the iPhone 6. It's worth noting that 
Apple hasn't yet sent out invitations for the event (that usually 
happens much closer to the event date) and this is all based on 
Re/Code's sources.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Though nothing is confirmed, months worth of rumors have <a href="http://9to5mac.com/2014/03/27/iphone-6-coming-as-early-as-september-likely-in-4-7-5-5-inch-varieties-says-nikkei/" target="_blank">pointed to</a> Apple launching two new iPhones, both with larger screens (likely a 4.7-in one and a 5.5-in phablet). Earlier reports <a href="http://9to5mac.com/2014/07/24/spurious-claim-apple-will-release-4-7-and-5-5-inch-iphones-separately-to-avoid-competition/" target="_blank">said</a>
 that the larger iPhone could possibly ship later than the smaller one 
(perhaps even slipping into early 2015), but that scuttlebutt hasn't 
been quite as consistent.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As with every previous iPhone release, the new device(s) will likely 
sport a faster processor (A8 is next in line) along with camera 
improvements, and will run the next version of iOS. The Touch ID fingerprint sensor, featured in last year's iPhone 5s, will also presumably pop up in every high-end iOS device from now on.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><a href="http://www.gizmag.com/apple-iphone-6-release-date-rumor/33245/" target="_blank">Gizmag</a> will have the full scoop on Sept. 9 – or whenever Tim Cook and Co. take the stage.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">source-<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/apple-iphone-6-release-date-rumor/33245/" target="_blank">gizmag</a> </span></span></div>
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Mark your calendars: Apple's iPhone 6 event date reportedly set

That Apple would hold its next iPhone event in the September/October timeframe is hardly a surprise (this would mark the fourth straight year). But a new report claims that Apple has already mark…

06 Aug 2014

Apple’s 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Set To Feature Higher-End Specs‏

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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Almost all reports claim Apple will launch two iPhone 6 models
 in 2014, one 4.7-inch and another 5.5-inch. This wouldn’t be the first 
time Apple looks to add a second size to the range; the MacBook, iMac, 
iPad, and iPod lines all offer variable sizes, the iPhone stands alone.</span></span></div>
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</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The report also fits with the growing concern from Apple about 
Samsung and the growth of their two high-end lines, the Galaxy S and Galaxy Note.
 The 4.7-inch model looks to go after the Galaxy S, HTC One and other 
flagships, while the 5.5-inch model competes with the Galaxy Note, 
Xperia Z Ultra and HTC One Max.<img alt="iPhone 6 mock up" class="lazy alignnone size-full wp-image-17834 data-lazy-ready" data-lazy-src="http://news.filehippo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/iPhone-6-mockups.png" data-lazy-type="image" height="364" src="http://news.filehippo.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/iPhone-6-mockups.png" style="display: inline;" width="708" /></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The iPhablet</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The new report from <a href="http://appleinsider.com/articles/14/08/04/analyst-apple-could-equip-55-iphone-6-with-more-powerful-processor-than-47-model" target="_blank">Apple Insider</a>,
 citing Cowen & Co. analyst Timothy Arcuri, claims supply chain 
sources have started preparing different application processors for the 
5.5-inch iPhone. Apple will add a larger and more powerful A8 chip to 
the 5.5-inch iPhone 6, in order to cull buyers into paying more.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The two application processors will be named the A8, but will be 
separated in their development. Apple might look to simply up the specs 
on the higher-end A8 chip, offering faster speeds and lowering power 
usage, to make the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 offer more impressive stats.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Manufacturing will be done partly by Apple’s rival Samsung and partly
 by TSMC, a Taiwanese semiconductor company. This report does have a bit
 of conflict, with other reports saying TSMC won the full rights to 
production, following Apple’s move away from Samsung.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Foxconn will also be involved in the main manufacturing of the iPhone
 6, alongside Pegatron, another Chinese manufacturer. Apple will get the sapphire glass for the front of the iPhone 6 in the United States, from local factories in Texas.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">
</span></span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Apple is projecting around 80 million sales of the iPhone 6 before 
the end of 2014. This appears to be for both versions, although the 
5.5-inch iPhone 6 might be available later in the year or perhaps at the
 start of 2015.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SOURCE-<a href="http://news.filehippo.com/2014/08/apples-5-5-inch-iphone-6-set-feature-higher-end-specs%E2%80%8F/" target="_blank">TECH BEAT </a></span></span></div>

Apple’s 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Set To Feature Higher-End Specs‏

Almost all reports claim Apple will launch two iPhone 6 models in 2014, one 4.7-inch and another 5.5-inch. This wouldn’t be the first time Apple looks to add a second size to the range; the MacBook…

05 Aug 2014

Superfast external phone batteries recharge in 15 minutes

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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img alt="The Ultrapack Go (left) and Petalite Flux (not to scale) can suck in enough power for a fu..." height="298" src="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/ultrapack_go_petalite_flux-17.jpg" title="The Ultrapack Go (left) and Petalite Flux (not to scale) can suck in enough power for a fu..." width="529" /> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As our dependence on the smartphone has grown, there's been plenty said about the battery life of said devices. Thankfully, external charging
 solutions provide a way to keep powered up and now there are two that 
are laying claim to being the quickest of them all. Both the Unu 
Ultrapack Go and Petalite Flux are pocket-sized portable batteries 
promising power enough for a day's smartphone use from a 15 minute 
charge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">First cab off the rank is the Ultrapack Go, which measures 3.95 x 
2.05 x 0.68 in (10 x 5.2 x 1.7 cm) and weighs 4.5 oz (127 g). Packing a 
3,000 mAh battery, it can be charged to full in 30 minutes, though its 
developers claim this is more than the typical user will need, with 15 
minutes of charging providing 2,000 mAh of power that should be enough 
juice for a day's use. It comes with a cord to connect to a smartphone 
or tablet via Micro USB, but is also compatible with other cords, such 
as an iPhone charge cable. It also features a small screen displaying 
power and time left to recharge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The tubular Petalite Flux, on the other hand, weighs in at 3.35 oz 
(95 g) and measures 3.54 x 1.18 x 1.18 in (90 x 30 x 30 mm). While this 
smaller size will mean easier transport, it does concede a little ground
 in battery capacity to the Ultrapack Go. With a capacity of 2,600 mAh, 
the Petalite reaches a 100 percent charge in 15 minutes and also powers 
your smartphone or tablet through Micro USB or Apple's Lightning 
connector.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.gizmag.com/petalite-ultrapack-external-phone-15-minutes/33227/pictures#4" target="_blank"><img alt="The Petalite also features four LED lights to gauge the level of charge" src="http://images.gizmag.com/inline/ultrapack_go_petalite_flux-2.png" width="441" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Instead of a screen, the Petalite also features four LED lights to 
indicate the level of charge. All four illuminated indicates a whole 
day's charge for 90 percent of phones on the market, while three lights,
 or a 75 percent charge, is claimed to be sufficient for a day with an 
iPhone 5s.</span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">While the Ultrapak uses a standard wall adapter, the Petalite comes 
with a specialized charging dock. Its developers say this was necessary,
 as "pushing this amount of amperage through a standard USB port would 
damage it within seconds."</span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">These lightning-quick external chargers won't be suitable for all, 
but they could prove handy for those whose busy lifestyles leave them 
with perpetually drained batteries and little time to charge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">

</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Ultrapack is priced at US$60 and available for pre-order now via 
the product page below, with the company hoping to begin shipping on 
August 25. If the compact Petalite is more to your liking, then you will
 have to wait a little longer as the company is launching an Indiegogo 
campaign at the end of the month and is yet to detail pricing.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">SOURCE-<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/petalite-ultrapack-external-phone-15-minutes/33227/" target="_blank">GIZMAG</a> </span></span></div>
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</div>

Superfast external phone batteries recharge in 15 minutes

As our dependence on the smartphone has grown, there's been plenty said about the battery life of said devices. Thankfully, external charging solutions provide a way to keep powered up and now the…

05 Aug 2014

Continental's Augmented Reality HUD puts information on the road

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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><img alt="The Continental AR-HUD prototype brings augmented reality to the windshield" height="360" src="http://images.gizmag.com/hero/continentalarhud-0.jpg" title="The Continental AR-HUD prototype brings augmented reality to the windshield" width="640" /> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Displaying your speed on the windshield can be handy for keeping under 
the speed limit, but Continental is taking things to the next level with
 its Augmented Reality Head-up Display (AR-HUD) prototype. In addition 
to showing your current speed, the system can overlay information on the
 road specifically where it is most relevant to the driver, such as the 
distance to the car in front, when to make a turn, or even upcoming 
driving conditions.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><img alt="The Continental AR-HUD prototype brings augmented reality to the windshield" border="0" data-pic-id="282823" height="461" itemprop="contentURL" src="http://images.gizmag.com/gallery_lrg/continentalarhud-0.jpg" title="The Continental AR-HUD prototype brings augmented reality to the windshield" width="640" /> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The system draws data from the vehicle's camera and radar and 
combines it with the vehicle's dynamics data, digital maps and GPS 
positioning, which is used to create a model of the external view of the
 car as seen from the driver's perspective. This allows the system to 
project the augmented information onto the windscreen at the correct 
visual point for the driver.</span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">The system overlays full-color graphics on the real road view in a 
130 cm (51 in) wide by 60 cm (23 in) high section of the driver's field 
of vision at an optical-equivalent distance of 7.5 m (24 ft). The 
Digital Micromirror Device (DMD) technology used in this system is 
claimed to be the same as that used for digital cinema devices, such as 
the Odin Handy Projector.</span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">As part of this system, navigation symbols – such as turns – are 
directly incorporated in the forward field of view, so that the driver 
doses not have to look away to a GPS device located elsewhere in the 
vehicle. Similarly, when distance controls such as Adaptive Cruise 
Control (ACC) are enabled, a crescent-shaped icon displayed by the 
AR-HUD denotes which vehicle in the field of view is detected by the 
assistance system and the driver is kept alerted to any stray movements 
from their own vehicle line by an incorporated lane-monitoring alert.</span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">"In a world that is becoming increasingly complex, the AR-HUD 
relieves the burden on the driver with a new quality of information," 
says Helmut Matschi, a member of the Executive Board at Continental. "In
 the augmentation, we are connecting what the driver's eyes see with 
explanatory information. The AR-HUD is an important step in the 
direction of holistic human machine interfaces in cars for a more 
comfortable, more economic, and safer driving experience. Drivers 
receive all important information before their eyes in an easily 
comprehensible way. This is a major step against driver distraction and 
sensory overload, both now and in the future."</span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Developed from previous HUD systems that are currently incorporated 
in many European cars, the new system is in an advanced stage of 
development and has already been integrated into a demonstration 
vehicle. However, unlike other systems that are being developed for 
racing vehicles – such as Jaguar's Virtual Windscreen
 – which require specific race-track telemetry to provide information on
 other vehicles, the Continental AR-HUD collects its data using standard
 on-board electronics systems.</span></span></div>
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</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">Continental is planning to have a production-ready version of its 
AR-HUD available in 2017 for purchase by automakers for incorporation in
 their production model vehicles.</span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;">SOURCE-<a href="http://www.gizmag.com/augmented-reality-hud-improves-driver-information/33223/" target="_blank">GIZMAG</a> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span></span></div>
</div>

Continental's Augmented Reality HUD puts information on the road

Displaying your speed on the windshield can be handy for keeping under the speed limit, but Continental is taking things to the next level with its Augmented Reality Head-up Display (AR-HUD) prot…

05 Aug 2014

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