Archive for August, 2013
Huawei announces the Honor 3: price and features
Threes, Huawei announced this morning the third generation of Honor. In this menu Honor 3 HD 4.7 “screen, quad-core and 13-megapixel camera processor. Continue reading →
New Developments for Miniature Ion Thrusters on Nanosatellites
Nanosatellites are smartphone-sized spacecraft that can perform simple, yet valuable, space missions. Dozens of these little vehicles are now tirelessly orbiting the earth performing valuable functions for NASA, the Department of Defense and even private companies. Continue reading →
Pressy is a $17 button that controls your phone through the headphone jack
Physical buttons on smartphone seem to be an endangered species. But sometimes it’s easier to control your phone with the press of a button than an on-screen gesture. Continue reading →
Former Fuduntu team now developing Cloverleaf add-on for OpenSuSE Linux
The team behind the discontinued Fuduntu Linux distribution are shifting their focus yet again. Continue reading →
Nextway F9X Android tablet mini-review (Allwinner A31 CPU, Retina-like display)
The Nextway F9X is a low-cost Android tablet with a quad-core processor and an iPad-like 9.7 inch, 2048 x 1536 pixel display. It’s a nice looking tablet, feels pretty sturdy, and looks great on paper. Continue reading →
First look at the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch companion app
Samsung is expected to introduce its first smartwatch soon, letting you pair a wristwatch with a smartphone to view notifications and access some apps without pulling your phone out of your pocket. Samsung hasn’t revealed any real details about the watch yet, but serial leaker @evleaks has obtained pictures of the smartphone companion app. Continue reading →
Oppo teases its upcoming N1 cameraphone’s 12MP module
In a bid to increase the hype over its upcoming camera-centric smartphone, Oppo has posted an image of the camera module, which should appear in the Oppo N1. Continue reading →
Heavy-lifting Ariane 5 delivers for three customers
An Ariane 5 rocket fired its clean-burning hydrogen-fueled main engine, passed an automated check of dozens of health parameters, and lit two tube-shaped solid rocket boosters to blast away from its launch pad in the Amazon jungle Thursday with two communications satellites to serve the Middle East, North Africa and India. Continue reading →
Mobile phones, meet uncrackable quantum cryptography
There may soon come a time when nearly uncrackable secret information can be beamed straight to your smartphone. No, we’re not talking about handsets loaded with GPG keys or two-factor authentication apps, but the waaaaaay far out ideas behind quantum cryptography, the incredibly secure communication technology capable of locking down messages far more tightly than Lavabit ever could. Continue reading →
Cassini Reveals a Rigid and Weathered Ice Shell on Titan
Using new data from NASA’s Cassini spacecraft, scientists from UC Santa Cruz discovered a negative correlation between the gravity and topography signals on Titan, indicating a rigid, weathered ice shell. Continue reading →
Ubuntu Edge: the smartphone that wants to be a PC
Canonical's ambitious Ubuntu Edge project aimed to create a single device that could function as both a high-end smartphone and a desktop PC. The crowdfunding campaign generated significant buzz, with supporters drawn to the promise of a dual-boot Ubuntu and Android handset capable of running full desktop applications when docked. Although the campaign ultimately fell short of its lofty goal, it sparked renewed interest in convergence and the future of mobile computing.
Key specifications included a multi-core processor, ample RAM, and a sapphire crystal display, all housed in a sleek metal body. The device was envisioned to push the boundaries of what a smartphone could do, blurring the lines between mobile and desktop experiences. Continue reading →
Mars rover Curiosity celebrates one year on the Red Planet
NASA's Curiosity rover marked its first anniversary on Mars, having landed in Gale Crater on August 6, 2012. Over the course of a year, the rover has traveled more than a kilometer, drilled into Martian rocks, and provided conclusive evidence that ancient Mars had conditions suitable for microbial life. The mission's success has paved the way for future exploration, including the upcoming Mars 2020 rover.
Scientists continue to analyze data from Curiosity's instruments, which have revealed a complex geological history and the presence of organic molecules. The rover's longevity and performance have exceeded expectations, demonstrating the robustness of NASA's engineering and the value of sustained planetary exploration. Continue reading →
Firefox OS expands to new markets with low-cost smartphones
Mozilla's Firefox OS, an open-source mobile operating system built on web technologies, made significant inroads in emerging markets during August 2013. The platform, designed to run on low-cost hardware, offered an alternative to Android and iOS for users seeking affordable smartphones. Carriers in several countries began offering devices from manufacturers like ZTE and Alcatel, bringing web-centric mobile experiences to a broader audience.
- Based entirely on HTML5, allowing web apps to run natively
- Lightweight system requirements, ideal for entry-level hardware
- Deep integration with Firefox browser and Mozilla services
- Customizable home screen and adaptive app search
Firefox OS emphasized HTML5 apps and a customizable interface, appealing to developers and users alike. The operating system's lightweight nature allowed it to perform well on modest specs, making it an attractive option for regions where high-end devices were out of reach. Continue reading →
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean begins rolling out to select devices
Following its announcement in late July, Android 4.3 Jelly Bean started to appear on a handful of Nexus devices in August. The incremental update brought performance improvements, Bluetooth Low Energy support, and restricted profiles for tablets. Users with compatible devices eagerly awaited the over-the-air update, which promised smoother multitasking and better battery life.
Although not as dramatic as a full version bump, Android 4.3 addressed several key issues and laid the groundwork for future developments. Manufacturers began announcing their rollout plans, with many promising updates for flagship phones in the coming months. Continue reading →
NASA's LADEE spacecraft prepares for lunar mission
The Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) was in final preparations for its launch to the Moon. Designed to study the lunar exosphere and dust environment, the small spacecraft carried three science instruments and a laser communications technology demonstration. LADEE's mission aimed to answer longstanding questions about the Moon's tenuous atmosphere and the behavior of lunar dust.
Engineers conducted final checks and integration at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, with launch scheduled for early September. The mission represented a new class of low-cost planetary science, using a modular spacecraft design that could be adapted for future targets. Continue reading →