Author: kenmay

Skype 6.0 brings revamped design to both iOS and Android

Skype users have ridden a rollercoaster of different designs over the years, and the latest version promises yet more change. Version 6.0 has been completely redesigned for both iOS and Android apps, which are now in lockstep with each other. For Google’s ecosystem, the new layout took a page from the Android 5 “Material” playbook with circular icons and other touches. Other features include a floating action button to start new calls or chats (à la Facebook’s Messenger), enhanced search and improved messaging. There are also custom ringtones, photo sharing and web link reviews to bring the app in line with rival messaging products like Google’s Hangouts. On the Apple side, Microsoft made similar visual tweaks and added swipe gestures for calls and messages. It’s also easier to post photos, links and emoticons when you’re on a video or voice call. Other tweaks include enhanced search, location info and other features you’d expect on a messaging system. The Skype iPad app has been completely revamped to take advantage of the larger screen, and now includes group calling to boot. Both the Android and iOS apps are now available, and as for Skype on Windows 10 Mobile, MIcrosoft said it’s working hard on the next version and “we’ll let you know when we have more to share.” Filed under: Cellphones , Tablets , Mobile , Microsoft Comments Source: Skype Tags: Android, iOS, iPhone, microsoft, mobilepostcross, Skype, Skype 6.0

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Skype 6.0 brings revamped design to both iOS and Android

Waze sued for allegedly stealing map data

Google and its mapping service Waze are being dragged to court over allegations that Waze stole data from a rival’s map database. The lawsuit filed in San Francisco federal court on Tuesday by PhantomAlert alleges that the navigation app used proprietary data from PhantomAlert without permission. Both apps share road, red light and traffic information. According to PhantomAlert CEO Joseph Seyoum he noticed that Waze was using the same fictitious location information in its app that his company had used to test PhantomAlert. The only way Waze would have that fake location data is if it was using information from Seyoum’s company. In a statement Seyoum said, “I started PhantomAlert seven years ago as an entrepreneur with a dream, and now that dream has been crushed by companies that are profiting from the years of blood, sweat and tears our team put into our product.” PhantomAlert lawyer Karl Kronenberger alleges that Waze used his client’s data to increase its value and become more attractive to potential buyers. Both Google and Facebook were reportedly interested in purchasing the mapping app with Google securing the deal for around $1 billion n 2013. The suit seeks monetary damages and an injunction against Waze and Google regarding the app. Google has not responded to queries for comment about the lawsuit. Filed under: Transportation , Google Comments Via: CNET Source: PhantomAlert Tags: google, Lawsuit, Mapping, Waze

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Waze sued for allegedly stealing map data

Doctors will soon be able to study 3D-rendered organs in VR before operations

Add / Remove Doctors currently rely on flat images from CT and MRI scans for pre-op information about patient’s organs. Now, however, health tech startup EchoPixel is planning to use the information garnered from current medical imaging technology to produce 3D virtual reality organs, which doctors can explore and inspect before beginning surgery. EchoPixel uses the images which are already being gathered during medical imaging processes to create 3D-rendered body parts. These floating masses can then be examined via a VR platform called zSpace. Doctors can rotate and dissect the images of organs, including the brain and the heart, using a stylus. They can even examine a colon via a simulated fly-through. EchoPixel hope their technology will help doctors gain an enhanced understanding of the intricacies of each organ, and enable them to go into surgery well-rehearsed. It can also be used by medical students as a supplementary learning tool. Could this combined technology be used in other industries too — such as mechanics or construction? Website: www.echopixeltech.com Contact: www.echopixeltech.com/contact-us

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Doctors will soon be able to study 3D-rendered organs in VR before operations

This is the only mushroom in the world that tastes sweet like honey

In Hungary there is a sweet Hungarian truffle that supposedly tastes like honey. I can’t even begin to imagine how fantastic that is because truffles are already “the diamonds of the kitchen” and honey very well might be nature’s greatest creation, so combining both in one is practically unfair. The truffle is used in dessert because of its sweetness but our friend Malackaraj shows us how to use it elsewhere. Read more…

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This is the only mushroom in the world that tastes sweet like honey

Just add water and this squid-inspired plastic heals itself

While you’ve been busy scarfing down fried calamari rings, scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have been doing something else with squid . Namely? Studying the cephalopod’s ring teeth for a way to create a material that heals when water’s present , much in the way that those tentacle-bound choppers do. The way the report spotted by Popular Science tells it, the researchers were able to reproduce the type of proteins found in the self-healing squid teeth and trigger bacteria to make it in a lab environment. To test just how strong the new material was, the scientists formed the protein into the shape of a dog bone and cut it in two with a razor blade. After pressing the two segments back together, dousing them with a bit of water and applying pressure, the pieces fused and were still as strong compared to before they were cut. Like PopSci notes, this type of material could be used to coat things deep-sea internet cables or perhaps help biomedical devices have a longer lifespan, but is still a ways off from primetime. That and it still needs to be tested against shark bites , of course. [Image credits: Getty/Jeff Rotman (lead), Demirel Lab/Penn State (lab photo)] Filed under: Science , Alt Comments Via: Popular Science Source: Penn State University , Nature Tags: bacteria, nature, protein, science, SelfHealing, squid, squidteeth, UniversityOfPennsylvania, upenn

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Just add water and this squid-inspired plastic heals itself

New Russian Laboratory To Study Mammoth Cloning

An anonymous reader writes: While plans to clone a woolly mammoth are not new, a lab used in a joint effort by Russia and South Korea is. The new facility is devoted to studying extinct animal DNA in the hope of creating clones from the remains of animals found in the permafrost. IBtimes reports: “The Sakha facility has the world’s largest collection of frozen ancient animal carcasses and remains, with more than 2, 000 samples in its possession, including some that are tens of thousands years old, such as a mammoth discovered on the island of Maly Lyakhovsky; experts believe it may be more than 28, 000 years old.” Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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New Russian Laboratory To Study Mammoth Cloning

Samsung jumps into Ultra HD Blu-ray, as Fox provides the movies

Today Samsung is the first company to announce an Ultra HD Blu-ray player, taking the lead in 4K and HDR video. Following up on its big Ultra HD push at CES and the movie streaming/ download tech that has arrived in the months since, Samsung is ready to push super high resolution movies (four times the resolution of Blu-ray, and 64 times as many colors) on discs too. There’s not much detail available on its new player, although we expect it will cost less than the $1, 000 price its first Blu-ray player commanded nearly a decade ago and it should launch early next year. Joining the tech company on its IFA 2015 stage are Fox execs, with president Mike Dunn proclaiming the studio is committed to releasing its slate of upcoming movies in Ultra HD with HDR day-and-date with the Blu-ray and Digital HD releases. That includes Fantastic Four , Maze Runner , Kingsman: The Secret Service and more. Samsung’s Ultra HD Blu-ray player is curved to match its TVs , and also includes a number of UHD streaming services. The other news today at IFA is that Samsung’s TVs will be the first ones getting a software update to support HDMI 2.0a , necessary to receive HDR info from the new Blu-ray players. As far as that UHD Alliance the tech industry and Hollywood are creating to push their new video standards, Fox CTO Hanno Basse said it has tripled in size, and hopes to share more details in “the coming months.” Filed under: Home Entertainment , HD , Samsung , Microsoft Comments Tags: 4K, Blu-ray, Fox, hdpostcross, HDR, IFA, IFA2015, microsoft, MikeDunn, samsung, SUHD, UltraHD, UltraHDBlu-ray

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Samsung jumps into Ultra HD Blu-ray, as Fox provides the movies

City-run ISP makes 10Gbps available to all residents and businesses

A municipal Internet service provider in Salisbury, North Carolina, announced today that it is making 10Gbps service available throughout the city, to both businesses and residents. The city-run  Fibrant was created five years ago after city officials were unable to persuade private ISPs to upgrade their infrastructure and built fiber throughout the city. Gigabit download and upload speeds have been available to residents since last year for $105 a month , while customers can pay as little as $45 a month for 50Mbps symmetrical service. TV and phone service is available, too. Fibrant officials don’t actually expect much, if any demand from residents for the 10Gbps download and upload service. The big speed upgrade is mainly targeted at businesses, but the announcement said 10Gbps service is now “available to every premises in the city,” including all homes. Read 14 remaining paragraphs | Comments

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City-run ISP makes 10Gbps available to all residents and businesses

Tesla’s $35,000 Model 3 will start production in 2017

God bless Elon Musk and his Twitter feed. While other companies rely on secretive press offices or employ PR giants to handle their communications, Musk happily uses the 140-character platform to break news about what’s going on at Tesla and SpaceX. Wednesday, we learned that the Model 3—Tesla’s next electric vehicle after the Model X SUV—will go into production in 2017, but only once the Gigafactory is up and running. Model 3, our smaller and lower cost sedan will start production in about 2 years. Fully operational Gigafactory needed. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 2, 2015 The Gigafactory is a $5 billion plant that Tesla is building near Sparks, Nevada in partnership with Panasonic. The plan is to achieve significant economies of scale at the Gigafactory, which will make the Model 3’s $35,000 price tag possible—something Musk also told us via Twitter yesterday. @elonmusk $35k price, unveil in March, preorders start then. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) September 2, 2015 When the Model 3 hits the streets in 2017 (assuming no Gigafactory-related delays) it won’t have as easy a time in the marketplace as the Model S, which even now still has no real competition. Chevrolet is launching the Bolt next year, a $30,000 EV which will match Tesla’s 200-mile (321km) range. However, Tesla has cleverly positioned itself as a premium brand with the Model S (and forthcoming Model X). Leveraging that cachet to move Model 3s seems like a no-brainer. Read on Ars Technica | Comments

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Tesla’s $35,000 Model 3 will start production in 2017

Subpoenaed Clinton Staffer Will Plead the Fifth Over Email Scandal Questions

The FBI is investigating whether Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email compromised national security . And now the staffer who set it up is planning to stay silent during questioning to avoid incriminating himself. Read more…

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Subpoenaed Clinton Staffer Will Plead the Fifth Over Email Scandal Questions