NASA’s Messenger probe will crash into Mercury at 3:30pm ET today
It's been a long and hard road for NASA's Messenger Probe as it studied the surface of Mercury for the last four years. That journey, however, will come to an end today, after NASA announced that the craft will crash land into the planet at around 3:30pm ET today. The vehicle was the first that managed to make it to Mercury, and has been in service for more than a decade -- far longer than administrators had ever expected it to last. In fact, the project was only meant to last for a year, but canny fuel-saving measures managed to quadruple its lifespan.
Messenger was able to make more than a few exciting discoveries, including the fact that there's ice and organic matter close to the planet's poles. Now that the gas tanks are finally empty, the hardware will "make a new crater," 16 meters wide, in the planet's surface later this afternoon. Unfortunately, there's no way to view the incident, since the crash will take place on the side of the planet facing away from us. Still, unless you're likely to get a telling off from your boss, pour a cold one out to the little space probe that could at 3:30pm.
Tomorrow, @MESSENGER2011 adds a crater to Mercury's scarred face. Look back on the mission: http://t.co/9isHYI9Ycx https://t.co/xqJcgUQ749
- NASA (@NASA) April 29, 2015
[Image credit: NASA/JHU APL/Carnegie Institution of Washington]
Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/30/nasa-messenger-mercury-probe-crash/?ncid=rss_truncated
Jeff Bezos’ first proper test rocket has successfully launched
Elon Musk may be the most famous tech billionaire with an interest in spaceflight, but he's certainly not the only one. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos also has a company, Blue Origin, which is doing similar research into reusable craft to get us to-and-from the heavens. The normally secretive outfit has just revealed that its first test vehicle, New Shepard, made arguably its most important, partially successful test flight yesterday. In the experiment, the priapic craft took an (empty) crew capsule to a height of 307,000 feet before releasing it to float gently back to earth.
Unfortunately there was a fault in New Shepard 1's hydraulic system, and so the company was "unable to recover" the propulsion module -- a polite euphemism for crashing into the desert. Thankfully, no-one was injured, and the business is already working on building a second and third New Shepard to continue testing the vertical takeoff, vertical landing vehicle. If successful, then it's likely that Bezos will look to offer governments a cheaper way of getting satellites, personnel and cargo into orbit, hopefully bringing us all a bit closer to the space taxi NASA's always been jonesing for.
Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/30/blue-origin-test-flight/?ncid=rss_truncated
Apple and IBM customize iPads to help the elderly in Japan
The partnership between tech giants Apple and IBM, which began last year, isn't just about working together on enterprise products. In Japan, the two companies just announced an initiative that will deliver up to 5 million iPads to Japanese senior citizens, at no cost. Apple, IBM and the Japan Post Group, a local corporation that's also involved with the project, say the goal is to "improve the quality of life" for millions of elderly people in the Land of the Rising Sun. How so? Well, the iPads are said to feature custom-built apps by IBM, all designed with senior citizens in mind -- some can be used to set reminders and alerts about medications, or to request help with things like grocery shopping.
Not surprisingly, Apple's also touting out-of-the-box iPad services such as FaceTime and Messages, which those who benefit from the program could use to stay in touch with loved ones. There are no details on the model of the iPads being provided, but chances are these senior citizens won't care too much about such details.
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Waze will tweet if there’s unusual traffic in your area
Unless you live in California, it's not that often that you make an effort to specifically check the traffic conditions for your morning commute. That's probably because you'll be spending a big chunk of your time with your face buried in Twitter instead. That's why Waze thought it'd be a good idea to launch a traffic alerts program on the social network, called Unusual Traffic. The system compares current journey times with historical data and, when there's a noticeable difference, will send a tweet letting you know.
The company has set up more than 50 different accounts, each one focusing on a specific metro area, including Atlanta, London and Buenos Aires. If there's more information available like a faster alternative route or the cause of the blockage, then that information will also be included. That way, all you'll have to do is favorite that specific account to make sure you never get stuck in traffic again, except all of the times that you do, obviously.
Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/30/waze-unusual-traffic/?ncid=rss_truncated
Living with Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge in an S6 world
I was torn this past winter. I knew the Galaxy S6 was imminent and that there'd likely be a model with a curved screen, but I was dying to see what it was like to live with its bigger precursor, the Galaxy Note Edge. Would I feel a twinge of regret when the shiny new Samsung handset arrived, even if the older phone still had some advantages? There was only one way to find out. I spent a few weeks with the Note Edge to see not just whether I would enjoy that uniquely shaped screen on its own terms, but whether it would still hold its own against the faster, curvier Galaxy S6 Edge.
Samsung's Galaxy Note Edge half a year later
Things didn't look good for the Note Edge at first -- the S6 Edge has a nicer design, hands down. While I prefer the texture of the Note's leather-like plastic back over the S6's glass, that's offset by an asymmetrical shape that's awkward to hold no matter which hand you use. When you combine that with the larger size, it's hard to get a firm grip on the Note without grabbing the screen. There were more than a few times when I worried the device would fly out of my hands, like when I was taking a bumpy bus ride or walking on a less-than-dry sidewalk. The S6 Edge may have two curves instead of one, but its smaller dimensions make it decidedly easier to keep in my palm.
As you probably know, though, the Note Edge has an ace in the hole: expansion. I didn't have a burning need for either microSD storage or a removable battery, since I stream a lot of music and have an external battery in case I need a top-up. Still, it was hard to deny the appeal of adding more storage down the road, or swapping batteries during a long workday. And of course, I can't talk about a Note without mentioning the pen. I only used it once in a blue moon, but it was nice to have for sketching an idea or copying an image.
Performance was a tougher call. The Note Edge may no longer be the most powerful phone in Samsung's roster, but it was still exceptional. The interface was typically glass-smooth, with only the very occasional stutter. And this is the first Samsung camera that I've truly been happy with. Unlike the Galaxy S5, the Note Edge snaps low-light photos I'd be glad to show to friends; I could count on good photos in most conditions. Don't pick up an S6 Edge in hopes of getting a major camera upgrade, then. About my only performance-related gripe with the Note is a battery that doesn't last much longer than a day, which is disappointingly mediocre given the 450mAh capacity improvement over the smaller phone.
Unfortunately, the Note Edge falls down in terms of software -- you know, the one area where it most needs to excel. There's technically more functionality than you get on the S6 Edge, such as alerts, news tickers and shortcuts, but it isn't much of a time-saver in practice. For example, the playback controls are frequently less convenient, not more. I had to swipe the strip two or three times to take a look at music in Sonos or Spotify, while either is just a single flick from the status bar. And sometimes, those edge screen features actually worked against me -- notifications partly obscured running apps, and it was too easy to snap photos by accident with the awkwardly placed shutter button.
It's this clunkiness that ultimately left me disillusioned with the Note Edge, as much as I wanted to like it. Simply put, it felt like the experiment that it is, an exploration of what works (or in this case, doesn't work) with curved screens. The S6 Edge wins out not just because it's easier to hold and has newer components, but because it's more honest about why you'd want curves in the first place: It's about cool looks first, and any extra functionality is merely icing on the cake. While the Note Edge is still very capable, I'd rather get the plainer Galaxy Note 4 or "settle" for the smaller S6 Edge.
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Samsung outs Level On wireless headphones for untethered listening
I took Samsung's Level line of "premium" audio gear for a spin last summer, and now the company is adding another wireless model to the set. The Level On Wireless is exactly what the name suggests: a wireless version of the on-ear headphones in the collection. A group of six built-in microphones offer active noise cancellation to keep those loud talkers from killing your vibe. There's also a touch pad on the the outside of one ear cup, handling controls for S Voice, play/pause and skipping tracks so you won't have to pick up your phone. You can also share whatever you're listening to with other Level devices, thanks to the Sound Sharing tool. After spending a few weeks with the initial lineup, the wired Level On cans were my favorite of the bunch, so this new option is a welcome addition. Samsung says you can expect 11 hours of battery life with both Bluetooth and noise cancellation at work here, bumping to 23 hours if you opt for just the wireless connectivity. Unfortunately, there's no word on pricing or availability yet.
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These surrealist games melt more than clocks
Some say surrealism was the most influential art movement of the past century and, perhaps unsurprisingly, it's had an effect on video game developers too. The games you'll find below weren't made by Salvador Dalí or M.C. Escher, but the influence those mind-bending artists had is unmistakable. And it's not just limited to endless staircases or clocks melting off the side of a ledge (although those make appearances) in indie games, either. Dream-like visuals and landscapes have dotted the world of blockbuster games too -- not even God of War 3 was immune when it released in 2010. Let's take a mind-bending trip together in the gallery below, shall we?
Nine surrealist games
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JXE Streams: Acid Nerve teaches us how to topple ‘Titan Souls’
Welcome to the new masochism! For a decade now, games have held our hands and walked us patiently through their soft hallways. Playing BioShock Infinite? Try easy mode, darling. Rollicking your way through New Super Mario Bros. U? Fail too many times and the game will play itself. No more! The new breed of punishers like Bloodborne have brought out the gleeful self-flagellator in everyone. Acid Nerve's Titan Souls is another banner carrier for the new masochism. Don't let its old-school adventure, Zelda-meets-Shadow of the Colossus facade fool you; this is one tough cookie. That's why we're having Acid Nerve, its creators, come on to JXE Streams to teach us how to play.
Titan Souls designer and programmer Mark Foster as well as composer David Fenn will join us live on today's stream! Tune in to Twitch.tv/Joystiq, Engadget.com/gaming or right here in this post starting at 3:30PM ET to chat with the developers and check out the PS4 game.
Dig the stream? Follow us on Twitch and bookmark Engadget.com/gaming to keep track of upcoming shows.
[We're playing Titan Souls on PlayStation 4 streamed through an Elgato Capture HD via OBS at 720p.]
Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/30/jxe-streams-titan-souls/?ncid=rss_truncated
Department of Energy 3D prints an all-electric Shelba Cobra
Carroll Shelby's iconic Cobra roadster has been making jaws drop for half a century now. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cobra's debut the US Department of Energy built one of its own. The new Cobra's entire chassis and bodywork--from the passenger monocoque to the grille and headrests--were 3D printed from carbon fiber reinforced ABS using the Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM) machine at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. And while the exterior of the new Cobra is nearly indistinguishable from its predecessor, they look nothing alike under the hood. The DoE's Cobra is, in fact, completely electric.
ORNL Cobra
It's outfitted with a 100-kilowatt electric motor that hits 60 mph from a standstill in under five seconds. This "laboratory-on-wheels," as the DoE describes it, is actually built to accommodate a number of new technologies like motors motor propelled by wide bandgap power electronics, using a simple "plug-n-play" design. In all, the vehicle took a team of six engineers just six weeks to design and print. The DoE's replica made its debut at the Detroit Auto Show back in January. It currently resides at the Department of Energy headquarters in Washington DC.
Article source: http://www.engadget.com/2015/04/30/department-of-energy-3d-prints-an-all-electric-shelba-cobra/?ncid=rss_truncated
Uber’s panic button can let cops in India know where you are
Earlier this year, Uber launched an in-app panic button for people in India, which lets any user easily alert local police in case of an emergency. And now this safety feature is getting improved. The ride-sharing service announced today that the real-time SOS alert can start being accessed by law enforcement officials, allowing them to track the exact location of a passenger who may require assistance during a trip. Previously, the panic button would only connect Uber users with the cops over a phone call, so this is designed to save time for potential victims -- and that could turn out to be life-saving.
Uber has been testing the new feature in the city of Kolkata, but the goal is to make it available in many places across India over the next few weeks. What's more, the company says that it will be bringing more safety solutions to other countries "in the coming months." Let's hope it happens sooner rather than later.
[Image credit: Associated Press]
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