Aug 24
The sun just rose in Antarctica. And that’s kind of a big deal since it set back in May.
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Aug 24
When we spotted this photo on French blog NoWhereElse, we were close to dismissing this as just a bunch of iPhone 5C knock-offs (the shanzhai industry works very fast), just as the site also speculates. But after digging around the original poster’s Sina Weibo profile, we deduced that this spy shot came straight out of Pegatron’s Shanghai plant, which matches what we’ve read in the recent China Labor Watch report on Apple.
According to her posts, the cheeky employee — or more likely an ex-employee at this point — in question joined the company’s quality control department around mid-July. In an earlier comment, she also hinted that her plant is responsible for the latest Mac mini as well. The above photo was published yesterday, and it only came with the following caption:
“The low-end iPhone 5C to be launched for Chinese consumers in September doesn’t look much different than the Xiaomi Phone 2, right?”
While it doesn’t explain what’s going on in the image, this appears to be a warm-up procedure (likely just with small batches for quality control) to make sure the devices are fully functional before they are boxed up. We’ve seen this in factory tours before, but no photography was allowed in the production lines; which makes us wonder how this shot came out of a supposedly well-guarded environment. September couldn’t come any quicker for leaky Apple.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Apple
Via: NoWhereElse
Source: Sina Weibo
Aug 24
Meet the descendant of the all-in-one scanner, copier, printer and fax machine. The FABtotum Personal Fabricator lets you print, scan and mill objects in just one compact device. Think of it as the Dremel tool for the 21st century. It’s what makers want for Christmas.
The FABtotum prints 3D objects on an 8.3″ x 9.5″ x 9.5″ build area. Like many 3D printers, it uses PLA and ABS filament to print. Don’t have anything to print? Use its laser scanner or its digitizing probe. You can go from concept to prototype with just those two functions, but what takes the FABtotum to the next level is that it’s also a milling machine. It’s dual head spindle motor lets you carve, cut, drill, shape and more. Finally, the FABtotum is customizable. You can add another 3D printing or machining head to it and its software and schematics will also be open source.
Fabricate a browser and head to Indiegogo to support the FABtotum. Pledge at least $999 (USD) to get a ready to assemble FABtotum kit; pony up at least $1,099 and you get a fully assembled FABtotum as a reward.
Aug 24
Dropping your phone is bad. Dropping your DSLR is worse. Dropping your DSLR by a bunch of alligators is even worser. And dropping your DSLR and having it stolen by an alligator is the worsetest. Just ask Mario Aldecoa. Luckily he got his gear back. After eight months.
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Aug 24
Here’s a fun toy for kids (and kids-at-heart!) to enjoy after Dad forces everyone to sit through another Rocky marathon:
Aug 24
Fitness bands, apps and devices are a great way to motivate you to keep fit. There’s nothing like adding a bit of competitiveness into your fitness routine, especially if you don’t exercise with partners or friends.
The Bowflex Boost is supposed to be a low-cost alternative to some of the pricier fitness bands available on the market right now. Just like the others, it will track your daily activities, as well as the quality of your sleep. It will come with a companion iOS app that will sync your data via Bluetooth.
The Bowflex Boost will launch this September for just $50(USD). It also looks a bit like the HAL 9000 – or maybe a Cylon.
Aug 24
Get excited, Seattle — we’re just a week out from our latest event in your fair city. And while tickets have been moving quickly, we’ve still got some spaces left. If you want to come hang with us at the Showbox SoDo on August 31st, all you’ve got to do is sign up at the source link below. We’ll have lots to keep you busy, like exhibits from folks like Outlook, Nokia and Logitech and a few editors on-hand to talk tech. We can’t wait to see you guys in a week!
Filed under: Announcements
Source: Events
Aug 24
If touch keyboards aren’t your thing, new pics leaked today that supposedly show the Motorola Droid 5 sporting a QWERTY slider keyboard ought to pique your interest. The photos show the slider lacking the capacitive buttons the previous gen phone had with the addition of wireless charging and a shockproof water resistant design. Other features […]
Aug 24
Tesla’s Elon Musk goes ‘Iron Man’ with in-thin-air, gestural design process
Posted in: Today's Chili
Elon Musk — er, Tony Stark — pulls a suit of armor out of thin air.
(Credit: Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures)
As if a sexy electric car; a sideways-flying, reusable rocket ship; an 800 mph subway; and a Martian metropolis weren’t enough, mad scientist Elon Musk now wants to build an “Iron Man” suit.
Well, not exactly.
But the film was apparently the inspiration for Musk’s latest foray into science nonfiction. The Tesla Motors and SpaceX CEO tweeted on Friday that he and his people have “figured out how to design rocket parts just w hand movements through the air” and that next week he’ll be posting a video that demonstrates the process.
Musk, of course, is the man behind the Tesla Model S, the Grasshopper laterally flying rocket, and the Hyperloop supertrain. He’s also an advocate for colonizing Mars…. [Read more]
Related Links:
SF-LA in a half hour via Hyperloop? Still at least 7 years away
Hyperloop hopes? Musk won’t build transit system himself
Elon Musk pulled all-nighter to prep for Hyperloop unveiling
Tesla CEO talks Model X, Gen 3, new markets
Hyperloop gets 3D-printed (to scale) in just 24 hours
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Aug 24
Awards For Senior Living Products Show That The Aging Population Is Big Business
Posted in: Today's Chili
With millions of baby boomers hurtling head long into their golden years and resources for seniors limited, the business of caring for the elderly is about to boom as much as all those babies did. Keeping older Americans healthy and able to live independently will be more important than ever. SeniorHomes.com has created the Best Senior Living Award to recognize the companies creating the best products for the coming wave of older people.
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