Turns out, being blown out of an airlock and turning into a meat popsicle after succumbing to hypoxia isn’t so bad. At least, not when compared to the multitude of other deadly maladies that await you in the depths of space. Here are just a few ways that interplanetary exploration is conspiring to kill us all. More »
46 years ago today, veteran astronaut Gus Grissom, first American spacewalker Ed White, and rookie Roger Chaffee were killed in a cabin fire during an Apollo 1 launch pad test. The first majorly fatal accident in NASA’s history, the fire was caused in part by the cabin’s pure oxygen atmosphere and a number of other dangerous design flaws that were corrected over the 20 month delay that followed the incident. More »
It’s likely not an anniversary anyone thought we would meet after the first moon landing, but today marks 40 years since Gene Cernan left the last footprint on the moon as Apollo 17 ended its mission. That was the last of six manned missions to the lunar surface (nine including those that didn’t land), which saw twelve men actually walk on the moon in all. The years since have of course seen continued exploration of the moon through other means, though, and next week will see another major event when NASA’s twin GRAIL spacecraft conduct a planned crash into a mountain near the lunar north pole. Those have been in orbit since January 1st, creating a high-resolution map of the moon’s gravitational field and collecting data that promises to provide more detail than ever about its internal structure and composition. You’ll be able to follow along on NASA’s website as that happens beginning at 5PM Eastern on Monday, December 17th.
[Image credit: NASA / Eugene Cernan]
Source: NASA
The Internet is a venerable source of information, but on the other hand, it is also a tricky place to navigate, especially with the number of rumors floating around. Well, it seems that the latest rumor to make its rounds is the Windows Phone 8 operating system from Microsoft will be receiving an incremental update in due time, where this update has been dubbed “Apollo+”, where this particular update will target the different issues that arose on the Windows Phone 8 platform prior to the release of Windows Phone 8 from Microsoft, due to the lack of time.
We do not have an idea on the what exactly will the Apollo+ update bring to the table, but perhaps Microsoft could be looking at Wi-Fi changes so that it will enable “always-on” connections, in addition to a slew of audio playback fixes, as well as additional features which failed to make the cut into the Notification Center in Windows Phone 8. Will we also be able to see VPN support when the time comes? All is pretty much up in the air at the moment, so we will just have to be patient and wait it out.
By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Huawei expected to announce a Windows Phone device soon, Nook For iOS Now Supports VoiceOver & Zooming Feature,
Can we call October the Month of Metro, even if Microsoft isn’t keen on the idea? Hot on the heels of its Windows 8 invitation, the company is asking us to head out a second time to see a street-inspired OS, inviting us to Windows Phone 8’s formal launch on October 29th in San Francisco. The teaser doesn’t say much about what Microsoft will show, although there’s a real chance we’ll get firmer launch schedules — not to mention more opportunities with the Nokia Lumia 920 and HTC Windows Phone 8X than staring lovingly at their home screens. You can be sure that we’ll report back with the full details.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Microsoft, HTC, Nokia, AT&T
Microsoft continues invitation spree, asks us to attend its Windows Phone 8 launch event on October 29th originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 13:58:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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We just had a chance to see and handle the colorful Windows Phone 8X by HTC, but where will we find it in the US? On stage, the company told us that the new device will be heading to three major carriers: AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile. All three operators should be pushing the device out sometime in November, though we’re still waiting to hear specifics on pricing — and we also haven’t been told details on the availability of the lower-end Windows Phone 8S.
Note: We’re hearing whispers that the 8X will be $199 on AT&T and T-Mobile, but both carriers have responded to our request for more information, stating that no pricing has been released yet. The press releases can be found below.
Check out our liveblog coverage of HTC’s Windows Phone 8 launch event!
Continue reading Windows Phone 8X coming to AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile in November
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile
Windows Phone 8X coming to AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile in November originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:46:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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Consider this Microsoft’s ultimate blessing, or merely a way to guarantee household name recognition. Whatever the case, the company’s next-gen Apollo OS is not only powering HTC’s newest mobile movement, it’s also the headliner. That’s right, as clunky as it may initially seem, Windows Phone 8X is the official moniker of the OEM’s brightly hued flagship series, an alphabetical denomination that puts it on premium standing with the One X line. And thanks to the loosened spec restraints made possible by WP8, this modern-minded, unibodied beaut reps a 4.3-inch 1280 x 720 Super LCD 2 display with Gorilla Glass 2 coating, dual-core 1.5GHz Snapdragon S4 processor buffered by 1GB RAM, 16GB of internal storage, WiFi a/b/g/n, NFC and an integrated 1,800mAh Li-ion battery. There’s also quadband radio support for GSM/GPRS/EDGE, HSPA/WCDMA (850, 900, 1900, 2100MHz) and, of course, LTE for stateside carriers.
Though the 8X may share the same boldly colored, polycarbonate construction of its live-tiled Lumia frenemies, it also stands apart with the inclusion of two HTC-specific features: Beats Audio, replete with a built-in amplifier, and ImageChip for continuous shooting. And speaking of optics, this device’s dual camera setup packs the combined punch of a 2.1-megapixel front-facer with 88-degree ultra-wide-angle lens and an 8-megapixel rear module with an f/2.0 lens accompanied by a single LED flash — both capable of 1080p video capture.
While the veil of mystery surrounding this latest tech industry collaboration may have just lifted, you’ll still have to wait a bit before it heads to retail. After all, Microsoft’s planning its own WP8 coming out party for late October — a reveal that should finally give us a full look at the smartphone UI formerly known as Metro. With a ship date set for sometime this November, the 8X will be available in four distinct colors – California Blue, Graphite Black, Flame Red and Limelight Yellow — on over 150 carriers worldwide. No word on final pricing as of yet. So, until then, sate yourself with this first taste. Official PR after the break.
Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Mobile
Windows Phone 8X by HTC: 4.3-inch 720p display, LTE, dual-core S4, available this November originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 11:15:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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An event is coming up this week that’ll be hosted by Microsoft and Nokia in New York, it containing a whole lot of Windows Phone 8 news that appears now to have a leaky pipe. What we’ve seen thus far has been a collection of smartphones, a wireless charging pad, some speakers, and a few headphones in Nokia bright colors as well. What’s left to be shown off if not the final confirmation that all of these devices exist, and how much they’ll be costing? You never know, readers, you never know.
First you’ll want to check out the details of the event itself – it’s taking place on September 5th at 9:30AM EST in New York and we’ll be covering it right from the real-world location for your benefit! Stay tuned to SlashGear during the event to get up close and personal with the next generation of Nokia devices working with Windows Phone 8, code-named Apollo. Nokia has provided one single detail on this device lineup outside the fact that they’ll be working with Windows Phone 8: the name. According to Nokia, Samsung should be “taking note”, because their “next generation Lumia” will be coming soon – September 5th soon, that is.
There’s been word that Verizon will be amongst the carriers that’ll be working with Windows Phone this season – with Nokia in mind. After the Apple vs Samsung case in the USA had its first verdict, Nokia stock went up, this looking bright for the next generation of Microsoft-embedded Lumia lineup. The details are surprisingly abundant on this line of devices even though they’ve not been revealed as such by the manufacturer.
Have a peek at the Nokia Lumia wireless charging pad that appeared this morning and make sure you don’t mistake it for a mouse. That same post shows some wireless earbuds and a wireless charger for the earbuds as well – or it could be a holder for some Nokia thin minds too – we don’t know yet! This tip also includes a note that Nokia’s wireless charging will be working with the Qi system so you wont need to use the Nokia puck if you don’t want to.
There’s been a tip on a Nokia Lumia 920 PureView, complete with PureView technology inside. This PureView isn’t the same 41 megapixel camera beast we saw earlier this year in the Nokia 808 Pureview, but an 8 megapixel cousin that we’ve yet to hear any details on.
Another device that’s been leaked is the Nokia Lumia 820 Arrow, this device being a mid-range device with much of the same lovely software enhancement suite that comes with Windows Phone 8 on the Lumia lineup. Here you’ll likely be seeing a much more affordable version of the hero devices also coming up this week. Like the rest of the line, this phone appears to have a flat front screen.
There’s also been a Nokia Lumia 820 appearing with Windows Phone 8 aboard. This device appeared right alongside the 920 PureView in a single underground news blast, both of them working with Windows Phone 8, but the 820 having slightly less powerful specifications. The 920 will likely be sold with its camera being the main point of interest while the 820 will be appearing as the hero line of standard Windows Phone 8 smartphone – it’ll also have slightly rounder edges and will be appearing in purple, blue, gray, black, white, yellow, and red.
The final release date for Windows Phone 8 is currently looking quite likely for October 29th, 2012. Because of this, each of the Windows Phone 8 smartphones that have been shown off so far – and will be shown off this week – will probably be showing up on carriers late in October as well.
As a bit of a bonus, it seems, Nokia has also shown off – and officially, this time, mind you – a couple of audio hardware lines of products. FIrst take a peek at the Nokia / JBL NFC speakers announced last week during IFA. Then have a look at the Nokia Purity Pro Wireless headphones that are made – just as the NFC cans are – to match the color pallet of the Lumia line perfectly. These headphones are manufactured by Monster and will also be connecting to your devices using NFC.
Remember to tune in on September 5th at 9:30AM EST right here on SlashGear to see what Nokia actually brings to the table with Microsoft at their side. It’s time for more color, that’s for sure!
Nokia Windows Phone 8 Lumia event: What we know already is written by Chris Burns & originally posted on SlashGear.
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I know Neil Armstrong was an Apollo 11 guy, but Apollo 13 still gives you a lot of insight into the sort of danger astronauts willingly put themselves. Landing on the moon is an insane accomplishment, and there was so much that could have gone wrong. More »
It’s a story that we hoped we’d never have to report. Neil Armstrong, the first man to set foot on Earth’s Moon, has died at the age of 82 after complications from heart surgery three weeks earlier. His greatest accomplishment very nearly speaks for itself — along with help from fellow NASA astronauts Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins, he changed the landscape of space exploration through a set of footprints. It’s still important to stress his accomplishments both before and after the historic Apollo 11 flight, though. He was instrumental to the Gemini and X-series test programs in the years before Apollo, and followed his moonshot with roles in teaching aerospace engineering as well as investigating the Apollo 13 and Space Shuttle Challenger incidents. What more can we say? Although he only spent a very small portion of his life beyond Earth’s atmosphere, he’s still widely considered the greatest space hero in the US, if not the world, and inspired a whole generation of astronauts. We’ll miss him.
[Image credit: NASA Apollo Archive]
Filed under: Transportation, Science, Alt
Pioneering astronaut Neil Armstrong dies at 82 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 25 Aug 2012 15:45:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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