It was announced on February 4th 2015, that Apple is in the process of integrating Beats Music into iTunes as it works to create a new subscription music service to rival Spotify. Apple will not just create a Beats app for iPhones, iPads, or Macs, but it will deeply integrate Beat into its mobile iOS, iTunes Media Store, and even, Apple TV.
Beats Music users will be able to merge their existing accounts with Apple/iTunes IDs. The mobile app's design will move away from the Beats' traditional red and black and will have a user interface that has the look and feel of iTunes. There will also be new social features added for sharing music and playlists. A search feature will allow users to search for any song in either the iTunes or Beats catalogs. It will also be cloud based.
Apple had hoped that it would be able to release the new service by March 2015, but it has been in negotiations with the major labels in an effort to offer the new service at a lower price than Spotify. Right now, Spotify's service is being offered for $9.99 a month. Apple had been trying to get a deal that would allow them to offer their service for $5.00 a month. However, Apple was reportedly able to reach an agreement that will allow them to offer its new service for $7.99 a month.
Apple's new streaming service will be available for android as well as iOS. This will be the first time that the company has created an app for android as an in house project. However, no Windows phone app will be available. Because of delays in the negotiation process, Apple may be forced to wait until its annual WWDC (World Wide Developers Conference) in June, to announce the release of its new streaming service.
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Clouds Over Mars
On February 16th 2015, it was announced that scientists had no explanation for the appearance of cloud plumes seen rising above the surface of Mars. The data being used was provided by amateur astronomers who first observed the clouds in the spring of 2012.
The cloud like plumes were enormous, reaching a height of 250 km above the Martian surface. The most logical of explanations is that the clouds were caused by either ice crystals or carbon dioxide gas. But due to the thinness of the Martian atmosphere, neither explanation seems plausible. One of the plumes developed in about 10 hours and lasted for 11 days.
Apparently, this was not the first time that the clouds of Mars had appeared. A look through the Hubble Space Telescope image archive from 1995 to 1999 and from 2001 to 2014 revealed an occasional cloud at the limb of Mars, but only at a height of up to 100 km. However, one set of images taken from Hubble on May 17th 1997 did reveal an abnormally high cloud plume similar to those that were seen in 2012.
Some scientists believe that the clouds might have been the result of an aurora like those found at the north and south poles here on earth. The northern and southern lights here on earth are caused by charged particles emanating from the sun and colliding with the earth's electromagnetic field. Mars does not have a magnetic field. Instead it only has pockets of magnetization, of which one cloud was observed over such an area.
But to explain the 2012 incidents, an aurora would have been 1,000 times brighter than the northern lights. There was not enough solar activity to produce that effect. So it is, that the clouds on Mars continue to go unexplained.
The cloud like plumes were enormous, reaching a height of 250 km above the Martian surface. The most logical of explanations is that the clouds were caused by either ice crystals or carbon dioxide gas. But due to the thinness of the Martian atmosphere, neither explanation seems plausible. One of the plumes developed in about 10 hours and lasted for 11 days.
Apparently, this was not the first time that the clouds of Mars had appeared. A look through the Hubble Space Telescope image archive from 1995 to 1999 and from 2001 to 2014 revealed an occasional cloud at the limb of Mars, but only at a height of up to 100 km. However, one set of images taken from Hubble on May 17th 1997 did reveal an abnormally high cloud plume similar to those that were seen in 2012.
Some scientists believe that the clouds might have been the result of an aurora like those found at the north and south poles here on earth. The northern and southern lights here on earth are caused by charged particles emanating from the sun and colliding with the earth's electromagnetic field. Mars does not have a magnetic field. Instead it only has pockets of magnetization, of which one cloud was observed over such an area.
But to explain the 2012 incidents, an aurora would have been 1,000 times brighter than the northern lights. There was not enough solar activity to produce that effect. So it is, that the clouds on Mars continue to go unexplained.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Earth's Inner Core Has An Inner Core
On February 10th 2015, it was announced that scientists have discovered that there is an inner core within the inner core of the earth. A team of researchers at the University of Illinois used seismic waves from earth quakes to make this astonishing discovery.
What makes the inner-inner core so unique is the way that the iron crystals, which the inner core is made of, align. The iron crystals of the inner core align north and south along the earth's axis. The iron crystals of the inner-inner core, however, align east and west along the plane of the equator.
While multiple components of the inner core have been suggested some 10 years ago, this is the first time that a distinction in polarity has been determined. The discovery was made using technology that collects data from the resonating waves of a tremor's aftermath. The jolt from an earth quake is similar to that of a hammer striking a bell.
It was noted by one of the researchers that the coherent signal enhanced by the technology is clearer than the ring itself. When the scientists looked through the inner core, they discovered that it had some complex structural properties. The inner-inner core is believed to be about half the size of the inner core, and could hold some clues to how the earth evolved.
What makes the inner-inner core so unique is the way that the iron crystals, which the inner core is made of, align. The iron crystals of the inner core align north and south along the earth's axis. The iron crystals of the inner-inner core, however, align east and west along the plane of the equator.
While multiple components of the inner core have been suggested some 10 years ago, this is the first time that a distinction in polarity has been determined. The discovery was made using technology that collects data from the resonating waves of a tremor's aftermath. The jolt from an earth quake is similar to that of a hammer striking a bell.
It was noted by one of the researchers that the coherent signal enhanced by the technology is clearer than the ring itself. When the scientists looked through the inner core, they discovered that it had some complex structural properties. The inner-inner core is believed to be about half the size of the inner core, and could hold some clues to how the earth evolved.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
Radio Shack Goes Bankrupt
On February 2nd 2015, it was announced that one time electronics giant, Radio Shack was in talks to sell half of its stores to Sprint in a bankruptcy deal. In the deal that's currently on the table, Radio Shack, which operates more than 4,000 stores, would agree to turn over the leases to 2,500 of them, while the rest would be closed.
Radio Shack began its existence in 1921, as a mail order electronics retailer and over the years it expanded to become a formidable force in personal computer sales. The 1980s saw its greatest popularity as its reputation briefly became synonymous with quality. However, the rise of superstores such as Walmart and e-retailers such as Amazon has given consumers the chance to buy the same merchandise for a lower price.
It has been suggested that Sprint may decide to either co brand with Radio Shack, or it may replace the Radio Shack name with its own. It is also possible that another bidder such the Sanpower Group of China, which has expressed interest in Radio Shack, may try to purchase the failing electronics chain's assets. Amazon, looking for a chance to build a physical presence at brick and mortar is said to be interested as well.
Radio Shack began its existence in 1921, as a mail order electronics retailer and over the years it expanded to become a formidable force in personal computer sales. The 1980s saw its greatest popularity as its reputation briefly became synonymous with quality. However, the rise of superstores such as Walmart and e-retailers such as Amazon has given consumers the chance to buy the same merchandise for a lower price.
It has been suggested that Sprint may decide to either co brand with Radio Shack, or it may replace the Radio Shack name with its own. It is also possible that another bidder such the Sanpower Group of China, which has expressed interest in Radio Shack, may try to purchase the failing electronics chain's assets. Amazon, looking for a chance to build a physical presence at brick and mortar is said to be interested as well.
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