On August 14th 2015, The Guardian announced that it had obtained documents that confirm that Apple is building a self driving electric car. Despite some skepticism from some tech bloggers, Apple continues to hire engineers and car executives from around the auto industry, including some from Tesla Motors, which would indicate that they are moving forward with their plans to build a car.
The documents, which The Guardian obtained under a public records request, states that Apple's self driving car project is code named Titan. It further reveals that in May of 2015, Apple engineers from its Special Projects Group met officials from GoMentum Station. GoMentum Station is a former Navel base outside San Fransisco that is now being used as a high security test facility for autonomous vehicles.
Also, in the documents obtained by The Guardian, is a correspondence from Apple's Frank Fearon, who stated, "We would Like to get an understanding of timing and availability for the space and how we would need to coordinate around other parties who would be using it." The GoMentum Station site offers 20 miles of everyday transport scenarios and 24 hour surveillance provided by armed soldiers.
While the details of project Titan remain unknown, there are reports that Apple has met with officials from German car maker BMW. It is believed that Apple is interested in the carbon fiber reinforced BMW i3 electric vehicle, which is thought to be the most energy efficient car in the US.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Wednesday, August 19, 2015
Study Suggests That Aboriginies Were First Americans
On July 21st 2015, it was announced that a study has revealed a genetic link between Australian Aborigines and Amazonians of Brazil. The study, co authored by David Reich, was done by a group of researchers from Harvard University. Reich says that, "About 2% of the ancestry of Amazonians today comes from this Australian lineage that's not present anywhere in the Americas."
It has always been the conclusion that native Americans from both continents originally migrated across an icy land bridge between Russia and Alaska in the Baring Straits. The new study proposes that a first migration that took place some 15,000 years ago, came from two groups, Eurasians and native people from the continents that form the Pacific Ring, and include, Australia, New Guinea, and the Andaman Islands. The Harvard study also suggests that the latter group may have actually been the first of the two to make the journey.
Reich and his research group collected and analyzed the DNA of nine Brazilian populations. They then compared that DNA with with the genomes of 200 non American Populations. What they found was that the Karitiana Tribe, Tupi speaking Surui people that first came in contact with the modern world in 1969, and the Ge-speaking Eastern Brazilians, all had a genetic link to indigenous Australians. However, the Harvard research team was not able to find any other traces in any other Native American groups in South, Central, or North America.
The Harvard research team believes that the genetic link may be as old as the first humans to colonize the continent, and that the Aborigine population might have even been living in the area before Native Americans. They say that their findings also suggests that skeletons of some Native Americans found in Brazil have skulls that have Australian features, and that this may mean that there was a greater diversity of the founding population than what was once believed.
It has always been the conclusion that native Americans from both continents originally migrated across an icy land bridge between Russia and Alaska in the Baring Straits. The new study proposes that a first migration that took place some 15,000 years ago, came from two groups, Eurasians and native people from the continents that form the Pacific Ring, and include, Australia, New Guinea, and the Andaman Islands. The Harvard study also suggests that the latter group may have actually been the first of the two to make the journey.
Reich and his research group collected and analyzed the DNA of nine Brazilian populations. They then compared that DNA with with the genomes of 200 non American Populations. What they found was that the Karitiana Tribe, Tupi speaking Surui people that first came in contact with the modern world in 1969, and the Ge-speaking Eastern Brazilians, all had a genetic link to indigenous Australians. However, the Harvard research team was not able to find any other traces in any other Native American groups in South, Central, or North America.
The Harvard research team believes that the genetic link may be as old as the first humans to colonize the continent, and that the Aborigine population might have even been living in the area before Native Americans. They say that their findings also suggests that skeletons of some Native Americans found in Brazil have skulls that have Australian features, and that this may mean that there was a greater diversity of the founding population than what was once believed.
Wednesday, August 12, 2015
Columbia House Files For Bankruptcy
On August 10th 2015, Columbia House filed for bankruptcy under chapter 11. The one time mail order giant known to many consumers in the 80s and 90s as the Columbia Music and DVD Club, was once worth some 1.4 billion dollars in revenue a year. Film Entertainment Inc., the company that owns Columbia House, cited the advent and subsequent rise of digital distribution, and the continuing pace of the growth of technology, for the company's demise.
Columbia House was founded in 1955 as a division of CBS Inc. Early on, it was most noted for offering records and tapes, and then in the 80s it was CDs and cassettes that could be had for a penny. As their business continued to grow, DVDs were added. The company would offer as many as a dozen or more CDs or DVDs for the low penny price, if the consumer was willing to commit to a two, three, or four year contract to buy them at regular club prices. Those prices could be as much as $19.99 each.
Digital file formats such as the Mp3 in the 90s slowly began to erode the popularity of music's physical distribution model and many feel, the value of music as well. File sharing increased the possibility and the amount of illegal downloading and music piracy. At the beginning of the twenty first century, the introduction of the of the iPod and digital music stores made buying singles the preferred way to buy music as opposed to albums.
By 2010, Columbia House had given up the music side of its trade in favor of a DVD only business. But, by 2014, annual revenue had fallen to just $17 million, while its membership had fallen to just 110,000 participants. Film Entertainment has tested both film and music streaming, but it is not clear if the company will proceed in either direction in the future.
Columbia House was founded in 1955 as a division of CBS Inc. Early on, it was most noted for offering records and tapes, and then in the 80s it was CDs and cassettes that could be had for a penny. As their business continued to grow, DVDs were added. The company would offer as many as a dozen or more CDs or DVDs for the low penny price, if the consumer was willing to commit to a two, three, or four year contract to buy them at regular club prices. Those prices could be as much as $19.99 each.
Digital file formats such as the Mp3 in the 90s slowly began to erode the popularity of music's physical distribution model and many feel, the value of music as well. File sharing increased the possibility and the amount of illegal downloading and music piracy. At the beginning of the twenty first century, the introduction of the of the iPod and digital music stores made buying singles the preferred way to buy music as opposed to albums.
By 2010, Columbia House had given up the music side of its trade in favor of a DVD only business. But, by 2014, annual revenue had fallen to just $17 million, while its membership had fallen to just 110,000 participants. Film Entertainment has tested both film and music streaming, but it is not clear if the company will proceed in either direction in the future.
New Song Released
I've just released a new track by Nprogram entitled, "Whatcha Want Me To Do." It's now available at iTunes. Click the Widget below or to the right for a full stream preview.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Four Legged Snake Fossil Is Unearthed
On July 23rd 2015, it was announced that the fossil remains of a four legged snake had been discovered. Paleontologist David Martill of the University of Portsmouth, the UK, found the snake in the Museum Solnhofen in Germany. Martill said, "When I noticed the fossil had front legs, I realized we actually got the missing link between lizards and snakes."
Martill and his colleague Nicholas Longrich of Britain's Bath University, believe that the snake fossil, which was found in Brazil dates back to the Cretaceous period some 110 to 125 million years ago. The snake, named Tetrapodophis, measured 7.9 inches with a head the size of an adult fingernail. Its front legs were a small 0.4 inches with tiny hands that were half as long. Its hind legs and feet were slightly longer.
For years scientists have argued over whether snakes evolved from land or sea animals. Tetrapodophis has no adaptations that would have made it a marine animal. However, its skull and its body proportions are consistent with an animal that had adapted to burrowing. Longrich feels that this finding shows that it must be true that snakes originated in the Southern Hemisphere, and he supports the theory of a terrestrial origin.
Martill and his colleague Nicholas Longrich of Britain's Bath University, believe that the snake fossil, which was found in Brazil dates back to the Cretaceous period some 110 to 125 million years ago. The snake, named Tetrapodophis, measured 7.9 inches with a head the size of an adult fingernail. Its front legs were a small 0.4 inches with tiny hands that were half as long. Its hind legs and feet were slightly longer.
For years scientists have argued over whether snakes evolved from land or sea animals. Tetrapodophis has no adaptations that would have made it a marine animal. However, its skull and its body proportions are consistent with an animal that had adapted to burrowing. Longrich feels that this finding shows that it must be true that snakes originated in the Southern Hemisphere, and he supports the theory of a terrestrial origin.
Wednesday, July 29, 2015
Windows 10 Is Now Available
At 12:00 AM on July 29th 2015, Microsoft began its roll out of Windows 10, its first new operating system in three years. The OS is being offered as a free upgrade to Windows 7 and Windows 8 and 8.1. Microsoft hopes that the move to offer its new operating system as a free upgrade will help to purge the memory of Windows 8. The Windows 10 download is being offer free for the first year and then $119 there after.
Those wishing to get their free upgrade of Windows 10 must first reserve a copy. Eligible users are those who are running Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 There should be a new icon in the right corner of your system tray. Click this icon and a new window will open that will explain how to reserve your free copy of Windows 10. If you've already reserved your copy, clicking the same icon will start your Windows 10 download. The file is 3.5 GB in size but downloads fairly quickly over a high speed connection.
Once the download is complete, a window will open and offer you the opportunity to choose when you wish to install your upgrade. When you are less than one hour away from your install you will be alerted again, and offered the opportunity to either start your install, install at a later time, or let the timer start the install as first scheduled. To install before the scheduled time, click the the new icon and the Windows updater will open and prompt you to restart your computer. The install will begin after your computer restarts and will take approx 40 to 50 minutes.
A progress screen will let you know how close you are to the completion of your installation. Once Windows 10 has successfully installed, you will be prompted to enter your user account password. From there you will be guided through a brief setup, followed by your new look desktop screen complete with the return of the now familiar start menu. All of your files and applications, as well as your settings should remain untouched.
Some of the most notable users in the tech world who have downloaded, installed, and are using Windows 10 are very pleased with the new look and the ease of its performance.
Those wishing to get their free upgrade of Windows 10 must first reserve a copy. Eligible users are those who are running Windows 7, 8 and 8.1 There should be a new icon in the right corner of your system tray. Click this icon and a new window will open that will explain how to reserve your free copy of Windows 10. If you've already reserved your copy, clicking the same icon will start your Windows 10 download. The file is 3.5 GB in size but downloads fairly quickly over a high speed connection.
Once the download is complete, a window will open and offer you the opportunity to choose when you wish to install your upgrade. When you are less than one hour away from your install you will be alerted again, and offered the opportunity to either start your install, install at a later time, or let the timer start the install as first scheduled. To install before the scheduled time, click the the new icon and the Windows updater will open and prompt you to restart your computer. The install will begin after your computer restarts and will take approx 40 to 50 minutes.
A progress screen will let you know how close you are to the completion of your installation. Once Windows 10 has successfully installed, you will be prompted to enter your user account password. From there you will be guided through a brief setup, followed by your new look desktop screen complete with the return of the now familiar start menu. All of your files and applications, as well as your settings should remain untouched.
Some of the most notable users in the tech world who have downloaded, installed, and are using Windows 10 are very pleased with the new look and the ease of its performance.
Wednesday, July 22, 2015
NASA Plans Return To The Moon
On July 20th 2015, NASA announced that it has plans to return humans to the Moon within the next 5 years. A new study conducted by NexGen Space LLC, and funded by NASA, says that a partnership between NASA and private companies could make it possible to send humans back to the Moon within 5 to 7 years for approximately $10 billion. The study further states that a permanent base could be built on the moon within 10 to 12 years after that.
According to Charles Miller, president of NexGen, by entering a private-public partnership with companies like SpaceX, Orbital ATK, and United Launch Alliance, NASA could cut its cost for establishing a human presence on the Moon "by a factor of 10." This could help NASA expand its plans for future missions without exceeding its estimated $4 billion a year space flight budget. The costs would be spread between the companies who would essentially place bids for various contracts.
Establishing a base or colony on the Moon would create an opportunity to mine for natural resources. Scientists believe that there is as much water on the Moon as there is in the great Salt Lake in Utah. The water is frozen at the Moon's poles, and rovers would be sent to the Moon to retrieve it and convert it into hydrogen. The hydrogen would then be sent into orbit around the Moon, where spacecraft would collect it.
The first robotic team could return to the moon as early as 2017. Rovers could search for hydrogen in 2018 while prospecting could begin in 2019 or 2020. Robots could begin building a permanent base in 2021, with humans landing on the Moon a year later.
According to Charles Miller, president of NexGen, by entering a private-public partnership with companies like SpaceX, Orbital ATK, and United Launch Alliance, NASA could cut its cost for establishing a human presence on the Moon "by a factor of 10." This could help NASA expand its plans for future missions without exceeding its estimated $4 billion a year space flight budget. The costs would be spread between the companies who would essentially place bids for various contracts.
Establishing a base or colony on the Moon would create an opportunity to mine for natural resources. Scientists believe that there is as much water on the Moon as there is in the great Salt Lake in Utah. The water is frozen at the Moon's poles, and rovers would be sent to the Moon to retrieve it and convert it into hydrogen. The hydrogen would then be sent into orbit around the Moon, where spacecraft would collect it.
The first robotic team could return to the moon as early as 2017. Rovers could search for hydrogen in 2018 while prospecting could begin in 2019 or 2020. Robots could begin building a permanent base in 2021, with humans landing on the Moon a year later.
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