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Best app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time http://ift.tt/2rR5xPn Everyone likes apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest apps on sale in the iOS App Store. These apps normally cost money and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. Mytube ProMyTube allows you to search and listen to millions of songs on YouTube for free. Discover new music every day in genres, channels and user playlists. Available on: Learn JapaneseThe new and improved Learn Japanese app from WordPower teaches you 4,000 of the most frequently used words and phrases in the Japanese language right on your iPhone. Available on: TranslatorTranslator Free lest you translate what you say into more than 90 languages simply by speaking into your phone. Available on: PNG <-> JPGSelect a photo from your photo album or iTunes file sharing, then select your image output format (JPG or PNG), and, voila, the conversion is complete. Available on: Interactive TutorialsInteractive Tutorials for Xcode brings is a simple, funny, interactive learning app that teaches you about each of the features of Xcode5 and shows you how to use them in detail. Available on: Save Videos to PhotoThe Save Videos To Photos app provides you with a way to save your home videos from your computer onto your iPhone for your mobile viewing pleasure. Available on:
Digital Trends via Digital Trends http://ift.tt/2p4eJdC May 30, 2017 at 03:39AM
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Samsung VR Live Pass offers up X Games, UFC, and Live Nation events for free http://ift.tt/2rRcoIE While Oculus and HTC are undoubtedly the biggest names when it comes to gaming in virtual reality, it’s difficult to discount the presence that Samsung has established in terms of video content designed to be viewed using the technology. Now, the company has announced plans to stream a variety of live events in VR. In early June, Samsung will launch the VR Live Pass via the Samsung VR app, according to a report from SammyHub. The pass will offer access to a range of live events and performances that can be viewed via Gear VR headsets, offering an immersive experience no matter where the user happens to be. The service will broadcast its first event on June 3, when UFC 212 emanates from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This marks the first time that a UFC event will be available in VR, with both a 360-degree live-stream and additional content tailored for headsets set to be on offer. However, the main card — including the hotly anticipated UFC Featherweight Championship match between Max Holloway and José Aldo — won’t be available to stream for customers in the United States and New Zealand. Other countries that have access to the VR Live Pass will be able to enjoy the whole event, but those two regions will only be able to watch the UFC Fight Pass preliminary bouts. In July, VR Live Pass will offer coverage of all the extreme sports action from the 2017 edition of the X Games in Minneapolis. Then, in August, Live Nation will broadcast a live music performance from a major recording artist, with more details set to follow at a later time. Samsung is certainly adopting an intriguing strategy when it comes to VR; making the technology available without great expense to the user via its smartphones, and then concentrating on providing a steady stream of content. There’s already a great deal of Gear VR hardware out in the wild, and partnerships with the likes of the UFC, the X Games, and Live Nation are sure to give owners a reason to try out the VR Live Pass. However, it remains to be seen how this content will be paid for, at Samsung plans to offer it to Gear VR users for free. Either the company is footing the bill to build an audience, or it will be heavily subsidized by advertising, and it’s difficult to say whether either of those solutions are viable in the long run.
Digital Trends via Digital Trends http://ift.tt/2p4eJdC May 30, 2017 at 03:39AM
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Don’t cruise solo — Ural’s sidecar motorcycles are built to ride with friends http://ift.tt/2si0rbG From a quick left-side glance, Ural Motorcycles don’t look terribly special. From any other view, however, you’ll immediately get why the Russian-based bike maker has such enthusiastic fans: Sidecars. Aftermarket companies sell sidecar add-on kits for many standard motorcycles. By contrast, every Ural design decision has been made with sidecars in the configuration, unlike normal bikes where the focus is ride, balance, and power characteristics for two-wheelers. Ownership has changed over the years, but Ural has been building sidecar motorcycles for more than 70 years. Since beginning production, Ural has sold more than 3.2 million sidecar motorcycles. Ural began making sidecar motorcycles in 1942. The Russians developed their first models from BMW R71 design and production techniques to cope with harsh Russian climate and terrain. Initially built for military use in the late 1950s, the focus shifted to domestic customers. Ural motorcycles are powered by fuel-injected, air-cooled, boxer-twin 749cc engines. The bikes have shaft drive, four-speed transmissions plus reverse, and disc brakes on all three wheels. The bikes are set up for the low-end torque needed for off-road use. Max recommended cruising speed is about 70 mph and top speed 75, ruling them out for use as high-speed highway cruisers. Urals have 5-gallon gas tanks with fuel estimates ranging from 31 to 37 miles per gallon. The estimated range is 155 to 185 miles. The bikes’ weight capacity is an impressive 1,325 pounds including passengers and anything you carry in or on the motorcycle. Most of the components on Urals are sourced from standard suppliers. For example, the disc brakes are from Brembo, alternators from Nippon Denso, handlebar controls from Domino, forks from Paioli, and ignitions from Ducati Energia. The company makes the engine, frame, and body parts. Most models have on-demand two-wheel drive. You switch between rear wheel drive only and rear wheel and sidecar wheel by flipping a lever. With two-wheel drive engaged, Urals can be driven off-road, in snow, and even in shallow water. What other motorcycle company tests bikes by fording Russian rivers? Ural currently sells four models, the CT, Gear UP, Patrol, and M70. Occasionally Ural offers limited number special edition models such as the Dark Force. 2017 Ural CT — $14,500 starting priceUral’s least expensive CT model is a recent addition to the line. The CT is intended for around town casual use and does not have 2-wheel drive. Standard sidecar accessories on the CT include a power outlet, tonneau cover, and windshield. 2017 Ural Gear Up — $16,500 starting priceThe two-wheel drive, off-road adventurer of Ural’s lineup, the Gear Up comes standard with accessories appropriate for that use. The Gear Up includes a sidecar spotlight, power outlet, tonneau cover, luggage rack and a universal spare wheel and tire. You’ll also get a utility shovel and a jerry can for extra fuel. The only change to the bike itself is a built-in storage compartment on the gas tank top. Specially configured Gear Up versions currently available include the Sahara and the Sportsman Adventurer. 2017 Ural Patrol — $16,500 starting priceThe Patrol is configured for long-haul touring, although that shouldn’t be construed as superhighway touring in the usual sense because of the bike’s limited top speed. Standard accessories on the Patrol include a sidecar windshield, color matched rider fairing, sidecar tonneau cover and power outlet, and a luggage rack with a universal spare tire and wheel. 2017 Ural M70 — $16,500 starting priceThe M70 is retro-styled to look like earlier Ural military spec bikes, but has all the modern components. The M70 does not have 2-wheel drive. Standard accessories include a sidecar power outlet and a tonneau cover. If you are intrigued by Ural’s bikes but wondering about riding a sidecar motorcycle, the following occasionally serious video gives some pointers.
Digital Trends via Digital Trends http://ift.tt/2p4eJdC May 30, 2017 at 03:39AM
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Canon EOS Rebel T5 review http://ift.tt/2rgcd6P Update on May 30, 2017: The EOS Rebel T5 is still available for purchase ($400 with 18-55IS II kit lens), and it’s Canon’s most affordable DSLR. However, it’s more than three years old and since time of launch, newer models have superseded it with improved technology. If you’re looking to enhanced your casual photography, but are on a tight budget, the T5 will do the job, but we also recommend looking at the Nikon D3400 (the successor to our favorite entry-level DSLR, the D3300, with a few updates). However, those looking to dabble in video creation or action photography will be better served by newer (but more expensive) models, like Canon’s EOS Rebel T7i (with trickled-down tech from the highly lauded EOS 80D) or Sony A6000. [Editors’ Note: Although we tested a final unit, it isn’t a production model. The camera on sale at stores may differ slightly from the images you see here, cosmetically, but is otherwise the same.] Canon’s entry-level DSLR, the EOS Rebel T5 ($400), is an upgrade from the now discontinued T3. That’s all well and good, but is it better than the more affordable mirrorless competition – which have become very strong performers in the past year? While the camera will satisfy newbie DSLR owners in ease of use and great image quality, the fact that there isn’t a major upgrade in features leaves us wanting a little more. (Check out our T5 vs. Nikon D3300 comparison here.) Features and DesignHo-hum, it’s another all-black basic DSLR with a textured grip. We really shouldn’t expect much more sizzle since, other than Pentax’s Day-Glo bodies, almost all digital single lens reflex cameras look alike. Canon fans will find nothing unusual here, neither will every buyer looking for a new DSLR. Granted, it doesn’t have the heft of the new pro-level Nikon D4S, but it also doesn’t have an MSRP that’s ten-times more expensive – the T5 is clearly for newbies and those looking to upgrade older Rebels. At $549 with a kit zoom lens, the 18-megapixel T5 has solid imaging underpinnings but if you’re looking for “scintillating,” you won’t find it here. The camera measures 5.1 x 3.9 x 3 inches, weighing 17 ounces for the body, battery, and card. We know this is hard to quantify but overall it feels rather “plasticky.” At least, carrying it around your neck shouldn’t be too much of a burden. Canon EOS Rebel T5 Compared ToThe key feature on the front is the classic EF mount and, thanks to many years in the business, Canon offers a huge selection of glass. We can’t imagine anyone spending $1,000 for a wide-aperture prime lens to use with this camera, but the 55-250mm would be a good addition ($299); Canon sent that along for our review. Given the 1.6x digital factor, we had a 28.8-400mm focal range to play with, which was a lot of fun shooting landscapes. Even though the T5 improves upon the T3’s 720p with Full HD 1920 x 1080/30p video, they neglected the stereo part of the equation, opting for a mono mic. We know manufacturers have to watch their pennies but this seems like a foolish oversight. Also, note the T5 does have an outboard AF Assist lamp like Nikon, Sony, et al. Here it’s part of the auto pop-up flash. This is nothing unusual for Canon DSLRs and fortunately we had few focusing issues. We found the grip comfortable and the textured finish helped keep things steady. In keeping with its entry-level status, the main mode dial not only has Scene Intelligent (smart) Auto, PASM, and Movie, it has four commonly used scene options (Portrait, Landscape, Macro, and Sports) along with other settings. The two key features on the back are the optical viewfinder and LCD screen. The VF has a 95-percent field of view and is fairly bright. The 3-inch fixed-mount LCD is rated 460k (up from 2.7-inches/230k on the T3) but it still lacks detail. And there are reflectivity issues galore when used in bright sunshine. Make sure you crank up the brightness to 7 (max) before heading outdoors since 4 is the default. Like the recently reviewed Sony A5000, you can’t appreciate the detail of the sensor until you review images on a large monitor. The back is also home to a blizzard of well-marked but typical DSLR buttons. It’s not intimidating at all and casual users should have few problems making the move to DSLR Land. On the left side of the T5 is a compartment covered with a door that has a rather flimsy hinge, which hides the USB, mini HDMI, and remote control connections. The battery is rated 600 shots (no flash), 190 using Live View. These are OK numbers but a spare might be a good thing if you plan on using the display as your viewfinder all day or have an indoor family gathering on tap where the flash will be pulling heavy duty. If you like having smartphone connectivity with a camera, look elsewhere. The T5 doesn’t have Wi-Fi built in. What’s in the boxThe camera body and kit lens comes with various caps and a strap. You also get the battery, plug-in charger, and a USB cable. To get you started Canon supplies a 114-page Basic Instruction Manual. You also get two booklets – “Flash Classroom” and “Do More With Macro” – which are quite helpful for newbies and even those who feel they’re pretty knowledgeable. Going against the trend of having everything in the cloud, Canon supplies three CDs: the EOS Digital Solutions Disk (ver. 29) with software for handling files, the full Instruction Manual, and a Software Instruction Manual. WarrantyThe T5 comes with a limited one-year warranty. Full service and support information can be found here. Performance and useThe T5 has an 18MP APS-C sensor (5184 x 3456 pixels), a nice upgrade of the 12MP imager found in the predecessor, the T3. It uses an older DIGIC 4 processor, so this camera’s performance is hardly supersonic. Top speed is 3 frames per second but you can crank off 69 JPEGs before the camera starts gasping. If you’re shooting RAW, this drops to six images. We doubt these limitations will put off casual shutterbugs since, for everyday use, the camera focuses very quickly and is ready to keep firing as long as the auto-flash doesn’t keep popping open. If this does occur, just hold it shut and go about your business. For a DSLR, the T5 is very easy to use, perfect for its intended audience. However, it is rather noisy as the mirror assembly flaps away; stealthy it’s not. The menu system is simple to follow and all of your main controls are within quick reach. But we don’t think buyers of the T5 will go beyond the Smart Intelligent Auto setting and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, since it does a good overall job of metering and adjusting for specific scenes. Why make life difficult for yourself if you don’t have to? Would we like an upgrade to the basic nine-point AF system (one cross-type)? And would we like a higher-res LCD display, stereo soundtracks, and Wi-Fi, just to name a few things? Of course, but this is a $550 DSLR kit, not a $1,199 Canon EOS 70D or any other high-priced enthusiast model. Overall, the T5 does the job it’s intended to do, and that’s to take good photographs. We’ve always liked the “tone and feel” of Canon cameras, and it’s no different with the T5. Images have accurate colors with a depth that’s not over the top – they just look good (see samples). We went out on a boat ride in Arizona’s Saguaro Lake (yes, there is water in Arizona!), using the kit lens as well the telephoto zoom. Fortunately both are image stabilized which cut down on blur, but it was still hard capturing a speeding water skier from a moving craft. Once we slowed down, landscapes of cacti and hills came out just right. Other shots taken on land, of flowers and various still lifes, also delivered the Canon quality. That said, these aren’t the sharpest lenses in the shed; they’re good value but don’t compare them in any way to a quality prime lens. Movies, on the other hand, did not have the superior quality of the 70D with its Dual Pixel AF technology. Colors were a bit muted and there was some rolling shutter that’s to be expected from low-priced DSLRs. Also, using Live View in bright sunshine is not pleasant as there are reflectivity issues aplenty. Make sure you know how to quickly adjust the LCD brightness in the menu settings to manage this problem. At 460k don’t expect to examine your videos (or stills) with a lot of accuracy; you’ll need a large monitor for that. And, of course, the mono mic transforms winds into roaring hurricanes. The T5 has a basic ISO range of 100-6400 that can be extended to 12,800 once you adjust the Custom Settings. It’s really not worth the effort since 12,800 results are very poor and should be avoided at all costs. The camera does well to ISO 800 and starts to decline rapidly as you go higher. For best results, we wouldn’t tread above 1,600. This is somewhat disappointing, given the overall improvement in the industry. ConclusionFor what it is and whom it’s intended for, the T5 is a decent camera. We wouldn’t go out of our way to recommend it, especially since there are less expensive options available like the recently reviewed, lighter weight Sony Alpha A5000. Sure, it doesn’t have a classic viewfinder, but you do get 20 megapixels, Wi-Fi, and 1080/60i stereo videos. We’re sure the T5 will be a best seller since Canon is a default choice for many buyers, and the price is reasonable. Yet, it definitely left us wanting more. Highs
Lows
Digital Trends via Digital Trends http://ift.tt/2p4eJdC May 30, 2017 at 03:17AM
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Stressed out? Science says a heartbeat-mimicking wearable can calm you down http://ift.tt/2rjvu9w Feeling anxious? A wearable that mimics the vibration of a heartbeat could help you relax in stressful situations, according to a new study out of the Royal Holloway, University of London. The device is dubbed “doppel” and delivers rhythmic vibrations to the inside of the wrist. The wearable is designed to tap into our innate physiological response to rhythm — think of how physical rocking or certain kinds of music can make your feel calm, while fast-paced rhythms can make your feel anxious or excited. “Several early doppel users have said that doppel made them feel more focused and alert especially when doppel was vibrating on a high speed,” Manos Tsakiris, a psychologist who worked on the study, told Digital Trends. “We have also done one pilot experiment at my lab to demonstrate the effect of doppel on focus and alertness. After these encouraging results the crucial issue was to demonstrate that doppel can also having a calming effect.” To test this idea, Tsarkiris and his team simulated a stressful situation by asking subjects to prepare for a public speech, which previous studies and plenty of anecdotes have established as a pretty stressful task. “We wanted to use a task that … makes sense for real life … is successful in eliciting stress and anxiety, and a task to which potential users can easily relate to,” Tsarkiris said. “And it seems to us that most of the working population will have to give a shorter or a longer speech at some point of their career.” In the study published last week in the journal Scientific Reports, the volunteers wore a doppel as they were preparing for the speech, but were told the device measured blood pressure. Instead, the device did nothing for one group and gave another group subtle vibrations, slower than their resting heart rate. The researchers recorded how anxious the volunteers said they were along with physiological markers of stress. They found that only the group who wore the device showed psychological and physiological signs of decreased stress. “Our finding is important not only because we show the significant effect that doppel can have on the physiology and psychology of the users, but also we show it within the context of a situation that may easily arrive in our everyday life,” Tsarkiris said. The device will is available for pre-order for 125 British pounds ($160 in the United States) and is expected to ship this summer.
Digital Trends via Digital Trends http://ift.tt/2p4eJdC May 30, 2017 at 03:17AM
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Strom is an electric fat bike fit for a viking, ready to take on any terrain http://ift.tt/2saivoS Fat bikes have been a growing trend among cyclists all around the world. When it comes to riding off road, on the beach, or down a rough road, nothing helps more than those extra-large tires. It was inevitable then that fat bikes would eventually jump into the ebike family. Strom is a Scandinavian fat ebike built for commuting and casual riding. A beefy battery, strong motor, and hefty 3-inch tires make sure each daily journey is a breeze whether it’s on the road or at the beach. To make the commute easier, Strom comes packed full of extra features. Depending on the model, a 250-350W motor pushes the fat bike up to 20 miles per hour. A lithium battery ensures an all-day adventure up to 50 miles on a single charge. Cyclists can adjust the amount of assist depending on preference. Let the bike do the work, turn on the four level pedal-assist, or ride completely human powered. For safe access to important information, an LCD display is attached right on the handlebars. Here, cyclists can see their battery level, speed, mileage, assist level, and more. A small controller on the left handlebar allows users to quickly adjust the assist level up or down. Other features were built with safety and convenience in mind. Since smartphones and tablets are so important these days, Strom ebikes feature a built-in USB charger. Added LED lights make the bicycles safer at night or in other times of low visibility with their 50,000-hour lifespan. Currently, Strom comes in two different models and three colors for its IndieGoGo campaign. The EU Model is limited to 15 miles per hour and costs only $899 during the campaign. A full-speed U.S. model costs $979. The available colors are Shiny White, Moon Grey, and Matte Black. Backers should expect to see their ebikes in August 2017.
Digital Trends via Digital Trends http://ift.tt/2p4eJdC May 30, 2017 at 03:17AM Here's Our First Look at Android Creator Andy Rubin's Super Hyped Secret Mystery Smartphone5/30/2017
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Here's Our First Look at Android Creator Andy Rubin's Super Hyped Secret Mystery Smartphone http://ift.tt/2rRfnRq After months of speculation, the creator of Android, Andy Rubin, is finally showing off his company’s new products. Since leaving Google in October 2014, he has been working tirelessly on launching a smartphone that he claims could shakeup the tech industry. Today, we got our first look at it thanks to an exclusive The Essential Phone is powered by Android (version 7.1.1), and actually shares a lot in common with other flagships like the Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S8. It uses the same processor as the Galaxy S8 (Qualcomm Snapdragon 835) and features other comparable hardware specs, including 4GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. It also has a slightly bigger battery than both the Pixel and Galaxy S8 (3,040 mAh). The Essential Phone also has a nice big 5.71-inch QHD (2560 x 1312) display that makes it at least look more like the Galaxy S8 than the Google Pixel with an edge-to-edge screen. It also has a front-facing 8-megapixel shooter capable of filming 4K videos. That’s about as much as you could possibly ask for from the front of the device. Advertisement On the backside, the Essential Phone employs dual-rear facing cameras (13MP RGB sensor and 3-megapixel “monochrome” sensor) that will supposedly give the phone the ability to take photos comparable to its chief rivals in the iPhone, Pixel, and Galaxy S8. It also won’t come with a headphone jack (sorry dongle haters) and will instead rely on a USB Type-C and a dongle for audio output. On paper, the phone is a beast, but since we’ve only seen official renderings and company photos—it’s hard to say whether the phone will actually live up to the hype. The specs sound nice, but we’d be remiss to recommend this phone without giving it a proper trial in our everyday lives. One of the weirder elements of Essential Phone, and one we’re really looking forward to testing, is its unique inclusion of two pins on the back of the device that will make it somewhat modular and capable of hooking up to different accessories. To start, the pins are going to be used with a charging dock and 360-degree camera. In the future, the pins could be used to hook up even more ambitious accessories. Sponsored The Essential Phone can be reserved online starting today for $700, and you can get the 360-degree camera kit for $50 extra bucks as part of an introductory pricing. The Essential Phone is specifically targeting US customers and will ship in four different colors: Black Moon, Stellar Gray, Pure White, and Ocean Depths. We would suggest holding off for now, at least until we can test the device and verify that it’s actually worth a stack of hundred dollar bills. Oh, wait! But there’s more. Rubin’s company is apparently planning to release other products like the Essential Home, a smart speaker device that runs on a platform called Ambient OS that is also developed by Essential. Advertisement The operating system is built specifically with a home network in mind and is meant to anticipate an owner’s every need. For example, one way the device will be more helpful than other smart speakers on the market is that it will automatically notify you to leave early for an important meeting or remind you when anniversary’s come up. The screen can be used to display timers, reminders, and even directions to upcoming meetings. The Essential Home will use a large circular display and a speaker, similar to the touchscreen Amazon Echo Show announced a couple of weeks ago. The display can apparently help you play music, search for information, set timers, and do some of the other things that you’ve come to expect from products like Google Home and Amazon Echo. The Essential Home will likely learn more skills over time through the Ambient OS API that gives developers access to devices, services, and other information about a person’s home network so that they can build more useful apps. For now, you can only pre-order the Essential Phone, and there’s no word on when the phone will begin shipping or be on sale in other places. There’s no indication of when the Essential Home will be on sale, either. We’ll certainly be following the phone’s rollout closely, but it’s safe to say Andy Rubin’s super secret phone project is... well... not much different than every other Android flagship phone on the market. Advertisement Advertisement Digital Trends via Gizmodo http://gizmodo.com May 30, 2017 at 03:12AM
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Sticking a Camera Under a Faucet Feels Like Hurdling Down a Hypnotic Water Tunnel http://ift.tt/2shsLuz The next time you have to visit your dentist to get a cavity filled, or a dreaded root canal, you might not need any anesthesia if you’re able to watch the incredibly hypnotic footage from a waterproof camera pointed up at a running faucet. It looks like you’re racing down a never-ending tunnel made of water, and the longer you stare at the effect, the harder and harder it is to look away. Seriously, try to look away. We bet you can’t. Digital Trends via Gizmodo http://gizmodo.com May 30, 2017 at 03:06AM
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The Turing Tumble lets you and your kids build real mechanical computers http://ift.tt/2saj0PF When the lights go out and the entire world is thrust into the technological nether, we’ll need board games like Turing Tumble. Created programmer Paul Boswell – he’s well known for programming complex games for Texas Instruments calculators – and maker Alyssa Boswell, the Turing Tumble lets you use small parts to create logic flows in order to solve puzzles. Boswell created the game to teach everyone how to program. It rose out of frustration. In his work at the University of Minnesota he found himself stuck with scientists who couldn’t manage programming or computational analysis. “Programming is a unique skill among chemists and biologists – heck, among just about anyone other than computer scientists – but it shouldn’t be,” he said. “I spent a lot of time teaching my students how to program. There were countless times when I saw other faculty and students pass up good research ideas because they couldn’t make software to do what they needed.” The game is simple. The a set of marbles roll one at a time from the top of the board through a series of pins and “logic” pieces. When the marble hits a flipper at the bottom it releases another ball – creating a computing cycle. “Players add logic to the game board by placing six different types of parts onto the board. The ‘Bit’ is a particularly important one. Each time a ball runs over it, it flips to point the opposite direction. Pointing to the left is like a ‘0’, and pointing to the right is like a ‘1.’ Gear bits are the most interesting part, though. Gear bits are just like bits, except that they can be connected to one another so that when one is flipped, it flips the connected gear bits, too. It’s these parts that make the computer Turing-complete,” said Boswell. The important thing to remember is all of this is presented in the guise of a puzzle game. A book includes 51 games that teach kids how to make XOR gates and other computing principles. The project is entirely bootstrapped and the pair hope to raise $48,000 to start building the game. “When I started researching mechanical computers and stumbled across an old toy from the 1960’s called the DigiComp II,” said Boswell. “It was a brilliant little calculator powered by marbles. I built on many of the concepts from it and started designing my own reprogrammable mechanical computer powered by marbles. I got a 3D printer and began prototyping it.” It looks like a fascinating and educational game and maybe one day you’ll use it to manage the books at your primitive butchery when all the computers shut down. It could happen. Digital Trends via TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com May 30, 2017 at 03:05AM
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Behold the Giant, Glorious Structures Keeping Nature at Bay http://ift.tt/2shwmJk Nothing about a dam or a sea wall or an artificial island is natural, yet engineers try so hard to make them blend into the landscape. Claudius Schulze finds this paradox fascinating. “They are idyllic, beautiful landscapes,” he says. “However, in each of these photos there is something else. The real message is in the details.” The details, he says, lie in the threats these enormous infrastructure projects are designed to mitigate. Floods. Avalanches. The mounting threats posed by climate change. He explores this dichotomy in State of Nature, an ongoing series of more than 250 photographs of massive infrastructure. The German photographer grew fascinated by these feats of civil engineering in 2007 when he read Natural Risks and Social Disasters. Eager to see some of them for himself, he spent five years researching locations. Then he hit the road in an old van with his cat Blackie. He often spends months on the road, wandering as far as the UK and Bosnia. Once he arrives at a location, Schulze hops into the van’s cherrypicker with his large format camera on a tripod and goes up up up until he’s about 35 feet high. The vantage point allows him to capture the expansive scene. Roaming around in a van also keeps him on the down low. “Because my van looks like a construction vehicle, I can literally drive anywhere I want and photograph anything,” he says. His airy images provide sweeping panoramas of humanity’s constant struggle to keep nature at bay. Seen through Schulze’s lens, the world’s dams, sea walls, and artificial islands look more like classical paintings than engineering marvels. Just as the engineers intended. State of Nature is now available as a photo book. Go Back to Top. Skip To: Start of Article.Digital Trends via WIRED https://www.wired.com May 30, 2017 at 03:03AM |
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