High-res photos from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shed some light on Schiaparelli's last moments, while raising questions at the same time.
The post New images from NASA show the final resting place of Europe’s ExoMars lander appeared first on ExtremeTech.
You don't need to break the bank to buy a fun, reliable drone.
If you're looking to buy your first drone, whether for racing or just for the fun of it, searching for the top-rated drones might result in sticker shock. Sure, the DJI Inspire 1 looks AMAZING, but at nearly $3,000, it's not worth the investment if you're a novice hobbyist.
If you're a beginner, you'll want a drone that's easy enough to fly to get a handle on everything but also tough enough to survive a crash caused by human error or technical malfunction. Fortunately, there are a number of great drone options out there for under $300. They often include cameras (of lesser-quality, of course) and first-person view (FPV) flying options, as well as bumpers to protect the blades and hardware while you're still learning the basics. Then, once you're confident in your skills as a drone pilot, you can decide whether to upgrade to a more expensive, professional drone.
Two of these drones fall below the FAA requirements for registration, which only costs $5 per aircraft and will save you from dealing with fines (or worse) if the authorities catch you flying an unregistered drone.
The Hawkeye II features all the bells and whistles you'd want from your first drone, in a slick package. It has a headless control feature, which just means that it's easy to maintain control, regardless of where the "front" is facing.
Once you've got the basics down, this is just a downright fun drone to fly. It's got stunt buttons built in to the controller, so you're able to pull off awesome flips at the press of a button. Its bigger size means it handles well, even on windy days. You also have the option to use FPV through a smartphone app using a VR headset (not included), but, given the camera quality, you're probably not going to feel comfortable flying it in first-person. Also, keep in mind that using the camera will cut into the overall flight time, since it drains the battery.
One thing to consider about this drone is the color. It sure looks sharp in all-white, but if you're flying it high in the sky on a cloudy day, you might find yourself losing visual contact with it.
The MicroDrone 3.0 raised over $3 million on IndieGoGo and, like the name suggests, is the smallest drone on this list, but don't let its small size fool you. This is a fully-capable drone with a ton of features jam-packed into a small, minimalist package.
Included in the full set combo, available on the Microdrone website, you get the drone, a 2.4 GHz handset, propeller guards, four replacement blades, four blades for inverted flying, the Wi-Fi Camera module, a smartphone holder that attaches to the handset, as well as a VR headset that holds most smartphones for FPV flying. Basically, it's everything you need to get started.
It's a capable flyer with three control modes (slow, fast, and insane), as well as a toggle switch for stunt mode, which lets you perform impressive flips and rolls. The camera literally snaps on in a second thanks to proprietary magnets that also deliver power to the camera. Connect your phone to the camera's Wi-Fi and control and record video through the Microdrone app.
Note that the folks behind the Microdrone are still working to fulfill their crowdfunding backers first, so you'll probably end up having to wait some time before it arrives.
This is another great option for beginners. It flies well right out of the box with a gradual learning curve and a build that's reportedly strong enough to survive multiple crashes into trees. It's also the biggest drone on the list and comes with the best camera with the ability to swap in a GoPro.
You'll get up to eight minutes of flight time on a full battery charge, but you'll want to invest in multiple batteries because it takes up to 3 hours to charge the 2000mAh battery, which is by far the biggest drawback for this drone. Otherwise, given the build, size, and price, this is a fantastic option for a novice drone pilot or someone looking to get sweet aerial shots on the cheap.
If you're interested in the emerging world of drone racing, this would be the drone to start with — but it's not recommended for beginners. Made from lightweight carbon fiber, it's built to take a licking and keep on ticking. It doesn't look as pretty as the other drones on this list, but again, this one is built for speed over style and sure delivers on that front.
The Runner 250 is capable of going extremely fast — up to 24 miles per hour — while still offering good control with up to 1000 meters of range. Flying at those speeds, you'll want to make sure the battery is well secured, as it's been reported to come loose and cut power to the camera after major crashes. Everything comes assembled in the box, along with a tool set for making repairs as needed. Happy racing!
Parrot is a trusted name in drones, and the AR 2.0 is a fantastic entry point for someone interested in the hobby.
Unlike other drones on this list, this one is controlled strictly via a Wi-Fi connection with your smartphone; no handset is included. Simply download the Parrot control app to your phone and you're able to control and record video in 720p. There's also an optional Director Mode available for purchase within the app that allows you to set up cinematic shots if you fancy yourself an amateur filmmaker. There's even a USB plug in the base of the drone so you can record video straight to a removable drive.
The built-in sensors and navigation system allow the AR 2.0 to maintain stability, even in winds gusting up to 15 miles per hour, so you shouldn't lose control of your drone on a windy day. Even if you do, simply attach the foam blade protectors to help take the brunt of any crashes. Oh, and the Elite Edition means it comes styled in your choice of camo: jungle, desert, or snow.
This one is a fine option for beginners and experts alike. Built with a solid, molded composite frame, this thing is both rugged and extremely lightweight.
Including a 2.4 GHz handset for controls, this thing is built for speed and stunting. There's no camera or options, so if that's an important feature for you, you'll have to look elsewhere. It does come with multiple flying modes, from easy mode that keeps the speed in check, to a full manual mode that puts you in full control of stabilization and everything.
While the LaTrax Alias lacks features found in other options on this list, the build design and price make this a great option for someone looking for something fast, cheap, and fun to fly.
Are you a drone enthusiast? Got any experience with the drones we've listed here? Got a suggestion for one that we missed? Leave a comment below and let us know!
This is Halloween! This is Halloween! Smartphones scream in the dead of night!
This is Halloween, everybody pick a theme! Trick or treat till the app is gonna crash in fright!
You've probably got a costume for tonight, right? Well, do you have one for your phone? You don't want to leave your most important device out of the fun, do you? Especially when you can make your Android phone look like anything, from an old iPhone to a Pokedex and everything in between. Android themes are amazing, and there's no better time to try one of our many Android themes than Halloween! So dress up your phone! Who knows? Maybe you'll like it so much you keep these decorations up 'til Christmas.
Speaking of Christmas, we've got Rogue One coming up, and while we're saving some new themes for closer to release day, there's nothing saying you can't rock our Rebel Alliance themes until then! We've also got a Sith theme for our friends on the dark side, and the most adorable BB-8 theme you can raise a torch to!
Valor, Instinct, Mystic, we love all trainers and their Pokémon, though some are clearly better than others. (coughcoughMysticcoughcough) In this spirit, we have home screen themes to show off your team spirit as you enjoy the spirited event going on right now in the game. And for those seeking peace between the teams, we have a little something for you, too!
Want a theme for your phone that's both adorable and functional? This Finding Dory theme takes advantage of Google Keep's colors and widgets to make a theme that'll help you be a little less forgetful than Dory as you struggle to remember which houses you still need to hit and which to avoid.
We got Cap. We got Iron Man. We got Spidey. We got Panther. We got Widow. Whichever side of Marvel's Civil War you fall on, there's a theme for you, and these themes are amazing every single day of the year, but they add an extra touch of AWESOME to your costumes for tonight.
Captain America Civil War Themes
. Superman
It's a bird! It's a plane! No, it's ANDROID! Okay, these themes don't come with utility belts or capes, but they are amazing themes for the Dark Knight and Man of Steel that you can rock on Halloween or any other night of the year. Because you're Batman!
I dunno if anyone else is still humming the soundtrack from Suicide Squad of if it's just me, but Harley's theme is playful, colorful, and ever so slightly crazy, so it's perfect for Halloween! Deadshot's muted theme is both deadly efficient and drop-dead beautiful. So be a bad guy this holiday and get your Suicide Squad on with these lovely themes.
Deadpool treats every day like it's Halloween: he dresses up in a sexy costume, tricks a bunch of bad guys, and tries stealing treats from everyone he can. This is perhaps the most complex theme we've ever done, but hey, if you're willing to give Maximum Effort, this fourth-wall-breaking theme might just be for you.
Halloween's a wonderful night for getting in costume and tricking people, so grab your Android, slap this iPhone theme on it, and go see how long it takes your friends to realize they've been had. Bonus points if you can show them how awesome Android's home screens can look by switching back to a more creative theme once their minds have been blown.
Say what you will about Windows Phone, dressing your Android up as one for Halloween can also lead to some fun pranks. Also, considering the robust Android offering Microsoft offers, this could also be a gateway into some of their apps you'd never considered (or known). No Ninja Cat costume is complete without one!
Our favorite tech reviewing YouTuber MrMobile was honored with his own home screen theme shortly after his launch earlier this year. If you wanna go to a party as MrMobile, get some gel in your hair, a Star Trek communicator and this theme on your phone. Stay mobile, my friends.
One of the major problems with multicore scaling is the communications bottleneck associated with cache coherency. These issues may be addressable -- and if they are, it could significantly improve multi-core scaling in the future.
The post Using hardware queues to break the multi-core CPU bottleneck appeared first on ExtremeTech.
Getting started in the IT field can be difficult at the beginning. There is so much that you should know, so many certifications that you will want to have, and it can get quite expensive in a short amount of time. You could spend lots of money and time to learn the basics and get started, or you could do it in your free time at an affordable price.
For just $60 you can get started with this bundle that offers all the information you need to get a bunch of certifications under your belt. Many spend that $60 each month on things like coffee, fast food, and other frivolous stuff, so why not put it towards getting these five certifications?
With this bundle you can train for these certificates:
Normally priced at over $4000, this huge 98% savings is something you won't want to pass up. You'll have the materials you need to get tons of certifications and jump start your IT career. The information can be accessed online or on your phone, and it will be available for two years, so you can study at your own leisure.
If you are seriously considering a change in careers, you'll want to grab this bundle at just $60 instead of its regular $4100 price tag.
While not for everyone, a Chromebook can be the best choice for a lot of things.
Whenever we talk about Chromebooks, this is one of the questions that always pops up. It's understandable — you've got about half the internet telling you that Chromebooks are great and most folks can do everything they want to do on a laptop with Chrome, and most of the other half claiming that they are useless and you shouldn't spend your money of "just a browser."
As usual, I think the real wisdom comes from the people in the middle. Folks who will come forward and say a Chromebook is their only computer or the one they use all or most of the time, and why it works for them. I may be biased because I'm one of those people, but I really do think that for a good many of us, a Chromebook is the best computer you can buy.
I think the easy way to answer this question is by saying that there are people who shouldn't buy a Chromebook and expect it to be able to do the things they want it to do. Chromebooks weren't designed to do everything — they were designed to do the basics that most people need very well.
For most folks working with code a Chromebook isn't the best choice
I know plenty of people who are programmers and developers. Some of them do web development using languages that don't need compiled into a container and instead are interpreted by the browser, and a Chromebook is a great way to do that. You can build out a web app or website, then get everything running well either online or locally. Once it works as intended, you clean things up and upload to a development server where folks using other browsers — you can't install Microsoft Internet Explorer or Edge on a Chromebook, nor can you install Firefox. These two browsers tend to require small tweaks when compared to Chrome or Safari. Using a Chromebook is a great way to do webdev, but will require testing with other machines.
Other types of development just isn't practical. Sure, you can install plugins and extensions that allow for a Ruby or Python interpreter, but usually they aren't able to do everything you'll need to do. Compiling software — turning source code into a stand-alone application — whether it be apps for a phone or for any other computer certainly isn't practical unless you put your Chromebook into developer mode and install another flavor of Linux. Of course, you can develop Chrome apps and extensions, but for most folks working with code a Chromebook isn't the best "main" machine. It wasn't designed to be.
Another area where Chromebooks aren't going to be your best bet is media creation. You can find all sorts of Chrome apps for audio and video production or image editing, but for people doing anything like this full-time the apps and their features just aren't powerful enough. Here at Android Central, we have a crew who handles video production and audio production, but we still need to do some of the "smaller" things ourselves, and I'll be honest — doing some of it on a Chromebook just isn't practical. Even something as simple as cleaning up a photo using RAW imaging editing software can be a bit difficult, unless you go the extra mile and install another Linux environment onto your Chromebook, and for many a full-fledged Linux desktop has it's own big learning curve. For serious editing, most Chromebooks also don't have the hardware under the hood to make it practical, either. Again, nobody selling Chromebooks is implying they were designed for this sort of work, and that's because they just aren't.
AAA games just aren't going to run on a Chromebook
The biggest problem for many is gaming. Most of us aren't programmers or media professionals, but plenty of us like to fire up a computer and play some games. None of those AAA titles you're interested are going to run on a Chromebook for two reasons — none of them are built to run in a Chrome OS environment (even if there's a Linux version available) and Chromebooks don't have the disk space, the video card or the memory to run them anyway. There are some really good browser based games out there, and most of them run really well on Chrome OS and the limited hardware Chromebooks usually ship with, but you'll never be able to play the Fallout series or Skyrim or CoD on your Chromebook. Don't expect this to change anytime soon, either. A quick look at SteamOS and the giant list of games not available (or even the Mac App Store) means developers are focused on building games for Windows using things like Direct X and special support for AMD or NVIDIA GPUS running on Windows drivers, or for the PlayStation and Xbox. We don't blame them — that's where the money is.
We've looked at things a Chromebook doesn't do well, and if any of these things are important to you, I think you'll be better served with a laptop running another operating system. But the good news is that Chromebooks do the things they were designed to do very well, and might be the best choice for you.
Chromebooks are built to run anything and everything on the web. You can visit your bank, or spend time at Facebook, or watch YouTube and Netflix and anything else you type into a browser bar. If you use a recent model, like the ACER Chromebook 14, you'll have a much better experience than you would with a similarly priced laptop running Windows. In fact, a high-end Pixel even does the web better than a MacBook or MacBook Air with the same price tag. And now that Chromebooks can run Android apps, there are even more options for getting things done. In fact, we think the best Android tablet is actually a Chromebook.
Chromebooks are built to run anything and everything on the web
This is because Chrome OS was designed to be light and manage resources far better than their Windows and Apple counterparts. On OS X or Windows, Chrome uses a bunch of memory to sandbox processes outside of the operating system as a security precaution, but on a Chromebook they don't have to do that — the operating system manages the processes at the platform level with isolation in mind from the minute you turn your Chromebook on. Chrome the operating system is efficient very smart at multitasking between tabs or running applications.
More: Best apps for Chromebooks
You also have everything Google does available, with full access to your Google account if you like. The same way Android connects to Google and synchronizes your mail, your contacts, your online credentials and all your other Google data is how things work with a Chromebook. With apps, web interfaces and extensions from folks like Microsoft, or the native Google Docs and Google Drive combination, even office work is a breeze. Once you sign in, and only when you sign in, you have access to all your Google "stuff". If you want to be Google free, you can also log in as a guest and share none of this with Google. And just like Chrome the browser on any other computer, you can mix up both ways using incognito tabs and windows.
Security is also well-managed on a Chromebook. You still need to check into what data you're sharing with Google or any other service and look after your privacy, but only you'll not have to worry about the actual security aspect of it all — Chrome OS does it for you.
We already talked a little bit about sandboxing, but the way Chrome works means that no matter what you're doing in one tab or application window, none of it can affect any of the others. Any potential threat is contained, and disappears once you close it.
Automatic updates and Verified Boot make Chromebooks the safe way to get online
Automatic updates and Verified Boot also play a big part here. Chrome OS is updated monthly without any user intervention, and the update process is seamless and you won't notice it. Every time you start your Chromebook is checks for a new version, and if one is available it's downloaded and the next time you start up you're running it. And every time you start your Chromebook Verified Boot checks to make sure nothing has changed in the operating system, and if it thinks anything has been tampered with, it starts from the last verified copy you downloaded from Google instead. You won't have to worry about malware, spyware or viruses on Chrome OS. If something does go wrong (people who want to break into your laptop are smart) you would be dumped into a recovery screen that tells you which keys to press to wipe the copy of the OS and download it fresh. As long as you haven't turned off security features by flipping the developer mode switch (think of it as unlocking the bootloader), you'll not have to worry about anything you didn't say was OK to do on a Chromebook.
These features are what makes me (and plenty of other folks) think that a Chromebook really is the best laptop for a lot of people. I moved my mom from a Dell laptop that was about $600 more expensive yet didn't do the things she wanted to do as well as her new Chromebook does, and she couldn't be happier. If you don't need to do the things a Chromebook wasn't designed to do, I think you'll like it just as much.
Ready to buy a Chromebook? Here are the best ones you can buy right now
Was it a moment of clarity, a disgruntled employee, or a hack? No matter what the answer is, it doesn't bode well for the company.
The post Hello Games tweets No Man’s Sky was a mistake, claims it was hacked appeared first on ExtremeTech.
How do you customize your experience with the Google Assistant on the Pixel?
While Google Assistant made its official debut with Allo, it wasn't until the release of the Pixel that we've seen more of what Google has in store for their personal AI assistant.
There's so many ways to use the Assistant throughout the day, from getting a daily briefing first thing in the morning to conveniently setting an alarm for the next day and nearly everything in between. To get the most out of Google Assistant, you'll want to know about all the settings and features, and we're here to help.
Google Assistant is baked right into the Pixel or Pixel XL, and can be accessed by long pressing the Home button or by saying "OK Google" if you've got voice activation enabled. If you're logged into your Google Account, but have yet to set up Google Assistant, you can start the process by launching it from the home screen for the first time.
And that's that. You might also be prompted to configure voice activation, which just involves you repeating "OK Google" three times. Pretty simple!
If you have more than one Google account active on your phone, it's important to make sure Google Assistant is connected with the one you want. Google Assistant is able to pull details from Gmail, Google Photos, and other Google services including your calendar events as well as your Chrome browsing habits, so you'll want to make sure you're using your primary account.
If you accidentally set things up with the wrong account or simply want to switch over to a different account, it's really easy.
Switching between accounts is easy to do, though you'll need to go through the quick setup process and allow the required access permissions.
You can use Google Assistant to give you a briefing on everything you need to know to start your day, from weather forecasts, calendar reminders, and a preview of your work commute. If you don't need all that, you can customize it to suit your needs.
Tap Settings.
Google Assistant can help you keep up to date on what's going on in the world with its narrated news service. It pulls radio news reports from reliable news sources which you can listen to after your daily briefing or by saying "OK Google, listen to news". If this seems like a valuable feature to you, you'll definitely want to customize your news sources.
Tap Settings.
Swipe up to scroll through the list of news sources.
Google Assistant will call you by your first name by default, but you can teach it to call you any nickname you want.
Tap Settings.
Tap Nickname.
If you don't like how the Google Assistant is pronouncing your nickname, you can opt to spell it out phonetically by tapping the "Spell it out" radio button under Pronunciation.
By default, Google Assistant will censor all offensive words. If you're alright with salty language, you can turn it off quick and easy.
Tap Settings.
Google Assistant will never swear, but now words deemed as offensive won't be censored in the transcriptions of what you say.
Your Google Assistant will keep track of not only all your search activity, but also where you were when you made your request. Google assures this data is kept secure and private. If you'd like to review your activity history and see the details, you can access it straight from the Google Assistant settings.
Tap Settings.
Chrome will launch and you'll be taken to Google's log of all your logged activity with Google Assistant. From there, you can tap "details" to see more information, including roughly where you were when the activity occurred. If this sort of creeps you out, you can tap "Activity Controls" to toggle some of the settings, but this is basically what you signed up for to use Google Assistant.
Looking for a phone charger to keep in your travel bag that doesn’t take up much space? If so, check out Samsung’s 2A travel charger. It has a slim profile and will help you charge quickly while on the go. Right now you can pick one up for just $8.95!
