For everything from family to computers…
We’ve known DNA could be a viable solution for data storage for a while now, but Harvard researchers have just discovered how wildly efficient it could really be by fitting 5.5 petabits, or 700 terabytes, of data into just one gram of DNA. More »
from Gizmodo
Looking at this photo of the Chengdu J-20—China’s fifth generation stealth fighter—it seems that the Chinese are not only copying the F-22 raptor, but Michael Bay too. There are no details about this photo, except that every surface seems to be moving in very strange ways. More »
from Gizmodo
NASA’s ability to land a gigantic rover on the surface of Mars? Impressive. The fact that it did so for less money than AT&T spent on building cell towers last year? The best evidence yet that we’re putting our faith in the wrong people. More »
from Gizmodo
Bus-sized satellites require massive engines for even the slightest movements, but as far smaller structures become a possibility, a tiny driving mechanism can offer usable thrust. To serve this next-gen tech, MIT saw a need to develop “microthrusters,” which are each the size of a penny and can be mounted to tiny cubed satellites. With thruster components measuring a few microns each, the magnetic levitation system is able to accommodate 500 microscopic tips that emit ion beams in a very small package, serving to push two-pound structures through space. The tiny devices have not made their way into orbit yet, but they have been tested in a vacuum chamber. Because of their size, it’s possible to add several to each satellite, then enabling sophisticated movements for more precise turns.
There are currently two dozen “CubeSats” in orbit, each measuring only slightly larger than a Rubik’s cube, but without any thrusters to power them, positioning can’t be adjusted once they’re released. Because of their current location, CubeSats eventually burn up in the atmosphere, but once they’re released farther from Earth, they won’t be able to enter the atmosphere on their own, remaining in orbit as “space junk” even after completing their missions — micro thrusters could also serve to move these satellites closer to the planet so they can burn up during re-entry. There’s no word on when, or even if, MIT’s invention will make its way to the launchpad, but you can take a closer look in the demo video after the break.
from Engadget
I heard about the chart above on Marketplace. Track enough variables, and you’ll find some which correlate well with GDP…until they don’t. So this is a neat story, but is it true? Well, I do accept the underlying logic here. So I’m hoping this is a statistical artifact of some sort….
from Discover Magazine
A few hours ago, one of our readers noticed that his app updates were happening at a much quicker pace, making us wonder if the new “delta†app updates were live. Previewed back at this year’s Google I/O, smart app updates, otherwise known as “delta†updates were shown off as a way for developers to make the appliction updating process even easier. Instead of users having to download the entire application that includes the update, you only need to download the newest code inside the app. Genius.
For example, when games like Dead Trigger get updated, you have to re-download 100MB worth of data. With smart app updates, that 100MB can be turned into just 5-10MB, saving tons of data for everyone. As you will see in the video below, Instagram updates after downloading only 2MB or so of the full 13MB file and then installs.
You will notice this feature from now on in Google Play.
Click here to view the embedded video.
Also: Â Android Police
Cheers Abesh!
from Droid Life
