Samsung’s Galaxy S8 phone aims to dispel the Note 7 debacle

NEW YORK— Samsung seems to be playing it safe —at least with its battery — as it unveils its first major smartphone since the embarrassing recall of its fire-prone Note 7.

The Galaxy S8 will come in two sizes, both bigger than comparable models from last year. To maximize display space, there’s no more physical home button. The S8 also sports a voice assistant intended to rival Siri and Google Assistant.

But battery capacity isn’t increasing, despite the larger sizes, meaning more breathing room for the battery. Samsung had pushed the engineering envelope with the Note 7 battery, which contributed to spontaneous combustions. That recall cost Samsung at least $5.3 billion. Though many customers remain loyal, any further misstep could prove fatal.

The phone, announced Wednesday in New York, will come out April 21. The standard-size S8 will cost about $750 and the larger S8 Plus about $850 — both about $100 more than comparable iPhones and rival Android phones.

“That’s a big bet that its phones will justify a higher price, whereas it could have used these new phones as a way to drive higher sales after a couple of years of stagnation,” said Jan Dawson, an analyst with Jackdaw Research.

ABOUT THAT BATTERY

Samsung has blamed the Note 7 fires on multiple design and manufacturing defects in its batteries. Inspectors concluded some of the batteries were too small for their capacity, putting pressure on the internal structure.

The company says phones will now go through multiple inspections, including X-rays and stress tests at extreme temperatures. And Samsung no longer is trying to squeeze a lot of battery power in a small space. The S8 Plus model, for instance, has 3 percent less battery power than the Galaxy S7 Edge, but the phone itself is 12 percent larger.

Samsung says software and chip improvements mean the new phones will still last all day.

BIGGER, TALLER SCREENS

The S8 phone’s display measures 5.8 inches diagonally, compared with 5.1 inches on the S7. The S8 Plus will be 6.2 inches, compared with S7 Edge’s 5.5 inches and the Note 7’s 5.7 inches. Samsung is getting rid of the “Edge” distinction and bringing curved sides to all S8 phones.

Samsung has also made it easier to look at apps without scrolling as much. It enlarged the screen by minimizing the frame, or bezel, surrounding the display; gone is a horizontal strip with the home button at the bottom. Instead, Samsung is embedding a virtual home button in the display and moving the fingerprint sensor to the back. In addition, both S8 models are taller than their predecessors, but widths are roughly the same. That makes them easy to hold in one hand.

VOICE ASSISTANT

Samsung claims its new voice assistant, Bixby, will do much more than rivals from Apple, Google, Microsoft and Amazon. For one thing, Samsung says Bixby will be able to handle any smartphone task currently managed by touch. When viewing a photo, just say “send this to Bob” to pull up messaging options and contact information for the Bobs you know. Bixby will also offer information on books, wine and other products scanned with the phone’s camera.

But there’s a major caveat: Bixby will work only with selected Samsung apps, including the photo gallery and messages, along with Google Play Music. Not all touch commands will have voice counterparts right away. Other apps will be able to adopt Bixby, but Samsung has had a mixed track record in getting other companies to support its home-brewed functions, such as an “Air View” feature for showing pop-up previews of content. Never seen it? Exactly.

“I think the brand will struggle to compete in the longer term with the broader digital ecosystems from Google, Amazon or Apple,” Forrester analyst Thomas Husson said.

OTHER FEATURES

The front camera is getting a boost to 8 megapixels, from 5 megapixels, while the rear one stays at 12 megapixels.

As with previous models, the S8 is water and dust resistant and features a memory card slot to supplement 64 gigabytes of built-in storage, which is higher than the base models of most rivals. The S8 will get an iris scanner to let people unlock the phone by looking at it ; the feature was new in the ditched Note 7 phone.

Samsung will include premium earbuds from AKG, a brand it acquired when it bought Harman International.

BEYOND THE S8

Samsung’s virtual-reality camera, Gear 360, will now accommodate a higher resolution, known as 4K, and work with iPhones, not just Samsung phones.

An optional docking station will turn the S8 phone into a desktop computer when connected to a regular TV. In that mode, people will be able to resize windows and work with several apps at once. It’s similar to what Microsoft offers on its Windows 10 phones. Samsung also unveiled a router that doubles as a hub for internet-connected appliances and lights.

Samsung said its previously announced Gear VR headset upgrade, which will now include a hand-held controller, will go on sale in April for about $130. Existing owners can buy just the controller for about $40. The company hasn’t announced prices and release dates for the other accessories.

source: technology.inquirer.net

New Google site showcases open source projects

Google is known for being involved with a lot of open source projects, Android being one of the most notable.

The new site, as reported by The Next Web, is called Google Open Source and features more of Google’s open source projects such as a JPEG encoder that reduces file sizes by 35 percent.

Apart from showing off their projects, the site also showcases some of Google’s preferred tools that other programmers can use in their own projects. There is also a directory of projects that Google has made available to the community.

There are even documentations on how Google uses, contributes and releases open source code so that other companies can follow in Google’s footsteps.

The Google Open Source website is now live and is currently hosting more than 2,000 open source projects. Alfred Bayle/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Hawks snap skid with win over Suns

The Atlanta Hawks squandered an early 18-point lead but came back late for a 95-91 victory over the Phoenix Suns on Tuesday to end their seven-game NBA losing streak.

German guard Dennis Schroder scored 17 of his 27 points in the first quarter then went quiet until the final period when he drained a brace of three-pointers in a 17-1 scoring run that finally put the Hawks ahead for good.

Schroder added nine assists and six rebounds to offset eight turnovers as the Hawks, battling Milwaukee for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, won for the first time since March 11.

Ersan Ilyasova put up a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Hawks. Taurean Price scored 15 and Dwight Howard had 15 points and 11 rebounds.

TJ Warren led the Suns with 24 points and eight rebounds.

Both teams were without key players. Atlanta were missing top scorer Paul Millsap, who missed his sixth game left knee trouble. Kent Bazemore missed his fifth game with a right knee contusion and Thabo Sefolosha missed his second straight game with a right groin strain.

Phoenix were without guard Devin Booker, who scored 70 points in a loss to the Boston Celtics on Friday.

Suns coach Earl Watson said before the game that Booker was nursing an ankle injury.

“We’re about 70 points short-handed,” Watson quipped.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Five Tips For Increasing Your Home’s Equity

Equity is the magic word when it comes to homeownership. There are equity mortgages and other products that you can tap into when you’ve increased the value of your home. However, equity doesn’t grow on trees, so here are five tips for increasing your home’s equity:

  1. Pay off the principal: The quicker you pay off the mortgage principal, the more equity you build up. Look into acquiring prepayment privileges from your lender. Or if the prepayment penalty isn’t that great, it may make sense to pay off your principal as quickly as you can even if you’re penalized because you’ll be that much closer to getting an equity mortgage (or similar product).

  2.  Hire an inspector: A certified home inspector will tell you how much your home is currently worth and what improvements are necessary to up its equity.

  3.  Make upgrades to the kitchen and bathrooms: Get rid of old tiling, upgrade your appliances, get a new showerhead – do whatever it takes to upgrade your bathrooms and kitchen. Moreover, if you have an unfinished basement, finish it. You can even add a basement apartment if there’s enough room to have a full bath, kitchenette, bedroom and living area.

  4.  Create more curb appeal: Curb appeal is how enticing your home is from the street. Ask yourself this: “When people drive by, do they stop and marvel at how beautiful my home is?” If the answer is no, then you have work to do. To create more curb appeal, make sure that your front door, roof, porch, windows – basically any area of the home that is visible from the street – is revamped or at least looks new. Manicure your lawn as well because overgrown hedges and grass can make a property look uninviting.

  5.  Clean your house: A clean house is an attractive house. Even if you’re not planning on selling your house, hiring professional cleaners to clean your home’s eavestroughs, windows and doors can increase its equity. Make sure everything gets a deep clean, from the light fixtures to the furnace to the garage door. Another bonus of cleaning your house is that you can declutter. Getting rid of old clothes and boxes from your attic or garage will not only create space, it will make moving easier when/if you do sell your home.

Once you’ve put money back into your home, you can take money out of it. Equity mortgages are available that use the amount of equity built up in your home to determine how much you can borrow. You can also refinance or take out a HELOC (home equity line of credit).

source: northwoodmortgage.com

United Air bars girls with leggings, ignites Twitter storm

WASHINGTON — United Airlines found itself at the center of a social media storm after it barred two girls from boarding a flight in Denver on Sunday because they were wearing leggings.

Another girl who was also wearing leggings was allowed to board the flight from Denver International Airport to Minneapolis after she changed, a witness said.

The incident was reported on Twitter by Shannon Watts — founder of fun reform group Moms Demand Action — who was a passenger at the airport waiting to board another flight to Mexico.

“She’s forcing them to change or put dresses on over leggings or they can’t board,” she said. “Since when does @united police women’s clothing?”

“A 10-year-old girl in gray leggings,” she added of one of the girls. “She looked normal and appropriate.”

However, United Airlines maintained its support for the gate agent’s decision in its own series of tweets.

Later, it clarified that the girls prevented from boarding were “pass riders” — those who fly free or at heavily reduced rates because they are airline employees or their relatives.

“Our regular passengers are not going to be denied boarding because they are wearing leggings or yoga pants,” a spokesman told The Washington Post.

“But when flying as a pass traveler, we require pass travelers to follow rules, and that is one of those rules.”

That didn’t stop a tsunami of ridicule against the airline on social media for what critics called sexist and intrusive actions.

“@united Leggings are business attire for 10 year olds. Their business is being children,” actress Patricia Arquette tweeted.

Model Chrissy Teigen weighed in: “I have flown united before with literally no pants on. Just a top as a dress.”

“Next time I will wear only jeans and a scarf,” she added. CBB/rga

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

New study suggests 2.5 hours exercise a week can slow decline in Parkinson’s disease

A new study has found Parkinson’s patients who do 2.5 hours, or 150 minutes, of exercise a week can slow down the effects of the condition.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive condition that often results in impaired mobility, a decrease in health-related quality of life (HRQL), and death.

Previous research has also provided evidence that physical activity can delay this progressive decline.

The new study, carried out by Northwestern University and Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, looked at 3,408 participants who had provided data over a two-year period, with information collected during at least three clinic visits.

At each visit the team measured physical activity by patients’ self-reports on how many hours of exercise they did each week.

The results showed that those with Parkinson’s disease who partook in 150 minutes of exercise each week had a smaller decline in quality of life and mobility over the two years compared to those who didn’t exercise or exercised less.

In addition, declines in HRQL and mobility were significantly slower not only for those who exercised regularly at the start of the study, but also for those who started to exercise later, after their first study-related visit.

“The most important part of the study is that it suggests that people who are not currently achieving recommended levels of exercise could start to exercise today to lessen the declines in quality of life and mobility that can occur with this progressive disease,” added lead investigator Miriam R. Rafferty.

The team also found that increasing exercise by 30 minutes per week was associated with even slower declines in HRQL in those with advanced PD. The team now believe that these findings could have significant implications for making exercise and physical activity more accessible to people with more severe disability, as the mobility impairments of those with advanced PD may limit their access to regular exercise in community and group exercise programs.

Although the study did not look at which type of physical activity is best, it does suggest that any form of exercise is better than no exercise as long as it is done in a “dose” of at least 150 minutes per week.

“People with PD should feel empowered to find the type of exercise they enjoy, even those with more advanced symptoms,” added Dr. Rafferty.

The results of the study can be found published in the Journal of Parkinson’s Disease. JB

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Lungs can also make blood for mammals — study

For the longest time, it was believed by medical science that blood was produced from the bone marrow. However, a recent study suggests that the lungs also produce much of the body’s blood.

Researchers made the discovery through the use of a technology called two-photon intravital imaging. Experiments done on mice suggested that over half of the platelets produced in its body came from the lungs, reports Science Alert.

Further study also revealed a vast number of hidden blood stem cells as well as cells that create red blood cells sitting just outside the lung tissue. By their estimates, the lung was producing at least half of the body’s blood supply.

As to how these cells got to the lungs, the study suggests that the blood- and platelets-producing cells started out in the bone marrow and migrated to the lungs. Once at their new location, they started producing blood like the marrow does.

The researchers say that their findings need to be replicated in humans first before they are sure that the same process occurs in humans.

They would also like to understand how the marrow and the lungs work together as the body’s blood factories. In any case, this discovery could mean a great deal when it comes to treating blood-related illnesses. Alfred Bayle/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

WATCH: Iggy Azalea ‘twerks’ around HK in new single ‘Mo Bounce’

For her newest single, Iggy Azalea swaggers her posterior as she grooves with her gang in the streets of Hong Kong.


On Friday, the rapper released “Mo Bounce (More Bounce),” wherein she showcases her glitzy costumes, hot friends and twerk dance moves. The song, which was produced by Stereotypes and the Far East Movement, also features a 6-year-old Hong Kong dance whiz named Bobo.

At one point, she flaunts her jeans’ back pocket, which displays the sentence “The p*ssy grabs back,” in reference to US President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks on women.


In an interview with Complex, song director Lil’ Internet explained how Azalea’s theme pick and location suited her funky personality. “When I heard this song, images popped in my head. I knew she was gonna be in Hong Kong—I’ve never been, but I immediately got this kind of cyber funk, ‘Fast and Furious’ (Vin Diesel’s film), gritty feel,” he said. “To be honest, this was the most collaborative video I’ve ever done with an artist. Iggy was involved the whole time and it was really, really awesome to have that kind of work dynamic.”

The track’s release comes after Azalea dropped “Can’t Lose” last week, another track in her forthcoming sophomore album “Digital Distortion.”

Azalea initially planned to release “Digitial Distortion” last year but postponed it after her rocky separation from her ex-fiance Los Angeles Lakers player Nick Young.  Gianna Francesca Catolico /ra

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Cities and monuments to dim lights in a nod to Earth

PARIS, France — From Sydney to New York, cities and monuments will dim their lights on Saturday in a show of solidarity against the threats being faced by the planet from humankind.

This year marks the tenth anniversary of Earth Hour, an annual bid to raise awareness about global warming caused by the burning of coal, oil and gas to power cars and power plants.

Since it was first held in 2007, in Sydney alone, great strides have been made in highlighting the dire state of the planet, according to the conservation group WWF, which organises the event.

Earth Hour, said its coordinator Siddarth Das, must show that “each individual can help turn the page towards a sustainable, climate-resilient future for all.”

Following the path of the sunset around the world, Saturday’s events (between 8.30 pm and 9.30 pm local times) will kick off with the Sydney Opera House dimming its lights, then move westward through Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas.

Monuments including the Empire State Building, the Kremlin, Big Ben, the Tower of Pisa, the Eiffel Tower and Egypt’s pyramids will go dark to mark the event.

Lisbon will host a concert by candlelight, Singapore will hold a “carbon-neutral run”, and Tanzania will organise a tree-planting ceremony.

Homes and businesses are also being asked to join in, and individuals can commit to the cause on Facebook.


Last year, scientists recorded the Earth’s hottest temperatures in modern times for the third year in a row.

Nations agreed in Paris in 2015 to limit average global warming to two degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) over pre-industrial temperatures.

That is the level at which many scientists say humankind can still avoid worst-case climate outcomes in terms of rising sea levels, worsening droughts and floods, and increasingly violent superstorms.

“Climate change is visible proof that our actions can have a ripple effect beyond physical borders,” Das said.

“It is up to each of us to ensure the impact we create helps instead to improve the lives of those around us and elsewhere, at present and in the future.” CBB

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Lonzo Ball done at UCLA, headed to NBA

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Star UCLA freshman Lonzo Ball says he’s one and done at UCLA and headed to the next level.

The guard said Friday night after his team lost to Kentucky in the Sweet 16 that he is moving on from the college game.

“That was my final game for UCLA. I appreciate all the fans and all the support,” Ball said in the UCLA locker room.

Ball was widely expected to declare for the NBA draft after this season. His father, LaVar Ball, has been especially vocal, declaring that the eldest of three hoops-playing brothers is better than NBA MVP Steph Curry.

Ball said he felt bad that he couldn’t carry his team’s seniors to another win in the NCAA Tournament. He says UCLA simply lost to a good team.

Ball was outdueled by Kentucky’s De’Aaron Fox on Friday night, scoring just 10 points on 4-of-10 shooting. Fox scored 39 for the Wildcats.

UCLA coach Steve Alford indicated he wasn’t surprised by Ball’s decision, even saying he assumed it was the end of the freshman’s college career.

“I probably don’t like to assume anything, but he’s pretty good,” Alford said.

He noted that there is a different culture in college basketball than in his playing days at Indiana.

“Guys can make a good living sooner than what it was two decades ago, three decades ago,” Alford said. “We’ve had our share of some very good one-and-dones.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Fixed Rate Mortgages: Should You Choose A 15-Year Or A 30-Year?

Once you’ve decided that you want a fixed rate over a variable rate mortgage, you then have to determine if you want 15 or 30 years. Taking on a loan for 15 years may seem impossible to some people, while others may think that’s just the right amount of time needed to pay it off. Generally, Canadians opt for anywhere from 25 to 30 years for their mortgages, but that doesn’t mean you have to too.

Fixed rate mortgages: 15 years

With 15-year fixed rate mortgages, you have the advantage of paying off the loan faster. Once you’ve paid off your mortgage, you can focus on putting money aside for other things like your retirement, children or grandchildren’s educations, vacations, etc. You’ll also save money on interest since you’ll pay more interest over 30 years than you will over 15. For example, 4% interest on a $200,000 home is $66,288 over the course of 15 years. The same amount of interest on the same property for 30 years is $143,739. Finally, with a 15-year loan you can build up the equity in your home quicker because you’re taking less time to pay off your loan.

Fixed rate mortgages: 30 years 

For fixed rate mortgages at 30 years, you’re looking at increased time to pay back your loan. You’re also looking at a lower monthly payment but, as aforementioned, more interest to pay over the 30 years. However, when you have lower monthly mortgage payments to make, you can save more money to put towards retirement, credit card payments, etc. With a 30-year mortgage you get to keep more cash in your pockets, but you will be putting less towards your mortgage. You can also make extra mortgage payments over the course of the 30 years to reduce the balance, but watch out for prepayment penalties.

Are the monthly payment amounts really that different?

With fixed rate mortgages at 15 years, you’d think that the monthly payments would be double those of 30 years. This isn’t usually the case. Let’s use the same example as before with the $200,000 mortgage at 4% interest. The 30-year monthly payments would be about $950. The same mortgage with the same interest at 15 years would see a monthly payment of about $1,450. That’s less than double with a difference in monthly payments of approximately $500.

Which one is right for you?

When it comes to choosing a 15- or 30-year fixed rate mortgage, you must evaluate your financial situation. Sit down with your mortgage broker and lay everything on the table. Your broker can help you make the decision as to which one is right for you by reviewing your financial situation and explaining in detail what your monthly payments will be, the interest and how you can manage a 15-year vs. a 30-year loan.

source: northwoodmortgage.com

Before Parliament violence, other attacks on Britain

LONDON — Britain has been targeted anew by what authorities are calling a terrorist incident.

Here’s a look at other attacks on the country in recent years:

March 22, 2017

An attacker stabbed a police officer at Britain’s Parliament before being shot by police, while a vehicle ran over pedestrians on nearby Westminster Bridge at around the same time. One woman was killed, others injured.

June 16, 2016

Far-right supporter Thomas Mair shot and killed British lawmaker Jo Cox who had campaigned for the UK to remain in the European Union, one week before Britain’s referendum on its EU membership. The attack shocked the country and focused attention on home-grown far-right extremism in Britain.

Dec. 5, 2015

An Islamic State-inspired taxi driver tried to behead a passenger in the east London Underground station of Leytonstone. Somali-born Muhiddin Mire was sent to a high-security mental hospital to serve a life sentence. The judge ruled that Mire had been motivated by events in Syria. The incident came days after Parliament approved British airstrikes on Islamic State group targets in Syria.

May 22, 2013

Two British-born, al-Qaida-inspired extremists stabbed off-duty soldier Lee Rigby to death on a busy south London street. The men ran Rigby down with their vehicle and then used a cleaver to hack him to death. Images of attacker Michael Adebolajo holding a butcher knife and cleaver with bloodied hands in the moments after killing shocked people around the world and sparked fears of Islamist extremism in Britain. Adebolajo and his accomplice were sentenced to life in prison.

June 30, 2007

Two men were arrested after they drove a Jeep Cherokee into Glasgow Airport’s terminal in Scotland and set it ablaze. Authorities said the attack was linked to a failed car bombing a day before in London’s West End, where an ambulance crew outside a nightclub spotted smoke coming from a Mercedes that turned out to be rigged with explosives. A second Mercedes also filled with explosives was found hours later in an impound lot.

July 7, 2005

In the worst peacetime attack on Britain this century, four Al-Qaida-inspired bombers blew themselves up on three subway trains and a bus in London, killing 52. Three of the bombers were British-born, all of Pakistani descent; the other emigrated from Jamaica.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

Saudi Arabia loses Fitch rating over budget concerns

PARIS, France — Saudi Arabia on Wednesday lost its high-quality credit rating from the Fitch agency, which lowered the kingdom a notch because of worsening public finances as the oil price wobbles.

Dropping its notation from AA- to A+, Fitch said it was doubtful whether Saudi Arabia could implement its reform program after a “significantly wider than expected fiscal deficit in 2016″.

Opec kingpin Saudi Arabia in December projected another budget deficit for this year, after already reporting a shortfall for 2016 in the face of lower oil prices.

It was the first budget since the kingdom, aiming for a balanced budget by 2020, announced a wide-ranging plan to wean the economy off its oil dependency.

Fitch put last year’s budget deficit at 17.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).

For 2017, Saudi hopes to cut the deficit to 7.7 percent of GDP, Fitch noted, but the agency said its own projections were for 9.2 percent.

A period of sustained rises in the price of oil, of which Saudi Arabia is the world’s biggest exporter, could prompt Fitch to revise its rating upwards again, it said.

But if Saudi’s budgetary situation worsened quickly, it could suffer another downgrade, it warned.

For now, the outlook is stable, the agency said. CBB

source: business.inquirer.net

US stocks post biggest drop of 2017 on doubts about Trump agenda

NEW YORK, United States — Wall Street stocks suffered their worst declines of the year Tuesday as doubts increased about President Donald Trump’s ability to advance his agenda in Washington.

All three major US indices fell sharply, with the Nasdaq tumbling the most with 1.8 percent decline, two days ahead of a key congressional vote on health care policy.

European equity markets also dropped, along with Japan’s Nikkei. Analysts said sinking oil prices also weighed on stocks.

Trump traveled to Capitol Hill to try to coax support from fellow Republicans for his health care bill, warning the party could lose its majority if it fails to repeal and replace Obamacare in Thursday’s vote.

Analysts fear a setback on health care will dim momentum for the rest of Trump’s agenda, including highly-anticipated tax cuts and deregulation.

“The markets have reversed” because of growing concern about possible opposition to Trump’s reforms within Republican party, said Gregori Volokhine of Meeschaert Financial Services.

Banking shares were especially weak, with Bank of America dropping 5.8 percent and Goldman Sachs losing 3.8 percent. The sector had been a highflyer after the election in anticipation of regulatory rollbacks promised by Trump.

“There seems to be doubt creeping in investors’ minds whether or not the deregulation that Trump talked about will be put into effect, as well as tax reform and lower tax rates,” said Bill Lynch, director of investment at Hinsdale Associates.

Elsewhere, London finished down 0.7 percent after official data showed British 12-month inflation soared to 2.3 percent in February, the highest level since 2013.

The news sent sterling flying higher on expectations of rising interest rates, putting pressure on FTSE companies.

The euro strengthened after a strong debate performance by French presidential candidate Emmanuel Macron lifted hopes the centrist could hold off far-right leader Marine Le Pen in the coming elections.

Paris equities slipped 0.2 percent, while the German DAX lost 0.8 percent.

Tokyo fell 0.3 percent as a rising yen hit export-oriented stocks.

US oil prices finished at their lowest price of the year at $47.34 per barrel, down 88 cents, on worries about rising US oil production. CBB

source: business.inquirer.net

1966 Pink Floyd recording to be released for the first time

Legendary British rock band Pink Floyd will put out next month a track that has never before been released since it was recorded in 1966, record company Legacy Recordings announced on Monday.

Out on April 15 ahead of Record Store Day a week later, the instrumental 14-minute, 57-second version of Interstellar Overdrive will be released as a one-sided, 12-inch black vinyl record.

The track, written and performed by Syd Barrett, Roger Waters, Richard Wright and Nick Mason, was recorded on November 31, 1966, before the band was signed to EMI.

A shorter version of the single, nearly 10 minutes long and featured on the band’s debut album, “The Piper at the Gates of Dawn”, was released in 1967.

The new release will come out with a fold-out poster and an A6 postcard taken from a 1967 gig in London.

In their giant box set “The Early Years – 1965-1972″ released in November, Pink Floyd already put out more than 20 previously unreleased tracks.

The band’s career and contribution to rock music will also be celebrated in “The Pink Floyd Exhibition: Their Mortal Remains” due to open in May at London’s Victoria & Albert’s Museum. JB

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Google could have three Pixel handsets in store for late 2017

Google could be working on three different versions of its next-generation Pixel smartphone, reports the Droid Life website, although there’s no word yet on what to expect from the spec sheets.

The upcoming Pixel line will apparently still include 5″ and 5.5″ models (codenamed “Walleye” and “Muskie”), but these could now be joined by a larger and even more ambitious version, codenamed “Taimen”.

This makes an interesting parallel with rumors surrounding the next-generation iPhone, which point to two “classic” 4.7″ and 5.5″ versions, plus a more show-stopping 5.8″ model with a slightly curved OLED screen.

Expected at the end of 2017, Google’s new Pixels are likely to be dust- and water-resistant. The firm is also reportedly working on boosting the camera’s low-light performances, although it’s unclear whether that will be achieved by hardware modifications to the sensor or through changes to the built-in software. The camera is already a major selling point for Google’s current Pixel handsets, billed as the “highest-rated smartphone camera ever.”

Google presented and launched its first range of Pixel smartphones in fall 2016, with two high-end handsets (5-inch and 5.5-inch models) boasting a stylish design, a super-fast latest-gen processor and a top-end camera, designed to get the best out of Android Nougat.

At launch, Pixel smartphones were positioned as direct rivals for the Samsung Galaxy S7 or Apple’s iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, although they only went on sale in selected countries.

Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL smartphones are currently available in the United States, Germany, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, and are coming to India soon. JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Stars pay tribute to pioneer rocker Chuck Berry

The death on Saturday of legendary rocker Chuck Berry, aged 90, drew emotional tributes from fellow musicians and other celebrities who praised him as a rock ‘n’ roll trailblazer.

Here are some reactions from Twitter:

– Bruce Springsteen: “Chuck Berry was rock’s greatest practitioner, guitarist, and the greatest pure rock ‘n’ roll writer who ever lived. This is a tremendous loss of a giant for the ages.”

– Brian Wilson: “I am so sad to hear about Chuck Berry passing—a big inspiration! He will be missed by everyone who loves Rock ‘n’ Roll. Love & Mercy.”

– Ringo Starr: “R I P. And peace and love Chuck Berry Mr. rock ‘n’ roll music.”

– Lenny Kravitz: “Hail Hail Chuck Berry!!! None of us would have been here without you. Rock on brother!”

– Rod Stewart: “It started with Chuck Berry. He inspired us all. The 1st album I bought was Chuck’s ‘Live at the Tivoli’ and I was never the same.”

– The Rolling Stones: “The Rolling Stones are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Chuck Berry. He was a true pioneer of rock ‘n’ roll & a massive influence.

“Chuck Berry was not only a brilliant guitarist, singer and performer, but most importantly, he was a master craftsman as a songwriter.




“Chuck Berry’s songs will live forever.”

– Mick Jagger: “I am so sad to hear of Chuck Berry’s passing. I want to thank him for all the inspirational music he gave to us.

“He lit up our teenage years, and blew life into our dreams of being musicians and performers.

“His lyrics shone above others & threw a strange light on the American dream. Chuck you were amazing & your music is engraved inside us forever.”

– Ronnie Wood: “So sad—with the passing of Chuck Berry comes the end of an era. He was one of the best and my inspiration, a true character indeed.”

– Keith Richards: “One of my big lights has gone out.”

– Arnold Schwarzenegger: “When I was 10 years old and I dreamed every night of moving to America, Chuck Berry played the soundtrack. He rocked the world. RIP.”

– Stephen King: “Chuck Berry died. This breaks my heart, but 90 years old ain’t bad for rock and roll. Johnny B. Goode forever.” JB

source: entertainment.inquirer.net

Four great reasons to add high intensity intervals to your workout

From HIIT and CrossFit to spinning and functional training, here are four good reasons to jump onboard the latest trend for high-intensity interval-based workouts that combine short, intense bursts of activity with low-intensity active recovery.

Get great results, fast!

Military-inspired interval training sessions, combining short 30-second bursts of intense activity with short recovery periods, can change the shape of your body in record time by burning fat.

CrossFit combines elements of weight lifting (lifting, throwing, moving objects), classic gym exercises (push-ups, pull-ups, rings) and cardio training (running, rowing, cycling).

Some HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) programs use body weight rather than equipment, boosting metabolism with a workout based on a series of standard exercises (squats, wall sits, lunges, planks, jumps, etc.) that work all muscle groups. This type of exercise can burn up to 800 calories in 30 minutes.

Circuit-based functional training programs are also popular at the moment. Some use equipment (resistance bands, gym balls, BOSU balls, kettlebells, TRX straps, etc.) while others don’t. Some are held outdoors, making use of benches, tree trunks, railings, etc.

Slow down aging

A study, published last March 7 about Cell Metabolism, found that using HIIT training techniques in aerobic, endurance-based activities like cycling and walking could slow down aging at cellular level. This involves adding short bursts of higher-intensity activity to a regular workout, like a 30-second sprint in the middle of a slower-paced jog, for example. This was found to boost the action of cell powerhouses called mitochondria, whose ability to generate energy declines with age.

Save time

These short but intense exercise sessions can fit easily into busy daily schedules. High Intensity Interval Training or functional training sessions usually last around 30 minutes. CrossFit sessions usually last up to an hour and high-intensity spin classes are 45 to 60 minutes in length. Classes can now be booked online at a growing number of gyms, making last-minute sessions more feasible.

Get tips and motivation from a coach

In this type of class, there’s usually at least one coach for around 12 participants. The trainer sets the program of exercises for each session with a “workout of the day.” They are also on hand to offer personalized tips and advice tailored to individual levels or goals. Exercising in a group can also prove more motivating than slogging it out alone with a screen or an MP3 for company. JB

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Kit Kat durian suggested by Thailand to boost tourism

One of the smelliest fruit in the world, many both love and hate the durian. And yet a curious bid could result in a durian-flavored Kit Kat.

As a means to help boost tourism, Thailand sent in a list of suggested local delicacies that they believe would be ripe for a Kit Kat flavor, reports RocketNews24.

Kit Kats in Japan are well-known for featuring all sorts of flavor, from green tea to sake, even wasabi. Having a Kit Kat flavor after Asia’s pungent “king of fruits” would be quite a curiosity.

Thai minister for tourism and sports Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul stated that Nestlé, Kit Kat’s manufacturer, is currently exploring the feasibility of a durian Kit Kat.

While surprising, this is not the first time that an odd Kit Kat flavor was released. Currently, the title of “oddest creation” would probably go to either Kit Kat pizza or Kit Kat sushi. But if they get the smell right, Durian Kit Kat could be a close contender. Alfred Bayle/JB

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

New York City awash in green for St. Patrick’s Day parade

NEW YORK — New York City was awash in green and Irish pride Friday as throngs from both sides of the pond celebrated at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade along Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.

The marchers came from all walks of life — military members, teachers and students, police and firefighters, politicians, plumbers and steamfitters.
“On a cold day, it warms your heart,” Richard Grogan, a marcher from Dublin and a member of Ireland’s national police service, said of the cheering crowd. “It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

John Brauer, a spectator from Rye, New York, got on a 5 a.m. train — both to get a good spot and because he was excited. “I don’t sleep when I know it’s St. Patrick’s Day,” he said.

Heavily armed officers kept a no-nonsense eye on security around the parade route as a pipe band played “God Bless America.”

Irish Prime Minister Enda Kenny marched with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. He paused to greet Cardinal Timothy Dolan outside St. Patrick’s Cathedral, which was adorned with the American and Irish flags; a special Mass was held there before the parade stepped off.

“Proud Irishman, proud Englishwoman,” said Tracy Gilmartin of Northampton, England, who was there with her husband, Joe. “Our kids have paid for us to come here today for their dad to be able to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in New York. He’s always wanted to do it.”

The couple, who decorated a police barricade with an Irish banner, said their plane was full of travelers bound for the New York parade.
The parade route also passed Trump Tower, the home of President Donald Trump and his family.

The city’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade was on March 17, 1762. That was about 14 years before the signing of America’s Declaration of Independence, organizers note, and it was comprised of “a band of homesick, Irish ex-patriots and Irish military members serving with the British Army stationed in the colonies in New York.”

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

McDonald’s apologizes for hacked tweet slamming Trump

NEW YORK—McDonald’s apologized Thursday after it briefly posted on Twitter a blast criticizing President Donald Trump, which the company blamed on a hack from an external source.

The quickly deleted tweet offered an uncharitable appraisal of Trump, saying, “You are actually a disgusting excuse of a President and we would love to have Barack Obama back, also you have tiny hands.”

The tweet was removed mid-morning Thursday soon after being posted to one of McDonald’s official Twitter feeds — but not before being retweeted more than a thousand times and garnering plenty of attention in political and media circles.

“Based on our investigation, we have determined that our Twitter account was hacked by an external source,” said McDonald’s spokeswoman Terri Hickey in a statement.

“We took swift action to secure it, and we apologize this tweet was sent through our corporate McDonald’s account.”

Hacking has been a persistent problem in recent years with the growing influence of Twitter and other social media sites.

In April 2013, a hack of the Associated Press resulted in an erroneous post that the White House had been attacked, briefly sending US stocks markets down in a panic.

source: technology.inquirer.net

Thompson scores 21 in 1st, Warriors roll past Magic

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA—A tighter defense that gave Orlando trouble all night and another early scoring outburst from Klay Thompson have the Warriors feeling a lot better about their position in the West.

A much-welcomed blowout of the Magic certainly helped, too, especially following three weeks of inconsistencies and a handful of surprising losses.

Thompson scored 21 of his 29 points in the first quarter and the Golden State cruised past the Orlando Magic 122-92 on Thursday night.

“To have a game like that always helps, not confidence-wise but just to kind of try and get back in a rhythm,” said Green, who had nine points and 11 rebounds. “I don’t think this game really just puts us back in a rhythm, but it was a carryover from the last game’s fourth quarter. It was just using that momentum and letting it carry over.”

Stephen Curry added 25 points and nine assists after appearing to injure his right foot in the opening minutes, Andre Iguodala scored 14 and Zaza Pachulia had 10 points and 10 rebounds to help the Warriors improve to an NBA-best 54-14 and clinch their third straight Pacific Division title for the first time in franchise history.

Thompson, who owns the NBA record for most points in one quarter with 37 against Sacramento on Jan. 23, 2015, was almost perfect in the opening period against Orlando. The three-time All-Star made his first five shots beyond the arc and shot 8 of 11 overall while helping the Warriors to an early double-digit lead.

By comparison, the entire Magic team made only nine buckets in the first quarter.

“We were able to get out in transition just from our stops,” Thompson said. “It definitely helps when you make four or five in a row. You feel like every shot’s going to go in.”

It’s the seventh time in his career that Thompson has scored 20 or more in a single quarter and the third time this season. The other two came when Thompson had 23 points in the second and 20 in the third on his way to an NBA season-high 60 points against Indiana on Dec. 5.

“The defense really was kind of setting up some of those shots, too, in transition,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “When you can make stops it solves a lot of problems. We’ve struggled to score the last couple of weeks. Tonight, we broke through.”

Thompson’s fast start began not long after Curry limped off the court and into the Warriors’ locker room early in the first quarter after he stepped on the foot of Elfrid Payton.

The reigning two-time MVP returned a short time later and was greeted by a rousing ovation from the Oracle crowd. Curry then promptly threw an inbounds pass to Thompson for an easy bucket that put the Warriors up by double digits.

“Tweaked his ankle,” Kerr said. “He’s fine.”

Payton and Jeff Green scored 13 points apiece for Orlando.

“When Klay got hot, it was a bit deflating,” Magic center Nikola Vucevic said. “Once they get a lead like that, they’re too good. We were never able to make it a game again.”

Golden State’s win was its second straight following a season-high three-game skid and evened its record at 4-4 since losing Kevin Durant to a knee injury in late-February.

Unlike the other three wins – all decided by eight points or fewer -Kerr’s team had little problem beating Orlando and sending the Magic to their fourth straight loss.

The Warriors led by 36 in the second half, allowing Kerr to sit most of his starters in the fourth quarter, and finished with their most lopsided win since beating Chicago by 31 on Feb. 8.

It’s not a common occurrence in the NBA, but Orlando was called for a technical foul for having six men on the court in the second quarter. Magic coach Frank Vogel blamed a lack of communication. “We didn’t communicate a sub,” Vogel said.

source: sports.inquirer.net

Which Factors Affect Mortgage Rates?

When it comes to mortgage rates in Canada, there are so many factors involved it can be hard to keep track. You’re probably aware that the Bank of Canada is a top player in how mortgage rates are determined, but there’s more to it than the BoC simply deciding what rate to set at any given time. Everyone is looking for a low mortgage rate, but the factors that affect variable mortgage rates are different than those that affect their fixed rate counterparts. Below, we’ll explore the differences.

Variable mortgage rates

A variable rate mortgage is a loan where the interest rate may change during the mortgage’s term. As the borrower, your monthly payment will be same, but if there is a low interest rate, you will still be able to take advantage of it. For example, if the interest rate increases, the amount of your monthly payment that is applied to the mortgage’s principal will decrease. On the other hand, if the interest rate decreases, the amount being applied to the principal will increase.

When it comes to variable mortgage rates, these are determined by the Bank of Canada’s key interest rate (or overnight rate – the rate that banks are able to charge one another to cover their daily transactions) and how they affect the commercial banks’ prime rates. The prime rate is the lowest mortgage rate at which any bank’s best customers can borrow money. So, when the BoC increases their rate, which they do often to fight inflation, the rates on variable mortgages go up as well.

Fixed mortgage rates

A fixed rate mortgage is a loan in which the mortgage rate remains the same throughout the term. Unlike variable rate mortgages, fixed rate mortgages do not depend on the Bank of Canada to set their rates. In a fixed rate mortgage, the rates are affected by the bond market. The bond market is the commercial fiscal market where banks and other financial institutions can buy and sell securities in the form of bonds. The interest rates in the bond market move up and down more frequently than the prime rate. This is due to the sensitivity of the bond market and how it responds to market fluctuations.

Does the time of year affect mortgage rates?

There is no perfect time of year to get a low mortgage rate. The Bank of Canada sets their rates eight times yearly: late January, early March, mid-April, late May, mid-July, early September, mid-October and early December.

source: northwoodmortgage.com

Trudeau, Ivanka Trump see Broadway musical

NEW YORK— Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau — along with first daughter Ivanka Trump — have welcomed a new musical that celebrates Canadian compassion following 9/11.

Trudeau and Trump and some 120 ambassadors from around the world attended the show “Come From Away” on Wednesday night at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, in one of the cities where the bulk of the 3,000 people killed in the attacks died.

The musical is set in the small Newfoundland town of Gander, which opened its arms and homes to some 7,000 airline passengers diverted there when the U.S. government shut down its airspace.

In remarks before the show, Trudeau said: “The world gets to see what it is to lean on each other and be there for each other through the darkest times.”

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

YouTube Uptime lets users watch videos with friends

YouTube users who often squirrel away while binging on all sorts of videos can now share the experience with friends through a new app.

The app is called Uptime and has been created by Google’s Area 120 division. It’s currently exclusive to iOS devices and offers more than the standard YouTube app, reports TechCrunch.

Initially spotted by The Verge, the main function of the app is to allow users to share YouTube videos with friends and watch them together in real time without the need to switch to another messaging app.

Area 120 also made it a more fun experience with the “reactions” feature. These are basically emojis that users can post and will appear on the video, similar to Facebook Live and Twitter’s Periscope. At the same time, users watching the video will have their profile icons float across the screen. They can also post comments. There’s even a “sparkles” feature that makes the video sparkle when tapped in real time.

Uptime is by no means the first of its kind, but what it does offer is a more polished design. It also offers ways of enjoying the app even without friends joining to watch videos immediately.

Since the app is still new, it doesn’t have an address book sync feature yet, nor will there be a lot of people to share videos with. But overtime, the app’s goal of creating a more social and real-time video sharing experience should become apparent.

Uptime is currently in invite-only mode. Just use the invite code “pizza” to get in. Alfred Bayle/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Find your birthday in Pi’s first 200 million digits

March 14 is celebrated by mathematics enthusiasts around the world as Pi Day. In fact, in 2009, the US Congress voted to pass a resolution designating the date as “Pi Day” due to its resemblance to the first three digits of the recurring constant (3.14).

Pi, the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, is an irrational number that extends to trillions of digits beyond the decimal point. Clearly, there is more to Pi than 3.14.

But did you know that you can search your birthday and other significant dates or number combinations in your life hidden in Pi’s trillion of digits?

What are the chances of finding your PIN or anniversary date within the Pi? There is a big chance, thanks to the Pi-Search Page at http://www.angio.net/pi/.

The Pi-Search Page, first put up in 1996, allows you to input any string of digits while the engine searches as you type, with extremely fast results. The page says it takes less than 1/50th of a second to process most requests.

You have a 100 percent chance of finding number combinations of one to five digits in the first 200 million digits of Pi, and nearly 100 percent chance for six to seven digits. Eight-combinations, birthdays included, have a 63 percent chance of being found in the string of numbers.

Here, we tried searching for (and successfully found) important dates in Philippine history, holidays, and other dates. YG/CBB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Gluten-free diet increases risk of type 2 diabetes, says study

In response to the trend for gluten-free products, the American Heart Association (AHA) announced on Thursday a research, based on 30 years of surveys, that establishes a link between gluten-free diets and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

To date, no scientific studies have demonstrated any health benefits that accrue from a gluten-free diet for the vast majority of people who do not suffer from Celiac disease (which affects one percent of the population in the United States) or gluten intolerance.

Using data from three long-term studies that monitored 200,000 people over 30 years, researchers from Harvard University evaluated the impact of a gluten-free diet on the health of subjects with no medical diagnosis of gluten intolerance.

Their findings, which have now been made public by the AHA, are unequivocal. People who regularly consume gluten (an average of 5.8 to 7.1 grams per day) have a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Bread, pizza, pasta, cereal, pretzels and even muffins were among respondents’ most commonly listed sources of gluten.

At the same time, the researchers noted that those who sought to avoid gluten consumed less cereal fiber, which is known to reduce the risk of diabetes.

The study has added weight to warnings from nutritionists worried by the excessively high glycemic index of processed gluten-free products that lack fiber and nutrients and may contain additives. And that is not to mention the risk posed by the “healthy” image of these products, which may lead some consumers to overindulge.

In the U.S., a 2014 Consumer Reports National Research Centre survey found that 63 percent of Americans believe that a gluten-free diet would improve their physical and mental health.

The Harvard University study findings were presented at the American Heart Association’s Epidemiology and Prevention/Lifestyle and Cardiometabolic Health 2017 Scientific Sessions in Portland, Oregon. JB

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

California gives green light to self-driving car tests

SAN FRANCISCO, United States — The US state of California is easing its rules for autonomous car testing, by allowing testing of vehicles in which there is no human driver.

The new rules have yet to be submitted for public consultation, with a final version expected by the end of the year, according to its Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) .

“These rules expand our existing autonomous vehicle testing program to include testing vehicles where no driver is present,” said DMV Director Jean Shiomoto.

“This is the next step in eventually allowing driverless autonomous vehicles on California roadways.”

California took some heat earlier for seeking to stop testing of fully autonomous cars — those in which a human is not physically on board.

Rules proposed at the end of 2015 required that a person with a permit always be present in the vehicle, and be able to regain control of it. And that person would be held responsible for traffic offenses or accidents.

The Federal Road Safety Agency NHTSA, however, differed a few months later saying that a computer system — based on the artificial intelligence of autonomous cars — could be considered their “driver.”

California, and Silicon Valley in particular, is a key location for automakers and tech startups working on driverless cars. The change should help keep that the case.

The DMV says it has permitted 27 manufacturers to test self-driving cars.  CBB

source: technology.inquirer.net

US jobs machine keep stock market humming

World stock markets were mostly higher Friday as investors welcomed strong US jobs data which all but sealed a Federal Reserve rate hike next week.

Wall Street and most European equity markets traded firm in response to the American economy generating 235,000 new jobs in February, well above what economists had forecast.

This was the missing piece of the puzzle Fed watchers were waiting for to make tighter credit a near-certainty when the US central bankers meet next week.

Lower-than-expected wage rises kept a few doubts alive, but mostly the jobs report hit the spot, analysts said.

Upbeat New York helped key European markets hold onto most of their early gains. London and Paris were up at the end of European trading, but Frankfurt slipped a smidgen into negative territory just before the closing bell.

Earlier, Japan’s Nikkei jumped 1.5 percent, with declines in the yen boosting exporters.

“Today’s US jobs report was more than adequate to justify a rate hike next week,” said Craig Erlam at Oanda.

‘Won’t bottle it’

“The only thing standing in the way of a rate hike now is the Fed itself,” he said, “but after its efforts over the last few weeks, surely even it won’t bottle it now.”

Higher interest rates are not in themselves reason for cheer in the stock market as borrowing costs rise, but analysts said rate rises are a much-needed token of Fed confidence in the US economy in times of uncertainty, including over President Donald Trump’s economic program.

“After all, monetary policy is set to be tightened further against the backdrop of strengthening US and global economies,” said Oliver Jones at Capital Economics.

Investors are “still unwilling to bet against higher prices despite strong odds of a rate increase in the US next week,” LCG analyst Jasper Lawler said of global stock markets.

Elsewhere, oil prices were back on a slippery slope, having earlier Friday recovered ground after sharp mid-week losses. US oil prices dropped 79 cents to $48.49 per barrel, its lowest level since late November.

Worries about a global supply glut, increased US production and questions about an OPEC-Russia led drive to cut output are keeping oil traders on edge.

Key figures around 2200 GMT

New York – Dow: UP 0.2 percent at 20,902.98 (close)
New York – S&P 500: UP 0.3 percent at 2,372.60 (close)
New York – Nasdaq: UP 0.4 percent at 5,861.73 (close)
London – FTSE 100: UP 0.4 percent at 7,343.08 (close)
Frankfurt – DAX 30: DOWN 0.1 percent at 11.963.18 (close)
Paris – CAC 40: UP 0.2 percent at 4,993.32 (close)
EURO STOXX 50: UP 0.3 percent at 3,420.54
Tokyo – Nikkei 225: UP 1.5 percent at 19,604.61 (close)
Hong Kong – Hang Seng: UP 0.3 percent at 23,568.67 (close)
Shanghai – Composite: DOWN 0.1 percent at 3,212.76 (close)
Euro/dollar: UP at $1.0672 from $1.0576 Thursday
Pound/dollar: UP at $1.2169 from $1.2162
Dollar/yen: DOWN at 114.78 yen from 114.98 yen
Oil – Brent North Sea: DOWN 82 cents at $51.37 per barrel
Oil – West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 79 cents at $48.49 per barrel

source: business.inquirer.net

Japanese dessert-inspired chair wins Furniture Design Award in Singapore

SINGAPORE–Japanese designer Hiroki Sakamoto bagged the grand prize at this year’s Furniture Design Award for his miniature chairs inspired by a traditional Japanese dessert that dates back to the 17th century.

The Yokan Chair takes its name from the delicately tinted bars of sweet bean paste made from azuki beans, sugar and agar-agar.

Sakamoto was one of the 12 finalists weeded out from over 200 participants in this year’s competition. The panel of judges awarded him the grand prize of S$20,000 and a 12 sq m space at next year’s International Furniture Fair Singapore (IFFS) for his whimsical design.

Eight of the other finalists also came up with chairs that followed a theme that championed resourcefulness and sustainability. One was made of three U-shaped pieces of laminated wood one could connect with magnets to form a stool. Another used a single-layered felt shell reinforced with a steel frame that could easily be assembled into an armchair or rolled up for shipment.

Jun Paul Lasco, who hails from Bohol but works in Cebu, was one of this year’s finalists. His Bench Screen is a high-backed bench that has a double purpose: it serves as seating and as a partition or divider.

Inspiration

“I was inspired by the inexpensive reed screens sold by ambulant vendors,” Lasco told Inquirer Lifestyle. “Two Christmases ago, my mother came home with several of these screens. She said she had seen an old woman selling them and decided to buy all her wares.”

The elderly woman was so thankful because she didn’t have to go around Bohol trying to sell the screens. She was able to go home to her family with money to spend for Noche Buena.

“That’s where the idea for the Bench Screen came from. I wanted to elevate the look by using sturdier materials, but still keeping its screen function,” Lasco said.

By using rattan in a gradient pattern attached to a lightweight steel frame, he was able to come up with seating that also provided a modicum of privacy.

“It’s still very new, but I can imagine it being used in airports, banks and restaurants. Clients can also have the steel frame painted in their preferred color.”

The soft-spoken designer said that he has been working for industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue for two years now.

“I took a week off so I could attend this year’s IFFS. The Bench Screen may look simple, but I can also come up with elaborate designs should the need arise.”

The Furniture Design Award, a project of SingaPlural, is an annual furniture design competition organized by the Singapore Furniture Industries Council. The award aims to uncover budding design talents and be a reputable showcase for the unique creations of the world’s best creative minds.

The designs of all 12 finalists are on display at Hall 6 of the Singapore Expo until March 12.

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net

Wall Street set to open higher on robust jobs data

U.S. stocks looked set to open higher on Friday after an upbeat monthly jobs report underscored the strength of the U.S. economy and firmed the odds for the first interest rate hike this year.

The Labor Department data showed 235,000 jobs were added in the public and private sectors in February, blowing past economists' average estimate of 190,000 as the construction industry recorded its largest gain in nearly 10 years.

Unemployment rate stood at 4.7 percent, while average earnings edged up 0.2 percent.

"I suspect that there is a positive impact from milder weather in February which may have skewed this number to the high side," said Alan Gayle, director of asset allocation at Ridgeworth Investments in Atlanta, Georgia.

"But the operative message is that the jobs market continues to strengthen, and that is likely to give the FOMC a green light to raise rates when they meet next week."

A slew of recent robust data has encouraged the Federal Reserve to turn more hawkish on interest rates.

The odds of a rate hike during the Fed's meeting next week edged up to 89.7 percent after the report, according to Reuters data.

Fed Chair Janet Yellen's conference after the two-day meeting next week will be closely watched for clues on the pace of future rate hikes.

Dow e-minis were up 88 points, or 0.42 percent, at 8:32 a.m. ET (1332 GMT), with 18,690 contracts changing hands.

S&P 500 e-minis were up 10.5 points, or 0.44 percent, with 191,460 contracts traded.

Nasdaq 100 e-minis were up 21 points, or 0.39 percent, on volume of 15,479 contracts.

In the 49 days of Donald Trump's presidency, the Dow Jones Industrial Average broke above 20,000 points and the S&P 500 crossed $20 trillion in market value on bets that he would usher in an era of tax cuts, simpler regulations and higher infrastructure spending.

However, the lack of detail on Trump's plans has raised questions about valuations and taken the heat off the post-election rally.

Wall Street closed little changed on Thursday as a late rebound in oil prices cut losses in the energy sector. Oil was up 0.7 percent on Friday.

Shares of big U.S. banks, including Goldman Sachs, Bank of America and Morgan Stanley, were up more than 1 percent in premarket trading.

Alexandria Real Estate Equities was off 5 percent at $108.04 after the REIT priced an offering of 6.1 million shares at $108.55 per share - a 4.5 percent discount to its Thursday close.

Finisar Corp dropped 17 percent to $29.11 after the network equipment maker issued disappointing revenue and profit forecasts for the current quarter. — Reuters

source: gmanetwork.com

Celebs open the summer in Boracay

It's the season for the sea, sand, and surf! Showbiz stars have begun descending upon the world-famous Boracay Island to open their summer the right way. Check out photos of Daiana Menezes, Bettina Carlos, Maxene Magalona, and Ina Raymundo as they get a dose of vitamin sea for Summer 2017. —JST, GMA News

source: gmanetwork.com

5 injured in ax attack at German train station; 1 arrested

BERLIN — A man was arrested after injuring five people with an ax at the main train station in Duesseldorf, Germany in what appeared to be a random attack, police said Thursday (Friday, Manila time).

Officers were alerted about an attack shortly before 9 p.m. (2000 GMT), prompting a large-scale response.

“A person, probably armed with an ax, attacked people at random,” police said in a statement. “At least five people were injured, one of them very seriously.”

The suspected attacker was arrested after jumping off an overpass near the train station, the statement said. The man suffered serious injuries and was being treated in a hospital.

Police said an ax was recovered and officers were searching the area in and around the station, which was closed for the investigation. Police withdrew an earlier report that a second person had been arrested.

German authorities have heightened security measures following a series of attacks in public places over the past year.

In one attack last July, a 17-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker traveling on a train near Wuerzburg injured five people with an ax and a knife before being shot dead by police. The attack was later claimed by the Islamic State group.

Duesseldorf police said there was no clear indication yet of the motive for Thursday’s attack.

source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

‘Nothing impossible’ for impressed Messi

Five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi paid tribute on Thursday to Barcelona’s sensational Champions League comeback from a 4-0 first leg thrashing to beat Paris Saint Germain 6-1.

Messi scored Barca’s third goal from the penalty spot as the Spanish champions struck three times in the final two minutes plus stoppage time to qualify for the quarter-finals.

“When there’s effort, attitude and desire, NOTHING is impossible,” Messi posted on his official Facebook page.

“Impressive stuff from the team and our fans.”

In a rare sign of exuberance, Messi jumped into the crowd amid delirious scenes when Sergi Roberto grabbed Barca’s sixth and decisive goal in the 95th minute.

And the Argentine was penned in at the Camp Nou as he tried to leave hours after the game.

His partner Antonella Roccuzzo posted a video of the pair attempting to leave the stadium only to be held up by fans banging on the windows to chants of “Messi, Messi, Messi.”

source: sports.inquirer.net

Robot burger-flipper starts first day on the job in California restaurant

They say that robots will eventually take over the workplace. As they get “smarter,” robots would start to branch out from the assembly line and say, start flipping burgers at some diner in California.

Flippy is an AI-driven kitchen assistant developed by Miso Robotics and the owner of CaliBurger, the establishment where Flippy is currently at work, reports Engadget.

This robotic burger connoisseur is not only able to flip burgers but also put them in buns. It uses cameras, sensors and deep learning software to find ingredients around the kitchen without additional reconfiguration.

Flippy’s sensors also help it to keep track of the patties’ temperature and cooking time. Once cooking is done, it lets its human boss top off the burgers with cheese and other toppings.

“Much like self-driving vehicles, our system continuously learns from its experiences to improve over time,” said David Zito, CEO of Miso Robotics.

Flippy is currently on “probation” in Pasadena but, once this is done, more Flippies will be deployed to over 50 CaliBurger locations in the next two years. Existing staff in these branches will be reassigned to the dining room while others will be trained to operate the new mechanical assistant.

Next thing we’ll know, robotic cooks will be arguing with unsatisfied customers regarding some extra machine oil topping that they did not ask for. Alfred Bayle/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

New flagship iPhone may be called ‘iPhone Edition’

Last year, Apple said not to expect much from the 2016 iPhone release because they were apparently planning something big for 2017.

Japanese news site Macotara is serving up a dash of new speculations on the 2017 iPhone release and says that the upcoming 5-inch high-end model could be called the “iPhone Edition”, reports 9to5Mac.

According to the report, Apple is said to be testing various flagship prototypes. Some of these models are said to have no Home button while others retain it. Some prototypes apparently also have aluminum, glass and ceramic chassis designs.

Prototype testing is reportedly being carried out alongside engineering validation testing (EVT). However, Apple will need more time to procure materials to proceed with design validation testing and make final decisions. It is because of this that Macotakara claims that the iPhone may have a late release this year.

Other details contained in the Macotakara report mentions a possible OLED display, wireless charging, dual-cameras and a 5-5.1-inch screen real estate.

Finally, Macotakara claims that the iPhone Edition should be announced by September, together with the iPhone 7s and 7s Plus.

Should September actually be the release date of the “iPhone 8″, then that leaves fans quite a lot of time to save up for what should be a major iPhone update. Alfred Bayle/JB

source: technology.inquirer.net

Japan’s ‘fake food’ can be more appetizing than the original

They may look good enough to eat, but Japan’s mouthwatering food replicas are only for show as restaurateurs compete for the attention of hungry customers.

They’re common sights in this food-obsessed nation, with everything from sudsy beers and perfectly glazed sushi to hamburgers and deep-fried pork cutlets, known as tonkatsu, on display.

Making fake food is a craft that Noriyuki Mishima has spent the last six decades perfecting.

“I haven’t counted but I must have made tens of thousands of these dishes,” said the 79-year-old, as he painted a plastic roast of beef.

“The toughest thing is probably getting the color right.”

There are no complex machines or special tools at Hatanaka, an eight-person firm in a Tokyo suburb where veterans like Mishima see themselves as artists.

It’s just simple cutting tools, paint brushes, airbrush guns and drying ovens at the little company with a “Fake Food Hatanaka” sign out front.

They don’t use wax anymore. It’s durable silicone these days, but the practice has otherwise changed little since the first replicas were made in Japan about a century ago.

During the early 1920s, artists producing models of human organs for doctors, were approached by restaurants to do the same thing for the food they wanted to sell.

The idea spread rapidly as eating out soared in popularity and rural people flocked to the cities. Unused to what city restaurants had to offer, the models gave country dwellers and locals alike a quick visual rundown of the chef’s specialities.

Artist’s touch

They’re also a handy point-and-order option for foreign tourists in a country where most menus are in Japanese only.

“Photos don’t really give a sense of volume. The replicas are the actual size, so customers know immediately when they go into a restaurant what to expect, even before they’re served,” said Norihito Hatanaka, who runs the family company which was founded in the mid-sixties.

Hatanaka doesn’t worry much about new technologies, such as 3-D printers, taking over the food replica business.

“3-D printers cannot recreate an artist’s touch and it would ultimately be more expensive because the materials are pricey and you’d still have to keep painting them,” he says.

“It’s a job for humans who have the creativity that machines lack. They don’t know what is beautiful and appetising.”

For veteran Mishima, some of the hardest work is in reproducing raw products like sushi.

“When it’s grilled fish, the characteristic colors are easier to recreate,” he said. “But creating the colour of freshness–that’s tough.”

Any food can be recreated from a silicone mold, whether it’s a spongy cake or sizzling hamburger.

Each bit—bun, meat, tomato, cheese—is made separately before they’re painted and assembled piece by piece.

The last step is a coat of varnish to give food a glistening look sure to catch the eye of peckish passers-by.

But replicas don’t come cheap. A single dish can cost several hundred dollars, so some restaurants rent food model sets by the month for upwards of 6,000 yen ($50).

Bacon headbands

Takizo Iwasaki—whose eponymous firm controls about half the market in Japan—is widely credited for turning faux food into what is now a $90 million business.

It’s not a growth industry, though.

High-end restaurants shun the idea of plastic replicas to display their dishes, and the idea hasn’t caught on much outside Japan.

But Mishima and his colleagues—twenty-something women—don’t think replicas are going to fade into culinary history just yet.

“It’s been a childhood dream to make this fake food,” said employee Asumi Shimodaira, as she worked on a plate of inedible ravioli.

For company president Hatanaka, it’s the action models, like a spaghetti-wrapped fork suspended in air, that are his favorite.

But the firm isn’t content to stick to old recipes. It is pushing into new lines like fake food fashion accessories, such as fruit earrings, fried egg rings and bacon slice headbands.

They also make pieces for those looking for unique footwear or fun window displays. One pair of boots, covered in plastic toast and dripping with fake ice cream and fruit sauce, can sell for 36,000 yen.

“We’re not satisfied just taking the orders from restaurants,” Hatanaka said. “We like to make original creations too.” JB

source: lifestyle.inquirer.net