Geek News

The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope has been a long time in the making when work on its mirrors started in 2007. It's finally coming together, though. The LSST team has released a brief clip showing progress on the Chilean facility as of the end of 2017. Not surprisingly, it's huge -- that giant 3.2-gigapixel camera (potentially the largest in the world) and ultra-wide optics (3.5 degrees in diameter) take up a lot of space by themselves, let alone the rest of the complex. As far as the LSST has come, it has a long way to go. It won't see engineering first light (that is, first actual use) until 2019, and its 10-year survey won't start until January 2022. This is more a preview of what astronomy will be like in the next decade. Between this and the Giant Magellan Telescope , scientists will capture an unprecedented level of detail that promises to reveal elements of the universe that just weren't detectable before. Source: LSST (YouTube) via Engadget RSS Fe...

Samsung has unveiled a sweet-looking Galaxy Note 8 you might never get your hands on. The Korean conglomerate has designed a limited edition version of its extra large phone exclusively for 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics participants. It's fitted with a shiny white back glass to represent snow and wintertime, and it's adorned with a gold Olympics logo and similarly gold accents as inspired by the Olympics torch. Inside, it's still the same Galaxy Note 8 everyone else has, minus the pre-loaded PyeongChang 2018 themed wallpapers. Samsung will distribute 4,000 devices to competing athletes and staff members before the games begin in early February. All Paralympic Winter Games participants will also get cases that feature the Paralympic Games logo to go with their new phones. Since the company has been an Olympic partner for decades, a special edition for the event is par for the course, especially now that the event is being held in its home country. While it's unf...

You don't just have to attend Sacramento Kings games if you're itching to spend some digital money on a pro sports event. Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban has confirmed (both to Bloomberg and on Twitter ) that his basketball team will start accepting bitcoin and ethereum for ticket purchases during the 2018-2019 NBA season. It'll also accept tokens from companies with "business relationships." In short: if you've benefited from the bitcoin boom , you can probably score some courtside seats. The decision isn't coming out of the blue. While Cuban warned that bitcoin was in a bubble back in June, he also invested in it (not to mention a blockchain fund and Unikrn's digital tokens) before 2017 was over. He sees enough of a future in cryptocurrency that it only makes sense for his team to support it. You might not see other teams or leagues rushing to follow suit, but it does represent a vote of confidence for the emerging technology. Next season...

YouTube has been under fire for months over inappropriate content masquerading as kid-friendly videos and popular creators acting out of line . Now, Google has introduced stricter requirements for the video platform's YouTube Partners and Preferred programs over advertiser concerns , which could impact creators' earnings. To start with, Google will now manually vet videos and ensure they meet its ad-friendly guidelines before adding them to Preferred, a program that offers advertisers access to the top 5 percent content on the platform. Creators part of Preferred get more per click than their counterparts and have bigger earning potential. The program was recently thrust into the spotlight when it booted popular YouTuber Paul Logan from its roster. Logan was slammed for posting a video showing him and his friends laughing and making jokes upon coming across a body in Aokigahara, Japan's "suicide forest," and claiming that his video was meant to raise mental...

Someone might have just spoiled Motorola's 2018 in a big way. Droid Life has posted a trio of leaks which, if accurate, hint at some big changes to the Lenovo brand's smartphone lineup. The headliner would be the Moto X5, and it's not hard to see why: the device reportedly includes a 5.9-inch, 18:9 aspect ratio display with an iPhone X -style notch. There's no visible fingerprint reader, for that matter, so the X5 is either relying on face detection (the dual front cameras could help with this) or has a fingerprint reader tucked under the screen . The X5 wouldn't lean solely on its screen as its selling point: there would also be a "smart AI" helping out, and dual rear cameras to complement those on the front. Not that the X would hog all the clever ideas. The Moto Z3 and Z3 Play would have tall, curved 6-inch screens but no notch (they'd be closer to the Galaxy S8). Instead, they'd rely on MotoMod support as their selling point -- there wo...

Like the thought of switching payment methods for a purchase long after you've left the store ? You now have a chance to try it. Curve has launched its smart card in the UK, letting you not only consolidate your credit cards (currently just Mastercard) and debit cards, but switch between them for payments up to 2 weeks after the transaction. If you know you're going to hit your credit limit, for instance, you can switch a purchase to debit to give yourself some breathing room. The companion mobile app also adds a slight twist to the smart card formula by placing an emphasis on financial management. You should have a better sense of your spending habits, and you can lock cards if need be. Curve is promising that you can use your cards overseas without currency exchange fees or other unstated costs. It's currently free to sign up for a Curve card, although spending £50 for Premium promises additional rewards. Just be ready to wait, especially if you're outside of th...

Facebook's Watch tab won't just be chock-full of sports shows and gaming culture . The social site has ordered 10 episodes of Sacred Lies , an adaptation of the Stephanie Oakes novel The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly (which, in turn, is an adaptation of the Grimm Brothers' The Handless Maiden ). The show revolves around a handless teen who escapes from a cult and is believed to know who killed the cult leader. It's an intriguing (if not completely original) premise -- and importantly, there's an appropriate pedigree. The show will be executive produced by Raelle Tucker (shown above) and Scott Winant, who respectively produced and directed True Blood . Winant will also direct the first two episodes. While this is definitely different than True Blood , the reunion might bode well for Sacred Lies . The two also have strong backgrounds elsewhere: Tucker executive produces Netflix's Jessica Jones and has worked on Supernatural , while Winant has worked on everythi...

Despite Tesla's lead on the electric vehicle market, large automakers spent 2017 announcing they will transition their gas-powered car models to EVs. But other companies selling more elite vehicles are also throwing their hat in the ring. At NAIAS in Detroit, Ferrari stated it will build its own electric sportscar seven years after its previous president vowed the company would never build an EV. "If there is an electric supercar to be built, then Ferrari will be the first," Ferrari Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne told reporters, according to Bloomberg. "People are amazed at what Tesla did with a supercar: I'm not trying to minimize what Elon did but I think it's doable by all of us." Despite Marchionne's aspiration to be first past the post, Aston Martin and Volkswagen both claimed in 2017 to already be developing their own electric supercars. Ferrari didn't announce any details about its future EV, but its model will almost...

Quirky adventure game Night in the Woods is a finalist for three awards in the upcoming Independent Games Festival : the Seumas McNally grand prize, visual art and narrative categories. Now it's coming to Nintendo's Switch console this February 1st, a year after its initial release on Mac, Windows, Linux and PlayStation 4. The title is slated for a mobile release this year, as well. Good news, everyone - @NightInTheWoods is coming to the Nintendo Switch on February 1st! (US eShop date will be fixed shortly) https://t.co/5sEV7fV3qG — Finji @ PAX South (@FinjiCo) January 16, 2018 The game itself is witty as heck, with a young cat protagonist named Mae Borowski who drops out of college and returns to her hometown, which seems to be dealing with some mysterious events. The game deals with some pretty serious themes like mental illness, friendships and decaying small towns with relentless charm. If you haven't already grabbed a copy, the Switch version could be your ...

Over the last week or so we've seen some wild concepts from Nissan at CES ( IMx ) and NAIAS ( Xmotion ), but as usual, its Leaf EV is quietly a story as well. The revamped electric vehicle is weeks away from going on sale, and the company tells Engadget that there are already 13,000 pre-orders. With a newly-extended range capable of 150 miles on a charge, its price starts at less than $30k (before any tax credit) for the base model and buyers can actually expect to receive one in 2018. Of course, there's the conundrum of another model due next year with even more range, but according to Nissan, this balances the range people wanted with a similar price to the original, and is enough to cover standard commuting. Meanwhile, the XMotion concept serves as a design exercise that combines the company's Japanese heritage and traditional materials with new technology. In the middle of the crossover SUV there's a wooden console using "traditional Japanese architectur...

Yesterday, Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer said that Senate Democrats now have a total of 50 votes in favor of restoring net neutrality . Today, the push back against the net neutrality repeal intensifies, as a companion House bill to reject the FCC's repeal now has 80 co-sponsors. What's more, 22 state attorneys general have also filed a lawsuit to block it from happening. The companion House bill is by Rep. Mike Doyle of Pennsylvania and is designed to accompany the "resolution of disapproval" sent in by Senator Ed Markey (D-Massachusetts). Under the Congressional Review Act (CRA), the resolution needs simple majorities in both the Senate and the House of Representatives to pass Congress, though there's also a chance a veto could override that (which itself could be overrode). The attorney general lawsuit, on the other hand, was brought by Eric T. Schneiderman of New York, who said to the New York Times that the net neutrality repeal would turn inter...

US Representative Jerry McNerney sent a letter to Intel , AMD and ARM today requesting a briefing on the Meltdown and Spectre vulnerabilities and the companies' handling of them. McNerney, a California representative and member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, said, "I am looking to better understand the nature of these critical vulnerabilities, the danger they pose to consumers and what steps your companies plan to take to protect consumers." The Meltdown and Spectre security flaws were brought to everyone's attention earlier this month and a number of companies have released patches to address the exploits . Intel, which has promised to patch all recent chips by the end of the month , is now facing a number of lawsuits over the bugs. Along with requesting a briefing, Representative McNerney also listed a handful of issues that the companies should be able to address. Those include questions about how consumers will be impacted by Spectre and Melt...

Bringing broadband internet access to rural areas has been an ongoing , long-term effort, but millions of Americans, including over a third of rural citizens according to 2016 reports , still don't have the option. Today FCC Chairman Ajit Pai proposed an order that would put $500 million in funding towards closing the broadband gap , institute new regulations aimed at preventing abuse of the Connect America Fund and promote broadband access in tribal lands. "We need more deployment in sparsely populated rural areas if we're going to extend digital opportunity to all Americans," Pai said in a statement . "But I've heard from community leaders, Congress and carriers that insufficient, unpredictable funding has kept them from reaching this goal. With the $500 million in new funding provided by this order, we'll boost broadband deployment in rural America and put our high-cost system on a more efficient path, helping to ensure that every American can benef...

While most movies and TV shows on Amazon Channels are available on demand, a few of them can be watched live at the same time they're broadcast on traditional TV. If you use a Fire TV stick to watch television and movies on the big screen, you might now see a new row of available live programming called On Now in the newly available channel guide. The On Now row appears at the top of the guide and shows all the programming available to you live, provided you're a subscriber to HBO, Showtime, Starz or Cinemax. The channel guide also lets you browse all of the shows and movies you can watch in the future, just like a standard cable TV guide. Simply press the Options hamburger button on the Alexa Voice Remote while you're watching live TV to access the guide. All the channels you've favorited will show up at the top, too. You can also do the same thing with your voice, either with the microphone button on your Alexa Voice Remote or via a connected Echo device. "...

Microsoft's Xbox Elite controller is pricey, but arguably the go-to choice for Xbox One owners who want a gamepad that fits their exact needs. And apparently, there's enough demand to merit a sequel. Multiple leaks appear to have uncovered a new Elite controller that builds on lessons learned from the first model. If the tips are accurate, it would include Bluetooth (to painlessly connect to your PC), a USB-C wired connection, an Apple MagSafe -style charging connector on the back and a built-in battery instead of disposables. And naturally, there are more tweaks for players who want their controls just so . To begin with, the new details suggests that an earlier leak showing the whole controller (from Reddit's EDDS86, below) is accurate: it'd have new grips that make sure your hands are steady in frantic sessions. The new scoops also suggest there will be a three-profile switch, three-level hair trigger locks and adjustable stick tension. Microsoft had applied fo...

Lamborghini's Urus is more than just an absurdly overpowered SUV, it's packed with technology both on the entertainment and safety sides too. That means along with its 650 horsepower twin-turbo aluminum 4.0 liter V8 ( whew ) you also have the option for a pair of Android Auto tablets mounted to the back of the driver and passenger seats. Oh, and there's a digital instrument cluster as well, which will either make keeping it under the 305 KMH (189.5 MPH) top speed easier or harder, depending on your driving style. The driver and front-seat passenger aren't left out in terms of tech either. Urus also features Lamborghini's third-generation infotainment system which appears on two screens. Navigation, phone interfaces (both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are supported) and car status data are presented on the center console display. The lower-mounted screen offers a keyboard and a handwriting-capable screen for adjusting climate control and the ride's heated s...

Comcast is rolling out some new gaming options for its X1 set-top box users. Multichannel News reports that Jackbox Games has begun to show up on X1 this month with two gaming packages being offered. Jackbox Party Packs 3 and 4 are available for $25 each and include games like Quiplash , Trivia Murder Party , Fibbage and Monster Seeking Monster . To purchase the multiplayer game packages, look for the Jackbox Games app on your X1 or say "Jackbox Games" into your Voice Remote. Once you buy the package, instructions will pop up telling you how to access it. Though new to X1, Jackbox's games have been available on a number of other platforms including PS4, Xbox One, Steam, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, PCs and others. Gaming packages will show up on customers' Comcast cable bills and users should note that playing the games on X1 will count towards their monthly internet data usage and Jackbox Games purchased on other platforms cannot b...

If you get excited by cool vinyl video game soundtracks like we do, you're in luck. Mondo, the company behind the amazing Contra vinyl and that fantastic The Last of Us box set, has just partnered with Ubisoft on Far Cry 5 . Starting today, January 16th, you can pre-order the " Far Cry 5 x Mondo Edition" of the game for $100. The special edition is set to release alongside the title itself on March 27th of this year for PC, PS4 and Xbox One. There are only 4,000 of these units available worldwide, so if you're interested, you'll probably want to jump on it. You'll get the title itself in an attractive, durable SteelBook case designed by the creative director of Mondo, Jay Shaw, a vinyl record with the original Far Cry 5 soundtrack, a code for the digital version and a nice little box to hold it all in with an illustration of the game's main villain Joseph Seed. You'll also receive special in-game cosmetic and consumable items in the Doomsday Pr...

Apple is still struggling to improve working conditions at its suppliers . Both China Labor Watch and Bloomberg report that Catcher, a key supplier for iPhone and MacBook casings, makes workers endure harsh safety conditions and unfair work terms in a factory in Suqian. According to observers and discussions with workers, the machines are not only loud, but spray fluid and metallic particles that frequently hit workers' faces (only some of which have access to safety goggles and gloves). Workers suffer health issues such as vision problems, irritation and discoloration. Beyond this, the facility reportedly pumps out wastewater that violates local safety levels, and workers return to cold dorms with no hot water or built-in showers. CLW adds that the work requirements run afoul of local laws. Factory staff are legally supposed to work 40-hour weeks, but they're actually made to work 10 hours a day for 6 days each week. The scheduling approach also conveniently lets Catcher ...

Sony has released two new versions of the PS4 Pro that will be available exclusively at GameStop this month. The consoles are the Limited Edition Monster Hunter PS4 Pro Bundle for $450, available starting January 26th (when the game launches), and the Glacier White PS4 Pro for $400, sometime around the end of the month. If you're in Canada, look for the Glacier White edition at EB Games for $500 CAD. The bundle features a Monster Hunter: World PS4 Pro console, a red matching DualShock 4 wireless controller, and the Blu-ray disc of the game plus digital content. The Glacier White PS4 Pro includes just the console and matching controller. The white console was previously available as part of the Destiny 2 bundle . Sony has made it clear that both of these consoles will have very limited availability, so if you're interested in snagging one, it's best to move fast. Source: Sony via Engadget RSS Feed "http://ift.tt/2FKhrie"