Agrivoltaics: The Future of Sustainable Farming

As the world's population continues to grow, the demand for food and energy is also increasing. Finding sustainable solutions to meet these demands is becoming more and more critical. Agrivoltaics, the practice of combining agriculture with solar energy production, is emerging as a promising solution that can benefit both farmers and the environment.

 
What is Agrivoltaics?
Agrivoltaics, also known as solar farming or agrophotovoltaics, is the practice of using solar panels to generate electricity while also allowing crops or other vegetation to grow underneath. The panels are mounted on a frame that is elevated above the crops, providing shade and protection from the elements. The electricity generated can either be used on-site or sold back to the grid.

Benefits of Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics has several benefits for both farmers and the environment. For farmers, it provides an additional source of income through the sale of electricity, while also protecting their crops from extreme weather conditions like hail and frost. The shade provided by the solar panels can also help reduce evaporation and keep the soil moist, reducing the need for irrigation.

From an environmental perspective, agrivoltaics can help reduce the amount of land needed for solar energy production, as well as reduce the environmental impact of traditional agriculture. The shade provided by the panels can help reduce soil erosion, and the vegetation can help absorb excess water, reducing the risk of flooding.

Examples of Agrivoltaics
Agrivoltaics is still a relatively new practice, but it is gaining momentum around the world. In the United States, a project in Massachusetts combines the production of berries with the generation of solar energy. In Japan, a project combines the production of vegetables with the generation of solar energy. In India, a project combines the production of wheat with the generation of solar energy.

Challenges of Agrivoltaics
While agrivoltaics has many benefits, there are also some challenges that need to be addressed. One of the biggest challenges is the cost of the technology. The cost of solar panels has been declining in recent years, but it is still relatively expensive. Another challenge is the need for specialized equipment and expertise to install and maintain the panels.

In conclusion, agrivoltaics is a promising solution for sustainable farming and renewable energy production. It has many benefits for farmers and the environment, and has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about agriculture and energy. While there are still challenges that need to be addressed, the future of agrivoltaics looks bright.

Neuralink: The Future of Brain-Computer Interfaces

In recent years, advances in neuroscience and computer technology have led to the development of brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), which allow individuals to control computers and other devices using their thoughts. However, most BCIs require invasive surgical procedures to implant electrodes into the brain, which can be risky and expensive. This is where Neuralink comes in, a company founded by Elon Musk with the goal of creating a non-invasive, high-bandwidth interface between the human brain and computers.

 
Neuralink's technology is based on the development of flexible threads that are thinner than a human hair and can be implanted into the brain using a robot surgeon. These threads contain electrodes that can detect and record neural activity, as well as stimulate neurons to influence brain activity. The threads are then connected to a wearable device called the "Link" that communicates wirelessly with a computer or smartphone.

One of the potential applications of Neuralink's technology is to treat neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, and spinal cord injuries. By detecting and stimulating neural activity, the technology could help restore lost motor function and reduce the symptoms of these conditions. Another application is to enhance human cognition and memory by enabling the brain to interface directly with computers and artificial intelligence systems.

However, the implications of Neuralink's technology are not just limited to medical and scientific advancements. It has the potential to transform the way we interact with technology and each other. Imagine being able to control your smartphone or computer using your thoughts, or communicate with someone across the world without speaking or typing. The possibilities are endless.

Of course, there are also ethical and privacy concerns that need to be addressed. For example, who will have access to the data collected by Neuralink's technology? Will it be used for commercial or military purposes? What are the long-term effects of having electrodes implanted in the brain?

Despite these concerns, Neuralink represents a major step forward in the development of brain-computer interfaces. While the technology is still in its early stages, it has the potential to revolutionize the way we think about our brains and their interactions with the world around us.

In conclusion, Neuralink's brain-machine interface technology has the potential to revolutionize the way humans interact with technology and could have a significant impact on our society in the years to come. While there are valid concerns about the ethical implications of merging humans and machines, the potential benefits of this technology cannot be ignored. As the technology continues to develop and become more widely adopted, it will be fascinating to see how it transforms our world and the way we think about the relationship between humans and machines.

What Is JDAM?

JDAM stands for Joint Direct Attack Munition, which is a guidance kit that converts unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions. It is designed to increase the accuracy and effectiveness of air-to-ground weapons, allowing pilots to strike targets with greater precision and reduce collateral damage.

The JDAM kit consists of a tail section that contains a GPS guidance system, inertial measurement unit, and control surfaces. The kit is attached to the tail of an unguided bomb, such as a Mk 82 or Mk 84, to provide guidance and steering to the bomb. The JDAM kit can be installed on a variety of aircraft, including the F-15, F-16, F/A-18, and B-52.

Once the JDAM-equipped bomb is released from the aircraft, the GPS guidance system uses satellite signals to determine the bomb's position and trajectory, allowing it to guide itself to the intended target. The control surfaces on the tail of the bomb allow it to steer and adjust its trajectory as it approaches the target, increasing accuracy and reducing the likelihood of collateral damage.

JDAM has been used in a variety of military conflicts, including the Gulf War, Iraq War, and Afghanistan War. It has proven to be a highly effective and accurate weapon system, allowing pilots to strike targets with precision and reduce the risk to civilian populations.

Basic Components of a Typical Landmine

Landmine are explosive devices that are designed to be detonated when pressure is applied to them, such as when a person steps on them. There are several types of landmines, each with its own technology and design. Here are the basic components of a typical landmine:

1. Outer casing: The outer casing of a landmine is usually made of metal or plastic and is designed to withstand pressure and protect the explosive components inside.
2. Explosive material: The explosive material used in a landmine can vary, but it is typically a high explosive, such as TNT or RDX. The amount of explosive used depends on the intended use of the mine.
3. Firing mechanism: The firing mechanism of a landmine is designed to detonate the explosive when pressure is applied to the mine. Some landmines use a simple pressure plate, while others use a more sophisticated mechanism, such as a tripwire or magnetic sensor.
4. Arming mechanism: The arming mechanism of a landmine is designed to prevent the mine from detonating until it is deployed in the field. This may include a safety pin or a combination lock that must be disarmed before the mine can be triggered.
5. Anti-tamper features: Many modern landmines include anti-tamper features, such as self-destruct mechanisms or booby traps, to prevent them from being disarmed or moved without detonating.

It is important to note that landmines are highly dangerous and can cause serious injury or death. They are often used in military conflicts but can also be used in terrorist attacks or for illegal purposes. Many countries have signed treaties to ban or restrict the use of landmine due to their devastating impact on civilians and the long-term environmental and economic consequences.

Singapore's Strategic Military Strength

Singapore is a small island nation located in Southeast Asia that has established itself as a strategic military power in the region. Despite its small size and population, Singapore has built a strong military that is capable of defending itself against potential threats.

Background

Singapore gained independence from Malaysia in 1965 and became a sovereign nation. It faced many challenges during its early years, including the threat of communist insurgency and diplomatic isolation. To overcome these challenges, Singapore's government focused on developing its economy and building a strong military to defend the nation.

Over the years, Singapore has invested heavily in its defense capabilities, and its military has become one of the most advanced and well-equipped in the region. The country's military strength is based on its ability to leverage its strategic location, invest in advanced technology, and maintain a highly trained and motivated military force.

Strategic Location

Singapore's strategic location has played a significant role in its military strength. Located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, Singapore controls the narrow Strait of Malacca, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world. This strategic location makes Singapore a critical hub for trade and commerce, and it also provides the country with a natural defense barrier.

Singapore has also established partnerships and alliances with other countries in the region to enhance its strategic position. The country is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and has a strong partnership with the United States. Singapore also maintains close ties with other countries in the region, including Australia, Japan, and India.

Investment in Technology

Singapore's military strength is also based on its investment in advanced technology. The country has one of the highest defense budgets in the region, and it has used this funding to acquire the latest military hardware and technology.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has a strong focus on research and development, and it has developed advanced military systems, such as the Leopard 2A4 main battle tank and the F-15SG fighter jet. The country has also invested in cyber defense capabilities and has established a Cyber Security Agency to protect against cyber threats.

Highly Trained Military Force

Singapore's military strength is also due to its highly trained and motivated military force. The country has a mandatory conscription policy, which requires all male citizens and permanent residents to serve in the military for two years. This policy has helped to create a large pool of trained personnel, and it has also instilled a strong sense of national pride and loyalty among Singaporeans.

The SAF places a strong emphasis on training and professionalism, and it has developed a reputation for being one of the best-trained military forces in the world. The country also has a strong reserve force, which can be mobilized quickly in the event of a crisis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Singapore's strategic military strength is based on its ability to leverage its strategic location, invest in advanced technology, and maintain a highly trained and motivated military force. The country's military has become one of the most advanced and well-equipped in the region, and it plays a critical role in maintaining regional stability and security.

Singapore's commitment to defense and its strong partnerships and alliances with other countries in the region have helped to create a stable and secure environment in Southeast Asia. As the region continues to grow and evolve, Singapore's military strength will remain a critical factor in maintaining regional stability and security.

Facebook vs TikTok vs Twitter: Which Platform is Right for You?

Introduction:

Social media has become an integral part of our daily lives. With so many platforms to choose from, it can be challenging to determine which platform is right for you. In this blog post, we will compare three popular social media platforms, Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter, to help you decide which one is best for you.

Facebook:

Facebook is one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide, with over 2.8 billion active users. It is a platform where users can connect with friends and family, join groups, and share content such as photos and videos. Facebook is also an excellent platform for businesses to market their products and services.

Facebook's features include a newsfeed, messenger, groups, pages, and ads. Facebook's newsfeed allows users to see posts from friends, family, and pages they follow. Facebook messenger is a messaging platform where users can send messages, make voice and video calls, and share files. Facebook groups allow users to join or create groups centered around specific interests, while pages are for businesses and organizations to promote their products and services.

TikTok:

TikTok is a social media platform that has rapidly gained popularity, especially among younger audiences. It is a video-sharing app that allows users to create and share short videos with a range of effects, filters, and music. TikTok has over 1 billion active users worldwide and is an excellent platform for users who want to express themselves creatively.

TikTok's features include a newsfeed that shows short videos from creators users follow, the ability to search for videos by hashtags, and the ability to create and edit videos with a variety of tools and effects. Users can also engage with other users' content by liking, commenting, and sharing videos.

Twitter:

Twitter is a microblogging platform that allows users to share short messages known as tweets. Twitter has over 330 million active users worldwide and is a platform for users who want to stay up to date with news and trending topics. It is also an excellent platform for businesses and organizations to engage with customers and promote their products and services.

Twitter's features include a newsfeed that shows tweets from users users follow, the ability to search for tweets by hashtags, and the ability to engage with other users' tweets by liking, commenting, and retweeting. Twitter also has features such as moments, lists, and fleets that allow users to curate and share content with their followers.

Which Platform is Right for You?

Choosing the right social media platform depends on your interests and goals. If you want to connect with friends and family and stay up to date with news and current events, Facebook and Twitter are excellent platforms. If you are interested in creative expression and want to share short videos with a younger audience, TikTok may be the platform for you.

For businesses and organizations, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok all have their advantages. Facebook is an excellent platform for targeting specific demographics and promoting products and services. Twitter is a great platform for engaging with customers and promoting products and services in real-time. TikTok is a platform for brands to create viral marketing campaigns and engage with younger audiences.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, each social media platform has its unique features and advantages. Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter are all popular social media platforms with different purposes and audiences. Choosing the right platform depends on your interests and goals. Whether you want to connect with friends and family, express yourself creatively, or promote your business, there is a social media platform for you.

Latest AI Chip Design

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly advancing and becoming more sophisticated, and the latest AI chip designs are a testament to that. AI chips are designed to accelerate the processing of AI algorithms and enable more efficient and effective execution of AI tasks. The latest AI chip designs are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in terms of performance and power efficiency.

One of the most exciting developments in AI chip design is the integration of artificial neural networks (ANNs) directly onto the chip. ANNs are modeled after the structure and function of the human brain and are used in deep learning, which is a key area of AI research. By integrating ANNs onto the chip, AI systems can perform tasks such as object recognition and natural language processing much more quickly and efficiently.

Another notable trend in AI chip design is the use of field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). FPGAs are reconfigurable integrated circuits that can be programmed to perform specific tasks. They are highly versatile and can be used in a wide range of applications, including AI. FPGAs are ideal for AI because they can be reprogrammed to optimize performance for specific tasks, making them highly flexible and efficient.

The latest AI chip designs are also focused on power efficiency. AI algorithms are highly complex and require significant computational power, which can result in high power consumption. The latest AI chips are designed to be much more power-efficient, allowing AI systems to perform complex tasks while consuming less energy.

Finally, AI chip designs are also focused on increasing the speed of AI tasks. As AI systems become more advanced, the amount of data they need to process increases, which can lead to significant delays. The latest AI chips are designed to process data much more quickly, allowing AI systems to make decisions in real-time.

In conclusion, the latest AI chip designs are pushing the boundaries of what's possible in terms of performance, power efficiency, and speed. These advances will have a significant impact on the future of AI, enabling more advanced and sophisticated AI systems that can perform complex tasks more efficiently and effectively. As AI continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more exciting developments in AI chip design.

Does Su 57 Being More Superior Than F 22?

It's difficult to definitively say whether the Su-57 is more superior than the F-22, as both aircraft have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Additionally, there is limited public information available on the capabilities of the Su-57, as it is still in development and not yet widely deployed.

That being said, here are some general comparisons between the two aircraft:

1. Stealth capabilities: Both the Su-57 and F-22 have stealth capabilities that make them difficult to detect by radar. However, the F-22 is considered to have a more advanced and effective stealth design.
2. Avionics and sensors: The F-22 has advanced avionics and sensors, including a powerful radar system and a sophisticated electronic warfare suite. The Su-57 is also equipped with advanced sensors, but the exact capabilities are not yet known.
3. Maneuverability: The Su-57 is said to have excellent maneuverability, with advanced thrust vectoring engines that allow it to perform complex aerial maneuvers. The F-22 is also highly maneuverable, but some experts believe that the Su-57 may have an advantage in this area.
4. Weapon systems: Both aircraft are equipped with advanced weapon systems, including air-to-air missiles and air-to-ground weapons. The exact capabilities of the Su-57's weapons are not yet known, but some experts believe that it may have a more advanced missile system than the F-22.

Overall, it is difficult to say which aircraft is more superior without detailed information on the capabilities of the Su-57. However, it is likely that both aircraft will continue to be important players in the world of military aviation for years to come.

DJI’s Avata, DJI Latest Drone

DJI has launch their latest product line in FPV drones named Avata. DJI’s Avata is a smaller, more nimble version of its full-sized FPV drone. The small form factor and ducted propellers allowed me to get much closer to subjects without any worries of injuring them if things went wrong. The Avata’s compact size makes it much lighter, and the ducted props stop it from slicing up any people in its flight path which actually much safer to fly around people and less likely to do damage when crashed..

FPV drones have always been about delivering next-level flight characteristics and footage. These nimble drones broadcast the feed from an onboard camera to the pilot’s goggles. The experience puts you in the proverbial pilot’s seat of the drone.

This ability to fly through small gaps and around people makes the footage much more relatable to the viewer and sometimes referred to as “cinewhoops,” with their slower top speed and smoother flight characteristics prioritizing more relaxed flights over acrobatic movements like flips and rolls.

DJI is really pushing to sell the Avata with its motion controller instead of the conventional controller; the former feels comparable to a joystick for a flight simulator, only with no physical connection. While the goal is to make it more approachable to new pilots, the motion controller felt very muddy and slow.

It’s easy to set up, easy to fly, and components are inexpensive to replace. Once the goggles, controller, and drone are all paired together, all you really need to do is keep the batteries charged.

Another big positive with the Avata is the high-quality video feed coming into the goggles. DJI’s goggles display a high-definition video feed from the drone, giving a clear preview of what’s ahead of the drone and what need to avoid—especially useful when flying through the dense woods.

Avata can shoot video at 4K 60 fps, and 2.7K 120 fps (good for slow motion)—it can also shoot 48-megapixel photos. The Avata can also capture the same top-down style videos/ photos that you’d expect from a Mavic; throw it in normal mode, lower the camera, and you’re in business. It need really fast memory cards. DJI’s list of accepted micro SD cards requires a write speed of above 30 mb/s.

One brand make to the top of MicroSD Cards world.

These day we use a lot of data. These data need to be saved and reused. Despite many devices coming with high levels of built-in storage these days, microSD cards remain an in-demand accessory for many electronics enthusiasts. These MicroSD memory cards allow users to add more storage to various electronics, to save data separate from a host device, and to transfer data from one machine to another. 

Install yours in your camera, drone, video game console, smartphone, and more. For their small size, microSD cards are one powerhouse accessory.

What specifications that need to consider?

Capacity: 

These days, capacity options range from 16 gigabytes to 1 terabyte, but what capacity you need depends on your use case. A microSD card with a smaller storage capacity might be ideal for an Android smartphone that just needs a little extra storage or an infrequently used point-and-shoot camera for quickly transferring images to your computer. Meanwhile, a microSD card with more storage might be ideal for a DSLR camera or a professional-grade drone.

Many average users can play in the 128 to 512-gigabyte space. It’s rare that you will need to go beyond that unless you’re a professional who knows what you’re doing or you’re willing to spend the money on more capacity.

Any Single Board Computer (SBC) like Raspberry Pi and others also use microSD as their expanded data storage.

Speed Classes: 

The Speed Class (SC) refers to the write speed of a microSD card, or how long it takes for a file to save to the card. The current standard is C10 (Class 10), which offers a minimum write speed of 10 megabytes per second. Practically speaking, today’s microSD cards far exceed this amount. Higher rates are U1 and U3. Lower rates are virtually obsolete at this point.

The Video Speed Class is a newer standard for write speed that allows for the highest resolution images and video. There are five Classes—V6, V10, V30, V60, and V90—offering write speeds between 6 to 90 megabytes per second. V30 and higher, which support 4K and 8K video, tend to be more common.

Application Performance Class: 

The Application Performance Class (APC) determines how fast and well a microSD card can communicate with and transfer data to and from a device. This metric is especially important for electronics that use apps, such as smartphones and computers. The ratings are A1 and A2, with the latter performing more than twice as fast as the first standard.

Formats and Transfer Speeds: 

There are other nuances in microSD cards to consider, such as SDHC versus SDXC formats. MicroSDHC stands for Secure Digital High Capacity; this format includes lower capacity cards, up to 32 gigabytes. MicroSDXC stands for Secure Digital Extra Capacity. As you might guess, this format is for cards with higher capacity, between 32 gigabytes and 2 terabytes. It’s not simply a matter of capacity, though. Certain tech is only compatible with certain card types, so make sure your microSD card will work in the device you need it to. MicroSDXC cards are more common, though microSDHC options are often still available and can often be cheaper.

So... what is the brand that I suggest?

1. Samsung Evo Select with Adapter 128GB

2. Sandisk Ultra 128 GB

3. KINGSTON Canvas Go! Plus 128GB

4. PNY Pro Elite 1TB

5. LEXAR 1000x 128GB

6. KINGSTON Canvas React Plus with Adapters 128GB

Ukraine Starlink Satellite Internet Is Now In Danger

Earlier this year, SpaceX has been bolstered Ukraine’s war effort with about 20,000 of its Starlink satellite-internet terminals. It cost SpaceX around USD 80 million and it will exceed USD 100 million by the end of the year.

SpaceX’s Starlink donations are costing the company $20 million a month. “In addition to terminals, we have to create, launch, maintain & replenish satellites & ground stations & pay telcos for access to Internet via gateways,” he said. “We’ve also had to defend against cyberattacks & jamming, which are getting harder.”

Now, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is saying his company cannot continue paying for the service. Musk said that the Pentagon should fund any future terminals and service, Musk wrote a letter in  September 8 to the US Department of Defense (DoD).

The Hawthorne, California-based space company has been providing Starlink satellite internet terminals and services since last spring. Since then, the Starlink service has proven pivotal in Ukraine’s fight against Russia, as Moscow’s targeted attacks have destroyed regular cellular phone and internet networks there. Ukraine’s military uses the satellites to stay in communication, while organizing the fight against Russian troop incursions.

Based on what SpaceX estimates a USD 124 million cost for more terminals and ongoing service costs between now and the end of the year. A full year would cost around USD 380 million, according to the letter.

How Can F1 Cars Go Very Fast?

Aerodynamics

In every practical sense, Formula 1 cars are topsy turvy airplanes. While the wings of a plane give lift, F1 carss use the contrary impact — called downforce — to keep them adhered to the track. Be that as it may, it means quite a bit to track down the right harmony among downforce and drag.

Downforce is perfect, as it pushes down on the tires to keep the car adhered to the track. Having said that, F1 cars produce more downforce as they speed up, which can dial them back on straightaways. This gives aerodynamicists a huge cerebral pain, as they need to boost straight-line speed while keeping up with adequate downforce for the corners.

Groups normally got around this peculiarity by building front wings that flex at the very high velocities you'd anticipate on straightaways. While the wing flexes, it diminishes its approach, taking into account all the more straight-line speed from the vehicle at the expense of less downforce.

Fortunately, F1 thought of another arrangement called the Drag Reduction System (DRS) — first carried out during the 2011 season. It brought down one of the folds in the back wing at the press of a button to diminish the drag and downforce. During the race, there are sure zones where drivers can enact DRS when they are something like one second behind the car in front.

Material Science

Formula 1 cars should be areas of strength for inconceivably being heavy. For this reason most of parts on an Formula 1 cars are made totally out of carbon fiber — a material that was first made for use in racing cars.

In any case, these parts dissipated all through the vehicle need to adapt to immensely unique strength and temperature prerequisites. Carbon fiber is made by winding around carbon "filaments" and holding them together in a resin. Teams can play with carbon-fiber layups — various weaves — as well as various resin to advance the thermal and underlying respectability of various parts. Team are continuously endeavoring to make parts that are precisely essentially serious areas of strength for as they should be. Excessively solid and they'll burden the car pointlessly; excessively feeble, and they'll fizzle.

Tires

Being the quickest racing cars on the planet, Formula 1 vehicles need tires that can adapt to outrageous cornering powers and similarly savage impetus from the motor. To offer some viewpoint, F1 vehicles use turbocharged 1.6-liter mixture motors that wrench out an expected 1,000 strength and 500 ft-lb of force; they additionally have enough downforce to produce up to four Gs in the corners.

Right away, you'll probably see that F1 cars utilize smooth tires (with practically no tread) that are a lot more extensive than those in any street cars. This absence of tread takes into account more everything to become real — consequently expanding footing. That is perfect, however these race-explicit tires produce close to no hold when they're cold. F1 racing elastic rubber is intended to work at a lot higher temperatures from the outrageous burdens they experience during a racing lap.

A ton of the F1 tire's performance has to do with its elastic compound, which is a lot stickier (and subsequently less solid) than you'd track down on a street vehicle. While the tires on your street cars are made to endure, Formula 1 elastic will not really come to the furthest limit of a race — drivers are expected to make a refueling break (pit stop).

The World’s First Under-Display Selfie Camera

Latest mobile phone from ZTE unveiled the new technology for world first under-display selfie camera.

The Axon 20 teardown shows us how ZTE is actually using two screens stacked on top of one another (a small, square, and low-resolution one on top of the selfie cam and the OLED top panel) to let the under-display camera peer out toward the user from beneath the top layer display.

It’s a first-gen device, but it’s undoubtedly a signal of where phone design will go in the future, as companies aim to preserve the edge-to-edge display without compromising on notches and cutouts for things like selfie cams and fingerprint scanners.

Simplest Crab Trap In The World

Fishing need skill and technology. Therefore here on YouTube, there a one simplest crab trap technique that I think everyone could copy it and make it useful.

Try one now to catch yourself a crab

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Go Surfing, Big Waves Is Coming

Let get wet... Go surfing right now. Small or big waves that anyone can handled.

"PUMPED' is a 13 minute insight into the Surf Lakes R&D facility near Yeppoon in Queensland, Australia. 

After making waves for a couple of year and the constant process of testing and refining them, In August 2020 we gathered a slew of Australia's best surfers (in a Covid safe manner of course!) to ride the new set up and share their honest & unbridled opinions and feedback.

Enjoy 'PUMPED' and if you like what you see head to the website - www.surf-lakes.com.au and learn more! If you would like to develop one for your town or community check the SURF LAKES CORPORATE  on the home page.

It's not just about riding the waves for us, it's about changing communities with the positive impact that surfing can bring and doing it with guaranteed offshore conditions with waves to suit all levels ALL AT THE SAME TIME!

DJI Being Listed As No-Go In USA

Even though Donald Trump has been ousted from the Oval Office, the US policies is still the same. All policies on China is still intact including any Chinese based technology that were used by Chinese Military.

Drone technology is also not spared.

DJI, one of the largest and most popular drone companies in the world has been added to the US Department of Commerce’s Entity List, designating the Chinese company as a national security concern and banning US-based companies from exporting technology to the company.

The ban was put in place through the same mechanism as the US government’s ongoing ban on Huawei products, and is primarily focused on blocking the export of US technology to the drone-maker. As such, the ban will make it difficult for US businesses to provide parts or components for DJI to use in its drones, which is likely to disrupt the company’s supply chain. 

It may also make it difficult for US stores to directly sell DJI products or transact with the company, particularly if China responds to the action with further restrictions.

The filing also allows for a “case-by-case review for items necessary to detect identify and treat infectious disease; presumption of denial for all other items.” It is unclear which of DJI’s drones and drone accessories might qualify for this exemption, if any.

The new additions to the entity list came alongside a more specific action against China’s Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation, or SMIC, which was listed in response to purported ties between the company and the Chinese military.

But the United States government has also cited several concerns in the past over security issues with the drones, which are largely made in China and contain Chinese parts. The Department of the Interior has announced plans to ground its drone fleet as it reviews whether there are any major security concerns of Chinese spying or cyberattacks. 

And the Department of Justice banned buying foreign-made drones which includes DJI’s products using agency funds back in October, citing similar security concerns. The Department of Defense has certified several other drones from competitors like Parrot and Skydio for governmental use instead, after several years of review.

Apple Implement New Privacy Labels

Good News. 

With this features, we (Apple product user) will have got an idea on how such mobile apps used our data and privacy within their apps. We could be much aware what were running on the background of any apps. This is good. It support PDPA (personal data protection act).

Earlier this year at its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, Apple announced that it was planning to add privacy labels to apps in its App Store. Developers had until earlier this month to provide Apple with information about what kind of tracking the software would do once users download and start using it. Now, with the release of iOS 14.3, those labels have started rolling out—and they may shed some interesting light on how some of your favorite apps keep tabs on what you do.

The labels aren’t specific to the iOS store. They’re in place on every platform, including macOS, tvOS, and watchOS. To view them, visit an app page and scroll down to the section labeled App Privacy.

In the labels, Apple provides information on three different types of data collection, as well as what the company plans to do with that info once it’s collected.

Data used to track you: This is the information the app collects in order to monitor what you do outside of the app itself. Facebook, for instance, uses your user ID and device ID in order to keep track of some activities you perform on your device, even outside the confines of Facebook itself. This applies to a user ID or a device ID and allows companies to build more complete profiles of you.

Data linked to you: This is likely where you’ll find the most entries, because it’s a large part of what allows apps and companies to target you with advertising. If you’ve ever searched for “gloves” on your phone and gotten bombarded with advertisements for gloves online, this kind of tracking is why. You’ll see terms like “Third-Party Advertising,” and “Developer’s Advertising or Marketing,” which are specific to commerce. You’ll also find terms like “Analytics,” and “Product Personalization,” which are more about tweaking the app’s functionality to your specific usage.

Data not linked to you: Not all tracking is about learning your specific habits. Some apps collect anonymous data that isn’t linked to your specific account or device. For instance, an app may want to track usage patterns by collecting anonymous location data from devices on the service.

When you see these privacy notifications pop up in the App Store, it’s important to remember that these practices aren’t new. It can be sobering to scroll through the massive list of things Facebook tracks when you download the app, but it has been that way for quite some time. The labels are just making users slightly more aware of it.

Instagram Can Take Video Too

Instagram, the wildly popular photo-sharing app that was bought by Facebook last year for a cool billion dollars, just announced that it now supports videos.

They're pretty cleanly integrated into your feed; they won't autoplay as you scroll, instead showing just as a thumbnail with a small icon of an old-timey movin' picture camera in the top-right corner to indicate that these are videos rather than stills. Tap the image to start playing. Easy!

Videos can be up to 15 seconds long (or as short as 3 seconds), and you can stop and resume recordings while shooting, so you don't have to take a single continuous shot like you do with Snapchat. All the usual Instagram filters can be applied, and the videos include audio as well. It's available right now as an update for the iOS app, with Android soon to come.

So, the obvious question: isn't this just, um, a carbon copy of Vine, the video app launched by Twitter earlier this year? Ha ha ha welllllll yes, it is pretty much exactly the same, except Instagram is an app used by 130 million people a month, and Vine has maybe a tenth that many. And Vine has had trouble; apparently a stream of videos isn't the easiest thing to grapple with, and Vine is often buggy or slow to load. Instagram videos could be almost three times as long as Vine videos--how is Instagram going to deal with that? "We have to figure this out," Instagram's CEO told.

Bionic Eye Vs Human Eye

You are blind but you now have an option to get a chance to see..

Previously blind patients who receive the recently FDA-approved Argus II bionic eye system will regain some degree of functional sight. The retinal implant technology, developed and distributed by Second Sight, can improve quality of life for patients who have lost functional vision due to retinitis pigmentosa, a disease that causes retinal cells to die. But the implant doesn't facilitate a sudden recovery of 20/20 vision.

Just as cochlear implants don’t have the sensitivity to accurately relay the complex mix of frequencies in music, bionic vision through the Argus II will be closer to a very grainy black-and-white film than an HD movie.

The multi-piece system starts with a digital camera mounted in eyeglasses. Images from the camera get translated into data through a miniature computer and sent via wireless transmitter to a computer chip on the side of the eyeball. From there, the chip activates an eyelash-thin electrode array implanted behind the retina, which then stimulates retinal cells to send visual information to the brain.

The eye’s retinal cells, commonly known as rods and cones, are split up into six types of receptors that detect contrast between light and dark, red and green, and blue and yellow. Electrical signals from the retinal cells travel through the optic nerve to the brain to form a complete picture of what the eye is looking at.

Instead of trying to imitate the activity of all six receptor types, Second Sight’s Argus II implant focuses on stimulating retinal cells to show light and dark contrast. For a blind patient using an artificial retina, being able to detect the relative darkness of a hole or an approaching wall is a lot more important to independently navigating than knowing whether that wall is painted red or blue.

In terms of acuity, the patient with the best result went from no useful sight to 20/1260 vision. This ratio means that to get the same amount of information a healthy human eye can discern from 1,260 feet, this patient would need to be standing 20 feet away.

Brian Mech, vice president of business development at Second Sight, reports that in clinical trials, all of the company's 30 patients had some degree of vision improvement after receiving the retinal implant. “Basically they see black and white, shades of gray and they’re getting somewhere between 50 and 60 pixels of information on average,” Mech says.

Mech admits this level of acuity is limited. “It is still pretty poor considering normal vision is 20/20, but it’s pretty amazing when you’re completely blind to begin with,” he says. But he explains that as research and testing continues, there is plenty of room to improve the system’s performance just by working on the external technology. Even color vision is a possibility with improvements to the video processor and wireless transmitter. “I don’t want to make it sound too easy,” Mech says. “There’s a lot of work to be done before we can do color vision, but the good news is that they won’t need a new implant for it.”

Second Sight is currently developing more advanced retinal implants, but the timeline is still unclear. Mech says it will be five to seven years or more before the next generation of implants becomes a reality.

@ Global Info Center

Netbook Is Dead

Although the slow death of the PC has been widely discussed by technology pundits recently, there is also another, lesser known victim of Apple’s iPad market dominance.

The netbook, which was originally intended to fill the low-cost niche between fully loaded laptops and smart phones, is dying an even quicker death than the PC according to IHS iSuppli market research statistics via Electronista.

Netbooks debuted in 2007 and were an immediately a popular product “because they were optimized for low cost, delivering what many consumers believed as acceptable computer performance,” states IHS senior principal analyst Craig Stice via the Los Angeles Times. According to the IHS statistics, netbook sales were at their height in 2010, with 32.14 million units shipped reports Electronista.

Last year the number of units shipped dropped to 14.3 million. The IHS report predicts that a total of 3.97 million netbooks will ship in 2013, which is a 72 percent decline from the previous year. However, the bad news for the netbook market doesn’t stop there. The market research firm forecasts a paltry 264,000 netbooks shipped in 2014, followed by the complete disappearance of the netbook by 2015.

As the IHS analyst points out via the Los Angeles Times, “netbooks began their descent to oblivion with the introduction in 2010 of Apple’s iPad.” However, netbook sales have declined even faster than PCs since the devices are being made obsolete by multiple types of products. Netbooks are being squeezed out of the market by higher-priced tablets, as well as lower-priced smart phones.

Perhaps Steve Jobs said it best when he introduced the iPad in 2010. As quoted by Electronista, Jobs stated, “The problem is: netbooks aren’t better at anything. They’re slow, they have low-quality displays, and they run clunky, old PC software.”

Apple shipped 22.9 million iPads in the quarter that ended last December and claimed 51 percent of the global tablet market in 2012 according to IDC statistics cited by Bloomberg.

@ Global Info Center