Amazon Fire Phone & Samsung Galaxy S5

The Amazon Fire Phone (left) is the company's first ever smartphone.


The Fire Phone is Amazon’s first, long-awaited foray into the already highly-saturated smartphone market. With its 3D display and image recognition tech, the device already has a lot going for it, but given its high-end price point, some of its spec sheet shortfalls might be difficult to overlook. Read on to see how the device fares against Samsung’s mighty flagship Galaxy S5 handset.

Size


The Galaxy S5 might have a bigger footprint than Amazon’s device, but it’s actually the thinner of the two handsets.
Weight


The Samsung phone is 9 percent lighter than the Fire Phone.
Build


The two companies have taken very different approaches to the build of their devices. The Fire Phone opts for Gorilla Glass on the back and front, similar to the iPhone 4/4S, while the Samsung has opted for a plastic build with a dimpled faux leather finish.
Colors


The GS5 comes in a choice of four fairly muted colors, while the Fire Phone is available in black.
Display (size)


Despite their similar dimensions, the Amazon device packs a smaller display than its rival, and while 0.4-inches might not sound like a significant difference, it amounts to a 15 percent smaller display on the Fire.
Display (resolution)


This is another area where the S5 wins out against its new rival, offering full 1080p resolution on its 5.1-inch panel. The Fire Phone’s 315 pixels per inch will certainly look sharp enough, but it simply can’t match the quality of Samsung, HTC or LG flagships.
3D Display


A key selling point for the Fire is its Dynamic Perspective feature, which projects a 3D image inwards on the device’s display by tracking the position of the user’s face by means of its four purpose-built front-facing cameras. The feature can be used to augment gaming controls and for touchless scrolling, but with the device yet to hit shelves, the jury’s still out on its usefulness.
Processor


While both devices pack quad core chips, the S5’s 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 801 is the more up-to-date option, offering slightly better performance and significantly improved battery-sipping credentials.
Storage


Both handsets offer two storage options, and while Amazon’s device is the only one available in 64 GB configuration, only the GS5 provides a microSD card slot for expandability.
RAM


Both devices pack 2 GB RAM.
Battery


The Galaxy S5’s battery is higher capacity than the Fire Phone’s, and while it’s powering a slightly larger and much sharper display, we’d put money on its more battery-friendly CPU helping to last longer on a single charge.
Cameras


Both phones pack a lot of megapixels into their rear cameras, and while Samsung’s device wins out on the spec sheet, Amazon claims that the quality of the Fire’s shots is superior. Without significant hands-on time, it’s impossible to judge.

The Fire Phone has a total of five front-facing cameras, though four of these are sensors for the Dynamic Perspective feature.
Software


The Fire Phone runs on Amazon’s heavily skinned version of Android, known as Fire OS 3.5, while the S5 rocks a more standard Android 4.4 KitKat experience, overlayed with its custom TouchWiz user interface.

While Samsung’s adjustments to the core Android experience are almost entirely aesthetic, Amazon’s changes are more extensive. Neither platform is lacking in terms of usability or responsiveness, but they differ significantly when it comes to the content they offer.

Being a Google-certified Android handset, the GS5 has full access to the Google Play Store, complete with its selection of more than a million apps. There’s no access to that store on the Fire Phone, but users can make use of the Amazon Appstore. There are now more than 240,000 apps in the company’s own store, so there’s a lot to chose from, but the selection simply can’t yet match that of Google Play or the Apple App Store for iOS.
Fingerprint scanner


The Samsung handset is the only device to offer a fingerprint scanner.
Image recognition


This category is a big one for Amazon, with the Fire Phone’s Firefly image recognition app being one its key selling points. The feature lets users point the phone’s camera at products, TV shows or movies, or make it listen to whatever music is playing, and Firefly will add it to their Amazon shopping basket.

It might be yet another way for the company to encourage its users to buy Amazon goods and content, but it’s a nice touch, and there’s even a dedicated button that you hold down to start the service.
On-device tech support


The Fire Phone packs Amazon’s Mayday feature, which allows the users to near-instantly connect with the company’s tech support via one-way video chat.
Heart-rate sensor


The S5 is the only device to feature a built-in heart-rate sensor.
Ultra power saving mode


The Samsung handset features a power saving mode that users can activate when their device is close to running out of juice, giving them a few extra hours of access to basic functionality.
Water resistance


The Samsung handset features IP67 dust and water resistance.
Release


The Galaxy S5 beat Amazon’s device to market by a few months.
Starting Price


While most Amazon hardware benefits from highly competitive pricing, the Fire Phone breaks ranks, coming in at an identical price point to its rival.

There’s a lot going for Amazon’s first foray into the competitive smartphone space, and its unique features will likely go some way to building a successful following. That said, the handsets falls short of its rivals in a number of key areas, offering a lower resolution display, slightly less capable CPU and lacking access to the full selection of Google Play apps.

We’ll have more on the Fire Phone in the coming weeks and months. In the mean time, why not head to the comments to sound off on which device catches your eye.

Source : Gizmag

Solar Wind Energy's Downdraft Tower

Solar Wind Energy's Downdraft Tower generates its own wind that is directed down the hollow tower and through turbines placed around its base

When we think of wind power, we generally think of huge wind turbines sitting high atop towers where they can take advantage of the higher wind speeds. But Maryland-based Solar Wind Energy, Inc. is looking to turn wind power on its head with the Solar Wind Downdraft Tower, which places turbines at the base of a tower and generates its own wind to turn them.

Described by the company as the first hybrid solar-wind renewable energy technology in the renewable energy market, the tower at the center of the system generates a downdraft that drives the wind turbines positioned around its base. This is done by using a series of pumps to carry water to the top of a tower standing up to 2,250 ft (685 m) tall, where it is cast across the opening as a fine mist. The mist then evaporates and is absorbed by hot, dry air, thereby cooling the air and making it denser and heavier than the warmer air outside the tower.

This water-cooled air then falls through the hollow tower at speeds up to and in excess of 50 mph (80 km/h). When it reaches the bottom of the tower, the air is directed into wind tunnels that surround the base, turning wind turbines that are contained within the tunnels. Although the system requires large amounts of water, the bulk of the water emitted at the top of the tower is captured at the bottom and recirculated through the system, being pumped back up to the top with some of the power generated by the wind turbines.

In this way, the company claims the system can generate electricity 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, when located in a hot, dry area – although electricity generation would be reduced in winter. Depending on the tower's geographical location, electricity generation could also be supplemented through the use of vertical "wind vanes" that would capture the prevailing wind and channel it into the tower.

Solar Wind Energy says it has developed proprietary software capable of determining a tower's electricity generation capabilities based on the climate in geographic regions around the globe. Using the software, the company says it can predict the daily energy outputs of a tower based on its location and size.

Based on the most recent design specifications, the company says a tower designed for a site near San Luis, Arizona, would have a peak production capacity on an hourly basis of up to 1,250 MWh on sunny days. However, when taking into account the lower generation capabilities during the winter months, the average hourly output per day comes out to approximately 435 MWh.

The company points out that once built (using conventional materials, equipment and techniques), its towers are capable of operating throughout the year independent of wind speeds with virtually no carbon footprint, fuel consumption or waste generation.

Earlier this year, Solar Wind Energy gained the necessary local entitlements to pursue development of its first tower near San Luis, Arizona. The project got a leg up earlier this week when it announced a financing agreement with JDF Capital Inc., which will provide up to US$1,585,000 to the company. Solar Wind Energy says it is also exploring potential sites in Mexico, which along with the Middle East, Chile and India, would be an ideal location for the technology in terms of climate.

The video below explains how the Downdraft Tower works.

Source: Solar Wind Energy Inc.

Audi's RS TDI Concept - Electric Turbocharger

Audi's RS 5 TDI concept

Audi has been developing an electric turbocharger for several years and seems close to launching it on a production car. The new RS 5 TDI concept adds an e-turbo to its biturbo V6 to provide an immediate boost in power that doesn't wait around for exhaust gas.

"Twenty-five years ago, Audi launched the first TDI on the market, writing the first chapter of an enduring success story," says Prof. Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, Audi board member for technical development. "Our latest innovation is the electric turbocharger, which further improves not just sprint times and pulling power, but also efficiency. This technology illustrates the possibilities harbored by 48-volt electrical systems, which we are currently developing for use in production vehicles."

Electric turbocharging is a bit of a misnomer since turbos rely on exhaust gas-powered turbines by definition, but Audi's been in the habit of calling it that since revealing it several years ago. Since then, it's been applied to theR18 e-tron quattro LMP1 car and now the new RS 5 TDI concept, which shows what it could do in a more road-friendly application.

The RS 5 TDI concept loses the 4.2-liter V8 engine of the production RS 5 Coupe for a 3.0-liter V6 TDI with triple turbos – the e-turbocharger supplements the two traditional turbos. Replacing the typical exhaust-powered turbine wheel, the electric turbo's motor spins the compressor wheel to over 70,000 rpm in a few hundredths of a second. This action essentially eliminates turbo lag and provides a powerful boost right off the line.

"What all turbocharged engines have in common is that the turbocharger is driven by energy from the exhaust," Audi explained when it discussed its electric turbo technology in 2012. "This means that starting from very low revs, the rise in boost pressure and therefore torque becomes gradually greater only as the exhaust energy increases.

A new development stage is the electric biturbo. This makes it possible – independently of the exhaust energy available – to build up charge pressure quickly and achieve high levels of torque even at very low revs."

The RS 5 TDI Concept has a dedicated 48-volt power system providing the large quantities of energy needed to feed the electric turbo. The system is energized by brake recuperation, storing electricity in a lithium-ion battery.


The tri-turbo set-up gives the RS 5 TDI a bank of 385 hp (287 kW) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque, firing it to 62 mph (100 km/h) in four seconds (more than half a second faster than the 450-hp production RS 5) and 124 mph (200 km/h) in under 16 seconds. The car's top speed is listed at 174 mph (280 km/h). Meanwhile, it rolls for more than 44 miles for every gallon of diesel (5.3cL/100 km), another large improvement over its production sibling, which combines for 18 mpg (13 L/100 km).

Audi doesn't make any hints at RS 5 TDI production, but the e-turbo seems likely to find its way into dealerships. A report in Drive this week suggests that the Q7 SUV will be the first production model with the technology when it debuts at this year's Paris Motor Show.

Source: Audi

Apple's iwatch design

Apple’s iWatch is almost certainly coming soon, according to a host of recent reports, and the latest from the Wall Street Journal is that it’ll be offered in a variety of designs and screen sizes, and be loaded with over ten sensors including those that track health and fitness. Apple plans to sell a lot of them – between 10 and 15 million before the year ends, according to WSJ, and the key to that optimism might be Apple’s focus on design, and a desire to release something other than a one-size-fits-all take on the smartwatch.

Earlier this week, a report from Reuters claimed a 2.5-inch diagonal, rectangular screen for the iWatch. The WSJ’s information suggests multiple screen sizes, which would be a good way to address critics who immediately came out of the woodwork to criticize how large a device with a 2.-5-inch diagonal measurement for its display would look on the average wrist. Much of the criticism of existing smartwatch designs focuses on how they only offer one option, and how those can be far too big and imposing, especially for slender wrists.

Remember that Apple hired away Yves Saint Laurent CEO Paul Deneve last year, to work on “special projects” in a new VP role reporting directly to CEO Tim Cook. At the time, many speculated that Deneve’s experience in the high-fashion world is what brought him back to the fold (he’d worked at Apple in Europe between 1990 and 1997). The Financial Times also reported around the same time that Apple was “aggressively” recruiting new talent to focus on iWatch design. There was likely a push to source more engineering talent, but it makes sense that they would seek new design expertise for a project so outside their normal realm.

The fact is that no one yet has managed to create a smartwatch that has mass appeal, and design has a lot to do with that. A wrist-worn computer is very different to a smartphone or laptop, because it’s something you’re expected to have on you, in plain sight, touching your skin for all-day wear. Creating something that succeeds based on those parameters, for a range of potential customers that’s gender- and age-inclusive is no small task.

Lastly, the sensor package that WSJ describes could also give Apple the edge. Even if users aren’t crazy about the look of the accessory, they might be willing to wear it anyway if it provides a huge amount of additional value over and above what their smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices offer them. Pulling in a host of new data sources, provided they can actually enable new things on devices like the iPhone connected to the iWatch, could help make a convincing argument that yes, we do need another gadget in our tech-filled lives.

Amazon's Fire Phone

Amazon has unveiled its first handset, offering 3D visuals - thanks to four face-tracking cameras on its front - and gesture controls.

The Fire Phone allows its user to change an image's perspective by moving their head, rather than creating "pop-out" effects.

The owner can also scroll through a webpage or bring up menus by tilting the smartphone in their hand.

Chief executive Jeff Bezos announced the phone at a press event in Seattle.

One industry watcher had doubts about what was on show.

"We've seen similar gesture controls on Samsung's Galaxy range, and not many people use them," said Francisco Jeronimo, a mobile devices analyst at market research firm IDC.

"Unless the experience is extraordinary it can come across as a gimmick. I'd be surprised if Amazon has succeeded when Samsung hasn't, but I'll need to try it.

Mr Bezos showed how the "dynamic perspective" effect could be used to help navigate maps by looking around the side of landmarks

The launch comes at a time when Amazon's tablet sales appear to be on the wane, despite recent price promotions.

Mobile content

The basic version of the Fire Phone, with 32 gigabytes (GB) of storage, will cost $199 (£117) on top of a two-year contract with AT&T - the only network to offer it initially - on 25 July.

Amazon says its app store tripled in size over the past year

That is the same price AT&T charges for the 16GB versions of Apple's iPhone 5S and Samsung's Galaxy S5.

The "dynamic perspective" effect is made possible by the inclusion of four "ultra-low power" cameras coupled with four infrared LEDs, which permit the device to keep tracking the position of the user's eyes and mouth in the dark.

The process only requires two cameras, but the firm said the extra two meant users would not need to worry how they held the handset.

Mr Bezos gave the example of looking at a dress' design from different angles as an example of how the effect could be used, and showed how a handset could be tilted afterwards to make it move onto another garment.

Another innovation introduced by the Fire Phone is a dedicated side-button to activate Firefly, an app that allows it recognise text, images and sound in the smartphone's immediate vicinity.

It can be used to bring up information - for example details of a wine, the name of a song, or information about a painting - and when relevant, the chance to buy the same or a related product from Amazon.

The facility relies on Amazon's computer servers, so will not be available when the phone is offline.

"Firefly is not just about taking you back to the Amazon store, it's about knowing so much more about consumers - things Amazon would not have known before," noted Carolina Milanesi, from research firm Kantar Worldpanel Comtech.
The Firefly facility could encourage owners to make impulse purchases from Amazon

The device also takes advantage of several other online services the company offers, including:
Mayday - the ability to call up an Amazon adviser via a video feed, with a promise of a response within 15 seconds
ASAP - a facility that pre-loads video content to the phone from the firm's Prime Instant Video‎ collection, basing its choices on the user's past viewing behaviour
Cloud Drive - the firm's internet based storage facility, which is being used to offer "unlimited" space for the photos it takes
Prime Music - access to more than a million songs that can be downloaded or streamed, although new releases are not included

Several of these services will only remain available if the owner renews their Amazon Prime membership after a year, at an annual cost of $99.


Analysis: Richard Taylor, North America technology correspondent

Amazon promised us something "a little bit different" - and on that front Jeff Bezos has delivered with a phone with a "wow factor" sporting several differentiators.

Sure, established phone makers LG and HTC had 3D displays back in 2011, but they used filters on top of the screen, a far cry from the "dynamic perspective" take on 3D Amazon is bringing us here.

The Firefly object recognition might prove more immediately useful for many users, and for Amazon itself, providing yet another virtually seamless route for purchases to be made through the retailer itself.

The basic Fire Phone offers more storage than the entry-level iPhone 5S and Galaxy S5, but its included Prime subscription only lasts for one year

Yet despite these unique features, Mr Bezos is treading into territory where other more established tech names have stumbled.

Amazon's recent foray into tablets has barely made a dent in the Apple-Samsung duopoly.

Consumers also do not appear to have warmed to Amazon's own software, a "forked" version of Google Android.

Its own app store may have some 240,000 apps, but many are poorly-rated third-party versions of popular apps found in Google Play, which has more than 1.2 million apps.

Even so, Amazon's offer of 12 months of free membership to its Prime services - including fast free deliveries of physical goods - will undoubtedly help this handset gain market traction, especially amongst price-sensitive customers.

And for those that do buy the Fire Phone, it will undoubtedly create a "halo effect" on the rest of Amazon's businesses; the big unknown is just how far it will stretch.


Crowded market

Amazon shipped one million Kindle Fire-branded devices in the first three months of this year, down from 1.8 million the same period in 2013,according to IDC.
The Fire Phone can scroll through documents by being tilted up and down

Its data indicates that Amazon's market share of the tablet sector now stands at 1.9%, about half what it was a year ago.

The handset market is an even more crowded space with several existing manufacturers failing to profit from the hardware they sell.

But with the number of global smartphone users approaching the two billion-mark, grabbing even a small fraction of the market could still prove valuable to the US firm.

"Most of the value Amazon will accrue from these handsets will be made over the following years after the initial sale," said Chris Green, principal technology analyst at the Davies Murphy Group consultancy.

"That's partly selling you follow-up annual subscriptions to its Prime services after the first 12 months.

"But it's also about one-off purchases such as paying for the rental of a movie that's not included in the subscription package and also buying apps from it store.

"I wouldn't say Amazon has tied everything together as well as Apple, but it's certainly done it much better than Google."

Apple Iphone 6 Images leaked

Alleged iPhone 6 images leaked by former Taiwanese pop star

A couple of photos spilled online by Jimmy Lin claim to show the new iPhone 6 side by side with a 5S.

Is this the iPhone 6 to the right of an iPhone 5S?Jimmy Lin/Weibo/Screenshot by Lance Whitney/CNET

Photos purportedly of the iPhone 6 have popped up on Chinese site Weibo courtesy of a former Taiwanese pop star who has shown an uncanny knack for leaking early shots of Apple products.

Jimmy Lin, a Taiwanese singer and actor, took to his Weibo page to reveal two photos allegedly of theiPhone 6 showing the new phone as longer than the 5S. One photo peeks at the back of the two phones, while the other offers a glimpse of their front screens.

Lin spills a few alleged details, namely that the iPhone 6 sports a 4.7-inch screen, that the power button has shifted to the right, and that the coating for the built-in antenna is no longer on the outside. Lin adds that the phone offers a good grip.

Most of Lin's observations fall in line with other rumored features for Apple's next flagship smartphone, most notably the increase in screen size. With other smartphones sporting larger and larger displays, Apple is under pressure to come up with a bigger screen for the next iteration of the iPhone. With Apple losing market share to Samsung and other Android vendors offering up jumbo-sized phones, literally going big is key to staying competitive and wooing consumers who may be eyeing rival smartphones.

Lin has a history of leaking Apple images. He accurately leaked the iPhone 5 and the iPad Mini ahead of those two releases, according to tech site Pocket-Lint. He also had an early shot of the iPhone 5C.

Still, the photos should be taken with the usual grain of salt. Despite Lin's past track record, the "iPhone 6" seen in the images could be faked easily enough. As such, we'll have to keep this latest tidbit in the rumor department, at least until the fall when Apple is expected to unleash its next iPhone.