Vapes on a plane – The US has had it, with these…. you get the idea
Smokers who have battled with long flights have found some solace in the vape solution. Since it’s not technically smoking, it was possible to use a vape on a plane. The key word: Was. At least if you’re flying to, from, or in the States. The US Department of Transport has opted to ban electronic cigarettes from flights entirely, saying “The Department took a practical approach to eliminate any confusion between tobacco cigarettes and e-cigarettes by applying the same restrictions to both.” The reasoning is that they want to “protects airline passengers from unwanted exposure to electronic cigarette aerosol that occurs when electronic cigarettes are used”, a move which will depress at least a few smokers and vapers.
Source: The Next Web
Mind-controlled prosthetic limbs may be just a brain implant away
The future is coming and it’s looking a little robotic. In a good way, of course. Doctors and researchers have tested a new mind-controlled prosthetic on a patient who was having their brain activity mapped. The location data for finger movement was added to the robotic arm and the patient was able to move the artificial hand without any specialised training. According to John Hopkins professor of neurology Nathan Crone, “We believe this is the first time a person using a mind-controlled prosthesis has immediately performed individual digit movements without extensive training. This technology goes beyond available prostheses, in which the artificial digits, or fingers, moved as a single unit to make a grabbing motion, like one used to grip a tennis ball.” It’s just a proof-of-concept for now but it’s a step in the right direction.
Source: John Hopkins Medicine
If you start upgrading an Xbox, doesn’t that make it a PC?
You might be one of those people who likes to upgrade their PCs, you might not. But you may soon have to perform upgrades on your Xbox console, if comments by Xbox head Phil Spencer come to pass. Spencer said “When you look at the console space, I believe we will see more hardware innovation in the console space than we’ve ever seen. You’ll actually see us come out with new hardware capability during a generation allowing the same games to run backward and forward compatible…”, adding that players would be able to access a past library and still have more modern gaming capability. Which sounds like a fine idea, in theory, what with Windows’ cross-platform ambitions. But if you’re going to make an Xbox an upgradeable device, shouldn’t you just get yourself a PC instead?
Source: via Eurogamer
You’re going to need a (decent) internet connection for Quantum Break – you’re streaming the cutscenes
If you’re keen on Remedy’s new single-player outing, Quantum Break, then you’re going to want to get yourself an internet connection. A good one. Because you’re going to have to stream some of the cut-scenes, as they’re apparently too large and too varied to be stored locally. Player choice in-game translates to different live-action cutscenes, which are then played based on your actions. Having to keep 40 different configurations of what is essentially a TV series on your hard drive will take up a fair bit of space, hence all the streaming. For the PC, at least. The Xbox One version of Quantum Break will reportedly allow you to download the episodes, albeit in a smaller resolution. Guess which one we’re getting.
Source: via Game Informer
