A New Firmware of Apple update,v3.1.3
Apple has pushed a new firmware update,v3.1.3,out to iPhone and iPod touch owners.The release is a minor one,fixing bugs rather than adding any substantial features.Key among the changes is better battery meter accuracy for the iPhone 3GS,addressing a long-standing complaint. Also fixed are crashes when using the Japanese Kana keyboard,and a problem preventing third-party apps from launching.
Several security flaws have been closed,including exploits made possible with malicious TIFF or MP4 files,and memory corruption under a USB control message.Two more vulnerabilities have been corrected in WebKit:one involving malicious FTP servers,and another that loads remote audio and video in Mail even when the option is disabled.iPhone and iPod owners have to download the new firmware through iTunes.
It is the size of the battery pack that Mini E drivers most complain
Some grouse over a range meter that occasionally goes flaky in cold weather,but the most frequent complaint from Mini E drivers lies with the size of the battery pack instead of its range.
The University of California-Davis recently surveyed 57 Mini E drivers for their impressions on using the electric Mini in everyday life.These drivers reported an average trip length of approximately 30 miles,which fits in perfectly with the car's range.45 percent of those surveyed reported "typical" range from a single charge was 100 miles,although BMW says most reports indicate range in "normal" conditions is between 70 and 100 miles.
While those surveyed seem to have generally positive feelings towards the Mini E,most said they opted for another vehicle when they needed rear seats or a usable trunk.In order to pack the Mini hatchback with approximately 5000 lithium-ion battery cells,BMW engineers were forced to remove the rear seats,placing the cells (and their cooling systems) underneath a mountainous bulkhead just aft of the front seats.While this arrangement leaves the cockpit unencumbered,it halves the Mini's seating capacity,and drastically reduces the cargo space.
Thankfully,these are issues that may be resolved with BMW's Active E,the next step in the automaker's electrification program that will be leased to consumers.Based upon the larger 1-series coupe,the batteries that are smaller,due to advances in lithium-ion chemistry --are packaged in the driveline tunnel and underneath the trunk floor,allowing the car to retain its four-seat configuration.
Waste Batteries will be Recycled Under the New Directive
Households in the Borough have to recycle batteries from today under new EU rules.All waste batteries will have to be recycled under the new batteries directive.
It aims to put an end to the 600 million portable batteries dumped in UK landfill sites each year.At the same time,shops and stores selling batteries will have to have a recycling bin where people can take their expired batteries.
Battery company Varta said the average UK household contained approximately 21 batteries which,if disposed of in general waste bins,ended up in landfill which was rapidly running out.
Vince Armitage,head of Varta,added:"Households need to be aware that next time the batteries run out in their remote control,alarm clock or smoke alarm,they can't just head straight for the bin.All batteries,regardless of size or purpose,have to be recycled at specified drop-off points.
"It may sound like more of a chore,but the directive has actually made it really easy for consumers.
"All retailers that sell reasonable quantities of batteries will have to provide a collection point,so when you buy a new pack just drop the old batteries off at the same time.
Under the directive,the UK has new responsibilities on how batteries are recovered,treated and recycled and targets have been set.By 2012,the directive requires that 25 per cent of waste batteries in the UK are recycled,rising to 45 per cent by 2016.Currently,the UK recycles only 3 per cent of portable batteries.
Upgraded Intuos4 Tablet of Wacom
It's undoubted to be the year of the tablet.Wacom is issuing an upgraded Intuos4 tablet,nearly a year after it was released.
But don't look for this one to be competing with the Apple iPad as this is a much more professional-minded device.Targeted towards designers,illustrators and photographers,this graphics-heavy tablet computer can now communicate with other devices with the addition of Bluetooth.Previously,data transfers needed to be conducted via USB.
But the original edition is available in four sizes(small, medium, large and extra-large),the Intuos4 Wireless only comes in medium,and it costs $50 more than its USB-powered compatriot.Personally speaking,I'd probably throw down the extra cash for a wireless edition,but there are a few catches-namely to do with the battery.While the battery can last up to 18 hours (not continuously),it has to fully charge before detaching the USB cable.There's always the option of buying a spare battery,but naturally,you'll have to make sure to save all your work and power down before switching (so pay attention to the battery life).The upgraded tablet will be available in March with the price of ￡359.99 ($573).