certification
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EU regulator says Boeing 737 Max is safe to fly
A software-based safety upgrade may not be ready for another two years, however.
Samsung Galaxy S20 is the first phone certified for USB fast charging
The Samsung Galaxy S20 series is now the first smartphone lineup to receive USB fast-charger certification from the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), the organization leading the advancement of USB tech. The certification verifies that the Galaxy S20 series supports Programmable Power Supply (PPS) and USB Power Delivery (USB PD) 3.0 specification. For users, this means that the phones will work with certified third-party fast chargers.
SpaceX completes crucial tests of its Crew Dragon parachutes
SpaceX has demonstrated that its latest Mark 3 Crew Dragon parachutes will work even if things don't go quite to plan. On Twitter, the company showed off a short video clip of a payload landing with only three of four parachutes deployed, and said it has successfully tested the system 13 times in a row.
Google plans certification program for Android gaming phones
Google is developing a Game Device Certification program to ensure that future gaming smartphones meet minimum standards and pack enough power to behave predictably for Android game developers. Google hasn't announced the program yet, but XDA Developers obtained documents outlining new requirements for manufacturers. In one section, Google details the new Game Device Certification technical requirements, which manufacturers will have to meet in order to declare an Android device is certified and game-ready.
Hyperloop TT outlines how it should be regulated in Europe
The European Commission is reviewing what could become the first set of industry-wide hyperloop guidelines. Today, Hyperloop Transportation Technologies (HTT) and TÜV SÜD presented the EU with generic guidelines for hyperloop design, operation and certification. In a press release, HTT said the recommendations could inform future regulation.
Windows 10 update pushes Microsoft closer to a password-free future
With its Windows 10 May 2019 update, Microsoft is getting one step closer to eliminating passwords. The company's Windows Hello has earned its FIDO2 certification -- an industry standard that deems Windows Hello a secure authenticator. Now, users running Windows 10 version 1903 will be able to login to devices, apps and online services using biometrics or PINs, rather than passwords.
Wing receives the first FAA certification for drone deliveries
Today, Alphabet's Wing division became the first drone delivery company to receive its Air Carrier Certification from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The certification means Wing can begin a commercial drone delivery service, and the company hopes to launch its first delivery trial later this year. Over the next several months, Wing will work with the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft System Integration Pilot Program (UAS IPP) in Southwest Virginia. It will soon begin reaching out to residents and businesses in the Blacksburg and Christiansburg, Virginia, areas to demonstrate its technology and to gather feedback.
Report: Boeing's crucial 737 Max safety analysis was flawed
Boeing's original 737 Max safety analysis, used by the FAA to certify the aircraft, may have had several serious flaws, according to a report from the Seattle Times. The problems revolved around a software system called MCAS, suspected to have contributed to the Lion Air and Air Ethiopia crashes that killed 346 people in total. Investigators are also looking at possible maintenance lapses and potential pilot error. The situation may have been compounded by FAA rules that allow aircraft manufacturers to do some of the certification themselves.
NVIDIA certifies a dozen FreeSync monitors as 'G-SYNC compatible'
Monitor manufacturers must usually decide whether to use NVIDIA's G-SYNC and AMD's FreeSync, a crucial choice that can divide consumers into camps and drastically affect sales. Now, NVIDIA has brought G-SYNC compatibility certification to a number of monitors from Acer, Agon, Asus and Benq that were previously only FreeSync certified. The goal is evidently to expand its display ecosystem, but it will be a big benefit to the owners of those monitors, too.
Biometric security now has an industry-wide testing standard
Biometric security is par for the course on smartphones and increasingly common on PCs, but there hasn't been a standard way to verify that the technology passes muster. That's where the FIDO Alliance might help. It's launching a first-of-its-kind Biometric Component Certification Program that will use independent labs to test the performance and security of fingerprint readers, face recognition and other sign-in devices across the industry. If a vendor wants to show that its face unlock feature can't be fooled by a photo, it won't have to jump through hoops to prove it.
Now Essential's Android phone will work on Verizon too
Despite being a retail exclusive at Sprint, the Essential PH-1 has arrived as an unlocked device. However, as mobile fans are unfortunately familiar with, certification with one particular network is always tricky. Tonight Essential announced that its flagship phone is compatible with the Verizon network, just a day after it went on sale in Sprint stores, so owners can drop a SIM in and go on all of the major US carriers. According to Andy Rubin, devices may need to reboot first, but that's it.
Natural Cycles says contraceptive app is more effective than the pill
Contraceptive app Natural Cycles is more effective than the pill, according to the latest and largest study into the app's efficacy. After testing 22,785 women throughout 224,563 menstrual cycles, the startup found the app provided 99 percent contraceptive effectiveness if used perfectly. If used "typically", the app was 93 percent effective. The contraceptive pill, meanwhile, is 91 percent effective.
Razer's 2017 Blade Pro boasts a new CPU and THX certifications
If you've been eyeing one of Razer's "professional gaming laptops" since December, you're going to want to wait just a little bit longer. That's because the company announced today that it's releasing a new iteration of its flagship laptop, the Blade Pro. It now features a seventh-gen quad-core Intel i7 CPU and faster RAM than what was offered on last year's model. Additionally, the new model has earned THX certification for both video and audio.
Razer's THX purchase means cinema-approved VR and laptops
Longtime cinephiles might be disappointed by the following news: THX will now operate as an "independent startup" under the Razer banner. Yep, the gaming PC and peripherals company. The cinema certification outfit founded by George Lucas will keep its management and employees (phew) and will continue to operate as it has for the past 33 years just under a new owner, according to a prepared statement. "With their focus on quality, design and innovation, Razer supports our vision to optimize and deliver the best audiovisual experiences to audiences worldwide," THX CEO Ty Ahmad-Taylor said in a canned press release quote.
Certified USB chargers mean a future where cables 'just work'
There are so many USB chargers in the world, you're bound to get stuck with one that doesn't work the way it should, or it may not work at all. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has announced a Certified USB Charger Compliance and Logo Program to offer USB chargers for compliant USB Type-C devices.
Music streaming now counts towards gold and platinum certification
Music streaming has been all the rage for years now, but the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) had yet weigh its merits. However, that's about to change. Starting today, the RIAA will take into account audio and video streaming numbers in addition to sales when certifying an album gold or platinum. Back in 2013, the music industry's governing body began tallying individual songs towards its so-called Digital Single Award, but this new change will be the first time streaming is factored in to the main Album Award process.
HTC and Valve's Vive VR system passes through the FCC
Getting certified by the Federal Communications Commission for safe use is a rite of passage for every legal gizmo, and the joint virtual reality project from HTC and Valve, the Vive, recently passed by the regulatory agency. It's a requirement for any product to be sold and typically happens in the run up to consumer release, which backs up HTC's promise of an April launch window for the Vive headset and its Lightroom controller-and-motion-tracking tech. Road to VR writes that certification was expected to face a few challenges given the nature of its laser tracking and possible safety issues. But hey, I wouldn't be writing this if those perceived hurdles hadn't been cleared.
Minecraft PS4 fails certification as August creeps to a close
It's looking unlikely Minecraft will meets its August release window on PS4 after it failed Sony's certification tests. So it's back to the fixing board for 4J Studios, and the team will have to re-submit the game for certification before it can be released. 4J's been busy fixing issues and squishing bugs throughout the month, and not just in the PS4 version but in the upcoming Xbox One and Vita releases too. We've reached out to the studio to confirm a delay, and whether that'll affect just the PS4 version or other platforms too. All three ports are currently due for release this month.
Xiaomi's next-gen budget phone shows up with octa-core chip, larger screen
Xiaomi's sub-$130 budget line, the Redmi (previously known as Hongmi aka "Red Rice"), has been credited for accelerating the company's expansion into Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore, with nearby countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand soon to be added to the list. While this is a recent development, the company's already prepping a follow-up model, according to four new listings on China's TENAA certification database. As you can see, this upcoming device is marked with red Android buttons on the front, which gives away its Redmi identity. It'll feature a 5.5-inch, 720p IPS display (a bump from the current 4.7-inch version), as well as Android 4.2.2, 1GB of RAM and an octa-core processor (our guess is MediaTek, again) coming in two versions: 1.4GHz and 1.7GHz.
Are you an Apple tech or consultant?
Do you support others? If so, our friends over at MacTech have an event just for you. MacTech BootCamp III is the third incarnation of MacTech's successful event series, and it's specifically designed for techs and consultants that support clients, or those in their organization. MacTech events are not only designed to learn great, useful content from key players in our industry -- but also to give techs a chance to spend time with their peers, meet new people and make that incredibly useful vendor contact that could be critical. MacTech BootCamp is a one-day, regional seminar that is headed to nine cities in 2014 (more than ever before): Seattle, San Francisco, Austin, Denver, Chicago, Boston, Washington DC, Atlanta and Toronto. Neil Ticktin, MacTech's editor-in-chief, says "MacTech's 2014 topics/sessions are designed to tackle the most critical issues of the year: From encryption to Apple IDs, mobility to deployment, WiFi to storage, and security ... man o' man ... security. The all-new content is good for both those that have attended past events, as well as those new to MacTech." Even better, if you support Microsoft Office for Mac, or Office 365 for Apple users, there's more for you. Microsoft has updated their new Microsoft Office for Mac Accredited Support Professional program with new content for 2014. This half-day course and exam takes place the day prior to MacTech BootCamp in each city -- and is included in your MacTech BootCamp registration. After attending the course, and passing the exam, you become accredited by Microsoft. MacTech makes every effort to make every attendee feel like a "guest," and for people to get the most out of the experience. We've seen it firsthand, and MacTech tells us that people from 48 states and 35 countries have already been to its 39 events held since 2010. In talking with readers, it's clear the community agrees. That said, if you are a consultant or tech, these MacTech BootCamp events are an excellent way to get up-to-date on what's going on with Apple technologies to make you an even better tech. As it has been for the past few years, TUAW is a sponsor of these event, and our own Kelly Guimont will be speaking at the Seattle event in a couple of weeks. The regular registration price for the event is US$495 and includes sessions, lunch, breaks and the opportunity to talk to some great vendors. TUAW readers can not only save significantly on their registration, but get a special bonus as well -- your price: $299 when you use this special TUAW link.