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Sports Illustrated's standalone streaming service is now available
Sports Illustrated's television offering (SI TV) launched last November on Amazon Channels for $5 per month. Plans to expand the service to Roku, iOS, Android and web browsers have been in the works, and it's available on the web now, with other platforms ready to go within the next week.
The way scientific units are calculated is changing
Scientific units are set to receive their biggest shake-up since the inception of the modern metric system in 1960. The International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) -- one of three committees that oversees this type of stuff -- is presently looking into revising the ampere, the kilogram, the kelvin, and the mole. The higher-ups at the General Conference on Weights and Measures will then conduct a final vote on the recommendations next year, before ordering them into effect in May 2019. Although it may not impact everyday measurements, the redefinition is crucial for scientists, who require the utmost accuracy for their work.
Researchers help give the kilogram a fundamental equivalent
Much to the consternation of scientists, the cylindrical platinum-iridium artifacts that represent the kilogram (see image above) have been gradually packing on extra weight due to surface contamination. Since that unit of measure is the last to be based on an artifact and not a physical constant of nature -- for instance, a meter is the distance light travels in a vacuum during 1/299,792,458 of a second -- it means that scientists no longer know exactly how much a kilogram is. That makes experiments requiring extreme precision more difficult, so researchers from Mettler Toledo, CERN and the EPFL have been working for the last 15 years on a so-called Watt balance, which works on the principle of electromagnetic force restoration. The team managed to created a "load cell" that's accurate to a 0.3 µg resolution for a 2kg weight, well below the desired level of 1 µg -- meaning the goal of replacing a hunk of metal from 1878 with something more, ahem, solid is within reach by the 2015 target date.
BioWare releases Sith Inquisitor progression video, forums gather launch statistics [Updated]
Star Wars: The Old Republic is just a matter of days from beginning its early start program, but BioWare is continuing the news drip right up to the last minute. Today, the studio released a new video detailing the progression of the wicked Sith Inquisitor. For a lovely display of Force Lightning and other neat Inquisitor tricks, click on past the cut for the full video. But first, we have some interesting launch-time statistics for you folks, courtesy of a massive thread over on the official SWTOR forums. In The Poll to end all Polls, over one million players have reported on the factions, races, and classes they plan to play at launch. Faction balance is surprisingly even, with a slight slant (53.82%) in favor of the Empire. Classes are almost evenly quartered (though the survey doesn't take advanced class into account). For the full statistics, click on over to Disdain Gaming. And one more thing! Don't forget that BioWare will be hosting launch events in New York City, Austin, TX, London, and Paris. So if you're nearby, head on over and join up with your fellow fans to celebrate the launch of The Old Republic. [Update: Continuing its deluge of Friday info, BioWare has also just released a forum post explaining why the Unify Color to Chestpiece system will not make it in for launch. But on a happier note, the SWTOR team just Tweeted that Guild HQ updates are coming Monday!]
AT&T USBConnect Momentum 4G and Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G scheduled for August 21st launch
With it having been in the works for so long, it's easy to forget that AT&T is ready to flip the switch on its sparkling-new LTE network virtually any second now. But Ma Bell is happy to remind us of its impending true 4G launch by announcing that its first two dedicated LTE devices, the USBConnect Momentum 4G and Mobile Hotspot Elevate 4G, are set to be sold in stores this upcoming Sunday. In addition, users of the USBConnect Adrenaline will be able to download a firmware update on August 26th that turns on its dormant LTE radio. The carrier also officially announced that its DataConnect plans will be offered for $50 per month for 5GB, with usage charges of $10 for each additional GB. Hold your horses, though -- the units will be available for purchase and can be used on HSPA+ for now, but it doesn't guarantee AT&T will activate the higher-speed 4G network next week. Nay, we may have to wait just a little longer before Ralph de la Vega pushes the big red button on his desk, but that day is not too distant.
High-end brands Anthem and SI officially tie the knot
It certainly didn't take long for US-based projector screen manufacturer SI and Canadian electronics provider Paradigm to make their new partnership official. The two high-end oriented companies unveiled their plans at CES, but Paradigm is now officially the worldwide distributor of SI's motorized, fixed and curved screens. Although sadly out of our own financial reach, this sounds like a good arrangement for the two companies as they look to provide one-stop shopping convenience for well-heeled HT buffs. With Paradigm speakers, Anthem electronics, Anthem-branded JVC projectors and SI screens in the mix, a tasy -- if expensive -- HT combo can definitely be cooked up.
SI's CURVE Reference Fixed Frames now shipping
SI Screens is hoping to convince you that curved screens really are the way to go, as its new CURVE Reference Fixed Frames are finally leaving the docks. Designed specifically for very short-throw applications, the inward-curving 30-feet screen helps to counter the pincushion effect and provide "the most immersive experience available." There's no mention of price, but for those that have to ask, you'll probably be better off without the knowledge.
SI Screens ships Black Diamond projector screen
Are you serious about your projector? No, we mean serious. If so, SI Screens is asking that you place your money where your mouth is with the shipping announcement of its Black Diamond products. Said screens promise the blackest blacks and the whitest whites, though there's no details on whether it does chores when not entertaining guests. Still, for $2,599 (100-inch), it better.
