Video shows how how the Infinity cables prematurely degrade when exposed to high temperatures. Test oven = Ten months at 90 degrees Celsius
via ▶ Testing recalled Infinity cables – outer insulation – YouTube.
Recall: Toshiba Australia Pty Ltd—AC Personal Computer Power Cords
Product description “LS-15” labelled AC Power cord sold with PC computers between September 2010 and June 2012
Identifying features “LS-15” moulded marking on appliance connector together with Product code/serial number combination
What are the defects? In some instances the “LS-15” labelled connector’s electrical insulation may degrade over time with the potential to overheat and burn.
What are the hazards? AC Power cord may overheat and potentially cause a burn hazard.
via Toshiba Australia Pty Ltd—AC Personal Computer Power Cords.
The Great Lightbulb Conspiracy – IEEE Spectrum
The Phoebus cartel engineered a shorter-lived lightbulb and gave birth to planned obsolescence. Phoebus expended considerable technical effort into engineering a shorter-lived lightbulb.
How exactly did the cartel pull off this engineering feat? It wasn’t just a matter of making an inferior or sloppy product; anybody could have done that. But to create one that reliably failed after an agreed-upon 1,000 hours took some doing over a number of years. The household lightbulb in 1924 was already technologically sophisticated: The light yield was considerable; the burning time was easily 2,500 hours or more. By striving for something less, the cartel would systematically reverse decades of progress.
Browser Beware: Wi-Fi Users Sign Over First-Born Children – IEEE Spectrum
The results of a social experiment in London suggest that on-the-go Internet users are not being as careful as they should be when connecting to unfamiliar networks. In order to connect to a rigged Wi-Fi network set up by mobile security firm F-Secure, six users agreed to sign over their first born children to the company. … “and during the experiment a lawyer supervised all our activities to avoid breaching any laws.”
Presumably, F-Secure does not intend to enforce the clause assigning them custody of users’ children, either.
via Browser Beware: Wi-Fi Users Sign Over First-Born Children – IEEE Spectrum.
How Google’s Autonomous Car Passed the First U.S. State Self-Driving Test – IEEE Spectrum
How Google’s Autonomous Car Passed the First U.S. State Self-Driving Test – IEEE Spectrum.
“Perhaps overly cautious approaching some lights,” he wrote. The other column shows that Google’s car was not tested on roundabouts. There were similar checks for railroad crossings, unpaved roads, school zones, and shopping centers. In communication with the Nevada DMV before the test, Google said its policy was to prohibit autonomous operation at railroad crossings that lack signals and for human drivers to take over. It also noted: “[Roundabouts are] particularly challenging, where many drivers don’t know the proper rules in the first place.” In an e-mail to colleagues at the DMV, Breslow wrote, “We can’t fail an applicant for not being able to navigate a traffic circle if they say that there [sic] vehicle can’t yet do it.”
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What would the Prius do when confronted by something unexpected? That happened several times during the 22-km test drive. At one point, a bicycle weaved in front of the car. The car backed off before passing the cyclist safely. The Prius also correctly anticipated a pedestrian running across the street. Construction work, however, proved trickier. When faced with a partially blocked-off road, the car switched between autonomous and manual modes and then braked to a halt, requiring the safety driver to take control. Wojcik also recorded that the car needed driver assistance with some turns, although she did not note the circumstances.
paulspiece.com 