Everything: February 2016

Sunday, February 28, 2016

Weekend poll: LG G5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S7 edge

If you think about it, Samsung and LG are to "blame" for the current dominance of huge-screen handsets. Samsung got the ball rolling with the Note, LG killed off the phone/phablet distinction with the G3.

This year, however, both companies pulled back and their new flagships are smaller than their predecessors: from 5.7" S6 edge+ to 5.5" S7 edge, from 5.5" G4 to 5.3" LG G5. Their screens have another thing in common too, Always On mode.

The two diverge when it comes to the camera. The G5 has a secondary wide-angle camera while Samsung focused on low-light shooting and ultra-fast focus locks.

The Galaxy S7 edge is not nearly as locked down as the S6 before it. No, you still can't change the battery, but you get your microSD slot back and water resistance too (IP68).

The LG G5 went all metal and LG used a unique process to hide the unsightly antenna lines. The killer feature, however, is modularity - currently, a camera battery grip (with extra hardware controls) and a hi-fi DAC from Bang & Olufsen give you the option to upgrade your G5 even after purchasing it.

Well, you've probably read our thoughts on the LG G5 vs. Samsung Galaxy S7 edge, now we want to hear what you think. Vote away!

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Facebook wants to crack down against hate speech on migrants

Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg says the social network needs to get better at cracking down on hate speech against migrants.

He identified them as a group that needed protection during a public "town hall" session in Berlin.

Around 1,000 young people were invited, many of them students.

Germany's history with the Nazi party means there are strict laws around the protection of minorities.

Facebook has faced criticism in Germany for failing to police anti-immigration posts.

Their ministry of justice has said the social network acts quicker to remove sexual imagery than it does racist messages.

It was reported in January that German authorities were working on a deal with Facebook, Google and Twitter to make sure the law took priority over company policy.

When asked to clarify Facebook's position directly, Zuckerberg said: "There's not a place for this kind of content on Facebook. Learning more about German culture and law has led us to change the approach," he said.

He did not specify how he would stop this sort of material, but added: "Hate speech against migrants is an important part of what we now have no tolerance for on Facebook."

Germany receives more refugees and asylum seekers than any other EU country. Many of those have come from war-torn Syria.

Image captionAsylum applicants wait outside the the Central Registration Office for Asylum Seekers in Germany

The increased numbers of migrants entering has seen support for anti-immigration groups rise.

Tensions have grown in Germany both on and offline, especially after a series of assaults on New Year's Eve which were largely blamed on migrants.

Authorities say about 1,000 people, mostly men, congregated at Cologne's central train station before breaking off into small groups that molested and robbed women.

Despite this, last week about 100 people in the town of Clausnitz took to the streets and shouted "we are the people" and tried to block the bus carrying about 20 asylum seekers.

Video footage showing migrants crying caused outrage.

Two days after the protest in Clausnitz, a shelter for asylum-seekers was set alight in Bautzen while onlookers applauded.

Germany is currently considering proposals to tighten its immigration policy after the assaults on New Year's Eve. Businesses are expected to argue migrants would help replace the shrinking work force.

However, Zuckerberg said he hoped the US would follow Germany's lead allowing more refugees into the country.

Monday, February 22, 2016

Got Numb Feet? This May Be Why

Address common cyclist foot problems—from numbness to fungus—

before they wreck your ride

f the general public. Also, the foot volume increases as we exercise—as the blood flow to the muscles increases. The foot will be bound relatively firmly inside the shoe for the duration of your ride so it’s a reasonably oppressive environment. You should also avoid using thick socks to keep the feet warm in the colder months: Layering thinner socks has a better insulating effect and will reduce the volume of the foot in the shoe.

There is a small group of cyclists where symptoms start to affect the foot outside of cycling and this represents a condition referred to as a neuroma. This is essentially a nerve fiber in the foot that has become inflamed and easily irritated. The main symptom: a pins-and-needles sensation in the foot that may affect some of the toes, and may progress into numbness. Treatment options include injections, anti-inflammatories, and footwear or orthotic inputs, and it’s essential to see a clinician with a special interest in foot problems. This person does not necessarily need to be a cyclist but he or she should have a working knowledge of cycling-related injuries.

Will posture affect how your feet feel?
Posture has a lot to do with foot pain. When you’re on the bike there is lot of stress around the low back and pelvis and a reasonable number of cyclists develop foot numbness that is referred from the back as the nerves are compressed at that level. These symptoms tend to respond to time out of the seat, which takes pressure off the back and pelvis. Generally these symptoms will resolve with the periods of time out of the saddle but there are occasions where they persist after the ride. If you have any consistent pain or numbness, then you should have a look at bike fit. A cycling fit specialist will look at your bike setup and also look at what positions you are capable of on the bike.

What can a cyclist do to minimize postural problems?
A bike fit is the obvious first approach, but you also need to consider your flexibility and strength (or lack thereof!) around your lower back. Gym or home-based strength programs can be key to comfort on the bike if performed on a relatively regular basis.

There are some excellent clinicians out there who are skilled in this area. This could be a physical therapist, chiropractor, osteopath, or coach and it’s key to do your homework and ensure that whoever you select has an active interest in cycling. Word-of-mouth recommendations tend to work the best, so speak with your cycling buddies. They may have experienced the same issues.

RELATED: Ditch the Tingles

What are some topical foot problems most common to cyclists?
Cyclists are at risk of soft tissue problems such as athlete’s foot, mainly due to the heat generated while the foot is in an enclosed shoe (and sometimes a shoe cover). This creates an environment for fungal spores to develop, particularly during multiday events. Riding in wet weather is another risk factor. To avoid this, always dry your shoes after a wet ride and bring more than one pair of socks on multi-day rides and races. And if you develop an infection, treat it early with an anti-fungal cream and continue to use it for seven days straight.

Got any tips for picking out new shoes?
To make sure you buy a shoe that fits, ask about different cleatsand pedals at your local bike shop, as they will have great knowledge of the interaction of the foot with the bike. Also, the issue of orthotics (insoles/arch supports) in cycling footwear is an emerging area. Although the mechanics of the foot while cycling do differ from land-based activity, the role of orthotics needs to be judged on a case-by-case basis depending on the problems that the cyclist is experiencing, rather than mass provision of insoles for cyclists just because they are available.

Since feet swell during exercise, does it make sense to try to get out for a ride right before you shoe shop?
In theory, yes, trying a cycling shoe on after some form of exercise would be an option. If the last of the shoe is too narrow and shallow, then simply going up a shoe size might be the answer.Shoes manufactured in Europe can often differ from shoesmanufactured in Asia so its worthwhile trying a range of sizes on before buying to see how each suits you.

FEATURED STORIES What's the Story Behind Bianchi's Signature Color?

The history of that minty green is beautiful and complicated

The origins of the 129-year-old Italian company's marquee color are a bit of a mystery. "We have no real answer," says David Reed,Bianchi USA's vice president of marketing. "Years have gone by and the stories get more glorified and less truthful." Complicating the matter: Though it has always been called celeste (which translates roughly to "sky blue"), the actual shade has varied over the years from a bluish tint to its current minty green.

RELATED: 2015 Bianchi Infinito CV Ultegra Di2 Disc Compact

The facts may be elusive, but the tales are wonderful. The most well-known include the notion that company founder EdoardoBianchi made a bike at the request of the Italian queen and painted it to match her eyes. Another suggests that the color comes from toned-down surplus military paint after World War I, though references to celeste in Bianchi ads predate the war. Still another says it's the color of the sky over Milan.

It doesn't matter that we may never know the real story. Celeste has come to symbolize a romanticized combination of Italian craftsmanship and cycling lore—and that's the story we hope will forever endure.

Can Hoverboards and Bicycles Peacefully Coexist in the Bike Lane?

Obstacles in bike lanes are nothing new. Parked cars, runners, skateboarders, oversized storm drains—sometimes navigating your city can feel like being stuck on the hardest level of the old-school Nintendo game "Paperboy."

Cyclists in California can look forward to facing yet another obstacle in their precious lane space: hoverboards. A new statewide law went into place January 1 banning the use of the misleadingly named gizmos (no, they don’t actually hover) on sidewalks and sequestering them into the bike lane.

RELATED: 6 Bike Lanes Gone Horribly Wrong

If you’ve seen the boards in action, you’re probably dubious about how well this will work for all parties involved. Hoverboards typically travel at about 5 to 10 mph, and are known for making sudden turns that immediately eject their human contents into the road—just a few of the reasons New York City has outright banned them on public streets, sidewalks, and bike lanes.

They’ve also been outlawed from more than a dozen college campuses due to their awkward tendency to spontaneously combust and catch fire, but that’s another issue entirely. The newCalifornia law does, however, prohibit street use of the self-balancing boards by those under the age of 16 (the primary hover demographic), so there’s a chance their introduction to the bike lane won’t have any lasting effect on cyclist safety.

RELATED: The Right Way to Ride on a Bike Path

If you're intent upon hovering yourself, here are a few quick tips for doing so responsibly within the white painted line: Ride predictably to the extent you can; signal intentions; wear a helmet(legally required); and watch out for bikes.

And cyclists, if you see a hoverboard in the bike lane, slow down and give it the wide berth you might give an unpredictable wild animal or a landmine strapped to a Roomba. You never know when it might accelerate into your path or go up in flames.

9 bike noises that mean you must take action

Simple sounds that need checking out before they turn into something serious

1. GurglingDoes your motor sound like Homer Simpson’s guts after a night on the Duff? Time for a look at your cooling system. Coolant should circulate silently. Firstly, check the level, any drop indicates an issue. If there’s an air pocket, the pump won’t be able to circulate coolant properly, and it can froth around and boil if it can’t circulate away from hot spots. Top it up – if it drops again you may have a leaking seal or gasket. Bubbling coolant, or coolant being forced into the header tank too readily, may indicate a blown head gasket or another overheating problem that needs investigation.

Final showdown for Arenacross at Wembley

The 2016 Monster Energy Arenacross Tour is preparing for the climax of what has been an electrifying eleven-round series. It approaches its grand finale at the SSE Arena, Wembley on Saturday February 27 with three riders capable of taking the Pro class win.

The mathematics confirm that a Frenchman – Geartec Yamaha’s Cedric Soubeyras, SR75 Molson Racing Suzuki’s Thomas Rametter or Cyrille Coulon - will win but, taking recent encounters into consideration, it is set to be something of a grudge match. It’s an open book as to who will survive the Arenacross racing carnage.

The points rule out Brits Adam Chatfield (Buildbase Honda) and Jack Brunell (SJR Kawasaki) from taking the title, but both are more than capable of taking the class win on the night and the hearts of, what is anticipated to be, a partisan crowd.

Away from the hard-core racing, the roar of the gathered spectators is expected to reach something of a crescendo when the highly-charged and energetic Freestyle motocross athletes hit the ramps. Edgar Torronteras, Jamie Squib, Dan Whitby, Samson Eaton and Arran Powley are Tour regulars and have yet to disappoint AX audiences with their wild tricks, massive whips and roller-coaster back flips.

• The final leg of the 2016 Monster Energy Arenacross Tour gets underway when doors open at 6pm on February 27 at the SSE Arena, Wembley. Tickets may be available on the gate, but we'd suggest you book your Arenacross tickets in advance.

Product Review: EDZ Innershell (£50)

What’s good about the EDZ Innershell?

This windproof top has to be one of my favourite pieces of kit. It’s made from Pertex, is ultra-thin and can be stowed easily in a pocket or tankbag in case of the weather turning cold. Worn as an extra layer it adds warmth without any bulk or bunching. The zip is on an angle at the neck so it’s easy to access and doesn’t get in the way of any jacket closures. The neck is also lined with a light fleece, making it comfortable and snug.

And what’s not?

There is one fault with the Innershell is that they should incorporate an integral storage pocket. The jackets comes with a separate little bag to stow it in and I’ve managed to lose it! The item is a little expensive but having said that I’ve used it for over eight years.

Bike of the Day: Honda CBR500R

he CBR500R was designed to maximise the new 47bhp regs while at the same time being both attractive and affordable. Top speed is limited to 112mph but there’s fun to be had in getting up to speed and the CBR's handling exceeds expectations.

This 2013 model has covered less than 2,000 miles and as such is in excellent condition. A great buy for somebody looking to get into sportsbikes without jumping straight in at the deep end.

Circuit of Wales moves a step closer

Published: 18 February 2016

Promise of £300 million funding could see work finally begin on all-new Welsh circuit

Work may finally be set to get underway at the proposed new home of the British Grand Prix, after reports emerged that the Circuit of Waleshas secured £300 million in funding from insurance giant Aviva.

First reported by BBC Wales, the news would mean that the entire private funding required for construction to start would be in place, backed by £30 million pledged by the Welsh government to help redevelop the Ebbw Vale.

Aviva, best known for its insurance concerns, also invests heavily in strategic infrastructure projects, and is currently believed to manage upwards of £200 billion of property, including a number of key sites in the Welsh capital, Cardiff.

The area of South Wales was left economically devastated in 2002 with the closure of its steelworks, and the new circuit is the centrepiece of the government’s plans to kickstart job creation.

It’s hoped that if the money is now in place, the wait to start building is finally over. New project chief executive Martin Whitaker has told the BBC that an announcement confirming the funding is due “very, very soon”.

Initially announced in 2011, the project has suffered a catalogue of setbacks, with the goal of starting initial building work in January being the latest missed target.

Further delays mean the plan to host the British MotoGP round at the new facility in 2017 may also be scrapped, with the race currently looking set to remain at Silverstone for the foreseeable future.

We Want It! Bimota YB8

In the days before razor-sharp big-bike handling, Bimota were the torch-bearers for brilliant chassis. This YB8 is a piece of (almost) affordable exotica that makes the most of the FZR1000 EXUP’s 20-valve motor

imota entered the 1980s as one of the world’s leading chassis designers, making up for the handling shortcomings of the offerings of the mainstream manufacturers, but by the end of the decade the Japanese in particular were close to matching their brilliant engines with decent frames. Bimota were facing redundancy.
But while Japan’s big superbikes were stupendously fast and handling better each year, but they were also big and weighty. The Honda FireBlade had yet to arrive to show that fast bikes could be light and nimble.
The YB8 appeared in 1990, and was to be one of the last opportunities for Bimota to build a better bike than the donor machines supplying the engines. The 1002cc engine from the FZR1000 EXUP powered the YB8, but free of Yamaha’s self-imposed 125bhp limit, and boasting a claimed 149bhp.
The chassis is heavily based on Bimota’s YB4EI, which used an FZR750 motor for race homologation. That’s a good start in life – Davide Tardozzi won the first ever World Superbike race in 1988 at Donington on one, taking four more wins and almost claiming the championship over the rest of the year.

Away from the race track, the YB8 combines the best bits of its glorious WSB sibling, but with the sledgehammer power of the EXUP motor. Bimota retained the EXUP butterfly valve in the exhaust from the Yamaha and therefore its low-rpm benefits.
Unlike the Weber-Marelli fuel-injected YB4EI, the YB8 stuck with the EXUP’s 38mm Mikuni CV carbs. That’s good: niche Italian firms and pioneering electronics are rarely a happy match in reliability terms.
Much of the electrical componentry is Yamaha-sourced too – underneath the funky white/red/black clock facias is the EXUP instrument cluster. The switchgear is Yamaha (albeit with the lightswitch blanked off and the lights wired on permanently) and even the headlights, brake mastercylinder and clutch lever are purloined from the Yamaha spare-parts shelf.

The bits that define Bimotas are all Italian though. The huge beam frame and the aluminium swingarm and eccentric chain adjusters are as rigid as they are beautiful.
Marzocchi suspension is fully adjustable front and back, and black Brembo calipers are race-derived parts allied to 320mm discs on alloy carriers from the same firm.
But at £14,000 new in 1990 (the EXUP was £6149), you’d demand that level of kit. And you’d want it to look sensational too. Not something Bimota always achieved – witness the DB3 Mantra – but the YB8’s aerodynamic shape looks the way handbuilt exotic machinery should. It isn’t beautiful in the way a Ducati 916 or an MV Agusta F4 is, but it’s a handsome machine with clear purpose.
It’s helped by the simple, clean Tricolore graphics that adorn the bike in these pictures. We spotted this 8500-mile minter in MCN’s online classified ads, on sale at Ilkley dealer Route 65 Motorcycles.

And we really mean mint – it’s a word often used without justification in the used bike market, but you’d believe us if we said there was under 1000 miles on the clock. There’s not a mark on the irreplaceable panels, the Micron can is undamaged and the craftsmanship of the chassis is unblemished by damage or corrosion. There’s some small evidence of clumsy use of a security chain through the front wheel, leaving a couple of small nicks in the alloy, but for a 21 year-old machine that’s not worth talking about.
Typically for expensive machinery with few miles, it hasn’t been used in a while, and in preparation for our ride, Route 65 have given the carbs a clean. Wise, as this isn’t an engine to ruin with spluttery fuelling.

Although the Micron silencer is stamped ‘Race Use’, the Bimota makes a subtle noise around town. But there’s limited steering lock and my knuckles grind on the glassfibre fairing when turning, plus it’s really too cramped for low speed work. Nothing less than you might expect, though surprisingly the Yamaha-sourced ‘Mickey Mouse’ mirrors actually provide rear vision on the Bimota – something they don’t do on the FZR.
The EXUP motor is as great as ever. Modern 1000s have nothing on its low-end grunt – throttle openings from anything above tickover result in being shoved back against the single. Bimota claimed 29kg less dry weight than Yamaha too, and that helps.
The handling is taut as you’d expect, meaning every input is direct and rewarded with a predictable response. Steering isn’t quick, and the legacy of 1980s design is evident but it is confidence inspiring. More rear ride-height would make it more nimble.

The brakes are powerful, and could still be judged good by modern standards.
Like the EXUP upon which it’s based, the Bimota still has relevance today – but even more so. To modify an EXUP to cut it against newer machinery would require lots of cash and elbow grease. The Bimota needs the eccentric chain adjusters moving for more ride height and new tyres. That’s all.
OK, so it isn’t cheap (Route 65 had this bike up for sale at £6500, and have since taken a deposit). But you’ll struggle to find a bike that’s more satisfying to look at when you open the garage door.

Samsung Gear S2 classic 3G is first device with eSIM - a virtual, remotely-activated SIM

SIM cards have gone from regular through mini and micro to nano and soon they will be the size of electrons. The Samsung Gear S2 classic 3G is the first product to support this new standard called eSIM.

This is a built-in, programmable SIM that allows users to remotely connect to a device to a mobile network. This makes it easier to join a carrier of your choice (no trips to the store!).

For now, the GSMA intends these eSIMs to be used for secondary devices - like the Gear S2 classic 3G smartwatch, tablets, smart bands and various Internet of Things devices (so you don't have to plug an actual SIM card into each and every smart appliance at home).

These do not require an additional subscription but instead piggyback on your main contract. The GSMA plans to release additional specifications in June that will bring the eSIM standard to smartphones.

It has the support of some of the biggest mobile device makers - Samsung (obviously), LG, Huawei and Microsoft. Apple is notably missing from this list; characteristically it has its own standard. Some of the world's biggest carriers, even chipset makers too.

The Samsung Gear S2 classic 3G will be available in March.

Galaxy S7 and S7 edge prices confirmed, to hit the shelves on March 11

Samsung is going to unveil the Galaxy S7 series in just a day in Barcelona, but the leaks have been giving us tiny bits of information over the past few months. We pretty much know almost everything there is to know about the new flagships, but we finally get conformation of the pricing.

We had reports the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge will go on pre-order on February 22, while the actual launch will happen on March 11 in many markets.

We even heard the phones will retail at €699 for the S7 and €799 for the S7 edge, plus there is a chance the first to pre-order those to receive a free Gear VR headset.

Now we can confirm all of those rumors. Leaked promotional materials plus tips that we personally received from employees at phone retailers across Europe reveal the exact prices of the Galaxy S7 and S7 edge - €699 and €799. We also know for sure that all who pre-order the devices not only will get them three days sooner and will get a free GearVR.

Indeed, many official retailers will be throwing a free Gear VR headset for the first batch of pre-orders. The confirmed markets so far are the UK, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.

The S7 flagships will go on pre-order this Monday - February 22 - and they both will ship on March 8. The actual in-store availability will begin three days later on March 11.

We already had lots of confirmation on the specs of the devices, thanks to various tips and leaked materials. The Galaxy S7 will come with a 5.1” Super AMOLED Quad HD display and will run on either Snapdragon 820 or the new Exynos chip, both version featuring 4GB of RAM.

The main camera utilizes a new 12.1MP sensor, and the microSD slot is expected to make a return. Also returning will be the IP68 dust and water resistance.

The S7 and S7 edge are going official tomorrow, so we’ll know everything in a few hours. Stay tuned!

A big thank you to Max, Ciprian, and our other anonymous tipsterss!

LG G5 with modular design, dual camera on back unveiled

Meet the LG G5 - the first mainstream modular phone! There have been attempts in the past, the most recent being Google's Project Ara, but none has found mainstream success.

Sleek body, functional addons

The G5 has a "fluid metal" body and beveled glass on the front; not even antenna slits spoil its perfect lines. There is a single seam, which separates the bottom part.

That's the modular component - it can be removed to access the battery and card slots, and one of several add-ons can be inserted (this requires a reboot though).

The first add-on is a camera grip, the LG Cam Plus. It adds 1,100mAh battery and hardware controls - a hardware shutter key, a video button, zoom dial. Then there's a Bang & Olufsen DAC for even better audio quality. LG will open the standard for third-party manufacturers to create even more add-ons.

LG Cam Plus • Bang & Olufsen DAC

One of a kind screen, unique dual camera

Back to the LG G5, it has a 5.3" LCD with an always-on mode. It features a dedicated memory and a power-sipping secondary chip so that the main chipset can go to sleep while the screen remains on 24/7. The bespoke chip sips just 0.8% of battery per hour.

The dual selfie camera idea from the V10 has migrated to the G5 too, but as a main camera. One camera has 75° Field of View (FoV) and 16MP sensor, the second camera is much wider, 135° and 8MP sensor. Images from both cameras can be merged with various effects and a real-time preview.

Finally, the "regular" specs. The LG G5 is powered by a Snapdragon 820 chipset wtih 4GB of RAM. It has 32GB storage on board and a microSD slot. It's 7.5mm-8mm thick and packs a small-ish 2,800mAh battery. Below the dual-camera is the fingerprint sensor.

The LG G5 will launch in early April in the initial group of countries.

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge retail box has most specs written on it

It's the last few hours before Samsung unveils the S7 family, so here are some more leaks to help pass the time. The Samsung Galaxy S7 edge retail box has been photographed and, as usual, it features a quick rundown of the most important specs.

The screen will be a 5.5" Super AMOLED with QHD resolution (that's 1,440 x 2,560px). The phone will be powered by an octa-core processor with 4GB of RAM and 32GB storage.

The Galaxy S7 edge camera will be a "Dual Pixel" 12MP shooter. Canon has "Dual Pixel" sensors, which offers super quick, super accurate focus because 80% of the viewfinder area is used to focus instead of a fixed number of focus points. Anyway, there's a 5MP selfie camera too.

Samsung Galaxy S7 edge retail box (allegedly)

The IP68 water and dust resistance are confirmed (again, no word on microSD, but it's pretty certain at this point). There's wireless charging and KNOX too.

We've seen Photoshopped retail boxes before, so don't take these specs as gospel. Still, a million leaks can't be wrong.

More leaked ptohos of HP's Windows 10 Elite x3

We first head of the HP Elite x3 about a week ago and what was originally considered a sketchy device, has been leaking all over the place since. At this point, we are actually pretty confident that the Windows 10 powered phone will be released sooner or later, perhaps even at MWC 2016.

We already have a pretty good idea of what to expect in terms of hardware from a previous leak, so today's fresh batch is more or less a confirmation of said info, along with a look at the device from a few extra angles.

HP Elite x3

Just to reiterate, the Elite x3 is shaping up as a prime competitor to the Lumia 950 XL. It has a 5.96-inch QHD touchscreen, a 16 MP rear camera, an 8 MP selfie cam, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 chipset powering it, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, a USB Type-C port with support for USB 3.0, Qi wireless charging, a fingerprint scanner (which might be embedded in that 'chin' underneath the display), an iris sensor, a special docking connection, IP67 certification for water and dust resistance, as well as MIL-STD-810G rating for withstanding drops from 1 meter or less. Windows 10 Continuum will, of course, be a central feature of the 7.8 mm thin device, as well.