Amazon Fire HD 6 review: Decent tablet, killer price

Gizmag reviews one of Amazon's most aggressively-priced products yet, the Fire HD 6 tablet (Photo: Will Shanklin/Gizmag.com)

As the quality of tablets has gone up, the minimum cost to get a halfway decent one has gone down. Read on, as Gizmag reviews one of Amazon's most aggressively-priced products yet, the US$99 Fire HD 6 tablet.

You could do a drinking game while reading reviews of the Fire HD 6 (from Gizmag or anywhere else): every time you run into the phrases "for $99" or "for its price," everyone does a shot. Is this a great tablet, by 2014 standards? No. But is it great for its price? You bet. That's the Fire HD 6 in a nutshell: it's special, but only because of the value it offers for $99.

It has the same software-related strengths and weakness as every other Amazon Fire tablet. On one hand, it's an Amazon shopper's paradise, with quick and easy access to the company's digital and physical goods (especially sweet if you're a Prime member). But on the other hand, its selection of third-party apps isn't the greatest and, unless you want to do some tinkering, you won't have access to a single Google-made app.

The version of Fire OS (Amazon's forked version of Android's open-source core) that runs on the Fire HD 6 doesn't support Android and iOS standards like recent-apps-switching, setting reminders or voice control. When you try to jump from app-to-app, you'll notice some lag, and the screen is too small to turn it into a faux laptop. And many popular apps that are in Amazon's storefront are older (crappier) versions than you'll find on the iOS App Store or Google Play Store (1Password and Flipboard, for example).

... but hey, for $99, what do you expect?

The Fire HD 6 is fairly thick (10.7 mm/0.42-in), but I find it to be comfortable in hand (thin devices are sexier, but sometimes it's easier to grip a device with some meat on its bones). Its small enough that I can comfortably cup it in my secondary hand, and its bezels are wide enough that I can grip its side without accidentally touching its screen.

At 6 inches, the Fire HD 6's screen is about as small as you can make a tablet while still calling it a tablet. In fact, its display is only 5 percent bigger than those of the Nexus 6 and Lumia 1520 smartphones (they have the same diagonal measurements, but different aspect ratios). If you already own a phablet, then, needless to say, this isn't the tablet for you.

Its screen quality isn't bad at all (for $99). At 252 pixels per inch (PPI), it's only slightly less sharp than Apple's last four full-sized iPads (they're 264 PPI). There are going to be compromises in any ~$100 tablet, but Amazon was wise to make the Fire's display one of its high points. As long as text and images look crisp (especially for e-books and videos), I'm more likely to put up with some slight lag and a few missing apps.

Speaking of e-books, the Fire HD 6 makes for a pretty damn good e-reader. If you can live with day-long (as opposed to weeks-long) battery life, and sacrifice some readability in direct sunlight, then it can save you $20 over the Kindle Paperwhite. And the Paperwhite doesn't let you play Grand Theft Auto, send emails or watch The Sopranos.

Battery life is a pleasant surprise. In our test, where we stream video with brightness set at 75 percent, it dropped around 13 percent per hour. That's slightly better than the iPad Air 2, and only a hair off the pace of the iPad Air 1 and latest iPad minis. With "regular" use, this is easily an all-day device.

There are a couple minor asterisks attached to the Fire HD's price. By default, the device ships with lock screen ads. I don't find them to be particularly intrusive, but you will need to pay an extra $15 if you want to get rid of them. The base model also ships with 8 GB of storage (half what you'll find in an entry-level iPad). If you want a 16 GB model, that will cost an extra $20.

The Fire HD 6 is a remarkably good deal (and after the overpriced Fire Phone launch, it's nice to see the company get back to what it does best). Sure, its boxy design doesn't make for the sexiest tablet. It's missing apps that you'll find on other tablet platforms, and multitasking isn't much fun. But how many other $99 tablets give you a screen this good, with battery life this long?

The Fire HD 6 is perfect for someone who has never bought a tablet because they cost too much. Ditto for families that want an extra slate floating around for when the iPad is already taken, or someone looking for a good stocking stuffer for the holidays. And again, it isn't a bad e-reader alternative either.

The Fire HD 6 is available now, in select stores and (if you're too sloshed from playing the "for $99" drinking game) online.

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Sun’s Effect on Baby Skin

A baby skin is very thin and sensitive to sun. Within, ten – fifteen minute, exposure direct sunlight, causes sunburn. When a baby is placed, inside baby car seat, unaware seat and buckles, been exposed direct sunlight, will burn baby’s skin. Sunburns can be very painful and serious health problems, including dehydration and fever. Estimates, one in every 100 children, may eventually develop melanoma, most deadly type, of skin cancer.

Treating mild or less severe, baby sunburns, applying onto the area, a washcloth been soaked, in cool water. Applying wash cloth, onto skin for fifteen minutes, a few times a day or more, but cautiously, observing for any chills. Alternatively, bath baby in cool water and baking soda, cools the skin, and reduces redness. Applying, moisturizer containing aloe vera, vitamin ‘E’ oil or Noxema, cools down skin temperature, reduce redness, and discomfort. Provide, plenty of fluids, preventing dehydration. Severe sunburns or blistering of the skin, associated second degree burns, needs attentions of a physician or pediatrician, immediately. Prescribed treatment includes, applying ointments, creams, dressing of blisters, and relieving pain, taking infant non-aspirin.

Certainly, prevention is best method, from sunburn, any age. According, Dr. Paul J. Honing, chief of Dermatology, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, severe sunburn or continued exposure to the sun early in life, may be correlated, with skin cancer, later in life. Furthermore, a child has two severe sunburns, before the age of 18, generally, greater risk of skin cancer. Dr. Honig warns, protecting the skin with baby oil, enhances damaging effect, of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Importantly, Children have greater risk of skin cancer: Fair to light skin complexion, family history of skin cancer, history of sunburn early in life, typical moles or larger number of moles, freckles, and long duration sunlight exposure. Living, closer to the equator, during peak summer months or between 10 AM – 4 PM, sun provides, strongest rays. Living in high altitudes, greater exposure to the sun. Every 1,000 feet of altitude, increases sun’s rays by five percent, especially, living in Denver, exposure is 25 percent stronger. Baby should wear, long-sleeved shirt, tight woven clothing (prevents sunlight), light colored clothing, and loosely woven fabrics. Fabric labeled, Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) value, provides a level of protection, from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Ultraviolet Protection rating of twenty, allows 1/20 of the sun’s UV radiation, pass through or reduces, skin’s UV radiation exposure, by twenty times. Higher Ultraviolet Protection Factor, provide greater UV protection. Preferable, a baby should wear, sunglasses with UV-protection, and have big lenses, exposure to the sun. A child vision can worsen, after years of exposure to the sun, without any protection. Outside, attach an umbrella or canopy, when using a stroller. Otherwise, sun-protective tent, provides sun-protection, baby is playing or resting. Directly exposure to the sun, apply sunscreen or lotion, exposed areas. Contact your pediatrician, recommended sunscreens or lotions. Babies over six months old, applying waterproof sunscreen, designed for children, and labeled ‘broad spectrum,’ protecting against, both ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet A (UVA) rays. Additional protection, by apply zinc oxide, upon areas of the skin, more perceptible to sunburn, such as nose and lips. Same for adult skin protection.

Sunscreen protects the skin, by absorbing or blocking, and scattering UV radiation. Degree of protection rated by Sun Protection Factor (SPF) system. The higher SPF rating, adult or baby exposure sun longer, before getting sunburn. Applying, an SPF ’15,’ exposure to the sun, for 150 minutes, prevents sunburn. Recommend, applying new sunscreen, onto a small area of a baby skin, and observing, for allergic reaction, of rash or redness. Applying, sunscreen 20 minutes, before exposure to sun, enough time for skin absorption. Reapplying sunscreen, recommended, after a baby or adult, played in water or has been sweating. Otherwise, reapplying every thirty minutes, during sun exposure. If eyes are exposed to sunscreen, cause irritation, apply plenty of water to the eye, reduces discomfort, and contacting a physician, if irritation continues. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends sunscreen, protective sun hats, sunglasses, and clothing.

Sun light absorbs and provides Vitamin ‘D’ or ‘sunshine vitamin,’ essential for developing strong bones, and calcium absorption. Sufficient, amount of time, baby exposed to sunlight per day is five to thirty minutes, depending how sensitive, a baby skin reacts. Avoid, strongest sun light, between hours 10 AM, and 2 PM. During winter months, absorption of vitamin ‘D,’ is limited, because sunlight contains, a limited amount of ultraviolet rays, produce vitamin ‘D.’

Sinclair ZX Spectrum reborn as a retro console

The Sinclair Vega is based on the ZX Spectrum personal home computer from the 1980s

For those who enjoyed classic games like Chuckie Egg and Elite, little can compare to the nostalgia that Sir Clive Sinclair's ZX Spectrum home computer invokes. The venerable "Speccy" made a big impact on the UK home computer scene back in the 1980s and an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign aims to launch a new console based on the original 8-bit PC that's endorsed by Sir Clive himself.

Launched by Retro Gaming, a company which includes Sir Clive Sinclair in its ranks, the Sinclair Spectrum Vega retains the basic styling of its illustrious forbear, but instead of keys sports a joypad. It's powered by an ARM processor and contains a memory chip and Flash storage which packs an impressive 1,000 pre-loaded Spectrum games. According to Retro Gaming, the Vega should also be compatible with the Spectrum's remaining catalog of games.

Once the Vega is connected to a TV, the pre-loaded games are accessed by a menu-based system. New games can also be loaded via SD card, though since most Spectrum games were loaded on cassette, we're not sure exactly how this would work – perhaps Retro Gaming intends to make them available for download somehow.

Retro Gaming says that development is complete, and the firm hopes to track down former Spectrum game developers and get permission to use their games on the Vega. An undisclosed software royalty will be donated in their honor to Great Ormond Street Hospital.

As of writing, the cheapest remaining pledge point for a Vega is £100 (US$156). If all goes well with production, delivery is estimated at April 2015.

The charming pitch video below shows a little more info on the project.

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Detection of super-Earth transit puts ground-based telescopes in the hunt

Artist's conception shows the Earth (left) compared to the super-Earth 55 Cancri e (right), whose transit across the front of its host star was detected from the ground (Image: NASA/JPL)

When you're hunting for exoplanets many light years away, the complications posed by the Earth's atmosphere can make the search incredibly difficult for ground-based telescopes. That's why space-based telescopes, such as Hubble, Spitzer and Kepler, are generally employed for the job. But now for the first time, astronomers have detected the transit of a super-Earth in front of a nearby Sun-like star, which could see ground-based telescopes more widely used in categorizing the growing number of exoplanets expected to be discovered in the next few years.

The feat was achieved using the 2.5-m (8.2-ft) Nordic Optical Telescope situated on the island of La Palma in the Canary Islands. Although it is only a moderate-sized facility by today's standards, the observatory is equipped with state-of-the-art instruments that allowed it to detect exoplanet 55 Cancri e as it crossed in front of its host star, 55 Cancri, which is located 40 light years from Earth and is just visible with the naked eye. Although the planet's transit had been observed before, these had all been achieved with space-borne telescopes.

The planet was initially identified in 2004 using the radial velocity method, whereby the movements of a star in response to the gravitational pull of a planet affect the star's normal color signature. The planet was later confirmed by transit observations captured by the MOST and Spitzer space telescopes. Now its transit has been observed from a ground-based telescope, which has to deal with the extra complication of looking through the Earth's turbulent atmosphere.

With the planet only blocking a small fraction of the starlight and dimming the star's brightness by 1/2,000th – or 0.05% – for nearly two hours, it is the shallowest transit of an exoplanet observed from the ground. It is also only the second super-Earth to be detected with a ground-based telescope, the first being GJ 1214b, which circles a red dwarf, in 2009. But 55 Cancri e is the first super-Earth circling a G-type main-sequence star like our Sun that has been detected using a ground-based telescope.

"Our observations show that we can detect the transits of small planets around Sun-like stars using ground-based telescopes," says Ernst de Mooij of Queen's University Belfast in the United Kingdom, lead author of the study. "This is especially important because upcoming space missions such as TESS and PLATO should find many small planets around bright stars and we will want to follow up the discoveries with ground-based instruments."

NASA's TESS (Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite) mission is scheduled to launch in 2017 with the primary goal of detecting small planets with bright host stars in the solar neighborhood to allow characterization of the planets and their atmospheres. PLATO (Planetary Transits and Oscillations of stars) is a space observatory originally proposed for the ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015-2025 Programme, and given the nod in February 2014. It will be tasked with characterizing rocky exoplanets of all sizes.

"We expect these surveys to find so many nearby, terrestrial worlds that space telescopes simply won't be able to follow up on all of them," says co-author Mercedes Lopez-Morales of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (CfA). "Future ground-based instrumentation will be key, and this study shows it can be done."

The team's paper will be published in The Astrophysical Journal Letters.

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EcoSafe Digester: big data, less waste

The Eco-Safe Digester is a self-contained stainless steel unit that breaks down food waste into grey water

The world produces a hell of a lot of waste and a great part of it is food waste. According to the United Nations Environment Program, around one third of the food produced in the world for human consumption every year is either lost or wasted. In an effort to deal with all this waste in a green way, New York-based BioHitech has developed a device that breaks food waste down into grey water and connects to a cloud system to allow the company to tap the power of big data to monitor and improve the performance of the units.

The device is called the Eco-Safe Digester, an aerobic unit designed for on-site installation to help clients reduce how much of their food waste ends up in a landfill. BioHiTech compares its digester to a "mechanical stomach," where an ideal combination of heat, moisture and oxygen enables microorganisms to thrive and break down the waste.

With the exception of things such as large bones, mussel and clam shells, and pineapple tops, all the food waste is broken down and discharged to the drain as grey water with traces of undigested solids. This is then transported through standard sewer lines, eliminating the need for smelly compactors and transportation of waste to landfills or compost facilities. The largest of BioHitech's machines consumes up to 300 gal (1,135 L) of fresh water and discharges 400 to 500 gal (1,514 to 1,893 L) of effluent when operating over a 24 hour period.

But the Eco Digester is more than just an aerobic digester. It is also a smart system linked to BioHitech’s cloud (Biobrain) that adds intelligence to the mechanical work. The system can identify trends and inefficiencies that lead to waste, allowing customers to understand the historical patterns of food waste and take steps to avoid it in the first place.

The analytical tool provides technicians with information about digestion rates, utility usage, hours of operation, maintenance issues and other features of the digester’s work. If problems arise, such as interruption of digestion or any other anomalies, a real time notification system allows BioHitech to respond quickly. It can remotely control any unit through its cloud and make performance adjustments from anywhere in the world at any time.

To improve the system, BioHitech is also looking to apply machine learning principles in its cloud to study those patterns, usage types, trends and outliers. Besides giving support staff more information about clients' needs and issues, the output of machine learning algorithms will be useful as a feedback mechanism to perfect the configuration of the digesters. This way, they can be fine-tuned for each customer’s usage patterns.

For customers, besides giving them a green solution to waste, the digester can help them back their claims on compliance with waste disposal regulations. BioHitech also pitches it as a method for organizations to publicize their environmental efforts and boost a company’s green credentials.

To further explore this aspect of the digester, BioHitech has plans for a real time clock to be placed at digester sites to display diversion rates. The clock will be used to promote sustainability efforts and even to cross promote and monetize advertisements from organic vendors, companies, and other interested parties. The idea is to elevate the Eco Digester from a back of the house piece of waste equipment to a consumer facing marketing tool.

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