Android Phones At the Edge of Space 42
garymortimer writes "It seems like the Google crowd are really keen to replicate what many in the small Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) world have been playing with for the last couple of years. It really will be interesting to see the UAS apps that must be coming for the Nexus S. Quoting the Google Mobile Blog: 'Recently, we traveled to Ione, CA and sent seven payloads up, up, and away into near space, each equipped with a Nexus S. We took some cues from others who have sent homemade weather balloon rigs far up, and we wanted an opportunity to collect some interesting data about the sensors in Nexus S – GPS, gyroscope, accelerometer, and magnetometer. We also couldn't resist what looked like a great way to spend a weekend. Sending the balloons up also gave us an opportunity to capture some stunning imagery and videos of Earth.'"
Yawn (Score:1, Insightful)
Your data isn't that interesting. Launching your cellphone into space* isn't worthy of slashdot. This has been done a hundred times before. All you're doing at this point is polluting the environment. Call us when you manage to launch a bucket of gravel into orbit or something truly novel.
*cue the "it's not space" replies
Re:Yawn (Score:4, Funny)
Though entirely offtopic - I found your post more insightful when I replaced the following words. data=life, cellphone=activities, space=twitter, orbit=someone's face.
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First the didn't say it was in space, they said "so we decided to venture into near space, with the help of some Androids. " and the title "Android In Spaaaace!" was clearly a SNL Mr. Bill [wikipedia.org] Reference; So turn in your geek card immediately. If you watch the first video on the page you'll see the little Android Commander figurine get flicked off the payload package and into the void by one of the parachute lines, Mr. Sluggo must have bacame a parachute rigger.
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toche, didn't see that one
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It got lame after the original "Not Ready for Prime Time Players"left, 1975-1980 were really the golden age for the show. I remember, when the network interrupted SNL news of the Jonestown Massacre , I, a little bit drunk and at a party said "That's a little much even for Saturday Night Live."
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You must be the guy who draws out long 'so's at parties.
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All you're doing at this point is polluting the environment.
From the story (I take it you didn't read?):
In the end, the team recovered all of the payloads sent up...
I'm sure you're jaded from doing this sort of thing all the time, but I still find it pretty cool. You will receive a t-shirt that says "Meh." for Christmas.
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Is there any chance that would be the reason they never claimed to have gone into space? The article war pretty clear about the altitude and used the term "near space'.
Yes, others have done it before. I'm sure each and every one of them will also be delighted to see some big vendor support for their exploration.
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Is there any chance that would be the reason they never claimed to have gone into space?
This article may have been more careful than some. Often, by the time the hyperbolic press release gets a coat of polish by the editors desperate for a way to fill a few column-inches with something other than economic collapse or war, it sounds as if they just needed an extra gallon of gas to land on the moon.
It's a tolerable human-interest story, though old hat around here. And the exaggerations have long since worn out their welcome, even if the next article down the pike is better written.
hooray for android (Score:1)
Apple iProduct users would never do anything so outlandish since it would void the implied shrinkwrap warranty of 'thinking different' which usually means quaffing Starbucks while wearing square glasses and laughing about how Cory and Xeni are sooooo ironic and retro.
Re:hooray for android (Score:5, Informative)
http://newsfeed.time.com/2010/10/13/father-son-team-launch-balloon-with-hd-camera-iphone-into-space/ [time.com]
A Request (Score:2, Funny)
Dear Google,
Please send all Android phones to space and make the earth a better iPlace.
Signed,
iFans.
Great time for... (Score:1)
sudo rm -rf
sudo rm -rf
sudo rm -rf
sudo rm -rf
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But isn't heat dissipation a much larger problem in space?
Seems to make it's way here.
Too bad GPS on androids (Score:1)
is a huge piece of crap
Seriously Google, get your game up
the time it takes to sync is RIDICULOUS
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My original Motorola Droid has a GPS lock in seconds, even inside.
Only certain handsets have had problems with GPS locks, namely the Galaxy S series, which leads me to believe that the problem lies within something that handset manufacturers went and did with the code. Had they of just left Android alone (like with the original Motorola Droid) and not thrown all sorts of bloatware and hideous UIs onto it, the GPS likely wouldn't have a problem.
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I can't believe someone would take the time to write such a ridiculous, meaningless and idiotic comment.
Welcome to slashdot.
It's not supposed to work at altitude (Score:3, Informative)
Consumer GPS units aren't supposed to work above 60,000 feet or 1,000 MPH. Otherwise, they're subject to US military export controls. Of course, since Android units are probably made outside the US, that doesn't apply.
(The US needs to give up on export controls in the electronics area. It's just a headache for US firms, and everybody else can get everything they need elsewhere.)
Re:It's not supposed to work at altitude (Score:4, Informative)
Google backyard view (Score:3)
is it to late to send mine? (Score:2)
Confirming belief (Score:1)
Working at Google is boring.