Microsoft blocks May 2019 Windows update on the Surface Book 2

Microsoft has blocked the latest major Windows 10 (May 2019, version 1903) update on its own Surface Book 2. According to the company, a compatibility issue caused some apps and games that used the Nvidia GPU to crash after the update was installed....

How NOT to Create a User Interface

With more and more smart devices in our homes, the need to occasionally reset or troubleshoot them comes along with that. But how do you interact with a device that has no keyboard, mouse, or other input mechanism when it can’t connect to your network? Well, don’t do it like GE did with its C “smart” lightbulbs.

This video which is designed to show how to reset your C by GE bulbs is like a textbook lesson in what not to do in user interface and usability design. I could explain it first, but it’s way funnier to watch the video for yourself:

Apparently, they couldn’t be bothered to include some kind of reset switch, or a simple on/off sequence, and instead, resetting your C by GE light bulb is more complicated than learning the Konami code. Seriously, these are the OFFICIAL directions posted on their YouTube channel:

Your bulbs are running on firmware version 2.8 or later (you can find your bulb firmware version by tapping on the device in your C by GE app).

We recommend counting with Mississippi (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi, etc.).

Start with your bulb off for at least 5 seconds.
1. Turn on for 8 seconds
2. Turn off for 2 seconds
3. Turn on for 8 seconds
4. Turn off for 2 seconds
5. Turn on for 8 seconds
6. Turn off for 2 seconds
7. Turn on for 8 seconds
8. Turn off for 2 seconds
9. Turn on for 8 seconds
10. Turn off for 2 seconds
11. Turn on
Bulb will flash on and off 3 times if it has been successfully reset.

TIP: If the factory reset above was unsuccessful, you might have an older version of the C by GE bulb. Please follow the instructions below to reset.

Bulb Reset Sequence – for firmware version 2.7 or earlier:
We recommend counting with Mississippi (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi, 3 Mississippi, etc.).

Start with your bulb off for at least 5 seconds.
1. Turn on for 8 seconds
2. Turn off for 2 seconds
3. Turn on for 2 seconds
4. Power off for 2 seconds
5. Turn on for 2 seconds
6. Power off for 2 seconds
7. Turn on for 2 seconds
8. Power off for 2 seconds
9. Turn on for 8 seconds
10. Power off for 2 seconds
11. Turn on for 8 seconds
12. Power off for 2 seconds
13. Turn on
Bulb will flash on and off 3 times if it has been successfully reset.

They forgot to mention the part where you just toss the bulb in the trash and buy a Philips Hue bulb instead.

[via Reddit]

This “Smart” Fingerprint Padlock Is Easily Defeated with a Screwdriver

Check out this fingerprint padlock. It was sent to lockpicking hobbyist LockPickingLawyer for review. It didn’t take him long to figure out that this lock can be disassembled by simply removing three Torx screws around the bezel. You don’t need a LockPickingLawyer to know that this isn’t going to keep anything secure.

So you can remove all of the screws, get the shackle opened, and then screw it back up and relock the lock without anyone knowing. This is truly an innovation in home security and an innovation for thieves. So LockPickingLawyer let the manufacturer know about this critical design flaw, they responded:

the lock is invincible to the people who do not have a screw driver.

Good point. It’s super hard for criminals to acquire Torx screwdrivers, especially after they passed those anti-screwdriver laws.

Here’s what you do as a criminal. You gift this lock to someone who is not very smart. Someone who won’t notice the screw on the lock. They use it and then you come over and steal a bunch of their things.

Seriously, this is the worst lock ever. Check out the screenshot of the conversation with the manufacturer, who is either clueless or just doesn’t care.

[via Boing Boing via Geekologie]

Robots Go Skiing, Fall on Their Shiny Metal Asses

Many of us are on the lookout for the impending robot uprising, but once you see this video of skiing robots falling on their butts, you may not be so worried. The footage comes from the Ski Robot Challenge in South Korea outside of PyeongChang. The event was held at the Welli Hilli resort in Hoengseong, about an hour away from the 2018 Winter Olympic games.

Eight teams competed against each other and the rules state that all robots have to be at least 20 inches tall, have two legs, and operate on an independent power system. Sure, there were a few robots that had impressive runs, but as you can see, there were a lot of fails here. The winning robot was TaekwonV from a company called Minirobot Corp and it took home the $10,000 prize, navigating the course in just 18 seconds with no falls.

This video is sure to make you laugh. I mean, what’s better than robots falling again and again while trying to look cool and do awesome things? This wasn’t an official event at this year’s Olympics, but it should be, so we can watch highlights of robots failing and laugh at them as a society.

[via Sploid]

Firework Powered Model Plane Has Very Short Flight

For the 4th of July, somebody’s uncle had the genius idea to fly a firework powered model plane in the middle of a crowded residential area. As you can imagine, the flight did not last long and ended with a cool explosion.

The plane flies for maybe a second before the guy realizes that this was a very bad idea. Then the plane appears to shoot a missile at that house in front of them, before it dives at the house and explodes awesomely.

Sadly, we don’t have any video of the neighbor running out of his house and beating this guy’s ass, which he deserves for the vertical video alone.

[via Geekologie]