Review: Kids Space Commander Suit

Martian Dust Storm Grows Global; Curiosity Captures Photos of Thickening Haze

Wow, a big and rare event on Mars. A global dust storm in the background of this self portrait by the Opportunity rover on  Sol 2082 (June 15, 2018)



Martian Dust Storm Grows Global; Curiosity Captures Photos of Thickening Haze: A storm of tiny dust particles has engulfed much of Mars over the last two weeks and prompted NASA's Opportunity rover to suspend science operations

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Fortnite Are they laughing at me because I suck so bad?

Google Pixel 2 and Android Suggested Improvements

Some thoughts on improvements to Android's UI now that I'm on second Pixel, the Pixel 2.

> I love the inclusion of the Golden Ratio grid on the camera app, and I like the new lens cleaning warning function.

> I've had a Pixel 1 and loved it. The mic broke, which was on Reddit as an issue, but warranty covered it. Then the camera had the failure issue with Bluetooth turning off too (also all over Reddit), and it wasn't covered by warranty anymore. However, I traded it in and still went with the Pixel 2, hoping it is more mature and the kinks are ironed out.

Here are some of my laymen ideas for improvements that I'm sure you've considered.

> Design a budget Pixel like the iPhone SE. I need a great camera, but my wife doesn't care.

> Select a watch or two that you recommend, so I don't have to choose from so many third-party ones. Nothing fancy. However, waterproof. I want not to have to lug my phone from room to room from its charger.

> Make it much easier to set up kid accounts with access only to apps like YouTube Kids, PBS kids. I'd like a default app for that actually, that comes with the phone. 

> Android tends to hide some essential buttons, like the "back" button, from being apparent enough. Mostly, make the most likely button needed, bigger. I'm sure you've done some testing, but I think more would be useful for older newbies. Also, the pull-down buttons like the Flashlight, are tiny and low contrast. I'd like the flashlight button to glow more when it's dark out, and I need to find it.

> Have an "I forgot my reading glasses" button that enables me (Recently relegated to reading glasses at 52) to make calls in a slight emergency by massively enlarging essential interface elements.

> Is it possible to have returning to home stop an app, so over the course of a day I don't build up so many windows open?

> It's spooky to go to a restaurant with a new phone and then be prompted to take a photo or leave a review because the phone knows where I am. I don't really mind, but I'd like the first notification to be something more humane, like "location awareness is on, we could have recommended a review or photo of X restaurant your phone was at, but before we do, we wanted to remind you that location services are on and double check if you want notifications like that."

> I'd like a setting for an extra low ring or notification when I am going to be upstairs.

> I'd like a function where when the battery is low I can set it to shut down with say 5% left, so I know I can boot it up and make an emergency call. I have a young family, and I have anxiety if the phone goes dead and shuts down on a trip in the car, or camping, when I don't have a charger.

Am I buying too much stuff on Amazon?

How To Make Natural Household Cleaner with vinager and alchohol

Let's keep it clean out there says Mr. "Achy Dad" Natural

First Ride

First Ride

First Ride

Fun Teaching My Kids to Type using Text Edit Set At Large Font

I.D. Buzz MEB Platform Concept Van by Volkswagen (VW). And some on ID and ID

Just loving seeing videos about VW's functional concept van cruising around Venice California.

What a family minivan, or family maxi-van? Good for snow with AWD too. And so much safer than the old microbus.

Here's the best media I could find from somewhat independent sources.

A long and grooving review by Jonny Smith of Fully Charged, Including the I.D. and I.D. Crozz

Specifically this scene "Luke I am your father" with an old split screen bus tagging along behind.

Here's an article showing the different seating configurations
Torque.com: Volkswagen I.D. Buzz concept is the world’s first fully autonomous MPVThe electric multi-purpose vehicle provides seating for up to eight people and has two luggage compartments.

I WANT ONE. Long range, peppy, heads-up display, safe, fantastic visibility like my old 2002 Subaru Forester, colossal hatchback.

Should I save now for 2022? Or get a Tesla Model 3 in 2020 when I pay off my school loans? And what about the slew of new electric cars descending upon us in the next four years. 

I don't know if I'd use it for camping and such as much as I think. And I'd inevitably end up having to shuttle around all my kid's friends because I'd have the room and cool factor. But it would be able to do my short commute in Vermont with AWD and with our Toyota Corolla for around town and trips with two kids in the back. Would we drive more with an I.D. Buzz...and do I want to drive more anyway? The good part is that on drives it would be easy to stop for short hikes, healthy lunches, naps, and impromptu camping stops. And as a sort of guest house if we got curtains.

I think thinking about buying one will be a lot cheaper than buying one. I might stop there because it will cost more than my usual configuration for our family of four of a used Subaru Forester and Toyota Corolla.

Here are a couple of articles on how much it might cost, between $45,000.00 and $70,000.00 seems to be the thinking.

Top Gear: We go driving (and surfing) in the Volkswagen I.D. Buzz. VW has confirmed I.D. Buzz production. Time to check how capable the Microbus is. 

Automobile Magazine: First Drive: Volkswagen I.D. Buzz Concept. Buzzed driving, in this case, is fun driving

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