Monday, January 30, 2017

Apple Formally Joins High-Powered AI Partnership


The Partnership on AI to Benefit People and Society on Friday announced that Apple, well known for its culture of secrecy, has joined the organization as a founding member.
The other founding members are Amazon, Facebook, Google/Deep Mind, IBM and Microsoft.

Thursday, January 26, 2017

China Aims to Wash VPNs Out of Its Hair


China this week announced new measures to further restrict its citizens' access to the Internet.
The 14-month campaign appears designed to crack down on the use of Web platforms and services unapproved by the government, and on virtual private networks, which can used to access those platforms and services covertly.
While China's Internet network access services market is facing many development opportunities, there are signs of "disorderly development" that show the urgent need for regulation, the country's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology explained in a notice posted to a government website.

Tuesday, January 24, 2017

The US Press Corps vs. Trump: A Teachable Moment


Life is about negotiation. We negotiate our relationships -- including marriage, which is a contract that many don't take seriously. We negotiate our jobs, and we negotiate our interactions with our families. Those who are good at this tend to have relatively happy lives. While they don't get everything they might want, they get more than most.
When things go badly, they degrade into wars -- and in wars, both sides tend to lose.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Yahoo and the Year of Living Dangerously


If there is a lesson to be drawn from Internet search giant Yahoo's hellish past year, it is a grimly illustrative one: Never assume a cybersecurity disaster can't get worse.
Last September, the Internet portal disclosed that it had suffered the most damaging and far-reaching data breach in history -- only to then announce in December the discovery of a second, earlier, and even larger hack.

Friday, January 20, 2017

New LinkedIn Site Design Encourages Engagement


LinkedIn on Thursday announced a new look tied to a complete overhaul of its technology architecture, which brings conversations and content front and 
center.
The redesign brings the LinkedIn desktop in line with the mobile browser version launched in 2015. LinkedIn will roll out its new desktop globally over the next few weeks.

Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Microsoft Hardens Latest Windows Version Against Hackers


Microsoft has fortified the latest version of Windows to make it more secure than previous editions, but the strongest protections will be available only to those willing to pay a steep price for them.

Monday, January 16, 2017

Nintendo Banks on Switch Hit


Nintendo on Thursday announced the Nintendo Switch handheld gaming console, its long-awaited successor to the poorly received Wii 2.
The US$300 Switch will hit the streets March 3. Purchasers will get the console, two Joy-Con controllers, a Joy-Con Grip, a set of Joy-Con wrist straps, a Nintendo Switch dock, an HDMI cable and an AC adapter.
The Switch has a 6.2-inch capacities multitouch screen and a kickstand.
The Switch can be used as an independent handheld player. Battery life ranges from 2.5 to 6 hours.

Friday, January 13, 2017

Pentagon Battle-Tests Micro Drone Swarm


The United States Department of Defense on Monday announced a successful demonstration of one of the world's largest micro drone swarms at China Lake in California.
Three F/a-18 Super Hornet combat jets launched 103 Perdix drones in the exercise, which took place last fall.

Thursday, January 12, 2017

iPhone at 10: The Best Is Yet to Come?


It seems like yesterday -- not 10 years ago -- that Steve Jobs took the stage at MacWorld to debut Apple's latest new gadget: the iPhone.
The iPhone was three devices in one, he declared at Moscone West in San Francisco. It was a widescreen iPod with touch controls, a revolutionary mobile phone, and a breakthrough Internet communications device.

Tuesday, January 10, 2017

CES 2017's Magic


CES was a fascinating show this year. One of the things that made it so fascinating was that everyone and their brother had cars demonstrating one form of technology or another. It kind of makes me wonder what we'll see at the next car show -- PCs, drones, tablets and smartphones?

Monday, January 9, 2017

Google, FCA Test-Drive New Open Source Infotainment System


Google and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles this week showcased a new in-auto infotainment platform at CES in Las Vegas. The open source system combines Uconnect with Android Auto.
The companies demonstrated their concept design inside a Chrysler 300 sedan at the show. The new system is built around Android 7.0, or Nougat, and an 8.4-inch Uconnect system.

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Snapdragon-Powered AR Smartglasses Are the Real Deal


Qualcomm on Tuesday debuted its groundbreaking Snapdragon 835 system on a chip at CES.
Following the 835 launch, the company joined Osterhout Design Group in unveiling two new ODG augmented reality headsets, the R-8 and R-9, which are the first Snapdragon 835-powered devices to be announced.
The Snapdragon SoC is the first chip built using the ultra-advanced 10nm FinFET process node, said Qualcomm spokesperson Liz Sweeney.

Tuesday, January 3, 2017

Germany Could Ding Facebook for Fake News


The frenzied 2016 election cycle mercifully is over, but Facebook's fake news problem isn't going away. The company may face steep fines in Germany if it fails to address it satisfactorily.
A bill slated for consideration next year would establish fines of up to $500,000 euros per day for each day that a fake news story persisted after notification of its falsehood was provided. The legislation, which has bipartisan support, would apply to other sites as well, but Facebook clearly is its main target.