Monday, December 31, 2018

Amazon Fire HD and Echo Dot (Kids Editions): 5 Tips and Tricks

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Amazon Fire HD and Echo Dot (Kids Editions): 5 Tips and Tricks
Amazon Fire HD and Echo Dot (Kids Editions): 5 Tips and Tricks
Before you hand your kid an Amazon Fire tablet or Echo Dot, here are a few ways to make sure they enjoy it.
BBC News - Technology
'It's a presentation of people's lives - not reality'
'It's a presentation of people's lives - not reality'
Cardiff film-maker Paul Allen said "addictive" Facebook made his anxiety and panic attacks worse.

Sunday, December 30, 2018

2018: BBC Tech's biggest stories and what happened next

BBC News - Technology
2018: BBC Tech's biggest stories and what happened next
2018: BBC Tech's biggest stories and what happened next
From fake porn to Facebook scandals, security alerts to Google protests - 2018 was a busy year.
Gear Latest
2018 Tech in Memoriam: Goodbye to the iPhone SE, Google+, and More
2018 Tech in Memoriam: Goodbye to the iPhone SE, Google+, and More
Pour one out for this year's tech casualties.

Saturday, December 29, 2018

Bitcoin Babushkas: Cryptocurrency mining in Siberia

BBC News - Technology
Bitcoin Babushkas: Cryptocurrency mining in Siberia
Bitcoin Babushkas: Cryptocurrency mining in Siberia
Cryptocurrency mining is a growing industry in eastern Russia, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford discovers.
Google and Facebook put ads in child sex abuse discovery apps
Google and Facebook put ads in child sex abuse discovery apps
Google and Facebook's ad networks placed promotions for major brands before apps were banned.
TechNewsWorld
It's Time to Take a Hard Look at Healthcare Cloud Security
The healthcare cloud has been growing incredibly, becoming an ever-more-important element of health information technology, or HIT. There are many reasons why the HIT cloud has been becoming more prominent, such as research and development and collaboration. Since the cloud has been expanding so rapidly, this may be a good time to reconsider security -- and that means understanding the threat, reviewing best practices, and heightening awareness of emergent approaches. First, realize the cloud is only getting bigger.
Gear Latest
Best PS4 Accessories (2019): Controllers, Headsets, and More
Best PS4 Accessories (2019): Controllers, Headsets, and More
Own a PS4 or PS4 Pro? You're definitely going to want some of these lovely extras.

Friday, December 28, 2018

Your Voice Assistant May Be Getting Smarter, But It's Still Awkward

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Your Voice Assistant May Be Getting Smarter, But It's Still Awkward
Your Voice Assistant May Be Getting Smarter, But It's Still Awkward
The more smart devices that sell, the more compelling the AI technology becomes. But the virtual assistants inside still stumble.
BBC News - Technology
North Korea defector hack: Personal data of almost 1,000 leaked
North Korea defector hack: Personal data of almost 1,000 leaked
A personal computer at a resettlement centre in South Korea was found to have been infected.

Thursday, December 27, 2018

How to Return and Exchange Your Unwanted Holiday Gifts

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How to Return and Exchange Your Unwanted Holiday Gifts
How to Return and Exchange Your Unwanted Holiday Gifts
You can't always get what you want. Here's how to get some cash (or store credit) instead.
Best After-Christmas Sales (2018): Bose, Beats, Blu-ray, and More
Best After-Christmas Sales (2018): Bose, Beats, Blu-ray, and More
If you’re looking for deals or unwrapped some gift cards this season, there are plenty of killer year-end sales happening.
BBC News - Technology
Tech became 'darker and more muddy' in 2018
Tech became 'darker and more muddy' in 2018
EU's competition commissioner says tech firms must become more transparent about their use of data.
Huawei: 'Deep concerns' over firm's role in UK 5G upgrade
Huawei: 'Deep concerns' over firm's role in UK 5G upgrade
Chinese state sometimes acts in a "malign way", Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson is reported as saying.
TechNewsWorld
'DNA Printing' in the Cloud, Part 2
In DNA printing, genetic code becomes computer code. This transformation occurs when the chemical bases adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine present in a chemical mix or gene sequence are translated by computer through gel electrophoresis technology into their representative letters: A/T, T/A, C/G, G/C. This alphabet code was formalized in 1970 by the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry for integration into a text-based bioinformatics format, called "FASTA," in which nucleotides are represented symbolically using single letters.

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Are you ready to break up with your phone?

BBC News - Technology
Are you ready to break up with your phone?
Are you ready to break up with your phone?
Smartphone owners have a growing sense of unease about the amount of time spent staring at that screen.
Amazon's Alexa: The annoying thing about having the same name
Amazon's Alexa: The annoying thing about having the same name
We speak to three Alexas who share their name with Amazon's famous virtual assistant.
Gear Latest
How Set Up New Devices: iPhone, Amazon Echo, Google Home, TV
How Set Up New Devices: iPhone, Amazon Echo, Google Home, TV
You got a cool gadget for the holidays! You lucky duck. Now you’ve gotta set it up. You poor sap.

Tuesday, December 25, 2018

2018: The Year of Fighting for Positive Change

TechNewsWorld
2018: The Year of Fighting for Positive Change
When I think of corporate responsibility, one company tends to float to the top, and that is Cisco. With massive efforts to train people all over the world in the critical networking skills needed to secure and expand global communications, Cisco has been taking a major chunk out of joblessness. It has invested millions to reduce homelessness near its headquarters -- something most of the tech firms seem to ignore -- and it has been aggressive in deploying crisis teams during disasters to ensure timely communications to first responders.
Gear Latest
The Most-Read WIRED Gear Stories of 2018
The Most-Read WIRED Gear Stories of 2018
A review of the Air Fryer, a three-month sojourn in Bing, and a user's guide to how to disable throttling on an iPhone all topped this year's list.
BBC News - Technology
UK now has systems to combat drones - Ben Wallace
UK now has systems to combat drones - Ben Wallace
Security minister Ben Wallace says those who use drones illegally can expect severe punishments.

Monday, December 24, 2018

The Best Smart Displays: Google Home Hub, Echo, JBL, Lenovo

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The Best Smart Displays: Google Home Hub, Echo, JBL, Lenovo
The Best Smart Displays: Google Home Hub, Echo, JBL, Lenovo
Smart displays are officially a thing now. Here are the models you should know about.
BBC News - Technology
Ministers to discuss Gatwick drone drama as suspects released
Ministers to discuss Gatwick drone drama as suspects released
A government source said ministers are to discuss the disruption which grounded hundreds of flights.
Yanxi Palace: The most Googled show on Earth
Yanxi Palace: The most Googled show on Earth
A Chinese drama is the most-searched show, despite Google being largely blocked in China.
How well does Zozosuit measure up?
How well does Zozosuit measure up?
Can a bodysuit help customers take accurate measurements and buy custom-fit clothes online?
The secret world of teenagers hacking Fortnite.
The secret world of teenagers hacking Fortnite.
The BBC has discovered a ring of teenage hackers making thousands out of Fortnite.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

5 Ways to Make Your Website Gen-Z Friendlier

TechNewsWorld
5 Ways to Make Your Website Gen-Z Friendlier
Generation Z is getting a lot of attention these days, as the cohort is expected to outpace millennials, and comprise 32 percent of the world's 7.7 billion population. This powerful group of consumers was born into a digital world. A much-reported claim is that Generation Z has an attention span of 8 seconds. It may seem that to reach younger consumers, your website should mirror this lightning-quick attention span, but in reality, the reverse is true. Members of Gen Z constantly get slammed with every conceivable stimulus.
Gear Latest
WIRED’s Favorite Gear of 2018: iPhone XR, Google Home Hub, and More
WIRED’s Favorite Gear of 2018: iPhone XR, Google Home Hub, and More
From our favorite phone to the best smart-home innovation, this is all of 2018's best gear.

Saturday, December 22, 2018

Gadget Lab Podcast: 2018 Was the Year of 'Oops!' in Tech

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Gadget Lab Podcast: 2018 Was the Year of 'Oops!' in Tech
Gadget Lab Podcast: 2018 Was the Year of 'Oops!' in Tech
Wired’s Gadget Lab team sums up this year in tech. Plus: An interview with the CEO of a futuristic fitness company.

Friday, December 21, 2018

Gatwick airport: How countries counter the drone threat

BBC News - Technology
Gatwick airport: How countries counter the drone threat
Gatwick airport: How countries counter the drone threat
Bazookas, nets and trained eagles are all used to tackle rogue drones around the world.

Thursday, December 20, 2018

Firework Offers Snack-Size Original Content

TechNewsWorld
Firework Offers Snack-Size Original Content
Firework this week released a collection of shows consisting of 12 episodes that will run just 15-seconds each. The first, "Fireside Chat featuring Molly Tarlov," debuted Tuesday. Three more followed on Wednesday, and another is scheduled for release on Dec. 28. Users can download the episodes via the Firework app, which is now available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. In the first series from Firework Originals, "Fireside Chat featuring Molly Tarlov," the actress and comedian interviews various stars in just 15 seconds.
AI Meets VR in New Nvidia Tech
Nvidia has announced a breakthrough in 3D rendering research that may have far-reaching ramifications for future virtual worlds. A team led by Nvidia VP Bryan Catanzaro discovered a way to use a neural network to render synthetic 3D environments in real time, using a model trained on real-world videos. With Nvidia's technology, worlds can be populated with objects "learned" from video input. Nvidia's technology offers the potential to quickly create virtual worlds for gaming, automotive, architecture, robotics or virtual reality.
BBC News - Technology
Gatwick Airport: Drone attack grounds flights
Gatwick Airport: Drone attack grounds flights
About 10,000 passengers are hit and others warned not to travel as planes are grounded and diverted.
Fortnite teen hackers 'earning thousands of pounds a week'
Fortnite teen hackers 'earning thousands of pounds a week'
Thieves sell hijacked accounts with in-demand skins online after locking out original owners.
Gear Latest
How Amazon Alexa Uses Machine Learning to Get Smarter
How Amazon Alexa Uses Machine Learning to Get Smarter
Amazon's voice assistant made considerable gains in 2018 through the continued refinement of machine learning techniques.

Wednesday, December 19, 2018

'DNA Printing' in the Cloud, Part 1

TechNewsWorld
'DNA Printing' in the Cloud, Part 1
DNA printing is based on the natural flow of genetic information in a cell from DNA through RNA to amino acids to proteins, from gene to protein, genome to proteome, genomics to proteomics. DNA, life's foundation blueprint, makes up genes, the instructions for making proteins -- the complex molecules that do most of the work in living organisms. "DNA makes RNA makes proteins make Life." That simple formula, which has worked well for life on Earth for at least half a billion years, very recently has turned into a trillion-dollar modern global industry based on an updated formula: "People make DNA."
Quirky but Useful Gifts: Rob Enderle's 2018 Personal Tech Product Guide
This year I thought I'd list my favorite unusual products as gift ideas. I'm a big fan of products most people don't have that solve a specific work problem, as well as those that could make your life easier, more comfortable or more fun. I like to give gifts that people actually would use. In some cases, due to the cost, these may be things you'd buy only for yourself, a spouse, or a relative you really want to impress. So here is my guide to 2018's personal products that have a bit of wow associated with them.
Gear Latest
The Most-Read WIRED Reviews of 2018: iPad, PS4, Amazon Fire Tablets
The Most-Read WIRED Reviews of 2018: iPad, PS4, Amazon Fire Tablets
This year, we reviewed and rated dozens of products, but these ten are the ones our readers were most curious about.
8 Best Latte and Cappuccino Machines (2019): Breville, Mr. Coffee, and More
8 Best Latte and Cappuccino Machines (2019): Breville, Mr. Coffee, and More
We've tested a bunch of the best latte machines and best cappuccino makers. These are the absolute best devices to make awesome milk and espresso drinks at home.
BBC News - Technology
Facebook's data-sharing deals exposed
Facebook's data-sharing deals exposed
An investigation reveals other technology companies were not always aware how much access they had been given.

Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Apple's Self-Destructive Qualcomm, China Strategies

TechNewsWorld
Apple's Self-Destructive Qualcomm, China Strategies
Why would Apple want to put Qualcomm out of business? It's because Apple uses a lock-in strategy, where once on an Apple platform it is painful to get off. Most of the smart Apple iPhone users I know actually use Google apps and Google's infrastructure and other third-party tools on their iPhones, so if they want to move to an Android phone they can move almost seamlessly. However, this always assumes there is an Android phone to move too. Since Qualcomm ensures that almost anyone can build a decent smartphone, Apple wants to kill the company.
Gear Latest
35 Last-Minute Christmas Gift Ideas (2018): Games, Speakers, and Much More
35 Last-Minute Christmas Gift Ideas (2018): Games, Speakers, and Much More
Time's ticking, but it's okay! Here are some great tech Christmas gifts with free 2-day shipping.
BBC News - Technology
UK tech firm Blippar collapses into administration
UK tech firm Blippar collapses into administration
One of the great hopes of the UK tech sector, Blippar, collapses following a funding dispute.

Monday, December 17, 2018

10 Best Gaming Headsets: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, Mobile

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10 Best Gaming Headsets: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, Mobile
10 Best Gaming Headsets: PS4, Xbox One, PC, Switch, Mobile
We picked the best gaming headsets for PS4, Xbox, Switch, PC, Mac, and mobile.
So Long, Step Count: My Brief and Sad Smartwatch Hiatus
So Long, Step Count: My Brief and Sad Smartwatch Hiatus
A rash on my wrist made me consider why I've been wearing a wearable for so long.
BBC News - Technology
HQ Trivia and Vine co-founder Colin Kroll dead at 34
HQ Trivia and Vine co-founder Colin Kroll dead at 34
New York police officers went to Colin Kroll's Manhattan flat after a request to check on him.

Sunday, December 16, 2018

Amazon Echo Review: Which Echo or Alexa Speaker is Best?

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Amazon Echo Review: Which Echo or Alexa Speaker is Best?
Amazon Echo Review: Which Echo or Alexa Speaker is Best?
Should you get the Echo Dot, or the Echo Plus? And what's up with that Echo Show? Here's what to consider.

Saturday, December 15, 2018

How Much Can Technology Be Trusted?

TechNewsWorld
How Much Can Technology Be Trusted?
Since the industrial revolution, technology has changed society continually. Largely due to innovations in semiconductor electronics, software and computer technology, the pace of technological development has continued to accelerate over the past 50 years. Personal computers now fit into your pocket. You have access to people and information all over the world through the Internet. Anything up to the size of a small building can be printed. Just about everything -- from your house to your car -- is becoming intelligent.
Amazon Comprehend Medical Makes Sense of Scattered Healthcare Data
Amazon has announced Amazon Comprehend Medical, a language processing service that lets users gather information -- such as a patient's medical condition and medication dosage, strength and frequency -- from sources including doctors' notes, clinical trial reports, hospital admission notes and patient health records. Most health and patient data -- such as medical notes, prescriptions, audio interview transcripts, and pathology and radiology reports -- currently is stored as unstructured medical text.
BBC News - Technology
Were Taylor Swift fans tracked at her gig?
Were Taylor Swift fans tracked at her gig?
A stadium in LA confirms it uses facial recognition technology at pop concerts.
New Facebook bug exposed millions of photos
New Facebook bug exposed millions of photos
Photos of up to 6.8 million Facebook users, including ones they never posted, could be accessed.
Gear Latest
Gadget Lab Podcast: Climate Change and Cognitive Dissonance
Gadget Lab Podcast: Climate Change and Cognitive Dissonance
Climate change is real, and it’s impacting us right now. How much of it can be fixed by personal responsibility versus policy?