Geekly Update - 06 Jul 2017

Category: Tech-News

Will you be driving an ant-powered car in the near future? Are human artists obsolete? Are mobile gadgets resulting in a comeback for the Ministry of Silly Walks? And can you guess what the FE stands for in Galaxy Note 7 FE? Get answers in today's Geekly Update -- it's jam-packed with the latest tech news. This issue is guaranteed to make you 146% smarter -- you'll see why. Read, think, and, comment!

The AskBobRankin Geekly Update

If you love fireworks, but not the smoke and smell they bring, here's good news. Hollywood and the U.S. Army are working on improvements to pyrotechnic "recipes" that could solve those problems. Here's an interesting read on the chemistry (and future) of fireworks.

A group of students has invented an environmentally friendly fuel based upon the active ingredient in ant stingers, formic acid.

Samsung plans to sell refurbished Galaxy Note 7 phones - you know, that ones that caught fire in such large numbers that the whole line had to be recalled - and will name them the Galaxy Note 7 FE, with FE standing for “Fandom Edition.” (Yeah, I thought “Fiery Explosion” too.)

Cute or creepy? A Spanish company is offering babies for sale. These super-realistic infant dolls look and feel like a newborn. High-end models even appear to breathe and can suck on a pacifier. If that's too unsettling, try one of their infant/piglet hybrids.

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Researchers at Anglia Ruskin University have discovered that it's smartphones that are making people look funny when they walk. People tend to use a "cautious and exaggerated stepping strategy" to minimize the risk of tripping while texting.

Kaspersky Lab products would be banned from U. S. military operations if a group of Senators have their way.

Google must suppress search results worldwide when ordered to do so by a court, according to Canada’s Supreme Court. Others say a court’s authority stops at the border of the court’s nation. Still others say when did Canada become the thought police?

The Moby-Mart is a 7-11 on wheels, designed to drive to “food deserts” where groceries are in demand. It also carries four drones to deliver larger items to customers’ homes. And yes, there are plans to make it self-driving.

A single court order was used by the FBI to eavesdrop on over 3 million phone calls. No incriminating evidence was found.

"We put the ART in artificial intelligence." Human artists may need to learn some new job skills. Artificial intelligence is now producing art, and it looks pretty good.

July 11 is Amazon Prime Day 2017, and the e-commerce giant has big plans for big savings.

The U.S. could learn a few lessons from India in the push towards a cashless society.

Facebook is challenging a “national security letter” that forbids the company from talking about a government request for a user’s data, or even telling the user that his/her info has been requested.

Your thoughts on these topics are welcome. Post your comment or question below...

 
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Most recent comments on "Geekly Update - 06 Jul 2017"

Posted by:

Frank Cizek
05 Jul 2017

I, for one, LOVE the smell of black powder in the evening! And in the morning! And all day long! ; )


Posted by:

RichF
05 Jul 2017

A single court order and the government eavesdrop on 3 million phone calls? Besides computer hackers we should be very afraid of the government too.


Posted by:

denis
05 Jul 2017

Really Canada???
I will keep an eye out for the mounties galloping up to my door to inspect my computer for illicit google searches. I will even offer them a cup of tea and water the horses as I know they will be tired and thirsty after their 14,000km ride.
The I will happily tell them to piss off as Canadian law is not applicable here.


Posted by:

Rob
06 Jul 2017

Canada has not become the thought police. This case was about the counterfeiting of a device. Unauthorized rebranding I believe. What is the problem? Recently the US President said he would build a wall along Mexico's border and make Mexico pay for it. At one point he said he would build a wall on the Canadian border too. The Mexican President told him to get lost. Perhaps this matter is Canada expressing similar thought? Lately the US President has been criticizing the press. Essentially he says they cannot say what they want to say. "Thought police?" Somewhere in the US Constitution there is something written about freedom of the press. As I understand it the President is sworn to uphold the Constitution. If this keeps up many others may be telling the President where he can go.


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