Geekly Update - 24 July 2019
Is it possible to fly across the English Channel on a hoverboard? Will Equifax write you a check for $20,000 to compensate for the trouble caused by the massive 2017 data breach? Are your Chrome browser add-ons leaking your tax returns and medical data? And why does Pinterest care so darn much about how you're feeling today? 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
He believes he can fly. French inventor Franky Zapata plans to cross the English Channel on his Flyboard Air personal hovercraft on Thursday. His daring feat coincides with the 110th anniversary of the first airplane flight between Britain and France.
Autonomous vehicle companies are focusing more on simulated miles than actual rubber-meets-the-road miles. According to Dr. Sandeep Sovani of ANSYS, a company that makes driving simulation tools, 8 billion failure-free miles are needed to ensure the safety of an autonomous vehicle.
The Federal Trade Commission announced that Facebook will pay a $5 billion fine, alledging that Facebook violated the law by failing to protect data from third parties such as Cambridge Analytica. The FTC also says that Facebook misused phone numbers that users provided for security purposes, and lied to users about its facial recognition software. Going forward, Facebook must conduct privacy reviews of new products, which will be audited by a third-party assessor.
Fujifilm’s SX800 surveillance camera will offer "instant clear images of subjects even several kilometers away," and is capable of reading a license plate from a distance of 1 kilometer. The SX800 has autofocus that locks in at 0.3 seconds, night vision, and can compensate for the effects of fog and haze.
DoorDash, the popular meal delivery service, has admitted they are using customer tips to pay wages, instead of adding tips to each driver's bottom line. After public shaming, Doordash CEO Tony Xu has promised to change the policy.
In the wake of the massive 2017 data breach, Equifax has agreed to pay up to $700 million in damages. Individuals who were harmed by the breach can put in claims for as much as $20,000.
The stunning 2020 C8 Corvette Stingray has a 6.2-liter V8 engine, and starts at $60,000. Of course, there are detractors. One commenter said "It looks like if you asked asked a designer in 1994 to draw a car from the future, like 2005."
Gary George was an intern at NASA in 1976, when he bought a trove of NASA video tapes at a government surplus auction for a little over $200. It turned out three of those tapes were recordings of the first 1969 Moon walk. George recently sold the videos for $1.8 million dollars to an anonymous buyer at a Sotheby's auction (who apparently doesn't know about Youtube).
"Take a deep breath..." If you search on Pinterest for phrases such as 'stress quotes' or 'work anxiety', the social media firm will infer that you're stressed or depressed, and will offer 'emotional well-being activities' to help you feel better.
After recent revelations of third-party Chrome browser extensions leaking personal data, it's a good idea to see if any of your Chrome extensions are vulnerable. Lifehacker offers steps to help you do that.
"Tastes like chicken." NUGGS is a chicken nugget simulation made with a new texturized pea protein technology. Testers say they are hard to distinguish from the animal-based nuggets.
Your thoughts on these topics are welcome. Post your comment or question below...
|
|
|
This article was posted by Bob Rankin on 24 Jul 2019
| For Fun: Buy Bob a Snickers. |
 |
Prev Article: Is Someone Searching for Your DNA Online? |
The Top Twenty |
Next Article: Will Ting Save You Money on Your Mobile Phone Bill? |
 |
Post your Comments, Questions or Suggestions
|
Free Tech Support -- Ask Bob Rankin Subscribe to AskBobRankin Updates: Free Newsletter Copyright © 2005 - Bob Rankin - All Rights Reserved About Us Privacy Policy RSS/XML |
Article information: AskBobRankin -- Geekly Update - 24 July 2019 (Posted: 24 Jul 2019)
Source: https://askbobrankin.com/geekly_update_24_july_2019.html
Copyright © 2005 - Bob Rankin - All Rights Reserved
Most recent comments on "Geekly Update - 24 July 2019"
Posted by:
David
24 Jul 2019
Of course, you know that The Far Side spilled the beans about the first consumption of chicken.
Posted by:
Pete
24 Jul 2019
David,
when was that?
Posted by:
Jeri
24 Jul 2019
To get your $125.00 from the Equifax Settlement you have to have Fraud Protection already. If you sign up for the Fraud Protection you lose the option for claiming the $125.00. At least that what it looks like to me when I tried to fill out the online claim form.
Posted by:
Mike M
24 Jul 2019
Re: Facebook article. How about not linking to a site that requires you subscribe before getting access to the full article? Like WSJ.
Posted by:
Coco
25 Jul 2019
Mike M, If you copy the title of the article and search for it (DuckDuckGo or Google) and click on that link, it lets you see the whole article. Don't know why, but it works. FYI
Coco
Posted by:
Richard
25 Jul 2019
"Testers say [NUGGS] are hard to distinguish from the animal-based nuggets."
Is that a comment on the quality of Nuggs or the quality of animal-based nuggets?
Posted by:
Michael
25 Jul 2019
Yes, the Equifax settlement claim is bogus. Click here to see if you are covered, that did not work. But I have had 3 new credit cards issued since that breach. The credit card companies can't tell you who breached your account, and Equifax claims it was not them. Catch 22 and the consumer is left with nothing.