Geekly Update - 29 May 2019
Does cooking with an Instant Pot cause cancer? Can you build your own rocket with a 3D printer? Will Alexa delete all your voice recordings if you ask nicely? And would you pay a million dollars for a virus-infested laptop? 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
Looking for the perfect Father's Day gift for the man in your life? Check out the Father's Day Gift Shop at Amazon.
Amazon is making it easier to delete your voice recordings from Alexa-powered devices. Just say "Alexa, delete everything I said today." In a few weeks, you'll also be able to say "Alexa, delete what I just said." But it won't do either of those things unless you enable the feature in your settings. Hmmm, I wonder when it will understand "Alexa, delete everything I ever said."
Gilmour Space Technologies is one of many small, private startups building their own rockets with a goal of launching miniature satellites into space. This Australian team is hoping that 3D printing, cling wrap and duct tape will get them there.
Wired Magazine has a great article by Paul Ford, who reminisces about the early days of the Internet, and offers a "sometimes proud, sometimes ashamed" defense of technology.
A laptop computer intentionally loaded with six infamous malware programs sold at auction to an anonymous bidder for $1.345 million. The laptop was created as "art" and had its ports disabled to prevent the spread of the viruses.
Planning on flying this summer? Here are 25 tips to make your next plane ride less terrible. Here's one I want to try: When entering the security line, turn left. The majority right-handed people will instinctively go in the other direction.
Laptops are getting weird, and this writer at The Verge thinks it's a good thing. Some of the newest laptops sport dual screens, and foldable displays. Some laptop vendors are even using fabric, wood and leather in their designs.
Krithik Ramesh developed a new technology that uses computer vision and machine learning to help surgeons determine the optimal placement of screws in spinal surgeries. Ramesh is 16 years old, and won the $75,000 top prize at Intel's International Science and Engineering Fair.
Does cooking with an Instant Pot destroy nutrients and cause cancer? Or does it actually make your food healthier than other cooking methods?
Homeowners in South Africa used a Ring security camera to capture video footage of an intruder attempting to break into their house. The housebreaker turned out to be a baboon, most likely looking for food.
Your thoughts on these topics are welcome. Post your comment or question below...
This article was posted by Bob Rankin on 29 May 2019
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Most recent comments on "Geekly Update - 29 May 2019"
Posted by:
Lucy
29 May 2019
I think turning left to avoid a longer line will work, but it is my opinion it is more from the fact we drive on the right in the US.
I noticed in the UK where they drive on the left, people instinctively went to the left.
Posted by:
David
29 May 2019
Alexa will understand, "Delete everything I ever said," just after the data is put into long-term storage. Since the local copy is gone, she's not really lying to you. At least that's what her masters have programmed her to believe.
Posted by:
NB
29 May 2019
How to tell if Alexa starts deleting the most recent requests first. Her response will be:
"What did you ask me to delete?"
Posted by:
BSOH
29 May 2019
Does Alexa know the old joke about the guy consulting his doctor for memory loss - "How long has WHAT being going on?"
Posted by:
Wild Bill
29 May 2019
The DIY satellite business sounds like the potential to become hazardous space junk.
Posted by:
Wild Bill
29 May 2019
And the "loaded" laptop seems like cyber-plutonium. Unless its welded shut (fill it with epoxy?) it would be trivial to extract the hard drive to gain access. Although, clicking on shady links or visiting shaky sites with XP running and no protection might get a copy or two.
Posted by:
Robert A.
29 May 2019
Any fool stupid enough to spend $1.345 million on an intentionally virus-infested computer obviously has more dollars than sense. I would be happy to find an old junker laptop at a garage sale or thrift store, for 10 or 15 dollars, then load it up with a half-dozen nasty downloads, and happily sell it at HALF that price. LOL!