Online Magazine
Tech News Amuse
July & August 2022
In the past few weeks, you hopefully had the opportunity to experience the world in other ways than through the small screen of your laptop, and to move out into the wide world and literally "switch off" ... But now you would still like to know what has happened in the digital world during your absence, right?
by Tabea Ulla Thor
We have summarized all the important events in the tech world from the last few weeks for you, so that you can not only discuss the latest weather forecasts in your next small talk, but are also up to date with the latest news – and there was plenty of that during the summer. And don't worry, this news overview doesn't lack the usual satirical and affectionate side-swipes at the industry.
Our tech news overview of July & August:
This should make it possible to use augmented reality to transcribe conversations or translate menus.
Decoding doctors' handwriting, however, currently still overwhelms the integrated AI.
Netflix partners with Microsoft on new advertising integration
Previously, the streaming provider had several other tech companies on its short list.
At Microsoft, however, they are still reluctant to rejoice. They fear that even if the show is successful, it will be canceled after one season.
Until now, members of the armed forces have been given their money in the form of so-called "Soldsäckli" which can now also be transferred to a bank account.
Why the original digitization idea of simply putting Bitcoin into the Soldsäckli was discarded, no one knows.
For the first time, the Swiss National Museum is looking for a head of digital transformation
The new department, including a new management position, is supposed to drive digitization forward.
As far as that is concerned, the Swiss Army is already so far advanced that the corresponding specialists will probably soon become available.
Musk accuses Twitter of making "false and misleading" statements. Twitter now wants to enforce the deal in court.
One false and misleading statement made by Twitter, for example, was that Elon Musk was someone who could be trusted with Twitter.
Amazon wants to acquire robot vacuum cleaner maker iRobot for $1.7 billion
Both companies announced that they had agreed on a purchase price of $61 per share.
This would allow future vacuum robots to automatically reorder your favorite cookies when the robot notices from the sucked-up crumbs that you have already emptied the package again.
READING RECOMMENDATION
We may not be a sophisticated algorithm, but we too can make good, personalized reading recommendations. So if you're interested in our tech news, you might also be interested in Accenture's technology newsroom?
Check it out!
Mac power supplies are becoming scarce
Many Mac power supplies currently have very long delivery times and are hard to get.
Apple customers are happy that they have this problem exclusively due to the product-specific power supplies.
Amazon discontinues cloud storage service Drive
The online storage, which started out in competition with Google Drive, Dropbox, etc., will go offline at the end of next year.
If you don't feel like laboriously downloading your files, Amazon offers to sell them for you on the marketplace.
Facebook spies on protected patient portals for sensitive health data
This is the allegation of a class action lawsuit against Meta and two healthcare organizations. For example, doctor's appointments booked with specialists are said to have provided information about Alzheimer's disease or abortions.
But don't worry, Facebook didn't play fast and loose with the data, but only sold it for disease-specific advertising.
Google once again postpones the end of advertising cookies
The privacy of users is the highest good for the tech company, which is why financially lucrative advertising cookies are to be abolished.
Until there is a similarly lucrative technical alternative for the cookies, however, the highest good must unfortunately take a back seat to Google's financial interests.
Configuration error: Facebook news feed shows spam
For the duration of one morning, the network had big problems due to a configuration error.
Instead of exciting news about Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga, users were only provided with irrelevant, useless information ... hmmm, ok, to be honest, we don't really know what the problem was either.
Zoom video conferencing service sees slower growth
After a real boom due to the Corona pandemic, Zoom only grew by 8% in the last quarter.
Market analysts are shocked and surprised. No one could have foreseen this development. Haha ... actually they could have, couldn't they?
Zurich places smart chairs in public spaces
Special chairs equipped with sensors are designed to measure usage habits as well as environmental factors such as humidity or noise.
We think: better sat smart than gone wrong.
BY THE WAY, THE BINARY-DREAMS-WORLD DID NOT STAND STILL DURING SUMMER EITHER ...
... We talked to a startup about how AI can help visually impaired and blind people.
Click here to listen to the podcast!
... Data Science Consultant Luca Furrer explains the topics "Bias" and "Blackbox" in the context of AI in his technical article.
Read his article now!
.... Tech influencer Annahita Esmailzadeh reports on how the IT industry can become more attractive for women and Generation Z.
Just one click to the interview!
Steamship "Spiezerli" from 1901 out of service due to software problems
Fans of the ship have lobbied for the modernization of the steamer, which apparently has a few problems with the new software.
Many readers know this situation from visiting their parents at Christmas with their smartphones and laptops.
Chess robot breaks finger of little boy
The robot arm descended on the boy's hand as he tried to reach for a figurine.
Robots really are becoming more and more like us humans.
Researchers work on AI to enable communication with animals
The AI is not intended to specialize in one animal species, but to contribute to a deeper connection between humans and animals and to animal welfare in general.
Previously, the team had worked unsuccessfully on an AI that would enable communication with pubescent adolescents.
Google wants to provide more information about page sources
Among other things, the company wants to clearly present how the site describes itself and what other users think about it.
Surely this will finally convince all the people who believe that a worldwide conspiracy of politics, media and large corporations is constantly lying to them of their error.
Google Maps will also offer fuel-saving routes in the future
Taking into account the vehicle drive, alternative routes are displayed that can save fuel and energy with a small additional time expenditure.
For members of the Liberal Party, an option is planned in which one can also display the maximum fuel-efficient routes.
WhatsApp wants to sharpen up on privacy with future update
For example, after the update it should be possible to leave groups without all members receiving a notification.
Scientology members desperately await this update.
Researchers can control spider legs
In necrobotics, researchers have managed to control the legs of dead spiders using compressed air.
Dr. Octopus approves.
The Format
*Our "Feuill-IT-on" format is created in collaboration with the two freelance writers Tobias Lauterbach und Daniel Al-Kabbani who occasionally contribute to the satire platform "Der Postillon". Under the pseudonyms Strigalt von Entf, and Tabea Ulla Thor they report on current events from the world of technology – always with a wink! ;-)
