Daily Tech Headlines – February 16, 2018
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| Daily Tech Headlines – February 16, 2018 | |
| Number | 440 |
| Broadcast Date | FEBRUARY 16, 2018 |
| Episode Length | 4:01 |
| Hosts | Tom Merritt |
Google removes “view image” button from search, Intel helps with a more practical quantum computer chip, and an Australian cyborg researcher loses the use of his embedded transit pass.
Headlines
- Google has removed the "view image" button from its image search as part of an agreement with Getty Images. The button previously opened the image on its own in the browser. Now users only get a "visit" button which shows the image in context on the page its from, where users will then need to right click and open the image in a new tab to view it separately. Google announced a licensing agreement with Getty Images last week and this change was one of that agreements provisions.
- Following the UK, the governments of Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the US, the five eyes countries as they are sometimes called, have all issued statements attributing the NotPetya ransomware attacks last June to Russia. The US accused the Russian military, Australia said it was attackers sponsored by Russia. The government of Russia denies it is responsible.
- Google announced Thursday it will acquire the Xively enterprise IoT platform from LogMeIn for $50 million. LogMeIn acquired Xively in 2014 for $12 million and reported the platform generated $3 million in revenue last quarter.
- The US FCC Inspector General has opened an investigation into whether FCC Chairman Ajit Pai acted inappropriately in relation to changing media consolidation rules. Sinclair Media is trying to acquire Tribune Media and the new rules make the acquisition easier. The investigation is looking at, whether Pai coordinated with Sinclair on the new rules.
- Intel has introduced a new feature to Skylake and newer processors with integrated graphics that automatically optimizes games. It's similar to Nvidia's GeForce experience feature. The driver with the new gaming feature also adds support for Kaby Lake G chips that have Radeon Vega graphics built in.
- The Wall Street Journal reports Google tested a new emergency cell phone calling system in the US in a few states in December and January. Using the US 911 system, Google sent location data from Android to the 911 operators. RapidOS, a company involved in the test told the Wall Street Journal that more than 80% of the calls using the new system were more accurate than location data usually provided by wireless carriers. Google hopes to implement the system across the US this year.
- Google has launched Gmail Go, a slimmed down app meant for devices with basic specs used in areas with poor connectivity. Gmail Go supports multiple accounts, filters promotional emails, offers 15 GB of free storage and allows for offline replying. It also does not automatically load images to save data.
- Intel told shareholders Friday that it faces 32 class action lawsuits over the Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities. 30 of the suits claim customers were harmed by Intel's "actions and/or omissions." The other two accuse Intel of making misleading statements in violation of securities laws.
- An Australian transit agency deactivated the transit pass of Meow-Ludo Disco Gamma Meow-Meow while he was traveling to the US to speak at a cyborg convention. Meow-meow had embedded the transit pass's chip in his hand in April 2017. New South Wales' transport authorities have also fined him $200 for riding a train without a valid ticket.
- QuTech and Intel have teamed up on an experimental two-qubit quantum computer running on a silicon chip. Usually, quantum computers require superconductive material and near perfect zero temperatures to operate. The new chip uses quantum-dot-based spin qubits and can be made with existing manufacturing infrastructure.
- Reuters says its sources say Wal-Mart is in talks to buy more than 40% of Indian ecommerce company Flipkart. An investment from WalMart would help FlipKart compete with Amazon which is expanding in India. The deal would also help WalMart expand in India.
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| Preceded by: "Daily Tech Headlines – February 15, 2018" |
Daily Tech Headlines – February 16, 2018 |
Followed by: "Daily Tech Headlines – February 19, 2018" |