The Chron Father
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| The Chron Father | |
| Number | 2758 |
| Broadcast Date | MAY 11, 2016 |
| Episode Length | 38:42 |
| Hosts | Tom Merritt |
| Guests | Scott Johnson, Stewart Cheifet |
Has VR changed that much since the 1990s? Stewart Cheifet of Computer Chronicles fame talks with Scott Johnson and Tom Merritt about that and other tech history perspectives.
Guest
Headlines
- Instagram has updated its App logo. The old brown polaroid camera-like design has been replaced with a flat bright rainbow gradient color scheme. Instagram's Hyperlapse, Boomerang and Layout icons received similar treatments. Instagram's UI now features a white top bar and selected icons are black instead of facebook blue icons. This is the first logo redesign since the company started.
- Microsoft will remove the WiFi Sense feature from Windows 10 which shared your WiFi connection with contacts and automatically connected you to contacts WiFi in return. Maintenance cost and lack of usage were key to the decision. The feature will be removed int he Anniversary update due this summer.
- Google has updated Translate for Android with Tap to Translate. Anyone running Android 4.2 or later by copying text then tapping a popup icon to translate, no pasting necessary. Google is also adding offline support to the iOS version of Translate. And Word Lens now supports Chinese for visual translation. These updates are rolling out over the next few days.
- WhatsApp launched a desktop app for Windows 8 or higher and OSX 10.9 or higher that supports desktop notifications, keyboard shortcuts and syncs with mobile devices. You log in with a QR code from your mobile WhatsApp app.
- Nest announced OpenThread Wednesday, an open source version of the Thread the low-power mesh protocol for home devices. OpenThread will also work on the same radio hardware as Zigbee devices. ARM, Atmel, Dialog, Qualcomm and TI are among the contributors to the project. TechCrunch also reports that Chris Boross, Nest’s head of the Thread group, left earlier this year to work at smart wireless router company Eero.
- Google Cardboard is now for sale in the Google's Store in France, UK, Canada and Germany. The price will run 20 Euros 20 Canadian dollars or 15 pounds. If you buy a PAIR it's 30 Euros $25 Canadian dollars or 25 pounds. Shipping is free. Google Cardboard went on sale in the US back in February.
- Disney announced Tuesday it is shutting down its Disney Infinity line of games and collectible toys and ending its self-published console game business. Two last playsets will be released in the next two months. Disney will write down a $147 million charge in connection with closing the business.
- Submitted by anotherjmartin
- Starting June 13th Google will no longer allow ads for payday loans and other similar financial services. That includes loans with payback terms of 60 days or less or an annual percentage rate of more than 36%. Google previously only allowed such ads if the words “payday loan” were entered in search.
- Submitted by tm204
- Hyperloop Technologies has changed its name to Hyperloop One and showed off a test of its linear-electric motor on a test track in the desert north of Las Vegas. A 10-foot sled was propelled along a test track into a pile of sand at a force of 2.5Gs. Engadget says CTO Brogan BamBrogan hopes to have a quarter-mile track with tubes by the end of the year.
- GitHub has changed and somewhat simplified its pricing structure. Starting now accounts for personal users cost $7 per month, and accounts for organizations cost $9 per user per month, or $25 per month for the first five users. You no longer have to pay more fro more private repositories.
- DHL Parcelcopter has been going since 2014 and it just finished a three month test of its third generation. Customers in a mountainous region of Bavaria loaded 130 parcels in a test Skyport. The region included valley community Reit im Winkl and the 1200 meter tall Winklmosalm plateau covering 8 kilometers of flight. Cargo was typically sporting goods or medicines. The 30 minute trip by car took 8 minutes by UAV.
- Submitted by BigJim
- Some YouTube users are getting a messaging function in their mobile version of YouTube. The new feature allows text, photos and links. Those who have the messenger can gift it to others by inviting them to conversations.
Discussion
Pick of the Day
- Jide Remix was founded by three ex-Google engineers, to bring new great features to android, their Remix OS makes android look like a desktop OS, with a start button and a taskbar/system tray, resizable/movable windows, notifications.
Currently their OS only supports just few Android devices (their own tablets, Nexus 9, Nexus 10 and a couple of others), and also a version for PCs.
Luckily I have a Nexus 10 which I was thinking of replacing, but since I installed this ROM i am using it more and more. While the OS is still in beta but it works fine, it has some bugs here and there but very stable and extremely fast.
It comes with Google Play Store out of the box, but without all the extra Google apps. - Submitted by Rami from Bethlehem
- Jide Remix was founded by three ex-Google engineers, to bring new great features to android, their Remix OS makes android look like a desktop OS, with a start button and a taskbar/system tray, resizable/movable windows, notifications.
Messages
- I listened to the show about the new Amazon service, actually Amazon purchased the company Createspace a few years back. Createspace allowed you to send a copy of a DVD that you offered for sale they printed the DVDs ondemand when a customer purchased and sent you your share at the end of the month. This allowed anyone to get into the DVD publishing game, Amazon purchased Createspace which then got all titles listed on Amazon for free. They are not designed for the YouTube cat video crowd but content creators like myself. They have always required your tax information so they can send you a 1099 at the end of the year. I have seven titles that have been up for years and receive a royalty check most months. Before Createspace there was no easy way to get my titles on fly fishing and scuba diving the Florida keys published, because of Createspace/ Amazon I am a worldwide publisher and have sold DVDs and video streaming around the world.
- Sent by Roderic
- I would love to hear this discussed with ol' Scott.
The short:
What do you wish an electrician could do well, and quickly in your home?
The long:
I'm 1.5 years into a three year residential electrical apprenticeship. As someone who helps people with electrical issues that range from tripped GFCI's to "Why does my house smell like burning", I have a lot of opportunity to offer additional services. Dish Network's diversification of technician services fits the theme of this discussion well.
So here's the question: what skills and systems should I add to my arsenal as an electrician? Simple networking, Nest systems, Spanish all seem like good ideas. What else would you like to see offered?
Thanks for ALL the time! - Sent by Nathaniel in leafy Southwest Washington
- I would love to hear this discussed with ol' Scott.
- Responding to Severin's email about Blackberry use yesterday. The United States established and has steadfastly maintained a National Park dedicated to that endangered species, it's located in Washington DC and covers the 100 square miles around the Mall where federal government employees roam about in their natural habitat.
cheers, - Sent by Rusty in VA
- Responding to Severin's email about Blackberry use yesterday. The United States established and has steadfastly maintained a National Park dedicated to that endangered species, it's located in Washington DC and covers the 100 square miles around the Mall where federal government employees roam about in their natural habitat.
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The Chron Father |
Followed by: "Apple Motors?" |