Archive for the 'Technology' Category
An NSA-Derived Ransomware Worm Is Shutting Down Computers Worldwide
May 12th, 2017I don’t know what it’s going to take to convince people to stop using abandoned versions of Windows, but if this doesn’t do it, nothing will. Via: Ars Technica: A highly virulent new strain of self-replicating ransomware shut down computers all over the world, in part by appropriating a National Security Agency exploit that was […]
The Boring Company: Tunnel Boring Machine Assembly Underway in Los Angeles
May 12th, 2017Even now, even as the machine is being assembled, I still keep asking myself, “Is this really going to happen?” Via: Electrek: Even though Elon Musk described his new Boring Company as “a few engineers and interns”, it seems to be moving incredibly fast. They took delivery of their first boring machine last month and […]
DIY EV and Powerwall/ESS: Insane Deal on New LG Lithium Ion Packs
May 11th, 2017Heads up for people doing DIY EV and ESS projects—and no need to hear from the Nervous Nellies. Jehu Garcia grew up in Tijuana with a dirt floor in his house and a hole for a toilet. All day, the Nervous Nellies tell him that he’s going to blow himself up after poking his eye […]
Tesla Solar Roof Up for Preorder
May 10th, 2017Disclosure: I sell solar power systems in New Zealand. — Lifetime physical warranty, 30 year solar output warranty. Via: Electrek: The value of Tesla’s solar roof is closely linked to its durability and its ability to generate electricity over decades. Musk previously discussed the possibility of making the warranty last for the lifetime of the […]
Tesla Battery Researcher Claims They Doubled Lifetime of Batteries in Tesla’s Products 4 Years Ahead of Time
May 9th, 2017Update: Professor Jeff Dahn’s Talk If you have any interest in lithium ion batteries, this is very definitely worth your time. — Woh. I wonder how long it will be before Tesla slaps a 20 year warranty on their energy storage products… Via: Electrek: “In the description of the [Tesla] project that we sent to […]
Europe: How Billions Vanish Into the Security Industry Black Hole
May 9th, 2017Via: The Correspondent: The European Union spends billions on research into advanced technologies meant to make society safer. But our investigation – with 22 journalists in 11 countries – shows that the generous subsidies are mostly good for one thing: filling the coffers of the security industry.
More Robots, Fewer Jobs
May 8th, 2017Via: Bloomberg: Are you about to be replaced by a robot? The question has broad implications for the U.S. economy, especially the manufacturing sector. Industries that robotize tend to increase output. But robots can have dire consequences for workers. Two economists recently concluded that both jobs and wages fall in parts of the U.S. where […]
Unmanned U.S. Air Force Space Plane Lands After Secret, Two-Year Mission
May 7th, 2017Via: Reuters: The U.S. military’s experimental X-37B space plane landed on Sunday at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, completing a classified mission that lasted nearly two years, the Air Force said. The unmanned X-37B, which resembles a miniature space shuttle, touched down at 7:47 a.m. EDT (1147 GMT) on a runway formerly used for […]
The Military is Using Human Brain Waves to Teach Robots How to Shoot
May 6th, 2017Via: Government Executive: Modern sensors can see farther than humans. Electronic circuits can shoot faster than nerves and muscles can pull a trigger. Humans still outperform armed robots in knowing what to shoot at — but new research funded in part by the Army may soon narrow that gap. Researchers from DCS Corp and the […]
Potential for Ultrasonic Beacons to Trigger Smartphone Apps
May 4th, 2017Apparently, you have to open some app for the this to happen: The situation isn’t that worrisome, as users have to open an app with the Shopkick SDK for the beacon to be picked up. Even so, here’s another one for your already herniating Mobile Phones Are Creepy as Hell file folder. Via: Bleeping Computer: […]
