Top Tech Topics:
Week of August 11, 2014


Image by Yuri Samoilov

1. Facebook Continues Being Sketchy
Facebook’s forced migration to Messenger was already controversial and now new concerns around the access to personal data the app requires has raised more flags. The company also revealed it will start tracking users across devices to study shopping habits

2. The NSA and Cyberwarfare
Edward Snowden’s latest leak accuses the NSA of running an automated cyberwarfare program and accidentally shutting down Syria’s entire Internet connection while trying to gather intelligence.

3. Alternate Realities
New releases in both virtual and augmented worlds bring us an app designed for the Oculus Rift that allows prospective students to virtually tour universities and an upcoming motorcycle helmet with built-in AR to display directions, speed data and incoming calls 10 feet ahead of the rider.

4. The Giants Duke It Out
It’s about to go down. The hardware industry is starting to get personal, including Microsoft’s new ad directly confronting Apple’s MacBook Air. Meanwhile, Google released the beta of its Elementary OS, hoping it will rev up the Chromebook line.

5. Beware of the Big Bad Bitcoin?
Virtual currency is being called the ‘Wild West’ of finance and the sheriff is coming to town. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a statement on Monday warning the public about the risks of using bitcoin. Although they say that virtual currencies have potential, there are still several issues making it unsafe, including the serious security threat of hackers.