Weekly Tech News #1
03–10.08.18
Workweeks are hectic, and keeping up with tech news is often a struggle. First things first- they say — and after a busy week, you find yourself lost in the flood of novelties from all around. But hey, great news here: We’ll help you sort things out!
You actually don’t need to scroll a number of pages, keep up with piles of news social media profiles and forum updates. We’ll gonna do the work for you!
How it’s going to work?
Every Friday, starting from today, we’re going to wrap up the most exciting tech info of the week in a single short news list. You’ll be able to dive deep into what interests you the most, or just scan the essence in a matter of minutes.
Simple and Sweet.
So, here we go!
Grab a pile of info bites from the last week and stay updated!
Palm — new Android Phone
Pictures of Palm , TCL’s next mobile brand reclamation project after BlackBerry Android devices, leaked to the Internet.
“The tiny 3.3-inch device reportedly has a 720p screen, Snapdragon 435 CPU, no headphone jack, 3 GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and a small 800mAh battery”
says Engaged, and publishes the photos of “Pepito” (because this is device’s codename).
You can have a look at it:
HP Veer Engadget, source: Engadget
[Read more]
Tesla’s Engineering Lead is back with Apple
Doug Field will be working on Project Titan- Apple’s vehicle program. This move can mean plans to add-on self-driving car kit, but it can also mean something way bigger than that.
Time will show us the results of Field’s transfer, and for now, the news leaves us with curiosity.
[Read more]
Google has released Android Pie
Previewed at Google’s annual developer conference in May, Android Pie was already released on Monday.
All the users, who haven’t been using Android Pie’s beta software (intended for developers) can make a first-time welcome to its new screen-time controls, navigation system, privacy tweaks and battery optimisation.
Watch the demo of Android Pie navigation:
Anne Frank Center calls Facebook to delete pages denying Holocaust
“There is a difference between providing a platform for free expression and knowingly spreading false information and lies. Denying the Holocaust causes harm.”
- claims the Center in their petition.
According to Mark Zuckerberg’s explanation, Facebook Holocaust deniers were not intentionally getting the history wrong, although he stressed that he never intended to defend them.
[Read more]
Apple allows customers to get instant credit towards devices when trading online
According to 9to5Mac news, Apple allowed its users to trade in old Apple devices to instantly offset the cost of a new online purchase of Apple devices. This is a result of GiveBack program update, that took place earlier this year. This is yet another move by Apple to facilitate its users and improve their convenience of purchase.
To make the purchase even easier, Apple has also updated the website with a new GiveBack interface — up from now, Apple online customers will see a link asking if they have a device to trade in.
Transgender Uber Driver reports problems with Face Recognition
As CNBC reports, Janey Webb, a transgender Uber driver from Iowa, had to travel two hours to the nearest Uber’s office, after a facial-recognition security feature refused to confirm her identity.
Uber spokesman defends the company in his e-mail to FastCompany:
“We want Uber to be a welcoming, safe, and respectful experience for all who use the app. That’s why we maintain clear Community Guidelines and a non-discrimination policy for riders and drivers, in addition to many safety features. We continue to focus on ways to advance our tech and constantly improve our app experience.”
— he claims.
Security Bugs in mobile credit card readers
The representatives of a security firm “Positive Technologies”, Leigh-Anne Galloway and Tim Yunusov, examined seven mobile point of sale devices in all. Bugs that they identified allowed them to manipulate commands via Bluetooth or mobile apps, modify payment amounts or even gain full remote control of a device.
Some of the flaws could e.g allow a potential attacker to disable chip transactions. This would force customers to use magstripe swipe, which is less secure and makes it easier to steal data or clone cards.
The research was based on devices used across the US and Europe.All of the terminals tested contained at least some vulnerabilities, but — to soothe your worries a little bit — the worst of it was limited to just a few of them.
[Read more]
BONUS INSIGHT OF A WEEK:
How to become an expert in anything?
A truly insightful text published yesterday by Aytekin Tank in the Startup Medium publication.
Tank debunks the myth of natural talents, and points out the importance of persistent, deliberate training that leads to perfection.
As the article highlights:
Deliberate practice is focused, consistent, goal-oriented training. It favours quality over quantity. It knows not all practice is created equal.
Practicing deliberately, focusing on a particular task 1hour a day gives us 5 hours of intence exercises per workweek. In a simplified scenario, we may tell that around 10K hours of intense practice make an expert out of anyone who regularly practiced this much. Talent may shorten the process, but it’s not a crucial part of a success.
And although you may say this theory is not a “happened-this-week” novelty, the freshly published text by Tank wraps up the motivational idea, includes resources and provides a dose of motivation for the upcoming weekend :)[Read more ]
