Geekly Update - 08 September 2021

Category: Tech-News

How soon will the Internet Apocalypse arrive? What do electric scooters and robotic lawn mowers have in common? And is artificial intelligence smarter than your doctor? Get answers in today's Geekly Update... it's jam-packed with the latest tech news. This issue is guaranteed to make you 146% smarter -- you'll see why. Read, think, and, comment!

The AskBobRankin Geekly Update

Should we be prepping for an Internet Apocalypse caused by the Sun? A research paper warns that coronal mass ejections caused by magnetic storms on the Sun could cause Internet disruptions lasting several months.

It turns out artificial intelligence is pretty dumb, at least when used to analyze breast cancer screening images. Analysis of AI-based systems used to detect breast cancer found them to be less accurate than a radiologist 94% of the time.

Despite the hype, the folks at Morning Brew say, 5G wireless Internet isn't catching on very fast. Consumers are either unaware of the technology, or unsure of how it might benefit them. And 5G coverage varies widely, depending on where you live.

A wireless charging pad is a convenient way to charge your smartphone. But what if we could get rid of the pad as well? Dream no longer... long-range wireless charging, an emerging tech that beams power through the air, may soon be coming to a wall near you.

Geekly Update 09-08-2021

What would happen if you filled your cart at Whole Foods, and just walked out the door? Nothing, as long as you do so at a Whole Foods Market using Amazon’s Just Walk Out technology. Stores in Washington, D.C. and Sherman Oaks, California, which are expected to open next year, will allow customers to skip the checkout line. Their Amazon account will be automatically debited for the items in the cart. RELATED: Some shoppers at Lowe's have already found a low-tech way to "just walk out" of the store with thousands of dollars of merchandise.

ProtonMail, the poster-child for email privacy, is getting flack for providing the IP address of a French activist, who was subsequently arrested. The company says that it doesn’t log customer IP addresses unless compelled to do so by a court order under Swiss law. The actual contents of emails sent and received via ProtonMail are encrypted, and are not subject to requests from law enforcement.

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed COVID-19 vaccine candidates using plant and bacteria viruses. Two big advantages: They are thermally stable, which means they don't require extreme low temperatures for storage and transport. They can also be used via self-administered microneedle patches.

Segway, perhaps best known for their mall cop scooters, has announced Navimow, a robot mower that uses GPS to navigate and trim your lawn. It's unique in that no boundary wires are needed to keep the robot from straying off course. Users define the boundaries of the lawn using a smartphone app.

This just in from the WhoDaThunkIt Desk: "Legalization of recreational cannabis may be associated with an increase in fatal motor vehicle collisions," according to a report in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. Yup, it's hard to drive with a big bag of Doritos on your lap.

Your thoughts on these topics are welcome. Post your comment or question below...

 
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Most recent comments on "Geekly Update - 08 September 2021"

Posted by:

PDSterling
08 Sep 2021

FWIW, I am under attack from my cell fone provider; they say they will no longer support my ancient 3G phone, so I may be withdrawing from the cyber world. very annoying!


Posted by:

hifi5000
08 Sep 2021

The Internet Apocalypse mentioned in one of Bob's topics for today is nothing new.It has been talked about for a few decades now.

Solar scientists have known of the chance a huge solar storm will not only damage the internet,but it could also damage the electrical grid and satellite communications.The military knows of this possibility,hence they have spend millions of dollars hardening their command infrastructure.

It will cost billions of dollars to recover from such a storm and it could many months to restore the electrical grid.Civilians will be left out in the cold on this one,so you might want to read up on the potential of such an event.


Posted by:

Andy
09 Sep 2021

Power over the air? Shades of Nicola Tesla! He was 100 years too soon .


Posted by:

Raoul5244
09 Sep 2021

"... long-range wireless charging, an emerging tech that beams power through the air, may soon be coming to a wall near you."
What could possibly go wrong? Hope its AI-driven array doesn't lock onto the cat—!


Posted by:

Frances
09 Sep 2021

You should read the comments on the Lowes "just walk out" story.


Posted by:

SamG
12 Sep 2021

Lowes "just walk out" story. 2 weeks ago my woman told me of a news story that a law in Cali. was to be removed because it allowed retail theft of up to $900 to be treated as a misdemeanor. Anyone else familiar with that news?

EDITOR'S NOTE: That's been the law in California for several years. Stores have closed as a reult.


Posted by:

SamG
13 Sep 2021

Thank you for verification on the Cali. law, Bob!


Posted by:

SamG
13 Sep 2021

Thank you for verification on the Cali. law, Bob!


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