Tag Archives: Online
75% Smartphones sold are Androids!
Analytics firm Gartner recently published the smartphone numbers for Q1 of 2013. The numbers look at a lot of different things, but one very interesting and impressive statistic stands out from the others. According to the numbers, almost 75% of all smartphones sold in Q1 of 2013 use the Android Operating System.
Another, perhaps unsurprising statistic, is that Samsung sold more Android-powered smartphones than any other manufacturer. Gartner says that Android’s nearly 75% market share for the smartphone realm is nearly 20% higher than its percentage of the market only a year ago. If you’re wondering, that 75% share equates to about 156 million Android devices sold during the quarter.
Overall sales for smartphones were 210 million units, representing an increase of 63 million units compared to the same quarter last year. Overall mobile phone sales for the quarter were 425 million meaning smartphones accounted for almost half of all mobile phones sold. Of all smartphone manufacturers, Samsung seems to be doing the best.
Samsung doesn’t offer up official sales statistics, but Gartner estimates that Samsung sold 31% of all smartphones during the quarter. Gartner also estimates that Apple was in the number two spot with 18% of all smartphones sold. Those numbers show that Android is growing rapidly as iOS continues to decline.
During the same quarter of 2012, Samsung and Apple were only 5% apart in the first and second spots for the smartphone realm. There is a chance that those numbers could swing back in Apple’s favor with the launch of the next generation iPhone. The iPhone 5 has been criticized as being a marginal upgrade and Gartner thinks that some iPhone users may be waiting for the next generation device before they upgrade.
Samsung 5G Smartphone Breakthrough!
Samsung Electronics said Monday it has made a breakthrough in developing mobile technology for fifth-generation networks, though it expects it will take years until the service is brought online for subscribers.
The South Korean company said it has found a way to transmit large volumes of data using a much higher frequency band than conventional ones in use, which would eventually allow users to send massive data files at a much faster speeds through their mobile devices, “practically without limitation.”
The technology could easily gain fans among phone users routinely sending and receiving large amounts of data. With 5G networks, for example, users would be able to send super-high-definition movie files in a matter of seconds, according to Samsung.
The fastest wireless technology in operation (i.e. the 4G or long-term evolution) has yet to be widely adopted world-wide, and the next immediate phase for the standard is likely to be a shift to “4.5G” networks, analysts say. Many networks still employ 3G.
Samsung has eyes on commercializing 5G technology by 2020, matching a recently set target by the European Union. The EU announced earlier this year a plan to invest 50 million euros in research to deliver 5G mobile technology by 2020.
Many mobile operators are still transitioning to 4G wireless technology and they would have to be as swift in deploying the next-generation wireless data networks for the transition to 5G to materialize as planned, analysts note.
“The competition for technology leadership in next-generation mobile communications development is getting increasingly fierce,” and Samsung “believes it will trigger the creation of international alliances and the timely commercialization of related mobile broadband services,” the company said.
Twitter’s Two-Factor Authentication
Due to recently hacks and false tweets, one of which was supposedly from the White House and sent the stock market into a momentary free fall, Twitter hopes to strengthen its user security. It has plans to prevent such intrusions through the introduction of a two-factor authentication process (via Wired). When this would be introduced and available to users is unknown.
This trend of having an extra layer of security then the traditional model of simply username and password seems to reflect an technical trend among the technical giants. Google rolled out its two-factor authentication offering in 2011, but Microsoft only just introduced their own last week.
When Twitter verifies an account, it’s saying that it’s gone through some type of procedure to approve that the person or entity is who they say they are. Keeping that integrity safe is essential to the entire concept.
The challenge for Twitter’s to solve is a two-factor authentication for accounts might be used by multiple parties in multiple locations. In Google’s two-step process, as well as Facebook’s, you’re sent a text message with a code to enter when logging into your account from an un-authenticated device like a mobile phone.
How something like that will work for an account managed by multiple people is a head-scratcher.
Until two-factor authentication rolls out, it’s smart to be vigilant when it comes to clicking on unknown links, and it’s always a good idea to change your password from time to time. A word of advice, is don’t make your password something like “APm@rketing.” That could get hacked at any time, no matter who you are, but especially if you’re the Associated Press.
[Photo credit: Flickr]
4G Network set for 1 million users
EE, the U.K.’s first and still only 4G network operator, confirmed that after five months of 4G trading it has hit a total of 318,000 4G-specific customers out of a total of 13.7 million postpaid mobile subscribers (Overall EE has a mobile & fixed line broadband subscriber base of 26.4 million).
It’s worth underlining that the 318,000 figure does not consist of only new customers joining EE but includes existing 3G customers who have upgraded to its 4G offering. In its, Q1 results release today. EE said ”strong take-up of 4G services amongst new and existing customers validates our data monetisation strategy”, noting that it is continuing to “successfully migrate Orange and T-Mobile customers with 4G-ready phones to high value EE 4G price plans in areas where 4G coverage is available”.
It added that it is “firmly on track” to meet its target of more than one million 4G customers by the end of 2013. This is a target that is arguably rather unambitious, as IHS Screen Digest analyst Daniel Gleeson noted on Twitter.
EE reported postpaid mobile net adds of 166,000 for its Q1. The quarter is traditionally a weaker one for the carrier to add new customers but EE noted that Q1 2013 outperformed its past two year-on-year Q1 quarters, which saw 150,000 and 160,000 net postpaid adds respectively
Commenting on the results in a statement, EE’s Chief Financial Officer, Neal Milsom, said: “Today’s results are in-line with our expectations, and we are making good progress focusing on high value segments. We’re announcing 318,000 4G customers after just five months of trading, strong postpaid net adds and continued growth in our underlying average revenue per user. We expect to strengthen our industry leadership position in the year ahead as the 4G roll out continues and we introduce double-speed 4GEE.”
Last month EE announced its 4G network was now within reach of 50% of the population.
Doctors approve Sainthood
The medical council has recognized one healing as inexplicable. If the theologians’ give their consent, John Paul would become a Saint only eight years after his death.
The canonisation of Wojtyla, better known as John Paul II, is getting closer quickly and it could be celebrated next October. In fact, in the past few days, the medical council of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints has recognized as inexplicable one healing attributed to the blessed John Paul II. A supposed “miracle” that, if it is also approved by theologians and the cardinals (as it is very likely), will bring the Polish Pope, who died in 2005, the halo of sainthood in record time, just eight years after his death.
This is the overcoming of the first fundamental hurdle, given that the alleged miracle must now be approved by theologians and then by the cardinals and bishops of the Congregation, before being subjected to the Pope for the definitive “yes“. The approval of the council is considered the most important step of the two.
From the steps taken, the desire of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints to work quickly is evident, as it had already happened for the beatification of Pope John Paul II, celebrated by his successor Benedict XVI the 1st of May, 2011. This fast lane that continues to be open for Wojtyla indicates that even Pope Francis is in favour of the canonisation of the Polish Pope.
It is still premature to talk about dates for the canonization, but the rapidity with which the examination of the miracle process is happening still leaves open the possibility of celebrating it on Sunday October 20th, very close to the liturgical holiday assigned to the Wojtyla, which is on October 22nd.
Order Pizza with your Xbox 360 App
Pizza Hut is launching an app for Xbox Live, letting users order a pizza through their Xbox 360.
Once you’ve linked your Xbox Live account with a Pizza Hut account, and chosen the nearest pizza parlor, orders can be made using the game controller, voice input or Kinect gestures. And for those looking to combine ingredients for that perfect pizza, custom orders are also available.
This, of course, is not the only way to digitally create an order your pizza online. Domino’s iPad app has already something in place. However, given the historical link between gaming on platforms such as the Xbox 360 and pizza, it might be the more natural.
“If you look at our audience, they love pizza. I mean, who doesn’t? It has international appeal, and Pizza Hut is a recognized brand that matches up well with the Xbox brand,” Xbox’s Larry Hryb told Polygon.
The app should be live starting today, April 23. To sweeten (salt, pepper?) the deal, Pizza hut will give Xbox users a 15% off their first purchase, as long as they download the app and make the order before May 6.
Successful Launch of Private Rocket
A company contracted by NASA to take supplies to the international space station launched a test rocket Sunday. WCAV reports Antares was the biggest rocket ever launched from Virginia.
“Antares moved smoothly through its two stages and achieved orbit, drawing applause from those watching in the control room. Officials say the mission is a success.”
The unmanned rocket blasted off from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, but WTVR reports liftoff came after two delays.
“The rocket was scheduled to launch last Wednesday… a glitch pushed the launch back to Saturday… and high winds moved it to just after 5 pm Sunday.”
Antares is made by a Washington, D.C. spaceflight company called Orbital Sciences. It has a $1.9 billion contract with NASA for at least eight resupply flights to the space station using its cargo ship Cygnus.
“The company is aiming to launch a rocket carrying its cargo ship this summer to dock with the station. If successful, they want to make the first of eight contracted deliveries in the fall.” -WWBT
NASA TV reports Antares had some special cargo on board on this test flight.
“Antares also delivered to orbit a trio of phoneset nanosatellites, designed and built at Ames research center to showcase the ability to launch to space low cost, easy to build satellites.”
Orbital Sciences had a lot riding on the successful liftoff, which NBC reports marked a critical test flight of a new commercial launch system.
The company’s executive vice president said “the company has invested about $300 million developing the Cygnus spacecraft alone, slightly more in the rocket itself.”
The launch was visible all along the East Coast, from Maine to South Carolina.
‘Bed Of Needles’ Minimizes Pain
Researchers have come up with a better way of keeping skin grafts in place through a bed of microscopic needles so pain, and damage, would be minimal compared to staples. (Via Counsel and Heal)
The nature inspired “bed of needles” is actually a parasitic worm to be exact which preys on fish. It uses its pointing microscopic head to latch onto the fish’s intestine.
But what makes the worm unique is that once it gets the needles inside its prey they expand to get an extra-tight hold. (Via Bio Lib)
And the bed of needles does the same thing. Once it is inserted into the skin, the needles swell when they meet moisture. (Via Science CodeX)
It’s a method that is hardly comparable to any other treatment available today. When the bed of needles is compared to medical super glue or a standard micro needle patch, its grip is extraordinarily tighter. (Via Youtube)
The lead researcher Dr. Jeffrey Karp told the BBC its snug hold isn’t the only benefit.
“The unique design allows the needles to stick to soft tissues with minimal damage… Moreover, when it comes time to remove the adhesive, compared to staples, there is less trauma inflicted to the tissues, blood and nerves, as well as a reduced risk of infection.”
Researchers not only hope the invention will one day be an alternative to staples and other devices used for skin grafts but it might also be used to administer therapeutic drugs like proteins. (Via EurekAlert!)
Millions Generated for Boston Victims
Donations are pouring into the Boston area as victims deal with mounting medical debt. The Internet has been a useful tool in raising money for those affected.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino created “The One Fund” on the day of the attack and raised more than $7 million in the first 24 hours. (Via CBC)
Elected officials are not the only ones in the fundraising effort, though. GoFundMe is a popular fundraising site which has also helped a number of victims pay their high medical bills.
A mother and daughter named Celeste and Sydney have received an outpouring of donations. That fundraiser has garnered nearly $500,000, including $25,000 from late night talk show host Chelsea Handler.
GoFundMe also helped out one victim who lost both of his legs in the blast. Jeff Bauman gained notoriety when graphic images showing his injuries surfaced. More than $300,000 has been raised. As a result of the constant flow of donations, the donation goal has been raised to $1 million. (Via New York Daily News)
And the man who had his boat destroyed when police captured a suspect has been getting donations as well.
According to ABC, David Henneberry’s boat is now full of bullet holes and is expected to be used as evidence in the case for quite some time. Donations for him to get a new boat have ranged from $25 from an Orlando woman to $1,000 from a personal injury attorney.
But with money at stake, law enforcement officials are warning against scammers trying to take advantage of well-wishers.
KTTS reports police are telling people to, “be careful of online donation sites or charities that have similar names to legitimate ones.”
The Omaha World-Herald notes one of the best ways to steer clear of scams is to not donate to a charity on an unfamiliar website.
Samsung’s Mind-Control Technology
Have you ever imagined controlling things with your mind? Samsung are investing in research to help that become a reality!
The company has reportedly teamed up with researchers at the University of Texas to create a system that will allow a user to control a tablet such as the Galaxy Note 10.1 through thought patterns.
The techies are trying to bring this about by using a female looking swimming cap wired with EEG sensors that are used to measure the brain’s electrical activity.
Users were monitored to reveal patterns that occur after they were shown repetitive visual patterns. Researchers have discovered that users are able to open an application and use it effectively by concentrating on an icon that was blinking. (via MIT Technology Review)
And Gizmodo reports Samsung’s flashy system has managed an accuracy of about 80 to 95 percent although the head wear isn’t exactly sexy.
Popular Science also notes the telekinetic technology isn’t really all that fast either. It apparently takes, on average, five seconds for the sensors to make a selection, so sticking with the hands-on methods might be a more appealing option.
In any case, Jedi-mind control isn’t as new of a concept as you might think.
NeuroSky already makes wearable bio sensors and signal processing systems for consumer electronics, health and wellness applications and education.
Or if you just want a pair of mind-reading cat ears…
As for Samsung’s latest project, there’s no indication it’ll be put into mass-production anytime soon, so if you want to control something with your mind you’ll probably have to stick with cat ears for now.
Improve Memory whilst sleeping
Is it possible to boost your brainpower while getting a good night’s sleep? Well according to
a study it is by listening to music!
According to a new study if you have music that’s in sync with brain oscillations, or the repetitive rhythm that represents activity, can help improve your memory. (Via ScienceDirect)
According to the Daily Mail, researchers have known for a while that slow brain oscillations are important to retain memory. Now, sound can be used to improve those oscillations.
“Researchers say slow rhythms are best and that stimulation that is out of sync doesn’t help. They also say in-sync rhythms can make slow-wave sleeps last longer.” (Via WXYZ)
These conclusions were drawn by researchers in Germany by tested 11 people. They interchanged between sound exposure while sleep and a placebo. Before they went to sleep, the participants memorized word associations. (Via Nature World News)
The researchers discovered after listening to music while sleeping the participants did a better job of remembering the associations than those who didn’t sleep with music. (Via Counsel and Heal)
Medical Daily points out that using music as a research tool is nothing new when it comes to studying the brain.
A recent study showed brain patterns can predict what music people are most likely to buy.
And a 2010 study showed music can be used as therapy for Alzheimer’s disease. (Via PBS)
So, what could come of this new study? In a press release the researchers said the findings could do more in the future than just improve sleep.
“…it might be even used to enhance other brain rhythms with obvious functional significance—like rhythms that occur during wakefulness and are involved in the regulation of attention.”(Via EurakAlert!)
Smartphone App Avoid’s Incest
When you go to a club or bar asking someone if they’re your cousin is probably not the best chat up lines or breaking the ice with someone. However, in Iceland such an important piece of information can make the difference between incest or not. For this reason a new app was made to prevent such dangerous liaisons.
Its called the Islendinga App and it allows users to bump smartphones, and if you both share a grandparent it will set off an alarm and send you a text message as part of the “Incest Spoiler” feature. (Via WOLO)
Three University of Iceland students developed the app as part of a contest to make “new creative uses” of the Book of Icelanders (The book is the country’s extensive genealogical database which traces the lineage of its current citizens back roughly 1,200 years).
A writer for Popular Science notes most of the country’s 320,000 people share a common descent from ninth century Viking settlers, and because of that “the danger probably lies more in kissing your second cousins.”
And apparently that occurs a little too often. Medical Daily quotes one of the app’s developers, saying:
“Everyone has heard the story of going to a family event and running into a girl you hooked up with some time ago. It’s not a good feeling when you realize that girl is a second cousin. People may think it’s funny, but [the app] is a necessity.”
Yes, he really called an app with an “Incest Spoiler” feature a necessity. But wouldn’t meeting someone with the same last name of one of your relatives be an immediate red flag? A writer for Wired explains the name game isn’t reliable in Iceland.
“Part of the problem … is that Icelandic naming conventions don’t reflect someone’s descendants. … Each new generation has a completely different name to the name of the generation that preceded it.”
So that means your cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews could all have different last names.
Businessweek points out the app has other convenient features, like a calendar to remind users of their relatives’ birthdays.
The Android app has been downloaded almost 5,000 times and has an average rating of 4.6 out of 5. Though if you want to get your hands on it, you’d better brush up on your Icelandic as that’s the only language it’s available in. The developers say they hope to release a version for iPhone users soon.
Madeleine’s Mother forgives Abductor
Kate McCann has revealed she “could probably forgive Madeline’s abductor” as her missing daughter’s 10th birthday approaches.
The practicing Catholic spoke of the cycles of grief, hope and mercy she has endured in the six years since Madeleine was snatched.
Speaking to the Telegraph, the 45-year-old said: “I think I could probably forgive Madeleine’s abductor whatever the circumstances… I can’t change anything and I don’t want to be eaten up by hatred and bitterness.”
Madeleine was nearly four when she vanished from a holiday resort in Praia da Luz, Portugal, as her parents dined with friends nearby.
Kate, who is also mother to eight-year-old twins Sean and Amelie, admits she and husband Gerry continue to struggle daily with their loss.
She said: “Living in limbo with this void and uncertainty is truly dreadful It’s hard to rest, to find peace. It’s unsettling and uncomfortable all the time. Even on a ‘good’ day, that feeling is lurking.”
Despite the limbo of not knowing what has happened to their daughter, whose 10th birthday is on May 12, the McCanns are adamant she may still be found.
On their website Find Madeleine, they write: “There is absolute nothing to suggest that Madeleine has been harmed. Madeleine is still missing and someone needs to be looking for her.“
“She is very young and vulnerable and needs our help. We love her dearly and miss her beyond words.”
There have been numerous reported sightings of Madeleine throughout the years, but none have produced any firm leads.
Kate, who is running Sunday’s London Marathon to raise funds for the charity Missing People, adds: “There are moments when you despair, but they are infrequent now. As someone said: It’s not that your burden gets any lighter. It’s just that your legs get stronger. That really sums it up.”
Dinosaur Embryos Discovered
A team of paleontologists from the University of Toronto discovered the world’s oldest dinosaur embryos in southern China. The 190-million-year-old fossils predate previously discovered embryos by almost 100 million years and give insight into how the ancient creatures developed.
Scientists excavated and analyzed more than 200 bones from various stages of the embryos’ development. According to U.S. News & World Report, the fossilized bones come from the nesting grounds of the Lufengosaurus.
These long-necked herbivores were most commonly seen during the early Jurassic period, stretching 30 feet long by adulthood. (Via Wikimedia Commons)
The fossils may give researchers a clue to how dinosaurs managed to grow to such huge sizes. USA TODAY explains it started inside the egg. The team focused on examining the femur which is the largest embryonic bone. They found it grew dramatically while the dinosaur was still in the egg and kept up the rapid growth pace much of the animal’s life.
Lufengosaurus femurs were thin and porous and not the kind of bones scientists expect to last 190 million years. That’s lead researchers to believe there may be plenty of other ancient embryo fossils waiting to be discovered.
National Geographic reports with the Lufengosaurus, believed to be the predecessor of the enormous sauropods, the fossils could hold the key to understanding the growth of the biggest land animals that ever lived.
Lufengosaurus femurs were thin and porous and not the kind of bones scientists expect to last 190 million years. That’s lead researchers to believe there may be plenty of other ancient embryo fossils waiting to be discovered.
According to Discovery News, that wasn’t the only surprise. The researchers also found collagen. This is organic material that wasn’t fossilized, but came straight from the dinosaur’s body. Scientists may even be able to eventually extract DNA.
However, don’t get your hopes up for a Jurassic Park getaway as scientists say the idea of cloning dinosaurs is still far off.
Celebrities trial Twitter App
The highly anticipated Twitter Music app came out on Friday. If you haven’t seen it that’s because you’re not famous. The app has only been released to celebrities.
Reports surfaced earlier that Twitter would release the app this weekend, coinciding with Coachella. Turns out that’s partially true, after a few famous people tweeted they were using the app. (Via Twitter / @TwitterMusic)
Ryan Seacrest tweeted: “playing with @twitter’s new music app (yes it’s real!)…there’s a serious dance party happening at idol right now” (Via Twitter / @RyanSeacrest)
And Wiz Khalifa said: “Man this new Twitter music app is insane!” (Via Twitter / @wizkhalifa)
As for all of us non-famous people? We’ll have to wait another week before we can use the app.
All Things D reports this celebrity advance-week release is a good move writing, “as long as the celebrities don’t spend their time tweeting about how much they dislike the app, it will be a smart move by the Twitter folks. They get to stoke demand and do some last-minute bug-testing at the same time.”
The app itself has four main tabs including: Suggested, #NowPlaying, Popular and Emerging. According to CNET, it suggests artists and songs to listen to based on a variety of signals like Twitter accounts you follow. Songs are streamed to the app via SoundCloud.
You can also follow an artists Twitter page through the Twitter Music app. But The Huffington Post brings up the question if there’s enough room for the Twitter Music app in an already crowded space.
Pandora and Spotify already have powerful followings and other big names like Apple and Google may soon be joining the music streaming arena. “Twitter certainly has some advantages: it already has over 200 million active users… But that doesn’t guarantee that tweeters currently using the service to follow news or celebrities will like to use it to discover music.”
But with almost 2.5 million people following Twitter Music’s page prior to its release, it seems many people are looking forward to it.
$3M hotline fights Human Trafficking
Google offered a $3 million donation to help setup a global anti-human trafficking hotline up and running.
“The global human trafficking network will work to share data and to develop a better response for victims. It joins together organizations in the US, southeast Asia and also Europe.” (Via CNN)
Google is hoping the money donated will help gather statistics from local, national and international helplines to create a data-driven network. This network envisages an improvement in efficiency in the fight against human trafficking. Google launched a commercial on Tuesday discussing its efforts.
“We think of trafficking as being similar to modern-day slavery. Trafficking is incredibly diverse. It’s extremely fluid. Traffickers are often moving quicker than the response is moving.”
SlashGear reports two other organizations have also joined the effort. One will donate data integration and an analytics platform and another will help scale call tracking to an international level.
Google has given more than $14 million to stop human trafficking since 2011. Analysts are calling this donation Google’s next step to end human trafficking all together with the wealth of information that will be available through this new international campaign.
Space Station’s unbreakable signal
A touch of magic comes from the regions of space. A study in the New Journal of Physics proposes testing out one of quantum physics’ strangest predictions using the International Space Station.
The experiment is meant to test quantum entanglement. This is a phenomenon Einstein once called “spooky action at a distance.” When two particles are entangled, what happens to one affects the other whatever the distance between them. (Via Scientific American)
Scientists can entangle particles easily these days, so to test the theory they can create an entangled pair of, say, photons, fire one off into the distance and keep one at the lab, then measure both and see if they react the same way.
But a writer for MIT Technology Review says there’s a limit to these studies:
“The furthest scientists have sent entangled photons is just 144 kilometres. and because of atmospheric losses and the curvature of the Earth’s surface, the only way to go further is to fire photons straight upwards, into space.”
So what’s upwards in space and filled with science equipment? Only the most expensive vehicle ever built the International Space Station with a $150 billion price tag.
It even already has the right equipment; a motorized 400 mm lens mounted in the station’s cupola and a seven-windowed observation deck that gives astronauts those awesome views of the earth. (Via ESA, NASA)
Assuming the researchers get permission for their proposal, all they would need to do is send a new type of sensor to the ISS.
Then, when the station passes overhead, send as many entangled photons as they can to carry out two main experiments. (Via ESA)
The first experiment is just to see whether the theory of entanglement holds at a distance of 250 miles. But the researchers also want to see whether a new kind of secure communication network is feasible i.e. quantum satellite Internet.
According to a writer for Vice’s Motherboard magazine, quantum entanglement could hold the key to truly secure communication. This is because no one else could listen in without distorting the message and letting both parties know there was an intruder.
If the experiments are successful, the ISS could become a kind of relay station for the world’s first unbreakable encryption keys and perhaps a form of communication that happens faster than light.
Activists’ protected by GPS Bracelet
A new GPS bracelet was distributed this week and they aren’t just used for tracking but for potentially saving lives.
The bracelet was developed by the Swedish organization, Civil Rights Defenders. The group dedicated to quote “defending people’s civil and political rights.” Many of the activists work in war zones and other areas of conflict.
The GPS bracelet is part of the Natalia Project created in honor of Natalia Estemirova, an award-winning Russian human rights activist that who murdered in 2009, and those responsible still have not been identified. She was reportedly working on a “extremely sensitive” case at the time of her murder. (Via Human Rights Watch)
What makes this bracelet so special is that it notifies millions of people, all over the world, at the same time people if an aid worker’s life is endangered. Through social media sites like Facebook people can sign up to receive distress signals in the hopes of ensuring future activists do not disappear without a trace.
“Human rights defenders at risk become connected to the world. And those following in the brave footsteps of Natalia Estemirova are no longer alone. The world is watching.” (Via Human Rights Defenders)
The alarms can be sent manually by the worker or automatically if the bracelet is removed by force. (Via Red Orbit)
According to the BBC, the bracelets could also put pressures on governments to find and release people that have been abducted or jailed.
The Daily Mail quotes the executive director of Civil Rights Defenders who said,
“These civil rights defenders are risking their lives for others to have the right to vote, or to practice religion or free speech…These are rights that Westerners take for granted every day.”
The organization hopes to have 55 civil rights defenders equipped with the bracelets by the end of 2014.
Drones Deliver Morning Paper
Will paper boys need to find a new way to earn their pocket money in France? Well if the province of Auvergne are to believed they will pilot a drone newspaper delivery service in May. The official postal service, La Poste Group, has already been beta-testing the automated delivery service with 20 hornet-looking unmanned aerial vehicles.
Word is that FedEx may want to get in the game by using drones for peaceful non controversial services. It has come to my attention that it has been a vocal proponent of a drone-powered delivery service, and the FAA has been steadily approving regulations to permit commercial drones by fall of 2015. If this happens, say goodbye ladies to seasonal sexy UPS men in short shorts.
At least one state, Virginia, is on the path to place a two-year moratorium on law-enforcement drones, but that surely wouldn’t derail FedEx’s plan for an army of automated delivery drones.
While the morning paper is nice, I can’t wait for the taco-delivery service, Tacocopter (or a ChickCopter run by KFC). Even though this flavor fairy was a hoax (which fooled The Colbert Report), I hope it’ll be a reality soon as it will save me a trip everyday when I want to have lunch.
NOTE: Sorry everyone! This is an April Fools joke, which suckered a lot of outlets, because it was not put out on April Fools day, but 3 day ago. Someone in a marketing department for La Poste Group has too much time on his hands!
The World is Falling Apart!
No, she’s not.
From your friends at ICU Online.
