This is an archival post from 4/26/17-5/3/17
0: Orange is the new hack.
A hack has resulted in the release of the first ten episodes of Orange is the New Black, following Netflix’s refusal to pony up a ransom demand. The ransom demands featured British spelling, so the perpetrators are most likely from across the pond. The hackers have dubbed themselves TheDarkOverlord, presumably because The Dark Lord was taken by a more famous and menacing Brit. TDO has threatened more networks, so maybe we will get to see a new season of Sherlock in a reasonable amount of time.
1: Hulugans take on big cable.
Speaking of streaming services, Hulu made headlines this week for finally launching live TV service. Rather than competing with the binge-watching monoliths, HBO and Netflix, Hulu has chosen to pick a fight with cable. The live TV package includes its streaming content and 50+ live channels for $40/month. After losing big with CW and the Criterion collection, Hulu finally has something to offer in a fairly saturated market. Channels will include HGTV (so important, y’all) and ESPN (yay sports, I guess). Because Hulu is owned by TV programmers, expect the channel list to expand. The pivot could be mean the long awaited death of cable. Here’s to hoping.
2: We can all own Cher’s computer closet thanks to Amazon.
Finally, science has caught up to the 1995 masterpiece Clueless, announcing this week that an Amazon Echo add-on can enable Alexa to tell if your outfit is a total Betty or Hagsville. Amazon has created the Echo Look; a camera addition that takes pictures and live video to get every angle of an outfit. Look uses machine learning to tell if your outfit matches. The catch? Hackers can exploit any piece of tech, so maybe having a camera pointed at you getting undressed is a risk. Or Amazon could sell data to their advertising partners; in the end, Echo Look could end up more HAL than pal, if you catch my drift.
3: Yes, you are being followed.
Well, tracked and analyzed. Is that better? Maybe worse. Okay, it’s a lateral move. Anyhow, apps are using ultrasonic signals to track the ads you watch, the stores you shop in, and the videos you watch; your data is carted off to marketing firms so your ad experiences are custom tailored, targeted, and terrifying. Even the US government thinks the practice is skeezy. But the creep factor isn’t the only issue, these signals can be the perfect door for hackers to access your devices. Before crafting tin foil hats, maybe change your privacy settings.
4: ARM gives image processors a leg to stand on.
Buckle up kids, because this is a tech news deep cut. So, for those of you unoriented with embedded architectures, ARM is patriarch of the computer age, or at least a powerful uncle, maybe not a Michael Corleone, but at least a Tom Hagen. Messy mafia movie metaphors and arduous alliteration aside, ARM’s dip into image processing could mean big things.To make a long and very technical story short, we have great cameras, but our processors suck. ARM is launching their own ISP to make them un-suck, beginning with a new processor for automobiles. Don’t be surprised if self-driving cars are more accessible after the official launch.
5: SpaceX launches spy satellite.
This week, SpaceX began exploring a new frontier- subcontracted satellite espionage for the US government. Following a brief technical delay, SpaceX launched a surveillance satellite on Monday. Elon Musk’s company joins the likes of Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and United Launch Alliance vying for government contracts, but SpaceX offers something new: recycling. In March of this year, SpaceX successfully launched its first ever fully reusable rocket, after of course, failing spectacularly to do the same in January. In any case, I’m just happy Musk is employing the 3 R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Reconnaissance.
6: Science trumps Oval Office recommendations.
It’s a good week to be a nerd. The new season of Mystery Science Theatre 3000 is awesome. Our lord and savior, Joss Whedon, is making a Batgirl movie. Oh, and the big cheese (Cheetos?) in charge failed to cut national science budgets. After serious budget cut threats from the Trump administration, scientists can breathe easy, at least until Sept. 30th, when the $1 trillion budget compromise will need to be reevaluated. Congress voted to increase the NIH budget, NASA’s budget; the EPA and NOAA budget remain largely the same. The budget bill represents some real compromise in an otherwise very divided Capitol Hill; Republican causes like border security funds and the defense budget received a funding boost.
7: Celestis moves beyond out of this world funeral services.
Throw your DNA into the cosmic void, because why the hell not. If you aren’t quite committed to launching yourself off our plane of existence entirely, Celestis, the company behind shooting urns into space, is now offering to send a powderized portion of you-or at least your genetic make up. Yes, you too can have your powderized genome floating among the stars, for just around $12,000.