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While it's easy to imagine AI and high performance computing platforms solving some of the world's most challenging problems, and simulating everything from the human genome to climate change, there are thousands of other applications that can benefit as well. Enterprises are rushing to push data, applications and services to the cloud, but perhaps more companies should consider how they can use HPC and AI to improve their competitive advantage. With the ever-increasing amount of data from the environment a new challenge has arisen. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/381cgsq

Last week I attended a Qualcomm event that took me through the coming wave of both 5G and WiFi 6 products, touched on the millimeter wave, and at least spoke to 6G. From this I think I can begin to picture the world as it will exist by the middle of the next decade, and it is kind of fascinating. Qualcomm has spent nearly $50B -- yes billion -- advancing its wireless initiatives. Its current leading efforts are 5G, WiFi 6, and Millimeter Wave. If you are in the U.S., you'll likely have access to all three technologies. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/37KUk4Z

When Linux first emerged from its cocoon in a frenzied Usenet thread, it is doubtful that almost anyone imagined the project would ascend to global prominence. Even more astonishingly, its dominance was driven as much, if not more, by its adoption by the private sector -- although it posed an antithesis to its business model -- as by any of its other notable traits. It is precisely because its road from obscure curiosity to corporate mainstay was so unlikely that it pays to appreciate how Linux got to where it is today. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/34sOgfk

The technology one-upmanship between the United States and China is fast becoming the new space race. There's been a lot of talk in the press about the competition to reach 5G, but little traction outside of the tech community about something more momentous: the dangers of computing in a post-quantum world. The recent news from Google about its quantum capabilities is exciting. However, the prospect of supercomputing on this level raises several concerns about data integrity and the overall security threat. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/35F79w2

Every decade the wireless industry transitions to a new cellular technology, and every generation there are doubts about it. This continues with 5G. I have heard from consumers and even people within the industry that there is "no need for 5G," "5G is only for businesses," "5G won't be available until 2025," "mmWave is only for fixed wireless access," and "radiation from mmWave is harmful" or, as my Uber driver put it, "mmWave will fry your brain." While 5G is another cellular generation, it should not be subject to the negative perceptions. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2OGHFHG

I'd like to dedicate this column to the analysts out there who are fighting the good fight -- who are risking their careers, reputations, and sometimes even their lives to do the right thing, often without credit, and knowing that doing the right thing can exact incredible personal costs. Being an analyst, I'm often reminded that other jobs depend on my doing my job right. However, in the government -- particularly in the State Department, which is our best defense short of war -- lives depend on the analysts. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/34k3QtV

Slax Linux is a handy portable operating system that can be a useful alternative to bulky, more complicated Linux options that install to a hard drive. However, it is far from a complete out-of-the-box solution. That is not a bad thing, though. Slax works. Copying just one folder from the downloaded ISO directly to a USB drive gives you a fully functional Linux OS. Without any tinkering, you can add applications and change configurations with all changes permanently stored on the USB drive. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/35BnuSv

ISACA, a global nonprofit organization focused on the development, adoption and use of globally accepted, industry-leading knowledge and practices for information systems, recently released results of a survey of 3,587 ISACA members in 126 countries. The report examines the work experiences and perceptions of workers in tech fields, on everything from job satisfaction and training to gender- and age-based perceptions. One of the report's key findings is that tech workers are always on the lookout for better career opportunities. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2s3RQOJ

Disney+ has made its official debut, and after a few minor hiccups the service is up and running. It is widely available via a plethora of devices, offers a breadth of content, and serves quick and seamless downloads to mobile devices. However, with a heavy focus on Disney animated films, Marvel superhero movies and Star Wars , this service might not be quite the Netflix killer that the Walt Disney Company claims it is. Simply put, it is a great service for families with children, and it's great for sci-fi fans. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2XAyFbh

Google just raised the curtain on its Stadia streaming gaming platform, and the early reviews are mixed at best. For $129, gamers can get the hardware they need to take the service for a spin -- a Stadia controller, and a Chromecast Ultra for playing games on a TV. The package includes access to one game and a three-month subscription to Stadia Pro, which supports 4K 60 frames-a-second gaming. Other offerings from Stadia's limited library of 22 games cost from $30 to $60 each. A free version of the service is scheduled to launch in February. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2XwhjMm

GitHub wants to make sure its entire warehouse of open source code survives an apocalypse by burying it deep within an Arctic vault as one of several preservation strategies. Microsoft-owned GitHub is creating the Arctic Code Vault as a data repository for the existing Arctic World Archive. The AWA is a very-long-term archival facility about 0.16 miles deep in the permafrost of an Arctic mountain. Located in a decommissioned coal mine in the Svalbard archipelago, the archive is closer to the North Pole than the Arctic Circle. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/343iw0m

Apple is getting into the medical research field with its recent announcement of three studies to be conducted through its Research app. Apple Watch and iPhone users in the United States can use the app to enroll in the Apple Women's Health Study, the Apple Heart and Movement Study, and the Apple Hearing Study. Participants can use their Apple devices to contribute movement, heart rate and noise level data to the studies -- and they can do it through everyday activities like walking or attending a concert. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2CVMMOH

I'm spending a lot of time these days looking at the evolving market for artificial intelligence and the problem of bias. I think the problem in part is due to confirmation bias -- the need to look only at the information that agrees with a position already set. Another contributing factor is the lack of a set of metrics that we can apply consistently to all leaders. Artificial intelligence systems will face similar problems, because the information that creates our bias also will create theirs -- unless we work to prevent it. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2QrXG6R

ALT Linux offers a buffet of Linux distributions that meet a variety of specialized needs. Its inviting selections could be a good source of alternative Linux OS solutions if you take the time to sort out the menus. You might find navigating the poorly designed website a tedious chore. Still, persevering could get you a few tasty options to satisfy your computing appetite. ALT Linux is a Russia-based independent distribution that forked from Mandrake Linux, an independent distribution that forked from Fedora-based Red Hat Linux. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2rQiJ93

A few years ago, putting the words "mobile telecoms security" in the title of an article would be a license to write whatever you wanted below, because no one was likely to read any of the words after the title. Sprinkling the magic ingredient 5G has changed this, and "5G security" is a hot topic now. What has changed? There is obviously a geopolitical aspect to 5G security, but it is not the full story by any means. Fundamentally, security for 5G is important now because 5G is going to become essential to many more parts of our lives. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/33WBTZ2

The much-anticipated Disney+ streaming service has arrived. In the first 24 hours, the app was downloaded 3.2 million times. Demand for the new over-the-top streaming service prompted the company to announced that it had exceeded its highest expectations -- but with problematic results. Many users were unable to launch the app on its huge opening day. Forty-two percent of users had problems just logging in, while 57 percent reported video streaming issues, according to Internet traffic monitoring site Downdetector. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2qhk3RA

A venture between Google and Ascension, one of the largest healthcare providers in the United States, will give the tech giant access to the sensitive medical information of as many as 50 million patients in 21 states. Its venture with Google, called "The Nightingale Project," would enable it to improve the experience of patients, consumers, providers and associates, Ascension said, as well as advance its mission of providing compassionate, personalized care to all, especially people living in poverty and those most vulnerable. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2Xagt81

Google has published changes to YouTube's Terms of Service Agreement that have stoked fears among some users. "YouTube may terminate your access, or your Google account's access to all or part of the Service if YouTube believes, in its sole discretion, that provision of the Service to you is no longer commercially viable," the new ToSA states. Many creators are deeply concerned over the prospect of YouTube changing its practices. "A lot of people on the service make a living on it," noted Rob Enderle, principal analyst at the Enderle Group. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/33EzmT6

Today is Veterans Day. I got a note last week from Joe Sestak, a presidential candidate, reminding me that we should observe a moment of silence in recognition of our veterans today. We've asked these people to put their lives on the line for us, and we get a day to offer our thanks. Giving our thanks is the least we can do. So, today, make it a point to thank someone who wears or wore the uniform. For those of you both in uniform and out who protected this still-young republic, from my heart: Thank you for your service. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2Q7vdTF

The KaOS distro is an up-and-coming Linux operating system that provides one of the best integrations yet of a refreshed KDE-based computing platform. Two types of users gravitate to this solidly maintained distribution: those who are frustrated by poor user experiences with Linux distros that are bloated and cumbersome to use; and those who want a better and more controlled KDE desktop environment. If you already are sold on the efficiency that the KDE desktop offers, you will be pleased with the unique design of this distro. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/34Jn0ZO

UPS has announced the first two revenue-generating residential deliveries of prescribed medicines to consumers. Its drone delivered the prescription medications from a CVS pharmacy in Cary, North Carolina, to a consumer's home, and to a customer in a retirement community. The drone flew autonomously but was monitored by a remote operator who could intervene if needed. In each case, it hovered about 20 feet above the delivery destination and lowered its package to the ground using a winch and cable. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2NuhR24

Google has announced a deal to buy wearable fitness device maker Fitbit for $2.1 billion. The acquisition will give Google an immediate leading position in the wearables market, able to compete against the likes of Apple and Samsung rather than having to build up market share from scratch. Fitbit's products are carried in approximately 39,000 retail stores in more than 100 countries around the world. Google already has its own branded Pixel Watch, but Fitbit could provide it with greater market share -- and more importantly, loyal customers. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/33wMhXe

University researchers have delivered unauthorized commands to digital assistants like Alexa, Google Assistant, Facebook Portal and Siri using laser beams. The microphones in devices like smart speakers, mobile phones and tablets convert sound into electrical signals, but what the researchers found was that the mics react to light aimed directly at them, too. "By modulating an electrical signal in the intensity of a light beam, attackers can trick microphones into producing electrical signals as if they are receiving genuine audio," they wrote. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2pMMs1N

Along with unveiling its new Edge browser logo, Microsoft announced the official launch date of its nearly finished Chromium-based Edge browser and made its Release Candidate available for download immediately. The latest beta edition of the browser is stable enough for anyone to use, Microsoft said, and it will help IT admins prepare for the mid-Jan. 15 rollout. Microsoft relied on the Chromium open source project in developing Microsoft Edge for the desktop to create better Web compatibility and to reduce fragmentation for all Web developers. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2NIp4KX

New products for the iPad and iPhone headlined the opening keynote presentation at Adobe Max, the company's annual developers conference held in Los Angeles. Photoshop for the iPad uses Adobe's artificial intelligence engine, Sensei, to enable new selection functionality. For example, "Select Subject," a feature of Photoshop for the desktop, will be available on the tablet version. With a single click, Sensei will identify a subject and select it, removing the tedious step of tracing it with mouse or stylus. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/36zFGgv

There recently has been a lot of rumbling about Twitter deciding not to take political ads, and Facebook deciding that it would run political ads even if untrue. I'm becoming convinced that Zuckerberg is trying to put Facebook out of business. There are some real differences between the firms. Facebook does far more political advertising than Twitter, so it would have been more painful to cut the ads. Still, effectively admitting that it intends to support voter manipulation at a national scale isn't going to sit well with regulators. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2Ng21Is

ExTiX 19.10, released with the LXQt desktop on Oct. 23, is a customized Linux distro that leaves you wanting more but settling for less. ExTix is a lightweight modular Linux operating system that is part of the Exton Linux/Live Systems family of distributions hosted by The Swedish Linux Society. The Society hosts 16 Exton distributions. The ExTix distro line is perhaps the best known of Exton's Linux platforms. However, the Exton Linux inventory of distributions is a fertile repository of custom distros you will not find elsewhere. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/337bmrx

A controversy has erupted over YouTube's practice of taking down graphically violent videos that may be evidence of recent war crimes. YouTube's policy -- similar to other social media platforms -- has been to remove content that contains hate speech, disinformation or disturbing images. In the past, Facebook and other services have been called out for failing to do enough to stop the live streaming of criminal and violent acts. Many user-generated content services have stepped up efforts to remove problematic videos as quickly as possible. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/324ijbw