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Switzerland has launched a pilot program for SwissCovid, a contact tracing app based on Apple and Google's jointly developed APIs. The APIs will work with iOS 13.5 and devices running Android 6.0 or higher. The pilot involves several thousand workers at Ecole polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne, ETH Zurich, the Swiss Army, and staff at some hospitals and cantonal administrations. The app will monitor people in real-world situations, notifying participants who have been in contact with someone who was diagnosed COVID-positive. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/3evZGnf

POP!_OS 20.04 has the potential to be one of the best starting points for any new Linux user. Given this distro's rising popularity, it will continue to hold that distinction. That is a bold statement, but developer System76, has made some bold moves in pushing this Linux distro to the forefront. The company preinstalls POP!_OS in its manufactured line of desktop and laptop computers. System76 created a uniquely branded GNOME-based desktop environment for its own hardware, but it does not lock in its own OS. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2TJQLqh

A new virtual reality headset designed for mobility will serve as an entry point into a new virtual world. The $599 Mova headset from XRSpace, founded by former HTC chief Peter Chou, will support 5G and be the exclusive on-ramp to Manova, a social reality platform that aims to defy the boundaries of space and time to bring people together. Users can roam Manova as full-body avatars with a user's personal features to socialize, work and play in a number of public and private spaces. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2yDtqiV

One of the exciting things that came out of Microsoft Build during the analyst preview was that the company has been working to create virtual court solutions. If done right, a virtual system could fix a lot of court-related problems. It would allow judges to work around their schedules better and give attorneys improved access to online resources. It also might provide a way for jurors to improve their understanding by permitting them to do some research, although this could be especially problematic. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2zkboCM

What started out as a 13-year-old's hobby to feed his passion for technology has turned into a business for Skyler Ficklin, operator of the QuitZoom website and iSkyler YouTube video channel. Ficklin, stuck at home while his Ohio high school is closed due to COVID-19, spends his days and nights completing online learning assignments to end his sophomore year. Then he diverts attention to hands-on activities to learn more about journalism, audio and video production techniques, Web design and cinematography. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2XjWuUR

Does flaky Internet connectivity have you scrounging for solutions? The COVID-19 pandemic increased our demand for Internet service due to working from home, online learning for kids, and video conferencing with colleagues and family members. For many people stuck at home, Internet connectivity issues became more troublesome in recent months. To make matters worse, Internet providers may be unwilling to send repair techs into your home to fix your problems. Use these tips to improve your WiFi range and performance. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/2M0NnU1

Apple may launch an augmented reality line of smart glasses in the spring of 2021. The new peepers will be called "Apple Glass" and sell for $499, with prescription lenses costing more, based on the latest leaks. Both lenses are displays that support gesture interaction. The glasses will work in conjunction with an iPhone. "These rumors have been building up for quite some time, but this is the most cohesive information we've had on this so far," said George Jijiashvili, senior analyst at Omdia, a research and consulting firm. from TechNewsWorld https://ift.tt/3g8eZnT