Archived News for IT Professionals - August, 2014
A fascinating research project has seen two people send emails directly to each others’ minds.
YouTube better for time-wasting than life-saving
YouTube can do many things, but a new study says saving lives is probably not one of them.
Kids lose real reading under digital dominion
Emoticons just don’t cut it - a new study says children’s social skills are being reduced by their excessive use of digital screens and media.
Bungles, leaks and lack of knowledge hurt data plans
Two stories this week suggest federal public servants may want brush up on their tech skills.
Fibre, copper, phones and figures costed for NBN
A cost-benefit analysis of National Broadband Network (NBN) plans has shown the Coalition model could deliver nine times the benefits Labor’s would have.
Big bang won't stop SpaceX quest
The sudden explosion of a multi-million dollar engineering project has been dubbed “an anomaly”.
Cyborg sommelier gives a sip of the future
Australian students have made a technological breakthrough that may herald a new age of robotics and automation in our daily lives.
In-flight tech check means more screen time for all
Authorities say safety will not be compromised now that airline passengers can keep their devices switched on during take-off and landing.
Big solar walks as Government baulks
The Australian Federal Government’s skittishness about renewable energy systems has forced one solar power giant to look elsewhere.
Future fuel from low-power water split
As major car-makers Toyota, Hyundai and Honda prepare to release vehicles powered by hydrogen fuel cells, a new device could help the spread of advanced transport.
Vision switch to find friends amid frenzy
As the modern world becomes more and more populated with graphics, images and videos, some researchers wonder how our brains can continue to cope.
Weather winner in app awards
The Bureau of Meteorology's mobile website has been recognised for its useful and simple design at this year's Australian Mobile and App Design Awards.
News Corp clamps leaks with poor numbers on paper
Reports of tough times for News Corp have been clamped-down upon by the company, while it loses millions on newspapers.
Asylum granted to big US target
An Australian has been granted asylum in a foreign country after years on the run.
Quiet fight over bill to bust digital rights
Federal authorities are moving to change laws in a way that would allow illegally obtained evidence to be used in court.
Rubber bands fling sensor tech into future
Stretchy bands of graphene could be used to make a new generation of implanted sensors.
Harvard posts feat of techno-togetherness
Harvard engineers have demonstrated how 1,000 robots can swarm together in harmony.
Opto-electric sandwich lets new tech blend in
Engineers have created a material that can read its environment and change colour to blend in.
Locals drop Wikibomb for better recognition
Internet activists have fought back against an online gender imbalance.
Power challenged by game of phones
It has been a big weekend for electronic espionage and diplomatic hacktivism, with world leaders bugged, mocked, cracked and embarrassed as a result.