Tech Sightings, October 21, 2014

Posted October 21st, 2014 at 1:53 pm (UTC-4)
Leave a comment

How Silicon Valley Can Fight Ebola

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s recent $25 million donation to boost the fight against the deadly Ebola virus is an important step forward. But there are more steps that the tech industry can take to help solve global problems.

The Tiny Fishing Village That Became the World’s Gadget Factory

Shenzhen, which was just a little fishing village 35 years ago, grew into a bustling metropolis since China picked it for a special economic zone. It has become the global tech industry’s hardware manufacturer.

Get Ready for Robot Farmers

They’re not replacing farmers just yet, but robots are offering a helping hand. The latest product from GPS tech giant Trimble Navigation is called the LettuceBot – a tractor attachment that uses algorithms to determine which of the lettuce plants need to be retained and which should be culled to maintain a healthy crop.

Apple Pay Could Be a Big Deal for Android Users

Apple Pay uses Near Field Communications (NFC), a technology present in millions of Android phones that has never gotten off the ground. Now, experts hope that Apple’s lead will encourage other tech companies to resurrect the technology, which allows a user to place an NFC-enabled device or card near a reader for the payment to be made.

Facebook Tells US DEA: Stop Impersonating Users

Facebook sent a letter to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) following an incident in which a DEA agent took over a Facebook user’s phone number and then created a fake account, using her name without her knowledge. Facebook demanded in the letter that DEA agents stop this practice.

Ten Ways to Make YouTube Safer for Your Kids

YouTube, and the Internet in general, have a darker side that you may not be aware of as your children watch movies online. Here are a few steps to help you improve their online safety.

Aida Akl
Aida Akl is a journalist working on VOA's English Webdesk. She has written on a wide range of topics, although her more recent contributions have focused on technology. She has covered both domestic and international events since the mid-1980s as a VOA reporter and international broadcaster.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *