In many ways, 2015 saw the demise of cybersecurity as hackers violated website after website, taking security breaches to new levels and compromising the personal data of millions of users around the world. The year also witnessed the steady advance of robotics and artificial intelligence, frequently giving shape to the idea that the future might […]
All posts by Aida Akl
2015: End of Cybersecurity, Rise of the Robots, Digital Amnesia
Egypt Bans Facebook’s ‘Free Basics’; Twitter Under Fire for Diversity Pick
Today’s Tech Sightings: Following India, Egypt Shuts Down Facebook’s ‘Free Basics’ Service Once again, Facebook’s efforts to provide free internet services are running into trouble in some parts of the world. Egypt on Wednesday joined India in temporarily banning the company’s Free Basics app. Critics argue the service violates net neutrality by favoring some websites […]
Facebook, India Battle Over Free Internet; China’s Tech Transformation
Today’s Tech Sightings: Battle Over Facebook’s Free Basics Internet Service Intensifies in India India’s net neutrality activists are on the war path as Facebook launches a new app that offers free internet service to users of the Reliance network in six Indian states. Save the Internet (STI) members argue that there are many ways to […]
How NORAD Tracks Santa
Millions of people tracked Santa’s travels around the globe this Christmas, thanks to NORAD Tracks Santa, a non-profit program that provides updates on his whereabouts with a bit of imagination, some tech wizardry, and a lot of heart. It all starts in early April, when NORAD – the North American Aerospace Defense Command – assembles […]
In 2016, Social Media, IoT to Dominate; Asia Startups Likely to Shine
Today’s Tech Sightings: Technology Trends for 2016? IoT, Social Media Rule The Internet of Things (IoT) will take root in 2016, projects Mark Barrenechea, CEO of Enterprise Information Management firm OpenText. Barrenechea says IoT will become more prevalent in 2016 as social media dominate the world, becoming the new marketing avenues of choice. How Vulnerable IoT […]
Google’s Password-free Login; Improving Online Customer Reviews
Today’s Tech Sightings: Google Testing Password-free Login System A spokesperson confirmed Google is testing a new password-free way to sign into accounts. The new system lets you verify your identity via your smartphone: You log in to your Google account as you always do, but instead of entering your email address and password, you provide […]
Google Gives Vietnam’s Startups a Lift; X-ray Tech Becomes Reality
Today’s Tech Sightings: Google CEO’s Vietnam Visit Gives Hope to Local Startups Google CEO Sundar Pichai, who is visiting Vietnam, sees no reason why Vietnamese startups cannot be successful global players. Given time, he said Vietnamese startups can become stronger and learn from the experiences of their Indian counterparts before branching out of the country. […]
Modular Devices Coming, But Don’t Hold Your Breath
When desktops ruled, upgrading individual computer parts instead of buying a new machine was probably the closest users ever got to having a modular PC with interchangeable parts. But in today’s mobile-driven, disposable-tech world, the only way to upgrade a smartphone is to buy a new one. “We’ve created an environment where it’s just so […]
Star Wars Technologies Almost Real; Can the Internet Be Shut Down?
Today’s Tech Sightings: 10 Star Wars Technologies That Are About to Become Reality The latest long-awaited installment in the Star Wars science fiction saga hits U.S. theaters December 18. The movie – Star Wars: The Force Awakens – comes with an array of futuristic technologies that have their origins in existing technologies or have equivalents […]
Microsoft Edge Security Flaws; Surprising Numbers About Video Gamers
Today’s Tech Sightings: With Edge Inheriting One-quarter of Internet Explorer’s Flaws, Is It Any More Secure? On the surface, Microsoft’s Internet browser, Edge, is a new, faster and better reincarnation of its now-dead predecessor, Internet Explorer (IE). But writer Zack Whittaker questions the security of the new browser, given how much it has in common […]