BATTERYFORPC BLOG
Apparently, it's the next big thing. What is the metaverse?
The metaverse is a concept being talked about as the next big thing by tech companies, marketers, and analysts. It's attracting attention - and money - from some of of tech's biggest names, such as Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Epic Games' Tim Sweeney. What is the metaverse? To the outsider, it may look like a souped-up version of Virtual Reality (VR) - but some people think the metaverse co ... Read more
2021-10-17 19:17:06
Apple takes down Quran app in China
Apple has taken down one of the world's most popular Quran apps in China, following a request from officials. Quran Majeed is available across the world on the App Store - and has nearly 150,000 reviews. It is used by millions of Muslims. The BBC understands that the app was removed for hosting illegal religious texts. The Chinese government has not responded to the BBC's request for comment. ... Read more
2021-10-15 21:38:07
Self-driving Waymo cars clog up dead-end San Francisco street
Residents in a "dead-end" street in San Francisco say they are being plagued by an influx of self-driving vehicles. Autonomous-driving firm Waymo's cars have been going up and down the cul-de-sac at all hours "for weeks", according to local news station KPIX. Residents say vehicles sometimes have to queue before making multi-point turns to leave the way they came. Waymo says ... Read more
2021-10-15 21:37:38
Facebook helps AI take a first-person view of life
A long-term artificial intelligence (AI) research project led by Facebook could help answer the eternal question: "Where did I put that thing?". The Ego4D project aims to improve AI's understanding of the world from an "egocentric" first-person perspective. The hope is to improve the utility of devices such as augmented reality (AR) glasses. For example, it could enable them ... Read more
2021-10-14 20:36:55
Microsoft shutting down LinkedIn in China
Microsoft is shutting down its social network, LinkedIn, in China, saying having to comply with the Chinese state has become increasingly challenging. It comes after the career-networking site faced questions for blocking the profiles of some journalists. LinkedIn will launch a jobs-only version of the site, called InJobs, later this year. But this will not include a social feed or the ability ... Read more
2021-10-14 20:36:00
Apple shares drop on iPhone 13 production fears
Apple's shares dropped on Tuesday following reports it could slash its iPhone 13 production targets due to the ongoing global computer chip shortage. The electronic giant had expected to make 90 million iPhones in the last quarter of 2021, reported Bloomberg. However, Apple was now having to tell its partners that the total will be lower by as many as 10 million units, sources told the business ... Read more
2021-10-13 20:20:58
US leads Bitcoin mining as China ban takes effect
China's share of global Bitcoin mining has fallen to effectively zero, research by the Cambridge Bitcoin Electricity Consumption Index (CBECI) suggests. In June China told banks to stop facilitating transactions, and issued bans on mining. At its peak in Sept 2019 China accounted for over three quarters of all Bitcoin mining. China's crackdown initially led to a 38% fall in mining globally CBEC ... Read more
2021-10-13 20:20:29
Apple shares drop on reports of iPhone 13 chip shortage
Apple's shares dropped on Tuesday following reports it could slash its iPhone 13 production targets due to the ongoing global computer chip shortage. The electronic giant had expected to make 90 million iPhones in the last quarter of 2021, reported Bloomberg. However, Apple was now having to tell its partners that the total will be lower by as many as 10 million units, sources told the business ... Read more
2021-10-12 21:31:33
Why does the internet keep breaking?
I doubt Mark Zuckerberg reads the comments people leave on his Facebook posts. But, if he did, it would take him approximately 145 days, without sleep, to wade through the deluge of comments left for him after he apologised for the meltdown of services last week. "Sorry for the disruption today" the Facebook founder and chief executive posted, following almost six hours of Facebook, Wh ... Read more
2021-10-12 21:31:09
Facebook whistleblower to appear before UK Parliament
Frances Haugen, the Facebook whistleblower who accuses the technology giant of putting profit ahead of safety, will give evidence to the UK Parliament later this month. Ms Haugen will appear before the Online Safety Bill committee on 25 October. It is examining a law to impose obligations on social-media companies to protect users, especially children. Ms Haugen alleges Facebook harms children' ... Read more
2021-10-11 20:53:57