BATTERYFORPC BLOG
Firm defends algorithm that 'spots women's orgasms'
A firm that claimed to have built an algorithm to identify women's orgasms has defended itself after ridicule on social media. Cyprus-based Relida Limited said its algorithm could "validate" female orgasms 86% of the time. Slides from a presentation it produced were posted on Twitter and were retweeted thousands of times. The company said it had wanted to help developers test sex tech ... Read more
2020-06-14 20:49:54
PlayStation 5: Sony games chief says PS5 offers a paradigm shift
The PlayStation 5 has finally broken cover in all its curvy glory. Not everyone's convinced by its black-white-and-glowing-blue design. But for many consumers, it's the games that count rather than the aesthetic appeal of the box. Dozens were teased in an online event. But Sony is remaining tight-lipped about the machine's price. Any new console will have a hard time navigating the tough econom ... Read more
2020-06-11 20:50:31
George Floyd: Microsoft bars facial recognition sales to police
Microsoft has become the latest US company to limit the use of its facial recognition technology by police. The firm said it would not start sales to US police departments until the country approves national regulation of the technology, which critics say is racially biased and easy to abuse. Amazon and IBM have already made similar moves. These followed widespread protests over police brutalit ... Read more
2020-06-11 20:50:11
PlayStation 5: Sony to give gamers first look at new platform
Sony will give gamers their first look at the PlayStation 5 during a special event later on Thursday. Fans will finally get to see a range of yet-to-be-announced titles that are currently in development for the highly anticipated platform. The showcase is one in a series of updates to the console that Sony is set to reveal over the coming months. The Japanese firm will stream the event live at ... Read more
2020-06-10 21:17:52
Developer warns VR headset damaged eyesight
A software developer has tweeted about how wearing a VR headset for hours a day has damaged his eyesight. A visit to the opticians left him "worried about my future VR use" after a doctor blamed the technology for a problem with his vision. Glasses should correct the issue but would normally only "be prescribed to 40-year-olds", he tweeted. The Association of Optometrists sa ... Read more
2020-06-10 21:17:16
George Floyd: Twitter to make Juneteenth a company holiday
The boss of Twitter and Square has said that both firms will honour Juneteenth as a company holiday in America. Jack Dorsey also said Twitter was working to identify which days it made most sense to recognise the end of slavery in other countries. Juneteenth is observed by many African-Americans on 19 June every year to mark the emancipation from slavery in the US. It comes as companies respond ... Read more
2020-06-09 21:25:23
Babylon Health admits GP app suffered a data breach
Babylon Health has acknowledged that its GP video appointment app has suffered a data breach. The firm was alerted to the problem after one of its users discovered he had been given access to dozens of video recordings of other patients' consultations. A follow-up check by Babylon revealed a small number of further UK users could also see others' sessions. The firm said it had since fixed the i ... Read more
2020-06-09 21:25:01
Samsung: Court rejects Lee Jae-yong arrest warrant request
A court in Seoul has denied an arrest warrant request for Samsung heir Lee Jae-yong, after prosecutors accused him of accounting fraud and stock manipulation. The ruling provides at least temporary relief for the de facto head of the South Korean conglomerate. But Mr Lee isn't completely in the clear yet as prosecutors said they will continue with their investigation. They can still return with ... Read more
2020-06-08 20:55:16
Xbox Series X: Microsoft tailors launch plans for the pandemic
The biggest challenge facing Microsoft and Sony's next generation consoles - the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5 - might not be proving the most powerful or having the best games at launch but the fallout from Covid-19. Many gamers will have less spare cash to spend. And there has been speculation supply-chain problems caused by the pandemic will lead to manufacturing delays and higher costs. Th ... Read more
2020-06-08 20:54:57
Huawei launches media blitz as UK weighs its role in 5G networks
Huawei is launching a newspaper and internet campaign to mark 20 years of business in the UK. In an open letter to the public, the Chinese telecoms company says it is "as committed as ever" to provide "the best equipment" to the UK's 5G mobile and full-fibre broadband providers. It comes amid a new security review that could lead the UK government to ban use of Huawei's 5G ne ... Read more
2020-06-08 00:02:31