BATTERYFORPC BLOG
Coronavirus: Tech firm Bloom Energy fixes broken US ventilators
A Californian company that usually makes green-energy fuel cells is due to deliver 170 repaired ventilators to Los Angeles later on Monday after transforming its manufacturing process. An engineer at Bloom Energy downloaded the service manual and taught himself how to dismantle and rebuild them in a day, the Los Angeles Times reported. They had been in storage since the H5N1 bird flu outbreak of ... Read more
2020-03-31 00:17:52
Coronavirus: Start-ups use Zoom app to lay off staff
Tech start-ups worldwide are cutting jobs as the coronavirus pandemic undermines their ability to make money. To make matters worse for staff, they are not being told face to face. Electric scooter-maker Bird axed about 400 posts on Friday, about 30% of its staff. And the Californian company used a Zoom conference call to tell them. Zoom can connect up to 1,000 users on a single call - but many ... Read more
2020-03-31 00:17:32
Coronavirus: YouTube stars urge fans to stay at home
More than 100 YouTube stars have recorded a video message urging their fans to "stay home" during the coronavirus outbreak. The video is introduced by entertainer JJ Olatunji, known online as KSI, who has more than 21 million subscribers on the video clip platform. "We're here looking to spread awareness on the UK government's current advice to stay at home," he says. The vi ... Read more
2020-03-31 00:17:02
Coronavirus: What if this had happened in 2005?
We are living through the most disruptive period in our nation's history since the end of the war. I just about remember seeing the newsflash about President Kennedy being shot. The fall of the Berlin wall and 9/11 are seared in my memory. But nothing compares to this pandemic in terms of the impact on everyday life. But as I spend my day holding video-conferencing sessions with colleagues, Face ... Read more
2020-03-29 21:14:02
Coronavirus: YouTube stars urge fans to stay at home
More than 100 YouTube stars have recorded a video message urging their fans to "stay home" during the coronavirus outbreak. The video is introduced by entertainer JJ Olatunji, known online as KSI, who has more than 21 million subscribers on the video clip platform. "We're here looking to spread awareness on the UK government's current advice to stay at home," he says. The vi ... Read more
2020-03-29 21:13:46
Coronavirus: NHS turns to big tech to tackle Covid-19 hot spots
The NHS has confirmed it is teaming up with leading tech firms to ensure critical medical equipment is available to the facilities most in need during the coronavirus outbreak. It blogged the firms would create computer dashboard screens to show the spread of the virus and the healthcare system's ability to deal with it. These will draw on data gathered via 111 calls and Covid-19 test results. ... Read more
2020-03-29 21:13:24
Manufacturers cast doubt on ventilator target
The UK may not have all the ventilators it needs by the time coronavirus cases in the country reach their peak, engineering firms warned. Health officials expect the UK to experience its highest number of infections in around two weeks' time. The UK has just over 8,000 ventilators, significantly fewer than the 30,000 the government estimates are needed to cope with the fallout from the peak. Ma ... Read more
2020-03-29 21:13:03
Coronavirus: Zoom is in everyone's living room - how safe is it?
Zoom, the video-conferencing app that has seen a huge rise in downloads since quarantines were imposed around the world, is now being used by millions for work and social gatherings.
This week Prime Minister Boris Johnson tweeted a picture of himself chairing a Cabinet meeting via the app.
This led to questions about how secure it was for government meetings.
Zoom has angrily defended its security record, saying it would answer any questions the government had.
2020-03-27 20:00:05
A 3D-printed ventilator designed for Spain's coronavirus patients
A Spanish team has rapidly designed an emergency-use ventilator out of 3D-printed parts.
It hopes the device will soon be approved to help the country's coronavirus patients.
2020-03-27 19:59:39
Coronavirus: What if this had happened in 2005?
We are living through the most disruptive period in our nation's history since the end of the war. I just about remember seeing the newsflash about President Kennedy being shot. The fall of the Berlin wall and 9/11 are seared in my memory. But nothing compares to this pandemic in terms of the impact on everyday life. But as I spend my day holding video-conferencing sessions with colleagues, Face ... Read more
2020-03-27 19:59:20