Computing
The Encryption Wars Are Back but in Disguise
A government push for access is ostensibly about fighting crime, terrorism and child porn. Yet it could put all of us at risk of unwarranted surveillance
Computing2294 articles archived since 1845
Computing
When Will Speech-Recognition Software Finally Be Good Enough?
Think how much time we’d save if voice assistants always understood commands or questions the first time
Computing
This App Shows Storm Surge Damage Before Flooding Begins
With floods maps often outdated, augmented reality may help homeowners better understand the risk of inundation
Public Health
Antipoaching Tech Tracks COVID-19 Flare-Ups in South Africa
Coming out of lockdown, the country is relying on thousands of local case trackers and on software, once used to protect rhinoceroses, for disease surveillance
Computing
Don’t Regulate Artificial Intelligence: Starve It
The potential dangers of this technology are great enough that we need to be very careful about how powerful we allow it to be
Computing
A Shiny Snack Bag’s Reflections Can Reconstruct the Room around It
Researchers used the light reflecting off the wrapper to build an image of its surroundings
Biotech
Footstep Sensors Identify People by Gait
A supersensitive detector system can also glean clues about health
Computing
AI Will Help Scientists Ask More Powerful Questions
Self-learning systems can discover hidden patterns in immense data sets, transcending what humans could ever find on their own
Engineering
Winged “PigeonBot” Flies with Real Feathers
A flying robot reveals how birds stay aloft and could inspire next-generation drones
Engineering
High-Tech Ghost Ships Will Set Sail sans Sailors
Maritime technology groups are building robotic vessels to cross the oceans
Engineering
Empathy Machine: Humans Communicate Better after Robots Show Their Vulnerable Side
The behavior of such machines influences how people treat one another
Computing
Amino Acid Rock Music Helps Build New Proteins
Some scientists teach computers to “see” proteins. Markus Buehler is teaching them to hear the compounds instead
Electronics
Ultrasonic Attack Device Hacks Phones through Solid Objects
Hackers could trick voice assistants to make calls or compromise texts
Computing
Are We Ready for Quantum Computers?
Hardware hasn’t caught up with theory, but we’re already lining up many previously intractable problems for when it does
Conservation
The Camera Will See You Now: New Tech Takes Wildlife Vitals from Afar
Measuring zoo animals’ heart and breathing rates from a distance keeps them—and humans—safe
Culture
Computers Confirm Beethoven’s Influence
By breaking 900 classical piano compositions into musical chunks, researchers could track Ludwig van Beethoven’s influence on the composers who followed him. Christopher Intagliata reports. ...
Behavior
“Fake News” Web Sites May Not Have a Major Effect on Elections
Voters exposed to such untrustworthy sources also see valid news online, a study finds
Technology
Delivery from Local Store Is Greenest Shopping Method—Most of the Time
Researchers also calculated the carbon footprints for online and in-person shopping
Computing
Hackers Could Shut Down Satellites—or Turn Them into Weapons
The use of off-the-shelf components means bad actors can easily look for vulnerabilities
Computing
Will Past Criminals Reoffend? Humans Are Terrible at Guessing, and Computers Aren’t Much Better
A new study finds algorithms’ predictions are slightly superior but not under all circumstances
