Pfizer and BioNTech “have asked the U.S. health regulator to relax requirements for their COVID-19 vaccine to be stored at ultra-low temperatures, potentially allowing it to be kept in pharmacy freezers,” reports Reuters, which adds that approval “could send a strong signal to other regulators around the world that may ease distribution of the shot in lower-income countries.” Slashdot reader FrankOVD…
Tag: startups
Intel Outsources Core i3 To TSMC’s 5nm Process
TSMC is to start making Intel’s Core i3 on its 5nm process in 2H21 says TrendForce. From a report: Market analyst Trendforce reports that foundry TSMC is to start making Intel’s Core i3 process later in the year on a 5nm process. This follows Intel’s well documented problems with its leading edge process technology at 10nm and 7nm. The Core i3…
Virgin Orbit Just Successfully Launched a 70-Foot Rocket From Its 747
CNN reports: A 70-foot rocket, riding beneath the wing of a retrofitted Boeing 747 aircraft, detached from the plane and fired itself into Earth’s orbit on Sunday — marking the first successful launch for the California-based rocket startup Virgin Orbit. Virgin Orbit’s 747, nicknamed Cosmic Girl, took off from California around 10:30 am PT with the rocket, called LauncherOne, nestled beneath…
BeagleV is a $150 RISC-V Computer Designed To Run Linux
New submitter shoor writes: Seeed Studios — the makers of the Odyssey mini-PC — have teamed up with well-known SBC vendor BeagleBoard to produce an affordable RISC-V system designed to run Linux. The new BeagleV (pronounced “Beagle Five”) system features a dual-core, 1GHz RISC-V CPU made by StarFive — one of a network of RISC-V startups created by better-known RISC-V vendor…
BBVA Says That It Is Shutting Down Banking App Simple, Will Transfer Users To BBVA USA
BBVA today told users of Simple — the pioneering mobile and online banking app that it acquired for $117 million in 2014 — that it is planning to shut down the service, moving accounts to BBVA’s USA business in the process. TechCrunch reports: The move is part of an ongoing effort at BBVA — which had been an active investor and…
Are We Experiencing a Great Software Stagnation?
Long-time programmer/researcher/former MIT research fellow Jonathan Edwards writes a blog called “Alarming Development: Dispatches from the User Liberation Front.” He began the new year by arguing that software “is eating the world. But progress in software technology itself largely stalled around 1996.” Slashdot reader tonique summarizes Edwards’ argument:
In 1996 there were “LISP, Algol, Basic, APL, Unix, C, Oracle, Smalltalk, Windows, C++,…
What Happened When Finland Tried to Lure the World’s Remote Tech Workers?
As 2020 came to a close, the city of Helsinki, Finland tried offering “City as a Service” to attract new workers to its growing technology hub. “We will provide selected applicants with a free 90-day relocation package for the entire family,” explained the web site for the program (which is now no longer accepting applications). “We’ll arrange your housing, daycare, schooling,…
NextMind’s Brain-Computer Interface Kit Begins Shipping To Developers
“Don a headset which places a sensor on the back of your head, and it’ll detect your brainwaves which can then be translated into digital actions,” writes Engadget. VentureBeat reports that NextMind “has started shipping its real-time brain computer interface Dev Kit for $399.”
The device translates brain signals into digital commands, allowing you to control computers, AR/VR headsets, and IoT devices…
The Eerie AI World of Deepfake Music
Artificial intelligence is being used to create new songs seemingly performed by Frank Sinatra and other dead stars. ‘Deepfakes’ are cute tricks — but they could change pop for ever. From a report: “It’s Christmas time! It’s hot tub time!” sings Frank Sinatra. At least, it sounds like him. With an easy swing, cheery bonhomie, and understated brass and string flourishes,…
Tech Startups Say New Pay Rules for H-1B Visas Are Unaffordable
New rules from the Trump administration restricting skilled foreign workers are unnerving U.S. startup hubs, as founders and investors say the limitations will hamstring their ability to recruit top-tier talent to grow their businesses [Editor’s note: the link may be paywalled; free syndicated source]. From a report: The changes to the H-1B visa program announced in October will make qualifying for…