We all know that Google probably has a pretty good idea where we are most of the time. Well, this year they will again be tracking Santa's movements as he delivers presents to all the good children around the world. Follow Santa's journey as he sets off just before midnight on Christmas Eve with Google's Santa Tracker. Happy holidays everyone.
You've probably seen some of the impressive videos that have come from the US robotics company Boston Dynamics over the last few years. Gizmodo is reporting that the Massachusetts State Police are using Spot, a dog-like robot, in operational trials. Perhaps RoboCop is not so far away.
The Guardian has just published a useful guide to improving your password management if you don't already use a password manager. I use a password manager (LastPass) and have done so for years. As it says at the end of this article "if you can remember your password at all, you are probably doing it wrong."
October 8 is Ada Lovelace Day. Find out more about this pioneer of computer science, the first programmer, and celebrate her tragically short life. "Ada Lovelace Day (ALD) is an international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). It aims to increase the profile of women in STEM and, in doing so, create new role models who will encourage more girls into STEM careers and support women already working in STEM."
The AI Forum, a meeting place for people interested in AI in New Zealand, has just released a report: Towards Our Intelligent Future – An AI Roadmap for New Zealand. "The report focuses on how AI can be used to help achieve New Zealand’s existing wellbeing, sustainability and economic goals - for health, transport, business and the environment among some of the many real world uses studied."
Only about 200 Apple 1 computers were ever built and sold by Apple in 1976. Many of those were subsequently traded in for a discount on the Apple II and broken down for their components. As a result, very few Apple 1s remain. Christie's in London recently auctioned one for $469,280 (USD). Read more about this here.
Ten years ago I started writing a book, called The Universal Machine, in which Alan Turing was the central character. The book was published in 2012 to coincide with the centenary of Turing's birth. Around the world, computer scientists and people from the LGBQT community got together to raise public awareness of this remarkable man. A decade ago few members of the public could say who Turing was. That has now changed. A public apology from the Prime Minister was followed by a pardon, which was followed by a pardon of all those convicted under the gross indecency law. An acclaimed movie, The Imitation Game, and many other initiatives have resulted in Turing now being recognised as a genius, "the Father of Computing." The BBC recently reported that Turing will be the new face on the £50 note. He sits along with others such as Darwin and Newton on British banknotes.
.jpg?mode=max&h=340)
