Red Hat announces plans to contribute a collection of container tools, including Podman and ComposeFS, to the Cloud Native Computing Foundation (CNCF). The move aims to enhance the open-source ecosystem for cloud-native applications. Red Hat's contribution includes bootc, Buildah, Composefs, Podman, Podman Desktop, and Skopeo, which will become hosted projects alongside Kubernetes and other technologies. This initiative is expected to foster collaboration, innovation, and accessibility in container development.
** Apple Music releases $450 coffee table book celebrating top 100 albums. The 208-page luxury book, produced by Assouline, is a physical version of the digital list featuring a custom-designed slipcase and gold gilding. Availability is limited to 1,500 copies, each numbered on the rear and inside.
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Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/12/24294436/apple-music-100-best-albums-coffee-table-book
** Mask bans at protests: A complex issue with blurred lines between security and civil liberties.
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Source: https://www.wired.com/story/the-real-problem-with-banning-masks-at-protests/
"A unique news article showcases a sentence with a SHA-256 hash starting with 0573e7473. The article highlights the output of a cryptographic function, demonstrating its capability to produce a specific result for a given input."
A unique digital font collection, "Dev Fonts", has been shared online at https://devfonts.gafi.dev/. The content appears to be a series of numeric digits presented in various fonts and arrangements.
Source: https://devfonts.gafi.dev/
In 1924, during a close approach between Earth and Mars, the US government coordinated a nationwide "National Radio Silence day" where radios were turned off for five minutes every hour. This was an early attempt to detect potential radio signals from Martians. Despite optimism, no signals were detected, as we now know there is no life on Mars.
Source: https://www.iflscience.com/in-1924-the-us-turned-off-their-radios-to-search-for-life-on-mars-73323
Quantune Technologies, a Berlin-based startup, joins the quest for non-invasive glucose monitoring. The company has shrunk an infrared laser spectrometer to a smaller size, aiming to embed its technology in a wrist-worn device. Quantune received €8.5 million in seed funding from Point72 Ventures and Vsquared Ventures to further develop its R&D process.
SoftBank's Vision Fund co-CEO Rajeev Misra is stepping down from his leadership roles, citing a desire to focus on personal and professional endeavors. Misra, who helped guide the $100 billion fund through significant growth and challenges, will hand over responsibilities to Alex Clavel. This move comes as part of ongoing restructuring efforts within SoftBank Investment Advisers.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/12/softbank-vision-fund-co-ceo-misra-to-exit/
Fleek, a marketplace for wholesale second-hand clothes, has secured $20 million in funding. The platform connects buyers with massive suppliers from countries like Pakistan and India, who handle up to 400,000 kilograms of clothing daily.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/12/fleek-a-marketplace-for-wholesale-second-hand-clothes-sews-up-20m/
German startup Klim raises $22M to scale regenerative farming globally, aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote soil health.
Signal, a messaging app focused on privacy, has introduced new video call features to compete with popular platforms like Zoom and Teams. The update includes a "Calls" tab for managing links, reactions, and call history, as well as features like hand-raising questions and reusable links for recurring meetings.
Nuki Announces Fifth-Generation Smart Lock with Enhanced Features and Speed
The European smart lock maker Nuki has unveiled its latest innovation, the fifth-generation Nuki Smart Lock Ultra. This compact device boasts a new brushless motor for faster operation, six months of battery life, and compatibility with US deadbolts. The lock's design allows it to work as a retrofit in the US, requiring only replacement of the thumb turn on existing doors.
The Nuki Ultra packs advanced features such as geo-fenced auto-unlock, smart home platform integration (including Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Google Home), and support for Matter-compatible platforms. It also includes a fingerprint reader option, Wi-Fi connectivity, and the ability to work with all existing Nuki accessories.
The device's speed is notable, capable of locking or unlocking in under 1.5 seconds, which outperforms many competing smart locks. The company aims to expand its reach beyond Europe with the US model expected to launch next year.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/12/24293548/nuki-smart-lock-ultra-release-date-specs
** Nintendo Unveils Donkey Kong Country-Themed Expansion for Super Nintendo World Theme Park. A new area, themed after the classic Donkey Kong Country game series, has been announced for the Super Nintendo World theme park at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. The expansion features a mine cart rollercoaster and a three-player version of the Donkey Konga rhythm game, among other attractions.
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** Bluesky Surpasses 14.5 Million Users, Gaining 700,000 New Members in a Week
The decentralized social network has experienced significant growth, with the majority of new users coming from the US. This development comes as Threads faces criticism for engagement bait, moderation issues, and misinformation. Bluesky's user base has expanded rapidly since October, with recent features like pinned posts and customizable feeds contributing to its popularity.
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Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/11/24293920/bluesky-700000-new-users-week-x-threads
** The New York Times Tech Guild's week-long strike against the company has ended, with employees returning to work on Tuesday. The union, which represents over 600 workers responsible for technology across the digital paper, went on strike ahead of the US election, citing concerns about vote-tracking tech and fair contract negotiations.
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Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/11/24294023/new-york-times-tech-workers-strike-end
** Choosing a Reliable MicroSD Card: Key Considerations and Top Picks.
Choosing a reliable microSD card can be crucial for users who need to store and transfer large amounts of data, especially in applications like video recording or surveillance. The best way to avoid counterfeits is to buy from reputable outlets. Some popular brands like SanDisk, Lexar, and ProGrade Digital offer high-quality cards with robust features.
MicroSD cards come in various capacities, from 32GB to 1TB or more, but it's essential to consider the trade-off between capacity and cost. A terabyte microSD card can hold a lot of data, but this can lead to problems if not regularly emptied. Using multiple smaller cards can be more practical.
When selecting a microSD card, look for well-known brands, check the specifications against the card's packaging or internet, and perform speed tests using software tools like BlackMagic Disk Speed Test or CrystalDiskMark.
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** The e-reader market has seen a surge in options, with various brands offering devices that cater to different needs and preferences. Amazon's Kindle Paperwhite remains the top choice due to its display and lighting options, as well as its battery life and fast performance. Other notable e-readers include the Kobo Clara BW for eliminating blue light, the Nook GlowLight 4 Plus for physical page-turning buttons, and the Boox Tab Mini C for note-taking capabilities.
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Signal updates its call feature, introducing a link-sharing option and "raise hand" button, making it more competitive with Zoom and Google Meet. Other upgrades include emoji reactions, a dedicated tab for keeping track of calls, and re-useable call links.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/2024/11/11/24293873/signal-calls-work-like-meet-zoom
** Online Sports Gambling Experiment Shows Negative Consequences, Experts Call for Regulation Reform. The online sports betting experiment has been deemed a failure due to its destructive consequences on users and the economy.
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Source: https://thezvi.substack.com/p/the-online-sports-gambling-experiment
Black Friday Verizon Deals Now Available: Save on Latest Phones, Tablets, and More
Source: https://www.zdnet.com/article/best-black-friday-verizon-deals-2024/