January's Digital Life from Lökwest - COVID scam alert, Mac tips, heath updates, and the tale of the butt-less pajamas!
Welcome to 2021! Although it appears we have a few challenging months ahead, there's much to look forward to this year. In the technology world, our biggest convention of the year, CES, has gone virtual. It's kicking off next week, and you'll want to watch the news for all of the crazy new technology announcements! We'll be covering the event on our Facebook feed and in next month's newsletter.
To start off this issue, we've included an article on the latest scam on COVID vaccines. Then, a couple of tips - from new Mac features to how to recycle your electronics. We also shared a few interesting updates in heath technology - including an augmented reality contact, and earphones that may aid with arthritis.
Finally, check out the story of the viral butt-less pajama ad and some interesting technology history articles.
Our Zoom Technology talks will continue this spring - schedule TBD. We're also working on creating some online courses covering the topics discussed in our technology talks. Stay tuned!
Thanks for your continued support and all the best for your 2021!
[SCAM ALERT]
Watch Out for COVID Vaccine 'Wait List' Scams — ow.ly
While most of us await the COVID vaccine, scammers posing as health officials are using it as bait in scams to steal our money and data via fishy emails, calls, texts, or even visits to our homes. Remember, if there's a big news event, scammers follow! The best place for information - your local health department or cdc.gov.
Tips to start the year right
Apple MacOS Big Sur: 9 Settings to Tweak and Features to Try — ow.ly
If you're a Mac user, Big Sur is the latest system update to arrive you your machine. Big Sur brings a fresh look, as well as new controls and customization options to macOS. Check out some of the top tips here, outlining how to make the most of Apple's latest operating system.
How to recycle your old phone, laptop, TV and batteries for free — ow.ly
If your New Year's resolutions include getting rid of some old electronics, we've got the refresher guide you need to read. Whatever you do, dispose of your electronics properly - the dumpster is NOT the place!
Interesting health news
Mojo Vision teams up with optics leader Menicon to develop AR contact lenses — venturebeat.com
It's only a matter of time before screens disappear into our eyeballs. It seems like science fiction, but actually, Mojo Vision has teamed up to develop AR contact lenses with Menicon, Japan's largest and oldest maker of contact lenses. You'll probably see some announcements about this at CES next week.
These brain-stimulating earbuds could ease pain caused by rheumatoid arthritis — www.fastcompany.com
By projecting certain frequencies directly into the brain, nerve signals can be altered to relieve pain. A startup that’s developing the buds has found promising results in an early study. Fascinating!
CRISPR Test Uses Cell Phone Camera to Detect SARS-CoV-2 — ow.ly
This little box could revolutionize the way we test for COVID and other viruses. It's amazing to see all the new technology arriving in response to a crisis.
Something to make you smile
The Butt Pajamas Will Follow You Forever — ow.ly
Did you see the ad for a butt-flap onesie while reading the Elle article about the ex-Bloomberg reporter who fell for Martin Shkreli? So did everyone else—and now all our data is likely being swapped by shadowy ad tech companies. Here's an interesting read into how ad targeting works, and why things follow you forever online.
In tech history...two good reads this month
How Claude Shannon Invented the Future — www.quantamagazine.org
If you're new to computer science history, you should read about Claude Shannon. This math genius invented the concept of a bit, the basic unit of information stored in all electronic devices. Today’s information age is only possible thanks to the groundbreaking work of this lone genius.
Amazing Facts and Figures About the Evolution of Hard Disk Drives — www.pingdom.com
It took 51 years before hard disk drives reached the size of 1 TB. This happened in 2007. In 2009, the first hard drive with 2 TB of storage arrived. So, while it took 51 years to reach the first terabyte, it took just two years to reach the second. This article looks back at how hard disk drives have evolved. It's truly a great read.
Incidentally, the hard drive being loaded onto the PanAm flight above was the IBM Model 350 and stored a whopping 5 MB. (That's about the size of one decent picture on your cell phone today!)
If you really want a trip, check out this promo video from an early IBM data processing system. As a computer scientist, I was practically in tears.....
Tech talks
I'm planning a series of Zoom Technology Talks this spring. Watch out for your inbox for details soon. In addition, I plan on making several of the tech talks available in course format this year.
Do you have a tech topic you'd like to learn more about? Just respond to this newsletter and it might be featured this spring!
Celebrate 2021 with a FREE calendar!
Did you miss out on our "Happiness Comes in Waves" 2021 fridge calendar? If you'd like one or more, just respond to this newsletter and we'll get it out right away!