BATTERYFORPC BLOG
Coronavirus: Trump berates media at jaw-dropping briefing
On Monday morning I had a delivery to my apartment from the nearby off-licence - or liquor store, as they say over here. And I put a jokey picture on Twitter of a bottle of gin and eight bottles of tonic, with the caption that at least I had the next week sorted. After leaving the White House Briefing Room on Monday evening following a marathon two-hour 24-minute press conference, I felt I could ... Read more
2020-04-13 22:40:17
Coronavirus: Raspberry Pi-powered ventilator to be tested in Colombia
A team in Colombia is to test a ventilator made with a Raspberry Pi computer and easy-to-source parts. The design and computer code were posted online in March by a man in California, who had no prior experience at creating medical equipment. Marco Mascorro, a robotics engineer, said he built the ventilator because knew the machines were in high demand to treat Covid-19. His post prompted a flo ... Read more
2020-04-13 22:39:31
MPs summon China-owned firm execs over security concerns
A leading UK-based firm will be summoned on Tuesday by MPs to answer questions over security concerns. There are concerns that the Chinese owner of Imagination Technologies has renewed efforts to transfer ownership of sensitive security software to companies controlled by China. Lawmakers worry the coronavirus crisis is diverting attention from controversial technology transfers. The fear is th ... Read more
2020-04-13 22:38:54
Coronavirus: Churches live-stream to reach worshipers
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, religion is offering spiritual calm for some.
But with mass gatherings banned, communities from many religions are unable to come together in the way they normally would.
As some Christians prepare to celebrate Easter Sunday, BBC Click’s Sophia Smith-Galer finds out how some churches are connecting with their congregations online.
2020-04-12 20:12:15
Coronavirus: Apple and Google team up to contact trace Covid-19
Apple and Google are jointly developing technology to alert people if they have recently come into contact with others found to be infected with coronavirus. They hope to initially help third-party contact-tracing apps run efficiently. But ultimately, they aim to do away with the need to download dedicated apps, to encourage the practice. The two companies believe their approach - designed to k ... Read more
2020-04-12 20:11:53
Coronavirus: Phone and tablet donations help patients speak to families
People are donating tablet computers and mobile phones so hospital patients and care home residents can speak to family they may not see again. Highly restrictive visiting policies - including visitor bans - have been imposed by health boards and local authorities because of coronavirus. Sara Platt started a Facebook group which facilitates the donation of items to NHS staff, wards and patients. ... Read more
2020-04-12 20:11:27
Final Fantasy 7 Remake: 'This is not just for the players of the original'
Cloud Strife and his iconic mop of spiked blonde hair emerge through the rising steam of an overcrowded city. The main character of Final Fantasy 7 has his distinctive buster sword strapped to his back. This time, however, he's not a pixelated image as seen in the 1997 PlayStation original - he's been fully rendered in life-like modern graphics. It's been five years since gamers got a first gli ... Read more
2020-04-12 20:02:13
Coronavirus: Airbnb restricts UK bookings to coronavirus key workers
Home rental firm Airbnb is to temporarily restrict UK bookings to key workers and “essential stays” because of the coronavirus crisis. The firm said that the measure would last until at least 18 April. Key workers - such as NHS and social care staff, and transport and food retail employees - can still book through a programme called Frontline Stays. The decision comes after the government criti ... Read more
2020-04-09 21:11:49
Coronavirus: UK tech sector begs for help - but does it need it?
The UK's high-growth tech companies say they need help from the government to get through the coronavirus crisis - and at the moment they are not getting it. That was the message of a letter to the chancellor from 12 leaders of some of the country's best-known tech businesses. They include Babylon, Citymapper, Deliveroo and Improbable. But just hours after the letter arrived at the Treasury, th ... Read more
2020-04-09 21:11:30
Coronavirus: Ofcom formally probes David Icke TV interview
The UK's media watchdog has launched a formal investigation into a TV network's broadcast of an interview with conspiracy theorist David Icke about coronavirus. Ofcom acted after London Live screened the programme on Wednesday evening. The regulator received more than 40 complaints following the broadcast. It follows YouTube's introduction of stricter misinformation rules after a later intervie ... Read more
2020-04-09 21:11:09