BATTERYFORPC BLOG
Coronavirus: Offline sex workers forced to start again online
Most sex workers meet customers in person. For them, the coronavirus spells economic ruin. "The virus is a disaster for client-facing businesses - and sex work is no different," says Goddess Cleo, a dominatrix from London. "Most of my income is generated from one-on-one sessions and events. I [normally] only make a bit of money through online avenues." But like many others, ... Read more
2020-04-07 00:10:41
Short-form streaming app Quibi launches to rival Netflix
The mobile-first streaming service Quibi launched in the US on Monday, despite concerns the coronavirus outbreak might impact its viewership. The company has raised $1.8bn (£1.47bn) for the project intended to rival Netflix and YouTube. Quibi's shows are 10 minutes or shorter and movies are broken into segments. It has lined up a host of Hollywood and showbiz stars including Idris Elba, Sophie ... Read more
2020-04-07 00:10:15
Coronavirus: Exercise bike firm Peloton stops live classes
Exercise bike company Peloton has cancelled its live classes, days after one of its employees tested positive for coronavirus. It sells exercise bikes, the cheapest of which costs nearly £2,000, for use with its online classes. Users must purchase a subscription for £39 a month to access both live-streamed and recorded classes. Peloton emailed members to announce it had suspended production in ... Read more
2020-04-07 00:09:53
Pixar pioneers behind Toy Story animation win 'Nobel Prize' of computing
In the opening scene of Toy Story, released in 1995, a cluster of boxes is scattered across a child's bedroom. The sun streams into the room as a Mr Potato Head doll demands money from a seemingly stricken cast of plastic and plush toys outside a cardboard bank. Into the picture arrives the hero - a cowboy sheriff made of plastic and fabric with a pull-string to make him speak. The sheriff casts ... Read more
2020-04-05 19:10:10
Coronavirus: Tech firms summoned over 'crackpot' 5G conspiracies
The culture secretary is to order social media companies to be more aggressive in their response to conspiracy theories linking 5G networks to the coronavirus pandemic. Oliver Dowden plans to hold virtual meetings with representatives from several tech firms next week to discuss the matter. It follows a number of 5G masts apparently being set on fire. The issue will test the companies' commitme ... Read more
2020-04-05 19:09:45
Coronavirus: Video games add 'stay at home' Covid-19 adverts
Three of the UK's leading video games developers are to display coronavirus safety advice within their titles. Candy Crush Saga, Dirt Rally 2.0 and Sniper Elite 4 are among the games that will feature the messaging. The initial ads will focus on the theme: "Stay home. Save lives." Rebellion - one of the companies involved - also publishes 2000AD among other comics, and has also offere ... Read more
2020-04-05 19:09:22
Coronavirus: 'Not smart' memo shows Amazon's union stance
Leaked notes from an internal Amazon meeting throw light on how executives are dealing with increased worker unrest during the Covid-19 crisis. A lawyer suggested focusing on a sacked worker, who had organised a protest about safety in his New York warehouse. Christian Smalls was described as "not smart, or articulate." He should be the story, rather than the wider questions about con ... Read more
2020-04-05 19:09:03
Coronavirus: Garden centres switch to virtual personal shopping
Garden centres and nurseries are offering online personal shopping services to reduce wastage. Companies have been livestreaming videos of their centres and FaceTiming and emailing customers to offer advice and guidance on orders during lockdown. The industry has warned millions of plants, shrubs and trees could be thrown out in the coming weeks. Some 2,000 garden centres and nurseries have bee ... Read more
2020-04-03 20:31:28
Zoom 'unsuitable' for government secrets, researchers say
The hugely popular video meetings app Zoom has "significant weaknesses" which might make it unsuitable for secrets. A team at The Citizen Lab found that Zoom was using a non-standard type of encryption, and transmitting information through China. Government use - such as Boris Johnson's use of the app for Cabinet meetings - may not be wise, the researchers warned. But the app is fine ... Read more
2020-04-03 20:31:07
Coronavirus: 'Not smart' memo shows Amazon's union stance
Leaked notes from an internal Amazon meeting throw light on how executives are dealing with increased worker unrest during the Covid-19 crisis. A lawyer suggested focusing on a sacked worker, who had organised a protest about safety in his New York warehouse. Christian Smalls was described as "not smart, or articulate." He should be the story, rather than the wider questions about con ... Read more
2020-04-03 20:30:45