In the tech world, a lot happens in a week. So much news goes on, in fact, that it’s almost impossible for mere mortals with real lives to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick and dirty list of the top 10 tech stories from the second week of March. Everything from the the Google I/O schedule to why you should Instagram your food — it’s all here.
Stories: 1-5
FBI quietly changes rules on how it handles NSA data, to the benefit of privacy
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has quietly changed the rules on how it deals with data procured from the National Security Agency and stored in the NSA’s database. Papers have surfaced about the changes, explained in a report from The Guardian, and while details on the changes remain extremely unclear, it seems as though they move to enhance privacy.
Set the date! Google I/O runs from May 18-20 in Mountain View, California
Google CEO Sundar Pichai already announced the dates for this year’s Google I/O conference on Twitter. This year, it will take place at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California from May 18 to May 20. The annual event is a place for Google to unleash all of its software and service announcements, but it also allows developers to get in touch with the creator of the biggest search engine and mobile operating system.
Spotify vs. Apple Music: Who wins the ultimate streaming showdown?
The undisputed king of streaming music is Spotify. With a reported paid user base surpassing 20 million subscribers — not to mention an astronomical 55 million additional listeners on its free, ad-based service — the Swedish-born service currently trounces its competition, most of which boast a few million users at best. Its biggest competitor? Apple Music, a subscription-only service that, as of January 2016, is reported to have at least 10 million subscribers.
Move over Tesla: the fastest street-legal EV is now a Corvette Z06
When you think of fast electric vehicles, the Tesla Model S and its “Ludicrous Mode” probably come to mind, and rightly so. With the equivalent of 762 horsepower in the Model S P90D and a 0 to 60 mph time of just 2.8 seconds, few supercars could even match the electric sedan’s performance. But what about top speed? That’s been a tough nut to crack for electric vehicle manufacturers because while instant torque helps an EV rocket off the line, all that “electric juice” runs thin as the runway gets longer. That’s where Genovation Cars comes in.
Facebook Lite reaches 100 million users, now its fastest-growing app
Some of you might not be aware of it, but Facebook offers a stripped down version of its app, called Facebook Lite, designed for people who might not have great Internet connections or powerful smartphones, such as those in the developing world. After launching back in June, the Android-only app has grown to 100 million users – a quicker growth rate than Facebook’s standard mobile app.
Stories: 6-10
Food porn psychology: New study reveals Instagramming your food makes it taste better
The term “food porn” is a by-product of our sensory desire to capture the delectable, and nowhere is this seen more than on Instagram. From framing to lighting, Instagram addicts exhibit a willful dedication to the act of recording their eating habits. Meanwhile, the rest of us are left scratching our heads as to why exactly someone would spend so much time taking a snap of something delicious rather than simply eating it. After all, that Sunday brunch risks going cold while you search for the best Instagram filter.
Watch this jet ski destroy a drone, and catch some serious air
Anti-drone death rays, electromagnetic defense shields, and net-firing bazookas are all pretty awesome options for taking out rogue quadcopters, but how about a Jet Ski as the weapon of choice for machines straying into no-fly zones? Judging by a video from New Zealand-based photographer Guy Mac, the powerful water craft could be the perfect solution for crowded beaches with drone bans, though admittedly the small matter of the drone’s altitude could scupper its chances of becoming a serious solution.
YouTube co-founder launches live video app for celebrity chefs and foodies
Food porn and live video have been on every social network’s radar for a while now. The popularity of the former can be glimpsed in the countless #healthyeating images and videos available on Instagram, and the popular Web and TV shows dedicated to delicious food. Meanwhile, the high user engagement from live video has made it increasingly important to everyone from Twitter to Facebook.
Kit Harington strums our pain with his fingers in latest Game of Thrones reveal
Jon Snow has been the name on every Game of Thrones fan’s lips since the season 5 finale when he was (spoiler alert!) brutally attacked and left bleeding in the snow and presumed dead. For months, the popular character’s fate has been the subject of speculation, with his appearance on set giving Snow lovers hope, not to mention the season 6 poster featuring his bloody image. Finally, actor Kit Harington has spoken out about his character’s involvement in the upcoming season, but this being Game of Thrones, it’s yet another cryptic teaser.
‘Vocaloids’ aren’t characters, they’re instruments changing the way music is made
Who is Hatsune Miku? Well, she’s not really a “who” at all. She’s not a person, or a team of people. Or even an animated front for a real singer, like Gorillaz. She’s a piece of vocal software that thousands of digital musicians have used to create more than 500,000 songs, intricately tuning her voice to their requirements. Despite this, to her legions of fans, Hatsune Miku is equally as real (and adored) as any celebrity pop star. And she’s changing the way music is imagined and produced.
