technology

Fingers type on a laptop keyboard

Email's death grip is strangling us, says computer scientist

Are we doing our work, or just talking about it?

Email's death grip is strangling us, says computer scientist
Margrethe Vestager

Europe is not afraid to regulate Big Tech. EU Competition Commissioner Vestager explains why.

Europe is not afraid to regulate Big Tech. EU Competition Commissioner Vestager explains why.
Man wearing glasses and dark suit stands in front of White House sign, US flag to the left

In limbo, some families in the US with H-1B visas begin to make other plans

In limbo, some families in the US with H-1B visas begin to make other plans
Social media

Confronting the new geopolitics of ‘net-states’

Confronting the new geopolitics of ‘net-states’
Captcha

CAPTCHAs are supposed to separate humans from robots online, but now AI can crack them

CAPTCHAs are supposed to separate humans from robots online, but now AI can crack them
boredom

In praise of boredom: Researchers dish on the brain benefits of idle time

When we’re resting, a very important part of our brain gets to work.

In praise of boredom: Researchers dish on the brain benefits of idle time
phone in hand

How to make biometric technology more secure

What’s on the horizon in biometric security, and how can we make the technology more secure?

How to make biometric technology more secure
Keyboard

Human moderators do the dirty work of keeping disturbing content off the internet

The task of filtering harmful content from social websites and apps falls largely to humans — and those who do the job say it takes a toll.

Human moderators do the dirty work of keeping disturbing content off the internet

Jacob Collier Live In-Studio

Singer and multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier plays songs from his new album “In My Room” … with a little help from an MIT engineer.

Jacob Collier Live In-Studio
Man holding smartphone

What’s the future of your commute?

No longer just taxi alternatives, ride-booking apps like Uber are striking deals to supplement or replace transit and parking options in some cities.

What’s the future of your commute?
A Muslim woman cries near the coffin of her relative

Should we tweet about illness or, yes, even death?

How we deal with death in the age of social media prevents vexing problems for people dealing with loss.

Should we tweet about illness or, yes, even death?

“Black Mirror”: Feverish, Paranoid, and Angry

The creator of “Black Mirror” explains his own ambivalence about technology.

“Black Mirror”: Feverish, Paranoid, and Angry
A group of phones

Can you swipe your way to new friends?

Dating apps have been around for a while, but not the industry is expanding to create apps more focused on finding friends than finding a special someone.

Can you swipe your way to new friends?
Shenzhen Maker Faire mobile display

The Maker Movement that was born in the USA has taken on Chinese characteristics

The Maker Movement was made in the USA, but it's now gone global, to dozens of countries, encouraging people to (re)discover the joy and satisfaction that comes from making something with your own hands, to go from just consuming to also producing. But what if you've already been making for decades, as the factory of the world? Chinese makers embrace the fun and creativity in the movement; the government sees it as a tool to increase China's innovation and drive economic growth. They want to add structure and control. But what if unstructured fun is a path to innovation?

The Maker Movement that was born in the USA has taken on Chinese characteristics
A screenshot of the Flyover Country app.

An app that tells you what’s outside your plane window

This phone app provides you with a guided tour from 30,000 feet in the air.

An app that tells you what’s outside your plane window