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Wireless ‘under the skin’ prototype implant beams instant blood test read-outs to your smartphone

A new blood-testing subdermal sensor has been developed by a team of scientists in Switzerland. While that may not sound particularly notable, this half-inch prototype can instantly beam several health metrics to smart devices over Bluetooth , monitoring cholesterol, blood sugar levels as well as the impact of medical treatments like chemotherapy using five built-in sensors. The device has already been tested on animals and while the researchers hope to begin testing soon on patients that would typically require a lot of blood tests and monitoring, the module is still several years from a commercial release. According to the EPFL ‘s video, the sensor can even predict heart attacks several hours before they occur, sensing minute changes in the bloodstream ahead of time. We’ve ‘implanted’ the explanation after the break, but if you’re looking for some more medical-minded specifics, head to the source. Filed under: Science , Alt Comments Via: BBC Source: EPFL

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Wireless ‘under the skin’ prototype implant beams instant blood test read-outs to your smartphone

Canonical cuts support for non-LTS versions of Ubuntu, users now get nine months of bug fixes

Until now, people who downloaded non-LTS (long-term support) versions of Ubuntu were treated to a lengthy support period — a full 18 months. Now, though, Ubuntu’s technical board is shortening that support window to nine months, in the hopes that Canonical can assign its engineers to other projects. (If you look at the board’s meeting notes at the link below, the group also agrees that most bugs get fixed within nine months anyway.) If you’re wondering how this might affect you, the new policy applies to version 13.04, along with all future non-LTS releases. Separately, the board decided that it will switch to a rolling release model, in which users won’t have to do a full system upgrade to take advantage of major OS updates. Many of the particulars there are still up in the air, though, which is a shame because this has already been a hot topic of conversation in the Ubuntu community, and quite a few folks are likely to be curious. In any case, for those of you who want to know more, we recommend checking out those meeting notes to soak up as much detail as you can. Filed under: Software Comments Via: Phoronix Source: Ubuntu Technical Board (IRC log)

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Canonical cuts support for non-LTS versions of Ubuntu, users now get nine months of bug fixes

NVIDIA reveals Volta next-gen GPU platform

We’re here at NVIDIA’s GPU Technology Conference in San Jose, and company CEO Jen Hsun-Huang has just revealed the next step in its GPU roadmap. Called Volta, it’s scheduled to arrive after Maxwell , and will advance GPU technology with a ridiculous amount of memory bandwidth. Volta GPUs will have access to up to 1TB per second of bandwidth by stacking the DRAM on top of the GPU itself, with a silica substrate between them. Then, by cutting a hole through the silicon and connecting each layer it’s possible to move, according to Huang “all of the data from a full Blu-Ray disc through the chip in 1/50th of a second.” We aren’t exactly sure what that means for graphics, but being able to process data that quickly is bound to be a boon for gamers… whenever Volta actually arrives, of course. Filed under: Desktops , Gaming , Laptops Comments

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NVIDIA reveals Volta next-gen GPU platform

Compulsory upgrades to Windows 7 SP1 will start rolling out tomorrow

If you’re a Windows 7 user and you’ve been dragging your heels when it comes to that Service Pack 1 upgrade, then prepare to get an extra dose of encouragement from Microsoft. Starting tomorrow, the company will begin deploying SP1 via Windows Update to all neglected PCs, and just so you’re aware, the update won’t require your consent. The push will happen a phased rollout over the next few weeks, and as for the consequence of not upgrading, Microsoft will no longer support Windows 7 RTM as of April 9th. Naturally, PCs that are managed by system admins can be shielded from the deployment, but for everyone else, it seems that you’d best prepare for the inevitable. Filed under: Software , Microsoft Comments Via: TNW Source: Microsoft

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Compulsory upgrades to Windows 7 SP1 will start rolling out tomorrow

Google Drive suffering from service outage

If there’s ever a great time for Google Drive to start having issues, it’s first thing on a Monday morning. We’ve received a not-inconsiderable fleet of tips from readers saying their access to the cloud storage service has been flaky, and similar complaints can currently be found all over Twitter . Google’s service website confirms that there’s “an issue,” but the company hasn’t yet shared any specifics. We’ve reached out to Mountain View for more details, and we’ll let you know if we learn more. [Thanks to everyone who sent this in] Filed under: Google Comments Source: Google

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Google Drive suffering from service outage

Feedly picks up over 500,000 Google Reader defectors

It looks like Feedly ‘s promises of a “seamless transition” worked. The newsfeed service recently reported that more than 500,000 Google Reader users have joined its ranks following the announcement that the popular aggregator will close this summer . It multiplied its bandwidth ten times over, added new servers to cope with the sudden influx and hopes to keep the service up as much as possible as more users pour in. In an effort to keep its new clientele happy, Feedly has promised to listen to suggestions and add new features on a weekly basis as well. But if it doesn’t, don’t worry; we suspect there’ll be many more alternatives pitching for your RSS feeds over the coming weeks. Filed under: Internet , Google Comments Via: SlashGear Source: Feedly Blog

Digg to build a Google Reader replacement with same API, new features

The news of Google Reader’s upcoming demise has put the spotlight on several alternatives that RSS fans can only hope will fill the gap. The latest to vie for our attention doesn’t even exist yet: Digg just announced that it will be creating a reader of its own. According to its blog, the aggregation service was apparently already planning to build such a reader, but upon hearing that Google’s version will bite the dust, the company is kicking into gear to develop a suitable replacement. Digg’s reader will maintain what it calls the best of Google Reader’s features, including its API, while incorporating changes that reflect the relevance of social networks and other popular Internet communities. Filed under: Internet Comments Via: TechCrunch Source: Digg Blog

Netflix Cloud Prize offers over $100,000 in rewards to cloud computing gurus

Netflix has a vested interest in fostering cloud computing — after all, that’s increasingly the company’s core business . Accordingly, it’s not going to just sit around and wait for a breakthrough. The subscription service is kicking off its Netflix Cloud Prize competition in the hopes that developers can move technology a little faster. Programmers who build upon Netflix’s open-source code before September 15th can win from a pool of $100,000 spread equally among 10 categories, ranging from performance improvements to what has to be our automatic favorite: “best new monkey .” Each winner also gets $5,000 in Amazon Web Services credit, flights to Las Vegas and a spot at Amazon’s user conference this November. The challenge won’t completely make up for the end to Netflix’s public API, but it does show that at least some tinkerers are welcome in the streaming video giant’s world. Filed under: Home Entertainment , Internet , HD Comments Source: Netflix (GitHub)

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Netflix Cloud Prize offers over $100,000 in rewards to cloud computing gurus

Redbox Instant exits private beta and launches to the public

Redbox Instant , the video-streaming service from Verizon, is launching to the public today. This launch follows a three-month closed beta test , and it comes about a month after the company’s announcement that the service would come to the Xbox 360 as a console launch exclusive. To jog your memory, Redbox Instant offers users unlimited access to some 4,000 movies in addition to four DVD rentals at $8 a month. Content partners include heavyweights like Warner Bros and Epix , the latter of which offers content from Viacom, MGM and Lions Gate Entertainment. Speaking to GigaOM , Redbox Instant CEO Shawn Strickland said his product’s focus remains movies — both physical and digital — which differs from Netflix’s TV-heavy library and emphasis on web content. Strickland also said that, while talk of any exclusive content is “really premature,” it could be an option down the road. In addition to offering Xbox 360 support, the service is open to iOS and Android users, along with those who own a Vizio, LG, Samsung or Google TV product. Filed under: Home Entertainment , Internet , HD , Verizon Comments Via: GigaOM

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Redbox Instant exits private beta and launches to the public

Feedly promises ‘seamless’ transition after Google Reader to its own backend

If you (like many of us at Engadget) are in a state of shock facing the end of Google Reader this summer, there may be an easy replacement. RSS app/service Feedly posts on its blog that it has been anticipating the shutdown of Google’s service for some time, and invested in building its own backend. Dubbed “Normandy” it is intended to be a clone of the Google API running on Google’s own App Engine, set to swap in on July 1st when the service ends. Even better, in the comments Feedly states it will open the API for other 3rd party clients once everything is stable. the only bad news? If you’re considering jumping onboard you’re not the only one — Feedly’s servers are pretty crushed right now, so you know, just test the waters out some time in the next few months. Filed under: Software Comments Source: Feedly Blog

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Feedly promises ‘seamless’ transition after Google Reader to its own backend

Ken May

Tag: the-end