Category: Sci/Tech

by Jillian Smith and Emily Carter–

Planned Obsolescence is the theory that companies intentionally design products that they know will become obsolete after a short period of time. The theory states that this strategy is used to cause consumers to continue to buy new products and devices as older ones slow down or eventually stop working at all. Because Apple has recently released a new software update, iOS14, many people have already begun to speculate how this update will impact older devices.

In this science/technology podcast, Emily and Jillian discuss the ways that Apple has addressed these claims and made efforts to debunk this theory, as well as personal experiences that they have had with Apple products and their own opinions on the theory.

by Madison Storm, Kai Young–

Apple released their latest software update recently and users are already enjoying the new features. iOS 14 was rumored for several months before it’s actual release date which was re-scheduled multiple times due to COVID-19 related issues. This update is said to give users to ability to customize their device more than ever before. However, correction updates have already started being released to fix issues many are experiencing.

We also discussed new technology Apple users can be expecting to be released later this year including the rumored iPhone 12, a new watch, and iPads. Apple has also been working on Bluetooth connection devices and at home devices similar to the Amazon echo. It’s unclear the effect COVID-19 will have on the release of these new products. Check out this weeks podcast to hear more.

by Skyler Adkins, Christine O’Donnell–

 

As a result of the global pandemic, scientists and doctors are working diligently to try and find a cure for COVID-19. There are clinical trials taking place to allow doctors to study participants between the ages 18 and 55 and they are paid in order to incentivize people to help.

Major League Baseball is doing their part by participating in the largest nationwide COVID-19 study on antibodies. Out of the 30 MLB teams, 27 of them are involved in this study. The 10,000 participants range from players to stadium ushers who have all agreed to take blood tests in order to help doctors understand the infection rate and spread patterns of this novel coronavirus.

Scientists are also looking at HIV medications as a possible cure for the virus. An antiviral HIV medication known as Kaletra has emerged on the black market. According to doctors in China, this drug has showed promising signs to be a possible treatment for coronavirus.

 

 

by Drew Jones and Celia Holubar–

The COVID-19 pandemic has required all hands on deck. A large group of technologists and executives have called on top technology companies in an open letter to help in the fight against COVID-19. A part of the letter singled out top companies such as Apple and Google to use their extensive knowledge to create a contact tracing app for the United States, similar to ones that have been used in other countries. 

The idea may have stemmed from a Home Quarantine app created in Poland. The app sends a random alert to your mobile phone and you have 20 minutes to respond with a selfie in your designated quarantine location or the police will pay you a visit and fines will be given. With this, it brings many ethical issues in terms of privacy and security on the internet and it begs the question; How much should we compromise our privacy for the fight against COVID-19?

In this podcast, we discuss the issues of privacy vs. security and some other crazy ways the government could know who is COVID-19 positive without their consent.

https://audiomack.com/embed/song/the-news-feed/scitech-covid-19-pandemic-brings-nations-privacy-into-question?background=1

by Christina Dougherty, Brenda Nguyen—

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Augmented reality is merging its way into everyday technology, providing more accessibility and convenience to users.

Augmented reality is when technology can produce computer-generated images on a user’s view of the real world. Though seemingly advanced, this technology is now available on most smartphones.

The world was introduced to an app in 2016 called “Pokémon Go”, an interactive game that allows players to “catch” the creatures in their area. This app gained great success, and really introduced augmented reality to a wide range of people.

Augmented reality is not only good for entertainment purposes, but for convenience as well. These apps are downloaded with a simple click on your smartphone. Augmented Reality is making its way into medicine as well, changing the way surgeons perform medical procedures.

Join us in this podcast as we discuss how augmented reality became well-known and to where the technology is expanding into our lives now.

by Amber Miller, Stephen Newman, Ryan Dye–

Photo on Foter.com

Space exploration leader SpaceX recently used a rocket to send a supply capsule to the International Space Station…for the second time.

The Block 4 Falcon 9 rocket was first launched into space in April of 2017. After detaching from the cargo it was carrying, it was guided down and landed on an un-manned SpaceX drone ship off the coast of Florida.

The rocket was then recovered, refurbished and sent into space again earlier this week. And just as the first time, it landed bullseye on the ship.

These rockets were only designed to be launched up to two times, but SpaceX will next launch the Block 5 Falcon 9 rocket, which according to Elon Musk can potentially be relaunched up to 100 times.

This breakthrough could dramatically cut the cost of space exploration and could lead to Musk’s ultimate goal of putting one million people on Mars in the next 40-100 years.