Crooked Bough News Round-up

— Close Encounters of the Third Kind Is Still Amazing

 

at 1/28/22 10:00am

Steven Spielberg's classic 1977 alien contact film remains awe-inspiring.

[Category: Culture, Culture / Culture Podcast]

— Samsung Galaxy S21 FE Camera Samples

 

at 1/28/22 9:38am

[Category: Gear / Reviews]

— The 9 Best TVs We've Tested (and Helpful Buying Tips)

 

at 1/28/22 7:00am

From LCDs to fancy OLED models, these are our favorite televisions at every price point.

[Category: Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Televisions]

— What Should Be Considered a Crime in the Metaverse?

 

at 1/28/22 7:00am

As the experience of virtual worlds grows richer, virtual crimes such as assault and theft may become as serious as their counterparts in the physical world.

[Category: Ideas]

— We Met in Virtual Reality Is the Best Film From the Metaverse

 

at 1/28/22 7:00am

Director Joe Hunting’s documentary, shot entirely in VRChat, could also be the metaverse’s swan song.

[Category: Culture, Culture / Culture News]

— HP Wins Huge Fraud Case Against Autonomy’s Mike Lynch

 

at 1/28/22 6:26am

The ruling by the UK’s High Court could also lead to Lynch’s extradition to the United States, where he faces further charges.

[Category: Business, Business / National Affairs]

— The Physics of the N95 Face Mask

 

at 1/28/22 6:00am

You’ve seen them a million times. You might be wearing one right now. But how do they work to block a potentially virus-carrying respiratory blob?

[Category: Science, Science / Physics and Math]

— Why Joe Biden's Free Covid Test Website Wasn't a Dumpster Fire

 

at 1/28/22 6:00am

Plus: The rescue of healthcare.gov, a glimpse into an alternate universe, and more trouble in Russia.

[Category: Business, Business / Tech Culture]

— Honey, I Brought the Kids Into Virtual Reality

 

at 1/28/22 6:00am

This week, we talk about differing visions for the metaverse and whether it’s a good place for your little ones.

[Category: Gear, Gear / Gadget Lab Podcast]

— The Best Phones With an Actual Headphone Jack

 

at 1/28/22 6:00am

Audio jacks are endangered, but they’re not gone. Here are some of our favorite smartphones that still let you plug in.

[Category: Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Phones]

— Politicians Say It’s Time to Live With Covid. Are You Ready?

 

at 1/28/22 5:00am

As countries declare endemicity and drop restrictions, how does a battered and bruised society embrace a sudden return to normality?

[Category: Science, Science / Health]

— It's Not Just the IRS—the US Government Wants Your Selfies

 

at 1/28/22 5:00am

A controversial new program that uses facial recognition is part of a national effort to verify identities and reduce fraud.

[Category: Business, Business / Artificial Intelligence, AI Hub, AI Hub / Application / Face recognition, AI Hub / End User / Government, AI Hub / Source Data / Images, AI Hub / Source Data / Video, AI Hub / Technology / Machine vision]

— Samsung's Galaxy S21 FE Is Great. Just Don't Pay Full Price

 

at 1/28/22 5:00am

This top-end Android smartphone brings many of the best features from last year's flagship, but is it too late?

[Category: Gear, Gear / Products / Phones, Gear / Reviews]

— Spotify Was Never Going to Drop Joe Rogan

 

at 1/27/22 3:56pm

Neil Young removed his music from the platform to protest Rogan's vaccine disinformation. But Spotify is unlikely to cave on its star.

[Category: Culture, Culture / Digital Culture, Culture / Music]

— The Feds Plan to Reduce Roadway Deaths—With Smarter Road Design

 

at 1/27/22 2:13pm

The US Department of Transportation wants to shift the focus from the actions of individual drivers to the role of street layouts and local policies.

[Category: Business, Business / Transportation]

— Google Has a New Plan to Kill Cookies. People Are Still Mad

 

at 1/27/22 12:31pm

Google has scrapped FLoC, its controversial cookie replacement. Now it’s back with Topics—but rivals and privacy experts are still nervous.

[Category: Security, Security / Privacy]

— Now Physical Jobs Are Going Remote Too

 

at 1/27/22 7:00am

Advances in artificial intelligence and other technology allow machines to be operated from far away. The trend could spell trouble for workers.

[Category: Business, Business / Artificial Intelligence, AI Hub, AI Hub / End User / Big company, AI Hub / Sector / Automotive, AI Hub / Source Data / Video, AI Hub / Technology / Machine learning, AI Hub / Technology / Machine vision]

— 6 Apps for Saving and Budgeting Your Money

 

at 1/27/22 7:00am

Penny-pinch your way to financial peace of mind.

[Category: Gear, Gear / How To and Advice]

— Which iPhone Should You Buy (or Avoid) Right Now?

 

at 1/27/22 6:00am

Picking the right phone has gotten so much harder. Our breakdown of Apple’s lineup can help.

[Category: Gear, Gear / Buying Guides, Gear / Products / Phones]

— How to Build a Better Metaverse

 

at 1/27/22 6:00am

Second Life creator Philip Rosedale wants to prevent the Facebook-ization of virtual reality.

[Category: Business, Business / Startups]

— How to Watch the 2022 Winter Olympics

 

at 1/27/22 5:00am

Whether you’re into snowboarding or curling, here’s how to follow the big events in Beijing.

[Category: Gear, Gear / How To and Advice]

As of 1/28/22 2:45pm. Last new 1/28/22 9:59am.