David Lidsky's Blog, page 2908
August 24, 2015
Google OnHub's Biggest Challenge: Making The Wireless Router Loveable
The tasteful new router could be the gateway to a smarter home, but only if people start caring about routers in the first place.
In the mind of IDC analyst Jonathan Gaw, replacing a wireless router is kind of like getting a root canal.
Brands, Listen Up: Beyoncé Can Make Any Jingle Sound Like A Chart-Topper
As evidenced by this unbelievable Beyoncé impersonator.
If you needed any proof that Beyoncé's signature silky voice can upgrade anything, please direct your attention to Jade Novah, singer, actress, insanely bang-on Beyoncé impersonator.
There's Now A $380,000 Bounty On The Heads Of Ashley Madison Hackers
Avid Life Media is offering a reward for the arrest and prosecution of the "Impact Team" hackers.
In an early-morning press conference held at the Toronto Police Headquarters, Avid Life Media—the parent company of AshleyMadison.com—confirmed through acting Toronto Police Department staff superintendent Bryce Evans that they are offering a cash reward for information leading to the arrest of the hackers who leaked their clients' information.
Watch This Video Essay That Convincingly Argues Daniel Is The Villain Of "Karate Kid"
Nothing will ever be the same again.
Up until now, I've only had one qualm with The Karate Kid: the circumstances that force young Daniel Russo to become a kid who does karate. Early on, Daniel relocates from New Jersey to the San Fernando Valley. Despite the daunting task of having to fit in with a strange new peer group, he instantly wins over a bunch of bros by holding his own in a game of beach-soccer. He even musters the courage to flirt with a young lady in front of his teammates, which in the world of high school boys means instant street cred. After that young woman's recent ex-boyfriend begins to harass her, Daniel is the only one with the guts to stand up to him, and he gets his world rocked by beach-karate in her honor. Here comes my problem. Instead of Daniel's teammates being impressed by his courage and carrying him home on their shoulders, they make fun of him for not knowing karate and leave him to his beach-tears.
Shuddle Launches A New Carpooling Feature For Kids, Developed By Mom Engineers
The Uber for kids' latest release aims to take over the age-old burden of family carpool coordination—and ease parents' minds about safety.
When Bay Area "Uber for kids" service Shuddle launched last year, it raised a few eyebrows, given the recurring safety concerns around ride-sharing services for adults. But aside from a tussle with the California Public Utilities Commission around child-care rules, with which Shuddle now complies, there have been few reported issues. The company knows it would have no business without earning parents' trust, and requires its drivers, almost all of whom are women, to undergo thorough background checks and have caregiver experience.
"Neo-Futuristic" Sounds Will Make Japanese Electric Cars Sound Like Space Ships
To solve the problem of noiseless EVs, the music company Roland will provide "dynamic and dramatic sounds" that change with driving conditions.
What should an electric car sound like? That's the question that Japanese car maker GLM asked when considering its electric ZZ Roadster. And instead of coming up with something itself, it passed the task to someone who knows about electric sounds: Roland, the synth and musical instrument maker. Together, they will "co-develop a neo-futuristic driving sound generation system."
Can A Meal's Presentation Change Your Perception Of Its Overall Quality?
A new study suggests that the story we're told about the food we eat may be more important to diners today than the actual meal itself.
The last few years has seen a shift in the restaurant world. Food-based reality TV and food media has contributed to the rise of the celebrity chef, as well as the foodie. Chefs like to be in the spotlight as much as diners like to feel personally catered to. But Is all of this pomp and circumstance becoming more important than the actual food itself?
August 21, 2015
Staff Recommender: Tyler Adams, Who Can Identify Every Country From Its Amorphous Blob
The best things on the Internet this week, curated by Fast Company employees.
[image error]Tyler AdamsPhoto: Celine Grouard for Fast CompanyName: Tyler Adams
Role at Fast Company: Web developer. I help build and maintain the functioning and appearance of this beautiful site.
Twitter: @tyleraadams
Titillating Fact: I spent time in Kampala, Uganda interviewing members of gay and lesbian groups for a research project shortly before legislation was proposed to make homosexuality an act punishable by life in prison. Even then, we were careful during interviews to speak softly in public, so as to not endanger anyone. Fortunately, that legislation was recently ruled unconstitutional by the Ugandan Supreme Court.
Spotify's Privacy Gaffe Was Poor Messaging, Not Bad Policy
After the backlash over its privacy policy, Spotify has apologized. Could it have avoided this headache with a clearer message?
Spotify apologized to users this afternoon after a recent change in its privacy policy sparked a strong backlash. CEO Daniel Ek's wordy explanation was apparently enough to assuage some high profile users, many of whom were threatening to quit the service. But was this fiasco really a case of a misstep in policy, or just bad messaging?
Uber Plans IPO, Could Go Public Within 18 Months
The ride-sharing giant, valued at more than $50 billion, has not talked about its plans to go public.
Uber could go public within the next two years, according to a report obtained by Reuters.
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