David Lidsky's Blog, page 3361
January 10, 2014
Redesigning Crosswalks Into A Network Of Mini-Parks To Save Pedestrian Lives
Building out small bits of nature alongside streets creates more public space--and protects people from careening, deadly cars.
Even though San Francisco is known as a walkable city, it isn't exactly safe: On average, three pedestrians are hit by cars every day. A new design proposal for city streets could change that, while also rethinking the idea of a street as public space.
January 9, 2014
Gmail's Update Lets Any Google+ User Email You
Don't forget to change your email privacy settings.
In the age of instant communication, it's apparent that email is growing to be a despised method of correspondence. People see it as a chore, spending far too much time tending to their inboxes. And despite futile pleas for no more emails, a change to how Gmail and Google+ interact will make it easier for others to get ahold of you.
Facing Growing Backlash, Uber Lowers Prices For UberX In 16 Cities
But don't expect these changes to have an effect on its controversial surge-price policy.
Startup darling Uber gained a strong following among the tech elite with the simplicity of its e-hailing app, but there's been strong anti-Uber sentiment steadily brewing over its surge-price policy, which is determined by an opaque algorithm. CEO Travis Kalanick has, for the most part, claimed that surge pricing was out of his hands--that it was a matter of supply and demand--but he attempted to appease this backlash by announcing Thursday the company was lowering prices for UberX rides in 16 cities.
Your Social Media Activity Could Prevent You From Getting A Loan
Some lenders are now using social media to determine if borrowers are credit worthy. But consumer advocates worry this could lead to financial institutions unfairly denying loans.
By now, you likely already know it's not unusual for human resource managers to judge you by your Facebook and Twitter presence (in addition to your resume, of course). But it appears a number of small lending companies are using social media as a criteria to determine whether to finance potential borrowers--and even Fair Isaac Corporation says it might one day include social media in its FICO credit score, which currently doesn't factor in employment history or salary.
Snapchat Apologizes For Security Breach... Finally
Buried at the bottom of a blog post, Snapchat issues an apology to those who had their accounts compromised.
More than a week after 4.6 million Snapchat accounts were compromised by hackers over New Year's, Snapchat has finally issued an apology.
Here's What Will Happen To Earth 100 Quintillion Years From Now
It's the end of the world, galaxy, and universe as we know it in this BBC-generated infographic of the future.
Those Brits, they just can't get enough of their time travel. As if laying claim to H.G. Wells and Doctor Who weren't enough, the editors at BBC Future have decided to kick off 2014 with a look a bit further ahead than most New Year's predictions--100 quintillion years further, to be exact.
New Hubble Telescope Images Go Back To The Future
NASA's Hubble Space Telescope captures the deepest image ever obtained of a galaxy cluster and enables new discoveries about the ancient universe.
This week NASA announced three new findings revealed by images from its Hubble Space Telescope: the deepest image ever obtained of a galaxy cluster, four super-bright galaxies as they appeared 13 billion years ago, and a sample of small galaxies previously too faint and distant to be seen, which are thought to be responsible for most of the stars we see in the skies today. Here are some of the images which made these discoveries possible.
How Reverse Engineering Nature Can Spur Design Innovation
It's not enough to copy nature. Today's designers need a deeper understanding of environmental nuance, from the biome in.
Is it possible to really emulate nature? That question powers a new era of design in which the built environment mimics biology's processes. Reverse engineering is one approach that bridges the gap between designers and nature.
Confide: A Snapchat For Professionals, Not Sext-Obsessed Teens
The new app, from Yext CEO Howard Lerman and former AOL exec Jon Brod, stands out from competitors by eschewing a gimmicky UI.
Investors have pegged Snapchat's valuation at $2 billion thanks to the soaring popularity of its self-destructing photo-sharing service. Riding this tidal wave of attention, a number of startups has launched their own ephemeral messaging apps, but few if any have nailed an experience as smart as Snapchat's--until now.
Confide's secret sauce is a simple design that's both functional and fun.
12 Of The Best Ideas From CES 2014
The Consumer Electronics Show is a boring affair, but if you look closely enough, it offers a taste of tomorrow. Behold, the future!
I've been to the Consumer Electronics Show more times than I'd like to admit. And while it's considered a showcase of technology to come in the next year, it's a horrible experience. You're basically cooped up inside a windowless casino where the blackjack tables have been swapped out for iPad case vendors. 99.9% of what you see isn't worth breathing that stale, filtered air still laced with traces of tobacco and broken dreams.
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