Month: November 2019
Champion Go player quits because AI ‘cannot be defeated’
A former world champion player of strategy game Go has retired because artificial intelligence “cannot be defeated”. In 2016, Lee Sedol lost a best-of-five series against AI software created by Google firm DeepMind. The South Korean is an 18-time world champion and considered one of the greatest Go players of the modern age – but…
Relief for bereaved as Twitter opts not to delete accounts of deceased
Bereaved families including MP Jo Cox’s widower and the brother of a Manchester Arena terror attack victim have expressed their relief at Twitter’s decision not to delete accounts of the deceased. Some people feared profiles belonging to someone who died would be lost, after Twitter revealed a “clean-up” plan for accounts inactive on the platform…
Designer Jony Ive’s profile disappears from Apple website as he departs
The profile of Sir Jonathan Ive has been removed from the Leadership page of Apple’s website, signalling the end of the British designer’s time at the technology firm. The former chief design officer – better known as Jony Ive – announced he was leaving the company in June. The Briton joined Apple in 1992, taking…
Scottish Gaelic course to launch on language learning service
A free online language learning service with more than 300 million users will launch its Scottish Gaelic course on St Andrew’s Day. Duolingo was launched in 2011 and now has more than 90 languages on its online service including Spanish, French, Navajo, Jawaiian, Welsh and Irish Gaelic. It is estimated around 60,000 people in Scotland…
Twitter accounts of deceased will not be removed
Twitter has said accounts belonging to the deceased will not be removed as part of its “clean-up” of inactive profiles until it figures out a way to memorialise these accounts. The social network has started warning users who have been inactive on its platform for more than six months that their account risks being deleted…
Swim warning to Parkinson’s disease sufferers
Scientists have warned Parkinson’s sufferers using a deep brain stimulation device to be cautious about swimming after a group of people reported losing their ability to swim. According to a study by the American Academy of Neurology, the swimming skills of nine individuals deteriorated once they had deep brain stimulation…
Best Laptop Deals for Black Friday & Cyber Monday
Acer Chromebook 14 CB3-431 The annual Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales extravaganza will once again see the internet awash with special offers, deals and promotions. For anyone thinking of investing in a new laptop, the online events will provide excellent opportunities to pick up a bargain. Whether you’re looking…
Jo Cox widower among bereaved who fear losing digital legacy
Jo Cox’s widower and a Manchester terror attack victim’s family fear losing the “digital legacy” of loved ones amid Twitter’s plans to delete inactive accounts. The social network is to start a “clean up” of dormant profiles on its platform, warning affected users who have not accessed the service for more than six months that…
Dead satellites ‘pose very big’ danger to Earth
Around two-thirds of the satellites orbiting Earth are dead, posing a “very big danger” to the planet, European space ministers have heard. The European Space Agency (ESA) is proposing a mission to tackle the growing problem of space debris, its director general said. Speaking at the agency’s ministerial council in Seville, Spain, Johann-Dietrich Worner said…
Twitter to remove inactive accounts in massive ‘clean-up’
Twitter has started warning users who have been inactive on its platform for more than six months that their account risks being deleted as part of a huge “clean-up”. The social network is reaching out to people affected, saying they have until December 11 to log onto the service in order to prevent the removal.…