Items of Interest

Podcast Of The Week: The Blindboy Podcast - Science Week 2019

#184
This week on his podcast, Blindboy interviewed Jerry Murphy and Clare Watson, two climate researchers working with the MaREI centre in UCC. The interview was part of Science Week 2019 and covers a range of topics about biofuel and how energy production can adapt locally in response to the climate crisis. The two scientists are currently working on a project on the Dingle Peninsula which uses locally produced biofuel to run a local transport bus.
Environment
Innovation
Podcast

Local SEO Guide

#184
Backlinko published a comprehensive guide on the latest local SEO techniques for local businesses. 46% of all Google searches have local intent and 29% of Google SERPs now contain a local map pack in the results. The guide also states that 74% of uses that search for something local on their phone end up visiting a store that day. To optimise your local results listings, your Google Business Profile and NAP (Name, Address and Phone Number) citations are all important.
Business
Web Dev

Laser Voice Commands

#184
Researchers from Tokyo and The University of Michigan have published a paper showing that it is possible to hijack voice assistants and issue commands using lasers pointed at the microphone. Commands can be issued from up to 350 feet away by vibrating the diaphragm of the device's microphone to simulate a real voice command. The research team successfully hijacked Google Home/Nest, Echo Plus/Show/Dot, Facebook Portal Mini, Fire Cube TV, EchoBee 4, iPhone XR, iPad 6th Gen, Samsung Galaxy S9 and Google Pixel 2 devices.
Innovation
Tech

Roaming Eagles

#183
Russian researchers tracking the migratory patterns of eagles racked up a huge mobile data roaming bill when the eagles, which were fitted with mobile trackers, crossed country borders into Iran and Kazakhstan and used up the entire budget of the research project because of roaming data charges!
Tech

Google Coral

#183
Google's Coral embedded AI devices are out of beta and are released to the public. The devices run tensorflow AI onboard, allowing AI solutions to be deployed in the field, such as in hospitals and water treatment plants.
AI & ML

McDonalds AI

#183
McDonalds have started using AI to control digital drive through displays to suggest menu options based on time of day, weather and product popularity. Some McDonalds restaurants are trialling number plate recognition to add a customer's previous orders into the recommendation system.
AI & ML

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