Where would life be without fascinations? Where would life be without exploring the different aspects of our world through laughter, amazement, curiosity, and that childlike glee when we see something anew for the first time? I only wish that I could somehow bring many of the different treats that arrive on my web doorstep to your attention. Of course, through the magic of the Internet, there are few constraints to this excitement.
On the last workday of the week (usually Friday), we will bring you something at 12:00 noon Pacific Time (that’s late afternoon on the East Coast, so you have something before leaving the office). It’s here to tickle your fancy, entice you to learn, entertain you, or simply explore your funny bone. It may not always be humor, but it should never be boring. It will be clean, safe for work and the family, and will be related to our core topics at Computer Talk Radio, that’s computers and technology, and occasionally just plain nerdy.
Further, like many of the other things around here, if you submit something that we use in our Friday Fascinations, I’ll also send you something from the grab box(es).
Benjamin Rockwell
Electric-Car Owners Hard Hit by Massive California Power Shutdown
A week ago, California was not only shutting down power to prevent fires, it was also stranding electric car drivers and keeping them from escaping potential fires. This kind of meddling will keep people from wanting to purchase electric cars, and I don't blame the...
Ron Wyden wants Facebook to ‘mind your own business’ with new privacy bill – The Verge
While initially promising, the finer print as you read further, points out that the privacy protections would be for a fee. So, you only deserve faux privacy if you fork over real money... which would still not really solve anything. Oh, but only the people who the...
Google exec says Nest owners should warn guests that their conversations might be recorded – BGR
"Welcome to my home. Your conversations in my home may be recorded for quality control purposes." Rick Osterloh, of Google, has suggested that if you have a Nest (or other smarthome device), that you should tell all of your guests about the spying and recording...
Without encryption we will lose all privacy. This is our new battleground | Edward Snowden | Opinion | The Guardian
While this is an editorial, it does point out that we are going to need to do something to protect the secrets that we hold dear. Encryption is something that we all need to start looking into, embracing, and using on a regular basis, for all of the portions of our...
New AMC Theatres streaming service lets you rent or buy movies at home – CNET
AMC is going to present on-demand playing of movies, and Keith and I will be discussing this announcement by AMC, this week on Computer Talk Radio. AMC wants to be your go-to place for movies, whether that's out at the theater or at home on the couch. The movie...
Uber lays off about 350 across multiple divisions
When I heard about this layoff, the same thing probably went through your mind... "Uber is on the rocks!" The reality is that sometimes companies do some trimming, and this little trim was 1.5%. This may be the third round, but between the three it isn't even 5%. Most...
KeyMe kiosks security: Experts say key-copying kiosks pose new security threat to buildings and cars – CBS News Radio investigation – CBS News
Whenever there is a key, someone will want to make a copy of it. It's been like that for ages. Now, the common RFID card is also easily copied, and at a kiosk near you. The claim of paper trails and protections is merely a deflection as that only tracks the act of...
AT&T raises prices 7% by making its customers pay AT&T’s property taxes | Ars Technica
So, the big phone company has found a way to take more money from it's customers, by passing along taxes that were meant for them to pay, directly in the customers bill. That's like your car dealer sending you their electric bill. Or the restaurant charging you for...
Call of Duty is the biggest mobile game launch ever – The Verge
Another mobile game has hit, and with 100,000,000 downloads in one week, this is off the charts! Remember when an amazing game would sell a couple of million? This is an equivalent of every male in the United States from age 10 to age 60. Of course there are people...
China attacks Apple for allowing Hong Kong crowdsourced police activity app | TechCrunch
China throws their weight around some more, over an app on the Apple App Store. The tech landscape is changing rapidly with the behemoth that is China. This tool was being used by protesters to demonstrate and to spread the word of their distaste in the current...