Researchers wanted to know what cats would do with a large colony of rats in Brooklyn. The answer: Not much. But cats could still pose a huge threat to more vulnerable urban wildlife.
A Better Motor Is the First Step Towards Electric Planes
Magnix is testing a new motor designed specifically for aviation, which is lighter weight, and higher power.
Facebook is dominating the Stories format
Facebook released updated daily active user counts for Stories on Facebook and Messenger today, and the news isn’t great for Snapchat. The company said at an event in New York City today that it now has a combined 300 million daily users across the two services. Liz Keneski, user experience research manager at Facebook, tells The Verge this combined number doesn’t account for double dipping, so a user who posts the same thing on Messenger and Facebook Stories is only counted as one user, not two. (Whenever a story is posted to Messenger it automatically populates on that user’s Facebook page.)
It’s unclear whether most users are accessing Stories through the Messenger or Facebook app, but the company did say in May that Facebook Stories h…
Leaked Pixel Stand could be Google’s wireless charger for the Pixel 3 – CNET
The wireless charger will reportedly turn the Pixel 3 into a smart display when in use.
FCC passes order limiting cities’ review of 5G deployment
The Federal Communications Commission will soon require cities to quickly approve or deny wireless carriers’ requests to deploy 5G cell installations. While the goal of rapidly deploying 5G is widely shared, the FCC’s approach here has come under criticism, particularly from cities. The measure constrains the time cities have to review deployment requests, while also limiting them from taking into account issues like whether the installation will take place at a historical landmark.
The new rules passed with support from all four FCC commissioner’s today, with the agency’s sole Democrat, Jessica Rosenworcel, also dissenting in part. Rosenworcel said the requirements would “run roughshod over state and local authority” and “[tell] state…
Comcast will own all of Sky as Fox sells its stake for $15 billion
The summer’s Fox / Comcast / Disney drama came to a close last week when Comcast finally managed to outbid 21st Century Fox for a controlling stake in European TV and broadband provider Sky for $38.8 billion. And now, having lost that battle, Fox is ceding the remainder of its existing 39 percent ownership to Comcast in a $15 billion deal that would see Comcast gain full control of the UK telecom company, as reported by Variety.
Fox had long been attempting to gain full control of Sky — Fox’s existing 39 percent stake as well as the intended remainder of the company was set to be included as part of the Disney deal — but ran into a competing bid from Comcast, which also tried to one-up the House of Mouse in buying Fox. In the end, it…
Kodak’s long-awaited Ektachrome film revival is finally here
Analog film lovers rejoice: Kodak’s long-awaited revival of its Ektachrome slide film is finally here (via Digital Trends). The camera company is beginning its rollout with the 35mm version of the film, while Super 8 (8mm) and 16mm formats will be released later in the year.
The color reversal film, which was previously mainly used in projectors and professional print work, has been off store shelves for over six years after a lack of demand and complex manufacturing issues lead the company to discontinue it.
Renewed interest in analog film led the company to announce a revival back at the beginning of 2017. Ektachrome, with its vibrant colors and relatively easy developing process, was the…
Microsoft Dial, MacBook Touch Bar outsmarted by Brain Magic O2 joystick – CNET
The joystick may be the smartest accessory yet for replacing keyboard shortcuts in creative apps.
The Woman Bringing Civility to Open Source Projects
Coraline Ada Ehmke is the principal author of the Contributor Covenant, a code of conduct recently adopted by Linux.
Fox will sell Sky stake to Comcast for about $15 billion – CNET
Traditional broadcasters are scrambling to strengthen their position against Netflix and Amazon Prime.