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PWM flicker: Invisible light that's harming our health?
a year ago
- Modern LED lighting in historic buildings can create discomfort due to flickering, despite appearing warm.
- Pulse-width modulation (PWM) is a common cause of flicker in LED lights and digital displays, leading to eye strain and discomfort.
- 5-20% of people experience acute reactions to flicker, including migraines and nausea.
- Constant Current Reduction (CCR) is a flicker-free dimming method that reduces health risks and enhances visual comfort.
- Look for flicker-free certifications or high-frequency PWM (above 20 kHz) in lighting products to minimize discomfort.
- Calm Tech Certified™ products prioritize flicker-free standards to improve user well-being and productivity.
Visual History of the Latin Alphabet
a year ago
- The text provides a chronological overview of the development of writing scripts, book production, and significant cultural and technological milestones from 200 BC to the present day.
- Key historical events include the fall of the Western Roman Empire (476), Charlemagne's reign (800), the invention of letterpress printing (1450), the French Revolution (1789), and the founding of the United Nations (1945).
- Technological advancements highlighted are the origin of the bound book (400), paper production in Europe (1200), the Fourdrinier paper machine (1798), the fountain pen (1849), and the launch of the Apple Macintosh (1984).
- Cultural milestones include the Library of Alexandria (50 BC), the Renaissance (1500), the Enlightenment (1700), and the invention of the World Wide Web (1990).
- The text also details various writing scripts such as Archaic Latin, Carolingian Minuscule, Gothic Majuscule, and Humanist Minuscule, among others.
How Close to Black Mirror Are We?
a year ago
- Black Mirror is a British anthology TV series created by Charlie Brooker.
- It explores dark, satirical, and dystopian aspects of technology and society.
- Each episode features standalone stories about unintended consequences of tech innovation.
- This site tracks real-world technology's proximity to Black Mirror scenarios.
- Progress bars are subjective estimates based on current trends and news.
- The site is an interest piece, not a scientific analysis.
- As technology advances, our closeness to Black Mirror's world increases.
NFC gets 4x range boost
a year ago
- NFC technology is getting a range boost, now operating at 2cm, up from 0.5cm, to improve reliability.
- NFC Release 15's key upgrade is extended range, making connections quicker and more reliable.
- The update benefits tap-to-pay solutions and multi-purpose tap use cases, requiring less precise alignment.
- Some NFC devices already work beyond 2cm, but the standard ensures compatibility on both sides.
- NFC Release 15 compliance certification for devices begins Fall 2025.
'F1' and Apple's Movie Strategy
10 months ago
- Apple CEO Tim Cook and Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton collaborate on the high-budget film 'F1 the Movie', starring Brad Pitt, set to release on June 27.
- The film represents a significant investment for Apple, aiming to impact pop culture and filmmaking, while also showcasing Apple's camera technology integrated into the latest iPhone.
- Apple's strategy with 'F1' and its broader Apple TV+ service focuses on quality storytelling and leveraging technology, rather than directly boosting hardware sales like iPhones.
- Eddy Cue, Apple's executive behind its entertainment push, sees 'F1' as a passion project that could inspire audiences and elevate Apple's standing in the film industry.
- Apple's approach to entertainment emphasizes building rather than buying, staying true to its ethos of innovation and quality, with a focus on original content that aligns with its brand values.
Rolling the ladder up behind us
10 months ago
- The article critiques the impact of AI and automation on craftsmanship, drawing parallels to the Luddite movement against power looms in the textile industry.
- It highlights the loss of skilled craftsmanship due to automation, with heritage weaving skills now listed as endangered.
- The author expresses concern over the tech industry's preference for hiring senior developers without fostering the next generation, risking a future shortage of experienced professionals.
- Generative AI tools are criticized for replacing human expertise, leading to lower quality outputs and unrealistic expectations from management.
- The article discusses the security risks associated with AI tools like Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, which lack proper safeguards.
- Artists are among the first to suffer from AI-generated content, with commissions declining and platforms flooded with low-quality AI art.
- The author warns against the commodification of creativity and the devaluation of human labor in favor of short-term gains.
- The piece concludes with a reflection on the societal costs of AI, including psychological suffering and environmental damage, and calls for a reevaluation of winner-take-all capitalism.
Apple Created a Custom iPhone Camera for F1
10 months ago
- Cinema cameras can't be mounted on Formula One cars due to their precise specifications.
- Apple engineered a custom camera module using iPhone parts to capture POV racing footage for the F1 film.
- The module resembles the broadcast camera in weight and appearance but contains iPhone sensors, an A-series chip, and a battery.
- The camera was tested to endure extreme conditions like shock, vibrations, and heat, surpassing F1's requirements.
- Footage was captured in log format with ProRes for better post-production control, leading to new iPhone 15 Pro features.
- A custom iPad app allowed filmmakers to adjust settings like frame rate and exposure in real-time.
- Apple's involvement in filmmaking helps develop new iPhone features while supporting creative projects.
- Smartphone-shot films still rely on professional setups like lighting and rigs, but democratize filmmaking for beginners.
- Christopher Nolan's upcoming film 'The Odyssey' will be shot entirely with Imax film cameras, showcasing high-end filmmaking.
Signal – An Ethical Replacement for WhatsApp
10 months ago
- Moving from WhatsApp to Signal is recommended due to ethical concerns with WhatsApp and its parent company Meta.
- WhatsApp's updated terms of service in 2021 required users to share data with Facebook, including network details and location, breaking earlier promises of autonomy.
- WhatsApp shares metadata with law enforcement agencies, whereas Signal collects minimal metadata to protect user privacy.
- Meta (formerly Facebook) has been involved in scandals like the Cambridge Analytica data breach and interference in elections, such as in Brazil's 2018 presidential election.
- Mark Zuckerberg and Meta have faced criticism for flip-flopping on policies, endorsing controversial figures, and promoting aggressive corporate culture.
- Signal, founded by WhatsApp co-founder Brian Acton, is a nonprofit focused on privacy, receiving a perfect score from the Electronic Frontier Foundation for privacy and transparency.
- Signal's leadership includes privacy advocates like Meredith Whittaker, emphasizing privacy as a human right and opposing surveillance capitalism.
- Switching from WhatsApp to Signal is straightforward: install Signal, migrate conversations, and encourage contacts to switch, especially through group chats.
- Meta's actions, including election interference and surveillance, have been criticized as harmful to democracy by figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
A brief history of hardware epidemics
10 months ago
- Capacitor Plague (1999-2007): Counterfeit capacitors caused overheating, leakage, and fires in computers, including some Apple models like iMac G5 and eMac.
- Lead-Free Solder (2006-2017): EU ban on lead in electronics led to failures in high-performance graphics cards, notably in MacBook Pro and iMac models.
- Butterfly Keyboards (2015-2019): Apple's thin keyboard design led to key failures due to debris accumulation, prompting a return to scissor mechanisms.
- Apple Service Programs: Apple has a strong record of addressing product issues, offering repair programs even beyond warranty periods.
The Tandy Corporation, Part 1 – By Bradford Morgan White
10 months ago
- Hinckley-Tandy Leather Company was founded in 1919 in Fort Worth, specializing in shoe-related leather products.
- Charles David Tandy, son of the founder, introduced Tandy Leather, a mail-order hobby division, in 1948.
- Disagreements between Hinckley and the Tandys led to the Tandy family taking control, focusing on retail expansion.
- Tandy Corporation merged with American Hide and Leather Company in 1955, later restructuring and renaming to Tandy Corporation.
- Tandy acquired Radio Shack in 1963, revitalizing it by streamlining inventory and focusing on private-label electronics.
- The TRS-80, launched in 1977, became a major success, propelling Radio Shack into the microcomputer market.
- Charles Tandy passed away in 1978, leaving behind a legacy of transforming Tandy Corporation into a multinational retail giant.
BYOK: Distraction-Free Writing Device
10 months ago
- Portable, distraction-free writing device designed for pure focus.
- Features a crisp LCD screen with no notifications or apps.
- Supports any keyboard for a personalized writing experience.
- BYOK (Bring Your Own Keyboard) concept for freedom and comfort.
- Syncs drafts seamlessly to the companion Studio app for editing and organization.
- Highly responsive LCD display with monochrome coloring for eye comfort.
- Long battery life—up to twenty hours of continuous use.
- Magnetic mount compatible with various stands for ergonomic positioning.
- Adjustable warm backlight for visibility in any lighting condition.
- Customizable writing experience with font size, style, and contrast options.
- Offline storage via microSD card and easy file transfers via USB.
- Seamless integration with the Writing Studio app for a cohesive workflow.
- Ergonomic design with ultra-portability—smartphone-sized for easy carrying.
- Designed for authors, journalers, content creators, and all writers.
- Presale available soon with limited supply.
Avoiding the Global Lobotomy
10 months ago
- The article discusses the concept of a 'global lobotomy,' where modern life and technology are metaphorically dulling our cognitive and emotional capacities.
- Key mechanisms of this 'lobotomy' include dopamine reward systems from social media, Overton window compression limiting acceptable discourse, and time compression reducing deep thought.
- Symptoms of this effect include brain fog, poor memory, emotional dampening, and a fragmented attention span.
- The article suggests ways to counteract this, such as reducing phone use, spending time in nature, reading old books, and practicing meditation.
- Historical context is provided, comparing modern cognitive effects to the literal lobotomies of the past, which aimed to reduce the complexity of psychic life.
Using an $8 smart outlet to avoid brainrot
10 months ago
- A script monitors an $8 smart plug's state via WiFi API.
- The plug has a manual switch to toggle power on/off.
- When turned on, the script updates /etc/hosts to block distracting websites by redirecting them to 127.0.0.1.
- Blocked sites include Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Reddit.
- The plug is placed far away to add physical effort to disable blocking.
- Manual editing of /etc/hosts is possible but adds friction to discourage distractions.
A new PNG spec
10 months ago
- A new PNG specification has been released after over 20 years of stagnation.
- Key updates include proper HDR support, recognition of APNGs (animated PNGs), and official support for Exif data.
- The update also includes general improvements like fixing errata and clarifications.
- The push for updates came from the need for HDR support in subtitles, leading to contributions from major tech companies and organizations.
- Many popular programs and platforms already support the new PNG spec, including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Photoshop.
- Future updates are planned, focusing on better compression and parallel encoding/decoding, with the next edition improving HDR and SDR interoperability.
At Chile’s Vera Rubin Observatory, Earth’s Largest Camera Surveys the Sky
10 months ago
- The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile houses the world's largest digital camera, which is about the size of a small car.
- The camera will create an unparalleled map of the night sky and is expected to have a lifespan of over 10 years.
- First public images from the observatory are set to be released on June 23.
- The camera is undergoing calibration to measure minute differences in pixel sensitivity.
- Each Rubin image contains vast amounts of data, with 10 images comparable to all words published by The New York Times since 1851.
- The observatory will produce about 20 terabytes of data nightly, processed in California, France, and Britain.
- Specialized software will detect changes in brightness or position by comparing new images with previous data.
- The observatory is expected to detect up to 10 million changes nightly, including streaks from satellites like SpaceX Starlink.
- Despite challenges like satellite streaks and maintenance, the observatory aims to catalog 20 billion galaxies and 17 billion stars in the Southern sky.
Circular Microcomputers embedded and powered by repurposed smartphone components
10 months ago
- World’s first circular microcomputers powered by repurposed smartphone components.
- Unique capability to transform retired smartphones into embedded computers at an industrial scale.
- Offers a range of circular microcomputers with an open-source Linux-based OS tailored for product development.
- DevKit available for development and evaluation with benefits like custom and scalable solutions.
- Comprehensive services including cloud management, engineering support, training, and coaching.
- Iconic use-cases in energy, IoT, education, edge computing, industry automation, and events.
- Trusted by companies for competitive performance, quick time-to-market, reliable supply, and sustainability branding.
Single-function devices in the world of the everything machine
10 months ago
- The author reflects on a nostalgic experience with a MiniDisc player, which vividly brought back memories of a snow-bound train journey in 2001.
- The iPhone's introduction as an 'everything machine' transformed our relationship with technology, reshaping how we interact with information and media.
- Single-function devices, like the MiniDisc player or GameBoy, offer a different, more engaged relationship with technology, fostering creativity through their limitations.
- The author argues that the limitations of single-function devices can heighten the user's experience and creativity, contrasting with the distraction-prone nature of smartphones.
- A personal catalog of old devices serves as a museum of technology, showcasing the evolution of interface design and the unique experiences each device offered.
- Physical media and devices often prove more durable and reliable than digital platforms, which can be subject to market failures or technological obsolescence.
- The tactile and physical interaction with single-function devices provides a sensory pleasure and efficiency that touchscreen devices cannot replicate.
- The author advocates for the intentional limitation in technology design, suggesting that it can enhance focus, creativity, and the quality of user experience.
- The essay concludes with a hope for the future of computing to incorporate intentional limitations, benefiting our minds and memories.
A CES-winning plasma-powered deodorant that neutralizes odor without chemicals
10 months ago
- Underarm odor is caused by VOCs produced by bacteria breaking down sweat.
- PlaDeo is a new device that kills odor-causing bacteria using plasma, eliminating the need for deodorant.
- The device creates a 1-cm gap between the skin and plasma emitter to prevent skin harm while producing ROS to kill bacteria and break down VOCs.
- Users can adjust treatment time from 1.5 to 3 minutes based on odor severity.
- A clinical trial showed 94% of participants reported significant odor reduction or elimination, with over 90% of targeted bacteria killed.
- PlaDeo is being crowdfunded on Indiegogo, with early pledges at $149 and a planned retail price of $249.
MCP: An (Accidentally) Universal Plugin System
10 months ago
- USB-C's versatility allows unexpected connections, like a toaster with HDMI output.
- MCP (Model Context Protocol) is designed for AI but can universally connect any tools or data sources.
- The accidental universality of MCP creates a plugin ecosystem where any MCP server enhances all compatible apps.
- APM (Actions Per Minute) leverages MCP as a plugin system, transforming based on connected MCP servers.
- Great protocols often outgrow their original purposes, like HTTP, Bluetooth, and USB, suggesting MCP's potential beyond AI.
Addictions Are Being Engineered
10 months ago
- Social media platforms start with good intentions but inevitably become corrupted by growth and engagement metrics.
- The addiction to social media is engineered through behavioral psychology and algorithmic manipulation.
- Attempts to 'fix' social media often fail because they operate within the same flawed economic models.
- Current platforms prioritize engagement over genuine connection, leading to mental health issues.
- Systemic solutions like different funding methods, regulated algorithms, and alternative metrics are needed.
- The goal should be to build systems that make social media less necessary by fostering real-world connections.

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#technology

PWM flicker: Invisible light that's harming our health?

Visual History of the Latin Alphabet

How Close to Black Mirror Are We?

NFC gets 4x range boost

'F1' and Apple's Movie Strategy

Rolling the ladder up behind us

Apple Created a Custom iPhone Camera for F1

Signal – An Ethical Replacement for WhatsApp

A brief history of hardware epidemics

The Tandy Corporation, Part 1 – By Bradford Morgan White

BYOK: Distraction-Free Writing Device

Avoiding the Global Lobotomy

Using an $8 smart outlet to avoid brainrot

A new PNG spec

At Chile’s Vera Rubin Observatory, Earth’s Largest Camera Surveys the Sky

Circular Microcomputers embedded and powered by repurposed smartphone components

Single-function devices in the world of the everything machine

A CES-winning plasma-powered deodorant that neutralizes odor without chemicals

MCP: An (Accidentally) Universal Plugin System

Addictions Are Being Engineered