aol instant messenger When Phones Failed on 9/11, AOL Instant Messenger Was How We Connected On September 11, 2001, millions of New Yorkers wanted to reach out to loved ones to let them know they were safe. But that proved difficult when cell phone reception failed across the area. NBCLX’s Jeremy Berg reached out to his college friends from New York University to remember how they managed to connect with their loved ones through an...
Technology Hey Tech Companies, Let Me Fix My Stuff Today’s tech often doesn’t last that long. And many consumers facing a big repair bill may decide it’s easier to just buy a new device. Companies like Apple have proprietary parts and have even paid a $113 million settlement after they were accused of reducing performance on iPhones without users’ knowledge. LX News host Nik Z explains the right-to-repair movement and...
trauma What We Do After Trauma Can Help Us Overcome It Physical activity, knitting, even video games – anything that engages the mind can dampen our trauma response if we revisit memories haunting us. And as we all process the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s never been more urgent to learn coping strategies, says neurosurgeon and scientist Dr. Rahul Jandial.
Amazon Privacy Advocates Are Sounding the Alarm About Cloud-Based Doorbells Anyone who owns an Amazon Ring doorbell provides consent for the device to record anyone who comes to the door – footage that could also capture neighbors’ property. And clips from Amazon’s Ring doorbells can be sent to law enforcement, an element of surveillance that causes concern for PhD candidate Lauren Bridges at the University of Pennsylvania.
artificial intelligence ‘Soul Machines' Are CGI Characters That Can Think A video game character follows a script and doesn’t make decisions on what movements to make or what to say. But Soul Machines use their artificial intelligence to learn a voice and animations. We heard from Greg Cross, the creator of these “digital people,” and NBA player Carmelo Anthony, who is having a digital likeness of himself created.
video games How Can Game Developers Be More Climate Friendly? Whether it’s promoting green energy in the games themselves, or being more aware of their carbon footprint as a company, video game developers can be an influence in the fight against climate change. Deborah Mensah-Bonsu talks about the Green Game Jam and getting developers and gamers more in touch with the environment.
nostalgia Why Are We Nostalgic? Do you ever find yourself wishing you could go back to a simpler time? When we’re feeling down, we tend to become more nostalgic. NBCLX storyteller Cody Broadway explores why hard times in the present make us look to the past.
Technology How Amazon Alexas and Smart Watches Can Help Diagnose and Treat Mental lllness Medical doctors have stethoscopes and X-rays to diagnose and treat patients. But psychiatrists often have to rely on a patient’s word to diagnose and treat mental illness. Dr. Olusola Ajilore of the University of Illinois – Chicago is trying a new approach by using technology like smart speakers and smartphones to study and treat mood disorders.
mars perseverance rover How Does a Mission to Mars Help Us Here on Earth? NASA’s Perseverance Rover lands on Mars on Thursday, Feb. 18. But with so many problems here on Earth, you may be wondering if this expensive trip is just a waste of money. NBCLX storyteller Eric Rodriguez explains how this investment — in people, technology and problem solving — will pay off on Earth. Not to mention how it could help...
