Internet speed fast enough to download all of Netflix in one second
Researchers from University College London (UCL) have created the fastest-ever internet connection, transmitting data at 178 terabits per second – so fast the entire Netflix library could be downloaded in one second! This is double the speed capacity of any system currently used in the world, and a fifth faster than the previous record.
This new feat was achieved by transmitting the data through a much wider range of colours than normally used in optical fibre. When used in combination with amplifier technologies, this allowed them to specifically manipulate each individual wavelength.
Unfortunately, it’s unlikely to be available any time soon for home broadband customers. But it was noted that it would be relatively easy to use the technology on existing infrastructure. It should also be reasonably cost effective too, as all that is needed is an upgrade of the amplifiers that are used on optical fibre routes.
Adobe Lightroom update bug permanently deletes users’ images
We’ve all had times we’ve accidentally deleted a file, but most of us are now safe in the knowledge that the ‘cloud’ has got our back. But this wasn’t the case for Adobe Lightroom users this month.
Lightroom mobile users without a subscription to the Adobe cloud, and Lightroom cloud customers with photos and presets that had not yet synced to the Adobe cloud, found that after running an software update, their photos and presets were removed.
Adobe since confirmed there’s no way of retrieving the deleted imagery or presets – which some users would’ve paid hundreds of dollars for – and releseased the following statement, “we know that some customers have photos and presets that are not recoverable. We know how frustrating and upsetting this will be to people affected and we sincerely apologise.”
‘Polite Type’ font created in a bid to tackle cyberbullying
A Finish software company, TietoEVRY, has used machine learning to develop a new font to rewrite ‘offensive language’ into more ‘inclusive forms’. The Polite Type font aims to highlight cyberbullying to children, pointing out harmful language and directing users to pick kinder words.
The font’s word library was chosen to be inclusive of language from “different origins, religions, world views and sexual orientations”, and will update and adapt as more users and businesses use it.
Where some, most expletive, words are simply blurred, others will be automatically replaced. A released example being the replacement of “you are ugly” with “you are not traditionally beautiful”. Whether that makes it any more bearable though is up for debate…
New look Facebook to be rolled out universally from September
As of next month, all Facebook users will have to use the updated look of the platform. The new look design was introduced last year at their developer conference and has since been rolled out to certain users. It was optional to use the new look - they were asked whether they wanted to switch or not, and allowed the option to switch back to the old look.
Since then, Facebook stated "If you're using the new Facebook.com, you can switch back to the classic Facebook temporarily”…"Starting in September, everyone will have the new design."
The redesign unclutters the page and gets rid of the infamous top blue bar - but who knows why they’d want to get rid of that…?
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