1. Vacu-Man’s Google My Business Listing Troubles
– Resolved after two weeks of challenges.
– Small businesses should monitor their Google Maps location.
– Google’s “Know Your Client” initiative to combat fake accounts.
– Had to prove legitimacy through a detailed video call with Google in California.
2. Twitter’s Bold Rebrand to “X”
– Twitter is now “X”.
– Potential legal battles ahead due to existing brands like Xbox.
– Elon Musk’s vision for Twitter becoming clearer.
– “X” platform to focus on e-commerce and cryptocurrency communication.
– A shift from traditional Twitter to a new system, hence the name change.
3. The Canadian Search Engine Dilemma
– Why isn’t there a dominant Canadian search engine?
– Other search engines like AOL Canada, o.Canada.com, and Alta Vista Canada exist.
– Google’s dominance due to being the default on most devices.
– Even competitor browsers use Google as their default.
4. Palm Pilot’s Unexpected Role in IMAX
– The Palm Pilot, an old mobile device, controls 70mm film in the IMAX movie “Oppenheimer”.
– Uses an emulator, but originally ran on actual Palm Pilots.
– Palm Pilots managed films in theaters, with week-long battery life.
5. Solar Panels on Water Canals: A Power and Conservation Solution
– Solar panels on canals can generate power and conserve water.
– Gaining traction in California after successful tests in India.
– Challenges include capital costs, maintenance, and design.
– Potential to power millions of homes and save billions of gallons of water.
6. Google’s Water Consumption for Server Cooling
– Google used 4.3 billion gallons of water in 2021 to cool its servers.
7. “Heat It”: The Camper’s Tech for Insect Bites
– Device that heats skin to treat insect bites.
– Connects to phone’s charging port and offers 12 heat settings.
– Can reach up to 51°.
8. Helio Pressure Shower: The Ground-Based Camp Shower
– Provides pressurized water without needing to hang it.
– Uses a foot pump to pressurize up to 2.9 gallons.
– Can stay pressurized for up to 7 minutes.
9. Apple’s Upcoming Chatbot
– Apple is developing its own AI chatbot solution.
– Expected release in 2024.
– Google already has Google Bard, but it’s not available in Canada.
10. Apple’s iMessage and FaceTime Dilemma in the UK
– UK’s online safety laws might force Apple to pull iMessage and FaceTime.
– Signal already planning to withdraw communication features in the UK.
– The Online Safety Bill in the UK could lead to tech executives being jailed.
– Encrypted content might be accessible by UK law, causing concerns for tech companies.