Technology

Climate campaign pushes Bitcoin network to drop energy-hungry code

Published

3 years ago

March 29, 2022

Climate campaign pushes Bitcoin network to drop energy-hungry code

Greenpeace and different environmental teams launched a brand new marketing campaign at this time to push the Bitcoin community to slash its rising greenhouse fuel emissions. The aim of the marketing campaign, dubbed “Change the code, not the local weather,” is to change up the energy-hungry means of verifying transactions and mining new Bitcoins.

The cryptocurrency makes use of extra electrical energy yearly than world gold mining operations or all the nation of Norway, based on the Cambridge Centre for Various Finance. Burning by means of a lot vitality generates some critical greenhouse fuel emissions, however marketing campaign organizers argue that it doesn’t need to be that means. Different cryptocurrencies use only a fraction of the vitality Bitcoin requires as a result of they use a distinct system to confirm transactions.

In an effort to validate transactions, Bitcoin miners depend on specialised {hardware} to resolve advanced puzzles. Their computer systems gobble up lots of vitality within the course of, and the miners get new tokens in return. It’s a course of referred to as “proof of labor,” wherein the vitality used is kind of the worth paid to confirm transactions. The method is intentionally energy-intensive as a security measure. The baked-in inefficiency is supposed to discourage unhealthy actors from manipulating the info as a result of it might value lots of vitality to take action.

The brand new marketing campaign goals to maneuver Bitcoin away from that energy-hungry proof of labor course of. The preferred different is known as proof of stake. Cryptocurrencies that use proof of stake use vastly much less vitality as a result of there aren’t any puzzles to resolve. As a substitute of primarily paying with electrical energy to take part within the course of, it’s a must to supply up a few of your individual tokens. That is imagined to show that you’ve a “stake” in protecting the ledger correct. Should you mess something up, you lose tokens as a penalty.

Whereas proof of stake may make remedy lots of Bitcoin’s air pollution issues, specialists have been skeptical that miners can be prepared to make the change. Miners make investments rather a lot of their {hardware} and can be hard-pressed to desert it. And a few followers of proof of labor keep that it’s essentially the most safe method to keep the ledger.

“We all know Bitcoin stakeholders are incentivized to not change,” the marketing campaign acknowledges on its web site. “Altering Bitcoin would render an entire lot of costly infrastructure nugatory, which means Bitcoin stakeholders might want to stroll away from sunk prices — or discover different artistic options.”

Regardless, the marketing campaign’s organizers are attempting to enlist some massive names in tech to assist flip up the warmth on Bitcoin miners to make the change. “Leaders like Elon Musk of Tesla, Jack Dorsey of Block, and Abby Johnson of Constancy have vested pursuits in Bitcoin — and the ability to have an effect on change,” the marketing campaign web site says.

The web site implores guests to tweet on the Musk, Dorsey, and Johnson to help the marketing campaign. The marketing campaign additionally consists of new adverts in The Wall Avenue Journal, The New York Occasions, MarketWatch, Politico, and on Fb.

“Regardless of how you’re feeling about Bitcoin, pushing these with the ability to make sure a code change will make our planet and communities safer from the damaging impacts of local weather change,” Greenpeace USA chief program officer Tefere Gebre stated in a press launch.

Bitcoin has gotten even dirtier since China banned it in 2021. The largest mining hub on the earth is now the US, the place miners have breathed new life into retired and ageing coal and fuel energy crops.

Technology

Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite service approved for areas hit by Hurricane Helene

Published

7 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Press Room

Starlink’s direct-to-cell satellite service approved for areas hit by Hurricane Helene

The satellites have already been enabled and started broadcasting emergency alerts to cell phones on all networks in North Carolina. In addition, we may test basic texting (SMS) capabilities for most cell phones on the T-Mobile network in North Carolina.

SpaceX’s direct-to-cell constellation has not been fully deployed, so all services will be delivered on a best-effort basis.

Technology

A flying shopping cart could make your future grocery runs that much easier

Published

8 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Press Room

A flying shopping cart could make your future grocery runs that much easier

Can you imagine cruising through the grocery store without ever dealing with a wonky wheel or struggling to turn corners with those conventional grocery carts?

That scenario might soon become a reality, thanks to an innovative new invention called the Palletrone.

This flying shopping cart could someday revolutionize the way we shop and move cargo around.

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Flying shopping cart (SeoulTech)

JUST WHEN YOU’VE SEEN IT ALL … FLYING FRUIT-PICKING ROBOTS TAKE FLIGHT

What is the Palletrone?

The Palletrone is essentially a multi-rotor drone enclosed in a protective cage, creating a hovering platform that users can push around at chest height. Developed by researchers at Seoul National University of Science and Technology, this aerial cart features a spacious flat surface for easy loading, a rear-mounted handle similar to traditional shopping carts and advanced flight control systems that keep the platform stable.

Flying shopping cart (SeoulTech)

IT’S A BIRD. IT’S A PLANE. NO, IT’S A FLYING JETSKI

How does it work?

Using the Palletrone is surprisingly intuitive. The operator simply grips the handle and applies force in the desired direction. The cart’s smart systems translate those movements into flight trajectories while maintaining a level platform. A porous enclosure protects users from the spinning rotors while still allowing enough airflow for stable flight. The Palletrone can even tackle stairs with ease, making it far more versatile than wheeled carts.

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Flying shopping cart (SeoulTech)

THE WORLD’S FIRST ELECTRIC FLYING CRAFT IS SET FOR LIFT OFF

Current limitations

While the Palletrone shows incredible promise, it does have some drawbacks in its current form. One significant issue is the noise generated by the drone motors, which can be distracting in quieter environments. Additionally, its carrying capacity is limited to about 6½ pounds, which may not be sufficient for larger grocery trips or heavy office supplies. The restricted flight time due to battery life also poses challenges for extended use.

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Flying shopping cart (SeoulTech)

Future applications

Beyond grocery shopping, the Palletrone has potential uses in various fields, such as logistics and warehousing, where it could streamline operations by transporting goods more efficiently. It could also serve as an office supply transporter or even as a flying camera platform for filmmakers seeking flexible shooting angles. The research team is exploring the possibility of developing in-flight recharging systems to extend Palletrone’s operational time.

Flyin shopping cart (SeoulTech)

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Kurt’s key takeaways

While there are still hurdles to overcome, the potential benefits for the Palletrone are are immense. Imagine effortlessly gliding through stores or easily moving items up flights of stairs without breaking a sweat. As technology continues to improve, we may soon see flying carts become a common sight in our daily lives.

What potential challenges or concerns do you foresee with the widespread adoption of flying carts like the Palletrone in public spaces? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

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Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Trailers of the week: Nosferatu, The Franchise, and Squid Game 2

Published

15 hours ago

October 6, 2024

Press Room

Trailers of the week: Nosferatu, The Franchise, and Squid Game 2

Can you feel it? There’s a slight chill in the air, the Sun is retiring earlier, and the leaves are beginning to change (at least in my Midwestern city). We’re wading right into the time of year when everyone starts posting the vampire Kermit the Frog meme to show how ready they are for Halloween. I’m even starting to eye that Shudder re-subscribe button.

October has its own vibe at the cinema, and theatrical releases this month include Operation Blood Hunt, a movie about 1944 special forces fighting werewolves in the Pacific theater, and Seven Cemeteries, a Danny Trejo-starring film about a guy who hires a witch to resurrect his posse to save a woman’s ranch. And let’s not forget Rumours, which I’m very excited for.

So I’ve got a couple of this week’s scary movie trailers for you to check out below, along with two streaming series. Enjoy!

1922’s Nosferatu: A Symphony of Horror was a Dracula movie in all but name. So much so that Bram Stoker’s heirs got a court order to have the movie’s copies destroyed, yet some copies survived. Now, over 100 years after its release, Nosferatu is getting a remake starring Bill Skarsgård as the vampire Count Orlok, AKA Nosferatu. Lily Rose-Depp and Willem Dafoe also star.

The newest trailer does a great job setting up the atmosphere of terror that the townsfolk feel toward Count Orlok, but Focus Features isn’t showing us Orlok himself quite yet. Nosferatu hits theaters on December 25th.

Companion

I don’t know what the heck is going on with Warner Bros.’ Companion. The teaser for this Drew Hancock-directed movie starts with a head fake, making you think it’s a love story. Then it quickly devolves into what looks like a thriller about a woman (Sophie Thatcher) being held captive by a man (Jack Quaid).

I think that’s a head fake, too. There’s a bizarre moment, at the end of the trailer, where Thatcher’s character holds an unshaking hand over a candle until her arm catches fire. She’s crying, so she clearly feels pain, but the movie’s classification — it’s a sci-fi thriller — makes me wonder what’s going on underneath.

I hoped that by texting the number in the description on the trailer’s YouTube page I would glean a little more. It involves a questionnaire to “Find Your Companion today” that includes a request for a selfie. I got this at the end:

This is a lie; I love magicians.

Image: New Line Cinema

That didn’t answer any questions for me, but at least I’ll be getting marketing texts now. Anyway, Companion hits theaters on January 10th next year.

Three years after the first hit season of Squid Game ended and spawned a reality show spinoff, the Netflix show is returning with its second season on December 26th. A new teaser this week showed Gong Yoo’s Salesman preparing for work (and probably to do some slapping). It ends with him talking directly to the camera as he asks “Sir, would you like to play a game with me?”

The Franchise, HBO’s new series following the making of a fictional comic book-style movie, looks like a delightful takedown of Hollywood’s ongoing superhero obsession. It’s written by Jon Brown, who also wrote Succession, and stars Himesh Patel and Lolly Adefope as Daniel and Dag, two production workers on the film. Daniel Brühl is in there too — a bit of fun casting, given his role as Zemo in multiple Marvel productions. The Franchise begins streaming tonight at 10PM ET on Max.