Technology

The FAA approved a Pulse Vapor drone like this one — but outfitted with LTE radios and antennas — to provide temporary voice, data, and internet service in Puerto Rico.

National

FAA Approves Drone As 'Cell Phone Tower In The Sky' For Puerto Rico

5:11pm November 17, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

The aircraft is called the Flying COW, for Cell on Wings. Developed by AT&T, it can provide voice, data and Internet service for 40 square miles and up to 8,000 people at a time.

Distracted driving is a growing problem, accounting for at least 12 percent of road crashes worldwide. Young men are more likely to be distracted, a study finds.

Young Men, Frequent Drivers Most Likely To Get Distracted While Driving

1:25pm November 17, 2017

by April Fulton

Distracted driving is a growing problem, accounting for at least 12 percent of road crashes worldwide. Phones don't help. But personality and gender may play a role, too, researchers say.

A laptop in the Netherlands was one of hundreds of thousands infected by ransomware in May. The malware reportedly originated with the NSA.

Government Outlines When It Will Disclose Or Exploit Software Vulnerabilities

11:04am November 17, 2017

by James Doubek

The Trump administration put out guidelines for how the government will decide what software vulnerabilities it will share with tech companies to fix, and which ones it will keep to itself for spying.

Network Theory has hundreds of applications, says physicist Adam Frank.

Science

The Big Idea Behind Big Data

11:02am November 17, 2017

by Adam Frank

As we find our way in a world shaped by Big Data, it's not the reams of information we gather but the networks they illuminate that's the newest addition to science's index of things, says Adam Frank.

Elon Musk had a surprise for Tesla fans Thursday: a new Roadster supercar with a top speed above 250 mph.

National

Tesla Unveils Its Electric 'Semi' Truck, And Adds A Roadster

10:38am November 17, 2017

by Bill Chappell

Elon Musk unveiled the Roadster's return toward the end of an event that was supposed to be all about Tesla's new Semi trucks.

A technician examines the mirror on the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope. Scientists at two national laboratories are currently building the components for an enormous digital camera that will capture images from the telescope.

The Largest Digital Camera In The World Takes Shape

5:00am November 17, 2017

by Joe Palca

A two-story tall, digital camera is taking shape in California. It will ultimately go on a telescope in Chile where it will survey the sky, looking for things that appear suddenly or change over time.

Queue Listen Now

Star Wars Battlefront II, a new game from Electronic Arts set in the Star Wars universe, is scheduled to be released on Friday.

Gamers See A Dark Side To New 'Star Wars' Video Game

11:05pm November 16, 2017

by Steve Mullis

Players are angry at Electronic Arts over the soon-to-be-released Star Wars Battlefront II game after it was revealed that some of the franchise's most iconic characters and other content cost extra.

National

Why Google Home Has Hard Time Recognizing The Smash Hit 'Despacito'

4:55pm November 16, 2017

by Aarti Shahani

The Latin Grammy nominated song "Despacito" is a smash hit on YouTube. But if you ask Google's personal assistant to play "Despacito" it can't understand the command. Even though YouTube is part of Google. It's a learning moment about artificial intelligence, how natural language processing works and why machines still struggle with translation and foreign accents.

Queue Listen Now

Protesters take part in the March for Free Internet in Moscow in July. In addition to allegedly interfering with the U.S. election, Russia imposes limits on its own citizens' access to information, the Freedom of the Net report says.

How Disinformation And Distortions On Social Media Affected Elections Worldwide

2:30pm November 16, 2017

by James Doubek

Internet freedom declined again in the past year and "manipulation and disinformation tactics played an important role" in 18 countries' elections — including the U.S., according to an annual report.

Ellen Pao sued her former employer, the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caulfield and Byers, alleging she was discriminated against and sexually harassed. She lost the case but is seen as a leading voice on harassment in Silicon Valley.

National

Struggling For Investments, Silicon Valley Women Reluctant To Speak Out On Harassment

10:21am November 16, 2017

by Laura Sydell

In Silicon Valley, it's difficult for women to come forward if they want to join the ranks of its richest. Some think the best way to fight harassment is to tread carefully and get to the top.

Queue Listen Now