Places and Things

Scientists try to fix flat maps with new double-sided projections A trio of scientists have devised a new way to try to represent our spherical planet as a flat picture with a new class of projection that involves printing the map as a double-sided circle, Phys.org reports. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/18/22289120/globe-2d-map-double-sided-gott-equidistant-azimuthal-projection

Why Google caved to Australia, and Facebook didn’t On February 16th, I wrote that Australia’s News Media Bargaining Code threatened to splinter the internet. On February 17th, the splintering arrived: Google cut a deal with News Corp. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/18/22288510/google-facebook-australia-news-media-bargaining-code

Nursing Home Workers Had One of the Deadliest Jobs of 2020 When you think of the most dangerous jobs in the U.S., you might imagine something like logging, fishing or truck driving. But in 2020 one of the deadliest professions of all did not involve operating heavy machinery, braving the elements or driving big rigs—but rather caring for the elderly. Continue Reading . . . https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/nursing-home-workers-had-one-of-the-deadliest-jobs-of-2020/

Apple Pay will soon work on BART and other Bay Area transportation You'll soon be able to pay for a ride on BART and 23 other transportation options in the Bay Area using your iPhone or your Apple Watch. The tech giant has announced that the Wallet app support for the Clipper card, the Bay Area's all-in-one reloadable transit card, is "coming soon. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/apple-pay-clipper-bart-bay-area-121009010.html

Nikon's latest Z6 II camera firmware unlocks 4K 60 fps recording Nikon has released firmware updates for it latest full-frame Z6 II and Z7 II that should improve eye-tracking autofocus and video performance for the Z6 II. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/nikons-latest-z-6-ii-firmware-unlocks-4-k-60-fps-recording-110552464.html

VAIO Z is a pricey laptop with a '3D molded' carbon fiber body Fans of VAIO laptops may recall the flagship Z series being known for its impressive portability, until it quietly disappeared in 2017. The good news is that the Sony spinoff is now bringing this line out of retirement, thanks to a breakthrough in carbon fiber production. Continue Reading . . . https://www.engadget.com/vaio-z-2021-carbon-fiber-3d-molded-laptop-103550223.html

Google Maps will now let you pay for public transportation and parking through its app Google Maps is adding a couple of new useful features: the ability to pay for parking or buy a train ticket right from the app. Google Maps is integrating two mobile parking payment services into its app, Passport and ParkMobile. Continue Reading . . . https://www.theverge.com/2021/2/17/22287043/google-maps-pay-parking-public-transportation-cities