Technology

Instagram topped Twitter in active users in its latest count.

Tech Week: Instagram Vs. Twitter And Europe Vs. Google

5:18am December 13, 2014

by Elise Hu

Instagram beat Twitter on a key metric, but Twitter's co-founder says he doesn't care. And Google's woes in Europe continued as the tech giant shut down Google News in Spain over a new law there.

National

Coming Soon To Iowa: Driver's License On A Smartphone App

5:07pm December 12, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

The new app license will be available in 2015 at no additional cost to drivers, said Paul Trombino, director of the state's Department of Transportation.

Normal outlets are always live at 120 volts, but the Brio Safe uses embedded sensors to accurately identify a plug before delivering a current.

Weekly Innovation: A Smart Power Outlet That Can't Shock You

2:21pm December 12, 2014

by Samantha Raphelson

Kids often hurt themselves when they put their fingers into electrical outlets, but the Brio Smart outlet prevents injury by using sensors to differentiate between human touch and an electric plug.

Interactive touch screens at the newly redesigned Cooper Hewitt museum let visitors sort through the catalog and create their own designs.

Arts

Please Touch! Cooper Hewitt Creates A Museum For The Internet Age

2:00pm December 12, 2014

by Laura Sydell

The design museum is housed in a historic building, but it has been remade into one of the country's most technologically advanced museums. Officials hope it attracts younger visitors — and donors.

Queue Listen Now

David Goldhill (second from left) talks with Dan Hilferty of Independence Blue Cross, Kevin Nazemi of Oscar Insurance and Sam Nussbaum of WellPoint in a conversation about health costs. Moderator Avik Roy is at far left.

Making The Human Condition Computable

5:03pm December 11, 2014

by Eric Whitney

Technological advances are making it easier for you and your doctor to track your health and to find treatments for complex diseases. But the technology may be costly and there are privacy pitfalls.

The Uber smartphone app is seen next to a taxi sign in Madrid, Spain. A Spanish judge this week ordered Uber to cease operations in the country. It's among the latest challenges facing the ride-sharing service recently valued at $40 billion.

National

Uber's Troubles Mount Even As Its Value Grows

12:39pm December 11, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

The attorneys general of San Francisco and Los Angeles counties are accusing the ride-sharing service of misrepresenting its background checks on drivers. It comes amid a rash of bad news for Uber.

A laser weapon system on the USS Ponce, which has been deployed to the Persian Gulf. The Navy released a video showing the system taking target practice.

National

Watch: Navy Ship Uses Energy Weapon In Persian Gulf

10:30am December 11, 2014

by Bill Chappell

The U.S. Navy says it made a "historic leap" by deploying a laser weapon system for the first time. A video shows the system, based on the USS Ponce in the Persian Gulf, taking target practice.

Geoffrey Nunberg says technology makes it seem as if we're always being watched, which is creepy.

Feeling Watched? 'God View' Is Geoff Nunberg's Word Of The Year

9:47am December 11, 2014

by Geoff Nunberg

Uber's "God view" shows a map of the cars in an area and the silhouettes of the people who ordered them. Linguist Geoff Nunberg says Uber-Santa doesn't just know when you've been sleeping, but where.

Queue Listen Now

Supporters of the website The Pirate Bay, one of the world's top illegal file-sharing websites, demonstrate in Stockholm, Sweden, in 2009.

After Raid On Its Servers In Sweden, Pirate Bay Goes Offline

1:35pm December 10, 2014

by Eyder Peralta

Pirate Bay is one of the world's largest file-sharing sites. In the past, it has been targeted by authorities around the world.

James Franco (left) and Seth Rogen in The Interview. The North Korean dictator promised "merciless counter-measures" if this film was released.

North Korea's Cyber Skills Get Attention Amid Sony Hacking Mystery

12:32pm December 10, 2014

by Elise Hu

A North Korean official now denies its involvement in one of the worst corporate hacks in history, after a different official played coy. How sophisticated are the Hermit Kingdom's hackers?

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