Technology

National

Lawyers Say Sony Can't Keep Media From Reporting Hacked Details

1:06pm December 16, 2014

NPR's David Folkenflik talks with Melissa Block about the discussion within media circles about the legality and propriety of publishing information stolen in the hack attack against Sony Pictures.

Queue Listen Now

Gaza Sky Geeks, a startup accelerator, is drawing interest and crowdfunding from around the region and the world.

World News

Gaza Tech Hub Finds Success In International Crowdfunding

4:23pm December 15, 2014

by Emily Harris

Billions have been pledged to help rebuild Gaza, but little of that money has arrived yet. But a startup accelerator is drawing interest and crowdfunding from around the region and the world.

World News

From Australia To France, Another Bad Day For Uber

2:37pm December 15, 2014

by Krishnadev Calamur

Uber's "surge pricing" quadrupled fares for some customers trying to flee the area in Sydney where a gunman took hostages. France banned Uber's low-cost service over its lack of professional licenses.

Columbia University's DeathLab comes up with new ideas for honoring and storing the dead — like Constellation Park, the design of which is shown here.

Arts

Avant-Garde Afterlife: Space Shortage Inspires New Burial Ideas

3:10pm December 13, 2014

by Farah Halime

Urban areas present a problem: how can the dead be interred both respectfully and efficiently? Proposed solutions include vending machine-like vaults, inverted skyscraper cemeteries and glowing pods.

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.