LibreOffice 5.3 introduces collaborative editing and user interface tweaks

Why it matters to you

The addition of collaborative editing functionality and a ribbon-like interface will help LibreOffice compete with Microsoft’s Office suite.

Thanks to services like Office 365 and Google Drive, there are more ways than ever to work on documents in collaboration with other users, whether they’re sitting in the same room or situated halfway across the country. Now, the latest version of the LibreOffice suite introduces support for collaborative editing to the popular open-source software package.

Unfortunately, there’s a bit of a catch. Unlike the hassle-free collaborative editing functionality offered elsewhere, users will need to set up LibreOffice Online on a server in order to allow multiple users to edit the same document, according to a report from Liliputing.

This isn’t an ideal situation for most, and will perhaps put off users who are simply looking for a straightforward collaborative environment along the lines of the services offered by Microsoft and Google. However, this particular feature set isn’t aimed at the average individual user.

More: LibreOffice’s free Microsoft Office competitor is getting its own “ribbon” interface

Instead, the collaborative editing tools included in LibreOffice 5.3 are intended for organizations that have the resources to set up the necessary environment, and reason to fine-tune its implementation for their own usage. The developers expect large companies and enterprise users to benefit from the functionality.

However, that doesn’t mean that LibreOffice 5.3 is devoid of new features aimed at individual users. It also introduces a new user interface known as My User Friendly & Flexible Interface — or MUFFIN for short — which is optional for now, but could be the standard going forward.

The update also brings a number of other tweaks and improvements, including the ability to apply table styles in Writer, a new set of default cell styles in Calc, and a simplified method of managing the color palette. A full list of changes can be found in the blog post announcing version 5.3 published by The Document Foundation.

Not happy with your Wi-Fi speeds in New York? Neither is the attorney general

Why it matters to you

Time Warner was long accused of under delivering on its Wi-Fi speeds and its new parent company has inherited many of the same problems.

You can change names, but apparently, you can’t change problems. If you’re a New Yorker unhappy with the internet service provided by Charter Communications (which bought Time Warner Cable, rebranding the company as Spectrum), know that you’re not alone. Far from it, in fact. On Wednesday, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit accusing Spectrum of under-delivering when it comes to internet speeds for its customers.

According to a Reuters report, the lawsuit claims that Spectrum “systematically defrauding and misleading internet service subscribers by promising service it knew it could not deliver.” The case, which has been filed in the State Supreme Court in Manhattan, has been quite a long time coming — Schneiderman first began its probe into the slow speeds back in October.

More: U.S. travel ban causes disruption for internet nonprofit ICANN

Considering that services affected by the slow speeds were crowd pleasers like Netflix, Facebook, and gaming platforms, it’s no wonder that consumers and officials alike are none too pleased about Spectrum’s services. In fact, Schneiderman noted at a news conference that Spectrum’s Wi-Fi speeds were a full 80 percent slower than advertised. Speed test results suggested that 300Mbps plans were only delivering speeds of 85Mbps.

 “Reliable internet service is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” said Schneiderman. The attorney also drew attention to an internal email in which Spectrum engineers noted that their modems were incapable of supporting speeds as advertised, but made no changes to their practices.

For its part, Charter has said that it is “disappointed” by the lawsuit because many of the accusations took place before the company acquired Time Warner. “Charter has already made substantial investments in the interest of upgrading the Time Warner Cable systems and delivering the best possible experience to customers,” the company said. It looks like the company is inheriting some problems it hadn’t bargained for.

Not happy with your Wi-Fi speeds in New York? Neither is the attorney general

Why it matters to you

Time Warner was long accused of under delivering on its Wi-Fi speeds and its new parent company has inherited many of the same problems.

You can change names, but apparently, you can’t change problems. If you’re a New Yorker unhappy with the internet service provided by Charter Communications (which bought Time Warner Cable, rebranding the company as Spectrum), know that you’re not alone. Far from it, in fact. On Wednesday, New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman filed a lawsuit accusing Spectrum of under-delivering when it comes to internet speeds for its customers.

According to a Reuters report, the lawsuit claims that Spectrum “systematically defrauding and misleading internet service subscribers by promising service it knew it could not deliver.” The case, which has been filed in the State Supreme Court in Manhattan, has been quite a long time coming — Schneiderman first began its probe into the slow speeds back in October.

More: U.S. travel ban causes disruption for internet nonprofit ICANN

Considering that services affected by the slow speeds were crowd pleasers like Netflix, Facebook, and gaming platforms, it’s no wonder that consumers and officials alike are none too pleased about Spectrum’s services. In fact, Schneiderman noted at a news conference that Spectrum’s Wi-Fi speeds were a full 80 percent slower than advertised. Speed test results suggested that 300Mbps plans were only delivering speeds of 85Mbps.

 “Reliable internet service is not a luxury, it is a necessity,” said Schneiderman. The attorney also drew attention to an internal email in which Spectrum engineers noted that their modems were incapable of supporting speeds as advertised, but made no changes to their practices.

For its part, Charter has said that it is “disappointed” by the lawsuit because many of the accusations took place before the company acquired Time Warner. “Charter has already made substantial investments in the interest of upgrading the Time Warner Cable systems and delivering the best possible experience to customers,” the company said. It looks like the company is inheriting some problems it hadn’t bargained for.

Leaked Boston Dynamics video shows ‘nightmare inducing’ new robot in action

Why it matters to you

Robots are the future, and Boston Dynamics is at the cutting edge with its mind-blowing wheeled robot

When you think of Boston Dynamics, you probably think about the company’s freakish four-legged robots that walk and crawl their way over obstacles. But if you thought it couldn’t get any crazier than that, just check out the company’s latest creation: an experimental wheeled robot that one team member described as being “potentially nightmare-inducing.”

In a recent presentation, Boston Dynamics showcased its first-ever wheeled robot along with a preview of its new and improved SpotMini robot. While the SpotMini wowed the crowd with its skills in doing the dishes and delivering drinks, it was the wheeled robot named “Handle” that left everyone in awe. Why was it given the name Handle? Because someday it will be given the ability to handle objects, a feature set that makes the robot even cooler and more terrifying to consider.

More: Boston Dynamics’ freakish SpotMini is the robodog we secretly want

Combining wheels with legs and a stabilization system, the Handle looks like the monstrous offspring of a robot and a Segway. According to Boston Dynamics, it’s actually much more efficient than its legged counterparts. The robot is capable of carrying a heavier load on a small footprint, and is expected to be less expensive to build than the company’s humanoid or legged robots. Not only can the Handle maneuver smoothly across the floor, but it also can roll down hills and can even jump over hurdles without missing a beat.

Besides the Handle, Boston Dynamics also showcased a variety legged robots that improve upon its current designs. The new SpotMini, for example, is equipped with a head stabilization feature that allows it to hold its head still while the rest of its body moves. It’s so smooth that the robot can hold a glass of wine and move around without spilling it. On the humanoid side, Boston Dynamics also improved its bipedal humanoid robots, showing off a second-generation Atlas robot that uses its whole body to complete common warehouse tasks like lifting boxes.

Researchers build flu detector that can diagnose at a breath, no doctor required

Why it matters to you

A breathalyzer-style device capable of detecting flu in its early stages will no doubt help keep people from infecting others.

The influenza virus is a sneaky little bugger. In most cases, you have no idea you’re infected with it until you start to show symptoms — and by that point, it’s too late. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was some sort of early-detection device that could tell us who is secretly harboring a virus before it spreads around the entire office?

Good news: That is precisely what researchers at the University of Texas at Arlington have created with a prototype breathalyzer-style device capable of detecting flu in its early stages.

More: Social networking examined in tracking infectious disease outbreaks in China

“What I have created — together with my research team and research collaborators working on this project — is a single exhale, portable, handheld, potentially wireless, battery-operated, inexpensive, breathalyzer that relies on gas-selective sensing elements, and which detects the presence and monitors the concentration of biomarkers in breath that signal a disease,” Perena Gouma, a professor in the university’s Materials Science and Engineering Department, told Digital Trends.

The specific biomarkers the breathalyzer looks for include traces of nitric oxide and ammonia, both of which can be measured using smart sensors.

University of Texas Arlington

“This particular breathalyzer detects flu virus infection,” she continued. “This is expected to be a personalized diagnostics tool available over the counter and it will allow the individuals to monitor their health, with the option of sharing the data obtained with their physician in real time.”

Gouma has previously developed other breathalyzers, for everything from asthma detection and diabetes monitoring to determining an endpoint for hemodialysis, the process of filtering waste products from the blood. The neat thing about breathalyzers, Gouma said, is that the technology involved can be easily modified to detect different diseases simply by changing the sensors.

In this example, for instance, it could be upgraded to instead test for Ebola.

“Use of the breathalyzer can make a significant different to catch an epidemic early and treat the sufferers, especially children and the elderly, in a timely manner,” Gouma explained. “It will also reduce the cost of healthcare.” Sadly nothing about providing germaphobe tech bloggers with a means to scrutinize sneezing colleagues, though.

As for when this technology may be available, Gouma said the team needs to carry out clinical trials, “but we are already exploring our options for commercializing this tool.”

Tethered drones could soon supply internet access to crowded stadiums

Why it matters to you

The PARC drones could help alleviate a slow network among a large crowd, ensuring that you can post your Facebook selfies no matter what.

Huge sporting events, concerts, and other instances where thousands of people gather in one area can be real taxing on local mobile networks. During events like the Super Bowl, companies spend quite a lot of money beefing up their networks to help people have better service — but soon those companies might employ a different technique: drones.

In fact, drone maker CyPhy Works, which is based in Massachusetts, has developed a new tethered drone that offers a 4G LTE payload and could be deployed to help provide coverage to the thousands of people who might want it.

More: These workshops may help photojournalists publish drone-shot images sooner

The drone is called the Persistent Aerial Reconnaissance and Communications (PARC), and two PARC drones with the equipped radio equipment are able to offer increased coverage to roughly one square mile — which is around the footprint of a large stadium.

So why does it need to be tethered? Well, a tethered connection means power can be delivered to the drone, which in turn means that at can fly indefinitely. In fact, engineers at CyPhy say that they’ve flown drones for hundreds of hours at a time without bringing it down, according to a Recode report. That tether obviously does limit how high the drone can fly, but even tethered the PARC drone can fly a hefty 400 feet high — more than enough for most large-scale events.

This type of technology could be more useful than simply providing connectivity to large crowds — it could also be used in natural disasters when cell towers and radios are all taken offline.

Of course, all this technology isn’t cheap but it’s far cheaper than alternatives. Normally, vehicles with full networking equipment can cost as much as $1.5 million per unit, but the PARC drone sits at $200,000.

CyPhy itself has made headlines before — namely for testing package delivery with UPS.

It will be interesting to see the future of internet connectivity — Facebook is developing drones that connect those below, while Google is well known for its “Project Look” initiative that does the same thing with weather balloons. Could we soon go to the Super Bowl and have a fast connection thanks to a drone hovering above? Only time will tell.

Tethered drones could soon supply internet access to crowded stadiums

Why it matters to you

The PARC drones could help alleviate a slow network among a large crowd, ensuring that you can post your Facebook selfies no matter what.

Huge sporting events, concerts, and other instances where thousands of people gather in one area can be real taxing on local mobile networks. During events like the Super Bowl, companies spend quite a lot of money beefing up their networks to help people have better service — but soon those companies might employ a different technique: drones.

In fact, drone maker CyPhy Works, which is based in Massachusetts, has developed a new tethered drone that offers a 4G LTE payload and could be deployed to help provide coverage to the thousands of people who might want it.

More: These workshops may help photojournalists publish drone-shot images sooner

The drone is called the Persistent Aerial Reconnaissance and Communications (PARC), and two PARC drones with the equipped radio equipment are able to offer increased coverage to roughly one square mile — which is around the footprint of a large stadium.

So why does it need to be tethered? Well, a tethered connection means power can be delivered to the drone, which in turn means that at can fly indefinitely. In fact, engineers at CyPhy say that they’ve flown drones for hundreds of hours at a time without bringing it down, according to a Recode report. That tether obviously does limit how high the drone can fly, but even tethered the PARC drone can fly a hefty 400 feet high — more than enough for most large-scale events.

This type of technology could be more useful than simply providing connectivity to large crowds — it could also be used in natural disasters when cell towers and radios are all taken offline.

Of course, all this technology isn’t cheap but it’s far cheaper than alternatives. Normally, vehicles with full networking equipment can cost as much as $1.5 million per unit, but the PARC drone sits at $200,000.

CyPhy itself has made headlines before — namely for testing package delivery with UPS.

It will be interesting to see the future of internet connectivity — Facebook is developing drones that connect those below, while Google is well known for its “Project Look” initiative that does the same thing with weather balloons. Could we soon go to the Super Bowl and have a fast connection thanks to a drone hovering above? Only time will tell.

Enjoy beer the way it was meant to be with Growler Chill, the at-home tap system

Why it matters to you

The standard 64-ounce glass growler is inexpensive and reusable, and now, the beer inside will stay fresh longer with this at-home tap system.

Why go to a bar when you can just pour a perfect pint at home? You’ll be sure to be the host(ess) with the most(ess) with the Growler Chill, a neat kitchen addition that does exactly what you think it does: Keeps your growlers of beer cold and fresh (and ready for the party). The household counter tap allows beer enthusiasts everywhere to recreate their favorite craft beer scene in the comfort of their kitchen. As the Growler Chill team notes on its Kickstarter campaign, “Our mission is to ensure craft beer enthusiasts can get the most out of their own personal discovery and exploration of fresh, flavorful brews that taste just as the brewer intended.” And that means, tasting those beers cold.

Capable of keeping an impressive three growlers cold, fresh, and on tap, the Growler Chill holds standard glass growlers and promises to extend your beer’s life for weeks after you first crack a growler open. This is achieved by recreating keg conditions, which is to say cold, dark, and free from oxygen.

More: An out-of-this-world brew: Engineering students aim to make beer on the moon

You can adjust the internal temperature of the refrigerated unit from 38 degrees Fahrenheit to 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Simply plug the Growler Chill into a standard 120-volt outlet and the compact chill chamber design will start working to keep things chilly. And because the refrigeration unit is completely dark, you won’t have to worry about your beer becoming skunked. Moreover, Growler Chill features a patented so-called Virginator, which removes the oxygen in your growler’s head space, ensuring the purest taste possible.

And even if you keep the same growlers for a couple parties, you don’t have to worry about your beverages going flat. The machine has an internal 90-gram beverage grade CO2 cartridge to preserve and serve your growlers. But if you prefer your own external CO2 source, Growler Chill comes with an alternate port on the back.

Oh, and of course the Growler Chill comes with an app that allows you to control a number of features with your mobile device. You can adjust the temperature remotely, track the volume of beer left in the tap, and also get notifications on when you need to run a sanitizing cycle.

Already, nearly 900 backers have pledged well over $300,000 to bring the Growler Chill to market. If you’re looking to join the party, a pledge of $369 or more will get you on the list to receive a system in August. But you’ll have to act quickly — that price expires on February 2.

Windows 10 continues to gain OS market share, crosses 25 percent mark

Why it matters to you

The more people using Windows 10, the greater the support it will receive from developers. So it’s good news that Windows 10 passed 25 percent in terms of OS market share in January.

Although Microsoft is transitioning from the “Windows company” to the “cloud-first, mobile-first” productivity solutions company, that doesn’t mean that Windows is unimportant to its strategy. Rather, it’s the opposite — much of what Microsoft wants to do involves Windows 10 being successful, and so company executives are certain to be paying attention to market share numbers.

It appears that Windows 10 continues to make slow but steady progress in taking over the reins from Windows 7. According to the latest NetMarketShare data, Windows 10 has passed the 25-percent mark in terms of market share.

More: Windows 10 market share hits 20 percent after eight months, but issues remain

Specifically, Windows 10 achieved 25.3 percent share in January 2017, up from 24.6 percent in December 2017. That represents more than double the market share Windows 10 enjoyed a year ago, when it held 11.85 percent of the market.

NetMarketShare

At the same time, Windows 7 dropped from 48.34 percent to 47.2 percent between December 2016 and January 2017. In January 2016, Windows 7 was at 52.47 percent, meaning that much of Windows 10’s market share increase has come from a steady decrease in Windows 8.X, Windows XP, and MacOS.

Microsoft is also pushing its new Edge browser, with a number of feature enhancements coming in the Windows 10 Creators Update in April 2017. Edge gained share slightly, moving from 4.12 percent to 4.52 percent, which is likely well within the study’s margin of error. Internet Explorer, as expected, continued its steady decline.

While Microsoft likely won’t be able to achieve its original goal of a billion Windows 10 users by 2018, more than 400 million people have made the switch and Windows 10 continues to climb in market share. As businesses continue to migrate from Windows 7 to Windows 10, that trend could accelerate.

Brain-reading cap makes communication possible for people with Locked-in Syndrome

Why it matters to you

Researchers have demonstrated that it is possible to communicate with completely paralyzed patients by using a brain-reading cap to decode thought patterns.

Locked-in syndrome (LIS) refers to a condition in which patients have cognitive function, but are not able to move or communicate due to total paralysis.

Thanks to an exciting advance, however, some help may be on the way. As part of an international research project, doctors have able to use brain-reading technology to communicate with patients for the first time by asking a series of “yes” or “no” answers and then using computer algorithms to decode their thought patterns.

“In some cases, eye movement can be used for communication,” researcher Ujwal Chaudhary told Digital Trends. “However, once eye movement is gone for a person suffering from locked-in syndrome, there is no means of communication. That’s where we come in. We’ve developed a non-invasive functional near-infrared spectroscopy technique for communication.”

In a small scale study carried out at Germany’s University of Tübingen, four LIS patients were kitted out with these fNIRS non-invasive brain caps. The caps use infrared light to measure variations in blood flow to different regions of the brain.

To start with, the researchers asked the study’s participants questions like, “Is Berlin the capital of Germany?” This process lasted about one hour and consisted of a sample of 100-150 questions, to which the questioners already knew the answers. This allowed them to train their computer algorithm to recognize when a patient was answering in the affirmative or negative. According to the investigators, accuracy of the computer analysis is around 70 percent.

More: Brain-reading technology could keep you alert at the wheel of your car

After they were satisfied with this number, the researchers then moved on to asking open questions, such as, “Would you like [a particular friend] to visit you today?” or, “Are you in pain at the moment?”

This is where the real value of the work comes into play — although the researchers aren’t stopping here. According to Chaudhary, the team next hopes to develop the work to allow LIS patients to form their own sentences.

This is something which is already possible for LIS sufferers who still have eye movement, since various eye-tracking tools available make it possible for them to select words or letters. But such tools cannot be used if patients are unable to move their eyes. The question, then, is how best to achieve a similar goal — and how to do so when you only have access to binary positive or negative brain signals.

“What we’re working on right now is a way of categorizing topics such as health, family, and food,” Chaudhary continued. “Each of these can be asked as ‘yes’ or ‘no’ questions. If the patient answers ‘yes’ to talking about food, they could then answer questions like ‘are you hungry?’”

However, this will take longer to develop. In a separate interview, Niels Birbaumer, the neuroscientist who led the research, told Digital Trends he thinks it will require “another few years” of research to achieve. It may also mean more invasive methods being used for brain-reading.

“I think we will need to implant electrodes in the brain to be able to do this, because it is very hard for people to have the concentration to do this,” he said. “Right now, when we ask people to choose a particular word or letter they are not able to do so.”