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Microsoft signs oil company partnership as staff prepare for climate strike
Microsoft has announced a new collaboration with oil giants Schlumberger and Chevron, drawing the ire of Microsoft workers who'll be joining tomorrow's Tech Workers Coalition walkout in support of the global climate strike led by young people around the world (Gizmodo).
Microsoft will be providing AI and cloud technologies that Chevron's Joseph C. Geagea says will “dramatically accelerate the speed with which we can analyze data to generate new exploration opportunities and bring prospects to development more quickly and with more certainty.” By contrast, Microsoft's workers say that “It is imperative that all tech companies stand together, denounce the usage of Cloud and AI services for non-renewable energy extraction, and work together to put an end to fossil fuel consumption.”
California has been banned from setting its own vehicle emissions rules
The US government has announced via Twitter that it is revoking the state of California's right to set its own emissions standards, compelling it to allow more polluting vehicles to be sold (BBC News). The state's strict environmental standards, first introduced in the 1970s to limit toxic smog, are widely regarded as having had a positive effect on US vehicle design as a whole, with some US manufacturers expressing concerns that less fuel-efficient vehicles could divide the market and be less competitive on the global stage.
Facebook's new Portal is a last-ditch attempt at hardware success
It's no secret that Facebook has so far struggled to make a success of its Portal range of smart-display hardware (WIRED). Despite the frosty reception, Facebook is doubling down on Portal, refreshing the range next month with new models, updated software features and, so it says, a clearer commitment to privacy. It's also launching in Europe for the first time and merging in support for WhatsApp calls – adding a potential 1.5 billion new users. Finally, the new Portal TV flagship transforms your sitting room TV into a video calling and streaming TV centre.
Exposed Nokia documents reveal details of Russia's bulk data intercept system
Security research firm UpGuard found 1.7 terabytes of confidential schematics, credentials and other documents detailing Russia's SORM data surveillance system (TechCrunch).
Russia, like numerous other countries, requires internet service providers to install “lawful intercept” systems, although it has been criticised by the broad and opaque nature of its data collection. The documents were apparently hand-over data provided to an unspecified third party by a Nokia Networks engineer brought in to assist phone provider Mobile TeleSystems with new infrastructure deployment between 2016 and 2017.
Cardboard sleeves are the stylish, eco-friendly future of games packaging
The next edition of Sega and Sport Interactive's Football Manager will do away with the usual plastic DVD case in a move that's set to save 20 tonnes of plastics across a print run of 350,000 copies (Ars Technica). Instead, Football Manager 2020 will ship in a slim, folding cardboard sleeve that both harks back to older game packaging styles and will take up significantly less shelf space. The team has urged other games publishers to follow in its eco-friendly footsteps.
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This article was originally published by WIRED UK
