October 2021 - Vol. 64 No. 10

Features

Opinion Cerf's up Oct 1 2021

Frode Hegland has developed three remarkable tools for text generation, viewing, and referencing that illustrate the power of applying computing to text.

Vinton G. Cerf

Computing Applications

BLOG@CACM Oct 1 2021

New Life for Cordless Communication, Old Regrets for Software Projects

Andrei Sukhov and Igor Sorokin ponder the potential benefits of DECT to the Internet of Things, while Doug Meil considers how software engineers should reflect on their accomplishments.

Andrei Sukhov, Igor Sorokin, and Doug Meil

Architecture and Hardware

News Oct 1 2021

Flatter Chips

Two-dimensional materials — graphene and its cousins — could enable better integrated circuits.

Don Monroe

Architecture and Hardware

hexagonal molecular lattice, illustration

News Oct 1 2021

Algorithmic Poverty

Algorithms can have a devastating impact on people's lives, especially if they already are struggling economically.

Keith Kirkpatrick

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

News Oct 1 2021

A Switch in Time

The introduction of the nanosheet transistor is just one step in the continuing attempt to stick to the spirit of Moore's Law.

Chris Edwards

Architecture and Hardware

Opinion Technology strategy and management Oct 1 2021

Section 230 and a Tragedy of the Commons

The dilemma of social media platforms.

Michael A. Cusumano

Computing Applications

red megaphones and shadow of person using a megaphone, illustration

Opinion Broadening participation Oct 1 2021

Broadening Participation by Teaching Accessibility

Strategies for incorporating accessibility into computing education.

Kendra Walther and Richard E. Ladner

Computing Applications

disability and system icons, illustration

Opinion Global computing Oct 1 2021

Remaining Connected Throughout Design

Applying the unique experiences of designing technologies for vulnerable communities.

Hannah Thinyane

Computing Applications

Opinion Kode Vicious Oct 1 2021

Divide and Conquer

The use and limits of bisection.

George V. Neville-Neil

Computing Applications

Opinion Viewpoint Oct 1 2021

Competitive Compatibility: Let's Fix the Internet, Not the Tech Giants

Seeking to make Big Tech less central to the Internet.

Cory Doctorow

Computing Profession

Opinion Economic and business dimensions Oct 1 2021

AI Futures: Fact and Fantasy

Three books offer varied perspectives on the ascendancy of artificial intelligence.

Devdatt Dubhashi

Computing Profession

circuitry above the horizon and city skyline below the horizon, illustration

Practice Oct 1 2021

Software Development in Disruptive Times

Creating a software solution with fast decision capability, agile project management, and extreme low-code technology.

João Varajão

Computing Applications

coronavirus molecules on world map, illustration

Practice Oct 1 2021

A New Era for Mechanical CAD

Time to move forward from decades-old design.

Jessie Frazelle

Computing Applications

3D rendering of a motorcycle frame, illustration

Research and Advances Contributed articles Oct 1 2021

Human Detection of Machine-Manipulated Media

Technologies for manipulating and faking online media may outpace people's ability to tell the difference.

Architecture and Hardware

photo of Buzz Aldrin on the moon with drone hovering in the background

Research and Advances Contributed articles Oct 1 2021

Six Reasons Why Virtual Reality Is a Game-Changing Computing and Communication Platform for Organizations

Beyond the pandemic, organizations need to recognize what digital assets, interactions, and communication processes reap the most benefits from virtual reality.

Osku Torro, Henri Jalo, and Henri Pirkkalainen

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

robotic arm and worker wearing VR goggles

Research and Advances Contributed articles Oct 1 2021

The Role of Professional Certifications in Computer Occupations

Experienced and aspiring computing professionals need to manage their qualifications according to current market needs. That includes certification achievement as well as formal education, experience, and licenses.

Mark Tannian and Willie Coston

Computing Profession

certificate and electronic tablet, illustration

Research and Advances Review articles Oct 1 2021

Trustworthy AI

The pursuit of responsible AI raises the ante on both the trustworthy computing and formal methods communities.

Jeannette M. Wing

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning

hand outstretched to catch falling man, illustration

Research and Advances Research highlights Oct 1 2021

Technical Perspective: Liquid Testing Using Built-in Phone Sensors

"Liquid Testing with Your Smartphone," by Shichao Yue and Dina Katabi, proposes a novel technique for determining the surface tension of a liquid by leveraging the optical absorption of waves propagating on the fluid surface.

Tam Vu

Computing Applications

glass of water and woman's hands holding a smartphone

Research and Advances Research highlights Oct 1 2021

Liquid Testing with Your Smartphone

We show a simple and accurate approach to measuring surface tension that's available to anyone with a smartphone.

Shichao Yue and Dina Katabi

Computing Applications

CapCam setup with phone placed on a paper cup

Research and Advances Research highlights Oct 1 2021

Technical Perspective: The Real-World Dilemma of Security and Privacy by Design

"Securing the Wireless Emergency Alerts System," by Jihoon Lee et al., investigates real-world attacks on the current implementation of Wireless Emergency Alerts.

Ahmad-Reza Sadeghi

Security and Privacy

Research and Advances Research highlights Oct 1 2021

Securing the Wireless Emergency Alerts System

We investigate the Wireless Emergency Alert system and develop and demonstrate the first practical spoofing attack on Presidential Alerts, using commercially available hardware and modified open source software.

Security and Privacy

Opinion Last byte Oct 1 2021

Randomower

End-of-the-rope machinations.

Dennis Shasha

Computing Applications

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