Communications of the ACM
Pen-Based Computing: Still Looking For The Write App
The sector, once popular, is searching for applications and users.
From ACM NewsAn edited collection of advanced computing news from Communications of the ACM, ACM TechNews, other ACM resources, and news sites around the Web.
From ACM TechNews
Ethereum Closes Security Hole with Energy-Saving Update
An update rolled out by the Ethereum cryptocurrency reduced the energy needed to produce it, and also fixed a security flaw.
From ACM TechNews
Smart Glasses Dim Bright Objects
Camera- and liquid-crystal display-equipped smart glasses can "balance" a scene by dimming bright objects without affecting dim ones.
From ACM TechNews
Inflatable Drone Can Bounce Off Walls, Perch on Nearly Anything
Arizona State University researchers have developed an inflatable drone that can perch on nearly any object.
From ACM TechNews
Shapes 3D-Printed into Living Worms Could Be Future of Brain Implants
A technique developed by researchers at the U.K.'s Lancaster University can print conductive circuits inside living organisms using a photonic three-dimensional...
From ACM TechNews
Supersized Atoms Could Help Quantum Computers Link to Optical Fibers
Researchers developed a device that could enable multiple quantum computers to be networked together by converting quantum outputs into light signals that can travel...
From ACM TechNews
Venus Flytrap Cyborg Snaps Shut with Smartphone Commands
Wenlong Li and colleagues at Singapore's Nanyang Technological University have transformed Venus flytraps into biological robots.
From ACM TechNews
Quantum Computers That Use 'Cat Qubits' May Make Fewer Errors
Researchers in France found so-called "cat qubits” (quantum bits) could reduce errors by quantum computers and accelerate the cracking of common encryption algorithms...
From ACM TechNews
U.S. Air Force Giving Military Drones the Ability to Recognize Faces
A contract between the U.S. Department of Defense and RealNetworks calls for the Seattle-based company to equip U.S. Air Force autonomous drones with facial recognition...
From ACM TechNews
Flying Robot Echolocates Like a Bat to Avoid Hitting Walls
Frederike Dümbgen and colleagues have equipped a flying robot to use bat-like echolocation to map its surroundings using a simple microphone and speaker.
From ACM TechNews
Online Advertising Estimated to Use as Much Energy as a Small Country
Researchers have developed a system that can calculate energy consumption related to online advertising.
From ACM TechNews
Quantum Computers Vulnerable to Eavesdropping Hackers
Allen Mi and colleagues at Yale University warn that even carefully wiping quantum computers of data would not thwart its theft by hackers.
From ACM TechNews
AI-Designed Invisibility Cloak Could Hide Small Communication Devices
Researchers used artificial intelligence to design an invisibility cloak to conceal antennas or small communication devices from infrared light or microwave detectors...
From ACM TechNews
AI Diversity Scoring System Could Help Root Out Algorithmic Bias
Princeton University's Adji Bousso Dieng and Dan Friedman have developed a diversity score for artificial intelligence to help detect bias.
From ACM TechNews
U.K. Will Use GPS Fingerprint Scanner to Track People Facing Deportation
The U.K.'s Home Office says it will soon require people facing deportation to carry a global positioning system (GPS)-enabled fingerprint scanner at all times. ...
From ACM TechNews
Unpiloted Military Helicopter Flies 134 km in Simulated Mission
The U.S. Army flew an autonomous Black Hawk Helicopter 134 kilometers (83 miles) to deliver 230 kilograms (507 lbs.) of simulated and real blood.
From ACM TechNews
Robotic Laser Can Target, Kill Cockroaches
Researchers developed a device that can kill cockroaches using a laser, two cameras, and an artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of targeting specific insect...
From ACM TechNews
Humans Beat DeepMind AI in Creating Algorithm to Multiply Numbers
Researchers at Austria's Johannes Kepler University Linz bested an algorithm developed by DeepMind with a program that can perform matrix multiplication more efficiently...
From ACM TechNews
Bitcoin Has Emitted 200 Million Tons of CO2 Since Launch
Researchers at the U.K.'s University of Cambridge estimated bitcoin miners have discharged nearly 200 million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
From ACM TechNews
Too Many Electric Cars Charging at Night May Overload Electrical Grid
Computer modeling determined the western U.S. power grid could be strained if electric vehicle owners primarily charging their vehicles at home overnight.
From ACM TechNews
Face Recognition for Pigs Could Improve Welfare on Farms
Wenhao Zhang and colleagues at the U.K.'s University of the West of England have developed a facial recognition system for pigs.12