India to Land Spacecraft on the Moon
This afternoon, September 6th, India will attempt a significant first for the nation: landing a vehicle intact on the surface of the Moon. If successful, India will become the fourth country to put a spacecraft on the lunar surface, joining the United States, Russia, and China.
The landing is part of India’s Chandrayaan-2 mission. Launched in late July, the mission sent multiple robotic spacecraft to the Moon: an orbiter that will study the lunar surface from above and a lander that will carry a rover to the ground to characterize the Moon’s geography.
First, India’s spacecraft must survive their descent, and the country’s space agency plans to live stream the touchdown. Live coverage is set for 3:40PM ET, so check back then to see if India joins an elite group of nations with intact spacecraft on the Moon’s surface.
(Source: The Verge)
Siri Becomes Subject Sensitive
Siri is apparently in favor of “equality” but doesn’t say the word “feminism,” according to a new report. Apple suggested that developers working to rewrite its digital voice assistant’s answers to queries should “deflect” questions about supposedly sensitive topics like women’s rights, The Guardian reported Friday.
Siri’s previous responses to some questions were apparently more dismissive — “I just don’t get this whole gender thing” and “My name is Siri, and I was designed by Apple in California. That’s all I’m prepared to say” — according to The Guardian.
“Siri is a digital assistant designed to help users get things done. The team works hard to ensure Siri responses are relevant to all customers,” an Apple spokesperson in an emailed statement. “Our approach is to be factual with inclusive responses rather than offer opinions.”
(Source: CNET)
Facebook Joins the Dating Game
Facebook connects billions of people across the world. Now, it’s helping them hook up and (potentially) meet the love of their lives.
Facebook announced the new dating service at its 2018 F8 developer conference and says the service will recommend potential matches based on Facebook activity to users who opt in and choose to create a dating profile. The service relies on dating preferences, mutual friends, groups and events attended on Facebook to pair potential matches. It’s also free to use.
(Source: Forbes)
