• A major laptop manufacturer is expected to show off an ion drive at CES.  (Tom's Hardware)
  
  The Frore Airjet uses a piezoelectric element to silently produce an airstream to cool whatever it is attached to.  The problem is that it is not particularly power efficient - only about one fifth as effective as laptop fans, which are not themselves paragons of efficiency.
  
  The Ventiva ICE is an ionic engine.  Also silent, it ionises the air molecules to attract them to a metal grate, where they are deionised but keep right on moving, creating an airflow which cools your laptop.
  
  This isn't the first time that someone has come up with this idea, though, so we're going to have to see whether they can make it work.  Previous efforts have been very sensitive to dust buildup, which is enough of a problem with fans but renders ion blasters useless.
  

• How to protect yourself in the face of the Salt Typhoon phone network hack.  (The Intercept)
  
  Don't say anything on a private phone call that you wouldn't shout in a crowded theatre.
  
  Same goes double for text.
  
  And remember, the FBI has your best interests in mind and is entirely trustworthy in every respect.
  
  
  
• If you want the new Intel B580 video card, try again next year.  (WCCFTech)
  
  It's sold out everywhere.
  
  
  
• Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas says the federal government is taking decisive steps to combat the drones seen in the skies over New Jersey.  (ABC News)

  We have top men addressing the problem.
  
  Top.  Men.

  
  
  
• The new class of weight loss drugs - GLP-1 agonists like Ozempic - may also work to treat diabetes, sleep apnea, heart attacks, strokes, kidney disease, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, substance abuse, and run-on sentences.  (Ars Technica)
  
  They may not.  Anything linked directly to obesity is a likely win, and the drugs do seem to work against addictions.  The others are more speculative but are undergoing clinical trials right now.

Posted by: Joe Redfield at Tuesday, December 17 2024 04:39 AM (KOtXO)

Posted by: Frank at Tuesday, December 17 2024 05:37 AM (+i6Xr)

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