#WeeklyRecap: New coronavirus tracking app, affordable ventilator, security scares, more
This week, we saw some major innovations to fight the spread of COVID-19 in India. The Indian Government launched a dedicated tracker app for the public and a start-up made significant progress with an affordable ventilator, while companies like Microsoft and Facebook took steps to help those stuck at their homes. Let's look back at everything that happened throughout the week.
Aarogya Setu for contact warning, affordable ventilator
As the number of coronavirus positive cases continues to increase at a staggering pace, the government has launched Aarogya Setu, an app that can warn about contact with a potentially infected patient. Additionally, to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed with the sudden spike in cases, Nocca Robotics, a Pune-based start-up, is building a ventilator that is three times more affordable the typical hospital ventilators.
ISRO designing ventilators capable of working without power
Along with Nocca Robotics, ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Center is also working to tackle the ventilator shortage by designing units capable of working without power. Beyond that, a team of techies from IIT and AIIMS has developed a device that sprays electrified water droplets for effective - and seamless - disinfection of entire cities.
Microsoft and Facebook launched new video calling products
Tech giants Microsoft and Facebook launched new video calling products to the aid of billions of people who are indoors and desperate to get in touch with their friends and family. The social network launched the Messenger app for Windows and macOS, while the Redmond giant launched Meet Now, a dedicated Skype feature for virtual meetings without any sign-up or download.
Zoom suffered from privacy debacles
While Microsoft and Facebook moved to offer improved video calling experiences, Zoom, their prime competitor, drew flak over several privacy-related debacles. First, the service was caught sending data to Facebook without the permission of the users. Then, in other instances, there were reports of unknown parties barging into private meetings as well as leaks of thousands of meeting recordings on the open web.
Apple's FaceTime also created problems
Following the release of iOS 13.4, FaceTime began creating issues for users trying to call people using older iPhone and iPad models with iOS 9.3.5 or iOS 9.3.6. The issue remains unresolved.
YouTube's TikTok competitor; new features for WhatsApp, Slack
For people working from home, popular work communication app Slack launched the much-awaited integration to call users on Microsoft Teams apps. Also, there were some reports that suggested YouTube is working on a TikTok-like feature called "Shorts". Meanwhile, WhatsApp is working on multi-device support and an improved version of self-disappearing messages for private and group chats.
Some security scares are also surfaced
In the security segment, researchers noted a 600% spike in phishing emails around coronavirus, hackers linked to Iran tried compromising personal email accounts of WHO staffers, while Marriott disclosed a data breach in which personal details of over 5 million guests were stolen.
Finally, there were some tempting hardware launches
Some interesting gadgets were also unveiled this week, starting from Xiaomi's Mi True Wireless Earphones 2, 65-inch/70-inch 4K TVs, and Redmi Band to Samsung Galaxy M11, Honor 30S and Play 9A, and Moto G8 Power Lite. OnePlus has also announced that it will launch its next line of flagships, the OnePlus 8 series, on April 14 in India and other countries.
