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Weekly Tech Recap - № 150 - iMac Pro, school phone ban, Q# language, etc.

December 15, 2017.

iMac Pro

iMac Pro.

iMac Pro. © Apple.

Within the Apple family, the iMac has always been the all-in-one entry-level model, right from the birth of the “Bondi Blue” iMac G3 19 years ago, with its daring design and translucent enclosure. Now, the iMac is all grown up: the impressive Pro carries a price tag of 6,300 CAD for the base model, and if your pockets are deep, you can scale up to the 16,338 CAD model, for what is probably the most expensive Macintosh in history.

This “space gray” iMac with a 5K screen looks almost identical to its predecessors. But under the hood, you can have an Intel Xeon W-class processor with 8, 10, 14, or 18 cores, 32 to 128Gb of RAM, 1 to 4 TB of flash storage, and a Radeon Pro Vega 56 or 64 graphics card. All models come with a 1080p FaceTime HD camera, four microphones, four Thunderbolt 3 ports, four USB-A ports, an SDXC card slot that supports UHS-II speeds, and one 10Gb Ethernet port.

Apple stressed that the launch of this latest iMac does not impact the delivery, in 2018, of a new Mac Pro better suited to users who eschew the all-in-one closed configuration: “In addition to the new iMac Pro, Apple is working on a completely redesigned, next-generation Mac Pro architected for pro customers who need the highest performance, high-throughput system in a modular, upgradeable design, as well as a new high-end pro display.”

The Verge, “The iMac Pro is a beast, but it's not for everybody.”

Apple, “iMac Pro, the most powerful Mac ever, available today .”

 

France forbids phones in schools

decorative

© iStock.

The French government is banning the use of mobile phones in elementary schools (6-to-11 year-olds) and middle schools (12-to-15 year-olds). Kids can bring their phones to school but not use them, even during breaks, which seems a little extreme. The ban comes into effect next year, as of September 2018. In France, 9 out of 10 youth own a smart phone. According to the daily Le Monde, smart phones are now entering elementary schools, with children as young as 9 being given one by their parents for walking to and from school alone. While commentators have mused about the feasibility of such a ban, the Ministry of Education claims that it already works well in test schools. In Canada, Thierry Karsenti, a researcher in education technology, surveyed 4,390 high-school students aged 14 to 16. Despite an in-class phone ban, students reported seeing classmates send text messages (91%) or check out Facebook, Instagram or Snapchat (64%) during class. What’s more, 56% of students said it was OK to read or write text messages in class. Some told Karsenti that they “kind of listen” while using their phone in class. “It’s kind of scary”, he told the Journal de Montréal.

The Guardian, “France to ban mobile phones in schools from September.”

 

Q#

Microsoft Q# in Visual Studio.

Q# in Visual Studio. © Microsoft.

Microsoft has just released a free version of its Quantum development kit, which includes the Q# (“cue-sharp”) programming language developed specifically for quantum computing, a quantum simulator and other resources for anyone interested in developing applications for quantum computers. Part of the Visual Studio development tool suite, Q# is designed to work with a local quantum simulator that can simulate around 30 logical qubits of quantum computing power using a typical laptop computer, allowing developers to debug their code and test programs on small instances directly on their machines. For heavy-duty quantum work, Microsoft is offering an Azure-based simulator able to provide over 40 qubits of power. Microsoft has also supplied a complete set of documentation, libraries and programming examples, providing users with basic quantum knowledge to play with quantum-specific concepts such as quantum teleportation.

If you’re interested in quantum computing, see our recent article, “Microsoft’s quantum gamble”.

Ars Technica, “Microsoft’s Q# quantum programming language out now in preview.”

 

Beam us up

Beam button.

BEAM button. © BEAM Authentic.

Finally, a technology that fosters engagement! Startup BEAM Authentic has released a wearable lapel button with an OLED screen that allows you to display anything you want, from your religious stance to your political stripes, through your doggie pictures. An app allows you to download and update images at will. The company hopes that the button will spark conversations between strangers. However, pressing and holding the button for ten seconds will also send an emergency message and your location to up to four recipients.

Android Police, “BEAM is a $99 smart wearable button with an AMOLED screen.”

 

Tesla semis on a roll

Semi truck Tesla.

Semi-trailer truck. © Tesla.

Since Tesla announced it was taking reservations for its future semi-trucks (at USD20,000 a pop), 267 orders have been placed, including 100 just from PepsiCo. PepsiCo’s investment will help it deliver on its commitment to reduce its GHG emissions by 20% by 2030, while presumably slashing costs at the same time, given that the company relies on an army of 100,000 trucks (and drivers) to deliver its heavy beverages, as well as lighter snacks, all over the US. Musk has committed to delivering the semis by 2019, but, given his track record with the Tesla Model 3, PepsiCo may well need until 2030 to deliver on its own commitments.

Ars Technica, “PepsiCo reserves 100 Tesla Semis, likely at $20,000 a pop.”