TLDR 2020-04-06

Google releases location data 🗺️, SpaceX prototype collapses 🚀, tiger gets coronavirus 🐅

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Big Tech & Startups

Google releasing location data to help track lockdown movement amid coronavirus (2 minute read)

Google will release anonymized global location data from 131 countries and regions around the world to help public health officials track movements during coronavirus lockdowns around the world. Officials will be able to track movement trends over time by geography across different categories of places. The data is gathered from Google Maps and other Google services. No personal data is included. There was a 12 percent increase in the number of tracked individuals remaining in their homes between Feb 16 and March 29.

Apple will produce 1 million face shields per week for medical workers (1 minute read)

There is a shortage of personal protective equipment for doctors, such as face shields and masks. Apple is designing and producing face shields for medical workers and is aiming to produce one million face shields per week. The first shipment was sent to Kaiser hospital facilities last week. Apple's face shields can be packed 100 to a box and can be assembled in two minutes. Apple has also donated 20 million N95 masks to organizations in need.
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Science & Futuristic Technology

SpaceX’s Third Starship Prototype Collapsed Last Night (3 minute read)

SpaceX's SN3 prototype experienced a structural failure while undergoing the same cryptogenic proof test that killed the previous two Starship prototypes. The test involves filling the vehicle's fuel tanks to capacity with cooled gasses. Elon Musk has stated that these failures are expected during the tests and that they provide vital information to use in the designs of future prototypes. The next prototype has already begun construction at Boca Chica.

Tiger tests positive for coronavirus at Bronx Zoo, first known case in the world (3 minute read)

Seven big cats are exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 at the Bronx Zoo in New York City. One tiger has tested positive for the coronavirus. It is the first time a non-domesticated animal has gotten sick from the virus. The tiger likely caught the virus from an asymptomatic zookeeper. Other domestic animals have also previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, including a Pomeranian, a German shepherd, and a domestic cat. Zookeepers are taking extra precautions around great apes as they may be particularly susceptible to the virus.
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Programming, Design & Data Science

Ask HN: What are your favorite low-coding apps / tools as a developer? (Hacker News Thread)

Low-coding, or no-coding, is becoming more common and there are many apps that provide basic functionality for non-coders. However, these apps can be inflexible and make it hard to customize code. This thread contains recommendations of low-coding apps for lazy devs. Many of these apps make it easy for devs to focus on their core product rather than dedicating valuable time to build and maintain internal tools.

Background Matting (GitHub Repo)

Background Matting is a project that uses deep learning to turn any background into a green screen with just a handheld camera. It requires an additional photo of the background without the subject at the time of capture. Example videos and images are available. There is a 5 minute video comparing this method with other matting methods.
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Miscellaneous

History in the Making: Microsoft Edge Overtakes Mozilla Firefox (2 minute read)

Microsoft Edge has finally surpassed Mozilla Firefox to become the world's second most-used desktop browser. Chrome continues to be number one with 68.5% market share. Microsoft Edge recently switched to using Chromium, making it a fully-featured alternative to Google Chrome. Internet Explorer continues to be available in Windows 10 for compatibility purposes.

zmurl (Website)

zmurl lets you create a webpage for your zoom event. It allows attendees to see event information, RSVP to events, and add events to their calendar.  A short video is available on the page that shows how the site works for both event creators and attendees.
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