Dec 18
Nov 25
For more than five years, 23andMe has sent out personalized DNA test kits, offering consumers hundreds of clinical reports on their genetic risk for everything from diabetes to prostate cancer. Its mission to educate customers about their health and ancestry appears to have been dealt a blow, however, after the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said the company needs its approval. It’s told 23andMe to stop advertising its DNA-testing product until it gets the medical device classification it needs, which involves conducting studies of the kits to gain documented proof of their accuracy.
The agency is also worried that customers might take action, or not, based on test results that may or may not be correct. 23andMe has attempted to gain clearance in the past, but hasn’t done everything it needs to get the green light. Make no mistake, a run-in with the FDA is not to be taken lightly: satisfying the agency’s requirements is going to be a long and expensive process. 23andMe now has to tell the agency exactly how it intends to gain marketing authorization for the device, or it could face regulatory action (which includes injunctions, seizures and hefty fines).
Update: 23andMe has issued a statement on the matter:
We have received the warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration. We recognize that we have not met the FDA’s expectations regarding timeline and communication regarding our submission. Our relationship with the FDA is extremely important to us and we are committed to fully engaging with them to address their concerns.
Filed under: Internet
Via: Bloomberg
Source: FDA
Oct 14
Facebook has announced a new alpha program for its Android app, so super-early adopters can excitedl
Posted in: Today's ChiliFacebook has announced a new alpha program for its Android app, so super-early adopters can excitedly try out new features. Be warned, though: even Facebook engineer Christian Legnitto says it’s "not for the faint of heart."
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Oct 01
Wondering why the BBC brought iPlayer downloads to just 11 Android devices, several months after iOS users got their turn? The broadcaster has just explained itself through a blog post detailing the Android app’s testing process. Like Netflix, the BBC had to focus its support on a handful of Android products in order to launch on time; this supports what we’ve heard from our own sources, who suggest that iPlayer development is normally arduous. To address as much hardware as possible on a tight schedule, the network conducted frequent, iterative tests that guaranteed compatibility relatively quickly. While the end result still leaves a lot of viewers without downloads, the BBC suggests that its testing process introduced the feature sooner than would have otherwise been possible. Whether or not you’re happy with the finished product, you can check out the corporation’s full methodology at the source link.
Filed under: Cellphones, Tablets, HD, Mobile
Source: BBC Internet Blog
Jun 13
No matter how careful you try to be, you’re going to do some damage to your phone. Accidents happen, especially when you try to avoid them. So to emulate your tender, loving care, Samsung took its Galaxy S4 through hell and back before it got to shelves. Somebody has to prepare that phone for you, you monster.
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Jun 12
Samsung torture-tests pre-release smartphones like many of its rivals, but it’s rare in letting us have glimpses of the process. Case in point: its thorough punishment of Galaxy S 4 samples in a new video. Along with drop-testing the phone in multiple ways, the company’s lab techs cover the GS4 in dust, dunk it in water, punch it, shock its controls and even bake it. The promo piece unsurprisingly shows the flagship device making the cut every time — you didn’t think Samsung would show any exceptions to the rule, did you? Still, the Korean-language clip (after the break) may be reassuring to those who were worried that a thinner, lighter Galaxy S couldn’t hold up to some abuse.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Samsung
Source: Samsung (YouTube)
May 21
Sony begins testing faster, more efficient video streaming for PlayStation Store
Posted in: Today's Chili
Video offerings through the PlayStation Store should be getting a bit of an upgrade soon. But, before rolling out a brand new streaming tech to the entire catalog, Sony is beta testing the faster and more adaptive format with select discounted titles. Though the company is being a bit tight-lipped about what exactly the new tech entails, it’s letting anyone who wants to take part in the trial period. Simply log into the store, scroll down to movies and you should see the “beta” section right on the front page. Movies in here will be delivered at a steep discount as a thank you for helping Sony put the more efficient format through its paces. HD films will set you back $1.99, while SD videos are just $0.99. Let us know in the comments if you notice any discernible differences.
Filed under: Gaming, Home Entertainment, HD, Sony
Source: Sony
Apr 18
The moulds used to create plastic Lego pieces are engineered with extreme precision so that the bricks stay connected via friction alone. But over time your Lego pieces will wear out with use and eventually stop sticking, and Phillipe Cantin wanted to know exactly when that would happen. More »
Dec 05
Microsoft launches Socl into Beta, brings the part(ies) to social networking
Posted in: Today's Chili 
Microsoft has unleashed Socl into beta for all comers to probe, bringing it out of the experimental stages and a step closer to a full-fledged site. We first heard about the project back in July when it was dubbed Tulalip, and MS Research’s Fuse Labs officially launched it internally and into some universities back in October last year. The site carries the Windows 8 tile-like look, and Fuse says that imagery is emphasized over “blue links” for search, helping democratize the site “even for people who speak different languages.” That lets you find others via posts, a people gallery, or someone’s page — where new posts, people and interests can be viewed all at once. A nav bar allows articles to be created by topics like web, videos or news, and users can create “parties,” where they can chat, create playlists or watch videos with others in a similar fashion to Google Hangouts. The project was coded using Redmond’s Java-hued Typescript to allow for rapid coding changes, according to Fuse’s blog in the source below. To try it out for yourself, check the “more coverage” link.
Filed under: Internet, Microsoft
Via: Techmeme
Source: Microsoft Research FuseLabs
Nov 29
This Future-Proofing Torture Test Puts Next-Gen Materials Through the Wringer
Posted in: Today's Chili
Our gadgets sure have it rough. Between change-filled pockets, waist-high falls onto concrete, and dunks in the toilet bowl, gadget surfaces need to be tougher and more resilient than ever. To develop the next generation of durable surfaces, materials scientists rely on specialized torture testing equipment like the Bruker Universal Mechanical Tester to put prototype samples through their paces. More »
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