Devin Coldewey
Writer & Photographer
The Latest from Devin Coldewey
DataFleets keeps private data useful and useful data private with federated learning and $4.5M seed
As you may already know, there’s a lot of data out there, and some of it could actually be pretty useful. But privacy and security considerations often put strict limitations on how it can be us
The RIAA is coming for the YouTube downloaders
In ye olden days of piracy, RIAA takedown notices were a common thing — I received a few myself. But that’s mostly fallen off as tracking pirates has gotten more difficult. But the RIAA can st
Deep Science: Alzheimer’s screening, forest-mapping drones, machine learning in space, more
Research papers come out far too rapidly for anyone to read them all, especially in the field of machine learning, which now affects (and produces papers in) practically every industry and company. Th
Representatives propose bill limiting presidential internet ‘kill switch’
A pair of U.S. Representatives — one from each party — are proposing a law that would limit the president’s ability to shut down the internet at will. That may not strike you as an imminent
For the theremin’s 100th anniversary, Moog unveils the gorgeous Claravox Centennial
It’s been a full century since Leon Theremin created the electronic instrument bearing his name, and to celebrate Moog is releasing what must surely be the best-looking (and may be the best-soun
Rocket Lab’s Peter Beck is coming to TC Sessions: Space 2020
Over the last few years Rocket Lab has gone from its very first orbital launch to regular commercial missions, with the goal of being the most responsive launch provider on the planet. Founder and CEO
NASA’s OSIRIS-REx just snatched a rock sample from asteroid Bennu
Update: The spacecraft has touched down and sample collection was successful! OSIRIS-REx is now moving away from the asteroid with the goods and will begin its homeward journey as soon as it’s c
Who regulates social media?
Social media platforms have repeatedly found themselves in the United States government’s crosshairs over the last few years, as it has been progressively revealed just how much power they reall
Lockheed picks Relativity’s 3D-printed rocket for experimental NASA mission
Relativity Space has bagged its first public government contract, and with a major defense contractor at that. The launch startup’s 3D-printed rockets are a great match for a particularly comple
Analogue takes on the TurboGrafx-16 with its Duo retro console
Analogue’s beautiful, functional retro gaming consoles provide a sort of “archival quality” alternative to the cheap mini-consoles proliferating these days. The latest system to be r
FAA streamlines commercial launch rules to keep the rockets flying
The FAA has published its updated rules for commercial space launches and reentries, streamlining and modernizing the large and complicated set of regulations. With rockets launching in greater number
With ‘absurd’ timing, FCC announces intention to revisit Section 230
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai has announced his intention to pursue a reform of Section 230 of the Communications Act, which among other things limits the liability of internet platforms for content they host
Suspect provenance of Hunter Biden data cache prompts skepticism and social media bans
A cache of emails and other selected data purportedly from a laptop owned by Hunter Biden were published today by the New York Post. Ordinarily a major leak related to a figure involved in a controver
NASA loads 14 companies with $370M for ‘tipping point’ technologies
NASA has announced more than a third of a billion dollars worth of “Tipping Point” contracts awarded to over a dozen companies pursuing potentially transformative space technologies. The p
Two Screens for Teachers will outfit all educators in Seattle Public Schools with a second monitor
Two Screens for Teachers, which as you may guess is about getting teachers a second screen to use at home, has put together enough funds to get every educator in the Seattle Public School system a new
Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro camera upgrades sharpen focus on serious photographers
Apple’s iPhone 12 Pro heaps improvements on the already formidable power of its camera system, adding features that will be prized by “serious” photographers — that is to say, the
IPhones won’t come with headphones or power adapters in the box from now on
That drawer full of bad headphones and extra power adapters for your phone won’t get any more cluttered if you decide to pick up a new iPhone 12. Apple will no longer include those items in the
Alphabet’s latest moonshot is a field-roving, plant-inspecting robo-buggy
Alphabet (you know… Google) has taken the wraps off the latest “moonshot” from its X labs: A robotic buggy that cruises over crops, inspecting each plant individually and, perhaps, g
Microsoft and partners aim to shrink the ‘data desert’ limiting accessible AI
AI-based tools like computer vision and voice interfaces have the potential to be life-changing for people with disabilities, but the truth is those AI models are usually built with very little data s
These tiny sensors can hitch a ride on mothback
Everyone is familiar with carrier pigeons, but what about carrier moths? This research project uses the nocturnal insects as a delivery service for tiny electronic packages that weigh less than a hund