2015-10-19

Welcome to DMA Tech Watch, where we review the biggest news events and tech trends now on the radar. Here’s what we’re watching as of October 19, 2015:

STAR WARS: NEW TRAILER, ADVANCE TICKETS, PREMIERE INFO!!!



It’s now less than two months until Star Wars: The Force Awakens officially opens on December 18. But tonight’s a pretty good night, too, because that’s when a new trailer will be shown, during ABC’s Monday Night Football. At halftime in tonight’s battle between the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, a brand new trailer will debut. And if you just can’t wait to get your theater seats, advance ticket sales begin after the new trailer airs. Also announced: The movie’s official premiere in L.A. on December 14th, before moving to London for the film’s European debut.

DELL’S REALLY BIG DEAL



As we were going to press last week, the biggest deal in tech history was being announced. Dell Computers is buying EMC (which specializes in data storage) and will pony up a record $67 billion to make the deal happen. According to top boss Michael Dell, the new company will be poised to jump on next-generation IT, such as converged infrastructure, digital transformation, hybrid cloud and other future-forward tech pursuits. Although Dell will stay headquartered in Texas, the new enterprise will be based in Massachusetts (where EMC is located).

SOON TO BE EXTINCT: “MYSTERY” DRONES



In an action that’s been expected for some time, the U.S. government has taken an initial stance on drones: Drones will have to be registered with the U.S. Dept. of Transportation, which regulates public airspaces and how they’re used. Moving forward, drone owners/users will have to register their craft with the DOT, which is working with the FAA to develop safety rules so that drones don’t interfere with passenger aircraft. The Feds are working fast to develop the registration rules, no doubt fearing that there are going to be a lot of drones sitting under a lot of Christmas trees this December.

NOTE FROM FACEBOOK: “HEY, DON’T FORGET TO PANIC TODAY!”

News reports suggest how state-sponsored cyber attacks by rogue nations appear to be occurring with increasing frequency, often against private individuals. Facebook users may not realize it, but they have an added line of defense against such actions. So, if you get a notice from FB reading something like, “PLEASE SECURE YOUR ACCOUNTS NOW. We believe your Facebook account and your other online accounts may be the target of attacks from state-sponsored actors,” you should probably take it seriously. (By using Login Approvals, anytime your Facebook account is accessed by another device or browser, you’ll be notified about it…and what security actions to take.)

CLEVER GEEK BUILDS THOR HAMMER ONLY HE CAN LIFT

We love it when technology is used for a noble purpose. In tribute to his favorite superhero, an average guy built a Mjolnir (which is the name for a Thor hammer), a super-powerful, super-heavy hammer of the gods. By using a combination of really strong magnets, a fingerprint scanner and the know-how to make it all work with an Arduino controller, this inventor was able to build a hammer that truly only he could lift. The guy (no doubt now called “Thor” by envious buddies) challenges ordinary mortals to lift the hammer from a manhole cover. Of course, they can’t. Then he’s able to lift it with ease. And it doesn’t require super-human muscles – just an ordinary set of human fingerprints!

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