Startup founders say Trump’s $100K H-1B fee is a ‘talent tariff’ that will hurt innovation. Really!

Real talent is worth more than $100k! 

However, for smaller companies this new visa fee could be a heavy burden in some cases.

Caveat: I did not read the article.

Startup founders say Trump’s $100K H-1B fee is a ‘talent tariff’ that will hurt innovation | TechCrunch

Saudi Arabia displays technology transformation and is becoming a technology and venture capital hub

Very recommendable! Impressive! The last thing Saudi Arabia needs are Islamist terrorists! When will Saudi Arabia join the Abraham Accords? Together with Israel, Saudi Arabia could transform the entire Middle East.

How America became the world leader in pharmaceutical innovation and why to keep big government out of it

How to ruin a dynamic, competitive, and innovative industry to the benefit of our health! Big government!

Increase competition through more imports, reduced intellectual property rights, lower taxes, less regulation etc.!

"... In the 1970s, Europe was the global hub for pharmaceutical innovation.  Fast forward and around two-thirds of new drugs developed in the last decade or so have originated in the United States, compared to just 22 percent from Europe.  ...

America did not become the world’s innovation leader because of government – private companies have long tackled complex health care problems far better than government agencies.

Unfortunately, Democrats and even some Republicans are now pushing the United States to follow Europe and embrace price controls on prescription drugs.  This is a grave mistake.  ..."

Read the new book by Sally Pipes & sign up for webinar

Toyota gigacasting prototype cuts car production from hours to minutes like Tesla

Why would this new technology be used only for electric cars and not gas powered ones?

"Toyota Motor has revealed its own gigacasting equipment, which can make a third of a car body in about three minutes and is similar to a process already used by U.S. rival Tesla.

The tech will eventually halve vehicle production times, helping the company achieve its goal of selling 3.5 million EVs annually by 2030. "

"Toyota Motor showed off a prototype of its new gigacasting equipment that can make a third of a car body in about three minutes, a development that will be key to its plans to ramp up electric-vehicle production profitably in the coming years.

The machine at the Japanese automaker's Myochi plant released a plume of white smoke as it ran during a recent demonstration for journalists. Molten aluminum poured in was rapidly cooled from 700 C to 250 C, solidifying into a single die-cast piece making up the entire rear third of the vehicle chassis. This is normally built from 86 parts in a 33-step process that takes hours ..."

Toyota gigacasting prototype cuts production from hours to minutes - Nikkei Asia Die-casting tech aims to streamline assembly in preparation for EV shift

Toyota's next-generation electric vehicles will be produced in three modular sections

World First Underwater Jetpack Gives Divers And Surfers A Boost

Was this not originally developed by the Ukrainian intelligence service to attack Russian assets? 😊

"A startup in Israel is launching what it describes as the world’s first completely hands-free underwater “smart scooter.”

KikFin has produced a jetpack with fins that straps onto a swimmer’s back and propels them though the water faster than Olympic champion Michael Phelps. ..."

'World First' Underwater Jetpack Gives Divers And Surfers A Boost

KikFin Pro $2,599

Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins: Israel is a model of innovation

Spot on! This is a glowing appraisal of Israel's technology prowess!

"... "We invest in 5G, in the cloud, cybersecurity, I have met with some companies here in Israel and the innovation here is thrilling. I've come here several times in recent years and it is only growing and improving." ...
We love this country and it's an amazing place. A model of innovation. When you think of the size of Israel and the amount of startups and technology, it's phenomenal. It's important to mention that activities here in Israel are less than half a percent of our revenue annually. And we are here because there is a lot to learn from you, the ecosystem here is super impressive and we are speaking to companies all the time. What we find here is simply unbelievable." ..."

Cisco CEO: Israel is a model of innovation - Globes At the Globes Israel Business Conference, Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins told Globes publisher Alona Bar-On that Cisco had spent $7.2 billion in acquiring Israeli companies.

Go grocery shopping with a scanner, no cashier or self checkout necessary anymore

Sounds convenient to me! Will cashiers and other store employees than work in theft prevention or provide more customer service or be laid off? 😄 

"Download the ... app, scan your [your items in] the store, [bag] your groceries and walk out.

No checkout lines, no cashiers, no waiting. The moment you walk out the door, your credit card is charged for your purchases. ...
Thirty ceiling cameras and shelves with scales track what customers pick up. Intel® Core™ processors, visual processing units and RealSense™ cameras offer computer vision, on-site analytics, advanced freezer/chiller temperature tracking and a self-checkout option for those who prefer it. ..."

Groceries with a Taste of Tech At Nourish + Bloom, Jilea and Jamie Hemmings — with the help of Intel and its partners — shape the future of shopping.

A Mosquito Defense System For Your Home?

Posted: 7/24/2019

Was I amused this morning when I saw this news article: Laser-targeted mosquito locater aims to keep you bite-free Israeli startup Bzigo is developing a phone-sized detector for flying insects that pinpoints their location, even in the dark, so you can zap them.

An Iron Dome like defense for your home?

And this development coincides with recent reports of successful eradication of mosquito sites.

Poor mosquitoes! Soon the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will have to add the mosquito to its Red List of endangered species. 

However, on reviewing the article about this device a bit closer you find out:

1. It only locates, but does not kill
2. Once it identifies a flying insect (not just mosquitoes), it directs a low-powered laser beam at the bug’s location. Lots of false alarms!
3. Only detects mosquitoes (or other insects) on the ceiling or near the ceiling

In the end this device with its current very limited capabilities is a joke! Much more hype than utility