Seven Must-Read Stories (Week Ending June 7, 2014)

Another chance to catch the most interesting, and important, articles from the previous week on MIT Technology Review.

June 6, 2014

The Robots Running This Way
Some of the machines acquired recently by Google represent a giant leap forward for robot-kind.
Apple Seeks a Swift Way to Lure More Developers
A simpler programming language from Apple could broaden the pool of apps and help make them more interactive.
Microsoft’s “3-D Audio” Gives Virtual Objects a Voice
Headphones that make sounds seem to come from specific points in space could be the perfect counterpoint to virtual-reality goggles.
A Cleaner, Cheaper Way to Make Metals
A startup called Infinium promises to reduce a troubling source of carbon emissions.
Imposing Security
Computer programmers won’t stop making dangerous errors on their own. It’s time they adopted an idea that makes the physical world safer.
How Google Could Disrupt Global Internet Delivery by Satellite
Reported plans to launch 180 satellites could provide significant competition in the developing world and rural areas.
Data Mining Reveals the Factors Driving the Price of Bitcoins
Two years ago a single bitcoin was worth around $5. Today it is worth around $600. Now one economist has worked out exactly what forces are behind this dramatic increase.