The Best of the Web This Week
Our news team shares their favorite stories from the week in technology news.
The Ultimate “Simpsons” Quote Machine
Behold Frinkiac, a searchable compendium of three million quotes from The Simpsons paired with stills of the exact moment in the show when they happened. It's the definitive source for those looking to drown their friends in quips from the most legendary cartoon of all time. –J. Juniper Friedman, associate Web producer
An out-of-shape tech writer dons a virtual-reality headset and gets physical with several immersive games. His conclusion: VR is about to whip gamers into shape. –Tom Simonite, San Francisco bureau chief
Japanese Firm to Open World’s First Robot-Run Farm
A shrinking population of working-age adults has made the Land of the Rising Sun a hotbed of robot industrial innovation. –Nanette Byrnes, senior editor, Business Reports
Want to Stop ISIS? Cut Their Internet
Iraq is attempting to limit ISIS by blocking the group's access to satellite Internet service. But tracing just who is using mobile satellite terminals is tricky. –Tom Simonite
Can Google’s AlphaGo Really Feel It in Its Algorithms?
Some of the most advanced AI algorithms often cannot account for their decision-making. What might that mean for the future of AI? –Will Knight, senior editor for AI and Robotics
Microsoft’s Underwater Data Center
Data centers generate tons of heat, and they chug electricity. Microsoft wants to solve both problems by putting them at the bottom of the ocean. The company has just completed testing on a prototype and has plans for a bigger version. –Michael Reilly, senior editor, news and commentary
Scientific American and Nature describe how a wave of squishy, stretchy robots are making their way into our lives. –Rachel Metz, senior editor, mobile