Weekend takeaway: 10 tech stories you need to read right now

17 Apr 2015

Ten nuggets of knowledge to take away for the weekend, including a cool 3D-printing initiative in China, GTA V developments, intergalactic GoPro footage and terrorists downing planes from the web.

1 China to install 3D printers in all its 400,000-plus primary schools

China appears to be heading towards a 3D-printed future after sources from within the government revealed that, over the next two years, the country is to offer each of its 400,000-plus primary schools a 3D printer.

In a country where production of goods is the highest in the world by a considerable margin, this would appear to show that the government has intentions of overtaking many of the other world’s most powerful nations in terms of its youth education.

Reports of China’s ambitious project came after the CEO of the Kinpo Group, Simon Shen, which is the parent company of the 3D printing company XYZ Printing, confirmed the project was underway over the next two years.

2 More transparency and targeting needed in digital surveillance

Human rights expert Elizabeth Knight from the UK-based Open Rights Group wants more transparency in the area of mass digital surveillance.

3 US government fears airline Wi-Fi could allow hackers to bring down planes

In a new report issued by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO), the watchdog organisation said it fears that offering Wi-Fi on flights might allow cyber-terrorists to take control of an aircraft and bring it down.

4 Irish kids talk about social media – and they’re adorable (video)

Ever wonder what effect we’re having on our kids by constantly being hooked to our smartphones? Well they get bored. Real bored.

5 Sit back and watch GoPro footage of ISS astronauts during spacewalk

Incredible new GoPro footage has been released showing recent International Space Station (ISS) astronauts Terry Virts and Barry ‘Butch’ Wilmore conducting two spacewalks, with the Earth visible below them.

6 Is GTA V now working on Oculus Rift?

Action-adventure behemoth Grant Theft Auto V (GTA) is one of the most popular computer games in history. But is it about to get even better?

7 Images of LG’s G4 smartphone leak online

Images of LG’s forthcoming flagship smartphone, the G4, have appeared online after what appears to have been a staging site for the new phone was mistakenly made public.

8 Marriage equality crucial for attracting talent and embracing staff – tech leaders

Silicon Republic and GLEN hosted a panel discussion on Ireland’s upcoming marriage referendum, with creating an engaging, freeing culture in the workplace inherently aligned with a Yes vote.

9 Astrophysicist Julieta Fierro shines a light on women in STEM

The Mexican astrophysicist and communicator celebrated the science of light at Trinity event and called for a “revolution” for women in STEM.

10 Earth used to be a bully, absorbing Mercury-like bodies at will

The mystery of Earth’s magnetic field may have been solved, with researchers theorising a pretty weird moment in our planet’s infant years.

Pig in a blanket image, via Shutterstock

Gordon Hunt was a journalist with Silicon Republic

editorial@siliconrepublic.com