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Digital Planet: Ushahidi's BRCK Released

Factual: Science & Nature

the BRCK

05/08/2014

Ushahidi's BRCK Released

BBC World Service - Digital Planet, Ushahidi's BRCK Released

BRCK, a router which copes with variable signals and intermittent electricity,is released

Ushahidi’s BRCK launched; Global Impact Challenge Winners; Spanish ‘Google Tax’; Drones to the Rescue

Staying online in some parts of Africa can be frustrating with variable signals and intermittent electricity supply.  Ushahidi's new brick-like WiFi and 3G router aims to overcome many of the challenges.  Co-founders Juliana Rotich and Philip Walton discuss BRCK's capabilities and keeping Africa connected.

Global Impact Challenge Winners
Google announces the winners of its competition to support UK charities using technology to tackle problems and transform lives.  The winners talk about their projects and judge, Helen Goulden of Nesta, joins Click to discuss the importance of technology for charities.

Spanish 'Google Tax'
Spanish congress has passed a law nicknamed 'tasa Google' or 'Google Tax'.  If it is ratified newspaper publishers will have the right to claim payment from any site that links to their content.  Google managed to get round a similar law in Germany but the Spanish one will be much harder to dodge.  As yet there is confusion about exactly who will have to pay, how much, and how it will be enforced.  BBC Mundo tech blogger David Cuen explains the new law and its possible impact.

Drones to the Rescue
How easy is it to pinpoint someone who has gone missing?  These days many of us have mobile phones in our pockets.  Masters student Jonathan Cheseaux in Lausanne, Switzerland, has designed a drone to locate survivors using the signals mobile phones send out.  Jonathan explains his idea to Click.


(Photo: the BRCK was designed to work in more harsh environments, where the infrastructure is not robust – used with the kind permission of BRCK) 


Producer: Lorna Stewart

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