2019 Computing & Technology Events — Verified Historical Highlights
2019 Computing & Technology Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 04 Mar Intel Makes Thunderbolt 3 Open Standard, USB4 Announced: Intel made Thunderbolt 3 technology free and open, transferring its specification to the USB Implementers Forum. Simultaneously, the USB Promoter Group announced USB4, based on Thunderbolt 3, supporting 40Gbps transfer rates and multiple data protocols.
- 13 Mar Quantum Time Reversal Breakthrough: Physicists from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, collaborating with researchers from the US and Switzerland, successfully demonstrated a method to return a quantum computing device's state a fraction of a second into the past.
- 30 Mar Zuckerberg announces Facebook privacy reforms: On March 30, 2019, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced new privacy reforms aimed at addressing concerns over user data protection. The changes were part of the company's response to ongoing scrutiny following various data privacy scandals. source: cnbc.com
- 02 Apr Boeing 737 Max grounding continues: As of April 2, 2019, the grounding of Boeing 737 Max aircraft remained in effect worldwide. The decision followed two fatal crashes involving the model, leading to widespread concerns about its safety. Airlines and aviation authorities continued to assess the situation, with investigations ongoing to determine the causes of the accidents and to ensure passenger safety. source: reuters.com
- 06 Apr Hyundai and Tencent Self-Driving Car Collaboration: South Korean automotive manufacturer Hyundai Motor announced a strategic research and development partnership with Chinese technology giant Tencent to advance self-driving car technology. The companies aim to commercially launch autonomous vehicles by 2030.
- 17 Apr Yale Researchers Partially Revive Pig Brains: Yale University researchers, led by Nenad Selstan, demonstrate partial cellular revival in pig brains four hours after death, with no signs of consciousness, potentially groundbreaking for neuroscience.
- 23 Apr FAA Certifies First Delivery Drone Airline: The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certified Alphabet Inc.'s Wing as the first delivery drone service to be officially recognized as an air carrier in the United States, marking a significant milestone in commercial drone technology and logistics.
- 11 May Record-breaking atmospheric carbon dioxide levels: In May 2019, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels reached a new record high, surpassing 415 parts per million. This milestone was reported by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), indicating a significant increase in greenhouse gas concentrations and raising concerns about global climate change. source: noaa.gov
- 14 May WhatsApp Security Breach: WhatsApp confirmed that hackers could remotely install surveillance software on users' phones through a security vulnerability. All 1.5 billion WhatsApp users were advised to update their app. The technology was reportedly developed by NSO Group, an Israeli technology company.
- 20 May Google-Huawei tech conflict escalates with US ban: On May 20, 2019, Google announced it would restrict Huawei's access to its Android operating system following a U.S. government ban. This decision significantly impacted Huawei's smartphone business and raised concerns about the future of its technology. source: reuters.com
- 23 May China Unveils High-Speed Floating Train: The Chinese Railway Rolling Stock Corporation revealed a prototype of a revolutionary high-speed train capable of floating above tracks and reaching speeds up to 600 km/h (370 mph).
- 02 Jun Google Cloud Service Outage: Google experienced a significant cloud service outage affecting multiple platforms including Gmail, Snapchat, YouTube, and other services in the United States.
- 24 Jul Boeing 737 MAX crisis deepens: On July 24, 2019, Boeing faced intensified scrutiny over its 737 MAX aircraft following two fatal crashes. The company announced a halt in production of the 737 MAX and faced numerous lawsuits and regulatory challenges as investigations into the crashes continued. source: reuters.com
- 08 Aug Nuclear explosion at Russian Navy testing range: On August 8, 2019, a nuclear explosion occurred at a Russian Navy testing range in the Arctic, resulting in the deaths of five nuclear engineers and raising concerns about nuclear safety. source: reuters.com
- 20 Aug Coordinated cyberattack on Texas municipal systems: On August 20, 2019, a coordinated cyberattack targeted municipal systems in several Texas cities, including the city of Texas City. The attack led to the shutdown of computer systems and disruption of services. Local authorities worked to restore operations and investigate the source of the attack, which was believed to be a ransomware campaign. The incident highlighted vulnerabilities in municipal cybersecurity infrastructure. source: aljazeera.com
- 05 Sep NTSB Identifies Causes of Tesla Autopilot Crash: The National Transportation Safety Board determined that driver inattention and Tesla's Autopilot feature design were jointly responsible for a 2018 crash, raising significant questions about autonomous driving technology's safety.
- 02 Nov Historic Shipwreck Moves at Niagara Falls: A shipwreck that had been stationary for 101 years moved due to high winds and heavy rains at Niagara Falls, creating a rare and intriguing natural phenomenon.
- 14 Nov Ford launches Mustang Mach-E electric SUV: On November 14, 2019, Ford Motor Company unveiled the Mustang Mach-E, an all-electric SUV that marks the company's entry into the electric vehicle market. The vehicle combines the performance and styling of the Mustang brand with electric powertrain technology, aiming to compete in the growing EV market. source: aljazeera.com
- 21 Nov Tesla Cybertruck Launch with Memorable Mishap: Tesla unveiled its futuristic Cybertruck electric SUV, which gained widespread attention due to an embarrassing product demonstration where the supposedly 'unbreakable' windows unexpectedly shattered during a live demonstration. source: Wikipedia (day-month pages)
- 09 Dec Whakaari/White Island volcanic eruption: On December 9, 2019, a volcanic eruption occurred on Whakaari/White Island in New Zealand, resulting in significant casualties and injuries. The eruption prompted immediate rescue efforts and raised concerns about volcanic activity in the region. source: bbc.com
- 17 Dec China Launches First Domestically Built Aircraft Carrier: On December 17, 2019, China launched its first domestically built aircraft carrier, marking a significant advancement in its naval capabilities. source: reuters.com
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