Microsoft Builds A Robot So You Can Be In Two Places At Once

Microsoft spends over $9 billion on research and some of that money goes toward pretty cool things like putting Skype on wheels.
At its research lab in Redmond, Microsoft is working on a robot that will let you roam the room while on a videoconferencing call, controlled by you over the Internet. Using two cameras, a high-def display, this robot lets you control what you look at while on Skype, the Internet-calling service Microsoft acquired last year.
CNN has dubbed it the "robotic boss." The cable network's reporter seems to think managers will use it to hang with employees while they are really sprawled on a beach somewhere. We're not so sure about that, but it does show what the next generation of videoconferencing could look like.
Here's CNN's video of the device.
These clever researchers have come up with other types of Skype robots, too, like one that can take play with your dog when you are at work. This pet robot lets you see and talk to your dog through Skype, throw a ball and even give a treat.

Apple to present at Black Hat conference for first time, talk about iOS' padlocks

Apple is taking a different, more cautious tack when it comes to security these days. That doesn't make it any less surprising that the company is planning to give a presentation at the Black Hat conference: the company will have someone on stage for the first time and won't just socialize in the corridors. When he takes to the podium on July 26th, platform security manager Dallas De Atley will go into detail regarding iOS' security measures in front of an audience used to finding a way around them. The company hasn't said whether that involves current or future technology; we suspect that Apple may be eager to show what iOS 6 brings to the table, however. If it all goes down like Black Hat general manager Trey Ford says it will, Apple may both open up a bit on security and set more of the agenda this week -- instead of letting conference goers set it themselves.