App connects to doctors in real-time

In this edition of the Worldwide wrap, First Opinion is hoping to bridge that gap between "quantified self" apps and a full-on doctor visit, and new display technology that corrects vision problems. Get the details on these stories and more below.

Health apps and the wearable trackers that connect to them are giving users more data about their personal health than ever before, but medical experts remain the best resource when it comes to even the most minor diagnosis.

First Opinion is hoping to bridge that gap between "quantified self" apps and a full-on doctor visit by providing an app that puts users in direct contact with real doctors around the world, who are capable of rendering real-time medical advice.

The 24-hour service allows the user to communicate with a doctor an unlimited number of times to help answer a myriad of general medical questions via text messages within the app.

Via: Mashable

The day when you will no longer need your glasses to watch TV is looming, thanks to some very clever people at MIT and Berkeley.

Researchers have developed new display technology that corrects vision problems and adjusts the image to suit the users' poor eyesight.

The technology works by using algorithms that alter an image based on a person's glasses prescription, combined with a light filter set in front of the display. The algorithm alters the light from each individual pixel and passes it through a small hole in the filter, so when each ray of light hits the retina, it creates a sharper image.

Via: Forbes

CIA director John Brennan has apologised after his staff snooped on computers used by the US Senate during a probe into spies' use of torture. Brennan was speaking at a closed meeting with senators yesterday.

The computers were on a secure network known as RDINet, which was set up by the CIA to stores classified documents for Senate staff to scrutinise. The documents relate to the use of torture "enhanced interrogation" of terrorist suspects by the CIA after the September 11 attacks.

Those questionable methods were banned by President Obama in 2009, prompting the Senate study.

Via: The Register

Ford has become the latest major company to ditch BlackBerry devices, this time in favour of Apple iPhones.

The move is being made in response to staff demand. "It meets the overall needs of the employees because it is able to serve both our business needs in a secure way and the needs we have in our personal lives with a single device," Ford spokesperson Sara Tatchio told Bloomberg.

The car maker intends to replace more than 3 300 BlackBerry devices with Apple iPhones by the end of the year, while a further 6 000 will be migrated from BlackBerry to Apple in the next two years.

Via: Computing

The number of listings offering illegal drugs for sale on the "dark net" appears to have more than doubled in less than a year, BBC News has learned.

The US Federal Bureau of Investigation closed down the original online illegal drug market, Silk Road, in 2013. But new figures suggest the trade has actually increased since then.

And other research indicates one in four British drug users has accessed hidden Web sites.

Via: BBC

Demand for green technology financing is anticipated to accelerate to RM70 billion between 2015 and 2030, due to the sector's huge untapped potential.

Malaysian Green Technology Corporation (GreenTech) chief executive officer Ahmad Hadri Haris said financing played a key role in boosting the growth of green technology and Malaysia is recognised as a country with established green financing.

"Malaysia's green financing is unique. While others like the US, Japan and Australia have a dedicated green financing bank, we work with existing banks to mobilise the Green Technology Financing Scheme."

Via: The Rakyat Post