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Elon Musk thinks he lives in a simulation

Michelle Avenant
By Michelle Avenant, portals journalist.
Johannesburg, 03 Jun 2016

In this week's Worldwide Wrap, we learn more about Elon Musk's interesting ideas, the power of VR, and diversity issues on Tinder and in emojis.

Elon Musk thinks he lives in a simulation

If realistic simulations of the universe are possible, the chances of living in a real world instead of one of the many convincing fakes are slim, says Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

The eccentric billionaire draws his ideas from the work of philosopher Nick Bostrom, who has warned that hyper-intelligence AI could wipe out humanity.
Via: The Guardian

VR app simulates dementia

Virtual Reality app A Walk Through Dementia aims to show users what it is like to live with different forms of dementia.

The app was created by UK charity Alzheimer's Research.
Via: BBC News

Tinder might become more trans-inclusive

Tinder CEO Sean Rad says the dating app will soon allow users gender options other than "male" and "female".

Rad was unspecific about whether this meant the app would acknowledge non-binary genders, or would expect trans women and men to identify themselves as such, which could make them more vulnerable to transphobic violence.
Via: Mashable

Facebook Messenger adds 'diverse' emojis

Facebook is adding new emojis to its Messenger app, which will allow users to choose the emojis' skin colour as iOS users currently can, and include more depictions of professional and physically active women.

Facebook says it is introducing the first-ever woman police officer, surfer, swimmer, runner, and pedestrian emojis.
Via: BBC Newsbeat

New Unicode emojis skimp on gender equality

Seventy-two new emojis have just been approved for Unicode 9, available on 21 June, including several new types of popular Western breakfast food.

No new professional women are included in the line-up, despite widespread calls for more equal gender representation in emojis, including a proposal from Google.
Via: The Guardian

Samsung releases wireless earbuds

Samsung's Gear IconX earbuds have no wires and monitor users' fitness data as they exercise.

Priced at $199, they are aimed at "casual exercisers" who are not interested in all-day activity data.
Via: Mashable

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