Technology

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is stepping down from the company's board so he can focus on philanthropy.

Researchers from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Montana analysed how long the COVID-19 virus can survive on cardboard, plastic and steel

The trick was flagged on Facebook and solves the most frustrating thing about the iPhone calculator - the inability to type a backspace

Over the past week, one thing has become painfully clear for U.S. residents: COVID-19 is going to permeate every aspect of our lives for a long time to come. Those of us in and around tech have been noticing this for months now. First through the impact on our friends and colleagues in Asia, who have been facing fallout from the pandemic head-on for some time, and then through the domino effect on tech conferences.

First there was MWC, then FacebookF8, E3, WWDC. The list goes on and on. Yesterday, TechCrunch announced that we would be postponing a pair of our own events. It was the right thing to do, and increasingly not really a choice, to be honest, as more and more cities have banned large gatherings.

Tech has been keenly aware of COVID-19impact for a while now because being a tech company is being a global company almost by default. Now, however, the virusthreat has come to nearly everyoneback door. If you don&t yet know someone who has been infected with the virus, odds are good you will soon. This is our reality, for now, at least.

If therehope to be mustered from this event, itin the prospect of people helping people. Coming together, separately, at a safe social distance. The response of the current administration leaves much to be desired at the moment. As yesterdaypress conference involved praise of the &private sector& and a parade of high profile executives, the reality is that many of us may have to rely on corporates and execs to help fill in the gaps of gutted government departments.

There will be plenty of time to call out the inevitable opportunism of corporate America (and it looks like I&m going to have a lot more free time on my hands in the coming months to do exactly that), but for now, letnote some of the folks who are pitching in by donating supplies or easing some of the burden on a strained and uncertain population.

Alibaba co-founder Jack Ma today released a statement noting plans to donate 500,000 test kits and one million face masks. The donation follows similar ones to Japan and Europe, following the devastating impact on his own country.

&Drawing from my own countryexperience, speedy and accurate testing and adequate personal protective equipment for medical professionals are most effective in preventing the spread of the virus,& Ma said in a statement. &We hope that our donation can help Americans fight against the pandemic!&

Yesterday, Zoom CEO Eric Yuan announced that his video conferencing platform would be available for free to K-12 schools in Japan, Italy and the U.S. The move comes as the service is seeing a massive spike in downloads as many businesses and schools are attempting to adapt to working and learning remotely.

Earlier this week, Bill Gates, who recently left his position on Microsoftboard, announced the Bill - Melinda GatesFoundation was teaming up with Wellcome and Mastercard to fund treatments to the tune of $125 million. Yesterday, Facebook announced it was committing $20 million in donations to support relief efforts. Apple announced a similar $15 million in donations, along with letting customers skip the March payment on their Apple Cards without risking interest payments. IPS like AT-T, Charter, CenturyLink, Comcast, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint and Cox, meanwhile, have promised not to overcharge, charge late fees or terminate service, in an attempt to keep people connected.

Likely we&ll continue to see more such announcements in the coming weeks and months as companies struggle with impact to their workforces and bottom lines. Some will no doubt be more crass that others, but therelittle doubt that such gestures will be a big part of our ability to emerge from one of the scariest and most surreal moments in recent memory.

As the number of confirmed cases of coronavirus continues to rise, people across social media can't stop talking about the illness - but one website had an interesting response to it

Apple today put in place more COVID-19-related safeguards — this time centered on its App Store. In a note posted to its developer community, the company explains that it will take steps to vet submissions of apps focused on the global pandemic that has begun to impact nearly every aspect of life across the globe.

&To help fulfill these expectations, we&re evaluating apps critically to ensure data sources are reputable and that developers presenting these apps are from recognized entities such as government organizations, health-focused NGOs, companies deeply credentialed in health issues, and medical or educational institutions,& the company explains. &Only developers from one of these recognized entities should submit an app related to COVID-19.&

In addition to assessing content and restricting the number of developers who can submit, the company is also barring the release of entertainment apps and games looking to capitalizing on the ubiquitous and life-threatening subject matter.

Apple has also asked developers to tick the &Time-Sensitive Event& option, in order to help expedite the submission, given that some may be aimed at helping users in time of crisis. The company will also be waiving some annual membership fees for non-profit orgs and government agencies looking to develop apps related to the outbreak.

A cursory search of &COVID& and &coronavirus& finds a number of apps using the terms, ranging from case trackers, news applications, a reminder to wash hands and some gaming titles.