Windows as an App for Mac & iOS; Google Bard Available for Teens-With Guardrails; Threads Tests Hashtags; UK-First Country to Approve Crispr Gene Editing Therapy

Years ago, I used software called Parallels to run a Windows window on my Mac for a couple programs I needed for work that didn’t offer Mac versions. Now, Microsoft is getting into the act themselves…releasing a Windows App for iOS, iPadOS, MacOS, Windows, and Web browsers. Theverge.com reports that the app essentially takes the previous Windows 365 app and turns it into a central hub for streaming a copy of Windows from a remote PC, Azure Virtual Desktop, Windows 365, Microsoft Dev Box, and Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Services. So far the preview version isn’t available yet on Android. Right now it is also limited to Microsoft’s range of business accounts, but apparently they are planning to offer it using a personal Microsoft Account. 

Google is rolling out Bard for teens, albeit with safety guardrails in place. According to 9to5google.com, It will specifically be available for those that “meet the minimum age requirement to manage their own Google Account” and have English set, while more languages are coming over time. Bard has been trained to “recognize areas that are inappropriate to younger users.” Safety features are in place to “prevent unsafe content, such as illegal or age-gated substances, from appearing in its responses to teens.” Of course teens need no training in trying to get around guard rails, so we’ll see how well the large language system copes with their prodding!

As it moves further towards being a replacement for Twitter, what with the train wreck Elon Musk has made out of what’s now X, Threads is testing hashtags without the hash. Techcrunch.com says the platform is testing the ability to tag topics on Threads to categorize posts by interest or theme. Though users will call up the tags feature using the “#” symbol, it won’t actually display the “#” symbol when the tags are shown. Instead, the tags will appear as clickable blue links. The first test is in Australia, but according to a post by Zuck, it should be showing up on other countries ‘soon.’

The United Kingdom is now the first country to approve therapy based on Crisper gene editing tech…starting with treatment for sickle cell disease. Arstechnica.com reports that the therapy has been developed by Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Crispr Therapeutics. The drug could be used to replace bone marrow transplants. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has approved the therapy, and has promised to focus on speeding the most innovative treatments to market after being given permission from next year to cut its workload by following other countries’ recommendations on approvals of other drugs.

I’m Clark Reid and you’re ‘Technified’ for now.