Weekly Roundup 7/5/2016

Happy Tuesday, Readers! As the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio is set to begin on August 5th, techies from across the globe are showcasing recently developed technologies to ensure credible athletic performances and enhanced spectator experiences. Such state-of-the-art technologies track progress in the midst of competition and implement millimetric precision, such as through the digital lap counters for swimming and electronic scoring systems that aid in the immediate analysis of archery results. Not only do these innovations account for accuracy, but these technologies can also be used to promote fairness and equality among competitors and decrease accounts of cheating.

The importance of obtaining fast, error-free results during Olympic competitions parallels that of democratic processes. Elections are an essential component of the vibrant democratic landscape that are meant to validate the legitimate will of voters. Our Elections DemTool assists in preserving the integrity of electoral and political processes by mobilizing citizen involvement. Just as technological advances are revolutionizing the Olympics to become more than simply a spectator sport, DemTools empower the people through political participation.

Tech News:

• How Singapore Will Run The Country Using APIs

• YouTube launches 'Smart Offline' in India for cheaper video downloads

• South Korea launches first Internet of Things network

• New Application for Drones: Disaster Relief

• How China Took Center Stage in Bitcoin’s Civil War

Civic Tech:

• Turkish Government Blocks Social Media In Wake of Airport Attack

• 5 Reasons Why Platforms Are Better Than Bespoke Technical Solutions

• Mobile Learning Lessons: From the Developing to the Developed World

• China's Internet Censorship Chief Steps Down

• The Status of Open Data Initiatives in West Africa

• Critical Digital Citizenship: Promoting Empathy And Social Justice Online