Emerging Tech
Watch this anthropomorphic robot strut to 'Stayin' Alive'
DARPA originally provided the funding to develop this dancing robot
Digital Government
Pentagon to bolster networks and cyberattack capabilities with ‘Plan X’
DARPA will fund tools to streamline and coordinate cyber espionage and other offensive operations.
Digital Government
VA and Defense drop vendor-specific database requirement for joint pharmacy system
Bidders will no longer have to use First Databank database.
Modernization
Commerce prepares for move to cloud email
NIST will be the first division to make the transition.
Emerging Tech
Curiosity scientists select random rock on Mars to shoot with laser
N165 is the (un)luckiest bit of basalt on Mars. Which is saying something because there is a lot of basalt on Mars.
Modernization
USDA expects employees’ use of mobile devices to skyrocket
The Agriculture Department plans to build a mobile apps store to support 100,000 phones and tablets.
Digital Government
BYOD on the government’s dime?
Government may pay for part of federal employees’ monthly plans.
Digital Government
Apple is now the most valuable company of all time
The company beats a record formerly held by Microsoft.
Digital Government
Army general accused of wasteful spending in IG probe
First GSA, then the VA, now an Army officer allegedly involved in frivolous spending. Who's next?
Cybersecurity
Monitoring employees online: How much is too much?
Software allows agencies to monitor what employees do on a computer down to the keystroke, but where is the line between legitimate security needs and intrusion?
Emerging Tech
MIT scientists create penny-sized rocket thruster
Technology could propel mini-satellites, reduce space clutter.
People
Union aims to prove its members' worth
NTEU survey says Americans believe the government needs to commit more resources and manpower to areas such as food safety, veterans’ assistance, and nuclear safety.
People
OMB demands agencies trim IT for 2014
New guidance requires agencies to propose IT cuts, reinvestments.
Emerging Tech
DARPA taps Northrop Grumman for advanced transceiver
Device will work across at least five radio frequencies.
Digital Government
At NSA, computers sometimes make the policy calls
The military espionage agency automates the work of complying with privacy laws to more efficiently spy on foreigners.
Emerging Tech
Harvard researchers build squishy robots with camouflage abilities
Robots imitate soft-bodied creatures such as starfish.
Modernization
Federal IT faces painful budget pressure
Tech funding likely will be the same under Obama or Romney, but priorities might shift.
Digital Government
Some managers track ‘every detail’ on feds’ computer use
SpectorSoft program allows supervisors to watch workers’ actions ‘like a DVR.’
Modernization