Compiled by
MARIE BORAN
INSTALL: INRIX Traffic app
This free app ostensibly gives real-time traffic data in your area, but the amount of data will depend on those using the service and where you live.
It overlays map information with green stretches indicating fast moving traffic and red for potential snarl-ups. Those using the service can report accidents and police incidents to inform fellow drivers and improve accuracy.
Be careful with the app icons; I accidentally reported an incident while trying to view one.
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CHECK: What’s the best seat on an airplane?
UK travel site Skyscanner surveyed 1,000 airline passengers to find out what their favourite seat is. It turns out that 6A is the most popular while 31E was the worst because its a middle seat towards the back of the plane.
Frequent travellers choose the left side; the windows are off centre so theres space to lean for a quick snooze. On a related note, a 2007 study ( iti.ms/L0y5oG) suggests that those sitting in the back have a higher chance of survival during a place accident.
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LISTEN: Whale FM
Did you know that whales from different regions may have distinctive dialects? Scientists have been gathering recordings from orca and pilot whales over the past few years and have a vast database to sort from. In order to make sense of these they have created Whale FM, a website where members of the public can help group together similar whale sounds. This can help identify patterns and possibly even lead to decoding the meaning behind whale calls.
WATCH: Silk
Silk is a new web app from an Amsterdam start-up that allows users to gather information together, mix, filter and visualise it on pages they create themselves. It’s like a geekier, more useful Pinterest: you pull in existing data from Wikipedia or Quora and, within the Silk editor, you can sort through and do interesting things with it.
If you want to see how to get started watch the YouTube video ( iti.ms/L0ylUG). Has good potential.
