UW researchers turn a smart speaker into a heartbeat monitor

Walter Isaacson on his new book, ‘The Code Breaker’ | Cashing in on a cat meme ADVERTISEMENT [GeekWire]( SPONSOR MESSAGE: 2021 GeekWire Awards call for nominees: [Do you know a person, company or organization deserving of a GeekWire Award? Submit nominations & learn more about the GeekWire Awards today!]( TODAY'S TOP STORIES Turning a smart speaker into a heartbeat monitor: University of Washington researchers Anran Wang and Dr. Dan Nguyen (above) have figured out a way to use machine-learning algorithms to turn smart speakers into sensitive medical devices that can detect irregular heartbeats. The scientists use smart speakers like Amazon Echo or Google Home to send out an inaudible sound that bounces off a person’s chest and returns to the device, reshaped in a way that reveals the heartbeat. [Read more](. Interview with Walter Isaacson: “The next few decades are going to be the era of biotech,” says the author in a GeekWire podcast conversation about his new book, The Code Breaker: Jennifer Doudna, Gene Editing and the Future of the Human Race. “We’ll be able to do totally amazing things that will not only make us healthier but in some ways will transform our species. So as much as I love the digital revolution, I think this is the big one.” [Read more and listen to the episode here](. Is this meme a moneymaker? Seattle’s Steve Ibsen was 17 in 2004 when he created a goofy video that made it look like his cat was dancing. In the years since, “Kitty Cat Dance” has become a well-known part of the internet’s vast meme culture — and it’s been copied and profited on by lots of people who were not Ibsen. He’s looking to change that by tapping into the craze around digital art and blockchain tech. [Read more.]( Zillow lawsuit: Austin-based Real Estate Exchange accuses Zillow of anticompetitive behavior related to how certain homes are shown on its platform. The National Association of Realtors (NAR) is also listed as a defendant in the suit. [Read more](. Amazon backs energy bill: [Crosscut]( reporter Melissa Santos writes about how Amazon is embracing the adoption of a low-carbon fuel standard in Washington state, telling Gov. Jay Inslee that the plan would be “a cost-effective strategy” to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. [Read more](. We’re No. 1 — again! Washington state has [topped U.S. News & World Report’s annual Best States ranking]( becoming the first state to top the list two years in a row. The report calls out Washington’s thriving economy — the fastest growing in the nation — which is buoyed by the strength of the tech industry. 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