The Tech Circuit

CEBU, Philippines – A Facebook feature for when relationships end

Facebook announced last week that it is testing a new feature that automatically hides posts from an "ex" on News Feeds.

The feature gets activated when a Facebook member changes his or her status to single, offering a series of tools that either limits the statuses and posts of a former partner, un-tag the person from photos with a former partner, or limit the persons who can see past posts with a former partner.

Essentially, the feature allows users to see less of their former partner in Facebook without having to block or un-friend the "ex." More information about the feature is available on Facebook's official newsroom channel.

"Google+" gets a visual redesign

Google implemented a redesign for "Google+" last week - a design update aimed at making experiences more engaging and relevant for members of the social network.

Centered around "Google+" elements like "Collections" and "Communities," the redesign is said to make tasks like searching, posting and interacting with friends easier and faster to do. The update also settles concerns pertaining to timely and relevant posts on a user's "home stream," faster content loading and better user experiences, overall.

More information about the update and tips on getting around the new look of "Google+" is available on the social network's official blog.

A next step in thermal imaging technology

The details of a study conducted by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology became a much talked-about subject among techies last week.

The study reveals that advances in thermal imaging technology are possible with the use of graphene - a flexible type of material that's as thin as a single atom.

The researchers developed a graphene-based thermal imaging system that didn't depend on a cooling system or a refrigerant. Current thermal imaging systems require a cooling system to properly function, a standard requirement that has yet to be overcome.

The real-world applications of a self-cooling, flexible and compact thermal imaging system is quite broad, covering the technology's utilization as portable infrared detectors that can identify body-hand gestures or provide people with compact infrared night vision camera that can be utilized in automobiles.

The researchers presented their study in the online journal Nano Letters, and more information about the study is available via the publication.