Is it possible that we can someday build a computer that’s as powerful and as efficient as a brain?

Researchers at IBM recently unveiled a prototype of their human brain-inspired SyNapse chip. The new postage stamp-sized chip processes information using a network of just over one million “neurons” that communicate with one another using electrical spikes — as actual neurons do.

The chip uses the same basic components as today’s commercial chips, silicon transistors, but its transistors are configured to mimic the behavior of both neurons and the connections – synapses – between them.

Take a look at The Engineer Guy’s recent video in his latest series, Stories of Technological Failure. In this episode, Bill Hammack examines how the PicturePhone, introduced in 1964 by the Bell System, was not simply a consumer product that cost the company half a billion dollars, but an important technical achievement and innovative precursor to the Internet.

Following the recent announcement by Apple of its IOS 8 Health app and corresponding Healthkit platform, Google unveiled its Google Fit health data platform. The Google Fit platform will aggregate health data – like heart rate, steps taken, and blood sugar level – from wearable devices and apps through open APIs.

Forbes reports that the service represents a “major advertising opportunity” for Google. Before that can happen Google Fit will first need to obtain FDA and FTC approval in addition to weighing whether or not consumers are comfortable sharing their health related data with possible advertisers.