We'd be lying if we didn't acknowledge that some of the satisfaction that comes from watching this clip stems from the catharsis that comes from seeing M. Bison, a character that's been frustrating us for a good four and a half years in Street Fighter 5 now, getting absolutely rocked, but it's also just a very aesthetically pleasing sequence.

The newest addition to this current Street Fighter, Seth, is able to teleport about like a damn Dragon Ball Z character when they implement their V-Trigger 1. Put them in the hands of a lab monster like Javits Arias and it almost feels like you're watching an anime battle.

This is something that technically only be performed on Bison since it uses his unique Scissor Kicks install that Seth gains from their V-Skill 1, though there very well may be other characters who offer Seth techniques that function in a same or similar enough manner.

In terms of practicality, this probably isn't a series you're going to see every match as it requires an already activated V-Trigger, a stocked install, and an air to air in the corner.

Javits leaps up to meet his foe with a medium punch and cancels into Seth's Makoto-like axe kick in mid-air. As Bison goes hurtling toward the ground Seth instantly zips below him via teleport and pops him back up skyward with yet another Makoto style technique.

The SF4 boss then follows their foe back up into the air to hit him with yet another axe kick that, again, sends him flying down toward the floor in what appears to be a conclusive end to the combo. It isn't.

Seth actually has time for yet another speedy DBZ teleport and another upward launching fist that juggles Bison up to be hit by a handful of additional attacks. Javits closes the whole thing out with one final teleport, this time sending Seth high above the evil dictator so that they can come crashing down with a multi-hitting drill kick that empties the life bar and finally causes the seven golden "PERFECT" letters to appear on the screen.

Check it out below and let us know if you found it as slick as we did in the comments.

Click image for animated version

Read the original here:
Seth uses a bunch of Makoto's moves and goes full Dragon Ball Z on M. Bison in this oh-so-satisfying Street Fighter 5 beat down - EventHubs

CROWDFUNDING REVIEW Have you ever wanted to add motion-activated lighting to your home but gave up on the idea when you realized the expense and time required to set everything up? I have something for you today that takes all the headaches out of setting up zoned lighting. Its SnapPowers ConnectLight and its awesome. Lets take a look.

The ConnectLight from SnapPower is a Kickstarter project for a motion-activated light that requires no rewiring, apps, Bluetooth, Wifi, etc. All it takes is an existing wall outlet, a screwdriver, and about 2 minutes per light for the install.

If the brand SnapPower sounds familiar, thats because Ive reviewed and continued to use two of their products, the SnapRays GuideLight and the SwitchLight. The new ConnectLight is like the GuideLight on steroids.

Its basically a replacement for your wall outlets cover with a built-in motion sensor and downward-firing LED light and the magic ability to sync with other ConnectLights to create zones.

The ConnectLight has 3 switches. Theres one on the front under the motion detector, which controls the lights brightness setting from low or high, and to turn off the light. Turning the light to off means that it will detect motion but will remain off while the other ConnectLights in the same zone will turn on.

Then on the edges of the ConnectLight there is a switch to assign the light to zone 1 or 2 or to set it to the standalone mode which essentially just turns it into a GuideLight that turns on when motion is detected. The opposite side of the light has a switch that controls the light duration to remain on after tripped. It can be set to 15 seconds, 1 minute, or 5 minutes.

Like SnapPowers other products, installation is a snap (sorry) due to the genius design that pulls power from the outlet without requiring any special wiring or skills on your part.

There are two flexible prongs that pull power when they touch the screw terminals in the outlet box.

To install the SnapPower ConnectLight, you need an outlet and a screwdriver. You should also turn off power to the outlet. I skipped this step and am still typing this, but dont blame me if you ignore SnapPowers instructions an end up zapping yourself.

Read the original post:
SnapPower ConnectLight review The easiest automatic lighting you'll ever install - The Gadgeteer

Camping gear will be distributed to people experiencing homelessness at upcoming giveaways scheduled at three locations in McHenry County this Tuesday and additional dates next month.

The giveaways are meant to address concerns that the pandemic and the associated economic fallout will exacerbate homelessness in the area.

"Many of McHenry county's homeless have to resort to camping and the need to help them will become more urgent," organizer Patrick Murfin said in a news release. "We expect a surge of new homeless with the suspension or reduction of unemployment insurance and the expiration of eviction suspensions. Many will be unhoused for the first time and will include formerly secure individuals and families."

The donations are being organized by the Faith Leaders of McHenry County, an informal group of area clergy, chaplains and volunteers, along with the Compassion for Campers program founded by the Tree of Life Unitarian Church.

Tents, sleeping bags, tarps, pads, coolers, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, hygiene products and non-perishable food, among other items, will be given away, according to a news release.

The gear will be available from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Bethany Lutheran Church, 76 W. Crystal Lake Ave., Crystal Lake.

Distributions also are planned from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 1 at First United Methodist Church, 3717 Main St., McHenry; and from 3:30 to 5 p.m. on Sept. 15. at St. Ann's Episcopal Church, 503 W. Jackson St., Woodstock.

The gear will be given away in a drive-up or walk-up setting, and face masks are required, as is proper social distancing to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Monetary donations from the Faith Leaders group have been added to Compassion funds to buy the camping gear.

Donations can be mailed to 5603 W. Bull Valley Road, McHenry, Illinois, 60050. Checks should be made out to Tree of Life UU Congregation with "Compassion for Campers" on the memo line. Donations to Compassion for Campers cannot be used by Tree of Life for any other purpose, according to the release.

For information, contact Murfin at 815-814-5645 or by email at pmurfin@sbcglobal.net.

More here:
Camping gear for homeless people to be distributed at three McHenry County churches - Northwest Herald

By Julia Swerdin

In the four months since officials broke ground on Lynbrook High Schools renovation, much progress has been made. The project has been in the works for nearly three years, beginning with the communitys approval in October 2017 of a $28.9 million bond to fund it.

A two-story extension from the front entrance to the fields will house a school store, three music rooms, three art rooms and an innovation space on the first floor. On the second floor, five new classrooms will be constructed for family and consumer science classes, as well as the career development program.

Principal Joseph Rainis has attended meetings each month, along with Superintendent Dr. Melissa Burak and Vice Principals Mathew Sarosy and Salvatore Brescia, to hear construction updates and a projected completion date.

Work inside the current building is designed to be completed by September, so we can operate normally with the start of the school year, Rainis said. The skeleton of the new building will begin to take shape, and will continue to be constructed throughout the school year.

As of press time, the footings had been poured on the field to begin building the extension. Room 201, known to students as the Honors/AP Spanish classroom, is becoming a hallway, connecting the second floor to the new area of the building. The room is being stripped and the doorways knocked down to expand the width to the size of a corridor. In the principals offices, steel beams are being installed, and the overhang in the front entrance has been replaced by footings for the extension.

For much of March and April, construction was delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic. Once the renovations resumed, construction workers quickly caught up to their schedule and are now on track to finish construction by the end of next summer.

The courtyard, auditorium and front overhang entrances are currently blocked off by construction, but Rainis is pushing to make them available for students arriving in the fall. Renovations to the field, officials said they hope, will not interrupt students learning, though they will be unable to use the field while this part of the project is under way.

Phys. ed. classes, as well as fire drills and emergency gatherings, will be held on the Kindergarten Centers field, on Atlantic Avenue. The challenge will be to maintain a social distance during drills, Rainis said.

Construction workers have been directed to stay away from students while school is in session.

Parking along Union Avenue will be limited because of the large construction vehicles. No parking signs have been placed along the avenue since the end of March and will remain there until the renovation is complete. This will pose a challenge for students who drive to school, as the high school does not have a parking lot, leaving students to park on the surrounding streets.

Inside the building, the renovation will create new opportunities for co-curricular electives. According to Rainis, Burak is enthusiastic to expand the schools science, technology and art subjects and hopes to incorporate robotics and drones into the curriculum.

This day is a long time coming for us, Burak said in a statement about the groundbreaking. We have gone through many challenges in trying to figure out how we can best support the future of the high school.

At Waverly Park Elementary School, renovations funded by the 2017 bond are also in the works. An elevator is being added to the back of the school, making it accessible to all students and bringing it into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Construction began when school closed and will continue until the fall semester starts. Work was halted for a period of time because of the pandemic, but is being hurried along to stick to the schedule. There will be no disruption to students learning, and the back entrance will be available for use during the school year, should the buildings operate as normal in the fall.

As we prepare for quite a unique September, we are hopeful this project will be completed, Waverly Principal Allison Banhazl said. Our priority is safety for all.

North and South middle schools are additionally under construction this summer to renovate the schools locker rooms and gyms.

Read more here:
Lynbrook school revamp is on track - liherald.com

How do you add more square footage to your house without increasing its size?

It might sound like a riddle, but the answer is easy: look to your garage.

Most municipalities require extensive architectural drawings for new additions, explains KV Harper, founder and principal of the New Orleans-based firm Kex Design + Build, who warns prospective builders to think twice before constructing something new. A garage conversion is a bit less extensive since the structure is already existing.

You will still need approval and permits for the project, but the process will be simpler and likely shorter, and can be a great solution for a family in need of more living space, a guest suite, or an office. But heres what homeowners should ask themselves before giving up their garage.

Even though youre not building a new structure, converting a garage can still be an expensive undertaking. Typical costs range from $6,000 to $21,000, numbers that wont feel as overwhelming if you consider a bank loan, like a Discover personal loan, which offers flexible repayment options. Just remember: like most renovations, the simpler it is, the smaller the budget.

Don't forget labor, which is typically 10 to 20 percent of the final cost.

If youre handy, doing the work (or some of it) yourself will also save money, as labor is typically 10 to 20 percent of the final cost.

The biggest consideration to think about when converting a garage, Harper says, is how the space will be used. Will the layout fit the homeowners needs? she asks.

For Turna Uyar and her boyfriend, homeowners in Long Island, New York, answering this question meant living in their two-bedroom, ranch-style home for more than two years before deciding to convert the garage.

Thus, theyve decided to turn their two-car garage space into a family room and more formal dining room, while also carving out a guest bedroom that will double as an office. This gives them more space in their existing kitchen, and allows for a larger pantry.

They also considered how best to maximize the space, since the overall square footage is relatively smallthe garages footprint is roughly 25 feet by 20 feet. Uyar opted for pocket doors in the conversion rather than swing doors, which would take up unnecessary space.

If I were to [have done] this project from the moment I bought the house, I am sure it would not look like what I have in front of me today, says Uyar.

The biggest thing to consider is adding light, Uyar says. Garages dont usually have windows. Theres only natural light when you open the garage door. They plan to add four regular-sized windows, and one large 6-foot by 5-foot window overlooking the backyard.

You will also likely need to run more wiring and outlets for additional lights, as most garages only have a bare bulb ceiling light. Additional outlets only cost $75 to $100 to install, but if you need to hire an electrician, expect to spend $50 to $100 per hour.

The type of floors and ceilings you choose will influence things like budget and how well the converted portion blends with the rest of the house. A drop ceiling is the cheapest option, but unless you want your new space to look like a strip mall office, opt for drywall, which is $1.60-$2.13 per square foot. If you want to raise the ceiling, expect to spend significantly more. But, if you plan to sell in the future, note that a 10- to 12-foot ceiling can add up to 25 percent more value to a home, so it may be worth the investment.

Garages often sit somewhat lower than the floor of your house, so raising the floor for one continuous level, like Uyar is doing, allows for a seamless transition from the new part to the old.

A kitchen will also need gas lines, and any space will need proper heating and cooling ducts, as most garages are not connected to a homes HVAC system. Installing ducts and vents can cost up to $2,000. Along with that, proper insulation is needed to maintain a comfortable temperature.

In areas with mild climates, parking outside is manageable. For homeowners in areas with harsh winters, this may be the biggest factor in whether or not they want to give up the garage. Do you really want to clear snow and de-ice every morning before work for a third of the year?

Uyar is no stranger to snowy Northeast winters, but she doesnt plan on building a new garage. We never put our cars in the garage, she says. Plus, one-third of the house is the garage. It seems like a crazy amount of space to dedicate to a car. Id rather entertain.

Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.

This commenting section is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page. You may be able to find more information on their web site.

Original post:
Turn Your Garage into the Living Room You've Always Wanted - HouseBeautiful.com

There is an upside to spending more time at home: researching your dream house, down to the cabinet handles.

To decipher what dream home means in a global-pandemic world, Mansion asked the editors of three house-centric websitesHouzz, Decorilla and The Real Houses of IGto identify their most popular images from the first half of the year. We examined photos that home-dcor followers are clicking, liking and scrolling through to better understand todays trends.

The verdict? Its in the details.

People simply have more time and are going to greater lengths to plan out, and to seek inspiration for, their dream home, says Kate Rumson, founder of The Real Houses of IG, a home-and-design Instagram account with 2.4 million followers. Many are in the process of building their homes, she adds, and they are committed to making perfect choices, no matter how small. Questions about wall colors, window treatments and furniture that appear in the background of photos she posts are frequent fodder. "My followers do care about every detail," she says.

These days, many are ushering in brass-adorned kitchen cabinets and high-contrast living rooms, and are rethinking office areas. They seem to be saying goodbye to the all-white kitchen, acoustically challenged open-floor plan and unequipped outdoor space.

More: Bright Ideas for Outdoor Lighting

Homeowners also are moving away from a single style of home throughoutbe it contemporary or farmhousetoward mixing and matching dcor elements, says Houzz editor Anne Colby.

The company had a 58% surge in demand for home-renovation and design professionals in June 2020, compared with June 2019.

"Weve seen particularly strong interest in major outdoor projects," says Ms. Colby.

Todays homeowners are mindful of overall size, choosing realistic footprints. "Were not in a period of economic optimismthe dreams are somewhat different," says Catherine Wallack, an architectural archivist at the University of Arkansas and a trained architect. "The marketed dream home is something thats aspirational, but its possible."

In the spotlight: the home office.

More: How to Choose the Right Couch for Your Space

Homeowners want versatile, well-lighted spaces that are soundproof and can be closed off from the main living area, perhaps via sliding or pocket doors.

They are interested in the notion of separable spacehaving the option to be part of the living space, says San Francisco-based architect William Duff. In some instances, families request two or more nooks to accommodate quiet areas for everyone in the home, including children needing space to do classwork. In past projects, he says, home offices were set up in a spare bedroom as an afterthought.

Overall, construction costs in 2020, to date, are $700 to $900 a square foot, compared with $600 to $800 in 2018 for high-end homes, says Mr. Duff. "People may spend more money on elements of their homes because they are valuing them in a different way," he adds.

He says homeowners are upping spending on areas that dont have a wow factor for visitors. They want top-of-the-line HVAC systems, in an effort to make indoor life safer and more comfortable. Other choices are solid-wood doors for quiet, and custom, built-in storage throughout for more space.

Ms. Rumson has noticed increased interest on her Real Houses Instagram account for utilitarian spaces, including the laundry room, mudroom and walk-in pantry. These private areas are getting a makeover for the benefit of families, not guests, she says. Daring wallpaper choices, funky floor tiles and thoughtfully chosen wall sconces or chandeliers help these smaller areas feel more playful.

More: First Impressions: Front Entries That Are More Than Functional

"They are spending a lot of time in those rooms, and they want to make them functional and beautiful," she says.

Meanwhile, the dream kitchen is getting more down-to-earth. Popular photos show soft greens and browns, with wood accents that complement brass or mixed-metal fixtures. Light-colored oak shelving is another common accent.

"All-white is less popular," says Ms. Colby, whose site now has more than 20 million images. "People are leaning toward a two-tone or three-tone kitchen."

San Francisco interior designer Caitlin Flemming designed a two-tone kitchen that was popular for its simplicity. She used Farrow & Balls Pigeon paint for some of the brass-adorned cabinets, then installed a plain white quartz countertop instead of one in veined marble. "It is all flowing together; sometimes marble can be a little distracting," Ms. Flemming says.

Bathrooms are getting their own updates by blending neutral colors with interesting textures to make small spaces seem bigger, says Stephanie Fryer, a Newport Beach, Calif., interior designer. In one of Houzzs most popular photos, Ms. Fryer hung a painting above the toilet and expanded the shower tile to the entire bathroom to create a cohesive modern space. "It makes it more like a room than just where to use the toilet," she says.

More: Designing a Home Gym With Distinction

When it comes to dining areas, homeowners are focusing on statement lighting or modern wood elements that give a polished feel and set the spaces apart visually from the kitchen, adds Devin Shaffer, lead designer at Decorilla, a company that offers 3-D renderings and product suggestions.

Average project costs rose to $1,205 this year, to date, compared with $990 in 2019, because people are renovating more rooms, he says.

Living and dining areas are using high-contrast black or blue elements, says Ms. Colby. The wall color has switched from darker hues to simple whites.

The pandemic is influencing the outside of the dream home, too. Favored outdoor spaces have dcor and lighting that wouldnt be out of place indoors. Covered cooking areas with built-in grills, fire pits with comfortable seating and dining areas are making it easier to relax or to work outside.

"The patio and the deck are really just another room in the house," says Ms. Colby.

More: Bringing Your Lawn to Life With Sculptures

Many homeowners are asking for easy-to-open walls that can create indoor-outdoor spaces to bring in fresh air and make it easier to entertain during a pandemic, adds Mr. Duff.

For most families, the idea of a dream home shifts with their values and goals, adds Lindsay T. Graham, a researcher at University of California Berkeleys Center for the Built Environment.

"That notion of Im going to do this once and its going to be done is kind of a misnomer," she says. "We grow, so our spaces are going to grow."

Tips for How to Handle a Labor of Love

Decades after falling in love with California wine country, Gordon Rudow, decided to build his dream home in Napa. It took four years to perfect the 4,000-square-foot, prefabricated, modular 1950s designat a cost of $4.75 million. He offers tips on organizing the process:

Start with a concept. Mr. Rudow, working with Jennifer Jones, founder of Niche Interiors in San Francisco, had what he called his brand wordsluxury eco-resort spato guide the design process. "Every choice we made, we shared the same filter," says the leadership consultant.

From Penta: A 1966 Ferrari 275 GTB Becomes the Most Valuable Car Ever Sold Online

Decide on must-haves. Rudow and his wife, Sophia Rudow, who live with their two school-age daughters, opted for natural wood throughout. It took months for them to find a hypoallergenic couch without MDF elements, and a latex mattress. They also installed a $100,000 water-filtration system.

Customize. For the Rudows, it was about perfecting form and fit. The couple went so far as to measure the length of their thighs to tailor built-in seating around the fire pit; custom indoor couches conformed to the same measurements. The team also studied the sun to determine the best angle for the outdoor canopy. "We belabored every one of those measurements and geeked out on them," he says.

Read the rest here:
Top Design Trends of 2020: From Home Offices to Two-Tone Kitchens - Mansion Global

Alexandria, Virginia, a port city on the Potomac River, just below Washington, D.C., is often celebrated for its rich industrial history. As early as the 18th century, its lively waterfront became a bustling hub of tobacco trade, hemp and flour exports, and, as time passed, manufacturing. Often overlookedor, perhaps, just told in a separate chapter of the history bookis the fact that Alexandria was also an epicenter of domestic slave trade, with one of the largest slave markets in the U.S.

So when Brooklyn-based artist and architect Olalekan Jeyifous was tapped by the City of Alexandria to create a public installation in Waterfront Park (1 Prince Street), he decided to confront the issue head-on.

Stories that are uncomfortable are often sidelined, explains Jeyifous, who learned about the citys role in the slave trade while researching Alexandrias industries and meeting with local community groups. I wanted to make something that combined these histories into one narrative.

Jeyifous stands beside his work, Wrought, Knit, Labors, Legacies.

The resulting installation, titled Wrought, Knit, Labors, Legacies, opened on March 21. At the site, overlooking the Potomac River, four ornate, powder-coated metal profiles with benchlike seating emerge from a colorful ground that resembles the traditional quilts commonly made by African Americans. Icons of Alexandrias industrial history are cut from the profilesrailways, armory, flour, tobaccoand more are incorporated into the floor: fish, bricks and trowels, church windows.

Each figure embodies iconography that pertains to four of the major commercial industrial enterprises that Alexandria is known for, Jeyifous explains.

The figures are strong, noble, and black. Most of the time you see a monument for a historic figure, its for a general that did this or that, Jeyifous says. It lionizes an individualusually male, usually whiteit doesnt acknowledge all individuals.

Another view of the public installation, which has been temporarily fenced off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but is still highly visible.

When Wrought, Knit, Labors, Legacies opened to the public at the end of March, the coronavirus pandemic raged, and stay-at-home decrees were already firmly in place. History was writing a different sort of story for a public art installation. Right now, a low fence keeps visitors from getting up close with the installation, but walking in the park and surrounding trails is still permitted.

Discover AD PRO

The ultimate resource for design industry professionals, brought to you by the editors of Architectural Digest

On the day I spoke with Jeyifous, he was sheltering in place back at his home in Brooklyn, while keeping an eye on the project from a 24-hour camera that streams the park. I like to see whos out there, he said. At the moment he could observe three or four people, safely distanced. Im excited to see what resonates with people. At a time when a short walk outside has become a luxury we ration and savor, he certainly has a captive audience.

Read more here:
A New Public Art Installation in Alexandria Confronts the Citys Ties to the Slave Trade - Architectural Digest

Evalution Flooring has joined forces with Recycle 4 Africa Waste Management (R4AWM), a company specialising in waste recovery, to offer decentralised container systems capable of transforming plastic waste into building materials such as bricks or paving stones.

The two companies have already installed a first plastic waste recovery unit for the Grandwest Hotel in Cape Town. Called the Enviro Brick, the waste recovery system consists of a compartment in which plastic waste is disposed of. The plastic waste is powdered before being heated. After the used plastic is melted, a binder is added and the mixture is poured into moulds, which are then cast into blocks or paving stones. Anyone who has received training from R4AWM in block making can use the machine, explains Evalution Flooring.

According to Evalution Flooring, the container also eliminates bacteria, and thus makes it possible to process non-recyclable or even contaminated waste. The eco-bricks can then be used to build solid and durable single-storey structures, which is not only more energy efficient, but also more cost-effective, as the production process is cheaper, says the South African company.

Such an initiative to use recycled plastic in construction is not a first in South Africa. In September 2019, the South African company Shisalanga Construction started work on a 1.7 km stretch of road in KwaZulu-Natal province using recycled plastic material. For the construction of that section of road in South Africa, recycled plastic waste is used as a binder in the asphalt, thereby replacing bitumen.

However, questions are likely to be raised about the long-term resistance of the materials, but also about the benefits of living in plastic constructions, which would then replace local materials The short-term advantage of this type of solution probably cannot hide the need for a longer-term response to the proliferation of plastic waste in Africa.

Jean Marie Takouleu

See the original post:
SOUTH AFRICA: Evaluation and R4AWM install waste recovery containers in Grandwest - AFRIK 21

SPONSORED by Beth Hobart, Mainframe Real Estate: This beautifully updated three-bedroom, two-bathroom home is tucked under mature trees, with a landscaped yard, a two-car carport, and great curb appeal.

Refinished hardwood floors are featured throughout the home, and the open floor plan has tons of natural light thanks to a wall of windows looking out to the fully fenced yard.

The updated kitchen features newer stainless steel appliances, slate floors, and white cabinetry.

The master suite has an updated master bath and French doors that lead out to a spacious backyard with an expansive deck; ideal for grilling out and entertaining friends and family.

This home boasts a custom whole house sound system, new HVAC installed in 2020, a newer roof installed in 2016, and updated plumbing and electric.

Located at 308 S. Hampton Avenue [GMap] this home is within walking distance to Carl Langford Park, Dickson Azalea Park, and all the shops and restaurants in the Milk District and Thornton Park. Youd also be a short bike ride away from Lake Eola and have easy access to all major roadways.

The asking price is $345,000.

Click HERE for the listing or contact Beth Hobart, Mainframe Real Estate, at [emailprotected], http://www.BethHobart.com to arrange a tour immediately.

All photos by Gil Levy, Framed Listings.Instagram @framedlistings

Read this article:
House of the Day: Beautiful 3/2 home in downtown Orlando asking $345000 - Bungalower

Consulting giant PwC is developing a mobile app for corporate clients that can track which employees are in close contact with each other, and alert human resources who may be at highest risk for coming down with Covid-19.

PwC will sell the app to its clients, and will require the app internally as the 275,000-person company returns to its offices. Currently, it's being tested in the company's Shanghai office.

The app is a preview of the type of technology that large companies could deploy as employees return to work. As workplaces re-open, companies are grappling with how to handle future Covid-19 outbreaks and make employees feel safe enough to return.

PwC believes that digital contact tracing can answer those questions. Using signals from user's phones, it can tell how far away and how long two people were in contact. If someone at a workplace tests positive for Covid-19, HR can then look up which other employees are at the highest risk using the digital contact tracing system.

Governments are currently building apps to do digital contact tracing on national and statewide scales, and Apple and Google have teamed up to build technology into their smartphone operating systems that makes these apps easier to build and more appealing to use while trying to guarantee some degree of user privacy.

But contact tracing software works best when it's widely deployed, because the more devices emitting signals the more chances the system has to pick up when two people were in contact. And countries can't generally force citizens to download and use these apps, which limits their effectiveness.

An app that employers require before allowing workers to return to the office doesn't have that problem, and PwC says it has robust privacy, access and retention controls to ensure that only company administrators can access the data.

"I think an employer-led model that can drive adoption to their employees, right now from surveys that we've done, I feel like we'll have a higher adoption rate," said Tom Puthiyamadam, a digital leader working on the project for PwC.

Here's how it works: Workers load a mobile app onto their work phone (or personal phone, with permission). The app asks for the employee's email and instructs them to turn on Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, then runs in the background throughout the day.

Whenever the phone's GPS says it's in the workplace, the app allows the phone to become an "observer" and collect information, like the strength of Bluetooth signals from other nearby phones. The contact tracing software analyzes those signals and figures out how close the phones were for how long, then summarizes that info into a dashboard that company leaders can use to make decisions about office layouts, closures and productivity.

PwC said that company execs and leaders in HR and operations are increasingly looking for tools like these to help re-open workplaces and that it's lined up hundreds of client calls and demos for the software.

One benefit for management is the ability to pinpoint infection so that entire offices or floors aren't shut down from a single confirmed case of Covid-19.

Puthiyamadam explained that earlier this year, employees at the company would get emails about being potentially exposed to Covid-19, and it seemed like an inefficient way to handle the virus in a workplace versus tracing exactly who might have been exposed.

He describes receiving emails with unhelpful messages like "'If you happen to be in the office on these dates and all these floors, you may have been exposed. If you were, you may want to self isolate.' We were getting those notes constantly," Puthiyamdam said. "That's why we went ahead and built something for our clients. And yes, we built something that will also be deployed at PwC when we begin to return to work."

Once an employee tests positive, "then it's up to the HR team to say, 'Alright, who do you want to notify?'"Puthiyamdam said. "They could say 'go in 14 days of isolation' versus saying, 'hey, we're going to shut down this entire floor of the office, and everybody go home for 14 days.'"

PwC, which is privately held, will sell the software starting in mid-May with a subscription fee. It's part of a product called Check-In which also includes tools for remote work.

See the rest here:
Companies could require employees to install coronavirus-tracing apps like this one from PwC before coming back to work - CNBC