Communications
![A woman looks at a video call meeting on a laptop screen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qCaBqzj9rfWoqHrAm38V8G-320-80.jpg)
Have you ever wanted to know the science behind those smartphone messages you send daily and what digital conversations will look like in the future? Live Science is here to guide you through the complex, compelling and ever-changing world of human communications.
From facts about 5G to how a cosmic-ray 'GPS' system could change the way we respond to disasters; and from why Facebook will be littered with 'zombie' profiles to how wireless devices overwhelm nature's signals, our expert writers and editors have communications covered with the latest news, articles and features.
Latest about Communications
![An artist's illustration of cosmic rays raining down on Earth from space.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7mmgV2UDnoV8ztZFpNDRrF-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7mmgV2UDnoV8ztZFpNDRrF-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7mmgV2UDnoV8ztZFpNDRrF-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7mmgV2UDnoV8ztZFpNDRrF-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7mmgV2UDnoV8ztZFpNDRrF-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7mmgV2UDnoV8ztZFpNDRrF-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7mmgV2UDnoV8ztZFpNDRrF-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7mmgV2UDnoV8ztZFpNDRrF-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Cosmic-ray 'GPS' system that tracks underground movement could change the way we respond to disasters
By Ben Turner published
A new system that uses subatomic particles produced high in Earth's atmosphere could provide a view inside volcanoes and help locate people trapped beneath rubble.
![null](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qg6pFq7QnsPkd7Urj6QkNX-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qg6pFq7QnsPkd7Urj6QkNX-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qg6pFq7QnsPkd7Urj6QkNX-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qg6pFq7QnsPkd7Urj6QkNX-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qg6pFq7QnsPkd7Urj6QkNX-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qg6pFq7QnsPkd7Urj6QkNX-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qg6pFq7QnsPkd7Urj6QkNX-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Qg6pFq7QnsPkd7Urj6QkNX-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Wireless Devices Overwhelm Nature's Signals
By Jeremy Hsu last updated
The "electronic fog" of manmade signals could dampen scientific discoveries.
![A technician uses telephonic tapping equipment.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CcX8FpgmSUpwHCSxrZz5aT-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CcX8FpgmSUpwHCSxrZz5aT-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CcX8FpgmSUpwHCSxrZz5aT-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CcX8FpgmSUpwHCSxrZz5aT-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CcX8FpgmSUpwHCSxrZz5aT-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CcX8FpgmSUpwHCSxrZz5aT-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CcX8FpgmSUpwHCSxrZz5aT-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CcX8FpgmSUpwHCSxrZz5aT-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
How does a secure phone line work?
By Benjamin Plackett published
Encryption tech can be either hardware or software.
![A computer screen displays the Facebook logo.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bRZdYRM5cPMhM4ujim7SKd-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bRZdYRM5cPMhM4ujim7SKd-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bRZdYRM5cPMhM4ujim7SKd-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bRZdYRM5cPMhM4ujim7SKd-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bRZdYRM5cPMhM4ujim7SKd-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bRZdYRM5cPMhM4ujim7SKd-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bRZdYRM5cPMhM4ujim7SKd-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bRZdYRM5cPMhM4ujim7SKd-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
Facebook Will Be Littered with More 'Zombie' Profiles Than Living Ones by 2070
By Stephanie Pappas published
Facebook will be a virtual graveyard.
![Elon Musk speaks at the Tesla Design Studio on April 30, 2015, in Hawthorne, California.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v74LZUohZKzGS6CiNkC7TQ-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v74LZUohZKzGS6CiNkC7TQ-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v74LZUohZKzGS6CiNkC7TQ-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v74LZUohZKzGS6CiNkC7TQ-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v74LZUohZKzGS6CiNkC7TQ-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v74LZUohZKzGS6CiNkC7TQ-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v74LZUohZKzGS6CiNkC7TQ-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v74LZUohZKzGS6CiNkC7TQ-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
SpaceX's Elon Musk Proposes Media Company That Rates Journalists. Is He Serious?
By Elizabeth Howell published
What's behind his posts? Is it just another Musk prank, or is he actually serious about the idea?
![Tom's Guide testers get ready to drop a smartphone from a drone.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cgp4yKuVxmoUak95ubyzVa-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cgp4yKuVxmoUak95ubyzVa-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cgp4yKuVxmoUak95ubyzVa-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cgp4yKuVxmoUak95ubyzVa-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cgp4yKuVxmoUak95ubyzVa-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cgp4yKuVxmoUak95ubyzVa-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cgp4yKuVxmoUak95ubyzVa-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cgp4yKuVxmoUak95ubyzVa-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
How Can a Smartphone Survive a 100-Foot Drop But Crack on Your Floor?
By Stephanie Pappas published
It's all about the angle of contact.
![stingray device](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r9amv6J6PCSMbPeUpJMqZd-320-80.jpg 320w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r9amv6J6PCSMbPeUpJMqZd-450-80.jpg 450w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r9amv6J6PCSMbPeUpJMqZd-500-80.jpg 500w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r9amv6J6PCSMbPeUpJMqZd-650-80.jpg 650w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r9amv6J6PCSMbPeUpJMqZd-840-80.jpg 840w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r9amv6J6PCSMbPeUpJMqZd-970-80.jpg 970w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r9amv6J6PCSMbPeUpJMqZd-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r9amv6J6PCSMbPeUpJMqZd-1200-80.jpg 1200w)
'Stingray' Spy Devices Are Eavesdropping in Washington, D.C.: Here's How
By Tia Ghose published
Government officials admitted that rogue spying devices are being used in Washington, D.C., to intercept people's cellphone data. What exactly are these devices?
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