TECHNOLOGY AND MORE!
Apple will pay $18 million to settle broken FaceTime suit
100+Engadget / 1h
Apple has agreed to pay $18 million to settle a case accusing the company of intentionally breaking FaceTime on iOS 6. The class-action lawsuit, which was filed in 2017, argued that the tech giant disabled the video-calling application on the iPhone 4 and 4S as a cost-saving measure. See, Apple uses peer-to-peer direct connection and another method that relies on third-party servers for FaceTime
Jake Gyllenhaal and Stephen Colbert bonding over sourdough is an adorable watch
31Mashable / 22min
Aside from busting out jaw-dropping harmonies with his Sunday in the Park With George co-star Annaleigh Ashford, Jake Gyllenhaal has spent his quarantine baking. Sourdough, specifically. "I have sourdough rising," the actor whispers at the start of the clip above, after motioning for Stephen Colbert to keep his voice down. "It's resting, my sourdough's resting." During their Late Show chat, the t
Nokia and Robotical to assist with schooling in SA
Popular Mechanics / 21min
The post appeared first on Popular Mechanics .
In conversation with Sasha Astafyeva, Atomico’s new consumer-focused investment partner
TechCrunch / 17min
European VC firm Atomico announced this week that it has hired Sasha Astafyeva as a new investment partner. Astafyeva previously spent three years as a principal at Felix Capital . In her new role, she’ll lead “sourcing, due diligence, and management” of consumer tech companies, according to a company statement. Originally from Ukraine, Astafyeva was previously head of business intelligence and s
Their Met Gala, Their Way. You’re Invited.
40NYT > Technology / 27min
A group of internet kids are about to hold the biggest fashion party of the year.
This simple little tool is the perfect companion for the COVID-19 era
Mashable / 29min
TL;DR: Avoid touching public surfaces with the Hygiene Hand for $19.99, a 20% savings as of April 29. The World Health Organization reports that coronavirus pathogens can live on surfaces for up to 72 hours. In other words, we need to stop touching things and keep washing our hands. But naturally, that's easier said than done. You can't really avoid door handles, elevator buttons, or punching you
10 WFH essentials that you absolutely need
Mashable / 29min
Working from home full-time has its pros and cons. Pro: You can wear sweats all day, every day. Con: There are distractions everywhere. Pro: It's your space and nobody can tell you otherwise. Con(s): No more free WiFi , internet security , or snacks. It's certainly a trade-off. If you've recently moved to a remote setup and are having trouble adjusting, we're here to get you situated (although we
LearnNow can help equip you with recession-proof skills, plus it's on sale
Mashable / 29min
TL;DR: Get unlimited lifetime access to LearnNow's complete developer and IT pro library for $79.99, a 91% savings as of April 29. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that the economy is in rough shape. The unemployment rate is at its highest since the Great Depression, and the abrupt halt in commercial activity is impacting practically every industry. Even after/if/when coronavirus goes away
Ever heard of liquid screen protector? We found some on sale for just $16.
Mashable / 29min
TL;DR: Keep your phone protected and clean with this liquid screen protector for $15.99, a 46% savings as of April 29. As your iPhone screen time notifications have rudely pointed out, you've been on your phone much more than usual these past few weeks. Since it may be one of your main sources of amusement and connection during the COVID-19 era, you should probably make sure it stays in good shap
Tech in the time of the coronavirus
Popular Mechanics / 1h
The post appeared first on Popular Mechanics .
WhatsApp sees 70% cut in viral message forwarding
Popular Mechanics / 1h
The post appeared first on Popular Mechanics .
South African space achievements
Popular Mechanics / 2h
The post appeared first on Popular Mechanics .
Billy Porter reveals how his iconic mechanical Grammys hat actually worked
28Mashable / 2h
Like many of us, Billy Porter has been "taking a break" while stuck at home during the coronavirus pandemic. But the actor seems to have a unique understanding of what the term means. Speaking to Jimmy Fallon on Tuesday, Porter stated that he's been working on his memoir, a children's picture book, a TV pilot, and new music, completely eclipsing everyone else's half-baked pandemic productivity go
YESTERDAY
Coronavirus: A new way of dating during lockdown
100+BBC News - Technology / 2h
Omar Mehtab looks at how online dating is being reinvented in these times of social isolation.
Gallery robot helps people experience art from home
81BBC News - Technology / 2h
The telepresence robot is helping people who would not be able to visit to experience the gallery.
Universal's plans for more 'premium VOD' push AMC to drop its movies
AMC Universal TWT Trolls90Engadget / 3h
Earlier today the Wall Street Journal reported that a direct-to-home release of Trolls World Tour earlier this month netted Universal more revenue than the box office release of the first Trolls film. According to its sources, the $20-per-rental scheme netted about $95 million, and with the studio keeping much more of the money than it would from box office receipts, it made some $77 million. Say
Huawei Mate Xs successor might be more like a Galaxy Fold
SlashGear / 3h
Back when the giants Samsung and Huawei were competing over foldable phones, there were two schools of design that became prevalent last year. It was the Galaxy Fold’s “innie” versus the Mate X’s “outie”. Neither has been completely impervious to accidents but the Huawei Mate X may have been taking too many risks. That may be just one of two … Continue reading
'Crop dusting us with corona': Seth Meyers tells joggers to keep their social distance
100+Mashable / 3h
One of the few legitimate reasons for leaving your home amidst the coronavirus pandemic is to get some safely socially-distanced exercise. Unfortunately, as Late Night host Seth Meyers noted on Tuesday, some joggers are eschewing simple precautionary measures in favour of running up behind people and panting spittle like germ sprinklers. "It's like a horror movie, except Jason had the decency to
Samsung expects COVID-19 to hurt smartphone and TV sales, but increase demand for memory
100+TechCrunch / 3h
In its first-quarter earnings report today, Samsung said it expects the COVID-19 pandemic to continue impacting its business for the rest of the year, cutting into sales for smartphones and TVs, but increasing demand for PCs, servers and memory chips as people continue to work or study from home. Samsung’s results for the first-quarter of 2020 was in line with the guidance it released earlier thi
Google is killing its experimental social network Shoelace
Google 120 Shoelace100+Engadget / 5h
Google’s experimental Area 120 unit launched Shoelace in mid-2019 as a way to help people get together in real life. Unfortunately, the fledgling social network won’t make it out of the experimental phase — the tech giant has announced that Shoelace is shutting down on May 12th. The service was geared towards people looking for group activities with other locals who share the same interests. Say,
Everybody and Their Mom Watched Trolls World Tour, Apparently
AMC Universal TWT Trolls200+Gizmodo / 5h
Though trolls are generally a social menace we would all do well to keep out of our lives, recent events led to Dreamworks raking in a wild amount of money off them—by putting Trolls World Tour out directly on demand due to movie theaters across the world being closed amid the novel coronavirus pandemic. Read more...
Can API vendors solve healthcare’s data woes?
100+TechCrunch / 6h
A functioning healthcare system depends on caregivers having the right data at the right time to make the right decision about what course of treatment a patient needs. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 epidemic and the acceleration of the consumer adoption of telemedicine, along with the fragmentation of care to a number of different low-cost providers, access to a patient’s medical records to ge
Amazfit X slaps a curved smartwatch on your wrist
31SlashGear / 6h
Smartwatches today seem to go out of their way to emulate the look of classical timepieces, mostly in response to the market shunning the geeky look of the first generation of smartwatches. Xiaomi-backed Amazfit (no relation to Amazon), however, is now going in the completely opposite direction and giving smartwatches the hi-tech yet still stylish look they may finally deserve. … Continue reading
The best Microsoft Surface Go alternative right now is great for remote working
68TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
Chuwi’s UBook Pro is probably the best alternative to the Surface Go that Microsoft seems to have retired. All stocks of the diminutive tablet are currently out of stock and have been so for a while. You can still get it from third parties, often at a much higher price. Gearbest sells the Chuwi UBook Pro for $399.99 (or £340/AU$670) when you use the coupon code GBCHUWI123. Exact prices after the
Canon EOS Webcam Utility turns ILCs and PowerShots into USB webcams
SlashGear / 6h
Video conferencing is the in thing these days thanks to the inability to go to work and have face-to-face meetings. Despite the popularity of services like Zoom, however, users are still limited by the webcam that they may or may not have. Desktops are the biggest culprits but even laptop cameras may make some people wish they could simply use … Continue reading
Gears Tactics brings a PC turn-based strategy flavor to the franchise
SlashGear / 7h
Gears of War has long been Microsoft’s premier franchise that it uses to showcase not only its Xbox consoles but its clout in the gaming biz as well. For the majority of the game’s history, Gears has mostly been comprised of third-person shooters with one or two smaller spin-offs on the side. Now Microsoft and Xbox Game Studios are making … Continue reading
Lego's New Harry Potter Sets Finally Give the World Centaur Minifigures
1KGizmodo / 7h
Despite no new movies or books on the immediate horizon, the Harry Potter universe is so expansive there’s no shortage of locales or characters to inspire new Lego sets. The Danish brickmaker just revealed six new Harry Potter sets arriving in 2020, including a giant flapping Hedwig and the first centaur minifigures. Read more...
Thuan Pham, who fled Vietnam as a child and became Uber’s CTO in 2013, is leaving the company
Uber Pham CTO 2013100+TechCrunch / 7h
Thuan Pham, hired as Uber’s chief technology officer by former CEO Travis Kalanick back in 2013, is leaving the company in three weeks, the ride-share giant revealed today in an SEC filing that came out just as The Information reported that massive layoffs at Uber are being proposed to preserve some of the company’s dwindling capital reserves. The outlet suggests the discussed cuts could impact u
Report: Uber CTO Resigns Amid Plans to Slash Up to a Fifth of the Company's Employees
Uber Pham CTO 2013100+Gizmodo / 7h
Taxi-hailing service Uber, which has been hemorrhaging billions for years and in the last few months has been hammered hard by the coronavirus pandemic, may lay off up to 20 percent of its workforce and recently had its chief technology officer resign. Read more...
Apple Maps COVID-19 testing location markers are now live
Apple Maps Covid US22SlashGear / 8h
Apple’s own Maps app and service were once the laughing stock of the mobile market after it got users lost with incorrect locations and directions. That is, however, now just a distant memory and Apple Maps have become a formidable contender at least for those who live more in Apple’s world. Now it has even taken the lead by finally … Continue reading
Galaxy S20 Ultra camera glass shattering blamed on alleged design flaw
SlashGear / 8h
2020 is starting to become a headache for Samsung and it isn’t just because of the COVID-19 situation. Its second foldable phone, the Galaxy Z Flip, isn’t exactly flying off the shelves but even its actual premium product, the Galaxy S20 series, is having trouble endearing itself to consumers. From the price tag to the decent but not record-breaking camera … Continue reading
This Private Pilot Is The Hero We All Need
34View from the Wing / 8h
On Tuesday evening a private pilot took this flight over Maryland. The Blue Angels and Thunderbirds performed a joint flyover, the Navy and Air Force squadrons performed a tribute to health care workers over Philadelphia, Trenton and New York. But this one solo pilot, I think, truly did the country proud. Continue reading ...
How 'Star Wars' characters drink their coffee, according to a fanfiction writer
200+Mashable / 8h
You think the wildly diverse characters of the Star Wars universe drink their coffee the same way? Not at all, according to popular Archive of Our Own author Violet Wilson. The fanfiction writer tweeted a thread of the different ways characters from all three Star Wars trilogies — and the various standalone movies — would consume their caffeine. Obi-Wan Kenobi, for one, would take pride in his we
The reigning Overwatch League MVP is switching to 'Valorant'
100+Engadget / 8h
For Blizzard and Overwatch , a professional esports league has always been a huge part of its strategy, and now other games are competing for the talent it’s developing. League of Legends maker Riot Games is currently developing its own competitive shooter with Valorant , and today the reigning MVP of Overwatch League announced he’s changing games. fuck i forgot to mention im moving to valorant i
The 2021 Oscars Could Be the Weirdest Oscars Ever
Oscars Streaming Academy50Gizmodo / 8h
The movie industry has been turned upside down , and the people behind Hollywood’s most prestigious awards ceremony are scrambling to recalibrate. Today, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had a board of governors meeting to essentially figure out WTF to do about the 2021 Oscars. Read more...
Lincoln cancels its Rivian-based EV due to COVID-19
Ford Lincoln Rivian100+Engadget / 8h
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to another car cancellation : Lincoln’s Rivian-based electric SUV . After a report in Automotive News , Lincoln has confirmed to Autoblog that the EV has been scrapped due to the “current environment.” The pandemic, in other words. The two are sticking to their overall commitment and an “alternative vehicle” based on Rivian’s platform, but that initial projec
Fortnite version 12.50 update detailed: Here’s what to expect
SlashGear / 9h
It’s that time again — Epic has announced plans for another Fortnite update, one that will arrive on Wednesday, April 29. Contrary to the original plans, this won’t be the final update in the game’s second season; the release of Season 3 has been delayed until early June. This update will bring new changes to the existing season, though some … Continue reading
Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK Airports Adopt New Access Restrictions
29View from the Wing / 9h
Effective today the Port Authority of New York New Jersey is limiting access to Newark, LaGuardia, and JFK airports to "ticketed passengers, airport employees, and other with a need to enter for airport business." Clearing security is already limited, so these new restrictions focus on pre-security areas of the terminals. Continue reading ...
Does It Matter That the DOD Released Those UFO Videos?
500+Wired / 10h
The Department of Defense isn't admitting that aliens exist. But apparently they don’t mind if you check out their sweet rides.
Anchor podcast creation app can now turn videos into audio
SlashGear / 10h
Podcast creation app Anchor has been updated with a new feature that’s arguably critical for audio show creators. In an update on Tuesday, Anchor said that it now supports transforming videos from major platforms like Skype into podcast audio files, which can then be edited like any other audio files. The feature simplifies things for podcast creators who want to … Continue reading
Ford delays self-driving taxis to 2022
Ford Launch Service 202293Engadget / 10h
The COVID-19 pandemic is creating many problems for the car industry, and that extends to Ford’s self-driving taxis . While discussing its quarterly earnings, the company revealed that its autonomous vehicle services have been delayed from 2021 to 2022. In a statement to TechCrunch , it said it needed to “evaluate” the effect of COVID-19 on customer behavior and potentially change its strategy. I
WhatsApp eyes credit feature for users in India
100+TechCrunch / 10h
WhatsApp, which began testing its mobile payments feature in India two years ago , could offer at least one more financial service to people in its biggest market. In a filing with the local regulator in India, the company has listed credit as one of the areas it will pursue in the country. The Facebook -owned service declared with the local regulator earlier this month providing credit or loans
Alphabet grew more than expected in Q1, but its ad business saw ‘significant slowdown’ in March
Alphabet Google Q181TechCrunch / 10h
Today after the bell, Alphabet , parent company of Google, reported its Q1 2020 performance. The company’s $41.16 billion in revenue for the three-month period came in ahead of expectations , besting analyst estimates of $40.33 billion. However, its earnings per share came in under expectations, with the street anticipating $10.38 in per-share profit, while Alphabet delivered a slimmer $9.87 in p
Alphabet’s Profit Is Up, but Company Warns of Difficulties
Alphabet Google Q1100+NYT > Technology / 11h
The chief executive of Google’s parent company said it experienced a “significant and sudden slowdown” in advertising in March.
DJI Mavic Air 2: Five reasons to upgrade your drone
DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone45SlashGear / 11h
Following numerous leaks, DJI officially took the wraps off its new Mavic Air 2 drone this week, revealing an updated model that brings a number of new features and capabilities. The new model arrives around two and a half years after the launch of the original Mavic Air drone, but some users remain hesitant to upgrade. DJI gives its customers … Continue reading
Best Google Smart Speaker Deals (April 2020): Nest Mini, Hub Max, and More
100+Wired / 11h
From the Nest Mini to the Hub Max, you can save money if you're looking to build a smarter home.
Belgians Get the Most Delicious Coronavirus Quarantine Order
400+Gizmodo / 11h
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to pummel the food industry amid government lockdowns, Belgians are being asked to lend a hand to one struggling market in particular: Potatoes. More specifically, Belgians are being called upon to eat a ton of fries. Read more...
Why airlines cancel flights at the last minute — and why it’s good news for you
The Points Guy / 11h
The coronavirus pandemic has taken a massive toll on airlines worldwide. In response, they’ve cut their schedules and parked significant portions of their fleets. But these changes didn’t just happen overnight. Instead, the U.S. carriers have taken a phased approach to route suspensions and cancellations. Interestingly, this gradual slowdown has unearthed two interesting phenomenons. The first is
Star Trek: Voyager's Must Watch Episodes
200+Gizmodo / 11h
So far, our guides to the unmissable episodes of each entry in the Star Trek franchise have dealt with lauded icons of the series. The esteemed original . The beloved Next Generation . The revered, dark Deep Space Nine . And now, we’re at Star Trek: Voyager , a show which is...well, not loved as much as those (but very… Read more...
Streaming films are temporarily eligible for Oscars, no theatrical run required
Oscars Streaming Academy100+TechCrunch / 11h
Widespread theatrical closures have forced the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to loosen the rules around which films qualify for Oscars. This might not seem like much of a breakthrough in a year when Netflix got the most Oscar nominations of any studio , and when the streamer’s original films ultimately walked away with two Oscars . However, in order to compete in Best Picture and ot
Streaming-only movies will be eligible for awards at the 2021 Oscars
Oscars Streaming Academy200+Engadget / 11h
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is easing up on its opposition to streaming movies , however temporarily. Its board of governors has approved a rule change that will make digital-only movies eligible to win Oscars, but just for the current awards year. There’s no mystery as to why. With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing theaters in Los Angeles (and much of the world) to close, the Aca
Kick Your At-Home Fitness Gear Into Shape, Even on a Budget
Lifehacker / 11h
Working out is one of the better ways to stay busy: it’s productive, fills your time, and can give you a chance to make absolutely insufferable posts online. Plus, there’s a medical purpose as well: by being physically active, you can get some of those “endorphins” I’ve heard so much about. Read more...
Doctors in Europe Warn of Link Between Covid-19 and Toxic Shock Symptoms in Children
88Gizmodo / 11h
Doctors in Europe are warning that they’ve started to see an alarming rise of rare, life-threatening complications among children confirmed or suspected to have covid-19. However, it’s not certain how common these complications are or whether they’re necessarily connected to the novel coronavirus. Read more...
SiriusXM rises on Q1 earnings beat, but warns of coronavirus impacts to come
68TechCrunch / 11h
SiriusXM’s first-quarter 2020 earnings today painted a picture of what’s ahead for the music and entertainment service in light of the coronavirus outbreak. While the company surprised with both an earnings and revenue beat in the quarter ended March 2020, its satellite radio business also lost net subscribers due to declines in auto shipments , and the company spoke of further declines in ad sal
Facebook Will Let Creators Supplement Their Dried-Up Income With Paid Livestreams
Facebook Bowman Zuckerberg62Gizmodo / 11h
Streamers and content creators typically rely on subscriptions, Patreon donations, or affiliate money from Twitch or YouTube to keep the lights on. But for those who had a more traditional, brick-and-motor business before the pandemic, it might be tough keep providing their customers, students, or clients the same… Read more...
Moving Out released to Nintendo Switch, PS4, launch day 1 on Xbox Game Pass
SlashGear / 11h
The Xbox One Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass for PC crews have a day 1 release in store for the month of April, as of today. The game Moving Out was released for multiple platforms, including Xbox, PlayStation 4, PC, and Nintendo Switch, and it’s ready to roll immediately. This game is made for both single-player and co-op play, … Continue reading
'Queer Eye' expert Bobby Berk is helping people get their 'Animal Crossing' houses in shape
B. Berk Animal Crossing400+Mashable / 11h
Animal Crossing for the Nintendo Switch has become a de facto replacement for social interaction and being outside in the time of social isolation. Much of the fun of Animal Crossing is the freedom it gives its players to be creative in designing their homes and islands, a freedom only limited by the bells in their wallets, the DIYs on their Nookphone...and perhaps a general lack of design sense.
Streaming films are eligible for next year's Academy Awards — but there's a catch
Oscars Streaming Academy24Mashable / 11h
With the pandemic decimating the 2020 theatrical release calendar, the Oscars have made an unprecedented decision: For the first time in the nine-decade history of the Academy Awards, streaming films that did not get a theatrical release will be allowed to compete. The Hollywood Reporter writes that the decision was reached Tuesday during a Zoom meeting of the organization's board of directors. I
New website offers quick mental health support during COVID-19
100+Mashable / 11h
There's no shortage of local, state, and national helplines that offer support to people during emotional or mental health crises. The problem is that they've not been easily accessible in one searchable database, which means it might take callers or texters reaching out for help longer to find the resources they need. A new website launched Tuesday by the Pandemic Crisis Services Coalition aims
Is air travel on the rebound? TSA reports a week of passenger growth
The Points Guy / 11h
The dramatic falloff in U.S. airline passengers may have hit bottom, judging from a recent uptick in screening numbers from the Transportation Security Administration. The agency had been screening more than 2 million travelers on most days earlier this year, but those numbers cratered as the coronvirus pandemic took a swift hold in the U.S. The nadir may have come on April 14, when the agency sc
Amnesiac Janelle Monáe tries to recover her past in Homecoming S2 trailer
38Ars Technica / 11h
Janelle Monáe stars in Homecoming season 2, coming soon to Amazon Prime. Janelle Monáe plays an amnesiac woman with a mysterious past who suspects that everyone around her is covering up a dark secret in the second season of Homecoming , Amazon Prime's critically acclaimed psychological thriller. The first season, starring Julia Roberts, was an adaptation of the popular podcast of the same name,
Here’s How Summons Work In Final Fantasy VII Remake
400+Lifehacker / 12h
Final Fantasy wouldn’t be Final Fantasy without summons. Ever since Final Fantasy III , you’ve been able to call on superpowered mythical beasts for aid in battle, effectively turning the tide at the press of a button. Final Fantasy VII Remake , the new dance-off game from Square Enix , is no different. Read more...
Staring at a Stranger for 60 Seconds Helped Me Feel Better About Quarantine Life
100+Gizmodo / 12h
Physical distancing is necessary to keep our communities safe and healthy, yeah, but it sure is making us all a lot lonelier. Yes, we’re flattening the curve—and that’s crucially important—but it’s hard to cut ourselves off from our friends and family for weeks at a time. Zoom calls are simply no replacement for… Read more...
TripAdvisor will cut almost 25% of its workforce as the travel industry languishes
100+TechCrunch / 12h
In a blog post , TripAdvisor CEO and co-founder Stephen Kaufer announced that the company would be reducing its workforce in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has wrought particular havoc on the travel industry. The layoffs will reduce the company by 900 employees — nearly a quarter of its workforce. Of the cuts, 600 are from TripAdvisor teams in the U.S. and Canada. In the letter to the team
How to Use Your Travel Accessories at Home
24Lifehacker / 12h
Although most of us aren’t getting on flights, taking road trips or checking into hotels for the time being, we can still make use of all of the travel accessories we’ve collected to make our lives easier on our journeys. Two weeks ago, our friends at The Points Guy recommended specific travel accessories to purchase… Read more...
Hubble Captures Incredible Images of Highly Anticipated Comet Breaking Up
500+Gizmodo / 12h
The Hubble Space Telescope didn’t rest during its recent 30th anniversary celebration. Instead, it watched the comet C/2019 Y4 (ATLAS) fragment into at least 30 pieces. Read more...
Ford postpones autonomous vehicle service until 2022
Ford Launch Service 2022100+TechCrunch / 12h
Ford said Tuesday it will delay until 2022 plans to launch an autonomous vehicle service, as the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the company to rethink its go-to-market strategy. The news was shared as part of Ford’s quarterly earnings, which was released after the market closed Tuesday. Ford reported a $2 billion loss in the first quarter compared to a profit of $1.1 billion in the same period la
Zetta Venture Partners’ Jocelyn Goldfein chats about AI investing
100+TechCrunch / 12h
Earlier this month, href="https://www.zettavp.com/">Zetta Venture Partners , a B2B, AI-focused venture outfit, announced a new $180 million fund. As new VC funds are anecdotally a bit thinner on the ground these days — and because we’re in the midst of economic upheaval, which is changing investing patterns and shaking up startup verticals — I got on the phone with Zetta’s Jocelyn Goldfein ( a Te
Southwest Airlines is betting it won’t need 140 737 jets for a while
20The Points Guy / 12h
Southwest Airlines will fly fewer than half of its 742 Boeing 737s on any given day through at least June as it responds to the decimation of travel demand by the coronavirus pandemic. Of the roughly 390 parked jets, the Dallas-based carrier has placed some 140 in what it considers long-term storage, Southwest operations chief Michael Van de Ven said during an earnings call on Tuesday. These plan
United Removes Star Alliance Award Chart From Its Website, Says Pricing Is All Dynamic
100+View from the Wing / 12h
United said that partner awards would continue to price as they always had even once award charts were removed for United flights. This wasn't true - since they were charging extra for booking partner flights close to departure. Nevertheless they kept a copy of the Star Alliance award chart on their website. Now they've removed it. And a spokesperson says this is exactly what you should have expe
iRobot’s Terra lawnmower will not launch in 2020, as company ‘reprioritizes’
91TechCrunch / 12h
In its quarterly earnings today , iRobot announced an indefinite delay of its lawnmowing robot, Terra. The Roomba maker has abandoned plans to launch to the long-awaited home robot in 2020. No surprise, the company says fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic is to blame for the uncertainty. More specifically, it blames “current market realities.” Here’s the statement a spokesperson for the company se
Staring at a Stranger for 60 Seconds Helped Me Feel Better About Quarantine Life
100+Lifehacker / 12h
Physical distancing is necessary to keep our communities safe and healthy, yeah, but it sure is making us all a lot lonelier. Yes, we’re flattening the curve—and that’s crucially important—but it’s hard to cut ourselves off from our friends and family for weeks at a time. Zoom calls are simply no replacement for… Read more...
Don't Let Cognitive Biases Cause You to Engage in Risky Public Health Behavior
500+Lifehacker / 12h
Now that the “new normal” has started feeling, well, normal , how can we ensure we’re still remaining vigilant with our vital public health behaviors? Hand-washing, physical distancing, and mask wearing aren’t going to be less important any time soon, but familiarity can breed laziness, and when it comes to the… Read more...
Google saw huge jumps in search usage and app downloads in March
100+Engadget / 12h
Google parent company Alphabet just announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2020, and not surprisingly the global COVID-19 pandemic had an effect. Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai called it a “tale of two quarters” on the earnings call with investors and noted that ad performance took a major hit in March after two very strong months. Pichai also noted some parts of its busi
Michael Moore’s green energy takedown—worse than Netflix’s Goop series?
500+Ars Technica / 12h
Enlarge / It's unclear where Jeff Gibbs is going in this scene, but that's also true for the film as a whole. (credit: Planet of the Humans ) Let’s say you want to make a documentary about a complex and important topic. You could spend a lot of time on research—developing a complete picture of things, identifying scientists to interview, and figuring out how to give viewers the context necessary
Google Pixel Buds review: Android gets a worthy AirPods rival
Google Pixel Buds Android300+Mashable / 12h
Google Pixel Buds $179.99 View Product The Good Very good sound for the price and form factor • Better looking and more comfortable than standard AirPods • Hands-free Google Assistant support • Smooth sailing on Android and iOS The Bad Active noise cancellation would help greatly • Adaptive sound is a little too subtle • Translation is ambitious but awkward The Bottom Line Google's new wireless e
What will the future of travel look like? TPG asked 16 industry experts
41The Points Guy / 12h
As the world waits out the COVID-19 crisis , there has been an unprecedented rupture in travel that reaches every corner of the globe and every part of the industry. We asked leaders in the hotel , cruise and airline spaces to share their thoughts on the future, including their predictions for when and how we’ll travel again. (TPG’s founder and CEO Brian Kelly recently shared his own thoughts abo
Infiniti begins ‘Park it for Now’ campaign with build-it-yourself Carigami models
SlashGear / 12h
Japanese premium automaker Infiniti has released a collection of ‘Carigami’ models for kids and adults to play with. Inspired by the Japanese art of origami and Infiniti’s unmistakable Japanese DNA, the project is part of an effort to encourage people to stay at home to curb the rapidly spreading coronavirus. “In this unprecedented time where citizens of the world are … Continue reading
Ford cancels Lincoln electric vehicle program with Rivian
Ford Lincoln Rivian200+TechCrunch / 12h
Lincoln Motor, the luxury brand under Ford, has canceled plans to build an all new electric vehicle based on Rivian’s skateboard platform. Crain’s Detroit reported that dealers were informed Tuesday. Rivian and Ford said in a statement sent to TechCrunch that this was a mutual decision based on the current environment, which was meant to imply that the COVID-19 pandemic was the primary cause. The
'Jeopardy!' contestant invokes Chaka Khan's name in a hilariously wrong answer
90Mashable / 12h
A Jeopardy! contestant's gaffe is going viral for being so hilariously off the mark. During Monday night's episode, a contestant chose a category labeled "The Zulus," an ethnic group from southern Africa. Host Alex Trebek read the prompt: "Here, as on each Sept. 24, Zulus celebrate a holiday that was named in honor of this warrior leader of the early 1800s." The answer is, "Who is Shaka Zulu?" Bu
Self-sustained luminescent tobacco plants stay bright all life long
SlashGear / 12h
A group of researchers engineered a group of tobacco plants to product self-sustained luminescence that lasts the plant’s whole life long. The light is visible to the human eye. These researchers at the Moscow-based biotech startup Planta and the Russian Academy of Sciences suggested in their report that their findings “could underpin development of a suite of imaging tools for … Continue reading
Utah pauses Banjo's AI surveillance after learning of owner's racist past
Patton Utah Banjo KKK100+Engadget / 12h
Utah is putting its AI surveillance system on ice after learning of its creator’s background. The state has suspended (via Salt Lake Tribune ) Banjo’s contract after learning from a OneZero report that company head Damien was part of the Dixie Knights of the Ku Klux Klan as a teenager and joined the racist group’s leader in an anti-Semitic drive-by shooting. While Patton has expressed remorse for
Withings Sleep Analyzer updated with new sleep apnea detection
SlashGear / 12h
Withings has released the latest version of its Sleep Analyzer, a mat that is used to monitor sleep habits, including heart rate, snoring, and sleep cycles. The updated product brings the new ability to detect a condition called sleep apnea, which is difficult to detect on one’s own and that, over time, can be deadly. The new Sleep Analyzer is … Continue reading
5 Big Mistakes We Can Make Fighting the Covid-19 Pandemic
100+Wired / 12h
Staying at home is a big sacrifice. But lifting shelter-in-place orders too soon is one of the many mistakes that will make the crisis even more brutal.
iRobot’s Terra robot mower launch just got put on hold
SlashGear / 12h
You’ll have to wait a little longer to set iRobot’s Terra robot lawnmower loose on your grass, with the company revealing it has put the launch on ice because of coronavirus. Announced back at the start of 2019, Terra saw iRobot roam outside the home for the first time, with a grass-nibbling robot intended to make tending a lawn easier. … Continue reading
YouTube brings fact-checking panels to US to combat COVID-19 misinformation
YouTube Fact US tUSSlashGear / 12h
The coronavirus pandemic is making this a tense time for all of us, and in some cases, misinformation can add to that unease. Whether it’s conspiracy theories or general misinformation about bogus COVID-19 remedies, there’s a lot of bad info about the coronavirus pandemic out there. Today, YouTube announced new measure to help combat that misinformation in the videos that … Continue reading
Southwest Airlines may cancel your flight on short notice as it ‘tactically’ trims more capacity
33The Points Guy / 12h
Southwest Airlines is cancelling some flights on short notice as part of an effort to further reduce capacity as nearly all demand for air travel has evaporated amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Dallas-based carrier will “tactically” cancel flights with few bookings several days before they operate through June, Southwest president Thomas Nealon said during an earnings call on Tuesday. Only abou
Get All Your Credit Card Payments Deferred With One Call
100+Lifehacker / 12h
While most credit card issuers have announced programs to aid consumers having trouble paying their bills during the coronavirus pandemic, it’s far from a universal free pass. Customers need to contact their card issuer to make a case for why they’re encountering an economic hardship; then the creditor needs to offer… Read more...
Nomad's Rugged Cases for Google Pixel Buds 2 Are the Real, Horween Leather-Wrapped Deal
Gizmodo / 12h
Pixel Buds 2 are here, and while you can’t buy them (because they’re sold out!), those who either got lucky or signed up to join Google’s waitlist can supplement their purchase with a chic new accessory designed to endure casual and permanent abrasions. Bold and distinctively minimalist, as is customary for Nomad, the… Read more...
Want free games on Epic Games Store? Now, that will require 2FA
Nintendo 160000 Two49Ars Technica / 12h
Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson / Getty Images ) Since December 2018, the Epic Games Store has maintained an aggressive weekly campaign of free game giveaways. That campaign changes this week, though not with any plans to stop offering freebies. Instead, Epic has updated the promotion with its first security-minded rule: if you want to claim EGS giveaways going forward, you'll have to turn on two-
