Tuesday, July 20, 2021

Tuesday Technology News and More

Technology News and More



The MAGA-targeted “Freedom Phone” has a breathtaking amount of red flags


200+Ars Technica / 1h
The Freedom Phone, with a very political selection of default apps. [credit: Freedom Phone ] "Nobody elected Mark [Zuckerberg] or Jack [Dorsey] to be the arbiters of truth in America," declares a man over a chorus of triumphant horns. "Yet they still thought it was OK to ban a sitting president from their platforms. If they censor the president, they'll censor anyone. Imagine if Mark Zuckerberg c

Jeff Bezos: 'We Need to Move All Polluting Industry Into Space'


1KGizmodo / 3h
Noted cowboy cosplay enthusiast Jeff Bezos visited the edge of space on Tuesday. Read more...

AMD vs Intel: which chipmaker does processors better?


100+TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 3h
After years of lagging behind, AMD may have finally toppled Intel to take its place as the best processor.


Duda launches DudaFlex to help users build websites faster


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5min
Duda's new inline editing technology DudaFlex aims to speed up website development and deployment.

Feeding the Ducks Is Bad, Actually


Lifehacker / 9min
Feeding the birds can be fun—the problem is that feeding ducks and geese at the pond is much more detrimental than most of us think. Giving your local aquatic wildlife food from your pantry not only alters their diet, but changes the environment, too. Here’s why we should just let the ducks get by on their own. Read more...

Biden picks Google foe to lead DOJ antitrust as it mulls plan to break up Big Tech


Ars Technica / 11min
Enlarge (credit: Getty Images | Erik Pronske Photography ) President Joe Biden today said he will nominate Jonathan Kanter to be the assistant attorney general in charge of the Department of Justice's antitrust division. Kanter is an attorney known for his criticism of Google and will take over the antitrust division as it considers a Biden plan to reverse harmful mergers and break up monopolies.

Is any country installing renewables fast enough to reach climate goals?


Ars Technica / 11min
Enlarge (credit: Getty Images ) At this point, researchers and policy analysts have checked and double-checked future climate scenarios. We know how much carbon dioxide we can emit and still keep the world from getting more than 2ÂșC warmer, and we can use that number to figure out how quickly we need to move away from fossil fuels. We have a variety of routes to get there, most of them involving

Passenger Attacked On Miami Flight After Taking Too Long To Retrieve Bags From The Overhead Bin


View from the Wing / 11min
On Sunday night’s Frontier Airlines flight from Philadelphia to Miami, two passengers got into a fight as the aircraft started deplaning – because “the person in front of him was taking too long to get his bags from the overhead bins.” Since the man who was attacked was black, and the man who got away with it white, social media discussion focuses on the racial elements of the incident. Although

New Hilton Orlando escape room is world’s largest and tallest


The Points Guy / 14min
Here’s a fun way to clock some steps away from the theme parks on your next visit to Orlando with friends or family. The Hilton Orlando has turned the 1,424-room resort into one giant escape room through Oct. 31 with the Escape at Hilton Orlando overnight escape room experience. And if you’re familiar with the escape room concept already, there’s just one catch — instead of trying to break out of

The New iPad Mini Might Be Able to Replace Your Laptop


Gizmodo / 14min
A fresh new look isn’t the only change we’re expecting to see with the iPad mini this fall. According to a 9to5Mac report , the smallest iPad will be getting an A15 processor, USB-C, and a magnetic Smart Connector. This would be a significant boost in its processing power, but also means you could possibly use the… Read more...

6 Photos Show Siberia’s Raging Wildfire Season


Gizmodo / 20min
Wildfires raging across usually-frozen land, temperatures topping 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 degrees Celsius), smoke blanketing cities—it’s close to apocalyptic right now in Siberia as one of the world’s most northern regions struggles through another intense fire season. Read more...

Netflix says its gaming push will begin with mobile


TechCrunch / 20min
A report last week hinted at some of Netflix’s gaming ambitions . In its Q2 2021 earnings report , the company confirmed some things. First, Netflix says it “will be primarily focused” on mobile at first, looking to expand on its interactivity projects like Black Mirror Bandersnatch and its Stranger Things games. The upcoming titles will be available at no additional cost as part of your subscrip

Extra Crunch roundup: Seed stage basics, SaaS marketing live chat, Zoom’s Five9 buy


TechCrunch / 20min
A famous poem advises us not to compare ourselves with others, “for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.” The same holds true for startup fundraising; the size of your seed round will be determined solely by your company’s immediate needs and the investors you’re working with. “Remember that fundraising is not the goal ,” says three-time YC alum Yin Wu. “Building a succe

Netflix says its gaming push will begin with mobile


Engadget / 20min
A report last week hinted at some of Netflix's gaming ambitions . In its Q2 2021 earnings report , the company confirmed some things. First, Netflix says it "will be primarily focused" on mobile at first, looking to expand on its interactivity projects like Black Mirror Bandersnatch and its Stranger Things games. The upcoming titles will be available at no additional cost as part of your subscrip

NASA reveals Hubble’s first galactic photos after its epic repair job


SlashGear / 20min
Hubble may only just have been fixed, but NASA is wasting no time putting the iconic space telescope back to work and sharing the latest images of distant galaxies. It was a nail-biting month of unexpected downtime for Hubble, after observations came to an abrupt halt in mid-June when the payload computer which manages the telescope shut down. Given Hubble … Continue reading

Jeff Bezos swung by space and has some thoughts


Bezos Amazon Blue Origin•
Engadget / 26min
Jeffrey Preston Bezos, a 57-year-old dad from New Mexico, flew to the edge of space and back again today. He wasn't the only person aboard the rocket, which was the first-ever crewed flight from private space company Blue Origin, but he's the one that camera crews flocked to once the 10-minute trip was done. Maybe they were drawn in by his smile. Maybe they thought he was the winner of a sub-orbi

The Huawei MateBook D 15 i3 makes working from home affordable


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 26min
Well-specced at R10,999 and bundling in R2,997 worth of accessories, the new Huawei MateBook D 15 i3 is too good a deal to pass up.

Extremely Rare Monkey Virus Kills Veterinarian in China


Futurism / 28min
A veterinarian in China died in May after he was infected by an extremely rare disease, called the Monkey B virus, marking the first documented case in the country’s history. The Monkey B virus, also known as herpes B, almost never jumps to humans. But when it does, The Washington Post reports , cases tend to result in death. About 80 percent of untreated patients will die from complications from

Why Weekly Check-in Meetings Are Unproductive, and What You Can Do About It


Lifehacker / 30min
A proliferation of well-intended, remote “check-in meetings” during the pandemic has only made work more difficult. According to surveys, most workers say they want fewer meetings, and that those meetings are making them less productive, but there are ways to rein in all the “touchpoints” gumming up your calendar.… Read more...

The CW's 4400 First Look Teases an Intriguing Connection


Gizmodo / 32min
In USA’s The 4400 , which premiered in 2004, thousands of people from throughout various points in recent history—who were all thought to be abducted—suddenly returned as a group in the present day, with no real recollection of what had happened to them. Initially, there was little rhyme or reason to the 4400's mission… Read more...

Bitcoin Crashes Below $30,000. Again.


37Futurism / 35min
Bitcoin Dip Bitcoin has dipped below the $30,000 mark yet again, CNN reports , as investors grow anxious about a resurgence of COVID-19 cases putting a damper on the economic recovery. The cryptocurrency fall around six percent over the last 24 hours, alongside other cryptos including Ethereum and Dogecoin. It was following the same trend as the stock market, which also fell on Monday, with share

Ebola-Like Pig Illness Pops Up in Germany, Doesn't Pose a Threat to Humans


Gizmodo / 38min
Health officials in Germany have reaffirmed that the virus behind African swine fever isn’t likely to endanger humans, even if they eat meat from infected animals. However, the reassurance comes in the wake of the virus recently being found on several pig farms within the country, a troubling development, since ASF… Read more...

Twitter tests a TweetDeck revamp it hopes to make a subscription product


28TechCrunch / 38min
Twitter announced today it will begin testing a new set of features for TweetDeck, the company’s often-ignored social media dashboard aimed at Twitter’s power users, which Twitter may soon turn into a new subscription service. According to a post from Twitter Product Lead Kayvon Beykpour, the revamped version of the Twitter client will include a full tweet composer, new advanced search features,


Apple’s MagSafe Battery Pack is available in-store now for $99


Ars Technica / 40min
The front of the MagSafe Battery Pack. [credit: Apple ] Apples new MagSafe Battery Pack for the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro is now available for in-store pickup, and the first online orders have arrived at buyers' doorsteps. If you're in the market to buy the battery pack, you can either buy one online and see it shipped to you in the coming days or weeks (depending on where you live) or go to yo

Fortnite Rainbow Royale gets LGBTQIA+ colorful with free items


SlashGear / 42min
The Fortnite Rainbow Royale event just appeared in the in-game shop for all platforms. This event is a celebration of Fortnite’s LGBTQIA+ community with assurances that “everyone is welcome on the Battle Bus.” It should be made clear, here, that this event is taking place outside of the trendy confines of Pride Month, where brands of all sorts make it … Continue reading

Recognize a Cry for Help That Doesn't Sound Like One


Lifehacker / 45min
Not everyone who needs help will ask for it, and not everyone who asks for help will do it in the same way. Sometimes, what we know as a “cry for help,” won’t exactly seem like it’s coming from a point of desperation. This is why it helps to know the ways in which someone in a vulnerable state might be pleading for… Read more...

Jeff Bezos rolls up to Blue Origin launch in SUV from Tesla competitor


Mashable / 45min
Before former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos made it to space , he had to make it to the launch pad. Bezos and his brother Mark, as well as 82-year-old aviator Wally Funk and 18-year-old Dutch passenger Oliver Daeme, piled into a Rivian R1S SUV on Tuesday morning ahead of their flight to space. Later, they would ride a New Shepard rocket from Bezos' private spaceflight company, Blue Origin. Pile into the

Honda made an in-shoe navigation system for people with low vision — Future Blink


Mashable / 45min
The navigation system can help people check the safety of their surroundings without distracting them, thanks to motion sensors.

The Bose QuietComfort 45 ANC headphones everyone is waiting for just got exposed early


SlashGear / 56min
The FCC has given the public its first look at the upcoming Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones featuring active noise cancellation. The product’s appearance in FCC documents indicates that an official launch is on the horizon, though it remains unclear at this time when Bose will officially unveil its new model. The Bose QuietComfort 45 will replace the current QuietComfort 35 … Continue reading

Steam Deck doesn’t have Ubisoft’s support yet – and it doesn’t matter


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillermot said that Ubisoft would put its games on the Steam Deck if it's successful - but its games will be on the Steam Deck either way.

Google Cloud says it's becoming more secure than ever


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
Google Cloud has announced a number of new products and solutions to help realize its vision for invisible security.

How Disney is Chipping Away at Netflix's Dominance


23NYT > Technology / 1h
New data shows Netflix, long the king of streaming, is losing attention as subscribers shift to competitors like Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.

How to Order Groceries with Amazon Alexa


How-To Geek / 1h
Amazon Alexa is the ultimate concierge, allowing you to do everything from paying for gas to translating conversations in real-time. Now, you can enjoy hands-free, on-demand ordering of groceries from Prime Now, Amazon Fresh, and Whole Foods by using any Alexa-powered device and a simple wake phrase. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

Sonys Says Its New 4-Speaker System Sounds Like a 12-Speaker System


How-To Geek / 1h
Sony just announced its new, extremely expensive HT-A9 sound system and HT-A7000 soundbar. Launching in September (or October) for $1,800 and $1,300, both products seem like fantastic solutions for audio-obsessed gamers or film buffs. However, the HT-A9 speakers are particularly interesting due to their bizarre functionality. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

Hackers Exploit a 16-Year Old Bug in Some Printers to Take Over Your Machine


How-To Geek / 1h
A bug that’s been hidden for 16 years has just been discovered, allowing hackers who exploit it to gain administrator rights on any systems using the software. The vulnerability was found in software used by old printers from several major brands, including Xerox, Samsung, and HP. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

Microsoft's New Linux Distro Is a Warning Shot at Red Hat


How-To Geek / 1h
Ever so quietly, Microsoft dropped a new operating system out in the wild. No, not Windows 11. Microsoft created its own Linux Distribution. And while you might be tempted to crack jokes that Microsoft hates Linux, this is a big deal. Especially for anyone that relies on Red Hat or Suse. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

Get Thyself a Useful Idiot (and Why You Should Be One for Others)


Lifehacker / 1h
Thoroughly learning a subject takes more than just reading about it, or watching videos. It helps to discuss and apply your new knowledge, which is why it’s so smart to pair up with a classmate to study together. What if you’re studying on your own, though? It turns out you don’t need your study buddy to be… Read more...

Venmo to Stop Snitching


Gizmodo / 1h
Venmo is discontinuing its longtime policy of telling every stranger on the fucking planet who new users are sending money to and why for no reason whatsoever, according to Bloomberg . Read more...

Biden Assembles the Final Member of His Big Tech Nightmare Squad


Gizmodo / 1h
President Joe Biden has selected attorney and frequent critic of Google parent company Alphabet to lead the United States Department of Justice’s Antitrust Division, the White House announced Tuesday. If approved, Kanter would join the Biden administration’s robust legal team that’s poised to combat Silicon Valley’s… Read more...

Nothing Ear (1) earbuds spill some specs ahead of full reveal


SlashGear / 1h
For about the past month or so, Nothing has been teasing its upcoming Ear (1) wireless earbuds. First, we received a teaser for the reveal date, then came the news that these earbuds would only cost $99. After that, Nothing announced that it would be teaming up with StockX to auction off the first 100 pairs of Ear (1) earbuds … Continue reading

Number of COVID Cases Linked to Tokyo Olympics Spikes to 71


41Futurism / 1h
Japan chose to ignore many warnings from doctors and went ahead with the Tokyo Olympics. Now, organizers are reaping what they sowed. The total tally of confirmed COVID-19 cases among athletes and staff has already spiked up to 71, the Associated Press reports — and that’s four days before the opening ceremony. That figure also includes 31 people from the tens of thousands of international visito

See if you’re eligible for a $10 credit plus a year of DoorDash perks from Chase


The Points Guy / 1h
Earlier this year, Chase expanded its DoorDash partnership, giving a huge array of cardmembers access to DashPass perks. After activating a one-year complimentary DashPass membership, co-branded cardmembers are eligible for $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on orders of $12 or more from participating restaurants, plus grocery and convenience stores. You’ll also get 5% in DoorDash credit b


How to Pitch Yourself to a Prospective Employer


Lifehacker / 1h
I only got my two most impactful jobs, each of which opened a number of other opportunities, because I contacted the right person at the right time. One job was at a genetics lab, and the other was a science writing position, and neither was previously advertised; I got them both after sending out lots and lots of… Read more...

AMD Radeon RX 6600XT leak shows a true rival to the Nvidia RTX 3060 Ti


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
Details, including photos, of the upcoming AMD Radeon RX 6600XT may have just leaked on Chinese social media site Baidu.

How shared hosting can kill your online business


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
Sharing server resources with other users can lead to performance issues which may drive away customers.

Frontier unveils 21 new routes from Atlanta, Las Vegas and DFW


27The Points Guy / 1h
Frontier Airlines is the latest carrier to unveil a big expansion as the industry continues to recover from the worst of the pandemic. The Denver-based ultra low-cost carrier unveiled 21 new routes on Tuesday that grow its presence in three of its busier bases. “We’re thrilled to continue growing with a new round of 21 nonstop routes that greatly expand our service in three major markets: Atlanta

6 Ways to Keep Your Gmail Storage Free and Under 15GB


Lifehacker / 1h
Unlike some services (looking at you, iCloud), Gmail is pretty lenient with its free tier. You get 15GB of storage between Gmail and Google Drive, and for many people, it’s good enough. But a lot of people have been using Gmail for a decade or more now, and it’s not hard to accumulate 15GB of data over that kind of… Read more...

Square Enix will boot idle players from packed 'Final Fantasy XIV Online' servers


Engadget / 1h
Final Fantasy XIV Online is seeing "record user numbers in all regions" after some popular streamers started playing the MMO. A major expansion is scheduled to arrive in November , and players may be returning or picking the game up ahead of Endwalker 's arrival. However, the game's servers are struggling to handle the influx of players. Producer and director Naoki Yoshida wrote that many players

G.I. Joe's Real-Life Connection Between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow


Gizmodo / 1h
In the mythology of G.I. Joe , the link between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow is dense and complex. The two fought together, trained together, and became as close as brothers—only to eventually turn into bitter rivals. That relationship carries over not just into the new movie, Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins , but its… Read more...

Report claims Apple will finally give the iPad mini some love


Apple iPad A15 Connector•
Ars Technica / 1h
The 2019 iPad mini. It looks like the previous iPad mini. [credit: Samuel Axon ] Apple is getting ready to introduce a redesigned iPad mini, according to a new report from 9to5Mac . Though Apple updated the iPad mini with a faster processor and Apple Pencil support in late 2019, the basic design of the device has not changed since its introduction back in 2012. Like so many Apple leaks, the artic

Sony is taking a geeky gamble that soundbars aren’t enough any more


SlashGear / 1h
It’s fair to say that soundbars upended the home theater market. While their early iterations may have struggled to match the audio performance of a room full of individual speakers, advances in hardware and processing algorithms have made it possible to have effective surround sound from a single source in the room. Suddenly, you didn’t need a big amp and … Continue reading

Maine’s facial recognition law shows bipartisan support for protecting privacy


24TechCrunch / 1h
Alison Beyea Contributor Alison Beyea is the executive director of the ACLU of Maine . Michael Kebede Contributor Michael Kebede is a policy counsel at the ACLU of Maine . Maine has joined a growing number of cities, counties and states that are rejecting dangerously biased surveillance technologies like facial recognition. The new law, which is the strongest statewide facial recognition law in t

Venmo finally does away with creepy global feed


Venmo Global Feed App•
Mashable / 1h
Devastating news for all you creeps out there. PayPal-owned Venmo announced some major changes to its app in a blog post on Monday. The big news: It is doing away with its global social feed. That's the tab that lets users scroll through the Venmo transactions of strangers (and click on their profiles, and look at their friends list, and enter a rabbit hole of stalking). Don't worry, the friends

Dropbox wants to make your return to the office less painful


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
Dropbox has upgraded its cloud storage service to help reduce clutter and make accessing your content and workflows faster.

Venmo app ditches global payments feed as part of big privacy redesign


SlashGear / 2h
PayPal-owned Venmo, the app used to quickly and easily send funds to friends and family, has rolled out a major redesign that, in part, improves the platform’s privacy. The change follows criticism about certain aspects of the platform that reached a peak back in May when a report detailed the discovery of President Biden’s Venmo account. Venmo, like Cash App … Continue reading

Feral Hogs Are Contributing Hugely to Climate Change, Experts Say


200+Futurism / 2h
Feral Hogs All memes aside, feral hogs around the world are causing a huge problem for the environment, and experts aren’t sure what to do about it. Animals, tools, or anything else rooting through soil tends to release sequestered carbon into the atmosphere. That’s a natural part of the carbon cycle, but feral hogs are releasing boatloads of greenhouse gases as they invade and rampage through ne

WhatsApp join group call expanded beyond start


SlashGear / 2h
WhatsApp expanded its Group Call system beyond a one-time-join rule to allow joining at a later time. Joinable calls, as they’re called, “reduce the burden of answering a group call as it starts,” according to a WhatsApp representative commenting on the release. It also “brings the spontaneity and ease of in-person conversations to group calling on WhatsApp.” Users can now … Continue reading

Intel’s Mobileye takes its autonomous vehicle testing program to New York City


Mobileye New York City•
23TechCrunch / 2h
Mobileye, a subsidiary of Intel, has expanded its autonomous vehicle testing program to New York City as part of its strategy to develop and deploy the technology. New York City joins a number of other cities including Detroit, Paris, Shanghai and Tokyo where Mobileye has either launched testing or plans to this year. Mobileye launched its first test fleet in Jerusalem in 2018 and added one in Mu

NewCampus wants to train the first-time managers within Southeast Asia’s tech giants


27TechCrunch / 2h
The tech boom in Southeast Asia isn’t just seeding a wave of new entrepreneurs building the next generation of unicorns, it’s also ushering young talent into the roles of first-time managers. And NewCampus, a Singapore-based startup co-founded by Will Fan and Fei Yao , announced today that it has raised millions of dollars to help coming of age companies train their maturing workforce to help the

Netflix Earnings Q2 2021


NYT > Technology / 2h
New data shows Netflix, long the king of streaming, is losing attention as subscribers shift to competitors like Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.

Use This Tool to Check If Your Phone's Been Hacked by the NSO Group's Spyware


Gizmodo / 2h
If you’ve been watching the news this week you may have heard something about the NSO Group, an Israeli spyware firm that currently stands accused of helping bad actors to hack journalists, politicians, and human rights activists throughout the world. Read more...

Sling TV's New UI Officially Launches on Fire TV Devices


How-To Geek / 2h
Sling TV’s redesigned app is now live on all Fire TV devices. With an improved grid guide, more personalization features, and an easy-to-navigate interface, the new app is a major improvement over the aging Sling UI still used on Roku, Android TV, and other streaming hardware. Read This Article on Review Geek ›


The Do's and Don'ts of Buying a Refurbished Laptop


Lifehacker / 2h
Buying a new laptop—a good one—is a costly endeavor. Even base model MacBooks costs more than a thousand dollars, and it’s much the same story for a Dell XPS. Read more...

ISPs spent $235 million on lobbying and donations, “more than $320,000 a day”


Ars Technica / 2h
Enlarge The biggest Internet service providers and their trade groups spent $234.7 million on lobbying and political donations during the most recent two-year congressional cycle, according to a report released yesterday. The ISPs and their trade groups lobbied against strict net neutrality rules and on various other telecom and broadband regulatory legislation, said the report written by advocac

Why some places in the US are considering mask mandates again


25The Points Guy / 2h
Masks are still required on airplanes, trains and in airports. But with more Americans getting vaccinated against COVID-19, the U.S.’s health agency dropped mask mandates for fully vaccinated Americans. States and cities also loosened or dropped restrictions this spring. Still, the delta variant has many concerned. The variant, first discovered in India, is now the dominant strain in the U.S. and

How to Use Filters and Masks in Google Meet


How-To Geek / 2h
Filters and masks are a great way to jazz up video calls. Most of the popular video calling apps have these features, including Google Meet. We’ll show you how to lighten up your next video call with these fun effects. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

5 Ways to Clean Mold From the Most Important Surfaces In Your Home


Lifehacker / 2h
Finding mold in any part of your home can be cause for concern, but it’s also a fairly common occurrence—anywhere there is dampness, there is a chance for mold to grow. While mold can be harmful to your health , expensive professional removal isn’t always necessary; it can often be removed safely with the right… Read more...

How we built an AI unicorn in 6 years


30TechCrunch / 2h
Alex Dalyac Contributor Alex Dalyac is the CEO and co-founder of Tractable , which develops artificial intelligence for accident and disaster recovery. Today, Tractable is worth $1 billion . Our AI is used by millions of people across the world to recover faster from road accidents, and it also helps recycle as many cars as Tesla puts on the road. And yet six years ago, Tractable was just me and

Verizon Finally Embraces RCS, Now the Lone Holdout Is Apple


Verizon Google RCS•
Gizmodo / 2h
Starting next year, Verizon will make Android Messages the default texting app on all its Android devices. Read more...

Black Widow’s Yelena: Kevin Feige Teases Her Infinity War Fate and More


Gizmodo / 2h
It’s not every day the president of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige, just comes out and shares his company’s secrets . But that happened Monday night during a Black Widow watch party that took place on Twitter. Feige stayed online throughout and told anecdotes, gave shoutouts, and answered fan questions about the film—q… Read more...

Dropbox makes automatic camera uploads available to all free users


Engadget / 2h
Dropbox is introducing a variety of new features across its product stack . Of all the tweaks the company announced today, the most intriguing ones involve its automatic backup utility for photos you take with your phone. Most notably, starting today that functionality is now available to all Basic users — that is, those who don't pay for the service. The company says it has also made backend cha

Litnerd streams live actors into the classroom to help kids better connect with reading


38TechCrunch / 2h
Our kids can’t read. As of 2019, roughly a third of U.S. fourth graders were unable to read at the level expected of them . The scores have barely changed in decades. Something isn’t working here. Litnerd , a company out of New York City, wants to try something new. They’re writing books and building lesson plans with a twist: professional actors, streamed into the class, to recreate scenes from

How to Have Deeper Conversations, With Ximena Vengoechea


Lifehacker / 2h
Many of us have spent a lot of time during the pandemic in isolation, so this week we’re re-learning the art of deep conversation with help from user researcher and writer Ximena Vengoechea. Read more...

Air Canada Told The DOT It Was Ok To Commit Fraud, The U.S. Government Response Was Brutal


View from the Wing / 2h
The U.S. government proposed to fine Air Canada $25.55 million for selling tickets to customers, cancelling their flights, and refusing to issue refunds. When customers complained to the Department of Transportation, Air Canada claimed they weren't subject to U.S. law. And Air Canada sought to dismiss the fine arguing that, despite U.S. government claims, the law doesn't require refunding custome

Fans ask a PC game to drop Denuvo—and dev agrees, blames “performance impact”


Ars Technica / 2h
Enlarge / The Humankind hand slams down on Denuvo in this week's latest story of DRM woe. (credit: Aurich Lawson ) For years, PC gamers have wondered out loud whether antipiracy solutions like Denuvo get in the way of game performance, since the solutions tend to operate in the background in search of piracy-related flags. Denuvo-related game tests in the wild have ranged from inconclusive to dam

Good deal: The iPad Air is down to a new low of $500 today


Ars Technica / 2h
Enlarge (credit: Ars Technica) Today's Dealmaster is headlined by a big discount on Apple's iPad Air, as the 4th-generation tablet is currently down to $500 at Amazon and Best Buy . That's $100 off Apple's MSRP and roughly $50 off the average street price we've seen on Amazon over the past few months. Either way, the discount marks the lowest price we've tracked for the device from a mainstream r

Samsung Galaxy Unpacked will indeed be August 11, Bixby assistant confirms


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 2h
Samsung’s Bixby assistant has slyly confirmed that August 11 will be the date for the company’s next big Galaxy Unpacked event, where we expect to see the Galaxy Fold 3 and other devices unveiled.

Delta variant fears come true as COVID spreads and vaccination stalls


SlashGear / 2h
The COVID-19 Delta variant now accounts for 83-percent of all new coronavirus cases in the US, the CDC has confirmed, while fatalities have also risen again after a period of decline. The new figures suggest earlier fears that the Delta strain could spread far more rapidly were, if anything, optimistic, as the particularly virulent mutation and immunization reluctance in some … Continue reading

Island-hop in paradise: Cruises return to French Polynesia


The Points Guy / 2h
The remote islands of French Polynesia are finally accessible again to cruisers, thanks to Windstar Cruises. The small-ship cruise specialist on Thursday became the first traditional cruise line to restart French Polynesia sailings since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic with voyages out of Tahiti. Windstar restarted sailings out of Tahiti with a seven-night trip on its 148-passenger Wind S

TweetDeck could soon look much more like Twitter’s web app


Engadget / 2h
TweetDeck is a secret weapon for Twitter power users. The column layout allows them to keep tabs on tweets from a large number of accounts at once, using Twitter’s handy lists. That could be about to change, based on an image Twitter shared of the "new and improved TweetDeck" that it's testing. At first glance, it looks a lot like the standard Twitter web app. The company is testing the revamped

Marketing Cube founder Maya Moufarek’s lessons for customer-focused startups


34TechCrunch / 2h
Maya Moufarek, founder of Marketing Cube , spent more than 15 years working for companies like Google and American Express before launching her own growth consultancy. Today, her London-based firm works with startups around the world — and her startup clients have raved about the results, based on what we’ve heard in our TechCrunch Experts growth marketing survey . “She’s an absolute powerhouse w

Chrome 92 released for iOS, Android, Beta beyond desktop


SlashGear / 2h
A new version of the Google Chrome web browser is available for Android devices and iOS devices as of this week. If you’re using a mobile device right now without the latest version of Chrome, you’ll see the Chrome 92 release available in your device’s app store in the very near future. Depending on the device you have, you may … Continue reading


Acer Predator Triton 300 SE review: Powerful hardware in a sleek package


SlashGear / 2h
In recent years, we’ve seen a shift in gaming laptop design. While the behemoth machines that are only arguably portable are still around, there’s also been a push to create thin and light gaming laptops that can also be used as a daily driver as well. These thin and sleek gaming laptops offer a lot to love by packing high-end … Continue reading

Upgrade your home theater with a 49-inch 4K TV on sale


Mashable / 2h
TL;DR: Watch your Netflix marathons in 4K with this LG 49-inch 4K LCD TV , which is on sale for 12% off. As of July 20, bring one home for only $664.44. You may have inherited your old roommate's TV for free, but is it really the best quality? For something that acts as the focal point of your living room, you should upgrade. With the LG 4K LED-backlit LCD TV , you'll get to enjoy your favorite s

Bonkers 'Jackass Forever' trailer proves, yes, some people never learn


Jackass Forever Knoxville•
30Mashable / 2h
A bonkers first trailer for the prank-tastic Jackass Forever delivers killer stunts, major nostalgia, and...uh, holy shit , is that a bear?! Directed once again by Jeff Tremaine, the fourth film in the Jackass franchise reunites jokesters Johnny Knoxville, Steve-O, Chris Pontius, Dave England, Jason "Wee Man" Acuña, Ehren McGhehey, Preston Lacy, and their fire extinguisher-wielding crew for anoth

Jeff Bezos: So Long, and Thanks for Making Me Rich


100+Gizmodo / 2h
Amazon employees and customers should be thrilled to know that the world’s richest man appreciates you for funding his little 10-minute rocket skydive (“space” travel) today. In a post-flight briefing this cowboy hat-wearing motherfucker actually said the quiet part out loud : Read more...

RimWorld Ideology expansion and 1.3 update now live: Here are the best bits


SlashGear / 2h
RimWorld‘s latest expansion, Ideology, is now available, alongside a free update that brings the game to version 1.3. Both the expansion and the 1.3 update add a lot of content to the game, so even if you aren’t buying Ideology right away (or at all), it sounds like there’s plenty of new things awaiting you in RimWorld today. Interestingly enough, … Continue reading

Citi Premier Card: 80K Points With Best-Ever Bonus


53One Mile at a Time / 3h
The Citi Premier ® Card is one of my favorite mid-range credit cards. We recently saw a new best-ever offer launched on the card for a limited time. With a recent development, there’s even more reason to pick up this card. If you don’t yet have the Citi Premier Card and are eligible, you absolutely should apply. Earn 80,000 ThankYou points with the Citi Premier The $95 annual fee Citi Premier Car

Jeff Bezos Couldn’t Qualify for Normal Astronaut Wings, So Blue Origin Invented Its Own


500+Futurism / 3h
Along with three other passengers, Blue Origin CEO Jeff Bezos rocketed high into the upper atmosphere on what the company is calling its first crewed mission to space. The company’s New Shepard rocket, dubbed the RSS First Step, launched from the West Texas desert and reached three Gs and a blistering speed of 2,233 mph during the trip. “It’s actually a pleasurable experience,” Bezos said during

Oh, Absolutely Not, Malignant Trailer


41Gizmodo / 3h
You know what James Wan is very good at? Scaring the bejesus out of you. And with Malignant , he’s back in seemingly very fine form. Read more...

Olympic COVID bubble already “broken” with 71 cases, 3 in athlete village


Tokyo Olympic Covid•
24Ars Technica / 3h
Enlarge / A barge carrying the Olympic Rings crosses Tokyo Bay. (credit: Getty | Valery Sharifulin ) The number of COVID-19 cases linked to the Tokyo Olympics has risen to 71, with at least three cases confirmed within the Olympic Village that is housing athletes, according to reports out of Japan. At least one public health expert says the rising case count indicates that the protective COVID bu

There are too many Xiaomi phones, and it's making them hard to recommend


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 3h
If you're looking to buy a Xiaomi phone, it's becoming harder and harder to work out which is for you.

Watch Jeff Bezos frolic in zero-gravity on Blue Origin’s spaceflight


SlashGear / 3h
Blue Origin’s first crewed flight was a success today, with Jeff Bezos getting his long-awaited taste of space, and a new video shows just what it’s like at the apogee of your multi-million rocket trip. New Shepard only spent a few minutes in zero-gravity, as the crew capsule passed the KĂĄrmĂĄn Line boundary that’s one of the accepted definitions of … Continue reading

Blue Origin takes its first passengers to space


92MIT Technology Review / 3h
This time, there was a blastoff. Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos and three other civilians watched the sky turn from blue to black this morning as the company’s reusable rocket and capsule system New Shepard passed the KĂĄrmĂĄn line, the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space. Around 9:25 a.m. US Eastern time, Bezos and his fellow passengers landed safely, successfully completing the co

Garmin Forerunner 745 versus Venu 2: Which Should You Buy?


How-To Geek / 3h
When I reviewed the Garmin Venu 2 earlier this year, several people asked about the Forerunner 745 in comparison. The two are similar in features and close enough in price (Venu is $399; Forerunner is $499), but they’re definitely for totally different people. So, who is each one for? Let’s take a closer look. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

How to Enable End-to-End Encryption on Ring Doorbells and Cameras


How-To Geek / 3h
When you have a device recording video 24/7 on your home, security is important. End-to-end encryption (E2EE) is one tool that can keep your data private. We’ll show you how to enable it on your Ring Doorbell. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

Roku is the Best Smart TV Platform for Streaming the Olympics


37How-To Geek / 3h
The Tokyo Olympics are right around the corner, and Roku users have the best seat in town for the show! NBCUniversal and Roku have partnered up to bring the platform thousands of hours of Olympic game coverage along with additional exclusive content. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

EU plans to make Bitcoin transfers more traceable


46BBC News - Technology / 3h
Companies handling crypto-assets would have to collect customer details.

ASUS Chromebook CX9 released as Chrome OS laptop-only hero


SlashGear / 3h
The ASUS Chromebook CX9 is the latest in a line of laptop-style machines that run Chrome OS with style and grace. This machine does not fold all the way back like its “Flip” brand brethren, and it does not include a stylus (though it’ll support one, eventually). Instead, it’s made to be a key entry in the Chrome OS universe … Continue reading

Sometimes a basic, cheap laptop is all you need — these 8 are your best options


Mashable / 3h
BEST DEALS ON CHEAP LAPTOPS: HP Chromebook 14-inch HD Laptop — $216.99 Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 — $1,029.99 ASUS Chromebook Flip — $427 It’s really (really) hard to make it in today’s world without a computer of some kind. Nobody wants to do school or work projects on a phone. You’ve gotta get yourself a real laptop. Unfortunately, laptops cost money. If you’re not careful, you can end up spend

Jeff Bezos said the quiet part out loud: 'You guys paid for all this'


Bezos Amazon Blue Origin•
300+Mashable / 3h
Jeff Bezos thanks you for your money. The former CEO of Amazon and current Executive Chair of the Amazon Board went to space for a few minutes on Tuesday, and in a post-flight press conference made explicitly clear who footed the bill: You. "I want to thank every Amazon employee and every Amazon customer, because you guys paid for all this," he said around the 23:30 mark in the below video . Of c

ASUS Launches Two Overpowered Chromebooks with 11th Gen Intel Chips


100+How-To Geek / 3h
Months after appearing at CES 2021, the ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 and ASUS Chromebook CX9 have finally made their way to ASUS’ webstore. Powered by the latest 11th gen Intel Core processors with Iris X graphics and a ton of RAM, these Chromebooks are overpowered enough to replace your aging Pixelbook. Read This Article on Review Geek ›


DuckDuckGo wants to kill off email spying for good


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 3h
New free DuckDuckGo Email Protection tool aims to block email trackers in your inbox.

The Hundred 2021 live stream: how to watch online, free options, format explained


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 3h
Cricket's newest competition takes a huge and exciting break from tradition. Here's how to watch a 2021 The Hundred live stream from anywhere - and for free.

Despite Spread of Infectious Delta Variant, Amazon to Stop Testing Warehouse Workers


Gizmodo / 3h
The coronavirus pandemic in the U.S. must be over because otherwise, Amazon’s decision to end free testing for warehouse workers might seem rather reckless. Read more...

A Forest Fire in Oregon Is So Huge That It’s Generating Freak Lightning Storms


Futurism / 3h
Changing the Weather The largest wildfire in the US so far this season is so massive that it’s causing mayhem with the weather itself, The New York Times reports . The Bootleg Fire in Southern Oregon has already burned 530 square miles of forest and grasslands over the last two weeks, spurred by heat waves linked to climate change — a bad omen, in other words, of what’s still in store for us. “Th

ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 ready to roll for 2021


SlashGear / 3h
This week ASUS launched a new ASUS Chromebook Flip CX5 (CX5400), ready to roll with the newest version of Chrome OS and up to an 11th Generation Intel Core i7 processor. This device has up to Intel Irix Xe graphics and a proven set of heavy duty chassis. This machine works with US MIL-STD 810H standards so it’s ready for … Continue reading

3DS and Wii U are losing credit card support, but it isn’t all bad news


SlashGear / 3h
Nintendo of Japan has announced that it’s doing away with some payment methods on the discontinued Nintendo 3DS and Wii U early next year. According to Nintendo’s announcement, neither the 3DS nor the Wii U will support credit card payments after January 18th, 2022. While that’s a big move, it isn’t quite as bad as it might seem at first … Continue reading

Here’s Our First Look at the Biden Bot in Disney's Hall of Presidents


Gizmodo / 3h
Florida might be at the epicenter of a shocking spike in COVID-19 hospitalizations, but that isn’t stopping the state’s iconic Walt Disney World theme park from chugging along with business as usual . That also means that the company’s been gearing up to debut the latest addition to its Hall of Presidents: an… Read more...

The latest iPad Air is on sale for its best price ever — save $99


Mashable / 3h
Save $99.01: The 256GB Apple iPad Air with both WiFi and cellular connectivity is on sale for $779.99 at Amazon as of July 20. The return of back-to-school shopping means a chance to snag a pretty cheap laptop . But you can also splurge on one of the best tablets that combine performance with portability. And if you need a tablet that helps you work or play without the constraints of WiFi, then t

Stuff Leftovers Into Zucchini Blossoms


Lifehacker / 3h
If you planted zucchini in your garden this year, you have no doubt noticed the beautiful orange and yellow blossoms that grow alongside (and on) the fruit. The flowers are edible and beautiful, with a pleasant, fresh flavor that’s reminiscent of zucchini, only a little bit more herbal and (obviously) floral. You can… Read more...

Blood Red Sky Pits a Vampire Against Hijackers and Almost Lives Up to That Killer Concept


Gizmodo / 4h
Blood Red Sky begins with a frame story—an aircraft makes a wobbly landing in Scotland as troops gather below—before introducing us to a mother and son preparing to travel from Germany to New York. She’s obviously gravely ill and hopes that a specialist in America can cure her. However, as anyone who’s seen the trailer Read more...

Venmo removes its global, public feed as part of a major redesign


Venmo Global Feed App•
47TechCrunch / 4h
PayPal-owned payments app Venmo will no longer offer a public, global feed of users’ transactions, as part of a significant redesign focused on expanding the app’s privacy controls and better highlighting some of Venmo’s newer features. The company says it will instead only show users their “friends feed” — meaning, the app’s social feed where you can see just your friends’ transactions. Venmo ha

Google is making it easier to manage permissions in Chrome on a site-by-site basis


Engadget / 4h
HTTPS-related enhancements aren't the only improvements coming to Chrome soon. On Tuesday, Google detailed a handful of smaller tweaks it plans to roll out to Chrome on Android, Windows, Mac, Linux and Chrome OS in the coming weeks. Google To start, the company says it's making it easier to track individual site permissions. By tapping the lock icon in the address bar (pictured above), you'll be

Instagram offers users more control over 'sensitive content' in the Explore tab


Engadget / 4h
Instagram's Explore tab can feel like the Wild West at times. The feed shows recommended posts from accounts you don't follow, but you never really know what you'll see. It might feature a photo, video or Story that's potentially distressing — even if it doesn't break the platform's rules. To mitigate that, Instagram is rolling out a Sensitive Content Control option. The aim is to let you choose

Keep your router out of the sun, Virgin Media warns


79BBC News - Technology / 4h
The company is alerting customers to the risk of overheating.

Recap: 9 Opportunities To Buy Points


500+One Mile at a Time / 4h
We frequently see loyalty programs sell points at a discount, and for many, this is an opportunity to buy points at a cost that makes sense, especially for aspirational redemptions. At the moment we’re seeing many loyalty programs offer promotions when buying points, with several offers expiring soon. In this post I wanted to provide a recap of that, since it can be tough to keep track of the var

The 10 Best Family Movies on Netflix


How-To Geek / 4h
Nothing says family togetherness like a night spent watching Netflix. For parents, kids, and everyone in between, here are 10 of the best family movies you can stream on Netflix right now. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

Defeat pesky malware with the FixMeStick on sale


Mashable / 4h
TL;DR: Keep your computer in top shape with the FixMeStick Virus Remover , which is on sale for 50% off. As of July 20, get one for just $29.99. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach for keeping your computer safe. That’s why the FixMeStick Virus Remover shines. The FixMeStick plugs directly into your computer like a USB drive and works like Drano for your computer. Our friends at PCMag say "it's

Bezos and crew host a giddy press conference after Blue Origin’s inaugural crewed launch


21TechCrunch / 4h
Jeff Bezos was so triumphant he was practically glowing at a press conference following the Blue Origin’s first crewed mission to space , 21 years after he founded the company in 2000. The billionaire talked about the future of the company and his role in it, and then casually gave away a couple hundred million dollars. Bezos was one of four that rode in the RSS First Step capsule; the others wer


The European VC market is so hot it may skip its summer holiday


34TechCrunch / 4h
The startup market is having a moment around the world, but few regions can brag as much as Europe when it comes to venture capital investment. Yes, the United States is putting up impressive numbers and Indian startups are booming . But Europe is such a bright spot in the larger world of private startup investment that it deserves more solo attention. The data coming out of the continent is stag

Worker Robots Start Fire in Warehouse


74Futurism / 4h
Burn It Down Last Friday, three autonomous worker robots set fire to their warehouse when they crashed into each other and combusted. The unfortunate glitch ­— or perhaps the first whispers of a robot uprising — threw everything out of whack at the London warehouse of the UK grocery giant Ocado, Insider reports . The company uses its robotic warehouse to prepare and send out around 150,000 grocer

3 critical lessons I learned while scaling RingCentral’s customer support team


34TechCrunch / 4h
Shaun Spivak Contributor Shaun Spivak is the senior director of Global Customer Support at RingCentral, a global leader in communication and call center software provider. There are many things I wish I knew when starting out with my small customer support team at RingCentral, but in the end, we figured it out. I’m going to share some critical lessons I learned along the way that I wish I had kno

Facebook onboards another 31 newsletter writers on Bulletin


42TechCrunch / 4h
Late last month, Facebook announced Bulletin , its newsletter platform. Unlike Substack, Medium and other competitors, Bulletin hand-picks its writers to curate a more controlled platform, with stars ranging from Mitch Albom, whose book “Tuesdays with Morrie” continues to break hearts in seventh grade English classes, to Queer Eye’s Tan France, who taught a generation of young people how to perfe

Casio Adds 'Pac-Man' Flair to an Iconic Digital Watch Design


How-To Geek / 4h
Retro gear is all the rage, especially video game watch collaborations, and the latest gadget is a spectacular venture between Bandai Namco and Casio. The new A100WEPC Pac-Man edition watch breathes new life into the iconic Casio F-100 digital watch, worn by Ripley in 1979’s Alien. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

Volvo C40 Recharge price confirmed, and it's more expensive than the Tesla Model Y


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
Volvo's fully electric, compact SUV now has a price, and offers up 260 miles of range and a host of tech.

This ace fibre broadband deal from Vodafone comes with a £75 cash incentive


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
Looking for a new fibre broadband deal? This option from Vodafone could be the perfect choice right now.

Comcast launches mobile plans designed for your SMB


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
Comcast's new Comcast Business Mobile service aims to keep SMBs connected whether they're in the office or on-the-go.

Paradise on points: An extraordinary award stay at Hyatt’s famed Hana-Maui Resort


25The Points Guy / 4h
I was a glutton for punishment over the Fourth of July. Despite reports of surging tourist numbers , catastrophic rental car shortages and extra hoops to avoid quarantine , I booked a trip to visit Hawaii’s tourism epicenter — Maui — during one of the busiest weeks of the year. I was prepared for packed hotel pools, overcrowded beaches and long waits at restaurants, but I also had a secret weapon

Louis Vuitton's Hideous $3,000 Speaker Looks Like a UFO


Gizmodo / 4h
Sometimes, you see an expensive gadget and think, “Oh shiz, that’s really expensive, but given the design, feature set, innovation, and build quality, it’s probably worth it.” This is absolutely never the case when luxury brands decide they want in on the tech game. There are dozens of examples of why luxury brands… Read more...

YouTube rolls out a new revenue stream for creators, Super Thanks


Mashable / 4h
YouTubers now have a brand new way to monetize their video content, thanks to a tool called Super Thanks, announced Tuesday by the company. Super Thanks allows YouTubers to get paid directly by their fans for pre-recorded or uploaded content. The feature is very much like Super Chats, a popular monetization tool for YouTubers who livestream. With Super Chats, fans can pay their favorite creators

Matt Damon fights Adam Driver in tense trailer for 'The Last Duel'


100+Mashable / 4h
Ridley Scott's upcoming medieval epic The Last Duel tells the true story of the last sanctioned duel in France, fought between Jean de Carrouges (Matt Damon) and Jacques Le Gris (Adam Driver). When Le Gris assaults Carrouges' wife Marguerite (Jodie Comer), she publicly accuses him and sets in motion a fight to the death between the two men. Written by Nicole Holofcener, Damon, and Ben Affleck, wh

All Verizon Android phones will support RCS messaging by 2022


Verizon Google RCS•
Engadget / 4h
It's taken the better part of half a decade, but the Rich Communication Services (RCS) protocol finally has a path to ubiquity in the US. Following similar announcements from T-Mobile and AT&T earlier in the year, Verizon (Engadget's parent company) said today it's working with Google to bring the next-generation SMS replacement to all of its customers. By the end of the year, existing Verizon su

Amazon sale slashes the Kindle Paperwhite to just $84.99 – the lowest price ever


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
We've just spotted an epic deal on the Kindle Paperwhite, which is on sale for a record-low price of $84.99 at Amazon.

Jupiter Officially Has Yet Another Moon


1KFuturism / 4h
Moonspotting It’s a big month for space: Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson both almost made it there , but more importantly we can announce the discovery of yet another moon orbiting Jupiter. Jupiter already has dozens of moons — at least 80, with more being discovered all the time, Space.com notes . But even though it’s just another small space rock in the crowd, the new moon S/2003J24 stands out f

Fortnite 17.2 update adds new default setting, hints at event


SlashGear / 4h
This week the folks at Epic updated Fornite to version 17.20, complete with Preferred Item Slots. If you’re looking to use Preferred Item Slots, open settings, tap the Game tab, and bang! There it is. It is recommended that you take a peek at this feature before you drop in to your next game as it is ON BY DEFAULT. … Continue reading

Can Apple’s AirTags Find Lost Pets?


32NYT > Technology / 5h
We look at the pros and cons of using Apple’s AirTag tracking device to find our missing dogs and cats.

Apple delays its return to office as the Delta variant surges.


Apple Return Month•
500+NYT > Technology / 5h
Employees are now expected to come back to the workplace as early as October, a month later than planned.

Star Trek's Alex Kurtzman on Why We Haven't Heard About the Section 31 Show for a While


39Gizmodo / 5h
A Section 31 Star Trek show with Michelle Yeoh’s breakout Discovery character Emperor Philipa Georgiou has been rumbling about as a project almost since the earliest days of ViacomCBS’s heady plans for more Star Trek on screen than ever before . But as that plan unfolded, Section 31 somewhat appropriately slunk into… Read more...

'District 9' director Neill Blomkamp is helping make a new 'AAA' game


District 9 Blomkamp•
30Engadget / 5h
District 9 director Neill Blomkamp never did get to make his Halo movie . However, Blomkamp still has a foothold in the video game world after directing an Anthem prequel short film . He's now helping a studio called Gunzilla Games with its first game, a multiplayer shooter. Blomkamp — who also directed Elysium , Chappie and the upcoming Demonic — has joined Gunzilla as chief visionary officer, a


How to Lock a Door That Doesn't Have a Lock


Lifehacker / 5h
Locks fall into the category of things you don’t notice until one isn’t there. Take public bathroom stalls, for instance: Typically, you walk in, close the door behind you, and lock it without a thought. But if you enter the stall and realize the lock is broken, it could turn into a stressful situation, as you… Read more...

Why the Citi Premier is now the best card for AA flyers


The Points Guy / 5h
Citi is a TPG advertising partner. The miles and points world experienced a big change over the weekend. For the first time ever , American Airlines credit cards are not the most efficient way to earn American Airlines miles . AA has been a conspicuous omission on the transfer partner list of flexible points like Chase Ultimate Rewards , Amex Membership Rewards , Citi ThankYou points , and Capita

[TEST / AOP CLONE] Foundation on Apple TV Plus: release date, plot, cast, and what we know so far amazon-feed


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
Here's everything we know about the first instalment of Foundation, Apple TV Plus' next big sci-fi saga TV show.

[TEST / AOP CLONE] Sony’s new soundbar and wireless speakers could make your home cinema dreams come true


Sony HT Dolby Atmos•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
Building a home cinema system from scratch? Sony has the answer with its latest soundbar and wireless speaker setup.

How Zello keeps people connected during South Africa’s unrest


MIT Technology Review / 5h
On June 29, former South African president Jacob Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison for corruption during his presidency. Zuma—the first ethnic Zulu to hold the country’s highest office—has a loyal following. He also has many detractors, who blame his administration’s corruption for a stagnant economy and weakened democracy. Zuma didn’t turn himself in until July 7, saying he was innocent

RxAll grabs $3.15M to scale its drug checking and counterfeiting tech across Africa


32TechCrunch / 5h
Research says that counterfeit medication is the cause of 1 million deaths per year. One-tenth of this number comes from Africa. Counterfeiting is hard to detect, investigate, quantify or stop. It is a global problem, with annual earnings from substandard drugs standing at over $100 billion. Some technologies have helped deal with this menace; for instance, radio frequency identification, which w

YouTube’s newest monetization tool lets viewers tip creators for their uploads


YouTube Super Thanks•
31TechCrunch / 5h
YouTube announced its latest feature, Super Thanks, on Tuesday. This is YouTube’s fourth Paid Digital Good, which is what the platform calls any product that lets fans directly pay creators. So far, these tools include Super Chat , Super Stickers and channel subscriptions — but Super Thanks is YouTube’s first of these features that allows fans to tip creators for individual uploaded videos rather

Venmo's redesigned app gets rid of the global payments feed


Venmo Global Feed App•
Engadget / 5h
Venmo has grown into much more than a simple payment platform, and the company has redesigned its app to reflect that. The company has introduced a revised app for Android and iOS that tosses the global feed, which showed random publicly-shared payments between people in favor of the friends feed that shows what's happening with your close connections. It's not surprising to see the company put s

PSA: The Play Store Has a Hidden Offline Game on Android


How-To Geek / 5h
Google Chrome has a dinosaur game you can play inside the browser when there’s no internet connection. It’s cute, fun, and a nice way to kill time. The Play Store on Android devices has an offline game, too. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

DuckDuckGo's New Service Anonymizes Your Email Address


How-To Geek / 5h
As anti-tracking tools grow more popular in the browser, advertisers are finding more sophisticated ways to track your activity and interests through email. Invisible trackers can detect when and where you open a message, and if you stick to a single email address, it’s very easy to build an advertising profile based on the websites, stores, and newsletters you sign up with. The solution? Uh … Du

Marriott CEO: Bonvoy and Breakfast, It’s All About Hotel Owner Costs


View from the Wing / 5h
Marriott's new CEO admits that Bonvoy isn't as generous as Starwood Preferred Guest was. He dismisses guest desires for hotel services as customers having a "short memory." And he explains lack of service and generous benefits as a need to hold down hotel owner costs. Continue reading ...

HBO Max to stream free episodes inside Snapchat for co-watching with friends


39TechCrunch / 5h
In a bid to boost sign-ups to its streaming service, HBO Max is partnering with Snap to bring free episodes from its original programing to Snapchat users in the U.S. The episodes will stream via a Snap Mini — the company’s bite-sized third-party apps that live within Snapchat. The experience will offer users a way to watch top titles, including both new releases like the rebooted “Gossip Girl” a

Rebooted Hubble Telescope Wastes No Time, Captures Cool New Pics of Misfit Galaxies


100+Gizmodo / 5h
It was looking grim there for a while, but Hubble is back in business after a computer glitch kept the space telescope offline for over a month. With no time to waste, the 31-year-old observatory is already back at work, capturing vivid new images of oddball galaxies. Read more...

Square takes on major banks with new suite of financial services for your business


Square Launches Banking•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
New financial products designed to work seamlessly together under the Square banner.

Going viral is a death sentence in Netflix's 'Clickbait' teaser


Mashable / 5h
Who is Nick Brewer? In the teaser for Netflix's Clickbait , we're introduced to this husband, father, brother, and friend (Adrian Grenier), but things quickly take a dark turn. Nick disappears, resurfacing in an online video with a sign that says "I abuse women. At 5 million views, I die." Tony Ayres created and executive produced the eight-episode series, which costars Zoe Kazan as Nick's sister

How to use text-to-speech on TikTok


Mashable / 5h
TikTok's text-to-speech feature allows creators to put text over their videos and have a Siri-like voice read it out loud. It's a helpful way to annotate your videos to help describe what's happening, add context, or to serve whatever purpose you see fit. There's also no rule saying you can't use it just to make the text-to-speech voice say silly things. Here's how you can easily add text-to-spee

How to verify your Tinder profile


Mashable / 5h
We might not be able to help you get that coveted blue tick on Twitter , but we can get you verified on Tinder. And you'll be pleased to know, it's actually very straightforward. So, what exactly does it mean to be 'verified' on Tinder? Photo verification on the dating app is basically a security feature that allows you to self-authenticate and declare you are who you say you are. So being 'verif

How to watch the Tokyo 2020 Olympics without cable


Mashable / 5h
The summer Olympics are still happening whether you like it or not. The Tokyo 2020 Olympics are taking place a year late because of the ongoing pandemic. This summer's games will be held without any spectators in attendance to try and prevent the spread of this deadly virus. And on top of that, the athletes are being forced to sleep on cardboard beds . If you still want to watch the Olympics desp

Apple Reportedly Pushing Back Return to Office Plans Amid Rising Covid-19 Cases


36Gizmodo / 5h
Apple has been a bit more aggressive than most of the tech giants when it comes to returning to the office. However, due to yet another rise in covid-19 cases throughout the U.S., it appears Apple is pushing back the start of its return-to-office timeline by at least a month. Read more...

Xbox Game Pass gets Microsoft Flight Simulator and two classics to close out July


SlashGear / 5h
Microsoft has revealed the games that will launch on Xbox Game Pass in the second half of July, and it looks like it’s going to be a packed couple of weeks. The new additions are led by the Xbox Series X|S version of Microsoft Flight Simulator, which will be launching on Xbox Game Pass the same day it releases: July … Continue reading


How much COVID misinformation is on Facebook? Its execs don’t want to know


46Ars Technica / 5h
Enlarge (credit: KJ Parish ) For years, misinformation has flourished on Facebook. Falsehoods, misrepresentations, and outright lies posted on the site have shaped the discourse on everything from national politics to public health. But despite their role in facilitating communications for billions of people, Facebook executives refused to commit resources to understand the extent to which COVID-

Our AI headline experiment continues: Did we break the machine?


Ars Technica / 5h
Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) We're in phase three of our machine-learning project now—that is, we've gotten past denial and anger, and we're now sliding into bargaining and depression. I've been tasked with using Ars Technica's trove of data from five years of headline tests, which pair two ideas against each other in an "A/B" test to let readers determine which one to use for a

Upcoming Electric Car Designed to Mine Crypto While Charging


200+Futurism / 5h
Crypto by Night The computational muscle of electric cars is rising exponentially. Self-driving cars require some beefy specs to make sense of the world around them and ensure their riders’ safety. That’s why several companies are now marketing vehicles not just based on how many miles they can cover on a single charge, but good they are at number crunching as well. For instance, Aldo Baoicchi, t

Why I lie to my friends and family about miles and points


The Points Guy / 5h
You know those emails with all-caps subject lines that say, “I MAKE $17,800 PER WEEK FROM HOME — AND YOU CAN TOO!” — or — “THE PRINCE OF NIGERIA HAS CHOSEN YOU FOR A MULTIMILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY”? No one reads those. No one opens them. When you’re presented with an almost unbelievable offer for seemingly minimal effort, deafening alarm bells chime between the ears. For more TPG news

ChargePoint to buy European charging software startup for $295M


23TechCrunch / 5h
ChargePoint struck a deal to buy European charging software company has·to·be for €250 million ($295 million) in cash and stock, the electric vehicle charging network’s first acquisition since it became a publicly traded company. Through the deal, ChargePoint gains more than just 125 employees and the company’s operating software, which manages more than 40,000 networked ports in Europe. The acqu

Best Buy flash sale: epic deals on 4K TVs, laptops, AirPods, tablets and more


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
The Best Buy flash sale is happening today only, and we're rounding up the best deals on 4K TVs, laptops, AirPods, tablets, and more.

How to play Google Chrome’s Dinosaur Game and its 2020 Olympics makeover


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
Google Chrome’s iconic Dinosaur Game has been given an Olympic makeover ahead of the event. Here’s how you can try it for yourself.

China Roundup: What’s going on with China’s data security clampdown?


24TechCrunch / 5h
Hello and welcome back to TechCrunch’s China Roundup , a digest of recent events shaping the Chinese tech landscape and what they mean to people in the rest of the world. A tectonic shift is underway in how Beijing regulates and accesses the troves of citizen data collected by its tech giants. More details of China’s new cybersecurity rules have recently come to light as Didi, the SoftBank-backed

Alert: AirPods Pro haven't been this cheap since Prime Day


Mashable / 5h
SAVE $59.01: Typically $249, the AirPods Pro are on sale at Amazon and Walmart for just $189.99 as of July 20 — a 24% savings. If you've been waiting to upgrade to the AirPods Pro until they hit a respectable sale price, we can officially say this with no uncertain terms: Now! Is! Your! Chance! As of July 20, Apple's finest wireless earbuds have dipped down to just $189.99 at Amazon and Walmart —

Train your brain with a subscription to NeuroNation on sale


Mashable / 5h
TL;DR: Challenge your brain with the NeuroNation app . As of July 20, get a one-year subscription for only $39.99 — a 52% discount. With the NeuroNation app , you'll get access to puzzles and exercises that challenge your memory, concentration, reaction time, and more. Whether you want to go hard with big challenges or just take in mini NeuroBoosters on your lunch break, you can tailor this app t

Get a refurbished Roomba e5 for less than $200


Mashable / 5h
Save $70: Refurbished Roomba e5 vacuums are on sale for $179.99 at Amazon as of July 20. That's nearly 30% off the regular renewed price and over $100 off the brand-new MSRP. The midrange Roomba e5 can sometimes get lost in the shuffle of the rest of the Roomba family. Many shoppers are looking for extremes: like the $1,000+ beast of a vacuum that'll empty itself or the cheapest vacuum possible w

Titan, a platform aimed at the ‘everyday investor,’ valued at $450M as a16z leads $58M Series B


52TechCrunch / 5h
Titan , a startup that is building a retail investment management platform aimed at the new generation of “everyday investors,” has closed on $58 million in a Series B round led by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z). The financing comes just over five months after Titan raised $12.5 million in a Series A round led by General Catalyst, and brings the startup’s total raised since its 2017 inception to $75

Windows 11 release date effectively leaked by Intel


SlashGear / 5h
This week the folks at Intel effectively leaked the release date for Windows 11. In support documentation for a variety of Intel processor hardware, Intel suggests that Microsoft Windows 11 (64-bit) will appear in an October 2021 update. This information may have been a placeholder for dates that’ve changed since this document was released, as it also points to a … Continue reading

DuckDuckGo tackles email privacy with new tracker-stripping service


29Engadget / 6h
DuckDuckGo , which is best known for its privacy-focused search engine, has announced a new service that aims to thwart email trackers . Email Protection is now available in beta. It’s a free forwarding service that strips tracking pixels from your emails with the aim of shielding your personal data. Around 70 percent of emails contain trackers, DuckDuckGo notes. These can be used to tell the sen

After vampires, werewolves may be the MCU's next big surprise


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
Marvel might be preparing to introduce werewolves to the MCU – but how would they fit into the studio's upcoming slate?

Web hosting sector could be facing a long wait for component deliveries


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
Pandemic means sectors relying on server components will see wait times of up to 52 weeks.

Square launches business bank accounts


Square Launches Banking•
TechCrunch / 6h
One step at a time, Square is creating a new bank from scratch. Today, the company is launching a new product called Square Banking that combines a checking account, savings accounts, debit cards and loans. With Square Banking, the company wants to convince small businesses that it’s just easier to manage all their money needs through Square. Originally focused on payments processing, Square laun

Northeast Skies Turn Smoky Due to Western Wildfires


76Gizmodo / 6h
Millions of people across the U.S. and Canada woke up to smoke-choked air on Tuesday. The source: intense wildfires burning thousands of miles away in western North America. Yes, the western wildfires are now everyone’s problem, proving for the millionth time that nobody will be spared from climate change and that the… Read more...

Physicists Say the Universe Wraps Around Itself Like a Giant Donut


1KFuturism / 6h
D’ohniverse According to new astrophysics research, our universe may not be expanding outward in all directions. Instead, it may be rolled around itself like a gigantic cosmic donut. A team of European scientists argue in preliminary research that the folded universe — the edges of which connected in multiple places to form a closed loop — may make more sense than the endless expanse that we typi

Amex Platinum cardholders: You might have $200 in travel credit to use by Dec. 31


The Points Guy / 6h
Public service announcement: Some Amex customers holding The Platinum Card® from American Express have an extra up to $200 travel statement credit that others do not. Are you one of the lucky cardmembers? Amex has recently added $900+ in new annual statement credits to the Amex Platinum . The aforementioned $200 travel credit is not one of them — it’s only valid through Dec. 31, 2021, so it’s imp


How to Create a Dependent Drop-Down List in Microsoft Excel


How-To Geek / 6h
Does using a drop-down list in Microsoft Excel make data entry easier for you or your co-workers? If you said yes and want to go a step further, you can create a dependent drop-down list just as easily. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

Little Spoon scoops up $44M to grow its children’s nutrition delivery service


32TechCrunch / 6h
The quest to disrupt the traditional baby food aisle continues as more of today’s parents seek out nutritional food for their children. One of the startups taking on the $100 billion children’s health and wellness market is Little Spoon , producing fresh, direct-to-consumer baby and children’s meals. The New York-based company announced on Tuesday a $44 million round of Series B funding led by Va

Numerade lands $100M valuation for short-form STEM videos


23TechCrunch / 6h
Edtech entrepreneurs are using their moment in the sun to rethink the structures and impact of nearly every aspect of modern-day learning, from the art of testing to the reality of information retention. Yet, the most popular product up for grabs may just be a seemingly simple one: the almighty tutoring session. Numerade, an edtech founded in 2018, just had its take on scalable, high-quality tuto

High-Speed Projectors Power This Virtual Air Hockey With Shape-Changing Paddles


Gizmodo / 6h
If you’ve spent any time at a modern arcade you’ve probably seen air hockey tables upgraded with glowing pucks and paddles that make the game more visually appealing. Researchers from Tohoku University in Japan have taken those upgrades one step further in a version of air hockey that replaces the pucks and paddles… Read more...

41 percent of consumers say their next car will be electric


34Ars Technica / 6h
Enlarge / The biggest impediment to EV adoption appears to be cost of ownership, according to EY's 2021 Mobility Consumer Index. (credit: Carlos Sanchez Pereyra/Getty Images) Electric vehicles are increasingly breaking into the mainstream. According to a new survey conducted by EY , 41 percent of consumers planning to buy a car say their next vehicle will be a plug-in. And they're mainly making t

American & JetBlue Launching Reciprocal Elite Perks This Fall


100+One Mile at a Time / 6h
While details are limited as of now, this is at least a step in the right direction, and a positive update. Timeline for American & JetBlue reciprocal elite benefits In early 2021, American and JetBlue launched a strategic alliance in the Northeast . The partnership makes sense on the surface — JetBlue has amazing connectivity in the Northeast, and American wants to grow its long haul presence ou

PS5 restock dates: Best Buy, GameStop, Target and Sony Direct – when to buy it


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
The PS5 restock dates for some retailers in the US are expected this week, and we report on the PS5 stock situation at Best Buy, Target and Sony Direct, the latter of which is today.

American, JetBlue detail new routes, enhanced connectivity in next phase of Northeast Alliance


61The Points Guy / 6h
The powerhouse alliance between American Airlines and JetBlue continues to spread its wings in the Northeast. On Tuesday, the two carriers unveiled the next phase of their Northeast Alliance, designed to boost connectivity in the New York and Boston markets, with added routes, enhanced coordination and more. Though Tuesday’s update summarizes much of the previously announced growth, there are som

Nothing Ear1 wireless earbuds will come with AirPods-beating battery life


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
We're hearing more about the wireless earbuds ahead of their launch on July 27.

Charlize Theron Is Joining HBO Max's The Final Girl Support Group


100+Gizmodo / 6h
Charlize Theron is getting ready to sit down, have a little chat, and stop a serial killer. The actress and producer is working on a TV series for HBO Max based on Grady Hendrix’s The Final Girl Support Group , which is about a group of slasher survivors who must band together after one of their own go missing. Read more...

Jeff Bezos' space launch inspired lots of memes and dick jokes


200+Mashable / 6h
Listen: If you're a billionaire and you launch yourself into kinda-space in an impossibly phallic spaceship, you've got to expect some jokes at your expense. I mean, Zetus Lapetus , it's bound to happen. The internet did not let us down on Tuesday, when Amazon founder Jeff Bezos spent about 11 minutes in his Blue Origin spaceship, zooming right up to the technical limit where space begins. As my

Verizon makes RCS default with Messages by Google for Android


SlashGear / 6h
All three major mobile carriers in the United States now have RCS ready to roll with Messages by Google by default for Android phones. Rich Communications Service (RCS) amplifies the abilities of text messaging – by default – for all Android users from this point forward. Google has been working for years to make RCS the default baseline experience for … Continue reading

Save on a Kickstarter-funded water purifying straw


Mashable / 6h
TL;DR: Drink clean, filtered water with the LUMISTRAW water-purifying straw . As of July 20, get one for just $79.99 — a 37% discount. Successfully funded on Kickstarter and Indiegogo, the LUMISTRAW is a water-purifying straw that cleans your water with every sip. This straw is equipped with UV light and a novel design that purifies the water inside of it. This innovative design can eradicate up

The best dorm room essentials for college students


Engadget / 6h
Colleges are returning to their pre-pandemic normal this year, which also means a return to dorm room living. Since this is the first time many of you will be away from home, it’s a good idea to stock up on a few items for your new tiny abode. Not all of our recommendations will be strictly tech-related here because, while tech is important in college (of course), we also wanted to cover the othe

An emotional welcome back: What it was like on the first day of train service in Vermont since March 2020


60The Points Guy / 6h
Amtrak service to Vermont is finally back . Both the Vermonter and Ethan Allen Express services restarted full daily service on Monday, July 19, for the first time in almost 18 months. The restart of train service coincides with the lifting of Vermont’s pandemic-related travel restrictions now that the state has reached over an 80% vaccination rate – the highest in the country. I booked a seat on

Blue Origin just sent Jeff Bezos into space


SlashGear / 6h
Today was a big day for Blue Origin, as the company launched the first human flight on its New Shepard rocket. Amazon and Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos was on this initial crewed flight, joined by his brother Mark Bezos, an 18-year-old student named Oliver Daemen, and 82-year-old Wally Funk, one of the Mercury 13 and – after today – … Continue reading

All the best laptops running on Windows 10


Mashable / 6h
Windows 10 has come a long way. It’s not just the operating system that has gotten better. It’s the computers, too. While MacBooks still benefit from the Apple shine, PCs have caught up and then some. Now there is a Windows 10 laptop capable of doing just about anything. Whether it’s schoolwork, running a business, making art, or gaming , there is a Windows 10 laptop that can handle it. It’s just

How to make a Linktree for your Instagram


Mashable / 6h
Instagram limits users to only one link in their bio, which can be a problem for content creators, and pretty much anyone who might want their followers to visit more than one link. The usual solution — updating your bio every time you have a new link to share — can be time-consuming. Linktree is a tool that helps you share all your links with your followers. Linktree makes it easy to share your

Apple's iOS 14.7 has an annoying bug for some Apple Watch owners


Apple Ios 14.7 iPhone•
46Mashable / 6h
One of the best features of Apple Watch, especially in the seemingly never-ending COVID-19 pandemic, is its ability to unlock your iPhone and vice versa. However, if you have an iPhone with Touch ID, and you've updated it to iOS 14.7, your iPhone won't unlock your Apple Watch. You can still do it, of course, by entering the pin on your Watch, but it's the type of bug that ruins the whole experien

A lighter PS5 redesign is coming, according to this Japanese retailer listing


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
The PS5 Digital Edition has apparently had its weight reduced and will come with a new screw for attaching the stand.


Jeff Bezos Heads Toward Space, Turns Back Before He Gets There


4KFuturism / 6h
It was like listening to a family riding a thrill ride together at a theme park. But it was actually a billionaire and a few of his pals screaming as Blue Origin successfully completed its first crewed mission to the edge of space. The company’s New Shepard spacecraft RSS First Step rocketed from the West Texas desert high into the Earth’s upper atmosphere, reaching an apogee of 351,210 feet, or

Three is now offering a fantastic 30GB of data for £10 a month SIM only deal


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
Looking for a new SIM only deal? This flash sale from Three could be the perfect option right now.

Quantum computing and cybersecurity: friends or foes?


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
Quantum computers can break the RSA code, but could they also provide major competitive opportunities.

Using data from Amazon to improve your ecommerce website


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
Amazon contains a whole raft of data nuggets for both Amazon sellers and vendors to use.

Powered by local stores, JOKR joins the 15-min grocery race with a $170M Series A


JOKR Grocery $170M•
35TechCrunch / 7h
“We are true believers in the fact that the world needs a new Amazon, a better one, a more sustainable one, one that appreciates local areas and products.” It’s quite one thing to claim you are out to replace Amazon (just as its founder goes into space), but Ralf Wenzel, founder and CEO of JOKR , certainly believes his company might have a shot. And he’s raising plenty of money to aim at that goa

The 8 Amex Platinum Card Perks I Value Most


26One Mile at a Time / 7h
The Platinum Card® from American Express ( review ) is one of the most perks-rich cards out there. While the card has a steep $695 annual fee ( Rates & Fees ), it offers benefits that will more than help offset it for many. The Amex Platinum Card recently underwent some significant changes — while the annual fee increased, several new perks were added as well. I’ve had the Amex Platinum Card for

Sony's latest flagship soundbar offers Dolby Atmos and 360 Reality Audio


Sony HT Dolby Atmos•
35Engadget / 7h
At CES 2020, Sony demoed its 360 Reality Audio (360RA) technology on a home theater setup like you would put in your living room. The in-booth layout included a soundbar, subwoofer and two rear satellite speakers. Today, the company announced the first gear that will allow you to actually create something similar at home. The company's new HT-A7000 flagship soundbar offers Dolby Atmos in addition

iPad mini 6 sounds more and more like a pint-sized iPad Pro every day


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
A new report suggests the iPad mini 6 will get peripheral support, USB-C connectivity and more, just like an iPad Pro.

Even highly skilled IT professionals fall prey to phishing attacks


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
Survey highlights rise of sophisticated phishing attacks that manage to trick even trained IT professionals.

Sony’s new soundbar and wireless speakers could make your home cinema dreams come true


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
Building a home cinema system from scratch? Sony has the answer with its latest soundbar and wireless speaker setup.

Elite Benefits Coming To The American-JetBlue Partnership This Fall


View from the Wing / 7h
American Airlines and JetBlue launched their 'Northeast Alliance' early in 2021. Until now there haven't been elite benefits recognized between the two airlines, and there's no redeeming miles for each others' flights. Elite benefits, though, will begin this fall. Continue reading ...

Apple under pressure over iPhone security after NSO spyware claims


28Ars Technica / 7h
Enlarge (credit: NurPhoto | Getty Images) Apple has come under pressure to collaborate with its Silicon Valley rivals to fend off the common threat of surveillance technology after a report alleged that NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware was used to target journalists and human rights activists . Amnesty International, which analyzed dozens of smartphones targeted by clients of NSO, said Apple’s marketi

Sony's New Home Theater Speakers Are Beefy and Ridiculously Expensive


Sony HT Dolby Atmos•
Gizmodo / 7h
Sony did not come to play this summer. After launching four new speakers in May, the company is now revamping its home theater lineup with the HT-A9, a new modular system, and the HT-A7000, an incredibly beefy Dolby Atmos soundbar. The kicker: They cost $1,800 and $1,300, respectively. Read more...

Spirit adds 2 new routes from Atlantic City, including its first international flight from the airport


78The Points Guy / 7h
Spirit Airlines will try its luck in Atlantic City. On Tuesday, the Miramar, Florida-based carrier announced a notable expansion at its operating base in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Spirit is adding two new routes, including the airlines first international flight from the airport. Service to Cancun, Mexico (CUN), will take off with four weekly flights on Oct. 29, followed on Oct. 31 by three week

Sony HT-A9 and HT-A7000 take two very different routes to home theater


Sony HT Dolby Atmos•
SlashGear / 7h
Sony is looking to upend home theater audio, with a new HT-A7000 soundbar along with the more unusual Sony HT-A9 home theater system. While the HT-A7000 replaces the old HT-ST5000 with a familiar form-factor and niceties like Dolby Atmos, the HT-A9 takes a different route, with four speakers that use smart auto-optimization so that you can place them anywhere in … Continue reading

How to Set Different Wallpapers for Virtual Desktops on Windows 11


How-To Geek / 7h
In Windows 11, you can set a different desktop wallpaper for each virtual desktop, helping you keep visual track of which is which—a feature sorely missing in Windows 10. Here’s how to do it. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

How to Build Meaningful Relationships, According to Plato


100+Lifehacker / 7h
When we’re younger, maybe our relationships are more grounded in the physical than the spiritual and emotional. But underlying the foundation of any enduring relationship is a certain kind of love, and at the crux of this spiritual connection are the teachings of the philosopher Plato. Read more...

Jeff Bezos Touches Space Aboard Blue Origin Rocket


Jeff Bezos Blue Origin•
500+Wired / 7h
The Amazon founder, his brother, aviation pioneer Wally Funk, and a paying passenger were the first to test out the New Shepard suborbital rocket system.

Jeff Bezos flies to space in historic Blue Origin flight


Jeff Bezos Blue Origin•
94Mashable / 7h
Former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos made it to space on Tuesday. And back. Bezos and a small group of fellow travelers, including his brother Mark, 82-year-old aviator Wally Funk , and 18-year-old Oliver Daemen , completed Blue Origin's first crewed flight to space. Funk became the oldest person to travel to space, and Daemen became the youngest. You can watch the launch starting around 1:43:03 in the v

The Hidden Toll of Shipping


52Gizmodo / 7h
Newly obtained data shows how 15 companies—including big names like Walmart, Ikea, and Amazon—are responsible for millions of tons of pollution and carbon emissions from an often-overlooked sector of their business: importing goods into the U.S. on cargo ships. A new report released Tuesday by Pacific Environment and… Read more...


Roku sale on Amazon knocks the Streambar down to $99


Engadget / 7h
We've been fans of Roku streaming devices for a long time thanks to their power, versatility and support for most major streaming services. Those looking to make an old TV in their homes smarter, or upgrade an aging streaming gadget, can do so for less now that many Roku devices are on sale at Amazon. Of note is the Roku Streambar for $99 — that's the best price we've seen the compact soundbar th

Vodafone's NB-IoT network now covers 98% of the UK


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
Vodafone says NB-IoT and 4G can deliver complete connectivity for IoT.

82-Year-Old Woman Becomes Oldest Person in Space


2KFuturism / 7h
Funk Flight Spurned astronaut Wally Funk just made it to the edge of space on board Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft RSS First Step. The small rocket launched from the West Texas desert, just after 9 am Eastern time. At 82-years-young, Funk has become the oldest person to travel to space — or at least past the KĂĄrmĂĄn line at 62 miles, the arbitrary boundary between the Earth’s atmosphere and

Blue Origin’s New Shepard carries Jeff Bezos and three crew members to space and back


Jeff Bezos Blue Origin•
34TechCrunch / 7h
Blue Origin successfully completed its first crewed launch Tuesday, sending four human passengers to space – including the company’s founder, Jeff Bezos. The result of billions of dollars of investment, dozens of test launches and some petty squabbling amongst ultra-rich founders, the triumph of the New Shepard, along with that of Virgin Galactic earlier this month, undoubtably heralds the dawn o

Blue Origin completes its first crewed spaceflight with Bezos onboard


Blue Origin Spaceflight•
400+Engadget / 7h
Blue Origin just joined the ranks of private companies that have taken people to space . Jeff Bezos' outfit has successfully completed its first crewed spaceflight, taking Bezos, his brother , Wally Funk and paying customer Oliver Daemen beyond the KĂĄrman line (62 miles above Earth) before their capsule returned to the desert. The New Shepard rocket also touched down in what appeared to be a pict

Travel is back, and so are the crowds. How early do you need to get to the airport?


100+The Points Guy / 7h
The sight of crowded airports and packed planes might be welcome for the travel industry, but for travelers — not so much. Travel has surged back, with domestic demand reaching pre-pandemic levels and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) now regularly screening more than 2 million passengers a day . The uptick has resulted in long lines at the security checkpoint and bag drop areas an

Apple Arcade's upcoming additions include 'Tetris' and 'Monster Hunter' games


Engadget / 7h
Apple Arcade is expanding its game selection, and it once again includes a mix of brand new (if familiar) originals and well-established classics . The all-you-can-play service will "soon" add Tetris Beat , an Arcade original from N3twork that blends Alexei Pajitnov's line-clearng puzzles with rhythm game elements. The more you keep to the rhythm, the larger your combos get. The soundtrack includ

Jeff Bezos Floats Back to Earth, Achieves the Bare Minimum Definition of ‘Astronaut’


500+Gizmodo / 7h
Jeff Bezos utterly smashed the KĂĄrmĂĄn line, the internationally-recognized edge of space 62 miles above sea level, at approximately 9:04 a.m. Eastern Standard Time this morning, awarding him the permanent honorific: “astronaut.” As Blue Origin has made sure to clarify ahead of time, Jeff Bezos is now a no-asterisk … Read more...

I'm Begging You to Use a VPN at Hotels


100+Lifehacker / 7h
Keep your keycard with you, don’t leave valuables in your room unattended, and keep the door locked. Most of us follow basic security precautions at hotels, but I’m begging you to add one more to the list: Don’t use hotel wifi without protection from a VPN. Read more...

Updates From Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Black Adam, and More


21Gizmodo / 7h
Get up close with Michael Myers’ new look in Halloween Kills . One of the charmed ones has called time on Charmed ’s next season. Game of Thrones prequel spinoff House of the Dragon has been hit with covid-induced production shutdowns. Plus, what’s to come on Rick and Morty . To me, my spoilers! Read more...

Pillar VC closes $192M for two funds targeting SaaS, crypto, biotech, manufacturing


21TechCrunch / 7h
As its name suggests, venture firm Pillar VC is focused on building “pillar” companies in Boston and across the Northeast. The Boston-based seed-stage firm closed a raise of $192 million of capital that was split into two funds, $169 million for Pillar III and $23 million for Pillar Select. More than 25 investors are backing the new fund, including portfolio founders. Jamie Goldstein, Sarah Hodge

Metal 3D printing company Fabric8Labs raises $19M


42TechCrunch / 7h
Fabric8Labs this morning announced that it has raised $19.3 million. The Series A was led by Intel Capital and features Lam Capital, TDK Ventures, SE Ventures, imec.xpand, Stanley Ventures and Mark Cuban. It follows $4 million in seed funding raised in mid-2018. The San Diego-based startup specializes in metal 3D printing. It’s a hot category, of late, as evidenced by Desktop Metal and Markforged

Commercial real estate lending startup Lev brings in $30M on a $130M valuation


43TechCrunch / 7h
Commercial real estate has been slow to embrace technology ; though it has an addressable financing market of more than $40 billion, putting together a deal is still mostly manual, paper-heavy and complicated. New York-based Lev is taking on this problem by automating workflows online and gathering hundreds of millions of data points into machine learning software to ensure financing accuracy. To

Traumatic brain injury computer model maps brain blood vessels


SlashGear / 7h
Scientists from Imperial College London created a new traumatic brain injury (TBI) computer model that has mapped blood vessels in a rat brain at the highest resolution. They believe the new TBI computer model could help improve our understanding of how blood vessels are affected by injuries of this type. The model also helps researchers learn the effects on the … Continue reading

Malta reverses course and reopens to Americans


36The Points Guy / 7h
As of Monday, July 19, vaccinated Americans can now travel to the country of Malta, with the assurance that their CDC-issued vaccination card will be accepted without issue, the Malta Tourism Authority announced yesterday. The news comes amid confusion among travelers hoping to get to Europe this summer, concerned about whether their CDC white card will be compliant in Europe, where the EU Digita

Amazon Kindle vs Kindle Paperwhite: is it worth spending more?


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 8h
Amazon's budget and mid-range Kindles have a lot of similarities and a lot of differences.

Microsoft Teams is finally fixing one of its most annoying flaws


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 8h
Search update to Microsoft Teams means you'll never lose a chat again.

A Renewal for IBM Campuses Once Home to Punch Cards and Circuit Boards


84NYT > Technology / 8h
When Big Blue left upstate New York, economic pain ensued. But the large complexes left behind are ideally suited for large-scale production and shipping, local officials say.

The Best Keyboards of 2021 to Upgrade Your Typing Experience


How-To Geek / 8h
You could replace your keyboard with almost any keyboard, and it’ll work. But it’d be better to splurge a little on a nice keyboard that’ll make your everyday typing experience that much better. Here are our best keyboard picks! Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

Stop Wasting So Much Money and Get a Standalone Freezer Already


Lifehacker / 8h
Considering that food prices continue to rise— up 2.4% in the last year —you might be feeling the pinch with your food budget. One way to tackle those costs is by making the most out of a standalone freezer. Food staples like meat or bread are cheaper when bought in bulk and can last for months in a freezer, and could… Read more...


The Apocalypse Warlord is a Ram TRX for the end of days


SlashGear / 8h
Apocalpyse Manufacturing has unleashed the Warlord, a custom Ram TRX with six wheels and a whole lot of attitude. With the aim of creating “a 6×6 vehicle that could survive the end of times,” Apocalypse has set its sights on the Ram TRX after crafting sinister versions of the Jeep Wrangler. As expected, the result is nothing short of dramatic. … Continue reading

Apple's AirPods Max drop to $455 at Amazon


Engadget / 8h
Adorama's sale on the AirPods Max wireless headphones may have come and gone, but Amazon's latest sale is almost as good. Every color of Apple's high-end headphones except for space gray are down to $455 at Amazon right now, and that's about $94 off their normal price. It's also only $5 more than a sale we saw at Adorama at the end of last week, so if you missed that chance to grab a pair, you ha

The best budget TVs and streaming gadgets for students


Engadget / 8h
Listen up, students: You can do better than watching movies on your laptop in bed. If you want to truly be immersed in a film (or game, or TV show), nothing beats a large TV. And it turns out, you don't have to invest thousands to get started with a decent dorm entertainment system. LCD sets and streaming devices are cheaper than ever. So save that notebook for schoolwork — consider these inexpen

Louis Vuitton's $2,890 light-up speaker looks like a UFO


55Engadget / 8h
Louis Vuitton's forays into tech-infused luxury gear have taken in handbags with screens and luggage trackers . A year after the release of its $1,000 earbuds , the French fashion house's latest stab at audio is as eccentric as they come. The new LV Horizon Light Up Speaker looks like a spaceship sculpted by aliens to resemble a sawn-off spinning top. What's more, it costs $2,890, but you knew it

Review: Canaves Oia Epitome Santorini


48One Mile at a Time / 8h
We spent five nights in Santorini at Canaves Oia Epitome. This is a spectacular property — I’d guess that this is easily one of the best hotels on the Greek islands, and one of my 10 favorite hotels I’ve ever stayed at. This hotel is so intimate, has incredible service, and it felt like an Aman , only better. I think my mom summed it up best when she sat outside at the hotel watching the sunset w

Cleared for Takeoff: A summer European adventure to Switzerland and Austria for 2


The Points Guy / 8h
Here at TPG, we’ve gotten lots of requests from readers eager to travel to Europe. With many countries welcoming Americans once again, it’s a great time to start planning your European getaway, using points you’ve been saving over the last year and a half. Reader Danielle is in exactly this position and reached out to us about helping her plan a trip to Switzerland and Austria next summer. She wa

Mini Anniversary Edition is limited to 740 units globally


SlashGear / 8h
Automaker Mini is celebrating 60 years of collaboration with the Cooper Family. One of the most iconic Mini models for years has been the John Cooper Works edition. A special edition run of Mini cars is celebrating six decades of cooperation. The Mini Anniversary Edition will be offered in a limited run of 740 units globally available as the Mini … Continue reading

Did Microsoft just sneak out its own Linux distro?


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 8h
It certainly appears so - and it’s not the only Linux-related project brewing in Redmond.

Path Robotics raises another $100M


39TechCrunch / 8h
In May, Path Robotics announced a $56 million Series B. It was a sizable raise, as far as robotics rounds go. But the Columbus, Ohio-based startup is already back for more, raising a “pre-emptive” Series C a mere two and a half months later. And it’s a biggie. The firm has raised $100 million, led by Tiger Global and featuring participation from Silicon Valley Bank, an existing investor. The deal

Rad Power Bikes reveals more user-friendly next-gen e-bike RadRover 6 Plus for $1,999


39TechCrunch / 8h
Electric fat-tire bike manufacturer Rad Power Bikes has unveiled the latest model of its flagship RadRover. The updates on the RadRover 6 Plus are emblematic of the company’s mission to enhance rider experience, especially for those who don’t identify as bike riders but are looking for a more eco-friendly way to travel. With those updates, the price of the RadRover 6 Plus has increased a few hund

CityRow raises $12M for connected rowing machines and studios


100+TechCrunch / 8h
Founded in 2014 as an in-person rowing studio, CityRow was relatively early to adopt the at-home connected model. The New York-based company launched a digital platform in 2018, two years before the pandemic completely transformed the way many of us work out. Of course, things have been trending that way a while, but 2020 accelerated home fitness in ways few thought possible. CityRow says it expe

Zenput raises $27M Series C to keep multiunit operations flowing no matter the location


31TechCrunch / 8h
Ensuring food safety compliance can be challenging at one restaurant, let alone across thousands of restaurants. Zenput has developed technology aimed at making sure operating procedures are quickly adapted so that businesses maintain quality. The San Francisco-based operations execution company raised $27 million in Series C financing, led by Golub Capital, to continue developing its application

Superpedestrian acquires Navmatic to detect and control unsafe e-scooter rider behavior


TechCrunch / 8h
Electric scooter operator Superpedestrian has acquired Navmatic, a startup that helps micromobility operators locate vehicles and correct their movements in real time. The companies did not reveal the details of the buy, which was finalized last month. Those close to the deal say the number is not far off from Navmatic’s last funding round, which was $4 million raised in seed funding last June. T

Inkbit raises $30M for its self-correcting 3D printing technology


51TechCrunch / 8h
MIT CSAIL spinout Inkbit this week announced that it has raised $30 million. The Series B, led by Phoenix Venture Partners LLC, brings the firm’s total funding up to $45 million. PVP joins existing partners like industrial 3D printing giant Stratasys, DSM Venturing, Ocado, 3M, IMA and Saint-Gobain. Inkbit was founded in 2017, building on technology developed with a financial assist from DARPA. Th

How to run safely in the heat – top athletes share their tips


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
Running is tough when the mercury rises, so we spoke to two experienced athletes to find out how they stay cool and safe.

Louis Vuitton’s new wireless speaker looks like it’s from another planet


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
Louis Vuitton’s UFO-like Horizon Light Up wireless speaker comes with a suitably stratospheric price tag.

The RadRover 6 Plus is a 'durable' $1,999 e-bike with a 750W motor


25Engadget / 9h
The pandemic proved a boon for electric bicycle makers, not least Rad Power Bikes . The company claims to be North America's largest e-bike brand with 350,000 riders on the road. Those figures helped it to secure $150 million in funding from big name investors like Morgan Stanley earlier this year. Naturally, it's using that cash to do what it does best: Make more e-bikes. Rad's latest offering i

Watch Blue Origin’s first crewed spaceflight at 9AM ET


Blue Origin Spaceflight•
78Engadget / 9h
Jeff Bezos is about to go to space, along with his brother Mark and the youngest and oldest people to venture above the KĂĄrmĂĄn line . Blue Origin's first passenger flight takes place today , and you'll be able to watch New Shepard's latest trip to space from the Texas desert as it happens. Blue Origin owner and former Amazon CEO Bezos invited Wally Funk to join the mission. Funk is an 82-year-old

10 Tips to Get the Most From Your HTC Vive Pro 2


Gizmodo / 9h
If you’re serious about virtual reality, then few headsets can beat the HTC Vive Pro 2 . It’s not cheap, so if you’ve invested a substantial sum in VR, then you’ll want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. Here are 10 tips to help you do just that, many of which will work with other HTC and SteamVR headsets… Read more...

Canada Opens To Americans, But The U.S. Side Of The Border Remains Shut


View from the Wing / 9h
U.S. Covid-19 travel bans make no sense. They are about politics, not science. Lifting travel restrictions looks weak, and the administration needs to appear to be ‘doing something’. Continue reading ...


Weak US Privacy Law Hurts America’s Global Standing


24Wired / 9h
Unrestrained data collection and selling doesn’t just harm citizens at home. It’s terrible foreign policy.

Poor Recipes and Bad Design Sink This Smart Kitchen Gadget


21Wired / 9h
The Multo by CookingPal proves that the smart kitchen isn't always so smart.

Nomad Is Having a Sitewide Summer Sale on Phone Gear


Wired / 9h
The accessory-maker is offering a 30 percent discount on all full-priced items until July 25, including leather cases, wallets, and wireless chargers.

10 best US daytrips you can take this summer on points and miles


The Points Guy / 9h
I believe it is safe to say that with nearly 2 million travelers moving through TSA checkpoints each day, summer is in full swing. Unfortunately, it’s sometimes hard to take advantage of it if you have a full-time job, not to mention cash prices for trips skyrocketing for popular locations. Not to fret though: There are a ton of fun daytrips out there to take advantage of with points and miles an

Astrophysicists believe the universe may be shaped like a giant 3D doughnut


SlashGear / 9h
Astrophysicist Thomas Buchert from the University of Lyon has a very interesting theory about the universe. Buchert and a team of researchers have been working to learn more about the universe and have been examining light from the very early universe. The team believes that the universe may be multiply connected, meaning that space is closed in on itself in … Continue reading

5 Specialized Linux Distributions with Unique Features


How-To Geek / 9h
Reading through the cartoonishly long list of existing Linux distros, the sundry flavors and the off-shoots of off-shoots all start to blur together. To remedy that, we’ve gathered a few distros that truly stand out from the crowd. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

How to Edit Code in Docker Containers With Visual Studio Code


How-To Geek / 9h
Developing or debugging code inside Docker containers can be tricky. You’d usually attach to the container and use shell utilities to edit files. Visual Studio Code’s Remote Containers extension lets you open folders inside containers, so you can work with them in your code editor. Read This Article on CloudSavvy IT ›

Boult Audio AirBass FreePods Pro TWS earbuds launched in India


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
Boult Audio's new AirBass FreePods Pro TWS earbuds that have been launched in India come with a 32-hour battery life and are priced at Rs 1,299.

AWS bans NSO Group following Pegasus spyware accusations


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
More accusations against NSO Group and Pegasus spyware emerge.

Casio made a vintage Pac-Man version of its A100 digital watch


90Engadget / 9h
Casio has unveiled a new digital watch made in collaboration with Bandai Namco, paying homage to not one but two digital classics from the late '70s and early '80s. The A100WEPC Pac-Man edition has a design based on the Casio's F-100 digital watch from 1978, and celebrates one of the most famous games of all time: Pac-Man . The F-100 was one of the most advanced watches you could buy at the time,

Resident Evil Village PC patch finally fixes DRM-related stuttering and boosts frame rates


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
Cracked version of Resident Evil Village highlighted DRM issues which should now be resolved.

Save At Best Western With Amex Offers


48One Mile at a Time / 9h
The Amex Offers program frequently has promotions that can save you money on hotel stays. The latest offer has just been rolled out, and has the potential to represent a good deal. Save on your next Best Western stay At the moment there’s a new targeted Amex Offer for $20 back when you spend $100+ with Best Western . The offer is valid if you register and pay for your stay between July 20 and Sep

Las Vegas’ Bellagio is betting on renovating its rooms — Here’s what they are really like


75The Points Guy / 9h
The famed Bellagio has the best location on the Las Vegas Strip. It has sat front row and center in the middle of the Vegas action since 1998. But while it has location squarely on its side, a 2019 visit landed me in a room that didn’t quite live up to the resort’s hype . There wasn’t anything specifically wrong with my particular room, it just felt like its best days were behind it. As a lover o

The Morning After: The best laptops for students going back to school


Engadget / 9h
It’s another strange and unusual year for students, but it’s time to start preparing for another one, and our team has been picking out the best PCs and other tech to make academic life a little easier. Our 2021 Back To School guide kicks off with our guide to the best laptops for students , as well as a guide to more humbly priced gadgets and things for under $50. Will Lipman Photography for Eng

2022 Porsche Macan ditches the Turbo trim but gets more power


SlashGear / 9h
Porsche is shaking things up with its 2022 Macan crossover SUV. The Turbo model is out for 2022, while the top-dog Macan is now the GTS model with the old Turbo’s twin-turbo V6. Meanwhile, the midrange Macan S has the outgoing GTS model’s turbo V6 engine. True, Porsche has an all-electric Macan in the works, and it will probably arrive … Continue reading

CDC and State Department advise against travel to the United Kingdom as local COVID-19 cases surge


82The Points Guy / 9h
So much for the highly anticipated travel corridor between the United States and the United Kingdom. The U.S. government on Monday urged travelers to avoid visiting the U.K., citing the alarming rise in coronavirus cases at the same time as U.K. officials have relaxed nearly all COVID-19 protocols. The CDC updated its travel advisory and bumped the U.K. up to Level 4 , warning that “even fully va

Amazon, Microsoft, and Google are all ramping up open source work


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
Tech giants are all encouraging employees to contribute to open source projects.

Over 1TB of confidential US company data accidentally exposed


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
Improperly secured cloud storage exposes US businesses to all types of frauds and scams.

Why I don’t care about suite upgrades anymore


65The Points Guy / 10h
There was a time when I chased elite status for one reason only: suite upgrades . In 2015, I did a mattress run to secure top-tier Hyatt status before a trip to Asia. Back then, Hyatt issued top-tier elites four confirmed suite upgrade awards upon earning status. Nowadays, Globalists receive these after completing 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100 nights. But back then, they were easier to earn and seem

2022 Lexus RX 350L and 450hL SUVs revealed


SlashGear / 10h
Lexus has unveiled its new 2022 RX 350L and RX 450hL SUVs. For the 2022 model year, Lexus offers fog lamps as a standalone option and has added new available exterior colors. The new colors include Cloudburst Gray and Iridium. Lexus says both SUVs still offer passengers a touchscreen multimedia display. The SUVs have an available 12.3-inch touchscreen paired with … Continue reading


The Absurd Idea to Put Bodycams on Teachers Is ... Feasible?


100+Wired / 10h
The idea to monitor educators so they they don't teach critical race theory seems ridiculous. But schools are already rife with invasive surveillance.

The Ultimate Guide to Setting Up Your Smart Home


21Wired / 10h
Use your voice to control the lights! Summon the vacuum with your phone! Here’s everything you need to know, from Wi-Fi tips to security advice.

Who’s Winning the War Between Biden and Facebook? Fox News


35Wired / 10h
Misinformation on the cable channel may be responsible for more vaccine hesitancy than the social network.

Cities are scrambling to prevent flooding


56MIT Technology Review / 10h
US cities are working to shore up their flood defenses in the face of climate change, building and upgrading pumps, storm drains, and other infrastructure. In many cases, their existing systems are aging and built for the climate of the past. And even upgrades can do only so much to mitigate the intense flooding that’s becoming more common, leaving cities to come up with other solutions. Floods h

Pro-Trump Group Files Motion Against FDA to Stop Covid-19 Vaccinations in U.S.


1KGizmodo / 10h
A bizarre fringe group that calls itself “America’s Frontline Doctors” filed a motion in federal court on Monday against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the parent agency of the FDA, to seek an injunction that would halt all vaccinations for covid-19 in the country. And while the lawsuit is unlikely… Read more...

Biden rows back on Facebook 'killing people' comment


1KBBC News - Technology / 10h
The US president says he was referring to a dozen people spreading misinformation on the platform.

Apple delays return to office as Covid cases rise


400+BBC News - Technology / 10h
A three-day-a-week return to the office is reportedly postponed until October.

Capchase raises $280M to scale its financing platform for subscription businesses


30TechCrunch / 10h
Almost overnight, platforms that offer non-dilutive capital for recurring revenue businesses have become white-hot. It was only in March that Pipe — which aims to be the “Nasdaq for revenue” — raised $150 million, but two months later had raised $250 million at a $2 billion valuation. This fever is now reaching Europe, where today Capchase raised an additional $280 million in new debt and equity

Sundae closes on $80M for residential real estate marketplace


100+TechCrunch / 10h
Sundae , a residential real estate marketplace that pairs sellers of dated or damaged property with potential buyers, has raised $80 million in a Series C funding round co-led by Fifth Wall and General Global Capital. QED Investors, Wellington Management, Susa Ventures, Founders Fund, First American Financial, Prudence Holdings, Crossover VC, Intersect Capital, Gaingels and Oberndorf Ventures als

Hyper is a new fund that offers $300k checks and promise of a media slingshot for founders


TechCrunch / 10h
Hyper is a $60M early-stage fund co-founded by Josh Buckley , Product Hunt’s current CEO along with writer, founder and designer Dustin Curtis . Two ex-Sequoia operators are part of the team at launch as well. Malika Cantor as Partner and GM and Ashton Brown as Head of Program. The fund launches today and is self-described as ‘inspired by the Product Hunt community’. The Now The announcement toda

Employment Hero gets $140M AUD Series E led by Insight Partners, grows valuation to $800M AUD


300+TechCrunch / 10h
Employment Hero co-founders Ben Thompson and Dave Tong. Image Credits: Employment Hero Four months after announcing its last round, Employment Hero has closed another $140 million AUD (about $103 million USD) in funding. The Series E was led by Insight Partners , the venture capital firm known for its ScaleUp program to help tech companies accelerate their growth. Employment Hero is an automated

Mural raises $50M Series C after tripling its ARR in the last year


36TechCrunch / 10h
This morning Mural , a startup that builds digital collaboration software with a focus on visual presentation, announced that it has closed a $50 million Series C. The new capital, co-led by prior investors Insight Partners and Tiger Global, values the startup at more than $2 billion. Previously, Mural was valued at around $500 million when it closed a $118 million round last August . Mural also

Fitness app HealthifyMe to expand worldwide after raising $75M Series C from LeapFrog and Khosla Ventures


HealthifyMe LeapFrog•
50TechCrunch / 10h
People shopping around for a fitness app already have a plethora of choices from which to pick: MyFitnessPal , Noom and Lifesum , to name a few. Founded in India, HealthifyMe is betting that users around the world will prefer its range of customizable health programs. The Bangalore-based company announced today it has closed a $75 million Series C from LeapFrog and Khosla Ventures, with plans to

What’s New in Chrome 92, Available Today


28How-To Geek / 10h
Google Chrome releases are now happening every four weeks, which is great for getting new features, but it means each version is lighter on those new features. Chrome 92, however, includes some interesting flags and updates for web apps. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

Valve has addressed one of our biggest concerns about the Steam Deck


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
The Steam Decks cheapest model may attract more attention thanks to confirmation that games will run just fine off an SD card.

This clever MagSafe case brings DSLR camera controls to your iPhone


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
The promising Fjorden grip on Kickstarter brings physical camera controls to your iPhone, while still being pocketable.

Details: US & Canada Border Reopening


300+One Mile at a Time / 10h
The border between the United States and Canada has been largely closed for non-essential travelers since March 2020, with no timeline until recently for when that could change. The border closure has always been extended by a month at a time, and as of now the border is closed through July 21, 2021 . Well, at long last there’s a glimmer of hope of the border between the two countries reopening,

Nvidia prepares Windows 11 for gamers with official GPU drivers


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
Nvidia has released official drivers for Windows 11, preparing the upcoming operating system for PC gamers.

You can ask Samsung Bixby when the next Galaxy Unpacked event is happening


SlashGear / 10h
Fans of Samsung smartphones and other devices look forward to Galaxy Unpacked events each year. Galaxy Unpacked events are where Samsung’s latest product offerings are revealed. At the coming Galaxy Unpacked event, a handful of highly anticipated products are expected to be revealed. Those products include the Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Watch 4, and the … Continue reading

watchOS 7.6 is here for Apple Watch, but it'll probably bring you literally nothing


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
The newest Apple Watch update rolls out feature support to some new regions, but doesn't do much else besides.


IBM wants to ensure a cyberattack never knocks your business down for long


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
IBM extends its data resilience tech to its entry-level flash-based enterprise storage systems.

Google's Wear OS update makes apps easier to find and download


Engadget / 10h
Google has been giving Wear OS some much needed attention of late. In the lead up to the launch of its new smartwatch software collab with Samsung , Google has been focusing on apps. First it made YouTube Music available on Wear OS and now it's making apps easier to find and download. As part of a new Play Store update for Android phones and smartwatches, users will see new search filters and cat

Start Building Your Own Robots With This Nano Bot Construction Set


Futurism / 10h
Robots are so complex, they can now do our dancing for us . Robotics are a fun, interactive way to learn circuitry, engineering, and coding, and the Smart Nano Bots PCB Construction Set with Toolkit has everything you need to get started. Your First Mad Science Lab This kit has seven different bots to build, each packaged like trading cards. First, you’ll be instructed on how to set up your works

Study reveals mechanics behind bubbles popping


SlashGear / 10h
Researchers at Stanford University have conducted a study involving high-speed cameras to reveal how bubbles form and eventually burst. The study also used analytical modeling to reveal a new popping process. The researchers are looking into bubbles popping, which seems benign on the surface because bubbles are undesirable in the oil, pharmaceutical, and bioreactor industries. During the manufact

Oppo’s latest wireless earbuds are another cheap Airpods Pro rival


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
Oppo has announced a new set of wireless earbuds alongside a super fast wireless charger.

Telegram says it has fixed some serious security flaws


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
Researchers have found vulnerabilities in Telegram that could be used to manipulate bots. Some vulnerabilities could allow attackers to extract messagees from encrypted messages.

Amazon's Kindle sale slashes up to 35 percent off its popular e-readers


21Engadget / 10h
If you weren't able to snag an e-reader last month during Prime Day , Amazon has a standalone sale on its base Kindle and Paperwhite models that could get you onboard for almost the same price. The biggest discount is on the Kindle Paperwhite (ad-supported), Amazon's waterproof e-reader with a better-contrast display. You can now pick up the 8GB model for $85 (35 percent off the regular $130 pric

NFT market OpenSea hits $1.5 billion valuation


96TechCrunch / 10h
It’s been a wild 2021 for NFT auction marketplace OpenSea . The startup was exceedingly well positioned in a niche space when NFTs exploded earlier this year, seemingly out of nowhere. Since then, the startup has found its user base expanding, the total volume of sales skyrocketing and more investor dollars being thrown at them. The startup announced in March it had closed a $23 million Series A,

Hurry - the Garmin Venu 2 just got its biggest discount ever


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
Why wait for Black Friday? The Garmin Venu 2 is down to its lowest ever price at Amazon right now.

iOS 14.7 release date, news and all the new features coming to your iPhone


Apple Ios 14.7 iPhone•
100+TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
The iOS 14.7 update is here and it's packed full of small upgrades and improvements for your iPhone.

Louis Vuitton Horizontal Light Up Speaker plays your music in style


SlashGear / 11h
Louis Vuitton is a high-end clothing and accessory manufacturer with products that can cost huge sums of money. Typically, the name is associated with shoes, bags, and other clothing items. The Louis Vuitton name has now found its way onto a portable speaker for listening to music on the go. The product is called the Louis Vuitton Horizontal Light Up … Continue reading

How to Use ltrace to Trace Library Calls


How-To Geek / 11h
Interesting in fixing those library errors and bugs you observe when installing a cool new program on Linux? Check out this article which shows how to use ltrace, arming you with the tool needed to debug library calls. Read This Article on CloudSavvy IT ›

Why You Should Use RingCentral Video Instead of Zoom Basic for Your Small Business


How-To Geek / 11h
Looking for a good video meeting service for your small business? RingCentral Video has a great free product that stacks up well against competitors like Zoom. Because meetings are often longer than 40 minutes. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

Samsung leaked its own Galaxy Bud 2 earbuds – but are they worth the wait?


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
Samsung has leaked a lot of details about its Galaxy Bud 2 earbuds through its Galaxy Wearable app, so how do these earbuds compare to what's come before?

Oculus Quest 2’s tiny 64GB base model could soon be a thing of the past


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
The Oculus Quest 2’s base model could soon receive a storage boost, based on a listing spotted on a French retailer’s website.

Speedinvest launches second $70.8M fund aimed at specialist marketplaces and consumer startups


21TechCrunch / 11h
Pan-European early-stage VC Speedinvest has reached the final close for its second fund aimed at specialist marketplaces and consumer startups. Aside from institutional LPs, the €60m / $70.8M fund was also backed by marketplace founders and executives including those from Ankorstore, Vinted, TradingView, Planetly, and others. Jörg Gerbig, COO of JustEatTakeAway and co-founder of Lieferando, also

Norway’s electric car subscription service imove closes $22.3M Series A led by AutoScout24


33TechCrunch / 11h
The “subscribe to your car” movement has been taking off in recent years, with the appearance of Fleks in the UK (Europe), Cazoo (after its acquisition of Drover), Care by Volvo Hertz, to name just a few. Into this space has appeared imove out of Norway, with what appears, at least, to be a new twist on the whole thing: a white-label platform offered to industry to enable it to offer these car su

Architects use 3D printing to create a beautiful concrete bridge


SlashGear / 11h
Researchers around the world use 3D printing to create a wide range of products. Typically we think of 3D printing being used for small plastic items, such as parts for cars and other small components for prototype devices. However, engineers are investigating and using 3D printing to build much larger structures in the construction industry. Researchers from ETH ZĂŒrich recently … Continue readin

Apple reportedly delays office return as US COVID-19 cases rise


Apple Return Month•
40Engadget / 11h
Apple bosses had been pushing for employees to get back into the office in September, but they may have changed their tune due to a resurgence in COVID-19 cases. According to Bloomberg , the company is delaying its return-to-office deadline by about a month and won't be expecting employees to start working out of its facilities again until October at the earliest. It's reportedly a response to th

Hurry – the AirPods Max have hit their lowest ever price in an unbelievable deal


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
Don't miss this amazing AirPods deal, which sees Best Buy slash the AirPods Max down to a record low price.


Fujitsu UH-X series of lightweight laptops launched in India


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
The Fujitsu UH-X and UH-X Convertible 2-in-1 are now available on Amazon with 11th gen Intel processors and sleek designs.

How technology put a paralyzed racing driver back behind the wheel


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
TechRadar sat down with Sam Schmidt and Arrow Electronics to talk about the future of assistive technologies.

5G is still barely scratching the surface of its potential


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
Network and service proposition development will drive adoption, analysts predict.

Peloton launches its first exercise game for connected bike owners


200+Engadget / 11h
Ring Fit Adventure for the Switch was a reminder that people like gamified workouts. Now, Peloton is jumping in to the arena with its first fitness game titled " Lanebreak ." The rhythm-based game is available on the fitness company's stationary bikes and has a simple setup: Players control a rolling tire on a track by pedalling and switching lanes with the resistance knob in the face of multiple

How to add custom emoji to Slack


Mashable / 12h
Workplace banter on Slack truly levels up with emoji , particularly if they're little icons only your workplace uses, but especially if they're dancing party parrots . Slack allows you to add your own emoji to a workspace, ready to spruce up daily reports, celebrate wins, and add some high-drama reaction flair to general chats on the platform. Where it might be slightly inappropriate to drop emoj

Massage guns are everywhere. But do they work?


Mashable / 12h
Life-changing or just plain shady? Mashable is getting to the bottom of promises made by health and wellness products by answering the simple question: "Does It Work?" Lebron James has just come off the court to take a breather on the sidelines. He flings a towel over his head, chugs water, crashes down onto a padded chair, and then proceeds to take out…a massage gun? He moves the handheld device

How to Duet on TikTok


Mashable / 12h
Getting a little lonely on TikTok? Why not try out the duet feature? "Duet" is a fun feature on TikTok that allows creators to easily film side-by-side with another video that's already up on the app. You can use it to react to another video as it's playing, sing songs with your friends, and sometimes, duet with your favorite artist! Sound like a good time? Here's how to get started. 1. Open your

Why health and wellness tech can make so many BS claims


Mashable / 12h
Sleep better. Boost your mood. Reduce stress. Health and wellness products make a lot of promises, but there is little keeping them honest. And there's a lot of money to be made. In 2020, "wellness" (including everything from beauty products to alternative medicine) grew to a $4.5 trillion dollar industry , while more than 84 billion people used health or fitness apps. That's where Mashable comes

How to Upgrade DigitalOcean Managed Kubernetes Clusters


How-To Geek / 12h
DigitalOcean’s Managed Kubernetes Service (DOKS) makes it quick and easy to get production-ready clusters running in the cloud. When you create a cluster, you can pick from the three latest Kubernetes minor releases. Here’s how to handle updates so you don’t get left behind on new features and security patches. Read This Article on CloudSavvy IT ›

Amazon Convinced Apple to Ban a Fake Review Detector App


35How-To Geek / 12h
Apple has removed Fakespot, a popular app that detects fake products reviews, from the iOS App Store. The takedown was initiated by Amazon, which complains that Fakespot’s new iOS app poses a security risk and misinforms customers. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

Cheap Fire Tablets Will Soon Be Great Game Emulators


25How-To Geek / 12h
Fans of RetroArch, the popular open-source front-end for emulators, will be thrilled to hear that it’s officially arrived on Amazon’s Appstore. Users can now easily emulate games on Fire tablets without having to sideload the RetroArch APK or install a custom ROM with Google Play Store services. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

Finding Wear OS Apps Won't Be So Awful Anymore


How-To Geek / 12h
Searching for Wear OS apps is a genuine pain in the neck. It’s a process that Google (thankfully) wants to revamp ahead of the “new WearOS” launch later this year. Over the next few weeks, Google will push a Play Store and Wear OS update to streamline the app searching and installation process. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

Blade movie lands its director – and it's another indie hire for the MCU


21TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
Marvel's Blade movie has reportedly found its director – and the MCU's newest hire follows a recent and welcome trend for the studio.

Twitter Suspends Marjorie Taylor Greene for 12 Hours Over Anti-Vaccine Tweets


300+Gizmodo / 12h
Right-wing congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene has been suspended from Twitter for spreading misinformation about covid-19 vaccines, according to a new report from CNN . How long will Greene be forced off the platform? An entire 12 hours, according to the cable news outlet. That oughta teach her. Read more...

Samsung teaser suggests Galaxy Z Fold 3 will be the star announcement on August 11


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
A Samsung teaser GIF has leaked, and it's focused on foldable phones.

Apple postpones return to office until October, report says


Apple Return Month•
21Mashable / 12h
Apple won't mandate its employees' return to office until October. This is according to a report by Bloomberg , which says Apple's move is a reaction to a rise in COVID-19 cases in many countries. Apple's original plan, per company CEO Tim Cook's memo to staff, was to have employees return to offices in early September, for three days per week. But Cook's memo came in June, when COVID-19 cases in

Twitter suspends Marjorie Taylor Greene again, this time over misleading vaccine tweets


Marjorie Taylor Greene•
200+Mashable / 12h
Congress' loudest Facebook aunt, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, has landed herself her second Twitter suspension of the year for tweeting false or misleading information about COVID-19 vaccinations. Greene posted two quote tweets on July 18 and 19, adding her own claims that vaccines that protect against serious illness and death from COVID-19 are "controversial" and " NON-FDA approved ", calling t

Huawei P50 Pro camera specs officially revealed for the first time


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
We know some of the camera details of the Huawei P50 Pro, including its aspherical lenses.

iOS 14.7 is ready for your iPhone, and it'll help you use a new iPhone 12 accessory


Apple Ios 14.7 iPhone•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
iOS 14.7 is officially available on your iPhone, but the upgrades are limited right now.

SmartRecruiters raises $110M at a $1.5B valuation to expand its end-to-end recruitment platform


65TechCrunch / 12h
The global Covid-19 pandemic had a chilling effect on a number of industries and their workforces, resulting in mass furloughs and layoffs. But now, with countries now taking steps back to “normal”, that has been leading, in many cases, back to a hiring surge. Today, SmartRecruiters , one of the companies that has built software to handle that process more smoothly, is announcing $110 million in


Xbox Series X restock: a waiting room for Xbox Series X stock is now live at Very


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
Very has Xbox Series X in stock, as a waiting room as appeared for the console with optional extras.

Collectiv Food raises $16M Series A to connect food producers directly with kitchens


21TechCrunch / 12h
In the modern world, we tend to like to know where our food comes from and this has massively influenced professional kitchens. For decades, food suppliers have sat on one side and distribution channels (restaurants and the like) on the other. But large wholesalers in the middle have traditionally crushed producers on prices and late payments. Professional kitchens can circumvent this by going di

Spyware: The software that watches you


28BBC News - Technology / 12h
BBC’s cyber reporter, Joe Tidy, agreed to be spied on to understand the spyware experience further.

Jeff Bezos launches to space aboard New Shepard rocket ship


Bezos Blue Origin Space•
25KBBC News - Technology / 12h
The world's richest man and three other passengers return safely just 11 minutes after take-off.


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