PopSockets wireless phone charger to debut at CES 2020 today
CES is officially underway, and among the devices set to debut is a new wireless charger from PopSockets that will finally allow those with PopGrips on their phones to charge their devices wirelessly and quickly. The charger allows you to place your phone with a PopGrip onto the charger.
This Tesla-powered electric go-kart has an insane 600 horsepower
We had already seen an electric pickup truck with Tesla’s Cybertruck debut last year, but now, we are getting a glimpse into the possibilities of a Tesla-powered all-electric race car. The 992-pound vehicle is able to put out 603 horsepower (450kw), which, for a go-kart-sized car, is pretty darn fast.
Dell’s Mobile Connect update will allow iPhone screen mirroring
iPhone users who have Dell PCs will soon be able to mirror their iPhone screen onto their Dell devices, thanks to an update to Dell's software reportedly rolling out in the next few months. The update will let iPhone users drag files like photos, videos, and other data from their iPhone to the Dell PC.
Former Google exec says the tech giant doesn’t prioritize human rights
A former Google exec is speaking out, saying that he was let go for trying to create an internal human rights program. Ross LaJeunesse was in charge of creating a human rights program in China and wanted a similar plan for Google's internal processes, but said that his idea was repeatedly shut down.
FDA officially bans fruit- and mint-flavored vaping cartridges
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially banned fruit- and mint-flavored e-cigarette cartridges currently on the market as a result of the vaping illness epidemic that caused lung diseases and deaths over the past year.
Google’s A.I. can now detect breast cancer more accurately than doctors can
Google’s artificial intelligence technology is able to spot signs of breast cancer in women with more accuracy than doctors, according to a new study. By using A.I. technology, there was a reduction in false positives and false negatives when it came to diagnosing forms of breast cancer in women in the U.S. and U.K.
Why are we so nostalgic for the technology from our past?
2019 has seen the comeback of the flip phone in the new Motorola Razr and apps that make your iPhone look like an old iPod. We are even watching classic Disney movies and old-school Disney Channel shows thanks to Disney+. What’s with all the nostalgia?
NBC signs deal to bring Hunger Games and John Wick to Peacock streaming service
NBCUniversal has secured a deal with Lionsgate-owned Starz to host its content on the upcoming streaming service known as Peacock. This means that movies like The Hunger Games and John Wick, and original Starz shows like Outlander and American Gods, would be available to watch.
Investigation claims that United Arab Emirates uses the ToTok app to spy
The chat app known as ToTok is allegedly used by the United Arab Emirates government to keep an eye on its users. An investigation by the New York Times claims the app spies on conversations, movements, relationships, and more. The firm behind ToTok is reportedly a cyber-intelligence and hacking company.
Amazon’s Choice products aren’t always what they claim to be
An investigation published by the Wall Street Journal reveals that the Amazon’s Choice badge can be attached to products that make false claims, are unsafe, or are manipulated by the sellers. While there are legitimate listings with a badge, customers should double-check what is “endorsed” by the tech giant.
Facebook faces another huge data leak affecting 267 million users
More than 260 million U.S. Facebook users’ IDs, phone numbers, and names were exposed to an online database that could potentially be used for spam and phishing campaigns. Comparitech reports that before the database was taken down, it was found on a hacker forum as a downloadable file.
Senate passes legislation to finally crack down on robocallers
Robocalls may soon be automatically blocked by phone companies, thanks to new legislation that the Senate passed. The TRACED Act would require phone carriers and companies to block robocalls without charging customers extra and require carriers to make sure that customers’ calls are coming from actual numbers.
Data leak exposes personal info of more than 3,000 Ring users
More than 3,000 Amazon Ring cameras were reportedly compromised this past week, exposing the login credentials of users and possibly enabling hackers easy access to all kinds of information. The data leak could have given hackers access to Ring customers’ payment information, camera footage, and video cameras’ history.
You’re not paranoid: Apps are tracking your location 24/7 and it’s totally legal
A shocking new investigation reveals that companies can track you constantly, with your phone constantly broadcasting your exact location at all times. The New York Times looked at data of more than 50 billion location "pings" and found that companies are constantly tracking you.
Facebook bans misleading content and ads about the 2020 census
Facebook is taking new initiatives to help protect the 2020 census by banning misleading information and prohibiting ads that shed a negative light on the process. The new census interference policy includes prohibiting misrepresentation of dates, times, methods, and the nature of the government’s involvement.
Spotify is making it even easier to judge your friends’ musical tastes
A not-yet-released feature on Spotify, called “Tastebuds” would let you discover new music through your friends’ lists by curating a playlist for you based on your and your friends’ similar tastes. App researcher Jane Manchun Wong, tweeted that the Tastebuds tab would be located in Spotify’s main navigation.
Instagram bans influencers from promoting tobacco and vaping in branded content
Social media influencers on Instagram aren't allowed to promote vaping, tobacco products, or weapons anymore as part of a new update on the platform. This is the first instance where the social media platform is restricting the kind of items that can be promoted through branded content.
Google is monitoring animal populations with a giant network of wildlife cameras
A new artificial intelligence program streamlines wildlife conservation monitoring to protect the animals better. Wildlife Insights uses A.I. and the Google Cloud, so conservationists and others can keep tabs on more than 4.5 million animals in the wild without actually disrupting their habitat.
Most Disney+ subscribers watch classic Disney movies more than anything else
A new survey reveals what people are watching the most on Disney+, and it looks like subscribers are choosing Disney classics like Marry Poppins and 101 Dalmatians over newer or original content like The Mandalorian. The poll also revealed that subscribers most frequently turn to Pixar movies on the streaming service.
Man hacks Ring camera in woman’s home to make explicit comments
In yet another example of a smart home hack, an in-home Amazon Ring camera was hijacked to make inappropriate comments toward a woman in her California home. The woman said she heard a voice coming from her Ring security camera that was located in her bedroom. The hacker was also able to set off her home's alarms.
YouTuber Mark Rober and Macaulay Culkin troll porch pirates with glitter bombs
While the holiday season brings lots of online shopping, it also brings lots of thieves who want to steal those packages that show up at your door. YouTuber Mark Rober's most recent video features a new version of last year’s package trap that's aimed at catching nefarious package thieves.
DrLupo hopes to raise money for St. Jude’s through Twitch livestream
One Twitch streamer is using his career and fame on the platform to partner with St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital for the holiday season. Benjamin Lupo, who is known on the game-streaming platform as DrLupo, hopes to raise $2 million for St. Jude during the 24-hour Play Live event on Saturday, December 21.
Here’s how to watch SpaceX’s Falcon 9 launch tonight
SpaceX is launching its second-to-last rocket of 2019 today, December 16, and you can watch it take off live. The two-stage Falcon 9 booster will carry the JCSAT-18/Kacific1 satellite into space from SpaceX’s Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The launch will take place between 4:10 p.m. PT and 5:38 p.m. PT.
YouTube creator PewDiePie says he’s taking a break from making videos
YouTube personality, PewDiePie, announced in a video over the weekend that he’s going to take a break from the platform early next year. PewDiePie (Felix Kjellberg) critiqued YouTube’s new harassment policy that was announced last week, partially blaming the change as his reason for taking a break.
Instagram will warn you before you post offensive or bullying captions
Instagram is going to use artificial intelligence machine learning to notify its users if a caption contains possibly offensive language, so users have the chance to change their words before posting. The A.I. would be able to learn and recognize different forms of bullying and verbally offensive material.
Hacker accesses Ring camera in little girl’s bedroom to tell her he’s Santa
A family in Tennessee says that a man hacked into their Amazon Ring security camera to talk to an 8-year-old girl in her bedroom. Ashley LeMay of Memphis said she bought a Ring security camera for Black Friday, but now plans to get rid of it after a hacker accessed the camera to tell her daughter he's Santa Claus.
The FTC might finally do something about Facebook’s social media monopoly
The FTC's antitrust investigation into Facebook could result in a preliminary injunction. A preliminary injunction by the FTC might happen as soon as next month, and would force Facebook from integrating any more apps. The FTC is reportedly considering taking action because of antitrust concerns.
Apple News and Twitter are co-hosting Democratic debates
Tech giants Apple and Twitter will be partners in separate Democratic debates scheduled for the first two months of 2020. Apple News will partner with ABC and WMUR-TV for the January 14 debate in Des Moines, Iowa, and Twitter will be a partner for the February 25 debate in Charleston, South Carolina.
Facebook’s long-promised Supreme Court for content won’t be here for a long time
Facebook’s Oversight Board that can overrule CEO Mark Zuckerberg is taking longer than expected to come into existence. The board was supposed to deliberate its first cases early next year. However, Facebook is still working to source and review candidates as part of the selection process.
Orangetheory teams with Apple Watch to track your high-intensity workouts
You’ll soon be able to incorporate your Apple Watch into your interval training Orangetheory workout with a new partnership between the tech giant and the fitness franchise. Orangetheory announced a new device called OTbeat Link that is worn on the Apple Watch band and would be able to track heart rate zones.
Google and YouTube team to help protect people’s privacy during 2020 census
Starting with the April 1, 2020, census, people will have the option of completing it online. Google and YouTube are trying to combat deceptive practices and the spread of misinformation about the census through combined new efforts and policies. Google has also created the 2020 U.S. Census Task Force.
HBO, Twitch, and other streaming apps may come to Tesla’s dashboard
Tesla cars already have a slew of special infotainment features, but even more in-car streaming services and video game streaming might become available to Tesla owners. A Twitter user found premium streaming apps like HBO Go, HBO Now, and Comedy Central, as well as popular gaming platforms like Twitch and Mixer.
iOS 13.3 provides parental control over how kids communicate
The iOS 13.3 update has a feature that can track and limit how much time your child talks on the phone, FaceTimes, or text messages, as well as control your kid’s contact list. The Communication Limits features works as a parental control for parents to better manage how much time their kids spend on the phone.