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Latest by Bruce Brown

belgian book hunt pokemon spinoff 40220040  girl lying in grass reading a intentionally toned

Belgians seek books, not monsters, in the wild

Inspired by Pokémon Go, a Belgian primary school headmaster started a Facebook group for book lovers to release books into the wild.
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The connected cow business is about to jump over the moo-n

When the Internet of Things goes to the farm, the result is the connected cow. Cows with wearable tracking and health tech will stay productive longer.
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VW says 300-mile range EV will charge in 15 minutes and cost less than gas version

The all-electric "Volkswagen for the digital age" will have a 300-mile driving range, fully charge in 15 minutes, and cost less than similar gas models.
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AT&T says slow pole access due to Google Fiber providing bad drawings

Blaming bad engineering drawings and unacceptable contractor assignments for moving and installing cables, AT&T explains slow pole access for Google Fiber.
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Feds want trucks and buses to slow down, and the trucking industry agrees

With speed contributing to a third of all truck crashes, both the federal government and the trucking industry are calling for trucks to slow down.
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Possible steering flaw in 190,000 Mazda CX-7 SUVs causes recall

Mazda CX-7 SUVs model years 2008 to 2011 are being recalled due to a potential loss of steering. A similar recall last year was for CX-9 SUVs.
A Starship robot making a delivery.

Swiss Post to test robots to deliver parcels, maybe even chocolate?

This September Switzerland's postal service will begin trials of Starship Technologies' delivery robot. Tests are ongoing in Germany and the U.K. as well.
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Police in Baltimore testing privately funded 30 square mile continuous image surveillance

A privately-funded wide angle continuous image surveillance system originally developed for the military monitors 30 square miles of Baltimore.
Tesla Model S

Internet on the go: Tesla equipping new vehicles with Wi-Fi hot spot chips

Tesla filed with the FCC to install Wi-Fi hot spot chips and modules in new vehicles starting after the first quarter 2016.
aloft hotel voice activated siri hotels feat

Take charge of your hotel room with your voice assistant, Siri

Voice-activated hotel rooms is the latest technology tweak for the Aloft hotel group. A pilot program in a Boston hotel enables control via Siri on an iPad.
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Just in time for Burning Man – Jellyfish 12000 up for grabs

Jellyfish 12000 is for sale. There's still time to buy your own mobile dance studio with lights and audio in a mutant vehicle for Burning Man 2016.
google fiber van

Salt Lake City is Google Fiber's 7th (and possibly the last) city with fiber

In what could be its last city to get gigabit fiber, Google Fiber announced signups for Salt Lake City. Roughly 112 blocks are in the first deployment.
Lyft

Need to allocate business expenses via separate reports? Lyft just made it easier

Business travelers' expense reports are now made a little easier with Lyft's latest feature. Lyft's feature allows selection of specific rides.
uk uber loses driver case

Uber launches monthlong power rider flat fare pilot programs in four cities

Uber riders who take 10 or more trips each month may benefit from Uber's flat fare pilot programs in Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, and Miami.
Tesla

Tesla just moved one step closer to SolarCity acquisition

The FTC has approved the Tesla SolarCity Acquisition. There are more steps to go in the process, but the FTC has ruled out antitrust concerns.
dyson invent new lithium ion ceramics plans batteries

To build a better battery, Dyson will spend $1.4 billion, enlist 3,000 engineers

Invention-centric Dyson is developing the world's longest-lasting, most reliable lithium-ion battery, with thousands of engineers and billions of dollars.
uber rider driver ratings

Uber gives drivers a chance to save for retirement

Uber still considers drivers independent contractors, but will offer app-driven retirement savings account as an almost--like-an-employee benefit.

What about the Pacifica minivan made Google choose it for best self-driving taxi?

From all the vehicle models in the world, why did the Google Self-Driving Car Project choose the Fiat Chrysler Pacifica as the perfect self-driving taxi?
japan sends missile warning in error summer smartphone feat

If it seems like your apps run slower when it's humid – you're right

Particularly with LTE networks, summer humidity can mean up to a 15 percent weaker signal for your mobile apps.
chicago strategic subject list homicide reduction fail pd

Chicago hasn’t yet found an effective tech tool for cutting murder rate

In an attempt to reduce homicide rates, Chicago implemented multiple strategies. The most controversial, the Strategic Subject List, isn't working so far.
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The Appearance Barrier — how not to look terrible on Skype calls

Are you distracted by your appearance on company teleconference calls? Simple tips can help you look better, even on bad hair days.
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Two top autonomous car tech companies join forces

Mobileye and Delphi Automotive are forming a partnership to speed up total driverless vehicle systems. The team plans full production systems by 2019.
Mercedes-Benz E400 wagon

Mercedes E-Class protects your family during a Loch Ness monster search

New Mercedes-Benz E-Class television commercials showcase two "intelligent" tech features that protect occupants watching for the Loch Ness Monster.
harley davidson marvel superhero custom bikes captain america bike

Marvel superheroes and villains inspire custom Harley-Davidson motorcycles

In celebration of Captain America's 75th anniversary, designers from Marvel and Harley-Davidson teamed up. The team created more than 25 custom motorcycles.
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If Uber and Lyft switch to self-driving cars, what about the drivers?

Uber and Lyft are in the news with experiments with self-driving cars. What happens to ridesharing service drivers if autonomous cars take over?
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The first Canadian reseller for Tesla Powerwall home battery packs is in Toronto

Tesla sells Powerwall home battery packs through authorized resellers, unlike its company stores for car sales. The first Canadian reseller is in Toronto.
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Carpooling with strangers didn't work for Lyft

Lyft's Carpool concept sounded good -- Silicon Valley commuters make a few bucks driving others to work and get to use the HOV lanes. But it didn't work.
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Let the battle begin: Uber and Lyft both motivated to win market share

Uber isn't competing with Didi and Lyft isn't going to be bought out, so the two companies now can focus on building their respective market shares.
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Tesla may be able to sell directly to Alabama consumers

Alabama law currently restricts vehicle sales to dealerships. A bill introduced in the state senate allows direct sales of alternative fuel vehicles.
uber settles driver background check case man driving in car the city ride share lyft getaround zipcar

Uber and Lyft to tip Massachusetts taxi drivers a nickel per trip

A new Massachusetts law requires that Uber, Lyft, and other ride-hailing companies in the state pay 5-cents per trip to taxi companies.
2015 Ford Focus Electric

Ford plans to introduce all-electric Model E with 200-mile range in spring 2019

Ford Motors is rebirthing a venerated naming convention with Model E, due in the spring of 2019. The all-electric version should have a 200-mile range.
ohio turnpike driverless test route

Ohio Turnpike may be used to test driverless vehicles

Authorities say the Ohio Turnpike may be used for testing self-driving vehicles within a year, and possibly before the end of 2016.
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The Chevy Bolt will have a host of LG components wrapped inside it

GM designed the upcoming all-electric Chevy Bolt in its South Korean design studio. Most of the EV-defining components are made by LG.
electronic device dependency digital detox camp grounded feat

When too much of a good thing is too much, maybe it’s time for digital detox

If your access to technology is leading to an increased dependency, to the point that you realize it's a problem, try a digital detox getaway.