GM Cruise to double its autonomous-car team to meet robo-taxi goal
With its eye on the launch of a robo-taxi service by the end of 2019, General Motors' Cruise Automation says it will add 1,000 workers to its autonomous-vehicle team over the next nine months, doubling its workforce. The San Francisco-based firm launched in 2013 and was acquired by GM three years later.
Professional drone racing is flying onto Twitter this summer
Professional drone racing is coming to Twitter for the first time this summer. Organizers hope the deal with the social media platform will help the growing sport to further broaden its audience. The races will see skilled pilots maneuvering their machines at speeds of up to 90 mph along challenging obstacle courses.
Check to see if your Honda or Acura vehicle is part of the latest Takata recall
Honda has recalled more than a million vehicles in the U.S. that contain faulty and potentially lethal Takata airbag inflators. The inflators were fitted during earlier repairs, but have now been deemed unsafe. The notice is part of an ongoing recall by 19 automakers that affects tens of millions of vehicles.
Singapore’s stunning airport complex could be a tourist destination in itself
Singapore’s Changi Airport could be the first airport in the world where you might actually want to go to hang out. Why? Because it’s about to open the Jewel, a beautifully designed shopping, dining, entertainment, and accommodation complex that also features an abundance of greenery.
Smart speakers now help the U.K. to calculate the cost of living
Smart speakers have become so popular in the U.K. that the device has now been added to the nation’s ”inflation basket.” The basket contains commonly bought items and is used to calculate the cost of living. Reflecting current shopping habits, the electric toothbrush has also been added, while the humble hi-fi is out.
Twitter wants you to help shape the future design of its app
Twitter is launching an app for testing new design features and it wants you to get involved. Those accepted into the program will have the chance to try out different conversation designs aimed at improving the user experience. Initial trials are expected to focus on enhancing the look and feel of threads.
NYPD has created pattern-recognition software to help it solve crimes
The NYPD is using special pattern-recognition software to help it link crimes across precincts, with the department said to be the first in the U.S. to deploy such a system. "Patternizr" was developed in-house over a period of two years and has been in use since 2016, although its deployment has only now been revealed.
Apple is offering bonus credit for iTunes and App Store shoppers
Apple is offering a 10 percent bonus when you add funds to your Apple ID account, paving the way for a few free purchases of apps, music tracks, movies, and any other content you can find in its online stores. The offer runs through March 14, so you'll have to hurry if you want to take advantage of it.
Selfie snapper attacked by jaguar during foolhardy photo attempt
Selfies with animals don't always work out well, as a woman at a zoo in Arizona found out recently. Passing a safety barrier to get closer to a jaguar, the animal responded angrily by attacking her, digging its claws into her flesh. Fortunately, a quick-thinking visitor managed to save the woman.
Skype for web gets a bunch of new features that include call recording
Skype has given the web version of its video chat service a makeover, adding high-definition calls, a recording feature, and a revamped notification panel, among other extras. Skype for web launched in 2015 and allows anyone with a Microsoft account to launch a chat without having to download any software.
Gmail’s handy Smart Compose feature lands on more Android phones
Google appears to be rolling out Gmail’s handy Smart Compose feature for all Android phones after launching it for desktop and its Pixel handsets last year. Smart Compose uses machine learning to offer phrases based on your personal writing style, helping you to tap out messages at speed.
All of Amazon’s U.S. pop-up stores are about to pop off
Amazon has confirmed that it's closing all 87 of its pop-up stores in the U.S. as part of an overhaul of its retail strategy. Despite the closures, the company retains a strong interest in brick-and-mortar retail, with bookstores, 4-star stores, Amazon Go, and Whole Foods all part of its growing empire.
The British royal family is taking on the Twitter trolls
After an apparent uptick in abuse on its social media accounts, the British royal family has told commenters to refrain from posting offensive content or face possible police action. The family has more than 18 million followers across its Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Instagram: Wacky JetBlue contest offers free flights if you delete all your pics
A bizarre contest launched by JetBlue requires Instagrammers to delete all of their photos for a chance to win a year's worth of free flights. It’s certainly a drastic move, but fortunately there’s another way to get your name in the hat without taking a wrecking ball to your account.
Volkswagen offers a pair of cool scooter designs for zipping around town
Volkswagen has unveiled a couple of nifty scooter concepts for zipping around town. The smaller, sleeker Cityskater can reach speeds of 12 mph and has a range of 9 miles, while the heftier Streetmate can hit 28 mph and travel 21 miles. Both designs will be shown off at this week's Geneva Motor Show.
Jibo the social robot is about to become an expensive ornament
Jibo the social robot is about to become a lot less functional as the servers that power it will soon be switched off. The news comes just a few months after the company behind it folded. Jibo launched in 2017, but its $900 price tag meant it was always going to be a tough sell.
Google Maps adds Lime bike and scooter feature to more cities globally
Google Maps recently added a feature that helps you find Lime bikes and scooters more easily. Following a limited launch, the company has rolled it out to more than 80 cities globally. The feature also offers information such as how long it’ll take to walk to the two-wheeler, ride cost, and journey time.
Watch an ISS astronaut enter the SpaceX crew capsule for the first time
American astronaut Anne McClain has welcomed SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule to the International Space Station following its historic maiden docking over the weekend. This is partly a test mission, but the first flight with crew aboard the spacecraft could be just a few months away.
Amazon reportedly planning an all-new grocery chain separate from Whole Foods
Amazon may be about to bolster its retail presence even further, with a new report suggesting it’s planning to launch a new grocery chain separate from its Whole Foods business. The new store would offer a broader range of items at cheaper prices, and could open its first site before year-end.
Microsoft Band: Users of the defunct fitness tracker offered a refund
Three years after it stopped making the device, Microsoft is finally ending support for its Band fitness tracker. The good news is that current users, if there are any still out there, can obtain a partial refund. Owner of the original band can get a useful $80, while those with a Band 2 can receive $175.
Kia and Hyundai recall another 500,000 vehicles over fire risk
Kia and Hyundai have recalled more than 500,000 vehicles in the U.S. over issues that could cause a fire. Affected models include the Kia Soul and Sportage, as well as Hyundai's Tucson vehicle. An additional recall affects almost 100,000 Kia Sedona minivans regarding a safety issue with the front passenger seat.
Amazon has stopped selling its press-to-order Dash buttons
Amazon has stopped selling its Dash device that lets you order everyday items with the push of a button, though for the foreseeable future customers that currently use them can continue to do so. The company said advancements in smart home technology prompted the move.
How a drone flight in Myanmar landed a French tourist in jail
Of course you want to fly your drone on vacation — exploring a new place from the sky and capturing video is all part of the fun of owning a quadcopter. But better make sure you check out the local drone rules first. A French tourist in Myanmar failed to do the proper research on a recent trip and ended up in jail.
Etsy follows Amazon with its own effort for a greener business
Etsy has announced it's now taking steps to offset 100 percent of its carbon emissions generated by shipping, making it the first global ecommerce company to take such action. It means that every time a customer buys an item on its site, it’ll purchase verified emissions reductions to support environmental projects.
Drone app B4UFLY should receive a better rating in the app store soon
The FAA's B4UFLY app is supposed to offer advice and help drone hobbyists fly their aircraft safely, but abysmal reviews on app stores suggest it's not working out. The good news is that the FAA has finally decided to overhaul the app with the help of San Francisco-based drone software specialist Kittyhawk.
Facebook’s privacy-focused clear history tool is set to land in 2019
Following the Cambridge Analytica scandal that saw the data of tens of millions of Facebook users harvested by third-party apps for political purposes, the social networking giant promised a privacy-focused “clear history” tool for its community. The company plans to launch it before year's end.
This unique quadcopter helped a SWAT team nab an armed suspect
A unique quadcopter that can stay in the air for up to two hours on a single charge recently helped a California SWAT team nab an armed suspect. A cop involved in the case said the drone was able to provide the team with important intelligence that it previously couldn't access.
SpaceX crew capsule will carry a mannequin on its first trip to space station
SpaceX is gearing up to send its Crew Dragon capsule on its first test mission to the International Space Station this weekend. There are no crew on board the Crew Dragon yet, but the spacecraft will gather important data using a sensor-laden mannequin, and also carry supplies for the ISS astronauts.