Yahoo agrees to pay $50M in damages for biggest-ever data breach
Yahoo has agreed to pay $50 million in damages for a huge security breach in 2013 that hit all three billion of its user accounts globally. If the settlement is approved by a court next month, U.S.-based users affected by the biggest-ever data hack will be able to claim a portion of the funds.
How a comic turn by David Schwimmer may help British cops nab a suspect
When cops in the United Kingdom posted a photograph of a suspect they wanted to speak to in relation to an alleged theft, many people hit social media to point out how the man bore a striking resemblance to actor David Schwimmer. No one could've expected what happened next.
Hackers target major airline in data breach affecting nearly 10M customers
A major international airline has been targeted by hackers, with personal data belonging to nearly 10 million of its customers stolen. Cathay Pacific, which operates out of Hong Kong, says that it so far has no evidence that the data has been misused, and is now in the process of contacting those affected.
Fujifilm says it will ‘never’ launch a full-frame mirrorless camera
Many Fujifilm fans have been hoping that the company might one day introduce a full-frame mirrorless camera to join its popular crop-sensor models. But in a recent interview, an executive at the company appeared to dash those hopes when he said that Fujifilm would "never" produce such a camera.
Amazon opens its sixth cashier-free Go store, this time in San Francisco
Amazon has just opened its sixth checkout-free grocery store, this time in San Francisco. Amazon Go lets you grab your items and leave, with technology around the store ensuring that everything you take is tracked and charged to your account. Reports suggest the company is planning to open 3,000 more by 2021.
Apple’s iCloud is experiencing issues across more than a third of its services
Users around the world are experiencing serious issues with multiple iCloud tools. Apple's cloud-based service includes features such as iCloud Drive, Photos, iCloud Mail, iCloud Calendar, and Find My iPhone. The company's System Status page shows that more than a third of iCloud services are hit.
World’s first drone-equipped motorcycle features a special space for the Spark
If your sidecar is missing a drone or your drone a sidecar, then check out how the two machines have been brought together in this unique design from Ural Motorcycles. Only 40 of the combos have been made, though that may well turn out to be enough. The Ural Air goes on sale in November.
Watch the moment NASA releases 450,000 gallons of water onto a launch pad
NASA's next-generation rocket — part of its eagerly anticipated Space Launch System — will be one of the most powerful ever made and at launch will generate a colossal amount of heat and energy. To keep it under control, the space agency has developed a system that releases a huge amount of water in just one minute.
NYPD pulls thousands of body cams after one explodes
The NYPD has recalled thousands of body cameras after one of them exploded. No one was injured in the incident, which is thought to have been caused by the battery. The NYPD said an officer picked up the camera on Sunday, but noticed smoke coming from it. After putting it down, "the device exploded."
Flying food: Uber has set a target date to use drones for meal delivery
Uber is better known for taking people around town, but it also has a growing meal-delivery business called UberEats. It currently uses cars and bikes to deliver the food, but now has plans to use drones, too. Indeed, a job ad spotted over the weekend reveals the company even has a date in mind to launch the service.
When tech goes wrong: Banksy’s shredder was meant to totally destroy his artwork
Banksy recently set up one of his most famous pieces of work to self-shred just seconds after it auctioned for more than $1 million earlier this month. But a fault with the shredder built into the frame has left the buyer with something almost certainly worth far more than the $1 million winning bid.
Softly spoken interactions with Alexa now possible with new Whisper Mode
From Thursday, October 18, Alexa's Whisper Mode started to roll out to U.S. owners of Amazon's digital assistant, though for now it only understands whispers in English. To make use of the new mode, you first need to turn it on. This can be done simply by saying, 'Alexa, turn on Whisper Mode.'
Google Maps brings its real-time journey-tracking feature to iPhone
It's been available on Android since last year, and now Google Maps has brought its real-time journey-tracking feature to iOS. The useful feature, which lets you choose who to share a journey with, can be enabled in just a few taps, and tracking ends automatically when you arrive at your destination.
Eat your way to a limited-edition Xbox One X in new Taco Bell contest
If you like the idea of a limited-edition Xbox One X that makes Taco Bell's famous "bong" sound every time it starts up, then you need to enter a new contest without delay! Your best chance of winning comes via codes offered with orders of Taco Bell's double chalupa box, but there's also a way to enter for free.
Tumblr promises it fixed a bug that left user data exposed
Tumblr said on Wednesday that it acted quickly to fix a bug on its blogging site that left user data exposed. The New York-based company added that it couldn't be sure which users were affected by the bug, but said there's no evidence that any data was stolen by hackers.
Twitter has sorted out those weird notifications it was sending
Twitter started churning out weird notifications of seemingly nonsensical letters and numbers to many of its users on Tuesday morning. The bizarre incident even prompted Twitter's CEO to get involved. The issue has now been sorted out, but the company still isn't entirely sure why it happened.
YouTube is back after crashing for users around the world
It's rare to see YouTube suffer serious issues, but the site went down around the world for a period of time on October 16. It's back now, and we can confirm it's loading normally on desktop and mobile. Naturally, fans of the site went to Twitter to complain about YouTube going dark.
Tokyo robotic warehouse needs almost no human workers
Uniqlo has unveiled its first robot-powered warehouse that requires 90 percent fewer human workers and can operate around the clock. The Japanese clothing giant plans to invest close to $1 billion dollars to convert all of its warehouses worldwide into high-tech shipping hubs.
This intelligent parachute system can bail out clumsy drone pilots
Parachutes can save drones from damage — and prevent injuries on the ground — when they unexpectedly fall from the sky. Among a number of such systems, Austrian company Drone Rescue is this week showing off its latest design that automatically deploys when it senses trouble.
Kodak’s ‘Digitizing Box’ service saves precious memories stuck on old media
Fading family photos and aging videotapes with home movies on will be lost forever if you don't set about converting them to digital media. While conversion services already exist, Kodak claims its new offering removes the effort, keeps it simple, and won't break the bank.
Boston Dynamics is trying to make fetch happen with its new working robot dog
Boston Dynamics wants to see Spot in the workplace, but not as part of take-your-dog-to-work days. Quite the opposite, in fact, as the Massachusetts-based technology company believes its extraordinary robo-dog is now ready to start work, and a new video shows exactly why.
Instagram is testing a new way for you to look through your feed
Instagram is always tweaking its app to give users the best experience possible, so how do you like the idea of tapping — instead of swiping — to look through your feed? The feature, which could make it easier to view content and reduce finger strain, is being tested by a select group of users.
PayPal will soon let you withdraw cash at Walmart, but there’s a catch
PayPal has teamed up with Walmart to let its account holders withdraw and deposit cash at the store. The service launches at all U.S. Walmart stores in early November and is available to members with the PayPal mobile app or a PayPal Cash Mastercard. The downside? Each transaction will cost $3.
This high-tech shopping cart from Walmart could save your life
Walmart has an idea for a high-tech shopping cart that can detect your heart rate, temperature, and how tightly you're gripping the cart's handle. The data could help Walmart to improve the shopping experience, as well as respond quickly to any accidents or health-related problems among its customers.
Singapore reclaims longest flight, but could you sit on a plane for that long?
Singapore Airlines has reclaimed the record for the world's longest commercial flight with a 19-hour service between Singapore and New York. Aware that few people would want to sit in economy for almost a day, it's done away with cattle class entirely and instead offers only business and premium economy seats.
Going my way? Waze takes its carpooling service nationwide
Following a tentative rollout over the last two years, Waze is launching its carpooling service in all 50 states, offering drivers a chance to fill their spare seats with riders heading in the same direction. Waze says it hopes its service will help reduce congestion in the nation's cities and beyond.
Space tourism: Virgin Galactic ‘weeks’ away from first test flights in space
Virgin Galactic chairman Richard Branson said on Tuesday, October 9 that test flights for its space tourism service will take crew into space for the first time "within weeks," with the first commercial flights coming "in months and not years." A seat on the spacecraft costs a wallet-melting $250,000.
A projection onto Sydney Opera House causes huge rumpus in Australia
An idea to project an ad for a big-money horse race onto the iconic sails of Sydney Opera House recently sparked a fierce national debate in Australia. The boss of the Opera House clashed with politicians and radio hosts over whether it should go ahead, with some 300,000 people signing a petition in a bid to stop it.
Instagram says its A.I. can track down bullying in photos
Instagram is turning to A.I. to root out bullying on its platform. Following similar efforts to target bullying in comments, the company now has systems in place that can detect bullying in photos, too. It's the first initiative under the leadership of Adam Mosseri, who recently replaced former CEO Kevin Systrom.
Vespa Elettrica: Piaggio’s first all-electric scooter is about to hit the road
Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio has launched online pre-orders for its first all-electric scooter, with shipping starting in Europe toward the end of the year and in the U.S. in early 2019. The Vespa Elettrico features a 4-kW motor, has a range of 62 miles, and takes four hours to fully charge.