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FDA boss threatens ‘game over’ for e-cigs if companies won’t keep kids away

January 19, 2019Tim Dempsey

The head of the Food and Drug Administration has threatened to pull e-cigarettes out of U.S. markets entirely unless e-cig makers take greater measures to curb the youth’s use of their products.

Speaking at a public hearing Friday, Scott Gottlieb, the FDA Commissioner, said he was “horrified” at the surge in rates of teen vaping, NBC reported. More than 3 million U.S. teens use e-cigarettes, an increase of 78 percent since 2011, according to recent CDC data.

“I still believe e-cigarettes present an opportunity for adult smokers to transition off cigarettes and onto nicotine delivery products that may not have the same level of risks,” Gottlieb wrote in a tweet ahead of the hearing. “However, if the youth use continues to rise, the entire category will face an existential threat.” Read more…

More about Tech, Juul, Juul Pods, Tech, and Politics

Microsoft is dropping a lot of money to help improve affordable housing in Seattle

January 17, 2019Tim Dempsey

Where the tech sector has boomed, affordable housing has suffered.

Now, Microsoft is following other tech giants in wanting to be part of the solution, announcing a $500 million fund targeting homelessness and affordable housing in Seattle on Wednesday.

It’s the biggest pledge in the company’s history, and one of the largest by a private corporation towards housing, according to the Seattle Times.

Seattle, much like Northern California, is facing a lack of affordable housing, as the rapid growth of tech has led to people being priced out of the housing market. Read more…

More about Tech, Microsoft, Seattle, Big Tech Companies, and Tech

‘Black Mirror: Bandersnatch’ doesn’t work on Apple TV and users are furious

December 28, 2018Tim Dempsey

It may be a groundbreaking high-tech piece of TV entertainment, but the interactive Black Mirror movie Bandersnatch is off limits if you happen to be using the highest-rated high-tech TV setup.

That would be the Apple TV, the 4K model of which we recently rated not only the most essential set-top box but also the most ahead-of-the-pack product Apple currently makes. (Many users agreed.)

Bandersnatch is also unavailable on Google’s Chromecast and Amazon’s Fire Stick. Try to watch it on these platforms and what you’ll get instead of the two-plus hour storyline is a 2-minute supercut of Black Mirror characters from other episodes saying “sorry.” And if you thought you could stream it from other devices to these set-top boxes: Sorry, that won’t work either. Read more…

More about Netflix, Apple Tv, Google Chromecast, Apple Tv 4k, and Tech

Elon Musk’s underground tunnel has potential, but leaves a lot to be desired

December 19, 2018Tim Dempsey

At first, the alley looked like many others: cinder block walls, neglected asphalt, and chain link fences that back up on beige single family bungalows.

There was one big difference, though. At the end of this unnamed alley between 122nd and 120th streets in Hawthorne, California is a subterranean elevator that can transport a small SUV underground. Oh, and that car-sized elevator? It’s owned by Elon Musk. The guy helming Tesla and SpaceX. And the Boring Company.

On Tuesday, Musk held a proof of concept launch event for his 1.4-mile long test tunnel at SpaceX headquarters, which is just outside Los Angeles. Musk said he chose the location for his first tunnel so that he would be able to watch progress from the window at his desk. Read more…

More about Elon Musk, Boring Company, Tech, and Transportation

Postmates reveals its cute, automated delivery robot

December 14, 2018Tim Dempsey

Meet Serve.

Serve is Postmates’ new automated delivery robot, developed to help make the company’s on-demand deliveries more efficient.

It’ll ride along sidewalks and can carry up to 50 lbs, traveling 25 miles on a single charge. There’s dynamic lighting in the eyes and a light ring up top to indicate movement, while customers can interact with Serve using a touchscreen and cameras mounted on top of the robot.

Serve will launch first in the Los Angeles area, and will gradually rollout to the other U.S. cities its over the next 12 months. Read more…

More about Tech, Postmates, Automation, Delivery Robots, and Tech

Taylor Swift used facial recognition at a concert to detect stalkers

December 13, 2018Tim Dempsey

While facial recognition is increasingly being used by authorities to keep track of wrongdoers, entertainers have employed the tech as well – to keep track of stalkers.

As per Rolling Stone, at Taylor Swift’s Rose Bowl concert in May, a kiosk was set up where it was playing clips of the pop star’s rehearsal.

Little did concertgoers know was that a camera was hiding behind the kiosk’s screen, where a facial recognition camera was snapping photos and transferring them to a Nashville-based “command post.”

The images were then checked with a database of the singer’s known list of stalkers, which numbers in the hundreds. Read more…

More about Tech, Celebrities, Taylor Swift, Facial Recognition, and Tech

SantaCon is back to make you regret moving to the city

December 8, 2018Tim Dempsey

It’s the most wonderful time of the year.

That’s right, cities around the globe are celebrating that most modern of holidays on Saturday: SantaCon. The annual gathering of revelers dressed as Santa Claus may have originated in San Francisco as a radical act of anti-consumerist mischief, but it has since morphed into a worldwide day of debauchery and excess that feels just about right for our sinking-ship hellscape of a reality.

Thankfully for us, it’s a well-documented hellscape. So let’s take a peek, shall we?

More about Santacon, Tech, and Live Events

Apple’s subscription TV service might be coming sooner than you think

October 24, 2018Tim Dempsey

Apple’s competitor to Netflix and Amazon Prime Video is apparently just around the corner.

According to a report by The Information, Apple is set to launch a subscription TV service in the U.S. within the first half of next year.

In the months following the U.S. launch, the service will become available in more than 100 countries around the world, matching the availability of the aforementioned streaming giants.

The service will feature original Apple series, of which the tech giant has been slowly building on, and allow users to subscribe to TV network subscriptions as one can already do through Amazon Channels or Roku. Read more…

More about Apple, Streaming, Streaming Services, Streaming Video, and Tech

Elon Musk’s high-speed hyperloop tunnel in L.A. will soon be open for public rides

October 22, 2018Tim Dempsey

Elon Musk says the first tunnel is “almost done.”

Posting on Twitter on Sunday night, the Boring Company founder and CEO announced the first test tunnel of the ambitious ultra-high-speed hyperloop project in Los Angeles will be open for public rides on Dec. 11.

The very first LA tunnel, which will primarily function to transport pedestrians and cyclists, was officially completed in May, after digging permission was granted in August last year.

Opens Dec 10

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 22, 2018

Musk has previously announced that the service will apparently cost passengers just $1 to ride on shuttles within the city when it officially launches. Read more…

More about Hyperloop, The Boring Company, Tech, Transportation, and Elon Musk

This city is letting people try out self-driving cars for free

October 19, 2018Tim Dempsey

If you’re visiting Arlington, Texas, and have been itching to try out an autonomous vehicle, you’re in luck.

Starting Friday, three Drive.ai self-driving cars (and eventually five) will be available to ride — for anyone, not just office workers, city officials, or a select group of “early riders.” Back in July, Drive.ai piloted the autonomous Nissan NV200 vans in Frisco, Texas. The Arlington deployment will be around for the next year.

“This is a not a quick demonstration,” CEO Bijit Halder said in a phone call this week.

If you’re interested, you can download the Drive.ai app or order a car from a kiosk at five pickup points. The cars are taking passengers along three routes that hit the Dallas Cowboys stadium, the Texas Rangers ballpark, the Arlington Convention Center, restaurant districts, and other venues. Read more…

More about Texas, Autonomous Vehicles, Self Driving Cars, Drive.Ai, and Tech

Images of Google’s new Pixel tablet leak before its October event

October 6, 2018Tim Dempsey

At this point, the biggest question about Google’s annual hardware event is not what new products the company will show off, but if there’s anything left we haven’t seen yet.

The latest: images of Google’s new Pixel-branded tablet, which have surfaced thanks to My Smart Price. The leaks kicked into high gear a while ago, but even those have ramped up considerably in the last few days.

As with all leaks, some skepticism is warranted, but the new images line up with previous rumors and they appear to be the real deal.

The tablet, reportedly called the Pixel Slate, is meant to be Google’s answer to the iPad Pro or Microsoft Surface. It’s a standard-looking tablet with a detachable keyboard cover and stylus. Read more…

More about Tech, Gadgets, Google, Chrome Os, and Google Assistant

Tesla’s first safety report claims drivers on Autopilot are safer, but lacks detail

October 5, 2018Tim Dempsey

Tesla has released its first Autopilot safety report on Thursday, following promises from CEO Elon Musk in May that the company would do so quarterly after highly-publicised crashes involving its cars.

The one-page report claims that in the third quarter of 2018, there has been one accident or crash-like event for every 3.34 million miles for Tesla cars driven with Autopilot.

Without Autopilot engaged, Tesla registered one accident or crash-like event for every 1.92 million miles driven.

Tesla compared their findings to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, whose latest data shows “an automobile crash every 492,000 miles,” — this doesn’t include near-misses that Tesla has recorded in its report. Read more…

More about Cars, Transportation, Tesla, Automated Car, and Tech

Scooting while drunk is a dangerous, lame way to get a DUI

September 28, 2018Tim Dempsey

Yes, you can get busted for scooting while drunk.

With scooters swooping into more and more cities, it’s no surprise that people are behaving badly on the electric devices. E-scooter rental company Bird celebrated its first anniversary earlier this month with 2.1 million riders in 100 cities. That’s 10 million rides.

But not all those rides have gone smoothly. Just this week Los Angeles had its first DUI case involving an e-scooter. The Bird scooter driver was three times over the legal limit when he crashed into a 64-year-old pedestrian, who fell to the ground, scraping their knees. Twenty-eight-year-old Nicholas Kauffroath rode off without helping the pedestrian. Read more…

More about Bird, Lime, E Scooter, Tech, and Transportation

Mark Zuckerberg shares the first projects he ever coded

September 28, 2018Tim Dempsey

The key to being first-to-market? Working to create products that service the public by listening to their needs. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has always been working to get his products to the public as soon as possible. This episode is narrated by Masters of Scale Host Reid Hoffman (LinkedIn Cofounder, Greylock investor).

This editorial series is created by Mashable & Masters of Scale and sponsored by Skillshare, the online learning community. Get 2 months of Skillshare classes for free by visiting this link → http://skillshare.com/masters Read more…

More about Tech, Facebook, Masters Of Scale, Tech, and Big Tech Companies

BMW’s autonomous concept car of the future was cool, I guess

September 15, 2018Tim Dempsey

As I approached San Francisco International Airport, my expectations for BMW’s new concept car were as big as the looming Boeing 777F Lufthansa cargo jet waiting for me.

I had surrendered my cellphone and everything in my purse but my drivers license to see BMW’s iNext vehicle. Its tour started in Munich a few days earlier; it came to the Bay Area after a stop at New York’s JFK airport, and was scheduled to continue on to Beijing. Talk about precious cargo.

After passing a final security check, I climbed up the rickety staircase with fellow media members and entered the cavernous aircraft. We had been told very little about what we were going to see, except it was not only the “car of the future” but the “idea of the future.” Read more…

More about Electric, Bmw, Autonomous, Concept Car, and Tech

Little Baby Bum has billions of views on YouTube — and just sold for millions

September 15, 2018Tim Dempsey

Did you know that a near hour-long collection of children’s nursery rhymes set to 3D animation is the 20th most popular YouTube video ever?

The video, with over 2 billion views and counting on the site, was created by the YouTube channel Little Baby Bum.

And the husband-and-wife duo behind the popular channel just sold Little Baby Bum, likely for millions of dollars.

The exact sale price is confidential, but a social media marketing firm told Bloomberg that the London couple likely made between £6 million to £8.5 million ($7.8 million to $11.1 million).

More about Youtube, Children, Acquisition, Youtube Kids, and Tech

Popular Mac apps caught harvesting users’ browsing data without consent

September 10, 2018Tim Dempsey

A number of applications on Apple’s Mac App Store are secretly gathering user data and uploading it to analytics servers.

Popular applications including Dr. Unarchiver, Dr. Cleaner, and others distributed by developer “Trend Micro, Inc.” collect and upload the user’s browser history from Safari, Google Chrome, and Firefox onto their servers via access to the macOS home directory.

These rogue apps will also collect data from other apps installed on the system, all of which is gathered the moment you launch them, according to 9to5Mac. The issue was originally spotted by a user on the Malwarebytes forum. Read more…

More about Cybersecurity, Mac Apps, Tech, and Cybersecurity

Tucker Carlson’s anti-diversity rant for Fox News didn’t go over well on Twitter

September 8, 2018Tim Dempsey

Fox News host Tucker Carlson went on a rant Friday against Barack Obama, Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and other Democrats and politicians who have called for a more diverse workforce, government, and American way of life.

Carlson went off on anyone who has said “diversity is our strength” with the chyron on the screen blaring the question: “How exactly is ‘diversity’ our ‘strength’?”

He rhetorically asked how can we get along better “if you can’t understand each other or share no common values.” Then he noted that the less people have in common, the less likely they are to be “cohesive.” Read more…

More about Diversity, Fox News, Tucker Carlson, Tech, and Identities

Lime just dropped some serious e-scooter drama

September 7, 2018Tim Dempsey

E-scooters can really rile people up — whether it’s cities trying to contain the onslaught of the mini motorized vehicles, or celebs such as actor-turned-venture-capitalist Ashton Kutcher fighting for their rights at a tech conference, it seems we are a nation divided.

And sometimes, it’s the scooter companies that can get all hot and bothered.

Take Lime, for example. Last week, the San Francisco Municipal Transit Agency shut down any aspirations the scooter-share company had of operating in the city, instead giving two newer companies, Scoot and Skip, permits to test scooters within the city for the next year. Read more…

More about Uber, San Francisco, Scooters, Lime, and Tech

Europe’s Uber rival Taxify is launching itself into the e-scooter game

September 6, 2018Tim Dempsey

The likes of Uber and Lyft are increasingly cosying up to scooters, and now one of the biggest ridesharing operators in Europe is joining the fray.

Estonian startup Taxify is rolling out an electric scooter sharing service in Paris this week, with plans to launch in other cities across Europe and Australia in the coming months.

Much like Uber and Lyft’s vision, the scooters can be booked in the same Taxify app used to hail car rides.

“One in five Taxify rides are less than 3 kilometres (1.8 miles), which is the perfect distance to cover with an electric scooter,” Markus Villig, CEO and co-founder of Taxify said in a statement. Read more…

More about Tech, Europe, Scooters, Ridesharing, and Taxify

Uber introduces minimum rating requirements for riders, so don’t be a jerk

September 5, 2018Tim Dempsey

It’s long-known that Uber drivers who fall under a certain star rating face getting kicked off the platform, and now that threat will extend to riders.

The ride-hailing company announced a new minimum average rating requirement for passengers in Australia and New Zealand, as per its update on its community guidelines.

Those changes will go into effect Sept. 19, and riders who veer too close to the minimum will be alerted before they sink below the requirement.

Once a rider drops below the minimum rating of 4.0, their account could be deactivated if they fail to improve after multiple notifications. Riders can reactivate their account after taking a “short educational exercise.” Read more…

More about Tech, Australia, Uber, Ridesharing, and Big Tech Companies

Yeaaah, Waymo’s self-driving taxis don’t seem like they’ll be ready for their 2018 launch date

August 29, 2018Tim Dempsey

It appears that Waymo’s “fully self-driving” taxi service was a bit too aggressive with its 2018 launch date.

A report from The Information Tuesday paints a bleak picture out of Phoenix, Arizona, where Waymo seems to be experiencing glitches with its autonomous vehicles.

Merging into highway traffic, navigating around groups of people, turning left — these are just a few of the hurdles facing Waymo’s fleet of Chrysler Pacifica minivans that the company is hoping to turn into a fully autonomous taxi service.

The minivans often drive in the center of wide roads and stop for a full three seconds at stop signs, habits that aren’t popular among some local residents. At least a dozen people told The Information, “I hate them.” Read more…

More about Driverless, Self Driving Cars, Waymo, Tech, and Transportation

Google lets you create a sticker version of yourself with selfies

August 28, 2018Tim Dempsey

With tools like Apple’s Memoji and Snapchat’s Bitmoji, you’re missing out if you don’t have an animated version of yourself on your phone.

Google is making that process easier on its iOS and Android keyboard extension, Gboard, with the addition of “Minis.” The feature will let you convert your selfies into stickers that are based on your likeness.

As per Engadget, the feature uses a combination of machine learning, neural networks, and artist illustrations to come up with cartoon emoji.

Meet Minis! Easy to create and share right from #Gboard, these AI-powered personal stickers are made with just a snap of a selfie → https://t.co/d5BBLdt8As pic.twitter.com/39l4vZNjIS

— Google (@Google) August 27, 2018 Read more…

More about Tech, Google, Apps, Emoji, and Keyboard

Hacker convention in Vegas is full of tin-foil hats. Literally.

August 11, 2018Tim Dempsey

What if they really are out to get you.

If you spend enough time walking the Las Vegas casino floors, you’re sure to come across some unique sights. But scores of people sporting all shapes and sizes of literal tin-foil hats? Welcome to DEF CON.

The annual hacker convention currently underway in the Nevada desert draws a diverse crowd of professional and hobbyist security researchers from around the world. And, for the most part, they all share one defining characteristic: the desire to stick it to The Man.

Which, well, that specific proclivity just might end up making you a target. Read more…

More about Hackers, Def Con, Tech, and Cybersecurity

These stoner hackers want machine learning to save us from sick weed

August 11, 2018Tim Dempsey

Nothing harshes a good mellow like sick buds. Thankfully, there may one day be an app for that.

Hidden from the hazy Friday afternoon of Las Vegas, tucked away in the basement of the Flamingo casino, a group of likeminded hackers and security researchers gathered to explore “DIY cannabis tech” at DEF CON’s Cannabis Village. One researcher in particular, Harry Moreno, told the rather laid-back crowd that he believed that machine learning could one day solve a huge problem for home-grow enthusiasts: determining whether or not, and in what capacity, a marijuana plant is sick.

More about Marijuana, Machine Learning, Def Con, Tech, and Cybersecurity

Instagram just made it way too easy to accidentally unfollow someone

August 4, 2018Tim Dempsey

Instagram used to have a safeguard in place to make sure you really, truly wanted to stop following someone on its mobile app.

If you clicked on the “unfollow” button (it looks like the top half of a person with a check mark next to it) intentionally or accidentally, it would ask if you were sure you wanted to unfollow that account, giving you a final chance to change your mind.

But it quietly removed the dialogue box in the latest app update. Now your hasty swiping or large thumbs could make for some awkward re-follow request situations. Read more…

More about Instagram, Tech, and Big Tech Companies

These women are disrupting their industries one click at a time

August 3, 2018Tim Dempsey

When it comes to emerging technology we don’t always think of women in lifestyle. Instead, our minds dart to computer programmers, IT gurus and software developers.

Thanks to these forward-thinking female entrepreneurs however, that’s all starting to change. They’ve turned their hard work and determination into thriving businesses – all thanks to a bright idea, and a helping hand from the right devices.

These days, if you’re a busy content creator or a business mogul in the making – there’s nothing more important than having the best tools. But how do you choose which products to go with? Easy – you go with the ones that help you do your best work. Read more…

More about Tech, Entrepreneurship, Entrepreneurs, Women In Tech, and Consumer Tech

Spotify bans some Alex Jones episodes, but some say it’s not enough

August 2, 2018Tim Dempsey

Facebook and YouTube hit far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones with minor bans over the last week. Now YouTube has joined the fray.

The streaming service said it removed some, but not all, of the The Alex Jones Show, citing violations of its hateful content policy.

“We take reports of hate content seriously and review any podcast episode or song that is flagged by our community,” a Spotify spokesperson told Recode in a statement.

“Spotify can confirm it has removed specific episodes of ‘The Alex Jones Show’ podcast for violating our hate content policy.” Read more…

More about Politics, Spotify, Infowars, Alex Jones, and Tech

Facebook cuts off access to user data for ‘hundreds of thousands’ of apps

August 1, 2018Tim Dempsey

Facebook has just blocked a truckload of apps from accessing its user’s data.

Facebook’s VP of Product Partnerships, Ime Archibong, explained in a blog post Tuesday that Facebook had cut off API access for “hundreds of thousands of inactive apps that have not submitted for our app review process.” That’s a lot of random, dormant apps that had access.

The social media giant, which was once very open to developers until the whole Cambridge Analytica thing, announced in May during F8 that it was tightening up the review process for apps.

More about Tech, Facebook, Apps, Data, and Data Collection

Essential FitTech gadgets for any lifestyle

July 16, 2018Tim Dempsey

Remember when you promised yourself that 2018 would be the year you’d get back into jogging, master Crow Pose, and feel healthier and stronger than you’ve ever felt before?

If you’ve been slacking on those goals, you might need a little boost to get back on track. Luckily, the below gadgets can help. These FitTech products are must-buys for 2018.

Funds at your fingertips with Bankwest Halo payment ring — $39

Heading out for a jog, but don’t want to bring along your entire wallet? You don’t have to with this nifty gadget: The Bankwest Halo is Australia’s first payment ring. The attractive design is ideal for anyone with an active lifestyle. Bankwest Halo works just like your contactless cards — all you have to do is fist-bump the terminal at check-out and be on your way. Read more…

More about Tech, Supported, Wearables, Sponsored, and Fittech

How to send spam calls straight to voicemail with Google’s phone app

July 14, 2018Tim Dempsey

Google just gave us another good reason to use its phone app: better protection from spam callers.

The company’s phone app for Android has a new setting that can automatically detect spam calls and send them straight to voicemail so your phone never even rings.

The app now has a “filter suspected spam call” option in its settings. When enabled, suspected spam calls will be routed straight to your phone’s voicemail. Your phone won’t ring, and you won’t get a missed call notification.

If the caller does leave a voicemail, you also won’t get a notification, though you’ll have the ability to view missed calls and voicemails that have been “filtered.” Read more…

More about Tech, Google, Android, Apps And Software, and Tech

Elon Musk is building a ‘kid-size submarine’ to rescue Thai kids trapped in cave

July 7, 2018Tim Dempsey

Elon Musk is coming to the rescue.

The tech leader, along with SpaceX and Boring Company engineers, have been working with cave experts in Thailand to rescue the boys’ soccer team of 12 that’s been stuck in a cave system since June 23.

On Saturday, Musk tweeted an updated rescue plan, which essentially involves constructing “a tiny, kid-size submarine” that he plans to fly to Thailand.

Musk began his Saturday updates by discussing an “escape pod design” and “an inflatable tube with airlocks.” But as the day progressed, he settled on the idea of a mini-submarine. Read more…

More about Tech, Thailand, Elon Musk, Spacex, and Submarine

Google removes ‘Don’t Be Evil’ motto from its Code of Conduct

May 19, 2018Tim Dempsey

To be evil or not to be evil — that is the question, Google.

It seems after years of the tech company’s commitment to its low-key creepy-sounding mantra, “Don’t Be Evil,” Google has removed the phrase from its Code of Conduct.

So I guess that means evil is totally chill now?? Cool. Very cool and not at all concerning, right?

On Friday, Gizmodo noted that “Don’t Be Evil,” which has been part of Google’s Code of Conduct since 2000, was recently removed in either April or May, as shown by the Wayback Machine.

Digging into the Wayback Machine’s April 21, 2018 archive shows the three-word phrase still present in an earlier Code of Conduct: Read more…

More about Tech, Google, Wayback Machine, Big Tech Companies, and Code Of Conduct

Lol now Facebook is just making fake news smaller

April 28, 2018Tim Dempsey

Facebook really wishes its problems would just disappear. But, since that’s clearly not going to happen, maybe they could, I don’t know, get smaller?

That appears to be the thinking of Mark Zuckerberg and Co., who on Friday announced that the company’s new plan to combat fake news essentially boils down to font size.

So reports TechCrunch, which notes that Facebook’s latest grand idea is to reduce the amount of space articles take up in the News Feed if their accuracy has been disputed by the company’s third-party fact checkers. Read more…

More about Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, News Feed, Fake News, and Tech

Lol now Facebook is just making fake news smaller

April 28, 2018Tim Dempsey

Facebook really wishes its problems would just disappear. But, since that’s clearly not going to happen, maybe they could, I don’t know, get smaller?

That appears to be the thinking of Mark Zuckerberg and Co., who on Friday announced that the company’s new plan to combat fake news essentially boils down to font size.

More about Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, News Feed, Fake News, and Tech

You’ll look ridiculous playing Snapchat’s new AR games, and maybe that’s OK

April 26, 2018Tim Dempsey

When the iPad first came out, people looked kinda ridiculous using it out and about.

That doesn’t quite compare to Snapchat’s new AR games feature, “Snappables,” which consists of games that let you control what’s happening using your face.

As witnessed in the Snappables trailer, you can fight aliens in an Space Invaders-style game by moving your head around, or pump iron at the gym with your eyebrows. You can also invite friends on Snapchat to play along in multiplayer games.

There are very few of us with the confidence to play Snappables in public, but at least Snap is encouraging you to try. Read more…

More about Tech, Gaming, Apps, Snapchat, and Augmented Reality

Google attempts to get Android messaging right (again) with Chat

April 20, 2018Tim Dempsey

As predicted, Android is stepping up its messaging game to be on the same page as Apple’s iMessage and Facebook Messenger.

Google’s launching a new messaging service simply called Chat, and it’s the latest, and hopefully best effort by the tech giant to simplify the messaging offering on Android.

As revealed by The Verge, Chat is a rich communication service (RCS) that Google has been pushing carriers and smartphone makers to adopt.

It’s not a new app, but rather an upgrade of the existing messaging experience on Android. It’ll add features like read receipts, being able to see other people typing, full-resolution images and video, and group texting. Read more…

More about Tech, Google, Android, Smartphones, and Messaging

Apple Watch users could have access to a whole suite of new faces soon

April 16, 2018Tim Dempsey

Gone through all the Apple Watch faces? Apple could be finally opening up the floor to third-party developers for Watch faces, hints a tiny line of code.

Apple has long maintained control over available faces for its Apple Watch, only allowing official partners like Disney and Pixar to release special editions. Customisation for users is currently limited to modifying “complications” on official watch faces, where there’s an ability to pull information from third-party sources.

But a tiny line of code could suggest the company is gearing up to loosen this exclusivity, a clue picked up by 9to5Mac. Read more…

More about Apple, Apple Watch, Third Party, Tech, and Consumer Tech

Samsung’s latest smartphone can’t connect to the internet. Like, at all.

April 14, 2018Tim Dempsey

Well, here’s something you don’t see announced often (or ever, for that matter): A smartphone that can’t connect to the Internet.

That’s right, Samsung’s new Galaxy J2 Pro (it ain’t a “pro” anything if it can’t go online) is intentionally designed to have no way to go online. And nope, we haven’t slipped into a Tardis and time traveled into April Fool’s Day 2019.

Apparently made for students and senior citizens, the J2 Pro lacks any kind of cellular data connectivity.

Samsung’s press release (Google translated) says the phone “blocks mobile data such as 3G, LTE, and Wi-Fi” with the intent of helping students focus on learning (instead of, you know, getting distracted by Instagram and stuff). The phone’s also good for seniors who apparently have no interest in going online? 🤦‍ Read more…

More about Tech, Mobile, Gadgets, Samsung, and Smartphones

India just cracked down on cryptocurrency. Hard.

April 6, 2018Tim Dempsey

Indian officials are not here for your cryptocurrency games.

Government officials with the Reserve Bank of India announced on Thursday that, effective immediately, banks would be prohibited from “dealing with or providing services to any individuals or business entities dealing with or settling virtual currencies.”

Essentially, that means people in India are now unable to move money from bank accounts to exchanges in order to buy cryptocurrency. What’s more, if you’ve sold your fat gains for cash, you are no longer able to move that money back to your bank account. Read more…

More about India, Bitcoin, Cryptocurrency, Tech, and Other

Snapchat lenses just got a lot better, if you have an iPhone X

April 6, 2018Tim Dempsey

Attention iPhone X owners: Snapchat is finally making good on its promise to make its augmented reality selfie lenses better.

Today, the company is officially launching a new lineup of lenses that’ve been optimized for the iPhone X’s front-facing TrueDepth camera.

First previewed last fall during Apple’s iPhone X launch event, Snap specially designed the lenses to take advantage of the face-tracking abilities of the iPhone X’s TrueDepth camera. What this means for you, a selfie-obsessed Snapchat user, is that the new lenses will be better able to “stick” to your face, making them look slightly more realistic (or, as “realistic” as a brightly-colored mask can look, anyway). Read more…

More about Tech, Snapchat, Augmented Reality, Apps And Software, and Iphone X

Australia also investigates Facebook following data scandal

April 5, 2018Tim Dempsey

Facebook might be getting a “booting” Down Under.

The Office of the Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) announced on Thursday it would open a formal investigation into the social media giant to see if it has breached Australia’s privacy laws.

It follows news the personal information of 300,000 Australian Facebook users “may have been acquired and used without authorisation” as part of the Cambridge Analytica scandal that affected 87 million.

OAIC said it would work with foreign authorities on the investigation, “given the global nature of the matter.” Read more…

More about Facebook, Australia, Privacy, Cambridge Analytica, and Tech