The Future of Tech, News and making sense of it all!

Sunday, July 19, 2020

TPS Consulting Saturday Afternoon News

TECHNOLOGY AND MORE!




Sorry Anti-Maskers, Delta Air Lines Is Onto You

2KOne Mile at a Time / 10h
Delta Air Lines has just taken a major step towards making it harder for anti-maskers to fly with the airline. Airlines have a face mask enforcement problem At this point all major US airlines require passengers to wear face masks when flying. In general face mask usage on planes is much more consistent than virtually anywhere on the ground. However, there are two major issues : Passengers don’t

Scream Into Your Phone and Have it Played on a Speaker in Iceland

1KLifehacker / 8h
Have you been so angry, frustrated and/or stressed lately that you just want to scream as long as you can into the void? Us, too. But as it turns out, we now have the option of having our blood-curdling wails echo throughout the land— specifically, Iceland . The small island country, and place where you’ve been meaning… Read more...

Why Holland America was right to shed 29% of its fleet — and may need to cut more

300+The Points Guy / 6h
The news on Wednesday for Holland America fans was grim. The storied, Seattle-based line said it would significantly shrink in size in the coming months as it managed the fallout from the coronavirus pandemic . Specifically, the line said four of its 14 ships — 29% of the total — would leave its fleet by the fall. A huge number of cruises would be canceled. Some itineraries would disappear. For m


Brilliant paramedic uses voice-to-text app to talk with patients who lipread

Mashable / 4min
In case you needed one more reason to be in complete awe of first responders handling the COVID-19 pandemic, paramedic Danny Hughes is here to help. On Friday, the UK-based medical professional, who currently works for South East Coast Ambulance Services per his Twitter bio, shared his inventive solution for speaking to patients who lipread while wearing a mask. (H/t r/nextfuckinglevel ) "Some of

FBI reportedly uses a travel company's data for worldwide surveillance

21Engadget / 4min
The FBI doesn’t necessarily have to rely on spy databases or phone records to collect vast amounts of information about suspects — it might just have to ask a travel company for help. Forbes understands the FBI is using info from Sabre, the world’s largest travel data holder, to conduct surveillance around the world. Officials have reportedly asked the company to “actively spy” on targets, even w

T-Mobile's 'Scam Shield' lets you weed out scam calls with a second number

T-Mobile Sprint Mobile
Mashable / 22min
For those who have been inundated by robocalls and other scams – which means anyone with a mobile phone, pretty much – it's hard to imagine them ever going away. Could T-Mobile's "Scam Shield" actually help? The free service for T-Mobile and Sprint subscribers attacks the problem in a number of ways. There's caller ID that can spot incoming scan calls and block them. No-cost phone number changes

Curiosity Stream Is a Streaming Smörgåsbord of High-Quality Science-Focused Programs

Futurism / 41min
Most of us have been logging a lot more couch and screen time lately. And as many of our mothers used to tell us when we were kids, too much TV can rot your brain. When it comes to reality television and other low-brow shows, there might be some truth to that. But if you make an adjustment to the programming you consume, you can replace “brain rot” with a brain boost. And thanks to Curiosity Stre

Marco Rubio's John Lewis tribute gaffe is appropriately, savagely mocked

Rubio Georgia John Lewis
25Mashable / 43min
On Saturday, Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) inserted both of his feet into his mouth with a poorly executed tribute to late civil rights legend, John Lewis (D-GA). In a since-deleted tweet, Rubio shared a photo of himself and Elijah Cummings (D-MD), another late, highly celebrated Black lawmaker, captioning the image: "It was an honor to know & be blessed with the opportunity to serve in Congress wit

[Roundup] How Airlines Plan For And Respond To A Plane Crash

View from the Wing / 48min
A roundup of the most important stories of the day. I keep you up to date on the most interesting writings I find on other sites – the latest news and tips. Continue reading ...

20+ apps and websites to help you live a more sustainable life

Mashable / 53min
So you want to live a cleaner, greener, more sustainable life? OK, let's do this! But suddenly giving up meat completely, or never buying single-use plastic again , is easier said than done. To make aspects of your life more sustainable, it's best to start small and build on those changes until you've incorporated healthier habits (for the planet and yourself) into everyday choices. And it's impo

Disney said to have 'dramatically' cut ad spending on Facebook amid boycott

67Engadget / 1h
Disney might be the largest company yet to join a growing ad boycott against Facebook . Wall Street Journal sources say the media and theme park giant has “dramatically” reduced its ad spending on Facebook. It’s not clear just how deep the cut is or how long it will last, but Disney reportedly made the move quietly rather than making a public announcement. It also froze Hulu advertising on Instag

Weekly Review: July 18, 2020

One Mile at a Time / 1h
Hello from Turkey! I’m spending some time in Bodrum, and look forward to sharing more about my travels over the coming week. On the points & travel front, this week Icelandair fired all of its flight attendants and replaced them with pilots, Hyatt started offering suite awards online, JetBlue extended its seat blocking policy past Labor Day, British Airways retired its 747 fleet, the Gulf blockad

KFC hopes to develop the first lab-made chicken nuggets

US KFC Russian Bioprinting
300+Engadget / 1h
The quest for lab-grown meat is extending to a staple of the fast food scene. The Verge reports KFC has teamed up with Moscow’s 3D Bioprinting Solutions with the goal of producing the world’s first lab-made chicken nuggets. The Russian firm is developing an additive printing technique using chicken cells and plant material that, ideally, recreates the “taste and texture” of natural chicken while

Twitch shuts down the U.S. Army's recruitment drive disguised as fake giveaways

100+Mashable / 2h
Did you know the U.S. Army is gaming on Twitch? That’s right, you can watch livestreams of the American military playing their favorite video games. They even promote giveaways where you can win cool gaming prizes if you just fill out some personal information. Big problem, though. The giveaways aren’t real. They’re just military recruitment forms. And Twitch is telling the U.S. Army to stop doin

For Seattle’s cop-free protest zone, tech is both a revolutionary asset and disastrous liability

100+TechCrunch / 2h
The police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor were sparks that reignited smoldering fury against authorities across the globe. One of the most watched locations has been Seattle, where protestors barricaded off a cop-free zone, drawing outsize attention and, in the process, forming a new case study in the uses of technology both to advance a cause and to drown it in disinformation. From

The Exchange: Which VCs are the most popular, why enterprise startups are hot, and how patient are public investors?

100+TechCrunch / 2h
Welcome to The Exchange, an upcoming weekly newsletter featuring TechCrunch and Extra Crunch reporting on startups, money and markets. You can sign up for it here to receive it regularly when it launches on July 25th, and catch up on prior editions of the column and newsletter here . It’s Saturday, July 18, and this is The Exchange. Today we’re wrapping our look at second-quarter VC, capping off

Investing in the hidden generation

200+TechCrunch / 2h
Ilse Calderon Contributor Ilse Calderon is an investor at OVO Fund where she specializes in pre-seed investments across capital-efficient markets. Prior to OVO, Ilse spent a year at Silicon Valley Bank rotating across consumer and software teams. While it’s no secret Hispanics represent unparalleled growth opportunities for the U.S. economy, most startups don’t realize Hispanic youth means an abu

The worst 5 business-class cabins in the sky today

The Points Guy / 2h
We already brought you TPG’s top-rated business cabins in the sky today. Now, it’s time for the worst. Business class can vary so much depending on two major factors: the airline and the aircraft. Some airlines have business classes that feel more like a first-class experience , whereas others, well, feel more like a small step above economy. We haven’t put this list together to name and shame, b

Chevrolet is working on a full-size electric pickup truck

100+Engadget / 2h
GM has revealed its various brands’ electric vehicle plans in its 10th sustainability report, and one of the most notable projects is Chevrolet’s BET Truck. Apparently, Chevy is working on its first full-size electric pickup truck, and it will have the capability to run over 400 miles on a single charge. That’s pretty much all GM revealed about it, and as Autoblog notes, it’s unclear if the EV wi

Cleared to land: Private pilots given rare opportunity to land at JFK, LAX and other major airports

The Points Guy / 3h
The airspace around the countries busiest airports — think JFK and LAX, for example — is usually very tightly controlled. It requires equal parts art and science to choreograph the arrival and departure of hundreds of aircraft a day, and the jumbo jets that frequent these larger airports have very strict spacing requirements due to the massive amount of wake turbulence they cause. Get the latest

Make sure these 5 things are on your checklist before your next vacation

The Points Guy / 3h
Editor’s note: As the travel industry reopens following COVID-19 shutdowns, TPG suggests that you talk to your doctor, follow health officials’ guidance and research local travel restrictions before booking that next trip. We will be here to help you prepare, whether it is next month or next year. With countries around the world slowly but surely opening up again , we’re thinking about our next v

American Airlines Eliminates Meals On Many Flights Over 2200 Miles

99View from the Wing / 3h
Domestic flights over 2200 miles will no longer receive meal service and the same applies to close-in international flights, too. Long haul international premium cabins will still receive meals. Continue reading ...

Coronavirus conspiracy websites won’t be able to make money with Google ads

85Mashable / 3h
Google is giving the boot to websites that push coronavirus conspiracy theories using its ad platform. Starting Aug. 18, Google will no longer allow publishers that promote coronavirus conspiracies to monetize their sites with Google ads. The policy change allows the search giant leeway to ban ads on certain pages or to block an entire website from its advertising platform. Google already bans fr

AI helps drone swarms navigate through crowded, unfamiliar spaces

100+Engadget / 4h
Drone swarms frequently fly outside for a reason: it’s difficult for the robotic fliers to navigate in tight spaces without hitting each other. Caltech researchers may have a way for those drones to fly indoors, however. They’ve developed a machine learning algorithm, Global-to-Local Safe Autonomy Synthesis (GLAS), that lets swarms navigate crowded, unmapped environments. The system works by givi

PS5 pre-orders won’t open ‘with a minute’s notice’, says Sony

PS5 PS4 Won Sony Says
29TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
Sony’s Eric Lempel has said fans will have warning before PS5 pre-orders open.

The British Airways Queen of the Skies 747 in pictures

The Points Guy / 4h
I am an AvGeek to the absolute core, and as a Brit, nothing pulls my AvGeek heart strings quite like a British Airways Boeing 747. I was therefore rather sad to hear the news that British Airways is retiring all 31 of its Boeing 747s in the coming months , according to an internal companywide email viewed by TPG. I have been lucky enough to get up close and personal with plenty of BA’s “jumbo jet

Another classic Carnival cruise ship appears headed for the scrappers

The Points Guy / 4h
It looks like another classic Carnival Cruise Line ship is headed for the scrappers. The Long Beach, California-based Carnival Inspiration has filed a voyage plan for Izmir, Turkey , which is near a major ship scrapping operation that has become the final resting place for such notable vessels as Princess Cruises ‘ Pacific Princess — the original “Love Boat.” On Saturday, ship tracking sites show

John Lewis was a fixture on Twitter, both for his tweets and his viral presence

100+Mashable / 5h
Congressman John Lewis, who died on Friday, proved again and again that politician Twitter can rise above angry, hateful thuggery. His own timeline was a regular source of wisdom and inspiration, especially around racial issues. Lewis was a hell of a speaker, and the thundering power of his words translated easily into the short, soundbite-friendly format imposed by Twitter's character constraint

Arsenal vs Man City live stream: how to watch FA Cup semi-final online with ESPN+ now

TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
Saturday night semi-final showdown at Wembley - here's how to live stream Arsenal vs Man City and watch the FA Cup online from anywhere today.

There’s a reason your inbox has more malicious spam—Emotet is back

100+Ars Technica / 5h
Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson ) Emotet, the world’s most costly and destructive botnet, returned from a five-month hiatus on Friday with a blast of malicious spam aimed at spreading a backdoor that installs ransomware, bank-fraud trojans, and other nasty malware. The botnet sent a hefty 250,000 messages during the day, mostly to people in the United States and the United Kingdom, Sherrod DeGripp

Today's best iPad deals include a $370 price cut on the powerful iPad Pro

20TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
We've rounded up today's best iPad deals which include a massive $370 price cut on the 12.9-inch iPad Pro.

Apple fans weigh in with their Watch Series 5 reviews

Apple Watch 5 One 7
100+Engadget / 5h
Apple’s latest smartwatch debuted last year with some incremental updates — most notably the long-awaited always-on display, as well as 32GB of storage and a compass function. While it was a more minor product upgrade, it also received positive feedback from many reviewers including our own editor in chief Dana Wollman. Dana liked the new features, the bright screen and fast performance, but was

Twitter explains how hackers managed to hijack so many accounts

Twitter Bitcoin 130
SlashGear / 5h
Twitter has finally published a complete blog post detailing the security incident that rocked its platform last week, one that involved the hijacking of several major accounts. According to the company, and as of July 17, Twitter’s investigation indicates that the hackers targeted select employees to get their credentials, which were then used to access the company’s internal systems. A … Contin

Dive into Microsoft Azure and Prep for Key Certifications with this Training

Futurism / 5h
Microsoft Azure is kind of a big deal. The cloud computing service drives virtual desktops, communications tools like email, content delivery networks that ensure your files are always available, and so much more. According to Microsoft , 95% of the Fortune 500 use Microsoft Azure. And, Azure is only going to become more important for IT departments. Even before the current situation, remote work

All Delta Tickets Are Now Refundable, Just Claim A Fake Exemption To The Mask Requirement

43View from the Wing / 5h
U.S. airlines now require that passengers wear masks in order to fly. They've been lobbying the federal government to require it, but it seems like compliance on planes is actually better than average compared to many states where it's a legal requirement. Passengers who have medical reasons not to wear a mask are exempt from the requirement. Delta is going a step farther than other airlines (as

IndyCar’s Aeroscreen gets first real test, saves lives at Iowa race

63Ars Technica / 5h
Colton Herta (L) flies over the top of Rinus VeeKay (R) after a potentially nasty crash at Iowa Speedway. [credit: Chris Jones/IndyCar ] The biggest change to IndyCar in 2020, other than a coronavirus-altered schedule , has been the addition of the new driver-protecting Aeroscreen to each of the race cars. On Friday night at Iowa Speedway,the Aeroscreen got it first real tests in a pair of potent

1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R driven by Ken Miles sets an auction record

69SlashGear / 5h
One of the biggest movies of last year was the “Ford v Ferrari” flick that detailed how and why Ford decided to challenge Ferrari at Le Mans in the 60s. One of the key and iconic figures to that program was legendary racer Ken Miles, portrayed in the film by Christian Bale. The actual prototype 1965 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R … Continue reading

Chinese Tianwen-1 Mars mission now sits on the launch pad

SlashGear / 5h
China is one step closer to launching its Tianwen-1 Mars mission as the rocket that will send the mission into space now sits on the launch pad. Chinese mission planners are using a launch pad at the Wenchang Space Launch Center in the Hainan Province in southern China. The rocket the mission will use to reach orbit is a Long … Continue reading

ISS astronauts replace aging batteries in the latest ISS spacewalk

NASA SpaceX Earth ISS
SlashGear / 5h
NASA has been conducting a prolonged campaign of upgrading batteries on the outside of the International Space Station (ISS), and the upgrade process is nearly complete. Recently two astronauts changed out critical solar array batteries marking the near completion of a battery revitalization project that will keep the space station powered through 2024. The two astronauts, Chris Cassidy and Bob …

Blizzard's 'Overwatch: Cities and Countries' Map Music Is Now Available

20How-To Geek / 6h
Video game music is often just as interesting as the games are, and Blizzard’s Overwatch is no different. The gaming titan just released a new soundtrack from the game, now available on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, entitled Overwatch: Cities and Countries featuring the pre-battle tunes from each core map. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

Modder Controls 'Mario 64' with Real Jumps, Thanks to Kinect Controls

How-To Geek / 6h
When Microsoft debuted the Kinect camera accessory on the Xbox 360, it billed it as a revolutionary way to bring your real life motions into your games. That … didn’t happen. But a modder on YouTube got the Kinect working with classic 3D platformer Mario 64, controlling many actions of the portly plumber with motion controls. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

Your guide to calling a credit card reconsideration line

The Points Guy / 6h
Credit card issuers have the final say over whether or not your application is approved, and they rely on data like your credit score , income and history with the issuer to make that decision. Obviously, the goal is to get as many of your applications approved as possible, and you can help your chances by applying for cards that match your credit profile and studying up on issuer-specific restri

How book a trip to the Dominican Republic using points and miles

The Points Guy / 6h
At TPG, we paused traveling to help slow the spread of COVID-19. Local and federal governments around the globe are now debating the appropriate levels of isolation and distancing. Before booking that next trip, we recommend you talk to your doctor, follow health officials’ guidance and research local travel restrictions . TPG is continuing to publish deals, reviews and general travel news to inf

Five golf courses, 23 tennis courts and 41 pools: A review of the La Quinta Resort & Club, A Waldorf Astoria in Palm Springs

The Points Guy / 6h
Editor’s note: During the COVID-19 crisis, our team has temporarily ceased taking review trips. Instead, we have been publishing a selection of our most popular reviews from the past year. However, we have resumed the publication of new, previously unpublished flight , hotel and lounge reviews, from trips taken before the lockdown. We hope this will help you choose once we’re all ready to start b

Hitting the Books: How to huck a human into low Earth orbit

100+Engadget / 6h
Astronauts may get the glory for successful spaceflights but they’d never even get off the ground if not for the folks at Mission Control. In Shuttle, Houston: My Life in the Center Seat of Mission Control , Paul Dye vividly recounts his 20-year career as NASA’s Flight Director where he oversaw two dozen Space Shuttle missions between 1993 and his retirement in 2013. Readers are afforded an unpre

The cheapest 10Gb Ethernet adapter has just landed and it's not that expensive

32TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
Modern laptops sometimes come without an Ethernet port, but OWC’s Thunderbolt 3 10G adapter can add a 10 GbE connector to your PC or Mac.

Take your living room to the next level with these Samsung QLED TV deals

TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
Samsung QLED TV deals are cutting prices on the Q60 range of premium displays this weekend.

Flying Air Canada A320 Business Class In The Coronavirus Era

42One Mile at a Time / 7h
READ MORE FROM THIS TRIP • International Travel In A New Era • Our first flight enroute to Bodrum was from Fort Lauderdale to Montreal on Air Canada. Let me share the itinerary that we booked to get to Bodrum, and then I’ll get into my review of Air Canada’s updated business class service. Our flight itinerary to Bodrum Understandably airlines are operating limited schedules at the moment, and m

NASA opens registration for 2020 Mars rover virtual social launch event

SlashGear / 7h
NASA can’t invite the public to witness its 2020 Perseverance rover launch for Mars in person later this month, but it does have an alternative plan: a virtual social gathering. The space agency has announced opened registration for its ‘#CountdownToMars Social,’ one that will take place in a Facebook group. Anyone who agrees to the terms can join and participate … Continue reading

Samsung OneConnect box is still a marvel, so why do so few Samsung TVs get it?

Samsung Galaxy Note 20
20TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
While Samsung’s nifty OneConnect box was initially intended as a standard feature across its QLED range, you’ll now find it on a far smaller fraction of new TVs than in 2019.

A future Apple Pencil stylus could pick out colors from the real world

Apple iPhone Week 2020
20TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
A newly published patent details a "computer stylus" that could sample colors on physical objects for your digital doodles.

You should watch the excellent John Lewis documentary, 'Good Trouble'

Rubio Georgia John Lewis
500+Mashable / 7h
Georgia Congessman John Lewis died on Friday at the age of 80. You should take some time to learn about his life and work in the Dawn Porter-directed documentary, John Lewis: Good Trouble . The Civil Rights icon leaves behind the legacy of a fighter for peace who spent the bulk of his time on Earth working to ensure equal treatment for people of color in the United States. He was the last living

How to Unsubscribe from a YouTube Channel

24How-To Geek / 7h
YouTube has content on almost every topic imaginable, and while some channels are worth hitting the subscribe button, others simply aren’t. If you have subscribed to YouTube channels that you watch anymore, you can unsubscribe following these steps. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

How to Figure Out Your Blood Type

200+Lifehacker / 7h
Ask a person of a certain age what their blood type is, and chance are they’ll know it offhand. From military dog tags to Cold War-era tattoos on children , the idea was that knowing your blood type could save your life in an emergency situation where you might need blood immediately. But what used to be a crucial… Read more...

Want to Maintain Online Privacy and Security Without Sacrificing Speed and Performance?

Futurism / 7h
If you’re at all concerned about the privacy and security of your personal data on the Internet, you’ve probably already thought about trying a virtual private network, or VPN. But in case you’re unclear on what a VPN is, here’s a quick introduction: Basically, whenever you use the Internet, it’s possible that everyone from hackers to law enforcement to your own ISP can see what you are browsing

Recommended Reading: Livestreamed concerts with no crowds are still extremely risky

55Engadget / 7h
Underoath on risks and excitement of full-album livestream concert series Eli Enis, Revolver The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed bands to Instagram Live, YouTube streams and other avenues to keep in touch with fans. Typically, those performances are stripped down acoustic sets or pre-recorded and edited short films, since band members risk contracting (or spreading) the virus if they congregate. Met

Groups Of Passengers Brawl At Philadelphia Baggage Claim, While Employees Stand By Filming

100+View from the Wing / 7h
Two groups of passengers began egging each other on after American Airlines flight AA2333 from Miami to Philadelphia early in the week, culminating in a brawl at baggage claim. Continue reading ...

Scientists unlocked the secret of how these ultrablack fish absorb light

300+Ars Technica / 7h
Anoplogaster cornuta Enlarge / One specimen of the ultrablack fish species Anoplogaster cornuta . A unique arrangement of pigment-packed granules enables some fish to absorb nearly all of the light that hits their skin, so that as little as 0.05 percent of that light is reflected back. (credit: Karen Osborn/Smithsonian ) In the darkest depths of the ocean, where little to no light from the surfac

iOS 14's new perks show me how low my expectations are for Apple upgrades

28TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
I've loved iOS 14's new tweaks, even if they're mostly things Android got years ago – which tells me how low my Apple upgrade expectations are.

Intel Alder Lake leak details integrated graphics – and might disappoint some

32TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
On the other hand, this could just hint at more competitive pricing for Intel’s 12th-gen chips.

How to Apply to Work Remotely from Georgia (The Country)

200+Lifehacker / 8h
If, like many people, you’ve realized that you will be working remotely for the foreseeable future, you may have considered relocating. Earlier this week, we highlighted a new visa program that lets Americans work remotely from Barbados for a year. But working in a tropical paradise isn’t for everyone. For those… Read more...

The Morning After: The first side-mounted selfie camera

100+Engadget / 8h
The story behind Twitter’s massive breach on Wednesday is taking more strange turns. On Friday the New York Times published a report based on interviews with people from the “OGUsers” forum where someone sold access to the internal tools that could take over anyone’s account. No one identified “Kirk,” the person behind the scheme. Their story is that he claimed to be a Twitter employee but may be

Google Play Pass games, price, and what you need to know about the Apple Arcade rival

36TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 8h
Google Play Pass is finally out worldwide – here’s what you need to know about Google’s mobile gaming subscription service.

Who Pulled Off the Twitter Hack?

200+Wired / 8h
Plus: WhatsApp's court case, a VPN exposed, and more of the week's top security news.

Facebook Brings Messenger's Screen Sharing Feature to Mobile Devices

61How-To Geek / 8h
To share your screen, start a video call and swipe up from the bottom of your screen to see Messenger’s Call Options. Then, click “share your screen” and press through a few privacy warnings (you are about to show people your phone, after all). Now you can navigate your phone and broadcast its screen to the video chat. To end the broadcast, go back to the Messenger app and press “Stop Sharing.” R

Ask Engadget: What's the best way to annotate digital textbooks?

43Engadget / 8h
This week's question asks how to make notes on textbooks when using a tablet or e-reader. Weigh in with your advice in the comments -- and feel free to send your own questions along to ask@engadget.com! What is the best e-reader or tablet to view, read and annotate textbooks on? I'm assuming (or just hoping) you've managed to get some of your textbooks in PDF form — those are the easiest to mark

Solar+battery in one device sets new efficiency standard

100+Ars Technica / 8h
Enlarge / Existing solar+battery solutions involve two separated pieces of hardware. (credit: DOE ) The drop in battery prices is enabling battery integration with renewable systems in two contexts. In one, the battery serves as a short-term power reservoir to smooth over short-term fluctuations in the output of renewable power. In the other, the battery holds the power for when renewable power p

How to Unlock the Nook Shopping App in ‘Animal Crossing: New Horizons’

Animal Crossing NH
How-To Geek / 8h
In Animal Crossing: New Horizons on the Nintendo Switch, you can unlock the Nook Shopping app for your Nook Phone. With the app, you can access your shopping catalog from anywhere, which is useful if you’re too busy to make the trip to the Resident Services shopping kiosk. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

Engineer builds barber robot that gives quarantine haircuts

37SlashGear / 8h
YouTube channel Stuff Made Here has published a new video showing off what is arguably one of the riskiest ways to cut your own hair: using a homemade robot wielding a pair of sharp scissors. No, host and subject of the video Shane doesn’t lose an eye or an ear during the haircut, but he does show off the construction … Continue reading

Email charges: 'They've got you over a barrel'

1KBBC News - Technology / 9h
Ofcom say it is concerned some people are "not being treated fairly" in email address charges.

Redeem Hyatt Points For A $3,700 Per Night, Three Bedroom Villa

79One Mile at a Time / 9h
Yesterday I wrote about how it’s now possible to redeem World of Hyatt points for suites online , and this is creating some interesting opportunities. “Premium suites” are inconsistent World of Hyatt is the only major hotel loyalty program that lets you redeem points for suites at a fixed cost. Hyatt lets you redeem for either “standard” or “premium” suites, though it’s up to individual propertie

The Addenbrooke's Hospital app giving patients who cannot talk a voice

500+BBC News - Technology / 9h
The hospital-developed program lets ill patients who cannot speak the chance to interact with staff.

Now is the ideal time to invest in Sky's fibre broadband deals with no upfront costs

20TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
Sky's fibre broadband deals look great right now with nothing to pay upfront and some super quick speeds.

Masks Can’t Stop Passengers With Raging Hormones

27View from the Wing / 9h
Usually passengers use the lavatory. Far less common is when passengers just stay at their seats although those are the stories that go most viral especially when they've only just met on board. I don't know the story of these two passengers, but you can see that even though love hit them at least one is still wearing a mask . Continue reading ...

This is Not a Drill--Ring Fit Adventure Stayed in Stock For More Than Five Minutes, Grab a Copy Now

26Gizmodo / 9h
Ring Fit Adventure | $80 | Walmart Read more...

The World Is Noisy. These Groups Want to Restore the Quiet

200+Wired / 9h
Silence is increasingly scarce, even in national parks. Now, scientists and environmentalists are working to calm the noise for the good of nature—and for us.

'Supernatural' for Oculus Quest is a fun cardio game for the exercise-averse

57Mashable / 9h
Supernatural $19/month View Product The Good High-quality graphics • Engaging gameplay The Bad Fast-paced action can lead to injury • VR too cumbersome for exercise The Bottom Line Supernatural is a great VR game with a cardio upside, but its emphasis on speed, repetitive squatting, and lunging could cause problems. ⚡ Mashable Score 4.0 😎 Cool Factor 5.0 📘Learning Curve 4.0 💪Performance 3.0 💵

Death Stranding on PC almost hits 60fps at 8K – all it takes is a $2,500 Nvidia GPU

66TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
Death Stranding on PC almost delivers on the 8K at 60fps dream... but it comes at a cost.

Marvel’s Falcon and Winter Soldier Disney+ series delayed over pandemic

Falcon the Winter Soldier
20SlashGear / 10h
Disney has delayed an upcoming Marvel television series for its Disney+ streaming service, revealing that The Falcon and Winter Soldier will not arrive on the platform in August as originally anticipated. The reason for the delay is an obvious one — the series was hit with a production pause as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, straining the project’s timeline. … Continue reading

How to master the virtual samurai ways in 'Ghost of Tsushima'

Ghost Tsushima One
48Mashable / 10h
Ghost of Tsushima makes one thing clear very quickly: You're not going to have an easy time carving a bloody path across feudal Japan. Don't be ashamed if your first hours as Jin Sakai are marked by game over screens Ghost of Tsushima isn't exactly at the Dark Souls level of making you feel like you're terrible at video games, but combat is paced in a way that emphasizes patience and striking wit

What it would take for a big box chain like Walmart to go package-free

37Mashable / 10h
It's hard to picture now, but one day, something other than coronavirus might change your trip to the grocery store. Imagine entering your nearest chain grocery store to find nuts, pasta, flour, and fresh produce sold exclusively in bulk, with high-tech measuring and distribution methods specific to each product. In the cleaning and houseware aisles, there's laundry detergent, shampoo, and lotion

Sick of 'Animal Crossing'? Try 'Ooblets'

100+Wired / 10h
If Tom Nook is getting you down, a new farming simulator offers a sweet escape.

The 16 Best Weekend Deals: Tech Gear, Mattresses, and More

100+Wired / 10h
Whether it's time to upgrade your headphones or you need to change up your sleeping routine, these sales have you covered.

How to Get Custom Themes on Windows 10 (with Stardock Curtains)

72How-To Geek / 11h
If you’ve ever wanted to change the look and feel of Windows 10, there’s an easy way to do it thanks to Stardock Curtains, a new paid utility from the makers of Fences and WindowBlinds. Here’s how to set it up. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

Can this high-intensity interval bike boost your workout?

100+BBC News - Technology / 11h
The bike uses interval training to optimise your exercise, but what is it like to use?

Fahim Saleh: Pathao and Gokada CEO's assistant charged with his murder

Saleh Manhattan Gokada
1KBBC News - Technology / 11h
The body of Fahim Saleh was found decapitated and dismembered in his Manhattan apartment on Tuesday.

Samsung Galaxy Buds Live leaks show three colors and hint at noise cancellation

Samsung Galaxy Note 20
42TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
As the launch date approaches, we've got some new looks at the next generation of Samsung's truly wireless earbuds.

Everything coming to Disney+ in August 2020

24Mashable / 11h
Read more... More about Entertainment , Disney , Muppets , Disney Plus , and Phineas And Ferb

Xiaomi's Mi Smart Band 5 is missing one of its best features for its global release

29TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
Yet again, Xiaomi's latest fitness tracker isn't as good in its worldwide release as it is in China.

COVID-19 vaccine candidates: Key ones to follow

SlashGear / 11h
COVID-19 cases continue to rise in many countries suggesting clearly that the pandemic is showing no signs of slowing down. The virus remains number one human enemy with the sole intention of finding people to infect. The only way to remain safe from the virus is to break chains of transmission by following public health principles of social distancing, washing … Continue reading

Your electric bike really needs insurance – here's why

28TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
It might not be a legal requirement where you live, but e-bike insurance is still a really, really good idea.

These are the five strongest SIM only deals this week: Three, iD, Smarty and more

20TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
These are the best SIM only deals available this weekend with the likes of Three, Smarty and more.

Meet the $12 bathroom essential you never knew you needed

48Mashable / 12h
TL;DR: Get out of the bathroom in a reasonable amount of time with the Toilet Timer , on sale for $11.99 as of July 18 and a savings of 20%. Unless you're waiting in line, experts say that going to the bathroom (number two included) shouldn't take more than five minutes. If you're sitting around longer than that, you're apparently doing something wrong. Not to worry, there's a handy Toilet Timer

This gift card deal gets you a Sam's Club membership essentially for free

44Mashable / 12h
TL;DR: As of July 18, you can gain access to Sam's Club essentially for free when you purchase this deal that gets you a membership and $45 in electronic gift cards . Want to avoid all the crazies who refuse to wear masks? Starting July 20, Sam's Club members will be required to wear masks in all locations across the country. And good news: you can become a member basically for free with this lim

Learn how to draw from artists who worked at Marvel and Dreamworks

44Mashable / 12h
TL;DR: Level up your artistry with the Pencil Kings Ultimate Character Drawing and Design course bundle for $34.99, an 80% savings as of July 18. Rather than dishing out hundreds of thousands of dollars at a prestigious art school you may or may not even get to attend in person, wouldn't you rather work on your drawing, painting, and design skills at your own pace, from your own house? If this so

Snag a collection of expert Photoshop lessons for less than $20

44Mashable / 12h
TL;DR: Take your photos to the next level with The Beginner's Guide to Photoshop online learning bundle for $17.99, a 97% savings as of July 18. Got plans this weekend? If you've always wanted to dive into Adobe Photoshop, now could be a good time. You can start learning as soon as possible with The Beginner's Guide to Photoshop Bundle . This $17.99 investment has been marked down from its origin

24 Apple products that are actually on sale this weekend

iMac Daily Apple 70%
72Mashable / 12h
Dearest Apple: We love you, but your products are just so damn expensive. Finding Apple gear on sale is like finding a needle in a haystack – extremely rare and unlikely. So, when you do come across it, you jump on it. Immediately. From certified-refurbished (certified to work like new) MacBooks to brand-new Apple Watches, here are 24 deals on Apple gear and Apple-certified chargers for the weeke



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