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

Wednesday, September 9, 2020

Early Wednesday Technology and More

Technology and More!


Vera Rubin: Super telescope's giant camera spies broccoli

500+BBC News - Technology / 2h
The camera detector for the Vera Rubin Observatory takes its first test images in the laboratory.

Panasonic to expand battery capacity at Tesla Gigafactory

200+TechCrunch / 7h
Panasonic is adding another production line to the massive factory it operates with Tesla in Nevada, an expansion that will increase battery cell capacity by 10%. The Sparks facility, dubbed Gigafactory 1, is the centerpiece of Tesla’s plan to expand global battery capacity and reduce the cost of electric vehicles. Panasonic has been its most important partner in that project, which, based on a r

Sturgis Motorcycle Rally study links event to 266k new COVID-19 cases

41SlashGear / 6h
The 2020 Sturgis Motorcycle Rally that took place in South Dakota last month has been linked to more than a quarter-million new COVID-19 cases and more than $12 billion in public health care costs, according to a new study. The event lasted 10 days and attracted nearly half a million people over that duration, many of whom chose not to … Continue reading


Oppo will unveil Color OS 11 based on Android 11 next week

TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5min
Oppo is all set to unveil the next iteration of the ColorOS based on Android 11 on September 14.

Samsung to make Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4 series

TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5min
Samsung Electronics' foundry business has been winning numerous big deals with global tech giants. The latest is with Qualcomm to produce its Snapdragon 4 series starting next year.

Netflix merges English and local language programming under one VP

Netflix Hastings One
40Engadget / 28min
Netflix has streamlined its content team by merging its English and local language original programming under a single head, undergoing a leadership shakeup in the process. Newly-appointed co-CEO Ted Sarandos has named Bela Bajaria, who used to be the streaming giant’s VP for local language originals, as VP of global TV. As a result, Netflix veteran Cindy Holland will be leaving in October after

Daisy Ridley reveals Star Wars sequel trilogy plans once included 'an Obi-Wan connection' to Rey

27Mashable / 33min
Whatever your thoughts on Star Wars: Episode IX: The Rise Of Skywalker: No Really This Is The Last One: At Least For A While , it's hard to argue that the sudden resurrection of Emperor Sheev Palpatine aka Darth Sidious — and his status as the galaxy's #1 evil zombie granddad — felt awkwardly shoehorned in. Especially after trilogy predecessor The Last Jedi went to great pains to emphasize that h

Viral article puts the brakes on China’s food delivery frenzy

Chinese Trump China US
100+TechCrunch / 51min
For China’s food delivery workers, life can feel like a constant battle with algorithms, traffic police, and disgruntled customers. An essay detailing the hazardous work conditions of China’s food delivery drivers went viral on the internet on Tuesday, causing a moment of national reckonings on algorithmic harms to people. In China’s populated urban hubs, one won’t miss the army of express courie

PS5 pre-orders may 'kick off' this week, according to tweet from UK retailer Game

TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
According to a now-deleted tweet from the major UK retailer, PS5 pre-orders could open this week – but we're skeptical.

Android brings G Suite collaboration to MS Office files

20TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
Microsoft and Google bring collaboration feature to Office files like - Word, Excel and PowerPoint, uploaded on G Suite.

Silver Lake to invest Rs 7,500 cr in Reliance Retail -- here's why

TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 2h
The Silver Lake - Reliance love story continues. Silver Lake had earlier invested in Jio Platforms in two tranches, and now the American technology investor company is joining foces with Reliance Retail.

Uber pledges all-electric fleet by 2040

Uber US 2040 2030 Europe
500+BBC News - Technology / 2h
The transportation company says it has a "responsibility" to tackle climate change.

Dawn Capital closes another $400M fund to focus on B2B software

100+TechCrunch / 2h
Dawn Capital , the London-based VC that focuses on B2B software, has closed its fourth and largest fund: $400 million that it plans to use to continue investing in early stage startups. Oversubscribed and closed (all remotely) within six months of launching in the midst of a global health pandemic, the news underscores how VCs — and their investors — continue to see opportunity in the region, des

Fall Guys: Tiny blobs, obstacle courses and hate mail

300+BBC News - Technology / 2h
Fall Guys has had millions of downloads, but even fluffy obstacle courses can't make everyone happy.

Ambani’s Reliance Retail to raise $1 billion from Silver Lake

100+TechCrunch / 3h
Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s retail business Reliance Retail said on Wednesday it will raise $1.02 billion from Silver Lake, kickstarting a fundraising spree months after its sister venture Jio Platforms raised $20 billion . The investment in Reliance Retail will grant Silver Lake a 1.75% equity stake in India’s largest retail chain. The deal values Reliance Retail at $57 billion pre-money,

Android 11 open beta now available for OnePlus 8 series

11 Open Beta OnePlus 8
20TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 3h
OnePlus has now started Android 11 open beta builds for OnePlus 8 series. This is based on the new OxygenOS 11.

'Star Trek: Discovery' season 3 trailer shows the crew landing in the future

Star Trek Discovery
100+Engadget / 3h
CBS All Access has released the official trailer for the third season of Star Trek: Discovery , giving you a glimpse of what’s in store for its characters after they went into a wormhole last season. It shows Commander Michael Burnham and the rest of the USS Discovery crew make a one-way trip and land in an unknown future where the Federation has mostly collapsed. They must now work together and

5 of the best budget computer speakers for your home office

Amazon 5 FBA Days
44Mashable / 3h
Now that so many people are working from home full-time, a lot of us are spending a lot of time in front of our home computers. And if there’s one thing that’s true about most computers, it’s that they have pretty terrible built-in speakers. Chances are, you’ll max out the volume button on your laptop and still find the sound too soft to hear your boss on a Zoom or Google Meet conference. And if

Huawei to also lose Samsung, SK Hynix memory chips due to US ban

SMIC Huawei China US
SlashGear / 3h
The walls are seemingly closing in on Huawei as the beleaguered Chinese company continues to lose suppliers and potential reprieves in light of the US’ increasing export restrictions against it. Next week will see the implementation of new rules that would prevent Huawei from having access even to semiconductors and materials needed to manufacture its products and it seems that … Continue reading

Android 11 preview now available for Realme X50 Pro users

Android 11 Google Pixel
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 3h
The Realme X50 users can now test the Android 11 preview build. Realme has opened a slot for 100 users.

Oppo brings its Apple-esque smartwatch and new headphone range to Australia

OPPO Reno Pro India
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 3h
Oppo is releasing its Apple Watch and AirPod competitors Down Under, and will be opening an online store to boot.

Cyber sale: save AU$640 on Dell’s Alienware M15 gaming laptop

TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
Dell knocks 20% off its flagship gaming laptop

Huel Hot & Savory deliver two healthy vegan meals in an instant

SlashGear / 4h
In the world of nutrition and cooking, “quick” and “healthy” are almost always at opposing ends. Companies like Soylent and Huel have risen to fame for their healthy meal replacements but those can’t really be considered “meals” in the traditional sense. Huel, however, is now stepping out of its comfort zone to leave Soylent in its dust with its new … Continue reading

This ridiculously tiny PC is now available at a massive discount

28TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
The LarkBox is available right now at a bargain price but won’t ship for three weeks.

Redmi Smart Band goes on sale today

TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
The Redmi Smart Band with two weeks battery life and heart rate monitor will go on sale in India today.

Sony's rumored A7C 'super compact' full-framer could be announced September 15

28TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
Sony's Japanese website has a date and time for when we'll see a new Alpha camera concept from the electronics giant.

OPPO ColorOS 11 to races to be one of the first to roll out Android 11

SlashGear / 5h
For the longest time, smartphones from Chinese brands have been regarded as nothing more than iPhone copycats, both in hardware design and in software user experience. That is mostly history by now, with almost all the major brands like OPPO and Xiaomi moving away from that stereotype and developing their own distinct identities and features. This year, OPPO is taking … Continue reading

Meet the Next Legendary Star Trek Pet: Grudge the Cat

Star Trek Discovery
500+Gizmodo / 5h
We have breaking news. The upcoming season of Star Trek: Discovery is going to be the best one ever. We know this, for a fact , because it’ll be the first with Grudge the cat. Read more...

Waze now lets you move planned drives from Web to phone

SlashGear / 5h
A lot more people are spending their time online these days but those are probably done on their desktops and laptops. There will come a time, however, when they will have to leave the comfort and safety of their homes but moving their information from computer to mobile isn’t always as seamless as moving from your desk to your car. … Continue reading

Revisit Breath of the Wild’s world in Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity

Hyrule Warriors Calamity
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 5h
Set 100 years before Breath of the Wild, the latest Hyrule Warriors game shows what occurred at the Great Calamity.

Vodafone's serving up 100GB for a tiny AU$45/month in this ripper mobile plan deal

20TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
Vodafone is chopping AU$15 off this mobile plan each month, saving you AU$180 over your first year.

ZTE Axon 20 5G under-display camera trick revealed in macro shot

22SlashGear / 6h
ZTE claims to have successfully pulled off what other companies like Samsung are taking forever to do. Of course, we’re still waiting for hard, real-world evidence that the Axon 20 5G’s under-display camera is all that it’s advertised to be. ZTE is wasting no time trying to prove that it’s theory is sound but one pair of photos may reveal … Continue reading

Star Trek: Discovery S3 goes back to the future in first trailer

Star Trek Discovery
100+Ars Technica / 6h
Star Trek: Discovery returns to CBS All Access for a third season on October 15, 2020. It's Star Trek Day today, marking the 54th anniversary of the TV debut of Star Trek: The Original Series . CBS All Access celebrated by streaming an entire day of programming related to the franchise , including several panels for its ongoing and forthcoming series. Among other tidbits, CBS dropped the first tr

Google Area 120 Orion WiFi shifts phones to WiFi when cellular is weak

Google Orion Wifi Wi-Fi
SlashGear / 6h
It isn’t unusual that we lose our cellular signals in certain places, be it indoors because of structural impediments or outdoors for one reason or another. There’s a reason why some establishments offer free public Wi-Fi to keep visitors happy, but the hassle of figuring out which ones are safe to connect to makes them sad anyway. That’s why Google’s … Continue reading

Fujifilm's next instant camera could be called the Instax Square SQ1

20TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
Product images of a new Fujifilm instant camera have been leaked, indicating an imminent launch.

Apple Says 'Epic’s Conduct Threatens the Very Existence of the iOS Ecosystem' in Countersuit

Apple Epic Fortnite
200+Gizmodo / 7h
The showdown between Apple and Epic Games shows no signs of being over. Apple filed its countersuit today against the Fortnite maker, seeking compensatory and punitive damages in addition to asking the court to hold Epic accountable for its contractual obligations with Apple. Read more...

What's the Best Electric Toothbrush?

64Gizmodo / 7h
I’m sure I’m not alone in how I choose to allocate all this extra quarantine time we’ve gotten. Between movies, gaming, and all the random stuff on social media that brings my perspective on humanity into constant question, I’ve spent a lot more time entertaining myself recently, and that naturally means more snacks… Read more...

What's the Best Electric Toothbrush?

64Lifehacker / 7h
I’m sure I’m not alone in how I choose to allocate all this extra quarantine time we’ve gotten. Between movies, gaming, and all the random stuff on social media that brings my perspective on humanity into constant question, I’ve spent a lot more time entertaining myself recently, and that naturally means more snacks… Read more...

Epic quietly made an important change to Fortnite reboot vans

Epic Fall Guys Fortnite
SlashGear / 7h
Epic doesn’t provide Fortnite players with patch notes anymore, a decision that remains controversial among players. Because of this, it can take time for players to notice any changes made in the game, particularly ones that aren’t readily noticeable. Case in point? Players are just now realizing that in the most recent game patch, Epic introduced a big change to … Continue reading

Liquidweb's iThemes adds membership management company to portfolio

20TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 7h
iThemes will allow users to expand the membership and course offerings for their sites through Restrict Content Pro acquisition.

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds look like an imminent threat to Apple’s AirPods Pro

Bose AirPods Noise
33TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 8h
A new leaked marketing video suggests that Bose could launch its QuietComfort true wireless earbuds in the very near future.

Razer reveals a special gum to ‘maintain’ gamers’ focus and reaction time

Razer Respawn 5 Gum
30SlashGear / 8h
Razer, the company best known for its PC gaming peripherals, has announced a new partnership with Wrigley’s 5 gum to launch — you guessed it — a new chewing gum product. Called ‘Respawn,’ the new treat is a fortified chewing gum marketed as a way to boost gamers’ reaction time and focus, something made possible by this wonderful, incredibly common … Continue reading

Knife's Out

21Gizmodo / 8h
You might think you know everything you need to know about a guy based solely on the fact that he refers to himself as “Knife Dog,” and mostly you’d be right. A personal arsenal of swords and knives? Obviously. A soft spot for gruesome medical conditions? You betcha. An air of intellectual superiority exposed by… Read more...

Apple says Epic’s Fortnite payment scheme “is theft, period.”

Apple Epic Fortnite
100+Ars Technica / 8h
Fortnite Enlarge / Apple says the example here, showing Fortnite 's alternative payment scheme on iOS, amounts to "theft" by Epic Games. (credit: Kate Cox / Ars Technica ) Apple is going on the offensive in its continuing legal battles with Epic Games over the iOS version of Fortnite . In a wide-ranging motion filed Tuesday afternoon , Apple defended itself against Epic's legal charges while also

American has eliminated Flagship First onboard service — could it be gone for good?

38The Points Guy / 8h
The pandemic has changed flying for both airlines and passengers alike. Passengers care more about onboard cleanliness and safety than ever before, even at the expense of service. Meanwhile, airlines have felt the catastrophic financial impact of the downturn in travel. That has culminated in the elimination of many service elements, including the death of first class (at least temporarily) for m

Sign up to learn about funding options with the IFundWomen team

200+TechCrunch / 8h
Disrupt 2020 is mere days away, but we’ve added pre-Disrupt events to help startup founders up their game, increase their ROI and drive their business forward. What’s next on the agenda? If you’re a founder with big ideas, get ready for a rare opportunity designed to help you fund your startup dreams. Thursday, September 10th at 10am PT / 1pm ET, IFundWomen , the go-to marketplace for women-owned

Gillmor Gang: Table Stakes

90TechCrunch / 8h
I quite like the iPad Pro 11 inch with the Magic Keyboard. In the Land of Pandemic, where every day is Saturday, the tablet is king. With no real purchase on the chaotic flow of life, the rules — any rules — of the road are very dear to me. Structure is arbitrary but mandatory. Strategy is Niagara Falls: slowly I turned, step by step, inch by inch. What exactly do I mean? First, the tablet is a s

I, Too, Had a Terrifying Encounter With Satanism in an Airbnb or Maybe My Own Apartment or Whatever

100+Gizmodo / 9h
On Monday, an Airbnb user named Frederick Joseph tweeted out his experience with his Labor Day weekend rental—namely, that it was filled with “seemingly Satanic items and stuff for witchcraft rituals” such as a small replica of the Church of Satan’s statue of Baphomet , a pheasant skin, a photo of a topless woman, a… Read more...

Taboola and Outbrain call off their $850M merger

78TechCrunch / 9h
Online advertising is a game of scale, but one attempt to consolidate two competitors to better take on Google and Facebook has fallen apart. Taboola and Outbrain , startups that each provide publishers with ad-based content recommendation platforms, have called off a planned $850 million merger that would have valued the combined company at more than $2 billion. The news of the cancellation had

Vizio SmartCast TVs finally get Apple TV app support

Apple TV VIZIO SmartCast
SlashGear / 9h
Vizio SmartCast, the smart TV model from Vizio, finally offers direct support for Apple TV, the company has announced. This support eliminates the need to use a third-party streaming device to access Apple’s relatively new Apple TV+ streaming service, which has already arrived on a number of other non-Apple devices. The announcement is joined by a special Apple TV+ promotion … Continue reading

States Are Closing Oil Rigs at an Alarming Rate

67Gizmodo / 9h
The pandemic has dramatically decreased demand for oil and gas, and a new analysis shows producers are responding to the dip. Companies are idling the tools that help them tap fossil fuels under the Earth, slowing exploration down. Read more...

Daily Crunch: Apple files countersuit against Epic

100+TechCrunch / 9h
Apple strikes back at Epic Games, Android 11 is here and Microsoft announces a new stripped-down Xbox. This is your Daily Crunch for September 8, 2020. The big story: Apple files countersuit against Epic Apple has made the latest move in a legal battle against Epic Games, filing a lawsuit claiming that the company behind Fortnite is in breach of contract. “Although Epic portrays itself as a moder

Apple could be preparing its own VPN or search engine

Apple iPhone 12 September
24TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
Murmurs from Taiwan potentially highlight future plans of Cupertino-based behemoth.

How to watch America's Got Talent: stream season 15 semi-finals online from anywhere

TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 9h
The heat is on as twenty acts compete for a place in the final. Catch the latest and watch America's Got Talent: season 15 online now.

Arturia's KeyStep 37 is a $199 MIDI controller with scale and strum modes

74Engadget / 9h
Arturia's KeyStep family is getting a bit bigger with the announcement of the KeyStep 37 . The new $199 controller fits in between the $149 KeyStep and $449 KeyStep Pro . As you might have guessed from its name, it features 37 velocity-sensitive slimkeys with aftertouch, giving it five more keys than the already hefty KeyStep. Another thing it has over its sibling is a set of LED indicators above

Apple fires back in Fortnite App Store battle

Apple Epic Fortnite
400+BBC News - Technology / 9h
The tech giant said its dispute with the firm behind the game was a "basic disagreement over money".

United Airlines Offers 30 Clues For New Routes They’ll Be Announcing Tomorrow

300+View from the Wing / 9h
At 10 a.m. Central time (11 a.m. Eastern) on Wednesday United is making a big route announcement, and they're dropping hints - they say there are 30 clues - in a video posted to social media. Here's the video, and some of the hints they're dropping. There'll almost certainly be new transatlantic service from Washington Dulles, Newark, and Chicago. A Boeing 767-300ER is involved. And there's a new

Twitter begins adding headlines and descriptions to some of its ‘trends’

200+TechCrunch / 9h
Twitter is working to make its real-time Trending section less confusing. Last week, the company announced it would begin pinning to the trend’s page a representative tweet that gives more insight about a trend and promised more changes would soon be underway. Today, the company says it will begin writing headlines and descriptions for some of the trends, too, so you’ll better understand why some

How many passengers have US airlines banned for not wearing masks?

34The Points Guy / 9h
Delta calls it a “no-fly list.” At Frontier, it’s a “Prevent Departure list.” No matter what it’s called, you don’t want your name to appear — travelers who end up there will have to find another carrier to fly, at least for the time being. Historically, airlines have banned customers for a handful of reasons , from obnoxious behavior to noncompliance with crew member instructions. Recently, howe

Apple event on September 15th: What to expect

23SlashGear / 9h
Apple may toss a wrench into expectations for their next big event. Where before this week it was expected that Apple would soon reveal the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro, rumors today suggest that we’ll see an iPad and an Apple Watch instead. Could this be a major upset for iPhone fans looking to upgrade to a new model … Continue reading

Lucid Motors’ all-electric Air will start below $80,000

200+TechCrunch / 10h
After months of teasers and announcements, Lucid Motors will finally reveal its first all-electric luxury sedan, the Air, during a live stream on September 9 . But of course, the day before the big reveal, a little bit of news has trickled out. Lucid Motors has previously alluded that it will offer a high-end variant of the Air. That flagship variant, called the Dream, is expected to cost $169,00

Guilt-free fungus leather beats vegan alternatives in eco-friendliness

SlashGear / 10h
A new development from Imperial College London may usher in an era of leather-alternatives that are better for the environment without compromising on quality. Unlike real leather, which is made from cowhide, and faux ‘vegan’ leather, which is made from plastics, the newly introduced leather-like material is made from mushrooms — and it is more realistic than commonly available faux … Continue re

TikTok is trying to remove a disturbing video showing up on people’s For You pages

300+TechCrunch / 10h
A graphic video of a man committing suicide spread across TikTok early this week, and the company is still working to remove it. Originating on Facebook Live, the clip was uploaded onto TikTok over the weekend and began to take root in users’ algorithmic recommendations. While the video first made the jump from Facebook in full, some TikTok users have now spliced it into unrelated videos so that

Can You Guess United Airlines’ Mysterious New International Routes?

200+One Mile at a Time / 10h
As an aviation geek, I sure love that some airlines have made a game of new route announcements, giving us a chance to guess before the announcement is formalized. Well, here’s a fun one… United announcing new routes United Airlines dropped a hint on social media today about new routes that are going to be announced tomorrow (Wednesday, September 9, 2020) at 10AM CT. The airline has uploaded a 52

Man Pleads Guilty In American Airlines Gift Card Scam

59View from the Wing / 10h
A man pled guilty today and is expected to get probation after scamming American Airlines out of $160,000 in tickets paid for with gift cards. Billy Schwarze booked travel for friends and family. He bought gift cards to pay for the tickets, and then refunded the tickets – to his own credit card. This cost American $160,000 “and his friends and associates..$20,000.” Continue reading ...

This Device Allows You to Control a Computer With Your Tongue

300+Futurism / 10h
Tong Dorothee Clasen, a master’s student of design at the Köln International School of Design, has come up with an unusual new way to interface with a computer: a tongue-operated controller. At its core, the prototype device is a dental retainer with a ball and magnet attached to it that slide along a set of rails, as Dezeen reports . Move the Ball Back and Forth The idea is simple: the wearer ca

DNX Ventures launches $315 million fund for US and Japanese B2B startups

DNX Ventures $315M US
100+TechCrunch / 10h
DNX Ventures , an investment firm that focuses on early-stage B2B startups in Japan and the United States, announced today that it has closed a new $315 million fund. This is DNX’s third flagship fund; along with supplementary annexed funds, this brings its total managed so far to $567 million. Founded in 2011, with offices in San Mateo, California and Tokyo, Japan, DNX has invested in more than

Register for our next Future of Travel webinar with the CEO of RVShare

43The Points Guy / 10h
Register now The coronavirus pandemic has led to a monumental shift in the way we hit the road. Due to ongoing international travel restrictions and a short list of countries currently welcoming Americans , many are taking to the highways in search of their next vacation — and a lot are jumping head-first into the world of Recreational Vehicles (RVs). But will this popularity surge last, or will

What to Know About the New Chase Freedom Flex Card

52Lifehacker / 10h
Last week, Chase unveiled new rewards credit card offerings—including the new Chase Freedom Flex® —along with new cash back rewards for the existing Chase Freedom Unlimited®. Both will be available on September 15, 2020. Read more...
YESTERDAY

Apple legal counterclaim says Epic is not a “modern corporate Robin Hood”

Apple Epic Fortnite
SlashGear / 10h
Today Apple filed counterclaims and responses against Epic Games in a legal battle surrounding in-app purchases and the game Fortnite. Apple’s claim suggests that “although Epic portrays itself as a modern corporate Robin Hood, in reality it is a multi-billion dollar enterprise that simply wants to pay nothing for the tremendous value it derives from the App Store.” Per CNBC, … Continue reading

Lidar is becoming a real business

100+Ars Technica / 10h
Enlarge / An Ouster sensor atop a Postmates robot. (credit: Ouster) For years, the lidar business has had a lot of hype but not a lot of hard numbers. Dozens of lidar startups have touted their impressive technology, but until recently it wasn't clear who, if anyone, was actually gaining traction with customers. That's starting to change. This summer, three leading lidar makers have done major fu

The Best New Features in Android 11, Available Now

Android 11 Google Pixel
57How-To Geek / 10h
After months of beta testing, the final release of Android 11 is here. This latest version of Google’s operating system features quite a few exciting features for users. Here are the features you should care about. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

Major Newspaper Publishes Op-Ed Written by GPT-3

91Futurism / 10h
Edit Test In order to show off how sophisticated language-processing artificial intelligence has gotten, the newspaper The Guardian commissioned an op-ed written by the algorithm GPT-3. GPT-3, the latest and most powerful text-writing AI algorithm developed by OpenAI, has made headlines for both its surprising degree of coherence and the poor grasp on reality that’s common among AI systems. Now,

The Apple TV app is now available on Vizio SmartCast TVs

Apple Vizio SmartCast
79Engadget / 10h
If you own a Vizio TV, you may have felt left out watching sets from manufacturers like Samsung and LG get access to Apple TV. But now you too can use the software on your television. Starting today, the Apple TV app — through which you can access Apple TV+ — is available on Vizio SmartCast TVs in the US and Canada (via Variety ). If you're new to Apple TV+ and own a Vizio SmartCast TV with Smart

No One Knows What Lurks at the Bottom of This Freakishly Deep Submerged Cave

100+Gizmodo / 10h
New research suggests Hranice Abyss—the world’s deepest freshwater cave—is around 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) deep, which is more than twice the depth of previous estimates. Read more...

Razer made the gum gamers didn’t know they needed

Razer C. Mint Gum Gamers
200+Engadget / 10h
If you’re a gamer who chews gum, standard Juicy Fruit or Big Red won’t do your mental performance any favors … at least, not according to Razer. As a follow up to its focus-sharpening Razer Respawn drink , and to meet an apparent need for fortified gum, the company has rolled out Respawn By 5 gaming gum . Razer has partnered with Wrigley’s 5 gum (remember their mid-2000s sci-fi commercials ?) to

Android 11 update launches for Google Pixel phones, beta comes to others

Android 11 Google Pixel
28TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
Android 11 has officially launched on most Pixel phones, while a new beta version has also arrived for a variety of devices.

Review: New SWISS A340 Business Class

94One Mile at a Time / 10h
Read more from this trip • International Travel In A New Era • Flying Air Canada A320 Business Class In The Coronavirus Era • A Different Kind Of Layover In Montreal (YUL) • Crossing The Atlantic On Lufthansa: Business (Class) As Usual • A Look At Lufthansa Lounges In The Coronavirus Era • Logistics Of International Travel During Coronavirus • Visiting Bodrum, Turkey: Coronavirus Impressions • 6

The 10 Best Deals of September 8, 2020

Amazon Nest 10 Daily
100Lifehacker / 11h
Tuesday’s Best Deals | Kinja Deals Read more...

I Can’t With These Confusing Xbox Names

Microsoft Xbox Series
1KGizmodo / 11h
With the price of one of the next-generation Xbox consoles confirmed and the other one likely forthcoming as Microsoft and Sony’s big game of next-gen pricing chicken drags on, there needs to be a frank discussion about the names of these consoles. A discussion wherein I sit down with Mr. Microsoft and ask a simple… Read more...

The 10 Best Deals of September 8, 2020

Amazon Nest 10 Daily
100Gizmodo / 11h
Tuesday’s Best Deals | Kinja Deals Read more...

Massive 3,200MP space camera can snap a golf ball 15 miles away

52SlashGear / 11h
An absolutely massive digital camera sensor array destined for installation in the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile has snapped the world’s first single images with a resolution of 3,200-megapixels, setting a new milestone achievement for space exploration and digital photography technologies. According to the experts behind the camera, the array of imaging sensors are so powerful and the resul

Hacked Windows 10 Themes Can Swipe Your Microsoft Login

100+Lifehacker / 11h
Windows 10 users can customize their desktops with unique themes, and are able to create and share those themes with others. Hackers can also use them to steal your credentials. Read more...

With India ban imminent, PUBG cuts ties with China’s Tencent

PUBG India PC China
27SlashGear / 11h
Last week, PUBG Mobile was banned in India following a government crackdown on mobile apps and games that have some connection to China. That was bad news for PUBG, which has found a lot of success on mobile, so obviously this was no good for PUBG Corporation – especially since India is such a large market. Today, PUBG Corporation announced … Continue reading

TONG is a tiny computer you control with your tongue — Future Blink

56Mashable / 11h
Tong is an "intra-oral" wearable that uses the tongue’s sense of touch to interact with tech. Read more... More about Tech , Science , Mashable Video , Accessible Technology , and Future Blink

LiDAR explained: What this laser tech can do for your new iPhone

Apple iPhone IDFA 12
100+Mashable / 11h
Another September means another new iPhone launch . Naturally, Apple's probably got all kinds of weird new features cooked up for its flagship device. Rumor has it that LiDAR integration is just one of the things we can expect from the theoretical iPhone 12 when it comes out later this year. "Hold on," you must be thinking. "What the heck is LiDAR?" It's not a brand new term in the tech world, bu

Colin Kaepernick hits the field in Madden NFL 21 without actual NFL deal

Kaepernick Madden NFL
100+Ars Technica / 11h
Put me in, coach. I'm ready to play... today. [credit: EA ] Colin Kaepernick may not be a part of today's NFL, but today the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback makes his return to the Madden NFL series. Publisher Electronic Arts has announced that Kaepernick will be available to play later today in Madden NFL 21 's Franchise and Play Now modes, where he can be put in charge of any team in the

Literally Pause the Internet With This Built-in Browser Tool

38Gizmodo / 11h
If your Internet habits resemble anything like mine, you probably have 20-plus tabs open at once, maybe multiple windows too, because you want to keep that YouTube playlist or Gmail inbox separate for quicker access. But all overwhelming digital clutter can keep us glued to our screens anyway. Sometimes the best thing… Read more...

'Star Trek: Discovery' Season 3 trailer boldly goes into an exciting future

Star Trek Discovery
200+Mashable / 11h
The future is now on Star Trek: Discovery . Season 3's trailer, debuted Tuesday, picks up with the Discovery crew now 930 years in the future after traveling through a wormhole in the Season 2 finale. Burnham and the crew are likely stuck in 3188, but they quickly find intelligent life, inhabitable worlds, and new strength in each other. The trailer also offers a first glimpse at Star Trek 's fir

Lidar startup Ouster raises $42M in push to grow sales, diversify products

Lidar Ouster Raises $42M
200+TechCrunch / 11h
Lidar startup Ouster has spent the past several years expanding and improving its line of sensors as it jostles for a piece of the crowded and competitive market place. Now, Ouster says it has raised $42 million, fresh capital that will be used to fund product development and ramp up sales. In short: Ouster is keeping the fight alive and there are signs that the San Francisco-based startup is mak

Snowflake’s IPO could value it as high as $24B, Salesforce and Berkshire to invest

100+TechCrunch / 11h
On the heels of new filings from both Sumo Logic and JFrog , Snowflake, a venture-backed unicorn looking to go public on the strength of its data-focused cloud service, set an initial price range for its IPO . The $75 to $85 per-share IPO price target values the firm at between $20.9 billion and $23.7 billion, huge sums for the private company. Its IPO could raise more than $2.7 billion for the s

NASA Is Making Moon Rover Parts Out of Metallic Glass

500+Futurism / 11h
Glass Box NASA scientists are taking an unusual approach to the material science behind its upcoming lunar rovers and landers — by building components out of heavy-duty metallic glass. The glass gears and gearbox, thankfully, are sturdier than they sound at first and passed a number of rigorous durability tests, according to a NASA press release . The main selling point of moving away from tradit

How to Time Your Life Perfectly, With Author Daniel Pink

66Lifehacker / 11h
This week we’re learning how to nail perfect timing with New York Times bestselling author Daniel Pink. Listen to Daniel explain why certain hours of the day are more productive than others, what chronotypes are and how they impact your energy throughout the day, how we can battle the mid-afternoon slump, and why… Read more...

Star Trek: Discovery's New Trailer Brings the Fight for the Federation to the Far Future

Star Trek Discovery
1KGizmodo / 11h
The crew of the Discovery made a terrible sacrifice at the end of season two, leaving their lives as they knew them behind and flinging the ship 930 years into the future , where the Federation is in some dire straits of its own (again). Now it seems it’s up to Michael and her friends to remind them of what the… Read more...

Save $22 on These Mpow H21 Hybrid Noise Cancelling Headphones and Get Over 60 Hours of Uninterrupted Listening Pleasure

20Gizmodo / 11h
Mpow H21 Hybrid Noise Cancelling Headphones | $58 | Amazon | Clip Coupon Read more...

Upgrade Your Children From Imaginary Friends to the Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition, Now Bundled With a Smart Lamp for $50

Amazon Nest 10 Daily
68Lifehacker / 11h
Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition w/ Echo Lamp | $50 | Amazon Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition (Blue) | $40 | Amazon Read more...

An Incomplete List of the Past 72 Hours of Unprecedented Weather-Related Calamities

500+Gizmodo / 12h
You may have seen our earlier a piece on the swing between fire and freezing in the West, but that only told a small portion of the wild weather Americans have experienced over the past few days. While your humble correspondent included what he deemed a “fair” amount of facts, stats, and other things to otherwise make… Read more...

China’s Mysterious Reusable Spacecraft Just Spent Two Days in Orbit

2KFuturism / 12h
Top Secret On September 4, China launched a mysterious, top-secret “reusable test spacecraft” atop a Long March 2F rocket at the country’s Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in Inner Mongolia. And according to state media, it made its way safely back down to Earth after spending two days in orbit. The spacecraft is shrouded in mystery. We don’t know what it looks like, what it does — or even exactly

Apple seeks damages from Epic Games over 'Fortnite' contract breach

Apple Epic Fortnite
300+Engadget / 12h
The ongoing legal feud between Apple and Epic Games took another turn on Tuesday, with Apple now seeking damages from the studio for its breach of contract (via CNBC ). The move comes in response to Epic’s recent request for a preliminary injunction to put Fornite back on the App Store and force Apple to restore its developer account. Apple is seeking an unspecified amount in damages. ″ Epic’s la

Colin Kaepernick returns to Madden in 'NFL 21'

Kaepernick Madden NFL
300+Engadget / 12h
Colin Kaepernick has returned to the Madden franchise after a four-year absence. He’s live today in Madden NFL 21 , where players can have him lead a team in Franchise mode or select him in Play Now. Kaepernick debuted in the EA series in 2011 and his final appearance was in Madden NFL 17 , which landed in the middle of 2016. That year, Kaepernick became the focus of national attention when he ch

Uber Green comes to U.S. to encourage more electric, hybrid rides

Two US Uber Watts Green
48Mashable / 12h
Read more... More about Uber , Ride Hailing Apps , Electric Vehicles , Tech , and Transportation

‘Willful, brazen, and unlawful’: Apple files breach-of-contract countersuit against Epic

Apple Epic Fortnite
200+TechCrunch / 12h
Apple has filed a countersuit against Epic over the latter’s attempt to circumvent App Store rules and avoid paying millions in fees. The lawsuit alleges that Epic is deliberately in breach of contract and asks the court to award damages and prohibit Epic from attempting anything like this again. A brief refresher: Epic in mid August slipped in a new way to buy in-game currency for Fortnite that

Bose QuietComfort noise-canceling AirPods Pro rival leaks in official video

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds
SlashGear / 12h
Audio company Bose is gearing up to take on the AirPods Pro with its own noise-canceling true wireless earbuds, and now we finally know what to expect. A retailer accidentally released an official promotional video for the new earbuds, quickly deleting it soon after — but not before the Internet got a good look. Thanks to this leak, we now … Continue reading

How to Show Documents Easily With Your Laptop's Webcam

300+Lifehacker / 12h
Teachers create the best hacks. Full stop. No argument. The clever ways they go about managing the number of kids they oversee—and getting around the limitations of old equipment that often isn’t well maintained—always surprise and delight me. And today’s trending trick for sharing documents via video chats is no… Read more...

The most killer Android 11 feature is Quick Access Device Controls

Google Android 11 OnePlus
SlashGear / 12h
With Android 11, Google created a halfway point between the user and a variety of “control apps.” The first major control app that’ll utilize this most powerful Android 11 feature is Google Home. The feature’s formal name is “Quick Access Device Controls” and it may change the way you use your smartphone, in a big way, from this point forward. … Continue reading

Researchers capture the world's first 3,200-megapixel digital photo

1KEngadget / 12h
Stanford researchers have taken 3,200-megapixel photos, the largest-ever, using sensors that will be part of the world’s largest digital camera , according to a SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory blog post . The camera will be installed in the university’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) telescope in Chile, which will study dark energy, dark matter and create the “largest astronomical mo

Google Cloud's new business app platform requires no coding at all

24TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
Google wants to help accelerate organization's digital transformation efforts with its new Business Application Platform.

AT&T’s current 5G is slower than 4G in nearly every city tested by PCMag

AT&T PCMag Motorola
1KArs Technica / 12h
Enlarge / An AT&T sign and logo on Main Street during the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2020 in Park City, Utah. (credit: Getty Images | Mat Hayward ) AT&T smartphone users who see their network indicators switch from "4G" to "5G" shouldn't necessarily expect that they're about to get faster speeds. In PCMag's annual mobile-network testing, released today , 5G phones connected to AT&T got

Store passwords with Keeper Security, on sale for up to 30% off

500+Mashable / 12h
TL;DR: Save up to 30% off a multi-year password manager plan from Keeper Security through Sept. 30. Ah, passwords. The gatekeepers to our digital lives. But if you’re someone who has trouble remembering them — and remembering where you put that sticky note reminder — then you need a digital vault to keep all your passwords safe in one central and secure location. A password manager plan is a lot

Windows 10’s Settings App Is Really Pushing Microsoft Edge

100+How-To Geek / 12h
Do you use Edge as your default browser? Why not? You should switch back right now. That’s the message you’ll soon see every time you open Windows 10’s Settings app, courtesy of Microsoft. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›

Android 11 is Final, With Day One Updates for Pixel, OnePlus, Xiaomi, and More

Google 11 Today Pixel
36How-To Geek / 12h
Google has surprised the phone world with an out-of-nowhere drop for the final version of Android 11. The software update is ready to go for Google’s first-party Pixel phones, and shockingly, phones from other manufacturers as well. According to the announcement, at least some phones from OnePlus, Xiaomi, Oppo, and RealMe will be updated today. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

Hackers Can Use Altered Windows 10 Themes to Steal Your Microsoft Password

100+How-To Geek / 12h
Changing your Windows theme seems innocent enough, and it’s nice to freshen things up occasionally. But you might want to be careful about what sources you use to get new themes. A security researcher has demonstrated a method to alter Windows 10 themes to steal your Microsoft password. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

T-Mobile's Project 10Million Gives Free Internet to Low-Income Students

31How-To Geek / 12h
Last November, T-Mobile said it would roll out Project 10Million, a program that would give free internet to low-income students, if its merger with Spring was successful. Now, T-Mobile has revealed more details about the program, and school administrators can apply to the program. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

Fitbit's Newest Watch Face Puts SpO2 Data Front and Center

How-To Geek / 12h
Fitbit has many great things going for it, and it’s only getting better with the upcoming Versa 3 and Sense smartwatches. But it’s hard to say nice things about Fitbit’s watch faces; they’re just not great. That’s why the company’s new watch face is exciting—it looks good and gives you SpO2 data right on the screen. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

Mobvoi's TicPods 2 Pro+ Sport Single-Earbud Pairing and Volume Gestures for $140

25How-To Geek / 12h
Hold on; I was just getting used to the TicPods 2 Pro earbuds! Mobvoi’s new TicPods 2 Pro+ improve on their predecessor with single-earbud pairing, volume gestures, extra audio codecs, and a new-ish design. At $139, the new TicPods 2 Pro+ are the same price as the basic TicPods 2 Pro. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

Disney's Mulan Faces Backlash for Thanking Chinese Region Marred by Human Rights Violations

1KGizmodo / 12h
Disney’s Mulan is the story of a woman who overcomes systemic oppression to serve her country. But its message of fighting for one’s rights has been clouded, as Disney stands accused of overlooking actual oppression of Muslims in China to make its movie. Read more...

The Mandalorian season 2 first look features Baby Yoda and cool Star Wars stuff

63TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
Your first look at The Mandalorian season 2 – and therefore more Baby Yoda – is here.

US Military Deploys Robot Dogs to Guard Air Force Base

11KFuturism / 12h
Undogged Doggos The Air Force deployed four-legged “robot dogs” to defend its perimeters during a recent field test, The Drive reports . The “robot dogs” the Air Force was testing are called Vision 60 and were built by Ghost Robotics, and they look a bit like the villains in the “ Metalhead ” episode of “Black Mirror.” They’re designed to conduct remote inspection, surveillance, or mapping missio

The premium Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is already $200 off

100+Engadget / 12h
It hasn’t even been one month since the release of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra and you can already get it at a discount. Both Amazon and Best Buy have the smartphone for $200 off, bringing the starting price down to $1,099. The standard Note 20 is also discounted by $200, bringing the starting price down to $799. Buy Note 20 Ultra at Amazon - $1,099 Buy Note 20 Ultra at Best Buy - $1,099 Buy

Grab leftover Labor Day deals on Switch games, Dell monitors, and more

24Ars Technica / 12h
Enlarge (credit: Ars Technica) Today's Dealmaster roundup features a number of tech deals from this past Labor Day Weekend that are still kicking. Among the highlights are a handful of first-party Switch games for $40, including Super Mario Maker 2 , Splatoon 2 , Mario Tennis Aces , Yoshi's Crafted World , and New Super Mario Bros U. Deluxe . We've seen these deals before , but they remain $10-20

Chase Freedom Unlimited Review (2020)

100+One Mile at a Time / 12h
Chase Freedom Unlimited® 1.5% cash back on all purchases no annual fee combine points with Ultimate Rewards cards Annual Fee: $0 Apply Now The Chase Freedom Unlimited® was launched in 2016, and is one of the best credit cards for everyday spending (and it’s a card that I have , and also one that I have spent a lot of money on ). The catch is that there’s a learning curve to using this card — for

Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity for Switch gets a release date

Calamity Nintendo HW
SlashGear / 12h
Nintendo announced today that Hyrule Warriors is getting a sequel, more than six years after it initially launched for Wii U and three years after it was ported to Switch. Dubbed Hyrule Warriors: Age of Calamity, this new game takes place 100 years before the events of Breath of the Wild. While this probably isn’t what fans were expecting out … Continue reading

General Motors Is Teaming Up With Tesla Competitor Nikola

General Motors GM Nikola
2KFuturism / 12h
Teaming Up Nikola Motor Company, a startup competing with Tesla in the electric vehicle (EV) space, just made a major deal with General Motors to manufacture its hydrogen fuel cell-powered pickup truck. On Tuesday, GM bought 11 percent of Nikola for $2 billion, Ars Technica reports . And now that the two are formally partnered up, GM will handle most of the engineering and manufacturing that has

Airlines Left Out Of Latest Stimulus Plan

83View from the Wing / 12h
When calculating the cost of 'jobs saved' for six months via a 'clean extension' of CARES Act payroll support, we were looking at a cost of $333,333 per job since most of the money goes to fund payroll that airlines will have whether a bill passes or not . In other words it funds $200,000+ a year pilots and it funds the salaries of executive management, having taxpayers pick up the tab rather tha

How to Link Websites Without the Eventual Broken Links

100+Lifehacker / 12h
Have you ever been browsing an older website, only to find yourself face-to-face with a 404 error when you click on a link to a long-abandoned site? What about searching up an old bookmarked article only to find that it’s now stuck behind a paywall? Read more...

Seagate's 1TB Gaming SSD Is Sleek and Sexy, And It's $50 off

40Gizmodo / 12h
Seagate Firecuda 1TB Gaming SSD | $230 | Amazon Seagate Firecua 512GB Gaming SSD | $150 | Amazon Read more...

Alto's Adventure devs open a studio focused on 'folk' games

69Engadget / 12h
The development team behind the classic snowboarding endless runners Alto’s Adventure and Alto’s Odyssey have opened a new studio called Land & Sea. They’ll focus on making “folk” games. Alto lead artist and developer Harry Nesbitt, programmer Joe Grainger and composer Todd Baker have been joined at Land & Sea by producer Jair McBain and narrative designer Jenna Jovi. They’re looking to build on


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