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

Tuesday, September 21, 2021

Technology News Tuesday.. and more!

 Technology News and More




Google Meet declares war on that sunny window behind you that's making you underexposed


Google Meet Web AI•
27Mashable / 2h
Google Meet's camera software is getting smarter. On Monday, Google announced a neat little upgrade in Meet: The camera on the web will now automatically detect when a user appears underexposed, and will enhance the brightness to improve their visibility. This typically happens when a bright window or a lamp is behind you, causing that "menacing silhouette in the dark" look that you probably don'

PS5 received a secret performance boost thanks to its latest system update


PlayStation 5 Sony PS5•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
It turns out that the PS5 has received a small performance boost after its latest system update.

Apple adds new personalized recommendations in Podcasts' Listen Now page


Engadget / 3min
Apple has introduced new sharing and personalized recommendation features for Podcasts on iOS 15 , all meant to help you discover new shows to listen to. Starting today, you'll find personalized recommendation sections in the Listen Now page that show you podcasts similar to the ones you enjoy. They'll be entitled "If You Like '[Show Name]'..." and then list titles in the same category or with th


Google Meet is fixing one of the worst things about video meetings


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4min
Google Meet wants to make sure everyone is visibile on work calls.

Many firms are worried about remote work productivity but aren't doing anything about it


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4min
Investing in hybrid working tech also benefits those in the office researchers claim

Post-pandemic shifts means Patch will take co-working to UK small towns and suburbs


TechCrunch / 6min
It would be fair to say the pandemic has had enormous effects on the world of work, but it has come at a time when other factors were already ongoing. The decline of main-street shopping due to e-commerce has only been hastened. The shift to remote working has sky-rocketed. And people no longer want to commute 8am-6pm anymore. But we’ve also found that working from home isn’t all its cracked up t

Is the current GPU market killing PC gaming?


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11min
AMD and Nvidia GPU prices and availability are getting worse, just in time for Christmas.

Immerse yourself in VR music videos with this Oculus Quest 2 update


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11min
If you've ever wanted to experience music videos in VR, you'll finally get the chance thanks to this Oculus Quest 2 update.

Malicious documents can hijack Apache OpenOffice


CVE-2021-33035•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11min
Vulnerability has managed to evade detection for several years.

This PS5-compatible Samsung 980 Pro 1TB SSD is down to its lowest ever price


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12min
Amazon has slashed the price of the Samsung 980 Pro 1TB SSD, which is compatible with PS5.

Google apps gain new Focus mode on iOS 15


SlashGear / 12min
Google has confirmed that it has updated its apps for use on iOS 15. The search giant promises many new features to improve the functionality of Google apps on the latest version of Apple’s operating system for iPhones and iPads. The big update is called Focus mode, and it’s aimed at users who get lots of notifications throughout the day. … Continue reading

Halo Infinite's next multiplayer preview includes Big Team Battle and Arena modes


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 18min
Halo Infinite's next two multiplayer previews focus on PvP, granting players access to Big Team Battle and Arena modes.

New horror movies 2021: every big scary film coming to theaters and streamers


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 18min
We highlight the new horror movies heading to theaters and streamers in 2021 and beyond.

How to beat the next pandemic? Start educating kids now.


Mashable / 18min
The next pandemic could happen next year. Or in 2033. Or 2052. It might come from one of hundreds of known coronaviruses now circulating in bats. It could be a nasty paramyxovirus, from goats . Or it might be a newly-mutated strain of flu that ravages the lungs of millions. There's no dearth of evolving microbes, capable of producing a new human scourge, on Earth. But we're not sitting ducks. To

NASA chooses Artemis Rover landing spot on the moon


SlashGear / 26min
NASA plans to launch a new rover to explore the surface of the moon in 2023. The rover is called the Volatile Investigating Polar Exploration Rover or VIPER. NASA has now announced the chosen landing spot for the VIPER rover, and it will be near the western edge of the Nobile Crater on the south pole of the moon. The … Continue reading

These audiophile headphones promise incredible sound - but they'll cost you


Audeze LCD Headphones•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 33min
The Audeze LCD-5 over-ear headphones don't come cheap, but they could sound amazing.

iOS 15: Disgruntled researcher exposes iPhone lockscreen bypass


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 33min
A researcher displeased with the Apple bug bounty program has published details of a new iOS 15 vulnerability.

New Kindle Paperwhite and Paperwhite Signature Edition now available in India


Kindle Paperwhite KP•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 33min
The 2021 edition of Kindle Paperwhite and the Paperwhite Signature Edition are available to pre-order in India starting today.

Snapchat's new lenses and stickers can teach you basic sign language


Engadget / 39min
Snapchat is rolling out new augmented reality lenses and stickers that can give you cursory lessons on sign language. The company has developed the new features as part of its efforts for the Weak of the Deaf with guidance from its Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing team members. Its new AR Lenses use AI and computer vision technology by SignAll , which can recognize and translate American Sign Language. O

Covid-19 Has Killed as Many Americans as the 1918 Spanish Flu Pandemic


Gizmodo / 45min
The covid-19 pandemic has killed over 676,000 Americans, surpassing the estimated U.S. deaths from the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic. And despite rising vaccination rates, it looks like covid-19 is going to kill a lot more Americans before this thing is over. Read more...

2022 Ford Expedition upgrades full-size SUV in tech, off-road and power


2022 Ford Expedition•
SlashGear / 48min
Nobody could accuse Ford of not taking the 2022 Expedition seriously. The full-sized SUV isn’t just the flagship of the company’s range, but a bonafide hit among some of the auto industry’s most coveted demographics, particularly family-minded millennials discovering they simply must have three rows and plenty of cargo space. It’s a collective realization that has helped propel Ford to … Continue

UK’s MarketFinance secures $383M to fuel its online loans platform for SMBs


TechCrunch / 1h
Small and medium businesses regularly face cashflow problems. But if that’s an already-inconvenient predicament, it has been exacerbated to the breaking point for too many during the Covid-19 pandemic. Now, a UK startup called MarketFinance — which has built a loans platform to help SMBs stay afloat through those leaner times — is announcing a big funding infusion of £280 million ($383 million) a


Brave bots are learning to autonomously traverse underground caves and mines


Mashable / 1h
Designed by researchers at CERBERUS, the ANYmal C and RMF-Obelix test how robots and maps fare in subterranean environments. The robots are equipped with onboard exploration path planners that share submaps to a centralized location, where a multi-robot coordination framework assesses the terrain and informs each system on how best to continue its mission.

New iPad Pro is apparently coming in 2022, as well as three Apple Watch models


Apple Mac iPad Pro•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
According to a big name in the field, Apple has plenty of new products coming in 2022 which will make 2021 look dull.

Netflix launches a Spotify-like free tier – but only in Kenya


Netflix Free Kenya•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
For the first time in its history, Netflix has launched a free tier for mobile users in Kenya.

Augmented reality app helps people reduce their fear of spiders


SlashGear / 1h
University of Basel researchers have a new augmented reality app that runs on smartphones to help people with arachnophobia. The app has proven beneficial to people with a fear of spiders in a clinical study. After a few training sessions at home, researchers found that test subjects utilizing the app reported a reduced fear of real spiders. Arachnophobia is one … Continue reading

Amazon is adding more lucrative sponsored products ads to its search results


Amazon Ads Search Results•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
Organic search results are being elbowed out by paid-for product advertising, according to new research.

Blackbird.AI grabs $10M to help brands counter disinformation


Blackbird AI Grabs $10M•
TechCrunch / 1h
New York-based Blackbird.AI has closed a $10 million Series A as it prepares to launched the next version of its disinformation intelligence platform this fall. The Series A is led by Dorilton Ventures, along with new investors including Generation Ventures, Trousdale Ventures, StartFast Ventures and Richard Clarke, former chief counter-terrorism advisor for the National Security Council. Existin

Why the Star Wars sequel movies failed, according to the series' original editor


Star Wars Marcia Lucas•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
Marcia Lucas, editor on the original Star Wars movie, explains why Disney's films didn't work for her.

iPhone 14 Pro could launch with an incredible 48MP camera – and no notch


Kuo Apple iPhone 14 Pro•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
We're about to get our hands on the iPhone 13, but details are already surfacing about Apple's next flagship phone.

Nokia sets an event for October 6 - Nokia G50 smartphone launch expected


Nokia October 6 T20•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
Nokia G50 specs were recently leaked and now the company has set an event on October 6 which could be when it will likely launch the smartphone.

The best webcams for boosting your video quality


Mashable / 1h
If there’s one thing you can count on in this world, it’s that if you need a picture or video with image quality that seems straight out of 2015 (or even earlier), you can turn to your computer's built-in webcam. If we sound salty about this, it probably has something to do with the fact that this past year and a half has had us confronting our grainy, backlit selves on our screens more than anyo

Here’s a great deal on a refurbished iMac with 1TB of storage for your WFH needs


Mashable / 1h
TL;DR: Upgrade your computer setup with a refurbished 2017 Apple iMac 21.5" Core i5 3.0GHz, 8GB RAM 1TB HDD . Snag it for just $669 — a 15% savings — as of Sept. 21. After all this time spent working at home, how sick are you of squinting at your tiny MacBook screen? Or seeing the “low storage” warning? If you’re at your breaking point re: your current laptop struggles, it may be time to make the

If you stand all day, these compression massage boots on sale from ReAthlete could ease your soreness


Mashable / 1h
TL;DR: Kick your feet up with the ReAthlete AIR-C Pro Massager , on sale for $249.99 — a 16% savings — as of Sept. 21. Whether you spend a lot of time on your feet, are an avid runner, or are recovering from an injury, adequate rest is often the best way to refresh your lower body. The only thing better than rest? Rest with an added compression massage. With these compression massager boots from

Overhaul your kitchen with 50% off 5 of Sirena's best-selling kitchen accessories


Mashable / 1h
TL;DR: Equip your kitchen with the Sirena Ultimate Kitchen Bundle on sale for 50% off. As of Sept. 21, grab it for just $475.99. Whether you're moving into a new home, just got married, or getting your first post-college space, a kitchen overhaul is absolutely necessary. And if you need just about every kitchen accessory on the market or are starting from scratch, bundling is a great way to get e

Save 35% on a 2-year fitness app subscription and adjustable dumbbell set


Mashable / 1h
TL;DR: Take care of your health with a two-year subscription to the Openfit Fitness app and the LifePro PowerUp Adjustable Dumbbells Set bundle , on sale for just $269 as of Sept. 21 — that's a 35% discount. If getting your health back on track — both physically and mentally — is your priority right now, you're not alone. It doesn't have to be the start of a new year to make resolutions or a seri

Zee5 to stream Taapsee Pannu's Rashmi Rocket on Oct 15


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
Taapsee Pannu plays the role of a Gujarati athlete named Rashmi in Akarsh Khurana’s directorial venture, Rashmi Rocket. The film will premiere on Zee5 on October 15.

Alternative financing startup Pipe snaps up Stripe and HubSpot execs, expands to UK


TechCrunch / 1h
Pipe , a two-year-old startup that aims to be the “Nasdaq for revenue,” announced today it has snagged former Stripe EIC Sid Orlando and HubSpot’s ex-Chief Strategy Officer Brad Coffey to serve on its executive team. The Miami-based fintech also revealed today its first expansion outside of the United States with its entry into the U.K. market. It’s been a good year for Pipe. The buzzy startup ha

A Sky Q smart TV is in the works – so should you buy one?


Sky Comcast Smart UK•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
Sky smart TVs could spell the end for Sky Q boxes – but will it happen?

Late October Google Pixel 6 release date sounds increasingly likely


Google Pixel 6 Pro•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 1h
An advert from an Australian telecom company backs up a Pixel 6 launch rumor we'd already heard.

ProGrade undercuts Sony with its new CFexpress Type A camera memory cards


ProGrade CFexpress•
Engadget / 2h
Sony introduced smaller CFexpress Type A memory cards with the launch of the A7S III mirrorless camera , offering a high speed (700MB/s read/800MB/s write) option for recording bursts or 4K/8K video. Unfortunately, Sony itself is the only manufacturer using that slot and actually selling memory cards, so it's charging through the nose. Luckily, ProGrade has just released its own model, the CFexpr


Cartona gets $4.5M pre-Series A to connect retailers with suppliers in Egypt


Cartona Pre Series Egypt•
22TechCrunch / 3h
Year-old startup Capiter announced last week that it raised a $33 million Series A to digitize Egypt’s traditional offline retail market . It’s looking to take a large pie in the budding e-commerce and retail play, where multiple startups are pulling their weight including Cartona, also a year-old startup out of Egypt. Today, Cartona is announcing that it has raised a $4.5 million pre-Series A fu

Paralympians bring home gold medals, but we’re failing them on web accessibility


TechCrunch / 3h
Joseph Wengier Contributor Joseph Wengier competed in five Paralympics and won nine gold medals. He promotes the advancement of a more inclusive internet as an ambassador for accessibility technology company UserWay . After winning my first gold medal in the 1972 Paralympics, I went out with the swim team for a celebratory dinner. I’ll never forget the paradoxical sight of my teammates — all worl

Sorare raises $680 million for its fantasy sports NFT game


NFT Sorare SoftBank•
TechCrunch / 3h
French startup Sorare has announced that it has raised a significant funding round. SoftBank's Vision Fund 2 has led a $680 million Series B round, which values the company at $4.3 billion. Sorare has built a fantasty football (soccer) platform based on NFTs, or non-fungible tokens. Each digital card is registered as a unique token on the Ethereum blockchain. Players can buy and sell cards from o

Microsoft Windows 11 launching in October, everything you need to know


Microsoft Store 11•
Popular Mechanics / 3h
The post appeared first on Popular Mechanics .

Tesla drivers become 'inattentive' when using Autopilot, study finds


MIT Tesla Autopilot•
79Engadget / 3h
Tesla may soon launch its latest FSD (full self-driving) Autopilot to a wide group of drivers, and US safety authorities aren't that happy about it. They have reason to be concerned, according to a new MIT study seen by TechCrunch . The researchers studied glance data and found that drivers become more inattentive when using Tesla's Autopilot system. "Visual behavior patterns change before and af

Jane Goodall’s golden rule about how to change the world


Mashable / 3h
Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE, is stalwartly convinced that humanity has the capacity to undo some of the damage it has caused our planet. At 87, Dr. Goodall's unshakeable propensity for hope can, in itself, mobilize people into action. Her latest initiative, Trees for Jane , is a global campaign to democratize the protection and restoration of the world's forests.

LG's new QNED TV range comes to Australia as a cheaper alternative to OLED


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 3h
LG's Mini LED-sporting QLED TVs have landed on Australian retail shelves – pricing and availability details inside.
YESTERDAY

What a Fungus Reveals About the Space Program


33NYT > Technology / 4h
One thing’s for sure: Escaping the dung heap doesn’t come cheap.

Joan 6 Pro makes booking a meeting room a breeze


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
Joan’s latest device offers easier room management and stronger security protocols

Oppo A16 with MediaTek Helio G3 SoC, 5,000mAh battery launched


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
The new budget device from Oppo comes with a big battery, triple rear camera, and 4GB RAM.

Major update from Telegram: Allows recording of video/audio from live chats


Telegram Update New•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
Telegram has announced a clutch of new features, and users can go ahead and update their apps to enjoy the fresh offerings from the messaging platform.

This Shark hair dryer is a game-changer for curly hair


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 4h
Vacuum cleaner brand Shark has followed Dyson into the haircare market with the launch of the Style iQ hair dryer, which automatically adjusts the temperature when different attachments are used.

Netflix free tier in Kenya could be the start of something new


Netflix Free Kenya•
SlashGear / 5h
Netflix is one of if not the biggest video streaming services in the market, but even it is finding that market to be stagnating and getting too crowded. A lot of people in the markets it serves already have a Netflix subscription, and the markets it doesn’t serve aren’t quick to embrace its business model. In an attempt to woo … Continue reading

Netflix debuts free tier for Android users in Kenya


Netflix Free Kenya•
Engadget / 6h
Netflix has started offering potential paying subscribers in Kenya access to some of its content at no cost. The streaming service has launched a free tier in the country that offers around one-fourth the content available to paying subscribers. It has no ads and won't even ask for payment information upon sign-up — a new subscriber will only need to confirm they're over 18 and to type in their e

Start building your wealth with this beginner-friendly day trading bundle


Mashable / 6h
TL;DR: The Premium Novice-to-Expert Day Trading and Technical Analysis Bundle is on sale for £21.93 as of Sept. 21, saving you 97% on list price. Investing isn't just for those who were born with money. Nowadays, you can truly start at the bottom and build wealth from the ground up. You just have to know where to start and have the right tools under your belt. With this Day Trading and Technical

What's next for OnePlus? - OxygenOS and ColorOS teams become one


OnePlus Lau Oppo OS•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
OnePlus founder Pete Lau said that his company and Oppo are working together to bring an integrated operating system experience, and the unified experience will be launched with the next flagship series in 2022.

Access over 159 hours of IT management training for under £30


Mashable / 6h
TL;DR: The Ultimate 2021 IT Manager Survival Training Bundle is on sale for £29.24 as of Sept. 21, saving you 96% on list price. IT department managers have to know what's going on within the current operating systems, be on the lookout for new programs and easier ways to do things, and learn how to juggle and stay on top of multiple different personality types in the office. It may sound like an

Nokia Tablet might be coming next month


SlashGear / 6h
Nokia might have been the king of the mobile market in the past, but its brand never saw the same success or ubiquity in the tablet market. All throughout its tumultuous recent history, there have only been four tablets under its name, including the pocket-size Nokia N800 and N810 “Internet Tablets.” That unlucky history doesn’t seem to have fazed HMD … Continue reading

Review: Kena: Bridge of Spirits is this year’s best Zelda 35th-anniversary gift


Kena Bridge of Spirits•
Ars Technica / 6h
Fantastical effects and jaw-dropping art direction can be found at every turn in Kena: Bridge of Spirits . [credit: Ember Lab ] What would a legitimate "dark" Legend of Zelda game look like? I don't mean a game made by another studio that copies Zelda concepts while adding violence, cursing, or gothic architecture—we've seen plenty of those. I'm more curious how Nintendo itself might craft a 3D,


Kena: Bridge of Spirits Pixar-like charm is lost behind a ton of performance issues


Kena Bridge of Spirits•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 6h
Kena: Bridge of Spirits is a charming, family-friendly title that will likely delight both adults and children alike, but its technical issues and lack of originality make it liable to become another forgotten action-adventure.

CATAN: World Explorers from Pokemon GO developer is shutting down


Catan World Explorers•
SlashGear / 6h
Although Pokemon GO continues to be a popular game and money-maker for Niantic Labs, the mobile AR game developer hasn’t had much success with its other attempts are recreating that magic. The latest evidence of its failure is CATAN: World Explorers, the mobile AR recreation of a highly popular board game. While the heavyweight brand should have garnered interest and … Continue reading

Netflix launches free plan in Kenya to boost growth


Netflix Free Kenya•
TechCrunch / 7h
Netflix said on Monday it is launching a free mobile plan in Kenya as the global streaming giant looks to tap the East African nation that is home to over 20 million internet users. The free plan, which will be rolled out to all users in Kenya in the coming weeks, won’t require them to provide any payment information during the sign-up, the company said. The new plan is available to any user aged

Fat Bear Junior's fat bear contestants have been revealed


Mashable / 7h
Fat Bear Week is fast approaching, marking that special time of the year where we celebrate the fuzzy, rotund residents of Alaska's Katmai National Park and Preserve. However this year a brand new segment has been introduced to the competition: Fat Bear Junior. Open to "young and maturing" ursids, Fat Bear Junior is a single elimination bracket tournament to determine a champion among the bear yo

Galaxy A13 5G 50MP camera might be the start of a new trend


SlashGear / 7h
A lot of attention is given to Samsung’s high-end and more expensive smartphones, which isn’t surprising since that is what the company’s marketing machinery tries to push to consumers’ consciousness anyway. There is, however, also a plethora of choices under Samsung’s name that address different markets and consumers with different needs and, most importantly, budgets. These are often left by …

Even the Mafia is getting involved in phishing attacks now


Europol Italian Mafia•
TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 8h
A criminal operation with links to the Italian Mafia used phishing, SIM swapping and BEC attacks to defraud victims out of millions.

Google Meet low-light mode is finally coming to the Web


SlashGear / 8h
The age of video conferencing that begun last year has forced many people to re-evaluate not only their computers but also their rooms and home office setups. In addition to actually having a decent webcam, things like disorganized backgrounds and poor lighting add more concerns to already mentally stressed people. The former has been fixed by virtual backgrounds, which sometimes … Continue readi

Galaxy S22+ specs leak almost reveals the entire confusing picture


SlashGear / 8h
With no “normal” flagship scheduled for the rest of the year, Samsung fans might be looking forward to next year’s Galaxy S22 for their next upgrade. Samsung has traditionally been offering three Galaxy S models every year, and next year won’t be so different. What might be different, however, is how Samsung will spin the Galaxy S22 because, as far … Continue reading

Pixel 6 Live Translate will combine Google’s best translation features


SlashGear / 9h
Although Google serves many users on many platforms, it often shows preferential treatment to Pixel phone owners. Some of those exclusive features eventually find their way to other Android phones, but the best of the best remains a highlight for Google’s own phones. One such feature might be Live Translate that’s going to be exclusive to the Pixel 6 and … Continue reading

Google Drive update waters down new user blocking feature


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 10h
Google has changed how blocking works in Drive to prevent users from blocking other users from trusted domains.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 drop tests prove Samsung’s boast again


SlashGear / 10h
It has been about a month since the Galaxy Z Fold 3 first landed in consumers’ hands. The jury is already out, and Samsung’s latest and greatest foldable has had mixed but mostly positive reviews. One aspect of the device that very few reviewers dare to test out is the device’s durability, mostly because of the $1,800 price tag attached … Continue reading

VC Mark Suster: “The bet we’re making now is on founder skills,” not customers or products


TechCrunch / 10h
We recently caught up with longtime VC Mark Suster of L.A.-based Upfront Ventures , which last raised both an early-stage fund and a growth stage fund several years ago and, according to regulatory filings , is in the market right now, though Suster couldn’t discuss either owing to SEC regulations. We did talk about a wide range of things, from his firm’s big bet on the micromobility business Bir

How the Case of Gabby Petito Captivated the Internet


Tiktok Gabby Petito Case•
2KNYT > Technology / 10h
The disappearance of a 22-year-old woman sparked national interest, in large part because of the online sleuthing of amateur detectives.

MIT study finds Tesla drivers become inattentive when Autopilot is activated


MIT Tesla Autopilot•
TechCrunch / 10h
By the end of this week, potentially thousands of Tesla owners will be testing out the automaker’s newest version of its “Full Self-Driving” beta software , version 10.0.1, on public roads, even as regulators and federal officials investigate the safety of the system after a few high-profile crashes. A new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology lends credence to the idea that the FS

Hisense now gives buyers 100 days to test drive TVs: The fine print


SlashGear / 10h
Hisense has introduced its new “No Regrets” promotion for consumers who are looking to buy a new TV, but who are worried about investing a lot of money in something they may not ultimately like. Under this promotion, Hisense is giving consumers the opportunity to buy a new TV through certain retailers and then, if they choose, return it within … Continue reading

Invest in a New Knee Replacement Technology That Could Change Joint Surgeries Forever


Futurism / 10h
It feels like medical advancements bring new procedures and new treatments every day. That’s mostly true. Unfortunately, improvements don’t always come quite as quickly in every field of medical science. In fact, some technologies have remained virtually the same for literally decades. One of those fields still mired in some decidedly old technology is the practice of joint replacement surgeries.

This Foundation First Look Goes Behind the Scenes of the Asimov Adaptation


93Gizmodo / 11h
Apple TV+’s long-awaited adaptation of Isaac Asimov’s classic sci-fi saga Foundation is nearly upon us, and the streamer wants you to be both excited and prepared. We’ve gotten a few trailers so far , and now there’s a “First Look” that goes behind the scenes of the series. Prominently featured is showrunner, writer,… Read more...

Virgin Atlantic JFK Clubhouse Access Now Available Via Travelzoo


View from the Wing / 11h
The JFK Clubhouse is a gorgeous space with great tarmac views. Here’s the menu to see whether you’ll eat and drink your way to $49 (the lounge has showers, too). A bottle of Lanson Black Label champagne will cover the cost of admittance, by the way. Continue reading ...

World's First Battery-Electric Freight Train Unveiled in Pittsburgh


World Battery Pittsburgh•
400+How-To Geek / 11h
Pittsburgh-based rail company Wabtec has unveiled the first battery-electric freight train. Dubbed the FLXdrive, this locomotive is a strong first step toward sustainability in railway shipping, an industry that’s responsible for about a quarter of all U.S. transportation emissions. Unfortunately, it’s still just a first step in a very long process. Read This Article on Review Geek ›

New season, new rules: 4 things to know if you ski at Vail Resorts this winter


The Points Guy / 11h
Winter is coming — quickly. And while that’s very exciting for those who chase powder, it, unfortunately, seems that COVID-19 still won’t yet be in our collective rearview mirrors when the snow falls. To keep guests skiing and riding as safely as possible as its mountain resorts begin to open as soon as next month, Vail is out with its pandemic-related safety precautions and procedures. Some thin


Mars never had a chance: new study says Red Planet just too small to hold onto water


Mars Study Small Water•
20TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 11h
A new study argues that Mars was simply too small to ever hold onto the liquid water on its surface for the long term.

How 'nerd' culture powered through the pandemic


21KBBC News - Technology / 11h
Meet the online content creators beating the odds to build successful careers from their passions.

MIT’s latest glowing plants pave the way for passive lighting in smart cities


SlashGear / 11h
Cities of the future may be powered by light-emitting plants rather than street lamps and other sources of lighting. The concept has been presented repeatedly over the past few years, including by a team of engineers at MIT. Those researchers are back with an update on the glowing plant project they introduced back in 2017, revealing their second-generation plants glow … Continue reading

TrueLayer nabs $130M at a $1B+ valuation as open banking rises as a viable option to card networks


TrueLayer Valuation•
TechCrunch / 11h
Open banking — a disruptive technology that seeks to bypass the dominance of card networks and other traditional financial rails by letting banks open their systems directly to developers (and new services) by way of APIs — continues to gain ground in the world of financial services. As a mark of that traction, a startup playing a central role in open banking applications is announcing a big roun

Catastrophic Volcanic Eruption Prompted Construction of Ancient Maya Pyramid, Research Suggests


Gizmodo / 11h
Around 1,500 years ago, a powerful volcanic eruption laid waste to what is now El Salvador, sending the Maya civilization into a temporary period of decline. New research suggests a monumental pyramid located near the volcano was built by the Maya shortly afterward, as a response to the natural disaster. Read more...

Google’s updated iOS 15 apps support Focus Mode and iPad widgets


Google 15 Focus Mode•
31Engadget / 11h
With iOS 15 now available to download , developers both big and small have started updating their apps to take advantage of the operating system’s marquee features. One of those is Google, which detailed today the iOS 15-related enhancements you can expect from its apps. The biggest change involves how Gmail, Meet, Tasks, Maps, Home and many of Google's other applications will handle notification

You can try a 75-inch Hisense 8K TV or a 4K laser TV in your home for 100 days


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
Hisense is running a 100-Day No Regrets Guarantee promotion that lasts from September 9 through October 31.

NASA is building an EV like no other


SlashGear / 12h
In August 2022, NASA will launch a spacecraft called Psyche that’ll differ from most of its peers in one big way: it’ll use electric propulsion to move through space. The space agency plans to send the electric spacecraft to the asteroid belt located between Jupiter and Mars, its ultimate destination being the asteroid Psyche. Psyche — the asteroid, not the … Continue reading

Microsoft's New Surfaces Leaked Ahead of Hardware Event


Gizmodo / 12h
Everything we’ve been expecting Microsoft to show off at its Surface event on Wednesday looks even more likely to appear. A handful of leaks out today indicate that the Windows-based Surface Pro X and Surface Pro 8 are on the horizon, as is Microsoft’s Android flagship, the Surface Duo 2. Read more...

Do You Have To “Dress The Part” In First Class?


100+One Mile at a Time / 12h
It’s always fun to discuss travel etiquette on the blog, as it generates some interesting conversations, with differing perspectives. I often get asked if there’s a dress code when flying in first class (whether domestic or international), and if one should dress up when sitting in the pointy end of the plane. In this post I wanted to share my thoughts, and I look forward to hearing how OMAAT rea

5 features that will make you want to download iOS 15 now


Apple iOS 15 iPhone•
70Mashable / 12h
Apple officially made iOS 15 available to everyone on Monday. The latest software update was announced back in June at Apple's WWDC event, and was only available in beta until now. With the release of the iPhone 13 , the fully formed iOS 15 can be downloaded by anyone with an iPhone 6S or newer. To download it, go to Settings > General > Software Update. Here are a few of our favorite iOS 15 feat

Facebook promised Trump it wouldn't fact-check political speech, according to a new book


Zuckerberg Trump Facebook•
200+Mashable / 12h
Did Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg promise then-President Trump that it wouldn't fact-check political speech? According to a new book The Contrarian by reporter Max Chafkin on Trump supporter Peter Thiel, Zuckerberg did just that in order to avoid new regulations from the Trump administration. Remember 2019, that now-distant year before the COVID-19 pandemic and a heated presidential el

Evil Geniuses CEO Nicole LaPointe Jameson is coming to Disrupt


TechCrunch / 12h
As the opportunities in the gaming world continue to expand aggressively as part of post-COVID shifts to the entertainment sector, esports has found its own opportunities in reaching new audiences. While competitive gaming is still in its early stages, the stakeholders of the industry are some of gaming’s most prominent publishers and organizations, and disrupting how business gets done can be a

Daily Crunch: European regulators share more privacy concerns over Facebook “smart” glasses


TechCrunch / 12h
To get a roundup of TechCrunch’s biggest and most important stories delivered to your inbox every day at 3 p.m. PDT, subscribe here . Hello and welcome to Daily Crunch for September 20, 2021. It is Disrupt week, everyone, and TechCrunch is buzzing. Kicking off tomorrow morning , Disrupt is set to be a pretty butt-kicking affair. Check the agenda here , speakers here , Battlefield companies here ,

Sony’s new PS5 firmware can make your games slightly faster


PlayStation 5 Sony PS5•
Ars Technica / 12h
Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Sony) Sony's latest PS5 system firmware update makes some games run slightly faster, at least under certain scenarios. In a new Digital Foundry video , it was discovered that a performance bump—which affects both the console's 1000 series launch model and recently released 1100 series model revision—appears to make certain games run up to three percentage points f

Astronomers finally solve the mystery of a famous 900-year-old Chinese supernova


TechRadar - All the latest technology ne... / 12h
A 900-year-old astronomical mystery has finally been solved as astronomers have finally uncovered the identity of a supernova recorded in China and Japan in 1181 CE.

The Pokémon Trading Card Game Is Coming to Take Over Your Phone and Computer


Pokémon Card Game Live•
Gizmodo / 12h
While the Pokémon Company’s physical card game is regularly updated with new sets, it’s been years since there was a significant refresh of the digital companion platform, where collectors could scan their pulls and battle other players without worrying about damaging their treasured pieces of shiny cardboard. Soon,… Read more...

Get $10 off your DoorDash order and a free year of DashPass with select Chase cards


The Points Guy / 12h
Earlier this year, Chase expanded its DoorDash partnership, giving a huge array of cardmembers access to DashPass perks. After activating a one-year complimentary DashPass membership, co-branded cardmembers are eligible for $0 delivery fees and reduced service fees on orders of $12 or more from participating restaurants, plus grocery and convenience stores. You’ll also get 5% in DoorDash credit b

Meet the Voice Actress Behind Kena: Bridge of Spirits


100+Wired / 12h
Ayu Larassanti, the voice of Kena, talks about her Balinese background, how it influenced the game’s hero, and the importance of authentic casting.

SEC probing Activision Blizzard in wake of harassment, discrimination lawsuits


SEC Activision Blizzard•
Ars Technica / 12h
Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images ) In video game parlance, longtime gaming publisher Activision Blizzard has jumped to "extreme" difficulty as of late, thanks to a wave of highly publicized lawsuits. On Monday, the company behind World of Warcraft , Diablo , and Call of Duty faced arguably its biggest test yet, this time from the federal government. The Securities and Exchange Commis