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Friday, December 24, 2021

Friday Technology News and More

Technology News and More




United Delta Omicron•
2KThe Points Guy / 17min
Christmas break is turning into a bumpy travel period for U.S. airline customers. U.S. airlines canceled more than 500 total flights on Friday, Christmas Eve, as operational issues appeared to be building right ahead of the Christmas holiday. The recent wave of COVID-19 infections sparked by the omicron variant appeared to be driving many of the disruptions, with United’s flight-status page going



Tesla Finland Elon Musk•
500+Gizmodo / 2h
There are times in life when you have to chose between paying a boatload of money or watching a very big explosion. Well, not really, but Finnish man Tuomas Katainen sure did. Katainen is a 2013 Tesla Model S owner who was told he would have to pay more than $22,600 to replace the battery on his car. For him, it… Read more...



Are you more of an Irish Coffee person, or is it eggnog all the way for you? Well, you can find out what others’ favorite Christmas cocktails are thanks to food review site Grill Cook Bake. Read This Article on LifeSavvy ›




Amy Craven, the Director of Brand & Global Advertising recently spoke about the airline’s brand purpose. She gives a nice pitch for it, but I think she misses the mark (because the airline does). “Caring for people on life’s journey” doesn’t do for American what it needs to do. Continue reading ...



It looks like Santa is granting some wishes for some World of Hyatt members. The Chicago-based hotel chain is selectively extending the validity of expiring free night and upgrades awards, as first reported by Traveling Well for Less . Top-tier Globalist members — those that earn 60 or more elite-qualifying nights each year — can reach out to their dedicated concierge agent to ask for an extensio



SlashGear / 11min
Google / Android Android 12 was released on October 4, 2021, but even though it’s been a part of a select few Android users’ phones for a while now, there are still quite a few exciting new features that you’re probably unaware of! In this newest release, there’s been an increased focus on gaming, media, adaptive aesthetics, and security (as well as a … Continue reading



Mashable / 12min
The cast of Amazon's comedy special Yearly Departed hilariously eulogize this dumpster fire of a year.



Lufthansa 33000 Flights•
Lufthansa has axed 33,000 flights from its New Year schedule amid rising fears over the Omicron variant. The German flagship carrier announced it will reduce its winter flight plans by “around 10 percent” due to a massive bookings shortfall. For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter . “From the middle of January to February, we see a sharp drop off i



One of the best things about MMORPGS like Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker is that they're constantly rotating in content. While some of that might be giant, earth-shattering raids and storylines, some of it is light-hearted seasonal fun. The Final Fantasy XIV Starlight Celebration started on December 16, and is running through December 31. We didn't even think about doing it until a couple of days a



silent-poetry : Max Rimböck



TechCrunch / 26min
As we get closer to the end of the year, we’re running more stories that look back at topics we examined in depth over the last several months, and several that offer well-informed predictions for the year ahead. This week, Bill Taranto, president of Merck’s Global Health Innovation Fund, wrote a TechCrunch+ article that explored six digital health trends his corporate VC fund is tracking as we e



NASA Webb Telescope•
Engadget / 29min
For the past 31 years the Hubble Space Telescope has been an invaluably versatile observation platform for astronomers but it’s begun showing its age of late. Last serviced in 2009, the telescope has had to enter the partial-shutdown “ safe mode ” multiple times over the last few years — most recently, this October . And while optimistic estimates suggest that the Hubble could remain in operation



The card is packed full of value. The initial bonus offer is huge. And you have a window to get the card before its annual fee goes up. This is a great deal for many. Continue reading ...



As the omicron variant continues to spread nationwide, several of the nation’s biggest cities are adding new COVID restrictions. Though the particular details differ by city, you’ll soon need a vaccine certificate to access indoor dining and other cultural activities in many places nationwide. We’ll break down the new mandates below. For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up



Editor’s note: This story has been updated with new information. Even though the snow is starting to fall, Hilton’s credit card offers make it worthwhile to look ahead and plan for next year’s spring break or even your family’s summer vacation. While all sorts of trips can be the perfect fit for families, there’s something timeless about a relaxing resort vacation, so we’ve outlined 12 of the bes



How-To Geek / 42min
By default, WhatsApp chats are end-to-end encrypted, but the backups aren’t encrypted for iPhone users. To be on the safe side, you can enable end-to-end encryption for those WhatsApp backups. Here’s how. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›



How-To Geek / 42min
Google’s line of OnHub routers, which launched just a year before Google Wi-Fi, will turn seven years old in 2022. That’s an incredible lifespan for any connected device with fancy cloud-controlled smart features, but sadly, OnHub’s days are numbered. Come December 19th of 2022, OnHub routers will no longer work with the Google Home app. Read This Article on Review Geek ›



Gizmodo / 44min
Sun-gazing spacecraft managed by NASA and the European Space Agency are providing unique views of Comet Leonard, an ultrafast chunk of rock, dust, and ice that’s currently traveling through the inner solar system. Read more...



Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck has had an eventful couple of years, despite the unpredictable challenges that COVID-19 threw in the path of the rocket maker’s LA and New Zealand-based operations. Just this year, Rocket Lab had its public market debut, revealed its plans for a new medium-lift launch vehicle called Neutron and acquired two companies (on top of its first acquisition from 2020). I spoke t



25Gizmodo / 1h
Boba Fett is dead no more, long live Boba Fett! Next week, The Book of Boba Fett will kick off a new adventure with Temuera Morrison’s legendary Bounty Hunter, paving a new way forward for his criminal empire while exploring just how he cheated his (rather goofy) death in Return of the Jedi . But this is Star Wars : of… Read more...



TikTok isn't just about sharing creative content, it's also about collaborating, commenting, and getting involved in a unique community. To do this effectively, you should know how to communicate in TikTik's secret language: a set of hidden emoji you can "unlock" by using special shortname codes. Some of these emoji, emoticons, or stickers are similar to the familiar emoji you already use on othe



There are lots of great business credit cards , and many businesses leave a lot of rewards on the table by not using the right credit card. In this post, I wanted to take an in-depth look at the Ink Business Unlimited® Credit Card , which is the most compelling Chase business credit card for everyday spending. There’s a trick to really maximizing the rewards on the card, though. Chase Ink Busines




A comet is headed to Earth, and despite dire warnings from scientists, almost everyone fails to take it seriously. That's the basic premise of Don't Look Up , the latest film from Adam McKay which premieres on Netflix today. It balances the blunt social commentary from his most recent Oscar nominated films ( The Big Short and Vice ), with the comic absurdity from his early hits, like Anchorman an



Rewards Chase Annual•
Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information. Thanks to its plethora of premium travel perks, the Chase Sapphire Reserve is well known in the travel credit cards space. The Chase Sapphire Preferred Card is the lower $95-annual-fee version and remains a top pick, winning Best Travel Rewards Credit Card and Best Refreshed Credit Card in the 2021 TPG Awards . No matter which Sapphi



Normally, your iPhone 13 keep apps running smoothly in the foreground (or suspended in the background, ready to resume when needed). But if an iOS app misbehaves, it’s easy to force the app to close. Here’s how. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›



Over the last year, Adam Savage and the Tested crew have made a handful of trips to Grant Imahara’s workshop, celebrating the life and craft of the late roboticist and Mythbuster star. But the latest dip into Imahara’s workshop is extra special because we get to enjoy a detailed look at his extremely accurate BB-8 replica. Read This Article on Review Geek ›



In a sketch on the most recent episode of “Saturday Night Live,” a pair of mature women (played by Aidy Bryant and Kate McKinnon) were filming a commercial for HomeGoods that required them to talk about what they want for Christmas. Read more...



Google Santa Christmas•
As I'm sorting out some last-minute updates at work on Christmas Eve, I see mention of Google's Santa Tracker in our Slack group. "What's that all about?" I wonder. And before I know it, I'm watching Santa fly across the globe in real time. He's just left Singapore, at the time of writing, and is currently dumping a load of presents over Broome, Australia. Where will he go next? Before I know it



We've all faced specific pandemic-fueled challenges in the past two years, and daters aren't any different. Last year, we were forced to date through screens or not at all. This year, we had a hodge-podge of varying desires — and COVID mandates — as we all attempted to navigate dating through a seemingly-endless pandemic . Given the ride the last couple years have been, what will 2022 bring us in



MSC Cruises Cruise•
Choose a cruise deal with airfare included, or book an air-cruise package, and your cruise purchase can really be one-stop shopping. You always get transportation, food and lodging all in one price with a cruise, but book your airfare through your cruise line, and you’ll take care of the majority of your travel plans in one transaction. But should you book your flights through your cruise line? W



46Gizmodo / 2h
Season six of The Expanse is ripping right along , as Avasarala discovers trouble brewing on Ceres, Drummer builds a key new alliance, and the Rocinante crew’s brief breather after last week’s big discovery is rudely interrupted by a certain Mr. Inaros . And has a smidge of Pet Sematary has entered the chat? Let’s get… Read more...



Image credit: Nintendo It has been a heck of a year for the game industry. With the COVID-19 pandemic serving as the backdrop, we’ve had a lot of ups and downs this year. From the major revelations about Activision Blizzard to the ongoing semiconductor shortage that continues to impact manufacturing, 2021 was filled with big headlines. Here are some of the biggest stories … Continue reading



Amazon’s Echo Show line has been around for four years, but until now the screen sizes have ranged from five to 10 inches , making it ideal as a multipurpose bedside alarm or a companion screen in the kitchen. The 15-inch Echo Show 15 , available now, is by far the largest size Amazon has attempted, and it’s also notably the first Echo Show you can mount on your wall. Because of that, the company



I'm going to ignore the math here and just say I don't need the free night and I'll enjoy the possible upgrade more if it comes through. In other words I'm going to waste money, perhaps frivolously, on something I'll enjoy. Why is it a waste? Because I'm probably better off taking the free night, saving $240 in cash I'd otherwise spend on a room, and using that cash for a better room on another s



So, you just unwrapped a brand new Apple Watch. Apple’s popular wearable is an awesome extension of your iPhone, and it comes packed with features that span health, fitness, communication, and entertainment. But before you dive into all of those fun and exciting options, there are eight things you should probably do … Read more...



Battery life is something most people think about, but what about battery health? This is important for the long-term usability of your phone. Unlike the iPhone, Android devices don’t have a super-easy way to check this. Read This Article on How-To Geek ›



Have you ever wondered what people in other countries put on the table for Christmas? From Japan to Ghana, and even Brazil, we’ve got a few fun traditions to share. Read This Article on LifeSavvy ›



Some things don’t mix. Desktop PCs and travel are two of them. Desktops tend to be large, heavy, and fragile—three traits that typically make transport difficult. But being me, I thought it could be done cheaply, put my plan into action, and now my PC is dead. Read This Article on Review Geek ›



This week, I watched Klaus for the first time, and I highly doubt it will be the last. I'm not talking about the last time ever, either - I'm planning on debuting it to my parents tomorrow on Christmas. Written and directed by Sergio Pablos, Klaus is a directorial debut worth celebrating. With a rich history in both 2D and 3D animated film, including The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Hercules, Tarzan



Gizmodo / 3h
We’re nearly a year into the Joe Biden presidency, a presidency the man himself declared would be devoted to combatting climate change . He arrived in office at the start of a critical decade , and the Biden years will play a major role in shaping it. Read more...




US Omicron African•
The United States will be lifting its Africa travel restrictions shortly… Africa travel ban being reversed after weeks Back in early November the United States finally lifted the poorly executed country-specific travel bans that were put in place at the start of the pandemic. Those were replaced by a requirement for visitors to be vaccinated , which made a lot more sense. Unfortunately that didn’



YouTube channel Skynet Network has showcased an impressive Raspberry Pi cluster computer, dubbed the Mega Cluster, which cost in the region of $5,000 to build. As reported by our sister site Tom’s Hardware , the cluster is made up of 83 Raspberry Pi computers , each fitted with a heatsink to keep the system cool, and connected up with two Netgear ProSafe switches. The vast majority are Raspberry



Long before the start of the seemingly never-ending pandemic, it was hard to resist the convenience of online shopping. But while buying something directly from a reputable retailer—or straight from the manufacturer—tends to ensure that you know exactly what you’re getting, the rise in popularity of online… Read more...



Although we cover loyalty programs and credit cards in-depth on TPG every day, sometimes you want a snippet of helpful information that you can put into action on the fly. That’s why we launched the series Quick Points . Every week, we’ll highlight a new or easily forgotten tip that can help you travel more for less. In today’s edition of Quick Points, I’ll discuss how and why you should link you



Gizmodo / 3h
Humanity’s reach into space has never been greater, with 2022 promising to be one of the most thrilling yet. Here are the space stories we’ll be watching in the coming months. Read more...



News of the global chip shortage has been so far-reaching this year, it's become a meme. "I'm sorry I forgot to do the dishes, there's a global chip shortage." But as with many online jokes, there's a kernel of truth to it. The semiconductor chip crisis is real, and it's had a serious impact on our lives. Cars are more expensive and harder to build. Computer makers are rushing to keep up with an



A start-up from Oxford is hoping to make laundry more environmentally friendly.



Intel China Xinjiang•
Enlarge / Photo taken on Aug. 2, 2019 shows the booth of CPU chip manufacturer Intel at China Digital Entertainment Expo and Game Expo in Shanghai, China. (credit: Future Publishing |Getty Images) Intel has apologized for a ban on using components from Xinjiang in response to attacks from Chinese nationalist media over the policy, becoming the latest multinational to become embroiled in China’s b



A ban on foreign nationals arriving to the U.S. from eight southern African countries will be lifted at 12:01 a.m. E.T. on Dec. 31, according to Reuters. The travel restriction was imposed on Nov. 29 after the discovery of the omicron variant by South African scientists in early November. The ban applies to almost all non-U.S. citizens who had traveled to Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Moza



23Gizmodo / 4h
Jonathan Frakes may forever be known to Star Trek fans as Commander William Riker, the Next Generation role that he has carried on to this day in Picard and Lower Decks . But arguably his most vital contribution in Star Trek ’s new era has been from behind the scenes, as one of Discovery ’s most reliable directors. But… Read more...



200+Futurism / 4h
Drone Zone Police in Israel may soon have autonomous drones that fly to locations where gunshots are detected, according to a new press release from ShotSpotter . The US-based company already creates a controversial product that uses acoustic sensors to detect gun shots and alert police, and now it’s teaming up with a company called Airobotics to create drones that respond to disturbances. “Airob



Trump Owens COVID Biden•
100+Futurism / 4h
We never thought we’d see the day when erstwhile President Donald Trump took far-right personality Candace Owens to task for questioning the safety of COVID-19 vaccines — but then again, 2021 has been full of surprises. In a viral video that baffles the imagination, Owens attempts to bait Trump into disparaging the vaccines that were so swiftly manufactured at the end of his presidency, thanks in



It’s Christmas Eve, folks! So, while we hope you’re preparing for a day of merriment and gift-giving, now is a good time to tell you about all the great movies and TV shows worth watching tomorrow evening as you lounge around on the sofa, eggnog in-hand. And boy, what a selection it is this year. From The Matrix Resurrections to Don’t Look Up , the streaming giants have clearly saved some of thei



Tiktok Content Moderator•
Steve Dent Contributor Steve Dent is an associate editor at Engadget . More posts by this contributor Zillow adds FaceTime SharePlay to browse homes with friends FedEx receives its first fully-electric GM Brightdrop delivery vans A TikTok moderator has sued the social media platform and its parent ByteDance over trauma caused by graphic videos, Bloomberg has reported. In a proposed class-action l



200+Gizmodo / 4h
After decades of waiting, the Webb Space Telescope is finally ready to blast off. You can watch this historic launch live right here. Read more...



Russia Google Content•
The verdict marks the first time Russia has fined a technology giant based on their annual turnover.



Delta Air Lines wants to know if they can save money staffing check-in counters with agents for elite travelers. For years they've pushed general passengers to self-service kiosks, while maintaining full service especially for their most frequent customers. They're surveying their customer focus group, made up generally of a group of elite customers, about whether they use kiosks in areas outside



If you’re collecting miles & points through credit card spending, I always recommend doing what you can to accrue transferable points currencies . That’s because these points are much more flexible than when you’re earning an individual airline or hotel points currency. You have the ability to transfer these points to all kinds of travel partners, and you’re safeguarded from a devaluation in a sp



One Games 2021 Two•
This pandemic has dragged on longer than expected but hey, another 12 months in lockdown means another year to play lots of video games. And what a year it’s been, with new installments in storied franchises, remakes of forgotten classics and a game where you date your sword. As is tradition, the Engadget team gathered together to ruminate on their favorite titles released this year, extolling th



2021 was a big year for country reopenings , credit card launches , loyalty program updates , new hotel openings and more. As we get ready to usher in the new year, the TPG team is taking a look back on our favorite stories of the last 12 months. Today, Benji Stawski shares his 10 favorite posts of the year. Benji is a reporter for the site, covering everything from loyalty programs and credit ca




Hello and welcome back to Equity , a podcast about the business of startups where we unpack the numbers and nuance behind the headlines. It’s just about Christmas, which means you may be stuck with family at the moment. Regardless of what, if any, holidays you may celebrate, there’s good chance that there are more people around you than normal. We’re here to distract you from that. To ensure that



The rapid spread of the Omicron variant may have put a damper on your holiday plans, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get the festive photos you want (of those in your household). And while it can be hard to feel jolly (again) this year, you may appreciate having a record of your second pandemic Christmas years down… Read more...



Tesla PP Games NHTSA•
At this point, it's no surprise when Tesla or CEO Elon Musk announces a boundary-breaking feature for its electric vehicles. Earlier this year, Tesla rolled out the ability for passengers to play video games through the infotainment system mounted on the dashboard even while the car is in motion, which can be activated after the player confirms they are a passenger. However, there's nothing to st



The deals have mostly dried up for the holidays, but Walmart has brought back an offer on the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 plus one of the company's smart light bulbs for only $25, which is about $45 off its normal price. The company introduced the modestly updated Smart Clock 2 this year, and we first saw this deal in early December before it returned today. Buy Lenovo Smart Clock 2 bundle at Walmart -



With or without Omicron, a significant portion of Brits were already planning celebrate the holidays over video conference , new research suggests. Surveying 2,023 UK adults for the report, networking firm Global Wireless Solutions (GWS) found that 11% expect to use live-streaming apps to connect with their friends and family during Christmas and the New Year, as compared with 12% last year. Whil



Although all of us here at TPG are based in the U.S., our audience spans globally. I for one love Canada (especially Montreal), so when our friends up north began emailing me about Canadian trusted traveler programs, I couldn’t resist looking into CATSA, also known as the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority. I should note that while Canadian vernacular spells “traveler” as “traveller,” we w



Samsung 2022 Gaming•
Samsung has announced that its first ever HDR10+ Gaming compatible gaming displays in the new Q70 lineup are coming soon. And what's even better is that they'll be at CES 2022 for attendees to try out on the show floor. As reported by The Verge , Samsung's 2022 lineup of Q70 QLED TVs will be the first to feature HDR10+ Gaming as standard and (barring any absences due to the ongoing Covid-19 pande



23Mashable / 5h
Dating non-queer men as a queer woman can feel like stepping onto a dancefloor without knowing the routine. In the same way there isn't a social script for how women date women (hence the useless lesbian meme ), there also isn’t any guidance for how multi-gender attracted (bi+) women can date men in a way that honours our queerness. That's not because bi+ women dating men are less queer than thos



Welcome to AirFryDay, where — you guessed it — every Friday Mashable covers the latest trends, dispenses advice, and reviews recipes for your air fryer. There is nothing sexy about green beans. I'd argue is pretty weird to call any food sexy, to be honest, but you get my point. Greens beans are not a food the inspires oohs and ahhs. They're there and they're fine. So that's why I was kind of shoc



In late 2018, I noticed a Malaysia Enrich Triple Everything promotion. After reading the promotion terms and conditions carefully, I realized I could earn Oneworld Sapphire status for over two years for less than $500 . I already had plans to be in Southeast Asia, so my husband and I hopped over to Medan, Indonesia, in early 2019 to start a series of 18 Malaysia Airlines flights in 16 days. After



Many people use smartphones and tablets as their primary devices, meaning they often contain apps with sensitive data. These can include, for example, banking and investment apps, photo apps with private galleries, and more. Locking apps is a good way to keep others from accessing this content when you let them use your devices, but the exact process depends on … Continue reading



Spider-Man No Way Home•
Cybercriminals are attempting to exploit the popularity of the Marvel franchise to distribute crypto mining malware , a new report suggests. Researchers from security firm ReasonLabs have warned that a malicious torrent file is doing the rounds, masquerading as the new Spider-Man: No Way Home movie. Downloading the torrent infects the victim's device with malware than mines Monero cryptocurrency.



36Wired / 5h
Even ordinary actions, like tossing a tennis ball, can be extraordinarily complex to calculate. The trick is knowing what to leave out.



Gizmodo / 5h
The HDMI Licensing Administrator announced a new HDMI 2.1 update, appropriately called HDMI 2.1a, that is designed to improve picture quality when you’re viewing content of varying quality. Read more...



Gizmodo / 5h
Ghostface returns in a new batch of Scream images. Batwoman teases the arrival of Poison Ivy . Plus, what’s coming on the next episode of The Flash . ‘Twas the spoilers before Christmas! Read more...



Star Trek Discovery•
Star Trek: Discovery is taking an unscheduled break in the season after its next episode on December 30th, Gizmodo has reported. It'll be off for a month and a half until February 10th, essentially making way for the next season of the kids-oriented Star Trek Prodigy , set to return on January 6th. Discovery took a similar mid-season break in season one, but this time there's more content to fill



Intel Koduri Arc Alchemist•
Intel’s Raja Koduri has been talking about the firm’s incoming Arc Alchemist GPUs , letting us know that the cards are now in the final stages of bug squashing, and also imparting some interesting info about future capabilities (plus, aside from this, a leaked game benchmark has recently been spotted – more on that later). As VideoCardz reports, Koduri – who was streaming from an Arc Alchemist-po



A wave of leading retailers in the UK have launched their Boxing Day sales early this year, including big names like Marks and Spencer , Currys , AO.com , and Boots . Mostly branded as 'Winter' or 'Holiday' sales, today's early bird deals follow a trend we've seen over the past few years of retailers launching their promotions well before big retail calendar dates such as Boxing Day, Black Friday



After seven years in the production of electronic gadgets, under his company Imose Technologies , Osayi Izedonmwen took leave to explore an idea that he had toyed with for some time — an edtech startup, Teesas , which now offers video classes and other digital educational material for learners in Nigeria. Teesas, which was launched less than two months ago, has had a rapid takeoff, leading to a s



Gizmodo / 6h
Dropbox is one of those huge, ubiquitous apps—like Gmail, or iMessage, or Spotify —that is constantly adding new features. But if you’re not using the service on a daily basis, you might miss some of the tools that have been added. The most recent Dropbox upgrade is worth paying attention to, because it gives you a… Read more...




Priority Pass members can enjoy complimentary spa treatments at select airports in the United States, which is pretty cool. This feature was first rolled out several months ago, but some more locations have just joined the network. “Be Relax” spas join Priority Pass Priority Pass is the world’s largest network of independent airport lounges, with over 1,300 locations around the world . While most



View of an advertising card for J. Weller & Co., depicting a girl wearing a hat. Printed on front: “J. Weller & Co’s Crème de la Crème toilet soap. Gies & Co., Buffalo, N.Y.” Printed on back: “J. Weller & Co., perfumers and manufacturers of fancy & toilet soaps, 606 & 608 Woodbridge St. 2, 4, 6, 8 & 10 13th St., Detroit, Mich.” Courtesy of the Burton Historical Collection, Detroit Public Library



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 ...



The Wheel of Time One•
Enlarge / Moiraine contemplates The Blight. (credit: Amazon Studios) Andrew Cunningham and Lee Hutchinson have spent decades of their lives with Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson's Wheel of Time books, and they're bringing that knowledge to bear as they recap each episode of Amazon's new WoT TV series. These recaps won't cover every element of every episode, but they will contain major spoilers



There’s something magical about ordering the perfect cocktail, especially in the perfect setting. Dim lights. A plush banquette. The faint but omnipresent melody from the pianist a few seats over. And to top it all off, a tower of bar snacks (assorted olives, addictive crisps and more) straddling the line between art and delicacy. That’s exactly what two Americans found during a recent trip to Lo



Megan Lamberth Contributor Megan Lamberth is an associate fellow with the Technology & National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS). She is the co-author of the CNAS report “Taking the Helm: A National Technology Strategy to Meet the China Challenge.” The TechCrunch Global Affairs Project examines the increasingly intertwined relationship between the tech sector and



Gizmodo / 6h
At the core of my soul, I want to hate BioLite’s FirePit+, but I’ll be damned if it isn’t my favorite gadget I’ve used this year. Read more...



Electricity courses through New York City once December hits, almost as if it’s crackling through the air. You can see it as people break out their scarves and mittens and join arms as they galavant down the avenues and streets. You can see it in the crumpled brown shopping bags they carry full of presents, wine and gifts to bring to holiday parties. It’s especially evident inside the bars and re



Apple has patched a nasty macOS bug that could have allowed malicious applications to circumvent the operating system's in-built security protections. As reported by Bleeping Computer , the flaw was first discovered by Gordon Long, Offensive Security Engineer at Box. According to Long, the vulnerability could allow a specially crafted, script-based application to be launched on a Mac device witho



The past cannot be escaped; it must be confronted. This is the low growl at the heart of Pedro Almodóvar’s deceptively breezy Parallel Mothers . Though a melodrama, there are few tears and little gnashing of teeth. The world of mid-2010’s Madrid is kept effervescent and pretty, with vibrant yellow accents in upper-class homes and gorgeous residents at every turn. But under the surface of the seem



I joked about LG’s unusual TVs earlier this week, but I'll take it back. Those were fine. Sensible, even. That’s because a Meiji University professor in Japan has unveiled a prototype screen called “Taste the TV”. The prototype sends electrical signals to 10 flavor canisters that spray flavors on a film overlay for those willing to lick. Creator Homei Miyashita thinks of the device as less of a t



Tesla Games Moving Cars•
It follows an inquiry into Passenger Play, which allowed games to be played while a car was moving.



Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson | Getty Images) 2021 dawned in optimism, with the arrival of a pair of highly effective mRNA vaccines for COVID-19 alongside an incoming presidential administration that promised to take the pandemic seriously. We all know how the year went—in short, 2021 was the kind of year that had some people not only looking out for the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse but actua



TSA Holiday Travel•
The holiday travel period is well underway, so plan on packing your patience. The Transportation Security Administration estimates that it will screen at least 20 million passengers around the winter holidays, R. Carter Langston, press secretary for the TSA, told TPG in an email. Want more travel news and advice from TPG? Sign up for our daily newsletter . According to Langston, this is still a d



57Wired / 7h
Yes, you binged Squid Game, but what about Reservation Dogs and The Great?



51Wired / 7h
From Christmas economics to incarceration policy, how well do the various monarchical countries of the Princess Switch series treat their humble citizens?



Wired / 7h
“Is it a casino or the future of tech? Everyone’s trying to figure that out.”



31Wired / 7h
It was a year of ransomware, surveillance, data breaches, and yes, more ransomware.



The new GPU market leaves you with either no GPUs to buy or impossibly high prices for the GPUs that are available. Understandably, many people are turning to the used GPU market—but there are many pitfalls down this road! Read This Article on How-To Geek ›



While there’s a lot to love about World of Hyatt, a couple of weeks ago I wrote about how the program seemingly wasn’t extending any awards that were about to expire, including suite upgrade awards, club access awards, and free night awards. Most competitors are offering proactive extensions of earned awards, so that was disappointing to many members. It looks like there might be some good news o




Samsung Galaxy S21•
Hot on the heels of a full Samsung Galaxy S21 FE user manual leaking, now someone seems to have actually got hold of a retail model of the phone and put it through an unboxing video. The video – on HDblog's YouTube channel – doesn't show much we haven't already seen, because, well, just about everything about the Samsung Galaxy S21 FE has already leaked, but this is our first clear look at it on



Some VR titles promise the world and deliver a pittance, others promise you a simple round of mini-golf and give you one of the best experiences on the Oculus Quest store. Walkabout Mini Golf doesn’t look like much from its humble store page, but the life-like gameplay, expertly crafted holes, and varied level design culminate in a truly fantastic experience - it’s one of the best Oculus Quest 2



Tesla Games Moving Cars•
44TechCrunch / 8h
Jon Fingas Contributor Jon Fingas is a contributing writer at Engadget . More posts by this contributor Merck’s COVID-19 antiviral pill is the second authorized by the FDA GM plans to start Silverado EV production in early 2023 Tesla is quickly responding to the NHTSA’s investigation of in-dash gaming while cars are moving . The Guardian has learned Tesla will deliver an update disabling on-the-m



Chinese India Oppo•
It was a strange week for Foxconn, one of the leading contract manufacturers in India. It has been shut for 5 days due to workers unrest owing to poor quality of food at its hostel. Over 150 had to be hospitalised due to food poisoning. Amidst this, it also emerged that the Foxconn unit had begun trial production of iPhone 13 , with the possibility of commercial manufacture by February 2022. Adde



47Mashable / 8h
It's no surprise that Lana Wachowski's The Matrix Resurrections is a polarizing film . The director, and her sister/collaborator Lilly, rarely play it safe in their work. The original Matrix revolutionized sci-fi filmmaking, while other films like Cloud Atlas and Jupiter Ascending took big storytelling swings with varying results (and some truly egregious makeup and casting decisions ). One of th



Apple Arcade Disney•
Sorry for the want of paraphrasing Mariah this festive season in the headline there. Let me more accurately rephrase that – all I need for Christmas is Apple Arcade . While all eyes often turn to Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass (and not without reason) when the discussion turns to gaming services, Apple Arcade has had an enviable 12 months. The mobile gaming buffet continues to grow at a steady pace,



MSI Nvidia 3090 SUPRIM•
Nvidia’s RTX 3090 Ti could be here on January 27, with the top-end Ampere graphics card to have 24GB of RAM on-board, according to a new rumor. All this has been previously rumored, as you may recall, but the fresh leakage comes courtesy of a purported NDA document from MSI, which VideoCardz got hold of, with the tech site noting that it has contacted other sources in the industry who have said t



While it may not be the open-world Sonic game, Sonic Frontiers , that has had fans of the blue blur spinning with anticipation since its reveal, Sega’s mascot will get one more outing before 2021 draws to a close. Except, it's coming in an unlikely form. We may be approaching the 22nd year of the 21st century, but this week we’ve been treated to a new Sonic game on the Commodore 64. Yep, you read



Because of the unpredictable nature of the fashion industry, fashion brands often have to ‘guestimate’ demand for their products, and if they get that demand wrong, they have to deal with the wasted inventory. All too often clothes end up being incinerated unnecessarily, adding to their environmental impact. UK startup Purple Dot has an ecommerce ‘waitlist and pre-order’ platform, allowing fashio



TL;DR: As of Dec. 24, get the mbeat® PT-18K Bluetooth Vinyl Player for $211.65 with the code MERRY15 — that's 41% off its regular price of $363. No matter how many digital upgrades there are, nothing tops the sound of vinyl . Old souls know those scratching records are the epitome of authenticity, but in the modern world, it’s tough to come to terms with the digital divide. That’s why a player th



TL;DR: The PutterBall Backyard Golf Game is just $161.49 at the Mashable Shop with code MERRY15 as of Dec. 24. If you're looking for a way to practice your swing, PutterBall is the easiest way to improve your golf game from home without having to pay for extra lessons or tee time. If you're looking for a new tailgate activity to enjoy before the big game, PutterBall is good for that as well. And



TL;DR: Get four bottles of wine from Winc for just $21.21 at the Mashable Shop with code MERRY15 , as of Dec. 24. Wine is a classic present for a reason: it lasts. And now, for a limited time, when you enter code MERRY15 at checkout, you can secure a sitewide discount of 15%, so no one has to know you barely paid $20 for this luxe wine set. Winc cuts out the middle man by creating and curating wi



TL;DR: As of Dec. 24, you can get the Gravita Levitating Smart Lamp for just $76.49 with the code MERRY15 — that's a discount of 43% from its regular price of $134. A great way to start a new year is by updating your space. Out with the old and in with the new is how the saying goes, right? There’s no need to overhaul everything, though. A few little changes — like switching up the lighting — can



Multiple cybersecurity experts have now released free-to-use scanners to help organizations look for vulnerable Log4j instances. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), for example, has published a Log4j scanner on GitHub, based on a previous version built by security firm FullHunt. CISA said this tool scans for two vulnerabilities - CVE-2021-44228 and CVE-2021-45046 - and of



The end of the year is always a good time for a bit of introspection and self-reflection. It also seems right to pause to celebrate some of the high points from a challenging year. We asked our writers and editors to look back over all the stories we published in 2021 and tell us which ones really stood out. Which stories did their colleagues publish that made them proud to work for MIT Technolog



The DreamCloud Boxing Day mattress sale is live and there’s a huge discount to be had: save 50% on the Luxury Hybrid Mattress , DreamCloud's 28cm-deep bed made from coils and foam, and finished with a pillowy top. In the sale a double size costs £624.50 (was £1,249) when you use the promo code DREAM50 at checkout. This is the best deal we've seen from DreamCloud in some time and is bigger than th



Tiktok Content Moderator•
Engadget / 10h
A TikTok moderator has sued the social media platform and its parent ByteDance over trauma caused by graphic videos, Bloomberg has reported. In a proposed class-action lawsuit, moderator Candie Frazier said that she has screened videos showing violence, school shootings, fatal falls and even cannibalism. "Plaintiff has trouble sleeping and when she does sleep, she has horrific nightmares," the la



NHTSA Tesla Play Games•
56Mashable / 10h
Since 2019, Tesla offers full-fledged games in its infotainment system, and the company even allowed some of them to be played while the vehicle was moving. That is now coming to an end. According to The Guardian , Tesla will stop allowing games to be played on center touch displays – a feature called Passenger Play – while cars are moving. The decision comes a day after the National Highway Traf



Mashable / 10h
TikTok is a delightfully entertaining place filled with an endless stream of fun clips to effectively distract you from your soul-crushing anxiety. However, the hugely popular video sharing app can occasionally become a bit too engaging, keeping you scrolling through dance trends and story times long after you should have submitted to being alone with your thoughts. Fortunately for your existenti



The world of high-end smartphones is a fast moving one. Today’s champion is tomorrow’s forgotten also-ran. Thankfully, the OnePlus 9 Pro is good enough that it remains relevant months after its release. Still, the arrival of the iPhone 13 Pro has undoubtedly taken a good portion of the attention of late. So how does the OnePlus 9 Pro compare to the iPhone 13 Pro? Is this even a competitive fight




New Zealand, a country of just under 5 million people, has historically flown under the radar of venture capitalism. A geographically isolated country with a “no worries!” culture and an economy based on raw materials, Aotearoa hasn’t stood out to investors in the Asia-Pacific region, especially not when they could set their sights on larger markets in China and Southeast Asia. Now, investors see


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