Google feature lets you communicate with a 911 operator without speaking
Google is launching a new feature that lets emergency callers communicate with a 911 operator without uttering a word. If a caller can't speak due to injury, danger, or some kind of impairment, they can simply tap a couple of buttons on their phone to launch an automated voice service to get their message across.
Bird’s new electric scooter is built for the long road ahead
Scootersharing services like Bird can see some of their two-wheelers fall apart pretty fast once they hit the road. Constant use and, in some cases, vandalism, can give them a short shelf life, pushing up operating costs. That's why Bird has built its latest electric scooter to cope with rough rides and more.
Amazon is about to kill off its press-to-order Dash button
Amazon's diminutive Dash button is about to die. The ecommerce giant said that from the end of August, customers will no longer be able to use its press-to-buy button to order products from its site. The Wi-Fi-connected device launched in 2015, but the emergence of new shopping options means it’s no longer needed.
Lyft pulls its bikes from San Francisco streets after apparent battery fires
Lyft has suspended its bikesharing operation in San Francisco following two fires in the space of a few days. The cause is thought to be faulty batteries that power the pedal-assist two-wheelers, though this is yet to be confirmed. Operating under the Bay Wheels brand, the new bikes launched only two months ago.
B4UFLY app for drone pilots gets overhaul, so it should actually work now
The FAA's original B4UFLY app for drone pilots was roundly lambasted for being confusing, slow, and glitchy when it launched in 2016. On Wednesday the FAA rolled out an improved version to help drone owners fly safely. The app was knocked into shape by drone fleet management software firm Kittyhawk.
Amazon to start fining sellers for using boxes that are way too big
It's happened to us all. You order a small item on Amazon only for the seller to send it out in a box that's unnecessarily huge. In a bid to finally stamp out the practice, the online shopping giant is about to start imposing fines on sellers if they fail to change their ways.
Adidas has created a running shoe that’s made to be remade
Adidas has unveiled the Futurecraft Loop running shoe that it claims is the first performance footwear to be 100% recyclable. The shoe is part of a growing list of green initiatives by the sportswear company and will be tested over the next 18 months before hitting stores in 2021.
Fortnite millionaire’s mom threw his Xbox in the trash before World Cup
The recent Fortnite World Cup saw teens walking away with huge cash prizes for outstanding performances during the event. Runner-up Jaden Ashman, 15, shared a $2.25 million prize with his playing partner for finishing second in the duo event, despite his mom once throwing away his Xbox to get him to focus on school.
Robo-van trial helps Walmart with grocery deliveries, but not to your door
Like a growing number of companies, retail giant Walmart appears keen to incorporate autonomous vehicles into its shipping operations. Its latest trial involves using driverless vehicles for the so-called "middle-mile" part of the distribution network, which could eventually see savings passed onto online shoppers.
Attempt to pilot a flyboard across the English Channel ends in the water
It was going so well for French inventor Franky Zapata as he attempted to become the first person to fly 20 miles across the English Channel with a flyboard. But when he tried to make a brief refueling stop on choppy waters, he toppled off the boat and into the sea. Zapata says he’ll try again soon.
Setback for GM’s autonomous car unit as it delays launch of robo-taxi service
GM's autonomous car unit wanted to launch a robo-taxi service before the end of this year. But Cruise Automation's CEO said on Wednesday it needed more time to test its self-driving vehicle in real-world conditions. The San Francisco-based company couldn’t offer a new date for the launch of its driverless taxi service.
SpaceX’s latest Starhopper test goes up in a puff of smoke (again)
SpaceX wanted to send its Starhopper spacecraft skyward on Wednesday but had to abort the effort at the very last moment. It was only destined to travel 20 meters above the ground in what would have been its first untethered flight, but something went wrong as the engine fired.
Coffee lovers, Starbucks and Uber Eats are going all-in on U.S. deliveries
For Starbucks fans, there may be times when a coffee is required but getting to a store is impossible. To prevent such a situation reaching crisis level, the coffee giant is planning to expand its delivery partnership with Uber Eats throughout the U.S. from early next year.
UPS sees a way forward for drone delivery and is going for it
UPS is getting serious about drone deliveries. The shipping giant has been exploring the idea for several years, and has even been testing a service delivering medical samples across a hospital campus in North Carolina. Now it has set up a new drone subsidiary called Flight Forward to take its plans to the next level.
Starbucks coffee delivery lands in 6 more cities via Uber Eats
Starbucks is expanding its coffee delivery service beyond Miami to stores in six more cities. Available via the Uber Eats app, the service launched in San Francisco on Tuesday, January 22, with Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, D.C. all hopping aboard in the coming weeks.
Starbucks teams with Uber Eats for delivery from 2,000 of its U.S. stores
Coffee giant Starbucks has teamed up with Uber Eats to offer customers beverage delivery from 2,000 of its stores — a quarter of all of its outlets in the U.S. The major expansion will see Uber Eats run alongside Starbucks' current partnership with rival delivery service Postmates.
Flyboard Air inventor plans daring 20-mile flight over English Channel this week
Franky Zapata is planning to fly his jet-powered hoverboard across the English Channel on Thursday. The 20-mile trip is a big challenge, though, with the Flyboard Air inventor admitting he only has a 30% chance of succeeding. Zapata hit the headlines last week when he flew his board at France’s Bastille Day parade.
Facebook admits to Messenger Kids security flaw but insists it’s fixed
Facebook has confirmed that it missed a design flaw in its Messenger Kids app that meant children could have communicated with users who hadn’t been parent-approved. The error involved group chats, though Facebook says it has now fixed the issue and contacted those affected.
Parrot retires its mini-drones to focus on its Anafi quadcopter
Parrot is retiring its mini-drones to focus on developing its more advanced Anafi quadcopter for the commercial market. The decision means an end to sales of devices such as the Mambo and Swing. The company recently won a contract with the U.S. Department of Defense to develop a drone for soldiers.
You won’t believe how quickly Red Bull changed all four tires on this F1 car
Red Bull has just bagged the record for the fastest pit-lane stop in the history of F1 racing. The team of highly trained mechanics changed all four tires on the car in just 1.91 seconds at the British Grand Prix on Sunday, shaving just 0.01 seconds off the previous record held by McLaren.
Elon Musk’s Hyperloop pod race sees German team zoom to victory (again)
A German team of student engineers has come first in the latest Hyperloop pod speed contest in California. The team's design reached 288 mph (463 kph) along a straight, three-quarter-mile test track, beating three rival teams. Next year’s contest will increase the challenge by using a much longer, curved track.
Japan’s latest bullet train begins trial runs that will see it reach 248 mph
Japan has begun testing its next-generation bullet train in trial runs that will see it reach speeds of 248 mph. It’s surely its coolest design to date, too, with the 22-meter-long nose on its front car guaranteed to turn heads.
Amazon Prime Day glitch saw pricey camera gear given crazy discounts
It seems like a few lucky photography enthusiasts had the best time during this year's Prime Day(s). Thanks to an apparent glitch on Amazon’s shopping site, a wide selection of pricey camera gear ended up being sold for a fraction of the usual price— and some of the bargains have already shipped!
Stalking apps: Google deletes 7 Android trackers from the Play Store
Google has removed from the Play Store seven stalking apps that let a snoop track someone's phone without them knowing about it. The sneaky software also offers access to a handset’s contact list, as well as its SMS and call history. Such apps are sometimes used by abusive partners or dodgy employers, among others.
Uber’s in-car shopping service now sells way more than just snacks
The Cargo Box launched in 2018 to offer Uber drivers an easy way to sell snacks and drinks to riders. The service is now expanding to include lots more items, including tech products and travel accessories. With each purchase, riders receive 10% back in Uber Cash, while drivers receive a commission.
Waze now tells you the cost of toll roads along your route
Navigation app Waze now tells you how much you'll be paying for toll roads, should you decide to take them. Enter your route and the app will display the various tolls you'll be paying on that particular trip. The update rolled out this week and is available for Waze on both Android and iPhone.
Airport hotel builds a full-sized flight simulator into one of its guest rooms
Aviation fans flying out of Tokyo's Haneda Airport, there's a new hotel room designed just for you. It features a full-size Boeing 737-800 flight simulator, though you'll have to pay extra to use it. The Haneda Excel Hotel Tokyu opens the room this week, with flight lessons offered by a qualified flight instructor.
‘Can anyone fly a plane?’ Hobbyist pilot shows how you can land a jet in an emergency
"Is there anyone on board who knows how to fly a plane?" is a question you really don't want to hear at 30,000 feet. However, if it should come over the PA system, and you're on a Boeing 737, watch this video and you'll have a shot at becoming a hero.
