Google Pixel and Pixel XL owners may receive up to $500 over faulty phones
Owners of Google’s original Pixel or Pixel XL smartphones could receive a payout of up to $500 after the company agreed to settle a class action lawsuit linked to a fault with the handsets. The agreement, which is subject to final approval by the courts, affects Pixel phones sold before January 4, 2017.
Update WhatsApp! Sophisticated attack installs spyware with just a call
A WhatsApp vulnerability left Android and iOS devices open to attack from sophisticated surveillance software. The Facebook-owned company said it hasn't yet been able to determine how many people were impacted, and told users to ensure they're running the latest version of the app.
Twitter sorry for mistakenly storing and sharing some users’ location data
Twitter has revealed that a bug led to it accidentally storing and sharing location data for a number of iOS users. The issue, which has now been fixed, affected those operating more than one Twitter account from the app. The company apologized for the blunder and said it’s contacting those impacted by it.
Amazon encourages its workers to quit and start their own delivery companies
Amazon is always looking for ways to improve its shipping network. Its latest idea is to offer $10,000 and three-months pay to any of its workers who quit their job and set up their own business delivering packages for the company. Assistance, training, and other perks will also be provided.
Boeing shows off Starliner test ahead of launch this summer
Ahead of its planned debut launch in August, Boeing has shared a video of its Starliner capsule undergoing a recent parachute test in which it was dropped from a high-altitude balloon. Similar to SpaceX’s Crew Dragon, the Starliner should one day transport astronauts between Earth and the International Space Station.
Lyft is eyeing car rentals for longer trips and weekends away
Although best known for ridesharing, Lyft has recently turned its attention to bike and scootersharing, too. And now it's testing a car rental service in its home city of San Francisco. Customers can use the cars for between one day and two weeks, and reserve extras such as bicycle racks for free.
DJI’s plush new headquarters will feature a skybridge for drone tests
Google's done it, Apple's done it, even Facebook and Amazon have done it. And now DJI is doing it: Building a flashy new headquarters. The work of Foster and Partners, which also designed Apple Park, the stunning twin-tower structure has been designed with DJI's drone business very much in mind.
Nike Fit aims to help you slip into your new sneakers more easily
Nike says a new augmented reality feature for its app should increase the chances of a snug fit for customers buying its shoes online, or even in-store. The process takes less than a minute and involves taking a detailed scan of your feet. Nike Fit launches in the U.S. in July and the following month in Europe.
When you’re done riding the S1 ebike, fold it up and pop it in your backpack
The Smarcircle S1 is a smartphone-controlled foldable ebike that, once you're done riding, can be folded up and shoved in a backpack.
This is the result when a quadcopter strikes the wing of an aircraft
Responding to increasing concern over drone flights near airports, researchers in the U.S. have conducted lab tests to see what happens when a quadcopter collides with an aircraft wing at high speed. Launching a DJI Phantom drone at the wing of an airplane, the results of the experiment may surprise you.
Electric ‘flying taxi’ with ‘numerous propellers’ given boost by Toyota
Toyota, JetBlue, and Intel, among others, have invested $100 million in an electric "flying taxi" being developed by California-based Joby Aviation. The five-seat vehicle has been described as "an exotic-looking white aircraft with numerous propellers."
Adidas’ new soccer uniforms are recycled from ocean trash
Manchester United is showing off a new uniform made of recycled ocean garbage. The result of a long-term collaboration between Adidas and New York-based conservation group Parley, the unique sportswear is part of broader efforts to highlight the growing environmental problem of marine pollution.
Vespa Elettrica: Piaggio’s first all-electric scooter is about to hit the road
Italian scooter manufacturer Piaggio has launched online pre-orders for its first all-electric scooter, with shipping starting in Europe toward the end of the year and in the U.S. in early 2019. The Vespa Elettrico features a 4-kW motor, has a range of 62 miles, and takes four hours to fully charge.
IKEA has created a special curtain that can purify the air in your home
Air pollution inside homes can be worse than outside sometimes, but plants and purifiers allow us to reduce its harmful effects. Tackling the issue from a slightly different angle, IKEA claims to have created a unique curtain capable of breaking down common indoor air pollutants.
Uber expands its low-cost Ride Pass program to 17 more cities
Uber launched its money-saving Ride Pass program in five cities in October 2018. This week the company is rolling it out to 17 additional locations, offering riders savings of up to 15 percent per trip for a monthly fee, making it a tempting option for regular users of the ridesharing service.
An electric highway is now powering delivery trucks in Germany
Heavy-duty trucks powered by electricity from overhead lines are now motoring along a stretch of highway near Frankfurt, Germany. The system, designed by engineering giant Siemens, has already been tested in Sweden and the U.S., but the latest setup covers the longest stretch of road to date.
Amazon Go store opens in New York City — and it’s the first to accept cash
Amazon this week opened its first Go store in New York, bringing the total number of outlets to 12. As part of efforts to deal with criticism that its checkout-free system discriminates against those without a smartphone or bank account, it takes cash payments. The other Go stores are expected to follow suit soon.
Twitter: Now you can jazz up your retweets with GIFs, photos, and videos
Twitter for Android, iOS, and its mobile site now lets you add GIFs, photos, and videos to retweets. The feature, which the company said people have been asking for, can be enabled in a few quick taps, though it doesn’t yet show properly for the desktop version of Twitter.
Robocalls: Don’t be fooled by the one-ring scam, FCC warns
If you hear your phone ring once in the night, you’d better not return the call unless you know who it's from. The advice comes courtesy of the FCC, which is warning of an uptick in the so-called one-ring scam that tricks people into calling expensive numbers, leaving them with a pricey phone bill.
After a delayed launch, SpaceX Dragon capsule arrives at the space station
Following its delayed launch last week, SpaceX's Dragon capsule docked successfully with the International Space Station on Monday. The spacecraft is delivering a range of supplies along with a slew of science experiments for the six crew members who are currently aboard the space station.
Niagara Falls’ iconic Maid of the Mist tourist boats to go electric
Niagara Falls' Maid of the Mist boats are powered by diesel, but not for much longer. From this fall, tourists will step aboard replacements billed as the first all-electric, zero-emissions passenger vessels to be built in the U.S. The experience promises to be greener and quieter, save for the roar of the falls.
CC Search is now out of beta and offers access to 300 million images
After several years in beta, Creative Commons has officially launched its search engine offering easy exploration of more than 300 million images that are free to use within certain conditions. The database comprises images from 19 collections, including Flickr and New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Google Maps adds a new tab showing restaurants’ most popular dishes
Google Maps is testing a new Popular tab to make it easier to order a tasty-looking restaurant dish that you've spotted on the app. Photos of meals on Google Maps don’t always show the dish name, but the new feature aims to change that by pulling together information from multiple entries.
Ford’s self-braking shopping cart offers crash-free supermarket trips
Ford has created a self-braking shopping cart designed to stop kids from smashing into things when they take off with one in the supermarket. But sadly for put-upon parents, the cart won't be commercialized, as its main purpose is to highlight the automaker's Pre-collision Assist technology.
SpaceX says its Crew Dragon capsule was destroyed in recent test mishap
SpaceX has confirmed that last month's test firing of thrusters on its Crew Dragon capsule resulted in an explosion that completely destroyed the spacecraft. The company said that no one was injured in the incident and that it's continuing to investigate what caused the failure.