Amazon Echo smart speaker feels squeeze as Google and Apple make gains
Amazon has dominated the smart-speaker market since the launch of the Echo in 2014, but with Google, Apple, and other players beginning to make gains, its grip is beginning to slip. Indeed, new data shows Amazon's global share of the market has fallen by almost 50 percent in the space of a year.
Revamped YouTube Music is Google’s latest effort to take on Spotify
With so many people hitting YouTube for their music fix, parent Google has always felt well placed to attract people to a subscription-based music service. But up to now the company has failed to nail it. Now it hopes that with the launch of a revamped YouTube Music service on Tuesday, it's a step closer to its goal.
This $4,600 solar charger comes with an iPhone X attached
The company that once brought us an iPhone with an engraving of Vladimir Putin's face on the back is now offering a very expensive solar charger built onto an iPhone X. To get your hands on one, you'll have to part with thousands of dollars, though you'll have to be quick as it's a limited edition.
See what it’s like to take a ride in Drive.ai’s self-driving taxi
Drive.ai is weeks away from launching a self-driving taxi trial in Frisco, Texas. But to give us all a glimpse into what it will be like to ride in one of its autonomous cars along public roads and in traffic, the Silicon Valley-based company has released a video showing its technology in action.
Cops have lots to learn when it comes to autonomous-car emergencies
As part of its application for a permit to test fully driverless cars on California's public roads, Waymo has compiled a 41-page booklet explaining to law enforcement agencies and first responders how to deal with its vehicles in a range of emergency situations. It seems there's plenty to learn.
Addicted to Instagram? The app may soon tell you about it
Lose track of time when you're on Instagram? Well, you may soon have a way to learn more about precisely how long you spend on the app. Code discovered inside the Instagram app reveals an as-yet unreleased "usage insights" feature that will show Instagrammers the amount of "time spent" on the app.
Snapchatters, how do you like the sound of unskippable video ads?
Snapchat has started testing unskippable six-second video ads, beginning with slots for movies, tech gadgets, and drinks. Current data shows that most users skip through the app's video ads, which is bad news for brands as well as Snapchat, as it's still looking for ways to turn a profit.
How to tackle street photography? First, lay off the excuses
Street photography can be a real challenge at times, and sometimes finding excuses not to go out with your camera can lead to weeks, even months, of never pressing the shutter. Here are 7 common excuses not to shoot the street, and how you can overcome them.
Driverless pods could be used to ferry tourists around a U.K. national park
Driverless pods are already being used to take passengers around one of the world's busiest airports, and now they're being tested at the U.K.'s most popular national park. The Lake District is conducting a feasibility study to see if the electric-powered pods can be used to ease traffic congestion and cut pollution.
Malware attack hits Chili’s restaurants, customer payment info nabbed
Recent visitors to Chili's restaurants may have had their payment information stolen. The company says the payment systems at "some" of its restaurants were compromised by malware in March and April. The breach came to light on May 11, with the restaurant chain making it public a day later.
Tesla’s giant Australian battery reduced service costs by 90 percent
Elon Musk's Tesla has switched on the world's biggest battery in Australia, thereby ensuring Musk didn't lose a $50M bet. In the first four months of service, the battery has reduced service costs by as much as 90 percent.
Intel drones offer high-tech help to restore the Great Wall of China
Drones are being tried and tested in a growing range of industries, from movies and logistics to agriculture and health. Heritage conservation is another sector exploring this tech, with Intel using its own advanced drone platform to assist with work to restore decrepit parts of the Great Wall of China.
Robocall case results in record $120 million fine for Florida man
The Federal Communications Commission this week fined a Florida man $120 million for allegedly organizing a "massive" robocalling operation that resulted in around 96 million calls nationwide, all made across a single three-month period. The FCC said it's the largest fine it has ever imposed.
Nintendo’s Miitomo app shuts down two years after its launch
Nintendo has shut down Miitomo, its debut smartphone app that launched two years ago. The company released the final winners of its "Miifoto" contest, which paid tribute to the social app. Miitomo was one of Nintendo's first attempts at a dedicated smartphone experience and was followed by Super Mario Run.
Ohio governor says you ‘have to take risks’ as state welcomes driverless cars
The governor of Ohio has given permission for driverless-car tests in the state. While acknowledging the awfulness of the recent tragedy in Arizona when an autonomous Uber car struck and killed a pedestrian, Governor Kasich said it was nevertheless right to "take risks" when developing new technologies.
Drone services edge closer with 10 new projects from major tech firms
The U.S. has announced 10 drone-related projects that will allow major companies to develop drone platforms as part of a government plan to accelerate the use of the technology across a range of industries Those involved will face fewer restrictions than before, allowing for greater freedom in the air.
Ride with confidence on a 3D-printed bicycle tire that will never go flat
When you're out on your bicycle and far from home, the last thing you want to hear is that horrible hiss of air as your tire goes flat. Well, a company the German city of Berlin recently showed that it's now possible to 3D-print an airless tire that lets you dump the pump.
Selfie snappers, forget trying to take a picture with a bear
In case you hadn't realized, it's really not a good idea to take a selfie with a bear. With your back turned as you edge ever closer to this glorious yet potentially dangerous creature, there's no telling what might happen — as one unfortunate man in India discovered last week.
Walmart to end its grocery delivery partnerships with Uber and Lyft
In a bid to keep pace with Amazon's grocery delivery efforts, Walmart partnered with Uber and Lyft in 2016 to help it with its own last-mile delivery operation. But the logistical challenges of combining grocery delivery with human transportation have proved too much, with the partnerships set to end in June.
Google Pay gets support for mobile boarding passes and event tickets
Google Pay is adding mobile boarding passes and event tickets, the company said during Google I/O on Tuesday. Broadening its functionality to better mirror Apple's Wallet, the support will be welcomed by Android users, who can now expect "streamlined and engaging ticketing and boarding pass experiences."
Firefox to take another crack at putting ads in new browser tabs
Firefox creator Mozilla is having another crack at incorporating ads into its web browser. They'll appear as personalized sponsored links when a user opens a new tab, though Mozilla insists the personalization will occur "without needing to vacuum up all of your personal data or sharing it with others."
Sony sells thousands of Aibo robot dogs as it considers U.S. launch
Aibo the robot dog is selling well in its launch market, Japan. Sony released the new version of its robotic pet in January, adding lots of new features and more realistic movements compared to its predecessor. It costs around $1,800, though owners also have to pay around $23 a month for cloud-based extras.
Instagram begins trials on in-app payments to help you insta-pay
Instagram is moving tentatively toward offering its community a more integrated shopping experience with the limited launch of a new in-app payments platform. The new feature lets you enter your payments details directly into the app, paving the way for a more seamless, and faster, shopping experience.
Udacity’s new online degree targets ‘most pressing issue of our time’
E-learning school Udacity is gearing up to launch its first-ever nanodegree program in cybersecurity. Aware of the growing threat of cyberattacks and the need for more specialists to tackle the issue, Udacity is putting the call out to relevant companies and organizations to help it design the course.
China nabs world record for biggest drone display, but it’s a bit of a mess
Chinese drone company Ehang has just nabbed the world record from Intel for the most drones flying in a single display. On Tuesday, May 1, Ehang sent 1,374 quadcopters skyward, their LED lights sparkling in the night sky. But video footage of the display showed many of the drones were out of sync at times.
Stunning ‘gigalapse’ shows London in detail as it changes throughout a day
There are gigapixel photos and there are time-lapses. Now, a team of London-based creatives brings you the "gigalapse." Shot over the course of a single day in England's capital, the series of 7.3-gigapixel images let you explore the city in great detail from the top of the country's second-tallest building.
Apple reveals healthy iPhone sales as Cook hints at more handset variations
Apple on Tuesday reported a solid second quarter in line with its own forecasts. Despite recent reports of weak iPhone X demand, Apple boss Tim Cook said its flagship handset sold "more than any other iPhone each week" across the three months, resulting in 52.2 million iPhone sales during the quarter.
Google’s Clips camera is now ready to snap your ‘big moments and little ones’
Google has launched its Clips smart camera. The $249 device is programmed to spot interesting moments and automatically triggers when it spots them.
Airline smart luggage ban will be a real headache for travelers
Last year, several major U.S. carriers announced a ban on smart luggage whose batteries can't be removed. The ban began in January 2018, and now, a few months later, prominent smart luggage company Bluesmart has been forced to shutter its operations. The company will no longer support its smart luggage.
A fleet of delivery robots could soon be coming to a campus near you
Starship Technologies' autonomous delivery robot has so far been tested in more than 20 countries, covering some 100,000 miles in the last four years. A recent trial involved taking a fleet of the wheel-based robots to a Silicon Valley campus, allowing workers to order meals from the comfort of their desk.
‘An absolute nightmare’: When online banking goes wrong — very wrong
Customers at a major U.K. bank have been having a torrid time with online banking over the past week, with no end in sight for many. The chaos at TSB started after engineers tried to migrate customer data between systems, resulting in weird transactions, phantom deposits, and millions unable to access their accounts.
Judges in top photo contest rule anteater in winning image is stuffed
A wildlife image that won a prize in a top photo contest has been disqualified after judges concluded it featured a stuffed animal. The photographer insists the animal — an anteater — is real, but investigators said it's too similar to a (dead) one at a visitors' center close to where the shot was taken.
Tesla Model X crashes into gym, driver says it accelerated by itself
A Tesla Model X recently crashed into a gym after it suddenly accelerated. The driver said it happened without warning, though Tesla suspects the gas pedal may have been pressed accidentally. It's now examining the car's computer logs to find the cause and to discover if Autopilot was engaged at the time.