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Weekly Rewind: Jason Bourne, virgin DNA, drone collisions, and more

top tech stories 04 24 2016 0001
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In the tech world, a lot happens in a week. So much news goes on that it’s almost impossible for mere mortals with real lives to keep track of everything. That’s why we’ve compiled a quick and dirty list of the top 10 tech stories from this week. Everything from the untimely passing of rockstar Prince to a new cancer treatment, it’s all here.

Stories: 1-5

The end of the purple reign: Prince dead at 57

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Police in the Minneapolis area are currently investigating a death at Prince’s famed Paisley Park compound, according to recent reports on local news. Since reports of a death at the compound were first confirmed on Thursday morning, multiple sources emerged confirming that the iconic singer is the one who was found dead, and his publicist has confirmed to the Associated Press that the singer has passed away.

Read the full story here.

HBO unveils 9 more captivating photos from Game of Thrones season 6

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So close, yet so far away — that’s how we feel about the Game of Thrones season 6 premiere. With only days to go until the first new episode, The Red Woman, airs, HBO has released nine photos to whet our already-voracious appetites. Anyone who hasn’t seen season 5 yet should avert their eyes, because there are spoilers ahead.

Read the full story here.

College students have a new career starter app with LinkedIn Student

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LinkedIn Student launched yesterday, and focuses on American college students who are just starting to build their resumes and starting their career searches. Information provided to students will be based on major, graduation date, and the students’ own activity and choices on the site, according to a report on VentureBeat.

Read the full story here.

You can now play podcasts from within Google search results on Android

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Want a simple way to keep up on the latest This American Life, Hardcore History, or Fresh Air, but can’t be bothered to download a podcast app? Not to worry — starting today, Google’s got you covered. The search company’s introducing a new feature for the Google app on Android that lets you find and listen to podcast episodes from directly within search results.

Read the full story here.

Want to hone your app-building skills? Check out Apple’s revamped developer site

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Interested in building on your app development skills? Apple has revamped the App Store developer site, offering tools, articles, and videos on how to better engage users and grow a business through apps. The App Store developer website is great tool for developers and perhaps one of the reasons that the App Store has become such a huge success — not only can developers build apps for iOS users, but they can also learn how to promote those apps and engage the customers using the apps.

Read the full story here.

Stories: 6-10

Matt Damon leaps, punches and rides back into action in first Jason Bourne trailer

Universal Pictures has released the first trailer for Jason Bourne, the upcoming sequel that brings Matt Damon back to the role he originated in 2002’s franchise-starting film The Bourne Identity. Although it’s been more than a decade since Jason Bourne’s last adventure and the events of the new film, the trailer makes it clear that the former CIA black ops agent won’t have any trouble leaping back into action.

Read the full story here.

A drone may have collided with a major airliner for the first time

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Though drones are restricted from flying anywhere near airports, it is in human nature to disobey the rules, even when the ramifications could be deadly. On Sunday, a British Airways Airbus A320 reportedly collided with a drone as it made its landing, according to CNN. The plane was making its final approach at London’s Heathrow airport, coming from Geneva, Switzerland. Michael Johnson of British Airways said that the aircraft was carrying 132 passengers and five crew members.

Read the full story here.

Your DNA may hold clues to when you’ll lose your virginity, researchers say

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DNA research has tons of great uses, from telling us who our ancestors were to unlocking new ways of detecting serious diseases far more quickly than traditional methods. But did you know it might also hold the key to when you’ll first have sex? As weird as it sounds, Researchers at the University of Cambridge in England found that certain genetic traits predispose you to have sex earlier or later in life.

Read the full story here.

Wild new cancer treatment attacks tumors with drug-filled, magnetically-guided bubbles

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A new method of delivering anticancer drugs may help bypass some of the damaging effects of chemotherapy. Using magnetic micro-bubbles and ultrasonic vibrations, scientists have been able to transport and deploy drugs deep into tumor cells. The scientists developed magnetic micro-bubbles, which were covered with magnetic nanoparticles, which were embedded with anti-cancer drugs.

Read the full story here.

UberEats Instant Delivery nixed in NYC only a month after standalone app launch

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Well, it had a good run. Oh wait — no it didn’t. Only one month after launching the standalone UberEats app in New York City, Uber has decided to shut the “instant” option down so that it can “narrow its focus.”

Read the full story here.

Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
The Google Pixel 8a’s 6 biggest upgrades over the Pixel 7a
Pixel 7a back.

The Google Pixel 8a has just launched, and it comes with many upgrades that Pixel fans have been hoping for. These include some attractive new design flourishes, beefed-up hardware, a longer-lasting battery, and a higher-end display. You also get all the software features that make the Pixel series so appealing, including seven years of OS and security updates and Gemini Nano for more AI features.

But how does all of this compare to the already great Pixel 7a? Here’s a breakdown of the Google Pixel 8a’s six biggest upgrades over the Pixel 7a. For a closer look at all of the differences between the two phones, see our Pixel 8a vs. Pixel 7a comparison.
The Tensor G3 chip

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How to make AirPods and AirPods Pro louder and adjust volume settings
On-screen volume adjustment for AirPods using Spotify.

AirPods have become the top choice for wireless earbuds among most people because of their unmatched sound quality and innovative features such as Spatial Audio, which provides an immersive audio experience. And, of course, Apple’s marketing has also played a significant role in promoting their popularity.

If you’re looking for ways to adjust the volume on your AirPods or AirPods Pro, there are several options available. You can use your favorite apps that support AirPods, ask Siri to do it, or use the buttons and features on your devices and the AirPods themselves. Any of the options will help to ensure you get the best out of your AirPods.

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iPad Pro (2024) vs. iPad Air (2024): the difference is clear
Comparing the iPad Pro (2024) and iPad Air (2024)

The iPad Pro (left) and iPad Air Bryan M. Wolfe / Digital Trends

During its "Let Loose" event on May 7, Apple added four new iPad models to its tablet lineup. The latest models include an 11-inch and all-new 13-inch iPad Air and next-generation 11-inch and 13-inch iPad Pro models. Despite sharing similar dimensions, there's a significant price gap between the least expensive iPad Air and iPad Pro tablets, indicating notable differences between the two lineups.

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