Oh great, now our smart speakers can attack us with harmful sounds
A security researcher has said it’s surprisingly easy to take over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speakers and get them to emit harmful sounds. With a few lines of code and a vulnerable device, Matt Wixey said it’s possible to play sounds that can annoy and intimidate those within earshot, or even damage their hearing.
Telegram’s new Slow Mode aims to bring order to noisy group chats
Popular messaging app Telegram has released an update with several neat features that we think will be pretty popular. Slow Mode, for example, gives a group administrator greater control over when messages are posted, while Silent Messages guarantees you won’t wake your buddy if you get in touch late in the day.
Amazon and Postmates’ delivery robots heading to more sidewalks in the U.S.
More and more companies are developing autonomous wheel-based robots in an effort to expand their last-mile delivery operations. Amazon and Postmates are two such players aiming to get the most out of the technology, with both companies moving forward with trial deliveries using the machines.
Watch NASA’s Orion spacecraft engines show off their awesome power
NASA is planning to send astronauts to the moon again in just a few years from now. But there's plenty of work ahead if it's to stick to its 2024 mission plan. This includes ensuring the Orion spacecraft's propulsion system does what it’s supposed to do in every conceivable scenario.
Facebook to shake up its news content in a deal worth millions for publishers
Facebook will reportedly pay established media outlets millions of dollars to host their news content on its site. A dedicated section featuring the content is expected to launch in the fall. The initiative appears to be an attempt by Facebook to bat away criticism over how it compensates mainstream news publishers.
Watch SpaceX catch a rocket nose cone in a giant net on a ship
Having pretty much perfected the art of rocket landings, SpaceX is now trying to work out how to catch a rocket fairing in a giant net on a ship in the ocean. On Tuesday, the private space company managed to achieve the feat for a second time, and posted a video of it online.
Apple has released some videos designed to give you a tingly feeling
Does your iPhone ever cause you frustration? How about your MacBook Pro keyboard, do those sticky keys drive you crazy? If so, you might like to check out Apple’s first ASMR videos, designed to calm your soul. You have four to choose from, though none feature Tim Cook eating a watermelon.
Rocket Lab wants to reuse its boosters by catching them with a helicopter
Small-satellite launcher Rocket Lab wants to follow in SpaceX's footsteps by creating a reusable rocket system. But whereas SpaceX brings its booster back in a controlled landing, Rocket Lab has an altogether different plan that involves a helicopter catching it in the sky.
Google Images’ new side panel makes it a whole lot easier to use
Google Images has launched a new side panel for desktop that keeps a selected image in place when you scroll up and down. The new feature makes it much easier to compare other images when you're searching for a particular product, or looking for the best picture of a bear-like Chow-Chow.
SpaceX launches a twice-flown rocket to deploy one massive satellite
SpaceX successfully deployed a communications satellite for Israeli firm Spacecom on Tuesday. The successful mission marked the third outing for this particular Falcon 9 first-stage booster, and came three years after the loss of a $200 million Spacecom satellite in a Falcon 9 launchpad explosion.
Optimus Ride launches autonomous shuttle service in New York City
Self-driving startup Optimus Ride is bringing its autonomous vehicles to New York City. It'll roll out its technology at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, a 300-acre industrial park with more than 400 manufacturing businesses and 9,000 people workers, and offer rides between the site's various facilities.
NEC’s passenger drone takes to the skies in somewhat cautious test flight
More and more companies are developing battery-powered vertical take-off and landing aircraft, with the latest effort shown off this week by Japanese tech firm NEC. The pilotless test flight, which took place inside a cage-like structure for safety purposes, saw the machine stay airborne for about 40 seconds.
Amazon’s Alexa can help you donate school supplies to a child in need
If navigating a charity’s website or writing out a check is just too much hassle when it comes to making a donation, there's always Alexa. Amazon has just launched a $25 back-to-school charity initiative where you can ask the digital assistant to donate a backpack full of school supplies to a student in need.
SpaceX makes it easier for small satellite operators to reach space
SpaceX is ramping up its commercial efforts with a new program offering regularly scheduled, dedicated rideshare missions for small satellite operators. Until now, smaller operators had to join a mission for a larger company, but this can entail long waits, or disruption if the main company has to delay the launch.
Elon Musk’s Boring Company plans to tunnel beneath another country
Elon Musk revealed over the weekend that he's planning to launch his Boring Company in China. The move, details of which will be released later this month, will mark the company’s first step outside of the U.S. as it seeks to build an advanced, subterranean transportation system.
Someone just flew across 21 miles of open water on a jet-powered flyboard
Franky Zapata has become the first person to fly across the English Channel on a jet-powered flyboard. The French inventor made the crossing in 22 minutes, reaching speeds of 110 mph as he flew over 21 miles of open water. The successful flight came a week after his first attempt which ended in failure halfway across.
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.
Bentley Motors creates a buzz as it enters the honey business
Bentley is diversifying -- into honey. The maker of luxury cars has installed two beehives on the perimeter of its main campus in England as part of efforts to improve its green credentials and boost the local bee population. The automaker says the move fits with its “flying b” emblem seen on the bonnet of its cars.
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.
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.
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.
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.
$3 million for winning a game of Fortnite? It just happened to a U.S. teen
A 16-year-old gamer from Pennsylvania won $3 million for winning the solo contest at the Fortnite World Cup in New York City on Sunday. Champion Kyle "Bugha" Giersdorf came through an online qualifying period involving a colossal 40 million hopefuls from around the world to take the top prize.
Steve Ballmer shows us he’s still crazy after all these years
Former Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made a name for himself for his displays of wild enthusiasm at company events. As owner of the L.A. Clippers, he's quietened down a bit ... but not that much. At a recent press conference introducing NBA stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, Ballmer rolled back the years.
Sony’s Reon Pocket is a smartphone-controlled wearable air conditioner
Sometimes it feels like there's no escaping extreme temperatures, especially when you have to venture outside and face the weather. Sony may have a solution in the form of a wearable air conditioner called the Reon Pocket. The small device fits in a pocket on an undergarment, with the temperature controlled via an app.
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.