Google plans crackdown on tech-support scams appearing in search ads
Google is constantly removing scammers' "tech-support" ads from its search engine results, but the problem has been getting more serious of late. The web giant now says it's planning to roll out a verification program to ensure that only legitimate providers of third-party tech support can use the platform.
Space Station on alert as crew forced to patch hole in docked spacecraft
A hole in a spacecraft docked with the International Space Station had to be patched by crew members after pressure aboard the station began to drop. It's not yet understood what caused the hole, though it may have been the result of an impact with a meteorite fragment.
Scooter-share services returning to San Francisco, but Uber and Lyft blocked
In a move expected to rattle many app-based scooter services operating across the U.S., San Francisco officials issued operating permits to just two companies, rejecting 10 others. The city was prompted to take action earlier this year after people complained that the scooters were taking over the streets.
No, this airborne Tesla isn’t the flying car Elon Musk talked about
Elon Musk once talked about a future Tesla vehicle that could “fly short hops,” probably a bit like this Tesla that was recently seen flying through the air in Ontario, Canada. The incident was caught by a security camera and ended with the electric car crashing in a parking lot. No, it wasn’t meant to happen.
Polaroid’s updated OneStep instant camera adds some digital tricks
Polaroid Originals has updated its OneStep instant camera with some digital tricks. The new OneStep + lets you use a smartphone as a remote shutter, while the app offers the possibility of light painting and double exposures for your prints. There’s also a manual mode and a second lens for closer portraits.
Dyson preps multiple test tracks for its ‘radical’ electric car
Sir James Dyson is spending billions of dollars on developing an electric car that he says will be “radically different” to current designs. While he’s revealed few details, he has chosen to show off plans for a large test site with multiple tracks designed to put his electric vehicle through its paces.
Tokyo taxi firm sets the stage for a driverless fleet for 2020 Olympics
Working with a local tech firm, a Tokyo cab company this week launched Japan's first trial of a robot taxi service for paying passengers. The aim is to have a full-fledged service operating for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, ferrying passengers and athletes between hotels, venues, and other locations.
Instagram now lets everyone apply for a verification badge
If you're a prolific Instagrammer with lots of followers, you now have a better chance of getting yourself a verification badge as the photo-sharing service now lets you apply for it from within the app itself. Instagram is also adding detailed "About" pages, and support for third-party authenticator apps.
There’s a good reason this self-driving pod has huge ‘virtual eyes’
It might look a bit creepy at first glance, but there's actually a good reason this driverless car has large, LED eyes. The design is part of tests being conducted by Land Rover Jaguar to see if an autonomous vehicle that "communicates" with pedestrians offers more reassurance about the car's intent.
Uber wants to focus on bikes over cars for shorter journeys
Uber has already taken tentative steps in the bike- and scooter-sharing space, but the company's CEO says it's now ready to push more heavily into the space, targeting riders taking short trips in cities. The move mirrors a similar strategy adopted by Uber's main ridesharing rival in the U.S., Lyft.
Say what!? A wind turbine in Japan got blown over by — the wind
A huge wind turbine was blown over in windy conditions on Friday. The rare event occurred during a typhoon in Japan when the extreme conditions tore the turbine from its base. Video shows how the turbine had been toppled, with its 20-meter-long blades badly damaged when the structure hit the ground.
College students — Instagram is testing a new feature that’s just for you
Instagram is testing a feature that helps students connect with others studying at the same college. If a student chooses to join their group, they'll have access to their particular community, allowing them to send direct messages to community members and view Stories straight from the group list.
Watch this world champion air guitarist stun judges with her unique performance
Japanese air guitarist sensation Nanami "Seven Seas" Nagura blew away the competition with a stunning display at the Air Guitar World Championships at the weekend. Nagura secured her second world title in four years after near-perfect scores from judges that helped her see off 14 international rivals.
You won’t feel like a tool hanging out in these over-the-top sheds
Voting is open in the U.K.'s latest Shed of the Year contest, with this year's entries featuring some of the wackiest and most wonderful creations to date. Check out what must be one of the smallest pubs in the world, the circus-inspired "Big Top Den," and an extraordinary “floating shed.”
Apple Store Kyoto: Step inside the new retail space in Japan’s ancient capital
Yes there was hootin', yes there was hollerin', and yes there was high-fivin'. Apple opened its first store in Japan's ancient capital of Kyoto on Saturday, August 25, offering a modern contrast to the city's storied history, and thousands went along to check it out — Digital Trends included.
IBM’s drone concept knows when you want a coffee, and flies it to you
Meal-delivery drones have already been tested, but how about a system that delivers a coffee simply because it knows that's what you want? A recently granted patent from IBM describes using A.I. to learn a person's behavior and understand their body language to determine if a coffee is desired.
Lyft wants to drop you off closer to your seat on your next stadium visit
If you've ever been to a stadium gig, you'll know all too well how much time can be wasted trying to hunt down the right ticket gate. It can be particularly problematic if you're running late, which is why Lyft's new idea, launched in partnership with ticket site SeatGeek, may come in handy.
The wheels are coming off this British city’s bikesharing scheme
Bike-sharing giant Mobike is close to pulling its scheme from the English city of Manchester as an increasing number of its two-wheelers are being wrecked, stolen, or thrown into waterways. The service has been running there for a year, but in July alone, 10 percent of its bikes were destroyed or stolen.
Tennis on the International Space Station is as weird as it sounds
Four astronauts made history this week by playing the first game of tennis in space. OK, it was with a squishy ball and tiny rackets, but it was still tennis ... sort of. The event was to show how ISS astronauts spend their leisure time, and to inspire youngsters to take an interest in space exploration.
Apple Store shoppers in California tackle suspects, thwart robbery
Three robbers entered an Apple Store near L.A. last weekend and started grabbing Apple kit from the display tables. But before they could escape, several shoppers tackled them to the ground. Investigators are trying to establish if there's a link with a spate of other Apple Store robberies in the area.
Ford recalls more than 50,000 electric-car charging cords over fire risk
Ford is recalling around 50,000 charging cords sold with some of its electric vehicles in the U.S. and Canada. The concern is that the cord may be used in situations that could potentially lead to a fire. Affected customers will be contacted by mail and asked to visit their local dealer for a replacement.
Amazon is turning its ‘Grand Tour’ car show into a video game
Amazon's "The Grand Tour" is getting its own video game. Linked to the upcoming third season of the car show, the PS4 and Xbox One game will feature "seamless transitions from clips of the show to gameplay" as well as cool motors, challenges, and "hours" of original voice acting by Clarkson and co.
Lyft’s self-driving taxis have made 5,000 trips for paying riders in Las Vegas
Lyft's driverless-taxi service appears to be a hit with riders in Las Vegas. The ridesharing company said its 30 robot cars have now made more than 5,000 trips since joining its fleet in May, with the vast majority of customers saying they'd be happy to choose such a vehicle for their next ride, too.
James Bond 25: Danny Boyle bows out of directing the next 007 movie
Danny Boyle will no longer direct the next James Bond movie following "creative differences" with the producers. The news comes just four months before shooting was due to begin. The movie was slated for release in October 2019, and it's not yet clear if Boyle's exit means we could now be looking at a 2020 release.
PlayStation 4: New DualShock colors will jazz up your gaming sessions
If your current DualShock 4 controller looks a little on the dull side, check out these funky new designs announced by Sony. There are four in all, with Sunset Orange the most likely to brighten up your PlayStation 4 gaming sessions. The new wireless controllers launch next month with a $65 price tag.
The world’s biggest plane now has some rockets to launch
Stratolaunch, the commercial space firm led by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, has unveiled a set of rocket-powered vehicles that will one day travel with the world's largest plane to launch satellites into space. The company said that getting satellites into space "will soon be as easy as booking an airline flight.”
End of the Voyage: Amazon stops selling its $200 Kindle
Amazon has quietly removed its Voyage ebook reader from its online store. The demise of the $200 Kindle leaves the company with its basic $80 Kindle, the $120 Paperwhite, and the $250 Oasis. The Voyage launched in 2014 and at the time received positive reviews for its slimmer build and clear display.
Spectacular twisting tower aims to become Australia’s tallest building
A spectacular twisting structure bedecked with trees and plants is aiming to become Australia's tallest building. The 356-meter-tall "Green Spine" was recently announced as the winner of an international competition and could become the focal point of Melbourne's skyline in the early 2020s.
Netflix removes all customer reviews of shows and movies from its website
Acting on an announcement made in July, Netflix has now removed all customer-contributed reviews of TV shows and movies from its website. Netflix recently stopped its customers from posting reviews, and has now followed up by removing 10 years' worth of such data from its servers.
Watch as a ‘lifeguard drone’ rescues a swimmer struggling at sea
Specially designed drones are finding uses in a myriad of fields. They're saving lives, too, with a growing number of lifeguard organizations making use of the technology's ability to deploy flotation devices at speed, and offer an eye in the sky to survey the scene for incoming human rescuers.