IKEA’s augmented reality app just got a whole lot more clever
IKEA Place, the furniture giant's augmented reality app, now lets you virtually place multiple pieces of furniture inside a room, instead of just the one. The update appeared for the iOS app this week, with the same functionality coming to the Android app sometime soon.
Psst! Google Maps’ privacy-focused Incognito Mode is nearly here
Desperate to cover your tracks in Google Maps? Keen to keep some of your trips secret? Well, Google Maps' Incognito Mode is currently being tested with select users, so it shouldn’t be too long before you can start using it. Enabling the feature prevents Maps’ location data from being saved to your Google account.
Lyft adds protected bike lanes to its app for safer bikesharing rides
Lyft is adding data for protected bike lanes and bike-friendly routes to its app in a bid to ease the fears of first-time bikesharing riders, and to make rides more comfortable and less stressful for its existing users. The routes can also be used by rentable electric scooters, depending on local laws.
Facebook’s Zuckerberg had a ‘constructive’ meeting with President Trump
Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg met with President Trump at the White House on Thursday for what was described by the company as a “good [and] constructive” meeting. The CEO of the social media giant is in the capital to meet with lawmakers to listen to their concerns and discuss possible internet regulation.
How an umbrella locked tech workers out of their WeWork office for two days
A team of tech workers was locked out of their WeWork office for two whole days recently after one of their umbrellas fell in front of the entrance door, preventing it from opening. Twitter users stepped up to the challenge of solving the conundrum ... but all failed.
Instagram restricts influencer posts for diet and cosmetic surgery products
Instagram is now placing age restrictions on posts linked to particular diet products and cosmetic surgery procedures, and in some cases will remove them entirely. The new rules, which also affect Instagram's parent company, Facebook, come amid concerns that such posts can affect the mental health of its younger users.
How Sara Crochet scooped up a top Nikon award with her very first movie
Sara Crochet entered her short movie into a prestigious Nikon contest on a whim — and won. Remarkably, it was her first proper effort at making a movie, and she completed it within a day using a camera borrowed from a friend. Here she tells the amazing story of how it all happened.
Uber’s new RideCheck feature could turn out to be a lifesaver
Following 12 months of testing, Uber is rolling out its RideCheck feature to all of its riders and drivers across the U.S. RideCheck uses a smartphone's sensors to monitor a vehicle’s movement. If the system detects something is amiss, it will contact the vehicle's occupants to check if everything is OK.
Dust off your evening wear, Airbnb is offering a night at Downton Abbey
Fans of Downton Abbey are being offered the chance to spend a night at Highclere Castle, where the hit TV show was filmed. But you're going to have to prove your passion for the show to secure the booking, as it’s only open to one lucky couple. The experience will include a sumptuous meal and drinks with the owners.
Lime hits 100M rides globally as e-scooter services continue to expand
Scootersharing operator Lime revealed this week that it has now provided more than 100 million rides in around 120 cities globally since launching just two years ago. The app-based service, similar to ones provided by the likes of Bird, Skip, and Spin, is growing in popularity, though it doesn't come without issues.
Watch this Rubik’s Cube solve itself while floating in mid-air
When it comes to the Rubik's Cube, the focus is usually on the time it takes to complete. But for something a little different, check out this amazing self-solving version that also happens to levitate. It won’t win any medals for speed, but surely takes gold for its sheer brilliance.
Travel vloggers detained in Iran for flying a drone without permission
Two vloggers who gave up their jobs in Australia to travel the world have been detained in Iran for flying a drone without a permit, according to reports. Jolie King and Mark Firkin were detained a couple of months ago, though the news has only come to light in the last few days.
Drone pilot races a roller coaster for awesome action footage
Watch this amazing drone pilot skillfully keep up with a roller coaster, weaving in and out of its supporting structure while somehow managing not to crash. The stunt took place recently at the Liseberg amusement park in Gothenburg, Sweden, with the full co-operation of the park’s operator.
Fake snow might be used to keep spectators cool at Tokyo Olympics
Japan’s summers are so oppressively hot that organizers of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are considering using snow machines to keep spectators cool at outdoor events. The machines were tested on a crowd of volunteers in Tokyo on Friday, but the system clearly needs a bit of work.
With Amazon in its sights, Walmart expands its Delivery Unlimited service
Walmart is expanding its recently launched Delivery Unlimited service to more locations across the country. The $98-a-year service allows Walmart Grocery shoppers to waive additional delivery fees for online orders, though customers have to spend $30 a time to skip those fees.
Watch this Tesla Model S set a lap record at Laguna Seca Raceway
Ahead of an attempt to nab the 4-door EV sedan lap record from the Porsche Taycan at Nürburgring, Tesla has posted a video showing its Model S breaking a similar record at California’s Laguna Seca Raceway. The Model S zipped around the course in 1:36:56, taking the record from a Model 3 drive a few months ago.
Austrian Airlines is flying a drone around its planes for a good reason
Austrian Airlines is using an advanced drone to inspect its passenger aircraft for structural issues and paint damage. The drone reduces the workload for the airline’s technicians and speeds up the inspection process dramatically. If the current trial is successful, the system could be used on a permanent basis.
Sainsbury’s removed checkouts at one grocery store. Now it’s putting some back
The U.K.'s first-ever checkout-free store has decided to reinstall its checkouts. The decision follows a three-month trial of smartphone scan-and-pay technology that, while popular, still left many shoppers wanting to use cash. The store hasn’t given up on the system, however, as shoppers can still use it if they wish.
McDonald’s plans to serve up artificial intelligence at its drive-thru windows
Fast-food giant McDonald’s is exploring ways to automate its drive-thru service with the help of artificial intelligence after acquiring voice technology startup Apprente. It means that you could soon be chatting with a robot rather than a human when you pull up to place your order.
Self-driving meal machines are now feeding students at Purdue University
Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana is the latest college campus to welcome meal-delivery robots. Students and staff who don’t want to traipse across campus to grab lunch can now use an app to have it brought to them, though the service costs customers $2 a time to use.
Private Instagram posts turn out not to be as private as you thought
Instagram accounts set to private aren't as private as you might think. Researchers have found that web links to images and videos in private posts can be located by followers who delve into the page’s source code. The links could then be shared — or the content downloaded — without the account owner’s knowledge.
Watch this guy catch a dropped iPhone during a roller-coaster ride
It's not clear whether the iPhone X slipped out of the roller coaster rider's hand or pocket, but one thing's for sure — Samuel Kempf, seated a few rows behind, performed an incredible catch in the split second that the falling phone appeared by his head. And the whole thing was caught on camera.
YouTube struts onto the runway with a new hub for fashionistas
Fashionistas have a new online destination with the launch this week of a YouTube hub featuring a huge range of style and beauty content gathered from right across the platform. Contributions come from major brands and top models to industry insiders and YouTube creators.
Lime’s latest feature may see more scooter riders traveling in groups
Lime is launching a new app feature that lets one rider unlock up to five scooters for friends, family, or co-workers. It's aimed at greater convenience and also to discourage tandem riders. The feature has been offered in Europe and Latin America for the last few months, and is coming to select U.S. cities soon.
Auto industry promises action to stop child deaths in hot cars
Last year, more than 50 children died of heatstroke inside a car. This week the auto industry announced a unified effort to try to eliminate such tragic incidents by promising to install in all new vehicles an alert system that prompts drivers to check the back seats at the end of a journey.