Skip to main content

Weekly Rewind: Massive Prius recall, Note 7 woes get worse, and more

weekly rewind top tech stories 10 15 2016 wr 14 head
Image used with permission by copyright holder
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 bitter end of the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 to who’s been tapped to lead Snapchat’s imminent IPO, it’s all here.

Samsung has finally killed the Galaxy Note 7

wr_10_14_01
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Galaxy Note 7 has been put out of its misery by Samsung. The company has announced the end of production for the beleaguered smartphone, just a day after it halted sales and a short while after limiting the numbers being made at its factories. In a statement, Samsung said it’s, “putting consumer safety as top priority,” and, “reached a final decision to halt production of the Galaxy Note 7.” At this time, the Galaxy Note 7 isn’t being produced, isn’t being sold, and those that do remain aren’t being exchanged for another unit. Instead, Samsung is offering a refund or an exchange for another Samsung phone. The Galaxy Note 7 as we know it is now a thing of the past.

Read the full story here.

‘Stranger Things’ Season 2 is confirmed! Here’s everything we know

wr_10_14_02
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Ever since the first trailer for the Netflix series Stranger Things debuted, there was major buzz around the nostalgia-driven thriller about a group of kids in the ’80s who get caught up in a terrifying mystery involving a telekinetic girl, otherworldly dimensions, and a monster unleashed on their small town. And for those who binged their way through the first season, one of the biggest remaining mysteries was whether the acclaimed show created by brothers Matt and Ross Duffer would indeed get a second season.

Read the full story here.

Snapchat has reportedly picked Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs to lead IPO

wr_10_14_03
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Snap Inc., the company formerly known as Snapchat, is pushing ahead with plans for an initial public offering reportedly set for March 2017. The latest news claims the firm, which now brands itself a “camera company,” has tapped a number of banks to work on its IPO. Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs will lead the offering, according to unnamed sources who spoke to Bloomberg.

Read the full story here.

Parking brake flaw prompts Toyota to recall 340,000 Priuses worldwide

wr_10_14_04
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Toyota is recalling 340,000 Priuses worldwide due to a parking brake issue that could potentially cause accidents. The flaw can cause the brake to fail, increasing the risk of rollaways, but Toyota has not reported any incidents thus far. The recall pertains to 2016 and 2017 Prius models produced between August 2015 and October 2016. “On the involved vehicles, there is a possibility that the parking brake could become inoperative,” Toyota said in a statement.

Read the full story here.

The U.K. government has reportedly banned the Apple Watch from top-level meetings

wr_10_14_05
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The British government has banned its top officials from wearing the Apple Watch during high-level Cabinet meetings over fears the device could be hacked by foreign agents acting against the U.K., the Telegraph reported on Monday. While some may scoff at the idea of the smartwatch being taken over by hackers, others are likely to look upon it as a perfectly reasonable reaction to a very real threat.

Read the full story here.

If your stomach voted this November, would it vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton?

wr_10_14_06
Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s getting harder and harder for some Americans to stomach the notion of November’s election. But just maybe, as the national issues at stake seem to take a backseat to the candidates’ personal histories, voters can find a new North Star by which to guide their decisions in just a few weeks — their stomachs. Because if either or both candidates make you nauseous, maybe the best way to consider them is by considering their favorite foods.

Read the full story here.

Soylent advises disposal of Food Bars due to reports of illness

wr_10_14_07
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Just one month after the 250-calorie Soylent Food Bar became available in the United States, the company has halted all shipments of the nutrition snack bar and advised consumers to throw out all bars currently in their possession. Detailed in an official blog post on the company site, Soylent issued this recall after a “small number” of customers reported gastrointestinal issues after eating a Food Bar.

Read the full story here.

Don’t call it a dating app: Hinge wants you to stop playing relationship games

wr_10_14_08
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Swiping left or right, ghosting — these are the sorts of games that Hinge is trying to do away with in the dating scene. Ditching its own swiping model, Hinge’s new platform is one that it claims is designed around meaningful connections with people. It now describes itself as a relationship app, rather than a dating one.

Read the full story here.

This blink-to-shoot camera attaches to any pair of glasses

wr_10_14_09
Image used with permission by copyright holder

*The wink-to-shoot camera that puts what’s arguably the biggest feature from Google Glass into any pair of glasses is now headed to the United States. After successfully raising over $220,000 in crowdfunding in Japan, Blincam opened an Indiegogo campaign today to fund international distribution. A sensor inside the camera watches for any eye movement that’s longer than a normal blink, Blincam says, then snaps a photo. Bluetooth capability then sends that image directly to the user’s smartphone.

Read the full story here.

White House report warns of bias concerns in application of AI

wr_10_14_10
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The government needs to play a role in how artificial intelligence is developed and used to ensure it is used fairly, according to a new White House report published todayThe report, Preparing for the Future of Artificial Intelligence, outlines many of the benefits of using AI, and while it does not call for any new strong regulation on AI, it does make the case for standards of use for certain industries like aviation and finance.


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…
How to reset Apple AirPods and AirPods Pro
Apple AirPods 3.

There's plenty to love about Apple's AirPods. The glossy white ear speakers are among some of the best Wireless earbuds money can buy, which is why so many people have them. But like all consumer tech items, you may run into a few bugs or glitches with your AirPods from time to time, or perhaps you're selling off your original AirPods Pro to buy the latest model, the AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C.

Read more
Best tablet deals: iPad, Samsung Galaxy Tab, Fire, and more
Front face of Samsung Galaxy Tab S8.

Whether for work, play, or anything in between, a new tablet can make a nice addition to your tech lineup. They’re perfect for kids and professionals, and most brands have something at a price point for everyone. Tablets also make some great tech for some savings, as even the best tablets often see a discount. There are a lot of tablet deals out there, and among them are some of the best Samsung tablet deals, best iPad deals, and best Surface Laptop and Surface Pro deals we’ve seen. Below you’ll find what we feel are the best tablet deals to shop right now, as well as some information on why each might best suit your tablet needs.
Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite (32GB) -- $90, was $160

If you need an Android tablet for simple tasks like browsing the internet and watching streaming shows, the affordable Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite may be enough for you. Its 8.7-inch screen is decent with WXGA+ resolution, while maintaining portability so you can easily hold the tablet in one hand. Its internal storage is limited at 32GB, but you can expand it by up to 1TB using a microSD card. For the clumsy ones, the Samsung Galaxy Tab A7 Lite is perfect for you because it's protected by a sturdy metal frame.

Read more
Best cell phone plan deals: T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon, Mint Mobile and more
Woman

One of the best phones deserves one of the best cell phone plans, and whether you’re shopping for yourself or you’re looking to add a line to your plan for a family member, there are more options out there than many people think. With larger carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile you can often find some great phone deals, but if you’re simply shopping for a cell phone plan, we’ve got all of the information you need to get yourself one of the best cell plan deals. Reading onward you’ll find the best cell phone plan deals to shop right now, and while these are general plans offered by each provider, they do include some of the best cell phone plans out there.
Mint Mobile: Get any 3-month plan for $15 per month
For a limited time, Mint Mobile has dropped the three-month price for all of its plans to just $15 per month. That means, the Unlimited plan, normally $30 per month, or $90 for three months, is no just $15 per month or $45 for three months. The base 5GB of data per month plan is $15 per month, and the 15GB per month plan is $15 per month, or $45 for three months. That is an incredible deal. All Mint Mobile plans include unlimited talk and text, access to 5GB high-speed data, free calling to Mexico and Canada, free mobile hotspot access, and WiFi calling support. You can't beat that!

U.S. Mobile: Pre-pay $23 per line per month
Prepaid wireless plans are a great option for light users, kids, and anyone else who won’t be consuming a lot of data on a daily basis. U.S. Mobile is one of the best prepaid service providers available today, allowing you to build your own custom plan, so you’re only paying for as many minutes, texts, and gigabytes of data as you want to. As just one example, its Unlimited Starter plan is just $15 per line, or $276 for 12 months -- saving you $72 per year. You get unlimited talk, text, and data, 10GB of hotspot data, international calling and texting, and more. If you're adding multiple lines to a plan, you can also unlock free extras like Disney+ and Netflix.

Read more