Skip to main content

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

top tech stories 04 24 2016 0001
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 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

Prince-in-memoriam
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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

game-of-thrones-season-6-premiere-4-970x647-c
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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

linkedin
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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

Google-Podcasts-Play-Search-0001
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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

app-store
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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

FAA-to-test-anti-drone-tech-for-pinpointing-illegal-operators-near-airports
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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

DNA-double-helix
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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

Soda_bubbles_macro
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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

Uber-Instant-Ended-0001
Image used with permission by copyright holder

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…
These Sennheiser All-Day OTC self-fitting hearing aids are $500 off
A man wears the Sennheiser All-Day Clear OTC hearing aid while on a hike.

A less-considered piece of tech that can go a long way toward helping the hard of hearing better interact with the world is a hearing aid. Right now you can save big at Best Buy on the Sennheiser All-Day Clear over-the-counter hearing aids. They would regularly cost $1,500 for a pair, but this deal sees them marked down to $1,000, which makes for $500 in savings. Free next-day shipping is available, and you can even pick the hearing aids up at your nearest Best Buy within one hour in many areas.

Why you should buy the Sennheiser All-Day Clear OTC hearing aid
Sennheiser is one of the more sought after brand names in consumer audio, and it’s almost always in consideration to be one of the best speaker brands. With the All-Day Clear hearing aids Sennheiser has taken all of that audio know-how and produced its first over-the-counter hearing aids. They’re made for those with mild to moderate hearing loss who are looking for a better hearing experience. They come ready to wear and combine clear, vibrant hearing performance with seamless connectivity. The All-Day Clear hearing aids have advanced sound processing technologies for better hearing and a range of customizable settings for a personalized experience.

Read more
Is the Facebook algorithm bypass a scam? Or is it a hack?
The viral Facebook algorithm bypass post is nonsense.

Here we go again, folks. It's not uncommon — especially at this time of year for some reason — to start seeing all kinds of people posting the same thing on Facebook. Something about somehow "bypassing the Facebook system" or about how you hereby disallow Facebook from doing something that you absolutely allowed it to do by using Facebook in the first place.

No, it's not a Facebook hack. No, you're not telling Facebook to do anything. Or not to do anything. And, no, someone who posts this sort of stuff isn't deserving of mockery. In fact, this isn't new at all. Meta (nee Facebook) itself addressed it as far back as 2019.

Read more
Apple AirTag, Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2, Tile Mate prices slashed
Person holding an Apple AirTag.

If you're always losing and misplacing stuff, you may want to invest in Bluetooth trackers. These handy devices can be placed or attached to any object -- and even held by people or pets! If you think they'll be very useful for you, there are three options with discounts right now from Amazon -- the Tile Mate for $18, down $7 from $25; the Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 for $20, down $10 from $30; and the Apple AirTag for $27, down $2 from $29. You're going to have to hurry if you want to take advantage of any of these offers though, especially if you're planning to buy multiples, because they may expire at any moment.
Tile Mate -- 

Samsung Galaxy SmartTag2 -- 

Read more