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
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.
‘Stranger Things’ Season 2 is confirmed! Here’s everything we know
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.
Snapchat has reportedly picked Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs to lead IPO
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.
Parking brake flaw prompts Toyota to recall 340,000 Priuses worldwide
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.
The U.K. government has reportedly banned the Apple Watch from top-level meetings
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.
If your stomach voted this November, would it vote for Donald Trump or Hillary Clinton?
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.
Soylent advises disposal of Food Bars due to reports of illness
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.
Don’t call it a dating app: Hinge wants you to stop playing relationship games
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.
This blink-to-shoot camera attaches to any pair of glasses
*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.
White House report warns of bias concerns in application of AI
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 today. The 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.
