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 when you can expect your phone to get Android 7.0 Nougat to some of the most successful Kickstarter projects of the year, it’s all here.
‘Gooligan’ Android malware affects more than 1 million Google accounts
Android smartphone manufacturers aren’t the best at updating smartphones to the latest software from Google — that means older devices are more susceptible to attacks thanks to public vulnerabilities that haven’t been patched. Chances are your Android phone is running an older version and unfortunately, there is a malware campaign affecting more than 1 million Google accounts.
You don’t need internet to enjoy your favorite Netflix shows with offline viewing
‘Tis the season for oversized meals, oversized sweaters, and now, oversized quantities of Netflix. That’s because the streaming service has now made it possible for users to “download in addition to stream great series and films at no extra cost.” That’s right — you can now watch Netflix offline, as long as you remember to hit that little download button on the details page before heading off to a Wi-Fi-less land.
Fitbit might buy Pebble for its tech, and shut it down
Pebble, the brand which introduced the concept of the modern smartwatch to many people, may be purchased by Fitbit, a brand synonymous with fitness trackers. While Pebble has completed several highly successful Kickstarter campaigns, and raised outside investment, it has been struggling financially, which opens the door for Fitbit to grab itself a bargain.
Researchers find ‘fatal’ security flaws in 10 different medical devices
A team of researchers found several potentially “fatal” security flaws in 10 different medical implants. Researchers at the University of Birmingham in the U.K. and the University of Leuven in Belgium discovered vulnerabilities in the software and signals that communicate with implant devices. The software is used to update the devices or gather data readings on a patient.
There is still hope that the Apple AirPods could launch before year’s end
Alongside the reveal of the iPhone 7 earlier in 2016, Apple also unveiled a new pair of wireless in-ears, dubbed the AirPods. These were originally set to ship in October, but just before the end of the month, the company delayed the launch, saying it needed a little more time. What the company didn’t address was when the true wireless in-ears would ship. Now, it seems they may arrive before the end of 2016.
Intel’s Automated Driving Group focused on driver assist and self-driving systems
Intel wants a seat in the front row of autonomous vehicle development. After announcing a $250 million self-driving tech investment fund earlier this month, chipmaker Intel has now announced a collaboration with autonomous vehicle systems component firms Mobileye and Delphi and a new Automated Driving Group (ADG), TechCrunch reported.
Smartduvet doesn’t think you should make your bed and will do it for you
Most people wouldn’t peg making their bed as their least favorite chore, but at least one person out there hated it so much that they sought to automate the entire process. From that, the Smartduvet was born. Currently featured on Kickstarter, the Smartduvet isn’t meant to replace your existing bedding, only enhance it. Its design features an inflatable layer between the duvet and the cover that is controlled by a phone app.
MIT algorithm can predict the (immediate) future from still images
A team of researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have developed a system that can predict the following events in images and generate videos to depict them. The system needs work — its current productions are simple, short, and unassuming — but it stands out for its unique approach and accuracy.
H2 … oh? MIT researchers discover another weird property of water
Despite its abundance, water remains a mysterious substance with a host of strange properties. A new discovery from researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology just added to the anomalies — even at high temperatures, water freezes solid when placed in tiny tubes. The discovery came as a surprise to a team of chemical engineers led by professor Michael Strano, who had been trying to send electric currents through water in nanotubes.
Kickstarter’s most successful campaigns sparked these thriving companies
Making a massive amount of money on Kickstarter doesn’t necessarily make a company successful. In fact, there are plenty of Kickstarter companies that made millions, but failed to go anywhere after their initial crowdfunding campaigns came to a close (ahem: Coolest Cooler). But that’s not the case with this list. No one hit wonders here, folks.
