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 how a new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 forced a flight to evacuate to everything we know about “Blade Runner 2049”, it’s all here.
Smoking replacement Samsung Galaxy Note 7 forces evacuation of flight
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 situation is getting more and more serious. Between children getting burned and fires getting started, Samsung has caused some serious havoc. The latest chapter in the saga? A smoking Galaxy Note 7 forced a Southwest flight to evacuate. The real kicker to this story is that the Galaxy Note 7 in question wasn’t an old model — it was one of the replacement models. What that means is that even replacement Galaxy Note 7 phones could be at risk of exploding. Obviously, that’s not good for Samsung.
Pixel phones, Daydream, Home — Oh my! Everything Google revealed at its Oct. 4 event
Google announced a bunch of new hardware at its October 4 event, including two Pixel phones, a Daydream View VR headset, Google Home, Chromecast Ultra, Google Wifi and more. We gathered all the product news into one handy article. Here’s everything you need to know about the new products and when you can get them.
Everything we know so far about ‘Blade Runner 2049’
In an era where studios relentlessly plunder the tombs of movies past, looking for the next successful remake or reboot, few revivals have caused as much trepidation and/or excitement as the upcoming Blade Runner sequel. Though some might consider it sacrilege to make a sequel to such a singular film, some big names behind the project — including Harrison Ford and Ridley Scott himself as producer and story developer — have made this one of the most anticipated sequels in the genre.
Jeep wants the Grand Wagoneer to be America’s Range Rover
Jeep is moving forward with the development of a luxurious, range-topping SUV aimed squarely at Land Rover’s Range Rover. Recently approved for production, the long-rumored model will revive the storied Grand Wagoneer nameplate that has laid dormant for a quarter of a century. Some sources believe the Grand Wagoneer will share its basic platform and many mechanical components with the new Maserati Levante.
Amazon’s Alexa can be your extra hands in the kitchen with ChefSteps’ Joule
Alexa gets to hang out with all the cool kids. Ford recently announced Amazon Alexa voice control system connectivity with three of its electric models. Now we learn that Alexa can take charge of ChefSteps‘ sous vide low-temperature water cooking appliance, Joule, according to Geek Wire. Cooking sous vide is a technique in which food in a vacuum bag is cooked in “precisely controlled, low-temperature water,” according to the ChefSteps website.
The Rolling Stones to release first album in more than 10 years in December
Ever since it was reported that the Rolling Stones were headed back to the studio last December, fans have been eagerly anticipating new songs from the long-enduring rock legends. But given the length of time fans have already waited — the Stones’ last studio album came out in 2005 — most expected this latest release might be in gestation for a good while.
Why is it so hard to cancel a subscription to Jessica Alba’s Honest Company?
The wheels of consumer rights often turn slowly. For consumers who have filed complaints with the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about actress Jessica Alba’s Honest Company, trying to cancel unwanted and unsuspected subscriptions to the companies product shipments is virtually impossible, according to Gizmodo.
Samsung is buying the new AI assistant from the masterminds behind Siri
Samsung is not going to be left out of the artificial intelligence revolution, but realizes it can’t do everything itself, and that only by purchasing innovative companies can it ensure it’s at the front of the pack. That’s why it has acquired Viv Labs, an expert in artificial intelligence, with the plan of bringing its talents to Galaxy phones and other appliances in the future.
Free trip to Mars, anyone? T-Mobile’s CEO is offering a ride to the red planet
T-Mobile boss John Legere tweeted on Wednesday that when he joined the company, “people thought I was from Mars.” While some may actually still believe this to be the case, most people are just happy to have the charismatic CEO here on Earth entertaining the masses with his unique approach to brand promotion. Taking his marketing antics to a whole new level, Legere’s tweet also included an announcement of a grand contest with a stellar prize: a free trip to his homeland Mars.
Playing brain games won’t improve or protect your memory, study finds
There is no proven crossover or transference from playing brain-training games to real-world benefits. You will not gain improved memory or sharper intellectual abilities according to a meta-analysis, or study of studies, cited by Extreme Tech. There is also no evidence that brain games will stave off Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other age-related conditions associated with cognitive loss.
