How to convert a container ship into a world-class superyacht explorer
Most superyachts focus on sun decks and swimming platforms. Shackleton's Vard-1-08 Kilkea is designed for more hardy explorers.
Flo smart home water alert users can get their water damage expenses paid for
Flo Technologies announced an optional water damage reimbursement program for Flo smart home water monitoring system customers. The company will reimburse Flo HomeProtect subscribers for their homeowner's insurance deductible in the case of water damage to their home. HomeProtect also includes extended support.
Elon Musk’s Boring Company puts first 1,000 flamethrowers in buyers’ hands
If the reports on Tesla CEO Elon Musk's Twitter account are accurate, The Boring Company delivered 1,000 TBC Flamethrowers this weekend. Musk, who also heads The Boring Company, said each flamethrower comes with a TBC Fire Extinguisher. Musk also promised a TBC Ice Blaster before the 'winter dry season.'
Honda reboots the much-loved Monkey and Super Cub for 2019
American Honda announced last week that it's bringing the Monkey Bike to the U.S. this fall as a 2019 model. Honda is also debuting the newest version of the best-selling motorcycle of all time, the Honda Super Cub. The 1958 Super Cub's "You meet the nicest people on a Honda" ads introduced the brand to many Americans.
Target targets Millennials and Gen-Z shoppers with Heyday electronics brand
Heyday, Target's first exclusive electronics brand launches June 9. Featuring electronics accessories for Millennials and Gen Z customers, Target's Design and Development team surveyed those groups about their wants and preferences and chose colors and styles that reflect current trends for the Heyday brand.
Google done weaponizing A.I., will still work with military and governments
Google CEO Sundar Pichai clarified the company's principles for developing AI, reacting to public and employee pushback. Google will not develop weaponized AI but will work with governments and military in other areas. CEO pledges no AI with a material risk of harm unless benefits substantially outweigh risks.
Tesla says driver ignored warnings from Autopilot in fatal California crash
Tesla reported that repeated Autopilot warnings were ignored prior to a fatal crash in a Tesla Model X in Mountain View, California. The National Transportation Safety Board has released its own preliminary report about the crash, noting that the driver did not have his hands on the wheel before impact.
Daimler’s new E-Mobility Group rolls out two new fully electric trucks in U.S.
Claiming global trucking leadership, Daimler introduced the E-Mobility Group (EMG), focused on fully electric commercial vehicles. With two new electric-powered Freightliners, the EMG has six electric models, including four trucks and two buses. The new Freightliner eCascadia may take on the Tesla Semi.
Asus shows off VivoWatch BP with blood pressure monitoring, GPS, and more
Asus previewed the VivoWatch BP smartwatch with 15-second blood pressure monitoring, A.I.-based blood pressure management tips, and 28-day battery life. The new Asus smartwatch, which also adds a GPS, uses PPG and ECG sensors on both front and back to monitor heart rate, sleep quality, and blood pressure.
Report: Facebook gave other companies access to user data; FB disagrees
The New York Times claimed Facebook had data-sharing agreements with major device-makers including Apple and Samsung. The report raises issues of data privacy rights and protection because user data was shared without users' permission. Facebook disagrees, saying permission was required for data access.
Massive Gmail redesign rollout will begin in earnest in July
Google has announced the much-anticipated arrival of its new Gmail and Gsuite enhancements. Google said the changes focus on improving people's productivity on the web and at work. The first place you'll see changes is in your Inbox. Come July, the redesign will be rolled out broadly to G Suite customers.
Uber will run criminal and driving history checks for every driver every year
Uber emailed riders about three new safety programs. Riders now can share ride details with contacts and can call 911 from the Uber app. Trip and location sharing with 911 operators will be automatic in some cities. Uber also says it will run criminal background and driver history checks every year, for every driver.
Waze enlists A.I.-powered analytics company Anodot to improve driver experience
Social navigation and traffic app Waze is amping up the driving experience for its millions of global users by integrating Anodot's real-time anomaly detection and analytics throughout the Waze platform. By analyzing millions of localized data points, Anodot will result in timely routing improvements as needed.
Uber in partnership talks with Waymo for self-driving technology
Uber would like to work with Waymo, Google's self-driving car division. Uber's CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the two companies are having discussions about partnering, but Waymo declined to comment. Calling Waymo an "incredible technology provider," Uber's CEO believes autonomous driving technology will be shared.
Tesla updates Model 3 braking software, earns Consumer Reports recommendation
Consumer Reports now recommends the Tesla Model 3. Originally the Model 3's emergency braking test distance was too long, but after an OTA update, the Model 3's brakes performed in line with factory results. Tesla CEO Elon Musk delivered on his promise to do whatever it took to improve the brakes.
Alexa can now analyze random requests to use skills you didn’t know existed
Amazon just gave Alexa the ability to discover skills based on user queries. The feature lets Alexa skill developers configure their apps for skill discovery and notify Alexa's machine learning engine of the compatibility. The goal is to provide correct answers without making users search for new skills.
False civil emergency alert text panics Oregon’s Marion County
Some Oregon residents got a scare Tuesday evening when an emergency alert text declared a public emergency and instructed them to "Prepare for Action." A "technology issue" at the Office of Emergency Management was blamed for the vague message, which was supposed to be a county tap water advisory.
A.I. detects skin cancer better than dermatologists in international study
In an international study that compared dermatologists and A.I. neural networks in their ability to correctly diagnose skin cancers based on images, A.I. was accurate more often than the doctors. Regardless of the physicians' experience levels, the convolutional neural network scored higher.
Uber adds panic button for U.S. customers, with driver button to come later
Uber added a rider panic button that contacts 911 emergency services to the ridesharing app's main menu. Also new is Trusted Contacts, which gives up to five family members and friends real-time trip location info. The new features follow up on an April announcement of renewed focus on safety.
Noon Home smart lighting’s app boosts its customization options
Noon Home smart lighting added support for Lifx Wi-Fi-enabled smart light bulbs to its scene customization and control system. The capability of saving an additional 32 custom scenes brings the total number of stored mood light setting combinations to 48. The system has also improved the scene selection menu.
Streem and Porch put AR to work on your next home improvement project
Streem's AR-enhanced mobile video connection platform has partnered with the Porch network of more than 250,000 contractors nationwide. The Streem app connects homeowners with Porch assistants who see the project remotely, guide the owner with AR tools, and capture information for contractors to make quotes.
Football helmet monitor analyzes head impact data for smarter, safer play
Riddell's InSite Training Tool collects and analyzes football helmet impact data. Coaches can use individual player impact profiles to modify player training. The goal is reduced head impacts during practice and games for smarter, safer play. Player data is analyzed based on player position and skill level.
Tesla settles Autopilot class-action lawsuit with Model S, Model X owners
Tesla settled an Autopilot class action suit filed by Model S and Model X buyers. The suit claimed the $5,000 Autopilot option was "essentially unusable and demonstrably dangerous." Tesla will put aside $5 million+ for payments to owners and lawyers. Owners won't get paid much in the settlement.
VTOL drone can evacuate wounded soldiers and disaster victims, deliver cargo
Tactical Robotics' unmanned Cormorant VTOL drone can evacuate two wounded battlefield casualties or disaster site victims at the same time. The aircraft can land and take off from remote or hard to reach locations without a landing strip.
Michelin Tweel airless radial tires are now ready for utility vehicles
Developed for military special operations light-duty tactical vehicles, Michelin Tweel airless radial tires are now available for UTVs. A single-unit wheel and tire combination, the Tweel takes the definition of all-terrain to new levels. You won't go fast on Tweels, but you'll never need to change a flat.
Amazon explains fluke that saw Alexa send a private conversation to a contact
Amazon says an 'unlikely string of events' led an Oregon couple's Alexa device to record a private conversation and send it to a contact. Alerted by the contact, the couple turned off their Alexa devices and want a refund. Amazon says it is 'evaluating options to make this case even less likely.'
May the forks be with you when you use the Millennium Falcon Waffle Maker
Begin your Star Wars adventure each morning with waffles, hash browns, or cookies made fresh with Uncanny's officially licensed Deluxe Millennium Falcon Waffle Maker. Launching the same weekend as the latest Star Wars movie, the waffle maker joins Uncanny's assemblage of Star Wars-themed countertop appliances.
Uber’s car did not recognize pedestrian in fatal Arizona crash, report says
The National Transportation Safety Board released a preliminary report of a March 2018 fatal crash in Tempe, Arizona when an Uber self-driving car struck a pedestrian pushing a bicycle. The report states the self-driving system did not recognize the pedestrian at all and only recognized the bicycle just before impact.
Latest selfie spot? In front of a Tesla Semi hooked up at a Supercharger station
A prototype Tesla Semi electric truck powering up at a Tesla Supercharger station in Kettleman City, California attracted social media attention this week. People posed for pictures with the silver hauler to post online. Tesla plans to start selling the Semi in 2019. Reservations for the 300-mile range model are $20K.
Watch a NASA astronaut get stumped over how to use a GoPro
Earlier in May when a NASA astronaut on the International Space Station went outside to check the spacecraft, he couldn't use the GoPro he brought along to capture video. When he asked Mission Control about the camera, he revealed a surprising lack of understanding of how the popular video camera works.
Nest’s network failed and people’s smart home devices went dark for 3 hours
For three hours starting before midnight on Wednesday, May 16, Nest smart home devices were offline. Door locks and thermostats were functional but only with manual control. Nest mobile apps and internet access to devices were disabled. Nest tweeted the problem and restoration, but the blackout's cause is unknown.
Designer of out-of-this-world superyacht MY Roswell welcomes spaceship analogies
Creative artist and superyacht designer George Lucian says his MY Roswell concept is named after the site of a mysterious crash in New Mexico that many were convinced was an alien spacecraft. The super yacht combines stealthy design elements, electric-only propulsion power, and attention-getting stylistic features.
Xbox Adaptive Controller blasts accessibility barriers for disabled gamers
Microsoft introduced the Xbox Adaptive Controller to remove barriers and improve accessibility for gamers with limited mobility. Xbox engineers engaged with groups of gamers with disabilities for input and testing. The controller has more than 20 ports and jacks to connect a wide range of accessibility options.
Fewer parents name baby girls Alexa after Amazon Echo debut
Alexa was never a top-10 U.S. baby girl name, but now, after Amazon used the name for the Echo smart speaker voice assistant, even fewer parents choose it for their newborns. Siri is a much less popular name for girls in the U.S. than Alexa, but it too has seen a decline. "Hey, Google" was never a contender.
FCA gives police the ‘Charger of SUVs’ — the 2018 Dodge Durango Pursuit
There's a new Dodge in town as FCA introduces the 2018 Dodge Durango Pursuit for law enforcement agencies only. The Dodge Charger Pursuit is the fastest police car in the country and this SUV version has more interior space and is equipped for off-road chases. It even has K-9-friendly features.
2019 Chevrolet Suburban RST Performance Package speeding to dealers this summer
GM just bumped up the hot SUV list with the 2019 Chevrolet Suburban RST Performance Package. Customer response to the Tahoe RST Performance Package prompted Chevy to add the go-power, handling, and braking upgrades to the full-size Suburban. The regular RST looks hot, the Performance Package makes it hot.