The U.S. Air Force’s secretive space plane ends record-breaking mission
The U.S. Air Force’s secretive X-37B space plane landed at the Kennedy Space Center on Sunday after spending a record 780 days in low-Earth orbit. The vehicle is used to test and develop various spacecraft technologies while at the same time demonstrating the importance of a reusable space plane.
Apple tells iPhone 5 owners to update software or face the consequences
Apple is telling anyone who still uses an iPhone 5 to update it to iOS 10.3.4 before November 3 or face losing some of the smartphone’s core functionality. The advice is linked to a GPS time rollover issue that began affecting various GPS-enabled products from a number of manufacturers in April 2019.
Adobe left millions of Creative Cloud user records exposed online
Subscribers to any of Adobe's Creative Cloud apps are being advised to keep a look out for phishing scams using the email address linked to their Adobe account. The warning comes after it was discovered that data belonging to more than seven million accounts remained exposed online for about a week.
Donald Trump lets the world know he misses the iPhone’s home button
President Donald Trump has tweeted Apple CEO Tim Cook -- and the rest of his 66 million followers -- to let him know how much he misses the iPhone's physical home button. Apparently now the owner of one of Apple’s newest devices, Trump now has to swipe up from the bottom of the handset to access the home screen.
Google Play Store malware hits 42 apps with 8 million downloads
Cybersecurity researchers have uncovered an adware campaign affecting 42 Play Store apps that have been downloaded 8 million times. Google has now removed them, though they remain available in third-party app stores. The most popular app, Video Downloader Master, received 5 million downloads.
Amazon spends a staggering amount to ship your orders
Aiming to push convenience to the max, Amazon is continuing to invest heavily in its gargantuan shipping operation with a particular focus on developing its one-day shipping option. The company’s latest financial figures revealed it spent billions on shipping in the third quarter of 2019.
Google agrees to replace its bricked Home and Home Mini smart speakers
A recent firmware update caused a number of Google Home and Home Mini devices to stop working. Google says it’ll replace the bricked devices, and also roll out a fix to stop it happening again. Some affected customers managed to get their device working again via a factory reset, though this hasn’t worked for everyone.
Facebook is getting interested in news again with News Tab launch
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to unveil the site's latest feature at an event in New York City on Friday. The News Tab, which will host the latest international and local news stories, marks a return to the genre for Facebook after it altered its algorithms two years ago to prioritize more personal posts.
Amazon makes it even easier for you to receive your packages
Online shopping giant Amazon has partnered with additional brick-and-mortar stores to take its free Counter package pickup service to thousands of more locations across the U.S. It means Amazon shoppers can now choose to collect their orders from Rite Aid, GNC, Health Mart, and Stage Stores.
Samsung develops a fix for the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 fingerprint flaw
Samsung’s Galaxy S10 and Note 10 handsets hit the headlines last week after a serious security flaw came to light regarding its in-display fingerprint scanner. It meant that particular silicon screen covers allowed any fingerprint to unlock the device. The company now says it’s developed a fix.
Google Maps now lets iPhone-owning drivers help their fellow road users
It has been available for Google Maps on Android for some time but now drivers with an iPhone can also report crashes, speed traps, and traffic slowdowns when they're on the road. And from this week, users on both platforms can also report construction, lane closures, disabled vehicles, and objects in the road.
Scoot wants you to take rides on its new electric moped instead of in a car
Scoot is using L.A. as the launchpad for its new electric moped designed for shared use. Features include a top speed of 20 mph and large-volume tires for a smooth ride. The machine can be rented via a smartphone app, but you'll need to be over 18 and have a valid driver's license to ride it.
Elon Musk sends first tweet via SpaceX’s Starlink internet satellites
SpaceX offered some tidbits about plans for its recently deployed Starlink internet satellites this week. Meanwhile, Elon Musk decided to take the system for a test run by using it to post a couple of tweets. Judging by his reaction, he seemed pretty surprised that it worked!
Google Home owners claim a recent update has left their devices unusable
A firmware update for Google Home smart speakers has caused real trouble for some owners as it appears to have rendered their devices useless. Some of those affected claim to have resolved the issue with a factory reset of the speaker, while Google says it’s investigating the issue.
Adobe Illustrator could be coming to iPad, landing soon after Photoshop
Adobe is reportedly planning a version of Illustrator for iPad. The professional-grade vector graphics editor could land next year, soon after Photoshop, which is confirmed for launch before the end of 2019. Adobe has been working to bring software from its subscription-based Creative Cloud suite to Apple’s tablet.
CVS and UPS join forces for drone deliveries to customers’ homes
More and more major companies are keen to get into the drone delivery game. Take CVS and UPS. The two firms have just teamed up to develop a drone service delivering prescription drugs and other retail items direct to customers. CVS said it was excited to explore faster, lower-cost, and more efficient delivery models.
Some crazy folks just spent nearly a whole day flying in a jet plane
If you get a bit fidgety on a four-hour flight, then at 19-plus hours, Qantas' proposed non-stop service between New York City and Sydney probably isn't for you. The Australian carrier tested the route for the first time at the weekend with 49 passengers and crew onboard the Boeing aircraft.
Reports of Kik Messenger’s demise have been greatly exaggerated
Fans of Kik Messenger will be pleased to learn that the messaging app is going nowhere. Last month the creator of Kik Messenger announced its imminent closure, but another company has now stepped in to save it. L.A.-based MediaLab has promised to work on improving the app, but added that it will soon include ads.
Instagram is looking for a way to help you improve your feed
If your Instagram feed could do with some attention, a new feature currently undergoing testing offers a quick way to filter the accounts you follow into various categories, making them easier to manage. There’s no word yet on whether Instagram will roll it out, but it could be a handy way to better curate your feed.
Cruise ship passenger attempts dangerous selfie, gets banned for life
A passenger on a Royal Caribbean cruise ship ran into trouble this week when she was spotted taking a big risk to snap a selfie. When the captain found out, the guest was kicked off the Allure of the Seas at the next port and banned for life from traveling on the company’s ships.
Lyft to give job seekers free rides to interviews and training programs
As part of its multi-million-dollar initiative to improve U.S. cities and the lives of those who live in them, Lyft is to offer free rides to select job seekers going for interviews or attending training programs. The Jobs Access Program will see Lyft focusing on communities in 35 cities in the U.S. and Canada.
California’s new quake-alert app can give you vital seconds to take action
With California prone to quakes and expecting a big one at any time, residents are being encouraged to download a new early-warning app designed to give those near the epicenter vital seconds to take life-saving action. Available for Android and iOS, the free app utilizes data from numerous sensors around the state.
Skydio’s highly autonomous drone now has a robotic charging dock
Skydio turned heads recently with the launch of its highly autonomous drone, the Skydio 2. Now the startup has unveiled a motorized dock-in-a-box that lets the drone launch, land, and charge without any human input. Skydio is aiming the device at those engaged in monitoring, inspection, and security activities.
Instagram now lets you better manage third-party app access
If you've forgotten about all of the apps and websites you've allowed to access your Instagram account, a new feature lets you quickly review and change your permissions. It is also introducing a new authorization screen so that you'll know precisely what kind of data third parties are requesting from you.
SpaceX wants to send another 30,000 Starlink internet satellites into space
SpaceX is competing with a growing number of companies to build a system capable of beaming broadband from space satellites to locations where the internet is currently unreliable, too pricey, or non-existent. SpaceX recently requested permission to deploy 30,000 satellites on top of the 12,000 already approved.
Dyson comes to realize that making electric cars really sucks
Two years after it first announced the project, Dyson this week said it had decided to end the development of its electric car because it couldn't make it commercially viable. It added that it will continue work on tech related to the project, and try to offer new positions to the engineers who worked on the car.
Twitter blunder saw it accidentally use personal data for ad targeting
Twitter has apologized for inadvertently allowing some of its users’ phone numbers and email addresses to be used for ad purposes. The company said it blocked the practice last month. The news comes as social media services come under increasing scrutiny about how they handle user data.
Roomba update brings greater peace of mind with Keep Out Zones
iRobot's Roomba robovacs now include Keep Out Zones, an app-controlled feature that lets you designate specific areas in a room that you'd like your Roomba to avoid. It also rolled out a Smart Charge and Resume feature that means your machine will spend as little time as possible charging in order to finish the job.
Vloggers arrested in Iran for flying a drone have been freed
Two vloggers sent to jail in Iran in July 2019 for allegedly flying their drone without a permit have been released. Australians Mark Firkin and Jolie King had been enjoying a world trip, documenting their adventures on YouTube and social media sites, when they were detained by the Iranian authorities.
NASA’s experimental all-electric X-57 aircraft is a step closer to flight
NASA has taken delivery of its first all-electric X-57 experimental aircraft, nicknamed Maxwell. The agency said it intends to share findings from upcoming testing to help boost the growing electric aircraft market, which is focusing increasingly on small aircraft for urban mobility.
Florida man accused of cutting brakes on numerous electric scooters
Security camera footage helped cops in Florida to nab a man suspected of vandalizing more than 100 electric scooters by cutting the vehicles' brake lines. The acts of vandalism started in a small part of Fort Lauderdale in April, with police finally catching up with the suspect a few days ago.