Google Photos is prepping a print service with same-day pickup
More and more people seem keen to print off their best smartphone pictures, and now Google Photos wants a piece of the action. The web giant is reportedly prepping the launch of a service offering regular prints and canvas prints, with same-day pick up offered from CVS and Walmart.
NASA teams with European counterparts to stop asteroids from hitting Earth
Asteroid researchers and spacecraft engineers from around the world are meeting in Italy next week to discuss plans for an ambitious space mission that aims to test technology designed to change the orbit of a large asteroid. If successful, it could form the basis of a system to protect Earth from such a threat.
Amazon might let you pay at Whole Foods using only your hand
Amazon is reportedly testing biometric scanning technology that would allow shoppers at Whole Foods to pay for their items with a wave of their hand at the checkout. The system is currently undergoing testing and could be rolled out to the first stores in the early part of next year.
Apple AirPods falling onto subway tracks is a problem in New York City
New York City’s MTA is so fed up with disrupting subway services to retrieve dropped AirPods from the tracks that it's considering creating a public service announcement imploring AirPod owners to be more careful. A report this week suggested the problem has been particularly bad this past summer.
Parrot’s Anafi drone now includes an FPV headset for more thrilling flights
French drone firm Parrot has added a smartphone-powered FPV headset to its Anafi drone package to offer pilots a more thrilling flight experience. The Anafi drone launched last year and offers 4K video, 21-megapixel stills, a top speed of 34 mph, a range of more than two miles, and 26 minutes of flight time.
CIMON the flying brain is back on Earth after 14 months in space
A robotic assistant called CIMON recently returned to Earth after spending 14 months on the ISS. The floating robot uses artificial intelligence to interact with astronauts, helping them with tasks and generally behaving like a regular crew member. A more advanced version is now being developed.
Underwater drone now includes a zoom lens and better image stabilization
Fancy exploring the world beneath the waves without getting wet? A year on from its original launch, Youcan Robot's underwater drone now includes a zoom lens and improved image stabilization. The setup lets you control the camera-equipped device from up to 500 meters away, with a real-time feed sent to your smartphone.
Paris tests a noise radar to shut up loud motorcycles and cars
Residents of a suburb in Paris, France have had enough of motorcyclists revving their engines for fun and are planning to install a "noise radar" to bring an end to the practice. The box of tricks can measure noise levels, record the precise position of an offending vehicle, and even issue fines.
Hurricane Dorian risks turning dockless scooters into dangerous projectiles
With Hurricane Dorian barreling toward Florida, operators of rentable electric scooters and bikes in Miami are temporarily removing the vehicles from the streets to prevent them from turning into dangerous projectiles. The hurricane is expected to make landfall on Monday, September 2, 2019.
Skype ups its messaging game with drafts, bookmarks, previews, and more
Skype has launched a bunch of new features for mobile and desktop, including drafts, bookmarks, and previews. Also, the split window feature (showing contacts and conversations) that launched recently for Windows 10 has now landed for Windows, Mac, and Linux running the latest version of Skype.
Target expands online shopping feature that’s popular with parents
In a bid to improve its online shopping operation and take on its competitors, Target is expanding Drive Up to all 50 U.S. states. The move takes the curbside pickup service to 1,750 of its stores nationwide, with the remaining 100 Target stores also likely to offer the service before too long.
Mars 2020: NASA launches student contest to name its Martian rover
Fancy the idea of naming the Mars 2020 rover? Well, if you're a student in the U.S., you’re in luck. Run by NASA, the prize includes not only having your winning name attached to the rover, but also a ticket to Florida to watch the mission lift off from Cape Canaveral in July 2020.
Google sunsets yet another service, this time it’s Hire
Google will shutter Hire next year. The web app — part of G Suite — is designed to help with tasks such as posting job openings to multiple recruitment sites, collaborating with hiring teams, finding new employees, and setting up interviews, thereby enabling firms to keep tabs on all of their recruitment processes.
Flickr now lets you order prints through its site in a few quick clicks
If you see a photo in your Flickr collection that you think would make a nice print or piece of wall art, then a new service launched by the online company this week lets you place an order in a few quick clicks. A variety of styles and products are available, with options ranging from 49 cents to $50.
LinkedIn reportedly used by some nations to recruit spies
LinkedIn isn’t only an excellent way to find new business opportunities and network with others in the same field. It’s also a great way for foreign powers to recruit spies, according to a NY Times report. The practice has apparently been going on for some time, with Chinese spies believed to be the most active.
The Double 3 telepresence robot is now much more than an iPad on wheels
Double Robotics first effort at a telepresence robot appeared in 2012 and was widely regarded as little more than an iPad on wheels. Because that's pretty much what it was. Seven years on, it's managed to create a far more advanced machine, and one we can imagine trundling around in any modern office.
Eight charged with running illegal streaming sites Jetflicks and iStreamItAll
Eight people in the U.S. have been charged with running two illegal video streaming services, one of which claimed to offer “more content than Netflix, Hulu, Vudu, and Amazon Prime.” The Department of Justice described the operations as “two of the largest unauthorized streaming services" in the U.S.
Watch this huge autonomous cargo drone complete its maiden flight
This huge delivery drone is 180-cm tall and can carry cargo weighing up to 70 pounds. Built by aerospace manufacturer Bell, the APT 70 recently took to the skies for the very first time. The company is eyeing a number of uses that include package delivery, critical medical transport, and disaster relief.
Honda’s new airbag functions like a baseball catcher’s mitt
Honda's latest airbag deploys into a shape that resembles a baseball catcher's mitt, enveloping the vehicle occupant's head in a way that should cause less head rotation in an accident, thereby reducing the severity of any injury. The automaker plans to begin fitting its vehicles with the system in 2020.
Nikon reveals the winner of its international Photo Contest
Nikon revealed the Grand Prize winner of its prestigious Photo Contest at a special event in Tokyo, Japan, on Friday. Celebrating its 50th anniversary, this year’s competition attracted nearly 100,000 entries from some 33,000 photographers and video artists around the world.
Waymo takes its self-driving cars to Florida for testing in heavy rain
Extreme weather conditions still present big challenges for self-driving cars, which is why Waymo is taking its autonomous vehicles to Florida for testing in heavy rain during the hurricane season. The vehicles will begin trial runs on a closed course before moving to the state’s public roads.
FogCam, the world’s longest-running webcam, is about to be switched off
For the last 25 years, FogCam has been showing San Francisco’s famous fog — or not depending on the weather. It has become the longest-running webcam in the world, but its creators have decided to call it a day and plan to switch off FogCam at the end of August 2019. Fans of fog will surely miss it.
Ford is looking to recruit gamers for its first-ever esports racing team
Ford is getting into esports in a big way with the launch of its own racing team, called Fordzilla. The automaker is planning to start building a number of national teams at the Gamescom gaming event in Germany this week. Those racing for Fordzilla will compete in a range of games, including Forza Motorsport 7.
Twitter’s latest effort to tackle abusive content focuses on Direct Messages
Twitter launched a feature designed to filter out abusive Direct Messages from people you don't follow. The content is collected in one place and can still be viewed if you want to periodically check what's coming in. As usual, you can still set your account to receive messages only from people you follow.
France’s first-ever solar panel road appears to have some serious issues
France launched its first-ever solar road in 2016, partly in an effort to discover if the technology could provide a viable route to greener highways. Recent reports, however, suggest the surface is failing to generate the promised amount of power, while some sections have been crumbling due to heavy use.
Expect to see a lot more from Ikea in the smart home sector
Ikea is doubling down on its smart home efforts with the formation of a new business unit dedicated to the sector. The Swedish furniture giant said the move marks its biggest commitment to a single product line since it introduced Children’s Ikea more than 20 years ago.
Oh great, now our smart speakers can attack us with harmful sounds
A security researcher has said it’s surprisingly easy to take over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth speakers and get them to emit harmful sounds. With a few lines of code and a vulnerable device, Matt Wixey said it’s possible to play sounds that can annoy and intimidate those within earshot, or even damage their hearing.
Telegram’s new Slow Mode aims to bring order to noisy group chats
Popular messaging app Telegram has released an update with several neat features that we think will be pretty popular. Slow Mode, for example, gives a group administrator greater control over when messages are posted, while Silent Messages guarantees you won’t wake your buddy if you get in touch late in the day.