Category: feature

The world of tech is a buzz, and we have the latest news you want to know. Reads for a bite-sized version of the major headlines in the world of tech news. From palm scanning at Whole Foods to FTC Changes and more, check out this week’s blog below:

New Sensors Could Transform Prosthetics and Robotic Limbs

The UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND reports a new project to develop advanced pressure sensors for use in robotic systems that could revolutionize prosthetics and robotic limbs. The project seeks to develop sensors that would help improve robotic motor skills and dexterity by using highly accurate pressure sensors to provide haptic feedback and distributed touch. These enhanced sensors, made from 3D graphene foam, offer unique properties when put under mechanical stress. According to the researchers, the 3D graphene foam has the capability to mimic the sensitivity and feedback of human touch. The project contends this could transform how robotics can be used for various applications, from surgery to precision manufacturing.

6 Ways to Keep Your Phone Cyber-Safe

If you use a cell phone, you are walking around with a ticking cyber bomb in your pocket. An ever-present and growing threat to smartphones is malware. Although Apple and Google-controlled software stores are vigilant in weeding out unsafe apps, many cell phone users rely on third-party download repositories that run riot with infectious malware. And this is not the only threat. Cybercriminals slip malicious mobile malware onto your phone through various methods. All you need do is visit the wrong website or open an attached document to enable malware.

Know the Risks

• If your phone has one or more of these symptoms, the cause could be malware:
• Unusual messages and pop-ups 
• Messages that are inappropriate or unwanted ad pop-ups are signs of malware or spyware. 
• Titles in your app drawer or library you do not recognize. An internet search for the title may indicate if the app is safe. Delete all unknown app titles.
• Slow performance. This might mean that you are almost maxed out on your available RAM (random access memory). Remove unused apps and restart your phone. If the slowness remains, suspect malware.
• High internet usage and/or increased battery consumption 
• Unusual noise or static on your phone connections. This indicates that a surveillance app is snooping on your phone conversations. 
• Unusual voicemail messages or text messages. Getting messages and calls from unknown parties clearly indicates that your phone may be compromised.

New foldable smartphones from Samsung unveiled

In a bid to cement its leadership in an expanding niche market of high-end foldable smartphones, Samsung Electronics unveiled its latest model on Wednesday. Samsung said it is aiming for foldable phone sales to surpass that of its past flagship smartphone, the Galaxy Note. Foldables have helped Samsung differentiate itself from Apple, Samsung’s key competitor.

FTC Pushes for Change on How Big Tech Handles Data

This week, the FTC issued a new notice that calls on input for how tech companies should handle consumer data. This notice is the first step in creating binding rules for the industry. Likewise, the filing calls for public comment on data collection, algorithmic discrimination, and commercial surveillance. The questions, of course, suggest that the commission is focused on how to handle data collection better as the digital age continues to evolve and expand. 

Apple Focuses on Funding Podcasts that Can be Converted into TV Shows

According to a report by Bloomberg, Apple has signed a deal with Futuro Studio to fund the development and production of future podcasts. Likewise, the podcast producer will provide Apple with first refusal on the rights to turn any podcasts into a film or TV show. Of course, this would not be the first time Apple has turned podcasts into content with the recent series WeCrashed and The Shrink Next Door.  As of late, long-form podcasts have become a source of inspiration for several TV shows and streaming services. Other Networks have already jumped on the podcast to the tv-series bandwagon, like Hulu’s The Dropout.

Whole Foods to Soon Allow Hand Scanning for Payment

You will soon be able to checkout at a Whole Foods store near you with the swipe of your hand. Amazon has announced its palm scanning technology will expand to an additional 65 Whole Foods locations across California. First introduced as a part of Amazon’s One payment service in 2020, the technology was only available at limited locations. The feature has already begun rollout in Malibu and Santa Monica. Likewise, customers can set up their Amazon One payment system by registering their palm at a kiosk or point of sale for a participating store.

Southern California is popular for its beautiful weather and booming entertainment business. Similarly, it boasts of several top members-only clubs, perfect for individuals who prefer socializing with friends and making business connections in a private, elegant, laid-back setting. Listed below are some of the premier members only clubs in southern California, providing the perfect balance of exclusivity, sophistication, and class.

1. Aster- Hollywood

Set to launch in August 2022, this new private club offers the most luxury amenities such as high-end bars, a pool, sleek workspaces, a screening studio, and even health and wellness spaces. The online application for Aster includes a form with your picture, bio, and important skill sets.

2. Soho House – West Hollywood

Located in West Hollywood, this clubhouse is famous for occasional celebrity sightings. The club hosts popular brick events and stunning views enjoyed from its living room or patio.

3. NeueHouse – Hollywood

This club brings members together to socialize together in workspace-like environments, only much more relaxed. Other member amenities provided include unlimited access to the bar and restaurants, private telephone booths, podcast recording studios, and conference rooms. In addition, $3200 in membership fees paid annually give the Salon members access to communal workspaces and the gallery floors for eight business days each month.

4. Soho Warehouse – DTLA

With a rooftop pool and a unique creative space called the warehouse studio, this club is ideal for hosting events. Applications are carried out online with a mandatory requirement of at least two referrals.

5. Spring Place – Beverly Hills

Spring place is home to creative and collaborative minds in SoCal’s entertainment, fashion and art industries. Featuring executive suites, a boardroom, an exquisite art gallery, a screening studio, and a top-tier restaurant, this three-story spot is one of the most exclusive and luxurious clubs to check out in Beverly Hills. In addition, you can also include current club members as referrals in your application.

6. City Club – LA

Located in a high-rise building with great views, this club offers spaces to relax and engage in social mingling with other members. Online applications are made on their website.

7. Jonathan Club – LA and Santa Monica beach

Founded over a century ago, this club continues to provide members with fine dining amenities, wellness and spa services, social events, and award shows. To join, you can contact Johannes Masserer, whose contact is on their online website.

8. Fashion Mamas – Silver Lake

Fashion Mamas was founded in 2014 by local fashion editor Natalie Alcala. Created for ambitious mothers in the creative industry to further their connections and their community, Fashion mamas have, over time managed to secure members from across the globe.

It’s time for another week of the latest in tech news! We have you covered with the leading headlines from around the world wide web. Read on major tech news from TikTok’s Ticketmaster Partnership, SoulCycle, and More!

Microsoft Teams now allows users to send short video clip messages

Microsoft has announced this week a new asynchronous video chat tool from Inspire, including collaborative annotations and the Excel Live app in Teams meetings. When text messages and emojis don’t cut it, Microsoft has given Teams users another option for communicating: the ability to send short video clips using the chat function. The video clip feature can be accessed by clicking on a small video camera icon in the Teams text chat box. A pop-up screen lets a user record a short clip and edits the length before posting it into the Teams chat.  Excel Live will be available in public preview at the end of August.

iPhone Users should Clear Your Cache Regularly

Over time, if you don’t clear your cache, the data stored in your web browsers get cluttered and might slow the phone. Whether you browse in Chrome, Safari, or any other browser, your phone gets digitally cluttered over time. Clearing your cache, reset the browser, thereby speeding up your web browsing. You can also manage your iPhone’s storage to help get it running fast again. Clearing your cache removes the website data the phone stored locally to prevent having to download that data with each new visit. Mostly, the cache requires clearing once every month or two. You should clear your cache more often if you frequent many sites.

Seattle nonprofit works to expose underrepresented youth to space industry careers

iUrban Teen, a Seattle-based nonprofit, hosted a Space Summit (iSpace) featuring the leading space industry partners such as Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin, NASA, and Starfish Space. The nonprofit wants to help expose underrepresented youth to the industry and potential careers. The program had an intentional reach to BIPOC students but was open to all middle and high school students. iUrban Teens wants the iSpace Summit to become part of an annual program and plans to expand to other cities like Portland and Dallas. 

SoulCycle Launches New Campaign to Give Free Classes to Peloton Users

Popular cycling studio Soul Cycle has launched a new campaign to bring back its former riders. The SoulCycle ‘Souls Reunited’ campaign will give up to 47 classes free for clients that trade in their Peloton bike. “We’re dead set on seeing you back with your pack, so we’re giving you the opportunity to trade in your bike for the equivalent value of in-studio classes at SoulCycle,” reads SoulCycle Souls Reunited campaign site. Likewise, the offer is only valid for the first 100 people within the United States. The offer launched this week and with winners to be announced on August 12th. 

TikTok Launches Ticketmaster Feature to Bring Big Shows to App

With its ongoing popularity and usage, TikTok has launched a new integration focused on music. This latest feature partners with Ticketmaster to allow performers to sell concert tickets directly on the app. The integration will take advantage of TikTok’s recommendation feed by helping artists to reach more fans. With music playing such a big part of the app, this latest move from TikTok makes sense. According to reports, the company also recently filed a trademark for “TikTok Music.” The filing states that the platform would allow users to download, purchase, play and share music all from the app.

Amazon Brings Mall Favorites to Same Day Delivery Offering

E-commerce giant Amazon will be partnering with select stores to bring mall favorite shops direct to consumers. The new initiative will allow for same-day delivery from places like PacSun, GNC, Superdry, and Diesel. The service is also limited to certain cities, like Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Miami, Phoenix, Scottsdale, Seattle, and Washington, DC.  “The expansion of Amazon’s Same-Day Delivery to include beloved brands delivered directly from nearby retail locations is just another way we are offering customers even greater selection, at faster speeds,” Sarah Mathew, Amazon’s director of delivery experience, said in a statement.

For this week in tech news, we’re dishing out the details on Spotify’s Friends Mix, Google Nest updates, and more! Read on for our weekly round-up of the latest headlines in the world of tech.

Nimbus pod-like EV offers urban commuters a scooter-car hybrid solution

Nimbus One, a pod-like electric vehicle (EV) of the future from the Michigan-based Nimbus company, has been created to tackle the two problems of urban parking and high gas prices as well as help the environment. It’s a three-wheeled EV; part car, part scooter, and its compact design make maneuvering around urban areas much easier.  The vehicle features two removable batteries that can be charged with an at-home plug or by using a traditional EV charger that is situated in the front of the pod. The Nimbus One can hold up to two people. It has a luggage rack on the back that offers additional storage. The Pod gets about 93 miles on a full charge and can go up to 50 miles per hour. The cost is just under $10,000 to buy or $200 a month to rent.  The company hopes to offer Nimbus Ones as daily rentals in some cities and is targeting 2023 for mass production.

You can finally see a live feed of your Google Nest cameras on your TV

Starting this week, Google is bringing an old feature to its new Nest cameras. Google will allow you to stream the video feed from all your Nest cameras and video doorbells to your TV using a Chromecast with Google TV.  All Nest Cams and Nest Doorbells will be supported by this new feature, including our latest devices that were released in 2021: the Nest Cam (outdoor or indoor, battery), Nest Cam (indoor, wired), and Nest Cam; with floodlight and Nest Doorbell (battery).” According to Google, nothing needs to be enabled to activate the new feature. Chromecast must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your cameras. You can either use the Google TV voice remote by pressing the Assistant button and saying, “show me the front door camera,” or ask your Nest speaker or smart display to show you the front door camera on my TV.”

How to Change the Name of Your Mac

Do you know your Mac automatically assigns a name to it when you set it up for the first time? Changing that name to anything you want is possible, though you might not realize it. It’s easy to do. Let’s take a closer look at where it is and how to change it.  To change the name of your Mac, follow the simple step-by-step instructions below:

1. Click on the Apple logo in the upper-left corner of the desktop and choose System Preferences from the dropdown menu.
2. Locate the Sharing icon and click on it.
3. At the top of the window, click on your Mac’s current name and press the Delete key to remove it.
4. Now, enter your new name and then close the Sharing window to apply your changes.

Additionally, you will need to update the local network address that any external devices use to connect to your Mac. This is also a straightforward procedure. Likewise, you can effortlessly change the name of your other Apple devices, whether it’s your AirPods, iPad, or iPhone.

JetBlue to acquire Spirit, creating the fifth-largest airline in the US

With the Frontier Airlines and Spirit merger falling apart this week, Jet Blue stepped in with a $3.8 billion dollar offer. The newly merged airline will now become the fight largest in the US. Likewise, this deal will create a potential challenge to the dominance if the “Big Four” carriers. Spirit airlines shareholders choose not to move forward with Frontier Airlines after receiving a more generous offer from JetBlue. Both airlines have been pursuing a purchase of Spirit Airlines for months in hopes of helping to reduce airline ticket prices. 

Spotify introduces Friends Mix playlists, an auto-generated mixtape from your pals

The modern mixtape has arrived. To Spotify, that is. This week the music streaming app announced its new Friends Mix feature. With Friends Mix creates a new big mixtape full of recommendations that all of your friends would give you. The new Friends Mix feature is now available globally for premium Spotify subscribers and free accounts. At this time, the feature only works on iOS and desktop apps. Android users will need to wait before the feature arrives on their device. Users looking for the Friends Mix feature can access it through the Made for You hub.