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With so much buzz in the world of technology, it can be tough to keep up. Luckily we have you covered with this week’s round-up of the top headlines happening in tech and media from around the world. From MAX to Mario Bros and more, read on and stay connected!

Google Makes National Park-Going Easier with Latest Update

Going to the National Parks just got easier. Google has recently updated its Maps app to make national park visits easier to navigate for users. The update includes accurate trail information, restroom locations, and accessibility features for over 100 US national parks. By partnering with the National Park Service, Google aims to enhance the outdoor experience for visitors and encourage more people to explore nature. This new update is part of Google’s ongoing commitment to making Maps more helpful and inclusive for everyone, regardless of their abilities or interests.

Snapchat Lenses Land on Microsoft Teams

Microsoft Teams is introducing a new feature that allows users to access Snapchat lenses during video calls, adding an element of fun and creativity to virtual meetings. The integration is a result of a partnership between Microsoft and Snap, enabling the use of Snap Camera to apply various filters and lenses. The feature aims to make online meetings more engaging and interactive, allowing users to express themselves in different ways. Microsoft’s integration of Snapchat lenses is a step towards making the virtual meeting experience more entertaining while maintaining a professional environment.

Google TV Adds Over 800 Free Channels to Live Guide

Google TV is set to receive a significant update that will introduce a new Live Guide feature, allowing users to easily access live TV channels from free streaming services like Tubi, Plex, and Redbox. This update aims to streamline the browsing experience, making it simpler for users to find and watch live content without switching between multiple apps. The Live Guide will display a traditional grid-like TV guide interface, showcasing the available channels and currently playing shows. Google’s move to integrate live content from various sources into a single, unified interface highlights its efforts to improve user experience and attract more viewers to its platform.

Warner Bros. Discovery Debut’s MAX – The New Title for HBO Max

A new name has been announced for HBO Max. Warner Bros. Discovery will aim to offer a more extensive content library. Likewise, this will include a wider range of genres under MAX, the rebranded version of HBO Max. The rebranded platform will include titles from both Warner Bros. and Discovery’s vast collection. Of course, subscribers will have access to hit shows, movies, and documentaries under one roof. The merger between the two media giants is intended to create a more competitive streaming service in the face of rivals such as Netflix and Disney+. By consolidating its content libraries, Warner Bros. Discovery hopes to attract a larger audience and enhance the overall viewing experience for subscribers.

“It’s Mario”! – In the Library of Congress

The iconic Super Mario Bros. theme music has been added to the US Library of Congress. Likewise, the honor underscores the game’s cultural significance and impact on the gaming industry. Composed by Koji Kondo, the memorable tune is among 25 other recordings inducted into the National Recording Registry. The registry is a collection that preserves recordings with historical, cultural, or aesthetic importance. The Super Mario theme music has had a lasting influence on video game music composition and design. Its addition to the registry highlights the recognition of video games as a prominent part of modern culture and entertainment.

With New Employer Badges LinkedIn Gives Users the Verified Treatment

LinkedIn is introducing a new verification badge system. The verification system is designed to help users easily identify and verify the authenticity of profiles on the platform. This system aims to prevent impersonation and ensure that users are connecting with legitimate professionals. Unlike other social media platforms obtaining verification on LinkedIn will not require payment. Users can verify their workplace simply by using a company-issued email address or through Microsoft Entra. To verify personal identity, LinkedIn has collaborated with CLEAR. Likewise, By utilizing CLEAR and providing a US government-issued ID and US phone number, users can showcase their verified status on their LinkedIn profile. LinkedIn hopes to enhance trust and safety on the platform with this new feature.

Dive into the week’s tech news as we get ready to close out 2022! From Amazon Drones to LG at CES and more, we have you covered! Read on for the major headlines happening in the world of tech, media, and science. 

Amazon Begins Delivering Packages Via Drone in California and Texas

Prime Air, aka Amazon, is revolutionizing the delivery service industry with a new drones-only system for getting your parcels to you in record time. Already implemented in California and Texas, selected customers have benefited from having orders dropped off quickly within their backyards. All of this has been made possible by Amazon’s commitment to safe aerial navigation – both now and as they gradually expand services across more locations nationwide! In 2020, Amazon achieved a major milestone in drone delivery when its application to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was approved. The company filed Final Environmental Assessment documents for two different rural and suburban locations: Lockeford, California – 50 miles southeast of Sacramento with an estimated population of 3,500; and College Station, Texas –100 miles northwest of Houston, known best as home to renowned Texas A&M University. Residents can sign up now, while other customers will soon have access via notice.

New Samsung Fridge features 32-Inch Touch Screen Display

Samsung has unveiled its latest refrigerator addition to the Bespoke Refrigerator Family Hub Plus range. Featuring a massive 32-inch touchscreen display, this model allows users to control SmartThings compatible devices and view Google Photos images or watch videos in high-definition clarity. The Samsung TV Plus service enables access to 190 US channels or 80 South Korean ones for endless entertainment options at no additional cost – making it truly an ideal appliance for modern homes! Likewise, with its vertical orientation, this display is perfect for catching up on social media videos – from TikTok to YouTube Shorts. Plus, you can multitask with convenience thanks to its picture-in-picture (PIP) mode that will play the video in an always visible floating window while leaving your screen free and clear.

iPad Mini Potentially A Year Away from Consumer Market

Apple is giving its beloved iPad Mini a processor upgrade, according to respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Scheduled for release within the next two years, this 8.3-inch features Apple’s A15 Bionic chip with optional 5G connectivity! Thanks to the power of its unique updated processor, users can enjoy enhanced performance on this classic tablet device. It is likely the iPad Mini will receive a chip upgrade in two years. Additionally, Apple may look to unveil new hardware as soon as fall 2023. Potential upgrades range from an A16 to an M-series processor similar to those used by other iPads. Of course, this makes for exciting advances within the model line!

Flat Smartphone Camera Module by LG to be Unveiled at CES

LG Innotek is set to debut an innovative camera module at CES that could revolutionize the photo capabilities of smartphones. This micro component merges optical-zoom technology seen in DSLR cameras. It does so through a sleek and slim design, granting zoom magnifications without relying on digital zooms. LG is making an ambitious move to create space within smartphones. In addition, they are also seeking to improve battery efficiency by combining multiple optical-zoom options into a single module. The thickness of the module has been reduced in order to remove any camera bumps. Additionally, LG is partnering up with Qualcomm for optimal software designs as well as joint marketing strategies!

This week, we are talking about all things tech and zero things crypto or Twitter related (you’re welcome). From the successful launch of Artemis 1 to major changes in the AR world and more, we have you covered on major tech headlines. Read on below and stay connected!

Amazon Launches Virtual Care Center

In conjunction with One Medical, Amazon has officially launched its virtual care clinic. The clinic is available in 32 states and provides a message-based service for care. The services provided are for more than 20 everyday medical issues, as per Amazon’s announcement this week. Those seeking care can do so by visiting the Amazon Clinic site, selecting your ailment, and filling out an intake form. While the service does not take insurance, it is FSA- and HSA-eligible. The Amazon Clinic telehealth physicians will be able to treat and prescribe medication for acne, asthma refills, birth control, cold sores, and more. Amazon hopes to expand to additional states within the next couple of months.

NASA Begins Historic Return to the Moon with Artemis 1 Launch

A return to the moon is one step closer for NASA with this week’s launch of the most powerful rocket built to date. Artemis 1 launched this past Wednesday, lifting off from Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center. “We are all part of something incredibly special,” launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson said just before getting her tie cut — a lovely NASA tradition that humbly marks the first solo flight of a deserving team member. “The first launch of Artemis. The first step in returning our country to the moon — and on [to] Mars.” The launch of Artemis 1 comes after years of delays and setbacks. With the success of the mission would come the groundwork to place astronauts back on the rocky surface and, eventually, one day, on the red sand of Mars. 

Qualcomm’s AR Chips Point to a Next Generation of Smart Glasses

With VR headset demand on the rise, Qualcomm has hinted that the next big product wave may be AR glasses. The company’s recent event was focused on chips. Introduced the newest Snapdragon phone processors and a new line of AR-optimized eyewear. The next generation of smart glasses will likely arrive between 2023 and 2025. Likewise, features for the tech-forward spectacles include eye tracking, hand tracking, and wireless streaming to phones or from the cloud. Qualcomm’s shared a vast list of big tech companies who will be on board to utilize the AR2 chip. These companies include Lenovo, LG, Niantic, NReal, Oppo, Pico, NTT Qonoq, Rokid, Sharp, TCL, Vuzix, and Mi.

10-Minute Flights to the Airport Are the Way Forward with Archer Air Taxi

Imagine breezing over traffic, above the clouds, and arriving right o time for your flight. Archer Aviation is seeking to make this a reality, starting off in New York. The company has unveiled its electric aircraft that would take passengers from downtown Manhattan to Newark, New Jersey’s Liberty International Airport. The company aims to launch the service by 2025 with 10-minute flights starting at $100 each way. The San Jose-based Archer is among several companies building a new type of aircraft called an EVTOL. The acronym is short for electric vertical takeoff and landing. The company hopes to change urban travel while reducing emissions. “Over time, as we scale urban air mobility and you see lots of these planes out there, we can have a significant impact on reducing emissions,” CEO Adam Goldstein.

Airbnb Anti-Party Technology Goes Live

Consider party-going at Airbnb a thing of the past. The vacation rental platform has officially launched its reservation screening technology this week. The new system has already been put into place in the US, Canada, and Australia, and the company plans to expand the technology worldwide in spring 2023. The “proprietary reservation screening technology” works by evaluating a number of factors, such as the history of positive reviews and the length of time a guest has been on the platform. In addition, it also checks the length of stay, distance to listing, and whether the guest made a booking for a weekend or weekday, an Airbnb spokesperson said. Airbnb has also expanded its guest identity verification. It may request a customer’s legal name, address, phone number, government ID, or selfie, Airbnb said. This applies to booking guests traveling to the top 35 countries and regions on the app, and it will expand worldwide in the spring as well.

Lab-Grown Meat Gets FDA Approval 

The future of lab-grown meat is progressing forward. The FDA has given the green light to Upside Food and its production of chicken made from real animal cells grown in bioreactors. The approval marks a major milestone for the cultivated meat industry after years of venture capital funding and small-scale efforts. Upside’s production facilities still require a grant of inspection from the United States Department of Agriculture. In addition, the food itself will need a mark of inspection before it can enter the US market. These two steps are likely to be completed much more quickly. “It’s the moment we’ve been working toward for the past, almost seven years now,” says Uma Valeti, Upside’s CEO. “Opening up the US market is what every company in the world is trying to do.”

Fall is right around the corner. Is your home fall-ready for this transition from summer to autumn? Well, there are lots of steps you can take to keep your home cozy and efficient in the fall season. These are easy and affordable everyday activities you can do as part of your annual home inspection. They include:

1. Clean, Organize, and De-clutter to get it Fall-Ready

Cleaning, organizing, and de-cluttering your home gives it a tranquil and simplified ambiance into fall. To get fall-ready, start by scrubbing all surfaces, including windows, doors, floors, and home appliances. Next, empty and organize your fridge, pantry, and storage areas. Here, check the expiration dates of your food supplies. Throw expired food, and donate the foodstuffs that won’t make it to the fall season. Third, de-clutter and donate your summer clothes and shoes. Also, clean and replace your bedding, towels, and linens.

2. Decorate Your Home

Did you know that installing cozy wallpaper or adding a vintage runner to your entryways can warm up your home for fall? And you can use your pottery and glassware to accessorize and create a fun centerpiece as a focal point in your living room. Donate your unused items in the store and turn the extra space into a hideaway room complete with accented lighting, a reading table, a lamp, a bed, and cozy pillows and blankets. Hang your woven baskets and add some fresh fall flowers for a tasteful look.

3. Make Sure Your Installations are Fall-Ready

Not only should your home be clean and attractive, but it should also be functional. That’s why you should inspect your installations to confirm that they are in tip-top shape and fall-ready. Now is the best time to scrutinize and clean the filter furnace and change the humidifier filter too. Next, check the air quality in the attic. Here, you want to confirm that the insulation is working; all the air vents are clean, dry, and mold-free. Seal any air leakages into the attic to prevent ice dams from forming in winter. Finally, check for cracks in and outside your home. Call a professional to assess and repair any rift at least an eighth of an inch wide.

4. Carry Out Preventive Maintenance

Preventive maintenance will save you unnecessary utility bills and repair costs when getting fall-ready. Have the gutters clean, and debris-free, with water flowing freely through them. Add a drain spout extension to divert water away from the foundation. Ideally, you want water to drain 4 to 6 feet away from your home. Next, inspect and repair any visible damage on your windows, door frames, and surrounding drywall. The weather-stripping should be secure to prevent drafts responsible for escalating heating bills. Test and replace fire alarms and carbon monoxide detector batteries. And reverse the ceiling fan to push the heat down from the ceiling to the floor.

5. Work With a Professional

Some areas around your home require professional handling only to get fall-ready. For example, ask a professional to clean your chimney. And contact an HVAC professional to check the ductwork and tune up your heating system. Then, as a rule of thumb, call an expert to address any concerns you have after inspecting your home.

A savvy homeowner is proactive in preparing their home for fall. Then, use the tips above to enjoy a comfortable, safe, and cost-efficient transition into the cooler season ahead.

Another week, another round-up of the leading tech news across the world wide web. In this week’s weekly write-up, we’re talking about a new AI tool from IG, major updates with FedEx, and more! Read on and stay connected with the world of tech!!

Google News Unveils Personalized Desktop Redesign

In honor of its 20th birthday, Google News has unveiled a revamped version of its desktop design. The latest version gives more prominence to local news and personalized content. Likewise, with the latest update, users will be able to customize topics to better fit their search. In addition, users can also add multiple locations to the “Local News” section through their settings button. This change marks Google’s latest effort to become more user-friendly with a series of platform updates in the past two quarters. Of course, the biggest change is that various categories of news like world, business, and science will be more accessible. 

New AI tool being tested at Instagram can Verify Your Age through Facial Scan

A new AI tool is in the works at Instagram. The social media platform is currently testing a tool that can verify age via facial scan. Built by a third-party company, Yoti, the tool is Instagram’s latest attempt at providing a safer space for users 13 and older. Likewise, the tools are meant to aid with privacy and child safety across all users of the platform. Approved for use in the UK and Germany, Yoti is well–established in the field of the online age and ID verification. Users can even try out Yoti’s age verifying tool now directly on the company site if interested in seeing how the potential IG tool may work.

Gene-editing Technology CRISPR may be able to help combat climate change

The technology behind CRISPR and its ability to create new crops may be able to help fight climate change. Researchers recently received $11 million in funding from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative to aid in the efforts. Likewise, the funds will go towards enhancing plants like rice and soil. The technology would be able to better trap carbon dioxide emitted through sourcing the crop. CRISPR, which was founded by Nobel laureate and co-inventor Jennifer Doudna, is led by the Innovative Genomics Institute. “[Jennifer] and I saw eye to eye on climate and how big of a problem it is in the world. And we just didn’t want to sit on the sidelines anymore,” says Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) executive director Brad Ringeisen.

FedEx to soon Photograph Packages as Proof of Delivery

If you have ever had an issue locating a delivered package from FedEx, you may soon have a solution. The company is working on creating its own tool to provide proof of delivery via photo in instances where a signature is not required. “This is something e-commerce merchants and customers have been asking for, and we are proud to be the first to announce this service will be available to residential customers,” Brie Carere, FedEx’s chief customer officer, said in a press release announcing the program this week. Likewise, the service will be free and available for FedEx Express and FedEx Ground delivery customers. The service will also serve as a good form of protection for FedEx, in instances where a package is reportedly lost. The tool will be available in select markets first before launching in the US and Canada.

Twitter to Create built-in Notes feature

Character limits may be coming to an end on Twitter. The company is currently developing a tool for long-form blogging on the popular social media platform. Aptly name Twitter Notes, the company confirmed the new tool via tweet this week. Currently only available to select users in the US, UK, Canada, and Ghana, users will be able to read notes on and off Twitter. The company showcased how the tool will work through two separate GIFs in its tweet announcement. The tool will allow users to embed a Note into their tweet for a long-form post option. Likewise, users can also mix in images and videos to the long-form posts. 

Stock markets suffered steep losses on heightened inflation fears this week – This week the May Consumer Price Index (CPI) report was released. It showed that consumer prices in May had increased 8.6% from one year ago. That was the highest reading in over forty years. It was widely felt that inflation was beginning to moderate because the CPI had decreased in April to 8.3%, down from 8.5% in March. Wages were not up as much in May as they were in April, and other core inflation indexes showed inflation was beginning to moderate. This new CPI report for May took investors by surprise as it revealed that inflation has not been tamed and that interest rate increases and other tightening measures by the Fed have not slowed inflation. Mortgage rates and bond yields which peaked in early May and had moderated over the last few weeks bounced back to their highest levels in over a decade. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed the week at 31,292.79 down 4.9% from 32,899.70 last week. It is down 13.9% year-to-date. The S&P 500 closed the week at 3,900.86, down 5.1% from 4,108.54 last week. The S&P is down 18.2% year-to-date. The NASDAQ closed the week at 11,340.02, down 5.6% from 12,012.73 last week. It is down 27.5% year-to-date.

U.S. Treasury bond yields – The 10-year treasury bond closed the week yielding 3.15%, up from 2.96% last week. The 30-year treasury bond yield ended the week at 3.20%, up from 3.11% last week. We watch bond yields because mortgage rates often follow treasury bond yields.

Mortgage rates – The Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Survey reported that mortgage rates as of June 9, 2022, for the most popular loan products were as follows: The 30-year fixed mortgage rate was 5.23%, up from 5.09% last week. The 15-year fixed was 4.38%, up from 4.32% last week. The 5-year ARM was 4.12%, up from 4.04% last week. Rates were higher on Thursday and Friday so next week’s survey will show higher rates.

Home sales data for May should be released by the California Association of Realtors at the end of next week. The National Association of Realtors will release data the following week. You can get local home sales numbers for any city or zip code in Southern California on my website now.

https://www.rodeore.com/market-trends