Google Images’ latest feature makes it easy to find that perfect shareable GIF
Google Images has supported GIFs for some time, but now its getting a feature that will allow users to more easily find one that they might want to share. The new "Share GIFs" section in Images will showcase some of the most shareable GIFs around, then quickly share them into the app they want.
Ossia scores FCC certification to transmit wireless power over distance
The news that Ossia has won FCC certification for its Cota transmitter and receiver, which is capable of delivering power wirelessly over distance, is a real boost for the industry. There are some major limitations here, but this is still an important step. We spoke to CEO Mario Obeidat to find out more.
Google’s bizarre folding smart book has multiple screens instead of pages
Do foldable smartphones only need to have one screen when open? Google doesn’t think so, based on a recently discovered patent that shows a “smart book” with multiple screens inside it, just like a regular book. It's a really unusual design, and evidence of what companies envision as they explore the new style.
Sticker obsessives will love the Line messaging app’s new subscription package
The Line messaging app has announced the ultimate option for the sticker-obsessive — Stickers Premium. It's a subscription package that provides unlimited access to the three million stickers available in Line, instead of paying individually for each pack. The savings are substantial.
New A.I. and voice synthesis makes Gatebox your cutest, cleverest digital pal
The concept of living at home with a friendly, intelligent digital character is almost a reality, due to a partnership between Line, the popular messaging app, and Gatebox, a cult Japanese artificial intelligence company. Line's Clova A.I. will live alongside Gatebox's character, and now we can see how it will work.
Your weather app may not be as reliable as you thought. Here’s why.
It's on the verge of thunderstorming. Do you know where your weather app gets its forecast data? Why does your friend's app show a different temperature? A lot has to do with NOAA's National Weather Service, which collects a ton of data and distributes it. But are there better forecast models.
Google will now auto-delete your location history (if you tell it to)
Under fire for the sheer amount of personal data it collects, Google will finally allow you to auto-delete your activity and location history, the company has announced. Google said it will roll out similar deletion controls for your web and app activity over the coming weeks.
Samsung could launch a clamshell-style foldable phone in 2020, report says
According to a new report, while Samsung attempts to remedy its issues with the Galaxy Fold, the company may be planning a second foldable phone, which could launch as soon as the first half of next year. The device will reportedly have a clamshell-style design, and will fold in half.
Apple News wants to tell you all about the Democratic presidential candidates
The Democratic Presidential Debates are just around the corner. You probably are familiar with a few of them, but with 20 in the running, knowing all of them is a tough call. Apple News is offering a simple and easy-to-read guide so you can be in the know about all the candidates.
Visible is removing its 5Mbps data speed limiter (for a limited time)
Visible, the Verizon-owned carrier aimed at offering a no-frills approach to the modern carrier experience, has announced that for a limited time it is removing the 5Mbps data speed cap -- and that unlimited data speed will be available to all current customers as long as they're with Visible.
Vivo’s new charging tech rockets phone your battery to full in only 13 minutes
Vivo has made another leap forward in battery charging tech with the introduction of Super FlashCharge 120w, which is capable of sending enough power through to your phone’s battery to recharge it in only 13 minutes. The technology has been shown at MWC Shanghai, but we do not know when it will be released on a phone.
Oppo’s exciting new tech hides the selfie camera under the phone screen
Oppo has revealed impressive new technology where it can hide the selfie camera on a smartphone beneath the display itself, taking its devices another step closer to providing an unspoiled and completely immersive viewing experience. Oppo explained how it has overcome problems to maintain image quality.
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 has smart card-equivalent security certification
The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 is Qualcomm's flagship processor for the year, and it's available in a range of smartphones. Now, the chip is certified with a smart card equivalent security rating, which essentially means that manufacturers may not need to include external security chips in their phones.
The $1,300 Samsung Galaxy S10 5G is here: What you need to know
Samsung's Galaxy S10 5G is the flagship of the S10 line, and it's expensive at $1,300. But it's the only one of Samsung's latest phones that can connect to 5G networks. It's sold by Sprint and Verizon, and now T-Mobile as well. 5G is sporadic across the U.S. though, so expect limited connectivity.
Hackers conduct prolonged cyberattack against phone network, says security firm
A security company says a prolonged cyberattack against global phone networks, where hackers have apparently collected data related to phone conversations and even the physical location of the device, has taken place. A hacking group, allegedly also responsible for the Cloud Hopper attacks in 2018, has been blamed.
Researchers sent a fake, unblockable presidential alert to a 50,000-seat stadium
A group of researchers was able to successfully send out fake, unblockable presidential alerts to phones in a 50,000-seat football stadium. The team from the University of Colorado Boulder figured out a way to spoof the alert and send it out using commercially available equipment.
FedEx mistakenly rejects shipment of a Huawei phone to the U.S.
There has been some confusion about what exactly the placement of Huawei on the U.S. Entity List means for private customers. Recently a tech writer who tried to ship a Huawei phone from the U.K. to the U.S. was surprised when the phone did not reach its destination, and was returned to him in the U.K.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Tesla Special Edition turns out to be a beautiful dream
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 may not be very far away now, but there are still surprises in store for us. However, one that will not happen -- at least not anytime soon -- is a team up with Tesla. A post on Weibo had referenced what turns out to be merely an imaginative high-concept render by a YouTuber.
Around 40% of Android and iOS apps have high-risk vulnerabilities
According to a new study, a huge percentage of both Android and iOS apps have high-risk vulnerabilities. The majority of the vulnerabilities are related to insecure data storage -- which could leave users' data open to attack from malware. The report comes from Positive Technologies.
Google cancels upcoming Pixel Slate, abandons plans for future Chrome OS tablets
It's bad news if you were looking forward to new Google-built Chrome OS tablets, as Google has officially ceased production on two new devices. The news has been confirmed by a Google spokesperson, and means we won't be seeing any new tablets from Google. Support for the Pixel Slate will continue.
Google Maps insists it’s doing what it can to weed out business scammers
Google Maps has a problem with bogus businesses populating its listings, with some unsuspecting users falling victim to scams. The company says it's doing everything it can to sort it out, while insisting that the fake entries comprise only a tiny percentage of the total number of businesses held on its database.
You can now share Google Search results straight from the app
Google wants to make it a little easier to share search results with others and added a "Share" button to the Android Google app. Currently, the feature is only in the beta version of the app, but will likely roll out to the wider public in the near future on both Android and iOS.
Nimble’s iPhone cases use recycled bottles and no new plastic
The latest line of iPhone cases from Californian accessory manufacturer Nimble is made entirely from recycled plastic bottles. Bottle Cases come in five different styles and each sale results in a 5% donation to an ocean-related nonprofit. Nimble also offers recycling as part of its eco-friendly mission.
Huawei and Honor make bold Android Q update pledge in the face of U.S. ban
Huawei has opened a website to reassure smartphone buyers about the status of Android and Android Q on its devices, and what will happen the near future. It is confident Android Q will come to the Huawei P30 series and the Honor 20 series, along with 17 other devices released over the past months.
LG’s V50 ThinQ is a different take on the folding phone, and it supports 5G
LG has a habit of releasing too many similar phones. Following on the heels of the V40 ThinQ, which arrived last October, the company has now unveiled the LG V50 ThinQ. The marquee difference is that the new phone supports 5G networks, and an accessory turns the V50 into a foldable phone.
Rumors say Sony is making an Xperia phone with a six-lens rear camera
How many camera lenses is too many? In the current market, we've seen phones with one, two, three, and even five lenses -- but Sony is rumored to be pulling something very different out the bag. Rumors are currently saying Sony is planning an Xperia smartphone with six lenses in the rear-facing camera.
Scam robocalls to hospitals could lead to a major health hazard
Robocalls can be an annoying waste of your time, but that lost time can be a matter of life or death to a hospital. Scam robocalls are bombarding U.S. hospitals, with some hospitals losing hours of productivity as a result of the intrusions. But that could just be the start of a health crisis.
HMD Global is moving all Nokia user data to Finland to better protect it
HMD Global announced that in an effort to protect user data, it will be moving installation data and performance data to a Google Cloud data center in Hamina, Finland. According to the company, the move will allow it to better leverage data analytics to improve Nokia phones.
The 5G 2020 iPhone: Here’s everything we know
We're still many months away from the launch of a 2019 iPhone, so do we know anything at all about the 2020 iPhone? Surprisingly, the answer is yes, and the rumors are picking up the pace. Specifics aren't available, but we're learning about the camera, connectivity, screen, and design already.
Mastercard’s new card lets LGBTQIA+ customers use their true name
According to Mastercard, a major source of anxiety for those in the LGBTQIA+ community could be that their credit or debit card doesn't show their true name. The company, however, aims to solve that issue -- and announced the new True Name card, which shows the user's true name on the front.
Global Honor 20 launch marred by fear, as Huawei gets squeezed by U.S. ban
The launch of the Honor 20 series may be the first new device range to be seriously hit by Huawei’s presence on the Entity List. Huawei executives are reportedly watching the forthcoming European launch closely, and there is some expectation that sales will be poor, which may force it to cut off shipments.
American Airlines expands its fast in-flight Wi-Fi, but it will still cost you
American Airlines has finished installing its satellite-based in-flight Wi-Fi for the whole of its mainline narrow-body fleet comprising more than 700 planes — but the service still costs. Other upcoming changes include power outlets for every seat and the addition of tablet holders for much of its narrow-body fleet.
Israeli company claims it can unlock any iPhone up to iOS 12.3 for police
Israel-based forensics firm Cellebrite claimed that its UFED Premium service can unlock iPhones and iPads up to iOS 12.3 and high-end Android smartphones such as the Samsung Galaxy S9. The device will be sold as an on-premises tool, which means that the police will be able to use it any way they want.
Huawei’s lock screen ads were a mistake, but may be a sign of things to come
Ads were placed on the lock screen of Huawei device owners yesterday, causing outcry on forums and social media. Huawei initially said it wasn't responsible, but that's no longer the case. Here's what happened.