Amazon Echo now supports Alexa Guard, a home security feature in the US
Your Echo smart speaker can now double up as a watchdog at home. Amazon started rolling out its Alexa Guard feature on Monday to users in the US, which notifies you if there’s the sound of breaking glass, or if the smoke or carbon monoxide alarm goes off while you’re away from home.
Chipotle says prices could go up if U.S. makes good on Mexico tariffs threat
The cost of a Chipotle burrito could cost you more if President Donald Trump goes through with his threat to slap Mexico with tariffs as part of a dispute over illegal immigration.
Mozilla launches free desktop password manager, makes anti-tracking a default feature
Mozilla has made significant strides in improving the speed and performance of its browser lately, and made privacy protection a core part of its brand ethos. On Tuesday, Mozilla upped the ante by making Enhanced Tracking Protection a default feature on Firefox, and launching a desktop version of its password free manager.
Congress launches Big Tech antitrust probe
The federal government may be warming up its antitrust enforcement machine and pointing it at Big Tech. On Monday, the House Judiciary Committee announced a sweeping antitrust probe of unspecified technology companies . In a statement, it promised "a top-to-bottom review of the market power held by giant tech platforms," which would be the first such Congress has ever undertaken.
Walmart extends debt-free college benefits to high schoolers
Walmart is extending its debt-free college benefits to high schoolers as a way to attract and retain workers in a tight labor market.
Apple splits iTunes software on Macs into 3 apps
Apple announced an end to the iTunes era at WWDC 2019, Apple’s annual developer conference on Monday. The upcoming MacOS Catalina, slated to release this fall, will replace iTunes with three separate apps - Apple Music, Apple Podcasts and the Apple TV app.
WWDC 2019 Highlights: iOS 13, MacOS Catalina, watchOS 6, Mac Pro, Sidecar, and more
Apple unveiled a host of new features and updates to its software platforms at WWDC 2019, its annual developer conference on Monday. The Cupertino-based tech giant announced features that make its devices and product offerings more robust and multi-functional. These announcements come at a time when it is pivoting to services, after facing declining sales of the iPhone. Apple is shipping 30...
Google, others suffer nearly 5-hour service outage Sunday
Google is saying users of YouTube and other services are seeing errors or slow performance due to high levels of network congestions in the eastern United States. YouTube, Google Cloud and G Suite services are affected, but Google said it believes it has identified the cause of the congestion and expects to return to normal service shortly. The company first identified the issue on its Google...
Malware infested laptop receives $1.345 million closing bid
A Samsung netbook loaded with six pieces of malware has sold as a piece of art, and has received a final closing bid of $1.435 million at an online auction.
Amazon sells and ships Moto Z4 to customer before its launch
As far as gadget leaks go, this one takes the cake. Motorola’s upcoming phone, the Moto Z4 isn’t even officially announced yet, but not only did a customer find a listing for a phone on Amazon, he was able to buy it, and get it shipped. He has posted an unboxing video with his impressions of the device.
World Health Organization classifies gaming addiction as a mental disorder
The World Health Organization (WHO) officially recognized video game addiction as a ‘gaming disorder’ at the 72nd World Health Assembly on Saturday. The classification will go into effect January 1, 2022.
Apple refreshes iPod Touch line-up with A10 Fusion chip
Apple announced a new update to the iPod Touch family on Monday, featuring the A10 Fusion chip, which first appeared in the iPhone 7. It’s the seventh generation of the iPod Touch, which comes almost four years after the sixth-generation, introduced first in July 2015.
MacKenzie Bezos pledges half her fortune to charity
NEW YORK (AP) - MacKenzie Bezos, who finalized her divorce from Amazon founder and CEO Jeff Bezos earlier this year, is pledging to give away half her fortune to charity. The novelist said Tuesday that she signed The Giving Pledge, a campaign to get the ultra-wealthy to pledge at least half their fortune to charitable causes. It was created in 2010 by billionaire investor Warren Buffett and...
Consumers warned about iTunes credit card charge scam
If you have a credit or debit card tied to your iTunes account, scammers could be targeting your bank account.
Restaurants, theme parks: Military and veteran discounts offered during month of May
As part of the month of honoring men and women in the military, there are deals at restaurants, free admission to museums, and even a price cut on Rosetta Stone language courses.
Teva settles with Oklahoma for $85M in opioid case
One of the drugmakers named in Oklahoma’s lawsuit over the opioid crisis has agreed to a settlement in which it will pay the state $85 million.
San Jose Tech Museum changes name, re-brands with international education programs
After 20 years of operation, The Tech Museum of Innovation in San Jose announced Thursday that it will re-brand and change its mission to become The Tech Interactive.
Facebook: Fake account removal doubles in 6 months to 3B
Facebook removed more than 3 billion fake accounts from October to March, twice as many as the previous six months, the company said Thursday.
San Jose's historic First Street area becomes first of six ‘Opportunity Zones'
The landscape of San Jose is changing due to investment from both the private and public sectors. On the city’s historic First street, the first of six sites poised for transformation in the city’s first 'Opportunity Zone.'
Report: One in six Uber, Lyft drivers fail to respond to recalls
NEW YORK (AP) - One out of six Uber and Lyft drivers in the New York City and Seattle areas are driving vehicles with outstanding recalls, according to Consumer Reports. But taking a taxi or limousine isn't necessarily a safer option: nearly a quarter of traditional for-hire vehicles in New York City such as taxis, limousines and livery cabs also need repairs due to outstanding recalls,...