UN report highlights gender bias in AI personal assistants
Voice activated personal assistants such as Apple’s Siri, Amazon’s Alexa, Microsoft’s Cortana and Google Assistant, reinforce and spread gender bias by projecting themselves as female, in name, sound of voice, and personality, says a new UN report published on Friday.
Microsoft calls for GDPR-like data privacy framework for the US
It’s almost a year since Europe implemented the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) law, which regulates how companies can process, use, store or exchange data belonging to citizens living in the EU. Microsoft published usage stats of its privacy dashboard to highlight a high level of interest in exercising control over personal data in the US, and is calling for a similar framework to be...
USPS tests mail shipments on self-driving trucks
A self-driving truck company has partnered with the U.S. Postal Service to test autonomous technology on the long-haul route between Phoenix and Dallas.
Apple releases new Macbook Pros with 8-core processor and updated keyboard
Apple announced an update to its Macbook Pro range on Tuesday, which brings eight CPU cores to the laptop line for the first time.
New Firefox update features speed and privacy enhancements
Mozilla has pushed out the latest release of the Firefox web browser Tuesday which brings performance and security enhancements. Mozilla says that it has improved the speed of its browser by one percent every week, for a cumulative speed bump of around 40-80 percent year-on-year.
US delay to Huawei ban gives tech sector time to adjust
The United States is delaying restrictions on U.S. technology sales to Chinese tech powerhouse Huawei in what it calls an effort to ease the blow on owners of its cell phones and smaller U.S. telecoms providers that rely on its networking equipment.
Google AI outperforms radiologists at lung cancer detection
Google has a couple of high-profile use-cases for AI in healthcare – in detecting eye and heart disease. In a research paper released Monday, Google has shown that its deep learning-based AI model is as good as, or better at predicting lung cancer than trained radiologists.
Minecraft Earth could be the biggest augmented reality game since Pokémon Go
Augmented reality hasn’t had a blockbuster hit since Pokemon Go – that’s set to change soon, with one of the world’s most popular game franchises throwing its hat into the ring. Microsoft celebrated the 10th anniversary of Minecraft by unveiling an augmented reality game on Friday. Minecraft Earth, the free-to-play AR game will be playable on iOS and Android devices this summer, starting first...
Google upgrades its Glass augmented reality headset
Google announced an update to its Glass line of business-focused smart glasses Monday.
Huawei's handset business in crisis mode after US ban
Huawei appeared headed Monday toward losing its grip on the No. 2 ranking in worldwide cellphone sales after Google announced it would comply with U.S. government restrictions meant to punish the Chinese tech powerhouse. Google said basic services would still function on the Android operating system used in Huawei's smartphones. Google also said existing smartphone owners would not lose...
FCC chairman backs T-Mobile-Sprint deal in key endorsement
A key federal regulator says he plans to approve wireless carrier T-Mobile's $26.5 billion takeover of rival Sprint, a crucial step for the deal's approval. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Ajit Pai said Monday he agreed to back the deal because the two companies had promised the government steps that would expand mobile internet access in rural areas and help the rollout of...
Huawei faces loss of some Google services after US ban
BEIJING (AP) - Google said Monday its basic services on Huawei smartphones still will function following U.S. sales curbs, but the Chinese tech giant faces the possible loss of other features and support. The announcement highlighted the growing damage to Huawei from Washington's order. The company has said until now U.S. accusations it is a security threat have had little impact on sales...
Average US gas prices drop, but Bay Area still pays the most in the nation
CAMARILLO, Calif. (AP) - The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline fell 3 cents a gallon (3.8 liters) over the past two weeks, to $2.93. Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey says Sunday that it's the first price drop at the pump in four months. Lundberg says the price is 6 cents lower than it was one year ago. The highest average price in the nation is $4.08...
New security flaw in Intel chips called ZombieLoad could affect millions
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) - Intel has revealed another hardware security flaw that could affects millions of machines around the world. The bug is embedded in the architecture of computer hardware, and it can't be fully fixed. "With a large enough data sample, time or control of the target system's behavior," the flaw could enable attackers to see data thought to be off-limits,...
OnePlus 7 Pro debuts with flagship specs at $669
OnePlus revealed its new flagship phone in three live events held simultaneously in New York, London, and Bangalore on Tuesday. The Chinese smartphone maker has built its reputation on providing cutting-edge specs at competitive prices - its latest offering doesn’t stray from this recipe.
WhatsApp hit by spyware that infected via calls alone
Spyware crafted by a sophisticated group of hackers-for-hire took advantage of a flaw in the popular WhatsApp communications program to remotely hijack dozens of phones, the company said late Monday.
College debt? Find out if you qualify for a student loan forgiveness program
A shockingly high number of college graduates have student loan debt, yet not all are aware of the more than 100 student loan forgiveness programs that exist which could potentially help erase some of the money owed.
Disney strikes deal with Comcast, takes full control of Hulu
Disney has struck a deal with Comcast that gives it full control of streaming service Hulu.
Lenovo unveils world's first laptop with a foldable display
Smartphones with foldable displays may not be ready for primetime yet, but Lenovo has jumped on the bandwagon with its Thinkpad family of laptops at Accelerate, a Lenovo-organized event in Orlando, Florida.
Apple's new TV app rolls out today
Apple’s new redesigned TV app, first announced in March at its “showtime” event is rolling out to iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, and select Samsung smart TVs on Monday.