May, 2020

• 6 May

  Is Sonos Arc the Dolby Atmos soundbar you’ve been waiting for?

  

  Goodbye, Playbase, we hardly knew ye. Farewell too, beloved yet ancient Playbar. In one fell swoop, Sonos has replaced both speakers with the new Arc soundbar, shipping in June for $800 ($1399 AUD). Sure you can get a good soundbar for way less, but Sonos fans skew higher-end and the new Arc is aimed squarely at those …

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• 6 May

  Apple will let you automatically share your Medical ID info with first responders

  

  For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites. Apple is trying to make it easier to share health information with first responders in emergencies. The next version of Apple’s iOS software includes a feature that lets you automatically share information from your Medical ID when you call 911 from your iPhone …

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• 6 May

  Lyft’s first

  

  The past few months have been shaky for Lyft. The ride-hailing giant’s business has been curbed by the coronavirus, and the company has responded with layoffs. On Wednesday, however, Lyft’s first-quarter earnings didn’t fully reflect those problems. Lyft reported its revenue rose 23% since the same time last year to $995.7 million, beating analysts’ expectations of $897 million. But the company …

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• 6 May

  Pinterest adds fresh note and date options for boards

  

  With people continuing to practice social distancing amid the coronavirus pandemic, Pinterest has broadened its board organization options to help you plan for virtual events. The social networking site added board notes for stuff like to-do lists or ingredients that you can pull up when you shop for groceries.  Other fresh features include the ability to add dates to boards, so …

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• 6 May

  Spotify CEO expects Apple to open up more after antitrust complaint, report says

  

  Spotify’s boss apparently thinks Apple will open up its platform in the wake of the music streaming service filing an antitrust complaint with the European Union in 2019. CEO Daniel Ek told Bloomberg his company is “encouraged” by its ability to use Siri for voice support, along with being able to make products for Apple TV and Apple Watch. In …

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• 6 May

  Lockdown is making us TV zombies who watch news and sad shows all the time

  

  For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites. Comcast, the biggest cable provider in the US, crunched the numbers on our TV habits during coronavirus lockdown, and the results are in: You’re not the only one binge-watching news and depressing dramas like a screen zombie when you’re supposed to be working or …

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• 6 May

  Fitbit launches heart study to see if its devices can detect AFib

  

  Fitbit on Wednesday launched the Fitbit Heart Study, which aims to validate the use of its wearables to help detect atrial fibrillation, or AFib, the most common form of heart rhythm irregularity. The virtual study is open to Fitbit users 22 years and older with a current Fitbit device. The company hopes to enroll hundreds of thousands of people in …

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• 6 May

  LG budget phone launches on Boost Mobile for $90

  

  LG Electronics‘ new budget smartphone has launched on Boost Mobile, with the LG K51 sporting a 6.5-inch HD+ display. It retails for $150 but is currently on sale for $90. The new phone in LG’s K series runs on Android 9 and has three rear cameras: a 13MP lens, a 5MP superwide and a 2MP bokeh. The LG K51 also …

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• 6 May

  Uber lays off 3,700 employees amid coronavirus pandemic

  

  For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites. Uber is laying off 3,700 full-time employees, about 14% of its workforce, the ride-hailing company said Wednesday in a filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. The cuts are coming from Uber’s customer support and recruiting teams, the company said. The layoffs …

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• 6 May

  How to take a good supermoon photo

  

  We’ll get to see the last full supermoon of the year on May 7. This one’s dubbed the “super flower moon” and if April’s “super pink moon” was any indication, it should be a real barn burner.  Last month, I went up to my roof with the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra, iPhone 11 Pro and my first ever DSLR, the Canon …

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